Thoroughbred Daily News

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 of sophisticated technologies that allow them to precisely read the markets and to place massive wagers across many pools in the final seconds of betting–which can lead to extreme late odds changes–as well as the attractive rates and rebates offered to them which are unavailable to the average punter.

Earlier this month, Lehman came good on that idea by introducing into the state legislature HB 39, an apparently first-of-its-kind bill that seeks to put CAW players on as even a playing field as possible with average retail players in Kentucky's Pari-mutuel wagering pools.

The bill redefines “Pari-mutuel wagering” the following way, the key aspects of it focused on uniform access to these pools, and the prohibition of preferential “pricing” and “rebates” not uniformly available to all patrons:

“Amounts wagered shall be placed in one (1) or more designated pari-mutuel pools from which winning wagers are paid out in proportion to the individual winning wagers, after deductions and adjustments to the pool are made, as required by statute or authorized by the corporation. Access to pari-mutuel pools shall be made available to all patrons on equitable terms, and no patron or class of patrons shall be afforded preferential pricing, rebates, access, information, technology, latency, or other advantages not uniformly available to all patrons placing wagers of the same type into the same pari-mutuel pool.”

While last November, Lehman shared how he was involved in “bipartisan discussions” with other lawmakers around any such legislation, it's currently unclear what kind of broad political support this current bill has.

Though early days, it doesn't appear to have any co-sponsors yet. The TDN messaged Lehman Tuesday afternoon for clarification. The story will be updated as necessary.

Bipartisan Support would be crucial for this bill because as a Democrat, Lehman is in the distinct minority in the 100-seat Kentucky House of Representatives, which the Republicans control by an 80-20 margin. Republicans control the 38-seat state senate by a 32-6 margin.

While many gambling experts have in recent years repeatedly warned that CAW play has too often gotten out of control–leading to pools that are way out of a healthy balance–the tracks have largely led the way in addressing the problem, some more proactive than others.

At last month's Global Symposium on Racing in Tucson, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) president and CEO David O'Rourke announced the organization was taking steps–arguably the most aggressive yet by any track operator in the country–to limit CAW play one minute to post in nearly all pools.

This will mean that all CAW players will soon be limited to a maximum six-bets per second when they bet into the NYRA product within one minute to post in these pools, putting them on the same footing as retail players.

The steps that NYRA has already taken to manage these high-volume players-limiting their access to the win pool and the Late Pick 5 and Pick 6 pools-will remain unchanged.

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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 occasions, most recently from 2010 to 2013. He was instrumental in developing the Edwin J. Gregson Foundation in 1998, which benefits and enhances the quality of life for backstretch workers and their families.

The post Sadler Succeeds Harty As President Of California Thoroughbred Trainers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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 support for a live racing circuit in NorCal at the behest of a group of Northen California owners and trainers, according to a letter the organization sent to the CHRB Jan. 7.

“We recognize under current state law that a California HBPA will not serve as the formal entity negotiating purses or other statutory duties, however we can be a strong and formal advocate for owners in Northern California. The national HBPA and our surrounding affiliates offer a suite of a services to our members that can assist the track operator in performing necessary regulatory, HISA and other backside related functions that are key to operating a successful race meet,” the letter states.

“HBPA is at its core horsemen helping horsemen,” Eric Hamelback told the TDN Tuesday about the thrust of the organization's overtures.

Proponents of a renewed racing program in the North argue it's needed to better support a NorCal breeding industry, as well as to provide better opportunities to keep and lure back horses to the state.

A recent TDN analysis of the fate of former NorCal horsemen and women since the closure of Pleasanton for Thoroughbred stabling in March found that a significant number of barns had either left the state or called it quits altogether. The overall impression among barns that maintained a footprint in the state was one of an average 50% decline in both earnings and starts.

On the flip side, proponents of the current consolidated program argue this existing system is needed to shore up the fragile California racing industry as a whole.

Any overlapping calendar in the North, they say, would siphon off and dilute valuable resources (both equine and financial) needed to maintain recent upticks in things like purses and field size in the South.

The proposal to be discussed Wednesday outlines 19 race weeks this summer between three different fair tracks:

• Tehama District Fair–Apr. 29, 2026, through June 9, 2026 (6 racing weeks);
• Alameda County Fair – June 10, 2026, through July 21, 2026 (6 racing weeks);
• Humboldt County Fair – July 22, 2026, through Sept. 8, 2026 (7 racing weeks)

The proposal is described as a joint mission between the Bernal Park Racing Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and the John C. Harris County Fair Racing Legacy. Harris was a mainstay of California's breeding industry who passed away last year.

The meeting agenda packet includes either a signed live race agreement or a memorandum of understanding between the three fair associations and Bernal Park Racing Management Company (BPRMC), headed by long-time owner-breeder George Schmitt.

Several important legal question marks appear to hang over the proposal, according to a CHRB analysis. This includes whether the CHRB is legally permitted to issue racing dates to BPRMC, as it is a newly established entity.

According to Schmitt, Bernal Park would provide services and the financial backing for these meets, while the individual fair associations are the entities requesting the race dates, similar in effect to how the Sonoma County Fair operated and carried out its race meet.

Among the conditions written into its proposal, BPRMC states that live racing will be for a minimum two days per week, three if field sizes allow. The base purse structure would be $130,000 a day. Post times would be set within a 15-minute window of any race in Southern California to avoid overlap.

Racing at Ferndale | Vassar Photography

While Humboldt and Alameda County Fairs routinely operated race-meets up until 2025, Tehama County hasn't hosted an official race-meet for decades.

As such, the facility will need upgrades to bring it up to par with state and federal safety requirements. According to the proposal, BPRMC has already invested $104,217 in track improvements that include 1,600 tons of new sandy loam to the half-mile track.

The road to this moment has been in the works for months. It's unclear how the CHRB will side. It was in June of last year the board last voted down two separate proposals to allocate 2025 race dates to entities at Ferndale and Fresno.

The Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), Del Mar and Santa Anita have been among those this past year to similarly oppose a competing circuit in the north.

In internal email communications between CHRB staff and board members–obtained by the TDN–officials have raised other questions about the proposal, including whether the necessary financial commitments are in place to avoid a repeat of the Golden State Racing venture, which failed to meet its revenue expectations.

Held at Pleasanton, Golden State Racing concluded its meet at the end of 2024 with a roughly $800,000 purse account overpayment. The final Thoroughbreds were removed from the premises the following March.

Another key question officials have raised concerns the available horse inventory. Is it adequate enough to sustain two competing circuits in California?

Pleasanton during the Golden State Race meet stabled around 800 horses at its height.

According to the TOCs own numbers, there were around 269 more horses stabled in Southern California this October compared to a year prior-this, after a major one time infusion of horses from the North.

A sizeable number of formerly California-based horses are currently competing at Turf Paradise. Tom Ludt, the track's general manager, said there are about 345 ex-Californian horses stabled there.

According to the BPRMC proposal, it will collaborate with Turf Paradise to “enhance participation through shipping incentives, rewards/bonus programs.” The current Turf Paradise meet is scheduled to run through May 2.

The Bernal Park proposal states it has commitments from trainers formerly based in the north representing over 500 horses, and is expected to garner additional support from trainers in Southern California and from Oregon.

This year's 51-day live race meet at Emerald Downs is scheduled to run between May 2 and Sept. 7. Last year, the Washington track enjoyed significant participation from horses formerly stabled in Northern California.

Eric Hamelback | Jennie Rees

The HBPA's letter to the CHRB supporting the proposal mentions the possibility of an affiliate organization being established in Northen California, at the behest of Northern California owners and trainers.

There are two current horsemen's groups in California, the TOC and the California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT). The TOC wields by far the greatest clout of the two, having final approval over individual race-meet agreements with the tracks among its other responsibilities.

According to Hamelback, he originally approached his affiliates in Washington and Oregon to discuss the idea of a Pacific Coast circuit–to shore up the racing and horse inventory on those states–before he was subsequently approached by individuals in Northern California about their situation.

Hamelback highlighted two key procedural hurdles before any HBPA affiliate could be established in Northern California. One would be approval by his board. The other would be legally determining whether in California there could be another horsemen's group that possesses the same authority as the current designated horsemen's groups.

“We are willing to expand and establish the NorCal HBPA, and while they may not be the legal horsemen's representative group in the state, they may be the legal horsemen's representative group at the track,” said Hamelback, pointing to Florida as a bit of a blueprint for how that might work.

The post CHRB Meeting Wednesday To Raise 19-Week NorCal Fair Date Proposal, National HBPA Offering Support appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and trainer Rudy Rodriguez have reached an agreement that will end Rodriguez's provisional suspension and allow him to return to training, HISA and Rodriguez announced jointly in a statement released Tuesday.

His suspension will officially end on Wednesday. Rodriguez has not started a horse since Dec.  13.

Rodriguez's problems began in November when HISA alleged that the NYRA-based trainer had violated rules related to “cruelty, mistreatment, neglect or abuse” of Thoroughbreds. At that time, HISA served Rodriguez with a “notice of violation and show cause.”

HISA had cited examples of 16 horses trained by Rodriguez that had been put on the Veterinarian's List since Nov. 22, 2024. It also alleged that none of the horses had undergone a lameness evaluation or diagnostic work performed since being placed on the Veterinarians' List.

Rodriguez was given a Dec. 12 hearing before hearing officer Armand Leone and testified that all of his horses had been well cared for. But Leone concluded in his report that Rodriguez “failed to follow the standard of care required for a Trainer and endangered the welfare of his horses.” Leone added that HISA demonstrated “good cause” for an immediate suspension of Rodriguez's license before the full case had been adjudicated.

After Leone's ruling, the provisional suspension went into effect Dec. 16. A provisional suspension means that persons operating in racing states under HISA's jurisdiction cannot participate in racing while their case is still in the process of being fully adjudicated.

In the joint statement, HISA recognized that Rodriguez had made assurances that he would be more careful going forward when it came to caring for his horses and seeing to it that proper tests and veterinary work took place in the cases of lameness or other injuries.

“The agreement reflects Mr. Rodriguez's commitment to ensuring that all his Covered Horses are cared for, trained and compete in a manner that reflects the highest standards of equine welfare and integrity,” the statement read. “As a result of this process and working collaboratively with HISA, Mr. Rodriguez has reviewed his existing practices and has agreed to implement remedial measures designed to ensure horses in his care receive timely and adequate veterinary intervention and care. The lifting of Mr. Rodriguez's provisional suspension is conditioned upon his $10,000 donation to a thoroughbred aftercare organization and continued compliance with the conditions set forth in the Agreed Order.”

An official ruling regarding Rodriguez's status was posted on the HISA portal site Tuesday, and it gave more details.

Rodriguez's registration with HISA was actually suspended for an additional six months, but that six-month suspension has been stayed and is contingent upon the trainer not committing another violation of HISA's Racetrack Safety Rules or violating the terms of the agreed order within a one-year period. The $10,000 donation must be made to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance or “a similar nonprofit organization dedicated to Thoroughbred aftercare.”

In addition, when Rodriguez has a horse placed on the Veterinarian's List for “unsoundness, injured or Epistaxis” he must agree to have an attending veterinarian conduct a complete evaluation of the horse within 48 hours of the time the horse is placed on the vet's list. Rodriguez also had to agree that Dr. Donald Baker will have “complete, unrestricted, and unfettered access to Rodriguez's barn and training facilities at any time, with reasonable notice…”

The TDN placed a call Tuesday to Rodriguez's attorney Clark Brewster, but, at the time of deadline for this story, had not heard back from him.

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Edited Press Release

The late Edward L. Bowen, who distinguished himself as a journalist, author, historian and leader in the industry, will be honored with the Eclipse Award of Merit in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding achievement, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) said in a press release on Tuesday.

Bowen's contributions will be celebrated at the 55th Annual Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards at the Breakers Palm Beach in Florida Jan. 22.

Devoting more than 60 years to chronicling the many facets, personalities and rich history of Thoroughbred racing and breeding, Bowen, who passed away in January 2025 at 82, was editor-in-chief of The BloodHorse, authored more than 20 books, and later was president of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, and served for 35 years on the nominating committee for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. He also was intricately involved in the Eclipse Awards from its inception in 1971, writing the opening remarks to each ceremony and writing scripts for all finalists videos.

“Ed's accomplishments in our sport are readily known,” said The Jockey Club President and COO James L. Gagliano. “Simply put, as a Thoroughbred breeding and racing journalist, Ed was peerless. And while he was perhaps the sport's greatest historian, his contributions to the health and welfare of the breed through his many years at Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation were a capstone of a great and dynamic career.”

Bowen was born in Welch, West Virginia, in 1942, and grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In 1963, he got a job at BloodHorse and by 1987 became editor-in-chief. He worked at the publication until 1993.

In 1994, Bowen made a career shift, when he was named president of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. During his 24 years at Grayson, Bowen helped propel the organization to remarkable success, which included raising $22 million for research projects for the equine species.

In addition to Grayson, Bowen's impact on the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was also significant. He was a museum trustee and served as chair of the Hall of Fame Nominating Committee. He also chaired the Joe Hirsch Media Roll of Honor Selection Committee, and also served previously on the Pillars of the Turf. Bowen was selected for induction into the Hall of Fame as both a member of the Media Roll of Honor and a Pillar of the Turf in 2025.

He also received many awards for his writing, including an Eclipse Award for magazine writing in 1992.

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