Horse Racing News

California Bans Steroids

The announcement that the California Horse Racing Board had come to a unanimous decision to ban anabolic steroid use did not surprise many, and horse racing insiders have said that it was only a matter of time. With such a bold move by the California Horse Racing Board and pressure being put on other states, it is felt that steroid use in horse racing might be completely banned in all states by the end of the year. Their decision is awaiting approval from the Office of Administrative Law, but the board is confident that their new regulation will be in effect within about two months time.

Art Official Rocks Meadowlands Pace

On Saturday, the 19th of July 2008, the Meadowlands Pace took place in New Jersey for the twenty-eighth year. Indeed, the $1.1 million harness racing event was one of the most anticipated races of the year. Of the estimated seventeen thousand spectators who were present, many came to see the legendary Somebeachsomewhere in racing action, and they walked away from the event knowing that they had just witnessed one of the most breathtaking harness racing events of the year.

Record Breaking Attendance at Del Mar Racecourse

In 1996 Del Mar Racecourse saw thousands flocking into the grandstands to watch the legendary Cigar in action in the Pacific Classic. Attracting such a massive crowd is indeed a rare occurrence, but on the opening day of racing at Del Mar Racecourse on the 16th of July 2008, they came very close. More than forty-three thousand spectators rushed through the racecourse gates to get a good seat and place their wagers. It is a record number of spectators, just a few hundred short of the 44 181 who showed up to watch Cigar.

New Health and Safety Initiatives

In the horse racing industry there are a few power houses that are known to all, and being the second biggest racetrack holdings company, Penn National Gaming Inc. packs a mighty punch when it makes decisions in regard to racing. Their new health and safety initiatives, released on 15 July 2008, will hopefully encourage other holdings companies and privately owned racecourses to follow suit, as Penn National Gaming Inc. are determined to improve the safety of horses and ensure that their welfare is taken seriously.

Deep Impact Foals Shine at Japan Sale

The Japan Racing Horse Association had been very reserved on commenting on their July select sale, which started on Tuesday, 15 July 2008. Due to the very slow economy in Japan at the moment, it was feared that sales would be few and that the success of the sale was hanging in the balance. And even though the sales figures were a little down from last year, the sale was still a huge success, with the first line of Deep Impact offspring getting a lot of attention and one foal in particular hitting the mark with a record sale price.

Moonstone Shines at the Darley Irish Oaks

It seems that there is just no stopping Aidan O’Brian this year, as he steams ahead after securing his thirteenth Group 1 win for 2008, with winning seven classics in a row and the four noteworthy classics in Ireland. Every time O’Brian steps out at a horse racing event, everything appears to go his way, and he is looking good so far to win the British Trainers Championship again after winning it in 2007. And the horse that took the thirteenth victory for him was Moonstone, during the Darley Irish Oaks.

And the Winner is… Harlem Rocker!

On Sunday 13 July 2008, a field of seven horses got ready for the running of the $500 000 Prince of Wales Stakes. Known as the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, many spectators were anxious to see if Not Bourbon, winner of the Queen’s Plate, would be able to pull off another magnificent victory. The Fort Erie Racetrack was about to become the venue of a heartbreaking day for some and surprise for others, as the starting gates for the 2008 Prince of Wales Stakes swung open.

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