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December 17, 2007

REDASPEN MUCH THE BEST IN G-II $200,000 LA PREVOYANTE
Red Aspen, winner of the Politely S. at Monmouth in late spring and the Mrs. Penny S. at Philadelphia Park on Pennsylvania’s Day at the Races, jumped successfully into graded stakes company at Calder Race Course on Saturday, and impressively triumphed over a full field of fillies and mares in the 12 furlong test on the grass. For the five-year-old Bianconi mare, this was her ninth win in 24 lifetime starts for owner-breeder Val McNeely’s Equivine Farm.

The late running mare benefited greatly from an ideal trip, saving ground throughout. Coming out of the final turn, Red Aspen moved with a rush along the hedge, and accelerated into the lead in about ten quick strides. Kept to a drive through the lane, she was in no danger of being caught.

Her final time for the mile and one-half was 2:26 3/5, and the daughter of Goldie Pops, by Strike the Gold, now has earned $459,473.

DELAWARE TOWNSHIP’S ELECTRIFY IS ELECTRIFYING IN HOOPER H.
Electrify, a son of Delaware Township, overpowered a field of 11 others to win Saturday’s Grade III Fred W. Hooper H. at Calder. The four-year-old gelding pushed his career bankroll to $621,890 with his ninth win in 20 career outings.

Delaware Township, who will stand the 2008 breeding season at Bill & Denise Dommel’s Land of Believe Farm in Grantville, won 11 of 21 starts, earning $996,950 over three seasons. With three crops to the races, the son of Montbrook has progeny earnings of nearly $3.4 million. He will stand for $4,000 live foal.

December 14, 2007

PHILADELPHIA PARK TRACK, HORSEMEN SIGN LONG-TERM CONTRACT
Track officials and horsemen at Philadelphia Park have jointly announced an agreement which extends the current live racing agreement for seven years and provides for an extensive backstretch capital projects plan of nearly $20 million during that period. Track management will also reclaim most of the current grandstand facility for its racing patrons once its stand-alone gaming facility is completed, which is scheduled for late 2009.

Daily overnight purses at Philadelphia Park will be boosted to an average of $235,000 as of January 1, 2008, and could continue to rise as Category Two slot facilities (non-racing facilities) come on line.

"Our decision to extend our contract is a demonstration of our firm belief that management is committed to making this one of the premier facilities in the Mid-Atlantic region," Michael Ballezzi, executive director of Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association said. "We believe it will really enhance the overall entertainment experience for visitors to Philadelphia Park."

PENN NATIONAL SHAREHOLDERS AGREE TO MERGER
With nearly 82% of its shareholders voting in favor of the transactions, Penn National Gaming shareholders have approved a merger agreement for the previously announced acquisition by Fortress Investment Group and Centerbridge Partners. Company officials are expecting to complete the $6.1 billion transaction by mid-2008, and if so, shareholders will receive $67 for each share of common stockowned. Hollywood Casino at Penn National is scheduled to open its slot facility in early February of next year.

The company presently operates in 15 jurisdictions in the United States and Canada, featuring 23,000 slot machines, 400 table games, 1,731 hotel rooms, and 808,000 square feet of gaming floor space, according to a company press release.

December 03, 2007

NOTGIVINMYLOVEAWAY, BARBAZILLA WIN FINAL 2007 PA-BRED STAKES
The long-running Pennsylvania Nursery and the inaugural offering of the Eavesdrop S., both carrying $75,000 purses for two year olds (boys and girls), capped the record 2007 season of PA-Bred stakes, and identified a couple of juveniles to follow into their upcoming three-year-old seasons.

In the Nursery, Notgivinmyloveaway, shipping in from Woodbine in Canada, closed convincingly to post a five length score over the promising and highly-touted Double Down Vinman who set a blazing early pace caught up with him at head of the lane before faltering in the late going. For the winner, a son of Not For Love bred by Margaret Addis, this was his second win in four starts for trainer Reade Baker, who also conditioned the winner of Philly Park’s Grade II Fitz Dixon Cotillion H. in September.

Barbazilla, a late-running daughter of Successful Appeal, went from last to first to score a half-length win the Eavesdrop over six others, including Blue Mountain Juvenile winner Espindola, who finished sixth after forcing the early running. The winner, a $90,000 Fasig-Tipton July yearling, was bred by Greg & Steve Justice (Justice Farm).

CONTROL SYSTEM BACK ON TRACK
PA-Bred Control System, winner of her first three career starts earlier this year including the Cicada S before being sidelined with a throat infection, got back to the winner’s circle Saturday with a convincing victory in the $81,700 Garland of Roses H. In two starts following her racing hiatus, the 3YO Lion Hearted filly had been third including a placing in the Monmouth slop in the Miss Woodford S. Bred by Dr. Renee Nodine’s Horse Shoe Valley Equine, the Maryland-based filly is trained by Mike Trombetta, who is pointing her for the Barbara Fritchie at Laurel in early 2008.

PA STATE HORSE RACING COMMISSION ANNOUNCES STREOID BAN
As of April 1, 2008, the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission will Prohibit the use of, and increase testing for, anabolic and androgenic steroids in all Thoroughbred horses racing in the State of Pennsylvania. An acceptable plasma concentration of natural occurring testosterone and nandrolone has been established for the intact male horse.

Acting Commission chairman Richard D. Abbott, in conjunction with the announcement, commented "Pennsylvania is in a unique position among the Mid- Atlantic jurisdictions in that we have our own world famous Equine Toxicology Lab which has allowed us to be in the forefront of drug detection and research. Our Governor and Legislature are willing to allocate the funds to do the research and run the tests necessary to police the sport as they believe it should be done.

"Pennsylvania is also in the enviable position of having alternative gaming to fuel the purses that are becoming the envy of our surrounding neighbors. Therefore, we feel that we can take a principled stand with regard to steroid use without fear that entries from other jurisdictions will disappear. We know that this is a risk, but we feel that the vast majority of horsemen who play by the rules will appreciate the opportunity to run for the large purses on offer in Pennsylvania," Abbott concluded.

The Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission suggests that trainers and veterinarians discontinue the administration of these compounds by December 1, 2007 to allow for the elimination of these agents from the horse's system prior to the April 1, 2008 deadline.

PENN NATIONAL READYING FOR CASINO OPENING
The first shipment of slot machines arrived at Hollywood Casino at the Grantville, Pennsylvania, track on this past week. Representatives of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and Hollywood Casino security and surveillance officials were present to oversee the delivery of 515 machines. The 365,000-square foot facility eventually will house 2,000 slot machines, host year-round live and simulcast racing, and feature entertainment and dining options. It is scheduled to open in early February.

PENNSYLAVNIA NATIVE BILL HARTACK DEAD AT 74
Jockey Bill Hartack, one of only two riders to win the Kentucky Derby five times, died this past Monday at age 74. A Racing Hall of Famer, Hartack was found dead in Freer, Texas, where he typically hunts each winter. Hartack was one of two jockeys win the Derby five times, first in 1957 aboard Iron Liege and followed with victories on Venetian Way (’60), Decidedly (’62), Northern Dancer (’64), and Majestic Prince (’69). Hartack, an Ebensburg, Pennsylvania native, also won the Preakness Stakes with Fabius in 1956, Northern Dancer, and Majestic Prince. His only Belmont Stakes score came in his first try at the race, in 1960 on Celtic Ash. Hartack, who going into this season ranked 39th on the career win list of North American riders with 4,272, was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1959. He recently served as a steward at several southwestern tracks.

November 22, 2007

RACING COMMISSION AWARDS 2008 RACE DATES
At its November 19, 2007 meeting, the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission awarded a total of 519 race dates to the three state tracks. The total number of programs to be presented represents an increase of 69 over the 2007 total, and 119 more than were run in 2006. The Commission expressed a concern as to the availability of horses to fill the cards, with the hope increased purses scheduled at each facility would attract quality, competitive fields.

Philadelphia Park will run 217 days throughout the year, four days per week, Saturday through Tuesday, with an additional Wednesday program during certain holiday weeks. Penn National will reopen in conjunction with the opening of its Hollywood Casino in the first week of February, and is scheduled to conduct 202 programs, five nights per week, Tuesday through Saturday, in February, June, and July, and will eliminate the Tuesday card during the other months. Presque Isle Downs, which conducted its inaugural race meet in 2007 with 25 days during September, will expand its schedule to 100 days, opening Friday, May 9, and closing Saturday September 27. Mondays and Tuesdays will be dark.

BROODMARE INSPECTIONS ONGOING
PHBA’s field inspector Norman Miller is conducting visits to Pennsylvania farms to ascertain the presence of broodmares in conjunction with Domicile Reports filed with the Association last month. Mr. Miller will be contacting various farm owners immediately prior to his visit, indicating which mares are to be confirmed by matching markings and/or tattoo numbers provided by The Jockey Club. He expects to visit nearly 60 farms before the end of the year.

Based upon information garnered from over 1,300 domicile reports, nearly one-quarter of the state’s in-foal broodmare population are mares owned by Pennsylvania residents, in foal to Pennsylvania stallions, and quartered at the mare owner’s farm. Another quarter are mares in foal to non-Pennsylvania stallions which are boarded at commercial facilities.

November 16, 2007

REAL QUIET RELOCATED TO PENN RIDGE FARM
Real Quiet, sire of 2007’s likely Eclipse Award winning sprinter Midnight Lute, has been relocated within Pennsylvania to Penn Ridge Farm in Middletown, just outside Harrisburg. Penn Ridge is the property of Real Quiet’s syndicate manager Mike Jester, who has plans to develop the facility into a showcase stallion station. Real Quiet, Pennsylvania’s leading sire of 2007 in progeny earnings, has sired three Grade I winners, including Pussycat Doll, who brought $2.3 million as a broodmare prospect at the recent Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Sale. Real Quiet will stand for $10,000 live foal.

PENNSYLVANIA NURSERY DRAWS 25 NOMINATIONS
Next Saturday’s $75,000 Pennsylvania Nursery at Philadelphia Park, a seven furlong event for PA-Bred two-year-old colts and geldings, has drawn 25 nominations. Among the nominees are Sweet Sugar (D. Wayne Lukas), Tejanos Eliminator (Ken McPeek), Twin Grin (Richard Small), Kudu (George Weaver), and the likely post time favorite, undefeated Double Down Vinman (Tony Dutrow). Previous Nursery winners include Smarty Jones and Hard Spun.

November 15, 2007

NEW STALLIONS ON STATE’S ROSTER
Among the new stallions (listed alphabetically) slated to stand their first year in Pennsylvania in 2008 are:

BUDDHA
1999, Unbridled’s Song-Cahooters, by Storm Cat
Stakes winner of three races in four starts, including the Wood Memorial-G1. With two crops to race, sire of a pair of stakes winners and four stakes-placed runners. His 2007 progeny earnings total more than $1.3 million; career progeny earnings $1.5 million. Standing at Pin Oak Lane Farm, New Freedom.

CHIPS ARE DOWN
2002, Distorted Humor-Tiy Buster, by Housebuster
Stakes winner of 3 races, $171,535, including the Bien Bien H. at Hollywood Park. A $450,000 yearling, he is from the immediate family of stakes winners Pok Ta Pok, Winous Point, and Loa (dam of Eagleton, $719,550). Standing at Godstone Farm, Pine Grove.

DELAWARE TOWNSHIP
1996, Notebook-Sunny Mimosa, by Sunny North
Multiple Grade 1 winner of 11 races, seven stakes, in 21 starts, earned $996,950. With three crops to race, sire of four stakes winners, 55 winners, including Grade 3 winner Victorina ($475,033) and Electrify ($444,230). His 2007 progeny earnings exceed $1.2 million; career progeny earnings $3.2 million. Standing at Land of Believe Farm, Annville.

FASTNESS (Ire)
1990, Rousillon-City Fortress, by Troy
Veteran returns to Pennsylvania after a short break. Winner of nine races, six stakes, including two Grade 1 victories, with earnings of $1,581,165. Sire of Canadian champion Le Cinquieme Essai ($1,315,024), Make the Bend ($183,965), and Multiplicity ($145,861). Standing at Fox Tale Stud, Coopersburg.

FREEFOURINTERNET
1998, Tobasco Cat-Dixie Chimes, by Dixieland Band
Multiple Grade 2 winner of eight races, five stakes, with earnings of $1,106,136 at 15 tracks on both sides of the Atlantic. From the family of Relaunch, Glitterman and Rubiano by a Preakness-winning son of leading sire Storm Cat. His first foals are weanlings this year. Standing at Fox Tale Stud, Coopersburg.

MORE SMOKE
2002, Smoke Glacken-Saunter, by Strolling Along
Stakes winner of seven races, three stakes, including the Lafayette S-G3; earner of $258,087. Son of champion sprinter Smoke Glacken (Two Punch), stakes winner of $759,560. Half-brother to Grade 1-placed Squallacious. Family of champion Hidden Lake ($947,489) and sires Midway Circle and Ginistrelli. Entering stud in 2008. Standing at Pin Oak Lane Farm, New Freedom.

PARTNER’S HERO
1994, Danzig-Safely Home, by Winning Hit
Grade 2 winner of eight races, $554,731. Half-brother to champion sprinter Safely Kept. With six crops of racing age, sire of four graded stakes winners, 13 stakes winners, 11 stakes-placed runners, including New York Hero ($628,438) and Hero’s Reward ($543,616). His 2007 progeny earnings top $2.4 million; lifetime progeny earnings $10.1 million. Standing at Castle Rock Farm, Unionville.

REQUEST FOR PAROLE
1999, Judge T. C.-Madison’s Quest, by Deputy Minister
Versatile, sound Grade 1 winner of 10 races, $1,372,224, over seven seasons of racing, including the Ellis Park Juvenile S at 2 and the $750,000 United Nations H-G1 as a 5-year-old when he was one of the top grass runners in the country. Entering stud in 2008. Standing at Fox Tale Stud, Coopersburg.

SENOR SWINGER
2000, El Prado (Ire)-Smooth Swinger, by Kris S.
Grade 2 winner of 10 races, seven stakes, for earnings of $964,537. Victories included the Belmont Breeders’ Cup-G2, Arlington H-G3, Crown Royal American Turf-G3 and Jefferson Cup-G3. Son of leading sire El Prado (Ire), and half-brother to Swing to the Beat ($233,546) and Romantic Notions ($184,251). Entering stud in 2008. Standing at Maui Meadow Farm, West Chester.

SERVICE STRIPE
1991, Deputy Minister-Wedding Picture, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
Stakes winner of 10 races, $130,043. With eight crops to race, sire of 12 stakes winners, nine stakes-placed runners, including Secret Romeo ($865,790) and Grade 1-winning juvenile Cashier’s Dream ($423,042). His 2007 progeny earnings exceed $1.8 million; career progeny earnings $8.4 million. Standing at Pin Oak Lane Farm, New Freedom.

FIRST WINNER FOR DUCKHORN
Duckhorn, a $747,812 Grade II stakes winning son of Not For Love, was represented by his first winner when two-year-old Hornbrook posted a two and one-half length win in his second career start at Penn National October 31. Duckhorn stands at Barbara and Ron Rickline’s Xanthus Farm in Gettysburg.

FEBRUARY 1 IS DEADLINE TO NAME FOALS OF 2006
The Jockey Club reminds owners and breeders that a valid attempt to name foals of 2006 must be made by Feb. 1, 2008, to avoid a $75 late fee. As an aid in selecting a desired name, The Jockey Club once again will publish on the Registry’s website a list of approximately 30,000 names released from active use.

The list of recently released names and the Online Names Book is accessible through the Registry’s home page at http://www.registry.jockeyclub.com. Both resources are updated daily as names are claimed so that users are always looking at the most current information.

October 29, 2007

PENNSYLVANIA CONNECTIONS TO SATURDAY’S BREEDERS CUP
Three of the stars at Saturday’s 24th Breeders Cup championship program at Monmouth Park - Hard Spun, Ginger Punch, and Midnight Lute - all had close connections to Pennsylvania-s breeding industry.

PA-Bred Hard Spun, who has danced every dance on his card since breaking his maiden early last autumn, ran his typical race in the $5 million classic, making the all the pace deep into the stretch before likely Horse-of-the-Year Curlin ran him down in the mile and one-quarter feature. Hard Spun held second from Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense by just over four lengths. The top three finishers have dominated racing in 2007 with little to separate them in what is probably the best three-year-old crop in many years. Bred by Brushwood Stable and Michael Moran, Hard Spun was running his last race, destined for stud duty as one of the most attractive retirees in several seasons. The son of Danzig finished his career with seven wins, two seconds and a third, with earnings of $2,673,470.

Ginger Punch, winner of the $2 million Distaff, probably locked up year end honors as the leading older filly or mare, scoring her fifth win in eight 2007 starts. Her dam, Nappelon, was bought out of the 2006 Keeneland January sale for $15,000 by Beth Ann Brown-Gambone. The mare shortly thereafter foaled a PA-Bred filly at Our Farm, who is now owned by Team Valor. Nappelon, a G-II winner of $631,139, resorbed her pregnancy to Megdalia d’Or, and is now due to Leroidesanimaux in mid-January, reports an excited Ms. Brown-Gambone.

Midnight Lute, who won the $2 million Sprint in devastating fashion with a run through the sloppy stretch that left no doubt in anyone’s mind as to his superiority, is by Real Quiet, who holds court at Pin Oak Lane Farm in New Freedom. In his previous start, Midnight Lute won the seven furlong G-I Forego at Saratoga and earned the highest Beyer number of the season for his effort. Real Quiet, who earned $3.1 million on the track and missed the Triple Crown by a scant nose in 1998, has stood in Pennsylvania for the past two breeding seasons.two seasons.

ANOTHER STAKES WINNER FOR PARTNER’S HERO
Less than a week after his son Hero’s Reward won the $500,000 Nearctic S. at Woodbine, new Pennsylvania sire Partner’s Hero was credited with his thirteenth stakes winner on Saturday when Izzy Speaking scored a wire-to-wire victory in the $50,198 Christopher Elser Memorial S. for two-year-olds at Philadelphia Park. This was the winner’s third victory in six starts, and jumped his earnings to $117,270. Partner’s Hero, by Danzig, is a recent arrival at the Giangiulio’s Castle Rock Farm in Unionville, where he will stand the 2008 season for $2,500 live foal.

SERVICE STRIPE MOVES TO PIN OAK LANE FOR 2008
Veteran Service Stripe, a multiple stakes winner who has sired 116 winners of over $8 million, has relocated to Dr. William Solomon’s Pin Oak Lane Farm in New Freedom. The 16-year-old son of Deputy Minister won ten of 22 career starts before retiring to stud, where he has sired a dozen stakes winners, including Cashier’s Dream and Secret Romeo. Service Stripe will stand for $3,500 live foal. "We are moving to Pennsylvania to take advantage of the lucrative breeding program there," the horse’s owner Ro Parra told The Blood-Horse.

October 22, 2007

MRS. LINDSAY’S SUCCESSFUL RETURN FROM FRANCE
Only the good ones win G1 stakes on either side of the Atlantic within a five week period. PA-Bred Mrs. Lindsay, from a Derry Meeting Farm family that traces four dams to European champion and graded U.S. winner Mrs. Penney, followed her September 16 win in the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp with a courageous victory Sunday in the $1,052,483 E. P. Taylor S (CG1) at Woodbine. Mrs. Lindsay, carrying the colors of Derry Meeting’s owner Bettina Jenney, opened a clear advantage at the top of the stretch only to be passed by Canadian Triple Tiara winner Sealy Hill, came again strongly in the shadow of the wire to win by half a length. Mrs. Lindsay’s win over the mile and a quarter in 2:00 3/5 established her as the latest PA-Bred millionaire.

PARTNER’S HERO TO STAND AT CASTLE ROCK FARM
No sooner had the ink dried on the press release that Partner’s Hero would be standing the 2008 breeding season at the Giangiulio family’s Castle Rock Farm in Unionville, his son Hero’s Reward scorched the Woodbine turf course getting six furlongs in 1:08 to win the $518,942 Nearctic S. (CG2) yesterday. A 13-year-old multiple stakes winning son of Danzig and a half-brother to champion sprinter Safely Kept, Partner’s Hero has 2007 progeny earnings in excess of $2 million, and his six crops of racing age, which include 13 stakes winners, have earned over $10 million. Partner’s Hero will stand for $2,500 live foal.

ESPINDOLA TOPS SMALL BLUE MOUNTAIN FIELD
Bonnie Ratajski’s homebred Espindola closed well from just off the early pace to take first place honors over five others in the $45,000 Blue Mountain Juvenile S. for PA-Bred two-year-old fillies at Penn National last Thursday evening. A front-running winner in maiden special weight company at Philadelphia Park in her only other start, Espindola is out of Angellic, an Iroquois Park mare who was claimed by Mrs. Ratajski on three separate occasions, while posting 13 wins in 42 career starts. She is the first stakes winner for PA stallion My Favorite Grub, who stands at Fox Tale Stud in Coopersburg.

BIG WEEKEND FOR LITE THE FUSE, REAL QUIET
Pennsylvania stallions Lite the Fuse and Real Quiet, both who stand at Pin Oak Lane Farm, enjoyed major progeny successes over the weekend. Going Ballistic, a three-year-old son of Lite the Fuse, scored a three and one-half length victory in Sunday’s Centennial Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park for his sixth career win. A $4,000 buy from the 2005 Keeneland January sale, the roan colt has now earned $851,242. Ferocious Fires, another son, won the $125,000 Hudson S. for New York-Breds to keep his perfect record intact with six wins in as many starts. Real Quiet’s Grade I winning daughter Pussycat Doll registered her sixth stakes win in the seven furlong Storm Flag Flying S. at Belmont on Friday. The five-year-old mare who has now won seven of 17 lifetime starts with earnings of $797,183, is consigned to be sold at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Breeding Stock Sale on November 4 where she is a legitimate candidate to top the sale.

HARD SPUN IN, FABULOUS STRIKE OUT OF BREEDERS CUP
The questions remain, can Hard Spun carry his speed a mile and a quarter against the best horses in training, can he control the pace to the extent he has enough left for the most important final quarter-mile of his career, can he beat both Street Sense and Curlin in the same race? The answers will be apparent late this coming Saturday afternoon at the conclusion of the Breeders Cup Classic at Monmouth Park when the PA-Bred son of Danzig calls it a career in his final scheduled start. According to owner Rick Porter’s website, Hard Spun is training well and had his final tune-up this morning, the second-fastest five furlongs of the tab at Delaware Park. A victory by him in the classic would be the second by a PA-Bred, Alphabet Soup having won it all in 1996.

After annihilating the field in the $500,000 Vosburgh S. at Belmont Park a few weeks back, PA-bred Fabulous Strike was the overwhelming favorite for this Saturday’s $1 million Sprint Championship. But the Smart Strike gelding developed a lung infection coming out of the Grade II event, forcing trainer Todd Beattie to miss several days of training for the Tea Party Stable (Walter Downey) runner. That Fabulous Strike would not be at his best for the Breeders Cup where he would be matching strides with the world’s fastest horses led Beattie to opt out of the championship engagement and await another day for his charge. It remains to be seen how Eclipse voters treat Fabulous Strike, who has demonstrated his abilities on several occasions this year, but will not be in the field on Event Day.

October 9, 2007

DIRGE WINS ALPHABET SOUP AT PHILADELPHIA PARK
Odds-on favorite Dirge, stalked the pace throughout, then closed determinedly through the deep stretch to register his first career stakes win in the $40,000 Alphabet Soup H. at Philadelphia Park on Saturday. This was the fourth win in six lifetime starts, all this year, for the one-eyed, five-year-old son of Lord Avie. Dirge made his first start in a jump race, losing his rider. He was claimed from a ten length winning effort in his next start for $25,000 by trainer Ricky Hendriks for owner Deb Kachel, and he has continued to improve. Serene Harbor, second in the Willy Wank H. at Presque Isle two weeks prior, took the place after making what appeared to be a winning move on the far turn, but could not hold the winner at bay.

SENOR SWINGER TO STAND AT MAUI MEADOW
Senor Swinger, a multiple graded stakes winner of $964,537, has been retired from racing and will stand his first season at stud at the Lyman family’s Maui Meadow Farm in West Chester. A son of El Prado (IRE), Senor Swinger won ten races, including the Belmont Breeders Cup-G2, the Arlington H-G3, the Crown Royal American Turf-G3 and the Jefferson Cup-G3, will stand to Pennsylvania foaling mares for $2,500. He is out of the Kris S. mare Smooth Swinger, also the dam of stakes horses Swing to the Beat (10 wins, $238,546) and Romantic Notions (8 wins, $184,257).

PENNSYLVANIA BREEDER EVE MORTIMER LEDYARD DEAD AT 89
Eve Mortimer Ledyard, breeder of PA-Bred champion filly Wonders Delight, former leading PA-Bred earner Nobo Jack, and several other prominent stakes winners, died October 1 at the age of 89. A native of New York and widow of former PHBA Board member Lewis C. Ledyard, she settled in with her husband at their West Grove Thoroughbred nursery in the mid-forties as pioneers in the state’s fledgling Thoroughbred breeding industry, and were regular consignors to the Saratoga yearling sales through the seventies. Mrs. Ledyard is survived by two daughters, three sons, 18 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren.

October 1, 2007

HARD SPUN EVENS SCORE WITH STREET SENSE
Hard Spun finally had things his way at Turfway Park Saturday in the $402,500 Kentucky Cup Classic-G2 - a small field, not a lot of serious speed, and a track surface (Polytrack) that he seems to love. When the dust (?) settled, the three-year-old son of Danzig had taken easy measure of divisional leader Street Sense and injected himself as a serious contender for the upcoming Breeders Cup Classic.

Breaking alertly and going right to the lead in the mile and one-eighth test, Hard Spun’s jockey Mario Pino controlled the pace throughout, with Street Sense moving along comfortably in second place. Coming out of the far turn, Stret Sense moved to within a half-length of Hard Spun, but could get no closer, going under the wire a length and a quarter to the good. He’s now won seven of 12 starts, earned $1,673,470, and has the credentials to be one of the top stallion prospects in many years.

FABULOUS STRIKE IMPRESSIVE IN VOSBURGH
Fabulous Strike showed his true potential in Saturday’s $416,000 Vosburgh S-G1 at Belmont, totally dominating a field of speedsters, finishing nearly six lengths in front of his nearest opponent for owner-breeder Walter Downey’s Tea Party Stable. Breaking from the inside post, Fabulous Strike got to the front a few strides out, and never looked back, setting fractions of :21 4/5, :44 2/5, and winning in a canter in 1:09 1/5.

A four-year-old gelding by Smart Strike, he spent the last month at Presque Isle Downs with trainer Todd Beattie recovering from a trip to Calder in early July when he suffered from dehydration. Beattie will now train his charge out of his private barn at Penn National into the Breeders Cup Sprint at Monmouth.

SPEECHIFYING WINS $300,000 MY JULIET AT PHILADELPHIA PARK
Speechifying, whose top finish to date was a fast-closing third in the Ga Hai H. for PA-sired fillies and mares on PA Race Day, made all the pace in Saturday’s $300,000 My Juliet S. and held on by a nose at the wire to win the track’s premier distaff race. Under a clever ride from veteran Russell Baze, Speechifying saved ground throughout, and was all out to hold off the closing rush of 9 to 10 favorite Miraculous Miss.

Speechifying is a daughter of Activist, a son of Wild Again who stands at Judy Barrett’s Godstone Farm in Pine Grove. Activist’s Grey Dorian won the $90,000 Willy Wank H. at Presque Isle Downs a week ago. Speechifying has now won six of 14 lifetime, with earnings $291,301.

SUPERFECTA WIRES HIGH YIELD FIELD
Though no match for the winner in her maiden bow, Hidden Meadows Farm’s Superfecta broke on top in Saturday’s $60,000 High Yield S. at Philadelphia Park, and widened her margin throughout for a five and one-half length tally over six other PA-Bred juveniles. Mike Jester’s Terriffico, an easy winner of his only start at Presque Isle and the 7 to 10 choice, chased the winner throughout, but was no match.

A gelded son of Forest Wildcat, Superfecta was sold as a yearling by her breeder Maple Leaf Farm (Anne Thorington) for $30,000.

PRESQUE ISLE STATISTICAL WRAP-UP
25 racing programs, September 1 through September 29 - Daily average attendance - 2,851 - Total on-track handle was $1,456,424, wagering from all sources was $14,642,008 - Twelve stakes races and 188 overnight races were run, with a total purse distribution of $10,801,840, and a daily average of $432,074ÖAverage starters per race was 8.79.

September 26, 2007

PA-SIRED RUNNERS DOMINATE PRESQUE ISLE CARD
Pennsylvania sires were in the spotlight last Friday at Presque Isle, when three of the five $90,000 PA-Bred races went to their offspring. The evening of racing provided the occasion for the first PA-Bred stakes races in the history of the Erie track, in the midst of its inaugural 30 day meet.

Patton, whose Kelly’s Landing won the $2 million Dubai Sprint in March, had his second stakes winner when Whistle Pig scored a seven and one-half length win in the $90,000 Lil E Tee H., covering the six panels in 1:09 4/5. Bred by Betsy Houghton, Whistle Pig has now won three of 11 lifetime starts, with 3 seconds and a pair of thirds. He was a $10,000 claim by trainer Andrew Carter for H.A.C.K. Stable in December, 2006. Patton stands at Castle Rock Farm in Unionville.

Grey Dorian, a four-year-old son of Activist, gave his sire his initial stakes winner with a come-from-behind win in the mile and one-eighth $90,000 Willy Wank H. Previously, he was third in the Watchman’s Warning H. at Penn National and fourth in the Smarty Jones Classic. This was his ninth career score, and boosted his lifetime earnings to $222,773. Activist stands for Judy Barrett, breeder of Grey Dorian, at her Godstone Farm in Pineville.

In the battle of the half-sisters, three-year-old Who’s Happy (Caller I. D.) turned the tables on six-year-old Raging Rapids (Roanoke) with a two length win in the $90,000 First Approach S. at a mile and a sixteenth. The pair had run one-two (in reverse order) in the $100,000 Northern Fling at Philadelphia Park in July. Both were bred by Jeff and Juanita Bennett’s Fiasco Farm, and between them have earned $598,730.

Obi Wan, runner-up in the $60,000 Power By Far H. at Philadelphia Park two weeks prior, won the $90,000 Presidential Affair H. by two lengths over older horses at six and one-half furlongs. This was his initial stakes win, and seventh overall in 34 lifetime starts. He now has earned $211,055. Obi Wan was bred by Larry Ciletti.

Look Deep, who had run exclusively in California prior to shipping in for the $90,000 Cozy Lace, a six furlong test for three-year-old fillies, did not disappoint the lively crowd which had installed her as the 3 to 10 choice. Stalking the early pace from the inside, she took command at mid-stretch, and held a two and one-half length margin at the wire. She now has won two of four starts this year, with two second place finishes. She is owned and bred by Everest Stables.

Presque Isle will conclude its meet this weekend. The quality of racing, comfort of the facility, its Tapita race track, and enthusiastic staff and patrons bode well for its future spot in Pennsylvania’s racing circuit. It is anticipated the track will run a 100-125 day meeting 2008, spanning early May through September.

PA-BREDS SELLING DURING KEENELAND’S FINAL SESSIONS
Pennsylvania-Bred yearlings which have sold during the final sessions of the Keeneland September Sale:
Hip 2187, filly, El Corredor - Dominant Dancer, by Primo Dominie, bred by Bettina L. Jenney, $35,000.
Hip 2244, colt, Vindication - I’m Sweeter, by Dixieland Band, bred by Brushwood Stable, $55,000.
Hip 2299, colt, Pleasant Tap - Marionette, by Two Punch, bred by Susan & John Moore, $125,000.
Hip 2397, colt, More Than Ready - Silent Academy, by Royal Academy, bred by Anne F. Thorington, $190,000.
Hip 2455, colt, El Corredor - Unbridled’s Secret, by Unbridled, bred by Beth Ann Brown-Gambone, $100,000.
Hip 2766, colt, More Than Ready - Rise and Fall, by Quiet American, bred by Bettina L. Jenney, $100,000.
Hip 2393, colt, Malibu Moon - Cant Stop the Fire, by Cozzene, bred by Walter R. Cowles, $30,000.
Hip 3225, colt, Storm Boot - Tada, by Tasso, bred by Bettina L. Jenney, $45,000.
Hip 3343, filly, Scrimshaw - Cinderella Ball, by Nureyev, bred by Dr. Scott McManus, $37,000.
Hip 3365, colt, Action This Day - Daily Proverb, by Boundary, bred by Colby Fields, LLC, $50,000.
Hip 3516, filly, Sunday Break - My Regal Solution, by Regal Classic, bred by Hart Farm, Inc., $57,000.
Hip 3035, colt, Stormy Atlantic - Taanis, by Dayjur, bred by Gum Tree Stables, LLC, $57,000.
Hip 3790, filly, Stormin Fever - First Class Donna, by Taylor’s Special, bred by Charlton Bloodstock, $20,000.
Hip 4179, colt, Nirjan - Gender Bias, by Saratoga Six, bred by John R. Penn, $25,000.
Hip 4253, filly, Gulch - Living Color, by Summer Squall, bred by Dr. Mark S. Rayburg, $20,000.
Hip 4287, colt, Forest Camp - M’lady M, by Candi’s Gold, bred by 351 Real Estate, LLC, $8,500.
Hip 4326, colt, Champali - Princess Blue Eyes, by Waquoit, bred by Hart Farm, Inc., $25,000.
Hip 4362, colt, Honour and Glory - Savagery, by Olympio, bred by John R. Penn, $18,000.
Hip 4383, colt, Honour and Glory - Singing Breeze, by Affirmed, bred by Frank A. Penn, $18,000.
Hip 4478, filly, Out of Place - You’re A Lady, by Youandyourpoint, bred by E D Enterprises, $37,000.
Hip 4957, colt, Narjan - Frosty Peace, by Frosty the Snowman, bred by E D Enterprises, $20,000.
Hip 5471, colt, Alphabet Soup - Spend A Dream, by Spend a Buck, bred by London TB Services, $37,000.

THREE PA-BRED STAKES RESCHEDULED AT PHILADELPHIA PARK
The Bless Me Twice S. (3YO and up, fillies & mares, 5 Ω furlongs), the Docent H. (3yo & up, 1 1/8 miles), and the Le Gran Pos H. (3yo & up, 5 furlongs), originally slated during the final months of 2007 at Philadelphia Park, have been re-scheduled to be run during the first quarter of 2008 at the Bensalem track as part of the 2008 PA-Bred stakes roster there. Exact dates for these races will be determined shortly.

FOUR PA-BREDS POSSIBLE FOR BREEDERS CUP
In as strong a showing as Pennsylvania’s breeding industry has had to date, no less than four of its marquee runners may face the starter at this years Breeders Cup championships at Monmouth Park. Three-year-old sensation Hard Spun, fresh from a win in the Grade One King’s Bishop S. at Saratoga, will have his final prep for the $5 million Classic at Turfway Park, where the Danzig colt is scheduled to renew his rivalry with Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense in the $350,000 Kentucky Cup this Saturday.

Fabulous Strike, who was considered one of the top sprinters in the country before his reputation was tarnished in a mid-July trek to Calder, has now recovered completely from his ordeal, and will be seen in the $500,000 Vosburgh H. at Belmont Park Sunday. The son of Smart Strike is expected to face sensational Discreet Cat, another who hasn’t raced after finishing last in March in the Dubai World Cup, compromised from a severe throat infection.

Dynaformer, George Strawbridge’s recent winner of the classic St. Leger, is a probable for the Turf, and Bettina Jenney’s Mrs. Lindsay, winner of the Prix Vermeil at Longchamp, is an outside possibility for the filly-mare turf.

September 17, 2007

LUCARNO, MRS. LINDSAY GIVE DERRY MEETING A BIG WEEKEND
PA-Breds Lucarno and Mrs. Lindsay, a pair of three-year-olds both foaled and raised at Bettina Jenney’s Derry Meeting Farm in Cochranville, scored Group One victories in Europe over the weekend.

Lucarno, bred and owned by George Strawbridge, won the final British Classic of the year with a one length victory in the $997,018 St. Leger S. over the grueling 1 13/16 mile course at Doncaster. Unraced as a juvenile, Lucarno has now won four of eight starts, with a pair of seconds, and is the latest PA-Bred millionaire, with earnings of $1,024,906.

Mrs. Lindsay gained her biggest win yet with a three-quarter length score in the Group One $416,340 Prix Vermeille at Longchamp. She had finished second in the Group One French Oaks in June and followed that one with a disappointing sixth in the Prix Minerve in August, but flashed a good turn of early foot, moved quickly to the lead just over a quarter mile out, and easily held off the late charge of West Wind.

The winner is fourth generation Derry Meeting breeding, through European champion Mrs. Penny, and her daughter Mrs. Jenney.

With most of the major European racing done for the year, both Lucarno and Mrs. Lindsay could be headed to the Breeders Cup at Monmouth Park, where hopefully, they would join PA-Breds Fabulous Strike and Hard Spun on the championship card.

PA-BREDS SELLING DURING KEENELAND’S FIRST WEEK
Registered Pennsylvania-Bred yearlings which have sold during the first week of the Keeneland September Sale:
Hip 24, filly, Fusaichi Pegasus - Catinca, by Storm Cat, bred by Brushwood Stable, $575,000
Hip 145, colt, Medaglia d’Oro - Parisian Deputy, by French Deputy, bred by Two Sister’s Farm, $475,000
Hip 157, colt, Storm Cat - Princess Atoosa, by Gone West, bred by Brushwood Stable, $200,000
Hip 203, colt, A.P. Indy - Storm Beauty, by Storm Cat, bred by Brushwood Stable, $700,000
Hip 434, filly, Gone West - Servaline, by Storm Cat, bred by Brushwood Stable, $250,000
Hip 616, colt, Dynaformer - Forget About It, by Be My Guest, bred by Daniel M. Ryan, $150,000
Hip 1103, colt, Thunder Gulch - Lovely Later, by Green Dancer, bred by Two Sister’s Farm, $20,000
Hip 1320, colt, Grand Slam - Bloomy, by Polish Numbers, bred by Brushwood Stable, $170,000
Hip 2946, colt, Medaglia d’Oro - Princess Legacy, by Saint Ballado, bred by Chain Bridge Stable, $190,000

PENN NATIONAL TO CLOSE TEMPORARILY
The final stages of construction of the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course will necessitate a temporary shutdown of racing operations to accommodate the movement of equipment and systems throughout the facility. Under the current construction schedule, track officials are anticipating that live racing will be suspended for approximately six weeks, with December 21 targeted as the final day of racing for 2007. The opening day of the casino is expected in early 2008.

BANJO PICKER’S WIN IN POWER BY FAR UNDER APPEAL
Veteran Banjo Picker ran one of the most impressive races of his career when he dusted the field in the recent Power By Far Handicap at Philadelphia Park, showing dazzling speed from the outset and won under wraps while getting six furlongs in 1:08 3/5. However the connections of Leprechaun’s Gold, who had to take up sharply shortly after the break when the eventual winner dropped in from the outside, have appealed the decision of the stewards, who opted to deny the claim of foul from jockey Harry Vega immediately following the race. The appeal will be heard by the State Horse Racing Commission.

Banjo Picker is a seven-year-old gelding bred by Betsy Houghton, and has now won 12 of 34 career starts. His defining moment came two years ago when he won the Grade III Gravesend H. at Aqueduct. He was a five length winner of the Devil’s Honor H. on the PA Day card, and now shows lifetime earnings of $420,089.

August 30, 2007

HARD SPUN BACK IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
PA-Bred, Hard Spun, second in the Kentucky Derby, third in the Preakness, fourth in the Belmont, and most recently second in the Haskell Invitational, returned to his winning ways Saturday with a hard fought win in the Grade One $250,000 King’s Bishop S. at Saratoga. The Danzig colt pressed the pace from the beginning, briefly lost the lead at the head of the stretch before battling back for a narrow victory in the seven furlong dash. Bred by Michael Moran and Brushwood Stable, Hard Spun pushed his career earnings to $1,393,470.

LUCARNO TOPS IN GREAT BOLTIGEUR
George Strawbridge’s homebred Lucarno scored his first major stakes win in England’s Group II Great Voltigeur August 21 at York. The three-year-old Dynaformer colt had earlier been second in the G-II King Edward II, and fourth in the G-I Epsom Derby and the G-II Princess of Wales. A winner of three of seven starts and earnings now of $423,147, Lucarno may be favored in the G-I St. Leger, his next planned start.

PA-BREDS SOLD AT SARATOGA
Three PA-Bred yearlings sold at the recent Saratoga Select Sale of Yearlings. They were:
Hip 30, colt by Distorted Humor - Just a Bird, bred by George Strawbridge, Jr., $800,000.
Hip 89, filly by Dixie Union - Robyns Tune, bred by Daniel M. Ryan, $210,000.
Hip 134, colt by Tale of the Cat - Vole Vole Mon Amour, bred by Bettina L. Jenney, $150,000.

HANDEL LEAVES GREENWOOD FOR NYRA POST
Hal Handel, a familiar face at Philadelphia Park for the past nine years, has left the company to join New York Racing Association as its Chief Operating Officer.

Handel, 60, has served as chief executive officer of Greenwood Racing since 1998. He oversaw the renovation of Philadelphia Park’s grandstand in 2000 and the development of New Jersey’s first off-track wagering facility, "Favorites in Vineland," which opened this spring. He also was involved in the company’s account wagering and off-track betting operations in Pennsylvania.

At the NJSEA, Handel was general manager from 1986 to 1991 and executive vice president and COO from 1991 to 1998. He was involved with both Meadowlands and Monmouth Park.

Joe Wilson, who has recently taken over as COO at Philadelphia Park, will take on the additional responsibilities in New Jersey.

August 22, 2007 Date: August 22, 2007

To: Thoroughbred Broodmare Owners

From: Peter Giangiulio, President

Subject: Broodmare Domicile Report

Follow the link above for the form which owners of broodmares participating in the Pennsylvania Breeding Fund program and are intending to foal in 2008, need to file with PHBA. The information submitted on the form will provide PHBA with a basis from which to identify and confirm the presence of mares in the state, as defined below in the eligibility criteria for PA-Bred registration. Please fill this form out completely, and return it to PHBA in the enclosed envelope no later than October 15, 2007. The form may be copied for additional broodmare reporting. If you are boarding mares for clients new to the program, please direct them to PHBA’s website, www.pabred.com, where a copy of this letter and form can be downloaded from the Broodmare Domicile Report section for their convenience and compliance. Please direct any questions you may have regarding the form or information requested on it to the PHBA office. Thank you for your cooperation.

July 30, 2007

PENNSYLVANIA’S FIRST $1 MILLION DAY - PA DAY AT THE RACES
Thoroughbred racing history was made at Philadelphia Park Saturday with the state’s first $1 million card - ten stakes races for Pennsylvania-Breds, including four for PA-sired horses, a $75,000 jump race, and the $125,000 Smarty Jones Classic. PA Horse Breeders Association hosted nearly one thousand members and their guests at a trackside barbecue, providing attendees to view most of the top PA-Breds currently in training.

$125,000 SMARTY JONES CLASSIC, 1 1/16 miles, 3YO & Up - Fresh from an impressive five and one-half length score in the Watchman’s Warning S., Delaware River confirmed his superiority with a two and one-half length win. The six-year-old Quiet American gelding bred by Denise and Bill Dommel’s Land of Believe Farm in Annville rated off the pace to the far turn, then eased away through the stretch for his eleventh career win over Putonyourdancinshuz, a our year old Malibu Moon gelding bred by Ellendale Racing. Nina Gardner’s homebred long-shot Serene Harbor was another neck back in third. Delaware River, the 11-10 favorite has now earned $322,462 from 11 wins in 47 career outings.

$100,000 MRS. PENNY S., 1 1/16 miles (turf), 3YO & up, fillies & mares - Redaspen, toting top weight of 124 pounds, did not disappoint those who made her the 3 to 5 favorite when she came from well off the pace and won with something left. A five-year-old daughter of Bianconi, Red Aspen carries the colors of owner-breeder Val McNeely’s Equivaine Farm. In her three other starts this year, Redaspen won the Politely S., was second in the Eatontown-G3, both at Monmouth Park, and third in the Dahlia S. at Laurel. Second in the race after opening up a two and one-half length advantage in mid-stretch was Augustin Stable’s homebred Royal Pleasure (Royal Academy), followed by Jet Away Jane, and Unbridled Jet filly bred by Ted & Robin Stepanoff.

$100,000 AMBASSADOR OF LUCK H., 6 1/2 furlongs, 3YO & up, fillies & mares - S W Aly’svalentine, a PA-Bred champion in 2005 and 2006, regained her winning ways after a pair of disappointing efforts on the turf, prevailing in a speed duel with the rapid Cantrel (Gulch), then holding off the late charge of Hailie’s Girl (Lucky North) for a length victory. A homebred daughter of Rich & Gale Reveley’s Spring Water Farm by Malibu Moon, S W Aly’svalentine was registering her eleventh win in 25 career starts while boosting her lifetime bankroll to $353,640. Her time for the dash was a rapid 1:15 2/5, following early fractions of :22 3/5, :44 3/5, and 1:08 4/5.

$100,000 NORTHERN FLING H., 1 1/16 miles, 3YO & up, PA-Sired fillies & mares - A pair of half-sisters bred by Jeff & Juanita Bennett’s Fiasco Farms staged an exciting stretch drive, but little sister just couldn’t catch her older sister. Raging Rapids (Roanoke) and Who’s Happy (Caller I D), both from the Pine Bluff mare Enraged and first and second choices in the field of six, ran to form, with Raging Rapids as the 126 pound highweight prevailing, and winning her fifth race from seven starts this year. She was the 2006 PA-Bred champion claiming horse, running for $7,500 14 months ago. She has now earned $357,978, with 16 victories in 35 starts. J. D. Safari (Power By Far) just missed catching Who’s Happy at the wire to get third place.

$100,000 DEVIL’S HONOR H., 6 furlongs, 3YO & up - Veteran sprinter Banjo Picker, winner of last year’s Devil’s Honor, seems to get better with age, winning this year’s edition by an eye-popping five and one-half lengths. Close to the pace early, the seven-year-old son of Swear by Dixie bred by Betsy Houghton assumed command going into the turn and increased his advantage thereafter, while Chase the Line (Line in the Sand) bested Shouldabeenaclown (Dove Hunt) completed the payoff picture. Banjo Picker covered the distance in 1:09, and was winning his eleventh race in 33 lifetime starts to jump his lifetime money line to $384,089.

$100,000 GAI HAI H., 6 furlongs, 3YO & up, PA-Sired fillies & mares - Six-year-old She’s Fancy Free, a hard-knocking daughter of the late Petski owned and bred by Anthony Merlino, closed with her typical rush to gain a half-length win in 1:09 4/5. Second was the three-year-old Miss Blue Tye Dye (Tekken) who just could not hold the winner at bay after opening a two length lead at the eighth pole. The consistent Speechifying (Activist) was a head further back, closing fastest of all. She’s Fancy Free has now won eight races, and shows lifetime earnings of $238,078.

$100,000 ROBERT W. CAMAC MEMORIAL S., 5 furlongs (turf), 3YO & up - Dan Ryan’s homebred colt Remain Silent (Chester House) jumped out to an early start and stayed there, wiring a field of eight others which included the last two winners of this race, veterans Shades of Sunny (Not For Love) and Namequest (Norquestor). Second place, beaten a length, went to Byandlarge (Joker), who finished a length and a quarter in front of Makin Peace (Makin), winner of his only two starts in 2007. A lightly raced four-year-old, Remain Silent now has won four of eight starts, with three seconds. Remain Silent’s rider Kendrick Carmouche scored his 1,000 win with the effort.

$100,000 NEPAL H., 1 1/16 miles (turf), PA-Sired 3YO & up - In the most exciting duel of the afternoon, Hissouthernmajesty (Southern Rhythm) prevailed by a nose over R Earl (Roanoke) after going stride for stride for nearly three-sixteenths of a mile. Inapinch, a seven-year-old mare by Ocean Splash was third. Bred by Mr. & Mrs. Mark Ridall, Hissouthernmajesty was earning his first victory in six starts this year, and fourth overall, to go with lifetime earnings of $162,845.

$100,000 CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN H., 6 furlongs, PA-Sired 3YO & up - Secretintelligence, an improving son of Pennsylvania Derby winner Smart Guy who stands at Blue Moon Equestrian in Coopersburg, raced with determination to put away Power by Leigh (Power by Far) early, then held sway late to gain a two and a quarter length win over Thaddeus (Clash By Night). The winner, bred, owned, and trained by Tim Ritchey who also conditioned Smart Guy, was winning his third straight after finishing second in his initial three 2007 starts. His victory pushed his lifetime earnings to $204,491. Winning time was 1:08 4/5, fastest on the card for the distance.

$75,000 FLATTERER HURDLE H., 2 and 1/16 miles, 3YO & up - When last year’s PA-Bred champion jumper Mixed Up unseated his rider at the fourth jump as the 6 to 5 favorite, the real running began. First it was Party Airs, winner of the inaugural Flatterer two years ago, who led the way. Then came Sparkled, who showed the way into the final turn the second time around, but it was John Law, trainer Jonathan Sheppard’s ëother’ starter in the race moved rapidly to the front and drew off in the late stages to post a four length win. Sheppard, who trained Flatterer and Mixed Up, who won this race last year and went on to win the NY Turf Writers H.-G1 at Saratoga, also bred John Law, who was lodging his initial stakes win in what is believed to be the sole stakes race for jumpers restricted to state breds.

In all, Pennsylvania’s Day at the Races was a wonderful and historical afternoon of racing. The Thoroughbred product Pennsylvania is producing clearly deserved the spotlight which the event provided. Strong fields, competitive racing, fast times, and crowd enthusiasm all were the hallmarks of the experience.

Rick Abbott, acting chairman of the PA State Horse Racing Commission and a past PHBA president summed it up succinctly in a congratulatory note the day after:

"Your Board of Directors is to be commended for putting together a successful program. The Commission values our relationship with the PHBA and the untold hours that have been dedicated to making the transition from what was the best under-funded state bred program to what is on the verge of becoming simply the best state bred program in the United States.

"I was proud to witness the fruition of your 30 plus years of hard work."

July 23, 2007

PA-BRED YEARLINGS SOLD AT FASIG-TIPTON KY
Thirteen registered Pennsylvania yearlings passed through the ring at the recent Fasig-Tipton Kentucky sale held in Lexington. They were:
Hip 245, colt by Domestic Dispute - Blue Slip, bred by Richard Groomes, $240,000.
Hip 406, colt by Malibu Moon - National Pastime, bred by Chain Bridge Stable, LLC, $230,000.
Hip 169, colt by Cuvee - Sweet Bunny, bred by Bettina L. Jenney, $180,000.
Hip 315, colt by Tapit - Femma’s Crown, bred by Howard Schaeffer, Jr., $170,000.
Hip 504, colt by Smart Strike - Astor Play, bred by Ellendale Racing, $160,000.
Hip 71, colt by Medaglia d’Oro - Magnet, bred by Lindsay C. F. Scott, $155,000.
Hip 282, colt by Chapel Royal - Creative Image, bred by Chain Bridge Stable, LLC, $135,000.
Hip 445, colt by El Corredor - Red Satin Slippers, bred by Daniel M. Ryan, $130,000.
Hip 496, colt by Golden Missile - Zenith, bred by Daniel M. Ryan, $120,000.
Hip 176, filly by Werblin - Tejano’s Love, bred by Diane Shashura, $90,000.
Hip 560, filly by Successful Appeal - Dyna Two, bred by Lindsay C. F. Scott, $85,000.
Hip 229, colt by Domestic Dispute - Armed and Ready, bred by Robin McAlonan, $80,000.
Hip 524, filly by Smoke Glacken - Buckaroo Zoo, bred by Daniel M. Ryan, $40,000

PA STARS ON THE COMEBACK TRAIL
Three of the top PA-Bred "name" horses of 2007 are on the comeback trail. Arson Squad, who earlier in the year won the Grade 1 Strub at Santa Anita before falling ill, finished a tiring sixth in Saturday’s $300,000 San Diego H.-G2 at Del Mar as the second choice. It was Arson Squad’s first start since the Strub, but had several bullet works coming up to the race. Master Command, regarded as one of the country’s top handicappers until his poor showing in the $750,000 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs five weeks ago, is back on the work tab for trainer Todd Pletcher. The five-year-old son of A.P. Indy worked five-eighths of a mile at Belmont Park over the weekend, the second fastest at the distance, and is expected to see action at the upcoming Saratoga meet. Hard Spun, who may be readying for another go at Street Sense and Curlin, is working well at Delaware Park and is expected to start next on Sunday, August 5, in the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.

FIRST STAKES WINNER FOR CHANGEINTHEWEATHER
Changeintheweather, a Grade 1 winning two-year-old on the track whose first foals are now juveniles, was represented by his first stakes winner yesterday when his son Cold Trial outran the field in the $50,000 Hoover S. at River Downs, his second victory in three starts. Changeintheweather, an attractive son of Gone West who earned $441,247 while winning or placing in seven stakes, stands at Barbara Rickline’s Xanthus Farms in Gettysburg.

ANOTHER 2007 STAKES WINNER FOR REAL QUIET
Shuffling Madness, a four year son of Pennsylvania-based Real Quiet, upset five others with a closing run from far back to win yesterday’s $107,400 Evan Shipman S. at Belmont Park, a mile and a sixteenth test for New York breds. The victory was Shuffling Madness’ biggest yet, and jumped his career earnings to $307,645. Real Quiet stands at Pin Oak Lane Farm in New Freedom.

July 17, 2007

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED FOR PA DAY AT THE RACES
PHBA members are urged to make their reservations early for the seventh annual celebration of Pennsylvania’s Day at the Races. Ten stakes races for PA-Breds, with purses totaling $1 million, will be offered at Philadelphia Park Saturday, July 28. PHBA will be hosting a barbecue for its members and guests in the track’s picnic grove, and providing promotional items in honor of the event. Please contact the PHBA office directly, with your reservation no later than Wednesday, July 25, in order that the afternoon can be properly planned. Post time for the first race of the card is 12:25 PM.

PRESQUE ISLE READYING FOR OPENER
Officials at Presque Isle Downs in Erie are readying for that track’s opener Saturday, September 1. The twenty-five day meet will feature six twilight cards of racing throughout the month, with average daily purse distribution of nearly a quarter million dollars, and overnight purses paid at 175% of stated condition book value. The PA-Bred program will feature: six $90,000 races Friday, September 21; eight PA-Bred allowance races, including two just for PA-sired horses; eight PA-Bred maiden races, including two just for PA-sired horses; and a PA-Bred owner bonus program at 20% of first, second, and third purse shares. In addition to the PA-Bred portion, Presque Isle will offer seven open stakes, including the $400,000 Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes, a six furlong dash for fillies and mares who may be headed to the Breeders Cup six weeks later

FORMER PENNSYLVANIA SIRE ROBELLINO DEAD
Robellino, a major stakes winning European juvenile who began his career in the stud for the late Marshall W. Jenney at his Derry Meeting Farm in Cochranville, was euthanized due to the infirmities of old age on July 4, at England’s Littleton Stud. Robellino was the sire of 42 stakes winners, including Classic winners Classic Park (GB), Mister Baileys (GB), and Robertico (GB), and champion Rebellino (Ire).

2004 PA JUVENILE CHAMPION PERFECTPERFORMANCE RETURNS
Perfectperformance was one of the most promising juveniles in England in 2004 when he won three of five starts, including the Royal Lodge Stakes-G2 in which he trounced eventual Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Wilko, and was named champion PA-Bred two-year-old male. After enduring several physical setbacks since, the son of Rahy returned after nearly a year’s layoff and beat three others in an allowance route in England for his fifth career win in eight outings, and is hopefully regaining his best form. A half-brother to champion Russian Rhythm, Perfectperformance was bred by Elizabeth Moran’s Brushwood Stable, and brought $1.1 million as a Keeneland yearling.

July 6, 2007

DELAWARE RIVER MUCH THE BEST IN $45,000 WATCHMAN’S WARNING
Finding a sloppy track much to his liking, PA-Bred Delaware River drew off in the late stages to gain his first stakes victory in last night’s $45,000 Watchman’s Warning Stakes at Penn National. A six-year-old son of Quiet American bred by Bill & Denise Dommel’s Land of Believe Farm, Delaware River was favored at 4 to 5 over a field of five others. His victory was his tenth in 46 career starts, along with 10 seconds and 5 thirds, and boosted his lifetime bankroll to over $265,000. The gelding’s next start will most likely come July 28 in the $125,000 Smarty Jones Classic on the Pennsylvania’s Day at the Races card at Philadelphia Park.

FABULOUS STRIKE IN CALDER’S $500,000 SMILE SPRINT
Tea Party Stable’s PA-Bred Fabulous Strike puts his four race win skein on the line tomorrow in the $500,000 Smile Sprint when he takes on the California invader Smokey Stover, himself a winner of all four of his 2007 starts, and never being worse than second in 11 career efforts. The pair will vie for favoritism in the Grade II dash, a co-feature of Calder’s Festival of Speed. Fabulous Strike recently won off by himself in the $150,000 Aristides H.-G3 at Churchill Downs in a sprightly 1:07 3/5 and comes into the Smile in top form for trainer Todd Beattie.

July 5, 2007

PA-BRED PROGRAM SET AT PRESQUE ISLE
Nearly $2.2 million in Breeding Fund revenues are expected to be disbursed in awards and purses during the upcoming twenty six day race meet at Presque Isle Downs in Erie. Because of the abbreviated length of the meet, overnight purses will be paid at 175% of condition book value, with a gross purse distribution in excess of $240,000 per card.

Races restricted in entry to PA-Breds will include six $90,000 headliners, all of which are scheduled for Friday, September 21. Additionally, six first level allowance races with enhanced purse values of $70,000 each, two starter allowance races which will prefer PA-sired PA-Breds as entrants offering purses of 47,250, six maiden special weight races with enhanced purses of $61,250, and a pair of maiden claiming races which will prefer PA-sired PA-Breds as entrants with enhanced purses of $43,750, will be offered.

On top of the enhanced purse schedule, owner bonuses will be paid to PA-Breds in an amount equal to 20% of purse share on first, second, and third place finishes in non-restricted overnight company.

The Presque Isle Downs condition book will be available shortly, and stall applications can be made on-line at www.presqueisledowns.com/racing.

PURSE INCREASE AT PHILADELPHIA PARK
Philadelphia Park has announced an increase of nearly 30% to its purse schedule, effective Saturday, July 14, jumping daily overnight distribution from the current $165,000 to $210,000 per card, as well as increasing the added value of five stakes.

"With this increase, we tried to address some of our key races," said Director of Racing Sal Sinatra. "For instance, the maiden special weights have gone from $28,000 to $34,000 and the first level allowance races will jump from $30,000 to $37,000."

Stakes races affected are the Fitz Dixon Cotillion Handicap which will now offer a purse of $750,000, the My Juliet at $300,000, the Gallant Bob at $250,000, and the Turf Monster Handicap to $200,000.

June 25, 2007

WHO’S HAPPY? FIASCO FARMS
Fiasco Farm’s Who’s Happy rallied from far back to take the $60,000 Foxy J G S. at Philadelphia Park Saturday by a length and one-half over a field of three-year-old PA-Bred fillies at a mile and 70 yards. The Caller I. D. miss, a half-sister to last year’s PA-Bred champion claimer and now a multiple stakes winner Raging Rapids, was winning her fourth race of the season for Juanita Bennett’s racing stable.

PA GAMING BOARD GRANTS PHILA PARK EXTENSION
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has directed Philadelphia Park to submit its plans for a permanent slots facility no later than August 10, 2007, some fifty days earlier than track officials had requested. Turmoil relative to the live racing experience has plagued the Bensalem track since it opened for slots in December, and slot revenues have not been as high as anticipated. Horsemen have taken the track to task on its seeming lack of enthusiasm to upgrade the facility, and it appears the Gaming Board is siding with them. Until the issue is resolved, the Board is holding the track’s request for an additional three hundred slot machines in abeyance.

June 18, 2007

JET AWAY JANE FIRES IN THE RUSSIAN RHYTHM
Jet Away Jane, bred and owned by Robin and Ted Stepanoff’s Golden Oak Farm, turned on the afterburners in the deep stretch and drew off to a one length win in the inaugural offering of the $60,000 Russian Rhythm H. at Philadelphia Park Saturday. The five furlong dash on the turf attracted a field of ten, including last year’s PA-Bred champion older female, S W Aly’svalentine. With plenty of speed in front of her, Jet Away Jane took the early pace, then eased wide entering the stretch to make her winning move while gaining stakes brackets for the first time. The winner, third in the Foxy J G S. last year, is out of Mints First Star, a Beyond the Mint mare who was bred by the Stepanoffs and earned $102,024 for them.

REDASPEN JUST MISSES IN $150,000 EATONTOWN H.
PA-Bred Red Aspen nearly pulled a major upset in the $150,000 Eatontown H.-G3 at Monmouth Park Saturday, but came up a half-length of catching the 11-10 favorite Karen’s Caper in the mile and a sixteenth test on the turf. Bred and raced by Valerie McNeely’s Equivine Farm, the five-year-old Bianconi mare came into the race off a victory in the Politely S., her third career stakes win, two weeks ago.

PENN NATIONAL GAMING ACQUIRED
Penn National Gaming, parent company of Penn National Race Course and the soon-to-be-opened Hollywood Casino in Grantville, has entered into an agreement to be acquired for $8.9 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, Penn National shareholders will receive $67.00 in cash for each outstanding share, well above the $51.00 share closing price prior to the announcement. Penn National’s initial public offering came in 1994, and in the time since, the company has transformed itself into one of the premier gaming companies in America. The deal is expected to be consummated within a year.

PHILADELPHIA PARK PULLS GAMING BOARD PETITION
Philadelphia Park president Bob Green has announced that his petition before the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to allow the temporary slot facility in the racetrack grandstand to be permanent has been withdrawn. The petition had caused an uproar with Philadelphia Park horsemen due to the negative impact the grandstand conversion to slots has had on the fans seeking the live racing experience at the Bensalem track. In his statement announcing the petition’s withdrawal, Green said he would seek the Gaming Control Board’s permission for an extension to its earlier requirement that Philadelphia Park’s permanent $300 million stand-alone gaming facility be completed in 2008.

CANTREL SECOND IN $100,000 JOSTLE STAKES
Home Team Stables’ PA-Bred Cantrel, fresh off an impressive 18 length in the Wonders Delight S. at Penn National, appeared to have Saturday’s $100,000 Jostle S. at Philadelphia Park at her mercy, especially after the original field of eight endured four late scratches. But even the best laid plans go astray, and after not breaking as alertly as usual, the three-year-old Gulch filly just couldn’t catch the speedy Akronism through fractions of :21 4/5, :44, 1:08 2/5. The final time of 1:15 for the six and one-half furlongs was just three-fifth of a second off the Philadelphia Park track record. Cantrel’s second place finish boosted her lifetime bankroll to $84,050.

MASTER COMMAND UNLUCKY IN $829,500 STEPHEN FOSTER
PA-Bred Master Command, installed as the 8 to 5 betting favorite for Saturday’s Grade One Stephen Foster H. at Churchill Downs, did not fire while finishing a lackluster sixth. The five year old A. P. Indy horse who is chasing Invasor for handicap honors, spread a shoe in the paddock prior to the race, necessitating a fifteen minute delay for the start. Once the gate opened, Master Command encountered serious traffic problems in the run to and into the first turn and never showed much thereafter in what appeared a very dull effort. The Todd Pletcher-trained runner will be returned to his Belmont Park headquarters to plan for his summer schedule.

VETERAN LORD ADMIRAL STILL HOLDING HIS FORM
Lord Admiral, a PA-bred six-year-old, won the second stakes race of his career when he took the $93,177 Ballycorus S-G3 in Ireland last weekend carrying top-weight of 135 pounds. The son of El Prado has been on the board in 21 of 33 lifetime starts, and has earned nearly $500,000. Bred by Derry Meeting Farm and London Thoroughbred Services, Lord Admiral brought $135,000 as a Keeneland September yearling.

June 11, 2007

HARD SPUN A TIRED FOURTH IN BELMONT
PA-Bred Hard Spun ended his 2007 Triple Crown efforts in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes, racing forwardly for the initial mile and one-quarter, but had little left for the stretch run and tired badly to finish fourth, eleven lengths behind Rags To Riches and Curlin. One of only two three-year-olds to dance every dance of the Triple Crown (Curlin was the other), Hard Spun by no means embarrassed himself during the series, with a second in the Derby and a third in the Preakness before the grind caught up with him. The Danzig colt, whose breeding rights were recently purchased for a reported $20 million, has been returned to his Delaware Park base, and will not likely race again until the end of the summer.

MR. BOXCAR TOPS IN PEPPY ADDY S.
Mr. Boxcar survived both a long stretch duel, then a claim of foul by the runner-up My Three Boys for a victory in the $60,000 Peppy Addy S. at Philadelphia Park Saturday. The big gray colt by Pennsylvania-based Harry the Hat won his third career start against a field which had been reduced to five starters after four scratches, including the well-regarded Diplomatic Charm following an accident in the starting gate. Mr. Boxcar is the third stakes winner sired by Harry the Hat, who stands at Castle Rock Farm in Unionville.

MASTER COMMAND RETURNS THIS WEEKEND
PA-Bred Master Command, one of the country’s top handicap horses, is scheduled to return to the races this coming Saturday in the G-I $750,000 Stephen Foster H. at Churchill Downs. The son of A.P. Indy, winner of all three of his starts in 2007, will carry top-weight of 123 pounds in the mile and one-eighth test. His most recent work was five-eighths of a mile in :59 for trainer Todd Pletcher on the morning of the Belmont.

June 4, 2007

FABULOUS STRIKE FASTEST OF ALL
PA-Bred Fabulous Strike has struck again. Tea Party Stable’s (Walter Downey) four-year-old homebred gelding won his fourth straight Saturday in the $159,600 Aristides Breeders Cup S-G3 at Churchill Downs, covering six furlongs in 1:07 3/5 and easily separating himself from his four rivals. With eight wins in 12 career starts, the son of Smart Strike has now earned $378,132, and is being pointed next by trainer Todd Beattie at the $500,000 Smile Sprint H. at Calder Race Course’s Summit of Speed Festival on July 5.

HARD SPUN IN FINAL BELMONT PREP; GREAT HUNTER OUT
PA-Bred Hard Spun, second in the Kentucky Derby and third in the Preakness, is down to his final shot at a Triple Crown classic victory in Saturday’s Belmont. The Danzig colt, who will have a new rider in Garrett Gomez, is again expected to set the early pace in the mile and one-half race, but this time should not have too much company on the front end. His main opposition is expected from Preakness winner Curlin.

PA-Bred Great Hunter, who disappointed in the Derby then skipped the Preakness in preparation for the Belmont, chipped a knee in a recent workout and will not contest the Triple Crown finale.

RAGING RAPIDS CONTINUES TO RUN
Raging Rapids, 2006’s PA-Bred champion claiming horse, won her fourth race in seven starts this year to take Saturday’s $60,000 Caught In The Rain H. at Philadelphia Park over a mile and 70 yards. The six-year-old Roanoke mare, claimed for $7,000 early in 2006, went to the front early, then held off the late charge of Hailie’s Girl to post her second stakes win and 15th overall in 34 career starts. Raging Rapids has now earned $297,918.

WILSON PROMOTED AT PHILADELPHIA PARK
Joe Wilson, Philadelphia Park’s head of racing operations for the past few years, has been elevated to the position of chief operating officer at Greenwood Racing’s Bensalem track. Wilson replaces Hal Handel, who has been moved over to head up Greenwood’s off-track betting operations in New Jersey. Wilson, a veteran of over 15 years of service in the Philadelphia Park hierarchy, is expected to lead the effort to bring racing back into the spotlight after taking a back seat to the slot facility conversion in the past twelve months.

PA-BREDS POPULAR AT TIMONIUM 2YO SALE
Twenty-five PA-Bred two-year-olds in training brought a total of $1,350,500 at Fasig-Tipton’s Midlantic Preferred sale May 21-22 in Timonium. Among the top prices were:

May 18, 2007

CANTREL EASILY BEST IN IMPRESSIVE WONDERS DELIGHT WIN
Scott Lake has proved his ability as a conditioner time and time again, and his rule of the roost atop North America’s trainer standings in recent years attests to his ability with a broad spectrum of overnight horses. Now, Lake is venturing out. Late last summer, he spent $40,000 of his own money to claim PA-Bred Cantrel, fresh off a 15 length thrashing in her maiden debut at Delaware Park, out of her second career start, which, incidentally, she won on the lead throughout. Rested through the winter, Cantrel returned to the races at Philadelphia Park on May 6, winning by five, again in front all the way. Facing a field of six last night in the $45,000 Wonders Delight S. at Penn National, Cantrel as the 2 to 5 favorite, fell out of the gate two in front, and widened her margin throughout, going under the wire eighteen lengths in front of her nearest rival. Her fractions were electrifying - :21 3/5, :44, :56 3/5, and 1:09 1/5, the fastest three-quarters at Penn this year!

PHBA ELECTS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AT ANNUAL MEETING
Peter Giangiulio was re-elected to a second one-year term as president of Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association at the Association’s annual meeting Wednesday, May 16, at the Kennett Square Golf & Country Club. Also named were: Francis J. Puleo, vice president; Brian N. Sanfratello, treasurer; and Roger E. Legg, secretary. Named to four-year terms on PHBA’s Board of Directors were Giangiulio, Sanfratello, Dr. Teresa Garofalo, and Denise McHenry-Dommel.
Upbeat in his annual report to the membership, Giangiulio cited the progress made during the past year which included: a formal change to PA-Bred registration eligibility criteria; the adoption of a strategic plan of development for the Breeding Fund program; dramatic increases in revenue for PA-Bred stakes and overnight races; revisions to the Association’s bylaws; increased membership benefits; and expanded informational services via the Association’s website.

May 14, 2007

S W ALY’SVALENTINE IN AN IMPRESSIVE RETURN
Spring Water Farm’s S W Aly’svalentine returned to the races Saturday after a five month hiatus and posted a front-running two and one-quarter length win in the $60,000 Pistol Packer Handicap at Philadelphia Park. The five-year-old mare by Malibu Moon used her superior speed to good advantage, carving out fractions of :22, :45 1/5, and :57 3/5 enroute to her tenth win in 22 career starts. Twice a PA-Bred champion, S W Aly’svalentine may be seen next in the open Turf Amazon Handicap at five-eighths of a mile on the turf Memorial Day weekend at Philly.

HARD SPUN PREPPING FOR PREAKNESS
With no seeming negative after effects from his gallant second place finish to Street Sense in the Kentucky Derby, PA-Bred Hard Spun is expected to face the starter in this Saturday’s running of the second jewel of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes. Trainer Larry Jones, with a week to reflect on his charge’s Derby effort, believes Hard Spun, with all his speed, will again take a lot of beating. Jones has not scheduled a formal work prior to Saturday’s engagement. PA-Bred Great Hunter, whose connections believe the Aptitude colt never got hold of the track in the Derby, has been returned to his California base, with no immediate objective on the horizon.

May 11, 2007

BET A BUCK ON TOP IN DANZIG STAKES
PA-Bred three-year-old maintained his undefeated ways with an easy five length win as the 3 to 10 choice in the $45,000 Danzig Stakes at Penn National last night. The son of Montbrook came into the race never having been headed, and but for a few strides out of the gate after breaking awkwardly, still has not had any dirt kicked in his face. He cruised through an opening quarter in :22 3/5, a half in :45 3/5, and after getting five-eights in :58 2/5, was virtually eased in the final eighth. Trainer Mike Trombetta bought Bet A Buck as a yearling at Timonium, giving $35,000 for the well made three-quarter brother to Stormello, who was bred by GD Associates (Dr. Michael Chovanes).

263 ORIGINAL NOMINATIONS FOR PA RACE DAY
Philadelphia Park racing secretary Sal Sinatra reports that a total of 263 original nominations were received for the ten scheduled PA-Bred stakes races to be run on the Pennsylvania’s Day at the Races card, Saturday, July 28, at the Bensalem track. Late nominations may still be made prior to the July 1 cutoff.

BRAHMA FEAR FIRST PA-BRED 2YO WINNER OF 2007
Brahma Fear is the first PA-Bred juvenile winner of the year. Bred by Dr. Scott McManus, the colt was victorious in his second career start yesterday at Pimlico as the 3 to 5 betting choice, hanging on in deep stretch for the score. Brahma Fear’s sire is Brahms, whose Arson Squad reigned as PA-Bred champion three-year-old male in 2006.

S W ALY’SVALENTINE, HAILIE’S GIRL VIE IN PISTOL PACKER
Last year’s PA-Bred champion older female S W Aly’svalentine is scheduled to make her seasonal bow Saturday in the $60,000 Pistol Packer Handicap at Philadelphia Park. The five-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon has won nine of 21 career starts, with six seconds, with four of her victories in stakes company. Also in the compact field of five is Hailie’s Girl, PA-Bred champ as both a two- and three-year-old and a model of consistency in her short career. The race will be contested over six furlongs.

May 7, 2007

HARD SPUN BEST OF THE REST IN THE KENTUCKY DERBY
If you can’t win, at least be second. Pennsylvania-Bred Hard Spun ran the race of his life in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, finishing a courageous second behind Street Sense after setting all the pace until into the deep stretch. In attempting to accomplish a racing rarity of leading the Derby from flagfall to the finish, jockey Mario Pino sent the son of Danzig to the front shortly after the break. Hard Spun ran his opposition into the ground, opening up three midway through the far turn, but Street Sense, the recipient of another dream trip saving ground throughout along the rail, closed with a rush to collar Hard Spun at mid-stretch, and continued on for his two and a quarter length score. Anticipation is high for a rematch of the top pair in the Preakness in two weeks.

POWER BY LEIGH UPSETS STRONG LYMAN FIELD
Barbara Geraghty’s homebred Power by Leigh went to the front early and withstood a determined challenge from veteran Banjo Picker to score his initial stakes win in Saturday’s Lyman Sprint Handicap for Pennsylvania-Breds at Philadelphia Park. Time for the six furlong dash was 1:09 3/5. Power by Leigh is a son of Power by Far, a stakes winner of 15 of 32 lifetime starts and earner of $544,335, who was bred and raced by Mrs. Geraghty, and who now stands at Castle Rock Farm in Unionville.

FABULOUS STRIKE DOMINANT AT MOUNTAINEER
Scratched from the Lyman Sprint Handicap as the 8 to 5 morning line favorite, Tea Party Stable’s (Walter Downey) homebred Fabulous Strike opted instead to make his seasonal debut in the $75,000 Panhandle Handicap at Mountaineer Park, where he lugged 126 pounds to an impressive six and one-half length victory. Successful in seven of 11 lifetime starts, the PA-Bred son of Smart Strike was never threatened, winning as he pleased. The race served as a great prep for his next anticipated engagement, the $200,000 Maryland Breeders Cup Sprint Handicap at Pimlico May 19.

UNLAWFUL SPIRIT UPSETS IN WEST VIRGINIA DISTAFF
PA-Bred Unlawful Spirit, a five-year-old daughter of Pennsylvania stallion Attorney, upset a full field of filly and mare sprinters for her initial stakes victory in the $51,400 West Virginia Distaff Stakes at Charlestown, May 5. Third in the race was PA-Bred Rain Song, beaten two and one-half lengths by the winner. Bred by Galen Behney, Unlawful Spirit was third in the Wonders Delight S. at Penn National as a three-year-old. Attorney is a son of Seeking the Gold, and stands at Judith Barrett’s Godstone Farm in Pineville.

May 1, 2007

HARD SPUN, GREAT HUNTER IN FINAL DERBY WORKS
One may have gone too fast, and the other too slow in their final works for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. Hard Spun, who has not raced since his impressive victory in the $500,000 Lane’s End S. six weeks ago, blazed five furlongs in 57 3/5 seconds at Churchill Downs Monday morning, and observers immediately questioned whether the move would take too much from the Danzig colt. On the other side of the spectrum, Great Hunter’s six furlong 1:13 move brought about comments from railbird wags that the Aptitude colt may not have gotten enough from the work. Can’t please everyone all the time, but don’t worry. Both appear to be coming to the Derby in top form, and should do Pennsylvania proud.

PENNSYLVANIA’S DERBY CONNECTIONS
As the state’s breeding industry grows, so too does its influence on racing around the world. Look no further than this year’s Kentucky Derby to see Pennsylvania’s connections to the field.
Pennsylvania-Bred Hard Spun is by Danzig, a leading international sire for the past two decades, who was bred by former PHBA president Marshall Jenney at his Derry Meeting Farm in Cochranville.
Pennsylvania-Bred Great Hunter, bred by Phil Fanning’s Ivy Dell Stud in Unionville, is out of Zenith, a stakes winning mare trained by John Servis, who took Smarty Jones to within a length of the Triple Crown in 2004.
Dominican, winner of the $750,000 Blue Grass S. at Keeneland, is out of First Violin, a stakes placed Dixieland Band mare, bred in PA by Anne Thorington’s Maple Leaf Farm. She, in turn, is out of PA-Bred Sunrise Symphony, who was bred by Elizabeth Moran’s Brushwood Stable in Malvern.
Nobiz Like Showbiz and Cowtown Cat are both out of mares by Storm Cat, one of the most influential sires in modern history and also a Pennsylvania-Bred who was foaled at Derry Meeting Farm.
Pennsylvania-Bred Derby starters in recent years include the 2004 winner Smarty Jones, the 1990 winner Lil E. Tee, High Yield (2000), Shammy Davis (1997), Rhoman Rule (1985), and Parfaitement (1983).

TWENTY-SIX NOMINATED FOR LYMAN SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP
The Lyman Sprint Championship, the first of two dozen stakes offered for Pennsylvania-Breds at Philadelphia Park this year, has attracted 26 nominations. The race will be run Saturday, May 5, at six furlongs, and will carry a purse of $60,000 guaranteed. Top-weighted at 123 pounds is Fabulous Strike, a multiple stakes winner last year, followed by the veteran Banjo Picker, winner of last year’s Devil’s Honor Handicap at 121 pounds, and last year’s Lyman winner Pocomoonshine at 120 pounds.

SILENT PLEASURE WINS FOURTH ’07 STAKE
Real Quiet’s son Silent Pleasure won his fourth stakes race of the year April 28 in the $300,000 Texas Mile G-3, pushing his lifetime earnings to $396,555. After inauspicious seasons at two and three when he was able to win only one of nine starts and running for as low as a $16,000 claiming tag, the $2,700 yearling has come into his own this year, winning five of six starts. Real Quiet stands at Dr. William Solomon’s Pin Oak Lane Farm in New Freedom.

PIN OAK LANE’S SIPHON GETS SECOND 2YO WINNER
It’s not even the end of April, and Pennsylvania-based Siphon has already had his second two-year-old winner! Most recently, his Siphon the Kitty scored in a maiden dash at Hollywood Park. A South American import who was twice a grade one winner at a mile and a quarter in California and won the grade three Sport Page H. at Belmont, Siphon has demonstrated this same versatility at stud through his offspring.

PHBA ANNUAL MEETING SET FOR MAY 16
Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association will host its annual meeting Wednesday, May 16, 2007, at the Kennett Golf & Country Club. The affair, open to all members, will get underway at 4:00 PM, and will include the report of president Peter Giangiulio, and the election of four to the Association’s Board of Directors. Those nominated are: Teresa Garofalo, V.M.D.; Peter Giangiulio; Brian N. Sanfratello; and Denise McHenry-Dommel, who has replaced A. Everette James, who withdrew as a nominee for personal reasons. Immediately following the meeting, the Board of Directors will elect the Association’s executive officers for the coming year. Nominated are: for president, Peter Giangiulio; for vice president, Francis J. Puleo; for secretary, Roger E. Legg; and for treasurer, Brian N. Sanfratello. Cocktails and hors’d’ouvres will be served. Members planning on attending should notify the Association office in order that proper accommodations can be made.

April 23, 2007

MASTER COMMAND IN CHARGE AT HAWTHORNE
How good is Master Command? Last year’s PA-Bred champion older male made it three wins in three starts this year, with an impressive three and one-quarter length win Saturday in the $250,000 National Jockey Club H.-G3 at Hawthorne. After tracking the pace setting Sweetnorthernsaint to the far turn, Master Command gunned to the lead, then easily maintained his advantage through the stretch to push his career earnings to $1,100,893. Bred by Elizabeth Moran’s Brushwood Stable, the 5YO A. P. Indy horse has now won eight of 15 lifetime starts.

MIXED UP OFF ON RIGHT FOOT IN 2007
Mixed Up, 2006’s champion PA-Bred jumper, indicated he is ready for another strong season with a successful seasonal debut in the $159,125 Royal Chase for the Sport of Kings at Keeneland April 20. The eight year old gelded son of Carnivalay finished strongly in the 2 Ω mile test, holding off ten others while scoring his 13th win in 33 lifetime starts, and pushed earnings ledger to just short of half a million dollars. Mixed Up is owned and bred by Bill Pape and Jonathan Sheppard, and trained by Sheppard.

PA-BREDS SELL AT KEENELAND 2YO SALE
A colt from the first crop of Sky Mesa brought a final bid of $150,000 at the Keeneland Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale April 17. Bred by Dan Ryan, the colt was one of three PA-Breds selling in the sale. The others were a filly by Dixie Union bred by Pandora Farms LLC which brought $65,000, and a Storm Boot colt bred by Bettina Jenney which was knocked down for $42,000.

PA-BRED ENTRIES AND RESULTS NOW AVAILABLE
Entries and results for Pennsylvania-Breds racing in North America are now available on PHBA website under the link for news headlines, ENTRIES / RESULTS. The time period covered is a progressive seven day period, which is updated daily. Horses are listed alphabetically by breeder, and each record contains much valuable information.

PA RACE DAY NOMINATIONS DUE BY MAY 1
Horsemen are reminded nominations for horses expected to compete in any of the scheduled stakes to be run Saturday, July 28, 2007, the 7th annual offering of Pennsylvania’s Day at the Races close Tuesday, May 1. Nominations should be made through the office of the racing secretary at Philadelphia Park, (215) 639-9000.

Owners and/or trainers curious as to whether their horses may be eligible for any of the four $100,000 races for PA-sired Pennsylvania-Breds can check their status at www.pabred.com, and clicking on the section listing PA-Bred registered foals, from 1994 through 2006.

PRESQUE ISLE PURSES AND PLANS
Purses to be paid this September during Presque Isle Downs’ inaugural race meet will offer more than meets the eye in the condition book for the 25 day duration. Listed purses will be the amount horsemen anticipate will be offered in 2008, when track offers a full 100-day meeting, giving horsemen some idea of what will be offered in ’08, according to Joe Santanna, president of the PA-Division of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.

The purses will pay out approximately 175% of the advertised book value to horsemen on a structure of 75% to the winner, 40% to second, 20% to third, 15%, 10%, 5%, 4%, and 2% throughout the meet. Santanna said he expects purses for maiden special weights to be about $40,000.

On Saturday, September 29, six stakes worth $90,000 to $100,000 each will be offered for Pennsylvania-Breds. Santanna indicated the 25-day schedule also will include about eight $125,000 open stakes and one major stakes with a purse around $350,000.

HBPA has agreed to financially contribute to help Presque Isle install a synthetic racing surface over the one mile oval. Santanna said he expects his group to contribute more than $1-million toward installation of the surface.

April 9, 2007

PA DAY AT THE RACES WILL TOP $1 MILLION IN PURSES
When the seventh edition of Pennsylvania’s Day at the Races is presented Saturday, July 28, at Philadelphia Park, over $1 million in purses will be available for PA-Breds. Highlighting the eleven race card will be the inaugural running of the $125,000 Smarty Jones Classic, a mile and a sixteenth test for three-year-olds and upward on the main track. Eight other races at $100,000 each, including four separate events for Pennsylvania-Bred, Pennsylvania-sired horses, will make the day the richest race card for Thoroughbreds ever offered in the state. Race nominations are due by May 1, 2007, and must be made through the office of the racing secretary at Philadelphia Park. The full list of races and conditions is available in the stakes schedule section of this website.

HARD SPUN, GREAT HUNTER UPDATES
Pennsylvania-Bred Kentucky Derby hopefuls Hard Spun and Great Hunter are in their final preparations to determine whether or not the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs is on their respective schedules.

Hard Spun, an impressive winner of the $500,000 Lanes End S. in his most recent start, has shipped to Churchill Downs where trainer Larry Jones will attempt to determine the Danzig’s colt’s affinity for the track there. Earlier this year after suffering his lone defeat, Hard Spun was shipped out of Oaklawn Park because Jones believed he was not handling the track. Churchill is supposedly a similar type racing strip, and both Jones and owner Rick Porter have indicated they will opt out of the Derby if Hard Spun shows anything but a fondness for Churchill.

Great Hunter, winner of the Robert Lewis S. at Santa Anita in his only start as a three-year-old, worked three-quarters of a mile over the weekend in California, then shipped to Keeneland for an engagement this Saturday in the $750,000 Bluegrass S. He is expected to meet Street Sense, last year’s two-year-old champion and winner of the recently run Tampa Bay Derby in his only outing this year.

ROMAN CANDLES RIGHT BACK FOR LITE THE FUSE
Lite the Fuse’s aptly named Roman Candles won his second stakes of the year Saturday with a victory in the Hilton Garden Inn S. at Tampa Bay, his sixth win in 14 career starts. Pennsylvania’s leading sire of stakes winners in 2006, Lite the Fuse stands at Dr. William Solomon’s Pin Oak Lane Farm in New Freedom.

PENN NATIONAL BACK TO FOUR RACE CARDS PER WEEK
Penn National Race Course has resumed a racing schedule of four cards per week, effective the second week of April. The Grantville track had cut back to three programs for a number of reasons in the latter part of 2006. With the advent of springtime and a more pleasant racing climate, Penn National will begin the transition to higher purses in anticipation of the opening of its slots facility in early 2008.

April 2, 2007

SON OF PATTON WINS $2 MILLION DUBAI SPRINT
Kelly’s Landing, a six-year-old son of Pennsylvania-based Patton, scored a mild upset in the $2,000,000 Grade I Dubai Golden Shaheen this past Saturday, the world’s richest sprint stakes over a field of 16 of the world’s fastest runners, including last year’s Eclipse champion sprinter, Thor’s Echo. Run over a six furlong straightaway, Kelly’s Landing got to the front about a furlong to go while racing on the rail, and held off the several late charges for a one length win. Patton, who stood for several years at Reigle Heir Farm in Grantville, now holds court at Peter Giangiulio’s Castle Rock Farm in Chester County.

DEMAND FOR PA-BREDS CONTINUES AT OCALA
Five PA-Breds, topped by a $400,000 Malibu Moon filly bred by Anne F. Thorington, passed through the ring at last week’s Ocala Breeders Sales Co. two-year-old in training sale. Others included: a $50,000 filly by Successful Appeal, bred by Justice Farm; a $35,000 Horse Chestnut filly bred by Connie Nesteruk; a $27,000 Songandaprayer colt bred by Mer-Lynn Farms; and a $14,000 Lightning N Thunder colt bred by Glenn Brok.

REAL QUIET GETS ANOTHER STAKES WINNER
Silent Pleasure became his sire Real Quiet’s fourteenth lifetime stakes winner with his victory in the $97,000 Gulf Coast Classic at Delta Downs Saturday evening at Delta Downs. The four-year-old Silent Pleasure has now won four races and boasts lifetime earnings of $151,555.

March 28, 2007

The Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association has accepted the report of the Nominating Committee, which has formally nominated the following members to stand for election to fill four vacancies on the Board, to occur at PHBA’s Annual Meeting Wednesday, May 16, 2007. Terms of the newly elected Board members will be for four years. Those nominated are:

DR. TERESA GAROFALO, Chester County - A practicing veterinarian specializing in racehorse, sport horse, and equine reproduction, she operates a small breeding farm breeding mostly to race in PA. She has over 25 years experience in the various aspects of the industry, including broodmare management in major Kentucky farms, and with an international agency buying and selling in the commercial markets. This would be her first term on the Board.
PETER GIANGIULIO, Chester County - Currently serving as the Association’s president, he is the owner/operator of Castle Rock Farm, one of the state’s leading stallion stations, and a long-time owner and breeder whose horses have raced in Pennsylvania since the early seventies.
A. EVERETTE JAMES, Chester County - He is the proprietor of Chain Bridge Stable, LLC, a breeding and racing partnership, and a recent appointee as a senior advisor to Gov. Rendell. He has an extensive background in corporate law and government service at the Federal level. This would be his first term on the Board.
BRIAN N. SANFRATELLO, Bucks County - Currently serving as the Association’s treasurer, and chairman of the Budget Committee. He and his wife operate Briter Farm, breeding for their racing stable. He is the owner of the Sanfratello Insurance Agency in Warminster. This would be his second term on the Board.

Article VIII, Section 2. of the Association’s bylaws states: "Additional nominations to the Board of Directors may be made at least thirty days prior to the Annual Meeting of the Association by the presentation of a petition signed by at least ten percent (10%) of the regular members." As prescribed by the bylaws, ballots for the Directors’ election will be mailed to members at least ten days prior to the Annual Meeting. "Regular members" are defined by the bylaws as having paid association dues by March 31. Nominess must be regular members for at least two (2) years and not have a conflict of interest defined as but not limited to currently serving as an officer or director of a racing or slot licensee or horsemen's association at any Pennsylvania Thoroughbred race track.

March 26, 2007

HARD SPUN BACK IN DERBY PICTURE
Hard Spun is back. Back in a big way. The PA-Bred colt returned to his winning ways Saturday with a rather easy three and a quarter length victory in the $500,000 Grade II Lanes End Stakes at Turfway Park. The win was the fifth in six starts for the regally bred son of Danzig, and the $300,000 in graded earnings for the winner’s share insures him of a spot in the Kentucky Derby if all continues to develop as planned. Breaking from the eight hole in the mile and one-eighth race, Hard Spun stalked the early pace from the outside, moved easily to the leaders through the far turn, and drew off handily in the deep stretch. Bred by Michael Moran and Brushwood Stable, Hard Spun is scheduled to run next in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland where he is expected to face another serious PA-Bred Derby hopeful, Great Hunter.

CONTROL SYSTEM REMAINS UNDEFEATED
Make it three in a row for Control System. The PA-Bred filly charged home a three and one-half length winner Saturday in the $109,600 Grade III Cicada S. at Aqueduct, making light of the jump to the Big Apple following a pair of wins at Philadelphia Park by a combined margin of 21 lengths. A daughter of Lion Hearted out of Risk Aversion, by Grindstone, Control System was bred by Dr. Renee Nodine’s Horse Shoe Valley Equine.

March 22, 2007

HARD SPUN TRIES TO GET BACK ON TRACK
What have you done lately? Pennsylvania-Bred Hard Spun, a media darling after blowing away his opposition in each of his first four starts before a lackluster effort at Oaklawn Park in the Southwest Stakes, will try to get back on track Saturday in the Grade II $500,000 Lanes End S. at Turfway Park. The three-year-old Danzig colt labored over the Oaklawn track, racing wide throughout, and showing none of the devastating finishing kick that characterized his earlier efforts. Trainer Larry Jones opted to relocate his charge to Turfway, which utilizes a synthetic track surface, one on which Hard Spun seems to thrive, as evidenced by his two bullet works since arriving there two weeks ago. A full field of 12 has been entered for the 1 1/8 mile test, with Hard Spun installed as the 5/2 morning line favorite in an attempt to win his fifth race from six career starts.

2007 PA-BRED STAKES SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
Pennsylvania-Breds will race for nearly $2.5 million in stakes races in 2007 in what can only be described as the most lucrative and impressive roster of races for state breds since the inception of the Pennsylvania Breeding Fund program over 30 years ago. Highlighted by the inaugural offering of the $125,000 Smarty Jones Classic, a total of 33 races will be presented, including eight on Saturday, July 28, at Philadelphia Park as part of the eighth edition of Pennsylvania’s Day At The Races, and six at $90,000 each at Presque Isle on Saturday, September 29. The full schedule can be viewed clicking on ëStakes Schedule’ on the home page.

IROQUOIS AWARDS BANQUET HONORS STATE’S LEADING BREEDERS
PHBA’s twenty-eighth annual Iroquois Awards Banquet will take place the evening of Thursday, May 24, 2007, at The Hotel Hershey in Hershey. The evening provides the forum to honor Pennsylvania’s champions of 2006 and its leading breeders, and is generally regarded as the premier event for Pennsylvania’s Thoroughbred community. Ticket and program advertising information can be obtained through the PHBA office.

March 12, 2007

JOCKEY CLUB REPORTS PA-BRED FOAL CROP INCREASES
Pennsylvania’s foal crop has increased by 54.7% over the last decade, and the 2005 total of 1,180 constitutes 3.5% of North America’s total, The Jockey Club reported in the release of its latest Fact Book. This jump now places Pennsylvania seventh overall on the list of leading states in the country, ahead of Maryland, Virginia, and other states that for so many years, produced many more foals than Pennsylvania. And the growth is expected to continue at an even more rapid pace in the coming years with the advent of slot money into the Breeding Fund program. The 2006 Pennsylvania foals crop is estimated at 1,300, and should climb to near 1,500 in 2007.

MASTER COMMAND DOMINATES $500,000 NEW ORLEANS H.
Scoring his second consecutive victory in stakes company at the Fair Grounds, PA-Bred Master Command dominated his rivals in Sunday’s $500,000 New Orleans Handicap as the 3 to 10 favorite. Racing just off the early pace, the son of A. P. Indy took command in the upper stretch and drew off to an easy three and one half length victory. Bred by Elizabeth Moran’s Brushwood Stable, Master Command (A. P. Indy) now shows a record of 7 wins in 14 lifetime starts ($958,018), and is quickly becoming one of the country’s top older horses.

GREAT HUNTER, HARD SPUN POPULAR IN DERBY FUTURE WAGERS
Pennsylvania-Breds Great Hunter and Hard Spun both attracted a fair amount of attention in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wagering Pool, which closed March 11. Great Hunter, fresh off a convincing victory in the $200,000 Robert Lewis S. at Santa Anita in his first start of the season, closed at 11 to 1, and Hard Spun, a disappointing fourth in his first career loss in the Southwest S. at Oaklawn, closed at 20 to 1. Great Hunter (Aptitude) is expected to make his next start April 14 in the Blue Grass S. at Keeneland, while Hard Spun (Danzig) should be seen in the Lanes End S. at Turfway Park March 24.

PA-BREDS POPULAR AT CALDER 2YO SALE
Each of the three Pennsylvania-Breds catalogued at the recently concluded Calder Selected 2YOs in Training Sale proved to be very popular with buyers at the south Florida venue. Heading the group was a colt by Not For Love, bred by Frances Leidy of West Chester, which brought a final bid of $550,000 as the fourth horse through the ring. The others were a $200,000 son of Menifee, bred by Phil Fanning of Unionville, and a colt by Lemon Drop Kid, bred by Anne F. Thorington’s Maple Leaf Farm in Coatesville, which brought $135,000.

March 5, 2007

GREAT HUNTER ON TRACK FOR DERBY
PA-Bred Great Hunter got back into the swing of things Saturday after a four month layoff, posting a business-like victory in the $200,000 Grade II Robert B. Lewis S. at Santa Anita. Breaking from the eight post close to the clubhouse turn, Great Hunter raced wide throughout the first turn and down the backside, well off the early pace. Approaching the quarter pole, the son of Aptitude moved into another gear and had hit the front by the time the field straightened away for the stretch run. Great Hunter continued about his business to the wire, winning by a length and a quarter while not being seriously threatened. The immediate plan is for Great Hunter to start next in the Bluegrass S. at Keeneland, where he won the Grade I Breeders Futurity last fall. Great Hunter was bred by Phil Fanning’s Ivy Dell Stud, and was the 2006 PA-Bred two-year-old champion male.

ARSON SQUAD SCRATCHED FROM $1 MILLION SANTA ANITA
Pa-Bred Arson Squad was a late scratch in Saturday’s $1,000,000 Santa Anita Handicap due to a foot abscess. Trainer Bruce Headley indicated the condition did not appear serious for the morning-line second choice in the race. Arson Squad was coming off an impresswive score in the $300,000 Strub Stakes.

ANOTHER STAKES WINNER FOR REAL QUIET
Pennsylvania-based Real Quiet was represented by his eighth stakes winner when Silent Pleasure posted a seven length win in the $73,500 Delta Mile S. at Delta Downs Saturday, March 3. Real Quiet stands at Dr. William Solomon’s Pin Oak Lane Farm in New Freedom.

FORMER PHBA PRESIDENT BRUCE DONALDSON DEAD AT 87
Bruce Donaldson, during whose term as president of the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association the Pennsylvania Breeding Fund program was enacted, died Sunday, March 4, at is home in Unionville. Mr. Donaldson was instrumental in convincing the state legislature of the merits of the Breeding Fund and how it would help support Pennsylvania racing, and in December, 1974, after several near-misses, the Breeding Fund program was officially enacted. Among Mr. Donaldson’s immediate survivors are his daughter Judith Donaldson Jefferis, his former wife Diana B. Donaldson, and his step-daughter Heather B. Hunter, all of Unionville.

March 2, 2007

TOP PA-BREDS IN ACTION AT SANTA ANITA
Pa-Bred Arson Squad, an impressive winner of the $200,000 2 Strub Stakes three weeks ago, will try to upset 4 to 5 morning line favorite Lava Man in tomorrow’s $1 million Santa Anita Handicap going a mile and a quarter. Listed as the second choice in the program, Arson Squad will be testing Grade 1 competition for the first time in his career, and indicated his readiness with a :34 2/5 blowout Thursday. Great Hunter will make his three-year-old debut on the undercard in the 1 1/16 mile Robert B. Lewis S. against a full field of Derby hopefuls. Great Hunter has not raced since the Breeders Cup Juvenile last November, when the son of Aptitude finished third behind two-year-old champion Street Sense.

PRESQUE ISLE OPENS FOR SLOTS
The state’s fourth racino opened February 28 when Presque Isle Downs near Erie officially opened its doors to the public. Over $15 million passed through the machines during the first two days of operation. The 48,074-square-foot gaming facility has two floors, 2,000 slot machines, three restaurants, and three lounges. The state-of-the-art facility, which will eventually include a racetrack, grandstand, and clubhouse, is set to begin live Thoroughbred racing Sept. 1. A third-floor simulcast facility will be ready for action by late May. Presque Isle is owned by MTR Gaming Group, which owns and operates Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort in West Virginia. Like Mountaineer, plans eventually call for a hotel and concert hall, among other nighttime activities.

NEWEST MEMBER OF GAMING BOARD SWORN IN
Gary Sojka was sworn in earlier this week as the newest member of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Sojka, whose appointment was made by House Minority Leader Sam Smith, served as both President of Bucknell University in Lewisburg from 1984 to 1995 and a faculty member and an administrator at the university from 1984 to 2006. "This is both a tremendous challenge and an exciting way for me to help and protect the interests of the citizens of Pennsylvania" said Sojka.

February 27, 2007

CAPITANO REPEATS AT TURF PARADISE
Pennsylvania-Bred Capitano, a six-year-old son of Belong to Me, registered his second consecutive score in the $75,000 Turf Paradise Handicap February 24, and his third career stakes win. Bred by Elizabeth Moran’s Brushwood Stable and sold as a yearling for $52,000 at the 2002 Keeneland September sale, Capitano has now won six of 30 lifetime starts, with 8 seconds and 4 thirds, while earning $513,338.

PRESQUE ISLE OPENING FEB. 28
Presque Isle racetrack and casino has scheduled its grand opening for Wednesday, February 28, and in so doing, will become Pennsylvania’s fourth racetrack slot parlor. Live racing is scheduled to commence in September, when the facility, located just outside Erie, will offer a twenty-five day meet. Under the direction of Mountaineer Gaming which also operates in West Virginia, Presque Isle is expected to generate in excess of $2 million annually for the Pennsylvania Breeding Fund.

ROYAL WAR ACADEMY 2nd IN MARDI GRAS STAKES
Pennsylvania-Bred Royal War Academy surrendered the lead in deep stretch in the $75,000 Mardi Gras S. at the Fair Gounds February 26, then gamely held for second money in the turf race for three-year-olds. Still a maiden, the son of Royal Academy bred by Anne F. Thorington’s Maple Leaf Farm, has now finished on the board in four of eight lifetime starts.

ROUGH MONTH AT PENN NATIONAL
After enjoying one of the more mild months of January in recent years, the abrupt change in weather patterns has created havoc at Penn National. Following the February 1 card, nine consecutive nights of racing have had to be cancelled prior to the anticipated re-opening February 27. If current conditions hold, the Grantville track will finish the month with just three live programs.

DEATH OF ROBERT NARVELL
Long-time Chester County horseman Robert W. Narvell died February 23 at the age of 62. Mr. Narvell was born and raised in Delaware County, and resided in Unionville. He owned and operated Iron Bridge Farm in Parkesburg. Expressions of sympathy made be made to: Iron Bridge Farm, 2073 Valley Road, Parkesburg, PA 19365.

FANNING’S IVY DELL STUD HONORED
Phillip F. N. Fanning’s Ivy Dell Stud, breeder of last year’s two-year-old PA-Bred two-year-old champion Great Hunter, has been listed by Thoroughbred Times as one of the country’s top ten breeders of 2006, based on rankings which consider total purse money earned by a breeder’s runners, average earnings per starter for each breeder, number of winners for the breeder, and percentage of stakes winners from starters or the breeders. Ivy Dell ranked sixth overall. Fanning, now 84, is a former amateur steeplechase rider who lists his winning ride in the 1958 Maryland Hunt Cup as his crowning achievement, has been phasing out of the breeding business in recent years. Other Pennsylvanians listed by Thoroughbred Times were Elizabeth Moran’s Brushwood Stable (13th) and the partnership of William Pape and Jonathan Sheppard (61st).

SMARTY JONES’ BREEDING INTERRUPTED
Pennsylvania-Bred Smarty Jones, who captured the nation’s imagination during his run at the Triple Crown in 2004, has been successfully treated for a minor temporary blockage in his reproductive tract and has resumed normal breeding activity. The six-year-old son of Elusive Quality stands at Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky for a fee of $100,000. His commercial appeal of his eight weanlings sold thus far for an average of $275,626.

February 20, 2007

HARD SPUN HARDLY INVINCIBLE
Despite all the pre-race build-up and strong backing from the bettors who made him the 1 to 2 favorite, PA-Bred Hard Spun came back to earth Monday, when he was handed his first career defeat in five starts in the $250,000 Southwest S. at Oaklawn Park. The fashionably bred son of Danzig came into the race off a series of dynamite works since his facile romp in the Lecomte S. at the Fair Grounds a month ago, but the fairy tale was not meant to be. Breaking from the extreme outside post, Hard Spun raced five wide through most of the clubhouse turn, stayed wide down the backside and into the far turn, before accelerating strongly to get within a length of the leader inside the quarter pole. Just as the crowd roared in response to his move, the big colt flattened out, lost his drive, and could finish no better than fourth, beaten just over three lengths. Certainly, Hard Spun lost way more than three lengths racing as far off the rail as he did, but 1 to 2 shots are supposed to be good enough to overcome adversity. The silver lining of this dark cloud is the winner, Teuflesberg, was beaten eight widening lengths by Hard Spun in the Lecomte. Look for Hard Spun to redeem himself next in the $300,000 Rebel S. at Oaklawn.

CONTROL SYSTEM COULD BE A GOOD ONE
After breaking her maiden in her first start by nearly a dozen lengths, PA-Bred Control System made it two in a row February 18 at Philadelphia Park wiring the field with an easy nine length score in allowance company. A three-year-old daughter of Lion Hearted, she was bred by Dr. Renee Nodene’s Horse Shoe Valley Equine, and is trained by Todd Beattie.

FEROCIOUS WON A FEROCIOUS ONE
Ferocious Won, a three-year-old son of Pennsylvania stallion Lite the Fuse, finished second, beaten a short head in the $75,000 Hollie Hughes S. at Aqueduct February 18. Lite the Fuse, who topped all Pennsylvania stallions in progeny earnings in 2006, stands at Dr. William Solomon’s Pin Oak Lane Farm in New Freedom.

PA-BREDS SELL WELL IN OCALA
With the slot-infused PA-Bred racing program now underway at Philadelphia Park, and not all that far into the future at Penn National and Presque Isle, PA-Bred sale consignments are catching the eyes of buyers. At the recently concluded two-year-old in training sale at Ocala, the trio of Breeding Fund eligibles offered brought final bids of $175,000 (Successful Appeal colt), $100,000 (Stormy Atlantic filly), and $100,000 (Hold That Tiger colt).

February 14, 2007

SIPHON JUVENILE BRINGS $350,000 BID AT OCALA
A colt by Pennsylvania stallion Siphon brought a final bid of $350,000 at the Ocala Breeders Sales Co.’s two-year-old in training sale February 13. Out of a three-quarter sister to the dam of champion Smarty Jones, the colt had worked a quarter mile in :21 2/5 in the sale preview. Siphon, a Grade 1 winner of over $3.1 million, stands at Dr. William J. Solomon’s Pin Oak Lane Farm in New Freedom for a fee of $5,000 live foal.

PHILADELPHIA PARK’S PA-BRED TRIFECTA
Pennsylvania-Breds won three straight open allowance races on Philadelphia Park’s Tuesday, February 13, card, as state breds continue to show their fire at the highest level of competition at the Bucks County track. In the seventh race, Pass the Punch won his second of three career starts for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, familiar conditioner of last year’s Horse of the Year Invasor, and 2006 Belmont winner Jazil. Bred by Gary and Karen Farrar of Cochranville, the son of Two Punch was a $160,000 Ocala 2YO buy for West Point Thoroughbreds. Thaddeus, a River Ridge Farm homebred by Clash By Night, picked up his second career win for trainer Todd Beattie in the eighth, and pushed his lifetime bankroll to to $47,583. In the ninth, Legacy Reserve, bred by the partnership of Mrs. Edgar Scott, Jr. and Mrs. Lawrence MacElree, won his second for trainer H. Graham Motion. A son of Cherokee Run, Legacy Reserve was a $100,000 Saratoga yearling in 2005.

GREAT HUNTER READIES FOR TRIPLE CROWN CAMPAIGN
Pennsylvania-Bred Great Hunter, last year’s PA-Bred 2YO champion rated at 122 pounds on the 2006 Experimental Handicap, is being pointed for the Grade 2 Robert Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita on March 3. This will be the first of only two prep races for the Aptitude colt, and if all goes as planned, trainer Doug O’Neill will start him in the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May.

PA SUPREME COURT TOSSES SUIT AGAINST PRESQUE ISLE
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has denied a lawsuit filed by Citizens Against Gambling Subsidies Inc. against the PA Gaming Control Board and MTR Gaming Group (Presque Isle) on grounds that the plaintiffs lacked standing. The decision removed one of the final two obstacles hampering the anticipated opening of the state’s second Thoroughbred track with gaming. A remaining barrier to Presque Isle's desire to open is the status of the newest appointee to the Gaming Control Board, former Bucknell University president Gary Sojka, who cannot vote on Board matters until he clears a background check. Once Sojka’s appointment is finalized, the Board will have to consider Presque Isle's floor plan and oversee a dry-run test of the gambling equipment that must be successful before doors can be opened to the public.

February 12, 2007

MASTER COMMAND IN FRONT AGAIN
Master Command, the champion PA-Bred older horse in 2006, continued his winning ways Saturday, February 10, with a dominating six length win in the $194,000 Grade 3 Mineshaft Handicap at the Fair Grounds. It was the sixth victory in 13 starts for the five-year-old son of A. P. Indy, and pushed his career earnings to $695,018. This was the third graded win for Master Command, who was bred by Elizabeth Moran’s Brushwood Stable of Malvern, and sold for $650,000 at the 2003 Keeneland sale.

HARD SPUN SCHDULED FOR SATURDAY START
Undefeated Hard Spun, carrying the hope as the second Pennsylvania-Bred Kentucky Derby winner in four years, is primed for to make his fifth career start Saturday, February 19 at Oaklawn Park in the $250,000 Southwest Stakes at a mile. The son of Danzig worked a quick five-eights of a mile this past Wednesday at Oaklawn, the fastest of 51 works at the distance, with trainer Larry Jones telling Daily Racing Form "Everything’s good, everything’s really good."

PIES PROSPECT TO STUD AT FOXTALE
Pies Prospect, a multiple Grade 3 winner who won 6 of 21 career starts and earned $712,859, will stand the 2007 breeding season at Vince Tucciarone's Fox Tale Stud in Coopersburg, near Allentown. A son of Crafty Prospector, he represents the initial venture into the Pennsylvania stallion market for owner Richland Hills, a Kentucky-based breeding operation.
"Pies Prospect truly defines the future of the Pennsylvania stallion market in a slots-driven environment," said Tucciarone. "He beat most of the top handicap horses of his generation, has a world-class pedigree, is powerfully built, and stands 16.3 hands."

PA SENATE HONORS BARBARO & TEAM
The Pennsylvania state Senate on February 5 passed a unanimous resolution honoring last year’s Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, his owner Lael Stable (Roy & Gretchen Jackson), trainer Michael Matz, and the veterinary team at New Bolton Center, headed by chief surgeon Dr. Dean Richardson.
The resolution read in part: "Whereas, Barbaro’s achievements highlight the grace and beauty of the horse breeding industry and its importance to this Commonwealth and our agriculture heritage, therefore be it RESOLVED that the Senate commend Roy and Gretchen Jackson and Michael Matz for their extraordinary commitment to Barbaro and the Thoroughbred industry, and be it further RESOLVED that the Senate commend the New Bolton Center for its outstanding care and treatment of Barbaro."

February 7, 2007

PA-BRED NEAR TOP OF ’06 EXPERIMENTAL
Last year’s PA-Bred 2-Y-O champion Great Hunter received the third highest rating on the 2006 Experimental Handicap at 122 pounds, five pounds less than Eclipse champion Street Sense. The Experimental is compiled by a panel of racing secretaries with the weights for a hypothetical race at 1 1/16 miles in the spring for three-year-olds on the dirt. This is the highest impost given a Pennsylvania-Bred colt since 1985, when Storm Cat, beaten a nose in the Breeders Cup Juvenile that year, earned an assignment of 125 pounds. Eclipse winning filly Go For Wand was rated at 123 pounds in 1988.

HARD SPUN SUFFERS MINOR SETBACK
Hard Spun, the PA-Bred Triple Crown heir apparent to Smarty Jones, has hit a minor bump in the road enroute this year’s spring classics. The undefeated Danzig colt, fresh off an impressive win in the $100,000 LeComte at the Fair Grounds in mid-January, missed a bit of training while coughing at his Oaklawn Park headquarters, but is expected to return to action there shortly.

REAL QUIET’S PUSSYCAT DOLL
Pussycat Doll, a lightly raced five-year-old daughter of Real Quiet, won her second Grade 1 stakes in succession when she rallied from off the pace in the $250,000 Santa Monica S. for a four length win. Previously she had won the La Brea S.-G1 at a three-year-old, and the Humana Distaff H.-G1 at Churchill Downs last spring. Pussycat Doll, a winner of $657,831, is the leading money winner for Real Quiet, who stands at Pin Oak Lane Farm in New Freedom.

ARSON SQUAD TOPS IN $300,000 STRUB
Arson Squad, the 2006 PA-Bred three-year-old champion male, scored an impressive win in the $300,000 Strub Stakes at Santa Anita Saturday, February 3, his fifth career win which boosted his lifetime earnings to nearly $600,000. A son of the Danzig stallion Brahms, Arson Squad sold as a $20,000 Keeneland weanling, and a $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky yearling.

PA-BRED TRIPLE CROWN NOMINEES
Seven PA-Bred three-year-olds have been nominated to this year’s Triple Crown. They are: Call Me Dude (Western Echo), bred by Ronald & Betsy Sapp; Great Hunter (Aptitude), bred by Ivy Dell Stud; Hard Spun (Danzig), bred by Brushwood Stable & Michael Moran; Pass the Punch (Two Punch), bred by Gary & Karen Ferrar; Punch In A Half (Two Punch), bred by Derry Meeting Farm; Royal War Academy (Royal Academy), bred by Maple Leaf Farm; and Sgt. Friday (Officer), bred by Glen Brok & Aron Yagoda.

FIRST FOAL FOR CONGRESSIONALHONOR
The first foal of Congressionalhonor arrived at Maui Meadow Farm February 4, the property of Robert & Diane Jones. Winner of the Bay Meadows Derby-G3 and a half-brother to Horse Of The Year Saint Liam, Congressionalhonor (Forestry) stands at Maui Meadow, where he bred 93 mares in 2006.

January 19, 2007

First Afleet Alex foal

Champion Afleet Alex's first foal, shown at less than two days old, a Pennsylvania-Bred colt out of Baby Lets Cruise, by Tale of the Cat, was born at Bettina Jenney's Derry Meeting Farm in Cochranville January 21, 2007. Afleet Alex won both the 2005 Preakness and Belmont, after a third place finish in the Kentucky Derby. Mare is a winning half-sister to Grade 1 winner Jade Hunter.

P H B A Broodmare Domicile Report form and instructions

Effective November 3, 2006, PHBA requires owners of broodmares to complete, sign and mail a Broodmare Domicile Report for all broodmares which will foal in 2007 and thereafter:

Date: November 3, 2006

To: Thoroughbred Broodmare Owners

From: Peter Giangiulio, President

Subject: Broodmare Domicile Report

Please find a ink to the Adobe pdf file version of a form which owners of broodmares participating in the Pennsylvania Breeding Fund program and are intending to foal in 2007, need to file with PHBA. The information submitted on the form will provide PHBA with a basis from which to identify and confirm the presence of mares in the state, as defined below in the eligibility criteria for PA-Bred registration.

Please print and fill this form out completely, sign it and return it to PHBA no later than November 30, 2006. The form may be copied for additional broodmare reporting. If you are boarding mares for clients new to the program, please direct them to PHBA’s website, www.pabred.com, where a copy of this letter and form can be downloaded from the Broodmare Domicile Report section for their convenience and compliance.

Please direct any questions you may have regarding the form or information requested on it to the PHBA office. Thank you for your cooperation.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR PA-BRED REGISTRATION

A Thoroughbred foal born in the state of Pennsylvania and registered as such with the Jockey Club is eligible for Pennsylvania-Bred registration with the PHBA if one of the following conditions is met:

For foals of 2007, the dam of the foal resided continuously in Pennsylvania since November 1, 2006, through foaling.
For foals of 2008 and thereafter, the dam of the foal resided continuously in Pennsylvania since October 1 of the year of conception through foaling.
The dam of the foal was purchased at a public sale after October 1 of the year of conception and brought into Pennsylvania within 14 days of the date of purchase and remained continuously through foaling. During the year of foaling, the foal or its dam spent at least ninety (90) days in the state.
The dam of the foal was bred to a stallion standing in Pennsylvania which was registered with the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association as a Pennsylvania stallion during the breeding season of the year of foaling, and said dam of the foal remained in the state for at least the next ninety (90) days after foaling.

Please direct any questions you may have to Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association, Mark McDermott, at (610) 444-1050.

PENNSYLVANIA-BRED OWNER BONUS PROGRAM

Effective January 1, 2007, the PA-Bred owner bonus program will operate under the following provisions in all overnight races:

PHILADELPHIA PARK
The PA-Bred Owner Bonus percentage of purse shares earned at Philadelphia Park will be forty percent (40%). Owner Bonuses are earned when registered PA-Breds finish first, second, or third in all overnight races.

PENN NATIONAL
The PA-Bred Owner Bonus percentage of purse shares earned at Penn National will be thirty percent (30%). Owner Bonuses are earned when registered PA-Breds finish first, second, or third in all overnight races.

September 2, 2008

PENNSYLVANIA-BRED OVERNIGHT PROGRAM - PENN NATIONAL
The Pennsylvania Breeding Fund Advisory Committee at its meeting of August 20, 2008, discussed at length the financial condition of the Breeding Fund account at Penn National, and the possibility that racing may be temporarily halted there for racetrack repairs.

The committee reached the unanimous conclusion that as a result of less-than-anticipated Fund income and greater-than-anticipated disbursements in the form of PA-Bred restricted race purses and PA-Bred owner bonus payments, adjustments to the program are necessary should the track run its full allotment of race days through the end of the year.

The anticipated meeting(s) relative to the condition of the Penn National racing surface and actions to be undertaken, if any, will not begin until Friday, August 29, 2008. It is unlikely any definitive action will be taken to amend the racing schedule there prior to September 1.

Therefore, the committee has directed the following changes to the Pennsylvania-Bred overnight program at Penn National to adjust to the Fund revenue situation there, to be effective September 1, 2008, until further notice:

1. PA-Bred owner bonuses will be reduced to 20% of purse share on overnight races. The Breeding Fund pays the total bonus amount.

2. In races originally open, but then closing to PA-Breds when eight or more separate PA-Bred betting interests pass the entry box, no PA-Bred owner bonus will be paid. The Breeding Fund pays the total purse for these races.

3. Restricted overnights for PA-Breds will not be written. The Breeding Fund currently pays the total purse for these races.

In the event significant modifications are made to Pennís racing schedule subsequent to September 1, 2008, which may ease the Fundís financial picture, the possibility exists owner bonuses could be re-adjusted after-the-fact to a higher percentage.

Registered Pennsylvania-Breds will have preference as starters within the conditions of the race in all overnight races at both tracks.

Please direct any questions you may have to Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association, Mark McDermott, at (610) 444-1050.

NEW ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR PA-BRED REGISTRATION

Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association has announced that effective with foals born in 2007 and thereafter, eligibility criteria for PA-Bred registration with the Pennsylvania Breeding Fund program have been revised. Purpose of the revision is to require a greater commitment to Pennsylvania commerce from participating breeders whose stock is not regularly boarded in the state. The eligibility revision is as follows:

"A Thoroughbred foal born in the state of Pennsylvania and registered as such with the Jockey Club is eligible for Pennsylvania-Bred registration with the PHBA if one of the following conditions is met:

For foals of 2007, the dam of the foal resided continuously in Pennsylvania since November 1, 2006, through foaling.
For foals of 2008 and thereafter, the dam of the foal resided continuously in Pennsylvania since October 1 of the year of conception through foaling.
The dam of the foal was purchased at a public sale after October 1 of the year of conception and brought into Pennsylvania within 14 days of the date of purchase and remained continuously through foaling. During the year of foaling, the foal or its dam spent at least ninety (90) days in the state.
The dam of the foal was bred to a stallion standing in Pennsylvania which was registered with the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association as a Pennsylvania stallion during the breeding season of the year of foaling, and said dam of the foal remained in the state for at least the next ninety (90) days after foaling."

September 15, 2006

/Peter Giangiulio, President

PHBA PRESIDENT PETER GIANGIULIO ON THE STATE OF THE STATE

In 1975, the Pennsylvania Breeding Fund program enjoyed its first year of full operation, paying out just over $67,409 in awards.

Castle Rock Farm, in the name of my late father Joseph Giangiulio, led all award recipients with $16,055. As exciting as that was, it doesn’t begin to compare with what is about to happen.

Slots are coming to Pennsylvania’s racetracks, as early as this fall. In the next few years, if all goes as planned, the Breeding Fund will grow to nearly $25 million annually.

PHBA’s Board of Directors has been busy formulating a sensible plan to distribute this money.

We have in place two committees which have been hard at work for nearly two years developing ideas to bring before the full Board to incorporate into the program.

The membership of these committees is purposefully diverse, and their discussions - honest, open, spirited, and often conflicting - reflect this.

What we are striving for is a program that is sensible and opportunistic, with enough reward potential for each sector of participants - breeders, owners, stallion owners, trainers, and race tracks.

Whatever we do, it’s important to ensure that the balance is maintained. I have no doubt that what is finally presented, and subsequently adopted, will be a broad and objective proposal which will really benefit our participants.

This has been the history of the Pennsylvania Breeding Fund program, and it is my intention to continue it.

Our racing committee (Roger Legg, chair, with Jim McGreevy, Liz Merryman, Dr. Rich Reveley, Tom Reigle, and Brian Sanfratello) has tackled a pair of issues of great importance - PA-Bred eligibility criteria, and changes to the PA-Bred racing program.

With the intent of maximizing the commitment of breeders to Pennsylvania’s Thoroughbred community, PHBA has recommended replacing the existing criteria for foal registration.

Under the new proposal, a Thoroughbred foal born in the state of Pennsylvania would be eligible for PA-Bred registration with PHBA if one of the following conditions is met:

The dam of the foal resided continuously in Pennsylvania since October 1 of the year of conception, through foaling.
The dam of the foal was purchased at a public sale after October 1 of the year of conception and brought into Pennsylvania within 14 days of the date of purchase and remained continuously through foaling. During the year of foaling, the foal or its dam spent at least 90 days in the state.
The dam of the foal was bred to a Breeding-Fund-registered Pennsylvania stallion during the breeding season of the year of foaling, and said dam of the foal remained in the state for at least 90 days after foaling.

PHBA hopes to have this formally approved within the next few months with the intention to have the new eligibility criteria in effect for the foal crop of 2007.

The committee is currently working with several ideas regarding additional racing opportunities, as a result of the amount of new moneys from slots accruing to the Fund.

Agreement has already been reached on: designating moneys for a limited schedule of maiden and allowance races restricting entry to PA-Breds; an increase in PA-Bred stakes races; and a continuation of the PA-Bred owner bonus program.

When details of each of these are finalized, we will seek the formal approval of the State Horse Racing Commission. When this is achieved, we will implement the new program.

The stallion committee (Barb Rickline, chair, Joe Nunan, and Roger Legg) is putting the finishing touches on a Pennsylvania Stallion series which would offer a number of stakes races exclusively for the PA-Bred offspring of participating Fund-registered stallions.

This committee has also recommended running overnight races restricted to PA-sired horses, and the awarding of a higher PA-Bred owner bonus percentage to PA-sired horses.

Pennsylvania’s Gaming Control Board has been moving right along in its efforts to get slots up and running soon at Pennsylvania’s tracks.

Philadelphia Park has begun work in its grandstand to expedite a temporary facility to house 1,500 slot machines while the permanent casino is under construction.

Greenwood Racing, owner of the track, will appear before the Gaming Board on April 10, seeking its conditional license. If the hearing proceeds without any surprises, slots could be operational there by early fall.

Penn National Gaming will pursue its conditional license before the Gaming Board on April 6. Their Grantville track will be closed briefly in mid-April to allow for the demolition of the existing grandstand and preliminary site work on their new casino, which is expected to be completed by fall of 2007.

Presque Isle officials are making regular progress reports to the State Horse Racing Commission as to site work there. The track and casino is expected to open by fall of next year.

The popularity of the Pennsylvania Breeding Fund program is documented by the rise in PA-Bred registrations over the past years, increasing from 815 in the 2002 foal crop, to 1,022 already being registered in the 2005 crop, with more expected prior to the July 31 deadline.

The growth in the Pennsylvania stallion colony is even more dramatic. In the past five years, 162 new stallions have been registered for the Breeding Fund, which includes 46 in 2004, and 42 more in 2005.

In the past thirty-one years, the Pennsylvania program has come a long, long way. In the next few years, we will have three operating tracks, nearly 500 racing programs per year, purse money of nearly $100 million annually, and a Breeding Fund worth $25 million.

I can enthusiastically say the time has come when it is great to be a Pennsylvania breeder.

/Peter Giangiulio, President

SLOTS GET GREEN LIGHT...FINALLY

June 23, 2005

It’s been over a year since Governor Ed Rendell signed legislation to allow for slot machine gaming in Pennsylvania. During that time, the state’s horse industry has been sitting on ready, anxiously watching and waiting for anything to indicate it all wasn’t some sort of mirage.

Well, on June 22, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled finally and unanimously against a constitutional challenge filed by Pennsylvanians Against Gambling Expansion Fund, Inc., which questioned the parliamentary process used by the Legislature to pass the Gaming Act.

"Horse racing’s future in Pennsylvania is now very secure," Rendell commented, in conjunction with the ruling. "We can expect Pennsylvania to take the lead in the industry.

"Thoroughbred racing and breeding in Pennsylvania will take a back seat to no other state," said Rendell, who has advocated on behalf of horsemen and breeders like no other governor before him.

The Gaming Control Board has been hindered in fulfilling its mission for the past six months by the lawsuit, unwilling to hire necessary staff members to move forward with implementing and regulating expanded gaming in the state as a result of the uncertainty created by the legal action. The light now has changed from a cautionary yellow to a go-ahead green.

"This (the decision of the Supreme Court) is hopefully the final obstacle and will allow Pennsylvania to move to the head of the Thoroughbred class," Rendell concluded.

Is this a great country, or what? Thank you, everyone, for your time, energy, effort, and . . . . . . patience.

Agriculture, Community, and the Rural Environment (ACRE) initiative

April 28, 2005

Dear Member:

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is preparing to have legislation introduced seeking enactment of its Agriculture, Community, and the Rural Environment (ACRE) initiative.

ACRE is a comprehensive, progressive approach to reviewing local agriculturally related ordinances that are disputed or challenged. ACRE is the byproduct of input from farm and environmental groups, PA State Association of Township Supervisors, government officials, members of the General Assembly and their staffs, and others.

The overall objective of ACRE is to strike a balance between the legitimate business interests of the agricultural industry with the environmental and community concerns of local citizens and elected leaders. It is a mix of legislative, regulatory, and voluntary programs, with the focus on administrative review rather than litigation.

Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association supports the ACRE initiative and will work with the Legislature toward its enactment. Members seeking additional information on the particulars of ACRE, or needing direction as to the legislative process being pursued and how they can take part, please contact PHBA directly.

The ACRE initiative is being presented by Agriculture Secretary Dennis C Wolff as a very urgent and vital matter. He is hoping for an excellent response from the equine community. Let’s not disappoint.

Ray D. Hamm
President

What Slots Mean to Pennsylvania

In the heat of the July 5 morning sun, in the Philadelphia Park winner's circle, in the company of politicos and racing industry leaders who wanted it most, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell affixed his signature to legislation passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives within the preceding eighty hours to allow slot machine operations in the Commonwealth.

Slots have been on Pennsylvania's legislative docket for over seven years in one form or another. Several near misses along the way only deepened the resolve of the principals, and forced vital compromises among the bill's backers. This set the stage for final passage in the early morning hours of July 4, with slots and their significant contribution of tax dollars as an integral piece of the state's overdue operating budget for the coming fiscal year.

When all was said and done, the final version of the legislation included the following provisions affecting Pennsylvania's pari-mutuel industry:

Seven racing facilities (Class I) will be eligible for slot licenses - three Thoroughbred tracks (Philadelphia Park, Penn National, and Presque Isle), and four Standardbred tracks (Meadows, Pocono Downs, Chester Downs, and another yet to be licensed).
Five stand-alone facilities (Class II), and two resort facilities (Class III) will also be licensed to operate slots.
Each licensed Class I and Class II slot facility will contribute 12% of its gross terminal revenue to the Race Horse Industry Development Fund (RHIDF).
The RHIDF will then distribute percentage shares back to each Class I facility directly proportionate to that facility's percentage participation among the total contributions to the RHIDF made by racing facilities.
The Pennsylvania Breeding Fund will receive sixteen percent (16%) of all RHIDF disbursements made to Thoroughbred tracks. These moneys will be combined with accrued pari-mutuel Fund moneys and distributed per the direction of the existing statute governing the Fund.
Horsemen's purse accounts will receive eighty percent (80%) of all RHIDF disbursements made to Thoroughbred tracks.
Horsemen's organizations at each track will receive four percent (4%) of all RHIDF disbursements made to the track for health, benevolence, and pension programs, which they will manage.
Live racing at Philadelphia Park and Penn National will continue under the provisions of the Race Horse Industry Reform Act - 210 days per year at Philadelphia Park, and 200 days at Penn National. The live racing schedule at Presque Isle has yet to be determined.
Based upon projections made in an economic study commissioned by Senate Democrats, the PA Breeding Fund is expected to reach $25 million annually as the slots network reaches operational maturity.
Daily purses at Philadelphia Park, presently at $135,000, are expected to approach $340,000 per day, and could go higher in the event more than 3,000 slot machines are utilized there.
Daily purses at Penn National, now $70,000, are estimated at $180,000 per day, and at Presque Isle for a seventy-five day race meet, purses are estimated at $170,000 per program.

PA HOUSE PASSES SLOTS 113-88
PA SENATE PASSES SLOTS House Bill #2330 printer #4272

PENNSYLVANIA SENATE PASSES SLOTS BILL

At 2:15 this (Friday) morning, the Pennsylvania Senate passed a bill which would allow slot machines at up to eight existing racetracks in the state, four stand-alone facilities, and two resorts. The vote came after several days of heated debate among the bill's key supporters to finalize language to address several inter- and intra-industry concerns.

The House is expected to consider the bill as early as this evening, but in all likelihood will begin debate sometime Saturday. House speaker John Perzel, who played a large role in establishing provisions creating the Pennsylvania Economic Development Fund from slots proceeds, is anticipated to facilitate prompt action on the bill, and passage is expected.

Debate began on the floor of the Senate in earnest at about 8:15 Thursday evening. After surviving a vote to table the measure, proponents were able to successfully fight off a number of proposed amendments designed to scuttle the measure. The final tally was thirty (30) votes in favor, which included nine (9) Republican senators, and twenty (20) opposed.

In addition to all twenty-one Democratic members of the Senate, Sens. Pileggi, Erickson, Tomlinson, Conte, Earl, Scarnotti, Pippy, Don White, and Rhoades broke ranks from their Republican leadership to join the Democratic forces of Sen. Vince Fumo to carry the issue.

The bill was scheduled to be acted upon as early as Tuesday of this week, but several last-minute changes did not allow for full disclosure of the final draft until early yesterday. Governor Ed Rendell made it known earlier this week he would not deal with the state's budget until final action was taken on the slots, as several of his budget proposals were contingent on the state receiving slot revenues.

In the final analysis, the major change to the bill passed relative to the discussion's PHBA's Board has had over the past two years is a cap to the contribution of operating tracks to the horsemen's share of revenues from 18% to 12%, which is offset by incorporating a 12% contribution from stand-alone sites. The share accruing to the PA Breeding Fund of 16% of the horsemen's share remains intact.

Based upon handle estimates provided by a study conducted by Senate Democrats once the slots network is fully developed, daily purses at Philadelphia Park are expected to approach $340,000 per day for 210 race days each year, $175,000 at Penn National per day for 200 race days, and $160,000 at Presque Isle (Erie) for a 125 day meet.

Under these estimates, the Breeding Fund will grow to over $25 million to support breeder and stallion awards, and PA-Bred owner bonuses and stakes, making our program the most lucrative, on a dollars available to per foal-produced ratio, the most lucrative in history!

Thank you for all your support, patience, and understanding over the past months regarding this most complicated issue. Should you have questions regarding any of this, please feel free to contact me directly.

Mark A. McDermott, PHBA Executive Secretary

SMARTY JONES DAY May 1, 2004

WHEREAS, Smarty Jones was born on February 28, 2001, on Roy and Pat Chapman's Someday Farm in Chester County; and

WHEREAS, Smarty Jones is the offspring of Elusive Quality and I'll Get Along and named for Pat Chapman's grandmother Mildred 'Smarty' Jones; and

WHEREAS, this special horse made an amazing comeback after a tragic injury in the starting gate just 12 days into his training at Philadelphia Park; and

WHEREAS, Smarty Jones is undefeated in his career with two wins in 2003 and four in 2004 and could become the first unbeaten Kentucky Derby champion since Seattle Slew in 1977; and

WHEREAS, a victory on May 1st at Churchill Downs would make Smarty Jones the second horse from Pennsylvania to win the Kentucky Derby; and

WHEREAS, Smarty Jones has made millions of Pennsylvania citizens more aware of the significant value of the equine industry to the Commonwealth, more than $10 billion.

THEREFORE, I, Edward G. Rendell, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania join with the owners Pat and Roy Chapman, trainer John Servis, jockey Stewart Elliott and the entire equine industry in recognizing May 1, 2004 as Smarty Jones Day in the Commonwealth. I encourage all citizens to cheer for this feisty little chestnut horse with the big heart on Derby Day.

GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at
the city of Harrisburg, this twenty-ninth day of April in
the year of our Lord two thousand and four, and of the
Commonwealth the two hundred and twenty-eight.

EDWARD G. RENDELL
Governor

PA SHRC Resolution - SMARTY JONES DAY - May 1, 2004

PENNSYLVANIA STATE HORSE RACING COMMISSION

APRIL 21, 2004

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Kentucky Derby is the most sought after prize in all of Thoroughbred horse racing, and

WHEREAS, The Thoroughbred horse SMARTY JONES is one of the leading contenders for the 2004 running of the Kentucky Derby, and

WHEREAS, the aforesaid SMARTY JONES, is a Pennsylvania Bred born and raised in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and

WHEREAS, the aforesaid SMARTY JONES has received all of his training and made the first two starts of his racing career at Philadelphia Park in Bensalem, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and

WHEREAS, the owners and breeders of the aforesaid SMARTY JONES are longtime Pennsylvania residents Roy and Pat Chapman, and

WHEREAS, John Servis, the trainer of the aforesaid SMARTY JONES is one of the most respected trainers at Philadelphia Park, and

WHEREAS, Stewart Elliot, the rider of the aforesaid SMARTY JONES is among the leading jockeys at Philadelphia Park, and

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by this commission, this twenty-first day of April, 2004 that, with great pride in the accomplishments of SMARTY JONES and all of his connections, we, hereby declare Kentucky Derby Day, May 1, 2004 to be SMARTY JONES DAY at both Philadelphia Park Racetrack and Penn National Racecourse.

Attested and signed by:

F. Eugene Dixon, Chairman
Richard D. Abbott, Commissioner
Lawrence J. Kent, Commissioner

SMARTY JONES - ON THE BRINK OF HISTORY

A week from tomorrow on the first Saturday in May, history might be made. Smarty Jones, the Pennsylvania wonder horse will go the post as the favorite in the 130th running of the Kentucky Derby.

In six previous starts, Smarty Jones has yet to be beaten. He is the first legitimate contender to come to the Derby undefeated since Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew in 1977.

The Derby is not America’s premier horse race for nothing. Twenty runners are expected in the starting gate, the 20 top three-year-olds now in training, each taking their shot at fame and fortune.

Winning the Derby requires speed, stamina, and most of all, racing luck. Imagine a field of 20, racing hell-bent-for-leather, heading into the track’s first turn at 40 miles per hour.

Instead of brakes and a steering wheel, these equine athletes rely only on instinct and the soft hands of their jockey to maneuver their way through the mile and a quarter of the Derby distance to get them to the finish line first.

To this point, Pennsylvania-bred, Pennsylvania-owned, and Pennsylvania-trained Smarty Jones has had things all his way. Can he keep his record intact, and make history for himself?

Check it out Saturday, May 1, at the Kentucky Derby.

Contact:
Mark A. McDermott
PA Horse Breeders Association
701 E. Baltimore Pike, C-1
Kennett Square, PA 19348
(610) 444-1050 or www.pabred.com

Smarty Jones - The Real Philadelphia Flyer

The Kentucky Derby is America’s classic horse race. On May 1, it will have its 130th running - the oldest consecutively held Thoroughbred race in the United States, and the first jewel of racing’s Triple Crown.

The story of Pennsylvania-Bred Smarty Jones, the undefeated wonder horse who currently reigns as the pre-race favorite, is attracting all the attention among the best of the three-year-olds now in training.

Smarty Jones started twice at Philadelphia Park, and no one could get close. He shipped to Aqueduct on Long Island in early January, and easily dusted the field in a race named ironically for the 1943 Triple Crown winner Count Fleet.

From there it was on to Arkansas, where Smarty Jones reeled off three more wins, most recently a galloping victory in the $1 million Arkansas Derby.

Now he’s in Kentucky getting ready for the race of his life. In it, Smarty Jones will have to outrun 19 others to keep his record intact, the prospects alive, and his legend growing.

Smarty Jones - unbeaten and untested - the real Philadelphia flyer!

Contact:
Mark A. McDermott
PA Horse Breeders Association
701 E. Baltimore Pike, C-1
Kennett Square, PA 19348
(610) 444-1050 or www.pabred.com

SMARTY JONES - PENNSYLVANIA’S SEABISCUIT

Smarty Jones, Pennsylvania’s horse for the Kentucky Derby, graced the front page of yesterday’s Philadelphia Daily News in a full color picture of showing his winning charge through the home stretch in the $1 million Arkansas Derby.

Indicative of the public attention the unbeaten colt is drawing was an accompanying three-page story in the People’s Paper detailing this fairy-tale in the making.

The Arkansas race was Smarty Jones’ final preparation for his Run for the Roses, where he is expected to face a full field of 20 horses on the first Saturday in May. If he is successful, he will become only the second winner ever of the Kentucky Derby born and raised in Pennsylvania.

Smarty Jones brings with him a perfect record of six wins in six starts, beginning with two wins late last fall at Philadelphia Park before embarking on his Derby venture. He races in the colors of Patricia and Roy Chapman’s Someday Farm, who bred and raised the colt at their farm in southern Chester County.

Mr. Chapman, whose health has been failing in recent years, is intent on following the dream of every horse owner - winning racing’s grandest prize.

"Just get me to the Derby," Mr. Chapman told the colt’s trainer John Servis when they realized just how special Smarty Jones could be.

Sixteen days and counting.

Contact:
Mark A. McDermott
PA Horse Breeders Association
701 E. Baltimore Pike, C-1
Kennett Square, PA 19348
610 444-1050

PENNSYLVANIA-BRED IS THE FAVORITE FOR THE KENTUCKY DERBY

Smarty Jones - remember the name. It’s less than three weeks to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs - the most exciting two minutes in sports - and this undefeated Pennsylvania-bred colt who is capturing the imagination of America’s racing public appears to have the race at his mercy.

Smarty Jones was born and raised in southern Chester County, then learned his early lessons at Philadelphia Park before setting out on the Triple Crown trail three and one-half months ago.

Smarty Jones has now won all six of his starts, including a convincing score in last Saturday’s $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby before an on-track crowd of over 62,000 and a national television audience. In a poll released yesterday by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, he was ranked as the nation’s top three-year-old, and will take this honor postward as the favorite in the Run for the Roses.

Smarty Jones - Pennsylvania-Bred and Derby bound. Remember the name.

Contact:
Mark A. McDermott
PA Horse Breeders Association
701 E. Baltimore Pike, C-1
Kennett Square, PA 19348
610 444-1050

90 day domicile requirement clarification for PA-Bred registrations

For foal crops of 2000 and after, EITHER the foal OR ITS DAM must reside in Pennsylvania for at least ninety (90) days during the year of foaling.

The foal's OR THE DAM's days must equal ninety days.

The ninety (90) days need not be consecutive, but must occur during the year of foaling.

The dam and foal residency days CANNOT be added together to arrive at the ninety (90) days.

PA-Bred breeding fund eligibility and registration summary

Must be foaled in Pennsylvania.

Foal OR DAM must spend a minimum of ninety (90) days in Pennsylvania during the foaling year.

Registration must be filed fully and properly with PHBA and signed by the breeder of record & other specified parties as requested on application.

Registration fees: Foaling Year

$10 postmarked by Dec. 31 of foaling year

$50 for non PHBA members

Registration fees: Foal's yearling year

$30 postmarked by July 31 of foal's yearling year

$70 for non PHBA members

$500 late registration fee with requested notaried affidavits if above dates are missed

Call PHBA office for currently approved PA-Bred registration application!

Vera Meyer Cowles, PHBA Board Member, Passes at Age 90
She served on the PHBA Board for three terms (82-88, 93-97, 99-2003)

Vera Meyer Cowles, a pioneer in Pennsylvania's Thoroughbred breeding industry, passed away October 23, 2003 at the age of 90. Mrs. Cowles had been hopsitalized in Wyomissing since May with a brain tumor, and in recent months had been seriously afflicted with bone cancer.

Mrs. Cowles served several terms (1982-1988, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003) on PHBA's Board of Directors, and her sound judgement based upon her many years of experience in Thoroughbred breeding, helped to develop and support the philosophy of today's PA Breeding Fund program. She especially enjoyed chairing the awards committee, and each spring enthusiastically gathered all the necessary information for her committee members, then brought about consensus on each of the selections for PA-Bred year-end champions.

Per her own stated desire "not to inconvenience anyone," there will be no formal memorial service. Please take time today to remember her in your thoughts and prayers.

Nepal, Leading Pennsylvania Stallion Dies
Nepal, Owned by the Nepal Syndicate dies on October 13, 2003

Nepal was a leading Pennsyvania Stallion and was the leader for the years 1991 through 1997. He will be missed greatly by many. Nepal (foaled in 1980 - Raja Baba - Dumtadumtadum, by Grey Dawn II) was standing at the Upland Spring Farm in Unionville, PA.

Nepal's prodgeny finished in 1166 Pennsylvania races during the period from January 1994 through September 2003 earning purse shares exceeding 3.5 million dollars from Pennsylvania Breeding program and Nepal garnered PA Stallion Awards of $345,163.59 during that time. His offspring will likely continue to earn purses and generate additional stallion awards for Nepal for several years to come.

BEFORE THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
STATE HORSE RACING COMMISSION

IN RE:

SIXTY (60) DAY SUSPENSION OF PENNSYLVANIA HORSE BREEDERS ASSOCIATION REGISTRATION NUMBERS: 19478, 19479, 19480, 19481, 19482, 19483, 19484, 19485, 19486, 19487, 19488, 19489, 19490, and 19491. THESE REFERENCED NUMBERS WERE ASSIGNED TO FOALS BRED AND OWNED BY DR. SANDRA WILLWERTH.

ORDER

And now, this 1st day of May, 2003, upon consideration of the investigation conducted by the PA Horse Breeders Association at the direction of the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission the Registration numbers (19478, 19479, 19480, 19481, 19482, 19483, 19484, 19485, 19486, 19487, 19488, 19489, 19490, and 19491) as assigned to foals by named Association are hereby suspended for a period of sixty (60) days. The above named numbers were assigned at the request of Dr. Sandra Willwerth the attested breeder of these foals. All privileges associated by virtue of registration with the PA Horse Breeders Association of horses are suspended for sixty days unless just cause for reinstatement is demonstrated before the Commission.

In the event just cause for reinstatement has not been demonstrated by the close of business on June 30, 2003 the following Registration certificates (19478, 19479, 19480, 19481, 19482, 19483, 19484, 19485, 19486, 19487, 19488, 19489, 19490, and 19491) as issued by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association will be permanently revoked.

Ben H. Nolt, Jr.
Executive Secretary

References:
#19478, 4/3/01 colt, A. P. Jet - Burning Wells
#19479, 1/14/01 filly, Miswaki - Premium Red
#19480, 4/30/01 colt, Tactical Cat - Secretariat Flag
#19481, 4/22/01 colt, Favorable Trick - Cherokee Darling
#19482, 5/5/01 colt, Favorite Trick - Rosie Ruckus
#19483, 2/23/01 colt, Woodman’s Image - Nunatak
#19484, 5/10/01 filly, Gentlemen - Intimate Moments
#19485, 3/20/01 colt, Meadowlake - Lake Minipi
#19486, 5/16/01 colt, Meadowlake - Rare Gal
#19487, 2/24/01 colt, Devil’s Bag - Lustrous Miss
#19488, 4/19/01 filly, Grindstone - Xanadu
#19489, 3/3/01 filly, Favorite Trick - Red Cascade
#19490, 3/10/01 colt, Skip Away - Excitable Gal
#19491, 1/13/01 colt, Polish Pro - Christmas Rose

What We All Need to Know about West Nile Virus

Because West Nile Virus (WNV) has the potential to seriously affect Pennsylvania's equine population, PHBA, with the help of the New Bolton Center School of Veterinary Medicine, has compiled some key information.

How Serious Is the Threat?
To date, there has been no report of WNV in Pennsylvania or Delaware, but birds affected with the virus have been found in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Maryland. While the disease development rate is generally low-during the recent outbreak on Long Island, up to a third of the horses may have been infected, but only 14% developed WNV-it's important to keep in mind that of the 14% that developed the disease, half either died of it or had to be euthanized.

What Are the Symptoms of WNV?
There are a variety of clinical signs: mild, flu-like symptoms accompanied by fever, depression, listlessness, and occasional inability to sleep. Sometimes a second fever comes a week later and it's accompanied by neurologic signs such as unusual muscle twitching and, in some cases, incoordination and stumbling, circling, aimless wandering, head pressing, and hyperexcitability. These can be followed by convulsions, coma, and death. In some cases, incoordination and stumbling begins in the hind limb and progresses to complete paralysis of the hind quarters before moving to involve the front legs. In half of the cases, death may occur within five to ten days of the time the symptoms appear. The other half will recover, with the most dramatic improvement coming within three weeks.

How Should I Handle a Horse that I Suspect May Be Infected?
Bear in mind that horses may get WNV, but they can't spread it. An infected horse is not a threat to other horses or people. So, while you must be careful when handling the blood, spinal fluid, or nervous tissue from animals that may be infected, caring for the animal doesn't pose a threat to you.

What Should I Do?
Two things should be done immediately: be watchful, and increase mosquito control measures. Be watchful for signs that WNV has moved into your area. If you see an unusual number of dead birds in the area, contact your local health department. While there is no evidence that people can catch the disease from handling dead birds, it is never a good idea to touch a dead animal with your bare hands.
Begin immediate and comprehensive mosquito control measures. Do away with potential breeding sites; such as, unused water buckets, puddles, old tires, wheelbarrows, or pots. Clean water troughs and water buckets at least once a week. Limit your stock's exposure by keeping them stabled during the prime mosquito feeding times of dusk and dawn. Finally, use approved insect repellents.

Where Can I Get More Information?
Additional information can be obtained from this web site:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm.

Thanks to Jonathan Palmer, VMD, DACVIM, of the New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania.

Archived News Items Follow:

PHBA Members & Their Guests Are Invited to Attend
Pennsylvania's Day at the Races

Saturday, October 5, 2002, at Philadelphia Park

Free, private-party buffet luncheon for PHBA members and guests!
Six stakes races for PA-Breds, totaling $300,000 in purse money!
The Grade II $250,000 Cotillion Handicap for three-year-old fillies!
The $150,000 Gallant Bob Handicap, a major sprint for three-year-olds!

All members are invited, and feel free to bring your guests. PHBA is doing all we can to help make our second annual "Pennsylvania's Day at the Races" an event to remember! Please RSVP to the PHBA office no later than Wednesday, October 2, so we know how many to plan for. See you on the 5th!

2001 Iroquois Award Winners

Following are recipients of Iroquois Awards, as breeders of Pennsylvania-breds who won stakes in 2001.

BARBARA BROWN: FINAL TABLE, b.c., 1999, by Allen’s Prospect–Very Busy, by Maudlin, winner of the $50,000 Comet Stakes at the Meadowlands.

SHELLAINE BROWN: VOLLEY BALL, ch.c., 1999, by A. P Jet–Verbal Volley, by Oh Say, winner of the $50,000 Storm Cat Stakes at Philadelphia Park.

PATRICIA R. BRUNSTETTER: MALVERN ROSE, b.m., 1997, by Carnivalay–Igotnothingtolose, by Travelling Music, winner of the $25,000 Missy Good Stakes at Penn National.

BRUSHWOOD STABLE (ELIZABETH R. MORAN): ISHIGURU, b.c., 1998, by Danzig–Strategic Maneuver, by Cryptoclearance, winner of the $78,038 Flying Five Stakes-G3 and the $46,376 Belgrave Stakes, both in Ireland.

BERNARD J. DANEY: DOCENT, gr./ro.c., 1998, by Waquoit–Dormir, by Halo, winner of the $50,000 Maryland Million Sweepstakes at Pimlico.

WALTER DOWNEY: BEAU’S SURPRISE, b.c., 1998, by Beau Genius–Champagne Surprise, by Fappiano, winner of the $50,000 Lil E. Tee Stakes and $50,000 Peppy Addy Stakes at Philadelphia Park, $50,000 Great Falls Stakes at the Meadowlands, and the $25,000 Danzig Stakes and $25,000 Send More Money Stakes at Penn National.

PATRICIA A. FULLMER: ONE LUCKY ONE, b.f., 1998, by Saucy Token–Miami Redskin, by Show Dancer, winner of the $25,000 Credenza Stakes at Penn National.

JOHN GAMBONE: CLASSIC VERSE, ch.g., 1997, by Opening Verse–Miss Regal Classic, by Regal Classic, winner of the $50,000 Devil’s Honor Handicap at Philadelphia Park.

MRS. TIMOTHY J. GARDNER: GEAUX BEAU, b.c., 1998, by Northern Baby–Gimme a Break, by Smarten, winner of the $50,000 Gladstone Hurdle Stakes-NSA3 at Far Hills and the $25,000 Raymond G. Woolfe Hurdle Stakes at Camden.

NORRIS GELMAN: THE MACCABEE, dk.b./br.h., 1996, by Urigo–Mrs. Z and Me, by Titanic, winner of the $50,000 Claiming Crown Express Stakes at Canterbury Downs.

SALVATORE GUIFFRIDA: CITIROYAL, b.c., 1998, by Citidancer–Regallino, by Robellino, winner of the $75,000 Francis (Jock) LaBelle Memorial Stakes at Delaware Park.

GILLIAN GORDON-MOORE AND ANN M. ABBOTT: SUMERSET, dk.b./br.h., 1997, by Allen’s Prospect–Tetrad, by Tentam, winner of the $200,000 Maryland Million Classic at Pimlico.

MRS. RONALD B. HOUGHTON: WATCHMAN’S WARNING, b.g., 1995, by Carnivalay–Dahlin, by Dahar, winner of the $30,000 Capital City Handicap at Penn National.

E.H. BEAU LANE III: ARTY’SVIRGINIAGIRL, b.m., 1995, by My Boy Adam–Arty Turn, by Turn and Count, winner of the $50,000 Pistol Packer Handicap and $50,000 Mrs. Penny Stakes at Philadelphia Park.

MRS. LEWIS C. LEDYARD: NOBO JACK, ch.h., 1997, by French Deputy–Flight of Angels, by Afleet, winner of the Japan Breeders’ Cup Sprint-G1, Tokyo Cup-G2, Kurofune Sho-G3, Gumma Kinen-G3, Hokkaido Sprint Cup-G3 and Cluster Cup-G3, all in Japan.

FRANCIS A.H. LEIDY: RUNAWAY AB, gr./ro.f., 1999, by Runaway Groom–Stay Up Late, by Aloma’s Ruler, winner of the $55,000 Corte Madera Stakes at Golden Gate Fields.

MAPLE LEAF FARM (ANNE F. THORINGTON): TOP HIT, dk.b./br.c., 1998, by Twining–Popular Tune, by Stop the Music, winner of the $300,000 Oklahoma Derby-G3 at Remington Park and the $25,000 Palo Verde Handicap at Turf Paradise.

NEW HORIZON FARM (JOHN E. MACBRIDE): BOHEMIA SLEW, b.g., 1997, by Slew Baby–Best Okay, by D’Accord, winner of the $50,000 Lyman Sprint Championship Handicap at Philadelphia Park.

NORTH HIGHLAND FARM (MIKE SUTHERLAND): TREASURE COAST GEM, dk.b./br.f., 1999, by Mutakddim–Twice Crowned, by King’s Bishop, winner of the $75,000 Blue Hen Stakes at Delaware Park.

WILLIAM L. PAPE AND JONATHAN E. SHEPPARD: IT’S A GIGGLE, b.g., 1994, by Northern Baby–Martie’s Delighted, by Mo Bay, winner of the $100,000 New York Turf Writers Cup Hurdle-NSA1 at Saratoga; WELTER WEIGHT, b.g., 1988, by Fit to Fight–Frankie and Johnny, by Spring Double, winner of the $30,000 Grand National Timber Stakes at Butler.

SCOTT PECK: BIG BECKER, dk.b./br.g., 1995, by Becker–Meagan Two (Fr), by Gay Mecene, winner of the $40,000 St. Patrick’s Day Stakes, $40,000 Batter Up Handicap and $40,000 Born to Run Handicap at Charles Town.

TIMOTHY F. RITCHEY: BELLE VISAGE, b.m., 1996, by Horatius–Urban Girl, by Maudlin, winner of the $50,000 Maryland Million Distaff Starter Handicap at Pimlico.

ROCKY HILL STABLE INC. (WILLIAM P. BRADY): DEVILISH ERICA, dk.b./br.f., 1998, by Devil’s Bag–Proud Caitlin, by Proud Appeal, winner of the $50,000 City of Hialeah Stakes at Hialeah.

ROBERT J. SEEGER: GOLDEN LAKE, ch.f., 1998, by Salt Lake–Manhattan Gold, by Quadratic, winner of the $50,000 Go For Wand Stakes at Philadelphia Park and the $25,000 Wonders Delight Stakes at Penn National.

MARCIA G. SOLDA: TONTO GUSTO, ch.g., 1995, by Foligno–Simply Supreme, by Silver Supreme, winner of the $30,000 Lyphard Handicap and the $25,000 Ligature Stakes at Penn National.

CAROLINE STEARNS: JUST ALLEN, b.c., 1998, by Allen’s Prospect–La Fab, by El Baba, winner of the $75,000 Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct.

TED AND ROBIN STEPANOFF: FREON FLIER, gr./ro.c., 1998, by Waquoit–Ack’s First Step, by Ack Kerala, winner of the $100,000 Michael G. Schaefer Mile Stakes at Hoosier Park and the $75,000 McConnell Springs Stakes at Keeneland.

MARGO STRATIS AND KAREN MCCLURE: SWIFT CASE, b.f., 1999, by In Case–Swift Cut, by Cutlass, winner of the $50,000 Blue Mountain Futurity at Penn National.

GEORGE STRAWBRIDGE: GRANGEVILLE, b.h., 1995, by Gulch–Cor Anglais, by Nijinsky II, winner of the $55,000 Appointment Handicap and $55,000 Mo Bay Handicap at Delaware Park, the $50,000 Harold F. Snowden Memorial Stakes at Hialeah and $50,000 Captain My Captain Stakes at Philadelphia Park; LORD ZADA, b.g., 1993, by Lord Avie–Lanzada, by Robellino, winner of the $100,000 Colonial Cup Hurdle-NSA1 at Camden; ROCHESTER, b.h., 1996, by Green Dancer–Central City (GB), by Midyan, winner of the $150,000 Sycamore Breeders Cup Stakes at Keeneland; WITH ANTICIPATION, gr./ro.g., 1995, by Relaunch–Fran’s Valentine, by Saros (GB), winner of the $500,000 Man o’ War Stakes-G1 at Belmont, $500,000 Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap-G1 at Saratoga and the $100,000 Louisville Handicap at Churchill Downs.

STUD AIRE FARMS (ROBERT STUDER): SIR ECHO, b.g., 1991, by Herat–California Style, by Coastal, winner of the $50,000 Yankee Affair Stakes at Philadelphia Park.

VIRGINIA DUPONT SUAREZ: FINAL ONE, b.m., 1995, by Carnivalay–Sandy Haven, by Gilded Age, winner of the $30,000 John J. Shumaker Stakes at Penn National.

TEA PARTY STABLE INC. (WALTER P. DOWNEY): LOST JUDGEMENT, ch.m., 1995, by Judge Smells–Lee’s Lost, by Lost Code, winner of the $30,000 Glass Slipper Stakes at Philadelphia Park.

TIMBER CREEK FARM (WALTER AND CYNTHIA REESE): PAL’S PARTNER, b.c., 1999, by Rakeen–My New Pal, by Saratoga Six, winner of the $100,000 Maryland Million Nursery Stakes.

SUSAN C. WALMER: BETTY’S HAT, dk.b./br.m., 1996, by Harry the Hat–Bear No Evil, by Allen’s Prospect, winner of the $50,000 Ambassador of Luck Handicap at Philadelphia Park.

TRUMAN C. WELLING: B FLAT MAJOR, b.g., 1995, by Private Terms–Sichana, by Topsider, winner of the $55,000 Shecky Greene Handicap at Delaware Park and the $50,000 Iroquois Handicap at Philadelphia Park; OSWAYO, b.c., 1999, by Norquestor–Casanna, by Topsider, winner of the $50,000 Pennsylvania Futurity at Philadelphia Park.

WILL RUN FARM (JEFFREY AND LORI SWATSWORTH): KAILIKI, dk.b./br.f., 1998, by Manastash Ridge–Tekoa, by Tejano, winner of the $50,000 Foxy J. G. Stakes at Philadelphia Park.

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