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The Horseman's Waterstone wins prestigious journalism award
December 31, 2008
The Horseman And Fair World's Gordon Waterstone was named the winner of the 2008 John Hervey Award for news writing for his Meadowlands Pace story titled “Race of the Century? Art Official Defeats Somebeachsomewhere,” which appeared in the magazine’s July 23 issue.   Also honored with Wa
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Michigan-owned pacer wins Woodbine series
December 30, 2008
Rip Rockin Lady needed every inch of the long Woodbine stretch to haul down favorite Windsong Experanza in Monday's $44,200 Niagara Pacing Series Final for 3-year-old fillies, winning in 1:56.2 over a track rated good and off one second. The eight fillies who lined up behind the starting gat
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Karpathos wires Open Handicap Trot in 1:54.3
December 30, 2008
Karpathos trotted to his ninth win of the season with driver Joe Pavia Jr. at the lines Monday night in the $16,000 Open Handicap feature at the Isle Pompano Park. Pavia charged Karpathos to the early lead from post five and set fractions of :28.2, :58 and 1:26 in a wire-to-wire victo
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AHC concerned CEM case could affect imports/exports
December 30, 2008
The American Horse Council (AHC) has been in contact with Kentucky Department of Agriculture and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) following the announcement that a Quarter Horse stallion has tested positive for Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) in Kentucky.   An AHC-issued bullet
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Karpathos wins Pompano open; Hellava Hush scores
December 30, 2008
Karpathos ($6.20) trotted to his ninth win of the season with driver Joe Pavia, Jr. at the lines Monday night in the $16,000 Open Handicap feature at the Isle Pompano Park.   Pavia charged Karpathos to the early lead from post five to set fractions of :28.2, :58 and 1:26 to a wire-to-wire vi
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Meadowlands announced handicapping dates
December 30, 2008
The 2009 National Harness Handicapping Championship has been set for April 25 at Meadowlands Racetrack, with a $50,000 guaranteed prize pool. Players may earn their way into the April championship through participation in a qualifying tournament at an NHHC partner outlet or by direct buy-in. Th
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Freehold to cut purses 25 percent beginning Jan. 2
December 30, 2008
Freehold Raceway announced Tuesday that effective January 2, overnight purses will be reduced 25 percent across the board. Stakes races scheduled to begin in March would not be affected. “This unfortunate and dramatic reduction is a combination of a continued decline in wagering handle an
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Meadowlands reduces stall rent charge
December 30, 2008
The Meadowlands, which announced it would start charging stall rent in 2009, has now agreed to cut the rate in half.Effective January 1, the stall rent fee structure will be a flat monthly rate of $125 per stall, according to NJSEA Senior Vice President for Racing Lennon Register. The fee is payable
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WEG driving title to Jamieson
December 30, 2008
Jody Jamieson wrapped up a stellar season with a holiday bow last night at Woodbine, by capturing his first WEG driver’s title with a total of 282 wins from 1666 starts, and a UDRS of .297, while the training title went to Benoit Baillargeon and Rob Fellows, who tied.Jamieson sat out the final card
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Top contenders emerging for Prix d’Amerique
December 29, 2008
The Prix de Bourgogne, a traditional prep for the Prix d’Amerique, was held Sunday at the Vincennes track in Paris, and two horses from the stable of Pierre Levesque—including 2007 and ’08 Prix d'Amerique winner Offshore Dream--finished one-two. The race was contested over a distance of 2,100 meters
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NJSS changes name; purses expected to be up for prelims in '09
December 29, 2008
In order to more clearly identify its top–flight of stakes races, the New Jersey Sire Stakes has named the pari-mutuel program at the Meadowlands and Freehold Raceway as the Premier division.   “The new name will clearly differentiate between the top-level pari-mutuel division and the Green A
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Vote totals for divisional honors listed
December 29, 2008
Somebeachsomewhere, Deweycheatumnhowe and Mister Big, who held the top three positions in the sport’s weekly Top 10 poll for much of the season, each will receive a Dan Patch Award from the U.S. Harness Writers Association for the second consecutive year. Division winners for the awards, g
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93 horses entered for Jan. 1 Woodbine card
December 29, 2008
Despite a vote from the Ontario Harness Horse Association to boycott the entry box at Woodbine beginning with the January 1 program, 10 races have been carded for that date at Woodbine, with the field sizes ranging from six to 10.   A total of 93 horses were entered for the card, and entries
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Boulder Creek wins on foggy night; Sears takes driving title
December 28, 2008
Boulder Creek emerged from the fog victorious in Saturday night’s $24,000 Preferred Pace at the Meadowlands. Owned by Larry Baron, the 8-year-old warhorse was positioned in third early, powered to the lead as the field approached the far turn, and gamely withstood the strong late pace of
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Vapor In The Wind wins 12th at Pompano
December 28, 2008
Vapor In The Wind has visited the winner’s circle 12 times in his 32 starts this season with the 4-year-old Cole Muffler gelding making it four consecutive wins at Pompano Park by taking the $16,000 Open Handicap Pace in 1:51 on Saturday night. It was JJ’S Gazette and driver Dan Clements t
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There's just To Much Fun at Dover Downs
December 28, 2008
Corey Callahan had a hot hand on the Saturday card at Dover Downs, driving four winners including To Much Fun in 1:52.4 to win the $25,000 Delaware claiming allowance. Owned by trainer Art Brewer, To Much Fun won for the second consecutive start and third time in five races when Callahan took the
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R Cowboy rounds up winner at Northfield
December 28, 2008
With temperatures in the upper 50s, the racing action was nearly as hot as the weather at Northfield Park on Saturday. In the $6,000 Open Trot, Athlete In Action appeared home free after a leisurely 1:01 half that saw Classical Man make a break and the other top choice American Tribute have issues
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Bartlett, Sumner take Yonkers titles
December 28, 2008
Jason Bartlett and Robert Sumner earned Yonkers Raceway honors as leading driver and trainer, respectively, for 2008. The 253-program '08 season (shortened by four weather casualties) ran from Jan. 7 through Dec. 23. Bartlett's breakthrough season saw him win 461 local races from 2,286 drives (20.
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Woodbine cancels Saturday card
December 28, 2008
Woodbine Racetrack canceled its Saturday night program due to unsafe track conditions. Unseasonably warm temperatures and heavy rains throughout the day took its toll on the oval. Despite the best efforts of Woodbine's track crew, the surface contained several soft spots which were deemed
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Todd Christy dies
December 28, 2008
Ohio horseman Todd G. Christy, 71, died December 26 after a brief illness. A native of Napoleon in the northwest corner of the Buckeye State, Mr. Christy grew up in harness racing as his father also trained horses. He first trained in Napoleon, but relocated to Scioto Downs in th
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Big M Friday handle tops $4 mil for first time since '06
December 27, 2008
Total handle from all sources wagered on Meadowlands races on Dec. 26 was $4,054,847, the highest Friday night total of the year. The previous high for a Friday card this year was $3.8 million, handled on April 4. The last time more than $4 million was bet on a Friday Meadowlands card was February 3
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Valedictory repeat winners at Woodbine
December 26, 2008
Dinner Guest and Warp Speed were both repeat winners in Friday's second leg of the Valedictory Pacing Series for 3-year-old colts and geldings at Woodbine. The other divisional winners included Steals A Kiss and P H Bestman   Dinner Guest used gate-to-wire tactics to score in his $20,00
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Lucy Lucy repeats repeats in Pompano open
December 24, 2008
Lucy Lucy ($4) and driver Anthony Napolitano won their second straight $16,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace at the Isle Pompano Park on Tuesday in 1:53.2.   As the field of five swung by the first quarter in :27.4,  Hypnotize and Dan Clements muscled their way to the top only to
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The Meadows' Horse of Year Primo Spur wins feaured trot
December 24, 2008
Primo Spur, the Horse of the Year at The Meadows, demonstrated again Tuesday why he deserved the honor by capturing the $25,000 Preferred Handicap Trot. Primo Spur and trainer-driver Dick Stillings worked out a pocket trip behind 4-5 favorite Prism K, then charged past in the lane to score in 1:55
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Lone mare upsets at odds of 14-1
December 23, 2008
Diva Diva ($30), the lone mare facing eight male rivals, upset the field at odds of 14-1 in capturing the $16,000 Open Handicap Pace at the Isle Pompano Park Monday.   Driven by Andy Santeramo, Diva Diva left from post six in the fifth race feature race and parked out race favorite Battlesho
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Change for Signal signals Niagara victory
December 23, 2008
Signal and Aqua Rosa were both repeat winners in Monday night's second leg of the Niagara Pacing Series at Woodbine and positioned themselves for a chance at the series sweep. This week's other divisional winner was Windsong Experanza who rebounded from a surprising loss in last week's first round
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You can get foiled again at The Meadows
December 23, 2008
Foiled Again, who already had amassed 12 wins and $324,639 in earnings this year, extended those flashy figures Monday at The Meadows when he charged through the Lightning Lane to take the $25,000 Preferred Handicap Pace. Assigned the outside post position, Foiled Again hustled to the pocket and e
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Tell All to stand at Deo Volente in New Jersey
December 23, 2008
Brittany Farms Stallion Management and Kentuckiana Farms announce that Tell All will be standing at Deo Volente Farm located in Flemington, N.J. Deo Volente is the recent Hoof Beats recipient of the “Farm Of The Future” award from Hoof Beats. Michael J. Gulotta and partners Andy Willinger and Otis R
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We remember 20 years ago in racing
December 23, 2008
It was 20 years ago today, the trotter Mack Lobell once again showed the way; he was once again in style, and had to generate a smile. So may we introduce to you, the act that won the year, the 1988 Horse of the Year. And yes, if you think the lyrics are familiar, google The Beatles’ Sgt. Pe
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Illinois Gaming Board awards 10th casino license to Des Plaines
December 23, 2008
The Illinois Gaming Board voted 3-1 Monday to award the state’s 10th riverboat casino license to Midwest Gaming & Entertainment, which wants to build the casino in suburban Des Plaines. According to the Chicago Tribune, Midwest’s bid of $125 million for the license was the lowest of the three co
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PA legislators want more gaming in state
December 23, 2008
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette newspaper reported on Tuesday that two southwestern Pennsyvlania Democratic legislators plan to push for table games at the state's casinos, plus putting a small number of slot machines at bars, taverns and other establishments with a liquor license.   The two legi
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Somebeachsomewhere Canada's only unanimous winner
December 22, 2008
Standardbred Canada Monday announced the finalists for the 2008 O'Brien Awards, which honor Canada's best in harness racing over the past season, and Somebeachsomewhere has unanimously won his category as Canada’s 3-Year-Old Pacing Colt of the Year. Seventy-two voters from across Cana
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Balmoral cancels Sunday card too
December 21, 2008
Due to the extreme cold that has moved into the Chicagoland area, Balmoral Park has been forced to cancel its live racing card for Sunday, Dec. 21. The track also canceled the previous night's card due to weather conditions.   With high temperatures only expected to reach single digits and w
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Jans Luck wins 14th race of the year
December 20, 2008
Thwarted in the Lightning Lane last week, Jans Luck made her own luck Friday at The Meadows, going wire to wire in the slop to capture the $25,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Pace. It was her 14th victory this year.   Although she raced well in her last outing, Jans Luck finishe
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Running Aces to host 51 harness dates in 2009
December 20, 2008
Running Aces Harness Park has received approval from the Minnesota Racing Commission to race from May 15, 2009 to August 9, 2009, with 51 race dates. Running Aces Harness Park will host live racing on Friday, Saturday and Tuesday evenings starting at 7 pm and Sunday afternoons starting at 4 pm.
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John Marshall leaving The Meadows
December 20, 2008
John Marshall, who has served as vice president and general manager at The Meadows for Magna Entertainment for several years, has been named vice president and general manager of racing for Calder Race Course, Churchill Downs Inc. announced on Friday. He will report to Calder presid
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Deweycheatumnhowe taking up residence at Walnut Hall Ltd.
December 20, 2008
Deweycheatumnhowe was officially welcomed to his new home at Walnut Hall Ltd. outside Lexington, Ky.,  Saturday morning by Alan and Meg Leavitt. Looking none the worse for wear after his accident-interrupted trip from Goshen, N.Y., the 3-year-old son of Muscles Yankee was quite observant of the
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Bettor Sweet takes Oil Burner; Four Start Melody wins Snow Angel
December 20, 2008
Amid the bitter cold and falling snow, Bettor Sweet unleashed a stakes record 1:49.4 mile to win the $63,500 Oil Burner Final Saturday night at the Meadowlands, and Four Starz Melody took the $51,000 Snow Angel final in the very next race.   Valentowner led the field through brisk openin
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Tasmanian Daniel picks up sixth win in last two months
December 20, 2008
Tasmanian Daniel (Larry Stalbaum), ultra-consistent in the latter part of the season, took final 2008 Yonkers Raceway feature honors by winning Saturday night's $40,000 Open Pace.   "Daniel," leaving from post position 5 in the open-draw octet, made an immediate lead before surrendering
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Mojo N The Morning scores on Thursday evening
December 19, 2008
Mojo N The Morning showed her moxie Thursday evening, defeating Frenchfrysnvinegar to win the $46,600(C) Ontario-sired Autumn Series final for sophomore trotting fillies at Woodbine. With Shopaholic (Roger Mayotte) and Foamy (John Brooks) self-destructing at the start, eight fillies were lef
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Winner comes motoring off the pace to win Dover feature
December 19, 2008
Motoring Astreos N won a $16,500 pace while Letmetellusumthin came on to win the $15,000 trot on Thursday at Dover Downs. The track will be dark until live racing resumes on Saturday, Dec. 27, on Customer Appreciation day. Brandon Givens piloted Motoring Astreos N from off the pace to score a 1:
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Meadowlands announces 2009 stakes schedule
December 19, 2008
The $1.5 million Hambletonian on Aug. 8 and $1 million Meadowlands Pace on July 18 headline nearly $19.5 million in stakes races scheduled for the 2009 harness meet at the Meadowlands. The 151-date season kicks off Jan. 1 and runs through Aug. 21.   The sport's premier events for 3-year-o
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New PA Stallion Series adds opportunity for 2YOs
December 19, 2008
There will be a new series for Pennsylvania-sired 2 year olds, and events will be scheduled the day before a Sire Stakes race at a given track in order to provide another option for racing youngsters.   Named the Stallion Series, money for the program will come from the horsemen's p
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Nominations up at the Meadowlands
December 19, 2008
Nominations to 12 Meadowlands winter and spring stakes events are significantly higher in 2009. The Four Leaf Clover and Berry’s Creek Pace lead the way with nearly double the nominees over the previous year. The three-week Four Leaf Clover Series for older pacers drew a 91 percent increase in nom
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Schedule changes in 2009 for Lebanon, Northfield
December 19, 2008
The Ohio State Racing Commission approved Friday changes in the racing schedule at both Northfield Park and Lebanon Raceway, the latter of which includes conducting two weekends of live racing which conflicts with Scioto Downs. Lebanon Raceway and the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association had reached
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Dewey, Somebeachsomewhere honored by HTA
December 19, 2008
Racing secretaries of Harness Tracks of America’s 38 members have selected their season’s champions of 2008 with the owners of the 12 divisional champions receiving their prized Nova Awards at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Wednesday night, Feb. 4, 2009, duri
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Ashcos Scotty captures feature trot at Pompano in 1:58
December 18, 2008
Ashcos Scotty ($8.40) was the pocket-rocket in the seventh race feature trot at the Isle Pompano Park Wednesday, using perfect cover from pacesetter Vals Empress to win in 1:58.   Driven by David Ingraham, Ashcos Scotty followed race favorite Vals Empress (Bruce Ranger) from right out of the
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Crawdad scores in 1:52 at Meadowlands
December 18, 2008
Over a year after an infection threatened to end his life, Crawdad returned to the Meadowlands in triumphant fashion Wednesday night as he crushed the competition in the $10,000 ninth race.    The Illinois-bred pacer shipped to the Meadowlands in early 2007 and quickly became a fan
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Funeral service set for Eric Sharbaugh
December 18, 2008
Eric M. Sharbaugh, 51, former executive vice president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Trotting Association, died Wednesday in Harrisburg, Pa., as the result of an apparent stroke. Sharbaugh had served as a vice president of a Pennsylvania information technology firm. He was a 1980 hon
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Joey The Jet JT breezes to 1:54.3 feature trot win at Dover
December 18, 2008
Joey The Jet JT got back into the winner's circle, winning the $27,000 Open Handicap Trot Wednesday at Dover. Tony Morgan drove Tuna Whip to one of his six wins, taking the $18,000 sub-feature.   In the week's top trot, Ton Jackson shot Joey The Jet JT past race-favorite Sauce Two K (Co
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Dover Downs may be closed after another EHV-1 case discovered
December 18, 2008
Hugh Gallagher, executive director of the Delaware Harness Racing Commission, is considering stopping racing at Dover Downs after a second horse, a 2-year-old trotter, has tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1. The first positive resulted in the 7-year-old mare Tintabella N being euthanized. "T
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Ontario issues two suspensions for DPO
December 18, 2008
As a result of an investigation by the industry-funded Equine Medication Control and Drug Task Force, and after tests confirmed the presence of darbepoetin-alfa (DPO) in horses, the director of the Ontario Racing Commission has ordered the immediate suspension of the licenses of two people, Dan
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New series for pacing mares at Yonkers
December 18, 2008
Yonkers Raceway has announced a new series--the Blue Chip Matchmaker--a $750,000 (estimated) free-for-all event for pacing mares, with a twist, that being free breedings to Bettor's Delight, Art Major and American Ideal.   The series is a companion event to the popular George Morton Lev
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Fox Valley Lector wins series final at Balmoral Park in 1:56.2
December 18, 2008
Freshman pacing colts grabbed the headlines on Wednesday night at Balmoral Park as a field of seven Illinois conceived and foaled youngsters battled in the $7,000 final of the Incredible Finale Series.               Coming off back to ba
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New Vocations seeking donations
December 18, 2008
New Vocations is currently organizing its 11th annual Stallion and Merchandise Auction to be held in conjunction with the Blooded Horse Sale on Feb. 9 and 10.   “This is a dangerous time for unwanted horses, and a successful stallion auction is essential to our ability to handle the
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Tetrick tops driver standings at Harrah's Chester
December 18, 2008
Highlighted by Artistic Fella's world record performance of 1:48 in the Ben Franklin, an equally remarkable 1:52.2 mile by trotting mare Buck I St Pat in the Maxie Lee, and the successful debut of Super Stakes Sunday, the recently-completed 2008 harness racing meet at Harrah's Chester showed improve
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Tim Rooney to sell interest in Steelers
December 18, 2008
The Pittsburgh Steelers will soon be owned by only two Rooneys, and among those selling their interest is Yonkers Raceway president Timothy J. Rooney, the National Football League announced on Wednesday. Tim Rooney's sale of his 16 percent interest was prompted by the NFL's requirement tha
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It's official: No steroids in NY
December 18, 2008
New York is the latest state to ban certain anabolic steroids in race horses, with new rules, which specify thresholds, taking effect on Jan. 1.   “New York’s new rule is just the right prescription to counter the use of unnecessary steroids while ensuring violators will be held accounta
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Michigan horseman Allen loses home to fire
December 18, 2008
Michigan-based trainer Chris Allen lost his home and all the family’s belongings to a fire Saturday, Dec. 13, started by a gas leak believed to be related to the recent installation of a new dryer. Allen, his wife, and several others who resided at the home were not present at the time of the explos
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Friday cancellations: Big M, Woodbine, Yonkers, Monti, Saratoga
December 18, 2008
All of the sport's major tracks located in the path of a projected powerful snowstorm have canceled their Friday programs, and the list includes Meadowlands, Woodbine, Yonkers, Monticello, and Saratoga. Also, Michigan's Sports Creek Raceway has canceled its Friday card. Other tracks i
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Lucy Lucy easily wins Open Handicap for mares in 1:52.3
December 17, 2008
After sweeping three-wide from last place at the top of the stretch, Lucy Lucy ($5.80) and driver Anthony Napolitano won with ease in the $16,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace Tuesday at the Isle Pompano Park.   The fifth race feature saw Biggest Big Bertha and driver Bruce Ranger leave from post
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Ladyfield ends Perfect M Forever's winning streak in 1:53.4
December 17, 2008
Ladyfield caught Perfect M Forever in the final stride to end her win streak at eight in a row in the $27,000 Filly and Mare Open/Handicap pace Tuesday at Dover Downs while Costly Legs added to her win streak in one of two $18,000 distaff paces. Corey Callahan had four winning drives, Tony
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Kissmeallover captures Incredible Finale final in 1:57
December 17, 2008
Despite a late afternoon snowstorm which dumped anywhere fromn two to six inches of snow on the Chicagoland area Tuesday, the show continued on at Balmoral Park as Kissmeallover defeated six other Illinois conceived and foaled 3-year-old filly pace rivals in the $7,000 final of the In
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Hoopie gets break, wins feature trot at The Meadows
December 17, 2008
Full of trot but seemingly pinned inside, Hoopie got a late break and fully exploited it as he took the $25,000 Preferred Handicap trot Tuesday at The Meadows.   After a ground-saving trip on the sloppy track, Hoopie was poised in third and ready to challenge the front-ending Prism K in the s
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Hochstetler, Graham to join Illinois Hall of Fame
December 17, 2008
Trainer-drivers Homer Hochstetler and Jerry Graham have been selected for induction into the Illinois Harness Racing Hall of Fame by the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association. Also going into the Hall in the Immortal category will be Dan Knox while the horses Sportsmaster and Misty Misty will be h
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World champion Snow White to be sold at mixed sale
December 17, 2008
More than 435 head will be offered at the January Select Mixed Sale at the Meadowlands, including world-champion filly Snow White, the fastest and richest 2-year-old trotter in history. The sale, which once again features a terrific selection of racehorses, fillies and mares, and stallion shares
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Which is your choice for 2008 Race of the Year?
December 17, 2008
Ballots for the 2008 Race of the Year are included in the Dec. 14 Holiday Issue of The Horseman and you can re-live those great moments by clicking the video links at "featured video," located on the right side of the home page of harnessracing.com.   This year's nominees include: t
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Deweycheatumnhowe involved in Pennsylvania accident
December 17, 2008
Ray Schnittker was involved in an accident on a Pennsylvania highway Wednesday morning while en route to Kentucky with the Hambletonian-winning Deweycheatumnhowe, and Alan Leavitt, president of Walnut Hall Ltd. and syndicate manager, said both horseman and horse emerged unscathed. Schnittker’s
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Phil Pines dies
December 17, 2008
Phillip A. Pines, 82, the longtime director of the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, himself a member of the Communicators' Hall of Fame, died Tuesday in Middletown, N.Y. after a long illness.   For many years Mr. Pines had been the sport’s prime historian. “I acquired the knowled
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Dali ties 1:48.2 world mark in 3-year-old colt pace final
December 16, 2008
Dali obliterated the track and stakes record with a world record equaling 1:48.2 victory in the $249,113 Matron Stakes 3-year-old colt pace final on Monday, Dec. 15, at Dover Downs.   Dali left quickly to find room second behind the early leader, the George Brennan-driven
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Farmer Jones harvests 1:55.2 trot win at Pompano
December 16, 2008
Farmer Jones ($9.20) was able to grind out an impressive first-over victory in winning the $16,000 Open Handicap Trot at the Isle Pompano Park Monday in 1:55.2.   It was the race favorite, Battleshoe Victor who started off the fifth-race feature by leaving from post nine and grabbing the ear
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Gregory drives five winners at Yonkers
December 16, 2008
Driver Jeff Gregory picked up an early christmas gift as he went behind the starting gate eight times in Monday's 13-race card at Yonkers Raceway and came home the winner in five of the races.   Gregory won the evening's first three races--including a sweep of the $23.40 early daily
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Lively Moment sets 3:42.4 world mark in Monticello Marathon
December 16, 2008
Though the rain drizzled down and the racetrack was taking on water, Lively Moment covered the 1-3/4 mile distance in world record time in the Monticello Marathon on Monday afternoon. The 5-year-old daughter of Master Lavec, in rein to Bruce Aldrich, Jr., was a decisive winner in a new North Am
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Gov. Blagojevich signs casino bill
December 16, 2008
There is some good news out of Illinois regarding Governor Rod Blagojevich. Monday he signed House Bill 4758 which sets aside three percent of the adjusted gross revenue from Illinois’ four most profitable riverboat casinos for the horse racing industry in the state. The bill is a three-year extensi
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N Y Times says Good Bye to Dewey
December 15, 2008
A feature article on Deweycheatumnhowe appeared in today’s edition of the New York Times. Writer Jane Schwartz visited with trainer, driver and co-owner Ray Schnittker and reported on not only Dewey’s career, but also delved into Schnittker’s history, from his nights working on a radiator assembly l
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Repairing Hambletonian barn would cost $100,000
December 15, 2008
The city Planning Board in Chester, N.Y., must soon decide if a barn believed to have been the home for Hambletonian should be renovated at an estimated cost of $100,000 by the developer of the property where the barn is located.   According to a story in the Middletown, N.Y., Times Herald-Re
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Fout drives 4,500th winner at Dover Sunday
December 15, 2008
Jeff Fout scored his 4,500th driving victory at Dover Downs Sunday, while Bullion Bill A, Livestrong, Definitely Maybe and Perfect Swing also scored feature wins.   Winbak Farms' Celebrate America's second straight triumph was a celebration occasion for driver Je
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Panel recommends increased funding for regulation
December 15, 2008
The Governor’s Task Force on the Future of Horse Racing in Kentucky has been sent to Gov. Steve Beshear with recommendations that funding to regulate the sport be increased and that it be paid for through increased fees and taxes. The report which was released to the media Monday and reported on the
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Manzi drives Bettor Sweet, Camshaft Hanover to Oil Burner wins
December 14, 2008
Driver Cat Manzi scored back-to-back wins with Bettor Sweet and Camshaft Hanover in the second round of the Oil Burner Series Saturday night at the Meadowlands.    Starting from the outside post, Manzi and Bettor Sweet sat third-over and soared home to edge Valentower in 1:50.4.  B
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Vapor In The Wind scores second straight
December 14, 2008
For the second straight week, Vapor In The Wind ($5.60), showed that that he is the horse to beat at the Isle Pompano Park, capturing the $16,000 Open Handicap Pace Saturday in 1:52.   Leading from start to finish in the fifth race feature, driver Wally Hennessey held the field at bay with V
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Tetrick watches Kelly's Spur, Yarborough Hanover score at Dover
December 14, 2008
Tim tetrick was among the fans watching the races at Dover Downs Saturday as Kelly's Spur and Yarborough Hanover won the twin-features while Corey Callahan drove four winners. Tetrick, the nation's leading money-winning driver for 2008, had hip replacement surgery last Monday and wa
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Barlett scores at Yonkers with a Johnny Walker
December 14, 2008
While Yonkers Raceway  would never, ever condone drinking and driving, Jason Bartlett was seen speeding with a Johnny Walker in both hands...and broke no laws, as far as we could figure. Jason, the driver, and Johnny, the horse, teamed to win the weekly Saturday night $40,000 Open Handicap Pa
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Guest who's coming to dinner at Woodbine?
December 13, 2008
Dinner Guest turned in the fastest clocking in one of five divisions in the opening leg of the Valedictory Pacing Series for 3-year-old colts and geldings at Woodbine Racetrack on Friday night. The gelded son of No Pan Intended-Beach Guest, competing in the first $20,000(C) split, went gate to wire
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Grismore sweeps Yonkers features
December 13, 2008
Driver Greg Grismore made an early holiday haul Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's pair of $40,000 Open Handicaps with Beach Nut Brand (Trot) and Binions (Filly and Mare Pace). Beach Nut Brand, leaving from penultimate post position seven, was shy early as American Lane (Cat Manzi) stepped ar
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Gingras donates Friday earnings to Toys For Tots
December 13, 2008
A charitable pledge proved to be good luck for driver Yannick Gingras on Friday night at the Meadowlands as he landed in the winner’s circle twice after announcing he would donate his earnings for the night to the track’s annual Toys For Tots drive for the United States Marine Corps.   B
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Snow Angel splits highlight Meadowlands' Thursday card
December 12, 2008
Apere Hanover caught Artexpress in the final strides to win the first of three $25,000 Snow Angels divisions for 3-year-old filly pacers on Thursday night at the Meadowlands. Artexpress, a 17-1 shot, led the field at every call but could not hold off the late run of the 6-5 favorite and drive
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Nyalation in Autumn Series final at Woodbine
December 12, 2008
Lil Miss Nyalation and driver Mike Saftic pulled off a mild upset in Thursday's $40,300(C) Ontario-sired Autumn Series final for 2-year-old pacing fillies at Woodbine Racetrack. The pair overcame the outside post in the field which was reduced to eight starters with the scratch of Paid In Silve
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A spunky victory at Dover
December 12, 2008
Spunky Vic, overlooked at 13-1 from the rail, splashed his way to a 1:57.4 victory on a rain filled Dover Downs on Thursday. Tom Jackson left fast with Arty Foster's Spunky Vic, a Valley Victor-B Cor Spunky 4 year old, and cut out all the fractions in a convincing 1:57.4 triumph. The gelding fou
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150,000 race calls for Roger Huston
December 12, 2008
The Meadows' announcer Roger Huston called the 150,000 race of his Communicators Corner career Thursday afternoon, reaching the milestone in the ninth race.   According to Huston family lore, when Roger was no more than a tyke, he gave early indications of the career he would choose.  
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Trolley Square, Wheres The Beach named Broodmares of the Year
December 12, 2008
Trotting broodmare Trolley Square and pacing broodmare Wheres The Beach, the dams of season-long champions Deweycheatumnhowe and Somebeachsomewhere, respectively, have been named Broodmares of the Year in balloting conducted among members of the United States Harness Writers Association. Deweych
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Lone mare in Open Trot prevails at 33-1
December 11, 2008
The 33-1 longshot Vicki Gram got up to win the $26,000 Open Trot while Ruffled Tux won for the third straight time in the feature pace at Dover Downs on a rainy Wednesday.   Race favorite Joey The Jet JT and driver Tony Morgan escaped from being locked in at the three-quarters, moved t
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Magic in the air at Pompano
December 11, 2008
Magic was in the air for Canadian trainer-owner Denitza Petrova Wednesday night at the Isle Pompano Park as her 3-year old Dauntless Bunny gelding, Ben Magic ($7.80), made his debut at Pompano to capture his first pari-mutuel win in 26 lifetime starts.   Driver Anthony Napolitano and Be
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Danny Noonan springs Incredible Finale surprise
December 11, 2008
After first round action at Maywood Park, round two in the Incredible Finale series for 3-year-old pacing colts shifted to Balmoral Park Wednesday as a field of eight state-breds went postward for a purse of $5,000, with Danny Noonan springing an upset.    Despite missing by only a
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Dali 6, Blueridge Western 2 in Matron final draw
December 11, 2008
Uncirculated Stable's Dali and Francis Azur's Blueridge Western, winners of last week's $41,519 eliminations, lead eight fast 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers in the $249,113 Matron Series final at Dover Downs on Monday night.   Living up to his name of the master painter Dali, the son of R
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Northville cancels Wednesday; reschedules for Saturday matinee
December 11, 2008
Northville Downs has announced that the Wednesday night program canceled due to icy track conditions has been rescheduled and will be raced as a matinee card as part of a doubleheader on Saturday. Post time for the afternoon program is 1 p.m., with the second half of the doubleheader 
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Silva, Tetrick honored by USHWA
December 11, 2008
Jerry Silva has been voted the 2008 Owner of the Year and Tim Tetrick the 2008 Driver of the Year by members of the U.S. Harness Writers Association. It is the second consecutive year the 27-year-old Tetrick has been named Driver of the Year.   Silva, 74, shares ownership of several horses, a
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First Over on hiatus; Gen Sullivan to join staff
December 11, 2008
As Andrew Cohen announced on harnessracing.com’s First Over blog earlier this week, the blog is on hiatus while the web site is retooled for a new look—with new features—for the 2009 racing season. Also, Gen Sullivan will be joining the staff of The Horseman And Fair World magazine, which produces h
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Tetrick on mend after hip replacement surgery
December 11, 2008
Tim Tetrick, the sport’s leading money-winning driver this year, reports to the Meadowlands publicity department that he is doing well after undergoing hip replacement surgery Monday.    "I got out of surgery at 11:30 (Monday morning) and was walking by 5:00,” Tetrick said Thursday. “
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Sports wagering at New Jersey tracks takes step forward
December 11, 2008
The first legislative step in an effort to bring sports wagering to New Jersey racetracks and Atlantic City casinos moved forward Thursday when the State Senate Committee on Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation unanimously voted to release a resolution urging the U. S. Congress to lift a
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Penn lab clears trainers of EPO positives
December 11, 2008
Tom Miller, attorney for Jan Johnson, Bob McIntosh, Jim Arledge and Joe Seekman, announced late Thursday that the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology and Research Laboratory had found blood samples taken from horses the trainers had entered to race at The Red Mile this fall to be negative for recomb
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Incredible Finale divisions held in Chicago
December 10, 2008
Sophomore pacing fillies were the center of attention on another cold and blustery night as Balmoral Park played host to round-two action in the Incredible Finale Series, with Elle’s Bells and Kissmeallover capturing their respective splits.   A total of 14 state-bred three-year-olds were ent
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Perfect M Forever notches eighth straight win at Dover
December 10, 2008
Perfect M Forever made it to the winner's circle for the eighth race in a row, scoring a 1:53.1 victory in the $26,000 Open Handicap Pace for fillies and mares Tuesday night at Dover Downs.   An Ohio-bred 3-year-old daughter of Stand Forever-Perfect Model, Perfect M Forever won through the
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Pompano open goes to Catalina Morgan
December 10, 2008
Catalina Morgan ($3.60) scored her seventh win of the season in the $16,000 Open Handicap Pace for fillies and mares Tuesday night at Pompano Park.    Driver Denis St. Pierre piloted Catalina Morgan to the first quarter in :28 and over to the half in :57.3. As they paced by th
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Prism K equals track record at The Meadows
December 10, 2008
Prism K hustled to the lead from post seven and didn't look back until he equaled the track record for older geldings in the $25,000 Preferred Trot on Tuesday at The Meadows. The mile of 1:54.2 tied the mark set by Sweet Deal Hanover and Bill Zendt in 2005. Prism K had won two of his past four rac
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Schnittker voted Trainer of the Year, Good Guy of the Year
December 10, 2008
Ray Schnittker, who campaigned the brilliant sophomore trotter Deweycheatumnhowe this past season to a hugely successful, extremely media-friendly year of racing, has been voted two awards in balloting by the U.S. Harness Writers Association: the Glen Garnsey Trainer of the Year and the W.R. Ha
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Harrah's Chester to host 2009 Fall Final Four
December 10, 2008
After being contested this decade at either the Meadowlands, Mohawk or Woodbine, the 2009 Fall Final Four for 2 year olds will be at Harrah’s Chester in Pennsylvania, with the finals split over two weekends, albeit several weeks earlier than in the past.   Eliminations for the $575,000(est.)
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Dali, Blueridge Western capture Dover eliminations
December 09, 2008
Dali stroked a 1:49.1 victory in the first of two $31,519 Matron Stakes eliminations at Dover Downs on Monday, while in similar style, but a few ticks slower, Blueridge Western cruised to a 1:51.1 triumph in the other Matron elim.   After First Rate with Tim Curtin cut out the pace unt
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Pompano's Open Trot goes to the victor
December 09, 2008
Anthony Napolitano and Battleshoe Victor won the $16,000 Open Handicap Trot Monday at the Isle Pompano Park, pushing his lifetime earnings over the quarter-million-dollar mark.   The 6-year-old Valley Victor gelding had to make up a lot ground before taking the victory. Andy Santer
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Trainer sweeps Italian stakes; Windsong's Legacy filly third
December 09, 2008
The Gran Premio Allevatori, the richest Italian stakes for 2 year olds, resulted in a narrow win for the Holger Ehlert-trained filly Mania on Monday at the Tor di Valle track in Rome. Mania was catch-driven by Jorma Kontio "the Flying Finn," who also had captured the corresponding stake in Sweden
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Victory for Herestopatrick at Woodbine
December 09, 2008
Herestopatrick needed every inch of racetrack to score a nose decision in Monday's $40,100(C) Ontario-sired Autumn Series final for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers at Woodbine Racetrack. Jack Moiseyev guided the colt to the hard-fought victory from post five after finishing a charging second in
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Bartlett, Tanner voted USHWA's Rising Stars
December 09, 2008
One of the hottest young drivers on the scene today, Jason Bartlett, has been chosen to receive the U.S. Harness Writers Association’s 2008 Rising Star Award, while the new executive vice president of the U.S. Trotting Association, Mike Tanner, will be honored with the Lew Barasch Breakthrough Award
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Irvine family matriarch dies in Ohio
December 09, 2008
Marcella Rebecca Irvine, the matriarch of an Ohio harness racing family, died Sunday at age 80 in Northfield, Ohio, following an extended illness.   After being surprised with a horse by her husband Don, her entire family became involved with harness racing. Many weekends were spent at the ra
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Four track records set at Batavia in 2008
December 09, 2008
Batavia Downs Gaming concluded its 62nd season of live harness racing on Saturday, with four track records established during the meet including the all-age track record set by Kenneth J and Jim Morrill Jr.   Kenneth J lowered Michael Scores' 1:52.1 mark in the $40,000 Robert J
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Marty's a charm at The Meadows
December 09, 2008
Marty's Charm blistered his final quarter in :27.4 to discourage all challengers en route to his second consecutive victory in the $25,000 Preferred Pace at The Meadows on Monday. Away second, Marty's Charm made the lead with a quarter-pole move and withstood the strong first-over bid of No Nonsen
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Tom's Toy ends Shes Everything's streak
December 09, 2008
Big money was on the line for Delaware-sired horses Monday night at Dover Downs, and in a $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund final for 2-year-old filly pacers, Tom's Toy won her third in a row, ending a six-race win streak by Shes Everything.   Corey Callahan sat second fr
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Wearable Art to stand stud in Pennsylvania
December 09, 2008
Wearable Art p,3, 1:50 ($226,040), the winner of last year's Berry's Creek Pace, will stand at stud at Lindwood Farm of Pennsylvania for the 2009 breeding season.   Campaigned by Peter Kleinhans, Wearable Art was a New Jersey Sire Stakes winner at the Meadowlands as a 2 year old and then came
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Pennsylvania bars horses coming from Dovington
December 09, 2008
The Pennsylvania State Harness Racing Commission has issued the following directive that bars horses coming into the state from the Dovington Training Center in Delaware where a horse was recently diagnosed with herpesvirus and euthanized:   "Per the order of Director of Harness Racing A
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Georgian Downs announces $500,000 race for Ontario-sired 3CP
December 09, 2008
Georgian Downs unveiled Tuesday a new stakes event to join its growing repertoire, the $500,000(C) Upper Canada Cup, restricted to Ontario-sired 3-year-old colts and geldings. The marquee stakes event will serve as the unofficial opening of the national championship stakes season
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Charges against Blagojevich could involve racing legislation
December 09, 2008
Horse racing in Illinois could be involved in the federal case against Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was arrested at his home in Chicago early Tuesday morning on federal corruption charges.   According to the U.S. Department of Justice news release, which documented the charges, in an alleged pa
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No More Games, Ruby Ransom win pair of $100,000 DSBF finals
December 08, 2008
No More Games and Ruby Ransome won the two $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund Finals on a cold and blustery Sunday, Dec. 7 at Dover Downs. Brandon Givens had four trips to the winner's circle.  No More Games had little difficulty turning back seven rivals in the DSBF Final as Corey Ca
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Philos Hanover Pacer of the Year in PA
December 08, 2008
The elite of Pennsylvania harness racing came together at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Saturday night to participate in the second annual Celebration of Pennsylvania Harness Racing. The overall Pennsylvania Harness Horse of the Year was Philos Hanover, who won over $250,000 just at Harrah’s Chester
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Somebeachsomewhere scratched sick from Matron
December 08, 2008
Brent MacGrath said Monday morning that after discovering Somebeachsomewhere had spiked a fever early Saturday that had come down somewhat the following day, he decided in the best interests of the 3-year-old colt pacer to scratch him from Monday night’s Matron eliminations at Dover Downs. MacG
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DSBF finals held at Dover
December 08, 2008
No More Games and Ruby Ransome won the two $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund finals on a cold and blustery Sunday at Dover Downs.   No More Games had little difficulty turning back seven rivals in the DSBF final as Corey Callahan drove into the lead after the start and set all th
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Blue Chip Farms' William S. Brown Dies
December 08, 2008
William S. Brown, former president and general manager of Blue Chip Farms in Wallkill, N.Y., died Saturday, Dec. 6, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.  He was 81.    The son of Karl and Jeanette Brown, he was born at home in Lebanon, Ohio, on Nov. 10, 1927.  He was introduced to harness ra
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Horseman Gary Baker dies at 60
December 08, 2008
Horseman Gary Baker, who had been suffering with ALS (Lou Gerhig's disease) the last few years, died Sunday night at age 60. During his illness he lived with his close friends Steve and Robin Arnold.   Baker trained horses for the Arnolds and others, spending the winter months at South Florid
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PEI-based driver Paul MacDonald dies
December 08, 2008
Veteran Prince Edward Island-based horseman Paul MacDonald, who won the 1987 Gold Cup and Saucer with Maple Grove Shadow at Charlottetown Driving Park, died Saturday shortly after driving in that track’s sixth race. MacDonald, 57, reportedly collapsed in his tack room after driving the 3-year-old pa
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Magnificent Rodney wins prep for Prix d'Amerique
December 08, 2008
The Prix d’Amerique will be held the last Sunday in January, and the top trotters in Europe are beginning to make serious preps to see if they will be contenders in the race, and one of them might be the Ulf Nordin-trained Magnificent Rodney, who won the Prix Bourbonnais at Vincennes in Paris on Sat
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Tetrick's hip surgery a success
December 08, 2008
Harnessracing.com has learned driver Tim Tetrick's hip replacement surgery Monday morning at the Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia was a success. The surgery was needed to correct a degenerative hip condition that left the 27-year-old Tetrick with a limp and in constant pain; T
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Giuseppe Biasuzzi, patriarch of famed Italian family, dies
December 08, 2008
Giuseppe “Bepe” Biasuzzi, the patriarch of the famed Italian family that has bred and owned the winners of more than 200 Standardbred stakes races in the world, died Sunday at the age of 84 after a long illness. He was the father of well-known horsemen Mauro and Fabio, and the husband of Gina, for w
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Pacing mare in Delaware euthanized after testing for herpesvirus
December 08, 2008
The Delaware Dept. of Agriculture has announced that a Standardbred that was housed at the Dovington Training Center in Felton, Del., has been euthanized after testing positive for the highly infectious equine herpesvirus-1. Although the release did not reveal the training center nor the horse, harn
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HHI honors Leppler, Hodes, Murray
December 08, 2008
Harness Horsemen International (HHI) president Gene Oldford has announced HHI's 2008 Dominic Frinzi Man of the Year is retiring Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission executive secretary Anton Leppler, while its Clyde Hirt Media Award goes to freelance writer and former Meadowlands media relations d
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Taylor, Curran honored by USHWA
December 08, 2008
The United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) has chosen Ellen Taylor, executive director of the Harness Horse Youth Foundation (HHYF), and Ottawa-area horsewoman Ann Curran, the creator and co-coordinator of the popular Mildred Williams International Women's Driving Series, to receive the P
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I Can Only Imagine sets fastest mile of the season at Pompano
December 07, 2008
Michael Polansky’s I Can Only Imagine ($5.00) sizzled to a 1:50.2 triumph Saturday at the Isle Pompano Park in capturing the $16,000 Open Pace. It was the fastest mile this season at the track. Driven by Bruce Ranger, I Can Only Imagine shot to the early lead in the third race feature, leading at t
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Somebeachsomewhere scratched from Matron elim
December 07, 2008
Somebeachsomewhere has been scratched from his Matron Stakes elimination on Monday, Dec. 8 at Dover Downs. Trainer and part owner Brent MacGraft reports the stellar three-year-old pacer has a high temperature and that he reluctantly had to scratch Somebeachsomewhere. On the strong 15-race program,
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Bettor Sweet, Major's General and Stretch Artist post victories
December 06, 2008
Bettor Sweet gamely fought back in deep stretch to regain the lead from apparent winner The Awful Truth to win the first division of the Oil Burner for 3-year-old colts and geldings Saturday night at the Meadowlands in 1:51. Driven by Cat Manzi, Bettor Sweet [$3.00, $2.40, $2.40] assumed the lead
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Longshots prevail at Dover Downs
December 06, 2008
Racsan John, a winner of his previous two races, was overlooked at 23-1 in a $15,000 feature pace while Allmar Surprise, off at 19-1 won the $14,000 top trot of the night at Dover Downs on Saturday, Dec. 5. Both longshot winners were driven by Vic Kirby. Meet leading driver Corey Callahan had a trip
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J P hits the jackpot in Yonkers feature
December 06, 2008
J P Jackpot (Jason Bartlett, four wins on the 13-race card), who missed a head in each of his last two tries, earned a measure of Yonkers Raceway revenge Saturday night, winning the $40,000 Open Handicap Pace. Leaving from post position No. 2 after an inside defection, J P Jackpot patrolled the poc
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Sugar Valley Alley scores; Morgan reaches 900 wins
December 05, 2008
Sugar Valley Alley closed with a rush to score a 1:56.1 victory in the $15,000 featured trot at Dover Downs on Thursday. Tony Morgan won five races and is now at 901 for the season. Carlo Poliseno wheeled Sugar Valley Alley out of fifth heading to the three-quarters and continued on three wid
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SJs Morgan named Horse of the Year at Batavia
December 05, 2008
General manager Michael D. Kane and the Upstate New York Harness Writers Association have announced that SJs Morgan is the 2008 Horse of the Year at Batavia Downs Gaming.   Owned by William Switala and James Martin, SJs Morgan, a 6-year-old son of SJ's Photo, made 15 Batavia starts and was vi
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Mare takes matters in her own hands to win at The Meadows
December 05, 2008
Uncharacteristically absent from the winner's circle for several months, Whotookwhat took matters into her own hands on Thursday at The Meadows, using a quarter-pole move to control the race and capture the $25,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Trot. Although she has won 45 times in her care
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I give youmyword she's a winner at Cal Expo
December 05, 2008
Conditioned-claiming pacers were featured on Thursday night at Cal-Expo, in which I Give Youmy Word was fastest of all. Making her first start since a November 13 win, driver Bruce Clarke knew what was best for the filly."She hadn't raced in three weeks and I wanted to give her a trip," said Clark
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Millers making Snow Angels at the Meadowlands
December 05, 2008
It was Miller time at the Meadowlands Thursday night as drivers Andy and David Miller (no relation) captured three of the four $25,000 divisions of the opening round of the Snow Angel Series for 3-year-old filly pacers.   David Miller’s 1:52.3 victory behind Four Starz Melody was the fastest
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Solvalla holds card sponsored by Menhammar Stud
December 05, 2008
Margareta Wallenius-Kleberg’s Menhammar Stud was the sponsor of the weekly racing card Thursday at Solvalla, which had many classy races, and the Wallenius Cup for 3-year-old fillies had an American winner as the sensational filly, Bring Me Luck U.S. (Kadabra-Polyester Hanover by Lindy Lane) won it
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Southwind Farm buys part of Muscle Hill
December 05, 2008
Allen and Connie Skolnick’s Southwind Farm has purchased an interest in Muscle Hill, who turned in a world record-setting 1:53.3 mile to win the Breeders Crown 2-Year-Old Colt Trot at the Meadowlands last Saturday night.   “We’re thrilled that Southwind Farm has joined the Muscle Hill te
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New York Sire Stakes finals moved to Vernon Downs for 2009
December 05, 2008
The Trustees of the Agriculture & New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund, the administrators of the New York Sire Stakes, Thursday approved their 2009 racing schedule which includes a change in venue for the “Night Of Champions” Sire Stakes finals from Yonkers Raceway to Vernon Downs. &
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Scharf to present Gallo scholarships to Conger, Shand
December 05, 2008
Martin Scharf, a successful real estate manager and horse owner, will present 2008 Gallo Blue Chip Scholarships to college students Megan Conger and Katrina Shand in the winner’s circle Saturday night at the Meadowlands.This marks the fourth year that Scharf will award tuition funds in the name of h
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Paper Cut narrowly wins Autumn Series Final at Woodbine
December 05, 2008
Paper Cut scored by a razor-thin margin in capturing Friday’s $48,600 Ontario Sired Autumn Series Final for three-year-old pacing fillies at Woodbine Racetrack. The victory followed up on her elimination win a week earlier in which she swept the field from 10th to 1st for the tally. With Phil Hudon
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Gallantly completes Charles Singer Memorial sweep
December 05, 2008
Gallantly completed a series sweep as he drew off to victory in the $47,500 Charles Singer Memorial for 3-year-old trotters on Friday night at the Meadowlands. Gallantly and Tim Tetrick cleared the lead past the half and matched strides with First Notable Chip into the stretch. Gallantly dismissed
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Jans Luck scores Friday feature at The Meadows
December 05, 2008
An opportunistic Jans Luck, relaxing while the leaders dueled in front of her, pounced on them around the final turn and went on to win the $25,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap pace Friday at The Meadows. The victory made Jans Luck a “half-millionaire,” giving her $508,178 in career earnings.
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Four Starz Signal upsets at Northfield
December 05, 2008
J.D. Wengerd gave Adam Hoover's Four Starz Signal a perfect trip in Friday's $6,500 Mares Open Handicap Pace at Northfield. The four-year-old Life Sign mare shocked at odds of 12-1. Favored Marvel Sahbra took the field through pedestrian fractions of 28.1, 58 and 1:27, with Passing Lane Penny in t
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Matron elims lead to a pair of career-ending starts for SBSW
December 04, 2008
Somebeachsomewhere, the leading candidate for 2008 Horse of the Year and for Canadian top honors, will close out a near-perfect racing career in the rich Matron Three-Year-Old Colt Pace at Dover Downs beginning on Monday as he will start in one of two eliminations.   Owned by the Schoo
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Freshman colts compete in Incredible Finale splits
December 04, 2008
On a blustery and snowy Wednesday night a total of 17 two-year-old colt pacers braved the adverse conditions to slug it out in a pair of $5,000 Incredible Finale Series splits for state-breds with Fox Valley Lector and Incredible Bob coming up winners.   In the first division, G&B Stable
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Jet fastest in Dover feature
December 04, 2008
Joey The Jet JT was strongest in the stretch en route to a 1:55.4 victory in the $26,000 Open Handicap Trot at Dover Downs on Tuesday, as three drivers--Corey Callahan, Ross Wolfenden and Tony Morgan--had three wins each. It took from moving out of seventh after the quarter to final few str
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Rick Harp scores 1,500th career win at Pompano
December 04, 2008
Third-generation horseman Rick Harp posted his 1,500th career victory in the fourth race pace at the Isle Pompano Park Wednesday.   Harp, 48, of Vasser, Mich., won with the 3-year-old Florida-sired gelding, Johnny Appleseed ($6.80), in a lifetime-best time of 1:56.4, winning by 2 1
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Paul Welence notches first career victory at Cal Expo
December 04, 2008
It’s a good bet that the first race on Wednesday at Cal Expo is one that Paul Welence won’t soon forget as the 47-year-old Richmond native notched his first career driving victory in this contest while guiding 6-1 shot Tudour to a two-length victory over a "sloppy" racetrack.   As if Wele
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Rescue Ride raises funds for Standardbred Retirement Foundation
December 04, 2008
The reports are in, the sneakers and saddles are off, the horses are rested and the walkers are all in their recliners. The National Rescue Ride, the first fundraiser designed to raise awareness of the plight of unwanted, abused and neglected horses, was a success for all involved.   The Oct.
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Michigan's Jackson Raceway ceases operations immediately
December 04, 2008
Jackson Raceway in Michigan, founded in 1948 by the late Leon Slavin, has been closed immediately by its parent company, MTR Gaming Group, which in 2004 purchased a 90-percent interest in the track. In an emailed letter sent to Michigan Harness Horsemen's Association general manager N
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Down Under import scores in Dover feature
December 03, 2008
With a picture-perfect drive by Brandon Givens, Lady Bess N, a recent Down Under import owned by Sherrie and Blake Baker, scored a 1:53.4 victory in the $27,000 Open Pace for fillies and mares Tuesday at Dover Downs.   Making good use of starting from post one, Givens took the early lead bu
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Illinois-bred sophomore pacing fillies battle at Balmoral
December 03, 2008
Sophomore pacing fillies took center stage on a cold and windy Tuesday night at Balmoral Park as a total of 18 state-bred 3 year olds battled in a pair of $5,000 Incredible Finale Series splits, with Kissmeallover and Howboutthatsweetie coming up winners.   In the first division, Michael Par
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Hey to the hoop at The Meadows
December 03, 2008
Fresh thanks to a ground-saving trip, Hoopie drove the lane to score a 23-1 victory in the $25,000 Preferred Handicap Trot Tuesday at The Meadows.   It was Hoopie’s first start in the Preferred Trot after months of conditioned races; perhaps mindful of that, Dan Charlino kept the 4-year-old g
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Recount confirms no slots at Scarborough Downs
December 03, 2008
A recount conducted Tuesday in Scarborough, Maine, has confirmed voters turned down a proposal to allow the installation of slot machines at Scarborough Downs, with more than 11,000 ballots hand counted. The recount resulted in eight ballots being challenged and eight ballots being disputed, so
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Faraldo receives President's Award
December 03, 2008
The United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) has announced that Joe Faraldo, president of the Standardbred Owners Association of New York and North American Amateur Drivers Association, has been chosen to receive the 2008 USHWA President's Award, bestowed by USHWA president Debbie Litt
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CHHA's John Klark, wife Janet, seriously hurt in car accident
December 03, 2008
Christian Harness Horsemen’s Association director John Klark and his wife, Janet, were seriously hurt in a single-car accident while driving back to their home in Vermont after attending the Breeders Crown program at the Meadowlands Saturday night. John suffered broken ribs and other injuries and wa
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Whiskey is what the bettors needed at Woodbine
December 02, 2008
On a blustery winter night such as Monday, a shot of whiskey is favored by some bettors to warm the cockles of the heart. At Woodbine, Blended Whiskey did indeed do the heart good, as he delivered a smooth two-length victory in the single $20,000(C) elimination for the Ontario-sired Autumn Series
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Bob McNulty dies in North Carolina
December 02, 2008
Former Vernon Downs regular Robert A. (Bob) McNulty, 80, died on November 20, 2008, at his home in Carthage, NC. A native of Scranton, PA, McNulty followed his father, Tony, into the Standardbred sport, competing at tracks in his home state and throughout the northeast.  Although he later tr
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Dial Or Nodial named NJSS Horse of the Year
December 02, 2008
Dial Or Nodial, winner of both New Jersey Sire Stakes Pari-Mutuel finals, $175,000 at the Meadowlands and $85,000 at Freehold Raceway, has been selected overall NJSS Horse of the Year for 2008.   The award, which is voted annually by the Sire Stakes Board of Trustees, is based only on perform
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Slaley wins on day better suited for ducks than horses
December 02, 2008
Slaley made her first start at Monticello Raceway a winning on when the sophomore daughter of Grinfromeartoear  defeated the best distaff pacers on the grounds when she copped the weekly $10,400 Preferred Pace for fillies and mares in 1:58.1 over a soggy racetrack on Monday after
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Print It makes Dover headlines
December 02, 2008
The racing was fast and some payoffs high as Print It, Prince Of Luck and 41-1 shot The Midnight Owl N won the tri-features at Dover Downs on Monday. Print It led only once, that with his last step, as Eric Goodell piloted The Panderosa-Framed Print gelding to an off-the-pace 1:51.2 victory in th
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Woodbine sets marks with seven-eighths experiment
December 02, 2008
Monday night, Woodbine Racetrack began its once-a-week experiment with seven-eighth mile (seven furlong) races, and it took just one event to break an 83-year-old world record which was subsequently lowered twice more during the card.   When the 3-year-old filly trotter Summerhill A
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Four-length win for Battleshoe Victor
December 02, 2008
After getting great live cover to the three-quarter mile pole, Battleshoe Victor ($6.80) and driver Anthony Napolitano then pulled the pocket and zoomed home as easy winners in the $16,000 Open Trot Monday at the Isle Pompano Park.   It was a big night for Anthony Napolitano as he won four r
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Paging a winner in the Autumn Series 3CT final
December 02, 2008
The 7-5 favorite, Joe Page, pounced from mid-pack to catch a flagging Southwind Rew and win the $47,500(C) Ontario-sired Autumn Series final for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings Monday evening at Woodbine. Leaving from post four, Rick Zeron settled Joe Page into a stalking position in
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Ledford approved in Pennsylvania, listed to drive at The Meadows
December 02, 2008
Pennsylvania State Harness Racing Commission executive director Anton Leppler confirmed to harnessracing.com Tuesday afternoon that Eric Ledford has been approved to race in Pennsylvania and is listed to drive one horse on Friday night at The Meadows. Ledford is scheduled to drive Cher Bono for trai
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Brooke Nickells injured in fall from her riding horse
December 01, 2008
Brooke Nickells is recovering in Delray Beach, Florida, from a fall from her riding horse that left her with three cracks in her pelvis and a broken right wrist. According to her father, trainer Bruce Nickells, “she coming real good, and her doctor said ‘it won’t be any problem, it just takes time t
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