After taking two months to review its hearing report, the New York Racing Association suspended trainer Bob Baffert for 365 calendar days, effective immediately. The three-person hearing panel that reviewed Judge O. Peter Sherwood’s 50-page report from the April hearing credits Baffert with 59 days served. That came via NYRA’s […]
Law and Politics
Clock May Be Ticking on MLB Antitrust Exemption
Almost exactly 100 years ago, Major League Baseball received an exemption from the Sherman Antitrust Act. To this day, it’s the only US sport legally operating as a monopoly. But a minor league lawsuit, and recent pressure from the Department of Justice, could limit MLB’s unique control. In December 2021, […]
Commissioners Rescind Monmouth Park’s Restrictive No-Crop Rule
The New Jersey Racing Commission (NJRC) rescinded Monmouth Park’s draconian no-crop rule that was implemented for the 2021 racing season. The NJRC rescinded the rule in favor of the less-stringent House Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) guidelines. Those guidelines, called “house rules” in New Jersey, allow jockeys six strikes per […]
New Rules on Gambling Adverts: Football Players and Celebrities Banned from Promotions
As of October, gambling companies will be prevented from using stars to target under-18s, the UK Committee for Advertising Practice has announced. The stars with a strong appeal to young people such as footballers, coaches, and other TV or social media influencers, will be banned from appearing in gambling ads. […]
Baffert’s 90-Day Suspension Starts Monday After Latest Court Setback
One of embattled trainer Bob Baffert’s last legal Hail Marys was swatted aside Friday when the Kentucky Court of Appeals denied his motion for an emergency stay of his 90-day suspension by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. According to the Thoroughbred Daily News, which first reported the story, that means […]
Kansas Considers Ambitious Sports Betting Bill
Lawmakers in Kansas discussed a sweeping sports betting bill on Tuesday that would allow both online and live sports betting, including in such places as casinos, convenience stores, and at racetracks. House Bill 2740 came together after much negotiation by the state’s gaming interests, who previously couldn’t agree on how […]
Maine Sports Betting Bill Faces Heavy Criticism
A bill that would permit online sports betting in Maine passed a legislative committee last week, but enough questions remain that its passage through the Legislature is far from assured. The Judiciary Committee voted 8-6 to advance an amendment to LD 585, a bill that includes several reforms negotiated between […]
Bob Baffert’s Latest Appeal Denied by Kentucky Court
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert suffered another legal setback Monday in his bid to keep his considerable stable running when a Kentucky judge denied a stay of his 90-day suspension. The suspension, $7,500 fine, and forfeiture of Kentucky Derby winnings by Amr Zedan, the owner of the late Medina […]
South Carolina Considering ADW Bill Allowing Horse Race Wagering
Legislators in both South Carolina state houses proposed bills legalizing advance deposit wagering (ADW) apps allowing the state’s residents to wager on horse races. Rep. Russel Ott (D-Calhoun) introduced the proposal at a Monday news conference, according to the Associated Press. The bills filed in the House by Ott and State […]
F1 Dumps Russian Grand Prix, Haas Cuts Russian Sponsor and Driver
Formula One (F1) cancelled the 2022 Russian Grand Prix on Feb. 25. Days later, F1 terminated its contract with the Russian Grand Prix promoter. Meanwhile, the Haas F1 Team ended its contract with Russian driver Nikita Mazepin and the team’s title sponsor, Uralkali. F1 is a truly international sport, which […]
Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Rejects Baffert’s Appeal for Stay
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission voted to deny trainer Bob Baffert a stay of his 90-day suspension Friday, upholding a decision made by KHRC Executive Director Marc Guilfoil. This is the latest saga in the late Medina Spirit’s post-Kentucky Derby positive test for the anti-inflammatory betamethasone, banned on race days […]
Baffert Sues Churchill Downs Inc. Over Track, Derby Ban
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert filed a lawsuit against Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) Tuesday, seeking a reversal of his two year-suspension in the wake of Medina Spirit’s positive drug test for the banned-on-race-day anti-inflammatory betamethasone. The suit, which was filed in US District Court for Kentucky’s Western District, also […]
Stewards Strip Medina Spirit of 2021 Kentucky Derby Title
After nine months, numerous fits and starts and several legal challenges, Kentucky Horse Racing Commission stewards disqualified Medina Spirit as winner of the 2021 Kentucky Derby. The Monday decision came as a result of Medina Spirit failing a drug test for the banned-on-race day, anti-inflammatory betamethasone. Along with the ruling, […]
Casino Roundup: Crown Buyout, Wynn Leaseback and Sands Junk Rating
Crown Resorts accepted a $6.4 billion buyout bid from Blackstone, a private equity firm. Just days after the news, the Australian casino company reported a $141 billion loss for the last six months of 2021. In other casino news, a credit agency cut Las Vegas Sands’ debt rating, while Wynn […]
MiLB News: Robots, Lawsuits, Payouts, and Groundbreaking Manager
As MLB’s lockout continues, MiLB is providing fans with more than enough baseball news. The good news from MiLB includes a surprise $600,000 payout and its first woman manager. The less-than-good news features its ongoing conflicts with MLB, including an antitrust lawsuit. And let’s not forget, robot umpires. MLB owners […]
Medina Spirit’s Kentucky Derby Hearing Scheduled for Feb. 7
During his testimony in the ongoing hearing regarding his eligibility to run at New York Racing Association tracks, trainer Bob Baffert confirmed Thursday that the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has scheduled a Feb. 7 hearing involving Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit. Baffert testified for three hours during the fourth day […]
North Carolina Sports Betting Bill Likely to See Debate in 2022
Lawmakers will probably turn their attention to a North Carolina sports betting bill this year that couldn’t cross the finish line in 2021. Rep. Jon Hardister, R-Gulliford, one of the sponsors of Senate Bill 688, said recently he believes the legislation has enough bipartisan support to pass the state’s Legislature. […]
Judge Tosses Baffert Suit Against NYRA, Suspension Hearing Forthcoming
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s lawsuit against the New York Racing Association was dismissed Friday, clearing the way for his pre-suspension hearing from the organization to go forward. Judge Carol Bagley Amon of the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York threw out Baffert’s attempt to […]
Oklahoma Sports Betting Bill Filed
The Oklahoma Legislature will consider a bill this year that would authorize in-person sports wagering in the state. Rep. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City, filed House Bill 3008, which could permit sportsbooks in tribal casinos in Oklahoma, with federal approval. The legislation doesn’t broach the issue of online wagers. “I have […]
Sports Betting Bill Likely in Alabama in 2022
Alabama lawmakers will take another crack at passing sports betting legislation this year. Last year, legislators attempted to pass a wide-ranging bill that would have authorized not only sports wagers, but also a lottery and casinos. It didn’t make it through the House before the end of the session. Pushing […]