from Rosecroft Raceway

Fort Washington, MD — Peter K. Hanley, II will serve as Racing Secretary for Rosecroft Raceway beginning with the track’s fall race meet on Sept. 14. Hanley will be responsible for overseeing the racing office and its operations.

Hanley is currently an Associate Judge with the Minnesota Racing Commission working at Running Aces Harness Park. He has previously worked in race office and official positions at racetracks in Delaware, Maine, Michigan and New Hampshire.

“I’m excited to come to Maryland and work with Penn National Gaming and the Maryland horsemen to continue the growth of the Rosecroft racing program,” said Hanley.

A native of Maine, Hanley hails from a family with deep roots in harness racing — his sister Andrea is a key member of the Meadowlands race office, his nephew Adam has worked with several world champions and his family has raced Standardbreds and held numerous leadership roles in the Maine harness racing industry.

Rosecroft will start its fall meet with another purse increase, bringing the daily average to more than $55,000 per night. In addition, races closed to Maryland preferred horses (those owned by Maryland residents, foaled or sired in Maryland or trained by Maryland trainers) with at least seven separate betting interests will race for a 20 percent bonus to the advertised purse. Horses finishing sixth through last will receive $100.

This purse distribution represents a close to 200 percent increase since the track re-emerged from bankruptcy in 2011 under the direction of current owner Penn National Gaming, Inc.

“The revitalized racing program at Rosecroft has benefited Maryland residents and horsemen with over 70 percent of the purses at the last meet going to in-state interests,” said Tom Cooke, President of the Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association. “We look forward to working with Peter and the Rosecroft team to continue to build on those numbers and create a strong and competitive racing program at Rosecroft.”

The 29-night meet will run through Dec. 21 with live racing on Tuesdays and Saturdays with a first race post time of 7:25 p.m.

Racing applications for horsemen and other pertinent information for the upcoming meet is available at www.rosecroft.com starting Aug. 12.