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Today’s edition · Wed., Nov. 4

Marion County racetrack land found; Trinity plays for a state title

Plus, Trinity Catholic goes for the Class 2A volleyball crown today.

The Daily Ocala team2 stories11 sources4 min read

Horse CountryTop story

Racetrack developers say they've secured 300 acres in Marion County for a Thoroughbred track

300 acressecured for a Thoroughbred racing facility in Marion County

The partners say they have the land, and the location is still under wraps. They've teased more updates soon.

Source: 352Today.com

If you've been waiting on a Marion County racetrack, there's movement. Gilligan Racing, LLC and the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association said in an Oct. 28 press release that they've "secured control" of some 300 acres for a Thoroughbred track. They haven't said where.

The track would run on Florida's lone remaining Thoroughbred racing permit, held by 's nonprofit subsidiary, . FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell wrote Tuesday that a replacement track "dominates all other priorities," after Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs pursued legislation to decouple gaming from live racing.

  • Land: some 300 acres, location not yet announced
  • Permit: can't be transferred, leased or sold
  • Stage: "early planning stages," per the announcement
  • Location: by law, the permit's track must be in Marion County

The Marion County track permit dates to 2010

  1. 2010Enabling legislation for the nonprofit Thoroughbred permit passed.
  2. 2011 was founded.
  3. Oct. 23's annual meeting video was presented.
  4. Oct. 28Gilligan Racing and FTBOA announced they had secured the land.

Sources: 352Today.com, FTBOA

Gilligan Racing will work with Marion County, the state and regulators on approvals and infrastructure. Plans, partners and timeline will come "as planning progresses," the announcement said.

Asked

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Asked

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High School Sports

Trinity Catholic volleyball is one win from a Class 2A state title

If you're rooting for the Celtics, today's the day. The No. 1 seed beat No. 4 seed Saint Andrews on Tuesday in the Class 2A semifinals at Polk State College in Winter Haven. Trinity Catholic now plays Northside Christian for the state title on Wed., Nov. 4.

  • Semifinal sets: 25-12, 25-17, 22-25, 25-13
  • Northside Christian: No. 2 seed, beat Westminster Christian
  • Saint Andrews finished its season 19-8

Trinity Catholic and Northside Christian meet with similar records

25Wins27
5Losses5
No. 9State rank, all classesNo. 15

Source: Ocala Gazette

WCJB credits a group of six seniors for the postseason run. Addyson Avery and Emily Reed have each posted nearly 300 kills. Every player on the roster has at least one service ace.

Trinity Catholic leans on serving and senior depth

242
service aces on the season
6
seniors on the roster
2
state titles, in 2018 and 2020, under coach Jeff Reavis

Sources: Ocala Gazette, wcjb.com

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News Notes

Ballot

Three of the five measures on the Marion County ballot looked set to pass as nearly all ballots were in Tuesday night. Amendment 3, the "bigger homestead exemption" amendment, topped the 60-percent threshold, and both local measures, the school ad valorem tax and the parks, trails and conservation bond, passed. 352Today.com

Rabies

The Florida Department of Health in Marion County issued another rabies alert Monday, at least the fifth this year. A raccoon killed Oct. 23 off 22nd Terrace in Sparr tested positive. Ocala-News.com

Festival

The hosts Ocali Country Days with living history exhibits, pioneer cabins, live music and crafts. Admission is $10 per person, and children 5 and under get in free. Ocala-News.com

Ocali Country Days runs both days this weekend at Silver River Museum

WhatDetails
DatesSat., Nov. 7, and Sun., Nov. 8
Hours9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where1445 NE 58th Ave., Ocala
Admission$10; free for ages 5 and under

Source: Ocala-News.com

Commission

Outgoing County Commissioners Carl Zalak and Kathy Bryant were honored at the Nov. 3 commission meeting for their 16 years of service. Ocala StarBanner

Inspections

Inspectors cited 8 Marion County restaurants for high-priority violations in the Oct. 26 to Nov. 1 round. Ocala StarBanner

Home

Two home kitchen upgrades under $24 while sales last: super-absorbent dish towels that come in an eight-pack and include a hanging loop, and a water-absorbing stone sponge holder that’s minimalist, compact, and keeps counters and sponges dry with natural diatomite stone.

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Asked

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Asked

Which weekend event are you most likely to hit?

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Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.

— Jack London

Things to Do

Things to Do

Ocala, FL

Wednesday, Nov. 4

See every Ocala eventFeature your event

Jobs

Jobs

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Do you know just the role for our readers? Post it on our Jobs board.

Around the Block

Around the Block

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Neighbors

Just another GORGEOUS Florida sunrise!

“Hadda share! Just look at those rays y’all!”

— A neighbor, Paddock Park
Photo from the neighbor’s post

76 likes · 3 comments

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The Wrap

Two young red-shouldered hawks were spotted perched side by side on a fence in Ocala, and a reader's neighborhood snapshot caught the juveniles resting together. Jodie Clements shared the photo with Ocala-News.com. Fence-sitting has rarely looked this good. Keep an eye on your own fence posts.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Gas scare at downtown Ocala Square; chili cook-off Saturday

Read yesterday’s edition

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Every source in this edition11 links · 8 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. 352Today.com352today.com
  3. FTBOAftboa.com
  4. Ocala Gazetteocalagazette.com
  5. wcjb.comwcjb.com
  6. 352Today.com352today.com
  7. Ocala-News.comocala-news.com
  8. Ocala-News.comocala-news.com
  9. Ocala StarBannerocala.com
  10. Ocala StarBannerocala.com
  11. Ocala events calendardailyocala.com

Past issues

  1. Tues., Nov. 3Gas scare at downtown Ocala Square; chili cook-off Saturday
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Daily Ocalato me · Wed., Nov. 46:00 a.m.

Marion County racetrack land found; Trinity plays for a state title

Plus, Trinity Catholic goes for the Class 2A volleyball crown today.

The TLDR

  1. Racetrack developers secure some 300 acres in Marion County
  2. Trinity Catholic volleyball plays for the Class 2A title today
  3. Three of five Marion County ballot measures look set to pass
Read this edition

Around Ocala

From WCJB, Ocala Gazette and 3 more newsrooms, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news

  1. WCJB7 hours ago

    Mills wins Marion County School Board District 4 seat; James wins District 5

    A new face will join the Marion County School Board, and another will be returning after two runoff elections on Tuesday.

    Also reported byOcala Gazette

  2. Ocala StarBanner8 hours ago

    Jeff Bairstow wins county commission race; school tax and bond issue pass

    A look at some other election results from Marion County on Nov. 3, 2026

  3. 352Today.com8 hours ago

    Amendment 3, school operating expenses, parks bond referendum get "yes" votes in Marion

    Three out of the five ballot measures on the Marion County midterm ballot passed.

  4. 352Today.com8 hours ago

    James, Mills win respective Marion County school districts in competitive runoff races

    Dr. Sarah James survived a challenge from Donald Barber, and Mike Mills came out on top in the race between newcomers.

    Also reported byOcala Gazette

  5. Ocala Gazette8 hours ago

    Trinity Catholic volleyball one win from state title

    Trinity Catholic continued its outstanding season with a convincing win over Saint Andrews High School in the Class 2A state volleyball semifinals on Nov.

  6. Villages-News.com9 hours ago

    Local voters overwhelmingly support statewide amendment slashing property taxes

    Voters in the tri-county area overwhelmingly supported Amendment 3, a measure aimed at dramatically reducing property taxes.