News

CHRB Punts to February 2026 NorCal Fair Dates Decision

on 01/14/2026 6:29 PM

A decision over a 2026 fair meet race-date proposal before the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) was punted unanimously to a single-discussion meeting in February (the date yet to be decided) after last-minute reshuffling of the chairs behind the scenes led to an at-times contentious meeting Wednesday. The original proposal outlined 19 race weeks this

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HRWA To Kick Off ‘Winning Strategies’ Series Jan. 29

on 01/14/2026 3:57 PM

'Winning Strategies', a three-part professional development series created to support women navigating leadership, communication, and decision-making in today's Thoroughbred industry, will be offered by the Horse Racing Women's Association (HRWA) in three virtual sessions over the next three months. The sessions, each 90 minutes long, are available to HRWA members exclusively and center on prac...

Just Like Last Year, Decoupling Bill Clears Same Florida Subcommittee In First Legislative Hearing

on 01/14/2026 3:27 PM

Groundhog Day isn't for another 2 1/2 weeks, but when a Florida House of Representatives subcommittee on Wednesday debated a newly retooled version of previously controversial decoupling legislation that is being pushed by Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs, there was a distinct flavor of deja vu in the Tallahassee state house. Just like in

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Maryland Jockey Club’s Bill Knauf Joins The TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Presented By Keeneland

on 01/14/2026 1:50 PM

It was a good year for the new management team at the Maryland racetracks, where the average daily handle at Laurel was up 13.49 percent and average per-race handle increased by 14.29 percent. To talk about what went right for Maryland racing last year, the future of the GI Preakness Stakes, the decision to form

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Dual Louisiana-Bred Horse Of The Year Free like A Girl Passes Away

on 01/14/2026 1:30 PM

The dual Louisiana-bred Horse of the Year from 2022 and 2024, Free Like a Girl (El Deal–Flashy Prize, by Flashy Bull), was euthanized after a recent trailer accident. The story was first reported on Tuesday, Jan. 13 by the Daily Racing Form. The all-time highest earner in the Pelican state's history with over $2.5-million, Free

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Legendary Starter Duncan To Receive Special Eclipse For Career Excellence

on 01/14/2026 1:08 PM

Bob Duncan, whose career spans better than 50 years at the tracks of the New York Racing Association (NYRA), will be honored with a Special Eclipse Award for Career Excellence during the Resolute Racing Eclipse Award ceremonies at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida, on Thursday, Jan. 22. The award recognizes Duncan's horsemanship and his

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Darren Fox: New Darley Sires “A No-Brainer for Breeders”

on 01/14/2026 11:02 AM

With Horse of the Year candidate Sovereignty (Into Mischief) recently returned to Bill Mott's winter base at Payson Park in preparation for a 4-year-old campaign, breeders eager to support the three-time Grade I winner will have to wait at least another year. In the meantime, the Darley America stallion team is still plenty occupied with

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Darren Fox: New Darley Sires “A No-Brainer for Breeders”

on 01/14/2026 11:02 AM

With Horse of the Year candidate Sovereignty (Into Mischief) recently returned to Bill Mott's winter base at Payson Park in preparation for a 4-year-old campaign, breeders eager to support the three-time Grade I winner will have to wait at least another year. In the meantime, the Darley America stallion team is still plenty occupied with

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Mating Plans For 2026, Presented By Spendthrift: Wasabi Ventures

on 01/14/2026 10:05 AM

by George Adams Wasabi Ventures Stables & Stallions continues to upgrade the quality of their breeding stock and the commerciality of the foals that they're producing on their Serendipity Springs Farm. There is a very interesting group of stallions retiring for 2026, and Wasabi has shares in several which we'll be supporting. TICKLE THE IVORIES,

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Kentucky Value Sires for 2026: Part 6 – The Big Guns

on 01/14/2026 10:00 AM

And so we reach the apex of the fee pyramid we've scaled in stages all the way up from the basement. In reality, this final ascent is too extensive to be coherent: we're clearly not comparing like with like, between stallions available at $60,000 and la crème de la crème at $250,000. But since we

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Keeneland January Concludes With Day Of ‘Solid Trading’

on 01/13/2026 9:31 PM

LEXINGTON, KY – The 2026 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale concluded its compressed two-day run Tuesday. “Another really good day,” said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. “Overall, it was a great, solid day of trading. Everyone felt like it was a very honest and strong market overall.” That market strength and

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Two Veterinarians Suspended By HISA After Track-Office Searches At Laurel And Delaware Allegedly Turn Up Banned Substances

on 01/13/2026 6:46 PM

Two racetrack veterinarians who are the principals of Maryland Veterinary Group (MVG) have been served with notices of violations and were given provisional suspensions that started Jan. 12 after Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) searches of that practice's offices at Laurel Park and Delaware Park allegedly turned up “banned” substances that, under Horseracing Integrity<...

Lehman CAW Bill Introduced, Tough Road In Republican-led State Legislature

on 01/13/2026 6:15 PM

Last November, Democratic Kentucky state representative Matt Lehman told the TDN he was considering legislative intervention in an effort to curb computer assisted wagering (CAW) play in the state to a more equitable standard for all players. The debate around CAW players typically surrounds the edge they wield over regular gamblers thanks to their use

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Lehman CAW Bill Introduced, Tough Road In Republican-led State Legislature

on 01/13/2026 6:15 PM

Last November, Democratic Kentucky state representative Matt Lehman told the TDN he was considering legislative intervention in an effort to curb computer assisted wagering (CAW) play in the state to a more equitable standard for all players. The debate around CAW players typically surrounds the edge they wield over regular gamblers thanks to their use

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Sadler Succeeds Harty As President Of California Thoroughbred Trainers

on 01/13/2026 5:33 PM

Trainer John W. Sadler has been elected President of the Board of Directors of California Thoroughbred Trainers, Inc. [CTT], succeeding Eoin G. Harty, who has served in that capacity since 2019, and remains a Director, the organization said via a Tuesday press release. Sadler previously served as a Director or President of CTT on several

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Sadler Succeeds Harty As President Of California Thoroughbred Trainers

on 01/13/2026 5:33 PM

Trainer John W. Sadler has been elected President of the Board of Directors of California Thoroughbred Trainers, Inc. [CTT], succeeding Eoin G. Harty, who has served in that capacity since 2019, and remains a Director, the organization said via a Tuesday press release. Sadler previously served as a Director or President of CTT on several

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CHRB Meeting Wednesday To Raise 19-Week NorCal Fair Date Proposal, National HPBA Offering Support

on 01/13/2026 4:00 PM

As California horse racing enters one of its most consequential years yet, the California Horse Racing Board's (CHRB) first meeting of the year this Wednesday includes a proposal for 19 weeks of fair racing in the North of California this year. The National Horseman's Benevolent and Protective Association (HPBA) has also weighed in, offering its

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CHRB Meeting Wednesday To Raise 19-Week NorCal Fair Date Proposal, National HPBA Offering Support

on 01/13/2026 4:00 PM

As California horse racing enters one of its most consequential years yet, the California Horse Racing Board's (CHRB) first meeting of the year this Wednesday includes a proposal for 19 weeks of fair racing in the North of California this year. The National Horseman's Benevolent and Protective Association (HPBA) has also weighed in, offering its

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CHRB Meeting Wednesday To Raise 19-Week NorCal Fair Date Proposal, National HBPA Offering Support

on 01/13/2026 4:00 PM

As California horse racing enters one of its most consequential years yet, the California Horse Racing Board's (CHRB) first meeting of the year this Wednesday includes a proposal for 19 weeks of fair racing in the North of California this year. The National Horseman's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) has also weighed in, offering its

The post

CHRB Meeting Wednesday To Raise 19-Week NorCal Fair Date Proposal, National HBPA Offering Support

on 01/13/2026 4:00 PM

As California horse racing enters one of its most consequential years yet, the California Horse Racing Board's (CHRB) first meeting of the year this Wednesday includes a proposal for 19 weeks of fair racing in the North of California this year. The National Horseman's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) has also weighed in, offering its

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