BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Smarty Says Goodbye

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

Read Blog

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.

Vet Ruled Off for Using Gun at Philly Park

A veterinarian has reportedly been ruled off the grounds of Philadelphia Park for allegedly shooting a filly to euthanize her, Daily Racing Form reported June 16.

Philly Gets Permanent Slots License

Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack received approval for its master plan from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Dec. 18 and now has a permanent license to operate slot machines.

Philly Park, Horsemen Strike Deal

Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment and the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association announced Dec. 10 they have extended their live racing contract at Philadelphia Park Casino and Racetrack for seven years, with Greenwood promising to make substantial improvements to the backstretch as well as revert most of the grandstand back to a venue for horseplayers.

Philly Park Casino Plans Remain in Limbo

Though it was given the deadline of Aug. 10 to present a master plan for a stand-alone casino, Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack management told the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board it would take at least two more months before such plans could be completed.

Slots Fuel 20% Purse Increase at Philly Park

Revenue from slot machines will allow Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack to raise purses 20% beginning with the July 14 program at the Pennsylvania track.

No Decision Yet in Philly Park Kicking Incident

Jockey Victor Molina - who was caught on camera kicking a 2-year-old colt prior to the start of the third race at Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack June 18 - had a formal hearing before track stewards June 22, but no decision was made by the stewards as to what, if any, penalties Molina will receive.

Philly Park Pulls Petition for Change in Slots Plan

Two months after it petitioned the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to reclassify its grandstand as a permanent slots casino--a move that fueled speculation it was trying to renege on plans to build a $300-million, stand-alone casino on track property--Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack has asked that the petition be ignored.

Philly Horsemen Get OK to Intervene on Slots Plan

The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association was granted the right to intervene in proceedings to determine whether a temporary slot-machine facility at Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack should be considered permanent.

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.

South Africa Makes Commingled Bets on U.S. Races

Bettors in South Africa were able to wager directly into a United States pool March 27 when the full card from Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack was made available at racecourses, off-track betting outlets, and through an account wagering system.

Philly Park, Jockeys Strike Deal on Accident Insurance

Jockeys' representatives said they have struck a deal with management at Philadelphia Park Racetrack & Casino to increase minimum insurance coverage for on-track accidents.

Jockeys, Philly Park Make Progress on Insurance

A director of the Delaware Jockey Association is helping riders at Philadelphia Park Racetrack & Casino negotiate for more comprehensive on-track accident insurance and other health and welfare benefits.

Philly Jockeys, Union Pursue Other Avenues

Philadelphia Park Jockeys and a labor union are exploring other options after a state entity rejected the group's petition to have union representation.

Philly Park Slots Big Business After Three Weeks

The first three weeks of slot-machine gaming at Philadelphia Park Racetrack & Casino generated total wagering of $175.2 million and produced more than $15.1 million in gross revenue.

Philly Slots Congestion Means Fewer Weekend Races

Citing concerns over crowded conditions in the grandstand because of an influx of slot-machine players, Philadelphia Park Racetrack & Casino announced Jan. 2 it would move first post time back 20 minutes and drop races from its weekend cards.

Pennington Sets Philly Park Win Record

Frankie Pennington, 19, broke the single-season mark for wins by a jockey Dec. 19 at Philadelphia Park.

Hard Spun Draws Crowd, Raves in Nursery Win

Hard Spun ran his career record to a three-for-three with an easy victory Dec. 18 in the Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes at Philadelphia Park and had onlookers comparing him with Smarty Jones, who won the same race in 2003.

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.

Injured Jockey Black Again Pleas for Insurance Help

Anthony Black, Philadelphia Park's all-time wins leader and president of Philadelphia Park Jockeys, made an impassioned plea to the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission Nov. 30, less than one month after sustaining injuries in a race at the Bensalem Township racetrack.

Miraculous Miss Heads Cotillion Field

Miraculous Miss, a winner of six of seven starts, should be the heavy favorite in Saturday's Cotillion (gr. II) at Philadelphia Park Saturday.

Water Main Break Forces Philly Park to Scrap Card

A water main break discovered by construction workers early Monday morning forced the cancellation of live racing at Philadelphia Park and could threaten Tuesday's card as well.

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.

Philly Park Tabs Bally's for Slots Management

Bally Technologies, headquartered in Las Vegas, will provide a casino management system for the slot-machine operation planned for Philadelphia Park in southeastern Pennsylvania.

'100% Purses' Plan Still in Running in Pennsylvania

A racetrack at which all revenue after expenses would go toward the racing product remains in the works and in the running for a license in Pennsylvania, but the individual spearheading the project said it remains to be seen whether it would be a Thoroughbred track without slot machines, or a dual-breed facility with slots.

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.

Anticipation, Optimism at Pennsy 'Day at the Races'

Amid the sound of hammers and drills as Philadelphia Park readies the first two floors of its grandstand in anticipation of slot machines later this year, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association celebrated "Pennsylvania's Day at the Races" July 29.

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.

Philly Park Jockeys Ask State to Help on Insurance

Jockeys at Philadelphia Park have asked state officials in Pennsylvania to assist them in their push to get a new catastrophic on-track accident insurance policy.

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.

Some Mid-Atlantic Jockeys Take Grassroots Approach

Jockeys at two racetracks in the Mid-Atlantic region are taking a grassroots approach to representation given what they believe to be ongoing conflict at the Jockeys' Guild, which represents riders around the country.

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.

Fair Hill Races Bring Racing, Chance to Wager

American steeplechase fans will have the opportunity to wager on a full card of jump racing May 27 with the annual spring running of the Fair Hill Races near Elkton, Md.

Black Gets 5,000th Career Win in His Back Yard

Jockey Anthony Black earned his 5,000th career victory when he piloted the Robert Seeger-trained Actcentric to a 12-length victory in the fifth race at Philadelphia Park May 1.

Cotillion at Philly Park Gets Purse Hike, Bonus Lure

Philadelphia Park will increase the purse of its signature event for 3-year-old fillies, the grade II Cotillion Stakes, from $300,000 to $500,000 and offer a bonus as well.

Equine Herpesvirus Test Pending on Philly Park Horse

Officials at Philadelphia Park are awaiting test results from a horse that was euthanized Feb. 23 to determine whether it had equine herpesvirus.

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.

Pennsylvania Derby Lures Large Field of 14

For a summer race that plays second fiddle to the Travers Stakes (gr. I), the Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) sure knows how to draw a nice field--and a large one at that.

Philly Park to Offer Swedish Mega-Pool Pick Seven

Scientific Games and a Swedish company will combine to launch the V75, a pick seven with a 10-cent minimum wager and the potential for multimillion-dollar payoffs, through Philadelphia Park and its Turf Clubs.

Philly Park Takes Rare Break for Surface Renovation

With the conclusion of training hours at noon Aug. 10, Philadelphia Park closed its main track for racing and training for 14 to 16 days, weather permitting, for renovation of the surface.

Philly Park Rejoins NTRA for Five-Year Period

Philadelphia Park, one of many racetracks that defected from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association earlier this decade, has rejoined the NTRA for the upcoming five-year membership period.

Horsemen, Breeders Buy Time, Wait for Slots

With handle in January down about 9% from the same period in 2004, Philadelphia Park said its year-to-date purse overpayment has reached $1.9 million because of a commitment to boost purses while it waits to install slot machines. Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association finished 2004 in the black, but not without some adjustments.

TVG Strikes Deal to Offer Philly Park Racing

TV Games Network has reached an agreement with Philadelphia Park to begin broadcasting and taking wagers on races from the southeast Pennsylvania racetrack effective March 4.

Pennsylvania Derby: Bettor's Delight--and Nightmare

The $750,000 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) Sept. 6 is both a bettor's delight and nightmare, as 12 evenly matched 3-year-olds were entered in the 1 1/8-mile race, with almost every one of them having a legitimate shot to win.

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.