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Hangin' With Haskin: Roses For Smarty

Steve Haskin recalls Smarty's Derby victory in Part 5.

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500th Retiree for Pennsylvania Program

Turning For Home, the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association racehorse retirement program, recorded its 500th retiree when the mare Pumped left the track at Parx Racing for the last time Dec. 24.

Blind Luck Draws Inside Post in Cotillion

Blind Luck, whose inspiring rags-to-riches story has garnered her a sizable fan base, is looking to add an eighth graded stakes victory to her resume in the Oct. 2 Fitz Dixon Cotillion Stakes (gr. II) at Parx Racing.

Philly Park Changes Name to Parx Racing

The Bensalem, Pa.-based Philadelphia Park has changed its name to Parx Racing, according to the company's website.

A. U. Miner Springs Greenwood Cup Upset

Don Benge's A. U. Miner, a 14-1 longshot, charged down the center of the racetrack and got up by a neck over favored Alcomo to win the $250,000 Greenwood Cup at Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack July 17.

Alcomo Looks to Defend Greenwood Cup Title

With a berth in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Marathon on the line, Abdul Rahman Al Jasmi Racing's Alcomo will try to defend his title in the $250,000 Greenwood Cup July 17 at Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack.

Hefty Suspensions for 2 Philly Park Jockeys

Two jockeys at Philadelphia Park who were involved in a fight during a race last month have received hefty suspensions from track stewards.

Philly Park Jocks Await Stewards Decision

A sentence has yet to be handed down by Philadelphia Park stewards in the case of two jockeys who were involved in a mounted altercation at the Bensalem, Pa. track on Jan. 8.

Jockey Apologizes for Philly Incident

Jockey Eriluis Vaz, one of two riders involved in a mounted fight during the fifth race at Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack Jan. 8, has issued a public apology for what he terms "bad judgment."

Pennsylvania Legalizes Table Games

Pennsylvania legalized poker, blackjack and other table games at slots casinos Jan. 7, upping the ante in the increasingly fierce competition among states for gamblers' money.

Trainer Philip Aristone Reaches 1,000 Wins

Trainer Philip T. Aristone earned his 1,000th victory when Delta Miner won the 10th race at Philadelphia Park Dec. 8.

Careless Jewel Sparkles Again in Cotillion

Donver Stable's Careless Jewel won just as a 3-10 favorite is supposed to, as the talented filly led every step of the way in a no-doubt-about-it 3 1/2-length victory in the $750,000 Fitz Dixon Cotillion (gr. II) Oct. 3 at Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack.

Smart and Fancy Seeks Another Turf Amazon Win

Park Avenue Racing Stable's Smart and Fancy was installed as the tepid 3-1 morning-line favorite in what looks to be a hotly-contested renewal of the $200,000 Turf Amazon Handicap Sept. 26 at Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack.

Gone Astray Leaves 'em Behind in Pa. Derby

Phipps Stable's homebred Gone Astray wrapped up his first graded stakes victory in a big way, as he drew off in the stretch to score in the $1-million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) by 9 1/4 lengths Sept. 7 at Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack.

Soul Warrior Favored in Pennsylvania Derby

Nine 3-year-olds will face off in the $1-million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) Sept. 7 at Philadelphia Park Casino and Racetrack, led by Zayat Stables' Soul Warrior, the 3-1 morning line favorite.

Philly Park Suspends Leading Rider Lynch

Fergal Lynch, currently the leading rider at Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack, has been suspended for one year, Pennsylvania Racing Commission spokesperson Justin Fleming confirmed July 21.

Alcomo Earns BC Berth With Greenwood Cup Win

Alcomo, a multiple stakes winner in his native Brazil, finally showed his winning U.S. form when he took over off the final turn and drew away for a 1 3/4-length score in the $200,000 Greenwood Cup July 18 at Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack.

Eldaafer, Nite Light Meet Again in Greenwood

Eldaafer and Nite Light, separated by only a nose in last month's Brooklyn Handicap (gr. II), will meet again July 18, this time with a Breeders' Cup berth on the line. The older horses will square off in the $250,000 Greenwood Cup at Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack.

Inside Track: Turning Things Around

Barbara Luna discovered that even greater than her love of campaigning runners was the passion that came from helping retired racehorses have a second chance.

Flores Notches 4,000th Win

Jockey Jose Luis Flores won his 4,000th race May 30 when he guided Abulletforfrank to victory in the third race at Philadelphia Park.

Flores Notches 4,000th Win

Jockey Jose Luis Flores won his 4,000th race May 30 when he guided Abulletforfrank to victory in the third race at Philadelphia Park.

My Juliet: Indian Way Sets Philly Track Mark

Odds-on choice Indian Way set a track record for six furlongs at Philadelphia Park while leading all the way for jockey David Cohen in the $250,000 My Juliet Stakes on May 23.

Racinos Defied 2008's Declining Gaming Trend

Even though overall United States casino revenues dropped for the first time this decade, domestic racinos registered double-digit percentage growth in 2008, according to a report issued May 18 by the American Gaming Association.

Churchill Signal May Be Limited Again

Wagering on the Churchill Downs spring meet may again be restricted to customers of certain betting outlets, although negotiations appear to be ongoing to include some that are on the outside looking in.

Philly Phonebet Faces TrackNet Cut-Off

Customers of Philadelphia Park's advance deposit wagering system may not have access to Pimlico Race Course signals when the Maryland track opens its live meet April 18 as the result of an ongoing dispute with TrackNet Media Group, the head of the content company has confirmed.

Philly Park Faces TrackNet Deadline

Philadelphia Park has been asked to cease handling account wagers on racing affiliated with TrackNet Media Group unless the Pennsylvania track signs a new licensing agreement with the content group.

Seattle Smooth Upends Proud Spell in Pa.

Seattle Smooth, second choice behind Proud Spell, pulled away from the 2-5 favorite in the stretch to win the Sept. 20 Fitz Dixon Cotillion Stakes (gr. II) at Philadelphia Park. She won the $750,000 race by 2 1/2 lengths.

Proud Spell Eyes Big Purse in Cotillion

On Sept. 20, Proud Spell will shoot for her biggest payday to date, as she takes on six rivals in the $750,000 Fitz Dixon Cotillion (gr. II) at Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack. On paper, the 1 1/16-mile dirt event is a significant step down in class for the Proud Citizen filly, who has won four times this season, including the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and Alabama Stakes (gr. I).

Contentious Pennsylvania Derby Draws 14

Does money draw a crowd? Look no further than the Sept. 1 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) for evidence it's true, as a full field of 14 3-year-olds were entered in the $1 million race, the signature event at Philadelphia Park Casino and Racetrack.

Philly Offers Big Purse to Big Brown

An attempt by Philadelphia Park Racetrack & Casino to lure Big Brown to the PTHA President's Cup Sept. 13, is a no go, according to the colt's minority owner, Paul Pompa Jr.

Ageless Evening Attire Earns BC Berth

Five years after running in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Santa Anita, Evening Attire will have a chance to run on America's richest day of racing once again, as the remarkable 10-year-old iron horse romped to a 8 1/4-length victory in the $250,000 Greenwood Cup at Philadelphia Park, in the process breaking a 16-year-old track record and locking up a berth in the newly-created Breeders' Cup Marathon.

Evening Attire Back For More

Five years after his last appearance in the Breeders' Cup, wouldn't it be something if ageless iron horse Evening Attire could make a return trip to Santa Anita? That's exactly what the 10-year-old gelding has a chance to do July 19, as he goes to post in the $250,000 Greenwood Cup the first ever Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" event at Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack.

Philly Park Jockeys Get Mount Increase

In a little over two year's time, Philadelphia Park Jockeys has helped accomplish some pretty remarkable things at the Bensalem racetrack. On June 11 the group's president, Anthony Black, announced yet another approved measure that will benefit riders: A $100 mount fee for jockeys who do not finish in the top three positions.

PTHA Approves Retirement Program

The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horseman's Association unanimously approved the formation of Turning for Home, a Thoroughbred retirement program for trainers and owners at Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack.

No Simulcasts for Atlantic City

Atlantic City Race Course, which opened April 23 for six days of all-turf racing, will not send out the simulcast signal of its live meet due to a disagreement with the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association.

Vaders Banned Indefinitely From Pa. Park

Jayne Vaders, last year's leading conditioner at Philadelphia Park, lost her appeal April 16 of an indefinite ban from training because of a number of drug positives.

Claiming Crown Noms Close April 25

Regular and open nominations for the 10th annual Claiming Crown at Canterbury Park close April 25.

Area Growth Could Impact Revenue

Wall Street analysts agree Pennsylvania's racetrack casinos have generated higher-than-expected revenue thus far, but growth in the market, both in state and out, could impact those numbers going forward. Thus far, slot machines around the state are producing an average win per machine of $307. There are 11,500 slots, about a quarter of the total that could be operating when all gaming halls are open in the state.

Philly Park Offers Record Stakes

Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack released a 2008 stakes schedule Feb. 21 that calls for 31 stakes to be run over the track's 12-month calendar, with purses totaling a record $5.475 million.

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

Leak Cancels Racing at Philly Park

Philadelphia Park Casino and Racetrack canceled ive racing Nov. 30 because of a damaged water main that was discovered one day earlier just outside of the casino.

Apprentice Cedeno Tries Aqueduct

Apprentice Carol Cedeno has already made her presence known this year at Philadelphia Park and the Meadowlands. The 19-year-old is now tackling Aqueduct, and got off to a quick start opening day of the inner track meet by winning two races on Nov. 28.

Guild Waiting for Industry Response

With little response coming from industry groups involved in a Nov. 13 meeting with representatives of the Jockeys' Guild, riders across the country--and Guild representatives themselves--are raising concerns over the organization's ability to provide health insurance for its members.

Black Defies Odds, Continues to Win

When Anthony Black broke a pair of ribs and three vertebrae in a spill at Philadelphia Park last November, it finally looked like the end for the 55-year-old jockey. But Black, who won a pair of stakes races on Maryland Million Day, isn't done defying the odds just yet.

Octave Favorite on Cotillion Dance Card

Leading trainer Todd Pletcher will try for his fourth Fitz Dixon Cotillion Handicap (gr. II) title, as two-time Grade I winner Octave leads a field of eight 3-year-old fillies for the 1 1/16-mile event at Philadelphia Park.

Timber Reserve Holds Off Xchanger in Pa. Derby

Prior to the $1-million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II), Timber Reserve had trouble getting into the gate. But once the 1 1/8-mile test began, there was no stopping Timber Reserve, who held off a stubborn Xchanger for most of the stretch to win by a neck at Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack.

$1-Million Pennsylvania Derby Draws Large Field

Increase purses and they will come. That fact was proven Aug. 31, as 11 horses, many of them high-profile, were entered in the 28th running of the $1-million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II).

Philadelphia Park Draws Criticism for Unfinished Casino Plans

Philadelphia Park Casino executives drew a rebuke from state regulators Aug. 7 over their unfinished plans to reshape the design of a permanent gambling hall they want to build next to the Thoroughbred racetrack.

Jockey Kendrick Carmouche Wins 1,000th Race

Jockey Kendrick Carmouche won his 1,000th race on July 28 when he guided Remain Silent to victory in the $100,000 Robert W. Camac Memorial Handicap for Pennsylvania breds at Philadelphia Park.

Stewards Fine and Suspend Molina for Kicking Incident

Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack stewards handed jockey Victor Molina a $1,000 fine and 30-day suspension June 25 for his actions prior to the third race at the Bensalem, Pa., facility June 18.