horse racing

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Rain Cancels Derby Workouts

Race expected to go on, just soggier

(Newser) - Heavy rain has postponed early morning workouts at Churchill Downs, where all 20 Kentucky Derby horses are still expected to start. Most turf races were being moved to the main dirt track today, at least until late in the day. That sparked numerous scratches in minor races. Kentucky state veterinarian...

Derby's Forgotten Legacy: Black Jockeys

They once ruled the sport, until Jim Crow came along

(Newser) - When the Kentucky Derby gets under way today, not one black jockey will be in the race. Which isn't exactly news. But consider this: For the first Derby, in 1875, 13 of the 15 jockeys were black. In fact, black jockeys—the first were slaves—thoroughly dominated the sport through...

Horse Racing Bubble Has Burst
 Horse Racing Bubble Has Burst 
Apr 28, 2010 12:38 PM CDT

Horse Racing Bubble Has Burst

Economy leaves Kentucky on losing end of bet

(Newser) - The Kentucky Derby is fast approaching, and normally that would mean a flurry of horses being purchased for generally outrageous sums. But not this year. Lending for horse racing has plummeted to $400 million this year, down from roughly $1 billion in 2007, and stud fees are way down, thanks...

Speed Gene Helps Horse Breeders Hedge Bets

Blood test shows proclivity for maximum speed or stamina

(Newser) - Sounds like a breeder's dream: Researchers in Dublin say they've identified a speed gene, with variations that predict whether a racehorse is better suited for short-distance sprints or longer tests of stamina. Comparing the genetic codes of 179 winners with their track records, they identified three variants of the myostatin...

Bookie Forgets Bet, Threatens to Kill Horse

Gambler panicked, tried to keep thoroughbred from race

(Newser) - A UK bookie was convicted yesterday of threatening to kill one of the world’s top racing horses in a desperate attempt to make up for a bet he’d forgotten to place for his high roller clients. Self-professed gambling addict Andrew Rodgerson’s job was to place bets for...

UK Man Busted in Teen Jockeys' Arson Deaths

Man held in tragedy that shocked the racing world

(Newser) - British police investigating the deaths of two promising young jockeys in a fire have arrested a man on suspicion of arson. Irish jockey Jamie Kyne, 18, died along with Jan Wilson, a Scottish 19-year-old, when fire ripped through an apartment complex housing young riders in September, the Independent reports.

For Owners, Horse Racing a Sure Bet (to Lose)

The ponies are a labor of love with small stakes, high costs

(Newser) - Thoroughbred racehorses aren’t cheap to buy—and then you have to house them, feed them, pay the vet, the trainer, the jockey, etc. And if you actually intend to make money, they have to win. And even then, since most horses never make the elite high-stakes races, owners have...

Teenage Brit Jockeys Killed in Arson

Police have arrested suspected arsonist in his 30s

(Newser) - Two promising apprentice jockeys were killed yesterday in a suspected arson fire set at their apartment building in northern England. "Apprentice of the season" Jamie Kyne, 18, was found dead along with female jockey Jan Wilson, 19, in Kyne's apartment where several riders had gathered for a party. Two...

Summer Bird Beats 11-1 Odds at Belmont

(Newser) - This was a Belmont for the Birds. It was Summer Bird, not Mine That Bird and jockey Calvin Borel, who came roaring down the long stretch and won the final jewel of the Triple Crown today. Ending Borel's bid to become the first jockey to win a personal Triple Crown,...

Preakness Winner Rachel Alexandra Won't Run in Belmont

(Newser) - Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra will not run in the Belmont Stakes, opening the way for jockey Calvin Borel to return to Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in his quest for a personal Triple Crown. Co-owner Jess Jackson said today the filly "deserves a well-earned vacation."

Rachel Alexandra Blows by Boys at Preakness

(Newser) - Filly Rachel Alexandra held off Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird to win the 134th Preakness Stakes today and become the first female horse to win the race since 1924. Calvin Borel, who rode Mine that Bird to victory 2 weeks ago at Churchill Downs, had the filly in first...

Mine That Bird's Ex-Jockey Says Filly Will Smoke Him
 Mine That Bird's Ex-Jockey 
 Says Filly Will Smoke Him 
preakness stakes
May 16, 2009 9:40 AM CDT

Mine That Bird's Ex-Jockey Says Filly Will Smoke Him

(Newser) - Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird has no chance of beating the Preakness favorite, filly Rachel Alexandra, says her jockey Calvin Borel. Borel ought to know; he’s the one who rode Bird to victory, before jumping ship to Alexandra, the Daily News reports. “I don’t think he...

Triple Crown Bid Means Millions for Belmont
 Triple Crown Bid 
 Means Millions 
 for Belmont 



preakness stakes
May 15, 2009 2:00 PM CDT

Triple Crown Bid Means Millions for Belmont

(Newser) - The New York Racing Association has a lot riding on the outcome of tomorrow’s Preakness, Bloomberg reports. If Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird prevails, the resulting Triple Crown shot at Belmont could bring the association, which operates New York's three thoroughbred tracks, an extra $3 million in ticket,...

Mine That Bird May Skip Preakness

(Newser) - Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird may pass over the Preakness and aim for a strong Belmont Stakes run in June instead, the AP reports. "The Preakness tends to be a little more speed-biased and I don't know that that's going to fit our horse," said trainer Bennie...

Mine That Bird Pulls Off 50-1 Derby Shocker

3-year-old colt pulls off 50-to-1 longshot victory

(Newser) - Mine That Bird, a 50-1 longshot picked by none of horse racing's intelligentsia, pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the 135-year history of the Kentucky Derby today, writes Ed McNamara of Newsday. The "disrespected little gelding" trailed the entire pack of 19 horses after 6 furlongs before...

Derby Favorite I Want Revenge Is Scratched

(Newser) - Kentucky Derby favorite I Want Revenge has been scratched because of an ankle injury, reports Newsday. The 3-year-old colt—the morning line had him at 3-1 odds to win today's race—showed soreness in his left front ankle after an early workout, said trainer Jeff Mullins. "We could tell...

You, Too, Can Pick a Winner
 You, Too, Can 
 Pick a Winner 
kentucky derby
May 1, 2009 2:37 PM CDT

You, Too, Can Pick a Winner

All you need is a buck and 3 key stats

(Newser) - Put down that mint julep: The Kentucky Derby is tomorrow, and you still don’t have a horse to bet on. But you do have a prayer, because Christina Settimi of Forbes, with help from horse racing expert Dean Keppler, outlines a winning strategy. With $118 million wagered, novices have...

Safety Remains in the Spotlight
 Safety Remains 
 in the Spotlight 
kentucky derby
Apr 30, 2009 3:40 PM CDT

Safety Remains in the Spotlight

(Newser) - A year after second-place finisher Eight Belles had to be euthanized following the Kentucky Derby, safety has improved—but the inherent dangers of horse racing remain immutable, MSNBC reports. The industry has altered the rules regarding steroids, whips, and horseshoes, "but the bottom line is, not a lot of...

Barbaro Statue Awaits Ky. Derby Fans

His ashes lie below memorial

(Newser) - A bronze statue of the late Barbaro charging mid-air toward his 2006 Kentucky Derby victory has been completed in advance of next week's 135th Derby, the Courier-Journal reports. Buried below the sculpture are the ashes of the beloved colt, who was euthanized two years ago after struggling to recover from...

14 Horses Drop Dead Before Polo Match

Sources believe they reacted to tainted steroid cocktail

(Newser) - A mystery death claimed the lives of 14 horses from a Venezuelan team yesterday shortly before they were to compete in the US Open Polo Championship in Florida. The $100,000 horses suddenly struggled to breathe as vets fought to revive them, the Palm Beach Post reports. Onlookers wept after...

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