The Doctor is in...to the tune of 30-large. New York Sire Stakes freshman champion Doctor Butch begins his 3-year-old seasonSaturday night, supplementing into Yonkers Raceway's Art Rooney Pace. A dozen sophs—nine colts and three-geldings--entered the Rooney, necessitating a pair of $40,000 eliminations.
Owner Ken Jacobs plunked down $30,000 for the privilege of getting Doctor Butch into the entry box and onto a track where he's enjoyed much success.
"Butch," a originally $55,000 yearling purchase (nee Recent Vintage), was the scourge of the Empire State last season, with eight wins and four seasons in a dozen starts ($344,411). The son of Art Major wired the field in the $225,000 final of the sire stakes here in... more...

The Kentucky Standardbred Advisory Panel on Thursday morning approved by a vote of 3-1, with one abstention, changes to regulations regarding the state's breeding industry, including mare residency rules that will open up its Sires Stakes program to horses sired by stallions in other states.

While the enabling legislation has already been signed by Gov. Steve Beshear, final wording and parameters of the regulation still need to be formulated by the Advisory Panel and then approved by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, before going back to the Legislative Review Commission for final approval.

Thursday's vote approved rules that will... more...

Owner Howard Taylor hopes Economy Terror can return to be a feared force among female pacers this season. The 4-year-old Economy Terror is among eight horses in Sunday's $250,000 Betsy Ross Mares Invitational at Harrah's Philadelphia. The field includes Anndrovette, who was voted harness racing's best older female pacer in 2012 and 2011, as well as defending champion Royal Cee Cee N.

Sunday's 14-race card, which begins at 12:40 p.m., also includes the $250,000 Maxie Lee Memorial Invitational for older trotters. The Betsy Ross is race 10; the Maxie Lee race 12.

Economy Terror was named the sport's best 2-year-old filly pacer in 2011 when... more...

Sixteen 2 year olds will face the starter on Friday morning at The Meadows, making their first official appearances behind a starting gate.

The first qualifying race of the day features eight pacers, four of which are from the Jason Shaw Stable. Among sires, Four Starzzz Shark and Dragon Again lead the way with two entrants each.

Seven trotters will take to the track in the second qualifier, with the Shaw Stable again sending four to the gate. All seven horses are sired by different, mostly... more...

Sugar Valley Farm in Delaware, Ohio, wants harness racing to help the victims of the tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma, on Monday, killing at least 24 people, including nine children.

"Sugar Valley will donate a breeding to our pacing stallion Woodstock if the full stud fee is paid up front, and the proceeds will go to those affected by the destruction of the Plaza Towers Elementary,” said Sugar Valley's Joe McLead, who operates the farm with Billy Walters. "We specifically want to help those affected by the destruction of that school.”

Woodstock, a son of Rocknroll... more...

The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association is proud to announce that on Saturday night of Memorial Day Weekend (May 25), horsemen at The Meadows will honor veterans that have lost their lives for their country.

At 6:30PM, prior to the first race of the evening (6:55 post), horsemen will walk from the paddock to the winners circle for the National Anthem, accompanied by a local military Color Guard.

The fifth race of the evening will be then dedicated as the "Ruffner/Yoder Gun 23 Memorial” race.

Pennsylvania horseman Grant Boudreau, who is currently serving... more...

When Mohawk Racetrack opens its doors for another season Thursday night, it will be doing so for its 50th straight year. The oval has been a Campbellville fixture since April 26, 1963.

Pat Crowe, who will forever be known as the conditioner of, arguably, the greatest pacer of all-time, Cam Fella, captured the inaugural race when he guided David Hal B across the wire first for trainer Carman Brown.

The $600 purse, for 3 and 4 year olds who were non-winners of $3,000 lifetime, was captured in a mile time of 2:09.1. David Hal B paid... more...

Don't get him started. Like so many horsemen, trainer Deshawn Minor understandably can barely contain his enthusiasm when you mention the Hambletonian, especially with a prospect in one his stalls at Magical Acres in Chesterfield, N.J.

It's time to dream again for Minor, who teamed up with his older brother Dewayne to finish sixth in the 2000 edition with New Jersey Sires Stakes champion Legendary Lover K. Dewayne also trained third-place finisher Wishing Stone in 2010.

Deshawn, 39, has the Hambletonian fire burning brightly with Smilin Eli, a very lightly-raced son... more...