Devon Dougherty

It’s no secret that FanDuel TV will eventually be closing shop. From camerawoman to feature producer, I spent 23 years dedicating my life to telling stories to horse racing fans. And when I say I dedicated my life, I truly mean it. Just like every other horse racing employee around the world, there is something about this business that pulls you in and never lets go. You give it your heart and soul. You sacrifice your family, your time, your friends—for a community that somehow becomes your family, your life, your friends. It’s hard to describe this kind of dedication, but everyone in horse racing understands it. It’s a different world. Is it the horses? Or is it the people you meet along the way—the ones who make the same sacrifices, who live the same life, who understand without you ever having to explain it? When we received the news that we would no longer be part of a network we poured our heart and soul into, the first thing we all thought about wasn’t ourselves—it was about the people we’re about to lose. The coworkers who became family. The horse racing enthusiasts now searching for their place in an industry that doesn’t have many places to go. The people who have been living this life twice as long as I have. It’s a shame it has to come to an end. But I will never forget the relationships we built, the memories we made, the years on the road with my HRTV/TVG/FanDuel TV family. The storylines that touched us. The races that shocked us. The racetracks that welcomed us. The backsides that smelled like horse shit—but somehow felt like a breath of fresh air every morning. Watching the sunrise. Saying “good morning” to every single person you pass. Feeding peppermints to horses you fall in love with. Cheering for horsemen you may not even know—but feel like you do, because you told their story. Everyday people don’t understand this. They don’t even know this world exists. Horsemen do. I’m in TV, but in a lot of ways, I consider myself a horseman too. I don’t ride horses. I can’t train horses. I don’t even bet on horses. But I understand this life. I understand this industry. And I will miss all of it. But more than anything, I will miss the family I found along the way—especially my FanDuel TV family. You know who you are. And we will always be family.

“While I do think HISA is important, it provides us federal credibility, I do think there are real concerns about how expensive it is for the industry and if it causes a lot of smaller tracks to close, that hurts breeders like me.” @marshallgramm joins host @1000Naj on the first episode of the TDN Business Hour Podcast 🎙️ Watch the full episode here: youtu.be/pOd5hnsN13M?si…

Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield announces his retirement from training. Read more: go.bloodhorse.com/4syAYcf

Good Sunday read. If you are wondering if our movement is making a difference, just read this article. For decades, the @JockeyClub acted like they owned the sport. No transparency. No accountability. No questions asked. Kentucky just changed that. 79–15 vote. Pressure from every direction. The blue blood old guard and Jockey Club pheasant-hunting stewards are officially on notice!!!!! You can’t hide behind the curtain anymore. Game on!!!!!

Kentucky put the Jockey Club on Notice pastthewire.com/kentucky-just-…

If industry leaders don't start looking for ways to cut trainer costs via economies of scale and flatter purse distribution, these stories will be an everyday event. canadianthoroughbred.com/horse-news/mar…

"I know he's looking down and helped ride that horse down through the wire." Following INCREDIBOLT's Virginia Derby win and 50 Derby points earned, trainer @Riley_Mott discussed the loss of @PinOakStud's Jim Bernhard with @ScottFDTV.

What a privilege it has been. With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Hall of Famer and Champion Serena’s Song. She passed away peacefully from old age the morning of Wednesday, March 11th, and would have officially turned 34 on April 4th. Serena will be laid to rest at her lifelong home with us at Denali Stud. We would like to thank everyone for their continued love and support of her over the years, especially the Lewis family, and all of our staff and vets that cared for her on a daily basis. She meant the world to all of us, and changed us all for the better. We love you Serena, thank you for everything.

SHE BE SMOOTH (Lexitonian) is just that en route to victory in the GII Davona Dale Stakes at @GulfstreamPark, earning 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks! 🌸

"Treating pulmonary hemorrhage under veterinary supervision is not doping. It is responsible care." The following letter to the HISA board was signed by trainers W.I. Mott, Chad Brown, Mark Casse, Jena Antonucci, and Ron Moquett; and Eric Hamelback. thoroughbreddailynews.com/letter-to-the-…

Update : I claimed Stonks back to retire him on Valentine’s Day. I tried the race before but lost the claim shake. They put him in for more money next race but I got him and he jogged sound and happy after the race. He Earned just over a 100k through his career and always tried ! He has been selected and placed in the Canter Kentucky program with a small donation and will receive training to start his new career , so excited for him to retire happy and with a bright future in the bluegrass state .🙏 big thanks to @jakeballis and the Morey’s for helping facilitate the claim and rehabilitation!

Earlier this week, HISA CEO @LisaLazarusCEO called out a racetrack for not paying their exorbitant HISA charges. I’ve now been informed that, for reasons unknown, the @BreedersCup does not pay HISA for its event. 🤔 That doesn’t seem equitable. We also know the Breeders’ Cup, under Drew Fleming, has provided multi-million dollar loans to @hisa_us. That makes transparency here even more important, not less. We know the charges are based on purse money. With purses growing for the Breeders’ Cup, that’s a significant amount of money. If Breeders Cup isn’t paying, that would mean other tracks are footing the bill for the Breeders’ Cup races. If this is true, this raises serious questions about fairness and potential conflicts, particularly given the outstanding loans between the two. Lisa Lazarus and Drew Fleming, please provide immediate clarity. The industry deserves transparency.

HUGE longshot in Race 3 at Aqueduct! 🔥 TIOTE ($77.46) wins at 37-1 under Jose Baez for trainer Dana Saul.

Parx Racing Partners With Agentes 305 go.bloodhorse.com/3OhrW4t

“There's no question in my mind that in the next three to five years, we'll be out of Gulfstream.” Last week on the TDN Writers’ Room Podcast, trainer @markecasse joined as the @Gainesway Guest of the Week and he didn’t mince words when discussing the future of racing in South Florida. Watch the full episode: youtu.be/n6guH7nZWqo?si…

"Florida decoupling bill clears House but faces tough path forward" @DRFHegarty has the details. drf.com/news/florida-d…

As expected, decoupling bill sought by Gulfstream Park was passed on 77-34 vote in Florida House of Representatives. Up to the Senate, which rejected a similar bill last year after being passed by the House. If passed, Gulfstream could keep its slots license without live racing.

Trainer William "Jinks" Fires will be honored as an HBPA Living Legend March 5 at the @nationalhbpa annual conference March 3-7 @oaklawnracing in Hot Springs, Ark. Read more: go.bloodhorse.com/4c49RQT

A last-minute legislative maneuver, just hours before the Florida House Commerce Committee meeting, comes across as a live racing "exit plan" for Gulfstream Park. Details: tinyurl.com/mrhacncw

Owner Mike Repole of @repolestable said Jan. 19 he is in the process of filing a lawsuit against numerous industry entities. Read more: go.bloodhorse.com/4jUn3dm @BH_JPerez