Horse Racing

Associated Press Aug 5, 2023, 07:47 PM ET SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Maple Leaf Mel was leading the field in the $500,000 Test at Saratoga when she suffered a catastrophic injury to her right front leg just before the finish line and was later euthanized on Saturday. Jockey Joel Rosario was unseated and went to

Associated Press Jul 31, 2023, 01:46 PM ET LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Churchill Downs will implement safety measures for its September meet including new track surface maintenance equipment and additional monitoring and equine care following 12 horse deaths before and after the Kentucky Derby that spurred suspension of its spring meet. Racing is scheduled to resume

Associated Press Jul 28, 2023, 11:14 PM ET LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Racing will resume at Churchill Downs in September, with no changes being made after a review of surfaces and safety protocols in the wake of 12 horse deaths, including seven in the days leading up to the Kentucky Derby in May. The Louisville track

Associated Press Jul 26, 2023, 06:59 PM ET NEW YORK — The trainer of racehorse champion Maximum Security was sentenced to four years in prison on Wednesday for his role in a widespread international scheme to drug horses to make them race faster. Jason Servis was sentenced by Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil in Manhattan federal

Associated Press Jul 16, 2023, 07:22 PM ET It’s the end of an era for Northern California horse racing. Golden Gate Fields will permanently close after its final racing date later this year at the San Francisco Bay area horse track. The track’s owner, The Stronach Group, said Sunday it will “double down” on its

Associated Press Jul 16, 2023, 04:59 PM ET LEXINGTON, Ky. — Funny Cide, the “Gutsy Gelding” who became a fan favorite after winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 2003, has died from complications of colic. He was 23. Kentucky Horse Park, the Lexington farm where Funny Cide lived for his final 15 years, confirmed

ESPN News Services Jul 3, 2023, 04:55 PM ET Churchill Downs is extending Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s suspension through at least 2024. Churchill Downs Incorporated announced Monday it was continuing Baffert’s ban, citing “continued concerns regarding the threat to the safety and integrity of racing he poses to CDI-owned racetracks.” Baffert was initially

Associated Press Jun 30, 2023, 02:15 PM ET NEW YORK — Belmont Park canceled its thoroughbred racing card on Friday due to poor air quality caused by wildfires in Canada. The New York Racing Association announced the decision early in the afternoon after consulting with the New York State Equine Medical Director, its management and

Associated Press Jun 11, 2023, 04:49 PM ET NEW YORK — Another horse has died after racing at Belmont Park, the second fatality in 24 hours after the Belmont Stakes. In the first race Sunday, Mashnee Girl suffered an injury and fell near the quarter pole, forcing three other horses to alter course, according to

Associated Press Jun 10, 2023, 10:52 PM ET NEW YORK — A horse that broke down in the race following the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes was euthanized on Saturday, completing a grim Triple Crown for a sport that has seen deaths cast a pall over all three tracks hosting its most prestigious races. In the

Associated Press Jun 9, 2023, 09:40 AM ET ELMONT, N.Y. — Live racing will resume at Belmont Park on Friday following significant improvement in air quality conditions in the state, the New York Racing Association announced. Both Belmont and Saratoga reopened for training Friday morning, and the 11-card race will start at 12:50 p.m. The

ESPN News Services Jun 8, 2023, 12:38 PM ET Racing at Belmont Park was canceled and the Washington Nationals‘ home game against the Arizona Diamondbacks was postponed Thursday due to poor air quality from wildfires in Canada. It’s the second straight day the continuing fires north of the border have impacted sports in the Northeastern

Associated Press Jun 6, 2023, 02:14 PM ET Forte is finally getting a crack at running in a Triple Crown race. The colt, who was scratched the day of the Kentucky Derby, is the early favorite for the Belmont Stakes. Forte, last year’s 2-year-old champion, was made the slight 5-2 favorite on Tuesday for the

Katherine Terrell, ESPN Staff WriterJun 2, 2023, 05:39 PM ET Close Covered the NFL since 2013 Previously covered the Saints for the Times-Picayune and The Athletic Bengals beat writer for ESPN from 2016-19 Churchill Downs will suspend its current thoroughbred meet at the conclusion of Sunday’s card to examine safety measures after 12 equine fatalities

Associated Press Jun 2, 2023, 01:48 PM ET NEW YORK — A 6-year-old horse died after being injured in a race at Belmont Park ahead of next week’s Triple Crown finale in New York. Chaysenbryn injured his right front leg nearing the quarter pole in Thursday’s third race. He bumped another horse before being pulled

Associated Press Jun 1, 2023, 03:26 PM ET LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Churchill Downs will limit horses to four starts per rolling eight-week period and impose ineligibility standards for continued poor performance in the wake of the recent deaths of 12 horses at the home of the Kentucky Derby. Other safety initiatives announced by Churchill Downs

Associated Press May 30, 2023, 05:20 PM ET The head of horse racing’s oversight authority believes Churchill Downs would accept a recommendation to pause racing if necessary as an emergency summit convenes to examine the deaths of 12 horses over the past month at the home of the Kentucky Derby. Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority

Associated Press May 27, 2023, 08:16 PM ET LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Two horses have died the past two days following injuries at Churchill Downs, the 11th and 12th fatalities over the past month at the home of the Kentucky Derby. Filly Kimberley Dream was euthanized after sustaining a distal sesamoidean ligament rupture to her front