Bet and breakfast ... and lunch, too.

Ron’s Backstretch Cafe, located on the backside of Parx Racing, has received a makeover. The once-grimy horsemen’s watering hole has been freshly painted and outfitted with new furniture and booths.

It wasn’t that long ago that the Parx kitchen, located adjacent to the racing office, contained possibly the worst air quality in the state of Pennsylvania, as smoking was allowed inside its close confines. In mid-afternoon, a thick haze hung in the air, and the stench was horrific. Current owner Ron Finley deserves high marks for imposing a “no smoking” ban soon after he took ownership of the facility, and years before it was mandated by Pennsylvania law. Finley also staged a massive clean-up and vastly improved the menu, and recently installed additional flat-screen monitors to watch live and simulcast racing.

All in all, Ron’s Backstretch Cafe is a nice place to hang your hat and catch up on the latest Parx gossip while you're enjoying a delicious hand-carved roast beef sandwich on a round roll with plenty of gravy. It's no wonder that horsemen are eagerly awaiting the annual free Christmas dinner next Saturday.

Here's a shot of the Cafe in its newly-renovated glory:

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Glenn and Becky Brok’s Diamond B Farm in Mohrsville, Pa., now home to three stallions, will be holding an Open House on Sunday, February 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Last year, Diamond B stood the talented Grade 1-placed sprinter Talent Search for Ramsey Farm, and he proved extremely popular with regional breeders, attracting 57 mares. That was the fourth-highest total in 2010, behind Jump Start (116), Fairbanks (77) and Toccet (62).

For 2011, Diamond B will stand two additional stallions – Ecclesiastic and Senor Swinger - both of which stood the last two years at Reigle Heir Farm in Grantville. Reigle Heir was sold last year to the non-profit Star Barn Thoroughbreds.

The first foals by Ecclesiastic, a son of Pulpit, and Senor Swinger, a son of El Prado, will race next year.

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We were stunned and excited to learn that Eclipse and Sovereign Award-winning jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson has decided to call Parx Racing her home for the winter. The talented reinswoman has already booted home her first winner, that being Kirkland Lake in Friday’s 7th event for trainer and fellow Canadian Scott Fairlie.

Wilson cited the generous purses at the Bensalem oval as one of the main reasons she’s decided to ride there, and no doubt trainers will soon be beating down her door in order to engage her services. Let’s hope she has a SAFE and productive few months ahead of her.