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Year in review: October’s top stories and photos

by | Jan 6, 2018 | Breaking, Features, Regionwide, Top Stories

Starting December 25, we’ll be conducting our own “12 days of mid-Atlantic racing.” Each day we’ll revisit our most popular stories from a given month of the year, and we’ll highlight some of our favorite photographs.

Be sure to check in each day to review what 2017 brought us!

Colonial Downs, back to life?

In October, news broke that discussions were underway that could bring Colonial Downs, Virginia’s shuttered-since-2013 racetrack, back to racing life. Nick Hahn broke the story.

Sources: Deal could bring Colonial Downs back to life

And in Puerto Rico…

Hurricane Maria devastated the island of Puerto Rico, leaving thousands without power or potable water. It also had horrific impacts on the Camarero racetrack near San Juan and the horses and people who depend on it. Linda Dougherty spoke with some of those people.

At Camarero, a “chaotic” situation, and murky future

For trainer Michael Catalano, Jr., one more rebuilding project

Trainer Michael Catalano, Jr.’s hopes of a big Delaware Park meet were dashed when his top owner removed all of his horses. It left him, Doug McCoy writes, one more rebuilding project in a career full of twists and turns. Catalano went on to win with 18 of 107 starters for purse earnings of $311,717 in 2017.

Trainer Mangual “blessed to be alive” — and to win first stake

When George Town Cat upset the WVBC Dash for Cash at 41-1 odds on the biggest night for local Charles Town horsemen, it wasn’t just a surprise outcome, it was also the first stakes win for a trainer, Manolo Mangual, just months removed from a near-fatal motorcycle accident. Frank Vespe wrote it up.

Maryland Million day in pictures

Maryland Million 2017 was another huge success, with a big crowd enjoying fun and competitive racing as Bonus Points surged to victory in the $150,000 Classic. The Racing Biz photographers Dottie Miller and Laurie Asseo told the story of the day in pictures.

October’s photos

Crabcakes was a popular winner of the Maryland Million Distaff. Photo by Laurie Asseo.
Bonus Points was all by his lonesome when he crossed the line in the 2017 Maryland Million Classic. Photo by Laurei Asseo.
My Sistersledge squeezed through along the inside to win the Maryland Million Ladies on the turf. Photo by Laurie Asseo.
Limited View was along in time to win the Maryland Millon Lassie. Photo by Laurie Asseo.
Roofless barns are one of many challenges at hurricane-ravaged Camarero race track. Photo courtesy of Albert Davila.
Grumpelstiltskin set a stakes record in the WV Lottery Breeders Classic. Photo by Coady Photography.
Charitable Annuity prevailed by a nose in the West Virginia Breeders Classic. Photo by Coady Photography.
George Town Cat held off Eutaw Street to win the West Virginia Dash for Cash Breeders Classic. Photo by Coady Photography.
Hip 432, by Data Link, sold for $150,000 at the Fasig-Tipton yealring sale. Photo by The Racing Biz.
Hip 402 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Yearling Sale. Photo by The Racing Biz.
Owners’ Day turned this old on Saturday at Delaware Park. Photo by Tom LaMarra.
Lawyer Dave and Steve Hamilton won the Punch Line Stakes at Laurel Park. Photo by Dottie Miller.
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