Magna Entertainment Corporation has completed its deal with Ladbroke Racing Corporation to acquire Ladbroke Racing Corporation’s account wagering operations (Call-A-Bet), the Meadows harness track, four off-track betting facilities and an 18.3 percent interest in The Racing Network.
“The acquisition of the Call-A-Bet account wagering system, together with Ladbroke’s other Pennsylvania horse racing operations, is an important step in MEC’s strategic plan of building the premier account wagering business in the country,” commented MEC chairman Frank Stronach. “By acquiring the Call-A-Bet system, which already has a profitable operating history, MEC will significantly advance its electronic media strategy and realize an immediate improvement in its earnings per share.”
Also, Magna, in partnership with Greenwood Racing, William Mack and Robert Baker, is one of two finalists for the acquisition of New York City Off-Track Betting.
Robert Rowe, former editor of American Turf Monthly, died last week. The 82-year-old Rowe was a respected racing writer and inventor of the Smart Money Detect-O-Meter.
1ST RACE – Twilightinthe City led throughout to win the opener. Shaun Bridgmohan broke an 0-for-28 losing streak with the victory. Tejana Selena trailed the field early but closed well on the rail to gain the place spot. Sketch Of Rose pressed the pace and held well to finish third.
2ND RACE – Bold Wager set the pace while being pressed hard by Dry Ice. Turning for home Luft was making an outside move towards the lead, but Bold Wager dug in gamely. The three horses ran across the track together with Luft edging away near the wire for the victory. Dry Ice was determined but could not get by Bold Wager until he was passed by Luft.
3RD RACE – Belongs To J D was sent to the lead and then drew away entering the far turn to a comfortable lead. In the stretch she was still comfortably in front and held on easily for the victory. It was Bridgmohan’s second victory of the afternoon. Trophy’s Dream rated off the pace on the rail, made a run at the top of the stretch while angling out, forcing other horses out into each other, and then closed well to gain the place spot. Dixie Doree was making a move on the outside in the stretch when she got bothered and finished fourth.
4TH RACE – Reef Chief trailed the field early but started to make his run towards the lead on the far turn when the pacesetters started to tire. He was at full speed turning for home and blew by the field with ease to gain the victory. No Bad Habits rated off the pace, was inside of Superslam in the stretch drive and then bore out when Julio Pezua started whipping left handed and Vision bore out in front of him. No Bad Habits continued to bear out under left handed whipping and was able to get up for second. But there was a stewards’ inquiry into the stretch drive and after a review, No Bad Habits was disqualified from second and placed third.
5TH RACE – Bridgmohan won his third race of the afternoon with an impressive ride aboard Saratogan. He rated off the pace while Downtick, Storming Heaven and Yesterday’s Luv battled for the early lead. Saratogan started his run on the outside nearing the stretch and went by the pacesetters with ease for the victory. Favored first time starter Storming Heaven battled between horses and edged away to gain the place spot.
6TH RACE – Maddie May rated off the pace while Glitter Bond and Sapphire Halo battled for the early lead. On the far turn Maddie May went up under no urging and took the lead. Her class kicked in as she drew away to an easy victory. Above The Harbor, the longest shot in the race, trailed the field early but closed well on the outside to gain the place spot.
9TH RACE – Little Rich stumbled at the start but recovered quickly to set the pace. He was pressed on the inside by Reigny Meadow and then on the outside by French Bread. Little Rich tired in the stretch and fell back to be fourth. Reigny Meadow took the lead and drew off for the victory. Source closed well on the inside and outgamed French Bread for the place spot.
YESTERDAY’S CLAIMS
1ST RACE: Fast and Fortunate ($32,500) by Allen Iwinski
2ND RACE: Luft ($50,000) by Gary Gullo
9TH RACE: Reigny Meadow ($50,000) by Lisa Lewis
PICK SIX
Winning numbers: 3-5-3-8-5-7
No winners
43 consolation (5 of 6) winners
each receives $384.50
Carryover: $49,619.25
