Mike Rogers, the president of the racing division for 1/ST Racing and Gaming, which owns Laurel, disclosed the ban on Belmont shippers during Tuesday's Maryland Racing Commission meeting. He specifically mentioned the General George S. and Barbara Fritchie S., both worth $200,000 and run at seven furlongs, as being affected. Two other $100,000 stakes are also on the same card.

“Unfortunately, we could be affected by the EHV-1 outbreak that took place in New York right now,' Rogers said. “As of right now, we're not accepting horses from New York. So it could affect our field size, because we do have a lot of nominations from New York.”

The highly contagious EHV-1 can spread during any time of the year, but the onset of winter typically brings a spike in cases nationwide.

Cute Curls (Tapiture), an unraced 3-year-old filly trained by Danny Gargan, was euthanized Feb. 3 after displaying acute neurological symptoms.

A New York Racing Association press release from Feb. 4 stated that 34 horses are stabled in Barn 15, which is also home to stalls for trainers Jim Ryerson and Gustavo Rodriguez.

The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC), which maintains a national database of updates and notices, reported Feb. 5 that a second filly out of Belmont's Barn 15 also spiked a fever and that “blood and a nasal swab are being submitted for PCR testing.”

The EDCC report continued: “An official NY State quarantine of all horses stabled in Barn 15 at Belmont Park Racetrack was put in place on 2/4/24. Horses stabled in Barn 15 are not permitted to train in the company of the general population of horses. Horses from Barn 15 must train after the close of regular training hours. Standard biosecurity measures are in place and enforced by NYRA Security personnel with veterinary supervision.”

Rogers said that “We'll take our guidance from our veterinarians before we allow [any] horses in from New York.”

The post Belmont EHV-1 Quarantine Will Affect Fields For Laurel’s Top Winter Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The Holiday Giving Campaign highlighted a different match sponsor each day, offering single-day sponsorships ranging from $500 to $10,000. 2023 Match Sponsors included: Mike Rogers, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Yvonne Schwabe, National HBPA, Denali Stud, Siena Farm, Donna Barton Brothers, Jack Damico, West Point Thoroughbreds, Rick Schosberg, Simon Bray, Dan & Denny Piazza and Matt & Amy Webber, Ramiro Restrepo, Dr. Bonnie Comerford, Three Diamonds Farm, Kurtis Coady & Megan Devine, Donato Lanni, Chad Brown, Springhouse Farm, Bloom Racing Stable, StarLadies Racing, The Honorable Earle I. Mack, Jen Roytz & Dr. Stuart Brown, St. Elias Stables, David Anderson, Matthew DeSantis, and Bob & Jill Baffert.

“Your support during our campaign has been truly incredible,” said TAA's Emily Dresen. “Thank you for joining us in championing the well-being of off-the-track Thoroughbreds. Your generosity is making a huge difference in their lives, and we are immensely grateful for your kindness and dedication.”

The post Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Thanks Supporters Of The Holiday Giving Campaign appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

On a day designed to promote and celebrate Maryland breeding and racing, the TAA will be recognized, along with Maryland Jockey Club, with a named race. Following the running of the Maryland Jockey Club S., a presentation will be made to the winning connections including a branded Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance blanket and swag bag.

“The Maryland Jockey Club is honored to sponsor a race with Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance,” said Mike Rogers, Acting President, Maryland Jockey Club. “We are dedicated to accredited aftercare, ensuring our horses find safe homes after their racing careers.”

The TAA will also be onsite as part of the VIP experience that was auctioned off earlier this year in the “Off to the Races” campaign and was donated by 1/ST Racing and The Hotel at Arundel Preserve.

The post Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Present During Maryland Million Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The placeholder agreement will go into effect for the final six months of 2023, and it follows a similar six-month extension reached earlier this year that is set to sunset June 30. The eventual goal is to come up with a longer-term contract.

Mike Rogers, the president of the racing division for 1/ST Racing, which owns the Maryland Jockey Club, which in turn owns both Pimlico and Laurel, led off his monthly presentation with the announcement of the agreement with the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (MTHA) and Maryland Horse Breeders Association.

But when commissioner Robert Lillis asked Rogers to elaborate on a June 6 news story published in Maryland Matters that dealt with the MTHA agreeing to use purse money to subsidize operations at the two tracks, Rogers balked at answering.

“I don't think I'm at liberty to talk about the details of the extension agreement. I'm not authorized to talk about those terms,” Rogers said.

At that point, MRC chair Michael Algeo stepped in to clarify that he didn't feel the parties were required to disclose such details at this time, because the announcement of the agreement extension was not a matter that the commission had to act on or vote on that afternoon.

But another commissioner, George Mahoney, wanted to know, “At any stage, will the Maryland Racing Commission be privy to the terms of the six-month agreement?”

Rogers replied that, “I would have to defer to our lawyers on that. I don't know what the disclosure requirements are on that.”

Alan Foreman, an attorney who serves as the legal counsel for the MTHA, then offered to give an explanation from the horsemen's perspective.

“In fairness to all the parties, and in response to commissioner Lillis's question, the horsemen and the tracks and the breeders have been a party to a 10-year agreement that expired at the end of 2022 in which the horsemen and breeders [already] were helping to subsidize the operations of the racetracks,” Foreman said.

“That was no secret. That was the agreement entered into with the commission back [in] 2012 to stabilize the industry,” Foreman said.

“What the parties have done is to extend the [expired] agreement [from] January to June 30, and the extension now through Dec. 31 is under almost identical terms,” Foreman said.

“So there's nothing new here. It's what's been continuing since the beginning of the 10-year agreement, and ultimately, if and when there's a longer-term agreement, that issue will be addressed. So the so-called subsidy from the horsemen and breeders is not a new item,” Foreman said.

Algeo, a retired Maryland Circuit Court judge, then weighed in again.

“If I could kind of frame the issue so we make certain it's very clear, at this juncture this is not being presented today for the commission to motion, to rule on it, or to discuss,” he said.

“I mean, quite obviously, at least I'm not going to approve anything without knowing what's in the agreement,” Algeo said. “And so, we don't know what's in the agreement, so there's nothing for us to address.

“My understanding [is] that this is a courtesy on behalf of the Maryland Jockey Club and the horsemen and the breeders to indicate that they have extended it, which they have done, by the way, frequently… If it was required for us to approve that now, to address it, then obviously we would have to know the contents of the agreement.”

The post 6-Mo. Extension to Maryland Racing Agreement; Details Not Disclosed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The tone was noticeably less tense and in-person attendance was diminished during the MRC's regular monthly meeting at Laurel May 2. Those dynamics stood in contrast to when the commission met one week previously on Apr. 25 for an emergency session to address five recent main-track equine fatalities at Laurel, including two that occurred there Apr. 20.

Last week, the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (MTHA) and the management team at 1/ST Racing announced an “access agreement” that allowed for the MTHA's preferred track maintenance consultant, John Passero, to be retained to perform testing. Passero used to be the MJC's superintendent several decades ago, and the horsemen had previously lobbied for his inclusion as a consultant during the winter of 2021-22, which was when the last significant spate of equine deaths occurred over the Laurel dirt.

On Tuesday, Rogers said track executives and the horsemen “definitely appear to be on the same page right now…. Clearly, both sides are feeling that the track is in [such] a safe place that horses are able to run on it. I think Mr. Passero's quote said, 'If I owned a horse, I'd have no issues racing it.'”

Rogers acknowledged the two sides initially had differences: “Our group took the position that we felt the track was safe,” he said. “I know the horsemen took a different position. So we allowed an access agreement with Mr. Passero to come to the track. So Mr. Passero came on the grounds, and he recommended a couple of tweaks–slowing the tractors down; I think he had them go the opposite way in one direction, which I think our gentlemen were actually doing already anyways.

“But I think he increased the number of times that they go in reverse around the course. So it was kind of little tweaks of the harrows. We were kind of using what's called drag harrows in the morning and position harrows in the afternoon. And Mr. Passero recommended that we stay with the drag harrows in the morning and afternoon. So a couple of little tweaks here and there, and our crew felt that his recommendations made sense and we adopted them.”

In response to a question from a commissioner, Rogers confirmed that the work was being conducted over the entirety of the track and was not confined to a single problem area. He also said that 1/ST Racing hasn't nixed a single one of Passero's ideas.

“As of now, none of [Passero's] recommendations were a cause for concern on our side,” Rogers said. “As of right now, we've adopted all of his recommendations [and] we recognize that he has a lot of experience.”

Unlike last week's meeting at which several horsemen's representatives spoke about the situation, none were called upon to speak by the MRC and none asked to speak during public commentary.

In response to another MRC question, Rogers said Passero's work would not extend to Pimlico for the upcoming GI Preakness S. meet there May 11-29.

“His access agreement runs [until] June 30, and the access agreement is for Laurel only,” Rogers said.

Laurel's main track was closed for five months in 2021 for an emergency rebuild from the base up. But eight horses died from fractures while racing or training over that new track between Oct. 3 and Nov. 28, 2021, leading to weeks-long halts in racing through early the winter of 2022.

The post Laurel ‘Tweaks’ Have Quelled Track Safety Concerns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

According to multiple sources, two horses broke down during training hours Saturday. One of the horses had to be euthanized and the other did not. There were no incidents during racing on Thursday and Friday.

Maryland Jockey Club Acting President Mike Rogers sent a group text to horsemen Saturday at 11:10 a.m, which read: “I have received feedback from some of the horsemen that they have concerns about the track, and we are going to take the next couple of days to investigate those concerns.”

The track will be closed Sunday and Monday, but is expected to re-open for training on Tuesday. Live racing resumes Thursday.

The condition of the main track at Laurel has been an issue in recent years. In 2021, seven horses died at Laurel over a four-week period after a new racing surface was installed.

According to the Racingbiz.com, Rogers addressed concerns horsemen had with the track in an April 4 meeting of the Maryland Racing Commission, saying the company was in the midst of repairs to a spot near the first finish line.

The post Citing Surface Concerns, Laurel Cancels Saturday’s Card appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The pool will be hosted by the Maryland Jockey Club (MJC). The new bet was unanimously approved at Tuesday's monthly meeting of the Maryland Racing Commission.

Mike Rogers, the president of the racing division for the MJC, described details of the Preakness wager.

“The window of that bet will open on Friday, Apr. 28, and we're going to close roughly 6 p.m. before the [May 6] Derby. So it's going to be cool to see our Preakness future odds right alongside the Derby odds.”

Rogers explained that the bet will be based on the way the existing Kentucky Derby Future Wager is conducted by Churchill Downs.

“We're going to use theirs as a foundation. But we're also going to add a couple of [Bob] Baffert horses [that have been barred from Derby competition this year]. We want to hopefully have a couple of local Maryland horses in there. We want to add a couple of fillies. So we're going to try to get maybe at least 30 betting interests. Maybe up to 39 [with an “all others' field option]. We can do 40 [total betting interests].”

Figuring out which Derby starters might contest the second leg of the Triple Crown will lend a difficult element to the bet.

In 2022, the 20-horse Derby yielded only three Preakness starters in a field of nine. In 2021, the 19-horse Derby sent just three starters to the 10-horse Preakness field.

The post Preakness Futures Bet To Debut Apr. 28 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The 1/ST properties: Laurel Park, Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita and Golden Gate, will all participate and Laurel Park, where Whisman rode primarily in 2019-2020, will have a race named in his honor on its Feb. 18 Winter Carnival program. Jockeys, family and friends will gather in the Laurel winner's circle following the race and observe the moment of silence.

Whisman's parents, Lyman and Salli, said, “We are so very proud of our son and all he accomplished in his short life. In the future, we hope to raise awareness and empower dialogue within the racing industry around gaps in needed health and mental health support for its jockey athletes.”

Mike Rogers, acting president of the Maryland Jockey Club, said, “Mental health is a critical aspect of overall well-being, no matter your age or profession. It's important for individuals to prioritize and take care of their mental health, and it's important for us to reach out to those who may show signs of needing help.”

Terry Meyocks, President and CEO of Jockeys' Guild said, “The Jockeys' Guild sincerely appreciates 1/ST Racing bringing attention to the important issues of mental health and other health related challenges affecting jockeys. These are struggles that jockeys and the Guild have dealt with on a continual basis.”

Laurel will also distribute hats and T-shirts for a donation to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity that provides financial assistance to 60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries. Since its founding in 2006, the PDJF has disbursed nearly $11 million.

The post Tracks to Honor Avery Whisman appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

“Due to the weather conditions expected throughout the weekend, we decided to cancel our Monday program early and accommodate our fans as well as the horsemen and horsewomen who will be participating in this exceptional day of racing,” said Mike Rogers, Acting President of the Maryland Jockey Club.

The entire 11-race slate will shift to Friday, Dec. 30 with a post time of 11:25 a.m. Live racing is scheduled to resume Thursday, Dec. 29 with the 48-day fall meet finale set for Saturday, Dec. 31.

Featuring six $100,000 stakes, the Christmastide program includes, the Heft S. for 2-year-olds and Gin Talking S. for 2-year-old fillies at seven panels, each; 6 1/2-furlong Willa On the Move S. and 1 1/8 Carousel S. for older fillies and mares; and six furlong Dave's Friend S. and Robert T. Manfuso S. going 1 1/16 for 3-year-olds and up.

The post Laurel Re-Gifts Stakes Program appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Those wishing to support the TAA, its 81 accredited organizations, and thousands of retired Thoroughbreds can donate through the TAA's website or text DONATE to 56651. During the Holiday Giving Campaign, TAA is also offering donors the benefit of sending digital holiday cards to colleagues, friends, and loved ones.

“The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is doing great work and I'm happy to do my small part in helping their mission,” said 1/ST RACING Executive Vice President and Maryland Jockey Club Acting President and General Manager, Mike Rogers. “Our industry would be nothing without these horses, who all should have the opportunity to live long, happy lives after racing. Thank you, TAA, for providing an industry-united aftercare mechanism devoted to our retired equine athletes.”

The post Mike Rogers Pledges One-Day Match Donation to TAA Dec. 10 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post