Mike Gathagan
Vice President-Communications
Maryland Jockey Club

LAUREL, Md. – Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course will conduct 146 days of racing in 2012, the same number that was scheduled the last two years after the Maryland Racing Commission approved an agreement by the Maryland Jockey Club and Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association at its monthly meeting Tuesday afternoon at Laurel Park.

“We are very pleased to be racing next year,” said Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas. “I…

Maryland Jockey Club release

LAUREL, Md. – The Maryland Jockey Club (MJC) and Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (MTHA) reached an agreement in principal Saturday to apply and race 146 days at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course in 2012.

“I am glad we got this resolved,” said Richard Hoffberger, MTHA president. “This means running the same amount of live days as this year which was important to the horsemen to maintain a year-round program.” 

The parties will continue to meet…

Mike Gathagan
Vice President-Communications
Maryland Jockey Club

BALTIMORE, Md. – The Maryland Jockey Club today unveiled the 2012 Preakness logo for the 137th running of the $1,000,000 Preakness Stakes® (G1), the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, which is set for Saturday, May 19, 2012 at Pimlico Race Course.

For the 13th consecutive year, the Leffler Agency of Baltimore and Tampa designed the official Preakness logo. Five times their Preakness designs have won major national awards for the…

NYRA release

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) released the stakes schedule for Aqueduct Racetrack’s 2012 winter/spring meet, with the Grade 1, $1 million Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial on Saturday, April 7 the centerpiece of 13 graded stakes worth $3.75 million for the 79-day meet which begins on Jan. 1.

The $3.75 million in graded stakes purses represents a 44 percent increase over the $2.6 million in graded stakes purses during…

Margo Flynn
Tampa Bay Downs

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Luke of York, who was considered a top candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint after his eye-popping victory in the Keeneland 75th Anniversary Stakes, makes his dirt track debut Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs in the 27th running of the six-furlong Inaugural Stakes, one of two $75,000-guaranteed events on the 10-race card. Post time for the first race is 12:27 p.m.

The Inaugural and the 33rd annual Sandpiper Stakes for…

Dividend Increases 20 Percent to 60 Cents per Share on CDI’s Common Stock

Churchill Downs release

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The board of directors of Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI”) (NASDAQ: CHDN) today declared an annual dividend of 60 cents per share on CDI’s common stock, payable Jan. 23, 2012, to shareholders of record on Dec. 30, 2011.

CDI Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert L. Evans said, “The board of directors elected to increase this year’s annual dividend payment to 60…

Mike Gathagan
Vice President-Communications
Maryland Jockey Club

LAUREL, Md. – Less than 40 hours after Rapid Redux passed Zenyatta and Peppers Pride to set the North American record for most consecutive wins, at 20 with his victory at Mountaineer Park Monday night, owner Robert Cole has set his sights on another mark for his 5-year-old. Eighteen of the 20 scores during the streak have occurred in 2011. Citation currently holds the single-season record with 19 wins in 20…

Mike Willman
Santa Anita Park

ARCADIA, Calif. — Santa Anita Park has announced that it will be installing state-of-the-art video boards in its infield and paddock areas which will be operational opening day, Dec. 26.  These boards will carry live satellite broadcast feeds of all post parades and racing at Santa Anita and will also keep fans up to date on current odds and major stakes races which are broadcast from throughout North America.

“One of our top priorities…

John Heims
Monmouth Park

CIBELLI FIRST FEMALE TO WIN TOP TRAINER; TRUJILLO, HALLS LEAD

OCEANPORT, N.J. – Monmouth Park sported an impressive $333,375,086 in total wagers on its live races this season, with $34,860,928 of that number wagered on-track in Oceanport.

“Those are impressive figures that show the continued strength of Monmouth Park in the racing industry,” said Dennis Robinson, President and CEO of the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority.  “With last year’s Elite Meet an anomaly, it’s…

Mike Willman
Santa Anita Park

ARCADIA, Calif. — The Arcadia Historical Society has announced the creation of “And They’re Off!!,” an exhibit chronicling the historical impact of Santa Anita Park on the city of Arcadia and its impact on the community at-large.  The exhibit, which is fully entitled “And They’re Off!!  Euphemera and Images of Santa Anita Park,” is scheduled to open at 10 a.m. on Nov. 12, and will remain open through Jan. 21.

Santa Anita Paddock Guard…