Tag: Horse Racing

Kentucky Governor Reiterates Calls To Support Sports Wagering, Historical Horse Racing

During Thursday's State of the Commonwealth and Budget address from the governor's mansion, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear reiterated his support for both sports wagering and historical horse racing.

“Speaking of laws that unduly restrict us from growth and innovation,” Gov. Beshear said, “it is time to legalize medical marijuana, pass sports betting, and save historic horse racing.”

While Gov. Beshear's remarks on the subject were brief this Thursday, he has long been a supporter of both historical horse racing and sports wagering. The former has come under fire, however, due to a Kentucky Supreme Court decision last September which declared at least one version of historical horse racing terminal to not constitute pari-mutuel wagering, and thus to be illegal.

In response to the state's Supreme Court ruling, Churchill Downs has halted major construction projects at both it's Louisville, Ky. flagship track and at the recently-purchased Turfway Park in Florence, Ky.

In mid-December, during a virtual legislative preview conference, Gov. Beshear urged lawmakers to legalize historical horse racing in support of Kentucky jobs and the over $21 million it contributes to the state's budget.

The post Kentucky Governor Reiterates Calls To Support Sports Wagering, Historical Horse Racing appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

New COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines Released By Kentucky Department of Agriculture

As Central Kentucky Thoroughbred farms prepare to open their breeding sheds, the positivity rate for COVID-19 in the state is approaching 12 percent. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture released new health and safety guidelines for the Kentucky equine industry this week to help limit the spread of the virus.

Among the department's recommendations are the opening of barns to improve ventilation, limit the transfer of printed paperwork, and allow veterinary assistants to hold horses whenever possible to avoid unnecessary mingling with mobile veterinary workers and farm staffs at multiple properties.

For breeding shed runs, the department suggests having shed personnel take mares from van drivers or farm employees at the trailer and return them after cover to avoid extra people in the stallion farm or shed.

See the complete set of guidelines:

The guidelines suggest precautionary measures such as no physical contact between workers, electronic paper work only, frequent disinfecting of equipment/surfaces, allowing maximum airflow in barns by keeping doors and windows open, etc.

The post New COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines Released By Kentucky Department of Agriculture appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Wigley Joins WinStar Farm Bloodstock Team

WinStar Farm has announced the hiring of Gareth Wigley as the newest member of its stallion season sales team.

Originally from Birmingham, England, Wigley grew up on the southern coast of England where he developed a passion for horse racing at an early age and spent most weekends and school holidays working for local trainers. After riding for five seasons as a steeplechase jockey in England, Wigley pursued his ambition to work in the United States and made Kentucky his permanent home in 2006.

In the U.S., Wigley rode predominantly at Keeneland for trainers such as the late Bobby Frankel but mainly worked with the Godolphin operation. He gained valuable experience traveling the circuit as an assistant trainer to Joan Scott and most recently worked as a cardiovascular analyst with Epona Technological Company where he performed heart scans and directed data collection for numerous clients, including WinStar Farm.

“I had the pleasure to meet Gareth during his time at Epona, and he has a passion for this business that will help our clients meet their goals,” said Elliott Walden, WinStar's president, CEO, and racing manager. “With his background, Gareth brings a unique perspective that helps him see the inside of a horse. We are excited about him joining our bloodstock team headed by Liam O'Rourke.”

The post Wigley Joins WinStar Farm Bloodstock Team appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Fan Restriction Forces Oaklawn To Cut Overnight Purses 15 Percent

After Wednesday's announcement that Oaklawn Park will allow a limited number of fans at the 2021 race meet, track president Louis Cella told the Daily Racing Form that overnight purses will be decreased by approximately 15 percent.

“Because we had to restrict our fans, that part of the formula is reduced,” Cella told DRF. “Instead of $700,000 (per day), we'll be at about $600,000. That's still the highest in the nation. No one's close to that.”

Oaklawn's first condition book is being reprinted to reflect the purse changes, but stakes purses won't be changed.

Cella said he hopes wagering numbers from off-track patrons will allow Oaklawn to boost purses early in the meet.

Read more at the Daily Racing Form.

The post Fan Restriction Forces Oaklawn To Cut Overnight Purses 15 Percent appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights