Tom LaMarra

Saratoga Fully Accredited by Safety Alliance

August 22, 2009

New York Racing Association-operated Saratoga has been fully accredited by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance, officials announced Aug. 21.

Saratoga, host of the grade I Travers Stakes Aug. 29, was Read More

Racehorse Safety Accreditation for Monmouth Park

July 28, 2009

Monmouth Park in New Jersey is the sixth racetrack to be accredited by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance.

Monmouth, host of the grade I Haskell Invitational Aug. 2, was reviewed by alliance officials Read More

Drug Problem Exaggerated: Horsemen, Chemist Say

July 03, 2009

The National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) said July 1 it plans to be more involved as the racing industry considers medication and drug-testing policies, which horsemen believe could be detrimental and Read More

AHC National Forum Tackles Equine Welfare Issues

June 17, 2009

Representatives of various equine breeds and disciplines found out June 16 they have a lot in common when it comes to the welfare and safety of horses.

The "Welfare of the Horse," called the most inclusive program of its kind, was the sole Read More

Kentucky Horse Industry Plans Rally at Capitol

June 11, 2009

The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) is organizing a rally June 17 in the Capitol Rotunda to drum up support for legislation that would financially assist the horse industry.

The rally begins at 10 a.m. EDT on the third day of a Read More

Site of Third Jewel of Triple Crown, Belmont Park Works for Safety Accreditation

May 17, 2009

As officials in Maryland work to achieve full accreditation for Pimlico Race Course through the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance, the New York Racing Association is anticipating alliance approval for Belmont Read More

Pimlico Gets 'Provisional' Accreditation from Safety Group

May 15, 2009

Pimlico Race Course has received "provisional" accreditation from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Safety and Integrity Alliance because not all documents tied to an inspection were submitted. The documents deal with Read More

Pennsylvania Racing to Regulate Corticosteroids

May 07, 2009

The Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission has adopted a policy whereby administration of corticosteroids in horses must be stopped seven days prior race day.

The regulation takes effect June 1, according to a policy directive signed May 4. Read More

Steroid Test Identifies Hermaphroditic Filly

April 24, 2009

Year-and-a-half-old testing for anabolic steroids in racehorses produced some unusual results--including the discovery of a Standardbred filly that's actually a male.

In Pennsylvania, tests showed a high elevation of testosterone in Arizona Read More

Track Safety Accreditation a Long-Haul Process

April 10, 2009

One down, but many more to go in a process designed to never hit the finish line.

The accreditation of Churchill Downs by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance is being called a major accomplishment by Read More

Breeders' Cup Foal Nominations Down 9%

February 25, 2009

The number of Thoroughbred foals nominated to the Breeders' Cup program for 2008 was 14,602, down about 9% from 16,089 in 2007, according to figures released Feb. 24 by Breeders' Cup.

Revenue from 2008 foal nominations is about $7.3 million Read More

KEEP Chairman: Gaming Legislation Likely in Kentucky

February 19, 2009

The chairman of the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) said Feb. 18 he expects gaming-related legislation benefitting the Kentucky horse industry to pass--but he's not sure when.

Thoroughbred owner and breeder Brereton Jones, a former Read More

Kentucky Horsemen Make Case to Legislators

February 17, 2009

More than 100 people who make their living in the Kentucky horse industry made their case to three Northern Kentucky legislators Feb. 16, and the message was clear: The economics must change or the state will lose a valuable asset.

The Read More

Florida Lab to Handle Kentucky Equine Drug Testing

February 10, 2009

The University of Florida Racing Laboratory has been selected to handle equine drug testing for Kentucky.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, on recommendation of the Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council, unanimously voted Feb. 10 to hir Read More

Turfway Barn Quarantined Pending Tests; EHV-1 Suspected

January 31, 2009

A barn at Turfway Park was quarantined Jan. 30 after a horse that showed signs of equine herpesvirus (EHV) was euthanized, track officials confirmed later that day.

The barn, which contains about 40 horses under the care of several Read More

Kentucky Bill: Use Taxes to Fund Horse Racing

January 03, 2009

A Kentucky lawmaker is preparing racing-related legislation with a primary goal of funding the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, equine drug testing, and supplements for purses and stakes at the state's racetracks.

The draft bill authore Read More

Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders Could Require Licenses

December 20, 2008

Ohio Thoroughbred breeders would be licensed by the state for a fee each year and face serious penalties--including a suspension of up to 10 years--should they violate rules governing registration of state-bred horses under regulations proposed Read More

Ohio Creates Equine Advisory Task Force

October 31, 2008

Just days before Ohioans vote on whether to authorize a constitutional amendment allowing for a casino in southwestern Ohio, the state Department of Agriculture announced an 11-member Equine Industry Advisory Task Force charged with promoting an Read More

Kentucky Task Force Identifies Racing Problems, Needs Money

October 29, 2008

The Governor's Task Force on Racing in Kentucky is close to preparing and releasing a report pinpointing problems and offering recommendations that ultimately will require a lot of money--something in short supply given an ongoing budget crunch. Read More

NTRA Announces Racing Safety Reforms, Independent Monitor

October 15, 2008

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) officially unveiled a series of equine health and safety reforms Oct. 15 that will be overseen by an independent monitor. During the news conference in New York City, less than two weeks before Read More

Breeders' Cup to Return to Churchill in 2010

October 08, 2008

The Breeders' Cup World Championships will return to Churchill Downs in 2010 to begin what could be a regular run of the Kentucky racetrack serving as a host site, officials indicated Oct. 8.

Churchill has hosted the event six times--the Read More

NTRA to Introduce Racing Safety and Integrity Initiative

October 02, 2008

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association will unveil its Safety and Integrity Initiative Oct. 15 and fully expects broad industry cooperation given progress made thus far, officials said Oct. 1.

"The train leaves the station Oct. 15," Read More

Kentucky Equine Drug Testing Laboratory Plans in the Works

September 24, 2008

The Governor's Task Force on the Future of Horse Racing hopes to have the framework for a plan to create an equine drug-testing laboratory in Kentucky in place by the end of this year.

A task force subcommittee met Sept. 23 in Lexington to Read More

NTRA Hopes to Fast-Track Safety Plan

September 13, 2008

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) hopes to have a long-term implementation plan for uniform equine health and safety measures in place within 30 days.

Almost 70 industry stakeholders met the morning of Sept. 12 in Read More

Kentucky Panel Approves Ban on Racehorse Steroids

August 25, 2008

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission voted unanimously Aug. 25 to ban the use of anabolic steroids in racehorses, and the rules could be in place the first week of September should Gov. Steve Beshear sign an emergency regulation as expected. Read More