Caesars Sportsbook, a division of Caesars Entertainment, announced Jan. 27 a partnership agreement with NYRA establishing Caesars as an official sports betting marketing partner and the title sponsor of the NYRA Turf Triple Series.

Wondrwherecraigis, unraced since giving trainer Brittany Russell her first graded stakes victory three months ago, will kick off his 5-year-old campaign at home in the $100,000 Fire Plug Stakes at Laurel Park Jan. 29.

Two men have been banned from racing for 10 years over the doping of Ladies First, a 3-2 favorite who was beaten 22 lengths in a race at Newcastle in 2018.

Jay Em Ess Stable’s talented Happy Medium will make his stakes debut in the 129th running of the $150,000 Toboggan Stakes (G3), a seven-furlong sprint for older horses at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Cezanne, a rousing 9 3/4-length winner of the Kona Gold Stakes (G3) when last seen in April 2021, marks his return to action Jan. 29 against five rivals in the six-furlong, $200,000 Palos Verdes Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park.

Grade 1 winner Hot Rod Charlie turned in his first major work Jan. 27 at Meydan, nine days after arriving in the emirate from his California base.

The New York Racing Association announced Jan. 27 the appointment of Frank G. Gabriel Jr. as senior vice president of racing operations. Gabriel succeeds Martin Panza, who departed NYRA in October 2021, and will assume his responsibilities Feb. 3. 

Frankie Dettori, who had been due to ride classy miler Real World at Meydan Jan. 28, will miss the mount after testing positive for COVID-19.

In a Jan. 24 open letter to the Thoroughbred racing industry, Monmouth Park CEO and chairman Dennis Drazin said the long-awaited start of fixed-odds wagering at the New Jersey racetrack will take place in March.

The passing of a baton can be a figurative or literal experience. It actually happens in a track and field relay race. In a horse race, it’s a figurative event. One that could very well take place Jan. 29 at Gulfstream Park.