The horseracing industry in Maryland has been dealing with uncertainty regarding its future for some time now. While in many other states horseracing tracks have onsite slot machine gambling, the only track to have this facility in Maryland is the harness racing track of Ocean Downs. Horseracing in the United States has been hard hit by the country's economic turmoil, and while casino gambling doesn't make horseracing a more financially viable sport, it does help cover the costs of running racetracks.

Read more »

My name is Glenn Thompson and I am a thoroughbred horse trainer with over 30 years experience in training. Throughout my career I have been fighting the bleeding issue with my horses, sometimes winning and sometimes losing. I am not sure what has been the cause for the bleeding to get so bad, but I do know that it has gotten much worse as the years have passed. It could be a combination of a few things: The steroids that were legal all those years; the over-use of antibiotics; the anti-inflammatories; or even the pesticides used in the hay, straw and oat fields.

Read more »

Often referred to as the "Sport of Kings", horseracing has had more than its share of controversy during its history. Today, with casinos collaborating with the horseracing industry, and advances in modern technology bringing simulcast racing to many venues, the sport is perceived by many to be just another form of gambling. This perception is challenged by horseracing enthusiasts who are involved with the equine athletes that stir up so much excitement on race-day. A new television series, set to premiere on 11 December, may very well change the general public's understanding about horseracing, as it addresses all aspects of the sport, including the role of owners, jockeys, punters and various gaming entities, as well as the horses themselves.

Read more »

A quote famously attributed to Richard Branson states that "Records are made to be broken. It is in man's nature to continue to strive to do just that." And judging by the performance of Rapid Redux at Mountaineer Park in Chester, West Virginia, horses can strive to break records too. In a race that left competitors in the dust, the gelding notched up his 20th consecutive win, breaking the 19-race records set by both the legendary Zenyatta and lower-grade mare from New Mexico, Peppers Pride.

Read more »

Sired by Indian Charlie out of Playa Maya, Uncle Mo was foaled in Kentucky on 10 March 2008, going on to compete undefeated in his two-year-old season in 2010. This spirited American champion thoroughbred racehorse gathered quite a following during his relatively short career, and many were saddened by the news that Uncle Mo is to retire from horse racing. The decision was made when blood tests revealed an elevated count of the enzyme gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) – a condition which is likely to escalate with the rigors of training and racing. While this is not a recurrence of the liver disease that plagued Uncle Mo earlier this year, causing him to miss out on the Triple Crown series, it nevertheless puts him at risk of ill health and liver damage, so his retirement is deemed to be in his best interests.

Read more »