Lack of horse racing program in the state of Oklahoma has led to the decision by the officials of the Blue Ribbon Downs, the pari-mutuel horse racing track in the state, to shut down its operations for good by November. Another major factor was the lack of support from the public due to financial crisis or other patrons may have ventured to other forms of entertainment – such as online casinos.

Blue Ribbon Downs owner Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma released the official statement on Thursday, stating that the horse racing track will close for good on November 28.

The racetrack has served as an icon in the state, having started in the 1960s and started offering pari-mutuel bets in 1984, the first in the state. Choctaw bought the track six years ago after the previous owner was forced to file for bankruptcy due to financial struggles over the years.

Live horse racing has seen a decline through the years in terms of revenues and audience. However, abolishing the state racing office is not a reasonable move for the government, per officials from Michigan’s horse racing industry are concerned.

Reports surfaced that the officials are planning a move to oppose the recent executive order issued by the state governor abolishing the racing office and transferring the leadership to the board that regulates casino operations.

Michigan Harness Horsemen’s Association General Manager Dan Rakieten said that the horse racing industry is an agribusiness and as such should not be classified together with the casinos.
The organization is now looking for state lawmakers to oppose the executive order.

Rakieten said that the gaming board officials can’t understand pari-mutuel wagering thus their opposition on the move by the governor, adding that live horse racing is a different form of gaming.

It seems like horse racing tips no longer just apply on actual races in the racetrack as the Illinois Racing Board finally gave three companies to conduct online horse racing betting in the state. This means that avid horse racing fans need not leave their homes but could enjoy the same thrill at the comfort of their home in front of their personal computers.

Gamblers can now place bets through the websites approved by the board. They can make the transactions via phone, mobile gadgets or interactive television. In the past, bettors could only transact via an off-tract betting parlor or at the horse race track. However, in light with the decline in this particular industry, officials are finding ways to re-ignite interest by providing convenience to old-timers and new wagers.

The board officials stated that now is the right time to make changes in waging methods in order to reach out to the public.

Sea The Stars has been hailed as one of the greatest racing horses in history following a thrilling victory in the most prestigious horse racing event in Europe.

The victory by the three-year old cold has cost the bookmakers £25 million, a record-breaking paycheck sent out to those who betted correctly since the said horse’s prior victory last May – the 2000 Guineas. This is more than any other earnings made by other horses in history.

Sea The Stars won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France last weekend which was the horse’s record sixth victory. Christopher Tsui, a 27-year old owner of the horse, easily got £2.2 million for this latest victory.

The colt also set the record as the first horse ever to clinch the 2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the three most prestigious horse racing events in Europe.

The horse racing games held recently in Longchamp, France saw the birth of a record-setting performance from a three-year old colt.

Seat the Stars outshined the rest of the field when it won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe tournament in France last Sunday, setting a record of having won three prestigious tournaments in the European region.

Ridden by 50-year old jockey Mick Kinane, the colt became the first horse to have won the Arc, Epsom Derby and 2,000 Guineas. This is Sea the Stars’ sixth consecutive race win.

Sea the Stars started sluggishly but caught up in the latter part of the race to go ahead by two lengths ahead of Youmzain, the runner up of the competition for the third straight year.

Sea the Stars has already gained the recognition as the best horse of the world. Trainers admitted that he felt worried when he saw the horse trailing in the beginning parts of the game.