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Wednesday DD wrap-up
November 30, 2006
Tony Morgan and Dyno Trevor made good use of the passing lane to get up in the closing strides to win the $24,000 Open trot on Wednesday at Dover Downs, while Sullivan Blue Chip, off at 5-1, took the $21,000 sub-feature Junior Open Trot. In the feature, Self Professed with Brad Hanners driving go
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Muscular upsets in Fla.
November 30, 2006
Muscular ($73.80), a 35-1 longshot, closed with a burst of speed in mid stretch to upset the field in capturing the $10,000 Open Handicap Trot at Pompano Park Wednesday. Owned, trained and driven to victory by Dave Mercer, Muscular posted his ninth win of the year with a 1:56.2 triumph over Muscle B
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Entries still being accepted
November 30, 2006
Entries for the 2007 In Training Sale featuring 2 year olds in training, scheduled for Jan. 28 at the South Florida Training Center, will be closing soon for the main catalog. You can view a partial roster, with consignor and trainer listed along with the entries, at www.gardenstatesales.com. Cli
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This 2FT is over the barrel
November 30, 2006
After years working with barrel racers, Lori Castanuovo is making a name for herself with a bargain-priced trotter as she will send out Undercover Lover in the $410,000 Goldsmith Maid for 2-year-old filly trotters on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. Castranuovo purchased the Tagliabue-Go Underc
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Touched for the 1st time
November 30, 2006
After back-to-back races in which he was interfered, Always A Virgin found a true and unfettered trip to the winner’s circle last week and will attempt to repeat his success in the $450,000 Governor’s Cup on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. “This horse is very special,” said trainer Josh Green.
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Bittersweet race for Thomas
November 30, 2006
The sad truth is that even if Fielders Choice wins the $51,250 Charles Singer Memorial on Friday night at the Meadowlands, something will be missing as trainer Kevin Thomas owns the 3-year-old trotting colt in partnership with Lyle Anderson’s River Ridge Farm of Ottawa, Ontario. On Aug. 27, Anderson
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Pa. funds held til 2007
November 30, 2006
Since the Pennsylvania Standardbred Breeders Development Fund would be receiving slot revenue from just one source, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, and that source for only the last six weeks of the year, the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission has decided to retain the 2006 funds earmarked for the
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2007 Ohio dates awarded
November 30, 2006
The Ohio State Racing Commission Thursday issued 850 live racing dates for 2007, with 476 live harness racing programs to be offered. Formal approval of all date requests—live and simulcast—for next year will be taken up when the commission meets in Columbus on Dec. 15. In addition to the harnes
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A win through Litigation
November 29, 2006
Heavy favorite Litigator made it look effortless as he trotting to a 3 1/4-length triumph in the final Illinois Standardbred Owners and Breeders Association Stake of 2006 at Balmoral Park Tuesday night. Just six lined up behind the gate but all five could do was chase Litigator across the wire in 1:
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Tuesday DD wrap-up
November 29, 2006
Poppy Lustre N made it to the winner's circle after a four-wide drive down the stretch to post a 1:52 victory in the $24,000 Filly and Mare Open Pace Tuesday at Dover Downs. Tim Tetrick won four races, Ross Wolfenden and Brad Hanners drove three winners each, and Tony Morgan had a double. As
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Wide-open trot at PPK
November 29, 2006
With the morning line favorite selected to pay $7 to win, you know it’s a wide-open race and that is what Pompano Park is hosting Wednesday in the 8th race $10,000 Open Handicap trotting feature. The 5-2 favorite is Guy Gets Girl from post five for driver Bruce Ranger. The 7-year-old gelding by K
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Santa Claus comes to Wdb
November 29, 2006
Keeping the momentum behind what is quickly becoming a tradition among the Woodbine drivers' colony, top Canadian reinsmen Chris Christoforou, Luc Ouellette, Rick Zeron, Jody Jamieson and Mark MacDonald are all donating their five-percent commissions from selected race dates to the Jim Proudfoot Cor
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Last 2 at Wdb fogged out
November 29, 2006
Fog, which earlier in the day Tuesday forced the cancellation of qualifiers at Mohawk after just one race, also prompted the cancellation of the last two races at Woodbine Tuesday night. The fog began to build through the night and there was a short delay after the eighth race in the hopes of it
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Smith honored at Plainridge
November 29, 2006
Loyalty was rewarded Tuesday at Plainridge Racecourse as the curtain came down on the 2006 season as trainer-driver Cathy Smith, who trucked a couple of horses some 300 miles round-trip from her home in Shapleigh, Maine to Plainridge each week, was awarded the track's President's Award by COO Gary T
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Table games in Pa.?
November 29, 2006
Having slot machines at racetracks in Pennsylvania is still in its infant stage but already there is talk a bill is being drafted to add poker, blackjack and other table games, turning the slots parlors into full-blown casinos. Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs opened its slots-only parlor just about two
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Rich final four on tap
November 29, 2006
Harness racing's top 2 year olds will have their last chance to stamp themselves as contenders for end-of-year awards in the $1.7 million Fall Final Four on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. The Fall Final Four includes the $410,000 Goldsmith Maid for trotting fillies (race two), $432,700 Valley
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McKee calls at Dover
November 29, 2006
Yes, that voice you heard calling the race card at Dover Downs Tuesday night was Meadowlands announcer Sam McKee, who was filling in for Dover's stalwart race-caller Jack Gallagher. McKee told harnessracing.com Wednesday that he learned it was the first day of work Gallagher has missed in 27 years o
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14-year stint to end
November 29, 2006
A story in Wednesday’s Asbury Park Press has confirmed Meadowlands’ vice president of racing operations Chris McErlean will be leaving that track in the next few weeks after being one of several persons taking a buyout offered by the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority. Dennis Dowd, senior e
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Caviart Sydney retired
November 29, 2006
The 3-year-old pacing filly Caviart Sydney has been retired from racing and is on her way to the breeding barn, according to her owners, Buck and Judy Chaffee of Caviart Farms. She will be bred to Rocknroll Hanover in 2007. “Retiring Sydney was a hard decision because she just kept racing stronge
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Records set in Classics
November 28, 2006
Western Ace, not stablemate Total Truth, won the $213,845 Matron Three-Year-Old Colt Pace; Boulder Creek set a world record, Mystical Sunshine remains unbeaten racing at Dover Downs, Vivid Photo became a $2-million winner, and Marnie Hall pulled a mild surprise to help make it a night to remember fo
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Minn. track delayed til 2008
November 28, 2006
The planned opening next year of new harness racetrack in Minnesota has been delayed until 2008 after the Army Corps of Engineers refused to grant approval for the groundbreaking due to concerns about preserving artifacts from an early Indian village at the site. The $50 million track is slated t
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Billings adds Bronze, Brass
November 28, 2006
Talk about splash finishes; how about the plans for the final events of the 25th Anniversary Season of the CKG Billings Amateur Driving Series which will be showcased on Friday night at the Meadowlands? Peter Gerry, the president of the Delvin Miller Amateur Drivers Association which sponsors the Bi
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Fog cancels Moh qualifiers
November 28, 2006
Heavy fog at Mohawk Racetrack Tuesday morning forced the cancellation of qualifiers after just one race was held. The drivers took a vote after the first race, which had a "fog" notation at the quarter call, half call, three-quarter call and stretch call. Only the finish had a placing and lengths no
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Carlspur on the mend
November 28, 2006
In early November Monticello Raceway’s Horse of the Year, Carlspur, was stricken with an extremely bad case of colic and was rushed to New Bolton Center in greater Philadelphia for emergency surgery. The veterinarians there performed a two-plus hour surgery and though they felt the surgery was succe
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Broodmare Pizza Dolce sold
November 28, 2006
Steve Stewart of Hunterton Farm said a casual conversation turned into a deal in which Hunterton and several other partners purchased Pizza Dolce 3, 1:52.4, a winner of such classics as the Kentucky Filly Futurity. The Conway Hall mare is in foal to Muscles Yankee, carrying her second offspring.
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More DSBF's held at DD
November 27, 2006
In the first of three Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) colt paces Sunday at Dover Downs, Sun Power was strongest in the stretch recording a 1:58.1 victory for driver Ben Stafford Jr. who co-owns the Powerful Toy colt with John Heckler and Randall Stafford. Deadwood City closed along the pa
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Battling Brad winners
November 27, 2006
The first legs of the Battling Brad late-closer series were held Sunday at Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack, with one longshot and one prohibitive favorite accounting for the two $20,000 divisions. Benefiting from a heady drive by George Napolitano Jr., Franklin Cardinale’s Real One And Only c
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1:49.4 record at Chester
November 27, 2006
Fake Denario N paced the fastest mile in track history with a 1:49.4 effort and Tarver Hanover scored a popular victory about an hour later as both captured second leg divisions of The Town Drunk late-closer series at Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack on Sunday. Under the guidance of driver Ron
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MacDonald in FlmD spill
November 27, 2006
Mark MacDonald, second in North America in 2006 with 674 wins and third with more than $9.4 million in purse earnings, reportedly suffered minor injuries in a Sunday night race accident at Flamboro Downs. The spill occurred in the fourth race and MacDonald took himself off the rest of his mounts.
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MacDonald hurts shoulder
November 27, 2006
Mark MacDonald told harnessracing.com Monday afternoon that he re-injured his left shoulder Sunday night in a race accident at Flamboro Downs, but that it may not cost him any time away from the sulky. MacDonald said he may book off his nine mounts at Woodbine Monday night, but after that he will de
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Million Dollar Monday
November 26, 2006
Dover Downs readies for its biggest race day of the 2006 season, Million Dollar Monday, Nov. 27, featuring four $250,000 Classic Series finals, all 1-1/4 milers, and the $213,845 Matron Stakes 3-Year-Old Colt Pace final. A $32,500 Preferred Handicap pace, a $30,000 Delaware Special and a $24,000 Ope
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5 offspring on Vernon card
November 26, 2006
Rochester standardbred owners Lynn and Charles Whitmer Jr. are understandably proud of their productive broodmare Madonna Victoria, but never more so than on Saturday night at Vernon Downs. In a feat that is certainly unique, if not unprecedented in the annals of harness racing, not one, not two, bu
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DSBF rounds at Dover
November 26, 2006
Ms. Virginia and Twilight Mist made it look easy winning second-leg divisions of the DSBF 2-year-old filly trot preliminaries on Saturday at Dover Downs. Double Flip won a colt freshman pace division while Love And Truth pulled a surprise in the other section. Ms. Virginia, recently purchased by
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Vernon Downs ends season
November 26, 2006
David Krol’s sophomore colt pacer Western Prize raced resolutely on the front end throughout the 10 th race to capture Saturday night’s $8,000 Open Handicap feature on closing night at Vernon Downs. Jimmy Whittemore, who earlier in the program was presented with the season’s most promising drive
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Pampered Princess Scores
November 25, 2006
Pampered Princess ($2.40, $2.10, $2.10) posted her 10th victory of the year in the first of three $20,000 eliminations Friday night and earned a spot in the $410,000 Goldsmith Maid final at the Meadowlands. The Goldsmith Maid for trotting fillies is one of a quartet of stakes finals – the $1.7 m
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Stunt Man Hall wins prep
November 25, 2006
Owner-trainer-driver Toby Lynch Jr. guided Stunt Man Hall ($25.40, $9.60, $5.60) to a gate-to-wire victory in the $20,000 Valley Victory PrepFriday night at the Meadowlands. All the prep entrants are eligible for the $432,700 Valley Victory final December 2. Stunt Man Hall trotted the mile in 1:
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Hennessey wins seven
November 25, 2006
Chip And Gale A ($19.20) and driver Daryl Bier were the upset winners Friday at Pompano Park in the $10,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace, scoring by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:54. Driver Wally Hennessey was unable to hit the board in the top race of the night but still stole the show for the evening as he won s
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Records set at Chester
November 25, 2006
Pride and Carrie’s Credit both established track records in capturing respective divisions of the first leg of the Shep’s Pride late closer series at Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack. The Shep’s Pride divisions offered $20,000 purses to trotters who had not won $75,000 in 2006. Pride, sent of
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The Big Cat pounces
November 25, 2006
Gunther Unflat’s The Big Cat claimed the featured trot, while Artachebythenumber and Chick Flick were named the meet’s top pacer and trotter, respectively, at Vernon Downs on Friday night. Howard Okukso Jr., the current campaign’s top driver and trainer secured his 35th victory after he teamed T
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Two Gov. Cup elims
November 25, 2006
Always A Virgin and Takeshigemichi captured their respective $20,000 Governors Cup eliminations Saturday night at the Meadowlands and advanced to the $450,000 final for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers Saturday, Dec. 2. Always A Virgin and Andy Miller left the quickest from post six and grabbed
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Queen Serene cruises
November 25, 2006
Queen Serene took an early lead and cruised to a 1:57 victory by 2 ½ lengths over Velma K in the $330,476 Hudson Trot final at Yonkers Raceway Saturday night. The victory by Queen Serene ended the 10-race win streak by Hidden Viggorish, who spoiled her chances by going off stride in the first turn.
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Lady Maud a Delight
November 25, 2006
Darlin’s Delight held off the stretch challenges from Grandiose Gal and Caviart Sydney and captured the $291,456 Lady Maud for 3-year-old filly pacers in 1:55 at Yonkers Saturday night. With Yannick Gingras in the bike, Darlin’s Delight moved into the lead from post six at the :27.4 quarter. Afte
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Palone Ranger surprises
November 25, 2006
Palone Ranger took to the passing lane and blew past the pace setting Perfect Union and drew off to an easy 1:54.3 victory in the $546,830 Messenger Stakes, the third leg of the pacing Triple Crown at Yonkers Raceway Saturday night. Perfect Union, with David Miller in the bike, shot into the lead
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Glidemaster wins Trot
November 25, 2006
In a tremendous display of heart and determination Glidemaster endured a first-over trip the last half mile of the race and captured the $728,930 Yonkers Trot in 1:55.4 to become the eighth horse in harness racing history to win trotting’s Triple Crown. Earlier this year the Yankee Glide colt captur
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Isabella wins prep
November 25, 2006
Isabella Blue Chip prepped for next week’s $439,000 Three Diamonds final for 2-year-old filly pacers with a wire to wire 1:53.3 victory Saturday night at the Meadowlands in the $20,000 prep for seven of next week’s finalists. Tidewater Dragon Fly opted not to race in the prep. With Jack Moiseyev
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Pierce Scores 6,000th win
November 23, 2006
Hall of Fame driver Ron Pierce has one more thing to be thankful for – he now has 6,000 career victories. The milestone victory for Pierce, 50, came in 1:56.1 with Punk Man in the final race Wednesday night at the Meadowlands, the 10th-race conditioned trot. Pierce, who ranks third in all-time
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Tweedle Dum wins 19th
November 23, 2006
Tweedle Dum became the winningest racehorse in a single season in Pompano Park history Wednesday, scoring his 19th victory in the seventh race $10,000 Open Handicap Trot. Also the winningest trotter in North America this year, Tweedle Dum and driver Walter Ross, Jr. led from start to finish, winning
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Tetrick wins 5 at Dover
November 23, 2006
Despite effects of a "Nor'easter" blasting heavy rain and strong winds, Breeze Hill Will continued his late Fall success story, scoring a 1:56.1 victory in the $24,000 Open Handicap trot on a cold and dank Wednesday, at Dover Downs. Tim Tetrick drove Breeze Hill Will to the victory, one of his five
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Filly upsets elders at DD
November 22, 2006
Badlands Iron Lady, the only filly facing a field of seasoned distaff pacers, won the $24,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace Tuesday at Dover Downs. In the feature, Ron Pierce drove the 3-year-old daughter of Badlands Hanover to her second straight victory in the week's top distaff event reco
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Four Classic finals drawn
November 22, 2006
Four surprisingly small but exceptional fields of the star older trotters and pacers converge on Dover Downs for $250,000 finals, all over a distance of 1 1/4 miles on Million-Dollar Monday, Nov. 27. Five will start in the $250,000 Trotting Classic led by Todd Shadel and trainer-driver Roger Ham
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Strong field in Matron 3CP
November 22, 2006
The $213,845 Matron final for 3-year-old colt pacers has been drawn and the race has a strong local connection as trainer George Teague has a powerhouse two-horse entry in Total Truth, co-owned by Only Money and Teague and his sister, Brenda, and Western Ace, owned by Kovach Stables and Teague Inc.
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Illinois's Propes resigns
November 22, 2006
Illinois Racing Board Chairman Lorna Propes has submitted a letter of resignation to Governor Blagojevich, effective immediately, following the Dec. 12 Board meeting. At that time a formal announcement will be made. (IRB)
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Harness test at Keeneland
November 22, 2006
A world record of sorts was achieved Tuesday, Nov. 21, when the 3-year-old pacing filly Scenic Bay, driven by Dan Shetler, won an exhibition race at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, covering one mile in 2:07.4 over the Polytrack. On Nov. 17 Scenic Bay won in 2:03.2 over the half-mile Thunder Ridg
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No Midnight Mile at PPK
November 22, 2006
There will be no "Midnight Special" race at Pompano Park on New Year's Eve, a race the Florida racetrack began during the final meet of the year and ended in the first minute of the new year. With a post time of 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31, and crossing the wire at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1, the race essential
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Fall Final Four elims/preps
November 22, 2006
Two year olds take center stage this weekend in eliminations and prep races for the $1.7 million Fall Final Four on Dec. 2 at the Meadowlands. A quartet of stakes for youngsters, the Fall Final Four is comprised of the $450,000 Governor’s Cup for pacing colts, $439,000 Three Diamonds for pacing fill
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Peaceful Way done for year
November 22, 2006
Trotting mare Peaceful Way, the 2005 Dan Patch Award winner as the best in her division, has finished racing for the year and will take several months off before resuming training in February. Joe Myers, one of the mare’s owners, said Peaceful Way was resting at Perretti Farms in New Jersey after
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Yonkers Trot on HRTV
November 22, 2006
HRTV will be showing the Yonkers Trot--and Glidemaster's attempt to win the trotting Triple Crown--Saturday night. HRTV is carried on the Dish Network, channel 404. The Messenger for 3-year-old pacing colts, the Lady Maud for 3-year-old pacing fillies, and the Hudson Filly Trot are also on the Satur
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Teague trainee in 1:50.2
November 21, 2006
Total Truth continued in peak form turning back seven rivals to win the $71,275 Matron 3-year-old colt pace in 1:50.2 on Monday at Dover Downs, a race which was supposed to be an elimination but was not after the scratch of Shark Gesture. That resulted in all eight starters Monday coming back for th
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Strong rules passed in Del.
November 21, 2006
The Delaware Harness Racing Commission has approved rules that provide for a $10,000 fine and 10-year suspension for the possession or use of blood-doping agents, including Erythropoietin (EPO), Darbepoetin (DPO), Oxyglobin and Hemopure. The new rules provide for the ability to test any horse ent
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Leo Pinckney dies
November 21, 2006
Longtime sportswriter Leo Pinckney, a former president of the Vernon Downs Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Assocation, died Monday, one day after his 89th birthday. Mr. Pinckney, who was a correspondent for Associated Press for 30 years, also contributed to the New York Times, New York Daily
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Hidden Viggorish on a roll
November 21, 2006
Hidden Viggorish increased her win streak to 10 in a row with a nearly eight-length victory in 1:57.2 in her Hudson Filly Trot elimination race last weekend at Yonkers Raceway, while world-record-holder Queen Serene won her elim by more than two lengths in 1:58. The $330,476 final is Saturday. A
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Stratton wins Mighty M honor
November 21, 2006
Jordan Stratton is just 19 years old and already has garnered the first accolade of his fledgling career, beiong honored as the best young driver at Monticello Raceway this season with the Max Brewer Award presented by the Monticello-Goshen Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Assn. Stratton displ
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Another 15 days for Elliott
November 21, 2006
Ontario-based trainer Bill Elliott, whose 60-day suspension for a positive blood gas test was scheduled to expire Saturday, has been given an extra 15-day suspension and $1,000 fine for what the Ontario Racing Commission deemed "participating while under suspension." Elliott received his initial
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2 more years for P Glide?
November 21, 2006
It is expected 3-year-old filly trotter Passionate Glide, one of the front-runners for 2006 Horse of the Year honors, will return to the races in 2007, but trainer Jimmy Takter is now saying we could also see the Yankee Glide mare in 2008 as well. "I think she's Horse of the Year,” Takter told th
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Richest card ever at Yonkers
November 21, 2006
Glidemaster, looking to become the eighth trotter to sweep the Triple Crown, drew post position five for Saturday night’s $728,930 Yonkers Trot at Yonkers Raceway. Eight 3 year olds are set for the 52nd and richest Yonkers Trot, highlight of four stakes events during the Saturday program which also
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Echo heard in DSBF leg
November 20, 2006
Jesse N Echo, owned by breeder John Celii, won the first $15,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) for 2-year-old colt pacers in easy fashion as Tony Morgan took the odds-on favorite Badlands Hanover colt right to the front and led at all stations in a 1:56 mile. Rets Lil Giant shadowed
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Egyptian Colt Stakes honors
November 20, 2006
The Egyptian Colt Stakes in Southern Illinois will honor the top horsemen and horses during the annual banquet at the Village Garden restaurant in Anna, Ill. A total of 30 owners, trainers, and drivers will be recognized with year end honors. Heading the list of recipients is 91-year-old Leo Burn
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Town drunks at Chester
November 20, 2006
A pair of New Zealand-breds, Fake Denario N and Our First Falcon N, each captured first-leg divisions of The Town Drunk late-closer series at Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack on Sunday. The Town Drunk, named after the top-class pacer who frequented Liberty Bell Park and Brandywine Raceway in the
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TCS finalists due Tuesday
November 20, 2006
The $250,000 Classic Series 2006 finals will be raced at Dover Downs over the distance of a mile and a quarter on Monday, Nov. 27, with horses eligible for TCS finals declared for those events by noon on Tuesday, Nov. 21. Declarations will be due in the Dover racing office a day earlier than the usu
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Woodbine jocks suspended
November 20, 2006
Two Woodbine jockeys have received lengthy suspensions after an altercation in the jockeys’ room at that track, with the penalties imposed only when Woodbine is racing. Patrick Husbands was fined $5,000 and suspended 60 days while Constant Montpellier was fined $5,000 and suspended 150 days by the O
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BIg $$ at Gulfstream slots
November 20, 2006
Reports out of Florida state last Wednesday's opening of the slot parlor at Gulfstream Park produced a net revenue of $334,073, with half--$167,036--going to the state's education system. Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino opened its 516-machine slot parlor last Wednesday with virtually no fanfare,
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Chester awarded 2007 dates
November 20, 2006
Harrah's Chester Casino & Racetrack has been awarded 95 live racing days for its 2007 season, track officials have announced. The Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission approved the venue's dates request at its meeting on Nov. 16. Under the schedule filed with the state, the 2007 Harrah's Chester
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Jackson named to KHRA
November 20, 2006
Kentuckiana Farms partner Ken Jackson is one of three new members of the Kentucky Racing Authority named Monday by Gov. Ernie Fletcher to fill expired terms. Jackson will be the sole Standardbred representative, replacing former Castleton Farm and Red Mile president John Cashman Jr., who was not rea
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Mare leads in TCS points
November 20, 2006
The four $250,000 Classic finals at Dover Downs on Monday, Nov. 27 at Dover Downs feature the top eight point earners in the three preliminaries. The Pacing Classic, Trotting Classic, Distaff Classic and Oaks Classic finalists will race over the route distance of 1 1/4 miles to determine a champion
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Hudson Filly elims held
November 19, 2006
A pair of formful females strolled home Saturday night in the $20,000 eliminations of the Hudson Filly Trot at Yonkers Raceway with Queen Serene and Hidden Viggorish reaching the winner's circle. Queen Serene, trained and driven by Trond Smedhammer, won her elimination by two easy lengths in 1:
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Roberts wins 7 at RcR
November 19, 2006
Reinsman Jonathan Roberts earned seven wins from the 10 races in which he competed at Rosecroft Raceway on Saturday evening. Roberts is currently the second leading driver in the Rosecroft standings with an average of .350 to date. In the first race, Roberts brought Ramses Two ($3.60) to the winn
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DSBF preliminaries raced
November 19, 2006
The Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) preliminaries got underway at Dover Downs on Saturday with two first leg events in both filly pace and filly trot divisions, and a pair of CR Commando's daughters won the trots, while Badlands Hanover and Powerful Toy progeny took the frosh filly paces.
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A dreamy win at Pompano
November 19, 2006
Welu’s Dreamboat ($4) and driver Anthony Napolitano made amends for losing last week's $10,000 Open Handicap Pace by a head, returning on Saturday and wiring the field by a head in the top pace at Pompano Park. Leaving from post four in the first-race feature, Napolitano went right to the front
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The Quiet Mon scores
November 18, 2006
The Quiet Mon and Jason Dillander went wire to wire in 1:54.2 and captured the $105,000Abe Lincoln Stakes for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers at Maywood Park Friday night, scoring by two lengths over He’s A Big Star and Sam Widger. Dillander hustled the Richess Hanover gelding out from post fo
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Vernon's feature trot, pace
November 18, 2006
The favorite B Cor Kenny and second wagering choice Besmitten By A Vet posted victories in the top trot and pace, respectively, at Vernon Downs on Friday night. Michael White’s B Cor Kenny captured the $3,885 eighth event, the week’s featured trot, while Dennis Whittemore’s Besmitten By A Vet benefi
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Classic Series hits Big M
November 18, 2006
Vivid Photo won the first of four $85,000 Classic Series divisions Saturday at the Meadowlands, taking the lead just past the opening quarter and leading the rest of the one-mile distance to annex the older horse trotting division in 1:54.4. Trainer-driver Roger Hammer got away second with Vivid
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Ackermans head to Carolina
November 17, 2006
After winter training at Del Mar Thoroughbred track in California the past 50 years, Hall of Fame horseman Doug Ackerman will be spending the upcoming cold-weather months at Pinehurst Harness Track in Pinehurst, N.C. Ackerman, along with Joe Mullins, had the only two harness stables based at Del
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Real Desire to Pennsylvania
November 17, 2006
Real Desire, the 2002 Horse of the Year who has stood stallion duty at Brittany Farms in Kentucky the past four years, will be moving to Walnridge Farm in Pennsylvania for the 2007 breeding season. Real Desire, whose first crop of 2 year olds this year have earned more than $1 million, will be joini
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Holborn's positive confirmed
November 17, 2006
Harnessracing.com has learned the split-sample test on Holborn Hanover’s positive for Pyrilamine in the American National in late August has also come back positive. Illinois Racing Board projects manager Mickey Ezzo said early Friday afternoon that the second sample was sent to the lab at Louisiana
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Jereme's Jet wires field
November 17, 2006
Jereme’s Jet went wire to wire, holding of even-money co-favorite My Boy David at the wire, and captured the $250,000 Windy City Pace final in 1:52.2 Friday night at Maywood Park. Dave Magee was in the bike as the Western Hanover colt cut fractions of :26.2, :55.1 and 1:23.2 en route to his sixth wi
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Big M opens with Singers
November 17, 2006
Three divisions of the Charles Singer Series for 3-year-old trotters were the feature events as harness racing returned to the Meadowlands Friday night. Scoring victories were the filly Soapy Sap in1:57.3, the colt Fielders Choice in 1:55.3 and the gelding Likeabatoutahell in 1:55.4. In the first
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Street Dancer in a waltz
November 17, 2006
Street Dancer was the belle of the ball as she romped to an open lengths victory in the $100,000 Cinderella Friday night at Maywood Park in 1:54.1 for Dale Hiteman. From post five Street Dancer raced second-over through fractions of :27.1 and :56.2. Once on the backstretch the second time, Hitema
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Investor wins Galt
November 17, 2006
Investor went wire to wire for Andy Miller and captured the $110,000 Galt Stakes for 3-year-old trotters in 1:58.2 Friday night a Maywood Park. Leaving from post one the son of Angus Hall trotted fractions of :29.4, 1:00.2 and 1:29.1 en route to his third straight victory and fourth of the year
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Glidemaster works on a half
November 16, 2006
Trainer Blair Burgess told harnessracing.com Wednesday he finally decided to supplement Glidemaster to the Yonkers Trot after he worked the colt behind the gate at Flamboro Downs in an effort to see how he’d do on a half-mile track. The workout came late last week, and although Burgess declined to r
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Truth is, tuff field in Matron
November 16, 2006
There is no rest for the $348,900 Progress Pace winner Total Truth as he leads a strong field of nine 3-year-old colt pacers in a single-division $71,275 Matron elimination on Monday at Dover Downs. Owner-trainer George Teague enters a powerful two-horse entry in the Matron elim. Total Truth, wi
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Jake's Nordic in Dover open
November 16, 2006
Jake's Nordic rolled to a 1:57.1 victory in the $24,000 Open trot on a sometime fog-shrowed Wednesday at Dover Downs, while in the $21,500 sub-feature, Musclesextrodinair won for Tim Tetrick. Michigan-bred Jake's Nordic took the lead as the field of seven marched in front of the grandstand and Ti
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Battleshoe won at PPK
November 16, 2006
Battleshoe Victor ($3.80) was the 4-5 betting favorite and raced that way at Pompano Park Wednesday in the $10,000 Open Handicap Trot, leading gate to wire to win in 1:55.4. With driver Wally Hennessey handling the lines, Battleshoe Victor left swiftly from post seven and had the lead before the
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Champion horse cloned
November 16, 2006
A champion barrel-racing horse has been cloned—at a cost of $150,000 to his owners—and except for some white markings between his eyes the now 3-month-old foal is nearly identical. Associated Press is reporting Scamper, a 10-time world champion who helped propel Charmayne James to status as the s
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Will Shark bite 3 times?
November 16, 2006
What you see isn't necessarily what you might get, as trainer Erv Miller said Thursday he likely won't be starting Shark Gesture in both the Messenger and Matron, two major stakes at two different tracks scheduled two days apart, that the colt has been entered into. Three-year-old colt pacer Shar
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A classic Big M opening
November 16, 2006
A quartet of $85,000 Classic Series divisions for older horses on Saturday highlights opening weekend of the Meadowlands’ fall harness meet. The 21-date meet opens Friday evening and runs through Saturday, Dec. 30. Live racing is scheduled Wednesday through Saturday nights, post time 7:30 p.m. Dark
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Campbell begins recovery
November 16, 2006
John Campbell has told Harness Tracks of America’s Stan Bergstein he expects to be sidelined several months as he recuperates from a broken left leg suffered in a race accident in the Breeders Crown eliminations at Woodbine last month. Campbell has undergone several operations since the spill, and i
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Casino underway at Mea
November 16, 2006
Signaling a new beginning, representatives of The Meadows and its parent company, Cannery Casino Resorts, broke ground today on The Meadows Racetrack & Casino, a $450 million project that will provide a fully integrated gaming and racing experience. Local and state officials participated in the cere
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Mighty M win with pepper
November 16, 2006
For the third consecutive week Lemon Pepper soured the hopes of the other preferred trotters on the grounds when Jimmy Devaux guided the 7-year-old Cumin gelding to his third straight victory in Monticello Raceway’s $15,000 Preferred Trot Wednesday afternoon. Sent off at odds just over 1-2, Devau
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160 days at Big M in 2007
November 16, 2006
The Meadowlands has been granted 160 dates of Standardbred racing in 2007 by the New Jersey Racing Commission. Harness racing will take center stage at the Meadowlands from Jan. 5 through Aug. 4 (137 dates) and Nov. 16 through Dec. 29 (23 dates). The harness racing schedule will run on Wednesdays
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USTA committees meet
November 16, 2006
The Executive and Finance Committees of the U.S. Trotting Association met in Columbus, Ohio this past weekend to discuss the status of several projects and issues. The Executive Committee, which is comprised of one representative from each of the USTA's districts, plus some of the association's elec
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Terry Tucker dies at 57
November 16, 2006
Funeral services for Kentucky horseman Terry Tucker, 57, who died in Florida Thursday after a short battle with cancer, will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Gary Panoch Funeral Home in Boca Raton. Burial will be in his hometown of Campbellsville, Ky. For many years Tucker trained and drove horses
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Knox promoted at HoP
November 16, 2006
Tammy Knox has been promoted to director of marketing and publicity at Hoosier Park. Knox previously had been director of publicity for the Anderson pari-mutuel racetrack. Knox, a graduate of Murray State University, has been employed by Hoosier Park since its inaugural season in 1994. She began
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A badlands win at Dover
November 15, 2006
Ron Pierce moved Badlands Iron Lady three wide on the final turn on the way to a 1:52.3 triumph in the $24,000 Filly and Mare Open Pace Tuesday at Dover Downs. Trainer Joe Hundertpfund won two races to bring his consecutive win streak to five while Ross Wolfenden had four driving wins. The only
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Gulfstream to open slots
November 15, 2006
Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino will become the first racetrack in Florida to turn on its slot machines as the site announced it will open Wednesday. Track officials said no advertising would be done until after a private party on Thursday night, but decided to go ahead with the opening of the 516-s
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9 races at Yonkers Friday
November 15, 2006
Yonkers Raceway is pleased to announce the resumption of both live racing and simulcasting Friday, with first post for the nine-race live program at 7:40 p.m., with expanded simulcasting beginning just after 12 noon. Yonkers last offered parimutuel racing June 25, 2005, before embarking on a $240 mi
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Classic Series to Big M
November 15, 2006
The Classic Series (TCS) moves to New Jersey for the third and last preliminary leg of the 2006 Series on Saturday, with the four $85,000 divisions of the Series helping to kick off the fall meet at the Meadowlands. Three of the divisions have had repeat winners in each of the first two legs an
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No elims for Yonkers' stakes
November 15, 2006
Eight sophomore male trotters, including supplemental entry Glidemaster in his quest to complete the Triple Crown, have been entered in the $728,000 Yonkers Trot, while six pacers will line up behind the gate in the $546,830 Messenger Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings. No eliminations are nee
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Indiana race dates set
November 15, 2006
The Indiana Horse Racing Commission approved a 2007 racing calendar Tuesday, Nov. 14 that calls for 143 days of harness racing in the state. The schedule signals a net gain of two racing days over the 2006 schedule and a 12-day gap between meets at Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs. Hoosier Park wil
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Jet, David duel at Maywood
November 15, 2006
Jereme’s Jet (3-2, Dave Magee), the 2005 Dan Patch winner as the sport’s top freshman pacing colt, and world record holder My Boy David (8-5, Andy Miller), have been installed as the co-favorites for the $250,000 Windy City Pace Friday night at Maywood Park. The showcase event will be supported by t
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Driven to win at Dover
November 14, 2006
Driven To Win closed strongly to score a 1:50.4 victory in the $32,500 Preferred Handicap Pace Monday at Dover Downs. Black Cat Bone used similar strategy to take the $30,000 Delaware Special. Driver Ross Wolfenden drove four winners, Ron Pierce three wins, while Joe Hundertpfund had a training trip
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Jim Campbell to return
November 14, 2006
Trainer-turned-restaurateur Jim Campbell is returning to harness racing. Campbell is in the process of selling his New Jersey-shore pizza cafe, Jimmy C’s, and restocking his stable at White Birch Farm. Campbell, 44, did most of the cooking at the restaurant. "After being away from racing for a wh
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Pocono first to have slots
November 14, 2006
With two successful test runs under its belt, the video lottery parlor at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs will open on Tuesday, with the Friday and Sunday sessions—by invitation only—reportedly bringing in a total of $95,049, of which $32,317 (34 percent) went to property-tax relief as required by law.
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Palone Ranger now with Peck
November 14, 2006
Palone Ranger's sophomore season was derailed following the New Jersey Classic earlier this year after being diagnosed with a heart murmur caused by a virus, and the future of one of 2005's leading 2 year olds is still up in the air. Palone Ranger returned to the races in early September, and has ha
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Partial lift of NJ quarantine
November 14, 2006
A quarantine of horses at Monmouth Park for cases of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) was partially lifted Monday after tests on two horses showing possible signs of the disease last weekend came back negative. With those two horses testing negative for the virus, the quarantine was lifted on horses in
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Big purses for Final Four
November 14, 2006
The purses for this year’s Fall Final Four, the focus of a $2 million stakes schedule for the 21-date holiday harness meet at the Meadowlands, are expected to surpass their estimates. Director of Racing and Racing Secretary Tad Stockman reports that the finals of the quartet of 2-year-old stakes on
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Supplement to Yonkers Trot
November 14, 2006
Glidemaster will get his chance to become trotting’s seventh Triple Crown champion as his connections have decided to supplement the 3-year-old colt to the Yonkers Trot. If eliminations are needed they will be raced Saturday night, Nov. 18, at Yonkers Raceway, with the $750,000 (est.) final schedule
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Meadows sale completed
November 14, 2006
Magna Entertainment Corp. (MEC) announced Tuesday that it had completed the sale of The Meadows to PA Meadows LLC, a company owned by Cannery Casino Resorts LLC. PA Meadows LLC made a payment of $175 million in cash and delivered a $25 million holdback agreement, in full satisfaction of the notes is
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Tom L. Smith suspended
November 13, 2006
Lebanon Raceway's leading trainer Tom L. Smith has received a one-year suspension and $1,000 fine as a result of a high post-race blood gas test on Rick's On Belief at Lebanon on Sept. 30. Smith, 38, was the leading trainer at the recent early portion of the fall meet at The Red Mile in Lexington, K
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Mister Big sold for $255,000
November 12, 2006
Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Colt Pace runner-up Mister Big sold for $255,000 to Virgil Morgan Jr., acting as agent for Joseph Muscara, on Saturday at Harrisburg. Mister Big has six wins in 26 career starts and earnings of $381,275 for owners Kentuckiana Racing Stable, Tom Crouch and Pinske Stables. He
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Artzina only Dover favorite
November 12, 2006
There were surprises galore at Dover Downs Saturday as three of the four favorites in the lucrative Matron finals for freshmen were upset, with those titles going to a 21-1 longshot, a mid-priced horse and a maiden. Only favored Artzina came away with a win in the final for freshman male pacers.
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Pure Ivory cruises again
November 12, 2006
Moving Pictures and Pure Ivory proved to be the most convincing of winners Saturday night at Woodbine, as the pair of 3-year-old fillies notched wins in their divisions of the rich Standardbred Breeders of Ontario Association (SBOA) stakes. Moving Pictures added to her late-season roll in the $2
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Hennessey sweeps features
November 12, 2006
Eleven AM, put to one of his most severe tests of the season, gamely prevailed in the $10,000 Open Pace at Pompano Park on Saturday night for his second consecutive win in this top class. Driven by Bruce Ranger for the Berry Stables of Staten Island, N.Y., Eleven AM just lasted by a head over Welu’s
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Changes in Big M paddock
November 12, 2006
The back paddock has undergone the first step of a two-part renovation and will be open for business when harness racing returns to the Meadowlands on Friday, Nov. 17, with the first phase of the $10.5 million project featuring new lighting, heating and cooling systems for the existing structure, wh
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Fever and Vigg win Am Nats
November 12, 2006
Cabana Fever defeated Sportsfancy by a head in the $130,000 American National final for 2-year-old filly pacers Saturday night at Balmoral Park. The Chicago racetrack was the site of five lucrative finals on the card. Ryan Anderson drove Cabana Fever, a daughter of Real Desire, to the 1:52.2 vict
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Dover also hosts 3 Matrons
November 12, 2006
On a rain drenched, windy Sunday, Nov. 12, at Dover Downs, just before the $348,900 Progress Pace, the rain stopped, the wind slowed and the home-state horse, Total Truth responded with a front-pacing 1:52.2 victory. Trotters Algiers Hall and Queen Serene won the Matron sophomore trots while Caviar
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Jet favored at Maywood
November 11, 2006
Jereme’s Jet, the 2005 Dan Patch winner as the sport’s top freshman pacing colt, and the world champion My Boy David have been installed as the co-favorites for the upcoming $250,000 Windy City Pace at Maywood Park. Also to be raced on the Friday, Nov. 17 card is the $100,000 Galt Memorial for secon
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Wilma!!!!!!!
November 11, 2006
The Knockout Stable’s Wilma Hall, who scorched Pompano’s five-eighths mile oval last week in a track record for mares, 1:51.3, defended her crown on Friday night, kayoing her competition with a :55.2 final half-mile in completing a 1:53.2 mile for driver Brett Miller in the $10,000 Mares Open pace.
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Track change at Big M?
November 11, 2006
Recycled tires may be the surface of the future for the Meadowlands, with members of the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority racing team as well as two trainers having visited Tapeta Farm in Maryland recently to review a synthetic racing surface with the inventor of Tapeta, trainer Michael Dick
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Local hopes in Rooney
November 10, 2006
Gimmebackmybullets was the 3-year-old pacer of the year at Monticello Raceway this season and though he has been on the board 11 times in 13 starts with seven victories, the New York bred-son of Bettor’s Delight will face his most formidable task when he takes on four others in the $490,904 Art Roon
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Rich races at Dover
November 10, 2006
Two of the biggest event of the late 2006 season come to a close this weekend at Dover Downs. The $348,900 Progress Pace featuring an outstanding eight-colt field is the week's major event. Leading off Saturday's festivities are four lucrative Matron Stakes finals for 2 year old colt and filly t
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Vernon brings in a mil
November 10, 2006
According to reports, first-week revenues at Vernon Downs’ newly-opened 777-machine video gaming parlor were more than $1 million. From that $1 million, about $82,500 will go to the purse account, although the horsemen’s contract with Vernon calls for the first $250,000 of the money that would go to
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Yonkers gets green light
November 10, 2006
The New York State Racing and Wagering Board Friday issued a conditional track and simulcast license to Yonkers Raceway. A five-day-a-week racing schedule for a season commencing Friday, Nov. 17, was also approved allowing for racing to return to the facility after a year and a half absence. “
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2001 HOY goes to Hanover
November 10, 2006
Bunny Lake, the 2001 Horse of the Year and currently in foal to 2005 Horse of the Year Rocknroll Hanover, was purchased for $400,000 by Hanover Shoe Farms Friday at the Standardbred Sale in Harrisburg. The 7-year-old mare earned $2,843,476 on the racetrack with a career mark of 1:49. Overall the dau
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Yonkers schedule set
November 10, 2006
Yonkers Raceway's conditional license granted Friday by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board is contingent pending a walk-through next Tuesday by the state fire marshall and the Office of General Services. Tne track plans to re-open for both live racing and simulcasting Friday, Nov. 17, with
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Bullets fired in Rooney
November 10, 2006
Raced for the first time since 2003, and for a purse more than $100,000 higher than it had ever been contested for in its previous 15 renewals, Friday's $490,904 Art Rooney for 3-year-old male pacers went to favored Gimmebackmybullets. The race--with just five going postward--was originally schedule
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Miss Wisconsin-$485,000
November 10, 2006
Miss Wisconsin, the winner of the 2005 Merrie Anabelle Trot and 2006 World Filly Trotting Derby runner-up sold for $485,000 Friday at Harrisburg to John Duer, agent, from Lexington, Ky. The daughter of Muslces Yankee has a mark of 1:55 from her seven career wins and earnings of $515,074. Miss Wis
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Moats resigns in Illinois
November 10, 2006
According to sources in Springfield, Ill., last Monday, Nov. 6, Tex Moats resigned his position as Chief of the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of County Fairs And Horse Racing. During his tenure at the Department of Agriculture, Moats developed a two-class system of races at Illinois co
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Front-end wins at Dover
November 09, 2006
Breeze Hill Will and Kennywood used front speed to advantage scoring victories in the $25,000 Open and $21,000 Jr. Open trots respectively at Dover Downs on a rainy Wednesday. Tim Tetrick moved Breeze Hill Will into the lead after the quarter and controlled the action from there en route to a 1
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Talk speaks at Pompano
November 09, 2006
Talk About Me earned bragging rights on Wednesday night at Pompano Park with a handy 1:57.1 win in the $10,000 Open Handicap Trot. The Florida-bred 4-year-old son of Keystone Smothers was given a picture-perfect drive by Anthony Napolitano and scored by a length and a half over the late charging Tab
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Successful nuclear test
November 09, 2006
Nuclear Breeze made his return to Rosecroft Raceway a successful one; the 4-year-old Nuclear High stallion had not competed in a pari-mutuel event since April 22, but charged to victory in the $11,300 Preferred Pace on Tuesday night. Owned by Tom Cooke of Maryland, Nuclear Breeze sat back off of
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HHYF scholarship winners
November 09, 2006
The Harness Horse Youth Foundation is pleased to announce its scholarship recipients for 2006, with Ariana Peluso from White Lake, New York the recipient of the $15,000 Gallo Blue Chip Scholarship. Peluso is currently studying animal science at Cornell University and hopes to become an equine veteri
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NJSEA to cut 40 jobs
November 09, 2006
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA), which operates the Meadowlands, Monmouth Park and three convention centers, will decrease its staff by 20 percent before the end of the year. In a story in Thursday’s Newark Star-Ledger, NJSEA president and CEO George Zoffinger said the cuts wi
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Harness film to be made
November 09, 2006
News out of Hollywood states actor Emilio Estevez will direct a film that is expected out next fall that centers around harness racing. There was no word on who will star in the movie, which will be Estevez’s fourth as a director.
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Nothing decided for Ledford
November 09, 2006
Although rumors have begun circulating that suspended driver Eric Ledford has reached an agreement with the New Jersey Racing Commission to allow him to return to racing, harnessracing.com has learned from a source at the commission that nothing has yet transpired but could in about 30 days. Ledford
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Howard Camden dies
November 09, 2006
Howard Belvin Camden, who trained and drove Adios Boy, the first 2-year-old pacer to break the 2:00 barrier, died Nov. 4 at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township, N.J. He was 76. Mr. Camden first began working for East Coast-based trainer Louis Floyd after graduating from high school in
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Average up 17.5 percent
November 09, 2006
The Standardbred Horse Sales Company’s annual Harrisburg yearling auction concluded Wednesday night with 1,044 horses sold for an average price of $37,081, an increase of 17.5 percent from last year’s sale. The top end of the market was exceptionally strong with 66 yearlings bringing prices of $1
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$600,000 for Windylane
November 09, 2006
John Duer, acting as agent for Odds On Nourrir, bought the trotting mare Windylane Hanover, who was carrying a foal by Andover Hall, for $600,000 at the Thursday session of the Standardbred Horse Sales Company’s mixed auction. Odds On Nourrir is the breeding division of Dana Parham and Robin Schadt’
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Kikikatie brings $500,000
November 09, 2006
The 5-year-old pacing broodmare Kikikatie, carrying a foal by Rocknroll Hanover, was sold for $500,000 at Harrisburg Thursday. A daughter of Real Artist out of the Cam Fella mare Katie’s Lucky Lady, Kikikatie was bought by former Armstrong Bros. manager Dr. Moira Gunn, who signed the sales slip as a
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Campbell on recovery road
November 09, 2006
Hall of Fame driver John Campbell, home and beginning the road to recovery after breaking his leg in a horrific crash at Woodbine, wishes to extend his heartfelt thanks for all those who have supported him since his accident. “I want to thank all the people who sent cards, gifts and letters with
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WEG names division winners
November 09, 2006
Woodbine Entertainment Group has announced its divisional champion Standardbred horses for the 2006 season. The winners will be honored at the annual awards night on Sunday, Dec. 17, in the Sports Dining Room at Mohawk, when WEG's Horse of the Year will also be named. Here are the divisional winn
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No slots In Ohio
November 08, 2006
Voters in Ohio Tuesday defeated Issue 3, the Learn and Earn proposal to amend the state’s constitution to allow slot machines at the seven pari-mutuel tracks and two off-track sites in downtown Cleveland. The issue lost by a 57-43 percent margin, with only five of the state’s 88 counties voting in f
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Average climbs in session 2
November 08, 2006
The second session of the Standardbred Horse Sales Company's yearling auction finished Tuesday night with 352 horses selling for an average price of $34,064, an increase of about 23 percent from the results generated at last year's second day. Cumulatively, after two sessions the sale was riding a 1
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11 qualifiers at Gaitway
November 08, 2006
Eleven qualifiers were drawn Wednesday at the Meadowlands which will be contested Thursday at Gaitway Farms in Englishtown, N.J. Past performance lines can be found by going to http://www.thebigm.com/babyracebreeding.asp.
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Fillies to star at Woodbine
November 08, 2006
The draw for WEG's last two major stakes of 2006 were conducted Tuesday as the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association Stakes (SBOA) for 3-year-old fillies of both gaits will highlight this Saturday evening's card of racing from Woodbine. The SBOA festivities will kick off at 8:01 p.m. with
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Rooney, Rose Of Tralee draw
November 08, 2006
Monticello Raceway will be the site Friday afternoon of the $490,904 Art Rooney for 3-year-old colt pacers and $290,210 Rose Of Tralee for 3-year-old filly pacers, with five horses lining up behind the starting gate in each. The races were moved after the opening of Yonkers Raceway was postponed.
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$250,000 colt sold on Wed.
November 08, 2006
Lord Of The Rings, a colt by Andover Hall out of the mare Queen Of Angels, a full sister to the dam of world champion Chocolatier, sold for $250,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale's Wednesday session, believed to be a record for the third day of the yearling sale in Harrisburg, Pa. The colt was p
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Procedures in place
November 08, 2006
Following an outbreak of equine herpes virus in the New Jersey Thoroughhbred population, stricter health documents will be required to race at the Meadowlands, including a negative Coggins test; a 48-hour health certificate with each horse’s temperature clearly written; and proof of EHV-1 vaccinatio
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Records set in Classic legs
November 07, 2006
Casimir Commotion etched his name into the record books as the fastest gelding over a five-eighths mile oval, notching a 1:48.3 victory in the $85,000 Classic Pace Monday at Dover Downs. The race was one of four for older horses in the second round of the Classic Series. The 6-year-old gelded son
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Swedish Crown elims held
November 07, 2006
The Breeders Crown semifinals for the Swedish 3-year-old colts and fillies were raced Sunday and Monday night with the three on top in each entering the finals on Nov. 18 at Axevalla. The purse in the finals are approximately $70,000. The four colt-division-winners were all impressive and the final
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Rooney moved to Monticello
November 07, 2006
Saturday's $490,904 Art Rooney for 3-year-old colt pacers, scheduled for Yonkers Raceway, will be contested at Monticello Raceway Friday afternoon. The companion Rose Of Tralee for 3-year-old filly pacers will also be raced on the program. The change of venue for the Rooney--with just five (four
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Matron elims also held
November 06, 2006
Total Truth and Shark Gesture won the two $35,000 Progress Pace eliminations at Dover Downs Sunday while Trond Smedshammer drove two Matron elims with a favorite Queen Serene and 22-1 longshot Likeabatoutahell. Buck I St. Pat and Algiers Hall won the other Matron trots while My Little Dragon took th
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Gural wins Messenger Award
November 06, 2006
Jeffrey R. Gural, who persevered for more than two years to return Vernon Downs to life, and built Tioga Downs, a shining new small track for harness racing near Binghamton, N.Y., is the winner of Harness Tracks of America’s Stan Bergstein Messenger Award for 2006. The Messenger, HTA’s highest h
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Glidemaster to stud in PA
November 06, 2006
Hambletonian and Kentucky Futurity champion Glidemaster will be retired to stud duty at Walnridge Farm of Pennsylvania later this year. The deal to stand the son of Yankee Glide at Walnridge of Pennsylvania was finalized today during the Standardbred Horse Sale yearling auction in Harrisburg, Pa.
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Average up at Harrisburg
November 06, 2006
The opening session of the Standardbred Horse Sales Company’s annual Harrisburg yearling auction took place Monday and generated an average price of $54,178, up almost nine percent from the 2005 opening session. This year 356 yearlings were sold in the first session, which got underway at 10 a.m.
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Little Miss Dragon WR at DD
November 05, 2006
World records were re-written in 2006 Matron Stakes eliminations at Dover Downs on Saturday, Nov 4, as Little Miss Dragon (1:52.2) and Adrian Chip (1:55.3) are the new additions to the all-time fastest freshman class in the filly pace and colt trot categories. Last November, My Little Dragon, ow
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Smoky Bonz wins VD feature
November 05, 2006
The swift-footed pacer Smoky Bonz extended his tender winning streak to two with a 1:53.1 victory in the $8,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs on Saturday night. Owned by the Purple Haze Stable LLC and George Wyman, the favored Smoky Bonz traveled on the outside from last at the quarter, adv
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Putnam drives MPM two-fer
November 05, 2006
Carl Putnam drove both winners of the Michigan Pari-Mutuel Stakes Saturday night at Northville Downs: Shoe In in the $98,400 final for 4-year-old colt trotters in 1:59.2 and Do Me Good in the $99,050 final for 4-year-old mare pacers in 1:57.3. Shoe In, a gelding by Keystone Nordic also trained by
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Dillander double in Am-Nat
November 05, 2006
Four American National eliminations were contested Saturday night at Balmoral Park, with driver Jason Dillander piloting two of the divisional winners. In the $22,300 American National elim for 2-year-old trotting fillies, Jason Dillander guided Sweet Alabama to victory in 1:59.1, giving the daughte
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Campbell has surgery
November 05, 2006
News filtering around the Harrisburg yearling auction on Sunday afternoon included an update on the condition of Hall of Fame driver John Campbell, and confirmation that Cammie Haughton will not be the presiding judge at the Meadowlands when the track opens it harness meet on Nov. 17. Horseman Ji
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Chewy Gross in record 1:51
November 05, 2006
Seven-year-old Chewy Gross sat a pocket trip for driver Ron Pierce, then edged away late from RJ’s Wild Card to capture Sunday’s featured open handicap at Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack in a track-record 1:51. The Josh Green trainee established a new pacing mark for aged geldings. “We sat
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1:51.4 mark for Wilma Hall
November 04, 2006
Wilma Hall set a track record for distaffers at Pompano Park on Friday night in winning the $10,000 Open Handicap Pace for mares in 1:51.3 for driver Brett Miller. The 5-year-old daughter of Blissfull Hall, owned by the Knockout Stable of Margate, Fla. and trained by Jim McDonald, eclipsed the fo
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Speed of Shogun wins Open
November 04, 2006
Speed Of Shogun carried out the favorite’s role to perfection in capturing Friday night’s $15,000 Open Handicap Trot in 1:58 at Vernon Downs. Jim Meittinis, who chalked up three wins during Friday’s 12-race program, urged Speed Of Shogun to the front from the outside six post in the evening’s 10t
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2YO Matron elims at Dover
November 04, 2006
Nine Matron Stakes 2-year-old elimination divisions dominate a stakes laded Saturday, Nov. 4, card at Dover Downs. There are three filly trot elims, and two each for colt trotters and colt and filly pacers. First post is 5:30 p.m. The pacing divisions boast the highest elim purses. In a $36,862 e
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Progress, Matron elims Sun.
November 04, 2006
The sport's top 3 year olds now racing take center stage at Dover Downs on Sunday, Nov. 5. The outstanding program features two $35,000 Progress Pace eliminations and five Matron Stakes elims. Several Breeders Crown champions and major stakes winners with the sport's leading trainers and drivers vyi
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Snaffle wins Maywood series
November 04, 2006
Given a garden trip from driver Mike Oosting, Fox Valley Snaffle pulled off a mild upset in Friday night’s $35,000 Associates Stakes, the third and final leg of Maywood Park Pacing Series, with a 1:53.2 victory. Sent off as the third choice of five betting interests in the 11th race feature, Oost
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Secret Grin tops in Trillium
November 04, 2006
After struggling through her last three starts, 2-year-old pacing filly Secret Grin finally found her way back to the winner’s circle on Friday evening with a 1:54.3 upset in Trillium Series action at Woodbine Racetrack. Secret Grin, who led the Grassroots point standings with four wins in five r
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VA Breeders win 9th straight
November 04, 2006
Justasplashofwhite lived up to her 1-2 odds and stretched her unbeaten streak to nine with a 2½ length victory in the $43,300 Virginia Breeders final for 2-year-old filly pacers Saturday afternoon at Colonial Downs. Driver Victor Kirby sent Justasplashofwhite right to the lead and the Shotgun Sco
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Pocono presents check to Gov.
November 04, 2006
Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell accepted the state’s first $50 million check from Robert Soper, president and CEO of Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, for a casino license in a ceremony conducted Friday at Genetti’s Best Western Hotel and Conference Center in Wilkes-Barre. The $50 million will be funnel
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O'Mara takes Indy title
November 04, 2006
Indiana Downs closed out its 2006 harness meeting Saturday, Nov. 4 with a 12-race afternoon card. Mark O’Mara was named the Shelbyville oval’s leading driver after guiding 116 winners during the 81-day meet. Jeff Brewer earned the training title on the strength of five wins over the final two progra
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Godiva Hall preps for Am Nat
November 04, 2006
Freshman trotter Godiva Hall received a bye for Saturday night’s American National elimination at Balmoral Park, but trainer Peter Foley wanted to tighten up his charge prior to the Nov. 11 final. Saturday afternoon at Indiana Downs the Like A Prayer two year old swept from last to first to win a $1
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Blissfully High wins RcR Open
November 04, 2006
Blissfully High scored a pocket trip to capture the $6,000 featured pace at Rosecroft Raceway on Saturday night in 1:56.4. The 4-year-old Blissfull High mare was driven expertly to victory by co-owner Brian Burton. Burton guided the mare off of the gate from post five and tucked in the two-ho
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Colonial's day of champs
November 03, 2006
Live racing in the Old Dominion will conclude for the year with Virginia harness racing’s biggest day, the Harness Day of Champions, on Saturday afternoon. Undefeated filly Justasplashofwhite’s quest to add yet another stakes victory to her unblemished record and top trotter Lolique’s assault on one
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Yonkers saga continues
November 03, 2006
Although more than 60 fire violations are still being addressed at Yonkers Raceway, track officials are now saying they hope to have everything rectified by Monday and then re-open for live racing Friday, Nov. 10. The track had already moved the Art Rooney elims for 3-year-old colt pacers to Saratog
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Carlspur pulls through
November 03, 2006
According to owner Tom Trezza Jr., the 10-year-old pacer Carlspur p, 1:48, is recovering well from surgery at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center and may be shipped home as early as Sunday. "They say he's doing great; he seems comfortable and is eating well," said Trezza. On Wed
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$50 million check ready
November 03, 2006
Robert Soper, president and CEO of Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, will present Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell with a ceremonial check for $50 million, as Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs becomes the first operation in the state to pay the fee for a gaming license. This fee also represents the f
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NJ vet clinic quarantined
November 03, 2006
In an ongoing effort to ensure that the equine herpes virus detected last week at Monmouth Park racetrack does not spread further, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health yesterday issued a quarantine at the Mid-Atlantic Veterinary Clinic in Ringoes, Hunterdon County, af
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Magic Swan wins LC at PcD
November 03, 2006
One heavy favorite and one longshot won Late Closer titles as The Great Rivalries series wrapped up on Friday afternoon at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The favorite, Magic Swan, cashed in at 4-5 odds to win the $37,000 final of the Army-Navy Trot in 1:55.1. Mike Simons did the driving for traine
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Number 18 for Tweedle Dum
November 02, 2006
The outside nine post didn’t matter. A sloppy racetrack didn’t matter. Nothing seems to matter to Tweedle Dum anymore--except winning! The grand 6 year old won Wednesday night at Pompano Park for the 18th time this year—tops in North America for any trotter. To add a bit more glory, all of Tweedle D
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A lofty 4-length win
November 02, 2006
The final ISOBA Super Sales Stake of the season was contested on Wednesday night at Balmoral Park with 2-year-old trotting colts taking center stage, and taking advantage of miscues by three of the five starters in the $16,000 race Brenda and Trenton Watson’s Lofty Game circled rivals on the far tur
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Masterpiece for Vangogh
November 02, 2006
JM Vangogh tuned up for the $85,000 Classic Trot next Monday by turning back seven rivals in 1:54.3 to win the $24,000 Open Handicap trot at Dover Downs on Wednesday. Kennywood took the $18,500 sub feature. Jim Morand collected a driving quadruple. A $1.1-million winner, Tony Morgan took JM Vango
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Six for Two Sox
November 02, 2006
Virgil Morgan’s SS Two Sox won his sixth straight race and remained unbeaten at Colonial Downs with a 2 1/4-length victory in Wednesday’s featured eighth race. Morgan claimed SS Two Sox on Sept. 2 and the 4-year-old Firm Belief gelding has not tasted defeat since. On Wednesday, SS Two Sox took co
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Five winners for Devaux
November 02, 2006
Jimmy Devaux put on a driving clinic at Monticello Raceway Wednesday when he drove five horses to victory on the 13-race card. Oddly, all his winners came behind trotters, which is a record of sorts and the first time in the 48-year history of Monticello Raceway that a driver reined five trotters to
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TCS four strong at Dover
November 02, 2006
The Classic Series (TCS) came up with four powerful and competitive fields for leg number two at Dover Downs on Monday, Nov. 6. All four classes required one $85,000 division. The Pacing Classic kicks off the Classic action in race six. Casimir Camotion, winner of the first leg at Woodbine last S
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Pocono slots on horizon
November 02, 2006
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs is on target to open its $70 million temporary slot machine parlor on Tuesday, Nov. 14. According to reports, racetrack workers are currently installing the last of the 1,083 slot machines, with several last-minute checks also being done. The slot area will be open 24
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Mighty M's Horse of the Year
November 02, 2006
Carlspur, recently named the 2006 Monticello Raceway Horse of the Year, is at the New Bolton Center in Pennsylvania after undergoing more than two hours of surgery Wednesday night. The 10-year-old horse has a career mark of 1:48 and earnings of $882,361 for owners Tom Trezza and Joel Spindel. He las
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Cam's Eclipse to Kentucky
November 02, 2006
Cam’s Eclipse, who has stood stallion duty in Michigan the past five years and has two small crops of racing age competing, will stand the 2007 breeding season at Peninsula Farm in Kentucky. Cam’s Eclipse, from the last crop of sire Cam Fella, will stand for a fee of $1,500, with a multiple mare
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A shady Colonial record
November 01, 2006
Joann Perry’s Shady Matilda set a new track record for 4-year-old pacing mares with a powerful win in 1:50.3 Tuesday night at Colonial Downs. Shady Matilda was a bit slow off the gate and was toward the back of the pack in fourth after an opening quarter in :27. Driver Frank Milby was content wit
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Fancy winner in ISOBA
November 01, 2006
Sportsfancy won the $27,000 ISOBA Super Sales Stakes for 2-year-old filly pacers at Balmoral Park Tuesday night. With Colette finishing second, the "chalk” players in the crowd were rewarded as both are owned by Joy and Bonnie Hutchinson. Taking advantage of post position two driver Ryan Anderson
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Riddle answered at Dover
November 01, 2006
Riddlemethat, overlooked at 9-1, went right to the front and never looked back to score a 1:53.3 victory to win the $25,000 Mares Open pace at Dover Downs on Tuesday. Tony Morgan and Tim Tetrick had driving triples while Jim Morand and Eddie Davis Jr. tallied doubles. Driver Morand put the Ball A
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Pocono record smashed
November 01, 2006
Smashingpringipisa won the Tiger-Phil final, sweeping the late-closer series and breaking a track record at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Tuesday afternoon with a 1:51.4 win. Yannick Gingras drove the 5-year-old mare trained by Mickey Burke to the win, breaking the previous mark for older pacing mares
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Ponder retired to stud
November 01, 2006
Ponder p,5, 1:48.1, a winner of $1,522,936, has been purchased by Diamond Creek Farm and retired from racing. He will stand at stud in 2007 at the Peninsula Farms location in York, Pa. His stud fee will be $6,000. Diamond Creek Farm will retain a 50 percent in the 5-year-old stallion and syndicat
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Foreman named Good Guy
November 01, 2006
George Foreman, former boxing champion now smitten with harness racing, has won the WR Haughton Memorial Good Guy Award, while Mary Lou Dondarski, a tireless worker in the offices of the Breeders Crown / Hambletonian Society and a skilled craftswoman of harness racing memorabilia, has won the LeeAnn
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Orsi Mangell elims complete
November 01, 2006
The Finnish-trained Express Merett and the dominant 3-year-old filly Giulia Grif have won the two eliminations for the Gran Premio Orsi Mangelli raced in Italy Wednesday. The $242,000 final is scheduled to take place about an hour and a half after the second elim. Giulia Grif (Viking Kronos) has
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CHHA Hall seeking names
November 01, 2006
The California Harness Horsemen’s Association (CHHA) is now accepting nominations for inductees for its class of 2006 Hall of Fame, with names accepted through Dec. 31. Nominations fall into one of two groups: people and horse. People that have contributed significantly to California harness raci
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Barzgar done for year
November 01, 2006
Trainer Tom Harmer had hoped to race 2-year-old colt pacer Fox Valley Barzgar in the upcoming American National at Balmoral Park, but instead he has decided to turn the son of Incredible Finale out for the rest of the year. The winner of the $410,000 Woodrow Wilson at the Meadowlands in early Aug
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Filly takes Orsi Mangelli
November 01, 2006
Giulia Grif won the $242,000 Gran Premio Orsi Mangelli Wednesday night in Italy, trotting the 1,600-meter distance in a mile rate of 1:55.3. The 3-year-old filly set a new European record for her division in her elimination when she won in 1:54.4. Marco Smorgon drove the daughter of Viking Kronos as
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Just five in Art Rooney
November 01, 2006
An intimate gathering of five 3 year olds were entered for the 2006 edition of the Art Rooney Pace, scheduled for Saturday night, Nov. 11, at Yonkers Raceway. The Rooney, with a purse of $440,904, goes as a “one-dash-for-the-cash” event. It is the intention that the race be contested at Yonkers, tho
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Progress Pace draws 13
November 01, 2006
Shark Gesture, fresh off his Breeders Crown victory, and North America Cup and Cane Pace winner Total Truth, have drawn into separate Progress Pace eliminations Sunday night at Dover Downs. Thirteen 3-year-old male pacers were entered, necessitating a pair of $35,000 elims. Drawing in against Sha
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