News Archive

Don Codey resigns at Freehold
February 11, 2009
Donald R. Codey Jr., president and general manager of Freehold Raceway since 2001, has resigned his position effective immediately. Prior to joining Freehold, Codey served as Assistant Director at the New Jersey Racing Commission (1991-1995) and general manager of Rosecroft Raceway and Ocean Downs (
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Tioga, Vernon announce plans for 2009 schedule
February 11, 2009
The Tioga and Vernon Downs race dates and stakes calendar has been ironed out for the 2009 racing season (pending regulatory approval from the New York State Racing and Wagering Board). Vernon Downs will open its 90-day season on Friday, April 17, and conclude 2009 on Saturday, Nov. 7. &n
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Delaware newcomer captures feature
February 11, 2009
Still Electric made her first start at Dover Downs an impressive one with a 1:51.4 win in the $33,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace Tuesday at Dover Downs.   A recent acquisition by Howard Taylor, Jerry Silva and Tom Lazzaro, Still Electric was never headed in her conquest in the week's top
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Minnesota extends deadline for judge applications
February 11, 2009
The Minnesota Racing Commission has extended the deadline for submitting applications for two Associate Judges to Feb. 20, 2009 at 4 p.m. This would be for contract positions during the Running Aces Harness Park meet which begins May 15, 2009 and concludes Aug. 9, 2009. Any persons interested plea
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Goshen seeking Immortal nominations
February 11, 2009
The Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame is inviting Immortal nominations for the Class of 2009, with all museum members, in good standing, having the privilege of nominating persons and horses whom they feel have made a significant contribution to the sport of harness racing.   The
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Fire overcomes slop to win at The Meadows
February 11, 2009
Dancing With Fire endured a tough first-over move in the slop and went on to win a division of the Opening Bell, a series for 3- and 4-year-old pacing colts and geldings, on Tuesday at The Meadows. Other $12,000 division winners in the series' first leg were Chang Dynasty and L Dees Sushi Dream. D
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Counterfeit ring in Kentucky includes race licenses
February 11, 2009
An investigation by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has resulted in the discovery of a document-faking network which including the production of bogus racetrack licenses. The investigation began after investigators began seeing the fake licenses at Churchill Downs and Keeneland; The Red Mile wa
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Pavia dead heats his way to record book
February 11, 2009
Harness driver Joe Pavia Jr. tied a North American record for most dead-heat win finishes on a single night Tuesday at the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park.   Pavia started off the evening finishing in a dead heat for place (which does not count toward the record) with Esmeralda Sema
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Trotting broodmare tops Blooded Horse Sale
February 11, 2009
Atlanta Games 3,1:59.2f, a 1:53.2 producer in foal to Yankee Glide, topped the Blooded Horse Winter Sale at $25,000 went she went through the sales ring at the Delaware (Ohio) County Fairgrounds on Tuesday.   Purchaser Schare Adams of Saga Farm plans to send the daughter of C
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Stratton and Dobson closing in on 1,000 wins
February 11, 2009
A pair of  rising stars, Jordan Stratton (21) and Billy Dobson (24),  are each approaching  1000 career victories and both added to their  win-totals  yesterday at Monticello Raceway. Stratton won five races and now needs just 14 more victories to join Walter Case Jr. as o
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Former Saratoga director of racing Victor DeBellis dies
February 11, 2009
Victor DeBellis, who served as director of racing at Saratoga Harness in the mid-1980s, died Wednesday at age 55.   Born in Syosset, NY, DeBellis moved to Saratoga Springs in 1975 and later became director of racing at Saratoga Harness, a post he held until 1986. He then moved
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WEG has off-track outlet at Canadian Auto Show
February 11, 2009
Woodbine Entertainment Group will offer visitors to the 2009 Canadian International Auto Show a chance to view a different kind of horsepower, with a Champions Off-Track Wagering outlet on site for attendees to watch and wager on horses. The Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS), one of the fin
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Jack Riggs, longtime voice of Michigan racing, dies
February 11, 2009
Jack Riggs, the longtime voice of racing at Hazel Park and Northville Downs in Michigan, died Friday, Feb. 6, at the age of 79. Mr. Riggs retired from an announcing career that spanned six decades in 2003 and moved with his wife, Nancy, to their home in Englewood, Fla.   Mr. Riggs also announ
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