Many hope Rosecroft revival is on the way as reopening set

By: Liz Farmer | 08/22/11 7:05 PM
Examiner Staff Writer Follow Her @LizFarmerDC

Long-beleaguered Rosecroft Raceway is slated to reopen Thursday after being closed for more than a year, the first step in what some believe will be a revival of the Prince George's County harness racing track.

Rosecroft will reopen for simulcast betting -- bets placed at Rosecroft on races being run at other harness tracks. Owner Penn National Gaming, which bought the Fort Washington track out of bankruptcy in February, plans to bring back live racing on Oct. 21. The 20 racing days will be the first season for the track since the former owner halted racing three years ago.

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Live racing coming soon to Rosecroft?

By: Liz Farmer | Examiner Staff Writer Follow Her @LizFarmerDC | 07/07/11 10:53 AM

Live horse racing may soon be back on it's way to Prince George's County's Rosecroft Raceway after a more than three year drought. The track's new owner, Penn National Gaming, was conditionally awarded a racing license this week by the Maryland Racing Commission.

Under the conditions set forth by the commission, Penn National, which bought the track out of bankruptcy earlier this year, must guarantee the track’s operations through 2012. Rosecroft must host 20 live racing meets through the end of this year and 54 in 2012. Under those conditions, racing can return to Prince George’s County as soon as August 1.

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It isn't goodbye — it's catch you later, Baltimore!

On Thursday evening Fox Sports Radio in Baltimore, the home of Sports with Coleman, told its employees it was changing formats to an all-talk station. On Thursday morning they woke up with a job. On Thursday night they went to bed with no need to set their alarm for the next morning.

It was abrupt. But that's also radio. And it's an industry that — like the newspaper industry — is forever trying tweak, penny pinch, shave ... you get the point. And at the end of the day it's to the detriment of the listeners and fans and very much so to the talent who work their tails off.

I'd like to thank Jerry Coleman and his producer Pat O'Neill for having me join their show every Friday practically without fail for two and a half years. It was always one of the highlights on my week and gave me a format where I could be my casual-yet-still-informative self. I hope. Plus it gave me free advertising for my blog and you really can't beat that!

Jerry and Pat, I know you guys will land on your feet — talented people always do. I'm just glad we got to know each other these past few years and hope to work again with you both!

Manager Riggleman abruptly resigns from Nats

by Liz Farmer on Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 6:15pm

 Below is the press release the Nationals sent out following today's game against Seattle. The subtext here is that Riggs burned a big ol' bridge when he decided to leave the Nats. The release paints him as being demanding and unreasonable.

 If a guy leaves on good terms, they issue platitudes and boring, generic quotes. They don't say stuff that's this detailed. Read on.....

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Redskins selling seats. Nope, not tickets -- seats.

By: Liz Farmer | Examiner Staff Writer Follow Her @LizFarmerDC | 06/22/11 11:48 AM

In a thinly veiled ruse to make FedEx Field's capacity smaller so it doesn't look so pathetic halfway through the season when Redskins fans have stomached just about all they can, the team is selling off actual seats beginning Wednesday.

The seat removal is part of the team's end zone renovation in which two, standing-room-only party decks are being installed in place of several thousand seats. The team is selling off 800 actual end zone seats for $250 a pop. The money will go to the Redskins Charitable Foundation.

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