WHO WILL RUN RACING IN SARATOGA THIS YEAR?
05-08-2012 --
With the mess hitting the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) we are likely to see a "NEW NYRA" when the gates open for racing on July 20th. How new it will be will be determined by the results of the current investigations by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board, the New York State Inspector General, The New York State Franchise Oversight Board and the New York State Legislature.
THE BREAKINGPOINT OF BREAKDOWNS
03-22-2012 --
Shocking is an understatement to describe the reaction of the New York Racing Association (NYRA) to breakdowns at Aqueduct Racetrack during their current meet. Dave Grening of the Daily Racing Form reported that on this Wednesday at Aqueduct Racetrack 18 of the 73 horses entered were scratched from the card. Five were scratched by the track Veterinarian, Dr. Yessenia Almeida. Since horses were entered last Friday, there were many reasons WHY a horse was scratched other than a vet scratch. But the numbers should raise suspicion, at least.
A BIG IDEA FROM A SMALL STABLE
03-11-2012 -- Susan Salk - Off Track Thoroughbreds.
The point, says managing partner Monica Driver, is to create happy, well-rounded horses who enjoy their work on the track, but are also prepared to appeal to the kind of rider who may want to buy him after his racing career ends.
RACEHORSE INJURIES
-- Michael Amo
Unless you are a robot, you can’t help but to cringe at the sight of a horse breaking down in a race. Somehow, you personalize the pain. You feel sorry for the horse that was giving all for his owners and trainer, but broke under the stress of the task. The situation worsens when the blue screen comes out indicating the animal cannot be saved.
LORD OF MISRULE
02-20-2012 -- Synposis of Book by Brandon Amo
HANDICAPPING CONTEST--GOOD FOR THE NOVICE
01-14-2012 --
New fans of racing have been critical of the complexity of handicapping and the difficulty in winning at the races. Yet many of the same folks are avid poker players who are not fazed by similar hurdles. This is evidenced by the television coverage poker gets. Attempting to capitalize on the same construct, many tracks have begun to offer handicapping contests with varying levels of skill required.
SPORTS BETTING IN NJ????
01-11-2012 --
Sports betting at Monmouth Park next summer may be a reality. While other jurisdictions are crafting ways to get VLTs at tracks NJ may have made the best move. VLTs operate as games of chance----no skill required. Sports betting demands significant understanding of the game, as well as wagering. Sounds like horse race pari-mutual wagering. It seems racing is more llkely to attract folks with similar acumen and interests. The crossover between handicapping horse racing and betting on sports is obvious. This can only help our sport attract new fans. That's a good thing with future brighter than with VLTs. Lets hope the Governor and the federal courts agree.
FANS SHORTED BY NYRA INACTION
12-24-2011 --
The New York Racing Associaton, Inc (NYRA) was found by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board (NYSRWB) to have overcharged fans on exotic bets over the past 15 months. The mistake occurred when NYRA failed to roll-back a 1% take-out surcharge approved by the NYSRWB in 2008. As a result the NYSRWB estimates that fans lost over $8.6 million. On Tuesday the NYSRWB required that NYRA take immediate action to rectify the problem and to help fans recoup their losses. However, was their action sufficient?
Read the full story and relevant links on the ThoroFan website.
"Born to Run"
10-26-2011 --
Harve de Grace works out at Keeneland on Monday. See it from the rider's angle vis webcam.
NEW YORK PROPOSAL WOULD BAN RACE-DAY MEDS
09-22-2011 --
The talk of the industry for the last few months has been the use of race-day medications. The issue has been percolating for years. It was brought to currency by a proposed federal legislation that would ban performance enhancing race-day medication and dole out severe penalties to violators. The Breeders’ Cup in an effort to mirror international rules is banning race-day medication for two-year-old races next year and all races beginning in 2013. Most of the national racing organizations are following suit or, at least, studying the viability of the rule.
IF YOU THINK RACETRACK ACCREDITATION ISN'T IMPORTANT--THINK AGAIN
09-22-2011 --
When a filly stepped onto the track at Penn National last Sunday morning, everything seemed right with the world. Then it all changed. With a factured leg she lay on the track in pain and wimpering for over an hour. Why. There was not a track veterinarian on duty to care for her. National standards (NTRA) require the presence of a veterinarian during racing and training.But since Penn National is not accreditted, they can ignore the standard. If we cared more maybe we would ask if a track is accreditted before we send our horses to race there or even place a single wager.
WHAT ARE THE ODDS? BELMONT - 911
-- Mail Online News
On the tenth anniversary of 9/11 first three winners at New York track are horses with numbers 9,1 and 1.
Judge Tosses Out-Of-Competition Testing
08-21-2011 --
New York Supreme Court Judge finds New York Out-of-Competition rule abitrary. Although it was specifically for harness racing,it will affect Thoroughbred racing.
FANS GET "A VIEW FROM THE BACKSTRETCH" IN PHOTOS BY THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK THERE.
07-26-2011 -- The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP DAY OCTOBER 15, 2011
06-06-2011 --
BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP DAY OCTOBER 15, 2011 will be an historic event for racing in England. It will offer the richest purses ever in English flat racing.ThoroFan's Jeremy Edge will be there covering the race day for HRTV. Want to join him and other ThoroFans? Read More!
PHOTOGRAPHERS HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE CLOSE UP VIEW AND BROUGHT IT TO US FANS
-- New York Times
Picture # 15 - Is one of these young fans you?
WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT FANS? I SAY MONMOUTH ROCKS
06-10-2011 -- COME JOIN US AND SWING WITH MONMOUTH PARK FANS
THE CHALLENGE IN NEW YORK IS REBUILDING THE FAN BASE
04-27-2011 --
SENATOR BONACIC AND ASSEMBLYMAN PRETLOW SHARE THEIR IDEAS ON THE FUTURE OF RACING
04-27-2011 --
An interview in the Capitol, a newspaper for and about New York State Government, the leaders of the New York State Senate and Assembly discuss the issues they think are most important to New York racing. Although the success of OTBs is front and center, it is positive the issue of fan development is on their radar screens. Read the full Interview by clicking on the above headline.
NTRA ALLIANCE GETS SUPPORT FROM INDUSTRY LEADER
03-29-2011 -- BloodHorse
Antony Beck, President of gainsway Farms speaks up about the importance of our sport having national standards and the accreditation of tracks.
NEW RACETRACK STANDARDS
03-04-2011 --
FAN DEVELOPMENT IN NEW YORK
03-02-2011 -- Michael Amo
New York State is taking the leadership in recognizing that without the fan racing would not exist. The New York State Senate following their task force on racing introduced a five-point plan.
MONMOUTH MARKETING DIRECTOR AND THOROFAN SUPPORTER TO RIDE IN MONGOLIAN RACE
02-09-2011 --
FAN-FRIENDLY GULFSTREAM IS NO ACCIDENT
01-21-2011 -- Michael Amo
When Gulfstream Park was rebuilt many thought it touted the end to the era of the fan-friendly racetrack in favor of gaming and simulcasting. Although the world of Thoroughbred racing is slowly moving in that direction, unfortunately, Gulfstream Park's management team is still focused on the fan and the "fan experience." Read the full story
INSIDE TWEET CAN SWEETEN POT
12-13-2010 -- Gene Kershner
[Gene Kershner coordinates the blogs of the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance and is on the board of Director of ThoroFan]
Over the past several years a vast amount of technology and information has emerged that has served as a benefit to horseplayers. In this week's Post Time, we'll discuss ways to use this technology to your advantage when playing the ponies. We'll also review how social media, particularly Twitter, can provide essential real-time information to help your wagering efforts.
Read Full Story.....
RECONNECTING THE SPORT WITH THE FANS!
12-11-2010 --
The December 4th issue of BloodHorse offered a wonderful column by Rick Gold, CEO of a California high-tech company and a partner in Bourbon Trace Stables. The column un the heading of the "Final Turn" addressed all the issues that ThoroFans have been asking. The readers reactions were even more reinforcing of the the need for change in our sport's approach.
Read more....
ZENYATTA - VIDEO TRIBUTE WINNER
12-09-2010 -- youtube
ZENYATTA'S RACE FOR PERFECTION - video
11-01-2010 -- SI.COM Sports Illustrated -( please wait if there is a commercial.)
Racing has heros too.
NO GOOD DEED SHALL GO UNPUNISHEDNO GOOD DEED SHALL GO UNPUNISHED
08-26-2010 -- By Michael Amo for ThoroFan
Fans are regularly bewildered when immediately after a race the word “Inquiry” mysteriously appears on the tote board and/or television screen. In baritone decibels the announcer proclaims, “There is a Stewards’ Inquiry. Hold all tickets until the race is made official.” What?
