Ron Mitchell

Curlin Rolls to Easy Victory in Stephen Foster

June 15, 2008

Reigning Horse of the Year Curlin took the lead entering the stretch and rolled to an impressive4 1/4-length victory in the $1-million Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs.

Longshot Barcola jumped out to the early advantage, leading Read More

Injured Casino Drive Out of Belmont

June 07, 2008

About an hour after giving the all-clear for Casino Drive to run in the Belmont Stakes, trainer Kazuo Fujisawa said the colt was favoring his left rear hoof and was scratched from the classic.

Earlier, Fujisawa was all smiles after Read More

Scollay Hired as Kentucky Horse Racing Medical Director

May 19, 2008

During a meeting dominated by health and safety topics, the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority (KHRA) announced May 19 that Mary Scollay, DVM, has been appointed to the new position of equine medical director.

Scollay, the senior veterinarian Read More

Chelokee Update: No Fracture

May 03, 2008

Centennial Farms’ Chelokee, injured during the May 2 Alysheba Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs, sustained a dislocated ankle and not a fracture, according to trainer Michael Matz.

“It was just a dislocated ankle that was put back in Read More

'Healthy Discussion' at Racehorse Safety Summit

March 20, 2008

The second Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit concluded March 18 with the 62 participants releasing action plans on how to improve various aspects of the Thoroughbred industry.

Some of the recommendations could prove difficult to Read More

Caution Urged on Thoroughbred Steroid Regulation

March 17, 2008

An authority on drug testing, who has worked with the United States Olympic Committee and is now advising the horse racing industry, has urged caution on efforts to regulate anabolic steroids.

"You need much more infrastructure; you need Read More

Jacksons Not Involved in Planned NYC Barbaro Statue

January 24, 2008

Roy and Gretchen Jackson, who campaigned 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, say they are not involved with plans to erect a statue in New York's Central Park that memorializes the late classic winner.

According to a press release Tuesday from Read More

First Keeneland Sale Since New Steroids Rule; One Test Requested

January 14, 2008

Although Keeneland's January Thoroughbred horses of all ages sale was the first to be conducted under new policies allowing buyers the right to request testing for exogenous anabolic steroids in weanling and yearling purchases, there was only on Read More

Racing Symposium Panel Participants Approve of Synthetic Surfaces

December 06, 2007

Synthetic racing surfaces were given a resounding vote of confidence from racetrack executives and track superintendents Dec. 6, at the University of Arizona's Symposium on Racing and Gaming.

The panel, moderated by Churchill Downs racing Read More

Churchill Downs Officials Hope EHV-1 Case Isolated

October 28, 2007

Officials at Churchill Downs say a case of equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) confirmed in one horse should have limited impact on the fall meet that begins Sunday, as long as the disease is contained.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture on Read More

Surrounded by Fire, California Thoroughbred Farm Unscathed

October 23, 2007

Golden Eagle Farm remains unscathed despite having been surrounded by wildfires that forced the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of Southern California residents. On Monday, Oct. 22, it was business as usual on the farm owned by the Mabee Read More

Racing Medication Group Refocusing on Drug Testing, Uniformity

October 23, 2007

After nearly five years in existence, the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium is refocusing on some of its core goals such as uniform rules, drug research, and standardizing drug-testing procedures in the United States.

Included as part o Read More

Flu Outbreak: Australian Thoroughbred Breeders Looking to Kentucky Stallions

September 05, 2007

The outbreak of equine influenza that is jeopardizing the Australian breeding season has the breeders Down Under taking a hard look at sending their mares to Kentucky-based stallions this fall and winter.

On Sept. 3, the Web site for the Read More

No Surprise: Matz Colt Wins Inuaugural Barbaro Stakes

May 19, 2007

When the Maryland Jockey Club carded the inaugural Barbaro Stakes on the Preakness Stakes card, it was prophetic that trainer Michael Matz would enter Chelokee.

After all, Matz had saddled Barbaro to win the 2006 Kentucky Derby and then Read More

Derby Winner Street Sense Quick in Final Preakness Workout

May 15, 2007

Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense worked five furlongs in a snappy 1:00 at Churchill Downs Tuesday morning as the Street Cry colt completed his preparations for Saturday’s Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.

With regular jockey Calvin Borel Read More

Derby Winner Gets Unusual Post-Race Conditioning Gallop

May 05, 2007

Early visitors to the stable area at Churchill Downs received a rare treat Sunday morning when Street Sense jogged a mile one day after winning the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

After trainer Carl Nafzger and his wife Read More

Pennsylvania Senate Honors Barbaro and His Connections

February 09, 2007

The connections of Barbaro, the deceased winner of last year’s Kentucky Derby, were honored Feb. 5 in a resolution adopted by the Pennsylvania state Senate.

The resolution, introduced by four senators, recapitulated the horse’s career an Read More

Barbaro Has 'Improved Significantly' After Latest Surgery

January 15, 2007

The chief of surgery at University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center said Jan. 15 that Barbaro had “improved significantly” after undergoing surgery two days earlier to remove more of the left rear hoof that has been impacted by a bout of Read More

Barbaro Setback: Showing Discomfort on Left Hind

January 10, 2007

Barbaro, the Kentucky Derby winner who had been making steady progress on his road to recovery from an injured right hind leg and a bout of laminitis, suffered a "significant setback" Tuesday night at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Read More

Barbaro Update: New Cast Will Not Affect Mobility

January 08, 2007

A new cast has been placed on the left hind leg of classic winner Barbaro as the Kentucky Derby winner continues his recovery from the effects of laminitis in that foot.

Roy Jackson, who raced Barbaro in partnership with his wife, Read More

EHV-1 Update: Most Payson Park Horses Out of Quarantine

January 08, 2007

A state-imposed quarantine on most horses stabled at Florida’s Payson Park Training Center was lifted Friday, Jan. 5, as the recent outbreak of equine herpesvirus-1 continued to abate.

Mary Scollay, DVM, track veterinarian for Gulfstream Read More

Barbaro Update: Jacksons Undecided on New Home

December 21, 2006

Co-owner Roy Jackson said it still has not been determined where Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro will go once he leaves the New Bolton Center, but that the colt's ability to get regular exercise will be a priority.

Jackson, who with his wife Read More

Derby Winner Giacomo Retired to Adena Springs

November 11, 2006

Giacomo, upset winner of the 2005 Kentucky Derby (gr. I), has been retired to Frank Stronach's Adena Springs Farm near Midway, Ky. The 4-year-old son of Holy Bull will stand for a live foal fee of $12,500.

A homebred racing for Jerry and Read More

Barbaro Might Soon Get Cast Removed

October 01, 2006

Based on the latest examination of Barbaro's injured right hind leg, there is a possibility the classic winner will soon have the cast removed completely.

The cast on the right leg was changed Aug. 27 by veterinarians at the University of Read More

Therapeutic Drug Research, Necropsies Recommended by Racing Group

September 07, 2006

A subcommittee of the Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council has recommended going forward with two studies--one that could lead to establishment of withdrawal times or threshold levels for therapeutic medications and one analyzing the medication Read More