Kentucky Racing

Horse racing is a sport genetically programmed in high emotion. It's hardly surprising then that the vet scratch-the ultimate sucker-punch after weeks and months of best laid plans-should prove such a test of nerves. The problem is, diagnosing subtle lameness can be such a subjective venture. And where there's uncertainty, doubt can quickly escalate to condemnation. A recent TDN compendium of data collected from around the country, however, shows that scratched horses run a much higher than average risk of harboring an injury. Numbers from California, Florida, New York, Kentucky...

Outgoing Kentucky State Senator Damon Thayer has been named the recipient of the 2024 Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award by the Louisville-based Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners (KTO), which will be presented on Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Kentucky Derby Museum, the organization said via a release Thursday morning. The KTO's Warner Jones award recognizes individuals for outstanding contributions to Kentucky racing and sharing the passion exemplified by Jones, who spent 50 years on the Churchill Downs board, including eight as chairman during the track's resurgence in the...

A newly released economic impact study conducted by the University of Louisville's Departments of Equine Administration and Economics reveals that Keeneland's racing operations, annual Thoroughbred auctions, supporting business lines and investment in new construction generates an estimated $1.6 billion for Fayette and its surrounding counties, the track said in a press release issued on Wednesday. The study also noted that around 64% of racing patrons come from outside Kentucky, while around 67% of those attending and participating in the annual horse auctions come from outside the state. Of those attending...

Slated to be Kentucky's only Quarter Horse venue, Revolutionary Racing is pouring $10 million into Sandy Ridge Racetrack which is currently under construction in Ashland, the investor said via a Friday press release. Built on 182 acres behind Sandy's Racing & Gaming--a $75 million entertainment facility that Revolutionary opened 11 months ago--the developer plans to request 2026 race dates from the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation. "We are excited to begin this phase of our project, which will be unlike anything else in the state," said Larry Lucas, chairman...

Funeral services for trainer Chuck Simon will be held Monday, Sept. 16 at the Catricala Funeral home, 1597 Route 9, Clifton Park, NY. Viewing hours are from noon to 2 p.m. ET, with a service to follow from 2 to 2:30 p.m. ET. A round-trip private plane from Lexington has been arranged. Individuals wishing further information on that flight should contact Carlo Vaccarezza at 561-714-6019. Simon, who trained for 20 years before retiring in 2019, died Sunday in Saratoga Springs, New York after a bout with cancer. He was 57...

This letter originally appeared on the Walking L Companies website and is republished in the TDN unedited and with permission. I believe that we are all involved in whichever corner of the Thoroughbred Racing Industry we each occupy because of our love first and foremost for the HORSES and that we all want to see racing grow and thrive for decades to come. Of course, there are many problems and challenges within our industry and many things that we need to fix in order for it to continue, let alone...

Kentucky Downs is offering massive purses this year--even more massive than usual--and their VP of Racing, Ted Nicholson joins the hosts to discuss how the track pulls it off.

The Virginia Racing Commission has appointed Waqas Ahmed to serve as its executive secretary, effective Aug. 10, the commission said in a Wednesday press release. Most recently, Ahmed served as the deputy executive director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC). In that role, he carried out several strategic initiatives, including the launch and implementation of sports wagering. Prior to that, Ahmed served as the KHRC's director of pari-mutuel wagering and compliance, and oversaw the launch of several tracks, historical horse racing facilities as well as advance deposit account wagering...

Light Up Racing, the initiative launched late last year, will host two community events in Lexington in the next two weeks. The events are "designed to empower and educate individuals within the Thoroughbred industry on the power of positive communication and the role of social change in shaping the future of horse racing. These events aim to introduce participants to the tools and knowledge to advocate for the sport effectively, engage in meaningful conversations, and transform perceptions within their networks and beyond," according to the announcement by the organization Wednesday....

Edited Press Release Awards are on the way to Kentucky's Thoroughbred breeders participating in the commonwealth's Thoroughbred Breeders' Incentive Fund (KTBIF) program. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) announces the release of $16.2 million through the KTBIF. "Our horse farm families are the backbone of our racing industry, and I'm proud to support the Incentive Fund that keeps mares and foals in Kentucky," said Gov. Andy Beshear. According to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the Kentucky Equine industry generates $6.5 billion and supports more than 60,000 jobs. In fact, 2023 was...

The Antonacci family, which breeds and races under the name of Lindy Farm, has purchased Bryan Station Farm in Lexington and plans to convert it to a multi-purpose, multi-breed farm that will help in the growth of the Lindy operation. Lindy has been a major name in harness racing going back to the late sixties and has recently turned its attention toward building a thoroughbred operation. The new farm will be named Lindy Farms at Bryan Station. Lindy will also retain its farm in Somers, CT. Philip Antonacci trains the...

Kentucky Downs VP of Racing Ted Nicholson joins the Writers' Room to discuss the seven-day Kentucky Downs race meet, talking takeout, purse money, plans for the future and more.