Joe Sbrocco enjoyed his best year as a horse owner in 2022 and being able to revel in the experience with friends made it all the more memorable. Sbrocco shared ownership in 60 horses that started races last year, with two from his stable — pacer Pebble Beach and trotter Volume Eight — named Dan Patch Award winners. Overall, his horses made 108 trips to the winner’s circle and earned $5.27 million in purses, a total that was among the best for any owner in North America.
USTA District 4B holds annual meeting
On Saturday (Jan. 28), Chairperson Gabe Wand and Director Bruce Alexander hosted the annual USTA District 4B meeting at the Double Tree East in Madison, Wis.
HIWU announces March 27 as anticipated enforcement date for HISA medication program
In an announcement on Monday (Jan. 30), the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit announced that it is planning for a March 27 starting date for their enforcement of HISA’s drug and medication program.
USTA District 9 holds annual meeting
USTA District 9 held its annual district meeting of membership at the Regency Hotel in Portland, Maine, on Saturday (Jan. 28).
Batavia Downs sets a new all-time betting mark on Monday
It was an historic day for the oldest lighted harness track in North America on Monday (Jan. 30) after the bettors came out in force and pumped $340,602 through the windows (from all sources) on 13 races to set a new all-time single card betting mark at Batavia Downs. That total is the highest handle since Western Regional Off Track Betting reopened the Downs in 2002 and surpassed the old total of $339,000 which was realized over 14 races during the 2019 New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions finals.
Meadows Monday Memo
Here is this week’s Meadows Monday Memo
Stakes Guide pre-orders mailed
Pre-orders for the 2023 Stakes Conditions Guide and/or Stakes Event Guide were mailed out last week Thursday and Friday (Jan 26-27). With the Feb. 15 deadline nearing for 3-year-old and some 2-year-old payments, there is still time to get your copy.
Monticello Raceway to offer guaranteed pools in Pick-5
Monticello Raceway, in conjunction with the United States Trotting Association Strategic Wagering Program, has added a $5,000 Pick-5 guaranteed pool beginning Thursday (Feb. 2).
Prix d’Amerique day recap
Some 34,067 fans witnessed the Prix d’Amerique at Vincennes Sunday afternoon (Jan. 29), where the chestnut trotter Hooker Berry with trainer/driver Jean Michel Bazire was a very popular winner.
Bongiorno, Miller are Sunday spectaculars at Big M
Joe Bongiorno and Dave Miller are no doubt sorry to see Sunday racing end at The Meadowlands. The 29-year-old Bongiorno and 58-year-old Hall of Famer Miller both won three races a week ago on the first of two Sunday (Jan. 22) afternoon programs at The Meadowlands before coming back and doing it again yesterday on what’s supposed to be a day of rest, each sending three more to victory lane.
The 29-year-old Bongiorno and 58-year-old Hall of Famer Miller both won three races a week ago on the first of two Sunday (Jan. 22) afternoon programs at The Meadowlands before coming back and doing it again yesterday on what’s supposed to be a day of rest, each sending three more to victory lane.