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Live webcast for Harrisburg sale announced
October 31, 2011
For the second consecutive year,all the sessions of this year’s Harrisburg sale will be webcast live. The live webcast may be found at http://theblackbook.com/livestreamtest.asp. There will be a link available on the homepage.   The sale begins at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 7. All
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2YO trotting filly Fox Valley Velvet wins Violet
October 31, 2011
The 2-year-old Illinois conceived and foaled filly trotting set was on display Sunday night at Balmoral Park as a field of seven youngsters were sent postward in the $45,100 Violet Stake. Continuing a late season hot streak, Redbud Stable and Jim Eaton’s Fox Valley Velvet had no trouble disposing of
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A Breeders Crown and plenty of promise
October 31, 2011
When trainer Travis Umphrey began the voyage from his native Alberta to Ontario in early 2009, the last thing on his mind was notching a Breeders Crown victory.   Now, three years later, the conditioner is feeling right at home, courtesy of his stable star, Monkey On My Wheel, who took the
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Northville Downs fan wins $100,000
October 31, 2011
There may not be slot machines at Michigan racetracks, but that didn't stop Northville Downs officials from giving away $100,000 on Saturday night to one lucky harness racing fan.   Every Friday and Saturday night at the suburban Detroit racetrack one patron is selected to play one of
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Yonkers, Pocono cancel cards due to storm
October 29, 2011
Yonkers Raceway has cancelled live racing and evening simulcasting for Saturday due to the snowstorm invading the greater New York area. Afternoon simulcasting ends at the conclusion of the Belmont Park program (approximately 5:30 p.m.). The Saturday night live racing at Mohegan Sun at Pocono h
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Weather forces drivers to miss Crown drives
October 29, 2011
The winter snowstorm that hit the Northeast on Saturday has taken a toll on the Breeders Crown championship night at Woodbine Ractrack as drivers George Brennan, Yannick Gingras, David Miller, Tim Tetrick and trainers Jimmy Takter and Trond Smedshammer were unable to take a scheduled afternoon
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Frenchfrysnvinegar rallies to take Mare Trot
October 29, 2011
The Breeders Crown got underway Saturday at Woodbine Racetrack with a stirring half-length victory by Frenchfrysnvinegar and driver Jody Jamieson, who nailed pacesetter Action Broadway on the wire in 1:53.3 in the $301,170 Open Mare Trot.   "It’s certainly not how you draw it up," said winnin
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Economy Terror cruises in BC 2YO Filly Pace
October 29, 2011
Prohibitive favorite Economy Terror and driver Brian Sears roared down the stretch to post a convincing 1 1/4-length win over Handsoffmycookie in the $602,340 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Filly Pace. It was the seventh win in 10 starts for the daughter of Western Terror-Mattatonic, who paced the
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2YO trotters Check Me Out, Uncle Peter win
October 29, 2011
Check Me Out lowered the Breeders Crown stakes record in the 2-year-old filly trot with a 1:54.4 performance. The 2-5 favorite picked up driver Ron Pierce when her usual driver, Tim Tetrick, was stuck in New Jersey.   Uncle Peter, with Dave Palone in the bike, sprang an upset in the $602
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Sweet Lou's 1:49 fastest for 2YO pacing colt
October 29, 2011
Sweet Lou is the world*s fastest 2-year-old after setting a new world record of 1:49 in the $652,535 Breeders Crown Colt Pace final Saturday night at Woodbine Racetrack.   The Ron Burke-trained Sweet Lou loafed through the opening quarter mile, which was covered in :26.1, before driver Dave P
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Heavy favorite Anndrovette prevails in 1:49.2
October 29, 2011
Fresh off of winning her elimination, heavy favorite Anndrovette delivered in the $301,170 Breeders Crown Open Mare Pace final, Saturday night at Woodbine Racetrack. The Mark Kesmodel trainee took a new lifetime mark of 1:49.2 while notching her 11th victory of the season in 19 outings.   Ann
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San Pail, Bettor Sweet hold on for big wins
October 29, 2011
Driver Randy Waples made a split-second decision and it paid off as San Pail, Canada's favorite horse and the undisputed top candidate for Horse of the Year honors, won the $602,340 Breeders Crown Open Trot Saturday night at Woodbine. San Pail held off the European invader Rapide Lebel by a neck, wi
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3YO Crowns to "Cheddar," Monkey On My Wheel
October 29, 2011
In a stakes record clocking of 1:49.3, the 3-year-old pacing filly Monkey On My Wheel pulled off a 5-1 upset in the $501,950 Breeders Crown Filly Pace final. Then in the Crown division for the guys, Betterthancheddar, an elimination winner, slipped up the inside and edged past Meadowlands Pace
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Chapter Seven, Cedar Dove win BC 3YO trots
October 29, 2011
Chapter Seven and Cedar Dove have become late-season stars. The two 3-year-old trotters, colt and filly, respectively, won Breeders Crown championships Saturday night. Chapter Seven took his event in 1:53 while Cedar Dove cruised to a 1:53.3 score.   Favored Chapter Seven, driven by Jeff
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Eight wins at Vernon for Hay Goodlooking
October 29, 2011
Maryann Plano’s Hay Goodlooking became the winningest horse after 84 racing programs at Vernon Downs following his 1:53.1 score in Saturday night’s $10,000 featured Open Pace.   Facing six select rivals in race nine, the favored Hay Goodlooking ($4.60) went right to the front for dr
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Special T Rocks wins on Dover opener
October 29, 2011
Daryl Bier picked up his second win on the 2011 season-debut program guiding Special T Rocks to victory in 1:56.4 over a sloppy track at Dover Downs on Saturday, Oct. 29. Defending champion Corey Callahan wins four.   A gelded sophomore son of Rocknroll Hanover-Ladys Special owned by Bie
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Multiple Circle City stakes at Indy Downs
October 29, 2011
While the Burke Stable was busy at Woodbine, the Indiana division was doing its part to bring in a few stakes victories. The stable's 2-year-old pacing Darena Hanover and Destiny's Chance won Circle City stakes divisions at Indiana Downs on Saturday night with winning efforts in 1:55.1 and 1:53.2, r
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DePinto taking his shot in Breeders Crown
October 28, 2011
Sam DePinto is harness racing's proof that size doesn't matter --- stable size. In DePinto's case, less has become more.   "I have to be able to sit behind every one of my horses in order for them to do well," said the trainer and part-owner of Breeders Crown finalists We Will See and I Fough
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NJ horse breeder Manny Wolf dies at 81
October 28, 2011
Manfried “Manny” Wolf, 81, a long-time dairy farmer, real estate broker and owner and breeder of Standardbred horses in Flemington, NJ, died Thursday, Oct. 27, at North Broward Medical Center in Deerfield Beach, FL.   Born in 1930 in the rural town of Mertloch, Germany, Mr. Wolf and his
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Circle City stakes to Duluth, Feel The Pressure
October 28, 2011
Just a couple of days after he celebrated his 84th birthday in Las Vegas by watching a bull he owns compete in the Pro Bull Riding championship event, Doug Ackerman's homebred trotting colt Duluth gave him a $33,700 present. The colt won the $67,400 Circle City for 2-year-old trotters in 1:58.2
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Where to see the Breeders Crown races live
October 28, 2011
The big Breeders Crown card at Woodbine Saturday night begins with a first post time of 6:30 pm. As usual, the Woodbine card is available via the RTN channel, but there are other television outlets as well for the big night of racing.   In the US, TVG will be broadcasting the Crown races. TVG
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Batavia cuts purses by 10 percent
October 28, 2011
Batavia Downs Casino is cutting purses by 10 percent across the board on Nov. 2. Batavia presently has 15 race dates remaining on its 2011 calendar.   “Nobody wants to cut purses but we simply need to right the ship heading into next year,” Todd Haight, General Manager of Live Racing, sa
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Gym Tan Laundry, Lady Andi Kindergarten champs
October 28, 2011
Gym Tan Laundry and Lady Andi are the new Kindergarten champs. They won their their respective finals of the $383,000 Kindergarten Classic Series for 2-year-old trotters at Vernon Downs Friday night.   Gym Tan Laundry ($5.40) lowered his personal record and the track’s sta
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Small breeder has major influence in Crown
October 28, 2011
Seth Rosenfeld has been in the harness game pretty much his entire life. His parents owned some champions in the 1970s and his family shared ownership in Lana Lobell Farms, which was run by his uncle, Alan Leavitt, who now runs Walnut Hall Ltd.   Rosenfeld learned a lot during those days and
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Trainer says don't count out Kandor Hanover
October 28, 2011
With two-time defending Breeders Crown champ Buck I St Pat retired, the 11 mares entered in the $300,000 Mare Trot, the first of 12 championship races on Sat., Oct. 29 at Woodbine, may represent the most difficult handicapping challenge of the night.   It’s the one division Crown leading driv
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Pancleefandarpels takes Yonkers Mare feature
October 28, 2011
Pancleefandarpels (Jim Pantaleano), knocking on the million-dollar earnings door, edged closer Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's co-featured $42,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.   Assigned penultimate post position 7, "Pancleef" was in play early. She drove past Breakheart Pa
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US-bred Winmecredit wins big race in Norway
October 27, 2011
While the Solvalla track hosted 12 semi-finals for the Swedish Breeders Crown, the capital track in Norway, Bjerke,  had a great card Wednesday night with the Axel Jensen's Memorial for 4-year-olds.   The US-bred Winmecredit (bred by John Schmucker of New Haven, Ind.,) too
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Longshots light board in Cardinal elim
October 27, 2011
Illinois conceived and foaled trotters took to the track in Wednesday’s featured event at Balmoral Park which was a $10,000 elimination for next Wednesday’s Cardinal Stake final. The top seven finishers in Wednesday’s event will join Fox Valley Steffen, Blown Away and Vapor Star for next week’s $47,
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Smokin Dabra smokes to 1:56.1 Pompano win
October 27, 2011
The 5-year-old trotting gelding Smokin Dabra is the latest Canadian import competitor to prove he loves life in the Sunshine State. In the $12,000 Open Trot on the Wednesday program the son of Kadabra-Smokin Rama was a game front-end winner to hold off the pocket-sitter Aruba Vacation
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New Florida legislation for mega casinos
October 27, 2011
On Wednesday (Oct. 26), legislation was introduced which, if passed, could negatively affect equine racing/breeding interests in Florida, its pari-mutuel racetrack stakeholders, and the economic impact created by the equine industry.   The Destination Resort Act sponsored by Rep. Erik Fr
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Chapter Seven turns the page
October 27, 2011
Chapter Seven, the 8-5 morning line favorite in the $610,000 Breeders Crown for 3-year-old trotters on Saturday at Woodbine Racetrack, is writing a new chapter in his story. After all manner of traffic problems en route to a fourth-place finish in the Aug. 6 Hambletonian, he’s put together back-to-b
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Crown win would be a Big McDeal for Darling
October 27, 2011
She slayed the giant in Kentucky and on Saturday night Big McDeal will try to close out her season with a big win in the Breeders Crown 2-year-old filly pace final at Woodbine. For veteran trainer Jack Darling it’s been an interesting voyage since he first began to look at the videos and inspect t
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American sires have Swedish Crown finalists
October 27, 2011
There will be no less than 28 stallions represented when the four Breeders Crown finals in Sweden take place Nov. 5 at the Sundbyholm track Eskilstuna. The purse in all finals this season is about $150,000, and the races will all be contested over 2,140 meters (about 1.37 miles
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USHWA awards for Gural, Luchento, McNamara
October 27, 2011
Jeff Gural, Tom Luchento, and Leo McNamara--the three lead forces fighting for the longterm surviving and thriving of the sport’s premier track, the Meadowlands--have been personally selected by U.S. Harness Writers Association’s president Jason Settlemoir for “President’s Awards,” to be g
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Fast conditions at Colonial spawn lifetime marks
October 27, 2011
A combination of warm late October weather, a stiff tailwind, and a fast track added up to for an afternoon of new speed marks Thursday at Colonial Downs.   Of the day’s 12 races, 10 were carded at the one-mile distance, and new lifetime marks were recorded by nine of those 10 winning horses.
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12 year old sets Monticello track record
October 27, 2011
When Cornishman N and driver Bruce Aldrich Jr. streaked to an 11-length victory in a 1:57 clocking  in the weekly trotting feature on Wednesday at Monticello Raceway it established a new track record for older trotters. The trotter’s victory, which was the New Zealand-bred’s 10th of the se
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Pierce notches five-bagger at Sudbury Downs
October 27, 2011
Hall of Fame driver Ron Pierce headed to Sudbury Downs on Wednesday night during his spare time between this year's Breeders Crown eliminations and finals taking place at Toronto's Woodbine Racetrack and dominated the nine-race card.   Pierce, who took part in a meet-and-greet session with fa
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Scott Zeron ready for Breeders Crown
October 27, 2011
Scott Zeron has already stamped himself as a genuine top driving talent, a young gun with veteran savvy on a quest for his Breeders Crown coronation. Success, and plenty of it, has already come for the 22-year-old Zeron. And there’s every reason to believe more success is in the cards.  
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Free Breeders Crown Preview now available!
October 27, 2011
Which owner has 18 starters—yes, 18 starters!—in Saturday night’s Breeders Crown finals at Woodbine Racetrack? Which driver has a six-pack of entries with three listed as the morning-line favorites in their respective contests? And what about the two European star older trotters who have traveled ac
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2YO trotting "Kindergarteners" at Vernon Friday
October 27, 2011
Nine freshman trotting colts and nine freshman trotting fillies will look to add a serious chunk of change to their 2011 bankrolls on Friday night at Vernon Downs in the Kindergarten Classic Finals.   Andy and Julie Miller will send out a pair of trotting colts in the $200,500 Kindergarten Cl
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Jim Marshall III drives 3,000th winner
October 27, 2011
Driver Jim Marshall III drove his 3,000th career winner at Freehold Raceway on Thursday (Oct. 27). The 53-year-old Marshall recorded the milestone in the seventh race with Big Sky Thunder ($2.60, $2.10, $2.10).   Marshall enjoyed career bests in 2004 in wins (225) and money won ($1,
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Prestidigitator will try to upset in BC 2YOCT
October 27, 2011
R. Dustin Jones brought a good 2-year-old trotting filly to Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs last year for the juvenile trotting filly Breeders Crown contest.  After finishing second in her elimination heat, he thought it would be a difficult task to beat Fitness Girl.  When his charge, Martini
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Appointments for Indiana Breed Development
October 27, 2011
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has appointed Scott Snyder to serve on the Standardbred Breed Development Advisory Committee and Faron Parr to serve on the Standardbred Advisory Board. A lifelong Standardbred industry participant, Scott Snyder has been serving on the Standardbred Advisory Board si
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Walsh Harness announces Crown trainer award
October 27, 2011
The Breeders Crown and Walsh Harness have announced the creation of a new Most Valuable Trainer ( MVT ) Award to be presented at the conclusion of the Breeders Crown races this Saturday, Oct. 29, at Woodbine Racetrack.   Walsh Harness has been the major player in equipping champion
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RD Blues takes Vernon's Thursday feature
October 27, 2011
RD Blues took advantage of the pylon path to post a 1:58.1 victory in Thursday night’s $4,300 feature for female pacers at Vernon Downs.With Jack Rice doing the teaming, RD Blues ($6.10) drafted along in the pocket behind the pace-setting Won Night Stand until the stretch drive, then slipped through
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Harrington closes meet; Dover opens Saturday
October 27, 2011
Harrington Raceway’s 65th season of live horse racing came to a close Thursday. While trainer and driver awards were handed out earlier in the week, the United States Harness Writers Association’s Horse of the Meet was awarded on closing night.   Andrea Hill’s Jeremy’s Successor was voted as
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DiDomenico hopes "Cookie" is a monster
October 26, 2011
Handsoffmycookie is 15-1 on the morning line, but with eight wins in nine starts there is no question the filly is accustomed to finding her way to the winner’s circle.In fact, only a head loss to Pirouette Hanover in the $363,900 Sweetheart Pace on Aug. 20 at the Meadowlands prevents Handsoffmycook
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Burke is 'cool' about Buck I St. Pat's retirement
October 26, 2011
Trainer Ron Burke told harnessracing.com Wednesday morning that while he is “cool” about the retirement of Buck I St. Pat by her connections, he wishes there had been one more start for the 8-year-old trotting mare who earned more than $2.3 million on the racetrack. Burke had hoped that Buck I St.
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New owner Hauser has modest goals for 'Gangster'
October 26, 2011
Trainer Chris Oakes wasn’t looking to take on any new owners when he met Tim Hauser, but after a few minutes together, he reconsidered. As it turns out, it was a good decision. Oakes and Hauser are heading to the $600,000 Breeders Crown for 2-year-old male trotters Saturday night at Woodbine with Am
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New Illinois gaming bill; horsemen skeptical
October 26, 2011
The Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association (IHHA) has posted an update on its website regarding a new gaming bill that has been released, Senate Bill 747. The new bill gives the racing industry an impact fee instead of slots at tracks.   "The most glaring problem with this bill from the
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Hazel Park asst. race secretary Denny Walton dies
October 26, 2011
Denny Walton, a longtime owner, trainer and driver who has also been a fixture in the race office and backstretch at Hazel Park Raceway, died Tuesday, Oct. 25. He was 74. Born in Toronto, Ont., Mr. Walton raced his small stable of horses at all the racetracks in Michigan as well as across the Canad
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Trainer Jim Campbell hopes to be in Crown 'fashion'
October 26, 2011
When Fashion Delight won the Empire Breeders Classic at Tioga Downs in May, the colt appeared poised for a big season. After all, he was coming off a 2-year-old campaign that saw him win five of 11 races, including the Woodrow Wilson, and earn $510,555.   But a quarter crack and subsequent co
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Teague, Sportsfancy achieve recognition
October 26, 2011
Harrington Raceway awarded trainer George Teague Jr. with its leading trainer title Wednesday evening. With one day left in the 2011 meet, Teague has 70 training victories. Brothers Les (58 wins) and Wayne Givens (57) are in a battle for second.   Teague was presented a plaque from Harri
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Action SJ takes 1:54.1 mark at Colonial
October 26, 2011
Action SJ scored a mild upset in Wednesday's $7,000 winners-over trotting feature at Colonial Downs by beating Manley Brown's entry of Bertos Angel and Victory Nut in 1:54.1.   J.D. Wengerd, who drove the 4-year-old SJ Photo gelding, grabbed cover behind Brown's Bertos Angel in the turn. Then
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HHI to honor Gural, Luchento, Connors, McKee
October 25, 2011
Jeff Gural, Tom Luchento, Jerry Connors and Sam McKee are being honored by Harness Horsemen International with a quartet of awards for 2011.   Gural has been named the recipient of the Dominic Frinzi Person of the Year Award, while Luchento and Connors are being honored with the HHI Appr
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Code Word blazes to Meadows victory
October 25, 2011
Code Word blazed to the front with a 26 opening quarter and never slowed down, capturing Tuesday’s $22,500 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows in a career-best 1:50.2. When Code Word battled three wide for the lead in that sizzling first panel, it appeared that he m
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See You At Peelers future still undecided
October 25, 2011
Trainer Jimmy Takter told harnessracing.com late Monday that See You At Peelers’ heart rate soared again when checked following her seventh-place finish in her Breeders Crown elimination Saturday night, Oct. 22, at Woodbine Racetrack, and that she will now be turned out for two months before a decis
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Pair of Crown starters prep at Woodbine Monday
October 25, 2011
A pair of older mare trotters scheduled to line up in Saturday's $300,000 Breeders Crown Older Mare Trot at Woodbine Racetrack got in a late prep race Monday night at the Toronto oval. Friendly Amigo and Pembroke Heat Wave finished second and seventh, respectively, as the only two mares in the 10-ho
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David Miller 10th to get to 10,000 wins
October 25, 2011
A strong middle move from Beatgoeson Hanover in the sixth race at Harrah's Chester on Tuesday afternoon gave driver David Miller his 10,000th career win. The 3-year-old daughter of Andover Hall struck the front moving into the far turn, just holding off a late closing Hava Kadabra to
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Remaining two Breeders Crown finals drawn
October 25, 2011
The post position draws for the Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Colt Pace and the Breeders Crown Trot took place Tuesday, Oct. 25 at WEGZ Stadium Bar in Vaughn, Ont., with the help of George Wilson, of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills.The Colt Pace was the first race drawn with the connections of elimination w
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Smedshammer, Bax talk about foreign trotters
October 25, 2011
When foreign horses Commander Crowe and Rapide Lebel arrive in Toronto for Saturday’s $600,000 Breeders Crown Trot at Woodbine Racetrack, the obstacles to victory go beyond merely facing five rivals. Commander Crowe and Rapide Lebel will need to recover from shipping overseas, get accustomed to unf
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Wolfenden drives 5,000th career winner
October 25, 2011
Harrington Raceway’s leading driver, Ross Wolfenden, notched his 5,000th career win Tuesday night at Harrington aboard Nanticoke Racing and Ron Waller’s Drew Bromac N in the 12th race.It took a strong surge in the final sixteenth of a mile to reel in pacesetter Limpo Nosm to edge clear in a three wa
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Trotting sire Malabar Man dies at age 17
October 25, 2011
Malabar Man, the 2007 Horse of the Year, winner of the Hambletonian that year, and the sire of stakes winners, died Tuesday at Winbak Farm in New York. He was 17 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008, when he also made an appearance at the ceremony on the lawn of the Harness Racing Mus
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Uncle Smoothie, No Respect take Balmoral stakes
October 24, 2011
A pair of minor stakes events for Illinois conceived and foaled 2 year olds headlined another busy weekend at the Crete oval. On Saturday night, Sawgrass Farms' Uncle Smoothie rallied from far back to take the $10,500 Crete Stake while Ciara Stables and John Carver’s good looking filly No Respe
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Western Terror filly tops online sale at $17,000
October 24, 2011
The online yearling auction conducted by harnessfever.com concluded Sunday with more than 600 individual bidders participating. The sale offered 90 yearlings and sold them for a minimal fee of only $49, with no commission charged.   The sale topper was the pacing-bred filly Hot Fudge Sundae,
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Kentucky racing executive director Underwood resigns
October 24, 2011
Lisa E. Underwood announced Monday that she is stepping down as executive director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC), effective Nov. 16, 2011. Underwood will rejoin the law firm of Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs LLP as a partner to practice equine and business law. She has served as ex
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Buffalo Bills safety Wilson is Crown drawmaster
October 24, 2011
George Wilson, a key member of the defense for the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills, will be the drawmaster when the post-position draws for the Breeders Crown Trot and 3-Year-old Colt Pace take place at noon, on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at WEGZ Stadium Bar in Vaughan.   Wilson plays sa
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Les Givens trainees take 2 Delaware 2YO finals
October 24, 2011
Delaware’s top 2-year-olds were showcased Monday in four $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) final events at Harrington Raceway. Trainer Les Givens continued his dominance with the young trotters by sweeping both the filly and colt finals. Both winners were driven by Ross Wolfenden.
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Norris drives 2,000th winner at The Meadows
October 24, 2011
Charlie Norris notched career win number 2,000 when he piloted Muscle Source to victory in Monday’s second race at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino. “I don’t drive that much any more, so it feels very good,” said Norris, who will send out Win Missy B in the Breeders Crown 2-Year-Old Filly Tro
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Merton wins with Special Sweetheart at Pompano
October 24, 2011
It didn't take long for driver Greg Merton and trainer Mike Watson to make an impact since arriving at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park.   Merton, 37, won his first driving assignment since arriving for this visit from New York State. He was in the bike to pilot pacing mare Special Sw
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DSBF 2-year-old finals Monday at Harrington
October 23, 2011
Delaware’s top bred 2-year-old pacers and trotters will be showcased Monday at Harrington Raceway in four $100,000 final events in the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF). Post time is 5:30 p.m.   The first final to get underway will be the filly trot, slated as the fourth race on
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Mud Pie Hanover wins Meadows feature
October 22, 2011
A $20,000 claimer only two races back, Mud Pie Hanover launched a relentless first-over move that carried her to victory in Friday’s $22,500 Filly & Mare Not Listed Preferred/Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows. Mud Pie Hanover was sitting fifth down the backside when Eric Ledford sent h
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Fox Valley Sage rallies to win Yonkers Open
October 22, 2011
Fox Valley Sage (Jordan Stratton) went from uninvolved to unstoppable Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's co-featured $42,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.   Leaving from post position four, Fox Valley Sage watched the early doings, of which there were many. Pole-sitter McFlirty (Dan
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Final Kindergarten prelims held at Vernon
October 22, 2011
Two-year-old filly and colt trotters were in action Friday night at Vernon Downs as the final leg of the Kindergarten Series was contested. A pair of $150,000 finals are now on tap for Friday, Oct. 28, at Vernon.   Bridge The Way was sent off at odds of 20-1 in the first of three $10,000 Kind
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Saturday night racing returns to Rosecroft
October 22, 2011
Saturday evening racing returns to Rosecroft on Oct. 22 at 6:45 p.m. and the eight-race card features two winners-over races, one for each gait.   In the trotting opener, a select field of six goes postward. Combined this field has over $1 million in earnings and over 100 wins. Will
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From Above out; Delano draws into Crown final
October 22, 2011
From Above, who was fifth in his elimination for the $600,000 2-Year-Old Colt Trot has been scratched sick from the final set for next Saturday (Oct. 29) at Woodbine Racetrack.   “He just wasn’t himself in the elim, I said so after the race, and I won’t race him if he’s not in top shelf
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Monkey On My Wheel trainer's first Crown starter
October 22, 2011
Until five years ago trainer Travis Umphrey campaigned exclusively in Western Canada at tracks like Stampede Park and Northlands. Much like California is to harness racing in the U.S., Western Canada’s Standardbred business is generally separated from the more dominant racing on Canada ’s easte
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One More Laugh still trying to step up at 4
October 22, 2011
Perhaps lost in the incredible level of stakes success the Ray Schnittker stable has had in recent years, is the fact that he originally was and still is a “racehorse trainer.” That’s easy to see in the roots of an operation on an everyday basis. Schnittker’s large operation sees horses entered at a
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Peelers "as sharp as I've seen in a long time"
October 22, 2011
Hall of Fame trainer Jimmy Takter has entered five horses in this year’s Breeders Crown elimination races, but none of the starters has garnered as much impact as his fabulous 3-year-old pacing filly See You At Peelers. At one point this year she was the talk of the harness racing world, riding a li
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$200,000 Indiana Sire Stakes finals contested
October 22, 2011
The second set of Indiana Sire Stakes finals for 2 year olds, with all four divisions worth $200,000 each, were contested at Indiana Downs on Saturday night and one of the biggest winners of all was Emily Gaskin, the daughter of horseman Ernie Gaskin. Emily's 2-year-old geld
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Post positions set for Crown 3YO Colt Trot final
October 22, 2011
With the two eliminations for the Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Colt Trot held at Woodbine early Saturday evening, the draw for post positions has taken place and the field is set for the $600,000 final set for next Satureday night. Chapter Seven and Manofmanymissions won the two elims and earned the ri
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Cedar Dove sets track mark with Crown win
October 22, 2011
Cedar Dove set a Woodbine track record with a 1:53.2 win Saturday night in her elimination for the Breeders Crown 3-year-old filly trot. The previous track record was set by Housethatruthbuilt in 2004.   Ron Pierce drove Cedar Dove to the victory and also took the second elimination with Iron
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Crown prep to Foiled Again; Posts for Mare Pace
October 22, 2011
Foiled Again prepped for next weekend’s Breeders Crown Open Pace by winning Saturday night’s open at Woodbine in 1:49.2. St Elmo Hero was second, followed by Breeders Crown hopefuls Aracache Hanover and Bettor Sweet. Pacing mares squared off in a Crown elim, with Anndrovette controlling the race and
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Drop The Ball's 1:49 a Canadian record
October 22, 2011
Drop The Ball set the Woodbine track and Canadian records for 3-year-old filly pacers with a 1:49 win in her Breeders Crown elimination race on Saturday night. Monkey On My Wheel was second, followed by Swinging Beauty, Idyllic and Strike An Attitude. Rocklamation took the second elim in 1:50.4. Als
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Yonkers holds special legislator races
October 22, 2011
Yonkers Raceway's third annual Fall Harvest Festival took place Saturday night, with an array of family-friendly events adorning the track apron. The Festival once again showcased the thriving relationship between agriculture and horse racing throughout New York State.   On the track, the thi
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Westwardho Hanover, Betterthancheddar prevail
October 22, 2011
The 3-year-old pacing colt division was a mixed up affair on Saturday night as the top contenders thus far this season was beaten in Breeders Crown elimination action at Woodbine. Westwardho Hanover won the first elim over Meadowlands Pace champion Roll With Joe while Betterthancheddar topped a fiel
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Saftic still sidelined after Oct. 8 spill
October 21, 2011
Veteran driver Mike Saftic is a familiar face on the Woodbine Entertainment Group circuit, but for at least the rest of October, he will be absent from the racetrack.   Saftic was involved in an on-track incident on Saturday, Oct. 8, at Woodbine, when he was dumped from the sulky after he
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Harlem Rockturne wins Vernon feature
October 21, 2011
Harlem Rockturne regained her title as Queen of the Pacing Hill at Vernon Downs following a 1:54.1 victory in Thursday night’s $10,000 featured 10th event.Leading dash-winner Jimmy Whittemore did the teaming for his father, trainer/owner Dennis Whittemore, as Harlem Rockturne ($4.60) raced aggressiv
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Lawsuit filed challenging Ohio VLTs
October 21, 2011
The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that as expected, the Ohio Roundtable, a group opposed to gambling proposals, filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s recent executive order suspending the state’s normal rule-making process so as to allow Ohio track owners to quickly se
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Pirouette Hanover, Shelliscape tune up for Crown
October 21, 2011
With no eliminations necessary for the $600,000 Breeders Crown 2-Year-Old Filly Pace at Woodbine on Saturday, Oct. 29, some of the finalists are keeping tight with qualifying races. Pirouette Hanover and Shelliscape finished one-two in the second qualifier at Mohawk on Friday morning. Pirouette Hano
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More choices for buying programs?
October 21, 2011
You may have more choices for obtaining your harness racing past performances in program form in the future. That's because the United States Trotting Association is presently in negotiations with both TrackMaster, the current vendor in the U.S. and the Daily Racing Form so both could offer the
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Freshman Breeders Crown elims in the books
October 21, 2011
Forty-five of harness racing’s top two-year-olds converged on Woodbine Racetrack Friday night to contest five $25,407 Breeders Crown eliminations.The elimination winners earned the right to select their post positions for their respective finals.Colt Trot: In the first Crown elimination for rookie t
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Pompano's Cracker Coffee: four down - one to go
October 20, 2011
Two year old pacing filly Cracker Coffee has suddenly made herself a major focal point of interest for the Florida Standardbred Breeders And Owners Association (FSBOA) 'Super Night 2011' set for November 5. The precocious rookie daughter of Six Of Diamonds-Nasty As Can Be is the only horse still eli
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New harness handicapping tip sheet debuts
October 20, 2011
A new harness racing handicapping tip sheet website--www.harnesswinners.com--debuts online Thursday. Created by long-time Philadelphia harness racing handicapper Alan Mitchell, the new website features daily selections from Yonkers Raceway, the Meadowlands, Woodbine/Mohawk, and other tracks featurin
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HTA seeking nominations for Groom of the Year
October 20, 2011
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2011 "Groom of the Year" Award. The award, sponsored annually by Harness Tracks of America and Hanover Shoe Farms, recognizes the unsung heroes of the sport, the grooms who maintain the health and welfare of the sport’s horses.   All that is neede
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Rosecroft set to open on Friday at 6:45
October 20, 2011
The final touches are going down to the wire in preparation for the first pari-mutuel meet in over three years at Rosecroft Raceway.  The track was purchased out of bankruptcy earlier this year by Penn National Gaming Inc.   First race post time will be 6:45 p.m. nightly with live racing
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Minor hopes to make major Crown noise
October 20, 2011
Last October, Dewayne Minor headed to the Breeders Crown for 3-year-old male trotters with stakes-winner Wishing Stone and nearly came away with the trophy as his colt finished second from post nine to Break The Bank K in a world-record mile at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.   This year, Minor
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Top trotting mare I'm Justa Lady retired
October 20, 2011
I'm Justa Lady, one of the all-time great trotting mares at The Meadows who combined talent and tenacity in a career that brought her 73 wins and nearly $700,000 in earnings, has been retired due to injury.   Bill Daumit, who has trained the 10-year-old daughter of Inquirer-Quite Becoming sin
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Buck I St. Pat Crown appeal denied
October 20, 2011
Ontario Racing Commission deputy director Rob McKinney told harnessracing.com Thursday morning that an appeal by the connections of Buck I St. Pat regarding the rejection of her entry into the upcoming Breeders Crown at Woodbine Racetrack has been denied. A hearing was held in the ORC offices earli
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Waxman sentenced to 8 years in prison
October 20, 2011
Former Ontario-based Standardbred owner Robert Waxman has reportedly been sentenced to eight years in prison on fraud charges stemming from an alleged series of thefts from his company Philip Services Corp. of nearly $18 million in 1996 and 1997. The sentence was handed down Thursday morning by a S
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Handsoffmycookie wins Chester qualifier
October 20, 2011
Handsoffmycookie, last seen winning her New York Sire Stake final for freshman filly pacers during the Night Of Champions at Saratoga on Oct. 1, won a qualifier at Chester on Thursday morning by 7 1/2 lengths in 1:54.4.Tim Tetrick was in the bike for trainer Scott Di Domenico and owners Joann and Ed
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Zeron on the mend, hopes to return next month
October 20, 2011
After being involved in a race accident on Oct. 8 at Woodbine Racetrack that saw him briefly hospitalized, trainer-driver Rick Zeron is well on the road to recovery.   The veteran horseman was ejected from the bike following a spill at the Rexdale oval. Zeron, guiding Blended Whiskey on th
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BC Open Mare Trot post positions drawn
October 20, 2011
With the appeal by the connections of Buck I St. Pat concerning her entry into the upcoming Breeders Crown Older Mare Trot at Woodbine Racetrack denied by the Ontario Racing Commission, the post-position draw for the 11 entries was held earlier Thursday afternoon. All 11 advance directly into the $3
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Lawsuit threat looms, but some progress in Ohio
October 20, 2011
On Thursday (Oct. 20), Ohio moved closer to implementing video lottery terminals (VLTs) at the state's racetracks. Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed an Executive Order authorizing the Ohio State Racing Commission to promulgate rules so it can consider making tracks eligible "to become a vi
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Black Book now available on iPad
October 19, 2011
Owners of  iPads will be able to access the app for Black Book 2 as well as that of the previously available Black Book 1. The Equineline Sales Catalog app (equineline.com) which can be downloaded free from the App Store on iPad or by visiting theblackbook.com enables prospective buyers to down
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Docdor Libby repeats in Harrington Mares Open
October 19, 2011
Kimberly Gadino’s Docdor Libby ($3.80, Ross Wolfenden) was a repeat winner in Tuesday’s $22,500 Mares Open at Harrington Raceway in 1:53.1.The 5-year-old Camluck mare immediately assumed command and held off a stubborn first-over No Bad Luck to win by a neck for her seventh win of the season. The Jo
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Visitation hours announced for Gene Riegle
October 19, 2011
Visitation for Hall of Fame horseman Gene Riegle, who died Monday, will be held this coming Sunday and Monday, Oct. 23 and 24, at the Zechar-Bailey Funeral Home, 1499 N. Broadway, Greenville, OH 45331. The hours are Sunday from 2 – 5 pm and Monday from 4-8 pm. Funeral servic
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Daley says Royal Shyster ready for Crown
October 19, 2011
Vernon Downs horseman Dan Daley knows all about success at the Breeders Crown. He captured the 2-year-old colt trot with champion Master Lavec in 1999 and finished second a year later with CJ’s Secret. Daley held another strong hand five years later with the super fast RC Royalty, but blames himself
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See You At Peelers Crown: 'A last-minute decision'
October 19, 2011
Trainer Jimmy Takter told harnessracing.com Wednesday morning that it was a “last-minute decision” to enter See You At Peelers in Saturday night’s Breeders Crown eliminations at Woodbine Racetrack, and he did so only after the 3-year-old filly pacer went an “awesome” training mile at his New Jersey
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Buying & breeding the best
October 19, 2011
Marvin Katz and his business partner Al Libfeld have been collecting high quality trotting broodmares for years. Their exquisite taste in bloodlines often had them bidding on six-figure yearlings. About six years ago the pair decided to change the way they do business. “We were breeding for ourselve
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Indiana Downs cancels Wednesday card
October 19, 2011
In consultation with our partners at the Indiana Standardbred Association, Indiana Downs has canceled live racing for Wednesday (Oct. 19), due to concerns about the drivers' visibility while racing, and therefore the safety and fairness of racing in these conditions. (Indiana Downs)
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Harnessfever online auction set for Oct. 21
October 18, 2011
Harnessfever.com's online yearling sale starts Friday,Oct. 21, and runs through Sunday, Oct. 23. The sale features pacing and trotting yearlings by many of the top industry sires including 55 prospects by Western Terror, 9 by I Am A Fool, 4 by Art Major and more.   The har
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San Pail ready to take on six in BC Open Trot
October 18, 2011
With no eliminations required for this year’s Breeders Crown for open trotters, all seven entries will automatically advance to the $600,000 final on Saturday, Oct. 29, at Woodbine Racetrack. San Pail, undoubtly North America’s top older trotter, will once again be center stage as he contests
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Union Man Hanover strong in NYSS late-closer final
October 18, 2011
Four $30,000  New York Sire Stakes Late-Closer finals for 2- and 3-year-old pacers and trotters were featured on Monday at Monticello Raceway  and though the majority of the participating colts and fillies were of fine caliber still the day belonged to Union Man Hanover, who was
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Retirement for Northfield Park training trio
October 18, 2011
Elbert Quesenberry, Howard Brown and William Putney are Northfield Park trainers who have recently entered the world of retirement.    Quesenberry, a 72-year-old native of Clinton, Ohio, licensed as a driver since 1977 and a trainer since 1991, has racked up quite an impressive harness r
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Buck I St. Pat ruled ineligible for Crown
October 18, 2011
Two-time defending Breeders Crown Open Mare Trot champion Buck I St. Pat has been ruled ineligible to start in this year’s upcoming Crown by the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC). Although trainer Ron Burke entered the 8-year-old mare, because she had made breaks in her last two charted lines she was
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See You At Peelers surprise Crown entry
October 18, 2011
Entries for the $6 million Breeders Crown finals this morning revealed the expected--San Pail, Big Bad John, We Will See--and the unexpected in sophomore filly pacer See You At Peelers and 15 sophomore colt trotting entries, including supplements Daylon Magician and Dejarmbro.   The Crown Tro
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Threat of lawsuit over Ohio's plans for VLTs
October 18, 2011
The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that the Ohio Roundtable, a group opposed to gambling proposals, is theatening to file legal this week against the state for moving forward to put video lottery terminals at racetracks.   “If they want to put slot machines in racetracks, amend the
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Draws set for BC 2YO Filly Pace, Older Pace
October 18, 2011
With no eliminations required for the $600,000 Breeders Crown 2-year-old filly pace and $500,000 Breeders Crown Open Pace, all entries will advance automatically to their respective finals. The draw for both events took place Tuesday afternoon for the Oct. 29 final at Woodbine Racetrack. &nb
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2-year-old Crown elims drawn for Friday
October 18, 2011
Breeders Crown eliminations for 2 year olds will be held Friday night at Woodbine Racetrack, except for the filly pacers, which has all nine entries advancing directly to the Oct. 29 final. Twelve filly trotters were entered into the Crown, with Win Missy B and Circles taking byes and electing to r
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Charles Williams, of Cadiz, Ohio, dies at 87
October 18, 2011
Horseman Charles E. Williams. 87, of Cadiz, Ohio, died Saturday Oct. 15, at Carriage Inn of Cadiz. He was born March 31, 1924 in Cadiz, a son of the late Clyde Williams Sr. and Elizabeth Davis Williams. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Lew Williams, his wife
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Palone has 20th straight 500-win year at Meadows
October 18, 2011
With his victory behind Eagle Dream in the fourth race at The Meadows Tuesday, driver Dave Palone reached another milestone in his Hall of Fame career: 20 consecutive years with at least 500 wins at The Meadows.   In other racing action at The Meadows, Tunearrific swooped the field aroun
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Post positions drawn for Crown elims for 3YOs
October 18, 2011
Saturday night's card at Woodbine will feature eliminations for the Breeders Crown for 3-year-old trotters and pacers, along with an elim for the Crown Mare Pace and a prep for older males set to compete in the Crown Open Pace.   Hambletonian champion Broad Bahn and Kentucky Futurity winner M
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Brennan hits 7,000 milestone at Yonkers
October 18, 2011
Last June 9, George Brennan won both halves of Yonkers Raceway's early daily double, the back portion serving as career win number 6,000. Three-quarters of the way through the Tuesday night (Oct. 18) card, Brennan increased his lifetime total to an even 7,000.   So, in the sp
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Hanover Stakes action at Balmoral Park
October 17, 2011
Freshman trotters stepped into the spotlight on Sunday night at Balmoral Park as a pair of Hanover Stakes shared top billing on the 10-race program. With a total of 15 colts dropped into the entry box the boys were split into a pair of $29,850 tussles. An overflow field of 12 fillies were entered in
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Great Quantity a 90-1 upset in DSBF
October 17, 2011
Four $20,000 divisions of Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund 2-year-old trotting races were held at Harrington Raceway Sunday. A 90-to-1 longshot won the first filly division as Winbak Farm’s Great Quantity ($184, Jeff Fout) was a first-over winner in 2:03.3. The CR Commando filly took advantage of
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Tamla Celeber rebounds, but not Maharajah
October 17, 2011
The classy Swedish-bred 4-year-old Cantab Hall-mare Tamla Celeber (Amanda Celeber, by Express Ride) tried the boys in the Swedish Trotting Derby back in early September but did not have any racing luck. But she proved that she wa as good as the European 4 year olds in the Grosser Preis von De
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Illinois governor holds firm on opposing tracks
October 17, 2011
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn stated his opposition to expanding gaming at the state's racetracks at a press conference on Monday, and the Chicago Tribute reported that his statements set up a battle in the legislature when the veto session begins next week.   The Tribune reported that the governor
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3 horses supplemented to Breeders Crown
October 17, 2011
Two sophomore trotting colts, Daylon Magician and Dejarmbro, and a surprise entry from mare trotter Frenchfrysnvinegar, were the only supplements to the Breeders Crown year-end championship races today at the Mohawk race office. The $6 million Breeders Crown events will be contested on Saturday,&nbs
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Meadowlands to request similar schedule
October 17, 2011
The Meadowlands is requesting 81 harness racing dates for 2012, the same number the track ran in 2011, while Freehold Raceway is expected to ask for 90 days, down from the 112 it is running this year. The Meadowlands presently expects to open Friday, Jan. 5, 2012, and race three nights a week-
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Hong Kong has ITPP test; PA also working on test
October 17, 2011
Testing for ITPP, a drug that some trials shows allowing hemogloblin to deliver more oxygen to the body and thus enhancing performance, is on the horizon in harness racing.   Dr. Gregg Scoggins, project manager for the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC), said Dr. T
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Hall of Famer Gene Riegle dies
October 17, 2011
Gene Riegle, 83, a developer of many trotting and pacing champions and a member of Harness Racing’s Hall of Fame died Monday, Oct. 17, at his Greenville, Ohio home. Details regarding his passing and funeral arrangements are not yet known, but will be reported when they become available.  
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Designer Bags still in style in DSBF division
October 17, 2011
The second leg of Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) stakes action for 2-year-old pacers is in the books after seven divisions Monday evening at Harrington Raceway. There were four divisions for fillies and three for colts.   Ed Walls’ Designer Bags ($2.10, Allan Davis) completed a sw
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Pompano cancels Monday pari-mutuel card
October 17, 2011
After daylong rains in South Florida raised havoc with the track lighting system, the Monday evening program at Pompano Park had to be canceled. Racing will resume Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 7:05 p.m.   Before the cancellation at 6:45 p.m. a non-wagering race was staged. The S
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Callahan, Green set to defend Dover titles
October 17, 2011
Both Corey Callahan, the leading dash winner, and Josh Green, longtime leading trainer, seek to defend their titles when the 2011-2012 Dover Downs season opens on Saturday, Oct. 29.    Callahan eked out a second consecutive top driver championship last meet finishing with 229 victories,
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Caviar Forthelady orders up win at The Meadows
October 17, 2011
Caviar Forthe Lady opened a daylight lead with a blistering third quarter, then hung on late to capture Monday’s $22,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Trot at The Meadows.   Driver Charlie Norris sent Caviar Forthe Lady to the front past the quarter, the 5-year-old daughter of SJ’s
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Pa-sired/owned late-closer canceled at Chester
October 17, 2011
The fall late closer series planned for 3-year-old Pennsylvania sired and owned horses at Harrah's Chester Casino & Racetrack has been canceled due to a lack of entries.   The live racing season continues through Dec. 21, highlighted by stakes races on Nov. 13 including the $650,000 Gover
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Toscano and Ford pupils sweep Simpson Stakes
October 16, 2011
Heston Blue Chip, Forever Just, Blackjack Princess and Up Front Sharon were each divisional winners in Saturday’s $62,534 John Simpson, Sr. Memorial Stake for 2-year-old pacers, while Tim Tetrick teamed five first-place finishers during a raw and rainy fall evening at Vernon Downs.   The Lind
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Sir Caviar continues Meadows dominance
October 16, 2011
Sir Caviar, who has dominated The Meadows’ elite trotting ranks throughout the year, made it look easy again Saturday with a decisive front-end victory in the $22,500 Preferred Handicap.Despite leaving from post 7, Sir Caviar made the front quickly for Brian Zendt and never was seriously challenged
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Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale concludes
October 16, 2011
The Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale concluded Saturday, October 15 with a third session topped by a Lotsa Credit filly that brought $22,000. Trottin Joanna, the second foal from Armbro Kelvin mare Capryz Kelvin, is a sister to top Indiana Sires Stakes freshman colt Trottin Tiger. Consigned by Pond-A-A
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Maine 3YO champions crowned at Downs
October 16, 2011
At Scarborough Downs on Sunday, the 3-year-old Maine Sire Stakes champions were crowned. Over $380,000 in purse money was on the line. Iza Bella capped off a brilliant stakes career by adding the 3-year-old filly trotting championship to the freshman crown that she won last season, claiming her 15th
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Simpson Memorial Stakes at Vernon
October 15, 2011
Classic Conway, Quit Smoking Now, Cowgirl Hall, Exercise To Go and Autumn Escapade all performed with distinction during a rainy, blustery Friday evening at Vernon Downs.   Classic Conway and Quit Smoking Now were each divisional winners in Friday’s $63,734 John Simpson, Sr. Memorial Stake (J
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Camluck colt brings $150,000 to top Forest City
October 15, 2011
A Camluck colt out of a mare who is a full sister to new world record holder Strike An Attitude topped the opening day of the Forest City Yearling Sale in London, Ont. The colt, consigned by Seelster Farms, was bought by Fiddlers Creek Stables of West Bloomfield, Mich., with a bid of $150,000. &nbs
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Trottin Tiger leads ISS winners at Indy Downs
October 15, 2011
Freshman colt and filly trotters were featured Friday night, October 14 in the third round of Indiana Sires Stakes action at Indiana Downs. Favorites captured four of five divisions on the card, with the fastest mile turned in by Trottin Tiger. Trained by Mark Gillenwater and driven by Sam Widger, t
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Roll With Joe, Autumn Escapade win BC preps
October 15, 2011
Two notable horses tuned up for the Breeders Crown on Friday night. First, at Yonkers Raceway, Meadowlands Pace champion Roll With Joe won a qualifier before the pari-mutuel card, then later that evening the older trotting mare Autumn Escapade scored at Vernon Downs,   Roll With Joe
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Breeders Crown deadlines Monday, Tuesday
October 15, 2011
High noon on Saturday, Oct. 15, was the deadline for the invited foreign classic winners to declare in to the $600,000 Breeders Crown Trot at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. Both French superstar Rapide Lebel and Swedish-bred and owned Commander Crowe remain committed to the entry box. Both are E
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Burke 2YOs win NJ Futurity divisions
October 15, 2011
Avenue Hanover captured the $45,000 New Jersey Futurity for three-year-old pacers and a Ron Burke-trained duo swept a pair of 2-year-old divisions on Saturday (Oct. 15) at Freehold Raceway.   Yannick Gingras handled the driving assignments for both Burke trainees as 21-1 Mortal Zin, by Rocknr
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MOMM trying for 2 Breeders Crown titles
October 15, 2011
After capturing the Kentucky Futurity in two heats at The Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky on Oct. 2, Manofmanymissions appears to be in top form heading into the Breeders Crown on October 29 at Woodbine Racetrack.   The son of Yankee Glide-Armbro Vanquish will look to capture his second $600,
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Stonebridge Tonic scores in Yonkers feature
October 15, 2011
Stonebridge Tonic (Dan Dube)--a horse who doesn't need a course--maintained the form spree Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $42,000 Open Handicap Pace.   Assigned post position No. 6, Stonebridge Tonic worked around Power of a Moment (Brent Holland) before a ::26.3 opening quarter-mi
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Miller wins Pennsylvania Driving Challenge
October 15, 2011
Brett Miller outperformed eight other outstanding drivers in the East Meets West Pennsylvania Driving Challenge on Saturday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The challenge pitted the finest drivers from Pocono against the best from The Meadows, with $50,000 in bonuses on the line for the partici
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Stallion Stakes, awards highlight Pompano card
October 15, 2011
The Saturday, October 15 program at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park was the first night of major league speed in the new meet and it was accompanied by winner's circle ceremonies to honor the top trainer and driver from last season in South Florida.   Director Of Racing Operations John Yi
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Camaes Fellow shocks in Gold Final in 1:53
October 15, 2011
Camaes Fellow pulled off a 14-1 shocker in the $170,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final for sophomore pacing colts and geldings Saturday night, October 15 at Woodbine Racetrack. The Tony O’Sullivan trained-Camaes Fellow (Doug McNair) was the quickest off the gate, but the heavy favourite, Prodi
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Daylon Magician defeated at Woodbine
October 15, 2011
Delcrest Julian was the one pulling a rabbit out of the hat Saturday night, October 15 when he defeated divisional leader Daylon Magician in the $170,000 Ontario Sires Stakes for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings at Woodbine Racetrack.   With Paul MacDonell in the sulky, the Rick Ze
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75 years ago, Greyhound equaled own mark
October 14, 2011
The Lexington Herald-Leader newspaper is celebrating the 75th anniversary of Keeneland racetrack by publishing pages that originally appeared on Keeneland's opening day, Oct. 14, 1936. The front page of the paper that day also included the headline "Equals Own Record Against Time" over a photo of th
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Ocean's Motion surges to Vernon win
October 14, 2011
Ocean’s Motion went from last to first before recording a 1:51.3 victory in Thursday night’s $10,000 featured first race at Vernon Downs.Competing against five quick-footed foes in the week’s Open contest for female pacers, Ocean’s Motion ($4.10) was last at the quarter, fifth at the half and fourth
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Zeron scores with OSS fillies
October 14, 2011
Driver Scott Zeron made the most of his journey to Woodbine Racetrack Thursday evening as he captured a pair of OSS Gold finals. Zeron guided Modern Connection and Miss Paris to victory in their respective divisions.The David Menary-trained Modern Connection converted off a pocket trip to track down
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Brennan wins eight Thursday
October 14, 2011
George Brennan, whose miles (or miles-and-one-sixteenth) frequently conclude in Yonkers Raceway's winner's circle, found that venue eight times during Thursday night's windy, rainy, foggy 13-race program.The Raceway's leading driver wasted no time, winning the first four races. First up was Braeside
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Perretti Farms property does not sell
October 14, 2011
The Star Ledger is reporting that the 310-acre farm of preserved land in the heart of New Jersey’s horse country did not sell at auction on Wednesday, Oct 12 because the highest bid — $1.5 million — was not as much as the owners had anticipated.Eight bidders showed up to the site in North Hanover, w
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Justice Hall colt tops Hoosier Classic first day
October 14, 2011
Caper Hall, a Justice Hall brother to Canadian Trotting Classic runner-up Whatever It Takes, topped the first session of the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale Thursday afternoon, October 13. Serving as agent, Pond-A-Acres consigned the colt, purchased for $57,000 by The Kales Company LLC. A total of 197
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See You At Peelers wins qualifier in 1:54.1
October 14, 2011
See You At Peelers returned to the racetrack Friday (Oct. 14), winning a qualifier in 1:54.1 at Freehold Raceway, and trainer Jimmy Takter is optimistic the star 3-year-old filly pacer could race again soon.See You At Peelers, who won the first 22 races of her career, was scratched from a New York S
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Gold goes to Apogee Hanover, The Game Plan
October 14, 2011
The Erv Miller-trained Apogee Hanover, who captured last week’s lone elimination, romped in the $130,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final for two-year-old pacing fillies Friday night at Woodbine Racetrack.   The trip to the winner’s circle also gave driver Scott Zeron his third straight OSS Go
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Second leg of Delaware Fund events Oct. 16
October 14, 2011
The second leg of the DSBF (Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund) stakes for trotters will get underway Sunday, Oct.16, at Harrington Raceway. Two divisions of fillies and two for colt and gelding trotters, all going for a purse of $20,000, will help determine who makes their respective $100,000
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Quick Deal takes another Green Acres final
October 14, 2011
Quick Deal, in a repeat performance from his 2-year-old season last year, won the $25,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Green Acres Final for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings today at Freehold Raceway.   With Jim Meittinis driving, the gelded son of Revenue led from start to finish,
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Market Share; All In The Muscles win Futurity finals
October 14, 2011
Market Share extended his unbeaten streak to five and the filly All In The Muscles beat the boys in their respective $25,000 division of the New Jersey Futurity for two-year-old trotters on Friday, October 14, 2011 at Freehold Raceway.Market Share, a son of Revenue, coasted to a seven and a half len
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$55,000 top price 2nd day at Hoosier Classic
October 14, 2011
The second day of the Hoosier Classic yearling auction Friday featured the sale of a filly  by trotting sire Here Comes Herbie for $55,000. Sawgrass Farms of Illinois bought the filly consigned by Luckiana Farm of Goshen, Ind.   The filly's dams is the Schimitar-sired Allie Jean 4, 1:57.
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SBOANJ re-elects Luchento president
October 14, 2011
The Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey’s Board of Directors re-elected Tom Luchento as president and reorganized after its annual membership meeting on Friday, October 14, 2011 at Freehold Raceway.   The meeting was held in conjunction with the USTA’s District 12 mee
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Billmar Scooter, Grain Of Truth win at Yonkers
October 14, 2011
Billmar Scooter (Yannick Gingras) finished what she started Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's co-featured $42,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.   Leaving from post position No. 6, Billmar Scooter stepped around 1-2 choice On the Glass (George Brennan) before a 27-second opening qua
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Ilia captures NJSS Green Acres final
October 13, 2011
Heavily favord Ilia swept to victory Thursday in the $25,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Green Acres Final for 3-year-old trotting fillies at Freehold Raceway.   With Jeff Gregory driving, the daughter of Windsong’s Legacy took the lead from Pure Barre (Classic Photo) at the half-mile mark an
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See You At Peelers entered to qualify
October 13, 2011
See You At Peelers, who has been sidelined since Sept. 19 with a virus and heart issues, was entered to qualify at Freehold Raceway on Friday morning, Oct. 14.The daughter of Bettor’s Delight will leave from post three in the third race with Marcus Johansson in the bike for trainer Jimmy Takter. The
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Entry box for Breeders Crown closes soon
October 13, 2011
With most of harness racing's coveted divisional titles still up for grabs, the $6 million 12-race Breeders Crown events at Woodbine Racetrack is the final setting to secure year-end honors.The countdown has begun on foreign entries, supplements and entries for the races slated for Sa
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Pacers featured in Futurities at Freehold
October 13, 2011
The pacers take center stage in a trio of New Jersey Futurities on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at Freehold Raceway.Six will go postward in the $45,000 New Jersey Futurity for three-year-olds in the sixth race while 11 two-year-olds have been split into two divisions, five going for $28,000 in the fir
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Horsemen pledge to help racehorse adoption
October 13, 2011
New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program is inviting owners, trainers, and drivers of Breeders Crown horses to “Pledge To Give Back” by committing a percentage of their Breeders Crown earnings to the racehorse adoption effort.   “It’s a great way for today’s stars to give a helping hand to ye
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Recent poll shows sentiment for funding testing
October 13, 2011
A recent poll conducted on the US Trotting Association's website indicated there is sentiment for taking revenues allocated to horse racing from slots revenue and using the money to fund better drug testing.   The USTA's question specifically read: "Should the horsemen and
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Vernon has weekend of stakes action
October 13, 2011
Vernon Downs kicks off its three-day race weekend Thursday night at 6:55 pm,  leading into its stakes filled weekend featuring the 2-year olds in the John Simpson stakes on Friday and Saturday night.   Friday night the track plays host to the freshman trotters led by NYSS champion R
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New Meadowlands grandstand approved
October 13, 2011
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority formally approved plans for the new Meadowlands Racetrack grandstand at a meeting on Thursday. The Authority also approved plans for the American Dream Meadowlands project, which has been known as Xanadu.   Jeff Gural is presently working to fin
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$375.40 record $2 win payoff at Colonial
October 13, 2011
While a tornado-like wind storm touched down in New Kent County late Thursday afternoon several miles from Colonial Downs, the track was able to get its final race of the afternoon off without a glitch, though the result of the race was quite dynamic.   When #6 McBlack crossed the finish line
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New 2YO trotting filly mark at Harrington
October 13, 2011
 HARRINGTON, Del. – Ram Racing Stable’s Wonderous Hanover ($4, Sean Bier) broke the 2-year-old filly trotting track record Thursday at Harrington Raceway with a 2:01 victory.  The Conway Hall filly set a hot pace after assuming command approaching the quarter mile in 29.3. She sped to the
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Hanover yearling videos being posted on web
October 12, 2011
The videos of the 2011 Hanover yearlings selling at Harrisburg are in the process of being added to the Hanover Shoe Farms website, hanoverpa.com. The videos are being put on the site as they are completed. Presently, most of the trotting colts and trotting fillies and a good many of of the pacing
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Unbeaten Market Share to be tested in NJ Futurity
October 12, 2011
Market Share will be putting his unbeaten streak on the line in the second of two $25,000 divisions of the New Jersey Futurity for two-year-old trotters on Friday, October 14, 2011 at Freehold Raceway.Market Share, driven by Jeff Gregory and trained by Linda Toscano, has won all four of his starts t
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Aldrich is all kisses for Blue Creek Angie
October 12, 2011
An old adage says "there are horses for courses,” and  that moniker absolutely fits Blue Creek Angie, who had her 13th seasonal triumph at Monticello Raceway on Tuesday afternoon. Last year the 8-year-old daughter of On The Attack-Hiromi Hanover had 16 victories here an
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Videos of Perretti Harrisburg yearlings now up
October 12, 2011
Videos of Perretti Farms yearlings selling at the Standardbred Horse Sales Company auction in Harrisburg next month can now be seen at the farm's website, www.perretti.com. The Perretti yearling videos are also available through the website bestdamnhorsevideos.com.
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Pennsylvania's East Meets West at Pocono
October 12, 2011
The best of the best in Pennsylvania will battle it out for bragging rights, plus a share of $50,000 in total prize monies, at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on Saturday. Post time is 6:30 p.m. Parking and admission are free.   The East Meets West Driving Challenge will bring the four
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Average daily handle up 4.1% at Mohawk meet
October 12, 2011
Woodbine Entertainment Group today announced that the average nightly wagering handle on the 2011 Mohawk Standardbred meet, which concluded Saturday, Oct. 1, increased from 2010 figures.   The "all-sources" betting total of $124,633,640 represents a 3 percent increase over last year. Per ni
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Lower nominating fees for Big M series
October 12, 2011
Two new series and a reduction in nominating fees to several high-profile events highlight Meadowlands Racetrack's 2012 winter late-closing program.   The marquee events for older pacers--the Presidential, Cape & Cutter, Overbid, Aquarius and Four Leaf Clover--will all feature lower nomin
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Daley says Magic Tonight bound for Crown
October 12, 2011
It is not necessary to win at Lexington’s Red Mile to advance to the Breeders Crown, but in the case of 2-year-old colt trotter Magic Tonight, back-to-back victories there stamped his ticket to the big event in Canada.   Magic Tonight won his $85,250 division of the Bluegrass Stakes by eight
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Maine pacing fillies are best friends, foes
October 12, 2011
The best of Maine will be on display at Scarborough Downs, outside Portland, when the finals of the Maine Sire Stakes are held Sunday afternoon, with post time at 12:05. Age, gait and gender divisions will each go for a purse of $85,000 after a summer of slugging it out for points at fairs across th
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Council members still against slots at Rosecroft
October 12, 2011
The prospect of expanded gaming at Rosecroft Raceway is still not being embraced by the a Prince George's County Council committee. On Tuesday the committee passed legislation banning slot machines from the county, clearing the way for the entire council to vote on the measure. The bill wo
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Dover getting ready for November stakes
October 12, 2011
Following completions of the eight Breeders Crown finals later this month, the last major stakes action of the 2011 season shifts to Dover Downs in early November. The Delaware capital city raceway’s opens its 43rd meet on Saturday, Oct. 29, with the lucrative Matron Stakes and rich Progress Pace th
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Season's sweep possible for Florida filly
October 12, 2011
She turned to the gate for the biggest purse of her young career and 2-year-old pacing filly Cracker Coffee came through with flying colors again in the $31,400 Florida Standardbred Breeders And Owners Association (FSBOA) Stallion Stakes on the Wednesday program at The Isle Casino Racing Pompan
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Yonkers' tote board lights up
October 11, 2011
Many a bulb on Yonkers Raceway's tote board was pressed into holiday service. Monday night, with the $18,000, fifth-race pace producing several season-high payoffs.Early fractions of :27.3; 55.4 and 1:23.4 led to the front end falling down. The bombardiers were waiting to pick off the panting, with
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Ranger sweeps Florida Stallion stakes
October 11, 2011
It was a most familiar sight at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park on the first Monday card of the new meet as Bruce Ranger was in the bike for both championship trotting finals of the Florida Standardbred Breeders And Owners Association (FSBOA) Stallion Stakes.In the $31,400 purse title event for
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Gural elected to Little Brown Jug Wall of Fame
October 11, 2011
Jeff Gural, chairman of Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs and the managing member of  the New Meadowlands Racetrack, has been elected the 28th Little Brown Jug Wall of Fame honoree.   “This is a big honor for me. To be honest, my favorite two days of the year are when I come to Dela
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Docdor Libby wins Harrington Mares Open
October 11, 2011
Kim Gadino’s Docdor Libby ($7, Ross Wolfenden) earned her sixth win of the year in the $22,500 Mares Open at Harrington Raceway Tuesday in 1:53.4.The 5-year-old Camluck mare sat behind pacesetter No Bad Luck throughout the mile before surging by the game leader in the final strides. Melissa’s Fancy,
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Rosecroft updates info on qualifying, draws
October 10, 2011
Rosecroft Raceway will be drawing Mondays for Friday this fall and scratch time will be 9 am Wednesday mornings. The box will open at 9 am and close at 1 pm. Rosecroft will draw Wednesday for Saturday this fall and scratch time will be 9 am Thursday mornings. The box will open at noon and close at 3
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Delaware Breeders Fund divisions held
October 10, 2011
Seven $20,000 divisions of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) for 2-year-old pacers were contested Monday at Harrington Raceway. There were four filly divisions, which were carded first on the program.   Badlands Racing and Leblanc Racing’s No Picnic ($2.80, Ross Wolfend
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Vaporstar, Maplegrove Shaelyn win at Balmoral
October 10, 2011
The year’s richest event for Illinois conceived and foaled 2-year-old trotting colts was contested on Sunday night at Balmoral Park as a field of 10 diagonally gaited youngsters battled in the $112,000 Lincoln Land Stake. Fresh off a big second-place finish in his elimination last week, Fox Valley S
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DSBF 2-year-old trots underway at Harrington
October 10, 2011
Four divisions of the Delaware Standarbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) 2-year-old trotting stakes for both sexes were held Sunday at Harrington Raceway.   The fastest divisional winner was the first to take place, as Nanticoke Racing and Delbert Cain’s Alleigh Girl ($2.40, Ross Wolfenden) was a domi
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Vernon's Simpson box closes Tuesday morning
October 10, 2011
Vernon Downs will host all freshman divisions of the John F. Simpson Memorial Stakes over the weekend of Oct. 14-15. Entries will be accepted by the Vernon race office (315) 829-6825 until the box closes at 9 a.m. on Tuesday for Friday's race and Wednesday for Saturday. The entry
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Magic Wheel sets Windsor mark in OSS Gold
October 10, 2011
Magic Wheel lowered the Windsor Raceway track mark for 3-year-old filly trotters Sunday night with a 1:55.2 victory in a $130,000 Ontario Sire Stakes (OSS) final. The effort lowered the previous mark set last week in an OSS Gold elim by Oh Sweet Baby.   Trainer-driver Joe Hudon left fast
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2YOPC Warrawee Needy 1:49.4 winner
October 10, 2011
In gate-to-wire fashion, Warrawee Needy (pictured) established a new stakes record in the $170,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings Monday evening at Woodbine Racetrack.   The Carl Jamieson student stopped the teletimer in 1:49.4, lowering the all-
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Yonkers holds Fall Festival with under saddle race
October 09, 2011
Yonkers Raceway Saturday night played host to the $400,000 Fall Harvest Series. Eight, $50,000 events--2- and 3-year-olds of both sexes and gaits who were not eligible for last week's New York Night of Champions.   Among the winners was the 3-year-old pacing filly Alexachase (by Bettor's Deli
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Big Batavia win for Aracache Hanover and owners
October 09, 2011
Aracache Hanover, owned by western New Yorkers William Switala and James Martin, won the $40,000 ninth annual Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace in front of a packed house on a warm autumn night at Batavia Downs Casino on Saturday.   Trevor Henry piloted Aracache Hanover to an all-time track r
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American Jewel has successful surgery
October 09, 2011
Trainer Jimmy Takter told harnessracing.com early Sunday afternoon while at The Red Mile that American Jewel, who broke a P-1 bone in a sesamoid while competing in an International Stallion Stake division Friday night, successfully underwent surgery Sunday morning at Rood & Riddle Equine Clinic
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Chapter Seven, Big Rigs win Bluegrass splits
October 09, 2011
Chapter Seven, whose health issues this year have limited the 3-year-old trotter to just six starts, was an open-lengths winner in 1:52.4 in the first of two divisions of the $226,000 Bluegrass Sunday afternoon at The Red Mile. Finishing second was Hambletonian winner Broad Bahn, with Spectator K th
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Bold And Fresh, Seducedbychocolate win at Red Mile
October 09, 2011
Favorite Cedar Dove broke well before the start for driver Ron Pierce and was far out of contention in the second of two divisions of the $213,000 Bluegrass for 3-year-old filly trotters Sunday afternoon at The Red Mile. With the recent Kentucky Filly Futurity winner out of the picture, that left th
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Alsace Hanover, Hugadragon win Tattersalls splits
October 09, 2011
Alsace Hanover, despite drifting right down the stretch, managed to hold on to win the $243,000 first division of the Tattersalls 3-Year-Old Pace Sunday afternoon at The Red Mile. With Ron Pierce driving, Alsace Hanover reached the wire a diminishing nose over Westwardho Hanover to score in 1:50. Th
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I Wanna Go Fast 1:49.2 winner at Colonial
October 09, 2011
Aptly named I Wanna Go Fast lived up to his billing by collecting a wire-to-wire victory in a sizzling 1:49.2 in Sunday's featured race at Colonial Downs.   The 4-year-old Three Olives gelding, who had not raced since September 5, was coming off a pair of recent qualifying wins at Harrah's Ch
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FL horsemen wary of plans for PM barrel racing
October 09, 2011
The Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association (FSBOA) has issued a statement in which it warns its members of an "an attempt to use a quarter horse permit/license application to replace the Florida statute required live quarter horse race days with a limited number of barrel racing rodeo
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American Jewel injured in race at Red Mile
October 08, 2011
The world champion 2-year-old filly pacer American Jewel broke a P-1 bone in a sesamoid while competing in stakes action at The Red Mile Friday night and being nosed out on the wire in 1:50.2.   Trainer Jimmy Takter said the filly was lame after the race and was taken to Rood & Riddle Equ
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She's Country wins at Indiana Downs in 1:59.3
October 08, 2011
Favorites captured two of three $40,000 Indiana Sires Stakes divisions for freshman filly trotters Friday evening, October 7 at Indiana Downs. In the fastest division of the evening, She’s Country and trainer Charlie Conrad held off Sweetasmusic and Walter Haynes Jr. by a neck in 1:59.3. Js Foxy Lad
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Green Acres finals held at Freehold
October 08, 2011
Driver Jim Pantaleano scored a driving double by winning both $25,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Green Acres finals for 2-year-old pacers today at Freehold Raceway.   In the Green Acres final for freshmanpacing colts and geldings, Prince Sharka (Cam's Card Shark) led from start to finish, holding
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A Rocknroll Dance in 1:49.4 in ISS split
October 08, 2011
The 2-year-old pacing colt A Rocknroll Dance picked up his fourth win in seven career starts when he turned in a powerful effort to win the first of four divisions of the $333,400 International Stallion Stakes (ISS) division in 1:49.4 Saturday night at The Red Mile. The Rocknroll Hanover colt
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Strike An Attitude in 1:48.4 in Garnsey division
October 08, 2011
Trainer Bob McIntosh noted earlier this week that his 3-year-old filly pacer Strike An Attitude loves the racing surface at The Red Mile, pointing out her back-to-back victories in Grand Circuit action. After a second-place finish last week in a Bluegrass division in Lexington, Strike An Attitude's
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Cadence Hall repeats in PA Fairs championship
October 08, 2011
Cadence Hall had to duel for the early lead, but he was much the best once there, drawing off Saturday to score by 6 1/4 lengths and capture the Pennsylvania Fairs championship for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters. In the process, he established a PA Fairs divisional record of 1:56.2 and became
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Update on Zeron; suffers shoulder injury
October 08, 2011
An accident occurred during the sixth race at Woodbine Racetrack on Saturday night, which unseated four drivers. Whippet Good, driven by Jason Brewer was sixth past the half on the outside when the gelding fell, unseating Brewer, which caused interference to the rest of the field.   Driver Ri
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Black Book 2 now available online
October 07, 2011
The 2011 edition of The Black Book 2 can now be found on Standardbred Horse Sales Company's website theblackbook.com. Hard copy volumes of the catalog are expected to be available on Oct. 12.   The mixed portion of the Harrisburg sale begins on Friday, Nov. 11, and ends on Saturday, Nov. 12.
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Miss Paris, Circles lead Ontario Gold elim winners
October 07, 2011
There were few surprises at Woodbine Racetrack on Thursday evening, as the favorites in both two-year-old trotting filly Gold Eliminations sailed home to effortless victories.   The first $40,000 elimination saw Miss Paris and driver Scott Zeron sit briefly on the rail in third before making
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Florida judges say more casinos OK
October 07, 2011
A three-judge panel in Florida has ruled that destination casino resorts are legal in the state without first putting the issue before voters, according to reports.   Meanwhile, lawmakers are put the finishing touches on legislation that could bring Vegas-style casinos to Flori
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Backstretch With Gordon: Moves Like Jagger
October 07, 2011
“It was wild and crazy last night,” starter and trackman Greg Coon told me first thing this sunny Friday morning when I arrived at The Red Mile. Despite the late-night celebration of the Tigers victory over the Yankees, which led to me making moves like Jagger, I arrived bright-eyed bright and early
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EL Rock, Market Share win at Freehold
October 07, 2011
EL Rock, who already won the $75,000 Charles I. Smith last month, added the $40,000 New Jersey Futurity for 3-year-old trotters to his stakes credits on Friday at Freehold Raceway.   The gelded son of Yankee Glide, driven by George Brennan, held on for a neck victory over the hard-char
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Lexington sale finishes with average up 9.7%
October 07, 2011
The Lexington Selected Yearling Sale finished its 2011 auction on Friday afternoon in the heart of the Bluegrass and the results showed that while harness racing is embattled on several fronts, the purse money that’s out there is still keeping people in the sport.  The 745 yearlings that were
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Freshman colt trotters in ISS action at Red Mile
October 07, 2011
Four divisions of the $303,000 International Stallion Stake (ISS) for 2-year-old colt trotters were on top Friday night at The Red Mile, with the first $75,750 split going to Big Chocolate in 1:54.3. The second division went to Possess The Will in 1:54, a national season's mark for first-year trotte
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Big McDeal nips American Jewel in 1:50.2
October 07, 2011
The 2-year-old filly pacers Big McDeal (outside) and American Jewel wowed The Red Mile crowd on Friday night with a spirited stretch duel before finishing on the wire noses apart in a world-record equaling time of 1:50.2. Big McDeal, a filly by McArdle, got the nod at the wire in the
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Surgery sidelines Foreclosure N
October 07, 2011
Trainer Chris Ryder told harnessracing.com Friday night at The Red Mile that Foreclosure N, who finished fifth in a Bluegrass division last Sunday at the track and was the 7-2 third choice on the morning line in the second of two divisions of the $486,000 Bluegrass, has been scratched
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The Game Plan wins at Woodbine in 1:55.4
October 07, 2011
The Game Plan extended his win streak to four after scoring in one of two $40,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold eliminations for freshman trotting colts and geldings Friday night at Woodbine Racetrack. The John Kopas pupil, who also won the William Wellwood Memorial Trot at Mohawk Racetrack on September
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Hammer's Apogee Hanover takes Gold elim
October 07, 2011
Eleven two-year-old pacing fillies contested a lone $40,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold elimination Friday evening at Woodbine Racetrack with Apogee Hanover finding the winner’s circle in a stakes-equalling performance. The Erv Miller trainee stopped the teletimer in 1:52, matching the all-time OSS re
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Western Silk captures Yonkers mare feature
October 07, 2011
Odds-on Western Silk (George Brennan) rallied from second-over Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's co-featured, $52,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.   Assigned outside of her seven rivals, the razor-sharp Western Silk was beating just one of them early. Meanwhile, Breakheart Pass (J
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Instant Racing to continue in Kentucky
October 06, 2011
The Kentucky Court of Appeals on Wednesday denied a motion filed by The Family Foundation to shut down the Instant Racing machines which have been in operation at the Kentucky Downs Thoroughbred track since Sept. 1. In making its ruling, the court stated it would not consider the request until a ju
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Average price up at third Lexington Selected session
October 06, 2011
The yearling market was still strong at the third session of the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale on Wednesday night when 163 yearlings were sold for an average price of $29,656. Last year's third session, which was held on a Friday night, saw 164 generate an average of $27,860. &nbs
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Gingras talks about fast filly Drop The Ball
October 06, 2011
Yannick Gingras knew Drop The Ball was fast and the 3-year-old filly is showing she can win with that speed. Last weekend, Drop The Ball won the $153,000 Bluegrass Stakes by four lengths over Strike An Attitude in a stakes-record 1:49.1 at Lexington’s Red Mile.   On Saturday, Drop The Ball
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Dontfusswithruss sets new Indy Downs mark
October 06, 2011
Dontfusswithruss established a new standard for freshman gelding trotters Wednesday, October 5 at Indiana Downs. The son of Elegant Man-Ml Jezebel, competing in the second round of Indiana Sires Stakes action, shaved four tenths of a second off the track record with a 1:57 performance. Driven by Joe
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Thursday Backstretch with Gordon
October 06, 2011
It’s another terrific Thursday morning in Lexington as the weather just gets better and better. After a great dinner with great friends last night, I pronounce myself fit and ready for the second week of Grand Circuit racing at The Red Mile. I am so fit and ready that I was able to just keep walkin
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Fever forces Roll With Joe out of Tattersalls
October 06, 2011
Trainer Ed Hart told harnessracing.com late Thursday morning that although he planned to enter Meadowlands Pace winner and Little Brown Jug elim winner and final runner-up Roll With Joe in Sunday’s Tattersalls Pace at The Red Mile, he did not drop the colt’s name in the box after he came up sic
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Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund meeting
October 06, 2011
The board of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund will meet at 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7, at the Delaware Dept of Agriculture. The purpose of this meeting will be to adopt proposed regulations which will create a 4-year-old bonus program.   The program will be open to a
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Maevey Gravy savors Lady Lincoln Land win
October 06, 2011
Despite coming into the race winless through her five-race career, Maevey Gravy looked liked like an old pro returning to the winner’s circle after knocking off nine other Illinois conceived and foaled 2-year-old trotting fillies in Wednesday’s $107,000 Lady Lincoln Land Stake at Balmoral Park. &nb
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Sweet dq for Chocolatta De Vie in Green Acres
October 06, 2011
It took a disqualification, but Chocolatta De Vie won the $25,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Green Acres Championship for 2-year-old trotting fillies Thursday at Freehold Raceway.   Chocolatta De Vie (Chocolatier) finished second to Pittypat Hanover (Yankee Glide), who was disqualified by
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Average in 4th session drops, but overall still up
October 06, 2011
The fourth session of the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale was held on a warm sunny day in the Bluegrass, which attracted a small but solid crowd of shoppers to the Fasig-Tipton Pavilion. Attendance was comprised of shoppers who had already made quite a few buys, plus horsemen who were at the s
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Check Me Out, Win Missy B sharp in ISS wins
October 06, 2011
Check Me Out won easily the first of three $93,000 divisions of the International Stallion Stake for 2-year-old filly trotters Thursday night at The Red Mile, with the victory by the odds-on choice in stark contrast to the second split where 49-1 Personal Style stunned her seven rivals. Chalk prevai
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Sunny Wednesday Backstretch with Gordon
October 05, 2011
I went to bed last night in a gloomy mood after the Tigers lost 10-1 to the Yankees, but it’s hard to stay sour when you wake up to a Wednesday morning like this in Lexington. IT’S GLORIOUS! As I arrived at the track, starter and trackman Greg Coon told me, “This is better weather than I deserve.”
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Campbell has two for ISS2CT Friday at Red Mile
October 05, 2011
Possess The Will and Pekoe Fashion give trainer Jim Campbell and owner Jules Siegel’s Fashion Farms twice the reason to smile. The 2-year-old colt trotters have combined to win eight of 14 starts and $295,793 entering Friday night’s International Stallion Stakes divisions at The Red Mile. “You can
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Red Mile has contract to sell Tattersalls parcel
October 05, 2011
The Red Mile has a contract to sell its Tattersalls sale area, which covers 10 acres, to a Columbus, Ohio, developer to build housing for University of Kentucky students.   The Lexington Herald-Leader reported Wednesday that Hallmark Campus Communities of Columbus, Ohio, proposes to buil
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Qualifying races at Rosecroft on Saturday
October 05, 2011
For the first time in over a year, Standardbred horses will return to the Rosecroft Raceway oval as qualifying races will be conducted Saturday, Oct. 8, at 10 a.m.   Qualifier entries will be taken Friday, Oct. 7, beginning at 10 a.m. Entries can be placed through the Rosecroft Racing Of
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NY drug testing expert explains NY-PA differences
October 05, 2011
Jeff Gural issued the following statement after communications from both him and USTA director Joe Faraldo left some people in the sport confused about drug testing in New York.   "Since some people asked me, I thought I would offer Dr. (George) Maylin's explanation of the difference i
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Scott Zeron off to fast start at Woodbine
October 04, 2011
Driver Scott Zeron guided Mintoes to victory in the first race, kicking off the fall/winter Standardbred meet Monday night at Woodbine Racetrack. The 7-year-old gelding scored his second triumph of the season in 35 outings for owner and trainer Les Fuller.   Jojo Bingbing (Phil Hudon) was
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Pilgrims Stunner stuns at The Meadows
October 04, 2011
Pilgrims Stunner stunned a distinguished field with an extended uncovered move over a “sloppy” surface that carried her to a 6-1 upset victory in Monday’s $22,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Trot at The Meadows.   More accustomed to performing in conditioned races, Pilgrims Stunner wa
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Backstretch W/Gordon: Cougar Town at Fasig-Tipton
October 04, 2011
Monday night was the first session of the Lexington Select Yearling Sale at Fasig-Tipton, so I made my way out there after having dinner with Balmoral Park’s Tom Kelly and his wife, Chris, Amy Wildman and The Red Mile’s Julie Sorrell. I especially mention Julie because she was the one who took that
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Freshman fillies featured at Indiana Downs
October 04, 2011
Four divisions of freshman filly pacers went to the post Monday, October 3 in the second round of Indiana Sires Stakes action at Indiana Downs. The quartet of $40,000 events were highly competitive, producing three first-time ISS winners led by 1:55 performer American Girl.Starting from the rail in
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$210,000 top price in 2nd Lexington session
October 04, 2011
The second session of the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale had slow moments compared to the opening night session, but one of them was night when hip 202 was in the ring. That's when a colt by Donato Hanover out of Stroke Play was sold for $210,000.   Gerald and Norm Smiley and Teresa Si
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Big racing in Sweden for 3YOs
October 03, 2011
Just a few hours before the Kentucky Futurity and Kentucky Futurity Filly was decided, the most important stakes for the Swedish 3-year-olds were raced at the Solvalla track in Stockholm.  The winner of the Kriterium was the gutsy colt Pato (Orlando Vici-She’s My Pie, by Alf Palema), who
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Lexington yearling sale live via Internet
October 03, 2011
The Lexington Selected Yearling Sale gets underway at the Fasig-Tipton Sale Pavilion in Lexington at 7 p.m. Monday night. The sale runs through Friday, with evening sessions (all beginning at 7 p.m.) on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and day sessions on Thursday and Friday (11:30 a.m.).   If
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Check Me Out, Win Missy B split in ISS
October 03, 2011
Divisional heavyweights Check Me Out and Win Missy B, who finished first and second, respectively, in a Bluegrass division for 2-year-old filly trotters last Thursday night at The Red Mile, have drawn into separate splits of the $279,000 International Stallion Stake (ISS) this Thursday night, Oct. 6
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Cynthia Paisley, wife of Walter Paisley, dies
October 03, 2011
Cynthia Kay Paisley (Smith), 52, the wife of longtime Standardbred driver Walter Paisley, died Sept. 29 after a seven-year battle with breast cancer.   She was born Oct. 28, 1958, and held various jobs during the course of her lifetime, but her favorite and most important, was
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Rock N Roll Heaven's brother tops sale at $450,000
October 03, 2011
Despite the weak worldwide economy and another 200-point loss day on the New York Stock Exchange, the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale posted a 1.5 percent increase in the average price for its opening session on Monday night at the Fasig-Tipton Pavilion in Lexington. With 112 horses going through t
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Backstretch With Gordon: Futurity Day
October 02, 2011
Ahhhhhh, afternoon racing at The Red Mile! What a glorious Sunday this is in Lexington, Ky., with today's card featuring the 119th Kentucky Futurity for 3-year-old colt trotters and the companion Filly Futurity. And after two cold, cold nights, it's time for me to put away the heavy shirt, sweatshir
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Roll With Joe to start in Tattersalls Pace
October 02, 2011
Trainer Ed Hart told harnessracing.com Sunday afternoon at The Red Mile that Meadowlands Pace winner and recent Little Brown Jug runner-up Roll With Joe will make his next start on Sunday, Oct. 9, in the Tattersalls Pace at the track in Lexington, Ky.   Coming off the two-heat Jug Sept. 22 in
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Big Bad John, Hugadragon win Bluegrass splits
October 02, 2011
Hugadragon drew clear to an open-lengths victory in 1:50 in the first division of the $202,000 Bluegrass for 3-year-old colt pacers Sunday afternoon at The Red Mile. Driven by Yannick Gingras, Hugadragon put away a determined first-over bid by Foreclosure N before pulling away from his six rivals in
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Cedar Dove wins Kentucky Filly Futurity
October 02, 2011
Cedar Dove was a straight-heat winner in the $291,000 Kentucky Filly Futurity on a sunshine-filled Sunday afternoon at The Red Mile. After posting a wire-to-wire 1:53.2 career-best victory in the first heat, Cedar Dove came back to score a 1:53.4 win in the decisive second heat, both with Ron Pierce
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Dejarmbro, Manofmanymissions take Futurity heats
October 02, 2011
Driver Brian Sears had to exercise an incredible amount of patience in the first heat of the $490,000 Kentucky Futurity Sunday afternoon at The Red Mile, but it paid off as his mount Dejarmbro kicked into high gear late in the stretch and won in 1:53.4, with a tiring Broad Bahn holding on for second
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Friendly Amigo, On The Glass win Allerage finals
October 02, 2011
Friendly Amigo, a 56-1 shot, won the $83,700 Allerage Farms Open Mare Trot in 1:52.2 Sunday at The Red Mile. In the $85,200 Allerage Farms Open Mare Pace, On The Glass scored a 1:50.3 victory.   Friendly Amigo, a 5-year-old mare by Amigo Hall trianed by Blair Burgess, came into the race
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Manofmanymissions wins Futurity raceoff
October 02, 2011
Manofmanymissions, drawing post one by virtue of his victory in the second heat of Sunday's $490,000 Kentucky Futurity at The Red Mile, held off a game bid by first-heat winner Dejarmbro to win the two-horse raceoff in 1:54.3. The raceoff in this year's 119th renewal of the third jewel of trotting's
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San Pail cruises to 1:52.1 Allerage victory
October 01, 2011
San Pail made winning the $145,000 Allerage Open Trot look easy as he brushed to the lead down the backstretch and then opened up his lead in the homestretch to score in 1:52.1 on a cool fall Saturday night at Lexington's Red Mile.   As the crowd cheered for San Pail as he left the winner's c
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Saturday Backstretch With Gordon
October 01, 2011
The calendar may say Saturday, Oct. 1, but it sure feels more like December here in Lexington today. It got pretty brisk at The Red Mile last night and when I woke up this morning and turned the TV on to the Weather Channel I saw those two dreaded words: Wind chill. The temp was 39 with a wind chill
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Arockin Hanover snags NJSS "Green"
October 01, 2011
Arockin Hanover, with a three-wide move on the final turn, charged down the stretch to win the $25,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Green Acres Championship for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings in 1:54.3 Saturday afternoon at Freehold Raceway.   Eric Abbatiello drove the
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Big miles posted in Bluegrass 2CP splits
October 01, 2011
A Rocknroll Dance was an impressive winner in 1:51 for driver Yannick Gingras in the second of four divisons of the $386,000 Bluegrass for 2-year-old colt pacers Saturday night at The Red Mile. The first split went to Bolt The Duer, who won in 1:52.2 for driver Mike Lachance. The third division was
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Drop The Ball a 1:49.1 winner at Red Mile
October 01, 2011
Yannick Gingras got away third with Drop The Ball, avoiding a breaking Krispy Apple in the first turn, and waited until the final turn before moving first-over and past the leading Idyllic to easily win the $153,000 Bluegrass 3-Year-Old Filly Pace in 1:49.1. It was a huge mile considering
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We Will See strong with 1:48.4 Allerage win
October 01, 2011
We Will See solidified his hold on 2011 Older Pacer of the Year honors with a hard-fought 1:48.4 victory in the $183,000 Allerage Open Pace on a chilly Saturday evening at The Red Mile. Driven by Ron Pierce, We Will See won his third straight and 11th in 21 starts this year as he bested a field that
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Hensley finds the range at Pompano
October 01, 2011
Ed Hensley, a former meet driving champ at Cal Expo, Fraser Downs and Tioga Downs, is quickly proving he's loving life in The Sunshine State at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park. His talents in the bike were showcased as the South Florida plant presented it's first top class event of the new
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NYSS championships held at Saratoga
October 01, 2011
New York Sire Stakes night at Saratoga Raceway & Casino was soggy and cool, but some of the most consistent horses in the state-wide competition this summer were crowned champions as eight finals worth $175,000 were held.   The evening started out with trainer-driver Dan Daley taking the
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