1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
Bob Baffert-Trained Newgrange the Favorite in Saturday’s Derby Prep at Oaklawn
The road to the Kentucky Derby swings through Arkansas on Saturday. A field of 11 horses is expected for the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. But the morning-line favorite is a horse currently ineligible to run in the Run for the Roses...
California Supreme Court Dismisses Suit Against Tribal Sports Betting Measure
California’s highest court announced Wednesday that it denied efforts by cardroom operators in the state to prevent a tribal gaming-backed sports betting initiative from getting on this year’s ballot. Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye issued a one-sentence ruling on behalf of the...
Churchill Downs Buys Most P2E Gaming Properties, Projects for Nearly $2.5B
Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI) made a move Tuesday to significantly expand the size of the Louisville-based gaming company. It announced it would spend nearly $2.5 billion to acquire nearly all of the assets from Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E). The transaction includes a...
Medina Spirit Disqualified as Kentucky Derby Winner, Bob Baffert Suspended 90 Days
UPDATE 4:30 pm ET - This story has been updated to include comments from Bob Baffert's attorney, the impact of the suspension, and reaction from Churchill Downs and animal welfare advocates on the decision to disqualify Medina Spirit as the Kentucky Derby...
Georgia Lawmakers Hear Pros and Cons of Legalizing Horse Racing and HHR
A Georgia state senate committee on Thursday heard testimony on the impact – economic and societal – introducing horse racing would have on the state. The Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities is currently considering several bills that call for a...
Wisconsin Sports Betting Set for Milwaukee After Potawatomi Gaming Compact Amended
A third tribal nation in Wisconsin is on the verge of offering sports betting at its casinos. On Friday, Gov. Tony Evers announced the state signed a gaming compact amendment with the Forest County Potawatomi. The Potawatomi have the potential to be...
Road to the Kentucky Derby: Smile Happy Faces a Tough Test in Risen Star Stakes
Believe it or not, we’re just 11 weeks until Kentucky Derby 148, and this weekend marks the start of key prep races that will help determine the field for the Run for the Roses. Down in New Orleans on Saturday evening, the...
DraftKings CEO Jason Robins “Confident” Florida Sports Betting Will Be On ’24 Ballot
Although an attempt by commercial sports betting operators to get a measure on the Florida ballot this year failed, at least one supporter of the measure signaled on Friday that they would be willing to try again. However, it may not happen...
California Tribal Gaming Group Supports Mobile Sports Betting Measure for ’22 Ballot
California tribal gaming leaders have officially endorsed a second sports betting measure that proponents want to put before voters later this year. The California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) announced Tuesday that its members backed “The Age-Verified Tribal Online and In-Person Sports...
New York Mobile Sports Betting Nearly Hits $2B in Handle in First 30 Days
New York Assemblyman Gary Pretlow believes it’s time to give the state another nickname: “The Sports Betting Capital of the World.” The world might be an exaggeration. However, in the first 30 days, New York has definitely lived up to the expectations...
