NHBPA In a statement released to address the “Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015” made by Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Congressman Andy Barr on July 16, 2015, The National HBPA voices strong opposition to this proposed bill. The National HBPA represents the largest group of horsemen within North America among its 30 affiliates. Each [...]

ARCI Lexington, KY - The Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) is in the process of analyzing the full impact of the Barr/Tonko proposal announced today. In response to media requests for an immediate reaction, ARCI President Ed Martin issued the following statement: “The ARCI is unanimous in its opposition to shielding racing regulatory authority [...]

Blood-Horse A bipartisan bill introduced Thursday, July 16 in the U.S. House of Representatives would see the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency create an independent organization for oversight of medication issues in horse racing. Introduced by Reps. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), the Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015 would require any tracks that participate [...]

Blood-Horse Leo Azpurua Sr., a successful trainer and bloodstock agent who in 1980 founded Parkhurst Farms in the Ocala, Fla., area, died July 15 at age 82 in Gainesville, Fla. Azpurua was born in Venezuela and moved to the U.S., where he trained horses at tracks that included Monmouth Park, Gulfstream Park, and Calder Race [...]

Paulick Report Gulfstream Park announced today it will kick off its 2015-16 Championship Meet Saturday, Dec. 5 with the 17th running of the $1.1 million Claiming Crown. It will mark the fourth consecutive year the Claiming Crown has been contested at Gulfstream Park. Last year’s Claiming Crown, which had total handle of more than $10 [...]

Blood-Horse A race-day medication-free race proved so popular at the entry box July 15 that the over-subscribed field of 2-year-old fillies was split into two divisions for the July 18 program at Gulfstream Park. The only race-day medication allowed at Gulfstream is the diuretic furosemide (brand name Salix but also commonly called Lasix), which is [...]

Paulick Report Trainer Steve Asmussen found himself in hot water at the end of June when the United States Department of Labor brought suit against him for the second time in three years. The department alleges Asmussen violated the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 by not paying overtime to hot walkers and grooms when [...]

Blood-Horse Midwest trainer Jerry Balo reached a significant career milestone July 12 when Go Patti Wagon captured the third race at Belterra Park. The New York-bred Silver Wagon colt represents the 1,000th winner for Balo, according to Equibase Co., which began keeping detailed racing statistics in 1976. Since that time, runners trained by Balo have [...]

Blood-Horse A push to develop a new commercial casino in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York was ordered to slow down by an appeals court, which determined local officials did not not follow procedures involving an environmental review of the project. The New York state's Appellate Division in the Fourth Judicial District ruled [...]

Paulick Report The 12th annual New Vocations Charity Horse Show was a huge success with over 1,250 entries and $60,000 raised to support racehorse aftercare. The Indiana HBPA was the title sponsor of the event, which drew a record attendance. Many of the exhibitors came simply to show off their former racehorses in both the [...]