More bad news for the economy, it would seem. Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that inflation is decreasing, down to 3.7 percent in October, the Christmas Price Index, calculated annually by PNC Financial Services Group, is up a whopping 8.1 percent this year, the highest increase since 2005.  Read more

Though the Matron for sophomores is technically the final stake available to the season’s stars, it takes place after the Breeders Crown and plays little role in the status of those sophomores still racing at this late date.

Surprisingly, star pacer Somebeachsomewhere, expected to have finished his season with his “Crown” win, is showing up at Dover Downs to compete his career with the Matron Stakes elim and then, on Monday, Dec. 15, with the Matron three-year-old championship. 

He has been called, arguably, “the greatest pacer in the long history of harness racing,” earning four world records and the single-season record for money earned with $2,448,003. He lost only one of 15 starts.    Read more