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Last November, Democratic Kentucky state representative Matt Lehman told the TDN he was considering legislative intervention in an effort to curb computer assisted wagering (CAW) play in the state to a more equitable standard for all players. The debate around CAW players typically surrounds the edge they wield over regular gamblers thanks to their use of sophisticated technologies that allow them to precisely read the markets and to place massive wagers across many pools in the final seconds of betting–which can lead to extreme late odds changes–as well as the attractive rates and rebates offered to them which are unavailable to the average punter. Earlier this month, Lehman came good on that idea by introducing into the state legislature HB 39, an apparently first-of-its-kind bill that seeks to put CAW players on as even a playing field as possible with average retail players in Kentucky's Pari-mutuel wagering pools. The bill redefines “Pari-mutuel wagering” the following way, the key aspects of it focused on uniform access to these pools, and the prohibition of preferential “pricing” and “rebates” not uniformly available to all patrons: “Amounts wagered shall be placed in one (1) or more designated pari-mutuel pools from which winning wagers are paid out in proportion to the individual winning wagers, after deductions and adjustments to the pool are made, as required by statute or authorized by the corporation. Access to pari-mutuel pools shall be made available to all patrons on equitable terms, and no patron or class of patrons shall be afforded preferential pricing, rebates, access, information, technology, latency, or other advantages not uniformly available to all patrons placing wagers of the same type into the same pari-mutuel pool.” While last November, Lehman shared how he was involved in “bipartisan discussions” with other lawmakers around any such legislation, it's currently unclear what kind of broad political support this current bill has. Though early days, it doesn't appear to have any co-sponsors yet. The TDN messaged Lehman Tuesday afternoon for clarification. The story will be updated as necessary. Bipartisan Support would be crucial for this bill because as a Democrat, Lehman is in the distinct minority in the 100-seat Kentucky House of Representatives, which the Republicans control by an 80-20 margin. Republicans control the 38-seat state senate by a 32-6 margin. While many gambling experts have in recent years repeatedly warned that CAW play has too often gotten out of control–leading to pools that are way out of a healthy balance–the tracks have largely led the way in addressing the problem, some more proactive than others. At last month's Global Symposium on Racing in Tucson, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) president and CEO David O'Rourke announced the organization was taking steps–arguably the most aggressive yet by any track operator in the country–to limit CAW play one minute to post in nearly all pools. This will mean that all CAW players will soon be limited to a maximum six-bets per second when they bet into the NYRA product within one minute to post in these pools, putting them on the same footing as retail players. The steps that NYRA has already taken to manage these high-volume players-limiting their access to the win pool and the Late Pick 5 and Pick 6 pools-will remain unchanged. The post Lehman CAW Bill Introduced, Tough Road In Republican-led State Legislature appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aotearoa Classic – Increased Starting Limit The Elsdon Park Aoteoroa Classic on 24 January will have the starting limit increased to up to 18 runners for this year’s running. This means if a capacity field is reached the total stake will be $1,080,000. The nomination fee for this race is $250 and closes at the normal time of Tuesday 20 January at 12 noon. The final acceptance fee for this race is, as per last year, $25,000. Horses placed 6th to last receive stake-money of $20,000. ends a hard race to win has got that much harder to win....

So how much does Entain have to give racing when the 5 years is up?  Significantly higher turnover will bring bigger profits, maybe not yield wise but bigger profit overall. Yes some punters will do well but many punters will lose more as well! Where is it written that a gambling agency is only required to take wagering from losing punters? They put up the odds for punters to wager on and then only take the wagering from who they want? With the monopoly that the NZ TAB has now, they should be treating everyone with the same respect! If they want to have these restrictions, then restrict everyone to the same amount, that is my point!

Making his first start since July, Just a Touch seeks his first graded win in the $175,000 Louisiana Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Jan. 17.View the full article

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and Rudy Rodriguez have reached an agreement to lift the New York-based trainer's provisional suspension Jan. 14. View the full article

Trainer John Sadler has been elected president of the board of directors of California Thoroughbred Trainers, succeeding Eoin Harty, who has served in that capacity since 2019 and remains a director.View the full article

Trainer John W. Sadler has been elected President of the Board of Directors of California Thoroughbred Trainers, Inc. [CTT], succeeding Eoin G. Harty, who has served in that capacity since 2019, and remains a Director, the organization said via a Tuesday press release. Sadler previously served as a Director or President of CTT on several occasions, most recently from 2010 to 2013. He was instrumental in developing the Edwin J. Gregson Foundation in 1998, which benefits and enhances the quality of life for backstretch workers and their families. The post Sadler Succeeds Harty As President Of California Thoroughbred Trainers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

D. J. Stables homebred Nitrogen, a finalist for Eclipse champion 3-year-old filly, arrived at Oaklawn Park Jan. 11 ahead of her 4-year-old campaign.View the full article

The Dec. 20 Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots proved closely matched. A month later on Jan. 17, the next leg of the stakes series for current 3-year-olds there, $250,000 Lecomte Stakes (G3), appears equally competitive.View the full article