Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (PHBPA) has agreed in principle with the management of Penn National to resume spectator-free racing at the track prior to the opening of Hollywood Casino if Governor Tom Wolf gives approval. "When racing resumes, our board is committed to maintaining the same daily purse structure," Todd Mostoller, the PHBPA's executive director, wrote in a one-page memo to members issued Wednesday afternoon. "The number of days raced will be adjusted as needed." Mostoller added that he has received assurance from the governor's office that...

Addressing the plight of the state's racetracks on Tuesday, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf laid out a difficult path that must be followed before the state's three Thoroughbred tracks can start running again. As is the case with many governors, Wolf has put forth a plan that calls for the state to reopen in stages, in Pennsylvania's case red, yellow and green phases. While horsemen have advocated that racing, without spectators, should be among the first businesses in the state to reopen, Wolf said the tracks cannot resume racing until their...

from Katie DeCanzio I am writing with urgency asking for help by bringing attention to a crisis we are currently experiencing in Pennsylvania regarding the horse racing industry. As a result of Gov. Tom Wolf's lockdown orders in response to Covid-19 our industry is on the verge of collapse. Horse racing in Pennsylvania generates revenues solely through gaming activities.Horse racing creates 23,000 jobs and billions of dollars of economic activity within our state. Unlike other businesses, horse racing cannot simply shut its doors as a result of a lockdown order.There...

After suffering every horseman's nightmare, a barn fire that claimed the lives of 15 horses, Clovis Crane, who consigns 2-year-olds as Crane Thoroughbreds, is looking towards the future and feeling extremely humbled by the support of the Thoroughbred industry. "I can't tell you how humbled I am," Crane said. "This has been an unbelievable time in my life. Prior to the fire, we were rolling along and were on cruise control, training and getting ready. In the blink of an eye, everything was turned upside down." Crane was able to...

The Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation, a Pennsylvania-based non-profit group dedicated to the support of local, regional, and national organizations  promoting education and research to benefit the Thoroughbred, has unveiled a new website at www.terfusa.org. The new website includes 2020 grant application materials. TERF will consider grant applications which focus on Equine Education, Equine Research, Veterinary Medicine Scholarships and the proper care of horses. Applications for grants are due Apr. 1. The Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation's mission is to support Thoroughbred health and welfare by funding scholarships, educational programs,...

Governor Tom Wolf's expected to visit Lock Haven University Wednesday to tout his college tuition plan prompted Pennsylvanians to speak out about the negative impact his plan--which would divert money from Pennsylvania agriculture--would have on jobs and the agricultural industry. Supporters of Pennsylvania agriculture argue Wolf's plan for funding the new initiative would result in the end of horse breeding and racing, put more than 20,000 state residents out of work and it would jeopardize hundreds of thousands of acres of open space, thereby eliminating an industry that has a...

Pennsylvania's Governor Wolf hosts a radio show in which he answers questions from his constituency. I sent the following question, which he failed to address. "Dear Governor Wolf, Have you thought about the potential ramifications of your proposal to raid the protected horse racing and breeding fund that you signed into law back in 2017? If so, how do you explain the loss of 20,000 jobs and an industry that has a $1.6-billion economic impact and contributes $68 million in taxes annually? Thank You." I would like everyone who loves...

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf submitted his 2020-2021 budget Tuesday, which called for a massive cut in the amount of money that goes to horse racing from slots proceeds. Wolf is seeking to take $204 million away from the Race Horse Development Fund, which totals about $250 million. Such a move would prove devastating to racing and breeding industries, as slot money accounts for 88% of the total purses. "This scheme would destroy an industry that provides a $1.6-billion economic impact and supports an estimated 16,000 to 23,000 jobs in the...

GI Florida Derby winner Ice Box (Pulpit--Spice Island, by Tabasco Cat) has been relocated to Cabin Creek Farm in Bernville, PA for the 2020 season, where he will stand for $3,500. He previously stood at Millenium Farms in Kentucky. "We are excite to bring a Grade I winning son of Pulpit into Pennsylvania" said Cabin Creek manager Maria Vorhauer. "We are honored that Dream Walkin' Farms [Toby Keith], along with Baccari Bloodstock, Bob LaPenta, and the other syndicate partners decided to bring Ice Box to the Pennsylvania breeders and Cabin...

Desert Party (Street Cry {Ire}--Sage Cat, by Tabasco Cat), who was standing at Irish Hill Century Farm in New York, is moving to Judith Barrett's Godstone Farm in Littletown, Pennsylvania, according to stallion Manager R. A. Brooks, Jr. He will stand for a fee of $2,500, with special consideration to Pennyslvania-foaling mares and multiple mare discounts available. A $425,000 Keeneland September yearling, Desert Party topped the 2008 Fasig-Tipton Calder sale on a bid of $2.1 million and was trained by Eoin Harty to win that year's GII Sanford S. at...

MGISW Hoppertunity (Any Given Saturday--Refugee, by Unaccounted For) has his first foal on the ground. The bay filly was born Jan. 14 at Peter Alafoginis's farm in Lawrenceville in north central Pennsylvania. Bred by Rick Molineaux, she is out of stakes-winning Rhythm in Shoes (by Rhythm), and is a half-sister to seven winners. Hoppertunity stands his second season at Northview Stallion Station PA for $5,000 live foal, payable when the foal stands and nurses.

A newly developed virtual reality experience that allows users to experience horse racing through the eyes of a jockey or harness driver is available to attendees of the Pennsylvania Farm Show.  The 360-degree virtual reality experience--using real video filmed during actual Thoroughbred and harness races in Pennsylvania--allows individuals wearing a virtual reality headset to look left, right, and behind them as they race against other horses toward the finish line. To complete the Thoroughbred racing experience, users can even experience the simulated virtual reality race while riding on an Equicizer,...