The dog days of summer!

            After a long break, it’s time to shake the cobwebs off this blog and note some interesting happenings on the Pennsylvania scene and beyond.
            In no particular order, here we go:

            Owners and trainers at Parx Racing in Bensalem will be happy to learn that the track is increasing the payouts from 5^th-place through last on unrestricted races.  Those payouts will be $500 for races with purses in the 20K range; $750 for races with purses in the 30K range, and $1,000 for races with purses in the 40K range. 

            The mandatory $120 deduction for jockey’s fees and the Turning For Home ($10) and political action committee/promote-our-sport ($10) fees will stay the same.
            All restricted Pennsylvania-bred races listed as such in the condition book will not be affected and the old system of $200 for 6th through last place will remain. 
            For those who may squabble with payouts to horses that finish out of the money, let us just gently remind them that it costs owners to put horses into the starting gate, and the small stipend received does not leave much, if anything, for profit.

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            A friend of mine is bullish on the New Jersey racing and breeding industries.  Yes, you read that right.  He believes, now that they’re under private ownership, Monmouth Park and Meadowlands will thrive, and both the standardbred and thoroughbred breeding industries will be revived.

            And he’s putting his money where his mouth is. He is moving horses from Pennsylvania to New Jersey so that he will be in a position to take advantage of the future financial benefits.
            Some may call him crazy, but it’s refreshing to see someone have a positive view of New Jersey’s future, rather than the typical doom-and-gloom scenarios spouted by so many “experts.”

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            Buddy the Yellow Lab has been moping around the house the last two days.  When the temperature hit 100, we decided it was in his best interest to scrap his evening walk.  Hopefully the weather will break soon so he can resume his erratic behavior while on leash, which includes barking at every canine he encounters and lunging at motorcycles and scooters.  He’s a crazy, crazy Lab!