BetMGM and the New York Racing Association’s advance-deposit wagering platform NYRA Bets announced May 28 a partnership making NYRA Bets the first horse racing partner of BetMGM.

With the update, all claimed horses will be examined by the track veterinarian after cooling out, and the claim will be voided if the horse is observed to have bled or is determined to be unsound.

Del Mar has announced plans to open its 2021 summer race meet with 100% capacity for fans in its seating areas throughout its facility. This decision was made in accordance with state and county public health guidelines effective June 15. 

Soothsay, winner of the April 3 Santa Anita Oaks (G2), and Crazy Beautiful, winner of the March 27 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2), along with three others will meet in the $200,000 Summertime Oaks for 3-year-old fillies.

“We have a monumental task ahead of us,” said Scheeler during the inaugural meeting of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s board of directors.

J. Keeler Johnson handicaps May 28-31 racing action across the country.

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners announced May 27 that their grade 1-winning gelding Ohio (BRZ) was retired from racing. According to their tweet on Twitter, Ohio has retired “sound and will be retrained for a second career.”

In the end, it came down to a personal decision for jockeys when faced with a quandary over riding at Monmouth Park with a controversial state law outlawing the use of crops unless needed for safety. It was no different for Dylan Davis.

Muddy Boots, a homebred for Herbert and Darlene Likens, won a five-furlong maiden special weight by 3 1/2 lengths.

Sam Houston Race Park, in the midst of a Quarter Horse meet, said the $731,650 Sam Houston Futurity May 28 would be run for purse money only after six pre-race positive test results for either clenbuterol and/or albuterol.