•   701 East Baltimore Pike, Suite E   •   Kennett Square, PA 19348   •   Phone: 610-444-1050   •
		July 2, 2008 PA-BRED DEAL MAKING RALLIES TO WIN STANTON George Strawbridge Jr’s Deal Making followed up an allowance win at Philadelphia Park and improved his record to three wins in as many starts when he dominated the field in the Stanton Stakes at Delaware Park on July 1. Trained by Graham Motion and ridden by Ramon Dominguez, the son of Empire Maker broke in the air and dropped back to last in the one mile and one sixteenth turf event. He then made a bold move around the turn, moving into second and with a determined late run drew clear in the final strides to defeat long shot Knight in Armour by a length and a quarter to record his first stakes victory. Deal Making was bred in Pennsylvania by Augustin Stable. His dam, Recording, was a Grade 3 winner who has produced four winners from six foals. June 30, 2008 TUFF PARTNERS TAKES CAUGHT IN THE RAIN STAKES Tuff Partners, owned and bred by Pewter Stables, went wire to wire to capture the Caught in the Rain Stakes at Philadelphia Park on June 28th. Ridden by Dave Mello, Tuff Partners won the restricted stake for PA-bred fillies and mares at one mile and one sixteenth on the turf by three-quarters of a length. Trained by Kathleen Demasi, the daughter of Partner’s Hero recorded her first stakes victory defeating the Augustin Stable’s favored entry of Just Hoping and Palmilla. The seven-year-old mare paid $30.80 to win and brought her lifetime earnings to over $208,000. PRESQUE ISLE DOWNS RECEIVES PRAISE FROM STATE OFFICIALS On Wednesday, June 25th members of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board visited Presque Isle Downs & Casino as part of their periodic visits to facilities. Mary Collins, chairwoman of the state Gaming Control Board, stated that she and other officials came away impressed, particularly how the gaming and horse-racing operations are combined in the facility. Collins said the facility "is a very successful operation," adding that the slot-machine revenue has far exceeded original projections. She also pointed to the economic effect of the facility, which created about 800 jobs. Melinda Tucker, director of racetrack gaming, also praised the facility. "It’s easy for the gaming patron," she said "It’s easy for the horse-racing patron. They did everything first class." June 24, 2008 Fabulous Strike returns with easy win 2007 Champion Pennsylvania Bred Sprinter, Fabulous Strike returned to the races on Saturday in the $68,259 Vincent A. Moscarelli Memorial Stakes at Delaware Park. The five-year-old gelding had not run since winning the Grade 1 Vosburgh at Belmont Park last September. He came down with a severe lung infection last fall, which knocked him out of consideration for the Breeder’s Cup Sprint. Bred and owned by Walter Downey, Fabulous Strike took an early lead and cruised to victory under a hand ride by Ramon Dominguez, beating Joey Carson by 3 1/4 lengths. This was his 10th win in 15 career starts. Presque Isle Downs features five PA-Bred Stakes Presque Isle Downs hosted five stakes races, all with purses of $75,000, restricted to Pennsylvania-Breds over a three evening card. Wednesday, June 18th featured two stakes for PA-Bred three year olds, one for fillies and one for colts and geldings. The Cozy Lace Stakes for three-year-old fillies was won by the 2007 PA-Bred Champion two-year-old filly, Extra Sexy Psychic. The Freud filly, owned and bred by Toni M. Kirwan and Edward Hipps, broke sharp and never looked back. Trained by Michael Trombetta, Extra Sexy Psychic came off an impressive allowance win at Philadelphia Park and dominated the field of four, winning by six and one half lengths. Race favorite Reata’s Quik Punch finished third. The Lil E Tee Handicap, for three-year-old boys, was won by race favorite Double Down Vinman in a hotly contested race at a distance of six furlongs. Bred by Mr. & Mrs. Rick Abbott and D.J. Stable LLC, the son of Out of Place led gate to wire, holding off Teriffico by a head. Thursday, June 19th featured two stakes, one for fillies and mares three and up and one open for three and up. The Malvern Rose Stakes for fillies and mares was won by Mac N Mayo. Bred and owned by the Elkstone Group, the Meadow Monster filly stalked the early pace and responded at the top of the lane to defeat Jet Away Jane by a half length. Race favorite Speechifying finished third. The Presidential Affair Handicap for three year olds and up was won by Whistle Pig. Bred by Elizabeth R. Houghton, Whistle Pig came from well off the pace to beat race favorite Night Stand by a head. Owned by H.A.C.K. Stable and trained by Andrew Carter, the son of the 2007 Champion Pennsylvania Stallion Patton ran the six and one half furlongs in 1:15.04, setting a new track record. Whistle Pig’s lifetime earnings have now reached nearly $285,000. Friday, June 20th concluded the week of PA-Bred stakes with the Willy Wank Handicap, for three year olds and up going one and one eighth miles. Delaware River, bred by Land of Believe Farm, broke alertly and held off a late rally by Captain Ernie to win by a length. Trained by William Campbell and owned by Donald Campbell, Delaware River ran the one and one eighth miles in 1:51.95, setting a new track record. June 16, 2008 Auction Watch Dominates the Alphabet Soup Handicap Auction Watch rallied from the rear of the field to defeat Capitano by two lengths in the Alphabet Soup Handicap at Philadelphia Park on June 14th. The son of Belong to Me, bred and owned by Augustin Stable and trained by Sanna Hendriks, returned to the flat after two starts in the spring over fences. Auction Watch, ridden by Kendrick Carmouche, covered the one and one sixteenth miles on the turf in 1:42.23 and brought his lifetime earnings to over $145,000. June 9, 2008 BACKSIDE IMPROVEMENTS UNDER WAY AT PENN NATIONAL A backside improvement program has begun at Hollywood Casino at Penn National, which will spend up to $10 million over the next 10 years to build new barns, refurbish old ones, and make other backside improvements. On May 26, trainer Flint Stites moved into the first new barn built at the track in over 30 years. Construction on a second new barn will begin in the second week of June and take about two months to complete. A new state-of-the-art horse ambulance, which can be lowered flush to the ground and has a moveable padded interior, has also been purchased to better stabilize injured horses. The Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act of 2004 mandates racetracks spend a certain amount of revenue from slot machines on backstretch improvements. June 2, 2008 ANNUAL IROQUOIS AWARDS BANQUET A HUGE SUCCESS The Hollywood Casino at Penn National hosted the 29th annual Iroquois Awards Dinner on Friday, May 30th. The venue change to Penn National from the Hotel Hershey proved to be a huge success with over 300 guests attending. The beautiful banquet facility overlooks the paddock and the entire racetrack giving the guests an opportunity to view the exciting live racing card, which included five stakes races, including four $75,000 stakes restricted to PA-Bred/PA-Sired horses. The first stake race of the evening was a $55,000 open stakes race, which was ironically won by the Pennsylvania-Bred Sonvida Red. Bred by Mr. & Mrs. Manuel Gonzalez and trained by Scott Lake, Sonvida Red appeared to be beaten at the 1/16th pole but battled back to defeat Southern Missile by a neck. The restricted mile and one sixteenth Nepal Stakes was won by Bombed Again, bred by William O’Malley, Sean Smyth, and Noel Shuster, upset the field winning by three-quarters of a length over R. Earl paying $26. Power by Leigh, bred by Barbara Geraghty won the six furlong Roanoke Stakes a length and a half over the fast closing Whistle Pig and favorite Secretintelligence. The six furlong Power by Far Stakes for fillies and mares was won by Miss Blue Tye Dye. Bred by Shirley A. Lojeski, the daughter of Tekken(IRE) took command in the stretch and won driving to defeat race favorite Speechifying by a length and three-quarters. The final restricted stakes race of the evening was the Robellino Stakes for fillies and mares going a mile and one sixteenth. Favorite Gold Stones defeated J. D. Safari by a half a length for breeder Walter Downey’s Tea Party Stable. The evening showcased the Pennsylvania Bred Program and proved to be a great success with exciting racing and fun had by all. Winning tri-photos of the PA-Sired stakes can be seen below. To view more detailed race results click: Penn National May 30, 2008 Summary Results. May 30, 2008 PENN NATIONAL STAKES RACE PHOTOS

May 21, 2008

PA-BREDS SELLING AT MIDLANTIC TWO-YEAR-OLDS IN TRAINING SALE
Pennsylvania-Bred two-year olds in training which have sold for $10,000 or more at the spring Midlantic Sale:

Hip 53, colt, Smoke Glacken-Night Risk by Wild Again, bred by Bettina L. Jenney, $45,000.
Hip 244, filly, Two Punch-Susanet by Smarten, bred by Glenn Brok, $12,000.
Hip 383, filly, Lion Hearted-Book of Fortune by Notebook, bred by Harvey A. Clarke, $32,000.
Hip 426, colt, Lion Hearted-Christmas Strike by Smart Strike, bred by Charlton Bloodstock Agcy, $210,000.
Hip 430, filly, Street Cry(IRE)-Citiscape by Citidancer, bred by Robert Losey, $160,000.
Hip 458, colt, Aldebaran-Dame d’Loc by Mt. Livermore, bred by Cash Is King Racing Stable LLC, $30,000.
Hip 542, filly, Najran-G I C Verdict by Woodman, bred by E D Enterprises, $15,000.
Hip 594, filly, Chapel Royal-Inside Story by Moscow Ballet, bred by Karen S. Farrar, $69,000.
Hip 620, colt, Great Notion-Lady Adare by Dare and Go, bred by Robin Redmond, $30,000.
Hip 642, filly, Gulch-Living Color by Summer Squall, bred by Dr. S. Mark Rayburg Inc., $27,000.


May 14, 2008

BALIAN AND REATA’S QUICK PUNCH VICTORIOUS IN PA-BRED STAKES AT PENN NATIONAL
Penn National hosted two $75,000 stakes races for PA-Breds on the evening of Thursday, May 8th. Both the Danzig Stakes, for three-year-olds, and the Wonders Delight Stakes, for three-year-old fillies, drew large fields and provided for an exciting night to showcase the PA-Bred Stakes program.

Balian, bred by Mer-Lyn Farms LLC., vied for the early lead in the six furlong Danzig Stakes and drew off impressively under Rosie Napravnik to defeat favorite Double Down Vinman by a length and a half. Owned by Clover IV Stables, Ed Seltzer, and Steven Thurn, the son of Hennessy out of Jezebella covered the distance in 1:08.98. Balian, trained by Steve Klesaris was a $80,000 weanling purchase at the 2005 Keenland sale and has now amassed earnings of $132,488.

Race favorite Reata’s Quik Punch, bred by Peter T. Welling, took the Wonders Delight Stakes in an impressive effort. Under Joe Bravo, Reata’s Quick Punch broke sharply and set the pace drawing off to defeat Extra Sexy Psychic by four and a half lengths. The daughter of Two Punch, out of Beautiful Stranger, ran the six furlongs in 1:08.77. Reata’s Quick Punch, trained by Joe Orseno, was purchased for $34,000 at the Timonium yearling sale and then returned to Timonium’s two-year-old sale in 2007, where she fetched $230,000.


May 14, 2008

WHISTLE PIG WINS LYMAN SPRINT
Whistle Pig defeated an impressive field of PA-Breds to take the seven furlong Lyman Sprint Handicap on May, 10 at Philadelphia Park. Bred by Elizabeth R. Houghton, the 4-year-old son of Patton out of Yanni’s Girl, rallied on the turn and edged up in the final yards to beat Joey Carson and race favorite Sonvida Red, winning by 1 1/4 lengths. Owned by H.A.C.K. Stable and trained by Andrew Carter, Whistle Pig covered the seven furlongs in 1:24.05 and brought his lifetime earnings to $224,914.


May 12, 2008

PTHA Approves Retirement Program
The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association unanimously approved the formation of Turning Home, a Thoroughbred retirement program for horses at Philadelphia Park. Sponsored and managed by the PTHA with support from Philadelphia Park, the program will begin accepting horses May 19. Barbara Luna, whom has a wealth of knowledge in the racing industry and fundraising, has been named administrator of the program. Turning Home will place racehorses with rescue and adoption organizations that are run under guidelines established by the American Association of Equine Practitioners.


May 7, 2008

Presque Isle 2008 Meeting Begins Friday
Live thoroughbred racing will return to Erie on Friday, May 9, when Presque Isle Downs commences its 2008 meeting. Presque Isle’s 100 day meet will extend through September 27, with a daily post time of 5:30 p.m. The Presque Isle race program will feature 25 stakes, with 12 restricted to horses sired and/or bred in Pennsylvania.

Highlighting the stakes program will be the second running of the $400,000 Presque Isle Downs Masters for fillies and mares at six furlongs on September 13. Races will be run over Presque Isle’s one-mile oval, which has a synthetic Tapeta Footing surface, regarded as state-of-the-art for fairness and safety.

Approximately $1.75 million in purses will be available for the PA-Bred racing program. The PA-Bred races will be bundled to give trainers further incentive to ship more than one horse. Purses for the PA-Bred restricted overnight races will be $50,000 for MSW, $54,000 for Allowance 1x, $56,000 for Allowance 2x, and $60,000 for Stakes Preps. In addition every finisher in a PA-Bred race will earn at least $1,000 to further enticement to ship. Presque Isle will also offer a 50% PA-Bred owner bonus for all non-restricted overnight races.

2008 $75,000 Wonders Delight Stakes - Penn National - 5/8/2008 (c) Equi-Photo.com
2008 $75,000 Danzig Stakes - Penn National - 5/8/2008 (c) Equi-Photo.com


April 24, 2008

Monica Reynolds, Ph.D.
Monica Reynolds, who served on PHBA’s Board of Directors in the 1970s, died on April 19, 2008, at the age of 93. She lived in West Chester for more than 50 years where she operated a small breeding farm. Dr. Reynolds was a professor of physiology from 1949 to 1979 at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia and for many years was a pathologist at New Bolton Center. She was also a member of The Garden Club and The Wyoming Historical and Genealogy Society.


April 21, 2008

For Immediate Release - Pennsylvania HPBA
The Pennsylvania HBPA has informed the Director of Racing at Presque Isle Downs that its consent and approval for the sale of the 2008 race meet simulcast signal to any and all Advance Deposit Wagering sites is contingent upon the ADW entering into a license fee agreement with the Thoroughbred Horsemens Group (THG).

The 2008 meet begins May 9, 2008 and while awaiting the receipt of the simulcast sites for consent and approval, the PA HBPA notified Presque Isle Downs of its intention to require the ADW’s to negotiate a license fee agreement with the THG prior to the distribution and sale of the 2008 live racing signal to them.

PA HBPA President Joe Santanna stated that "This should not come as any surprise to the thoroughbred horse racing industry. For almost a year now, the topic of changing the economic model for certain components in the simulcast market has been presented at every public forum where the industry stakeholders have met. The revenue sharing reallocation (equal thirds) is necessary to support the very activity that is the basis on which the ADW business plan is built. The idea that historic percentages remain in place or change slightly is unacceptable. It is incomprehensible to believe that owners should lose money because purses do not support the costs of ownership while those buying the signal, and broadcasting it off-site, report profits on the results of their operation."

The Presque Isle Downs 2008 race meet expands from the 25 days raced in 2007 to 100 race days from May to September 2008. Todd Mostoller, Executive Director of the PA HBPA reports that "We have a responsibility to our owners and trainers to maximize revenue sources for purses by examining every aspect of the racing operation. It is abundantly clear that the revenue sharing arrangement in the simulcast market needs adjusted. The PA HBPA Board of Directors has resolved to direct its attention to the current disproportionate ADW pricing model. While change is often difficult to accept, this is change that is absolutely necessary if live racing is to continue to provide the product that others in this industry use as their principal revenue producing activity."

The PA HBPA joined the THG in December 2007.

Contacts: PA HBPA - Joe Santanna 717-580-5396, Todd Mostoller 717-648-4958
THG - Bob Reeves 615-385-5052


April 9, 2008

THE FIRST SATURDAY IN MAY OPENS APRIL 18th
The highly acclaimed independent film "The First Saturday in May" opens nationwide, including Philadelphia, on Friday, April 18th. Produced and directed by the Hennegan Brothers, the film follows six diverse trainers and their colts - including Barbaro - on their path to the 2006 Kentucky Derby. Twenty five percent of the box office revenues will be donated to the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. For more information go to: http://www.grayson-jockeyclub.org/tfsim.asp.

GOVERNOR’S CUP TOPS PENN NATIONAL STAKES
The 36th running of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup, the oldest stakes at Hollywood Casino at Penn National, will be held on August 1st. The purse for the five furlong turf race will be boosted from $50,000 to $100,000 this year as part of the richest stakes schedule in track history. The Jenny Wade stakes for fillies and mares on the turf will return to the Penn National stakes schedule. The $60,000 event will be run on July 31st.


April 8, 2008

PENN STATE NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF THE RACE HORSE INDUSTRY
Penn State is conducting a survey of Pennsylvania’s race horse industry to help in the development of equine specific education and research efforts by faculty and staff in the Department of Dairy and Animal Science. Dr. Burt Staniar and Dr. Ann Swinker have developed the short survey with the objective of better understanding and meeting the needs of this rapidly growing segment of Pennsylvania’s horse industry. Please take the time to complete this survey. It only takes a few minutes. Upon completion of the survey you will be given an opportunity to see the results to date. Any questions can be directed to Dr. Staniar’s e-mail: wstaniar@psu.edu.

Please click on this link to take the survey: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB227FRDZT89E.

PHBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTIONS
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 three vacancies on the Board, to occur at PHBA’s annual business meeting Wednesday, May 21, 2008. Terms of the newly elected Board members will be for four years. Those nominated are:

FRANCIS J. PULEO, Chester County - Currently the vice president of PHBA, he is a licensed real estate broker, owner of F.J. Puleo Management Company, and secretary of First Cornerstone Bank in Phoenixville. He operates Triple T Farm, standing Just Like Jo and Corporate Chalenge. He has served several terms as a member of the Board, beginning in the late eighties, and is a member of the PA Breeding Fund Advisory Committee.

EDWARD A. PRICE, Lancaster County - He has over thirty years of experience in the thoroughbred business as a breeder, owner, and sales agent. A Rhode Island native and a graduate of Providence College, he has closely followed the development of breeding programs in several states where slots are significant contributors to those state’s horse industries. He has operated Mohns Hill Farm for twenty years. This would be his first PHBA board term.

DALE SCHILLING, VMD, Montgomery County - He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine, and an equine practitioner for 30 years in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. He and his wife have been breeding and racing for over ten years, and their homebreds Putonyerdancinshuz, All Dolled Up, and Pocomoonshine have all won stakes at Philadelphia Park in the past two years. This would be his first term on the board.


March 26, 2008

JET AWAY JANE REPEATS STAKE PERFORMANCE
Jet Away Jane scored her second straight stakes victory in the $75,000 Langhorne Stakes today at Philadelphia Park for Theodore & Robin Stepanoff (Golden Oak Farm). Trained by Thomas Miller, the five year old home-bred mare by Unbridled Jet came from last to first to defeat You Asked by two lengths in the six and one half furlong sprint. Jet Away Jane brings her lifetime record to 8 wins, 10 seconds, and 4 thirds from 24 career starts, all at Philadelphia Park. Including Pennsylvania Bred owners and breeders bonuses, the Stepanoffs earned over $57,000 for the win and boosted the mare’s earnings to over $338,000.


March 25, 2008

Presque Isle Downs Hires Racing Secretary
David Frizzell, of Pendleton, Ind., has been named official racing secretary for the upcoming thoroughbred meet at Presque Isle Downs. Frizzell has an extensive racing background from racetracks across the Midwest, most recently Indiana Downs. As racing secretary, Frizzell will oversee the racing office and other duties during the 100 day meet beginning on May 9.


March 24, 2008

PENNSYLVANIA BREEDINGS PART OF STALLION SERIES
Seasons to thirty-three of Pennsylvania’s top stallions will be included as part of the purse in each of the nine stakes races being offered in 2008 for the Pennsylvania-Bred offspring of PA stallions registered stallions registered with the Breeding Fund progam.

Each race will carry a purse of $75,000 with four scheduled for May 30 at Penn National, three at Presque Isle Downs on July 11, and the final two at Philadelphia Park on August 23 as part of Pennsylvania’s Day at the Races.

As an additional element of the nine race series, complimentary 2009 seasons will be awarded to the breeders of the top three finishers in each of the stakes. Season donors will provide a no-fee breeding contract to the winners of each.

After the final race of the series, PHBA will host a luncheon for the participants. There, the breeders of the nine winners will draw for selection order, followed by the breeders of the nine second place finishers, followed by the breeders of the nine third place finishers. Seasons selections will then be made in the order drawn.

Participating stallions are:

Activist Wild Again - Voodoo Lily, by Baldski Godstone Farm
Buckle Down Ben Devil His Due - Flying Hill, by Flying Paster Xanthus Farms
Cetewayo His Majesty - Aletta Maria, by Diesis Godstone Farm
Changeintheweather Gone West - Meteor Colony, by Pleasant Colony Xanthus Farms
Chips Are Down Distorted Humer - Tuy Buster, by Housbuster Godstone Farm
Congressionalhonor Forestry - Quiet Dance, by Quiet American Maui Meadow Farm
Delaware Township Notebook - Sunny Mimosa, by Sunny North Land of Believe Farm
Digamist Blushing Groom - Disconiz, by Northern Dancer Xanthus Farms
Duckhorn Not For Love - Ten’s Testamony, by Deputed Testamony Xanthus Farms
Ecclesiastic Pulpit - Starry Dreamer, by Rubiano Regal Heir Farm
Fastness Rousillon - City Fortress, by Troy Fox Tale Stud
Freefourinternet Tabasco Cat - Dixie Chimes, by Dixieland Band Fox Tale Stud
Harry the Hat Seattle Slew - Affirmatively, by Affirmed Castle Rock Farm
Knockadoon Dixieland Band - Double Smooth, by Overskate Justaplain Farm
My Favorite Grub Grub - La Favorita, by Kabori Fox Tale Stud
Partner’s Hero Danzig - Safely Home, by Winning Hit Castle Rock Farm
Patton Lord at War - Slew Me Down, by Seattle Slew Castle Rock Farm
Pies Prospect Crafty Prospector - Hot Pillow, by Bates Motel Fox Tale Stud
Play Nineteen Malibu Moon - Missile Lock, by Goldlust Maui Meadow Farm
Power By Far Power of Mind - Farrah Foxet, by T V Commercial Castle Rock Farm
Pretty Wild Wild Again - Pretty Discreet, by Private Account Northern Tier Farm
Prince Joseph Harry the Hat - Barcar, by Carnivalay Castle Rock Farm
Quarry Forty Niner - Bound, by Nijinsky II Xanthus Farms
Real Quiet Quiet American - Really Blue, by Believe It Penn Ridge Farm
Request for Parole Judge T C - Madison’s Quest, by Deputy Minister Fox Tale Stud
Rimrod Danzig - Annie Edge, by Nebbiolo Castle Rock Farm
Rubyiat Rubiano - Blushing Madame, by Blushing Groom Fox Tale Stud
Show Tune Unbridled’s Song - Song of Africa, by Alzao Safe Haven Equine
Smart Guy Smarten - Royal Tali, by Talc Fox Tale Stud
Snow Ridge Tabasco Cat - Snow Forest, by Woodman Regal Heir Farm
Sort It Out Out of Place - Vex, by Kris S. Fox Tale Stud
Special Times Seeking the Gold - Likeable Style, by Nijinsky II Godstone Farm
This Fleet Is Due Devil His Due - Northern Fleet, by Afleet Diamond Crest Farm

IROQUOIS AWARDS BANQUET MOVED TO HOLLYWOOD CASINO
The Hollywood Casino at Penn National will be the site of PHBA’s twenty-ninth annual Iroquois Awards Dinner, Friday, May 30. The venue represents a dramatic change from the softly-stated elegance of The Hotel Hershey, long-time home of the event, to the glitz and glamour of the state’s newest casino.

The evening honors the top Pennsylvania breeders of 2007, with divisional championship presentations, and for the first time, recognition of Pennsylvania’s Horse of the Year, won by Hard Spun. Breeders of all PA-Bred stakes winners in 2007 will receive handsomely etched crystal bowls commemorating their achievements.

The affair will be held on the fourth floor of the new facility, which overlooks the race track on one side, and the paddock on another. Because there will be racing that evening, including four $75,000 stakes races for PA-sired PA-Breds, the pace will be lively throughout the banquet program.


March 13, 2008

PA-BREDS DOMINATE PTHA AWARDS NIGHT
The impact of the PA-Bred program at Philadelphia Park was never more evident than last night at the annual Horsemen’s Awards Banquet sponsored by the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association. Five of the eight divisional awards were won by PA-Breds, as was the ultimate honor of the evening’s festivities, the Philadelphia Park 2007 Horse of the Year presentation.

Speechifying, winner of six of 14 starts, including a victory in the open $250,000 My Juliet S., was the unanimous choice as the track’s Horse of the Year. In addition, the four-year-old was named top older filly or mare and the claiming horse of the year. Bred by Judith Barrett, Speechifying earned $291,301 in her ’07 campaign.

Other PA-Breds honored were Double Down Vinman (bred by Mr. & Mrs. Richard D. Abbott and DJ Stable), two-year-old colt or gelding; Who’s Happy (bred by Fiasco Farms, Ltd.), three-year-old filly; and Banjo Picker (bred by Elizabeth Houghton), older male.

JOCKEY CLUB NOW OFFERING MICROCHIPS
The Jockey Club is now offering microchips for sale to interested owners and breeders for use in Thoroughbreds residing within the United States and all U.S. territories. The value of microchips as a means to support genetic testing and traditional markings-based procedures and provide an additional layer of confidence in identification at horse farms, veterinary clinics, transportation centers, horse sales and racetracks prompted the decision of the breed registry.

Microchips are not currently a requirement for Thoroughbred registration and participation is voluntary. Each microchip contains a unique 15-number sequence beginning with 840 (the country code for the United States). These microchips comply with the USDA’s National Animal Identification System and are consistent with those utilized by international Thoroughbred stud book authorities.

Microchips are available for $20 each. Microchips can be ordered by logging on to The Jockey Club’s Interactive RegistrationTM (IR) website at http://www.registry.jockeyclub.com.


February 19, 2008

PHILADELPHIA PARK ANNOUNCES 2008 STAKES SCHEDULE
Thirty-one stakes with purses totaling a record $5.475 million will be offered at Philadelphia Park during 2008, with the $1 million Grade II Pennsylvania Derby on Labor Day again highlighting the roster. The $750,000 Fitz Dixon Cotillion, five other races at $250,000 each, and four others at $200,000 are included. The eighth annual program of Pennsylvania’s Day at the Races will be contested Saturday, August 23, and will feature $1 million in purses for a variety of stakes for PA-Breds. The schedule represents by far the most lucrative series of added money events in the history of Pennsylvania racing.

HOLLYWOOD CASINO AT PENN NATIONAL OPENS, RACING RESUMES
Hollywood Casino at Penn National, the state’s third Thoroughbred race track casino, officially opened its doors for business last Tuesday in horrible winter weather. Once the ice, snow, and rain cleared the area later in the week, the 365,000 square foot gaming and racing facility entertained huge crowds through the weekend, signaling the arrival of the newest player on Pennsylvania’s block of slots facilities.

Live racing, which ceased just before Christmas, resumed Thursday, following two weather related cancellations. PA-Bred Forlorn Hope was a 12 length winner the first race of the new season, a $25,000 maiden race for state breds, the richest maiden race ever offered at the Grantville oval.

The track will offer close to 200 race cards through the rest of the year, with average overnight purse distribution of approximately $110,000 per night, a near sixty percent jump over purses there a year ago.


February 7, 2008

HARD SPUN NAMED PA HORSE OF THE YEAR, OTHER CHAMPIONS RECOGNIZED
Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association has named its first-ever Horse of the Year, as well as its divisional champions for 2007. The overall group is believed to be the strongest yet produced by state breeders, and includes three individual millionaires from the 2004 PA foal crop.

Hard Spun, won four graded stakes, and outfinished Curlin in both the Kentucky Derby and Haskell Invitational. The Danzig colt was the unanimous selection as Pennsylvania-Bred Horse of the Year.

2 YR OLD MALE - NOTGIVINMYLOVEAWAY
Ch. c., 2005, Not For Love - Fastria, by Fast Play, bred by Margaret Addis
Canadian shipper’s big victory came in the $75,000 Pennsylvania Nursery S. with a dominating five length score. 4 starts, two wins, and a third, earned $95,312.

2 YEAR OLD FILLY - EXTRA SEXY PSYCHIC
Dk. b. f., 2005, Freud - She’s Pretty Too, by Housebuster, bred by Toni Kirwan & Ed Hipps
Winner in 2 of 4 starts, and a close second in the $55,000 White Clay Creek S. at Delaware Park to divisional leader Proud Spell. 4 starts, 2 wins, a second, and a third, earned $69,490.

3 YEAR OLD MALE - HARD SPUN
Bay c., 2004, Danzig - Turkish Tryst, by Turkoman, bred by Michael Moran & Brushwood Stable (Elizabeth Moran)
Winner of the Kings Bishop S-G1, Lane’s End S-G2, and Kentucky Cup-G2, second in the Kentucky Derby-G1 and Haskell S-G1., and third in the Preakness S-G1. 10 starts, 4 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third, earned $2,575,500.

3 YEAR OLD FILLY - MRS. LINDSAY
Ch. f., 2004, Theatrical - Vole Vole Monamour, by Woodman, bred by Derry Meeting Farm
Winner of the Prix Vermeille-G1 in France, and the E. P. Taylor-G1 in Canada, and second in the Prix de Diane-G1. 6 starts, 4 wins, one second, earned $1,170,636.

OLDER MALE - MASTER COMMAND
Ch. h., 2002, A.P. Indy - Lady Lochinvar, by Lord At War, bred by Brushwood Stable (Elizabeth Moran)
Impressive winner of initial three starts, New Orleans H-G2, Mineshaft S-G3, and the National Jockey Club S-G3, before being injured. 5 starts, three wins, earned $598,170.

OLDER FILLY OR MARE - REDASPEN
Ch. m., 2002, Bianconi - Goldie Pops, by Strike the Gold, bred by Equivine Farm (Val McNeely)
Three-time stakes winner, including a season ending victory in the La Prevoyante-G2 at Calder. 6 starts, 3 wins, a second, and two thirds, earned $258,760.

TURF HORSE - LUCARNO
B. c., 2004, Dynaformer - Vignette, by Diesis, bred by Augustin Stable (George Strawbridge, Jr.)
Unraced as a juvenile, he won three stakes in ’07, including the classic English St. Leger-G1 at a mile and three-quarters. 8 starts, four wins, two seconds, earned $1,032,922.

SPRINTER - FABULOUS STRIKE
Dk b.g., 2003, Smart Strike - Fabulous Find, by Lost Code, bred by Tea Party Stable (W. Downey).
Arguably the fastest runner in the U.S. over the past two seasons. Won the Vosburgh-G1 by nearly six lengths before illness prevented an opportunity to confirm his superiority in the Breeders Cup Sprint. 4 starts, 3 wins, earned $404,322.

CLAIMING HORSE - SPEECHIFYING
B. m., 2003, Activist - Apprized, by Prized, bred by Judith Barrett
Broke her maiden for $15,000 at Philadelphia Park in January, and finished her season with a victory in the $250,000 My Juliet S. under Russell Baze. 14 starts, 6 wins, 3 seconds, 3 thirds, earned $291,299.

JUMPER - MIXED UP
B. g., 1999, Carnivalay - Oh Nonsense, by Oh Say, bred by William Pape & Jonathan Sheppard
Began the campaign with a win in the Royal Chase for the Sport of Kings-G1 in Kentucky, and followed with a win in the A. P. Smithwick-G2 at Saratoga. 6 starts, 2 wins, earned $159,215.

BROODMARE - TURKISH TRYST
Ch. m., 1991, Turkoman - Darbyvail, by Roberto, owned by Brushwood Stable (Elizabeth Moran)
Dam of five foals to race, all winners, including Hard Spun (7 wins, $2,673,470, Kings Buishop S., etc.), Our Rite of Spring (3 wins at 3, $141,000, Exogenous S.), and Wild Current (7 wins, $273,218, 2nd Damitrius S.).

LEADING OVERALL BREEDER OF PA-BREDS - AUGUSTIN STABLE
Total earnings of $2,636,006 in North America and Europe for horses bred by George Strawbridge, Jr.

LEADING STALLION - PATTON
1991, Lord At War - Slew Me Down, by Seattle Slew.
Total 2007 progeny earnings of $2,289,726.


February 4, 2008

PA-BRED OVERNIGHT RACING PROGRAMS DETAILED
The Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission has approved the following PA-Bred overnight racing programs for 2008.

Philadelphia Park - From mid-February through the end of the year, approximately 46 first and second condition allowance races, with various age and sex eligibilities, will be written, one per week, at purses from $30,000. Total purse money availability for these races is estimated to be approximately $1.4 million. For every race that does not close, a PA-Bred maiden special weight race may be carded at the discretion of the racing secretary.

Owner bonuses will be paid at 40% of purse share to PA-Breds finishing first, second and third in all non-restricted overnight races. Total bonus money expected to be distributed is estimated at $4.5 million.

Owner-bonuses will be paid on those races offered which prefer PA-Breds as starters but then close to open company when eight or more PA-Bred betting interests pass the entry box.

Penn National - Approximately 76 overnight races restricted in entry to PA-Breds (conditions and types as outlined below), which will be regularly scheduled at the discretion of the racing secretary. Total purse expenditure should not exceed $1.7 million, under the approximate schedule:

• 40 MSW @ $21,000 per
   
• 18 ALW NW2 @ $22,000 per
   
• 8 ALW NW3 @ $23,000 per
   
• 10 ALW X1 @ $22,000 per

This schedule will commence in the initial condition book for 2008.

The program calls for a PA-Bred owner bonus percentage of 30% to be paid on all non-restricted overnight races to PA-Breds finishing first, second, or third. Bonuses will be paid on those races offered which prefer PA-Breds as starters but close to open company when eight or more PA-Bred betting interests pass the entry box.

Presque Isle Downs. To this point, nothing definitive has been developed for Presque Isle as to owner bonuses and restricted overnights because of the uncertainty of money available. Conjecture is it will be necessary to have an owner bonus percentage of at least 50%, and possibly overnight handicaps for PA-Breds with purses in the neighborhood of $75,000. The program is expected to be finalized by mid-March.


January 25, 2008

EDWARD E. MARSHALL
Edward E. Marshall, who served two terms on PHBA's Board of Directors in the 1990's, died January 21, 2008, at the age of 83. He is survived by his wife Jan, three sons, a daughter, and four grandchildren.

Mr. Marshall was a successful businessman in the Philadelphia area and a lifelong horseman. He was an avid foxhunter into his 70’s, and maintained a small breeding farm in southern Lancaster County. In addition to being an outstanding athlete at the University of Pennsylvania, he was a top amateur golfer in the Philadelphia area, a past president of the Philadelphia Golf Association, and past treasurer of the United States Golf Association.

HUNTER TO FILL VACANT PHBA BOARD SEAT
Dr. F. E. "Tuck" Hunter has been appointed to fill an existing vacancy on PHBA’s Board of Directors. Dr. Hunter is a practicing dentist and co-owner with his wife Heather of Spinnaker Hill Farm/Upland Spring Farm in Unionville, where they stand stallions, board and foal mares, and do preliminary sales preparation work. He is also a licensed trainer, racing mainly at Philadelphia Park, and will serve the two years remaining on the term of Dr. William J. Solomon, who resigned the seat.

PHBA’S IROQUOIS AWARDS BANQUET SET FOR MAY 30
PHBA’s twenty-ninth annual Iroquois Awards Banquet is scheduled for Friday, May 30, 2008, at the Hollywood Casino at Penn National. The night will honor Pennsylvania’s champions of 2007 and its leading breeders, and is generally regarded as a premier event for Pennsylvania’s Thoroughbred community. Part and parcel to the festivities will be the running of four $75,000 stakes races for PA-sired PA-Breds highlighting the evening’s racing card.


January 17, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kennett Square, PA --- The Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission yesterday approved a greatly expanded schedule of stakes and overnight races for Pennsylvania-Breds at each of the state’s three Thoroughbred race tracks for the upcoming year, largely as a result of slot revenues accruing to the Breeding Fund program.

"With the Breeding Fund expected to reach $22 million in 2008, ample monies are available to support this expansion," commented Peter Giangiulio, president of the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association, the organization responsible to the commission for the administration, development, and promotion of the Fund.

"The addition of a regular schedule of restricted overnight races will compliment the existing PA-Bred owner bonus structure, and combined they will distribute about $9 million during the year. A total of 41 stakes will be written for PA-Breds, carrying total purses of nearly $3.5 million," Giangiulio continued. "The remaining $9.5 million will be used for breeder and stallion award payments."

The Pennsylvania Breeding Fund is financed by a percentage of the state’s total Thoroughbred pari-mutuel handle and slot revenues. On a per foal basis, it distributes more money than nearly every other program in operation.

* * * 2008 PA-Bred Stakes Schedule * * *



January 2, 2008

ANOTHER PHILLY PARK PURSE RAISE
Pennsylvania horsemen and breeders continue to benefit from slot revenues generated at state facilities, and the first 2008 condition book at Philadelphia Park shows why. Purse increases of roughly 7% to 14%, depending on the class of the race, are the norm. Maiden special weight sprint purses will go from $35,000 to $40,000, while an open $25,000-$20,000 claiming test going long will go for $33,000, up from $30,000. The bottom purse, for $5,000 claimers of various conditions, will be $14,000, up about from $13,000 at the end of 2007.

"With up to 40% in bonuses available to Pennsylvania-bred horses that place in races at Philly Park, state-bred runners are becoming more valuable," Philadelphia Park racing secretary Sal Sinatra recently told The Blood-Horse.

Average daily purse distribution at the Bensalem track is expected to approach $235,000 for the 210 racing days expected to be run in 2008. Stall space there is in great demand, and understandably so.

CONTROL SYSTEM FIRST PA-BRED STAKES WINNER OF 2008
Control System’s three and one-half length victory in the $79,325 Interborough Handicap at Aqueduct on New Year’s Day was the initial stakes win for 2008, in what promises to be the best year yet for PA-Breds. It was Control System’s second consecutive win over Breeders Cup contender Oprah Winney, having beaten her in the Garland of Roses Handicap last month. The win was Control System's third stakes victory in as many tries over Aqueduct's inner track, as she also won the Grade 3 Cicada last March.

Control System is a four-year-old daughter of Lion Hearted, bred by Dr. Renee Nodine’s Horse Shoe Valley Equine. The bay miss, trained by Mike Trombetta, has now won five of seven lifetime starts, with a pair of third place finishes, and shows earnings of $239,905.

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 has published on the Registry’s website a list of 39,287 names released from active use on December 20.

A majority of the released names are those of horses that will be over 10 years old on Jan. 1 and that have not raced or been bred during the preceding five years. Names appearing on the list must be approved by The Jockey Club prior to use pursuant to Rule 6 of the Principal Rules and Requirements of The American Stud Book.

Owners and breeders are also encouraged to consult the Online Names Book to check the potential availability of Thoroughbred names.

The list of recently released names and the Online Names Book are 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.

All name selections must be approved by The Jockey Club prior to use, including those selected from the list of recently released names.

Interactive RegistrationTM (IR) is the quickest and easiest way to submit name applications and is available at no charge through the Registry’s website. More than 23,000 owners and breeders utilize IR to complete the requirements for foal registration and naming, report and look up microchip numbers, and transact virtually all other business with the Registry. More than 750,000 IR transactions have been recorded since its launch in 1996.

Name applications submitted through IR are preliminarily screened to eliminate direct matches with names unavailable for use, resulting in a greater chance of approval of first choice names when compared with name applications submitted via mail. Owners who name their Thoroughbreds through IR receive their first choice approximately 75 percent of the time.

Owners who prefer to submit their name applications by mail should do so before Feb. 1, 2008, to The Jockey Club, 821 Corporate Drive, Lexington, KY 40503-2794.


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 $432,074…Average 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 ˝ 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

2008 PENNSYLVANIA BROOD MARE REPORT 2008 Broodmare Domicile Report form

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.

February 13, 2008

LEAVE OF ABSENCE form for broodmares temporarily out of state at public sale

2008 Broodmare LEAVE OF ABSENCE form

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 Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association 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.

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 ‘other’ 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 ha