Keystone Kapers

     While doing a little digging through the library archives, I ran across an interesting series of articles written in the 1970's about Keystone Racetrack. Keystone, hastily built in 1974 on a pig farm  in Bensalem Township, Pa., was the heir apparent for Liberty Bell Park in northeast Philadelphia, which was experiencing severe financial difficulties and would close in 1985. That year, Keystone's name was changed to Philadelphia Park, which eventually morphed into the oddly-named "Parx" in 2010.

     Beginning today, I am going to present these articles in an effort to dredge up a bit of history about the "big box on Street Road," as it was fondly referred to. This first one, dated Oct. 24, 1976, boasted the headline: "Racing Secretary Gabriel Fired."

     PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 23 (AP) - Keystone Race Track Racing Secretary Frank Gabriel has been fired following an admission that he tampered with post positions for the $25,000 Doylestown Handicap.
     Gabriel admitted arranging for Foxy J. G., a Pennsylvania-bred mare, to get the extreme outside post position. Foxy J. G. does poorly racing on the inside. Gabriel has been racing secretary at the track since its opening in November 1974. He was secretary at Maryland's Laurel Race Course before coming to Pennsylvania.

     Perhaps most notable about this article is the fact that the track now runs the Foxy J. G. Stakes for Pennsylvania-bred fillies and mares each year. Foxy J. G. became a foundation broodmare for the Castle Rock Farm in West Chester, as her daughter, Farah Foxet, became the dam of the multiple stakes-winning sprinter Power By Far.

     Gabriel had a long career in racing, and passed away in 2005 at age 81. Here's his obituary notice, courtesy of The Blood-Horse:  http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/26940/retired-racing-official-frank-gabriel-sr-dies