MTR Gaming Group Inc. has fired an executive vice president who once tried to buy the company. Robert Blatt was let go Dec. 31, according to a filing Jan. 6 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. (OBS) winter mixed sale suffered downturns of 63% in its average price and 74.4% in its median price from a year ago as it opened with a consignor preferred session Jan. 6 in Central Florida. The gross revenue dropped 43% even though the number of horses sold was up 54.1% from 2008's first day total.

Dates for the three pools of Churchill Downs' 2009 Kentucky Derby Future Wager are set and a single pool will be offered in each of the three months preceding the 135th renewal of the $2 million-guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) on May 2.

Jockeys riding in Kentucky are seeking an increase in losing mount fees â€" those paid for finishing fourth or worse in a race â€" and have been unable to reach an agreement with horsemen, according to representatives of the Jockeys' Guild who attended the monthly Kentucky Horse Racing Commission meeting Jan. 6.

The National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame ceremony in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., which for a number of years has taken place on a Monday in early to mid August, will be moved to Friday, Aug. 14 this year.