News Archive

Return Home

Western Graduate, Armbro Barrister capture Yonkers co-features
May 31, 2008
Western Graduate--defending her distaff derby domain--and the veteran Armbro Barrister won Friday night's co-featured $30,000 Open Handicaps at Yonkers Raceway.   Assigned penultimiate post position No. 7 for trainer/driver Eric Abbatiello, Western Graduate took an early Filly and Mare O
[read more]

Splenda triumphs in Pompano feature in 1:54.2
May 31, 2008
Splenda ($10.20) was able to post her sixth win of the season at the isle pompano park Friday with a 1:54.2 triumph in the 1st race $6,800 feature pace. Owned, trained and driven to victory by Eric Irving of Boynton Beach, it was the second straight win for Splenda. Got You Beat (Bruce Ranger
[read more]

EJ's Copperstone, Alexabeth victorious in ISS action
May 31, 2008
The heavily-favored EJ’s Copperstone, controlled by Don Irvine Jr., lived up to the hype by finishing three and one-quarter lengths ahead of the small field of five in the three-year-old Indiana Sires Stakes for fillies at Hoosier Park Friday, May 30. She clocked in at 1:55.2 to win the $12,000 purs
[read more]

Chancey Lady clocks track record in London Gold Final
May 31, 2008
A Fiesty Affair rocketed around the Western Fair Raceway on Friday evening, but her stablemate Chancey Lady breezed by in the stretch to claim the Gold Final title and a three-year-old pacing filly track record. Brad Forward fired A Fiesty Affair out of Post 5 in the $140,000 Gold Final, reach
[read more]

Rosecroft hosts MSRF 3YO trot opening round
May 31, 2008
Several divisions of the Maryland Standardbred Race Fund for three-year-old trotters were held at Rosecroft Raceway on Friday evening, and many of the betting favorites took top honors. In the first $11,100 division for fillies, Juanita [$2.20, $2.10, $2.10] trotted wire-to-wire through quarters of
[read more]

Load The Dice takes Pocono feature, Brennan injured
May 31, 2008
Load The Dice continued his dominance of the Open Handicap pacers at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs by winning the feature on Saturday afternoon.  The race carried the day’s top purse of $22,000.  Load The Dice had the outside post in a field of nine but made the lead around the first turn
[read more]

Son of McArdle soars to 1:49.4 victory
May 31, 2008
Success struck a second time in the $500,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic for trainer Chris Ryder and driver Cat Manzi on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. The team behind 2002 champion McArdle was back in the winner’s circle with his son, McCedes, who soared through the stretch to win the
[read more]

Somebeachsomewhere, Dali win Burlington Stakes divisions
May 31, 2008
The countdown to the $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup has begun. The richest race on the continent for three-year-old pacers will be contested June 14 at Mohawk Racetrack and Saturday night, three $100,000 divisions of the Burlington Stakes showcased the leading hopefuls for the classic. And w
[read more]

Trotting Classic to Arch Madness, Oaks to Up Front Hotsey
May 31, 2008
The betting public didn’t have much faith in Breeders’ Crown champion, Arch Madness, sending him off at 17-1, but trainer/driver Trond Smedshammer proved his colt was no fluke as he captured the $84,116 Trotting Classic second leg Saturday night at Mohawk, in 1:54.3. Smedshammer sent the
[read more]

Pompano feature to Miracle Believer, Ranger wins six
May 31, 2008
Despite being out of action for four weeks, Miracle Believer ($5.20) picked up right where he left off in April, in the winner’s circle at the isle pompano park. The seven-year-old gelding, driven by Dan Clements posted his second straight win with a sizzling 1:51.3 triumph Saturday in the $12,000 f
[read more]

Third straight for Rain Train in Yonkers Open Handicap Pace
May 31, 2008
Our Galvinator A fought the good fight, but it's tough to stop an oncoming Train. Rain Train, back after a week off, made it three consecutive wins, taking Saturday night's $30,000 Open Handicap Pace at Yonkers Raceway. With Jason Bartlett again doing the honors for co-owner/trainer Robert Sunner,
[read more]

I Scoot Hanover sophomores sweep ISS splits
May 31, 2008
Robin I Scoot, controlled by Don Irvine Jr., charged down the stretch to win the third leg of the Indiana Sires Stakes Saturday, May 31 at Hoosier Park. The three-year-old gelding has finished first in five out of eight races in 2008. Andy’s Z Tam, managed by Don Eash, raced out of the gate to take
[read more]

ABC Valentine wins 1st, Mya Tri wins 14th
May 30, 2008
ABC Valentine and driver Don Eash beat out the field of eight to win the third leg of the Indiana Sires Stakes Thursday at Hoosier Park. The duo crossed the line in a winning time of 1:59.1 for the $12,000 purse for 3-year-old trotting fillies. Mya Tri won the other ISS division to remain unbeaten o
[read more]

Ducati repeats at Saratoga
May 30, 2008
For the second consecutive week, the 6-year-old trotter Ducati motored past his competition to take Thursday's featured $5,500 non-winners trot at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway in 2:00.1. Driven from post eight by Dan Cappello Jr., Ducati had very little interest in contesting the early stages of
[read more]

Admiral's Express fourth in out-of-retirement comeback race
May 30, 2008
Making his first pari-mutuel start since Dec. 23, 2006, Admiral’s Express finished fourth in an $11,000(C) conditioned pace at Kawartha Downs Thursday night. The 12-year-old son of Admirals Galley, voted 2005 Horse of the Year in Canada, was driven by Reg Gassien for trainer Mike Hales.   Sen
[read more]

Like A Prayer undergoes surgery for colic
May 30, 2008
Like A Prayer, one of the leading young trotting sires in North America, underwent colic surgery at Rood & Riddle Equine Clinic in Lexington on Thursday night and is expected to make a full recovery.   Although veterinarians said the 9-year-old stallion has a prognosis for
[read more]

Former Mich. racing commissioner Nelson Westrin dies
May 30, 2008
Nelson Westrin, who served as Michigan’s racing commissioner from 1993-97 and later as the first executive director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board, died Wednesday. He was 61.   Mr. Westrin, an attorney, was employed by the Detroit-based law firm of Honigman, Miller, Schwartz and Cohn at
[read more]

An OK win at The Meadows as Palone scores nine
May 30, 2008
Shuffled to seventh at the half, Tom’s OK Lady unleashed a wicked late brush that enabled her to overtake the venerable Whotookwhat and capture the $18,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Trot on Thursday at The Meadows, one of nine driving wins on the 18-race program for Dave Palone. Whotookwhat,
[read more]

Xtreme Horsepower 2 set for Aug. 9
May 30, 2008
Georgian Downs in partnership with Standardbred Canada Friday unveiled the condition sheet for the second-ever Xtreme Horsepower event, set for Aug. 9.   “We’ve been planning for Xtreme 2 since the day after Xtreme 1,” said Chris Roberts, director of operations at Georgian Downs. “T
[read more]

2-year-old Mysticism wins Pompano qualifier in 1:57.2
May 30, 2008
Mysticism became the fastest 2-year-old winner in North America this season, scoring an impressive 1:57.2 victory in a qualifying race Friday morning at Pompano Park. Trained and driven to victory by Walter Ross, Mysticism, sired by Dragon Again from the top raceway mare Imawesternlady, i
[read more]

Hoosier Park set to open slots era in Indiana Monday
May 30, 2008
The slots era in Indiana will officially kick off Monday when Hoosier Park opens its 92,000-square-foot facility to the public. The Anderson-based operator has scheduled a ribbon-cutting ceremony for 9 a.m. Dignitaries that will be on hand for the grand opening include Anderson mayor Kris Ockomon, R
[read more]

New Jersey's Luchento honored
May 30, 2008
Thomas F. Luchento, president of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey, has been selected to receive the Stanley Dancer Media Award for 2008 from the New Jersey Chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association.   The Dancer Award honors an individual whose effo
[read more]

Casual Breeze splits at Mohawk
May 30, 2008
Favourite Amy Kane tasted defeat for the first time in her career tonight when she broke stride and gave 14-1 shot, Global Glamour, a wide-open stretch of track in which to capture the first of four $75,000 divisions of the Casual Breeze Stakes for three-year-old trotting fillies Friday evening at M
[read more]

Full fields for Casual Breeze divisions
May 29, 2008
It’s Ladies’ Night on Friday night, May 30, at Mohawk Racetrack, as fans get to view a fantastic fanfare of feminine horsepower as 11 of the 13 races on the card are slated for fillies and mares, with the highlight being four full $75,000(C) divisions of the Casual Breeze stakes for 3-year-ol
[read more]

Sugar Valley Alley upsets at Harrington
May 29, 2008
Carlo Poliseno's Sugar Valley Alley ($21.20) earned his fourth win of the year in 1:56.1 in the featured $22,000 Junior Open Trot at Harrington Wednesday. It was the fastest time of the meet thus far for a trotter.   Driven by Poliseno, the 6-year-old Big Victory gelding surged by pacesette
[read more]

Gale warning up again at Pompano
May 29, 2008
Gale Warning ($3) avenged his nose defeat last week with an impressive 1 1/4-length triumph Wednesday at Pompano Park in the $12,000 winners-over trot. The feature first saw Battleshoe Victor (Tom Sells), who edged Gale Warning last week at the wire, shoot to the lead from post six
[read more]

No Pain No Gain, Fantasy Yankee win opening-round sire stakes
May 29, 2008
Two daughters of Muscles Yankee, No Pain No Gain and Fantasy Yankee, captured the first round of the New Jersey Sires Stakes for 3-year-old filly trotters on Wednesday night at the Meadowlands.    No Pain No Gain drafted behind Gleams Dream, who carved fractions of :28.3, :57.3 and 1:27.
[read more]

Larrimore gives Snow White update
May 29, 2008
Co-owner Curtis Larrimore told harnessracing.com Thursday morning that the 3-year-old filly trotter Snow White is on the road to recovery after undergoing throat surgery earlier this year, although he admits there is still some uncertainty as to her future.   Larrimore said the reigning Dan P
[read more]

Perfect record in jeopardy due to trainer questions
May 29, 2008
The Delaware Harness Racing Commission has disqualified the undefeated Tug River Princess from her win last month in the $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund final at Dover Downs and fined and suspended trainer Trevor Warwick six months in a ruling that stated he “was not the actual trainer
[read more]

Meadowlands website target of hackers
May 29, 2008
The Meadowlands has sent out a release noting that their website has been under the attack of hackers which has caused problems. According to the release: "As some of you have already noticed, we have been encountering difficulties with our web site. Our site has been the target of a relentless rash
[read more]

New York Board recommends steroid regulations
May 29, 2008
The New York State Racing and Wagering Board (the Board) Thursday voted to pass a proposed rule making for new steroid restrictions in New York State for both the Thoroughbred and harness industry. Based on a national model rule supported by both the Racing Medication Testing Consortium an
[read more]

Franco-American bred wins in Scioto's Billings
May 29, 2008
The amateur drivers in the popular C.K.G. Billings series came to central Ohio to compete on Wednesday and the crowd at Scioto Downs was treated to some nice miles by the trotters.   The first division went to the Franco-American bred Canaco Olymed, whose sire Victory Force is a son of Valley
[read more]

June 14 card added at Vernon Downs
May 29, 2008
Vernon Downs has announced that it will add a racing program on Saturday, June 14, with post time for the card set at 6:55 pm. Vernon will also NOT be racing on Saturday, Aug. 16, and the leg of the Kindergarten Series scheduled for 2-year-old colt and filly pacers will be m
[read more]

Increased purses for all NYSS divisions; '08 schedule available
May 28, 2008
Agriculture & New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund Executive Director Peter Goold announced on Wednesday the New York State Sire Stakes purses and schedule for 2008. The total purses for 2008 are expected to be $15 million. The season kicks off on June 8 with the 3-year-old
[read more]

Daley Deposit Only gets morning-line nod in NJ Classic
May 28, 2008
It took a photo to separate Daley Deposit Only from Mr. Nice Guy in their elimination race, but this Saturday a nose could nab the lion's share of the $500,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic at the Meadowlands.Daley Deposit Only was given the slight 5-2 nod as the morning line favorite after
[read more]

It's 'Announcer Idol' at Grand River Raceway
May 28, 2008
Grand River Raceway in Elora, Ont., has launched a new contest to showcase aspiring race announcers, with the Grand River Raceway Race Announcer Contest kicking off Friday. Audition race calls will be accepted until June 20.   The top six entries will be posted at GrandRiv
[read more]

Trots fill for Classic Series, pacers remain on sidelines
May 28, 2008
The second preliminary leg of The Classic Series (TCS) will be raced on Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack. Normally a four-race event, the Series is reduced to two, the Trotting Classic and Classic Oaks, as both the Pacing Classic and Classic Distaff fell short of the number of entries required
[read more]

Moon Beam still a NA Cup possibility
May 28, 2008
After turning in a trio of very discouraging qualifiers so far this season, trainer Eric Abbatiello remains confident that Moon Beam will be at Mohawk for the Pepsi North America Cup eliminations on June 7. He was eligible to this Saturday's Burlington Stakes at Mohawk, but his connections have op
[read more]

Sharbaugh to leave USTA post
May 28, 2008
Eric Sharbaugh, executive vice president of the U.S. Trotting Association, will be leaving that position effective July 1. Sharbaugh was the eighth individual in the history of the organization to hold those positions. He served in that capacity at the USTA since March 2005.   The USTA's boar
[read more]

Springfield racing bill dies in Senate committee
May 28, 2008
The Springfield (Ill.) Journal-Register web site is reporting that a bill to expand harness racing at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in the capitol city, stalled in Senate committee Wednesday, making it unlikely the bill will pass this year.   Sponsored by Rep. Raymond Poe, R-Springfield, th
[read more]

SBSW draws inside in one of three Burlington divisions
May 27, 2008
The draw for Saturday night’s $300,000(C) Burlington Stakes is now complete and the three star-studded fields feature several exciting match-ups, including Dali dueling with Sand Shooter, Somebeachsomewhere taking on Santanna Blue Chip, and Deuce Seelster battling Keystone Horatio and Legacy N Diamo
[read more]

ICF horses center stage at Balmoral in Violet, Cardinal
May 25, 2008
Racing fans were treated to the biggest race card of the season thus far in Chicago on Saturday night at Balmoral Park, as six big Illinois conceived and foaled stakes highlighted the start of the Memorial Day Weekend.   Kicking off the barrage of six straight stakes races were filly and mar
[read more]

Coleman & MacDonald team up with 'Lennon' to win 3CP ONSS Gold
May 25, 2008
Lennon Blue Chip made short work of his eight rivals in capturing the C$140,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series Final for 3-year-old colt pacers at Mohawk Racetrack on Saturday night, in 1:52.   MacDonald, who had the choice of two starters in the final, was up behind the strapping son of No
[read more]

Exploit Caf takes first elim; Enough Talk second
May 25, 2008
With an explosive finishing kick in the stretch drive, Exploit Caf won the first elimination heat for the Elitlopp Sunday afternoon at the Solvalla track in Stockholm, Sweden, while in the second elim the American representative Enough Talk finished second behind France's Oiseau de Feux in 1:53
[read more]

Draw for Elitlopp final
May 25, 2008
The draw for post positions for the second and final heat of the Elitlopp has taken place, with the elimination winners drawing for posts, then the two second-place finishers, and on down the line. Enough Talk will start from post four, with Luc Ouellete in the sulky.   Second elim winner Ois
[read more]

Enough Talk finishes third in final
May 25, 2008
Using another powerful burst of speed in the stretch drive, Exploit Caf captured the Elitlopp Sunday afternoon at the Solvalla track in Stockholm, besting the pacesetting Oiseau de Feux with America's hope Enough Talk third in the 1:52.1 mile.   Swedish racing writer Lars G. Palm told harne
[read more]

American blood shines in 4YO features at Solvalla
May 25, 2008
American  bloodlines were strong winners of three features for 4 year olds on the Elitlopp day card, with offspring by Dream Vacation, Yankee Glide and Andover Hall winning big.   Harpers Joker, a son of Andover Hall, won a stretch battle with Eigor Font, another son of Andover Hall. Har
[read more]

California Sire Stakes
May 25, 2008
Spring Sire Stakes Championship Finals, each carrying a purse of $25,000, were the featured attractions at Cal-Expo on Saturday night, on which some won as expected, and some didn't. In the first Sires Stakes, this for filly trotters, Smooth Jazz, to no one’s surprise, would remain unbeaten in 10
[read more]

Tetrick & Buck I St Pat set new world record in Maxie Lee
May 25, 2008
Taylor, Gold, Basen and Fuller’s Buck I St Pat mounted an incredible come from behind effort to win the $250,000 Maxie Lee Final at Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack on Sunday, May 25. Buck I St Pat, a 5-year-old daughter of Jailhouse Jesse, finished one length ahead of Man About Town (Ron Pie
[read more]

Tight finish in Empire Breeders Classic
May 25, 2008
It took a photo finish to determine the winner of the $242,275 Empire Breeder’s Classic for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Sunday afternoon at Tioga Downs. The result was that Bullville Powerful and driver Yannick Gingras won by inches over Riggins and driver Ray Schnittker.   The 3-ye
[read more]

Field set for richest Molson Pace
May 24, 2008
The weather was a coolish 11 C (52 F) but that didn’t impede the action from being hot and heavy in the pair of 2008 Molson Pace eliminations contested at Western Fair Raceway on Friday evening, May 23. In the first elimination, Zooka was sent first-over by driver Mario Baillargeon at the :55.4 ha
[read more]

Ladies Love Yonkers
May 24, 2008
Friday night (May 23) was indeed Ladies Night at Yonkers Raceway, with winning women everywhere you turned. Western Graduate won the co-featured $30,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace, track record holder Victor's Vicky beat the boys in the co-featured $30,000 Open Handicap Trot and Betsy Phill
[read more]

ONSS Gold Elims to Coleman, MacDonald
May 24, 2008
Casie Coleman and Mark MacDonald teamed up to sweep the Ontario Sire Stakes Gold eliminations at Western Fair on Friday, May 23.  The two $40,000(C) eliminations for three-year-old pacing fillies went to Chancey Lady and A Fiesty Affair, both by Camluck.   Chancey Lady took the first eli
[read more]

**NEW**EXCLUSIVE: Peter Kleinhans reports from Sweden
May 24, 2008
On the eve of the Elitlopp, Peter Kleinhans writes about Luc Ouellette, who will drive Enough Talk Sunday, more of his experiences and his plans for after the race. Just click on FIRST OVER above and read his Saturday blog.
[read more]

Badlands Nitro takes Hempt Final in 1:50
May 24, 2008
Badlands Nitro and Brian Sears captured the $301,072 Max C. Hempt Memorial Pace Final Saturday afternoon at Pocono Downs – in a track record equaling (for three-year-old colt pacers) and career best 1:50.   Leaving from post position one, Badlands Nitro went straight to the top and never look
[read more]

NJ Classic elims to Daley Deposit Only & Cold Cape Cod
May 24, 2008
The Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic Eliminations brought fast last quarters to the Meadowlands racetrack Saturday, May 24.  Cold Cape Cod and Daley Deposit Only won their respective $25,000 eliminations in 1:52 and 1:51.4 respectively.   Daley Deposit Only, from post seven, got par
[read more]

Won The West edges Artistic Fella in Dan Patch Invitational
May 24, 2008
Won the West and driver Greg Grismore used a valiant stretch drive to overtake a field of nine opponents in the 15th edition of the $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational Pace Saturday, May 24. The duo crossed the finish line in a time of 1:50.0, their fastest effort in 2008. Starting from the second tier
[read more]

Pembroke Lane sets 1:56 PASS mark at The Meadows
May 23, 2008
Pembroke Lane, an erratic, headstrong colt at 2, showed both speed and professionalism as he shattered the stakes record in a $212,635 Pennsylvania Sire Stake for sophomore trotters Thursday at The Meadows. The stakes, known as the Super Bowl, was contested over five divisions, with Lear Jetta,
[read more]

Daley changes gaits with Daley Deposit Only
May 23, 2008
Dan Daley is best known for training trotters, but this year he could add to his pacing credentials with a three-year-old colt entered in the $500,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic at the Meadowlands.   Daley Deposit Only, a son of Artiscape, is rated 9-2 in the morning line from outs
[read more]

Ms Pollyanna stays unbeaten with victory in Sciotos series
May 23, 2008
The sophomore trotting filly Ms Pollyanna remained unbeaten in three starts this season with a victory in a division of the Killbuck Mary series on Thursday at Scioto Downs. The filly by Hambletonian winner Chip Chip Hooray went straight to the front from post eight and led all the way as she s
[read more]

Right Mind gets a break in Vernon feature
May 23, 2008
The veteran trotter Right Mind needed a break to capture Thursday night’s $5,775 featured eighth event at Vernon Downs…and he got one. Leading for most of the mile test on a raw, rainy evening, Right Mind was passed in the final stride by Baileysirishdream, who crossed the finish line fi
[read more]

Vicktor victor for a second straight time at Saratoga
May 23, 2008
Vicktor continued his ascent up the New York-bred sophomore trotting ranks on Thursday, visiting the winner’s circle for the second straight time following a 2:01.3 victory in the second-race non-winners trot at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway.   Starting from post seven with Jay Randall at the l
[read more]

Quick Thinker quick at Harrington for 1:54.2 victory
May 23, 2008
Nanticoke Racing and Jim Morand's Quick Thinker ($3.20, Morand) won his second straight race in decisive fashion Thursday at Harrington Raceway with a 1:54.2 triumph.    Trained by Les Givens, the Glowing Tribute 3-year-old colt has won his last two races handily, including a 1:53.2 imp
[read more]

Grismore closes in on 5,000 career driving victories
May 23, 2008
Greg Grismore was shut out in eight drives Thursday night at Yonkers Raceway, but a pair of wins in the afternoon at Harrah's Chester leav him just three wins shy of 5,000 for his career. The 38-year-old Grismore, a native of Bluffton, Ohio, was a pernennial driving leader at Northfield Park&
[read more]

Billings amateur drivers head north for the holiday weekend
May 23, 2008
The Memorial Day weekend will see many members of the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series on the road competing at three different racetracks north of the border in neighboring Canada.   On Saturday, May 24  the first race on the card at Kawartha Downs in Fraserville, Ont., will c
[read more]

Stylish Artist qualifies at Mohawk
May 23, 2008
Breeders Crown champion Stylish Artist was in fine form on Friday morning (May 23) as she went wire-to-wire and easily won her qualifying mile at Mohawk by 4-1/2 lengths in 1:56.1. “She’s good gaited and sound, and ready to start racing,” said trainer and co-owner Mark Steacy of the 3-year-ol
[read more]

Pierce sweeps Miss NJ elims
May 23, 2008
Ideal Newton won the first elimination of the Thomas D’Altrui Miss New Jersey for three-year-old filly pacers Friday at The Meadowlands.  With Ron Pierce at the helm, the daughter of Western Ideal took the $20,000 elimination in 1:51.3, a new lifetime mark.  After sitting in the pocket, Id
[read more]

New Zealander captures World Cup of Amateur Racing
May 22, 2008
Gavin Cook of New Zealand was declared the winner of the 2008 World Cup of Amateur Racing after capturing the final event of the competition on Wednesday night at the Meadowlands. The $25,000 trotting event was the grand finale of a six-day, six-track competition that brought together the top amateu
[read more]

Meadowlands to simulcast Elitlopp
May 22, 2008
Racing fans at the Meadowlands will be able to cheer on Enough Talk as he competes in the Elitlopp, Europe’s most prestigious harness racing event, on Sunday morning, May 25, as the Elitlopp is part of a six-race program to be simulcast from Stockholm’s Solvalla Racecourse.   Guests will
[read more]

Biscuit wins Tubby Trimble final
May 22, 2008
A late move on the inside by Biscuit, driven by Trace Tetrick, helped the duo reach the winner’s circle in the final of the Tubby Trimble Series at Hoosier Park Wednesday. The 5-year-old gelding received his first win by defeating the favored Blue Punch, guided by Shawn Christner. Out of the
[read more]

Battleshoe Victor upsets; Swingin Glory retires
May 22, 2008
Battleshoe Victor ($44.80) was the longshot play of the night at Pompano Park Wednesday as the chestnut gelding, at odds of 21-1, upset the field in the $12,000 featured trot with a nose victory over race favorite Gale Warning in 1:55.3.   The race started off with Manacuda (W
[read more]

Harrington hat trick for Vicki Gram
May 22, 2008
Art Stafford's Vicki Gram ($5.40, 1:58) became the first three-time winner of Harrington Raceway's $22,000 Junior Open Trot as she was a wire-to-wire winner Wednesday. Driven by Art Stafford Jr., the 7-year-old Valley Victor mare is three-for-four at Harrington this meet as she held off pocke
[read more]

Mildred Williams dies
May 22, 2008
Mildred Williams, the veteran female harness driver who was the inspiration for the Mildred Williams International Driving Series, died on Wednesday in a hospital in Ottawa, Ont., afer a brief illness with her daughter Heather and grandson Munro at her side. She was 92.   In 2006, 2
[read more]

Former Michigan horseman John Perttunen dies
May 22, 2008
Former Michigan-based horseman John Perttunen died Tuesday, May 20, following surgery for lung cancer. He was 45.   Mr. Perttunen’s father, Norm, is the patrol judge at Hazel Park Raceway, while his brother, Eric, is a state steward in Michigan.   Mr. Perttunen won his first race in 19
[read more]

Widger wins 3,000th race
May 22, 2008
With wins in the ninth and 10th races at Balmoral Park Wednesday night, Sam Widger reached the 3,000-victory milestone for his career. Widger’s 3,000th win came with Shadow Of Lighting, who crossed the wire first in 1:53.1.   Widger, 44, won five races on Tuesday at Balmoral—coincidentally wi
[read more]

**NEW** EXCLUSIVE: Peter Kleinhans' Thursday blog from Sweden
May 22, 2008
Peter Kleinhans, owner of Enough Talk, the U.S. representative in Sunday's Elitlopp at Solvalla Racetrack in Stockholm, Sweden, reports in his daily blog from Sweden that it was an easy day for Enough Talk. Kleinhans, however, is concerend about how to treat Enough Talk for an irritat
[read more]

New Jersey Classic, Miss New Jersey elims drawn
May 21, 2008
The $500,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic and the $200,000 Thomas D’Altrui Miss New Jersey, both for New Jersey-sired 3-year-old pacers, each drew 15 entrants for this weekend’s elimination races at the Meadowlands.   The top five from each elimination will advance to the finals on
[read more]

Nidya A repeats in Harrington open
May 21, 2008
Paul McDougall Racing and WJ McDougall Racing's Nidya A ($5.40) became the second two-time winner in the $21,000 Mares Junior Open Tuesday at Harrington Raceway. Driven by Ross Wolfenden, the 7-year-old Albert Albert mare collared pacesetting Casino Bus going to three-quarters and overpowered her
[read more]

Germany's von Holdt sweeps at Yonkers; USA's Siegel still lead
May 21, 2008
According to his bio, 38-year-old Hans Jurgen von Holdt is a blacksmith in Germany. His new vocation and venue might be catch-driver in New York after winning both divsions of Tuesday night's World Cup of Amateur Racing event at Yonkers Raceway, with the trotters Colonial Mansion (2:02.2) and P
[read more]

I'm Justa Lady uses lightning lane to win Meadows open
May 21, 2008
I'm Justa Lady converted a cozy pocket trip to victory on Tuesday, capturing the $18,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap at The Meadows, making it two in a row against the track's top distaff trotters. Tony Hall guided the daughter of Inquirer to the lead, which the pair willingly relinquis
[read more]

Sauce Two K wins sloppy Pocono feature
May 21, 2008
Sauce Two K rolled over a sloppy track to win his second straight $22,000 Open Handicap Trot on Tuesday afternoon at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. With Tim Tetrick once again in the bike, Sauce Two K took over the lead on the backstretch and stayed clear right to the finish line, winning by 2
[read more]

Huston to announce races Saturday at Scioto's 50th party
May 21, 2008
Roger Huston, the voice of the Little Brown Jug for the past 40 years, will call the races at Scioto Downs on Saturday as part of the track’s 50th Anniversary celebration.    Huston, 66, is a native of Ohio but now lives in western Pennsylvania where he has served as the announcer at Th
[read more]

MacDonald to drive Lennon Blue Chip in OSS Gold final
May 21, 2008
Mark MacDonald was in an enviable position this week as he chose between two talented mounts for Saturday’s $140,000(C) Gold final at Mohawk Racetrack. MacDonald captured the first Gold elimination last weekend with Lennon Blue Chip, and finished third in the other 3-year-old pacing col
[read more]

Mojo Theory is North America's first 2-year-old winner of '08
May 21, 2008
Mojo Theory became North America’s first 2-year-old winner of 2008 with a 2:04.3 qualifying effort at The Red Mile Tuesday. A son of first-crop sire Allamerican Theory, trainer-driver Steve Waller directed the freshman to the neck victory over fellow 2-year-old Miles Of Style, a son of Allamerican I
[read more]

Artistic Fella hopes to repeat in Dan Patch Invitational
May 21, 2008
Ten horses will vie for the 2008 title in the 15th edition of the $200,000 Dan Patch Invitational Pace Saturday at Hoosier Park, with Artistic Fella, winner of the 2007 edition of the race, headlining the list of favorites.   Now five, the son of 1998 Dan Patch winner Pacific Fella is the on
[read more]

Badlands Nitro favored in Hempt final
May 21, 2008
Badlands Nitro, who wears saddle pad two but leaves from the one post in Saturday’s $301,072 Max C. Hempt Memorial Pace at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, is the early-line favorite.   Badlands Nitro was the fastest winner of the two Hempt elimination races last Saturday, coming f
[read more]

Harness experiment again over Keeneland's polytrack
May 21, 2008
For the second time on Wednesday Keeneland Thoroughbred racetrack in Lexington, Ky., was the scene of a harness racing experiment as a pair of races were held over the synthetic polytrack. The first polytrack experiment was held in November 2006, and this time around the horses went a few seconds s
[read more]

Rare Jewel back to defend Molson Pace crown
May 20, 2008
Rare Jewel is returning to defend his Molson Pace title at London’s Western Fair Raceway, with the 7-year-old Artiscape gelding drawing outside in a field of six starters in the sixth race Friday night in one of the two eliminations for the London track's signature annual ra
[read more]

35 wins for Village Blitz
May 20, 2008
Arty Foster Jr.'s Village Blitz ($5.80, Ross Wolfenden) earned his 35th career win Monday in the $21,000 Junior Open Monday at Harrington Raceway. The 8-year-old Village Jiffy gelding gained the lead late for a one-length win over Prince of Luck and Redford Hall. The Foster trainee has now b
[read more]

Third Day wins on Monday
May 20, 2008
Third Day, who had been a step short in recent efforts, made up that step and more on Monday at The Meadows when he captured the $20,000 Preferred Handicap Pace. Third Day finished second in his two most recent starts, both against the track's top pacers. On Monday, however, he let it be know
[read more]

Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame announces 2008 inductees
May 20, 2008
The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame on Tuesday announced its 2008 inductees.  Four horses and four people will be honored at the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Thursday, August 28 at the Mississauga Convention Centre.   The class of 2008 features Standardbred horses Peaceful Way a
[read more]

**NEW**EXCLUSIVE: Kleinhans blogs from Sweden as Elitlopp nears
May 20, 2008
New Jersey's own Peter Kleinhans gives us a second report from Sweden after arriving in preparation for Sunday's Elitlopp in which his trotter Enough Talk will be lining up the gate representing the United States in an exclusive blog on Andrew Cohen's First Over. Kleinhans is keeping us up to d
[read more]

Favorites prevail in Maxie Lee elims
May 19, 2008
A pair of favorites--Taylor, Gold, Basen and Fuller’s Buck I St. Pat and Sam Bowie’s Before He Cheats--captured their respective $40,000 divisions of eliminations for the Maxie Lee Memorial at Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack on Sunday.  The rich $250,000 Lee final will be contested at C
[read more]

Dali, Windsong Espoir win Mohawk qualifiers
May 19, 2008
Trainer Duane Marfisi has declared all systems go' for his pacing colt Dali, who trounced rivals with a sparkling 1:54.2 qualifying win on Monday morning at Mohawk Racetrack. The 3-year-old son of Real Artist scored by 15-1/4 lengths for Luc Ouellette on a cool, blustery morning at th
[read more]

1983 Hambletonian winner Duenna dead at age 28
May 19, 2008
Duenna, the 1983 Hambletonian winner for Norman Woolworth’s Clearview Stables and trainer-driver Stanley Dancer, was found dead Monday morning in the field affectionately known as “Menopause Manor” at Hunterton Farm at Stoner Creek in Paris, Ky. The daughter of Green Speed was 28 year old.  
[read more]

SBOA/NJ testifies for sports betting at tracks
May 19, 2008
A New Jersey State Senate Committee was urged on Monday by the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey that if a federal ban on sports betting is ever overturned, it should be allowed at the state's racetracks, as well as at Atlantic City casinos.   "Racetracks, like
[read more]

Tight photo decides $284,000 Graduate
May 18, 2008
Mr. Feelgood stuck his nose out at the wire, giving him the photo over Special Report in the $284,000 Graduate final on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. Driver Andy Miller worked out a second-over trip for Mr. Feelgood, who picked up his third stakes win this season.   Miller sat fifth
[read more]

Corleone Kosmos surpasses $1 million with Cutler win
May 18, 2008
Corleone Kosmos followed live cover and swept past the tired leaders to win the $200,000 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial in his 2008 debut Saturday night at the Meadowlands.The 6-year-old gelding surpassed $1 million in career earnings and equaled the stakes record with a 1:52.2 clocking. The race is
[read more]

Meadowlands posts 2008 high on Saturday
May 18, 2008
The Meadowlands recorded its highest handle of the year on Saturday with a total of $4,657,056 wagered on Meadowlands races at live and simulcast locations. The figure marked a 27-percent increase over the comparable Saturday night in 2007.   The 13-race May 17 card featured the
[read more]

Keystone Horatio fastest in OSS Gold elims
May 18, 2008
Keystone Horatio, making his 2008 season's debut, turned in the fastest of two Ontario Sire Stakes Gold elimination victories on Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack, stopping the clock in 1:51.4. Regular pilot Randy Waples was on board as the son of Rustler Hanover-Keystone Havoc blasted to early com
[read more]

Auto accident forces Northfield to close Saturday
May 18, 2008
A severe automobile accident on Northfield Rd (Ohio Rte 8) directly in front of Northfield Park forced the track to cancel live racing Saturday evening. Electricity and natural gas lines were severed, leaving the track with no power and the public with no access to the facility. Crews were
[read more]

Benns Superman wins, receives Dan Patch invite
May 18, 2008
It was a big night for trainer Henry Lunsford at Hoosier Park Saturday as his stable brought home the top prize in both the Invitational Trot as well as the Invitational Pace, amounting to $46,000 in purse money. Also, in the process, his pacer, Benns Superman, got an invitation to next week’s $200,
[read more]

Ranger escapes injury in on-track incident
May 18, 2008
Bruce Ranger, the all-time winningest driver in the history of Pompano Park, escaped from what could have been a serious accident Saturday when right before the start of the second race pace, he was preparing to leave from post six with Ignite My Fire when the right line broke.   Within
[read more]

Violet, Cardinal elims held at Balmoral
May 18, 2008
Illinois' top 3 year old pacing colts and fillies shared the spotlight on Saturday night at Balmoral Park as eliminations for the first major state-bred stakes of the 2008 season, the Cardinal and Violet, were contested as part of an action filled program.   In the openin
[read more]

Thong sets PASS record
May 18, 2008
Despite windy conditions, a new stake record by Thong highlighted five divisions of the Adios Betty Pace for Pennsylvania-sired 3-year-old fillies at The Meadows on Saturday.   The day started with a wire-to-wire win from Dragonfest, a Dragon Again filly driven to victory by Mike Wilder.&nb
[read more]

Badlands Nitro, Its That Time win Hempt elims
May 18, 2008
Badlands Nitro and Its That Time captured the two Max C. Hempt Memorial Pace elimination races Saturday afternoon at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs as the nine-horse field for next week’s approximate $300,000 final is set.   In the opening elimination, Badlands Nitro, driven by Brian Sear
[read more]

Europe's top sprint race set for next Sunday
May 18, 2008
The draw for the Elitlopp was held live on Swedish TV on Sunday and two eight-horse fields will compete in elimination races next Sunday, May 25, at the Solvalla track in Stockholm. Enough Talk, who will represent the USA, has drawn post four in the second elim. The top four finishers will return
[read more]

Bullville Powerful leads Empire Classic elim winners
May 18, 2008
Bullville Powerful and Yannick Gingras won the second division of the Empire Breeder’s Classic at Tioga Downs on Sunday afternoon in 1:52.2 over a track listed as good. The 3-year-old colt by Bettor’s Delight just lost to Blueridge Western last week in the Berry’s Creek final, but will get another s
[read more]

Upsets in NJSS 3FP splits
May 17, 2008
The closing kick of Knock Three Times was heard the loudest as she thundered down the stretch to win the first of two New Jersey Sire Stakes legs for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Friday night at the Meadowlands.  Driven by David Miller, Knock Three Times closed from seventh at the top of the la
[read more]

Real Velocity wins Hoosier feature
May 17, 2008
Real Velocity and Jason Dillander charged down the stretch to earn her third consecutive win in the $23,000 Fillies and Mares Invitational Friday at Hoosier Park. The duo won the event in a time of 1:52.4. Racing out of the gate, JD’s Lady Lynn, guided by Brandon Bates, dashed to the early lead wit
[read more]

Stonebridge Capri surprises in Pompano pace
May 17, 2008
Stonebridge Capri ($15.20) scored an impressive upset victory at odds of 6-1 in capturing the $12,000 winners-over pace for mares Friday at Pompano Park.   Driven by Bruce Ranger, Stonebridge Capri shot to the lead from post three and was able to stuff race favorite Velvet Eileen (Wally
[read more]

Schnittker teams Armbro Barrister to wet Yonkers win
May 17, 2008
Co-owner and trainer Ray Schnittker drove the veteran Armbro Barrister to a 13-1 upset in the co-featured $30,000 Open Handicap Trot on a rainy Friday night at Yonkers Raceway. After track record-holder (and slight 9-5 race favorite) Victor's Vicky (Jordan Stratton) jumped it off at
[read more]

Buck I St. Pat, Before He Cheats favored in Chester elims
May 16, 2008
Twelve of harness racing’s most accomplished trotters will do battle on Sunday in two $40,000 divisions of eliminations for the Maxie Lee Memorial at Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack. The first four finishers in each elimination will advance to the $250,000 final on Sunday, May 25. The
[read more]

Three straight for Odessa Angus
May 16, 2008
Odessa Angus extended her winning streak to three on Thursday when capturing the $4,000 fillies and mares claiming pace at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway in 1:58.3. Starting from post six with Frank Coppola Jr. at the lines, Odessa Angus took her customary spot near the back of the field, settl
[read more]

New Jersey governor honors World Cup amateur drivers
May 16, 2008
New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine, at the request of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey, has declared Wednesday, May 21, as World Cup Amateur Drivers Championship Day.   The proclamation notes that a pair of New Jersey tracks–Freehold and the Meadowlands–w
[read more]

SRF golf tournament rescheduled for July 1
May 16, 2008
Inclement weather caused the Standardbred Retirement Foundation’s (SRF) 16th annual Charity Golf Tournament to be rescheduled for July 1, 2008 at beautiful Knob Hill Country Club in Manalapan, NJ. The popular outing is now almost completely sold out, so hurry and reserve your tee-time today. All pro
[read more]

Polo Johnny was steamin at Scioto
May 16, 2008
Polo Johnny broke his maiden on Thursday night at Scioto Downs with a four-length win in 1:56.1. His victory for driver Sam “Chip” Noble and owner Jerry Kutschbach came in the first of two divisions of the Steamin Demon, a series honoring a double-gaited star from the 1950s.   The other divis
[read more]

The Deuce is ready for Ontario Sire Stakes debut
May 16, 2008
Harness racing fans across Ontario have been waiting impatiently for Saturday’s 3-year-old pacing colt Gold Series season opener at Mohawk Racetrack, eager to see Metro Pace winner Somebeachsomewhere make his debut in the provincial program and Super Final champion Deuce Seelster begin defense of hi
[read more]

Millionaire Special Report takes aim at Graduate final
May 16, 2008
Special Report rebounded from foot and knee injuries to become harness racing’s newest millionaire last week and on Saturday night he will try to continue his rise to the top of the pacing ranks in the $284,000 Graduate final at the Meadowlands.  Special Report is the 9-2 third choice on t
[read more]

Breedings to benefit Harness Racing Museum still available
May 16, 2008
More than 50 stallion breedings were donated to the Harness Racing Museum this year, and several breedings are still available to stallions standing in Delaware, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania.The following breedings are still available:   New York – Giant Hit Pennsylv
[read more]

Santanna rocks in Mohawk qualifier
May 16, 2008
Last season's Governor's Cup and Breeders Crown champion, Santanna Blue Chip, turned in a sparkling effort in his second qualifier of the season this morning at Mohawk Racetrack as he stopped the clock in a sharp 1:53.2. The colt is one of the early season favorites for this year's Pepsi North Ame
[read more]

Roosevelt project underway at Harness Racing Museum
May 16, 2008
Historic Roosevelt Raceway, Long Island’s landmark entertainment venue, is the focus of a three-phase project being conducted by the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame.  With the aid of two Museum Collection & Research Grants from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), a stat
[read more]

Favorable depreciation schedule could soon be law
May 16, 2008
After months of negotiations between the House and Senate, Congress passed the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, commonly known as the Farm Bill, and it could shorten the timespan for the depreciation of racehorses.   The House passed the bill on May 14 by a vote of 318 to 106. 
[read more]

Stakes record set in Big M trotting series
May 15, 2008
Snazzy Hot Rod coasted to a stakes record 1:52.3 in the $45,300 Hiram Woodruff on Wednesday night at the Meadowlands.  Tim Tetrick brushed Snazzy Hot Rod to the front in a brisk :54.4 half and the trotter responded when asked to hold off the late charge of Macho Lindy for a 1 3/4-length tally
[read more]

Blue Punch remains unbeaten at Hoosier
May 15, 2008
An inside post and undefeated record proved to be lethal for the 11 opponents against Blue Punch Wednesday in the Tubby Trimble Series at Hoosier Park. Blue Punch and driver Shawn Christner were in complete control, picking up a new lifetime mark of 1:55 over the sloppy surface. Starting from
[read more]

Nikki's Game upsets in Harrington feature
May 15, 2008
Joann Looney-King's Nikki's Game ($56.60, Jim King Jr.) was an upset winner in the $22,000 Junior Open Trot Wednesday at Harrington Raceway in 1:57.4. The 6-year-old Donerail mare and driver-trainer King went hard for the lead from their rail post position, where they would set fractions of
[read more]

Rocket blasts by field to take Pompano trot
May 15, 2008
Indian Hill Rocket ($3.80) was able to blast by the field in the $10,000 featured trot at Pompano Park Wednesday and strolled to a three-length triumph in 1:55. It was the eighth win this year for Indian Hill Rocket, who was driven to victory by Kevin Wallis. The race started out with Ind
[read more]

Jug Fantasy Stable contest begins May 31
May 15, 2008
While you can't win the purse money and stand in the winner's circle with your winning horse, you can win a 42-inch Toshiba television if you can win this year's Little Brown Jug Fantasy contest.   Just go to www.jugbarn.comand create your own stable of 10 Jug eligible  3-year-old p
[read more]

Windsor's leading driver Cullen suspended one year
May 15, 2008
Allan Cullen, the leading driver at Windsor Raceway the past two years, has been suspended by the Ontario Racing Commission for one year after the 45-year-old horseman’s appeal regarding a human positive drug test was denied. The suspension began May 12.   Cullen originally received a 15-day
[read more]

Nickells slightly hurt in Hoosier wreck
May 15, 2008
The Hoosier Park stewards declared the fifth race Wednesday night "no contest" after an accident in the first turn took out nearly the entire field, with only Monroe'sflyingjet, driven by Neil Coleman, the only horse to complete the circuit, crossing the wire in 1:58.2 in the $4,500 contest. M
[read more]

First-time fillies find Scioto winner's circle
May 15, 2008
Wednesday night's Floating Dream series at Scioto Downs enabled three pacing fillies to make their first trips to the winner’s circle.   Shez Lethal wasn’t lethal or lucky last year in her first season of racing as she failed to win in 13 starts. This year, however, she got her season o
[read more]

Read 'Crazy Good' excerpt online
May 15, 2008
The 6,000-word excerpt of Charles Leerhsen's book "Crazy Good: The True Story of Dan Patch, the Most Famous Horse in America" in the May 19 issue of Sports Illustrated is now on newsstands. The magazine features Danica Patrick on the cover.   To read the excerpt, which is available on si.com,
[read more]

Yonkers to be dark in early June
May 15, 2008
Consider this the first in a series of friendly reminders that Yonkers Raceway is to be dark for live racing during the early part of June. After the program of Saturday night, May 31, the next live card is the next Saturday, June 7. This hiatus was part of the Raceway's original 2008 schedule sub
[read more]

Kentucky casino proposal poll results announced
May 15, 2008
A poll published in Thursday’s Lexington Herald-Leader revealed that 81 percent of the 600 likely voters contacted stated they disagreed with the Kentucky General Assembly’s decision earlier this year not to approve a constitutional amendment allowing casinos in the Bluegrass State. However, about
[read more]

Ouellette to drive Enough Talk in Elitlopp
May 15, 2008
Owner-trainer Peter Kleinhans told harnessracing.com Thursday afternoon that Luc Ouellette has agreed to make the trip to Sweden to drive Kleinhans’ Enough Talk in the prestigious Elitlopp at Solvalla Racetrack Sunday, May 25.   “It was hard time finding one of my regular drivers to go becaus
[read more]

Bone bruise delays Somebeachsomewhere's debut
May 15, 2008
The much-anticipated season debut of world-champion pacer Somebeachsomewhere has been put on hold after his connections decided to not start the 3-year-old colt in Saturday’s Ontario Sire Stakes Gold eliminations at Mohawk after suffering a bone bruise.   “We’re thinking he did it last week,
[read more]

Mister Big blisters fifth qualifying win, ready for debut
May 15, 2008
The 2007 Older Pacer of the Year Mister Big romped to a 17 ¾-length, 1:50.4 victory in a qualifier Thursday at the Meadowlands, the fifth straight winning qualifying effort this year for the 5-year-old son of Grinfromeartoear trained by Virgil Morgan Jr.   With Brian Sears driving, Mister Big
[read more]

Merrie Annabelle winner Muscovite wins qualifier
May 15, 2008
Besides Mister Big there were several other stars competing in qualifiers at the Meadowlands Thursday, including Always A Virgin, who won two-thirds of pacing’s Triple Crown last year with victorious efforts in the Cane Pace and Messenger. Always A Virgin made his second qualifying appearance of his
[read more]

Worthy Flier sets career mark in Meadows win
May 14, 2008
Worthy Flier made it three wins in a row on Tuesday at The Meadows, launching a determined uncovered bid that carried her to victory in the $18,000 Filly and Mare Open Trot. Worthy Flier was only 3 1/2 lengths back when she made her move, but she was trying to overhaul Whotookwhat, argua
[read more]

Nidya A surpasses $300,000
May 14, 2008
Paul McDougall Racing and W.J. McDougall Racing's Nidya A ($6, Ross Wolfenden) surpassed the $300,000 mark in earnings Tuesday with a 1:55 win in the $22,000 Mares Junior Open at Harrington Raceway. The Peter Tritton trainee received a perfect trip behind pacesetting Casino Bus and surged by in t
[read more]

Sauce Two K rallied to Pocono victory
May 14, 2008
Despite sitting last around the first turn and trailing by over 10 lengths on the backstretch, Sauce Two K rallied in the stretch to win the featured $22,000 Open Handicap Trot on Tuesday afternoon at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Driver Tim Tetrick chose to take back Sauce Two K, a 3-1 third
[read more]

Small breeders big in New York
May 14, 2008
While the biggest breeding operations in New York State produce some of harness racing’s best horses, the backbone of the breeding industry here is smaller breeders. According to data provided by the USTA, almost 50 percent of the 2,115 mares bred to registered New York-eligible stallions in 2007 be
[read more]

Rags To Riches claiming series at Tioga closes Thursday
May 14, 2008
Time runs out Thursday on the chance to nominate your $10,000 claimer to the $100,000 Rags to Riches series at Tioga Downs. The series offers a single elimination format over three preliminary legs to reach the estimated $100,000 final (2007 purse $85,000). The pur
[read more]

Former Rosecroft CEO Chuckas joining Magna
May 14, 2008
The Thoroughbred Times has reported on its web site that Maryland Jockey Club president Chris Dragone has been fired and will be replaced by longtime harness racing executive Tom Chuckas. Magna Entertainment Corp. chairman Frank Stronach confirmed the appointment of Chuckas, the story said. Dragone
[read more]

New Jersey Sire Stakes action opens Friday
May 14, 2008
The New Jersey Sire Stakes season opens with the first of three preliminary rounds of competition for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Friday and pacing colts and geldings on Saturday, both at the Meadowlands.   Nineteen 3-year-old fillies have been divided into two divisions, vying fo
[read more]

Two Hempt elims Saturday at Pocono
May 14, 2008
Blueridge Western, fresh off a win in the $215,000 Berry’s Creek at the Meadowlands, leads a field of 15 three-year-old pacing colts and geldings into the Max C. Hempt Memorial Pace elimination races Saturday afternoon at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.   The two elimination races will be p
[read more]

Fields set for Empire Breeders Classic elims for trotters
May 14, 2008
Vernon Downs is gearing up for the eliminations for the Empire Breeders Classic on Saturday, May 17.There will be two divisions for the 3-year old trotting fillies and two divisions for the 3-year old colt & gelding trotters, each carrying a purse of $12,500. Vernon will host the $250,000 (
[read more]

Has An Attitude captures series final
May 13, 2008
Has An Attitude survived a late scare but remained undefeated this season with a narrow 1:52.4 victory in Monday's $49,300(C) Ontario-sired Spring Series final for 3-year-old fillies at Mohawk Racetrack. The daughter of No Pan Intended-So Fresh was riding a perfect five-for-five streak in 2008 in
[read more]

Card shark all-in at Harrington
May 13, 2008
Winbak Farm's Classic Card Shark ($13.20, Jim Morand) earned his fifth win of the year Monday over a "sloppy" track in 1:55 in the featured $21,000 Junior Open at Harrington Raceway. The 5-year-old Cam's Card Shark gelding battled gamely first-over before clearing pacesetting Chewy Gross in the s
[read more]

NHL prospect Stamkos named NA Cup drawmaster
May 13, 2008
Woodbine Entertainment Group has announced that Steven Stamkos--expected to go first overall in the 2008 NHL entry draft next month--will be the official "drawmaster" for this year's 25th edition of the $1.5 million(C) Pepsi North America Cup at Mohawk. The native of Unionville, O
[read more]

Illinois Racing Board vacates positive test rulings
May 13, 2008
The Illinois Racing Board (IRB) has vacated the stewards’ rulings regarding positive tests on Jereme’s Jet and Holborn Hanover dating back to 2006, allowing the horses to remain as the winners of the races affected and exonerating their respective trainers. The rulings were made due to an IRB rule a
[read more]

Monticello announces second purse increase
May 13, 2008
On Tuesday, Monticello Raceway announced a purse increase effective Thursday, May 15, the second rise in purses the past two months.   "We’ve increased our purses by about 15 percent across the board and it follows a 10 percent increase that we initiated on April 1,” noted Eric Warn
[read more]

Hoosier Park race secretary Mack suspended
May 13, 2008
According to reports, Hoosier Park race secretary Kevin Mack has been temporarily suspended by the track’s parent company, Centaur Inc., pending a review of racing office procedures.   Indiana Downs’ race secretary Scott Peine, who had been working in the race office at the new Running Aces H
[read more]

My Little Dragon captures $90,000 Matriarch in 1:51
May 12, 2008
My Little Dragon, the fastest mare of all time, scorched the competition to win the $90,000 Matriarch Stake on Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands. My Little Dragon launched a first over attack on the backside against Southwind Tempo and sprinted past in the final strides for a half-length victo
[read more]

Blueridge Western sprints off second-over trip to win in 1:50.1
May 11, 2008
Blueridge Western, driven by Brian Sears, soared off a second-over trip to win the $215,000 Berry's Creek on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. The Berry's Creek is the first major stakes race of the season for 3-year-old colt pacers and a stepping-stone to the $1 million Meadowlands Pace on Ju
[read more]

Get Out Of Dodge turns tables in Diplomat Series final
May 11, 2008
After finishing second in both initial rounds of The Diplomat Pacing Series for three-year-old colts and geldings, Get Out Of Dodge turned the tables on rivals in Saturday night's $78,000 final at Mohawk Racetrack. With Phil Hudon at the controls, the son of Artiscape - Dodge Kitty got away in mid p
[read more]

Road Hazard one of three winners for Wallis at Pompano
May 11, 2008
Harness driver Kevin Wallis enjoyed a three-bagger at the isle casino & racing at pompano park Saturday and two of his winner’s were his own horses, Road Hazard and Chicane.   Wallis, 51, from Maidstone, Ontario, started off the evening winning the featured fifth race $8,800 pace with R
[read more]

Oosting ties Balmoral record with seven driving wins Saturday
May 11, 2008
Veteran reinsman Mike Oosting, who currently enjoys a commanding lead in the driver standings at Balmoral Park, put his name into the track’s record books on Satuday night by guiding home seven winners on the card. That mark tied the previous record which had been set back on Sept. 26, 1998 by
[read more]

My Boy David rallies up inside to win Rambling Willie Stakes
May 11, 2008
Just as he’s done in so many other stakes events, Shirley LeVin’s My Boy David came up big once again as he stormed through the passing lane to win the $20,000 Rambling Willie Stakes by a length in 1:51.2 at Balmoral Park Saturday night.   Patiently handled by driver Ryan Anderson, this mill
[read more]

Holiday Credit wires field in $185,000 Dexter Cup final
May 11, 2008
Holiday Credit kept his record this year unblemished as he captured the $185,000 Dexter Cup final in 1:56.3 Saturday at Freehold.   With Ron Pierce in the bike for trainer Jimmy Takter, Holiday Credit lead from start to finish, cutting fractions of :28.3, :58.3 and 1:27.2. At the wire he was
[read more]

Rain Train storms late to win Open Pace at Yonkers
May 11, 2008
Friday night at Yonkers Raceway, it rained rain. Saturday night at Yonkers Raceway, it rained  Rain Train. Rain Train survived a tough, first-over effort to win the featured $30,000 Open Handicap Pace, going over the $200,000 career earnings  plateau in the process. With Jason Bartl
[read more]

Savanna's Love, EJ's Copperstone score in INSS at Hoosier
May 11, 2008
Another seasoned drive was turned in by Trace Tetrick in the second leg of Indiana Sire Stakes 3-year-old filly pace Saturday at Hoosier Park. Tetrick, who leads the standings in 2008, guided Savanna’s Love to victory in the $12,000 event, keeping her career undefeated to date. The se
[read more]

Four Starzzz Shark filly undefeated after Dancer win
May 11, 2008
Four Starz Horndog, a 3-year-old filly by Four Starzzz Shark, won a Helen Dancer Memorial division at Freehold Raceway Saturday in 1:55.2 and in the process stayed undefeaed in three career starts. The filly is from a test breeding, with Four Starzzz Shark's first commercial crop now 2 year olds. &
[read more]

Sopmomore colts battle in CASS second round
May 11, 2008
With the three-year-old girls having been in the California Sire Stakes spotlight on Friday night, the boys took their turn as the headliners in the Saturday night $15,000 co-features at Cal-Expo, with Stars And Sites and Star Time Kid getting back on the winning track.   With
[read more]

Longshot Cuzzin Sid scores in 1:52.3 at Mohawk
May 10, 2008
Cuzzin Sid, at odds of 25-1, came on with a late stretch surge to pass a tiring Carter In Motion and seize the $56,800 final of the Ontario Sired Spring Series for three-year-old pacers at Mohawk Friday night. Auctioneer and Mark MacDonald broke sharply off the gate and crossed the field from post p
[read more]

Sand shooter debuts with PASS victory in 1:51.1 at The Meadows
May 10, 2008
Sand Shooter, runner-up in last year's Breeders Crown for pacing freshmen, launched his 3-year-old campaign impressively Friday at The Meadows by effortlessly taking a division of a $202,360 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes, scoring in 1:51.1 over a sloppy track.The stake, known as the Bye Bye Byrd, was con
[read more]

Freddy Scooter, Robin I Scoot capture Sire Stakes leg splits
May 10, 2008
FreddyScooter, driven by Brad Hanners, raced down the stretch to win the second leg of the Indiana Sires Stakes Friday, May 9, at Hoosier Park. The lightly raced sophomore gave sire I Scoot Hanover a sweep in the three-year-old colt and gelding pacing division as Robin I Scoot won the other division
[read more]

Velvet Eileen gets the best of Hypnotize at Pompano Park
May 10, 2008
Velvet Eileen ($4.00) just held on at the wire to win the $10,000 Winners-Over Pace for Mares Friday by a head at the isle pompano park in 1:54. She was able to “return the favor” after losing last week’s top pace by a head to Hypnotize.   Leading from start to finish for driver Wally Hennes
[read more]

Smooth Jazz remains undefeated with CASS score
May 10, 2008
Sophomore fillies, on both gaits, were featured at Cal-Expo in $15,000 Sire Stakes  Friday night, with Smooth Jazz remaining undefeated while My Fanny showed her durability.   On the trotting side, the 1-9 heavily favored Smooth Jazz and trainer Tim Maier would half float out at the back
[read more]

Whittemore drive four winners, leads colony at Vernon Downs
May 10, 2008
Jimmy Whittemore drove four winners during Friday night's nine-race card at Vernon Downs, including My Girl Lora in the weekly feature for female pacers.   Facing seven speedy distaffers in Friday's eighth event, My Girl Lora advanced from fourth at the quarter into the lead before the h
[read more]

Marohn wins three at Monticello, reaches 5,000 plateau
May 10, 2008
At Monticello Raceway on Thursday afternoon, May 8, “the Mighty Mite,” Jimmy Marohn, notched his 5,000th career victory when he reined Ettore Annunziata’s Vince The Prince to a 2:00, wire-to-wire victory in the fifth race on the card. It was one of three winners on the card for Marohn, who also gu
[read more]

Tremendous Hit, JK Pure Pearl win Yonkers features
May 10, 2008
An invincible invader and a Westchester workhorse won Friday night's soggy, $30,000 co-features at Yonkers Raceway. Tremendous Hit, out every step, grinded by in the Open Handicap Trot. With trainer/driver Joe Anderson accompanying from the Land of Lincoln, Tremendous Hit--in his first start at a
[read more]

Maeve Hanover rebounds from last week's break to win in 1:52.1
May 09, 2008
Maeve Hanover rebounded from a break in stride at the start last week to post a dominant 1:52.1 victory in Thursday night’s $76,500 Princess Pacing Series final for 3-year-old fillies at Mohawk Racetrack.   The clocking equaled her lifetime mark which was taken in round one of the series on A
[read more]

Mother's Day card at Big M features Southwind Tempo
May 09, 2008
Southwind Tempo headlines the $90,000 Matriarch Stakes for free for all  for mares on a special matinee card at the Meadowlands on Mother's Day this Sunday. Post time is 1:10 p.m.  Rated at 3-5 on the morning line, the millionairess counts the Overbid Final among her six wins this
[read more]

Mucho Sleazy: Serious on the track, goofy off the track
May 09, 2008
Though he may be a goof around the barn, Berry’s Creek favorite Mucho Sleazy is all business when he hits the track. "Mucho Sleazy was very good at two," said trainer Ken Rucker. "We raced him in series early on and he carried it all the way to November. That's not easy for a 2 year old to do. H
[read more]

Four Starz Moxie is a work in progress
May 09, 2008
Berry’s Creek finalist Four Starz Moxie is a work-in-progress for trainer Carmine Fusco. "I have been fooling around with his bridle," Fusco said. "He has worn three different bridles in his last three starts. I have not been happy, but we have to find the balance where he is not too hot, but it
[read more]

After win at Harrah's Chester, Enough Talk shipping to Sweden
May 09, 2008
With a disappointing performance in the Su Mac Lad at the Meadowlands well behind him, Enough Talk was quick to return to his winning ways, turning in a 1:53.2 mile against open trotters at Harrah's Chester Thursday afternoon and is now headed to Sweden to race in the famed Elitlopp at Solvalla on M
[read more]

Freshmen qualify at Harrington
May 09, 2008
In its fourth week of qualifying races this year, Harrington Raceway had it's first 2-year-olds qualify Thursday.  A pair of freshman colts owned by Russ Mackinnon and David Banks toured the half-mile oval. Complete Desire (Life Sign-Armbro Desire-Cam Fella) finished second in 2:02 with J
[read more]

Daley Deposit Only sets Pompano qualifying mark of 1:51.2
May 09, 2008
Dan Daley’s three-year-old colt, Daley Deposit Only, scored the fastest qualifying race victory in the 44-year history of the isle pompano park Friday morning, stopping the teletimer in a blazing 1:51.2.   The sophomore son of Artiscape from the Niatross mare, Sassy Cessiann, trained and dri
[read more]

Kevlar Hanover wins third straight
May 08, 2008
The well-bred Kevlar Hanover ($3.40), a 3-year-old gelding by Allamerican Native out of the Niatross mare Krafty Kim (the dam of Klingon Hanover), posted his third straight victory with a lifetime best 1:53.4 victory at the isle pompano park Wednesday for driver Bruce Ranger.   Kevlar H
[read more]

No elims for Graduate, Cutler
May 08, 2008
The $284,000 Graduate and $200,000 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial did not require elimination races, so all horses entered will advance to the finals on Saturday, May 17, at the Meadowlands.  Eleven of the sport’s top free-fo- all pacers will go postward in the Graduate final. The field is headed b
[read more]

New GM at Winbak Farm
May 08, 2008
Garrett Bell has been named general manager at Winbak Farm, Chesapeake City, Md. With six years experience working at Winbak Farm and associated with former GM Joe McLead, Bell will handle the day-in day-out operations at Winbak Farm, one of the sport's major harness breeding operations.   A
[read more]

Blue York Yankee, Share The Delight victorious
May 08, 2008
Peter Haughton Memorial winner Blue York Yankee made his 3-year-old debut in a qualifier Thursday morning at the Meadowlands, and came away with a 1:55.4 victory, which is 2 and 2/5 seconds faster than his freshman record set in the Haughton final last August, the last time he raced.   Traine
[read more]

Varenne mare wins Sweden's Queen's Trophy race
May 08, 2008
Lie Detector, a granddaughter of the 1991 Hambletonian Oaks elim winner Good Lookin Mouse, won Sweden’s prestigious Queen’s Trophy at the Aby track in Gothenburg on Friday night, defeating Flea Southwind in the 2,140-meter race.   Orjan Kihlstrom drove Lie Detector to the victory for trainer
[read more]

Crevani taking a shot with Bullville Powerful in Berry's Creek
May 08, 2008
For decades, Stephen Crevani balanced a demanding career as a high-rise builder with his interest in breeding and racing harness horses, and he'll be taking a shot at his biggest win ever in harness racing when his 3-year-old Bullville Powerful competes in the $215,000 Berry's Creek at the Meadowlan
[read more]

Brother to Onthewingsoflove wins King's Trophy in Sweden
May 08, 2008
Dust All Over, a 4-year-old son of Super Arnie-Pinafore Miss, the dam of US stakes winner Onthewingsoflove, won the King’s Trophy at the Aby track in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Friday night, with Adrian Chip, the runner-up in last year’s Hambletonian, finishing third in the race.   Artistic As (M
[read more]

Scorpion Moon wins Pocono feature in career-best 1:53.4
May 07, 2008
Scorpion Moon exploded in the stretch after getting a pocket trip to win the featured Open Handicap trot on Tuesday afternoon at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.  The race carried a purse of $22,000.   Scorpion Moon, a 4-1 choice with Stephane Bouchard in the bike, let Bright Idea do all
[read more]

Happy Homecoming at Harrington For Ireneonthemove
May 07, 2008
Rodney Wyatt's Ireneonthemove, with Tony Morgan driving, returned home to the First State in style Tuesday, winning the $22,000 Mares Junior Open at Harrington Raceway in 1:52.4, the fastest race of the night.    The Jason Skinner-trainee had previously raced at Harrah's Chester Do
[read more]

RMTC sponsors steroid workshop
May 07, 2008
The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) sponsored an equine racing chemist workshop to foster uniformity in drug testing of the androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) from April 27-30 at the University of California at Davis. Analysts representing seven international laboratories and 16 of t
[read more]

Berry's Creek final field set
May 07, 2008
The 3-year-old pacers take their first step on the road to the $1 million Meadowlands Pace in the $215,000 Berry’s Creek final on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. The Berry’s Creek is carded as race six on Saturday night, with an estimated 8:49 pm post time. First race is 7 pm. Elimination w
[read more]

Nominees announced for Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame
May 07, 2008
A total of 22 nominees have been put forward by the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame's Thoroughbred and Standardbred nominating committees including four Standardbred horses, six Thoroughbred horses, and 12 people.   On the Standardbred side, nominated in the female horse category were tr
[read more]

Buter looking for first big stakes win in Berry's Creek
May 07, 2008
Tyler Buter, harness racing’s newest young driving sensation, aims for his first big stakes win in the $215,000 Berry’s Creek on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. Buter, 22, ranked among the leaders at Hazel Park in his native Michigan and nearby Windsor Raceway before moving his base to Chicag
[read more]

Breedings available through New Vocations
May 07, 2008
New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program has breedings available to nice stallions in Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Ontario.   “Some are donations received after the annual auction, others like Armbro Mackintosh and Broadway Express are instances where the mares that were
[read more]

Has An Attitude takes 1:53.2 lifetime mark
May 06, 2008
The 3-year-old filly Has An Attitude, a daughter of No Pan Intended and the 1992 Breeders Crown champion So Fresh, extended her winning streak to five for owner Brittany Farms and trainer Erv Miller as she cruised to an easy 2 3/4-length victory in 1:53.2 in her $20,000 split o
[read more]

Indiana breeder, leader Joe Blocker dies
May 06, 2008
Joe Blocker, a longtime leader on the Indina harness racing scene, died Friday, May 2, at age 80 in his hometown of Goshen.   Blocker bred, raised and raced Standardbreds and spearheaded bringing harness racing at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair. He served on the Fair Board as director from
[read more]

EPO positives for horses trained by Ernest Adams
May 06, 2008
New Jersey Racing Commission executive director Frank Zanzuccki announced today that a Racing Commission investigation has resulted in the first positive test results obtained under the state’s recently-expanded testing protocols aimed at detecting the use of performance-enhancing substances in race
[read more]

Drivers unseated in Monticello accident
May 06, 2008
Up and coming driver Jimmy Marohn Jr. was hurt in a racing accident at Monticello Raceway on Tuesday, May 6. The mishap occurred in the third race on the program but details remain unclear.   Marohn Jr. was catapulted to the ground when he was hit from behind by another horse after Sudde
[read more]

Joe Anderson sends 19 horses East
May 05, 2008
Chicago harness tracks are in the midst of a serious horse shortage, and one prominent defection from the entry box will be 19 horses trained by Joe Anderson. With the decline in purses at Balmoral Park and Maywood Park, Anderson decided to to take 19 horses to the East
[read more]

Four Starzzz Shark has two 3YO winners
May 05, 2008
Some people might think Four Starzzz Shark's oldest foals are 2 year olds, but a couple of test breedings resulted in two foals, and both of them are winners.   Jeff Cohen, a partner in Four Starzzzz Stable, bred a few mares to Four Starzzz Shark while he was racing and&nb
[read more]

Somebeachsomewhere wins qualifier in 1:51.1
May 05, 2008
The top rated colt Somebeachsomewhere went behind the starting gate for the first time this season in a qualifier at Mohawk Racetrack on Monday morning and turned in an impressive 1:51.1 performance, while his likely rival Santanna Blue Chip won a qualifier in 1:55.1.   Somebeachsomewher
[read more]

Feed recall announced by Purina
May 05, 2008
Land O'Lakes Purina Feed LLC has announced a voluntary product recall of certain feeds manufactured between Nov. 3, 2007, and March 10, 2008, and distributed throughout Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina,
[read more]

Souloy, Bazire seek another big win in Oslo Grand Prix
May 05, 2008
The team of trainer Fabrice Souloy and driver Jean Michel Bazire will try to continue its international success tour in Norway Sunday when a field of 10 goes to the post in the Oslo Grand Prix. The 2,100 meter race over the five-eighths mile Bjerke track will offer more than $300,000 to the winner.
[read more]

Illinois veterinarian Dr. Jane Lehr Richardson dies
May 05, 2008
Longtime Veterinarian Dr. Jane Lehr Richardson passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, May 4.   Dr. Richardson worked for 23-years as the association Veterinarian on Chicago harness and Thoroughbred racing circuits before taking a similar position with the Illinois Racing Board in 2003.  
[read more]

Ranger wins five at Pompano
May 04, 2008
Pompano Park’s all-time winningest driver, Bruce Ranger, had the hot hands all week long and concluded with five winners Saturday. He ended the week with 14 wins in the 32 races held.   Ranger’s fastest victory on the night came in the 3rd race $7,500 pace as Sugar’s Pride ($3.00) was able t
[read more]

Pompano pays $10,000 grand prize in promo tied to Derby
May 04, 2008
All it takes is a little luck and that is what Deerfield Beach, Florida, resident Gary Budra had Saturday at the Isle Pompano Park and his good fortune earned him $10,000 cash.   Budra, one of thousands of Isle Pompano Park patrons that participated in the Big Race promotion, had the win
[read more]

Big crowd for Tioga opener
May 04, 2008
Tioga Downs opened its 2008 racing season on Saturday, May 3, with a crowd of more than 6,200 in attendance.   The 3-year old trotting filly Patti Pain made the inaugural trip of 2008 to the Tioga winner’s circle with fan favorite Mike Simons in the sulky. It was the second win of the career
[read more]

Mucho Sleazy, Bullville Powerful win Berry's Creek elims
May 03, 2008
Mucho Sleazy and Bullville Powerful put on commanding front-end performances to win their $25,000 Berry’s Creek eliminations on Saturday night at the Meadowlands, with Mucho Sleazy pacing to his victory in 1:50.3 and Bullville Powerful scoring in 1:50.4.  The $215,000 Berry’s Creek Final, the f
[read more]

$1.5 million bet on KY Derby at Meadowlands
May 03, 2008
A record $2.94 million was wagered on the 2008 Kentucky Derby simulcast at New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority racetracks, Favorites at Woodbridge and New Jersey Account Wagering.  The $2,936,959 wagered represented a 7.2 percent increase over the 2007 record of $2,740,535.  A tota
[read more]

Special Report uses two-hole trip to win
May 03, 2008
Special Report drew an inside post (two) and enjoyed a two-hole trip before finding clear sailing in the homestretch and pacing to a 1:51.4 victory in the $390,000 George Morton Levy Memorial final Saturday night at Yonkers Raceway.   Driver Larry Stalbaum decided to take a two-hole trip, but
[read more]

NA Cup eligible Shadow Play wins at Mohawk
May 03, 2008
Shadow Play kept his 2008 undefeated streak in tact with a sharp 1:54.2 victory over an off track in Saturday's lone $25,000 division of the second leg of The Diplomat Pacing Series for 3-year-old colt pacers at Mohawk Racetrack. The victory also positioned the son of The Panderosa for a possible sw
[read more]

PASS for 3YO trotting fillies at The Meadows
May 03, 2008
The 3-year-old SJ's Caviar filly trotter Amy Kane remained undefeated in seven career starts by capturing a division of a $204,860 Pennsylvania Sires Stake Saturday at The Meadows, turning in a 1:57.2 victory. The PASS was contested over five divisions, with Hawaiianphotograph, Morguns Sweet
[read more]

Mohawk opens with double-digit winners in series leg
May 02, 2008
First Draw and Michelles Idea were both mild upsetters in the second leg of the Princess Pacing Series for 3-year-old fillies during opening night of the summer meet at Mohawk Racetrack on Thursday evening. First Draw, with Jack Moiseyev driving, made a move to the front in the second quarter of
[read more]

Walden waltzes to Vernon victory
May 02, 2008
Walden went right to the front from the start and never looked back en route to an impressive 1:56.3 victory in Thursday night’s $6,500 featured trot at Vernon Downs.   With defending track dash-winning champ Howard Okusko Jr. doing the teaming in the seventh session, Walden waltzed
[read more]

A VP victory at Cal Expo
May 02, 2008
A drop down in class and not getting hooked up in a speed duel resulted in a solid victory for Mac Jonathan VP Thursday night at Cal Expo.   In advance of starting from post-position five in the field of seven in the $15,000 to $20,000 claiming handicap pace, trainer Lou Pena had
[read more]

Saturday's Dexter Cup elims opens Grand Circuit action
May 02, 2008
The Grand Circuit begins its 2008 season Saturday with three $20,552 eliminations in the Dexter Cup for 3-year-old colt trotters. The top two in each elimination, plus two third-place finishers, will advance to next Saturday’s (May 10) $160,000 (est.) final. Here are the fields, in pos
[read more]

Pennsylvania Sire Stakes season begins at Harrah's Chester
May 02, 2008
After tracking Papa Hemingway up the backstretch, Bulletproof Enterprises' It's That Time ($2.80) tipped to the open stretch under moderate urging to secure a 1:51.3 victory in the first leg of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings Thursday at Harrah'
[read more]

Northville Downs sues state against gambling laws
May 02, 2008
Officials at Northville Downs in Michigan on Thursday filed a federal lawsuit against the governor and state attorney general alleging casinos and state lotteries are killing the racing industry and the restriction against installing slot machines and other forms of expanding gaming violate the U.S.
[read more]

Weather scratches Somebeach, Santanna Blue Chip from qualifiers
May 02, 2008
Because of what trainer and co-owner Brent MacGrath termed to harnessracing.com "a dirty, miserable day" at Mohawk Racetrack on Friday, the highly-regarded 3-year-old colt pacer Somebeachsomewhere was scratched out of his qualifying race and instead will now wait until Monday morning to qualify. Als
[read more]

Kentucky feed company to help SRF
May 02, 2008
McCauley Bros. Feed, with the help of Kevin Reynolds’ Feed Company, has pledged to give the Standardbred Retirement Foundation (SRF) grain for the more than two dozen horses in residence at its New Jersey facility for all of 2008.   McCauley Bros.' client list is a veritable “W
[read more]

WEG not taking horses once trained by Elliott, Pindur
May 02, 2008
The Woodbine Entertainment Group, which operates Woodbine and Mohawk racetracks, is indefinitely refusing all entries of horses that were trained by either Bill Elliott or Evzen Pindur, who were recently suspended by the Ontario Racing Commission following positive tests for blood-doping.  
[read more]

Books from Peter Haughton Library now online
May 02, 2008
The Peter Haughton Research Library is pleased to announce that its used book collection is now available for inspection and purchase on line!  The latest product addition to the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame’s online gift shop, the offerings include a selection of over 50 harne
[read more]

Before He Cheats trots to 1:52.4 mark
May 02, 2008
Before He Cheats used a powerful three-wide brush to trot to a 1:52.4 victory in the $132,500 Su Mac Lad final at the Meadowlands Friday night, with Swan Image finishing second and San Remo Kosmos taking third. The time was a new lifetime best for Before He Cheats.   Before He Cheats, driven
[read more]

3YO pacing colts in series action at Mohawk
May 02, 2008
The favorites Carter In Motion and Bigmizndrstnding emerged victorious in both of Friday night's $20,000 divisions of the second leg of the Ontario-Sired Spring Series for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers at Mohawk Racetrack. It was Carter In Motion who prevailed from the outside post in
[read more]

Vicki Gram wires field at Harrington again
May 01, 2008
Arthur Stafford's Vicki Gram ($7, Art Stafford Jr.) earned her second straight wire-to-wire win Wednesday in the featured $22,000 Junior Open Trot in 1:57.4 at Harrington Raceway. The 7-year-old Valley Victor mare was sent for the lead from post four and set fractions of :28.2, :58.3 and 1:28 as
[read more]

Vernon receives license approval for live racing, simulcasting
May 01, 2008
At its meeting Monday, the New York State Racing and Wagering Board granted track and simulcast licenses to Vernon Downs for 2008. The meet opened April 15 and is scheduled for 90 racing programs through Nov. 8.  
[read more]

Donnegal gets win in Monticello return
May 01, 2008
Bill Mulligan’s veteran trotter  Donnegal returned to Monticello Raceway on Wednesday afternoon and picked up right where he left off scoring yet another victory against the best trotters on the grounds in the weekly $8,100 Preferred Trot. The victory was the fourth of the season for t
[read more]

Hirman Woodruff gets underway
May 01, 2008
Snazzy Hot Rod and Knight Of Intrigue coasted to victory in the $18,000 opening round of the Hiram Woodruff Series for trotters on Wednesday night at the Meadowlands.   Snazzy Hot Rod ($4.40), driven by Tim Tetrick and trained by Chris Ryder, wired the seventh race field in 1:53.1. I
[read more]

Another succesful blast-off for the rocket
May 01, 2008
Indian Hill Rocket ($5.20) was the pocket-rocket at the isle pompano park Wednesday, getting a perfect trip from pacesetter Gale Warning to win the $10,000 winners-over trot in 1:56.1. The feature event saw Indian Hill Rocket and driver Kevin Wallis go right to the front from post three wi
[read more]

Holborn Hanover, Jereme's Jet hearing May 13
May 01, 2008
Harnessracing.com has learned from the Illinois Racing Board that a hearing regarding positive tests for Pyrilamine dating back to 2006 on the horses Holborn Hanover and Jereme’s Jet at Maywood and Balmoral Park will be held Tuesday, May 13.   Holborn Hanover, who died earlier this year, rece
[read more]

Jersey tracks ask for $10,000 limit on show bets
May 01, 2008
Meadowlands and Freehold Raceway officials have asked the New Jersey Racing commission for permission to place a $10,000 limit on show bets, saying that large bets, plus reductions for various commissions, lead to large minus pools that costs the track money. The request includes bets on live racing
[read more]

Billings begins 27th year on Monday at Mighty M
May 01, 2008
The 27th season of the CKG Billings Amateur Driving Classic, often referred to as the “Grand Circuit of Amateur Racing,” commences Monday afternoon at Monticello Raceway and will continue with races in both the Eastern Region and the Midwest Region through November. With over 50 v
[read more]

Deuce Seelster wins Big M qualifier in 1:53.1
May 01, 2008
The stars were once again out in qualifying action at the Meadowlands on Thursday, with the highly-regarded sophomore colt pacer Deuce Seelster scoring in 1:53.1 and divisional rival Share The Delight crossing the wire first in 1:55.4.   Deuce Seelster was a two-length winner of Yankee Rocket
[read more]

Maritimes approve out-of-competition drug testing
May 01, 2008
The Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission in Canada has announced it will begin out-of-competition blood testing on horses competing in the Maritimes. Commission director of racing Paul Hogan reportedly stated he didn’t know if any blood doping was occurring, noting that some believe the purs
[read more]