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PTHA Announces Purse Increases, Five New Stakes at Parx in November

The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (PTHA), in collaboration with Parx Racing, has announced several purse increases starting in the November condition book, along with the addition of five new stakes races in late November, including three for Thanksgiving Eve, Nov. 23, and two on Tuesday, Nov. 29.

“The increased purses and additional stakes races are the result of higher than forecast handle throughout the year, including the record-breaking handle for Pennsylvania Derby Day,” said Jeff Matty, Executive Director of the PTHA. “Increasing these purses, especially our state-bred purses, will allow us to build on this momentum heading into 2023 while at the same time being very competitive with surrounding state-bred programs. The breeding side of our business has a major impact on the state's agricultural economy and we want to do our part to encourage people to breed, foal, and race Pennsylvania-bred foals.”

This year, the stakes program at Parx added PA-bred and PA-Sired races in coordination with the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association (PHBA). The stakes added in November are, on Nov. 23: the $75,000 Turkey Trot H. for 3-year-olds and upward at one mile and 70 yards, the $75,000 Let's Give Thanks H. for 3-year-olds and upward at 6 1/2 furlongs and the $75,000 Cornucopia H. for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward at 6 1/2 furlongs; and, on Nov. 29: the $75,000 Future Stars H. with divisions for 2-year-olds and 2-year-old fillies, each at six furlongs.

The purse increases are for open and PA-bred maiden special weight and allowance races and started with Parx's Nov. 1 card. Parx's new condition book is online here.

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Pennsylvania’s Michael P. Ballezzi Passes Away

Michael P. Ballezzi, who retired last year after 25 years as executive director of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (PTHA), passed away Wednesday, Aug. 31.

“We've lost not only a great horseman, but also a great friend and leader,” said PTHA board of directors president Salvatore DeBunda. “Mike dedicated 25 years of his life to championing the well-being and care of equine athletes, as well as championing the interests of horsemen at Parx Racetrack and across Pennsylvania. When he retired, Mike left behind an incredible legacy at the PTHA.”

A graduate of Widener Law School, an attorney, and a District Justice in Pennsylvania, Ballezzi's contributions to Pennsylvania racing were extensive. He was instrumental in the passage of the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act, which legalized slot machines in the Commonwealth and set aside a percentage of the revenues for purses, breeding incentives, and health and pension benefits; advocated for Parx Racing backstretch improvements; and helped start Turning for Home, the non-profit track-based racehorse retirement program that has placed more than 3,200 horses. He also created The Granny Fund, which provides scholarships to Parx stable employees to continue their education in college and night classes.

Ballezzi had been a licensed Thoroughbred owner since 1973 and was also a former trainer. He served as a member of the national Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (THA) board of directors and was recognized in 2020 for outstanding service to the racing industry. He was honored in 2019 by Parx with the naming of the M.P. Ballezzi Appreciation Mile. Ballezzi was named 2008 PTHA Man of the Year and was inducted into the Parx Racing Hall of Fame in 2014.

“Mike Ballezzi's impact on Pennsylvania racing, horsemen, and our retired race horses will live on for many years to come,” said Jeffrey Matty, executive director of the PTHA. “But his impact extends far beyond the policies and programs he championed. He touched so many people on and off the track on a personal level, and that may be his greatest legacy.”

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Matty Named Executive Director Of Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association

The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (PTHA), which represents the interests of horsemen at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pa., announced that Jeffrey A. Matty Jr. will serve as the organization's new executive director effective Jan. 1, 2022. Matty brings a diverse range of experience to the position, including serving as racing manager for Besecker Racing Stable, assistant stakes coordinator at Monmouth Park, and as a racing official with Parx Racing.

Matty will fill a vacancy left by Michael P. Ballezzi, who announced his retirement earlier this month after 25 years of leadership.

“We are thrilled to have Jeffrey Matty joining the PTHA as our new executive director,” said Salvatore DeBunda, president of the PTHA's Board of Directors. “He brings to the position a clear commitment to advocating for horsemen and a significant amount of passion and energy for our sport.”

“I'm an avid fan of racing, and being born and raised in Bensalem, I fell in love with the sport at Philadelphia Park,” said Matty. “I consider myself a Parx horseman, so, in many ways, this is like returning home. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with and advocate for the owners and trainers who make up the PTHA. I don't look at this position as a job, but as a responsibility — to do what's best for horsemen day in and day out.”

Matty has served as racing manager for Besecker Racing Stable in King of Prussia, Pa., since 2014. In his capacity, he managed more than one hundred horses at any given time that were part of the stable's portfolio, overseeing and managing results that consisted of more than 750 wins and $16.5 million in earnings. He also advised trainers on entries, nominations, and campaign outlooks, as well as assisted with purchasing broodmares, yearlings and 2-year-olds in training. In December 2019, he organized and executed the full Besecker dispersal at the Fasig-Tipton sale.

His first job in racing was as a racing official at Parx Racing, where he worked for two summers under Sal Sinatra and under the mentorship of Albert Ott. Matty then went on to work for two summers as an assistant stakes coordinator at Monmouth Park. He is a graduate of Saint Joseph's University, where he earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Management and Sports Marketing.

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Matty Named New PTHA Executive Director

The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (PTHA), which represents the interests of horsemen at Parx Racing, has named Jeffrey A. Matty, Jr. as its new Executive Director effective Jan. 1, 2022. Matty has served as Racing Manager for Besecker Racing Stable, an Assistant Stakes Coordinator at Monmouth Park Racetrack, and a Racing Official with Parx Racing. Matty will fill a vacancy left by Michael P. Ballezzi, who announced his retirement earlier this month after 25 years of leadership.

“We are thrilled to have Jeffrey Matty joining the PTHA as our new executive director,” said Salvatore DeBunda, President of the PTHA's Board of Directors. “He brings to the position a clear commitment to advocating for horsemen and a significant amount of passion and energy for our sport.”

“I'm an avid fan of racing, and being born and raised in Bensalem, I fell in love with the sport at Philadelphia Park,” said Matty. “I consider myself a Parx horsemen, so in many ways, this is like returning home. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with and advocate for the owners and trainers who make up the PTHA. I don't look at this position as a job, but as a responsibility–to do what's best for horsemen day in and day out.”

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