Horse racing continues at a handful of tracks around the country with Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream, Oaklawn, Los Alamitos, Will Rogers, Fonner and Remington Park all conducting races. With limited opportunities, field size has grown and handle at tracks like Fonner are reaching historic levels. Currently there is something offered every day of the week and some evening racing as well with Remington quarter horses and Los Alamitos. The Daily Racing Form website provides entries as does Equibase. Wagering through a licensed ADW is permissible in Minnesota and a sliver of the handle does benefit purses in Minnesota when racing in Shakopee returns.
Mr. Jagermeister aimed at $350,000 Grade 3 Count Fleet Handicap
Minnesota bred 5-year-old Mr. Jagermeister, trained by Valorie Lund, is at Oaklawn and will be entered Wednesday for the April 18 Count Fleet Handicap, a 6-furlong sprint. He most recently raced March 7, finishing second to Whitmore in the $150,000 Hot Springs. With a dearth of racing elsewhere, Lund feels the Count Fleet may now attract a “Breeders’ Cup level” field of sprinters.
Governor Walz Appoints Steve May as Racing Commission Director
On March 27, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced the appointment of Steve May as the next executive director of the Minnesota Racing Commission. According to an MRC news 
release, May will assume his new duties in late April, succeeding Tom DiPasquale, who retired in February after serving as director since 2013.
The news release continues: May is the Director of Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Compliance for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Previously, he was vice president and business manager of the Association of Racing Commissioners International, a national association that represents pari-mutuel racing regulators in most racing states, including Minnesota. May’s educational background includes bachelor and master degrees, including an MBA.
Minnesota Racing Commission chairman Jim Lane congratulated Governor Walz on his appointment of a respected, nationally known racing and wagering industry official to serve as director at a critical time for horse racing in Minnesota and the nation. “Steve May has had broad background in racing and pari-mutuel operations and is well suited by education and experience to lead the fine commission staff assembled here in Minnesota by his predecessor,” said Lane.
