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An 81-year-old Penn National-based veterinarian charged in February by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) with allegedly intentional, conspirational and repeated violations of intra-articular injection rules designed to safeguard the health of horses has consented to an “agreed order” of a lifetime ban of practicing medicine on Thoroughbreds covered by HISA.

Allen Post Bonnell, a veterinarian who has been practicing for 45 years, signed the consent order May 7, according to documentation provided by HISA.

Beyond his work as a veterinarian, Bonnell is barred from “participating in any activity” at a racetrack or training facility.

According to the consent order, Bonnell agreed to a stipulation that his acceptance of the lifetime ban resolves only the HISA charges against him, and that the penalty is separate from charges, “if any,” that might be issued by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU).

An investigation initially led by the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission last year had revealed that Bonnell allegedly conspired with 13 implicated trainers from May 2023 through November 2024 to administer intra-articular injections to the joints of Thoroughbreds within the prohibited stand-down periods, in direct violation of HISA's Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) and Racetrack Safety Programs.

According to the PSHRC investigative report that was later handed over to HISA, “Dr. Bonnell informed investigators that trainers will request his services for intra-articular injections because they know he will not report them as required, allowing them to run their horses during the time they should have been placed on the veterinarians list…

“Dr. Bonnell went on to [tell investigators] that he feels what he is doing is harmless and it just helps the horse with pain and inflammation. He said the reason he does not report it is that the injections he gives are worthless if it's done too far out because it eventually wears off. If he reports it and the horse is put on the veterinarians list for 14 days, it could be an additional 14 days to a month, even two months, before it runs in a race,” the PSHRC report stated.

In a November article published by the Paulick Report in the wake of Bonnell's summary suspension by the PSHRC, the veterinarian told Ray Paulick that he believes the “HISA rules are a nightmare” because they “don't make any sense.”

HISA disagreed, stating in a press release in February that of the more than 100 unique horses alleged to have breezed or raced in violation of HISA's intra-articular stand-down times, 30% never raced again, “strongly suggesting these injections were used to mask pain.”

Approximately 10% were observed to be lame post-race by a regulatory veterinarian. Three horses were euthanized as a direct result of injuries sustained in those races, HISA stated.

Under HISA's rules, horses treated with intra-articular injections are not permitted to race within 14 days or perform a workout within seven days of the treatment.

The post Penn Vet Agrees To Lifetime Ban To Resolve HISA Allegations Of 18-Month Joint Injection Conspiracy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Michael Behrens and MyRacehorse, owners of last year's GI Preakness Stakes winner Seize the Grey (Arrogate), will be celebrated at Thursday's Alibi Breakfast with the role of Honorary Postmaster for Preakness 150.

Previous Honorary Postmasters have included Hall of Fame trainers D. Wayne Lukas, Nick Zito, and Bob Baffert; Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado; and Horse of the Year recipients Cigar and Knicks Go.

Behrens is the Founder and CEO of MyRacehorse, the platform that brought fractional racehorse ownership to the masses. Under his leadership, MyRacehorse has opened the gates of the sport to over 100,000 fans worldwide.

“It is an incredible honor to be named Honorary Postmaster for Preakness 150,” said Behrens. “This race means the world to us. Winning it last year with over 2,000 MyRacehorse owners behind the horse was one of the most powerful moments in our journey. To be back here a year later in this role is truly special.”

The post Preakness Names Michael Behrens, MyRaceHorse Honorary Postmaster appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The federal lawsuit in Michigan involving TwinSpires and a state law requiring advance-deposit wagering (ADW) platforms to partner with a brick-and-mortar racetrack before accepting simulcast wagers took a twist Friday when a judge granted in part and denied in part a motion by state defendants to dismiss the claim initiated back in January by Churchill Downs Technology Initiatives Company.

“TwinSpires brings this claim under the implied cause of action to enjoin state actors from violating federal law,” United States District Court Judge Hala Jarbou of the Western District of Michigan wrote in a May 9 opinion. “It has alleged facts sufficient to state a claim under preemption, but not for a claim under the dormant Commerce Clause. While the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) will be dismissed as a defendant, the Executive Director of the MGCB and the Attorney General remain as defendants in this lawsuit.”

That means the underlying case (minus the dormant commerce clause allegations) will proceed against those two individuals while a preliminary injunction issued two months ago in favor of TwinSpires remains in effect.

Back on Feb. 19, the judge had ruled that the MGCB was unconstitutionally violating the Interstate Horseracing Act (IHA) by requiring that ADW to partner with a brick-and-mortar state racetrack before accepting simulcast wagers from Michigan residents.

Via that earlier injunction, which survived an Apr. 18 motion to dismiss by the Michigan defendants, the judge had ordered the MGCB not to enforce the contested Michigan Horse Racing Law (MHRL) licensing requirement about partnering with an in-state racetrack or to issue any sanctions against TwinSpires, a Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI) subsidiary, for accepting bets from Michigan residents on out-of-state simulcast races.

An entirely separate lawsuit brought against TwinSpires by Henry Williams, the executive director of the MGCB, was remanded from the federal court system to a state court in March.

Both lawsuits stem from the fact that at the start of 2025, Michigan's law requiring ADWs to partner with a racetrack in the state couldn't be fulfilled by any ADW operator because there hasn't been any Thoroughbred racing in Michigan since 2018, and Standardbred races last ran in February 2024.

TwinSpires (and other ADWs) previously partnered with the now-demolished and to-be-developed Northville Downs, whose license-holders as of Jan. 1 were planning to-but had not yet received at that time-approval for the required 30 days of Standardbred racing at a different location so that all parties could be eligible for ADW and simulcasting in 2025.

On Dec. 23, 2024, the MGCB notified all licensed ADWs to cease offering wagering for Michigan residents effective Jan. 1, 2025. The shutdown was to be temporary until the harness track's licensing issue got resolved.

While ADW operators Xpressbet, NYRA Bets, and TVG Network voluntarily complied with the order, TwinSpires did not. After a week of continuing to take bets against the order, the MGCB suspended the TwinSpires license Jan. 7.

On Jan. 31, Northville Downs received its licensing, allowing third-party facilitators to accept wagers in accordance with the MHRL license requirement. However, the MGCB continued to maintain its suspension against TwinSpires.

The post Gaming Board–But Not State Officials–Dismissed As Defendant In TwinSpires Vs. Michigan Suit appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A big step for Maryland racing was made May 9, when Maryland Gov. Wes Moore approved a plan that called for the demolition and restoration of Pimlico Race Course, in addition to the acquisition of Shamrock Farm as a satellite training center.

Blane Servis, assistant to trainer Brad Cox, allowed America’s Best Racing inside his journey on the path to recovery and behind the scenes with Final Gambit before and during the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.

The Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority announced the inaugural board of directors for The Maryland Jockey Club, a newly formed nonprofit entity charged with overseeing live racing at Laurel Park, Pimlico, and a new training facility.

A panel of veterinarians serving in equine medical leadership roles discussed Kentucky's equine safety protocols and advances in technology during a May 9 panel of the ARCI Annual Conference at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Godolphin's Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Good Cheer returned to training May 6 at Churchill Downs, and trainer Brad Cox said the $500,000 Acorn Stakes (G1) on Belmont Stakes (G1) weekend at Saratoga Race Course could be her next target.

British racing's largest marketing campaign yet will launch May 20 under the title "The Going Is Good," with Simon Michaelides of Great British Racing declaring he was "incredibly confident" about what it can do for the sport.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) contender Satono Carnaval and 2024 Asahi Hai Futurity (G1) winner Admire Zoom try to return to the winner's enclosure in the May 11 NHK Mile Cup (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse.

As much as the $400,000 Man o' War Stakes (G2T) has only five starters, it can present a tricky test for older turf males.

The third installment in the 2025 OwnerView webinar series was held on May 6 and featured veterinarians from Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital discussing broodmare reproduction during breeding season.

The Road, sponsored by Gainesway and Darby Dan Farm

During a pair of May 8 panels at the Association of Racing Commissioners International's annual meeting, industry members discussed the impact created by social media influencer Griffin Johnson's involvement in the sport.

Keeneland and Stable Recovery are teaming to launch The Maintenance Cohort, a specialized extension of the existing 90-day Taylor Made School of Horsemanship focusing on practical skills, job readiness, and character development.

Grade 3-placed Regaled, a half sister to Kentucky Oaks (G1) runner-up Drexel Hill, will be offered in the Inglis Digital USA May Sale, to take place May 23-28. She will be consigned by Paramount Sales.

Selling a horse for €2.3 million is one thing. But selling one for that sum after you've told the sport's superpowers exactly how good you think this horse is comes with its own unique set of pressures.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be present at Pimlico Race Course for the week leading up to Preakness 150 Saturday, May 17, 2025.

When lawmakers passed the New York State budget Thursday, the package included a gift for horseplayers. Starting Sept. 1, New York will join Kentucky and Washington as the only racing states to break payoffs to the penny.

However, the bill allows for nickel breakage on on-track wagers, provided all breakage proceeds are dedicated to aftercare funding. It was not immediately clear which tracks would adopt the penny breakage and which would chose the nickel-breakage package.

Both NYRA and Gov. Kathy Hochul were supportive of the move to penny breakage.

“The adoption of penny breakage in New York State is a win for horseplayers made possible by Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature, who prioritized racing in a variety of important ways in this year's budget. NYRA looks forward to implementing this commonsense breakage reform later this year,” said NRA Vice President, Communications Pat McKenna.

The movement to get tracks to revert to a penny breakage system was headed by at Pat Cummings, who, at the time, was with the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation. Kentucky was the first state to adopt the system. Cummings is now with the National Thoroughbred Alliance, a group founded by owner Mike Repole.

“This is super exciting,” Cummings said. “I give full credit to (NYRA CEO and President) David O'Rourke and his team for coming back around to it when they had the ability to do so. It takes times and every state is different and different political elements are involved. It is not easy. Dave never let it drop and he was on-board from the beginning of the movement, all the way back to 2018 when the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation first went to work on this. David and his team knew when the time was right to be able to get this going again.”

Cummings estimated that the switch to penny breakage will result in an extra $10 million going into the pockets of horseplayers each year. NYRA out-handles Kentucky, where penny breakage has, according to Cummings, meant an extra $7 million a year paid to the bettors.

Sovereignty (Into Mischief) paid, across the board $17.96, $7.50 and $5.58 in the GI Kentucky Derby. Without penny breakage, he would have paid $17.80, $7.40 and $5.40.

“We think that this will mean $10 million more in the pockets of the players and then the effect that has on churn we think can be significant,” Cummings said.

The post Penny Breakage Coming To New York appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

GII Wood Memorial Stakes winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic) will not run in the 150th GI Preakness Stakes May 17 at Pimlico Race Course, trainer Bob Baffert said Friday. Scratched from last weekend's GI Kentucky Derby due to a minor foot bruise, Rodriguez had remained at Churchill Downs to prepare for the Preakness.

Baffert will still be represented in the Preakness starting gate by undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time) who ran on the Derby undercard in an allowance race.

Baffert told Pimlico media Friday morning that Goal Oriented's appearance in the Preakness will hinge on a workout this upcoming Sunday.

“We're going to see how he works,” Baffert said after Goal Oriented had a routine gallop Friday. “I've always had (the Preakness) in the back of mind, maybe. But after what I've seen, the way he came out of the race, he's a big strong horse that looks like he could handle it.”

Baffert continued: “He's really come into himself. The race the other day, he won that with so much to spare. I'm watching these horses closely. I don't want to go there unless he has a chance to win. He's going to breeze this weekend and then I'll know more, for sure.”

After two days of jogging at Churchill Downs, GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Journalism (Curlin) galloped for the first time.

“He looked great, showed good energy,” said Justin Curran, the assistant trainer who oversees California-based trainer Michael McCarthy's Churchill Downs division.

The Preakness decision is still pending for Journalism. Curran said McCarthy will be at Churchill Downs Sunday.

 

Journalism was focused, smooth & strong galloping this am @ChurchillDowns for @mwmracing. We'll continue to monitor his condition & mindset thru the weekend in order to arrive at a decision on his status for the @PreaknessStakes which is in Journalism's best interest. #BelieveBig pic.twitter.com/tmyFsjLCU3

— Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners (@EclipseTBP) May 9, 2025

Virginia Derby winner American Promise (Justify) galloped as soon as the Churchill Downs track opened Friday morning for D. Wayne Lukas.

“He's doing exceptionally well,” said the Coach. “He's back in the feed tub, no worse for wear, almost like he didn't participate the other day. So, we feel pretty good about him. That's all you can ask. But his energy level is really good.”

Lukas said he plans to ship six horses to Pimlico for the weekend including fillies Princess Aliyah (Into Mischief) and Lemon Muffin (Collected) while the colts will van to Pimlico Tuesday.

Federico Tesio Stakes winner Pay Billy (Improbable) had a walk day Friday following his final work for the Preakness Thursday at Delaware Park for trainer Mike Gorham. He'll ship to Pimlico Tuesday after another local prep day Saturday.

“Today he's great,” Gorham said. “He felt good, bright and alert. No worse for the wear after his breeze. He'll gallop tomorrow. Usually after a breeze like that we give them one day off and then gallop, and then just kind of gallop into the race. Maybe get a strong gallop one or two days and that's about it.”

Clever Again (American Pharoah), winner of the Hot Springs Stakes, was scheduled to school in the starting gate on a light-training Friday morning at Churchill Downs. Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the colt is scheduled to work a half-mile Monday and ship to Baltimore Tuesday.

At Keeneland, GIII Lexington Stakes winner Gosger (Nyquist) had a routine gallop and is scheduled to work Saturday.

'TDN Rising Star' River Thames (Maclean's Music) will also join the Saturday work tab for trainer Todd Pletcher.

On the international front, Heart of Honor (Honor A.P.) is scheduled to quarantine at Churchill Downs until Monday following a trans-Atlantic flight from Great Britain Thursday. Trainer Jamie Osborne plans to van the G2 UAE Derby runner-up to Pimlico Monday.

The post Preakness 150: Wood Memorial Winner Rodriguez To Miss Second Jewel, Aim For Belmont appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.