Houghton, Radosevich top MVRC standings

Staff report

Austintown

Industry veterans Terry Houghton and Jeff Radosevich topped the jockey and trainer standings in the inaugural season of horse racing at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course.

Houghton, 45, comes from a race-riding family that includes his father, Ron, brothers, Gary, Walt, and Mel, uncle, Robert Gaffalione, and cousin, Steve Gaffalione. This year is shaping up as one of the best for the Burlington, Ky., resident.

Houghton recorded 67 victories in 318 starts (21 percent) and moved into 20th all-time in North America in career wins. A longtime dominant rider in Michigan, who also enjoyed considerable success in Florida and Illinois, Houghton also led all riders with total purse earnings of $732,215.

Edgar Paucar finished second in the standings with 60 wins in 267 starts (22 percent) and purse earnings of $489,302. Christian Pilares was a distant third with 52 wins and purse earnings of $499,792.

In the trainers standings, it was a familiar name atop the leaderboard.

Jeff Radosevich, a leading trainer at racetracks in Ohio and throughout the Midwest, added another title to his long list of accolades. Radosevich, ranked in the top 10 nationally in wins in 2005 and 2006, won a total of 36 races and more than $276,000 in purse money from 166 starts (22 percent).

Elliot Sullivan, whose horses visited the winner’s circle an impressive 32 percent of their starts, finished in runner-up behind Radosevich with 29 wins from 91 starts and more than $202,000 in purse earnings. Robert Gorham, who led all trainers in purse earnings with $405,055, finished third with 25 wins in 101 starts.

On the business side, purses averaged just shy of $80,000 per day with handle exceeding $550,000 on a daily basis.

“Despite a harsh winter, business was robust and we are very pleased with the results of our inaugural year,” said Mark Loewe, vice-president of racing operation.

Blizzard Buddy Ben, the 10-year-old Greatness gelding, won five of six starts to earn Horse of the Meet honors. Owned and trained by Larry Reed, the ageless wonder finished second in his lone defeat while earning more than $37,000 for his efforts.

The 2015 Fall/Winter racing season will begin with a special Friday card on Oct. 30th. The schedule will be, running Monday through Wednesday, and Saturday, with a first post of 12:45 p.m.