thoroughbred racing

A raft of changes to the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program woven into the recently introduced Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act could open up the visa to the immigrant backstretch workforce. Designed specifically for agricultural workers, the H-2A program has for a long time effectively excluded equine backstretch workers from participation as it is designed for non-immigrant ag' workers who perform seasonal or temporary jobs. "For decades, that has been strictly defined in regulations to mean the length of the job contract is limited to 10 months and the underlying job...

Edited Press Release  The 2025 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar provided an economic boost to the San Diego region estimated at $125-million in total industry output, it was announced by Breeders' Cup Monday. Citing an independent study conducted by Sport Management Research Institute, the organization said that the report found the World Championships supported 1,023 jobs across the region, generating $51.8-million in labor income, and $80.2-million in value added (equivalent to GDP). In addition, $11-million in federal taxes and $7.6-million in state and local taxes were generated. Applicable...

Tickets for the 10th annual National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame's Kentucky Derby Party on Saturday, May 2 are now available for purchase. Set to begin at 4:00p.m. and run until 7:30p.m., the Derby-themed fundraiser will feature samplings of local brews and spirits as well as food from local restaurants in Saratoga Springs, New York. While exploring the Museum and its exhibits, guests will enjoy entertainment in the Hall of Fame before a live airing of the running of the Kentucky Derby. Guests are encouraged to dress in...

Kentucky's potentially landmark fixed-odds bill has been voted out the state House with an easy 79-15 margin and now heads to the state Senate. Some of the key elements in the revised version this sweeping bill include a new mandate establishing a minimum amount of at least $1,000 that a bettor can win through fixed-odds wagering, language to essentially decouple wagering providers from the prediction market (which is the ability for bettors to make speculative bets on the outcomes of future events), and language barring a cap being placed on...

The 2026 race dates for four Ontario racetracks--Woodbine Racetrack, Woodbine Mohawk Park, Fort Erie Race Track and Ajax Downs--have been approved by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), it was announced Wednesday. The number of racing days per track:   Woodbine Racetrack (Thoroughbred) - 128   Woodbine Mohawk Park (Standardbred) - 222 (for all of 2026 counting dates already allocated from Jan. 1 through Mar. 31, 2026.   Fort Erie Race Track (Thoroughbred) - 34   Ajax Downs (Quarter Horse)...

Fasig-Tipton will introduce a new format, date, and restored name for the annual fall yearling sale in Timonium, Maryland for 2026, the auction house announced Monday. Previously known as the Timonium Yearling Sale, the auction will once again be known as the Eastern Fall Yearling Sale, reflecting the deep roots and enduring importance to breeders, owners, and trainers in the region. Major regional developments--the new racetrack construction at Pimlico and Belmont Park--marked a beginning to a new era for the Midlantic and Northeast racing circuits, and spurred changes which include...

The 2026 Thoroughbred meet at Hawthorne is supposed to start in just over a month. The ominous wall of silence and uncertainty hanging over the track's future, however, is leaving the horsemen and women relying on the meet's go-ahead "extremely worried and concerned," said Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (ITHA) president Chris Block on Monday. "We've implored the [Illinois Racing Board] executive director and the chairman [Daniel Beiser] that they get Hawthorne to the table. I'm hopeful that'll happen," said Block, who estimated that there are currently around 175 Thoroughbreds stabled...

We have asked some of racing's best and brightest what they think racing will be like in 2036. Here are some submissions from our readers. Thoroughbred Racing in 2036: Building a Smarter, Safer Future By 2036, Thoroughbred racing may look markedly different from the sport of today. The industry is entering a period of transition shaped by technology, safety reform, digital fan engagement, and growing expectations around responsibility and transparency. Rather than abandoning its history, racing appears to be learning from it and building forward. One of the most significant...

What will racing look like in 10 years? We asked some of racing's best and brightest to give us their predictions. Want to submit an answer? Email suefinley@thetdn.com  I write my feelings reluctantly. I feel like Jerry Maguire when he called out his profession/world/sport. Where do I see this great game in 2036? Where do I begin? We have failed collectively to police ourselves and the wonderful horses we are entrusted to take care of. Yes, there are many good horsemen and horse women in this industry. They work hard...

For the fifth straight year, Horseshoe Indianapolis set a new record for all-time highest handle wagered on live racing. The 123-day meet, ending on Nov. 13, concluded with total handle surpassed $287 million in 2025. "We couldn't be prouder of our team and our season for the results we saw this year," said Vice President and General Manager of Racing Eric Halstrom. "We were going up against some pretty big numbers from 2024. Despite running 49 less races this year, we were still able to top last year's figures. Our...

Editor's Note: the tables mentioned in the piece below have all been inserted into the article individually in alphabetical order. Please see those for reference. As an Englishman, I can assure my friends in the Bluegrass that America does not have a monopoly on political division. But in this rancorous age it is a comfort, either side of the water, that a mutual love of the horse can keep people not just talking, but outright friendly, who might otherwise only be yelling at each other. It is not too often...

St. Louis native and multi-diamond, award winning artist Nelly has taken a significant ownership role in a National Thoroughbred League (NTL) team that will move to St. Louis from its original Seattle base, the group announced Monday. Renamed as the "Nellies" in honor of its newest owner, the team is an expansion of the rapper's involvement after having been an early investor in the venture. Nelly will also serve as host of the NTL's Nelly Cup at Fairmount Park Saturday, July 19 for the track's centennial celebration. There will be...