New York Racing Association Is Facing Loss of Payments - NYTimes.com

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/16/sports/new-york-racing-association-is-facing-loss-of-payments.html?_r=1

The administration of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo asked Tuesday that payments from the casino at Aqueduct racetrack to the New York Racing Association, which runs the track, be suspended immediately. It also said it was exploring revoking the association’s racing franchise.

“Unless NYRA immediately starts to act in the best interests of racing and the taxpayers of this state, we will pursue a course of action to re-establish the racing franchise with a qualified, ethical, and responsible steward of horse racing,” a letter sent to NYRA’s chairman, Steven Duncker, stated. It was signed by John Sabini, the chairman of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board, and Robert Megna, the chairman of a NYRA oversight panel.

Charles Hayward, the association’s chief executive, and Patrick Kehoe, its general counsel, were fired last week after the release of an interim report that said they delayed payment of more than $8 million owed to bettors.

Jockey Club outlines opposition to race-day medication in letter to Racing and Wagering Board - Thoroughbred Times
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2012/05/15/jockey-club-outlines-opposition-to-race-day-medication-in-letter.aspx

The Jockey Club has released a copy of a letter it submitted to the New York State Racing and Wagering Board on Monday in support of a ban on race-day medications. The eight-page letter, which is addressed to John Sabini, chairman of the Racing and Wagering Board, was signed by Ogden Mills Phipps, chairman of The Jockey Club.

Hansen Will Take Pass on Preakness Stakes | BloodHorse.com
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/69745/hansen-will-take-pass-on-preakness-stakes

Hansen, the 2011 champion 2-year-old male, will not run in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), his majority owner said May 14.

The colt, owned by Dr, Kendall Hansen and Sky Chai Racing, won the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I)  in November and the Gotham Stakes (gr. III) in March to put him among the favorites for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Hansen, by Tapit  , was in striking position on the far turn in the Derby but flattened out to finish ninth.

One of the most beautiful tracks I have ever seen. I, for one, would welcome the return of racing to Hialeah. 

Hialeah Pulls Plug on Thoroughbred Request
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/69768/hialeah-pulls-plug-on-thoroughbred-request

Hialeah Park is calling off its plan for a possible return of Thoroughbred racing in April and May of 2013.

Hialeah Park chairman John Brunetti said May 14 he made the decision because officials at nearby Calder Casino & Race Course and Gulfstream Park have declined his requests to meet with him about his goal of returning his track to the southeast Florida racing calendar.

Should be he favorite in he Preakness.  

Derby runner-up Bodemeister confirmed for Preakness Stakes
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2012/05/14/bodemeister-confirmed-for-preakness.aspx

Saturday’s Preakness Stakes (G1) will feature a rematch of the first two finishers from the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) with Monday’s news that Bodemeister will run in the second jewel of the Triple Crown. Bob Baffert made it official on Monday after watching the Empire Maker colt gallop at Churchill Downs, saying “he looks good, his coat is good, and he is eating well.” “I see no reason not to take him [to Baltimore for the Preakness],” Baffert said.

The winning Kentucky Derby trainer. This can't be good for public confidence. 

Horse racing: Trainer’s methods under scrutiny | The Columbus Dispatch
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2012/05/12/trainers-methods-under-scrutiny.html

Last summer, trainer Doug O’Neill was formally sanctioned after one of his racehorses at Hollywood Park in California tested positive for illegal drugs.

The year before, in 2010, O’Neill was punished for administering an illegal performance-enhancing concoction to a horse he ran in the prestigious Illinois Derby — the third time he had been accused of giving a horse what is known as a milkshake. Four months later, he was accused again of giving a milkshake to a horse in California.

Over 14 years and in four states, O’Neill received more than a dozen violations for giving horses improper drugs. O’Neill’s horses also have had a tendency to break down. According to an analysis by The New York Times, the horses he trains break down or show signs of injury at more than twice the rate of the national average.

Thoughtful article on the state of thoroughbred racing today. 

Horse racing is failing its people - Farmington Daily Times
http://www.daily-times.com/ci_20613344/horse-racing-is-failing-its-people

Recent media exposure on the “issues” in the sport of racing have caused a ripple effect, both in the executive offices and the backstretches of tracks across America.
While no particular faction wants to publicly hold another accountable as to sport’s declining popularity or the enmity toward it, there is overwhelming evidence the sport is as divided as ever and showing no signs of coming to any sort of mutual agreement to help save it from itself.

Regardless who’s to blame — and in spite of the fact the fixes are clear — the fans are who will ultimately decide the fate of the sport of kings.

Another interesting call.  First no workouts for I'll Have Another, now no Preakness for Dullahan.  

Dullahan to pass on Preakness, aim for Belmont

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2012/05/11/dullahan-to-pass-on-preakness-aim-for-belmont.aspx

Jerry Crawford, managing partner of Donegal Racing, announced Friday that Dullahan, who finished third in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), will make his next start in the Belmont Stakes (G1), the third leg of the Triple Crown, on June 9 at Belmont Park.

Right idea...

Sam Houston to Offer Free Admission
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/69668/sam-houston-to-offer-free-admission

Sam Houston Race Park will offer free admission following the conclusion of the 2012 Quarter Horse meet on May 19.

The Park’s offer will start on May 20 and will last the entire summer through Labor Day.  Simulcast racing will continue seven days a week. Quarter Horse fans will be able to watch and wager on races at Ruidoso Downs beginning May 25.

O'Neill Could be Suspended for TCO2 Violation
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/69672/oneill-could-be-suspended-for-tco2-violation

Trainer Doug O’Neill could face a suspension and fine stemming from a 2010 finding in California that a horse in his care had an elevated level of total carbon dioxide in his blood system.

O’Neill, the winning trainer in the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with I’ll Have Another, has had three prior TCO2 violations — two in California and one in Illinois. He served a 15-day suspension in connection with the Illinois case.