NTRA

Steve Byk, who hosts Sirius XM radio magazine 'At the Races With Steve Byk', is once again teaming with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) for the 'Beat Byk NHC Challenge,' offering a seat at the 2024 National Horseplayers' Championship. Running from July 15 through Sept. 4, Byk will select the weekend stakes races that comprise that week's promotion and announce them his show and on his Twitter page. During the initial promotional period, there will be 17 chances to qualify to the Beat Byk NHC Online Qualifier on September...

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced the disqualification of three unnamed players from the NHC and NHC Tour for a period of two years on Thursday. After hearing input from the horseplayer community and others in the industry, the NTRA revealed on Friday that the players who colluded are Jordan Jayne, James Pauly and Ryan Patrick Scully. "Protecting the integrity of the NTRA and the NHC tournament is among my highest priorities in this job," said NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney. "By not initially releasing the names of the...

Last month, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into state law the self-described "strongest anti-illegal immigration legislation in the country." Under the new statute--the bulk of which goes into effect on July 1--business owners with 25 or more employees must use E-Verify to confirm the immigration status of new hires, and be subjected to enforceable penalties for employing undocumented workers, as well as stricter penalties for sending undocumented workers across state lines to work in Florida, among other provisions. When enforced, the new stringent laws are highly likely to impact everyone...

Effective June 5, Amber Florence was named vice president of finance and administration for The Jockey Club, the organization said in a release Thursday. "I am excited to be back in the Thoroughbred industry and look forward to working with The Jockey Club and its diverse group of companies, charities, and initiatives," Florence said. Prior to joining The Jockey Club, Florence served as the vice president of Corporate Accounting for MiddleGround Capital, where she led the finance operations of the private equity firm's management company. Florence's experience before MiddleGround was...

Two pieces of federal legislation to incentivize investments in Thoroughbreds were reintroduced Apr. 27 by United States Reps. Andy Barr and Morgan McGarvey, both of Kentucky. The Race Horse Cost Recovery Act of 2023 would make the three-year depreciation schedule permanent for racehorses, regardless of their age when put into service. Currently, Congress must reauthorize this provision in the tax law on an annual basis. The Racehorse Tax Parity Act would reduce the holding period for equine assets to be considered long term capital gains, putting them on a level...

Edited Press Release Paul Calia, a retired disability advisor for Social Security from Kansas City, Missouri, toppled a field of 779 entries to take home the grand prize of $800,000, in addition to finishing in fourth place with his second entry--good for another $150,000-- to earn an Eclipse Award and Horseplayer of the Year honors during the NTRA National Horseplayers' Championship which concluded Sunday in Las Vegas. This is the first contest that Calia has ever won. Calia amassed winnings of $362.50 on his first entry, and $305.50 on his...

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced that Jose Arias, Dennis Decauwer, Jim Goodman, and Bill Shurman have been voted by their peers for induction into the NTRA National Horseplayers Championship's Hall of Fame. The handicappers represent the ninth class of NHC Hall of Fame inductees and will be recognized during the NHC Champions Dinner Sunday, Mar. 12, 2023 at the conclusion of the NTRA National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) at the Horseshoe Las Vegas. For more information on the latest inductees, click here.

Ralph Thomas Waldrop, Sr., a life-long resident of Mayfield, Kentucky and the father of former longtime head of the NTRA Alex Waldrop, passed away Friday, Feb. 24, surrounded by family at his home. He was 100 years old. Waldrop was born June 7, 1922, near Mayfield. As a young boy growing up during the Great Depression, he worked many jobs including as a newspaper boy for the Louisville Courier-Journal where he was recognized as a statewide top-seller and as a caddy at Mayfield Golf and Country, where he was a...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) will be on-site to promote aftercare awareness at the NTRA National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) March 10-12 at Horseshoe Las Vegas., the group has announced. Horseplayers are invited to connect with TAA representatives, learn more about accredited Thoroughbred aftercare, donate to TAA to win tickets to the Florida Derby or for a tour of Old Friends, and take home racing memorabilia. TAA will also be on site for the Last Chance First Chance NHC Qualifier to which NTRA donated a VIP opportunity through TAA's Off to...

"As a former instructor of constitutional and criminal law at the United States Military Academy, I implored upon the cadets that we are a nation of laws, not of emotional disinformation. Article III of the Constitution gives the courts the task of interpreting the laws to determine constitutionality and that process is exactly what is happening right now with HISA. "HISA is the law of the land and has been challenged in the courts. In this country constitutionality is not determined by those who may disagree with the language of...

As the official charity partner for the 52nd annual Eclipse Awards, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) was commemorated throughout the awards celebration and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association concluded the evening by announcing a $10,000 donation to the TAA. "The work and mission of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is vital to the growth and success of our industry," said NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney. "NTRA is grateful for the care and due diligence provided by the TAA each and every day to support our retired racehorses and we encourage...

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB), and Daily Racing Form announced that the story of Cody's Wish has been voted the 2022 FanDuel Racing-NTRA Moment of the Year based on the results of more than 1,000 votes cast via Twitter and an online poll. The uplifting story that swept across America had the ultimate ending when the equine Cody's Wish won the GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland Nov. 5. The FanDuel Racing-NTRA Moment of the Year will be recognized during...