Archived News

From the DRF:

"Leaping Plum, an eight-time winner of the Grasmick Handicap at Fonner Park, died Sunday night in his pasture in Grand Island, Neb. He was 26."

http://www.drf.com/news/fonner-park-legend-leaping-plum-dies-26

From the Paulick Report:

With Illinois government heading toward its third straight year without a comprehensive budget in place, state lawmakers reconvene at the Capitol today for a special session ordered by Gov. Bruce Rauner to consider budget-related legislation and other policy matters.

The state's new fiscal year begins July 1 and the impasse is now in its 24th month. The governor's office has said the session will last 10 days – through June 30, the last day of this fiscal year.

It is

From the DRF:

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – He won his first three starts and beat subsequent Louisiana Derby winner Girvin in a minor Fair Grounds stakes race over the winter, but Cowboy Culture came into the Grade 3, $100,000 Arlington Classic on Saturday following definitive defeats at Gulfstream and Keeneland.

He came out of it looking like the same 3-year-old of considerable promise seen last winter after drawing away to a 5 3/4-length victory, a wide margin for a colt who hadn’t yet made the

From itharacing.com

Marcus Hersh recaps the action of Arlington's May 19-20 weekend..

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From ilhbpa.com

"Illinois Senators Back Slots-At-Tracks Bill and Illinois Racing Board Plan to Share $500,000 for Purse Awards

Hurdles Remain; State Government Impasse Continues

The Illinois Senate on Wednesday again backed gaming expansion legislation that would permit slots at tracks for the purpose of enhancing purses."

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From DRF:

"Legislation that would expand gambling in Illinois and includes a provision for racetracks to operate slot machines passed the Illinois Senate on Thursday.

Senate Bill 7 was passed on a 33-24 vote, marking the second time this spring that senators have approved gambling-expansion legislation. The earlier bill was tied directly to several other important pieces of legislation in what was being called a “grand bargain” designed to produce a long-awaited budget from a gridlocked state

From itharacing.com

Marcus Hersh recaps the action of Arlington's May 12-14 weekend, including the Hanshin Cup.

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From the Des Moines Register:

"It sometimes seems like the important parts of horse racing is what happens on the track.

But Altoona’s very own horse racing facility, Prairie Meadows, wants fans to know what happens behind the scenes as well.

The racetrack held its first Beyond the Starting Gate event last week to show guests all the parts that go into helping horses run fast."

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From the Grand Island Independent:

"Fonner Park’s 2017 live racing meet is in the books. And from most indications, it was a success.

Attendance was good. Crowds were especially large on Saturdays. The live mutuel handle was comparable to last year through February and March, although final figures for April and May aren’t available yet."

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From the Paulick Report:

"Dundalk 5's Crewman again proved his affinity for synthetic footing when returning to the Polytrack to post an upset in Saturday's Grade III $100,000 Hanshin Cup at Arlington International Racecourse, giving his trainer Dee Poulos her first graded stakes win. The Hanshin was run for the 23rd time as an exchange race with the Japan Racing Association."

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