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Talks, but no contract
December 29, 2004
As of Tuesday night, Dec. 28, there was no contract between the Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association (IHHA) and Balmoral and Maywood Park racetracks. Contract negotiations between theIHHA and track management broke pff Tuesday night without an agreement being signed for the year 2005, which is sc
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Tracks, IHHA reach accord
December 29, 2004
Wednesday morning (Dec. 29) the Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association (IHHA) and Maywood and Balmoral racetracks signed an agreement for the 2005 racing season. The entry box for Saturday night's card was scheduled to remain open until 1 p.m. Wednesday so a full card can be presented. The box will
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Brokaw honored in NJ
December 29, 2004
Brokaw, a 2-year-old pacer named for NBC veteran newscaster and recently retired news anchor Tom Brokaw, has been selected Horse of the Year in the New Jersey Sire Stakes Green Acres Division after being undefeated in all five of his races in NJSS competition. Brokaw's fastest clocking of 1:56.3
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No contract, no racing?
December 28, 2004
As of late Monday night, Dec. 27, there was no contract between the Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association and Balmoral and Maywood Park. Contract negotiations between the IHHA and track management broke off Monday night without an agreement being signed for the year 2005, which is scheduled to sta
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Purse boost for Hambo
December 28, 2004
The Meadowlands has released a stakes schedule for 2005 worth more than $24 million, including the richest edition of the Hambletonian, with a final guaranteed at $1.5 million. In 2005, both the Hambletonian and its filly companion race, the Hambletonian Oaks, will undergo their first guaranteed pur
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Boxing Day at Woodbine
December 27, 2004
Continuing to race hard on the front-end, Rair Earth and driver Mike Saftic held on for a neck victory in the $50,000 Open Pace Sunday afternoon at Woodbine in 1:52.2. He paid $12.50 to win. Owned by Aubrey Friedman and Brian Nixon, Rair Earth cut fractions the fractions of :27, :55.2 and 1:23.2
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Windsor delays opening
December 27, 2004
Unlike many a year in the past, Windsor Raceway will not be open for live racing on Jan. 1. The track has announced that it will delay its 2005 opening of live racing and simulcasting until the Ontario Racing Commission approves its '05 Race Date Application. The Ontario Racing Commission rejecte
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They're tough in Cleveland
December 27, 2004
Northfield Park overcame a snow emergency, travel warnings and a power outage the night before Christmas Eve and still put on a 14-race program that generated $1.92 million in handle. The Cleveland-area track was scheduled to resume live racing on Monday night, Dec. 27.
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Indictments in NJ
December 22, 2004
Trainer Richard Chansky was indicted on six charges of tax evasion and one of possession of a controlled substance by a Grand Jury in the Superior Court of New Jersey in Trenton on Dec. 20. Kevin Goodell, who served as Chansky's assistant trainer, was also indicted that day in connection with the ca
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Ky. Drug Council meets
December 22, 2004
A meeting of the new Kentucky Horse Racing Drug Council was held Wednesday at the Kentucky Horse Park, and Gov. Ernie Fletcher greeted the council members as they convened for the first time since 2003. The council is charged with reviewing and probably rewriting Kentucky's horse racing drug rule
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Opinions on Fla. slots
December 22, 2004
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel has reported that the Broward County School Board wants to delay a vote on allowing slot machines at pari-mutuel sites until the state legislature decides how to divide the profits. The nine-member School Board unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday urging the Co
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Second positive in Mich.
December 22, 2004
On Dec. 20, further lab testing in Michigan determined that another racehorse in a quarantined barn at Northville Downs tested positive for equine herpes virus 1 (EHV-1), a variant of the virus that can cause respiratory infection, abortion or neurological disease in equine. Back on Dec. 8, anima
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Rainbow Blue NJ's best
December 22, 2004
Rainbow Blue, who was almost unbeatable with 20 victories in 21 races this year, has been named New Jersey Standardbred of the Year for 2004. This prestigious award to a New Jersey-sired Standardbred is presented annually by the Equine Advisory Board of the State Department of Agriculture upon th
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New Meadowlands stadium?
December 22, 2004
According to a report in the New York Times, the owners of the New York Giants have offered to pay the entire cost, estimated at $700 million, to build a stadium for the football team on state land at the Meadowlands, in return for operating the stadium rent-free and controlling all events there.
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Niatross' last start
December 22, 2004
Nearly 24 years ago, harness racing fans in southern Florida were treated to a belated Christmas present from one of the greatest athletes of all time. Just two days after Christmas, those who were fortunate enough to get in the door at Pompano Park that Saturday night in 1980 saw the final racetrac
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Sears a $10 million man
December 20, 2004
Brian Sears, 36, attained his first $10 million season as a driver when he scored with Canyon Wind in the fifth race at the Meadowlands Saturday night. Sears finished up the night with $10,028,306 in money-winnings for the season, his best ever. Only eight drivers have achieved $10 million seasons,
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Five lock up honors
December 20, 2004
Windsong's Legacy and Rainbow Blue were among five horses to be voted the best of their respective divisions when Dan Patch Award finalists were announced Monday by the U.S. Harness Writers Association (USHWA). Also locking up honors early by being the only recipient of at least 10 percent of the vo
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Second leg for Valedictory
December 19, 2004
Turolas Shark and Brandon N scored victories in their respective $18,000 ( C ) divisions of the second leg of the Valedictory Pacing Series at Woodbine Saturday (Dec. 18) night. Turolas Shark (Cam's Card Shark) went wire to wire in 1:52.3 for driver Mark Macdonald, holding off Royel Rookie and Ke
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Escape The Wind scored
December 19, 2004
Escape The Wind came from off the pace and then held off Bidding for Time to win the $50,000 ( C ) Open Pace at Woodbine Saturday night in 1:52. Roger Mayotte was in the bike at Escape The Wind sat fourth until the home stretch then held off Bidding For Time and Steve Condren by a neck. Jr. Mint
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Ohio's Borgemenke resigns
December 17, 2004
Ohio State Racing Commission chairman Scott Borgemenke has tendered his resignation to take a position as the chief of staff in the Ohio House of Representatives. He will begin his new position on Jan. 5. Borgemenke became commission chairman this past spring. His replacement will named by Ohio G
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Vernon suitor named
December 17, 2004
One of two companies reportedly interested in purchasing Vernon Downs has been identified in a story in Friday's Syracuse Post-Standard. Casinopartners Management Inc., which is managed by a former general manager of Fort Erie Racetrack and Slots for five years, has offered $38 million to buy the ba
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MEC asks for MI extension
December 17, 2004
Magna Entertainment Corp. officials have asked for an extension for building a new dual-breed racetrack in Romulus, Mich., near Metro Airport. MEC officials have been in Michigan this week to discuss its license application in separate meetings with city officials and Michigan Racing Commissioner Ro
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Northville barn quarantined
December 17, 2004
A barn at Northville Down in Michigan is under quarantine after a horse was discovered to be stricken with rhinopneumonitis, a highly infectious viral disease caused by a herpes virus. The afflicted horse, which has been euthanized, was Speedy Tino, a 6-year-old pacer who, ironically, had never set
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Ohio happenings
December 17, 2004
At a meeting of the Ohio State Racing Commission Thursday, Northfield Park was granted permission to run 16 races on Mondays in 2005 with a first post time of 6:30 p.m. Also, Lebanon Raceway will not race in January, opening on Feb. 4 and continuing through June 11. In May, Lebanon and Scioto Dow
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Stonebridge Kisses wins
December 17, 2004
The $43,000 Mares Open at the Meadowlands Friday night resulted in a four-mare photo for win, with Stonebridge Kisses sneaking up the inside to edge Artbitration in 1:52.1. Jet Lag N was a neck back in third while Feathery Fame was one-half length back for fourth. Stonebridge Kisses, a 4-year-old
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Longshot wins series final
December 16, 2004
Queen OTRA challenged 1-5 favorite Heavenly Sign in the third quarter and pulled ahead in the stretch to capture the $52,500 Snow Angel Final for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Wednesday night at the Meadowlands. The time was 1:51.2. Owned and bred by White Birch Farm, Queen OTRA held on for a ne
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Longshot wins series final
December 16, 2004
Queen OTRA challenged 1-5 favorite Heavenly Sign in the third quarter and pulled ahead in the stretch to capture the $52,500 Snow Angel final for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Wednesday night at the Meadowlands in 1:51.2. Owned and bred by White Birch Farm, Queen OTRA held on for a neck victory ov
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Big M hosts natl. contest
December 16, 2004
Think you're an expert handicapper? Then prove it to the world in the inaugural National Harness Handicapping Championship (NHHC), the first national handicapping tournament devoted to harness racing, hosted by the Meadowlands. The NHHC features qualifying events at racing and gaming establishm
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More HorseRacing TV
December 16, 2004
HorseRacing TV (HRTV), a subsidiary of Magna Entertainment Corp., announced it has signed a multi-year agreement that provides for carriage of HRTV on select Comcast systems as part of a digital sports package. Under the agreement, the initial Comcast launches of HRTV are planned for Maryland and
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HZ Easy scores for owner
December 16, 2004
New York Jets wide receiver Wayne Chrebet was in the winner's circle at the Meadowlands Thursday night to greet his horse HZ Easy, who captured the sixth race, an $11,500 condition trot. The time was 1:55.1. HZ Easy coasted to a 3 1/2-length victory over Striking Genius. HZ Easy, a four-year-old
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Breeders Book now online
December 15, 2004
Stallions advertised in The Horseman And Fair World's 2005 Breeders Book can now be found on-line by clicking the stallion station box at the top of this website's homepage. The stallions are listed alphabetically, with the state or province in which they stand indicated in parentheses. Stallions
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Ervin Miller wins award
December 15, 2004
Trainer Ervin Miller has been named the recipient of the second annual Brian Pinske Memorial Award. Named in honor of the late Illinois-based trainer, it honors the success of trainers in open stakes events in the Prairie State. Last year's inaugural award went to Brian's father, Tim. A cumulativ
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Muscara sponsors NZ race
December 15, 2004
Pennsylvania-based owner Joe Muscara, whose name came to national prominence when his Mach Three won the 2002 Meadowlands Pace, has agreed to sponsor the $750,000 Inter-Dominion Pacing final at Alexandra Park in New Zealand on March 18. Muscara is considered the primary purchaser of New Zealand-b
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New Ky. Breeders Assoc.
December 15, 2004
A group of concerned Kentucky Standardbred breeders have formed the Kentucky Standardbred Breeders Association, an organization dedicated to the support and encouragement of the breeding industry in Kentucky. The new group will give the breeders of Kentucky an organized voice in the ongoing discu
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Napolitanos in PPK spill
December 14, 2004
An accident in Pompano Park's 10th race Monday night sent the Napolitano brothers to the racetrack. Our Personal Girl and driver Anthony Napolitano had the lead coming down the stretch and made a break. Our Personal Girl then went down on the track and Napolitano was able to roll out of the way o
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Trotting mare honored
December 13, 2004
The Red Mile has announced the track will host in 2005 the inaugural Moni Maker Stake, named for the greatest money- winning trotting mare of all-time. For 3-year-old filly trotters, the $225,000 (est.) final will be Saturday, Sept. 17, with eliminations held the previous Saturday. Payments for t
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Pompano hosts Fla. finals
December 12, 2004
It was a case of "two out of three ain't bad," at Pompano Park Saturday night as Dee Day Fame and Florida Boy came up winners in their respective Florida Breeders Stake finals to share in the $100,000 FSBOA bonus, but What A Pearl came up just short in her heat to miss out in earning a cut. Dee D
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Color me a winner again
December 12, 2004
Color Me Best won his first race of 2004 and his first since Nov. 29, 2003, in an $8,200 conditioned pace at Balmoral Park Saturday night. The $1.3 million-winning Color Me Best was driven by Dave Magee, flashing his early speed and then closing along the inside to win in 1:51.3. The win was the
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Make It Brief wins
December 12, 2004
Make It Brief is now two for two since being purchase by Odds On Racing and sent to trainer Robin Schadt, winning Saturday night's $40,000 Open Pace at the Meadowlands in a stellar 1:49.2. Driven by John Campbell, Make It Brief got away third as Life Source and Cat Manzi took the early lead. Just
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Pick 7 record at Woodbine
December 11, 2004
For one lucky handicapper at Woodbine Friday night the holidays are going to be a lot more fun. He or she hit the Pick 7 which paid out a Canadian record $1,017,163.50 ( C ). Harness racing's all-time high payoff for a $2 wager came at Hazel Park on Sept. 17, 1988, when the Twin-Super (first four fi
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Filly, mare star at Big M
December 11, 2004
Jet Lag N took the overland route then rallied in the lane to capture the $43,000 Open for mares in 1:51.3 at The Meadowlands Friday night (Dec. 10). That performance came just one race after Artbitration easily handled a field of fillies and mares in a lifetime best 1:52.2. Jet Lag N, with Cat M
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Pick 7 at $500G Plus
December 10, 2004
The Pick 7 at Woodbine Friday night will begin with a whopping carryover of $586,090. More than $450,000 was bet into the pool Thursday night and after reasonably-priced horses won the first four legs, the bettors' hopes were dashed when Carafe Du Haras won the seventh-race fifth leg and returned $1
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Powell to leave RCI
December 10, 2004
The Association of Racing Commissioners (RCI) has announced Lonny Powell will be leaving his position as president to become vice president of public affairs and general manager of the central region for Youbet.com Inc. Powell, who has served as RCI president for 3 1/2 years, will begin his new d
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In Conchnito retired
December 10, 2004
In Conchnito 2, 1:57; 3, 1:54--$1,027,233 (C) has been retired for stud duty at Glengate Farms of Campbellville, Ont. The 3-year-old son of King Conch-Inas Gaetane will stand for a $5,000(C) service fee with a multiple mare discount to apply. Owned by Robert McIntosh Stables, David Boyle and CSX
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2004 HTA champions
December 10, 2004
Harness Tracks of America has announced its 2004 divisional champions, as selected by the racing secretaries of its 35 member organizations. 2CP--Village Jolt 2FP--Restive Hanover & Cabrini Hanover (tie) 2CT--Ken Warkentin 2FT--Solveig 3CP--Timesareachanging 3FP--Rainbow Blue 3CT--Windsong'
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Pa. track gears up for slots
December 09, 2004
Magna Entertainment Corp. has announced reconstruction projects at two of its racetracks, including a $77 million face-lifting of The Meadows. The project will include reconstruction of the clubhouse and grandstand, slot machine facility and related site works. The funding for the construction co
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Snow Angel winners
December 09, 2004
Madeira Island rallied from off the pace to win the first of two $15,000 Snow Angel divisions Wednesday night at the Meadowlands, with Heavenly Sign breezing to an easy victory in the second split. Stephen Smith guided Madeira Island, a 3-year-old daughter of Island Fantasy, to a three-quarter-le
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Knockout blow in Mich.?
December 09, 2004
In an interview published in Thursday's Detroit News, Michigan racing commissioner Robert Geake said that the passage of Proposal 1 in the Nov. 2 election "was just about a knockout blow for horse racing in Michigan." The passage of the proposal requires statewide and local voter approval of any
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Lachance is rising star
December 09, 2004
In balloting conducted by the directors of the U.S. Harness Writers Association, Patrick Lachance has been voted the winner of the 2004 Rising Star of the Year Award. Additionally, trainer George Teague Jr., the conditioner of the top-ranked filly Rainbow Blue, has been voted the recipient of the Wi
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Big M post change
December 09, 2004
The Meadowlands' fall harness meet concludes on Saturday, Dec. 18, with a change in post time. Because of a Giants football game in the afternoon, first race post time on Dec. 18 will be delayed until 8:35 p.m. Gates will open at 6:45 p.m. There will be no qualifying races from Dec. 21 through D
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NY VLT legislation stalls
December 08, 2004
Legislation introduced in New York to increase the racetrack's percentage of revenue from video lottery terminals, went nowhere as some horsemen's groups protested the deletion of a provision in state law to guarantee a certain percentage of VLT revenues to go to purses and breeders. Presently, 2
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Groups interested in Vernon
December 08, 2004
A lawyer for Vernon Downs has been quoted that there are two groups of investors willing to spend about $40 million to purchase the track's parent company Mid-State Raceway. The lawyer declined to name to possible buyers, saying though that "These are both very real and very interested parties."
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USHWA honors best
December 08, 2004
In balloting conducted among the directors of the U.S. Harness Writers Association, Ron Pierce, Trond Smedshammer and Ted Gewertz have been voted the 2004 Driver of the Year, Trainer of the Year and Owner of the Year, respectively. Ron Pierce, 48, who leads all drivers in 2004 with $12.1 million
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Georgia Pacific upsets
December 07, 2004
Voters looking to Monday night's $236,314 Matron final for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers at Dover Downs to help them decide who to cast their ballot for divisional honors were thrown a curveball when Georgia Pacific came up a winner at odds of 14-1 in the world record-equaling time of 1:49.1.
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Restive comes up diamonds
December 05, 2004
Restive Hanover put her neck in front of Just Wait Kate in the final strides to win Saturday night's $200,000 Three Diamonds final for 2-year-old filly pacers at the Meadowlands. With Andy Miller driving, Restive Hanover followed cover around the final turn and after a game stretch effort was abl
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Syncro wins Governor's Cup
December 05, 2004
Syncro's Z Tam led wire to wire to capture Saturday night's $237,400 Governor's Cup final at the Meadowlands. With trainer Pat Lachance in the sulky, Syncro's Z Tam led runner-up Voracious Hanover (Jim Morrill Jr.) under the wire by 2 3/4 lengths in a career-best 1:53.1. Favored Dawn Ofa New Day (Ro
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A diesel in Valley Victory
December 05, 2004
Diesel Don continued his late-season surge with an impressive victory in the $228,600 Valley Victory final for 2-year-old colt trotters at the Meadowlands Saturday night. With John Campbell driving, Diesel Don charged to the lead first-over around the final turn and drew clear to a 1:57 win. Favo
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Aeronautess soars to upset
December 05, 2004
Aeronautess pulled off a 45-1 shocker in Saturday night's $211,800 Goldsmith Maid final for 2-year-old filly trotters at the Meadowlands. With Jacquie Ingrassia driving, Aeronautess found room in deep stretch and surged past favored Solveig and driver David Miller at the wire to win in 1:59. Flawles
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Gallo wins 52nd
December 05, 2004
Making his 124th career start, Gallo Blue Chip won for the 52nd time, holding on by a nose after a thrilling stretch duel with LCB in a $17,000 conditioned pace at the Meadowlands Saturday night. With Daniel Dube in the bike behind the 2000 Horse of the Year, Gallo charged first-over in the last
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Big M Series final winners
December 05, 2004
Ecstatic won the $51,300 Charles SInger Memorial Trot final and Armbro Becalm captured the $60,000 Oil Burner final for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers at the Meadowlands Saturday night. With David Miller driving, Ecstatic won in 1:56.3 over Lhasa Muscles (Cat Manzi) and Ripped (Andy Miller).l
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Jet Lag N wins at Big M
December 04, 2004
Jet Lag N, who finished third behind Rainbow Blue the previous week, slipped out from behind the pacesetting Odds On Michelle at the top of the stretch and drew off to a 1 1/2-length victory in 1:53.4 in a $43,000 mares Open Pace, Friday night at the Meadowlands. Jet Lag's victory was her 10th of
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Seven claims on card
December 04, 2004
The claiming game is alive and well at the Meadowlands as seven horses were claimed out of six claiming races on the Friday night card. The horses changing hands were Die Lute, Camsurge, Cool Flame, Dinero, Michael Q, Future Falcon N, and Image Of Jate.
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Batavia delayed til March
December 03, 2004
Reports out of New York state Batavia Downs, which was being targeted to reopen in January after being shut down since last May, will now not likely open until mid-March. Martin Basinait, the president of Western Regional Off-Track Betting, which owns the track, said delays in gaining various app
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WEG purses to rise
December 03, 2004
The Woodbine Entertainment Group and the Ontario Harness Horse Association have announced a five percent increase to overall Standardbred purses at Woodbine effective Jan. 1. "There has been a stabilization of our wagering levels and slot revenues that allows this overall purse increase," said Jami
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10 yards with Bradshaw
December 01, 2004
Maybe on next week's football pre-game show on the Fox network Terry Bradshaw will invite New York Jets wide receiver Wayne Chrebet to go "10 yards" with him. On last Sunday's pre-game show Bradshaw fired questions at Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme, who owns Thoroughbreds, including one
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Favorites set in finals
December 01, 2004
Saturday night's card at the Meadowlands will feature the four fall finals for 2 year olds: the $200,000 Three Diamonds for pacing fillies, the $237,400 Governor's Cup for pacing colts and geldings, the $228,600 Valley Victory for trotting colts and geldings and the $211,800 Goldsmith Maid for trott
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