News Archive

Return Home

Bowie's horse wins final
February 28, 2005
Boo's Boy tipped out of the pocket at the top of the stretch and went on to a stakes record 1:51.3 victory for driver Jim Morrill Jr. in the $77,000 Senior Trendsetter final at the Meadowlands Sunday afternoon. Hi Ho Silver Star edged pacesetter Fate's Place for runner-up honors. A 4-year-old
[read more]

Windsor moves Prov. Cup
February 28, 2005
Windsor Raceway has announced that the 40th annual Provincial Cup, originally scheduled for May 29, will be rescheduled to a date in the fall. The track did not begin racing this year until Jan. 23 due to licensing issues. "It takes time for an operation the size of Windsor Raceway to return to
[read more]

Meadows & Yonkers cancels
February 28, 2005
The Meadows and Yonkers Raceway have canceled their Monday night live racing cards due to a snowstorm spreading through the Northeast. Also, the Meadowlands has announced that it will not be open for simulcasting.
[read more]

He Wants It All wins Isle
February 27, 2005
He Wants It All and driver Tony Morgan led from start to finish in capturing the $160,200 Isle of the Pacing Series Final at Pompano Park Saturday. He Wants It All won by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:50.4 over Maltese Artist and Dee Magic Man. Trained by Tom Harmer and owned by Michael Polansky, it was th
[read more]

Chucaro Ahijuna sweeps
February 27, 2005
Chucaro Ahijuna and driver Kevin Wallis took the lead after the opening quarter in the $80,000 Mack Lobell Trotting Series and sped away to a 1 3/4-length triumph in 1:53.3, the fastest trotting mile ever in the 41-year history of Pompano Park. The mark surpassed the former world record set by Mack
[read more]

Cape & Cutter shocker
February 26, 2005
Feathery Fame pulled a 55-1 shocker Friday night at the Meadowlands, winning the $91,600 Cape & Cutter final for older pacing mares in a stakes record 1:51. Driven by David Miller, Feathery Fame ralllied off cover to win by a short head over Odds On Charmaine and Artbitration, the three horses ac
[read more]

Mary Sue in TLC
February 26, 2005
Mary Sue Too extended her winning streak to four and completed a series sweep with a victory in the $79,500 Tender Loving Care final for 3-year-old pacing fillies at the Meadowlands Friday night. Ron Pierce put even-money favorite Mary Sue Too on the lead by the half and then drew away in the str
[read more]

EHV hits The Meadows
February 26, 2005
One barn at The Meadows is now under quaraintine following the testing positive of a horse for Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) at the Pittsburgh-area track. The horse, Twilight Mystery, died Feb. 18 and the barn has been placed under a 21-day quarantine. Twilight Mystery was trained by Jeff Indof. Acco
[read more]

Francam wins Exit 16W
February 26, 2005
Francam got up in the last stride, edging Shattered Halo at the wire and capturing the $71,000 Exit 16W Series final in a stakes record 1:50.2 Saturday night at the Meadowlands. Ron Pierce popped the earplugs on Francam as the gate opened and the 4-year-old Cambest gelding shot out from post nine
[read more]

Live Out Loud sweeps
February 26, 2005
Live Out Loud tipped off cover third-over at the head of the stretch, charged down the middle of the homestretch and held off Driven To Win by less than a length to win the $78,250 Aquarius Series final in 1:50.2 Saturday night at the Meadowlands. Patrick Lachance, who became the first trainer-dr
[read more]

Jenna's Choice in final
February 26, 2005
After making a break behind the gate in last week's second leg of the Jr. Trendsetter Series, Jenna's Choice made a clean start and went wire to wire in winning the $95,000 final in a series record 1:52.2 Saturday night at the Meadowlands. Brian Sears was in the bike as the 3-year-old Jenna's Bea
[read more]

Allamerican Theory retired
February 26, 2005
Allamerican Theory, the Meadowlands Pace winner in 2003, will now be retired, according to his trainer, Des Tackoor. The 5-year-old son of Jenna's Beach Boy made his last start Wednesday night, Feb. 23, finishing eighth in the fourth race at the Meadowlands. According to the Meadowlands releas
[read more]

Racing cards canceled
February 24, 2005
Thursday night cards at the Meadowlands, The Meadows and Dover Downs were canceled due to winter storms expected in those areas.
[read more]

Magna's revenues up
February 23, 2005
Magna Entertainment Corp. (MEC) reported Tuesday that its 2004 revenues climbed to $731.5 million, up from $708.9 million in 2003, but once again the company showed a loss on its bottom line. The 2004 net loss was $95.6 million versus $105 the previous year. Jim McAlpine, president and chief exe
[read more]

Night Styles Series begins
February 23, 2005
Theresa Hall grinded first-over and still prevailed at the wire in a first leg division of the Night Styles Series Wednesday night at the Meadowlands. She won by one-half length over betting favorite Follow Your Bliss. The other division was won by Smashingpringipisa. Theresa Hall, a 4-year-old m
[read more]

This
February 23, 2005
Allamerican Theory, the winner of the 2003 Meadowlands Pace, returned to the Big M to compete Wednesday night after undergoing throat surgery in December, but didn't show signs of his former championship form. Despite being the betting favorite, he finished eighth, pacing in 1:54.4 for driver David
[read more]

Ponder wins 2005 debut
February 22, 2005
Ponder, who was considered to be one of trainer Bob McIntosh's top contenders in 2004 for 3-year-old pacing honors, made a successful 2005 debut Monday night at Woodbine, winning a $17,820 conditioned event in 1:52.3 for driver Mark MacDonald. A son of The Panderosa, Ponder made just eight starts
[read more]

President's Day feature
February 22, 2005
Arizona Liar set all the fractions en route to a 1:50.2 victory in the $32,000 Preferred Handicap Pace President's Day at Dover Downs. Driven by Sean Bier, Arizona Liar left quickly from post one and never looked back in downing Cool Flying Fun (Brian Sears) and Bay Sign (Jon Roberts). It was the
[read more]

Fans to vote in Jug poll
February 22, 2005
To celebrate the 60thanniversary of the Little Brown Jug, the race's officials are asking fans to select their favorite Jug winner and favorite Jug race. From a list of favorite horses and races already compiled by a panel of 72 trainers, driver, owners, breeders and media, race fans can select t
[read more]

Fate's Place scores
February 20, 2005
Fate's Place won a stretch battle with Boo's Boy by a neck and captured a $12,500 second leg division of the Sr. Trendsetter Series in 1:52.3 Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands. Other division winners were Armbro Becalm in 1:51.4 and Hi Ho Silver Star in 1:53.4. Driven by Brian Sears for trainer
[read more]

Repeat series winner
February 19, 2005
Live Out Loud rallied from a second-over trip to win the $35,000 Aquarius leg at the Meadowlands Saturday night. Trained and driven by Pat Lachance, Live Out Loud won in 1:51.2, a fifth of a second quicker than he paced while winning last weekend's opening round of the Aquarius Series. Brandon's
[read more]

Big wins in Isle Of Capri
February 19, 2005
He Wants It All paced an opening panel of :26.4 and a final panel of :26.4 to win the third of three $25,000 Isle Of Capri Pacing Series divisions at Pompano Park Saturday night. With Tony Morgan in the sulky, He Wants It All drew clear to an easy 1:50.3 victory, a lifetime mark for the 5-year-old s
[read more]

Muscles In Blue dies
February 18, 2005
Trainer Chuck Sylvester has told The Horseman that Muscles In Blue, who won four of six starts last year as a 2 year old, died last month as a result of an infection brought on by an ankle injury. Last fall another of Sylvester's promising young trotters, Wintrgreen Hanover, died after becoming sick
[read more]

Jr. Trendsetter winners
February 18, 2005
Four One One rallied from eighth at the half to win the third of three $12,500 Junior Trendsetter Series divisions at the Meadowlands Thursday night in 1:53. Gryffindor also captured his split in 1:53 while it took I Know Your Lookin only 1:56.1 to win his division. Four One One was driven by Dav
[read more]

Stiliani in Blizzard
February 18, 2005
Despite having to race first-over for much of the mile, Stiliani and driver Jack Moiseyev still had enough left to surge past Noble Sami in deep stretch to win the $39,852 final of the Blizzard Pacing Series in 1:55.3 Thursday night at Woodbine. Stiliani had finished second in the two preliminary
[read more]

Md. Senate passes slots
February 18, 2005
The state Senate in Maryland voted Friday morning 26-21 in favor of a bill allowing slot machines at racetracks and three off-track locations. The bill still has to be passed by the House of Delegates where it has met with resistance due to its provision to allow slots in Prince George's County, the
[read more]

Johansson top caretaker
February 18, 2005
Emma Johansson, the caretaker for Dan Patch Award winners Windsong's Legacy and Housethatruthbuilt, has been named 2004 Caretaker of the Year by Harness Tracks of America and Hanover Shoe Farms. Ted Gewertz, who is a co-owner of both the Trotting Triple Crown champ and the filly champion, wrote i
[read more]

Loyal Opposition wins
February 18, 2005
Loyal Opposition, the 2004 Dan Patch Older Pacing Mare of the Year, and Artbitration each scored victories in their $35,000 divisions of the Cape and Cutter Series Friday night at the Meadowlands. On a cold night with a brisk wind, the mares paced their miles in 1:53.1 (Loyal Opposition) and 1:53.3.
[read more]

Exit 16W winners
February 18, 2005
In Exit 16W action, Master This benefited from a pocket trip and won the first of two splits in 1:51.3. Francam took the second by a neck in 1:52.1. Master This won by two lengths over Lil Ang Fra with Dave Aint Here third. Francam skimmed the pylons to snag the lead in the final strides. T
[read more]

Campbell out of action
February 18, 2005
Driver John Campbell was out of action at the Meadowlands Wednesday through Friday night due to illness. Among his scheduled drives on Friday night was 2003 Breeders Crown 3-year-old pacing filly champion Burning Point, who Yannick Gingras drove to a close finish second-place finish in the Cape & Cu
[read more]

Favorites score again
February 17, 2005
Mary Sue Too and Vegas Style were repeat winners in the second round of the Tender Loving Care Series for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Wednesday night at the Meadowlands. Sent off as the 1-5 favorite in her $12,500 split, Mary Sue Too was moved to the lead at the half by driver Ron Pierce and the
[read more]

Scott's license reinstated
February 17, 2005
Vernon Downs' majority owner Shawn Scott had his New York State racing license reinstated by a state Supreme Court judge, who ordered the Racing and Wagering Board to prove at a March 11 hearing why Scott shouldn't have a license. Scott owns 52 percent of Vernon Downs but in December 2003 had his
[read more]

Md. nearing slots bill
February 17, 2005
The Maryland state Senate is expected to pass a bill Thursday that would permit 15,500 slot machines at seven sites in the state, including four racetracks. However, the Maryland House of Delegates have reportedly have a compromise bill that precludes slot machines from being added at Rosecroft Race
[read more]

He's a clever big dog
February 17, 2005
Clever Account won his third straight race Wednesday night at Maywood Park, capturing the $10,000 The Big Dog Series final in a lifetime-best 1:53.2. Driven by Dave Magee, Clever Account took advantage of his rail post position on the Chicago half-miler, leading gate to wire through fractions of
[read more]

Virus hits the Maritimes
February 17, 2005
An outbreak of the equine herpes virus has forced Truro Raceway in the Maritimes in Canada to cancel its Sunday program. Northville Downs in Michigan has had four such cases since December and has been forced to close until at least March 1. Two horses in the Maritimes have died in the past few d
[read more]

The Duke falls short
February 16, 2005
Country Duke A's quest to equal the Monticello Raceway record of nine wins in a row fell one win short when the 12-yea-old pacer finished third in a $5,000 claiming event Tuesday afternoon. His eight-win streak was one less than Don Torpid's record set back in 1983. The race was won by A Star Is
[read more]

Rosecroft deal collapses
February 16, 2005
Published reports in Wednesday's Washington Post and Baltimore Sun have revealed more details in the apparent collapse of the agreement by the family of Baltimore Orioles owner Peter G. Angelos to purchase Rosecroft Raceway. On Monday night the 23 state delegates from Prince George County, the si
[read more]

Hawthorne plans big night
February 16, 2005
Hawthorne Race Course will become the centerpiece of Illinois-bred racing action on Friday, Aug. 5, when the track will present its first annual "Night Of Champions." Eight finals, each with an estimated purse of $100,000, will bring together the top 10 money earners in each division from three roun
[read more]

Northville shut til March 1
February 15, 2005
Northville Downs has been ordered by the Michigan Office of Racing Commissioner to remain closed for live racing through March 1 as a result of the recent outbreak of equine herpes virus at the track. In addition to the cancellation, there is a quarantine in place prohibiting any horse from leavi
[read more]

Rosecroft deal off?
February 15, 2005
The closing of the sale of Rosecroft Raceway to Rosecroft Holdings LLC, the company controlled by members of Peter Angelos' family, was abruptly cancelled Tuesday (Feb. 15) due to Angelos' concern over the events taking place at the state capital regarding legalizing slot machines. Cloverleaf Ent
[read more]

Art Major to shuttle
February 15, 2005
Blue Chip Farms has announced that Art Major, in addition to his stud duty in North America, will be standing the 2005-2006 breeding season in Australia at Rob Van Dyke's Pepper Tree Farms. "We've sold a lifetime lease for the southern hemisphere breeding rights and we've (the northern hemisphere
[read more]

George Foreman at Delaware
February 15, 2005
Former heavyweight boxing champion of the world George Foreman, who has enjoyed fame recently for his indoor grills, found his way to the Blooded Horse Sale ring on Tuesday (Feb. 15). Foreman, who became the world champion in 1970 by knocking out "Smokin" Joe Frazier, took a 10-year break from th
[read more]

Isle Of Capri underway
February 13, 2005
Maltese Artist swept three-wide on the final turn and was able to nose out Santastic's Pan to win the opening round division of the Isle of Capri Pacing Series at Pompano Park Saturday night. Driven by Richard Macomber, Jr., it was the first win this year for Maltese Artist, who covered the one-
[read more]

Three set marks at Big M
February 13, 2005
Fate's Place, JJ's Iron Man, No Rhyme Or Reason and Hi Ho Silver Stareach captured their $12,500 division in the opening round of the Senior Trendsetter series Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands. In the first division, Fate's Place (Brian Sears) took control of the lead around the backside and
[read more]

Filly wins Horse of the Year
February 13, 2005
Rainbow Blue has been named 2004 Horse of the Year by the U.S. Harness Writers Association at ceremonies held Sunday night at Ceasers in Atlantic City. In the closest voting since 1975 when Savoir defeated Silk Stockings 52-49, Rainbow Blue outpolled Trotting Triple Crown winner Windsong's Legacy 11
[read more]

Mack Lobell Series opens
February 12, 2005
Track record holders Chucaro Ahijuna and Damon Runyon made four- and three-wide sweeping moves, respectively, on the final turn to capture their $17,500 divisions of the opening round of the Mack Lobell Trotting Series Friday at Pompano Park. After a three-quarters in 1:25.3 race favorite Hellav
[read more]

John R. Gaines dies
February 12, 2005
John R. Gaines, who, in addition to developing Gainesway Farm into one of the world's leading Thoroughbred establishments, was a prominent owner of Standardbreds, died Friday at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Ky. He was 76. Mr. Gaines and his father, Clarence F. Gaines, captured both the 1966
[read more]

First Aquarius leg
February 12, 2005
Live Out Loud enjoyed a pylon-skimming trip and took advantage of an opening in the stretch to win the $35,000 opening leg of the Aquarius Series for 4-year-old open pacers Saturday night at the Meadowlands. The time of the mile was 1:51.3. Driven and trained by Patrick Lachance, Live Out Loud he
[read more]

Three in a row for Johnny
February 12, 2005
Johnny Be Cool N won his third straight race at the Meadowlands, this time capturing the $80,000 Jenna's Beach Boy Invitational for open pacers Saturday night in 1:51. Johnny Be Cool N, who paid $12, capitalized on a second-over trip behind Sagebrush and out-sprinted him to the wire. Eaton Road
[read more]

Jr. Trendsetter action
February 11, 2005
David Miller, the leading driver at the Meadowlands, guided both Jo Pa's Shark and Four One One to victory in the first two of four $12,500 divisions of the Junior Trendsetter Series Thursday night at the Meadowlands. Jo Pa's Shark drew off to a 1 3/4-length victory over Mega Hall in the first di
[read more]

Belcher files appeal
February 11, 2005
Late Wednesday an attorney for trainer Jenny Belcher asked an Ohio judge to dismiss their lawsuit against the Ohio State Racing Commission and Northfield Park. The case was dismissed without prejudice and then Belcher's attorney quickly filed an appeal with the racing commission of her one-year susp
[read more]

USHWA honors Codey
February 11, 2005
The N.J. chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association is honoring New Jersey Acting Governor Richard J. Codey for his long-time commitment to the horse racing industry with a special recognition award at the group's annual awards dinner Feb. 13 at Caesar's Atlantic City. During a 31-y
[read more]

1,000 wins for Zendt
February 11, 2005
Brian Zendt, 29, has all the genes to be a great driver. His father Bill has 2,922 wins in his driving career and his grandfather Wilbur was a leading driver at Northfield Park and is still active in the sport. Brian took a huge step in following in the family tradition when he drove his 1,000th w
[read more]

Another affect of outbreak
February 11, 2005
Horses that have raced at Northville Downs in 2005 which are consigned to the Winter Speed Sale (at Delaware, Ohio from Feb. 14-16) are being withdrawn from the sale due to the outbreak of equine herpes virus on the Northville backstretch. The viral outbreak has shut down racing at Northville for
[read more]

Deadline for bidding
February 11, 2005
The New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program Stallion Auction offers breedings to 82 stallions, including the only season still available to Conway Hall. Bids are being taken by phone until 5 p.m. Saturday Feb. 12. Beginning Monday, Feb. 14, through Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 2:00 p.m., bids will be tak
[read more]

Artbitration Pulls Upset
February 11, 2005
Artbitration split horses deep in the stretch and scored a 1:52 upset in the $35,000 second division of the Cape And Cutter Series first leg at the Meadowlands Friday night. In the first division Parklane Powerful rallied up the pylons for a 1:53 victory. Artbitration had a pocket trip going for
[read more]

Snowshoe to Night Sounds
February 11, 2005
Night Sounds led from start to finish in posting a 1:53.4 victory in the $50, 400 ( C ) final of the Snowshoe Pacing Series at Woodbine Friday night. Mario Ballargeon was at the lines as the 4-year-old Artsplace stallion cut fractions of :27, :56 and 1:24 en route to the 1 3/4-length victory over
[read more]

Northville closed longer
February 11, 2005
The Michigan Harness Horsemen's Association is reporting in a statement on its website that live racing will not resume at Northville Downs until Tuesday, Feb.22, due to an outbreak of equine herpes that has caused 200 horses at the track to be quarantined. The MHHA statement said that: "we are a
[read more]

Mitchell leaving WEG
February 11, 2005
Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) has announced that Hugh Mitchell, the company's Senior Vice-President Racing, has resigned effective April 2 to take the position of chief operating officer at Western Fair Association, a place he previously worked. Mitchell said the decision to leave WEG was made
[read more]

Three score in Exit 16W
February 11, 2005
I Am I Said and Brian Sears swept past the leaders in deep stretch and posted a 1:52 victory in the third and fastest division of the Exit 16W Series opening leg at the Meadowlands Friday night. Other division winners were Prince Vince in 1:52.2 and Francam, also in 1:52.2. I Am I Said, a 4-year-
[read more]

No surprises in filly series
February 10, 2005
Favorites Mary Sue Too and Vegas Style won their respective $12,500 divisions of the Tender Loving Care Series for 3-year-old pacing fillies Wednesday night at the Meadowlands. Sent off the overwhelming 1-9 favorite in the first split, Mary Sue Too won by 1 ¼ lengths over Linda's Rose in 1:53.4.
[read more]

Owners team up in Florida
February 10, 2005
Standardbred owners Allan Saul and Dana Parham have teamed up to open a supercenter aquarium in south Florida near Pompano Park. Saul, who campaigned the top pacing filly Armbro Amoretto, will open his first aquarium supercenter, Big Al's, in the U.S. in Tamarac, Fla. He already has 20 stories in Ca
[read more]

Driver on recovery road
February 10, 2005
Driver Jeff Gregory told The Horseman Thursday morning that a doctor's appointment the previous day went as good as could be expected and that hip-replacement surgery will likely not be in his future. Gregory has been out of action since being hurt in a race accident at Freehold Jan. 14, suffering a
[read more]

Mare takes Del. feature
February 09, 2005
Ann Other Porsche sped to a 1:54.2 victory in the $17,000 Mares pace feature Tuesday at Dover Downs. Leading trainer Kevin Lare was in the sulky behind Ann Other Porsche and raced the 8-year-old Down Under mare second behind 14-1 West Coast Arturo (Sean Bier) until the three-quarters when he pop
[read more]

Jackson fighting eviction
February 09, 2005
According to published reports, the Jackson County (Mich.) Fair Board has begun eviction proceedings against Jackson Harness Raceway, which has raced at the fairgrounds for six decades. The raceway operates in exchange for at least $75,000 of its simulcast revenue, and it is that figure that the
[read more]

4th horse tests positive
February 09, 2005
Northville Downs has been ordered by the Office of Michigan Racing Commissioner to cancel live racing at least until Tuesday, Feb. 15, after a fourth horse came up positive for equine herpes. The latest is a 2 year old who was stabled in a barn located directly above the race paddock. Northville
[read more]

New group to run Cal-Expo
February 09, 2005
There will be a new operator of the Cal-Expo harness meet as of Sept. 1 when the newly-formed Sacramento Harness Association takes over with a three-year contract with the California Exposition and State Fair. After a 10-year stint operating the Cal-Expo harness meet, Capitol Racing did not submi
[read more]

Sanbelle Hanover dies
February 08, 2005
Sanbelle Hanover, dam of Sanabelle Island p,1:50.4 ($1,641,676), has died at Winbak Farm of Maryland from a ruptured uterine artery. The Tyler B mare was 16 years old. Sanbelle Hanover took a mark of 2:02.3f as a freshman and earned $5,556 in two seasons of racing. Following her 3-year-old campa
[read more]

Northville cancels races
February 08, 2005
Northville Downs canceled its Tuesday night racing program as well as morning qualifiers as a result of a 2-year-old colt, who was brought to the Michigan track about 10 days ago, showed signs of equine herpes. Although the young horse had an elevated temperature and nasal discharge, reports on Tues
[read more]

Marlene Brown dies
February 08, 2005
Marlene Brown, the wife of Hanover Shoe Farms public relations director Murray Brown, died Tuesday morning of lung cancer. She was 59. In addition to her husband, to whom she would have been married 40 years on May 2, Mrs. Brown is survived by daughters Jennifer Hodur and Stacey Zitto; son, Andre
[read more]

Sisters score at Pompano
February 08, 2005
Sisters Cornelian and Cormontess, siblings to Pompano Park track record holder Clare's Guy, both won at Pompano Monday night. The trio are sired by Corleone and are from the mare Claremont. The 4-year-old Cornelian captured the night's first race trot in 2:02.2, breaking her maiden in her ninth c
[read more]

Another Belcher positive
February 08, 2005
Trainer Jenny Belcher, the wife of suspended trainer Bob Belcher, has now also received a suspension for a class I positive. The positive was for the drug aminorex, a painkiller that has also been discussed as a drug comparable to amphetamines. It has been off the market to both humans and animals f
[read more]

Rainbow Blue takes O'Brien
February 05, 2005
Rainbow Blue, who turned in some of her most impressive efforts of the season in winning the Breeders Crown and Fan Hanover Stakes at Woodbine, was honored as Canada's Horse of the Year for 2004 at the O'Brien Awards dinner Saturday night. Among the other award winners were Luc Ouellette, who was
[read more]

Life Source in 1:50.1
February 05, 2005
Life Source, driven by George Brennan, found room up the pylons and drew off to a 1 1/2-length victory over Make It Brief in the $108,600 Presidential final Saturday night at the Meadowlands. He won in 1:50.1, setting a stakes mark. Make It Brief was the pacesetter. Eaton Road Kill finished third
[read more]

1:49.4 mile at Big M
February 05, 2005
Johnny Be Cool N, a 7-year-old gelded son of Miles McCool, was the fastest winner on the Saturday night card at the Meadowlands with a 1:49.4 mile. It was also the second straight victory for the New Zealand-bred who is now owned by Robert Ranquist Jr. of Illinois. Last year Johnny Be Cool N won
[read more]

Push for casinos in Ohio
February 04, 2005
According to a story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette newspaper, a Native American tribe is making a push to build Las Vegas-style casinos in Ohio, including one perched near the Pennsylvania border to attract gamblers from the Pittsburgh area. A $300 million casino and resort has been proposed by
[read more]

Barn fire in Maryland
February 04, 2005
Fire destroyed a barn at the Arty Foster Farm in Cordova, Md., on Wednesday, killing 10 horses. Three horses were saved. Foster is a highly respected horseman who has campaigned horses at leading Mid-Atlantic racetracks for more than 30 years. He had returned to the farm around 9:30 p.m. with Big
[read more]

More Ky. slots bills filed
February 04, 2005
Less than a month after a bill was introduced in the Kentucky legislature to allow gaming at the state's racetracks, two more bills have been filed that would do the same. Rep. Tom Burch, D-Louisville, has filed two different bills that would allow slot machines at the tracks but not casinos. The
[read more]

8 in a row for the Duke
February 04, 2005
Country Duke A is now one win away from equaling the Monticello Raceway track record of nine consecutive victories after cruising to a 2:01 decision Thursday at the New York half-miler. Jimmy Devaux directed Country Duke A out of the outside eight post and had no problems as the pair cruised to a
[read more]

Youbet hits $1 billion
February 04, 2005
Youbet.com, the largest provider of online horse racing content in the U.S., has announced that it recently reached the $1 billion mark in online wagers. "Beginning with the 2002 racing season, we've tripled the amount we add to track pools annually," said Youbet CEO Charles F. Champion.
[read more]

New Hall of Famers
February 04, 2005
The pacer Beach Towel and the trotter CR Kay Suzie are the newest Hall of Famers. They will be inducted on Sunday, July 3, in Goshen, N.Y. Beach Towel was the 1990 Horse of the Year. A winner of $2.5 million, he was campaigned by owner Seth Rosenfeld and trained and driven by Ray Remmen. CR Ka
[read more]

Stonebridge Kisses wins
February 04, 2005
Stonebridge Kisses defeated the sport's top pacing mares for the third time in five starts when she won the $80,000 Ellamony Super Invitational over Artbitration Friday night at the Meadowlands. The time of the mile was 1:51.3. Stonebridge Kisses and her usual driver, Yannick Gingras, started fro
[read more]

Top mare coasts to win
February 03, 2005
Loyal Opposition coasted to an easy 1:54.2 victory in the $15,250 Filly & Mares Open Handicap Pace Wednesday night at Maywood Park. In rein to her regular driver Andy Miller, the winner of $1.8 million-plus scored her 31st victory in 54 career starts. "She was smooth leaving the gate and was very
[read more]

NJSEA's Garland retires
February 03, 2005
Bruce Garland, senior executive vice president for the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority (NJSEA), has announced his retirement after nearly 30 years in public service. He has been at the Meadowlands since 1991. Since his arrival at the Meadowlands, Garland has emphasized quality racing su
[read more]

Bill to close Ocean Downs
February 03, 2005
A bill will be filed this week in the Maryland legislature that calls for the closing of Ocean Downs racetrack, says a story in Wednesday's edition of the Ocean Pines (Md) Independent. Delegate Bennett Bozman will file the bill, which will lay the foundation for Ocean Downs owner Bill Rickman to
[read more]

Truth: Liar wins at Big M
February 03, 2005
Although Cunning Liar's 1:51.2 victory in a conditioned pace at the Meadowlands Wednesday night was nothing out of the extraordinary, what makes it unusual is that it was the 7 year old's first race anywhere away from Cal-Expo in California. And that's the truth. A son of Jenna's Beach Boy, Cunni
[read more]

Six for Manzi
February 02, 2005
What do five odds-on favorites and one 14-1 longshot equal up to? Six wins by driver Cat Manzi at Freehold Raceway Wednesday afternoon. Manzi, the leading driver at the New Jersey half-miler, swept both halves of the early double, scoring with Reynolds Hall ($4.40) and Three Good Fellows ($2.80).
[read more]

Monticello back on Wed.
February 02, 2005
Monticello Raceway will be back in action Wednesday afternoon after a transformer problem forced the New York track to cancel its Tuesday program. The transformer problem occured at about 10 a.m. Tuesday, leaving the racetrack powerless until 4:30 p.m.
[read more]

Tawny upsets at Dover
February 02, 2005
Fresh off a two-week layoff, Tawny captured the $23,000 Open Handicap Pace for mares at Dover Downs Tuesday, scoring at odds of 8-1. Driven and trained by Brad Hanners, Tawny brushed three wide down the backstretch, with favored Jett Away and driver Bret Brittingham trying to go even wider at the
[read more]

Presidential final at Big M
February 02, 2005
Presidential Series leg-two winner Life Source has drawn the rail for this Saturday's $108,600 final at the Meadowlands. The 8-year-old Life Sign gelding finished second in the opening round to Eaton Road Kill, and then after a week off when the New Jersey track canceled its Jan. 22 program due to a
[read more]

Charlie Mitchell dies
February 02, 2005
Charles "Charlie" Mitchell, who was known for his company which manufactures high-quality track maintenance harrows, died Tuesday night (Feb. 1) at Grady Memorial Hospital in his hometown of Delaware, Ohio. He was 77. Mitchell was also a long-time member of the Delaware (Ohio) County Fair Board a
[read more]

History of Pompano Park
February 01, 2005
Pompano Park Harness Track and Arcadia Publishing will debut its newest book on the history of the track this Friday, Feb. 5. In Images of America: Pompano Park Harness Track, award-winning historian Frank J. Cavaioli, Ph D, has researched Pompano Park's archival collection of original images an
[read more]

OHHA sues Windsor
February 01, 2005
The Ontario Harness Horse Association has launched a class action suit against Windsor Raceway, claiming $10 million in damages resulting from the Raceway's closure in early January 2005 and its failure to schedule 153 days of live racing, thereby breaching its agreement with the horsemen. In a r
[read more]

McIntosh appeals positive
February 01, 2005
Ontario-based trainer Doug McIntosh has received a six-month suspension from the Illinois Racing Commission after the filly trotter Strong Tea had a positive test after winning the $160,000 American-National final at Balmoral Park last November. McIntosh, who has never before had a positive test in
[read more]