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TVG Adds Handel as Special Adviser

Veteran racetrack executive Hal Handel, who left his position earlier this year as executive vice president and chief operating officer for the New York Racing Association, has joined TVG as a special adviser.

NYRA Awards $8,000 in Scholarships

The New York Racing Association prepared college students for the upcoming academic year by awarding $8,000 in scholarships on the third annual College Day at Saratoga Race Course.

Handel to Leave NYRA After Saratoga Meet

Hal Handel, executive vice president and chief operating officer for the New York Racing Association, will leave the post at the end of this year's Saratoga meet, NYRA announced June 29.

Smarty Says Goodbye

Steve Haskin discusses Smarty Jones' farewell appearance in installment #4.

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NYRA Releases Executive Salaries

The New York Racing Association, which has long resisted revealing salaries of its top executives, has furnished the information to a top state regulator at a time it is warning of running out of cash later this summer.

NYRA VP Handel to Participate in Web Chat

The New York Racing Association's executive vice president and chief operating officer Hal Handel will participate in a live web chat Jan. 29 at 8:00 p.m. EST.

Saratoga to Host First College Day

Saratoga Race Course will welcome college students back to their favorite course this fall with the first ever College Day Sept. 4, featuring a host of prizes, giveaways and $1,000 scholarships to be awarded after each race by The New York Racing Association.

NYRA to Give Away 15 Thousand-Dollar Vouchers

The New York Racing Association will award 15 pari-mutuel wagering vouchers worth $1,000 each to fans on "Thousand Dollar Thursday", Sept. 3.

Industry Groups Pledge Support to TRF

The New York Racing Association and many members of the Jockeys' Guild who ride at its three racetracks, along with the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and The Jockey Club, have jointly pledged more than $100,000 in financial support in 2009 to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation,

'Belmont Special' Rail Service Restored

Starting Thursday, May 28, Long Island Rail Road train service from Penn Station directly into Belmont Park will be restored, pending Metropolitan Transit Authority board approval on May 27. The "Belmont Special" had been eliminated as part of a series of budget cuts and proposed fare hikes by the MTA, parent agency of the LIRR.

Justus Joins NYRA Team

The New York Racing Association announced Oct. 31 that Kimberly Justus has assumed the newly-created post of director of guest services. In her new role, Justus is responsible for all customer service functions at NYRA.

Kozak to Take Over for Passero at NYRA

The New York Racing Association Aug. 1 announced that John Passero has resigned as director of racing surfaces, effective at the conclusion of the Saratoga meeting Sept. 1. Glen Kozak will take over Passero's responsibilities at the start of the Belmont Park meeting Sept. 5.

New York Racing Set for All Things 'Spa'

The New York Racing Association held a press conference in Albany, N.Y., June 23 to discuss the upcoming 36-day Saratoga meet, which begins July 23 and runs through Sept. 1.

NYRA, Mid-Atlantic Agree on Simulcasts

New York Racing Association simulcasts will return to 16 East Coast tracks, thanks to an agreement signed May 8 between the NYRA and the Mid-Atlantic Cooperative.

Has Atlantic City Reached Finish Line?

As Atlantic City Race Course prepares for a six-day all-turf meet, from April 23-25 and April 30-May 2, many observers believe it will be the last hurrah for the New Jersey track that opened in 1946.

Berube, Handel to Work For Equibase

Peter Berube, vice president and general manager of Tampa Bay Downs, and Hal Handel, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the New York Racing Association (NYRA), have been appointed by the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America (TRA) to serve on the management committee of Equibase Company LLC

Handel Leaves Greenwood; New COO of NYRA

Hal Handel, a longtime executive with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and Greenwood Racing, is the new executive vice president and COO of the New York Racing Association.

Greenwood's Handel to Focus on Jersey Operations

Harold G. "Hal" Handel, chief executive officer for Greenwood Racing, Inc. since 1998, has left his day-to-day duties at Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack and assumed responsibility for Greenwood's New Jersey operations, which include the revitalization of Atlantic City Race Course.

Philly Park Adopts Restrictions for Under-18 Crowd

Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack has adopted a policy whereby anyone under the age of 18 is allowed at the facility only during live racing and only in certain areas.

Youbet.com to Again Offer Philly Park Racing

Youbet.com will begin offering wagering on racing from Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack March 31.

New Jersey Off-Track Wagering to Debut March 30

Off-track wagering in New Jersey will officially launch March 30 when "Favorites in Vineland" opens it doors.

Off-Track Wagering to Debut in New Jersey in March

Pennwood Racing plans to open the first off-track wagering facility in New Jersey in early March. The Turf Club on Delsea Drive is located in Vineland in the southern portion of the state.

First N.J. Off-Track Bet Facility Near Opening

Six years after off-track wagering was legalized in New Jersey, the first OTW facility is set to open mid-February in Vineland, with two more to follow in mid to late 2007.

Transformed Philly Park Officially Becomes Racino

Philadelphia Park will become Philadelphia Park Casino and Racetrack Dec. 19 when it officially begins slot-machine operations in Bensalem Township, Pa.

Philly Park Jockeys Tab Labor Union for Representation

In a continuing effort to increase catastrophic on-track accident insurance for riders, Philadelphia Park Jockeys has taken the unprecedented step of affiliating itself with a labor union to help resolve the issue.

Atlantic City Meet to Expand in 2008

Atlantic City Racetrack, which has conducted only short, four-day meets in recent years, is poised to run a 20-day meet in 2008, as requested Nov.15 at a New Jersey Racing Commission meeting in Trenton, N.J.

Philly Jockeys Again Ask Panel for Insurance Help

Jockeys at Philadelphia Park again have asked the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission to facilitate an agreement between riders and track management on catastrophic-injury insurance coverage.

Hearings Scheduled for Proposed Pennsylvania Racinos

Hearings for the companies seeking licenses to operate slot machines at racetracks have been set by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which could vote on conditional licenses in late September.

Track, Jockeys Clear Up Insurance Misunderstanding

A possible interruption of Saturday's live card at Philadelphia Park was averted Friday when management at the Bensalem Township, Pa., racetrack assured jockeys they are indeed covered by insurance should they be injured while performing the duties of their profession.

First Phase of Philly Park Renovation Nearly Complete

The first phase of a multimillion-dollar renovation to the grandstand in anticipation of slot machines is nearly complete at Philadelphia Park.

Pennsylvania Derby Scrapped for 2006

Management at Philadelphia Park announced today that the 2006 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II), which was to carry a purse of $750,000 and was scheduled for Sept. 4 (Labor Day), has been cancelled.

Philly Park Jockeys Seek Additional Insurance Coverage

Negotiations are currently underway between jockeys, management and horsemen at Philadelphia Park to have the amount of on-track accident insurance for riders increased from its current $100,000 to $1 million, but so far little progress has been made, according to Tony Black, who is helping spearhead the effort.

Atlantic City Races On--But in Which Direction?

With two of its four live racing days complete for 2006, questions remain as to what Greenwood Racing intends to do with aging Atlantic City Race Course, which opened in 1946 and currently serves as a year-round simulcast facility for patrons in southern New Jersey.

Philly Park Sets Plan for Slots Conversion

Patrons at Philadelphia Park will find themselves in an unfamiliar world--at least temporarily--by the fall of 2006.

Philadelphia Park Starter Tenders Resignation

Philadelphia Park has accepted the resignation of its longtime starter, Russell Downes, in the wake of another starting gate miscue that occurred Oct. 30 at the Bensalem Township, Pa., racetrack.

Philly Park Disciplines Starter for Oaks Start Problem

Philadelphia Park has taken disciplinary action against its longtime starter, Russell E. Downes, for a mishap at the start of the $100,000 Pennsylvania Oaks on Labor Day, Sept. 5.

Atlantic City Opens Amid Reports of Sale

Amid reports of a sale to a major outdoors retailer and use of its mostly vacant grandstand by homeless people, Atlantic City Race Course is prepared for four days of live turf racing beginning April 29 with a steeplechase program.

Philly Park Prepares to Enter the Big Time

Purses for July at Philadelphia Park averaged just under $120,000 a day, but in a year, they will be almost twice that amount, with much more growth expected when revenue from slot machines begins pouring in.

At Philly Park, 'Smarty' Craze Hasn't Let Up

Moderate rain didn't dampen the enthusiasm of fans at Philadelphia Park, the home of Smarty Jones, the morning of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). People began gathering at the gates to the picnic area at the Bensalem, Pa., racetrack at 5:30 a.m. EDT -- and remember, they can only watch the third leg of the Visa Triple Crown Challenge on television.

New Jersey OTB Parlors Might Be On Fast Track

A "master participation agreement" between the three entities that operate racetracks in New Jersey as to how they intend to divide the 15 potential off-track wagering sites in the state will be considered at the Feb. 18 meeting of the New Jersey Racing Commission. Approval of the deal is seen as the first step toward jump-starting the process of getting OTB parlors operational, perhaps by the end of the year.

Philly Jockeys Ride as Pay Negotiations Continue

Live racing went on at Philadelphia Park as scheduled Dec. 30 even though management and jockeys are still at odds over how the riders are paid.

MEC Move Creates Account-Wagering Dilemma

Magna Entertainment Corp. initiated restrictions upon or pulled its live racing signals from most account-wagering services effective Dec. 26, and at least one operator isn't happy about the developments.

Jockeys Walk at Philly Park Over Payroll Dispute

Jockeys at Philadelphia Park voted not to ride the 10-race card Dec. 29 after they were unable to resolve payroll issues with management.

Pennsylvania Slots Legislation Nearing Passage

The Pennsylvania legislature may be close to passing both a budget and slot machine legislation, perhaps by the end of the week of Dec. 15.

It's Official: Pennsylvania Derby Now Worth $750,000

Hal Handel, chief executive officer of Philadelphia Park, confirmed Thursday the Pennsylvania Derby (gr. III), set for Labor Day, will have its purse increased from $500,000 to $750,000 "no matter who runs."

Jersey Horsemen Seek Answers With Tracks on Block

While representatives of New Jersey Thoroughbred horsemen claim they have been aware of the desire of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to sell Monmouth Park and Meadowlands for nearly a year, there are many questions they want answered from prospective buyers, and they believe the timing of the announcement was poor.

Horsemen Oppose Slots Bill; Track Calls It Greed

The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association is opposed to a racetrack gaming bill that would award 15% of gross revenue to purses and 1% to breed development. Meanwhile, an official at Philadelphia Park said he can't understand the horsemen's position.

'Localized' Equine Herpes Virus Detected at Penn National

A small outbreak of equine herpes at Penn National Racecourse has prompted management of Philadelphia Park to bar horses shipping in to race as well as horses shipping out to "race and return" from the Grantville, Pa. oval.

Philly Park, Horsemen Strike One-Year Deal

Horsemen and management at Philadelphia Park came to terms on a live racing agreement Dec. 30 and averted a shutdown of live racing and simulcasting at the Pennsylvania track.

Philadelphia Park Back in Action For Now

Philadelphia Park, closed to live racing for three consecutive days due to unsafe conditions caused by bad winter weather, was back in action Sunday, when it completed a nine-race card.