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Bliss in Jersey Girls
March 31, 2005
Jim Morrill Jr. had quite a night at the Meadowlands Wednesday, capturing the $60,000 Jersey Girls final with Follow Your Bliss and following that up with a victory behind Art's Regard, his 3000th career win. Morrill directed Follow Your Bliss to a career-best 1:52 victory, besting runner-up Arto
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Real Desire on TV today
March 31, 2005
A documentary entitled "Harness Dreams," which features 2002 Horse of the Year Real Desire and his owners Blair and Karin Burgess, will premiere on RFD-TV at 4 and 10 p.m. today (March 31). The show is carried on Dish Network channel 9409 and DirecTV channel 379. The show also contains interviews wi
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Horseman dies in KY
March 31, 2005
Gregory Gaekle, 49, who was involved in harness racing since the early 1980s, died Tuesday night (March 29) in Lexington, Ky., after his pickup truck ran off of Newtown Pike and struck a fence and then a tree. The accident occurred about a half-mile from Ironworks Pike. Gaekle was training horses
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Top driver about ready
March 31, 2005
Jeff Gregory says he's "getting itchy" to climb back into the sulky after being forced to the sidelines when he suffered a broken hip in a race accident at Freehold Jan. 14. Gregory told The Horseman Thursday afternoon that he has a doctor's appointment scheduled for April 13 where he is hoping to r
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Spicegirl wannabe winner
March 30, 2005
Spicegirl Kosmos went from ninth to first to win Tuesday night's featured $14,000 final of the BJ's Treasure Series at The Meadows. Making up 10 lengths after sitting ninth at the half, Spicegirl Kosmos won in 1:59, besting runner-up Boopsie by 1 ¾ lengths. Sunbury Girl was third. "I'd driven so
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Ford trainees ones to beat
March 30, 2005
Whosurboy and Street Sign, who won their respective Spring Pacing Championship divisions last Saturday night at Woodbine, have drawn posts one and seven, respectively for this Saturday's second round. With nine entered into this leg only one $55,000(C) division was carded. Both opening-leg winner
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Handicapping with Gordon
March 30, 2005
I--Gordon Waterstone of The Horseman And Fair World--didn't expect to be at the Meadowlands for the Final Four in April, and I'm not talking about the Final Four stakes. I'm headed off to the Big M this weekend to participate in the inaugural National Harness Handicapping Championship on Saturday ni
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No news on Yonkers Trot
March 28, 2005
The pacing Triple Crown will be returning to the state of Delaware once again as Harrington Raceway will again host the Messenger Stakes on Monday, October 17. The race was originally scheduled to be run at Yonkers Raceway, but due to pending construction a change in venue was necessary. No announce
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Loyal Opposition wins final
March 26, 2005
Loyal Opposition signaled her intent to defend her 2004 Dan Patch Older Pacing Mare of the Year title with a waith a stakes record 1:49.4 victory in the $122,520 Overbid Series Final Friday night at the Meadowlands. Sent off as the even money favorite, Loyal Opposition brushed to the lead before
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Jenna's Choice takes final
March 26, 2005
Jenna's Choice surged off a three-wide move on the turn for home and scored a 3 1/4-length victory over 2-1 favorite Gryffindor in the $104,450 Matt's Scooter Series final Friday night at the Meadowlands. You Tell Gordy was third by 7 1/2 lengths. Jenna's Choice, driven by Brian Sears, paced the
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Putnam Romeo romps
March 26, 2005
Putnam Romeo lived up to his 1-5 backing and romped to a 6 ½-length victory in the $56,200 ( C ) final of the Apaches Fame Pacing Series Friday night at Woodbine. Ijustdontgiveacam was second followed by Home Run Hudson in third. Driver Mike Saftic eased Putnam Romeo away at the start, settling
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Mr Muscleman 2nd in qualy
March 26, 2005
Mack Lobell series winner Chucaro Ahijuna won a qualifier wire to wire Friday morning at the Meadowlands, defeating Mr. Muscleman by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:54.3. The 4-year-old mare Mystical Sunsine, winner of last year's Elegantimage and Matron stakes finals, was fifth in her first track appearance of
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Artbitration qualifies
March 26, 2005
Artbitration ended her one-month vacation with a wire-to-wire 1:57.2 romp in a qualifier Friday morning at The Meadows. Trainer and co-owner Norm Parker was in the bike as the 4-year-old daughter of Artiscape glided through fractions of :28.4, :59.4 and 1:28.4. Her last start was exactly a month
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Strada Memorial on April 9
March 26, 2005
The second annual Thomas Strada Memorial, a race to honor the memory of a victim of terrorism, will be contested on Saturday, April 9, at the Meadowlands. The invitational pace for free-for-all mares will carry a $100,000 guaranteed purse. The purse for the memorial race, organized by one of Th
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Maltese Artist wins final
March 26, 2005
Maltese Artist outgamed Town Champion down the stretch Saturday night at the Meadowlands to capture the $122,000 Four Leaf Clover Series final. With Ron Pierce driving, Maltese Artist won in a stakes-record 1:49.3, edging Town Champion by three-quarters of a length. Eric Ledford was in the bike b
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Open repeat for Life Source
March 26, 2005
Life Source won his secod straight Open Pace at the Meadowlands Saturday night, scoring in 1:49.4 to defeat Eaton Road Kill and Cunning Liar Driven by George Brennan, the 6-year-old Life Sign gelding Life Source won for the fourth time in 10 starts this year, increasing his career earnings to $1,
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Ford sweep in Spring Series
March 26, 2005
Whosurboy went from last to first down the long Woodbine stretch Saturday night to win the first of two first-round $55,000(C) Spring Pacing Championship divisions. In the second division, Street Sign sprung a 12-1 upset as 3-5 choice Quik Pulse Mindale tired after leading into the stretch, giving t
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First time Salix a charm?
March 25, 2005
Natural Cam, a 5-year-old gelded son of Cam's Card Shark racing on Salix (previously known as Lasix) for the first time, dropped his lifetime mark by almost five seconds when he won in 1:51.3 at the Meadowlands Thursday night. His winning margin was 6 1/2 lengths. Trainer Vincent Fusco Jr. was se
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Status quo for PPk purses
March 25, 2005
Pompano Park management announced Thursday that it would continue with the current purse structure throughout the summer racing season. "We are winding up a successful winter racing season, both on the track and at the ballot box, and are confident we can maintain current purse levels pending pas
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Gritty mare to be bred
March 25, 2005
Artistic Vision, the gritty performer who is the only mare to ever sweep the finals of the White Ruffles, Jersey Girls and Night Styles Series at the Meadowlands, has been retired and is now at Hunterton Farm at Stoner Creek to be bred to Western Hanover. The 7-year-old Artistic Vision retires wi
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Ohio gambling meeting
March 25, 2005
Top gambling supporters from across the state walked out of a three-hour meeting Thursday unified in their desire to get an expanded gambling measure on the ballot. Members of the racing community were also at the meeting. "I'm optimistic because everybody was committed to sticking together and b
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Another disease outbreak
March 24, 2005
Thoroughbred racing is dealing with an outbreak of strangles, a usually non-deadly but highly infectious disease, at two training centers and possibly a farm. The first outbreak was discovered at the old Louisville Downs, which is now the Trackside training center for Churchill Downs. Horses trai
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Dube sweeps Jersey Girls
March 24, 2005
Driver Daniel Dube swept both $20,000 divisions of the second round of the Jersey Girls Series on a snowy Wednesday night at the Meadowlands. His winners were Gorgeous Lover and Follow Your Bliss. Gorgeous Lover held off 1-5 favorite Queen OTRA for a 1 1/4-length victory in 1:54.2 in the first
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Equine ID moving forward
March 24, 2005
Congressman Collin Peterson (D-Minnesota) has introduced the first of what is expected to be many bills calling for the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to institute a National Animal Identification System (NAIS) to address animal health emergencies caused by either the accidental introduction of
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HOY wins 2nd qualifier
March 24, 2005
Rainbow Blue won her second consecutive qualifier Thursday morning at Dover Downs, winning easily in 1:54.3 with Jim Morand driving. Taking the lead into the first turn, the 2004 Horse of the Year set fractions of :27.3, :57.3 and 1:26 before coming home in :28.3. "She's right on schedule," train
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Qualifiers at Indiana fair
March 24, 2005
To spark interest and awareness of harness racing in the state of Indiana, which kicks off its 2005 season on April 2 at Hoosier Park, a special set of qualifiers will be held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Saturday, April 2. The session will take the place of the qualifiers normally held at Hoosi
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Balmoral cancels after 7
March 23, 2005
Balmoral Park was able to get seven races in before cancelling the remainder of its card due to unsafe track conditions. A mixture of freezing rain and sleet pelted the track just after the start of the 11-race program. Earlier, a 20-minute power outage in the area delayed the program. Despite t
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Crossfire N repeats
March 23, 2005
Crossfire N captured her second straight $27,000 Open Handicap Pace for mares at Dover Downs, winning on Tuesday night in 1:52 for driver Mike Cole. Just as she did last week, Crossfire N raced from the back of the pack and last season's Horse of the Meet responded with a strong come-from-behind
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Track mark at Meadows
March 23, 2005
Durgin Hanover, a 4-year-old gelded son of Lindy Lane who had an encounter with a deer just one week earlier, set a track record of 1:55.2 at The Meadows Tuesday night, holding off the late rush of Rose Time. Durgin Hanover, who has the distinction of being placed from third to out of the money i
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Shark bites horse
March 23, 2005
Australian Associated Press has reported that a Standardbred who was being exercised in the Brisbane River by his trainer was bitten and then dragged underwater by a bull shark. The date of the incident was not given but according to trainer Alan Treadwell, the 6-year-old gelding Glen-burns Arm s
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Daley questions answered
March 23, 2005
The Horseman has received questions regarding the horse Night Mystery testing high for TCO2 following a three-day quarantine period requested by trainer Noel Daley after the horse had a positive test after winning at the Meadowlands Feb. 25. The primary question was if a trainer receives advance
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1,000 wins for Chupp
March 22, 2005
Driver Del Chupp scored his 1,000th career victory on Monday night when he won the $10,000 Newcomer Series Final with the horse Nasty Nicky in 1:56.3 at Maywood Park. "I'm glad it came here because this is the track where I've had most of my 1,000 wins," Chupp said in the winner's circle. "I've a
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Georgia Pacific qualifies
March 22, 2005
Georgia Pacific, owned by Randy Bendis, Susan Castelli, John Campbell and William Varney, returned for his 4-year-old campaign with an impressive 1:55.3 open-length victory in a qualifier at The Meadows Tuesday morning. Having not raced since his victory on Dec. 6, 2004, in the Matron Stakes at D
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Ky. drug council meets
March 22, 2005
The Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council met at The Red Mile clubhouse in Lexington Tuesday afternoon to further discuss proposed race-day medication policies for the Bluegrass state. There was no vote on proposed fines and suspensions for drug and milk shaking offenses as council chairwoman Connie
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Dink Adoo in Su Mac Lad
March 21, 2005
Dink Adoo extended his winning streak to 10 with a 1 1/4-length victory in a $50,000 first-leg divisions of the Su Mac Lad Series Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands. Dink Adoo is a perfect six-for-six in 2005 and has not lost a race since August 21, 2004, when he finished second in a deadheat at
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Gural, Scott reach deal
March 21, 2005
According to a story in the Oneida (N.Y.) Daily Dispatch, Jeff Gural and Shawn Scott are close to reaching an agreement to help bring Vernon Downs' parent company of Mid-State Raceway out of bankruptcy. The story quotes Gural as saying, "We had some discussions and I'm hopeful we'll be able to reach
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War Paint wins qualifier
March 21, 2005
War Paint made his first racetrack appearance since last November a winning one, capturing a qualifier Monday morning easily in 1:58 over a "sloppy" Mohawk racetrack. Paul MacDonell drove the 6-year-old son of Malabar Man for trainer Dave Tingley, drawing clear to a five-length victory over Will Sik
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It's Not Luck wins at 75-1
March 20, 2005
It was luck that allowed 75-1 It's Not Luck to win the the first of two $25,000 second round divisions of the Four Leaf Clover Series Saturday night at the Meadowlands. The trip worked out perfect," said trainer-driver Patrick Lachance. "We had a nice fast half (54 seconds). I had a two-hole tri
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Life Source in 1:49 Open
March 20, 2005
Life Source caught Eaton Road Kill for a length victory and a 1:49 victory in the $42,500 Open Pace. Cunning Liar was third by two lengths. The 1:49 mile equaled the fastest ever for the month of March, which was set by Sagebrush last Saturday night, March 12. Life Source, driven by George B
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Galantine wins Cam Fella
March 20, 2005
Galantine Hanover made his move to the front at the mid-point of the $126,000 ( C ) Cam Fella Pacing Series final and went on to score a 1:52.1 victory at Woodbine Saturday night. Driven by Mike Saftic, the 4-year-old Grinfromeartoear stallion took the lead from Great Expense shortly after the :5
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Quik Pulse Mindale scores
March 20, 2005
Quik Pulse Mindale uncorked a :25.3 final quarter and captured his season debut with a 1:51.2 mile in the Free For All Handicap Pace at Balmoral Park Saturday night. Big Sham (Andy Miller), who finished third in the mile, took the field to the opening quarter in :28.3, then relinquished the lead
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New USTA exec ok'd
March 19, 2005
The board of directors of the U.S. Trotting Association convened their annual meeting in Columbus Saturday and in the opening general session approved Eric Sharbaugh as the association's new executive vice president. Sharbaugh replaces Fred J. Noe, who retires effective March 31. Sharbaugh, a nat
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Gregory will return soon
March 19, 2005
Catch-driver Jeff Gregory was in attendance at the U.S.Trotting Association's annual meeting. Gregory, a director from New Jersey, made the meeting his first big road trip since breaking his hip in a racing accident. Wearing a suit and a yellow tie, Gregory was walking around at the USTA meeting
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McDermott's luck of Irish
March 18, 2005
Police officer-turned trainer John McDermott had all the luck of the Irish Thursday afternoon at Monticello Raceway as he directed Trotting Rabbit to a 4 ½-length victory in the St. Paddy Pace. Although Trotting Rabbit had won his last three races on the front end, McDermott elected to come from
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Maywood offers reward
March 18, 2005
A $10,000 reward has been offered by Maywood Park for information leading to the arrest of the two gunmen who robbed the racetrack March 2 and the return of the undisclosed amount of cash. According to the Cook County sheriff's statement, the two men confronted a security guard at about 8 a.m. sh
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VLT differences in Md.
March 18, 2005
Maryland's state Senate voted Thursday to send its slot machine bill to the House of Delegates, amending the state House bill to be an exact copy of the bill it passed earlier this year. The Senate bill will allow up to 15,500 in seven locations, including racetracks. The House bill calls for 9,500
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Elsu wins Interdominion
March 18, 2005
Elsu became New Zealand's first $2 million pacer when he won the $750,000 Interdominion final Thursday night at Alexandra Park. The win comes one week after Elsu's trainer, Geoff Small, reportedly fell asleep while transporting the horse back to his farm after the Interdominion eliminations. Smal
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Loyal Opposition repeats
March 18, 2005
Repeating her winning effort in last week's opening round of the Overbid Series at the Meadowlands, Loyal Opposition captured Friday night's $50,000 second leg after receiving a perfect trip from driver George Brennan. Brennan sat the pocket with Loyal Opposition as Burning Point and Ascending ba
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Matt's Scooter winners
March 18, 2005
Gryffindor and You Tell Gordy won their respective $16,000 divisions of the second leg of the Matt's Scooter Series Friday night at the Meadowlands. Gryffindor was clocked in 1:52.1 while You Tell Gordy scored in 1:53.1. Eric Ledford directed Gryffindor to the victory, edging Jo Pa's Shark (David
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BC danced at Cal Expo
March 17, 2005
Boston College is hoping that it dances well into this year's NCAA basketball tournament--The Big Dance--and that BC's Never Dance's victory at Cal Expo Wednesday night wasn't an omen of things to come. BC (Boston College) hasn't made it past the second round of the Big Dance its past five tries
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Jersey Girls begins
March 17, 2005
Artoonist and Follow Your Bliss won their respective $20,000 divisions of the opening leg of the Jersey Girls Series Wednesday night at the Meadowlands. Artoonist was an upset winner at odds of 12-1 while Follow Your Bliss scored at odds of 3-1. Artoonist was driven by Cat Manzi for trainer Peter
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Quik Pulse returns
March 17, 2005
Quik Pulse Mindale, 2004's fastest 3-year-old pacer with a 1:48 victory at Balmoral Park, a time that equaled the world record for his division, makes his first start of the year Saturday night in a $20,750 Free-For-All Pace at Balmoral Park. Tony Morgan will drive the 4-year-old son of Jenna's B
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No problems for HOY
March 17, 2005
Rainbow Blue easily won her qualifier Thursday morning at Dover Downs, her first racetrack appearance as defending Horse of the Year. The 4-year-old mare was clocked in 1:57.1 as she drew clear of the competition to win by open lengths. Trainer and co-owner George Teague Jr. admitted to The Horse
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Amour Angus back in foal
March 17, 2005
Walnut Hall Ltd. reports that its standout broodmare, Amour Angus, has been pronounced in foal to world champion Tom Ridge 3, 1:50.2. The 18-year-old daughter of Magna Force did not have a 2005 foal. Amour Angus has been one of the most prolific broodmares in the history of the sport, producing
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VLT progress in NY
March 17, 2005
The New York State Senate passed two important bills on Thursday, March 17, that are intended to correct the current video lottery terminal (VLT) legislation and make installation of the machines viable at all racetracks. The current VLT legislation was passed in 2003, but to date only four of t
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Crossfire N wins Open
March 16, 2005
Crossfire N won Tuesday's $27,000 Open Handicap Pace for mares at Dover Downs, scoring a 1:51.3 decision, the second fastest mile of the meet. Driven by Mike Cole, Crossfire N was sent three wide at the three-quarters, overtaking eventual runner-up Clock Watcher. Cams Little Imp N finished third.
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2004 HOY to qualify
March 16, 2005
Horse of the Year Rainbow Blue will make her 2005 debut Thursday morning as the 4-year-old pacing mare has been entered to qualify at Dover Downs by trainer and co-owner George Teague Jr. "I've trained her in 2:00 and in 1:59 at home at Harrington Raceway, with good (back) halves in :56," Teague
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Blissed Out set for '05
March 16, 2005
Blissed Out, who joined the top level in last year's 3-year-old pacing colt class when he won a Simcoe Stakes in 1:48.4, is set to make his 2005 debut Saturday night at Woodbine in the Preferred Pace. Now trained by Bill Elliott, Blissed Out finished second in a qualifier at Mohawk on March 11, p
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Daley's court postponed
March 16, 2005
Trainer Noel Daley's scheduled court appearance in New Jersey for today (March 16) has reportedly been postponed to April 6. Daley's barn at Magical Acres in Chesterfield, N.J. was raided by New Jersey State Police March 2, who allegedly found hypodermic syringes and needles and prescription drugs
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Positive quarantine test
March 15, 2005
Night Mystery, the Noel-Daley trained horse who had an elevated TCO2 test following a win at the Meadowlands Feb. 25, has tested high once again following a three-day quarantine period March 8-10. "(Night Mystery) went into the quarantine and the results came out as a high reading," New Jersey Ra
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Mohammed Mali wins 7th
March 13, 2005
Mohammed Mali extended his winning streak to seven when he held on for a nose victory over Hurri Kane Billy G in 1:54.1 in the $99,300 Horse & Groom Final Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands. Mohammed Mali is a 5-year-old gelded son of Malabar Man and is a half brother to Hambletonian champion Sc
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Gallo Blue Chip retired
March 13, 2005
Gallo Blue Chip, the richest pacer of all-time with earnings of $4,260,959, is hanging up his harness. Trainer Mark Ford and owner Martin Scharf made the decision after the 8-year-old gelding finished seventh in a non-winners of $10,000 condition pace on Saturday at Freehold. "I want it to be kno
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Four Leaf Clover underway
March 12, 2005
JK Royal Flush and Town Champion each won a $25,000 division of the first round of the Four Leaf Clover Series on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. JK Royal Flush scored in 1:50.2 while Town Champion hit the wire in 1:51. JK Royal Flush was driven by Yannick Gingras and is trained by Virgil Morg
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Two wins for Bowie
March 12, 2005
Former University of Kentucky basketball star Sam Bowie enjoyed two wins on Saturday night, and both were hard-earned. First, Bowie was in Atlanta to watch his alma mater beat LSU in overtime in the SEC tournament. A little later on Saturday night, Bowie's horse Boo's Boy endured a first-over trip t
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Big M reschedules qualies
March 11, 2005
Due to the forecast of rain and snow, this week's qualifiers at the Meadowlands have been shifted to Saturday, March 12. The first of 10 qualifiers is scheduled for 10 a.m.
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Bottom line tops at MEC
March 11, 2005
Establishing a stronger balance sheet is the first priority right now for Magna Entertainment Corp. (MEC), according to its newly appointed CEO Thomas Hodgson. Hodgson, who participated in a conference call with MEC officials, analysts and media Thursday, March 10, said that while MEC had an "imp
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The Meadows lifts quarantine
March 11, 2005
The Meadows has lifted its quarantine on 30 horses that were required to remain in their stalls for 21 days due to an isolated case of Equine Herpes. "I'd like to thank the Pennsylvania State Harness Racing Commission, the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, and the horsemen in dealing with
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Rate idea floated
March 11, 2005
The 2005 joint annual meeting of Harness Tracks of America/Thoroughbred Racing Associations wrapped up Friday morning, March 11, in Indian Wells, Calif. The 4-hour session was highlighted by a lively exchange about the role of the racetrack fan between Richard Shapiro of the California Horse Racing
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Close finishes at Big M
March 11, 2005
Of the first seven races at the Meadowlands Friday night, all but two, including the Overbid leg, resulted in close finishes. The margin in the first race was a neck, the winner of the third scored by a nose, and the foruth, sixth and seventh races were also determined by a mere neck.
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Loyal Opposition wins
March 11, 2005
After finishing up the track in the Cape & Cutter final, 2004 Older Pacing Mare of the Year Loyal Opposition rebounded with a victory in the opening round of the Overbid Series, scoring by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:51.3 at the Meadowlands Friday night. Loyal Opposition found room up the pylons to take t
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Racing & tennis mix
March 10, 2005
Reigning Wimbledon champ Maria Sharapova is being exposed to racing this week as she is just one of several tennis stars also staying at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort and Spa in Indian Wells, Calif., the scene of the HTA/TRA annual meeting set to get underway Thursday morning. Sitting alongsid
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Wilma Hall wins final
March 10, 2005
Wilma Hall rallied from mid-pack and got up in the final strides to win the $60,000 Night Styles Series Final for pacing mares Wednesday night at the Meadowlands. Wilma Hall, a 4-year-old daughter of Blissfull Hall, paced the mile in 1:53.2, picking up her second win with four seconds and a third
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Clint Warrington Sr. passes
March 10, 2005
Longtime harness trainer and driver Clint Warrington Sr. passed away Monday, March 7, at his home in Allentown, N.J. He was 67. Born in Milton, Del., Warrington relocated to New Jersey in the late 1950s to drive horses at Freehold Raceway and other area racetracks. Warrington later went to work
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Pa. Court hears complaint
March 10, 2005
Opponents of Pennsylvania's gambling law that would allow 61,000 slot machines at seven racetracks in the state argued before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Wednesday that the law is "constitutionally suspect." According to a story in the Philadelphia Inquirer, the lawyers for Pennsylvanians Agai
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Slots dead in Indiana
March 10, 2005
Any chance of a slots bill passing in Indiana has apparently died as a result of the revelation that an Indiana state senator has connections to Centaur, a part owner of Hoosier Park. The Indianapolis Star made the revelation in a story last week, reporting that Sen. Jeff Drozda, R-Westfield, was
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Integrity discussed again
March 10, 2005
The 2005 Harness Tracks of America/Thoroughbred Racing Associations joint annual meeting began Thursday morning in Indian Wells, Calif., and after welcoming remarks made by TRA president Joe Harper and HTA president Jeff Smith, four women with high-ranking positions in the racing industry told the g
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Slots coming to Pompano
March 09, 2005
According to reports in South Florida newspapers, slots at the county's racetracks have been approved by Broward County voters. But Miami-Dade voters narrowly rejected the proposal in voting on Tuesday. According to reports, the split decision cuts almost in half the $438 million in new tax reven
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Life Sign sweeps Jug poll
March 09, 2005
Life Sign, the 1993 Little Brown Jug winner, was chosen as the fans' all-time favorite and his dramatic win over Riyadh and Presidential Ball was voted as the favorite race in the 59-year history of the Delaware, Ohio Classic. Life Sign edged 1980 Jug winner Niatross by 19 votes as the fans' a
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Purse increase for KYSS
March 09, 2005
Thanks to legislation approved by the Kentucky legislature on Tuesday, purses for Kentucky Sire Stakes finals will double in 2006 from 2004 and 2005 levels, jumping from approximately $100,000 to $250,000. Both chambers of the Kentucky General Assembly approved Gov. Ernie Fletcher's budget and ta
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Millionaire Magician retired
March 09, 2005
Magician, the 2000 Older Trotter of the Year and the all-time leading money-winner at the Meadowlands, has been retired. The 10-year-old bay gelding will lead post parade and be feted in the Meadowlands winner's circle on Sunday, April 10, the day of the Su Mac Lad Final, a stakes which he won three
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Earl Laviana dies
March 09, 2005
Earl Laviana, who campaigned the great gray pacer Laag along with world champion Trim The Tree, died March 8 in Pompano Beach, Fla., after a short illness. He was 91. Laviana raced his horses in partnership with his wife, Geraldine, under the banner of Hubbardton Farms. A memorial Mass was sch
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Daguet Rapide ready
March 08, 2005
The Jean-Pierre Dubois champion Daguet Rapide, a son of Pine Chip, will make his season's debut in France at the Laval track on March 16. The $1.8 million winner will race in the Grand Prix du Conseil Général de la Mayenne, which is an international event. As a 4 year old Daguet Rapide was the
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Sears hits 5,000 mark
March 08, 2005
Brian Sears, 37, became the 49th driver in harness racing history to win 5,000 win races when he scored with Thomas Thomas Monday night at Dover Downs. Sears used the passing lane to drive Juliana Swinford and Wendy Crissman's Thomas Thomas to a 1:53.3 victory in a $25,000 claiming race. Earlier
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More $ for Bobnoxious
March 08, 2005
It's getting to be a habit for Bobnoxious. For the seventh time at the current Dover Downs meet, the 5-year-old pacer has picked up the biggest paycheck in the Preferred Handicap. This time he turned in a 1:51.1 victory in a $35,000 event on Monday, bringing his season bankroll to $106,300. On a
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New CEO at Magna
March 08, 2005
Just two weeks after Magna Entertainment Corp. announced a loss of $95.6 million for its 2004 fiscal year, the racetrack owner has announced that it has a new chief executive officer. Thomas W. Hodgson has been appointed CEO, replacing Jim McAlpine. A Magna press release said McAlpine has been ap
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Snowstorm hits New Jersey
March 08, 2005
A sudden snowstorm which pummeled sections of the northeast forced the cancellation of the final six races on the 10-race card of live racing at Freehold Raceway today. The late afternoon and evening simulcasting schedules were scrapped as well. Freehold will resume live racing Wednesday after
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Early returns in Florida
March 08, 2005
According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel newspaper web site, early returns showed Broward County voters approving slot machines at the county's pari-mutuel facilities. With 621 of 810 Broward precincts reporting, 75,396 votes, or 56 percent, were cast in support of the plan to permit Las Vegas-st
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Mohammed Mali wins again
March 06, 2005
Mohammed Mali extended his winning streak to six with a 1 1/2-length victory in the first of three $20,000 divisions of the Horse & Groom Series Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands. Mohammed Mali, driven by David Miller and trained by Mark Harder, trotted the mile in 1:55.2 and improved his 2004
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Vaccination proof needed
March 06, 2005
The Meadowlands, on the recommendation of the Department of Agriculture, will now require that all horses competing at the track have proof of vaccination for equine herpes virus. Written verification of vaccination within the last six months from a licensed and accredited veterinarian will have to
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Art's Cam keeps rolling
March 05, 2005
There's no stopping Art's Cam. The 5-year-old Artsplace gelding went wire to wire in scoring his sixth straight victory with a 1:50.1 mile in the $47,500 Open Pace at the Meadowlands Saturday night. Daniel Dube had Art's Cam flying from post eight right from the start. The Chris Oakes trainee had
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Kisses wins Big M Open
March 05, 2005
Stonebridge Kisses edged Feathery Fame at the wire to win Friday night's featured $42,500 Open Pace for mares at the Meadowlands. Driven by Yannick Gingras, Stonebridge Kisses equaled her career best with the 1:51.3 winning effort. A 5-year-old daughter of Artiscape, Stonebridge Kisses is trained
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Live Out Loud Rallies
March 05, 2005
Live Out Loud scored his fourth victory in a row with a lifetime best 1:49.4 mile in the $35,500 Open Pace for 4 year olds at the Meadowlands Saturday night. Trainer Patrick Lachance was in the bike as the 4-year-old Art's Conquest gelding, fresh off his sweep of the Aquarius Series, uncharacteri
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Cam Fella Series opens
March 05, 2005
Great Expense and Crombes Last Laugh captured their respective $35,000 ( C ) divisions in the opening leg of the Cam Fella Pacing Series for 4 year olds at Woodbine Saturday night. Great Expense and Mark MacDonald sat a pocket trip behind Ponder and Jack Moiseyev before tipping in the lane and go
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Windsor asks for vote
March 05, 2005
Windsor Raceway, on the advice of the Ontario Racing Commission, is seeking approval from all parties who nominated their horses to this year's Provincial Cup to move the race from May 29 to Dec. 18. The letter asks the addressees to respond by March 14. Failure to return the letter will be consi
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Pa. Gaming Board meets
March 04, 2005
According to a timetable released Thursday by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, racetracks in that state could be issued slot machine licenses by December. It would then likely take another year before the slot areas are open at the tracks. By law, licenses must first be issued to slot machi
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Tracy approved at Vernon
March 04, 2005
Edward Tracy was formally approved in bankruptcy court Thursday as the new chief executive officer of Mid-State Raceway, the parent company of Vernon Downs. The New York State Racing and Wagering Board must now approve a temporary license for the former Trump casino executive before he can assume hi
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Night Mystery tests high
March 04, 2005
The Meadowlands's leading trainer Noel Daley was arrested by the New Jersey State Police after a search conducted on Wednesday afternoon found prescription label drugs, in which Daley did not have prescriptions for, unidentified injectable substances, hypodermic syringes and needles. The search w
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Jug offers future wagering
March 03, 2005
For the second year in a row, there will be future wagering on the Little Brown Jug. There will be three early betting sessions available on the race that will be held at the Delaware, Ohio County Fairgrounds on Sept. 22, with 23 individual horses listed and one "all others" entry. Unlike last year,
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Maywood Park robbed
March 03, 2005
Maywood Park was robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash Wednesday morning by two armed gunmen. The robbers struck at about 8 a.m. shortly after money was dropped off at the track by an armored truck, according to a spokeswoman for the Cook County sheriff's office. According to Thursday's Chicago
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Prov. Cup must go May 29
March 03, 2005
The Ontario Racing Commission has ruled that Windsor Raceway must hold the Provincial Cup on its scheduled date of May 29. Last week the track announced it was postponing the race until an undetermined date in the fall. According to the ORC, the track would be in violation of a rule of racing tha
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No surprises in 2nd round
March 03, 2005
Theresa Hall and Smashingpringipisa captured their respective $16,000 divisions of the second leg of the Night Style Series at the Meadowlands Wednesday night. Both mares had also won their divisions in last week's opening round. Trained by George Anthony and driven by John Campbell, the Joel Tob
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Slots at Windsor up
March 03, 2005
A story in the Windsor Star stated that third-quarter revenue from the slot machines at Windsor Raceway last year was $17 million, an increase from $16.3 million the same period the previous year. The average number of daily patrons was 2,883 compared to 2,606 in 2003. The increase in business at
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68 nominated to stake
March 02, 2005
The Red Mile's race secretary Nick Salvi has told The Horseman the inaugural $225,000 (est.) Moni Maker for 3-year-old filly trotters scheduled for September has drawn 68 nominations, including the winners of virtually every headline stake in 2004. Among the nominees to the Moni Maker, which will
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Kinseys admit guilt
March 02, 2005
Delaware horsemen Robert Kinsey Sr. and his son, Robert Jr., pleaded guilty in Common Pleas Court Tuesday to animal cruelty charges. The elder Kinsey admitted he beat a horse onthe head and face with a shovel after it kicked his wife, Louise, on the leg last June. The younger Kinsey admitted he punc
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Tawny no kitten in Open
March 02, 2005
Tawny got up in the final strides Tuesday to win the featured $25,000 Open Handicap Pace for mares at Dover Downs, crossing the wire in 1:53.1 for trainer-driver Brad Hanners. The Skip Miller-owned Tawny got away fifth in the field of five, with Hanners pulling his charge to the outside behind co
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Northville back in action
March 02, 2005
Northville Downs was back in action Tuesday night and it was a 3-year-old trotting filly named Virginia In Action that won the first race contested over the half-miler since Feb. 5. The Michigan track had been shut down for live racing since due to an outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) and the en
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Codey wants Big M VLTs
March 02, 2005
Although he never specifically mentioned video lottery terminals (VLTs) in his 2006 New Jersey budget address Tuesday, New Jersey's Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey has included $150 million in revenue to be brought in by the addition of the machines at the Meadowlands. Codey is reportedly hoping to
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Haws named USTA director
March 02, 2005
Jerry Haws, the president and sales manager of the Blooded Horse Sales Company, has been appointed to the U.S. Trotting Association Board of Directors by the membership directors in USTA District 6-B, which is comprised of states in the southeast United States, except Florida. Haws will take the
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Hambo champ retires
March 01, 2005
Scarlet Knight, the son of Pine Chip who returned to the United States as a 3 year old and won the 2001 Hambletonian, the first horse to return from abroad to win a major stake, has been retired by trainer and owner Stefan Melander. A $17,000 yearling purchase by Melander, Scarlet Knight went on
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AA Theory to Indiana
March 01, 2005
Meadowlands Pace winner Allamerican Theory has been retired and will head to stallion duty at Schwartz Boarding Farm in Indiana. The 5-year-old son of Jenna's Beach Boy made his final start Feb. 23 at the Meadowlands. "He was one of the most hard-luck horses that has ever been around," trainer De
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Ky Senate passes tax plan
March 01, 2005
The Kentucky State Senate passed Gov. Ernie Fletcher's tax modernization bill by a vote of 37-0 late Monday night. The bill includes two horse industry provisions, one of which would direct tax money to breed incentive programs. The bill will now go into Conference Committee where disagreements o
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Announcer Miller dies
March 01, 2005
George Miller, the announcer at Saratoga Harness Raceway for 24 years from 1958 through 1981, died Friday, Feb. 25, at the age of 89. Mr. Miller joined the publicity department at Saratoga in 1947, later becoming the announcer at Vernon Downs in 1995, when he called Adios Harry's world-record 1:5
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