Pennsylvania Business
Mares bred figs continue steady decline
The Jockey Club’s report of mares bred indicates that for the eighth straight year, fewer mares were bred than in the previous year.
Maryland bucks ’23 trend as national foal crop falls
The national foal crop continued its long, steady decline in 2023, while Maryland, hoping to buck that trend, saw modest gains.
Wanamaker’s PA-bred sale kicks off Sunday
Thirty-seven horses are catalogued in the online Wanamaker’s Pennsylvania-bred sale, which kicks off Sunday, December 4 and closes December 8.
“Extremely lucky” Jeiron Barbosa escapes serious injury in spill
Apprentice rider Jeiron Barbosa walked away with only an injured wrist after an incident at Parx Racing that saw four riders unseated.
Jessica Paquette named new track announcer at Parx
Jessica Paquette, racing analyst at Colonial Downs in recent years, will take the role of track announcer at Parx Racing.
Juan Vazquez suspension could keep him out of racing to 2025
Trainer Juan Vazquez will, unless his appeal succeeds, be out of racing until 2025 after PA stewards suspended his license in an animal cruelty case.
Parx Racing cancels Feb. 14 card
In the face of very cold temperatures, Parx Racing has canceled its Valentine’s Day card.
De Francis Dash, Parx Dash lose graded status
With the latest list of graded stakes out, two important Mid-Atlantic races — the De Francis Dash and Parx Dash — both were downgraded from G3 to listed.
Parx Racing cancels Jan. 24 card
Parx Racing has canceled its race card for Monday, January 24.
Jock Mychel Sanchez suspended, taken off mounts
Jockey Mychel Sanchez was taken off his mounts Friday at Laurel Park, the result of a suspension he’d received for betting against his mounts.
Parx Racing cancels Jan. 11 card
Parx Racing has canceled its Tuesday, January 11 race card because of the weather.
Parx Racing Hall of Fame adds three
The Parx Racing Hall of Fame added three October 12, with trainers Butch Reid, Patricia Farro, and Eugene Euster being inducted.
Foal crop off 3 percent from 2020
The number of foals born in 2021 is 3.3 percent lower than in 2020, the Jockey Club estimates, with Maryland just one of three top states to see growth.
Penn National, Presque Isle to add days
Penn National and Presque Isle Downs will both add days after their respective requests were approved by the Pennsylvania Racing Commission.
Penn National to implement concussion care program
Penn National will implement the new software-based HeadCheck health program to optimize concussion and injury management for jockeys.
Parx sweep nails Richard Vega
Trainer Richard Vega has been suspended by the Pennsylvania Racing Commission, which found “multiple loaded needles and syringes” in his tack room.
Parx sweep yields “significant” contraband
An “enforcement action” at Parx Racing yielded significant contraband, the state Racing Commission learned, and is the first of several such actions.
Chris Griffin named new Parx announcer
With longtime Parx Racing track announcer Keith Jones having retired in December, Parx has announced Chris Griffin as the new announcer.
Penn Mile to return for 2021
After a one-year hiatus because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Penn Mile will return to the calendar for 2021 and take place on May 28.
PA racing interests aim to protect Race Horse Development Fund
For the second straight year Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed what advocates call devastating cuts to the Race Horse Development Fund.
