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Jesse Aviles and fiancé Rylee Thomas of J & R Thoroughbreds are aiming to make it big with a Drain the Clock filly, Hip 595, at the Ocala Breeders' Sales March of 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale March 12.

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association hosted a sold-out Pedigree and Conformation Clinic March 9-10 in Ocala, Fla., at the Ocala Breeders' Sales complex.

A pair of progressive Ciaron Maher-trained 3-year-olds spearheaded the March 11 Inglis Australia Digital March (Early) Online Sale.

Coming off a fifth-place finish in the Forward Gal Stakes (G3), Mythical looks to get back into the winner's circle in the March 14 Any Limit Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Tami Bobo celebrated a lucrative pinhook at the March 11 session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, when an Into Mischief colt (Hip 416) she bought for $75,000 was resold for $1.85 million to Frank Fletcher Racing.

When Ilkay Kantarmaci's younger brother, Mertkan, announced a hiatus from training in 2024, Ilkay took the reins of a 27-horse stable at Belmont Park, placing him in the leading role of a training career.

Dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse said Nitrogen will make her next start in the $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 11 after a third-place finish in the March 7 Azeri Stakes (G2).

A total of 447 yearlings are scheduled to go through the ring as this year's renewal arrives with a refreshed format, with non-Queensland Thoroughbred Incentive Scheme yearlings included for the first time.

Ciaran and Amy Dunne's Wavertree Stables reset the top of the Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sales standings March 11 with a $2 million filly by Nyquist (Hip 372), who breezed a furlong in :09 3/5. Boyd Racing bought her.

Sometimes a birthday turns out extraordinarily memorable. Case in point, the 34th birthday of Juan Hernandez at Santa Anita Park March 7.

Veteran sprinter Tejano Twist has an opportunity to take another step toward the $2 million mark in career earnings when he faces an expected six other older runners in the $250,000 Whitmore Stakes (G3) March 14 at Oaklawn Park.

Canterbury Park announces that Jesse Sherwood has been named head starter for the 2026 race meet that begins May 23.

Consignor Jesse Hoppel sells his first seven-figure 2-year-old in training March 11 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale when agent Donato Lanni went to $1.05 million for Hip 299, a colt by Mo Town.

The New York Race Track Chaplaincy will honor Marc and Sheree Holliday with the John Hendrickson and Marylou Whitney Award for their generous support of the New York backstretch community at its 19th Annual Fundraising Brunch to be held Aug. 12.

Dual grade 1 winner La Cara and multiple graded stakes winner Quietside have been retired from racing and will begin their next chapters as broodmares.

Grade 1 winner Bottle of Rouge headlines a field of six in the March 14 Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs.

One day after the latest hearing in a federal Bankruptcy Court in Chicago over Hawthorne's insolvency dealings, a slight equipment delay puts a question mark over the start of training in preparation for a Spring Thoroughbred meet, but there appears to be movement over important simulcast signals going back online.

According to Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (ITHA) President Chris Block, the trucks to haul the dirt surface to the track have been rented, but the loaders needed to move the dirt into the trucks have yet to arrive.

“The conversion of [the track] is on hold until all the equipment arrives and then the project can start,” said Block, Wednesday. “We don't know which day that'll happen, but we're hopeful that will happen the next couple days.”

If the necessary equipment can be hired and in action by Friday, then the track could be ready for training by next Wednesday, Block speculated. A tentative start date for the meet has been pegged at Sunday, Apr. 19.

“That's just a very uncertain timeline, for sure,” said Block.

It's also the latest twist in a story that has unfurled since Hawthorne, and its related companies, filed for a Chapter 11 business reorganization at the end of last month.

The filing is built around a “debtor in possession” financing mechanism, which is when a debtor “keeps possession and control of its assets while undergoing a reorganization under Chapter 11.”

Hawthorne has secured temporary funding of around $16 million from JDI Loans, with a 120-day term limit on these funds.

During Tuesday's bankruptcy hearing, Judge Timothy Barnes agreed that Thoroughbred owners and trainers will soon have access to monies in their track bookkeeper accounts (previously frozen), which includes earnings as well as funds submitted in advance of the meet.

Block said he was unsure exactly when those accounts will be unfrozen. “We're going to stay on top of it daily,” he said.

According to Hawthorne's initial bankruptcy filing, the company's estimated assets are between $50 million and $100 million, while the estimated liabilities are between $100 million and $500 million.

The list of creditors who have the 20 largest unsecured claims are led by Fanatics LLC, a digital sports platform licensed in Florida, which has an unsecured claim of $8.75 million, according to the filing.

There are several entities that had stopped sending its simulcast signal to Hawthorne because of unpaid bills.

This includes The Stronach Group (TSG) owned Monarch Content Management with an unsecured claim of $7.13 million, Casears with a claim of roughly $750k, and Penn National with a claim of slightly more than $491k.

During Tuesday's bankruptcy hearing, said Block, it was discussed that these companies could turn their signals back on pending a written agreement with the track that would see a portion of these monies paid back.

Indeed, Block added that track management had told him Wednesday that on Thursday and Friday, the simulcast signals for Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita and Hoosier Park were scheduled to go back online.

Hawthorne is also responsible for a significant amount in bounced checks between dozens of individuals from the Harness racing world.

More than $1.6 million exists between the bounced checks and existing Thoroughbred accounts, said Block. But coming out of Tuesday's hearing, the funds owed to harness owners and trainers will remain withheld for now.

“The ITHA's attorney argued in court today that owners and trainers on both the Thoroughbred and harness sides should be made whole. But the judge accepted an argument, made by creditors, that the court should prioritize Thoroughbred racing with the limited funds available, given the impending start of our meet,” the ITHA wrote in a Tuesday press release.

If the necessary track renovations are conducted and a Thoroughbred meet is approved, there remain questions over what that meet might look like.

According to Block, there are about 200 Thoroughbreds currently stabled at the track. Other trainers are waiting to potentially ship in.

During last year's meet, there were roughly 640 horses stabled at Hawthorne. “And it was tough to maintain it at that,” said Block, about the meet.

Does he expect that same number of horses this year, if indeed the meet goes ahead?

“To be honest with you, I don't think so,” he said.

Since last year's meet, Illinois horsemen and women haven't reinvested in young stock like they used to, he said. “Not to mention all the negative talk around this. It's probably pushed some horsemen the other way.

“I'm sure there's some new ones here and there,” he added. “But I can't imagine that number's going to go up anywhere over 650. And from my thinking, it's probably going to be under that.”

The next hearing in Hawthorne's bankruptcy proceedings is scheduled for Mar. 17.

The post Hawthorne Latest: Slight Track Renovation Equipment Delay, Possible Movement On Simulcast Signals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis

OCALA, FL – Brisk trade continued from start to finish of the second session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training Wednesday in Central Florida and the day concluded with figures well ahead of the auction's 2025 renewal. The session was topped by a filly by Nyquist who sold for $2 million to Boyd Racing from the Wavertree Stables consignment.

Through two sessions of the three-day sale, 295 horses have sold for $51,336,500. After two sessions in 2025, 269 horses had grossed $39,588,000. The two-day average stands at $174,022 and the median is $90,000. At the conclusion of the sale a year ago, the average was $152,351 and the median was $70,000.

With 94 horses reported not sold at the close of business Wednesday, the two-day buy-back rate is 24.2%. It was 21.8% at the same point in 2025.

The session-topping daughter of Nyquist was one of three to sell for seven figures during the session, bringing the total so far at the sale to six–one off the total number to hit that mark a year ago.

Two consignors celebrated their first seven-figure sales Wednesday. Jesse Hoppel sold a $1.05-million son of Mo Town and Susan Montanye's SBM Training and Sales sold a $1.85-million son of Into Mischief, while, with the session topper, Wavertree Stables had its second of the auction, both by Nyquist.

“The market is very strong. It's a blessing to see all of these people here,” said Tami Bobo, who sold the Into Mischief colt through the SBM consignment.

Bobo credited the strong results with the tax bill passed last year which provided buyers with a 100% depreciation bonus and helped lead to record results at the yearling sales last fall.

“The Big Beautiful Bill has done nothing but help all of us,” Bobo said. “So that is why the marketplace is where it is and I think it will continue to sustain itself.”

The OBS March sale continues through Thursday with sessions beginning each day at 11 a.m.

“She Was a Queen”: Nyquist Filly Steals the Show on Day 2

Maintaining the same spirited clip that was on display on day one, Wednesday's second session's action hit full tilt by the time hip 372, a filly by Nyquist, exited the ring.

Highlighting what turned out to be another banner day for consignor Wavertree Stables, the Mar. 26 foal jumped over the seven-figure mark in a flash, and when the dust had settled, Killora/Linton, acting as agent for Boyd Racing, had garnered the filly for $2 million.

The filly posted a brisk :9 3/5 eighth of a mile breeze at OBS last week.

“She was just an absolute queen the whole week,” said Hannah Jennings, who signed on behalf of Randy and Jenny Boyd. “She was super professional. Obviously, her stride was fantastic on the track and physically she's everything we could want.”

Bred by Cannon Thoroughbreds, the Kentucky-bred was a $300,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Forest Bloodstock.

The bay is the third foal out of Smooth and Savvy (Lucky Pulpit), a half-sister to Grade I winner Smooth Like Strait (Midnight Lute).

“Plans are to be determined on the trainer, but I think a lot of them will be happy to open a stall for her,” she added.

Darley stallion Nyquist is also responsible for another pair of Wavertree grads at OBS–Grade I winners Cavalieri, a $900,000 2023 OBS Spring Sale purchase, in addition to Tenma, an $850,000 Spring Sale buy in 2024.

“Nyquist is one of our favorites,” said Jennings of the Kentucky Derby winner. “He can get you a really elite horse and Ciaran Dunne sold two Grade I-winning Nyquist fillies out of OBS sales. So hopefully she can be the third.”

The highest-priced juvenile through two days of selling at OBS, the filly was the sole purchase for the Boyds.

“It's been so tough,” commented Jennings on the day's activity. “We knew we'd need to stretch for her, but we never thought we'd have to stretch that far. But when the horse is the right one, everyone's on them.”–@CBossTDN

'The Gift That Keeps on Giving': Another Nyquist Home Run for Wavertree

Ciaran and Amy Dunne's Wavertree Stables was an early believer in Nyquist, thanks to its frequent partnership with Paul Reddam, who campaigned the 2016 GI Kentucky Derby winner. The consignment continued to reap the benefits of that faith this week at OBS, warming up with a colt by the Derby winner (hip 88) who sold for $1.2-million during Tuesday's first session of the March sale and followed by a $2-million filly (hip 372) sold to Boyd Racing Wednesday. The colt had been purchased for $170,000 and the filly for $300,000 at Keeneland last September.

“He's put a lot of meals on the table,” Ciaran Dunne said of Nyquist. “We were very lucky in that we were associated with Mr. Reddam and he raced him. So, obviously from the outset we were exposed to a lot of them. And from day one, they were just good horses. So we kind of got a little bit of a leg up on everybody else. For us, he's the gift that keeps on giving.”

Ciaran Dunne | OBS/Photos By Z

In recent years, Wavertree has sold subsequent Grade I winners Cavalieri ($900,000 at the 2023 OBS April sale) and Tenma ($850,000 at the 2024 OBS April sale), both by Nyquist.

Of the filly who brought $2 million Wednesday, Dunne said, “She is by one of the top stallions in the country. She is a beautiful physical. She had an unbelievable work. She vetted clean. If you can't sell her, you need to quit selling.”

For Dunne, the moment lacked one thing with daughter Caitlin home in Kentucky where she is due to deliver her first baby in the coming days.

“It's a double-edged sword that Caitlin wasn't here to share it with us because she's been here for pretty much all of our big ones in the past,” Dunne said. “But she is at home doing something way more important.” @JessMartiniTDN

$1.85-Million Into Mischief Colt to Fletcher

Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni capped a busy day at OBS Wednesday when he bid $1.85 million to acquire a colt by Into Mischief (hip 416) on behalf of Frank Fletcher. The juvenile, who worked a furlong last week in :9 4/5, was consigned by S B M Training and Sales and became the first seven-figure sale for Susan Montanye's consignment.

“He is by one of the leading sires in our generation,” Lanni said of the colt. “He's a fast horse. [Trainer] Bill Mott is going to get him and Bill really liked him. So he got a pretty good endorsement.”

The colt is out of graded-placed Sweet Diane (Will Take Charge) and is a half-brother to stakes winner Miss Martini (Curlin).

Tami Bobo purchased the colt for $75,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

Hip 416 | OBSVidHorse

“He had compressed hocks,” Bobo said when asked how she had acquired a colt by Into Mischief at that price point last fall. “You've heard me say it before. I am a firm believer in how God makes a horse. For me, it wasn't an injury from day one. I've had graded stakes winners in the past and I've never had a problem with it. Once they fused, you are always good to go.”

The colt sold out of Book 5 at Keeneland and Bobo said it was thanks to Denali Stud's Conrad Bandoroff that she became aware of him.

“Conrad Bandoroff is a great consignor, he keeps up with his buyers,” Bobo said. “He called me. I was actually in Florida when he told me about the horse. I am never at Keeneland in Book 5, so I was already home. So it was a true blessing. Susan Montanye signed the ticket for me and Susan and [Montanye's husband] Andy, I want to give them props, because they came into the business the hard way. So for her to sell her first million-dollar horse and for us to be able to do that together collectively, it means the world to me.”

Of the colt's seven-figure price tag, Bobo said, “I truly thought the horse would bring over $1 million. I really did. The horse has trained like the big horse all year. Susan nicknamed him King Kong early on in the training season. She is diligent in sending us videos, so we really know where we are with our horses. And this horse just continued to show up.” @JessMartiniTDN

'Charlie Wanted Him': $1.05-Million Mo Town Colt to Baoma

A colt by Mo Town (hip 299) became the fourth million-dollar juvenile of the OBS March sale when selling to Charlie and Susan Chu's Baoma Corp. for $1.05 million Wednesday in Ocala. Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni, doing his bidding from the press box alongside the Chus and trainer Bob Baffert, signed the ticket on the colt who was consigned by Hoppel LLC. The juvenile worked a quarter-mile in :20 2/5 during last week's under-tack preview.

“He is just a big, beautiful, scopey horse,” Lanni said. “He looks like he will go two turns. He is very sound looking. He worked really good. It was a great time, a great gallop out. And he came back sound and good. The good ones are bringing good money. I thought that was plenty for him. But I am happy to get him.”

Baoma Corp's Susan Chu with hip 299 | Jessica Martini

The Chus were quickly back at the Hoppel barn to great their newest acquisition.

Susan Chu, asked what she liked about the 2-year-old, pointed to her husband.

“Charlie wanted this horse,” she said with a laugh. “He is the gentleman in charge. But we totally trust Donato, and of course Bob, and they make the best decision for us.”

Among the horses the Chus have purchased out of the OBS sales ring are last year's GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Nysos (Nyquist), who was most recently a game second behind Forever Young (Jpn) in the Feb. 14 G1 Saudi Cup.

“We are really so proud of him,” Susan said of Nysos. “He came home last week and he looks excellent.” @JessMartiniTDN

'It Was Unreal': Mo Town Colt a First Million-Dollar Result for Hoppel

The usually stoic Jesse Hoppel, from a family which has been selling horses in Ocala for generations, appeared misty eyed after selling his first million-dollar horse Wednesday at OBS. Minutes after Donato Lanni made a $1.05-million bid to acquire a colt by Mo Town on behalf of Baoma Corp., Hoppel said the result, “Exceeded expectations. Period. That was unreal.”

The dark bay colt is out of the unraced Reckon (Into Mischief). He was purchased by the Hoppels for $40,000 as a weanling at the 2024 Keeneland November sale. The colt was signed for in the name 'Antigo,' an homage to the birthplace of Don Rice, Hoppel's grandfather, who along with his brother Clyde, were pioneers of the Ocala pinhooking scene.

“It would be easier if I just told you what I didn't like about him,” Hoppel said when asked what he had liked about the colt as a weanling. “But it wouldn't be much conversation.”

Hoppel recalled discussing the colt with his father, longtime pinhooker Pat, prior to sending him through the ring Wednesday.

“I grew up on the sales grounds,” he said. “I have a lot of horses I thought were really good. But me and my dad sat there yesterday and we looked at the horse and he said, 'I don't think I've brought a horse to sale this good before.' And I said, 'I know I haven't, dad.' From my dad, that's a huge compliment.”

The seven-figure result capped a profitable few minutes for Hoppel, who also sold a filly by Drain the Clock (hip 284) for $500,000. @JessMartiniTDN

Upstart Filly Leads McCrocklin's Bounty on Wednesday

Earlier in Wednesday's session, a filly by Upstart realized an $800,000 final bid from agent Marette Farrell bidding on behalf of Mo Speed Racing. Offered as hip 343 by Tom McCrocklin, the Florida-bred filly rounded out the session as the second-highest priced filly of the afternoon.

During last Thursday's breeze session, the filly posted a :20 4/5 move for a quarter mile.

“That was a great result,” said McCrocklin. “It was not a total surprise once the action started at the barn. She was extremely popular and was vetted a lot. She showed and showed and showed.”

Out of Shananies Song (Eltish), the Florida-bred filly was bred by the partnership of McCrocklin and Dr. Carolin Von Rosenberg.

Offered at Keeneland November in 2024, McCrocklin bought out Von Rosenberg, securing the filly for $60,000.

Tom McCrocklin | OBS/Photos By Z

“Carolin wanted to sell her as a weanling, so I bought her half and brought the filly back home,” he said. “She was kind of a superior all the way along. She was one of those types, just a nice filly all along.”

The 22-year-old mare is already responsible for seven winners and two graded stakes winners, including GII Swale Stakes winner Favorable Outcome (Flatter) and G3 Al Shindagha Sprint victor Mouheeb (Flatter). Stakes winners and graded placed Beguine (Gun Runner) and Bellamentary (Bellamy Road) are also listed among the mare's produce.

“There's so much satisfaction in breeding the mare, raising the the baby, preparing and selling them,” said McCrocklin. “It was very gratifying and I am very grateful for Marette Farrell [buying the filly].”

McCrocklin, who still retains the mare, indicated she is booked back to Taiba, who stands at Spendthrift Farm.

Did McCrocklin know this filly might be a star right from the beginning?

“As a foal, she was just a horse, with a plain brown wrapper. But that's typical of the mare,” he explained. “They are not big, imposing horses, but you can see from her produce record that she produces racehorses.”

On day two, McCrocklin also sold hip 453, a filly by Twirling Candy. Out of Tizway's stakes-placed Tizanillusion, the March foal recorded a :20 2/5 quarter-mile breeze last week. The Kentucky-bred was purchased for $600,000 by Alistair Roden Bloodstock, acting agent for Mark Breen.

Bred by Steve and Denise Smith's Mesingw Farm, the filly RNA'd for $75,000 at Keeneland last September.

“She was a homebred of [the Smiths],” said McCrocklin, “She didn't meet her reserve at Keeneland and they were kind enough to send her to me to get her ready.”

Offering his thoughts on the filly after her return from the sales last season, McCrocklin explained, “She was a very fast filly. She just got better and better with time. She started out just a horse and just got better and better the whole time. When she got over here, she prepped like a good horse.”–@CBossTDN

NOTHING BUT NET Roadster Colt Gives Scott Geiner a Career High Pinhook Score

Scott Geiner, who said he generally pinhooks just a small number of horses a year, had his best success to date when he sold a colt from the first crop of Roadster (hip 320) to Lee Ackerley for $425,000 in Ocala Wednesday. The Louisiana trainer had purchased the colt for $62,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

“He was just a nice colt as a yearling,” Geiner said. “He had a pretty walk. I thought maybe this was one I could make a little money with and I wound up making a bunch of money.”

The dark bay colt is out of multiple stakes-placed San Antonio Stroll (Stroll) and is a half-brother to multiple graded winner Damon's Mound (Girvin).

From Keeneland, Geiner sent the colt to consignor Omar Ramirez for the winter.

“Omar liked him the whole time,” Geiner said.

Scott Geiner | Jessica Martini

The colt worked a quarter-mile at last week's under-tack preview in :21 flat.

“After he worked last week and yesterday and today, he had the right people come look at him,” Geiner said of expectations for the sale Wednesday. “So we thought, $199,000, and I think we put $149,000 in the box.”

While the colt exceeded expectations, Geiner had a back-up plan, just in case.

“If I didn't get what I wanted for him, I would have raced him, but he worked good and I knew I'd get more money selling than keeping him,” Geiner said.

Geiner continued, “I do a couple pinhooks a year. And I've done pretty good, but this is the highest. I pinhooked one a couple of years ago in Texas for $72,000 and got $265,000. Last year in Texas, I bought one for $30,000 and got $135,000.”

Asked if this result might convince him to do more pinhooking, Geiner said, “I am kind of picky with what I want to get and I don't want to spend too much in case I've got to keep them.” @JessMartiniTDN

The post $2-Million Nyquist Filly Leads Vibrant Trade at OBS March Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Last year the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) approved the establishment of maximum statewide ages at which horses can race–10 years old for winners and five years old for maidens. On Wednesday, the CHRB voted unanimously to tweak that rule, raising the max age for maidens to six, with the stipulation that such horses would be receiving “increased scrutiny” from the state's regulatory veterinarians.

Prior to the codification of a maximum age for maidens at the state level, California's three currently active tracks had been operating under “house rules” that set the upper limits at either six (Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and Los Alamitos Race Course) or five (Santa Anita Park).

This max-age agenda item was originally up for a vote back in January, but the issue was tabled when commissioners at that time asked for more data before making their decisions.

Based on feedback from the public and the CHRB's informal polling of trainers, the board's staff came back at the Mar. 11 meeting with a revised recommendation of six years old as the upper limit for maidens.

Scott Chaney, the CHRB's executive director, said Wednesday that, “The public comments centered on the fact that, mostly, the maiden restriction was limiting opportunities for owners and breeders in California.”

But quantifying a precise number of affected horses was difficult.

“Inventory and participants are likely to be very insignificant due to increased costs of training a 6-year-old maiden,” Jeff Blea, the CHRB's equine medical director, told board members prior to the 7-0 vote.

“However, there will be some who will be afforded this opportunity if you pass this rule change,” Blea said.

Blea told the CHRB that, “I did an informal poll of about 10 Thoroughbred trainers, primarily. And all but one was in unanimous support of allowing 6-year-old maidens to race.

“The one who was opposed was opposed because he felt it diluted the racing product at Santa Anita,” Blea said.

“Moving it from five to six allows and encourages more rest periods without pressure on owners and trainers to keep these horses in training [and] allows this population to continue safely competing in California rather than leaving the state,” Blea said.

Yet Blea acknowledged there's very little age-specific safety data that relates to California's maiden horse population.

“There's a lack of scientific data looking at age of maidens and how it corresponds to catastrophic musculoskeletal injury,” Blea said. “There's a lot of data based on race, class, dirt, turf. But not very much scientific data to indicate [trends with maidens] where it's five versus six versus seven. In the literature that I provided in your staff report, it indicates that 6-year-old maidens would be safe to race from a musculoskeletal standpoint.”

Back when the CHRB last called upon Blea to address this topic, he described the situation like this at the January meeting:

“What's the magic number? Is it five, is it six, is it seven for maidens? Is it nine, is it 10, is it 11 for winners? I've had people tell me we should limit older horses to eight years old. I've had people suggest we limit maidens to four years old. It's a number. When you reach a certain age, you can't drive a car. When you reach a certain age, mandatory retirement. Age is not a disease, but at some point in time, we have to set boundaries and parameters,” Blea said.

The post CHRB Ups Max Age Limit For Maidens From Five to Six appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

When the details of Donald Trump's “One Big Beautiful Bill” were introduced, there was an unwelcome surprise for horseplayers as well as all gamblers. It included a provision whereby gamblers could only deduct 90% of their losses from their winnings. For example, if a gambler collected $100,000 in winning bets during a year while also losing $100,000, he or she would have to pay taxes on $10,000, even though no profit was actually made.

The new law went into effect on Jan. 1. Unless something changes, when gamblers file their 2026 tax returns next year they will not be allowed to deduct 100% of their losses.

Rep. Dina Titus, a Democratic Congresswoman from the gambling mecca of Nevada, sprung to action and introduced the FAIR BET Act, which would restore a gambler's right to deduct 100% of his or her losses from gambling winnings. Titus has called the policy change a “tax increase on Americans who gamble.”

She introduced her bill in July, but, despite partisan support, it has yet to pass. In the most recent development, The FAIR BET Act was officially rejected as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by the GOP-controlled House Rules Committee.

To get the latest on the FAIR BET Act and insights into whether or not it will eventually pass, the TDN reached out to Titus's office with a list of questions. They were answered by her communications director Dick Cooper.

TDN: You introduced the Fair Bet Act on July 7, 2025. Can you please bring us up to speed regarding what has happened to the bill since you introduced it and where things currently stand?

DC: Since the bill was introduced, we have garnered 24 bipartisan co-sponsors. Representative Titus recently sent a letter to Ways & Means Chair Jason Smith and Ranking Member Richard Neal urging them to take up a legislative fix to restore the gambling loss deduction to 100% at their next markup. She also filed the FAIR BET Act as a discharge petition, to bypass committee inaction and bring the bill directly to the floor for a vote. While taxpayers will first feel the effects of the 90% gambling loss deduction when they file next year, many, in anticipation of potentially onerous tax liabilities, have already begun stopping or scaling back their gambling activity. This fix needs to get done sooner rather than later, and we have a broad coalition of support. The bill has picked up widespread industry support including: the American Gaming Association, MGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, Wynn, the Nevada Resort Association and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. Several outside groups have also expressed their support for the restoration of full deductibility including Americans for Tax Reform, The Tax Foundation, and The American Institute of CPAs.

   TDN: What now is the best way forward to get the bill passed?

DC: The next step is continuing to pursue multiple legislative vehicles–inclusion in a broader tax package, committee action in Ways & Means, or attachment to a must-pass vehicle like appropriations or a CR (Continuing Resolution). There is concern that if you fix this mistake from the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” that will open the floodgates for other members to want to fix other issues they had with the bill which was Trump's landmark piece of legislation. It is for that reason that attaching this provision to a must-pass vehicle remains the most likely option.

   TDN: Horse racing is a vital industry in Kentucky. Have you received support from your colleagues there? Kentucky Congressman Andy Barr has always been viewed as being very pro-horse racing. Has he weighed in with you regarding your bill? Have any other lawmakers from Kentucky offered their support?

DC: Yes, Congresswoman Titus and Congressman Barr are both cosponsors of each other's bills. Representative Morgan McGarvey (D-KY) is also a cosponsor of both bills.

   TDN: How frustrating is it to you that have been working on this for about six months and your bill still seems to be hanging in limbo? Do you still remain confident that you will eventually find a way to get the FAIR BET Act passed?

DC: Of course, it can be frustrating when something that has broad bipartisan support doesn't move as quickly as we would like. Legislative timing, however, is often driven by process and available vehicles, not the merits of the policy. The Congresswoman remains confident that this will ultimately get fixed. The goal is to ensure it is resolved before taxpayers begin feeling the full impact when they file.

   TDN: The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has come out in support of your bill. But has that been enough? Could the horse racing industry be doing more to help your cause?

DC: The racing industry has been a strong partner on this issue. The most important thing is education and engagement. Reach out to your members of Congress and explain how this issue affects you personally. Emphasize that this is about fair taxation, not special treatment. Lawmakers respond when they hear directly from constituents that a policy has real-world consequences. Continued engagement from industry stakeholders and bettors themselves is important because lawmakers respond when they hear directly from the people affected.

TDN: We have been told by many serious horseplayers that they will be forced to stop betting on the sport if they can no longer deduct 100% of their losses. This could be catastrophic for horse racing. Do you believe the industry is fully cognizant of what this could mean for its overall health?

DC: That is a very real concern. It unfairly burdens professional gamblers and casual players alike and will inevitably drive players toward offshore and unregulated markets where consumer protections are nonexistent, thereby undermining responsible gaming efforts nationwide. Recently, the Congresswoman spoke with one of the most accomplished and respected players in the history of professional poker, Erik Seidel, who explained how this tax change will put him in semi-retirement. Conversations like that reinforce why this matters for players and the broader gaming ecosystem.

TDN: To all horseplayers, this obviously seems extremely unfair. What do you hear from the elected officials on the other side of the issue regarding their support of these new tax/gambling rules? What, possibly, could be their justification for supporting what seems to be nothing more than an unfair tax on gamblers?

DC: In many cases, the issue stems from misunderstanding the policy. Some assume this only affects professional gamblers, but in reality, it impacts casual bettors and everyday players as well. Others are simply just anti-gaming.

   TDN: When it comes to racing, as well as other forms of gambling, could this force bettors to start doing business with unregulated offshore betting sites.

DC: That is certainly a risk. If legal, regulated wagering becomes tax-disadvantaged, bettors will look for alternatives in unregulated offshore markets. That would undermine consumer protections and divert activity away from regulated U.S. operators and jobs.

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