1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
Vekoma Bound for Kentucky Derby After ‘Perfect’ Ride in Blue Grass
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Vekoma got the ride his trainer wanted on Saturday. Because of that, he gets to go all the way to the Kentucky Derby. The colt took the lead entering the final turn of the 1-1/8-mile Toyota Blue Grass Stakes...
Game Winner at Santa Anita Highlights Big Day of Kentucky Derby Preps
The biggest day on the Road to the Kentucky Derby has arrived. Saturday features 1-1/8-mile prep races in California, Kentucky, and New York worth 100 points each to the winners, and Game Winner gets a chance to cement his status as the...
Maximum Security, Game Winner Start as Favorites in Derby Futures Pool
With less than a month to go before the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs has opened its final futures pool for the May 4 race. Track officials selected 23 horses for the pool, with another option added for the...
Hard Rock to Buy JACK Cincinnati Casino, Turfway Park in $780M Deal
JACK Entertainment LLC announced on Friday morning that it reached an agreement to sell its casino in Cincinnati, Ohio and Turfway Park, a horse racing facility in northern Kentucky, to Hard Rock International. Parties involved in the $780 million deal expect it...
North Carolina Bill Allowing Sports Betting at Tribal Casinos Advances
A bill that would allow Indian casinos to offer sports betting and horse racing simulcasts has passed its first vote in the North Carolina General Assembly. On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Commerce and Insurance approved an amended version of Senate Bill...
Alabama Lawmakers File Bills to Legalize State Lottery, Sports Betting
The Alabama Legislature has seen a flurry of activity regarding gambling legislation this week. Thursday was a particularly busy day as a Senate committee heard testimony on two bills regarding a state lottery. In addition, a state representative filed his second bill...
Puerto Rico Officials Pursue Legalized Sports Betting to Spur Tourism
Puerto Rico officials announced earlier this week that they will pursue legalized sports betting in an attempt to promote the Caribbean island as a tourist destination. The plan has the support of Gov. Ricardo Rossello, who unveiled the legislation on Monday. Not...
After Latest Fatality, California Horse Racing Board to Mull ‘Options’ to Consider Moving Santa Anita Dates
The California Horse Racing Board on Tuesday called a special meeting for April 12 to discuss the possible reallocation of race dates granted to Santa Anita Park. The move came just two days after the latest death at the acclaimed track, which...
Montana Legislature Weighs Two Sports Betting Bills on Tight Chamber Deadlines
The Montana State Legislature has beaten the deadline to advance two bills that could legalize sports betting in the state. On Saturday, a state House bill that would give oversight to the state lottery passed by an 88-10 vote. The state Senate,...
Kentucky Derby Spots Scored by Maximum Security, Plus Que Parfait, as Favorites Falter in Prep Races
March ended up not being a good month to be a betting favorite on the Kentucky Derby trail. Nine Derby preps -- counting each division of the Rebel separately -- were run in the US last month. In those races, only one race-time...
