Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

News & Notes from Around The Ovals

November 8, 2006

Vernon's Racino Brings in High Numbers
First-week revenues at Vernon Downs’ new 777-machine video gaming parlor were over $1 million. From that $1 million, about $82,500 will go to the purse account. However the horsemen’s contract calls for the first $250,000 of that money is to be given back to the racetrack.

The horsemen will return a total of $700,000 to the racetrack over the next two years which has already been deposited into the purse account. In January 2007 slot revenues at Vernon will go to the purse account.

Jamieson to drive Armbro Duece
With George Brennan electing to stay with Breeders Crown champion Shark Gesture, trainer Blair Burgess has named Jody Jamieson to drive Confederation Cup champ Armbro Deuce in Sunday’s $348,900 Matron Final for three-year-old pacing colts at Dover Downs. Brennan has been up behind the Western Ideal colt in every start since the first of July this year, but Jamieson is familiar with him as well having driven the colt earlier this year and a few times as a two-year-old. A winner of $675,000 to date this year, Armbro Deuce will leave from post two in the Matron Final. Shark Gesture drew post four while the other elimination winner, Total Truth will leave from post six. Little Brown Jug winner Mr Feelgood and Mark MacDonald have post eight.

Meadow's "Racino" Groundbreaking
The Meadows will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony at 11 am, EST. Thursday, Nov. 16 to celebrate the new facility "Racino" facility which is slated to open next spring. Local and state officials will join representatives of The Meadows and its parent company, Cannery Casino Resorts, for an event that will begin the rapid process of bringing slots revenue – and the new jobs and opportunities it will create – to local residents.

“We’re looking forward to the groundbreaking,” said Bill Paulos, a principal of Cannery Casino Resorts (CCR). “It’s our way of thanking so many good people who have helped contribute to the re-birth of The Meadows. We’re going to work as fast as we can to open our temporary and permanent facilities. Great days are ahead for the people of Washington County and Western Pennsylvania.”

A permanent 250,000-square-foot, two-story casino, which would hold 3,000 slot machines, will open within two years after the temporary racino is completed.

Big M Horses Quarantined
Officials have quarantined 57 horses that competed at the Meadowlands Racetrack on Monday (Nov. 6) over fears that the animals may have been exposed to the potentially dangerous equine herpesvirus. The step was taken after officials realized that four horses trained by Mary Hartmann at Monmouth Park and taken to the Meadowlands for Monday's race had shared a barn at Monmouth Park with a horse that has shown some of the symptoms of the virus. None of Hartmann's four horses tested positive for the virus.

"We're trying to be as conservative as possible," Robert Kulina, general manager of Monmouth Park told the Asbury Park Press for Wednesday's newspapers. Referring to Hartmann's four horses, Kulina said, "Because they were close to the other horses at the Meadowlands in vans and on the racetrack, all the horses are being isolated as a precaution."

Kulina said tests are being run on all of the 57 horses to see if any of them are carrying the virus. Equine herpesvirus produces flu-like symptoms such as upper respiratory infections and a high fever. In severe cases, it can attack a horse's nervous system and affect coordination and balance and can lead to the horse being euthanized. It does not affect humans. It is transmitted through contact between horses, similar to a human cold.

Life Sign To Stand in Ontario in 2007
Kendal Hills Stud Farm has announced that pacing sire Life Sign p,3,1:50.3 ($1,912,452) will be standing for the 2007 season at its Campbellcroft, Ontario nursery. The 16 year-old son of Abercrombie-Three Diamonds is now owned by Lemon Tree Stud and Morley Park Stud of Victoria, Australia who purchased the horse last year from a North American syndicate. He is in the midst of his second Down Under breeding season and will be shuttling to North America in late January.

The Little Brown Jug winner and World Champion has an extraordinary list of performers who have won $83.5 million in total with average earnings per starter of $94,911. He has 227 $100,000 earners including Real Desire ($3.3 million), Day In A Life ($1.8 million), Island Fantasy ($1.3 million), Peruvian Hanover ($1.9 million) and I Am A Fool ($1.3 million). He has left 357 1:55 performers at last count. The stud fee has been set at $4,500 with a $500 discount for bookings of two or more mares. Kendal Hills Stud has leased Life Sign to stand alongside Aces N Sevens.

Meeting Held to Discuss Unwanted Horses
On October 31, the Unwanted Horse Coalition met officially for the first time under the auspices of the American Horse Council at the United States Equestrian Federation headquarters in Lexington, KY. The meeting was attended by representatives from the American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Paint Horse Association, American Quarter Horse Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, The Jockey Club, National HBPA, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Professional Rodeo Stock Contractors, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, United States Equestrian Federation, and US Trotting Association.

“This meeting was an important step in establishing the core goals of the Unwanted Horse Coalition,” said Dr. Tom Lenz, Chairman. “There is a lot of work to be done, but I am confident that we have established achievable short and long term objectives and are prepared to continue moving forward with the mission of the Coalition.”

Meeting participants discussed a number of issues relating to the unwanted horse situation in the United States and committees were established to continue work on Communications and Education, Research, Fundraising, and Steering functions of the UHC.

The Communications and Education Committee will work to develop a website, informational brochures, a guide to responsible horse ownership, and continue to develop public outreach strategies, while the appointed Research Committee will focus on compiling up to date information on issues such as horsemanship, alternative careers, retirement, retraining, and euthanasia/disposal options. The Funding Committee will continue to recruit new UHC Members, in addition to individual donors and exploring corporate sponsorships, and the Steering Committee will oversee the overall direction of the Unwanted Horse Coalition.