News Archive

Return Home

Circle City Series featured at Indiana Downs
October 31, 2009
Sophomore pacers and trotters will be on display Saturday night as Indiana Downs plays host to The Circle City series. The Robert Taylor-trained Southern Rocketop and Joe Seekman pupil Annieswesterncard head a solid group of open horses competing in the new series at the Shelbyville track. Sawgrass
[read more]

Hoosier Classic opening session averages $10,000
October 31, 2009
Interest was high in the first session of the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale, held Friday afternoon, October 30. A total of 98 yearlings brought $989,400, good for an average of $10,096. The session was led by Straight Jack, a Third Straight colt purchased by Anthony Lombardi for $33,000. Consigned b
[read more]

Shutter Boy clicks in Yonkers win
October 31, 2009
Say this much for Yonkers Raceway's all-age trot track record...it has a short shelf life.Barely a month after the 4-year-old gelding Baby Boy Grin threw down a 1:54.4 gauntlet, another 4-year-old gelding did him one tick better.Shutter Boy and Yannick Gingras made quick work of Friday night's co-fe
[read more]

Sheila's Dream, Castle Oaks win CASS
October 31, 2009
California Sires Stakes Action for the filly sophomores, on both gaits, were featured at Cal Expo on Friday night (October 30), on which Sheila's Dream and Castle Oaks were winners. In the first of the two $15,000 divisions, this for the trotters, Sheila's Dream made every pole a winning one fo
[read more]

$25,000 guaranteed in Bal-Cal Pick 4
October 31, 2009
The popular Bal-Cal Pick 4 Challenge will return on Sunday, November 8, with its usual $25,000 guaranteed jackpot. The wager will be offered every Sunday from Nov. 8 through Dec. 13.“This wager has been very popular with not only the on-track patrons at both facilities but also with fans throughout
[read more]

Southwestern Dream wins at Pocono
October 31, 2009
Southwestern Dream made his first start at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs a memorable one, winning the featured Open Handicap pace on Friday night (Oct. 30). The race carried a purse of $30,000.Leaving from the outside post in a field of six as the 4-5 favorite, Southwestern Dream, shipping in from Che
[read more]

John Paul's Legacy grows
October 31, 2009
John Paul’s Legacy out-toughed the favorite Sharpshootennorris to capture Friday night’s (Oct. 30) $10,000 Open handicap trot at Vernon Downs.Trainer Angus MacDonald did the driving in Friday’s featured seventh race as John Paul’s Legacy ($10.60) led the field through splits of 28.1,59.3 and 1:28.2.
[read more]

Mischief night is Sears night at Pompano
October 31, 2009
Insofar as the Friday night daily double at The Isle Pompano Park was concerned, all you needed to know was which horses were sent out by the Kim and Jay Sears Stable to come up a winner.Their big night began in the opening race, the $13,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace. Lucy Lucy was teamed
[read more]

Sensational Prayer answered at Saratoga
October 31, 2009
Sensational Prayer continues his dominance over his trotting challengers at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway as the 3-year-old trotter moved his win streak to five on Friday night (Oct. 30). The Like A Prayer-Cumin's Attraction trotter came to town in late September after battling strong competition at L
[read more]

Ritchie golden in OSS
October 31, 2009
Trevor Ritchie steered home both elimination winners in Friday night’s Ontario Sires Stakes Gold event for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters at Woodbine Racetrack. It is the final Gold event of the season in this division.In the opening split, Ritchie teamed up with the chestnut Zorgwijk Kingpin
[read more]

Michigan racing likely to live another day
October 30, 2009
The Michigan House on Thursday approved by a vote of 105-1 a bill that would restore some funding for horse racing in the state and now goes to the state Senate. The bill restores $2.5 million to the Office of the Racing Commissioner, funding which was needed to keep the state’s racetracks from clos
[read more]

Glidemaster's book full and closed
October 30, 2009
Brittany Farms Stallion Management announced today that the 2010 book for Glidemaster is full and closed. This follows the Lexington Select Yearling Sale where Glidemaster was the sire of the highest price yearling, Ultimo Dolce, with a final hammer bid of $270,000. He also topped the sale with an a
[read more]

Hoosier Park owner defaults on loan
October 30, 2009
Centaur LLC, owner of Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, defaulted on a loan to senior lenders Tuesday, October 27 when it missed a reported $13.4 million interest payment. The Indianapolis-based company stated in a press release issued October 29 that the decision to forego the intere
[read more]

Federal Flex to stand at Seelster Farms
October 30, 2009
Seelster Farms is pleased to announce the addition of the incredibly talented and impeccably-bred trotter Federal Flex to their stallion roster starting with the 2010 breeding season. Like Muscle Hill, Mr. Muscleman, Deweycheatumnhowe, etc., Federal Flex is a son of the great Muscles Yankee. He is
[read more]

Ladyfield named Harrington Horse of the Meet
October 30, 2009
Harrington Raceway’s closed the doors on its 63rd year of live racing Thursday with a 15-race program that featured a number of closing night awards.   Driver Tony Morgan was awarded his fourth consecutive driving title, as he finished the meet with 264 victories. Drivers Ross Wolfenden, Jim
[read more]

Ideal Observation a winner in Dunn final at Meadows
October 30, 2009
Ideal Observation, aggressively taking advantage of the early break of 3-5 favorite Misster Wilker, moved right to the front and didn’t stop until she scored a 7-1 upset victory in the $25,700 final of the Donna Dunn Memorial Series for freshman pacing fillies on Thursday at The Meadows.   Mi
[read more]

Freshmen hope to graduate Kindergarten Saturday
October 30, 2009
Vernon Downs is set to host the four Kindergarten Classic finals on Saturday night with more than $358,000 on the line.   Leading the way for a field of seven in the 2-year-old colt and gelding pace is world champion One More Laugh from the Ray Schnittker Stable. Despite only his th
[read more]

Toronto plans change, Kakakley now based at Pompano
October 29, 2009
One of the continent's best up and coming drivers has decided to bring his driving suit to The Isle Pompano Park for the foreseeable future. Matt Kakaley, 21, has officially re-located from Ohio and wasted no time making an impact in his South Florida debut as he won the first race on Wednesday even
[read more]

Big upsets in Hanover divisions
October 29, 2009
Hanover Stakes action for 2-year-old trotters of both sexes shared top billing at Balmoral Park on Wednesday as a pair of events were contested. As is often the case with these precocious freshmen it can wind up being “anything goes” in these races and that was definitely the case on Wedne
[read more]

Harrington pays $8.80 for Fivedollarsforsox
October 29, 2009
George and Tina Dennis and Ask W Stables’ Fivedollarsforsox ($8.80, George Dennis) surpassed $100,000 in seasonal earnings with a  1:56.4 win in the Wednesday’s $21,700 Junior Open Trot at Harrington Raceway.   The 6-year-old Sj’s Caviar gelding battled gamely first-over before eventuall
[read more]

Virginia-bred action at Colonial
October 29, 2009
Whatamach cruised to a wire-to-wire victory in the fastest of two $4,000 Virginia-bred 2-year-old colt and gelding elimination pacing events Wednesday night at Colonial Downs.   Freshmen Standardbreds, both pacers and trotters of both sexes competed for a chance to return Nov. 7 on the track’
[read more]

6,000 wins for Jeff Gregory
October 29, 2009
Nice guys do finish first. In fact, Jeff Gregory has now done it 6,000 times sitting behind Standardbred racehorses. Known as one of the nicest and most cordial to ever put a foot on a racetrack, the 43-year-old Gregory won with Montana Steel in the third race at Freehold Raceway
[read more]

Kennedy strikes gold at The Meadows
October 29, 2009
Gold Strike used the live cover of Liz to gain striking position, then blew by to destroy the field and capture the $23,450 final of the Mary Wohlmuth Memorial Series for freshman filly trotters Wednesday at The Meadows.   Gold Strike was frustrated in last week’s preliminary leg when she had
[read more]

Ubetterthink fast at Pocono
October 29, 2009
Ubetterthink Think, driven by Jason Bartlett, captured the $30,000 open pace for fillies and mares at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Wednesday night.   Leaving from post position four in the nine-horse field of gals, Bartlett sat fourth for the first half of the mile as Larry Stalbaum
[read more]

Artzina to Winbak of Delaware
October 29, 2009
Artzina, the 2006 Nova and Dan Patch Two Year Old Pacing Colt of the Year, will be standing at Winbak Farm of Delaware in 2010.   The son of Artiscape won in 1:51.1 at age two, capturing a New Jersey Sire Stakes championship, Goshen Cup, elimination and final of the Matron, Metro el
[read more]

Bulletproof now at $10.4 million
October 28, 2009
With another $783,800 in purse money earned in Breeders Crown championships last Saturday night at Woodbine, the total money winnings for horses owned by Bulletproof Enterprises soared to $10,441,334 this year.   Bulletproof has already set a record for money winnings for an owner of Standard
[read more]

Pansexual scores in series final at Colonial
October 28, 2009
Pansexual drove by Brian’s Joy just past the quarter pole, got the lead and never looked back in winning the 1 1/4-mile final leg of the Horace Martin Memorial Pacing Series Tuesday night at Colonial Downs.   Pansexual, who had wins in all three prior legs, swept the series and earned his six
[read more]

Red Mile approved for later Grand Circuit start in 2010
October 28, 2009
With Lexington's Kentucky Horse Park the site of the 2010 World Equestrian Games from Sept. 25 through Oct. 10, expected to bring in hundreds of thousands of visitors, The Red Mile has received permission from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to begin its meet two weeks later than in the pa
[read more]

Seven entered in Messenger
October 28, 2009
Seven 3-year-old colts were entered Tuesday for the 54th edition of the Messenger Stakes, third jewel of the pacing Triple Crown and Yonkers Raceway's final major stakes event of the season. The alphabetical roster includes Clear Vision, Doubleshotascotch, Fireintheshark, Hail Storm, Hypnotic Blue C
[read more]

A Teague triple--for Montrell
October 28, 2009
The 18-year-old driver Montrell Teague registered his first ever driving triple on the Tuesday program at Harrington Raceway. Teague, son of one of the sport’s top trainers, George Teague, drove two of his father’s horses to victory (Firiel Hanover, Mozzi Hanover) and also Jason and Stanley Johnson’
[read more]

Teddy a bear in Meadows series final
October 28, 2009
Trailing by eight lengths at the half, Tidewater Teddy launched a second-over move that carried him to the lead and a sweep of the Watson Provost Memorial Series for freshman colt and gelding pacers Tuesday at The Meadows.   Tidewater Teddy captured both preliminary legs with mid-pack moves,
[read more]

Lolique captures top trot at Pocono
October 28, 2009
Lolique and A Gentleman scored wins in the Open I and Open II Trot races at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Tuesday night.   In the $30,000 Open I Trot, Lolique, driven by John Wagner, sat fourth for almost three-quarters of the mile before making a three-wide move coming down the stretch to
[read more]

Won The West guns to Quillen win
October 27, 2009
Won The West wins Quillen. (Fotowon)
[read more]

DSBF finals spotlight freshman at Harrington
October 27, 2009
Four $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) events were contested on the Bobby Quillen Memorial undercard Monday at Harrington Raceway, showcasing Delaware’s top 2-year-old pacers and trotters.   The filly pacers were the first to get underway as Henry Faragalli and Henry Faragal
[read more]

Well Said is retired
October 27, 2009
The connections of Well Said can say “well done” to their star 3-year-old pacer as co-owner Jeff Snyder announced Monday the horse has been retired. Well Said won 10 of 14 races this year and earned $1.98 million. His victories included the North America Cup, Meadowlands Pace, Little Brown Jug,
[read more]

B Winner K in Meadows shocker
October 27, 2009
No horse seemed less likely to win the $23,750 final of the A.W. Capone Memorial Series on Monday at The Meadows than B Winner K. Not only was the youngster winless in 11 previous outings, but he also had drawn post nine in the event for freshman colt and gelding trotters. Thus, it was no shock when
[read more]

Two new stallions at Delaware Valley College
October 27, 2009
Delaware Valley College is proud to announce the addition of two new stallions to stand at the College in Doylestown, Pa., beginning with the 2010 season: The Fraternity Pan p,3, 1:51.4; 1:50.2 (Artsplace-Yankee Co-ed) and Xactly Hanover 3, Q1:52.3 (SJ’s Carvier-Xqsmwa. These new stallions will join
[read more]

Meadows horsemen to raise money for cancer program
October 27, 2009
The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA) is pleased to announce a charity fundraising event this Thursday, October 29 that will benefit the Breast Cancer Program at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC.That night, two special races will be held.  Race #6 on the evening’s card will feature an
[read more]

Kathy Re, wife of videographer, dies
October 26, 2009
Kathryn (Kathy) Re, 40, the wife of videographer Aaron Re, died Saturday away after a lingering illness. In addition to her husband of nine years she leaves behind three children, Molly K. Steinmetz, Maggie O. Re and Gabriel T. Re.   Her husband, Aaron, began his harness racing
[read more]

Total Truth to stand in Indiana in 2010
October 26, 2009
Total Truth, a son of Jenna's Beach Boy, will be returning to the US early next year to stand at stud at horseman Ernie Gaskin's farm in Indiana.   Owned by Ted Gewertz, Only Money Inc. and Teague Racing, Total Truth made three starts this summer at Harrah's Chester, but then a deal was struc
[read more]

American-bred Copy Catch joins Explosive Matter in Orsi Mangelli
October 26, 2009
The Premio Orsi Mangelli, Italian trotting’s major stake race will be raced on Sunday, Nov. 1 at the San Siro track in Milan. A pair of American horses, Explosive Matter ($1,479,469) and Zweig winner Copy Catch ($194,757) have joined the European entrants. Both were sired by Cantab Hall.  
[read more]

Kindergarten graduates at Vernon
October 25, 2009
Eagle Jolt, Dancinwiththestarz, Full Tank and Coco Lindy were final preliminary round winners in $10,000 segments of Saturday night’s Kindergarten Classic Series for 2-year-olds at Vernon Downs.Competing over a track labeled “good,” Eagle Jolt held off a late charge by the world champion One More La
[read more]

Power Of A Moment has staying power
October 25, 2009
Proving once again that he is just too much for the rest of the 2-year-old colt pacing set here in the Prairie State, Leland Mathias, Bert Hochsprung and Ervin Miller Stables’ Power Of A Moment made it 10-straight victories, as he cruised to a deceptively easy one-half length triumph, in1:53.4, whil
[read more]

Well To Do Guru wins at Maywood
October 24, 2009
Adhering to the old adage that “the show must go on,” Maywood Park presented a 14-race program despite starting the night without electricity throughout most of the plant due to a downed power line caused by high winds earlier in the day.The power outage did not affect the track's outdoor lighting s
[read more]

Gale Warning blows into Pompano
October 24, 2009
A thrilling Open Handicap trot went right down to the wire on the Friday evening, Oct. 23 program at The Isle Pompano Park, with the veteran gelding Gale Warning just edging the strong mare Diva Diva for the top prize.Under another perfect weather setting -- 82 degrees -- Diva Diva was sent through
[read more]

Simpson gets 1,000
October 24, 2009
Driver Brandon Simpson reached a career milestone on Friday night (Oct. 23) at Maywood Park, guiding the Bruce Pacitti trained Another Judy to an easy victory in race three to notch his 1,000th career victory.The 28-year-old Crete, Illinois resident sent the 3-year-old pacing filly right to the top
[read more]

Pilgrims Taj Crowned a winner
October 24, 2009
Pilgrims Taj rallied off second-over cover and swept past the dueling leaders in late stretch to capture the $617,880 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Trot Saturday night at Woodbine Racetrack.Magic Fruit (Steve Condren) blasted to the lead from Post 7 flashing a :28.1 first quarter, but he was overtaken
[read more]

Doug's Fame grows at Pocono
October 24, 2009
Doug’s Fame kept his winning streak alive by moving up in class to win the featured Open Handicap pace on Friday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The race carried a purse of $30,000.Leaving as a 2-1 second choice from post position four in a field of seven, Doug’s Fame and driver Anthony Napoli
[read more]

Baileysirishdream wakes up at Vernon
October 24, 2009
Baileysirishdream became a reality in Friday night’s $5,500 featured eighth event at Vernon Downs.The track’s leading dashwinner, Jimmy Whittemore, did the driving for trainer Ray VanDreason as Baileysirishdream ($4.10) took the scenic route from third at the quarter to gain the lead in the far turn
[read more]

Mach You And Me, Beach Nut Brand win at Yonkers
October 24, 2009
Mach You And Me (Jason Bartlett) and Beach Nut Brand (Jeff Gregory) shared the Friday night glory, winning Yonkers Raceway's pair of $40,000 Open Handicaps.Mach You And Me, after gapping her cover in the weekly distaff derby, was able to get her act together when it counted. Assigned post position n
[read more]

Accident mars Freehold feature
October 24, 2009
Hall of Fame driver Cat Manzi and the 2008 Rising Star Jason Bartlett were injured in an accident in the sixth race Preferred Pace at Freehold Raceway on Saturday, Oct. 24.The mishap occurred when the Steve Smith-driven Allamerican Idol made a break while on the lead at the three-quarter pole. Bartl
[read more]

Yellow Diamond wears first Crown
October 24, 2009
Yellow Diamond, the odds-on choice, opened up the rich, $5.1 million Breeders Crown evening at Woodbine on Saturday with a gutsy long neck score over Ginger And Fred in the $731,158 3-Year-Old Filly Pace. Driven by Jim Morrill, Jr. for trainer Tracy Brainard, Yellow Diamond, a daughter of Western
[read more]

Muscle Hill is a Crown king
October 24, 2009
World champion Muscle Hill capped off his phenomenal career in style with another top-notch triumph in the $617,880 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Colt Trot Saturday evening at Woodbine Racetrack.Hot Shot Blue Chip (Mike Lachance) and Tom Cango (Tim Tetrick) were the early breakers as Swan For All (R
[read more]

Poof Shes Gone does so with a Crown
October 24, 2009
Elimination winner Poof Shes Gone rallied from off the pace to prevail in the $617,880 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Filly Trot Saturday evening at Woodbine Racetrack.Ultimate Cameron (Mike Lachance) left from Post 6 with outside starter Levis Lady (Tim Tetrick) parked to the opening quarter in :28.4.
[read more]

Fancy Filly Crowned a queen
October 24, 2009
World Champion Fancy Filly got up in deep stretch to prevail over pacesetter Put On A Show in the $628,178 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Filly Pace Saturday night at Woodbine Racetrack.Ticket To Rock (John Campbell) secured the early lead and put up a :27.3 opening quarter. From there, Three Diamonds
[read more]

Broadway Schooner gives Sears a third Crown
October 24, 2009
Hambletonian Oaks winner Broadway Schooner rallied from way back to win the $617,880 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Filly Trot and give driver Brian Sears a Crown hat trick Saturday night at Woodbine Racetrack.Seaside (Dave Miller) hustled to the lead from Post 8 in the early going while Broadway Sch
[read more]

All hail All Speed's Crown
October 24, 2009
All Speed Hanover fired three-wide around the final turn and nipped the undefeated Sportswriter at the wire in the $720,860 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Colt Pace on Saturday at Woodbine Racetrack.Heavy favorite Sportswriter flashed early gate speed leaving from Post 2 with Ok Commander (Doug McNair)
[read more]

If I Can Dream is wide awake in Crown
October 24, 2009
Millionaire pacer If I Can Dream joined his full brother Western Terror as Breeders Crown winners courtesy of his front-end score in the $617,880 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Colt Pace Saturday night at Woodbine Racetrack.Carnivore (Jody Jamieson) left alertly from Post 7 and fired off a :26.2 open
[read more]

Plainridge closed Oct. 29 for gaming hearing
October 23, 2009
Live racing at Plainridge Racecourse Thursday, Oct. 29, will not be held so staff and supporters can attend a hearing on an expanded gaming measure in Boston's Gardner Auditorium. The track will be open with a full simulcast schedule.   The Committee on Economic Development and
[read more]

Indiana Downs hosts ISS frosh finals
October 23, 2009
Freshman pacers and trotters will vie for top honors Saturday night, October 24 at Indiana Downs as the Shelbyville track plays host a quartet of Indiana Sires Stakes finals. Purses for the four finales total $575,000, with three of the contests receiving purse increases when consolation races did n
[read more]

Miss Vickie gives Simpson 999 wins
October 23, 2009
Miss Vickie and Brandon Simpson win at Maywood. (REB photo)
[read more]

Call her 'Misster' winner at The Meadows
October 23, 2009
Misster Wilker made a decisive quarter-pole move and converted it to her second straight win in the Donna Dunn Memorial series for freshman filly pacers Thursday at The Meadows. The series’ second leg was contested over four divisions, with Dovetail, Hello Great Mate and O Lucky Me capturing the oth
[read more]

Peck looks back at Muscle Hill in Globe and Mail
October 23, 2009
Muscle Hill wins Kentucky Futurity. (Nigel Soult Photo)
[read more]

Michigan tracks facing Nov. 5 shutdown
October 23, 2009
The immediate future of racing in Michigan is in jeopardy for the second time this year as the racetracks prepare to cease operations as of Nov. 5 due to the lack of funding from the state, a situation made even more dire by Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s recent line item vetoing of virtually all of the m
[read more]

Shanghai Lil ready for her Breeders Crown Dance
October 23, 2009
Caretaker Kim Watson is a long, long way from home, and having the time of her life. The 30-year-old Auckland, New Zealand native answered an ad in the Standardbred journal Harness Racing Weekly ten months ago, and today finds herself taking care of her first Breeders Crown contender, the 3-year-ol
[read more]

Brainard fillies aim for Crown success
October 23, 2009
You might say Tracy Brainard and her partner Josh Marks are firing some serious bullets in this year’s Breeders Crown. Team Brainard has a six-pack of horses owned by the powerful Bulletproof Stables of Boca Raton, Florida, which will be represented by eight horses in three of the eight races. &nbs
[read more]

Liz, Chiptoria Secret win series legs at Meadows
October 22, 2009
Roughed up going to the quarter, Liz showed her speed and moxie in capturing her fourth straight victory Wednesday at The Meadows in a division of the Mary Wohlmuth Memorial Series for freshman filly trotters. Chiptoria Secret took the other $12,000 split in the series' second leg. The $20,000-added
[read more]

McGhees in South Carolina getting track resurfacing
October 22, 2009
Owners of the McGhees’ Mile Standardbred Training Center in Aiken, S.C. have announced announce they are resurfacing the facility’s mile-long clay track, the latest in a series of upgrades aimed at providing patrons the finest training experience possible.   “We want our guests to do mo
[read more]

Foiled Again 1, Mister Big 4 in Quillen final pp draw
October 22, 2009
The draw for Harrington Raceway’s signature event, the third annual $322,000 Bobby Quillen Memorial for free-for-all pacers, was completed Wednesday afternoon as part of a banner Monday program that will offer nearly $1 million in total purses. Drawing the coveted rail was Foiled Again, owned b
[read more]

Colts aim for Breeders Crown history
October 22, 2009
In this year’s Breeders Crown, one magnificent horse will end his career, while another will end his first season of racing. Both Muscle Hill and Sportswriter will be among the many story lines this Saturday in this year’s Crown at Woodbine Racetrack.  Fans may differ on which of the two horse
[read more]

Can 'Little Napoleon' conquer Crown?
October 22, 2009
Wishing Stone wins in Lexington. (Nigel Soult photo)
[read more]

Raising Rachel looking for some Crown revenge
October 22, 2009
On a crisp, cool morning on the backstretch of Mohawk Racetrack, caretaker Melissa Allen gives the 3-year-old trotting filly Raising Rachel a bath. Raising Rachel is one of ten 10 trotting sophomores who will go postward in the $600,000 Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Filly Trot Saturday night at Woo
[read more]

Woodbine to host all 12 Crown races in 2011
October 22, 2009
Woodbine Entertainment Group will play host to the full card of the Breeders Crown at Woodbine Racetrack in 2011 and could become part of a regular rotation of tracks.   Speaking after Tuesday’s draw for the 2009 Breeders Crown races for 2- and 3-year-old pacers and trotters this Saturday at
[read more]

Chris Fatta wins final of distance series at Colonial
October 22, 2009
Betting favorite Chris Fatta drove past Eagle Lake in deep stretch to capture the $11,050 final leg of the Virginians Pacing Series Wednesday night at Colonial Downs. The race was contested at the distance of 1 ¼ miles, which actually is one complete circuit at Colonial’s large oval.   
[read more]

Crown races live on TVG
October 22, 2009
The Breeders Crown will have even wider North American distribution this year as TVG (Television Games Network) will broadcast complete coverage of the event from Woodbine Racetrack this Saturday. In addition to the outstanding racing, Woodbine is also offering a guaranteed $50,000 pool for the ea
[read more]

One More Laugh hopes to graduate Kindergarten Saturday
October 22, 2009
Not being eligible for this year's Breeders Crown, world champion One More Laugh will look to take down five other rivals in the final leg of the Kindergarten Classic on Saturday night at Vernon Downs. Trainer Ray Schnittker will be in the sulky behind the 2-year-old son of Mcardle-Fancy Creek Funny
[read more]

Rose in full bloom with Well Said
October 22, 2009
Toni Rose is not shy when it comes to the affection she heaps upon "my baby," better known to the outside world as the champion sophomore pacer Well Said. The 47-year-old North Dakota native has been the right-hand woman for trainer Steve Elliott’s operation for just over a decade, and combines pr
[read more]

Siegels, Campbell team up with five Crown finalists
October 22, 2009
Owners Arlene and Jules Siegel and trainer Jim Campbell will have ample opportunities to add to their Breeders Crown trophy collection Saturday at Woodbine Racetrack. The Siegels, who have won three Breeders Crown titles and rank number two in series history with $2.5 million in purses, an
[read more]

Howard “Buck” Norris dies
October 21, 2009
Longtime horseman, Howard "Buck" Norris of Pinehurst, N.C., died peacefully at home Sunday, Oct. 18. He was 87. Perhaps best known as the trainer of Governor Skipper, one of the great pacers of the mid-1970s, Mr. Norris campaigned the William Wirtz-owned stallion through a three-year million-d
[read more]

Shadow Play retired
October 21, 2009
Shadow Play wins Little Brown Jug. (Conrad Photo)
[read more]

Kentucky Democrats, Republicans at odds again over gaming
October 21, 2009
Although two Kentucky Senate Republicans announced plans to file constitutional amendments regarding expanded gaming in the Bluegrass State, Democrats quickly voiced their disapproval, including Gov. Steve Beshear, who released a statement calling the two proposals “cynical” and “political.” 
[read more]

Pacer keeps on truckin' at Monticello
October 21, 2009
Southbound Trucker certainly deserves the accolade he’ll be receiving on Sunday, Oct. 25, as Horse of the Year at Monticello Raceway during the 2009 racing campaign. The 6-year-old Sharky Spur gelding just keeps truckin’ and on Tuesday, Southbound Trucker once again defeated the best pacers on the g
[read more]

Stage Show wins again at Pocono
October 21, 2009
Stage Show didn’t set any world or track records as she did the previous week, but she still won, for the second straight time, Tuesday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in the featured trot of the week. Her winning time this week was 1:54.1. The field included Dink Adoo and Keystone Ac
[read more]

Meirs Hanover fastest in series split at The Meadows
October 21, 2009
Meirs Hanover engaged the 8-5 favorite Show Topper down the backside, then wore him down in the stretch to score in 1:53.4, fastest division of the Watson Provost Memorial Series for freshman colt and gelding pacers Tuesday at The Meadows.   LKap Hanover and Tidewater Teddy, each a two-time w
[read more]

Mare finds her rhythm at Harrington
October 21, 2009
Russell and Elaine MacKinnon’s Keystone Rhythm ($12, Ross Wolfenden) earned her fourth win of the year Tuesday with a 1:55 triumph in the $20,000 Mares Junior Open Pace at Harrington Raceway.   The 5-year-old Camotion mare received a perfect pocket trip behind pacesetter Delightful Diva, who&
[read more]

Pansexual continues Colonial domination
October 21, 2009
Pansexual continued to dominate the Horace Martin Memorial Pacing Series by gaining his third consecutive win in the $5,000 stake on Tuesday evening at Colonial Downs.   Racing secretary Craig Andow creatively made each leg a different distance, and Pansexual has had no problem whether the ra
[read more]

Mister Big, Foiled Again win Quillen elims
October 20, 2009
The third annual Bobby Quillen Memorial eliminations at Harrington Raceway were contested Monday as Joseph Muscara’s Mister Big ($2.40, Brian Sears) and Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and JJK Stables’ Foiled Again ($4.60, Yannick Gingras) each won their respective divisions.   The Ron
[read more]

Sears looks back at Muscle Hill on Crown eve
October 20, 2009
Brian Sears is having the time of his life with 3-year-old trotting superstar Muscle Hill. The time, though, has almost passed too quickly. On Saturday, Sears and Muscle Hill will attempt to complete a perfect season in the $600,000 Breeders Crown at Woodbine Racetrack. Muscle Hill has won all 11 of
[read more]

Sportswriter ready to make Crown headlines
October 20, 2009
Mark MacDonald says Sportswriter is the best 2 year old he has ever driven. He might be even more than that. MacDonald and Sportswriter enter Saturday’s $700,000 Breeders Crown for 2-year-old colt pacers with a perfect seven-for-seven record and world-record performance in the $1 million Metro
[read more]

Breeders Crowns to be carried on Sirius radio
October 20, 2009
The Breeders Crown, harness racing's greatest night, will be carried Saturday on a two-hour special edition of Sirius XM radio’s “Race of the Week.” The show will air from 9 to 11 p.m. (EDT) and can be heard on Sirius Channel 126 and XM Channel 243.   The two-hour show was made poss
[read more]

Captain Sully lands another at The Meadows
October 20, 2009
Captain Sully made a confident move to the front past the quarter pole, and strode out to an effortless, two-length victory in a division of the A.W. Capone Memorial Series for freshman colt and gelding trotters on Monday at The Meadows, stamping himself as the favorite in next week’s $20,000 added
[read more]

Muscle Hill lands post one in Crown final; Well Said gets nine
October 20, 2009
Muscle Hill, on the verge of setting a new single-season earnings mark, drew post one for Saturday’s $600,000 Breeders Crown final for 3-year-old colt trotters at Woodbine at a press conference held Tuesday afternoon at the racetrack. The son of Muscles Yankee comes into the race riding a 19-race wi
[read more]

Luchento re-elected SBOANJ president
October 20, 2009
Thomas F. Luchento was re-elected president of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey (SBOANJ) when the board of directors re-organized after the group’s annual membership meeting on Monday, Oct. 19, at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in East Windsor, N.J.   L
[read more]

Lolique pulls upset in Colonial Invitational Trot
October 19, 2009
Lolique and trainer/driver John Wagner upset heavily favored Buck I St Pat in a $40,000 Invitational Trot on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 18) at Colonial Downs. The race was the richest non-Virginia bred event on Colonial’s fall calendar.   Buck I St Pat, sent off at odds of 1-9, came first over at
[read more]

Favorites sweep Sarah Myers Stakes action
October 19, 2009
Mystical Victress and Brandon Simpson win in 1:55.4
[read more]

Hanover yearling videos online
October 19, 2009
Due to the combination of the Lexington yearling sale taking place a week later than normal and significantly adverse weather conditions which severely hampered their production, Hanover Shoe Farms has been later than normal in posting the Harrisburg yearling videos on its website.   The vide
[read more]

Pacing colt brings $27,000 at Winbak sale
October 19, 2009
Winbak Farm held its annual Select Sale at its main farm in Chesapeake City, Md., just a stone’s throw from the Chesapeake Bay, on Friday, Oct. 16. The average price paid for a yearling was $7,576, a drop of 13.2 percent from the average of $8,728 posted in 2008. The gross for the 46 head sold was $
[read more]

2010 Breeders Crowns now on Oct. 9
October 19, 2009
The Breeders Crown, harness racing’s $7 million year-end series, will take place on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010 instead of the previously announced date of Nov. 6 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.   When the 2010 World Equestrian Games displaced the Grand Circuit meet at Lexingt
[read more]

Trainer Greg Peck launches website
October 19, 2009
Trainer Greg Peck told harnessracing.com Monday that he has launched a website, www.gregorypeckhorseracing.com, in the hopes of attracting new owners to the sport. Peck, the trainer of Muscle Hill, the strong favorite to be voted Horse of the Year, said his wife Nancy is instrumental in maintaining
[read more]

Mr Wiggles locks up spot in BC colt pace final
October 18, 2009
Mr Wiggles and Corey Callahan win in 1:50.2. (New Image Media)
[read more]

Yonkers' Fall Harvest Festival a success
October 18, 2009
The idea behind Yonkers Raceway's first Fall Harvest Festival Saturday night was to showcase the close relationship between horse racing and agriculture in New York State.   Throw in the cooperation of Mother Nature, who held off her predicted deluge to the delight of a very enthusiastic tur
[read more]

Fields set for Breeders' Crown sophomore filly finals
October 18, 2009
Following two eliminations, the field for the $600,000 Breeders' Crown final for three-year-old trotting fillies has been drawn.   Here are the entries for the October 24 final:   Post Position Filly Driver Trainer1 - Margarita Momma, Ron Pierce, Jan Johnson2 - The Ice Queen, Jim Morr
[read more]

Balmoral hosts Sarah Myers Stakes
October 18, 2009
Power Of A Moment cruises to his ninth straight victory.
[read more]

Sharpshootennorris earns eighth Vernon win
October 17, 2009
Sharpshootennorris tied L’Argent Hall at eight for most trotting triumphs during this 56th season at Vernon Downs with a 1:56.2 outing in the week’s $10,000 Open handicap test.   Jack Rice did the teaming for trainer/part-owner Tracy Brainard and Gerard Stuchbury as Sharpshootennorris ($6.90)
[read more]

Maywood hosts pair of ISOB splits
October 17, 2009
Fox Valley Seth and driver Todd Warren.
[read more]

Pantaleano collects 5,000th career win
October 17, 2009
When J M Rambo crossed the finish line 1st in Freehold Raceway’s 12th race on Saturday, it was not just another victory for driver Jim Pantaleano.   For the 47 year old native of Cleveland, Ohio, it was his 5000th victory lifetime.   Jim drove his first race when he was 16 years old at
[read more]

Redneck Riviera wins New Jersey Futurity
October 17, 2009
Redneck Riviera coasted to a three-length victory in the $60,000 New Jersey Futurity for three-year-old pacers on Saturday, October 17 at Freehold Raceway.   The son Red River Hanover, driven by Andy Miller and trained by Erv Miller, had the lead at every call and paced the mile in 1:54.4. Da
[read more]

Elusive Desire, Margarita Momma take filly trot elims
October 17, 2009
Elusive Desire trots to a 1:55.1 victory. (New Image Media)
[read more]

Poof She's Gone, Christiana Hanover win BC elims
October 16, 2009
Poof Shes Gone wins in a record 1:55.4. (New Image Media)
[read more]

Record performance for Lucky Chucky at Woodbine
October 16, 2009
Lucky Chucky trots to a record 1:55.1 win. (New Image Media)
[read more]

Western Terror freshmen sweep BC filly pace elims
October 16, 2009
Western Silk holds off Put On A Show. (New Image Media)
[read more]

Fields set for Breeders' Crown frosh finals
October 16, 2009
Following the completion of Friday evening's eliminations, the fields for the October 24 Breeders' Crown Finals for two-year-old pacers and trotters have been drawn. No eliminations were needed for two-year-old pacing colts.   Breeders’ Crown Two-Year-Old Filly Trot Final   PP Horse D
[read more]

Cheyenne Knight claims Pocono feature
October 16, 2009
Cheyenne Knight came back from dead last in the early going to rally and win the featured Open Handicap pace on Friday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The race carried a purse of $30,000.   Leaving from the #7 post in a field of 9 as a 4-1 third betting choice, Cheyenne Knight, a 4-year
[read more]

Favorites fall in Yonkers co-features
October 16, 2009
Batalj Launcher (Jason Bartlett) and Night's Kreeation (Jordan Stratton) won their respective $40,000 Yonkers Raceway Friday night co-features.   Batalj Launcher went the distance in the Open Handicap Trot. Leaving from post position No. 4, he led through comfy fractions of :28.4, :58.4, 1:27
[read more]

Michigan board approves casino ballot petition
October 15, 2009
A four-member Michigan Board of State Canvassers unanimously approved on Wednesday the wording for a constitutional amendment submitted by a group led by Hazel Park Raceway that would provide for the opening of eight casinos in the Wolverine State, including five at racetracks. Racing to Save Michig
[read more]

Favorites take two of three in ISS action
October 15, 2009
Favorites prevailed in two of three Indiana Sires Stakes contests for freshman trotters Wednesday night, October 14 at Indiana Downs. Kara’s Secret and Msnaughtybynature won their respective $25,000 contests for two-year-old fillies while Bluebird Caviar pulled a mild upset in the lone colt division
[read more]

Mister Big heads Quillen eliminations
October 15, 2009
A total of 10 horses were entered Wednesday for the Bobby Quillen Memorial at Harrington Raceway, with two $30,000 eliminations held on Monday, Oct. 19, with the top four in each advancing to the $305,000 (est.) final on Oct. 26. The reigning 2008 champ, Joe Muscara’s Mister Big,
[read more]

Buck I St. Pat takes on four in Colonial invitational
October 15, 2009
Colonial Downs will host a $40,000 Invitational Trot this Sunday, Oct. 18, where Vivid Photo and Buck I St. Pat headline a field of five participants whose combined purse earnings exceed $5.7 million. The ’09 invitational temporarily replaces the Patriot Trot, which had been held at Colonial ea
[read more]

Violet and Cardinal elims held
October 15, 2009
Illinois conceived and foaled trotters stepped into the spotlight on Wednesday night as diagonally gaited freshmen of both sexes competed in Violet and Cardinal Stake eliminations at Balmoral Park. With a total of 14 fillies entered for the Violet a pair of $7,500 elimination tussles were carde
[read more]

Pair of track records set at Harrington
October 15, 2009
Two new track records for trotters were set on Wednesday’s program at Harrington Raceway. Jim Morand and Nanticoke Racing’s Nice Dream set a new mark for 3-year-old trotting geldings with a 1:57.3 victory with Morand driving. The Les Givens-trainee has now won 12 of 28 career starts.  
[read more]

Pompano Park to offer free live race programs
October 15, 2009
Starting with the Friday evening, Oct. 16, program at 7:05 p.m., the Isle Pompano Park is offering free programs for its own live cards to all on-track patrons and horsepeople.   "We’ve studied it and just finalized our plan late in the noon hour on Wednesday to move forward with this initiat
[read more]

Gold Strike in series opener at The Meadows
October 15, 2009
Gold Strike struck gold in the opening leg of the Mary Wohlmuth Memorial Series on Wednesday at The Meadows, powering to an impressive five-length victory over a sloppy surface. Liz won her third straight and fourth in the last five by capturing the other $12,000 division in the opening leg of the s
[read more]

Michigan barn fire kills five Standardbreds
October 15, 2009
A barn fire at veteran Michigan-based trainer Tom Clark's farm shortly after midnight Thursday has reportedly killed five Standardbreds, including a 2 year old, a 3 year old, two 4 year olds and a 7 year old. The fire was reported at 12:18 a.m. and totally destroyed the 40-by-120 foot barn, which al
[read more]

Michigan governor vetos funding for racing
October 15, 2009
The future of the Michigan Sire Stakes and racing at fairs are apparently in jeopardy after Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Wednesday exercised her item veto authority while signing a bill authorizing expenditures for the state Dept. of Agriculture that eliminates all such state fundin
[read more]

Well Said, Vintage Master take Crown byes
October 14, 2009
Well Said has a bye into Crown final. (Lisa Photo)
[read more]

Muscle Hill aims for 20 in a row in Breeders Crown
October 14, 2009
Muscle Hill aims for 20 in a row. (Nigel Soult photo)
[read more]

Stage Show sets Pocono track record
October 14, 2009
Stage Show grabbed “center stage” in Tuesday night’s Open II Trot at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. With Tom Jackson in the bike, Stage Show won the $22,000 trot in a track record time of 1:53.1.   The 4-year-old mare came into the race 0-for-17 but put in a solid effort from the one
[read more]

Freshman trotters set to battle in Crown eliminations
October 14, 2009
Costa Rica, the top money-earning 2-year-old trotter in harness racing, leads a group of 15 entrants for the Breeders Crown for 2-year-old filly trotters at Woodbine Racetrack. Two $25,000 elimination races will be held Friday, with the top five finishers in each division advancing to the $600,000 f
[read more]

JA's Commando raids Colonial winner's circle
October 14, 2009
JA’s Commando, lightly raced of late, scored an impressive wire-to-wire win and equaled her lifetime mark in Tuesday night’s featured race at Colonial Downs.   JA’s Commando’s only other race at Colonial was a week ago, when she finished seventh and lost by 14 lengths. The sophomore filly pac
[read more]

Sportswriter, Put On A Show put streaks on line
October 14, 2009
Undefeated Metro Pace champion Sportswriter leads a list of 11 entries for the $700,000 Breeders Crown for 2-year-old male pacers on October 24 at Woodbine Racetrack. No elimination race will be necessary. Joining Sportswriter in the field are All Speed Hanover, Kyle Major, Malicious, OK Commander,
[read more]

No elims for Crown 3FP, two splits needed in 3FT
October 14, 2009
A powerful troika of Tracy Brainard-trained fillies will attempt to sweep the board in the $710,000 Breeders Crown for 3-Year-Old Filly Pacers at Woodbine on Saturday, Oct. 24. Only five other fillies entered once Bulletproof Enterprises’ Yellow Diamond and Shacked Up supplemented on Monday and they
[read more]

Freshman takes fastest lap around The Meadows
October 14, 2009
Lap Hanover unleashed a quick, deadly first-over burst that carried him to victory in 1:54.1, fastest of four divisions of the Watson Provost Memorial Series for freshman colt and gelding pacers on Tuesday at The Meadows. Tidewater Teddy, Show Topper and Hare Force Two captured the other splits in t
[read more]

Series and stakes action abundant at Indy Downs
October 14, 2009
A trio of late closing series finals and a pair of Indiana Sires Stakes contests highlighted racing action at Indiana Downs Tuesday evening, October 13. It was a tough night for favorites as only one, Viking Kilowatt, made it to the winner’s circle in the five events. The Kilowatt colt equaled his l
[read more]

Breeders Select Sale held at Pocono
October 14, 2009
A colt by Metropolitan topped the Breeders Select yearling sale held Monday in the paddock at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, attracting a final bid of $27,000 from Pennsylvania horseman Todd Schadel. The colt, named Sapphire City, is out of Spectre Almahurst, whose offspring include $1.1 mil
[read more]

PASS champ Dancinwiththestarz heads to Kindergarten
October 14, 2009
Pennsylvania Sire Stakes champion Dancinwiththestarz leads a field of 10 freshman pacing fillies on Saturday night at Vernon Downs in a $10,000 leg of the Kindergarten Classic. John Stark Jr. trains the 2-year-old daughter of Four Starzzzz Shark–So Western for W Springtime Stable and Shannon Br
[read more]

Breeders Crowns draw 111 entries
October 13, 2009
Three-year-olds Muscle Hill and Well Said along with undefeated 2-year-old colt pacer Sportswriter top the entries to the $5 million Breeders Crown at Woodbine on Saturday, Oct. 24.   There will be elims for all 2-year-old divisions on Friday, Oct. 16, with the exception of the 2-year-ol
[read more]

Electric Yankee fillies sweep ISS action
October 13, 2009
Freshman filly pacers squared off Monday night, October 12 in the third and final preliminary round of Indiana Sires Stakes competition at Indiana Downs. Two $25,000 divisions served as the last opportunity for each of the 20 fillies entered to earn enough points to secure a place in the $125,000 fi
[read more]

Captain Sully lands Meadows victory
October 13, 2009
Captain Sully, who gained valuable experience in New York stakes, put that seasoning to good use on Monday at The Meadows when he captured a division of the A.W. Capone, a series for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters.   Though winless in his Empire State outings, Captain Sully showed that
[read more]

DSBF underway at Harrington; Teague wins three
October 13, 2009
Six $20,000 divisions of the first leg for pacers in the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) stakes for 2-year-old pacers were held Monday at Harrington Raceway. Badlands Racing, George Teague, Elmer Fannin and Henry Dorfman’s Delmarvalous ($2.10, Corey Callahan) was the fastest win
[read more]

Field set for inaugural Forest City Pace
October 13, 2009
The $189,000(C) inaugural edition of the Forest City Pace is set for Saturday night at Western Fair Raceway and will find locally-owned To Helen Back leaving from the middle of the pack with Mike Saftic in the sulky.   Saftic, one of Canada’s leading drivers for many years, will make a rare a
[read more]

Agricultural festival set for Saturday at Yonkers
October 13, 2009
Yonkers Raceway will be showcasing the Fall Harvest Festival at Empire City this Saturday night. The track will feature the best the Empire State has to offer both on and off the track. "We want to show that we are a part of the agricultural industry in New York State,” said Yonkers Racewa
[read more]

Crawford posthumously honored with Bruce Hamilton Memorial Award
October 13, 2009
Harness Horse Breeders of New York State has announced James A. Crawford Jr. as the third annual recipient of the Bruce Hamilton Memorial Medal. This award recognizes outstanding contributions to harness horse racing and improvements of the breeding of Standardbred horses in the State of New York.
[read more]

Ontario makes slight modifications to urging rule
October 13, 2009
The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) has approved some modifications to its penalty guidelines for inappropriate urging of a horse, stating, "these minor refinements to the rules represent the ORC’s commitment to making the policy, rules, and practice work better, and not to significantly modi
[read more]

Pacing colts lead Lexington in dollars
October 12, 2009
This year’s Lexington Selected Sale finished on Sunday and the numbers fell about how sale managers expected. A total of 792 yearlings were sold for a gross of $27.7 million. When horses which had reserves on them are taken out of the total, the average works out to $35,003. That’s a drop of 13.6 pe
[read more]

Indiana yearling sale up 10 percent
October 12, 2009
With slots-enhanced purses and a breed development program that recently announced it will sweeten an already lucrative pot to the tune of $2.5 million next year, interest in the Indiana harness racing couldn’t be higher. The renewed focus on the Hoosier State was reflected in yearling prices at Ind
[read more]

Meadows moves to afternoon post
October 12, 2009
The Meadows Racetrack & Casino will shift to a 4:05 pm post time beginning the week of Monday, Nov. 2. It will also Fridays to its live racing schedule (pending Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission approval).   With the changes, The Meadows will offer live racing each Mon
[read more]

Windsong Espoir being syndicated by Walnut Hall Ltd.
October 12, 2009
Windsong Espoir 2,1:55.3 ($763,230), Canada’s Two-Year-Old Trotting Colt of 2007, has been syndicated by Walnut Hall Ltd. and will stand at Westwind Farm in Ontario for a fee of $3,500 (Canadian). The announcement was made by Alan J. Leavitt, president of Walnut Hall Ltd.   Leavitt stated tha
[read more]

Bulletproof pulls the trigger with 2 supplements
October 12, 2009
"It’s the Breeders Crown,” said Bulletproof Stable owner Jeffrey Brooks. “It’s a night like no other…we have to be there.”  The “we” in question are just two of the stable’s brilliant homebred pacing fillies, Yellow Diamond (in photo) and Shacked Up.     Any hesitation in writing a
[read more]

Lexington Selected average rebounds Saturday night
October 11, 2009
The Lexington Selected Yearling Sale continued to show signs of a weaker marketplace this year as the average price at the fourth session, held Saturday night at the Fasig-Tipton Sale Pavilion, declined by 11.2 percent. That follows declines of 13, 14 and 16.8 percent in the previous three sessions.
[read more]

Services set for Brody Johnson
October 11, 2009
Funeral services have been announced for Brody Johnson, the executive assistant for Harness Tracks of America, who died last week in Fort Collins, Colorado.   Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 1 pm at Walker Mortuary in Morgan, Wyoming. Friends and family may call at the
[read more]

$125,000 top price at third Lex session
October 10, 2009
The third session of the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale mirrored the first two sessions: there were some solid prices, but overall the average price paid declined. With 156 yearlings sold, the average dropped to $34,628, down from $41,600 in the same session last year. That’s a 16.8 percent declin
[read more]

Equity scores 1:59.4 Gold final victory
October 10, 2009
After finishing in the runner-up position in his last three starts, sophomore trotting colt Equity reclaimed his place in the victor’s chair with a Gold Final triumph at Western Fair Raceway on Friday evening.   Equity and regular reinsman Jack Moiseyev lined up at Post 4 in the $130,000 cont
[read more]

Saturday Backstretch with Gordon
October 10, 2009
Well, it's finally the final day of the two-week Grand Circuit meet at The Red Mile, and it's a raw Saturday morning in Lexington. The sun is expected to come out this afternoon but the high is expected to barely reach 60. Still, it's a far cry from yesterday's nearly-all-day rain, including three m
[read more]

Sophomore colt trotters battle in Bluegrass
October 10, 2009
With Kentucky Futurity champion Muscle Hill sitting the week out in preparation for the upcoming Breeders Crown, 27 sophomore colt and gelding trotters were entered into Saturday's Bluegrass at The Red Mile, and Explosive Matter, who has been chasing that colt all year long, took full advantage. Dri
[read more]

Lanson, Buck I St. Pat win Allerage Older Trots
October 10, 2009
Lanson won the Allerage Horse Trot. (Nigel Soult Photo)
[read more]

Mister Big, Tug River Princess win Allerage paces
October 10, 2009
The Allerage events for older pacers got underway at The Red Mile Saturday afternoon when Tug River Princess scored in 1:51, and a few races later Mister Big rode a two-hole trip to a 1:49.2 score in the Allerage for male pacers.   The $149,000 Allerage Horse & Gelding Open Pace
[read more]

If I Can Dream, Vintage Master take Tattersalls
October 10, 2009
Heavily-favored Well Said fared no better than fourth in the second of two divisions of the $585,000 Tattersalls Pace for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers Saturday afternoon at The Red Mile, as If I Can Dream sprung the 13-1 upset. Vintage Master led wire to wire to win the first Tattersalls split
[read more]

Freehold hosts New Jersey Futurity splits
October 10, 2009
Tobago Cays and JK Kinahurra, both sons of Rocknroll Hanover, won divisions of the New Jersey Futurity for two-year-old pacers on Saturday, October 10 at Freehold Raceway.   The New Jersey Futurity is sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey and restricted
[read more]

Haul Away earns OSS Gold final victory
October 10, 2009
Haul Away captured his second consecutive Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final for rookie pacing colts with a sharp closing rally on Saturday night at Woodbine Racetrack for driver Jody Jamieson.   The gelded son of Modern Art - Armbro Reno got away fifth in the early going and watched as eliminat
[read more]

Ideal Race scores OSS Gold final shocker
October 10, 2009
Ideal Race used an eye-catching off-the-pace rally to post a 26-1 upset in Saturday night’s $130,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers at Woodbine Racetrack.   Luc Ouellette engineered the winning trip from post three with the son of Western Terror - E
[read more]

Fox Valley Tribal upsets in Yonkers feature
October 10, 2009
Fox Valley Tribal (Eric Goodell) slipped off the cones entering the stretch Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $40,000 Open Handicap Pace.   Leaving from post position No. 2 as the 21-1 rank outsider, Fox Valley Tribal sat a three-hole while 3-5 favorite Lucky Man (Cat Manzi) won the
[read more]

Rocknroll Hanover colt tops 2nd session at $225,000
October 09, 2009
There were few seats available in the main auction arena when the second night of the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale got underway, but shoppers were still in a conservative mood as the 146 horses that went through the ring generated an average of $52,918, down 14 percent from last year’s second-se
[read more]

Friday Backstretch with Gordon
October 09, 2009
A rainy Friday morning at The Red Mile.
[read more]

Daryl Busse dies at 67
October 09, 2009
Daryl Busse, 67, for many years a leading driver-trainer both nationally and in Illinois, died Thursday evening, Oct. 8, at home, following a lengthy illness. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.   Mr. Busse, a native of Wisconsin, entered the sport by working for
[read more]

Sloppy conditions for Bluegrass 3FT at Red Mile
October 09, 2009
Margarita Momma won the first of three $86,400 divisions of the Bluegrass for 3-year-old filly trotters Friday afternoon at The Red Mile, posting a 1:53.4 clocking over a track rated "sloppy" after heavy rains deluged Lexington early in the morning and again early on the race card.   Dri
[read more]

All Speed Hanover in 1:50.3 in ISS
October 09, 2009
Despite less than ideal conditions on a rainy Friday afternoon at The Red Mile, All Speed Hanover posted a huge 1:50.3 victory over a "sloppy" track in the third of three divisions of the $355,900 International Stallion Stake (ISS) for 2-year-old colt pacers. Finishing second in the race was world c
[read more]

Sweep in Garnsey Memorial
October 09, 2009
Yellow Diamond was sent off the heavy favorite in the first of two $151,500 divisions of the Glen Garnsey Memorial Pace for 3-year-old fillies Friday afternoon at The Red Mile and she rewarded her backers with a winning 1:52.1 effort for driver Jim Morrill Jr. over a "sloppy" track. Showherthemoney
[read more]

Golden Receiver repeats in Pocono feature
October 09, 2009
Golden Receiver paced a blistering mile in sloppy conditions to win the featured Open pace on Friday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The race carried a purse of $30,000.   Leaving as the 2-5 favorite from the inside post in a field of 6, Golden Receiver waited until the first time throu
[read more]

Shacked Up romps in the slop in OSS Gold final
October 09, 2009
Heavy favorite, Shacked Up, took command of a field of top sophomore pacing fillies Friday night at Woodbine and would not be denied a $130,000 victory in her Ontario Sires Stakes Gold final.   With her powerhouse stablemate Yellow Diamond having been scratched, Shacked Up (Luc Ouellette) wen
[read more]

Late closer finals action at Yonkers
October 09, 2009
Yonkers Raceway Friday night hosted a quartet of $30,000 finals for New York Bred Late Closers. The freshmen were on display in both sexes and gaits. Dan Daley trained two of the winners, doing the honors himself with the former.   Daley and Miss Conway teamed to win the Speedy Crown Trot fo
[read more]

Violet and Cardinal Stakes finals held at Maywood
October 09, 2009
Fox Valley Oracle and Tyler Buter.
[read more]

Stratton wins All-America Pace at Monticello
October 08, 2009
Monticello Raceway's Heritage Drivers Series final, dubbed the All-America Pace, pitted the winners of each of the eight preliminary races for different ethnicities on Wednesday afternoon, and when the shouting ended Jordan Stratton emerged victorious. The talented youngster reined Bolero Artif
[read more]

HTA's Brody Johnson Dies
October 08, 2009
Brody Johnson, Harness Tracks of America’s young executive assistant, was found dead Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 7, in his home in Fort Collins, Colorado.   Mr. Johnson, a graduate of the Race Track Industry Program at the University of Arizona, had worked with Stan Bergstein and Paul Estok at
[read more]

Freshman trotters showcased at Indy Downs
October 08, 2009
Indiana Sires Stakes action continued Wednesday night, October 7 at Indiana Downs as two-year-old trotters squared off in the second round of competition. Earl’s Glider won the $25,000 division for freshman colts in 1:59.1 while favorites Call Me Ching and Msnaughtybynature swept the two divisions f
[read more]

Glidemaster colt tops sale at $270,000
October 08, 2009
Just like last year, the sale topper in the opening session of the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale was an offspring of Pizza Dolce, the 2002 Two-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year and the dam of stakes winner Bella Dolce. This year's Pizza Dolce offspring, a Glidemaster colt, was bought&
[read more]

Cams Van Go, Ginger And Fred Win Keystone Classics
October 08, 2009
Saddled with seven consecutive losses, Cams Van Go snapped that streak decisively Wednesday at The Meadows with a front-end victory in a Keystone Classic division. Ginger And Fred captured the other split in the $83,800 event for Pennsylvania-bred 3-year-old pacing fillies.   Cams Van Go race
[read more]

Thursday Backstretch with Gordon
October 08, 2009
It was a bright, sunshine-filled Thursday morning at The Red Mile in Lexington (although it was drizzling when I left home but it never rained at the track) as I began strolling through the backstretch. I promised my colleague, Gen Sullivan, I would stroll, since she told me I was doi
[read more]

Record number of claims at Yonkers
October 08, 2009
Fueled by higher purses driven by VLTs and increased simulcast exports and revenue through expanding outlets and 244 days of racing, the claiming business is booming at Yonkers Raceway. Since the beginning of 2009, some 558 horses went through the claiming ranks at Yonkers.   While the number
[read more]

Box closes Monday for Breeders Crown supplements
October 08, 2009
The countdown has begun on supplements and entries for the U.S.$5 million Breeders Crown Events, to be raced Saturday, Oct. 24, at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. The $600,000 (guaranteed) Breeders Crown sophomore events carry a supplemental tag of $62,500 (US).   Supplemental declaration
[read more]

Freshman colt trotters in ISS action
October 08, 2009
Wishing Stone's 1:55.3 win fastest in ISS. (Nigel Soult Photo)
[read more]

Power Of A Moment puts 7-race win streak on line at Maywood
October 08, 2009
The top 2-year-old pacers of both sexes in Illinois will be on display Friday night as the $56,650 Violet and $51,900 Cardinal share billing on a 14-race program at Maywood Park. Post time for the card is 7:10 pm (central).   Carded as race five on the program, the V
[read more]

Tidewater Tomahawk edges Arctic Warrior
October 07, 2009
Tidewater Tomahawk overcame a brutal trip to win a stirring stretch duel with Arctic Warrior and capture a Keystone Classic division for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers in 1:51.4 Tuesday at The Meadows. Wambam Sam took the other split in the $101,200 event for Pennsylvania-breds.   Le
[read more]

Services set for horseman Jack Koth Jr.
October 07, 2009
Jack Koth Jr., 63, of Howell and Oradell, NJ, a longtime trainer, driver and owner, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 6. Visiting will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, at the William G. Basralian Funeral Home, 559 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell. Religious services will be held at
[read more]

Favorites prevail in Indiana Sires Stakes action
October 07, 2009
Two Indiana Sires Stakes contests for freshman colt pacers were held Tuesday, October 6 at Indiana Downs, with favorites prevailing in both splits. Iron Claw and trainer Charlie Conrad won the first $25,000 division with a 1:58.1 performance. Viking Kilowatt and Trent Stohler claimed the other secon
[read more]

Wednesday Backstretch with Gordon
October 07, 2009
It’s a brisk Wednesday morning in Lexington, thankfully the sun is out to make it comfortable enough to be in the backstretch at The Red Mile. At least the sun is shining to make me feel a bit better about my Detroit Tigers losing last night.   If I can digress from racing for a moment and go
[read more]

Higher And Higher sets season's mark in ISS
October 07, 2009
Higher And Higher scored a national season's best 1:51.2 victory in the first of three divisions of the $313,000 International Stallion Stake for 2-year-old filly pacers Wednesday afternoon at The Red Mile. Driven by Dave Palone, Higher And Higher routed her competition with a 10-length score a
[read more]

Economy a factor for sale
October 07, 2009
Despite the economy, this year’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale might generate good results. The reason is simple: Purse money. Thanks to expanded gaming at racetracks in several racing areas, there is more purse money available today than three years ago. Here’s an example of how much money is
[read more]

Dwane Parker recovering from training mishap
October 07, 2009
Veteran trainer Dwane Parker, 72, is recuperating at home following a training mishap at The Meadows that left him with multiple transverse process fractures and deep brusing.   “The good news is that the injuries are stable,” said Parker's son, Norm, who trains with him at The Meadows. “The
[read more]

Jamieson, Brainard take Mohawk titles
October 06, 2009
Jody Jamieson was once again the leading linesman during the April 30-Oct. 5 Mohawk meet. The 33-year-old driver and third-generation horseman, who won an O’Brien award as Canada’s top driver in 2007, racked up purses totaling $4,020,517 at the Campbellville oval this summer, nearly half a million
[read more]

ISS action continues at Indiana Downs
October 06, 2009
Indiana Downs played host to the second round of Indiana Sires Stakes action for freshman filly pacers Monday, October 5, carding two $30,000 contests. Sawgrass Farms’ Electric Presence captured the first division in 1:55.4 while Steve Carter’s Dark Alley Sally claimed victory with a 1:56 performanc
[read more]

Triumphant Caviar, Garcon win Keystone Classic splits
October 06, 2009
Triumphant Caviar followed up his world record performance in Delaware, Ohio, with a crisp, workmanlike-effort that carried him to a facile victory in a Keystone Classic division on Monday at The Meadows. The trotter had been entered in a late-closer at The Red Mile last Friday but was scr
[read more]

Canadian Mike MacNeill wins first race at Yonkers
October 06, 2009
Excel Nine gave driver Mike MacNeill his initial Yonkers Raceway victory Monday night, winning the $20,000, fourth race pace with a pocket trip from the pylons.   "(Trainer) Jason Robertson and I know each other very well from Sudbury Downs (in Ontario), and he's been talking about comin
[read more]

Giddy Up goes to Harrington winner's circle
October 06, 2009
Larry Baron and David Rovine's Giddy Up Lucky ($3), driven by Vince Copeland, improved to two-for-two at Harrington Raceway in his career with a 1:52.4 triumph in the $25,000 Open Pace on Monday.   The 4-year-old Camluck gelding assumed command before the opening quarter for trainer Josh
[read more]

Filly trotters in action in ISS divisions
October 06, 2009
The second week of Grand Circuit action at The Red Mile is also the time for final preps for the upcoming Breeders Crown championships for 2 and 3 year olds at Woodbine, and on Tuesday afternoon it was the freshman filly trotters in action in five $65,800 divisions of the International Stallion Stak
[read more]

Big Bikkies breaks coffin bone
October 05, 2009
Trainer Noel Daley told harnessracing.com Monday morning that the 3-year-old colt trotter Big Bikkies, who won the first of the two Kentucky Futurity eliminations at The Red Mile on Saturday but finished last in the second heat, suffered a broken coffin bone in his right front leg during that race a
[read more]

Meadows Racetrack & Casino donates memorabilia
October 05, 2009
The Meadows Racetrack & Casino has announced that it has donated the bulk of its Dan Patch, Delvin Miller/Adios, and Meadows Memorabilia Collections spanning 216 artifacts to the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame in Goshen, NY.   Meadows Racing, a unit of Cannery Casino Reso
[read more]

Southwind Tempo, Tug River Princess to wrap up season in Lex
October 05, 2009
The top older pacing mares Southwind Tempo and Tug River Princess will both be racing at The Red Mile on Saturday. Eric Cherry, who shares ownership of the mares, said he decided to have them both shipped to Lexington for their last starts of the season based on their strong performances in the Milt
[read more]

Black Book 2 now online
October 05, 2009
The 2009 edition of The Black Book 2 can now be found on Standardbred Horse Sales Company's website www.theblackbook.com, Hard copy volumes of the catalog are expected to be available at the end of this week.   The mixed portion of the Harrisburg sale begins on Friday, Nov. 6, and ends on Sat
[read more]

Southwind Tempo scores Milton final victory
October 04, 2009
Southwind Tempo and Jody Jamieson. (New Image Media)
[read more]

Mohawk hosts OSS Gold eliminations
October 04, 2009
Sons of Western Terror captured both $40,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold eliminations for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers on Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack.   In the first split, it was One More Drink emerging victorious in his OSS debut for driver Mark MacDonald in 1:52.1. The gelde
[read more]

Josh Marks has Kentucky race license revoked
October 04, 2009
Josh Marks, assistant trainer in the Tracy Brainard Stable, has had his Kentucky racing license revoked by the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority (KHRA) and he has been ruled off the grounds at The Red Mile as of Monday, Oct. 5. Marks was notified of the revocation on Saturday morning,  Oct.
[read more]

Saturday Backstretch with Gordon
October 03, 2009
    Unlike yesterday morning's heavy rains, the weather on Saturday is picture-perfect as there's nary a cloud in the sky and it's warm enough to discard the jacket. Actually, the weather turned great yesterday afternoon as the sun came out and the track was fast. Congratulations to trai
[read more]

Lanson coasts to Red Mile win; Buck I St. Pat third
October 03, 2009
Lanson coasted to an open-lengths victory in the opening race on the Saturday Kentucky Futurity card at The Red Mile, trotting to a 1:54 score in a $5,000 Open. Buck I St. Pat, who sat fifth until approaching three quarters, could not make up any ground after slow first-half fractions and had to set
[read more]

Freshman pacers in Bluegrass action at Red Mile
October 03, 2009
Daniel Dube sent Rock N Roll Heaven to the front in the first of three $139,800 divisions of the Bluegrass for 2-year-old colt pacers Saturday afternoon at The Red Mile, and the son of Rocknroll Hanover never looked back en route to a career-best 1:50.2 victory.   Coming off a runner-up finis
[read more]

Muscle Hill, Big Bikkies win Futurity elims
October 03, 2009
Muscle Hill coasted to a 1:52.3 victory in the second of two eliminations of the $600,000 Kentucky Futurity for 3-year-old colt trotters on a sunshine-filled-but-windy Saturday afternoon at The Red Mile. Big Bikkies led from gate to wire to win the first elim.   With 13 entered, two elim
[read more]

Vertical Horizon wins Bluegrass 3CP split
October 03, 2009
Tim Tetrick split horses in midstretch with Vertical Horizon to win the first of two $125,500 Bluegrass divisions for 3-year-old colt pacers Saturday afternoon at The Red Mile in 1:51.1. Annieswesterncard was second for Daniel Dube with Straight Shooting, who led the mile until late in the lane, thi
[read more]

Muscle Hill wins Futurity Final in 1:51.1
October 03, 2009
Owners celebrate Muscle Hill's victory. (Joseph Kyle)
[read more]

Vintage Master bounces back in Bluegrass
October 03, 2009
Vintage Master won a $125,500 Bluegrass Series division with a front-end effort that he sustained to the wire, breaking the beam at the finish line in 1:49.4. Dan Dube drove the Adios winner for trainer Jimmy Takter.   Vintage Master started from post six and Dube had him on the lead by the q
[read more]

Shark Gesture takes Allerage elim
October 03, 2009
Eleven older horses lined up behind the gate in an Allerage Farms elimination Saturday afternoon at The Red Mile, with only the last-place finisher not returning next weekend for the rich final. George Brennan directed Shark Gesture to the 1:49.2 victory, the 6-year-old son of Cam's Card Shark'
[read more]

Friday Backstretch with Gordon
October 02, 2009
I guess Friday morning should be an Almost In The Backstretch column as the weather in Lexington is miserable: rainy, windy and cool. It’s supposed to stay like this until late afternoon, but it appears the Kentucky Filly Futurity race card will be raced on an off track. You know it’s not pretty sin
[read more]

Red Mile post time moved to 1:30 p.m.
October 02, 2009
Post time for Friday afternoon Kentucky Filly Futurity race card at The Red Mile has been moved back an hour to 1:30 p.m. due to rain that has been falling since the early morning hours in Lexington, Ky. The two eliminations for the $378,000 Filly Futurity are scheduled as the sixth and seventh
[read more]

Pierce granted stay of 10-day whipping suspension
October 02, 2009
Kentucky Horse Racing Authority executive director Lisa Underwood told harnessracing.com Friday afternoon that driver Ron Pierce has been given a stay of his 10-day suspension for violating the one-handed whipping rule in a race earlier in the week at The Red Mile. Pierce's suspension was scheduled
[read more]

OK To Play, Broadway Schooner, Seaside win Filly Futurity elims
October 02, 2009
Daniel Dube moved OK To Play from third to first at the opening quarter and the sophomore trotter led the rest of the way to win the first of three $65,520 eliminations for the $378,000 Kentucky Filly Futurity Friday afternoon at The Red Mile. The time of the mile was 1:53.4 over a track rated
[read more]

Bluegrass 3FP divisions contested
October 02, 2009
Jim Morrill Jr. tipped Showherthemoney three wide off a third-over trip turning for home and the daughter of Cam's Card Shark rallied to win the first of two $101,500 Bluegrass divisions for 3-year-old filly pacers in 1:51.3 Friday afternoon at The Red Mile. Also closing in the middle of stretc
[read more]

Seaside Wins Filly Futurity
October 02, 2009
Seaside wins Filly Futurity final in 1:54. (Joseph Kyle)
[read more]

Freehold place to be for Green Acres finals
October 02, 2009
Nice Dream trotted to the lead at the quarter-mile pole and drew off to a 12-length victory in 1:58.1 to capture the $50,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Green Acres final for 3-year-old colts and geldings Friday at Freehold Raceway.   In the $50,000 NJSS Green Acres final for 3-year-old trott
[read more]

Maywood hosts Violet & Cardinal eliminations
October 02, 2009
Illinois conceived and foaled two-year-olds were the focus of attention on a cold and rainy Friday night at Maywood Park as the Violet & Cardinal Stake eliminations were contested over a sloppy track.   With a total of 15 two-year-old pacing fillies entered for the Violet a pair of $7,50
[read more]

Bouchard reaches 7,000 career victories
October 02, 2009
Stephane Bouchard Friday night did what he's done for the better part of this decade...find his way into Yonkers Raceway's winner's circle. However, his trip there with the mare Winnie the Who was more than a bit special, doubling as the 7,000th victory of his driving career.   "Winnie," a 5-
[read more]

Brainard entry bulletproof in OSS Gold elims
October 02, 2009
A late-charging Kabbalah Karen B captured the first of two Ontario Sires Stakes Gold eliminations for sophomore pacing fillies Friday evening, October 2 at Mohawk, while her stablemate Yellow Diamond made short work of her rivals in the second to deliver a sweep for trainer Tracy Brainard and the Bu
[read more]

Sam Stathis to be honored in Monticello
October 01, 2009
When the Monticello-Goshen chapter of the US Harness Writers Association holds its 51st annual awards banquet at Kutshers Country Club on Sunday evening, Oct. 25, Sam Stathis will be this years recipient of the chapter’s Most Happy Fella Award in recognition of  the terrific year he has ha
[read more]

Donation made to help Justin Hall
October 01, 2009
The Horsemen’s Unicorn Foundation (HUF) recently completed its 2009 golf and fund raising event on Monday in Lexington and became aware of Justin Hall’s situation. Hall was severely injured in a racing accident on Aug. 31 at the Noble County Fair in Caldwell, Ohio.   As a result, th
[read more]

Thursday Backstretch with Gordon
October 01, 2009
What a glorious Thursday morning it is in Lexington. It was a bit chilly when I arrived at The Red Mile but the sun was out and the temperature quickly rose. Doesn’t look like jacket weather this afternoon for the races as the high should reach 70. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for Friday though as
[read more]

Pierce suspended 10 days for whipping at Red Mile
October 01, 2009
Driver Ron Pierce has been given a 10-day suspension by The Red Mile stewards for violation of the whipping rule Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 29, during the stretch drive of one of the Bluegrass divisions for 2-year-old filly trotters. The offense is appealable, but one has not yet been f
[read more]

Bluegrass 2CT splits held at Red Mile
October 01, 2009
Shaq Is Back won the first of five divisions of the $422,000 Bluegrass for 2-year-old colt trotters Thursday afternoon at The Red Mile, scoring in 1:55.3 for trainer-driver Ray Schnittker. The win in the $84,600 split was the fifth in 10 starts this year for the son of Credit Winner.   S
[read more]

RMTC announces new initiatives
October 01, 2009
Moving forward with its initiative to significantly change the structure of drug testing in U.S. horse racing, the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) board of directors has approved the formation of a committee to oversee the implementation of the Drug Testing Initiative (DTI) Task Forc
[read more]