New York Racing

Having saddled more than 500 winners on synthetic surfaces in his multiple graded stakes-winning career, Kevin Attard said his interest was piqued last week when the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) said in a release it would be utilizing an all-weather Tapeta track as its exclusive winter racing surface at the new Belmont Park when it opens in 2026. "It's definitely something I've contemplated for a bit now. The fact that a synthetic track is going in there is a little bit more enticing for myself and I'm sure...

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has launched a new outreach program called the Students of Thoroughbreds and Racing (STAR), which will begin July 27 at Saratoga Race Course and continue on Saturdays and Sundays through September 1, the association said in a Thursday release. NYRA STAR is designed to give children, ages 12 and under, and their families, insider access. Participants will experience the sport through exclusive on-track events, educational opportunities and kid-friendly communications. Membership for NYRA STAR is free of charge. New members can join at any...

There was a well-known Thoroughbred trainer who was accused of a medication violation by the governing anti-doping agency at the time. This conditioner had a history of putting the horse first, so the case was shocking and the evidence stacked against him did not quite add up. The owner of the animal in question did everything possible to help him mount a defense by calling in experts to give testimony, but in the end he was found negligent and given a year suspension. The trainer was none other than Tom...

New York State Gaming Commission will launch an advisory board to assist directing contributions from New York's Thoroughbred and Standardbred breeding funds to responsible racehorse aftercare organizations, the organization announced in a press release Tuesday. Thoroughbred and Standardbred owners and breeders, and animal protection organizations specializing in horse aftercare and rescue are eligible to serve on the panel on a volunteer basis. "We are seeking responsible and dedicated horseracing industry participants and animal welfare organizations to work together to drive resources to equine aftercare organizations," said Chair Brian O'Dwyer. "This...

A unanimous voice vote Monday by the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) restructured some of the time frames related to Thoroughbred claiming rules in the state. The measures had been developed in consultation with the managements of New York's Thoroughbred racetracks and horsemen's organizations in the state. The overall slate of changes had been in the works since last August, and the package was originally scheduled to be voted upon last month. But during the May 20 meeting, commissioner John Crotty raised concerns about whether it was in the...

Trainer Danny Gargan's stable is humming along at a nice clip in the wake of celebrating a little over a week ago his first Grade I win with Dornoch (Good Magic) in the Belmont S. and with Society Man (Good Magic) taking the GIII Matt Winn S. at Churchill Downs a day later. Gargan stopped by the TDN Writers' Room podcast for a conversation. Finally, to cap his stellar week, Complexion (Complexity) broke her maiden at first asking during the Belmont at the Big A meet on Friday, which earned...

On Wednesday, Aug. 14, the New York Race Track Chaplaincy's 17th annual brunch at the Saratoga National Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, New York, will be emceed by NBC Sports's Donna Brothers and Thoroughbred owner Len Green will be honored with the Marylou Whitney Award, the non-profit said in an early Thursday release. The owner of D.J. Stable and The Green Group, a New Jersey-based CPA firm, Green will receive the Whitney Award for his ongoing support of the chaplaincy and its programs. Along with Brothers, FanDuel TV personality Todd...

The Belmont Child Care Association, Inc. (BCCA) will host its annual Spring Fling Hat Luncheon and Fashion Presentation on Thursday, June 6 at The Garden City Hotel, 45 7th St., Garden City, New York, the organization said in a release Friday. The luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. ET with a cocktail reception featuring two-tiered raffles and a luxury silent auction, followed by a seated luncheon. This year's online silent auction will feature a 2025 Belmont Stakes package, which includes a private luxury box for five. Online bidding opens Monday,...

Joseph O'Brien has laid out an adventure in America for juvenile Group 1-winner Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), the target being the GI Manhattan S. in New York on June 8, in a path eventually routing to the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. After having his sophomore season disrupted by injury, Al Riffa resurfaced in the G1 Prix Ganay at ParisLongchamp and was only beaten by three-quarters of a length in a wild scramble on the wire. O'Brien admits his charge's size is something of a concern, and...

Bidding opens Sunday, May 19 for Box B30, a second floor Saratoga Clubhouse finish line two-seater for the 2024 Belmont Stakes Festival, which is being auctioned off over the course of 10 days by The Jana Domino Foundation, the non-profit said in a Thursday press release. The box was donated by Lynwood 'Doc' O'Cain with the cooperation of the New York Racing Association. Proceeds from the auction will be used to fund the organization's work in supporting Thoroughbred aftercare, the PDJF and the children of backstretch workers. "Words cannot express...

Trainer Ken McPeek is considering the GI Preakness S. for Friday's GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), who came out of the race in fine shape. "She left a little bit of grain last night, about half a scoop, but it's nothing to be worried about," McPeek said. "It's something we watch regularly, and she typically eats up every night. She's tired. She ran hard." He continued, "We're gonna look at the Preakness, but she's gonna have to show us in the next three or four days. We'll...

The Whitney Viewing Stand at Saratoga's Oklahoma Training Track will open to the public beginning Thursday, Apr. 25, the New York Racing Association said in a release Wednesday afternoon. Prior to the start of the summer meet, the site will be open free of charge from Thursday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. ET. The Oklahoma Training Track is accessible to pedestrians through Gate 21 on East Avenue. Parking is not currently available within the Oklahoma grounds. The opening of the Whitney Viewing Stand also coincides with the...