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Chips take early lead in HANA challenge
April 30, 2012
The first leg of HANA Harness' The Pen vs. The Chip--The Road to the Breeders Crown Handicapping Challenge co-sponsored by the Hambletonian Society, Meadowlands Racetrack, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs, is in the books and if the first leg is an indication of how the contest is going to go,
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Longtime New York owner William Mego dies
April 30, 2012
William Mego, an Orchard Park, N.Y., resident who owned harness racing horses over the past 30 years, died Friday, April 27, in Hospice Buffalo, Cheektowaga, N.Y., after an illness that had lasted about two years. He was 73.   Mr. Mego attended high school in West Seneca at West
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Ohio Breeders' Championship payments due
April 30, 2012
The Ohio Breeders' Championship stallion subscription payments are due May 15. The nomination forms and conditions can be found on the Little Brown Jug website: http://www.littlebrownjug.com/ under racing nomination forms. All Ohio-bred colts, geldings and fillies that are sired by a stallion
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"Operation: Save Michigan Horse Racing" underway
April 30, 2012
Michigan Harness Horsemen's Association president Brett Boyd has issued a statement regarding "Operation: Save Michigan Horse Racing" that is underway in the Wolverine State. Meetings will be held at four different locations in the state Monday night, including Northville Downs and Sports Creek
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Woodbine launches mobile betting platform
April 30, 2012
Responding to consumer popularity of mobile devices, Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) officially released its new HorsePlayer Interactive (HPI) Mobile Betting platform on Monday, April 30.   Horse racing customers can now place their wagers through an advanced user friendly interfac
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Qualifiers set for Tioga's Tuesday "media" night
April 30, 2012
Tioga Downs' annual "Dress Rehearsal" will take place this Tuesday evening with 4 qualifiers under the lights at 6:50 pm. Each season, the local press is invited to attend a session of qualifying races to generate interest in the live racing season. Media access to racing personalities, press
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NY Racing Board to review use of furosemide
April 30, 2012
The New York State Racing and Wagering Board held its monthly meeting on Monday and took action on purses for Thoroughbred claiming races, and also discussed policy and changing its rules regarding the use of furosemide (also known as Salix or Lasix) in horse racing. The board ope
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Dreamfair Eternal second in 2012 qualifier debut
April 30, 2012
Dreamfair Eternal, Canada's 2010 Horse of the Year, returned to the racetrack for Mohawk's Monday morning qualifying session to kick-start her 8-year-old campaign. The Pat Fletcher veteran (Jody Jamieson) finished second by a head behind Roll On (Roger Mayotte). The 4-year-old gelding went wire
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Meadowlands qualifiers on Saturdays in May
April 30, 2012
Meadowlands Racetrack will move its morning qualifiers to Saturdays for the month of May. Post time will remain at 10 a.m. The track will be available Fridays in May for training in the mornings from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Trainers can contact the race office for training hour details. The cost is $5
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Trotslikethewind takes Meadows feature
April 30, 2012
The only mare in the field, Trotslikethewind used an impressive uncovered move to beat the boys and notch her fourth straight victory in Monday's $22,500 Preferred Handicap Trot at The Meadows.   Trotslikethewind was sitting fifth, 5 lengths behind, when Tony Hall tipped her off the c
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Atochia edges Foiled Again in Levy final
April 29, 2012
Atochia (1), driven by Ron Pierce, grabbed the gusto from his stablemate Saturday night, nailing Foiled Again (1A) and driver Yannick Gingras and winning the $455,000 final of Yonkers Raceway's George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series. It was North America's richest harness race of the sea
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Rocklamation scores in Blue Chip Matchmaker
April 29, 2012
After leading through three-quarters of the $297,000 Blue Chip Matchmaker Series final Saturday night at Yonkers Raceway, the 3-5 favorite See You At Peelers faded to seventh in the stretch as Rocklamation rallied from third for the 1:51.3 victory, a stakes and track record for 4-year-old pacing
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Park Lane Deputy dominates in Rambling Willie
April 29, 2012
Continuing an amazing comeback after an injury limited his 5-year-old season to just one start, Shirley Le Vin's Park Lane Deputy dominated seven other Illinois conceived and foaled pacers as he cruised to a 2 3/4-length victory in 1:51.1 for driver Mike Oosting in Saturday's $17,000 Rambling Wi
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Sebastian K upsets Rapide Lebel in Finland
April 29, 2012
The classy Scandinavian season for the older elite horses in 2012 opened Saturday with The Finlandia Ajo at the Vermo-track in Helsinki, where the great favorite for the laurels in this year's major Scandinavian races (Oslo Grand Prix, the Elitlopp and Copenhagen Cup), Rapide Lebel (Ginger Somol
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King and Queen eliminations held in Sweden
April 29, 2012
Eight eliminations of the famed Swedish stakes, King Gustav V's Trophy and Queen Silvia's Trophy for 4-year-old trotters homebred and foreignbred trotters were raced Sunday afternoon at the Åby-track in Gothenburg. The top three from each advance to the finals which will be raced with $135,
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7 year old breaks maiden at Rosecroft
April 29, 2012
It may have been a nasty night for all those participating in the rain at Rosecroft Raceway on Saturday night, but owner David Kinee was all smiles as Art's Chic (Artiscape-Chicane Hanover) broke her maiden in her fourth career start with a 1:58.1 effort.   Art's Chic has made all her
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A smooth winner in Taser Gun at Maywood
April 28, 2012
The Illinois conceived and foaled stakes continued on Friday at Maywood Park as a field of eight sophomore pacing colts squared off in the $15,000 Taser Gun Stake.   Despite the fact that most of his rivals had already had a start or two under their belts, Sawgrass Farms' multipl
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Winning It sweeps Meadows series
April 28, 2012
Stuck on the outside in a demanding :26.4 opening quarter, Winning It dug in late to capture Friday's $30,400 championship of the Tremor Hanover Pace at The Meadows and complete her sweep of the series for 3-year-old fillies. When Winning It drew post nine, Dave Palone said his game pla
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Big crowd for Vernon Downs opener
April 28, 2012
A large (3,764) and enthusiastic crowd helped usher in the 59th live harness racing season at Vernon Downs on Friday night.   The pacer Dovetail (1:54.1) and trotter Aruba Vacation (1:54.3) shrugged off mid-30-degree temperatures to record the evening's fastest miles as the central Ne
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Unbeaten Market Share wins Dexter Cup elim
April 28, 2012
New Jersey-sired Market Share extended his unbeaten streak to six in his 2012 debut, the $46,100 elimination race for the Dexter Cup on Saturday afternoon at Freehold Raceway.   Driven by Jeff Gregory for trainer Linda Toscano, Market Share trotted the mile in a career-best 1:57.
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Podges Lady wins Courageous Lady
April 28, 2012
Podges Lady (inside) rallied up the passing lane to edge the heavily-favored Destiny's Chance in Saturday night's $86,000 Courageous Lady for 3-year-old filly pacers at Northfield Park. Driven by Ryan Stahl, Podges Lady sat second behind the Dave Palone-driven Destiny's Chance through the f
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Rockincam noses Meirs Hanover at Pocono
April 28, 2012
Rockincam nosed out Meirs Hanover in a thrilling stretch duel to win the featured condition pace on Saturday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The race, for winners of over $25,000 lifetime, carried a purse of $25,000.   Rockincam, the 3-5 favorite in the field of eight off a win in
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Tubby Trimble Series continues at Hoosier
April 27, 2012
Royal Todd and trainer Rod Lorenzo continued their winning ways in the second leg of The Tubby Trimble series Thursday night at Hoosier Park, a late-closing event open to Indiana sired 3 year olds and up that are non-winners of $30,000 life, as the colt picked up his second win of the seaso
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Video analysis of Levy/Matchmaker available
April 27, 2012
On Saturday night Yonkers Raceway is offering handicappers one of the best racing programs of the year and www.drf.com/harness has the action covered. Highlighting the action is the $455,000 George Morton Levy Memorial Series for free-for-all pacers and the $297,000 Blue Chip Matchmake
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Give No Respect respect with Desperate Lady win
April 27, 2012
The first stake of the 2012 season at Maywood Park was contested on Thursday as a field of nine sophomore pacing fillies squared off the in the $15,000 Desperate Lady.   Fresh off a big third-place finish in a tune-up against conditioned rivals at Balmoral Park to open her season
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Racing under saddle at Gaitway
April 27, 2012
There was a taste of "monte” racing at the Gaitway Farms training center on Friday morning. Two riders raced on the mile track with their trotters under saddle (monte) in a demonstration for the judges.   Jenny Melander of Clarksburg, N.J., aboard Shoeless White Sox, held of
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Peelers 9-for-9 at YR heading to Matchmaker
April 27, 2012
She entered the preliminaries with a lot of questions. She enters the final with a lot of supporters. That's what happens after See You At Peelers won all four of her legs (including an opening-round dead heat) in Yonkers Raceway's Blue Chip Matchmaker for open pacing mares, then won the draw fo
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Balmoral payouts a game changer
April 27, 2012
Balmoral Park rolls into the final weekend of April with sizzling average payouts and low minimum wagers which have brought an entire new wagering audience to the mile track. The $17,000 Rambling Willie stake for 3 year olds and up along with a $17,000 Invitational pace highlight a superb bettin
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Golden Receiver tops Gaitway qualifiers
April 27, 2012
Golden Receiver, the leading money-earning horse in harness racing, prepped for the upcoming Graduate Stakes by winning a qualifier in 1:53 Friday morning at Gaitway Farms. Trained by Mark Harder and driven by Brian Sears, Golden Receiver returned from a three-week layoff to win by
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Lifetime mark for Gran Gabriel
April 27, 2012
Gran Gabriel made her second appearance in Open company a winning one as she captured the $24,000 Fillies and Mares Invitational at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday in a lifetime-best effort. Driver Jason Dillander picked up the drive for trainer Terry Cullipher after Cullipher op
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Coach Fox stuns at Yonkers at 40-1
April 27, 2012
With the conclusion of Blue Chip Matchmaker preliminary parade, Yonkers Raceway's Friday night fare was highlighted by the $33,000 Open Handicap Trot, which was highlighted by a high price, as in pocket-patrolling, 40-1 stunner Coach Fox (Larry Stalbaum).   Assigned the pole, Coach F
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Haulin Laser upsets in Hoosier Open
April 26, 2012
Haulin Laser visited the Open ranks once again and rallied home a winner to pull of the 16-1 upset in the $24,000 Open Trot at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Wednesday.   Driven by Pete Wrenn, Haulin Laser maintained post position three as he sat fourth on the rail through an ope
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Cocktail Attire a snappy winner at The Meadows
April 26, 2012
Cocktail Attire completed a stylish series sweep--and established a season's mark in the process--when she captured Wednesday's $27,400 championship of the Action-Broadway Trot for 3-year-old fillies at The Meadows. In her two previous series wins, Cocktail Attire flashed different sty
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Hernia surgery for Cam's Card Shark
April 26, 2012
Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky, farm manager for Hanover Shoe Farms, told harnessracing.com Thursday morning that the 21-year-old stallion Cam's Card Shark has recovered well from scrotal hernia surgery on April 17 that resulted in his right testicle and several feet of small intestine removed and the
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Vernon Downs set to open Friday
April 26, 2012
Vernon Downs is all set for the 2012 opening weekend of live racing with 10 races being drawn for opening night on Friday, April 27, with a post time of 6:55 p.m. Fans of Vernon Downs will be welcomed back with a race date t-shirt and race date magnet giveaway at the front entrance of Verno
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NY USTA members support defined contributions
April 26, 2012
The Empire State Harness Horsemen's Alliance (ESHHA) on Thursday announced the results of a recent United States Trotting Association poll that showed nearly unanimous support among New York USTA members for mandating defined contributions to the state's racing industry from any future expa
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Sirius XM radio racing schedule announced
April 26, 2012
In conjunction with Creative Media Productions, Sirius XM radio will air more than 20 hours of live coverage of major harness races this year, including many of the sport's biggest events like the Hambletonian, Little Brown Jug and Breeders Crown.   "Tonight at the Races” will kick of
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Check Me Out wins Pocono qualifier
April 26, 2012
Check Me Out, last year's 2-Year-Old Filly Trotter of the Year and runner-up to San Pail in voting for Trotter of the Year, romped to a 14 ¾-length victory in 1:55 in a qualifier Thursday morning at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Also winning qualifiers Thursday were New Jersey Sire Stakes champio
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$3 per Springsteen/Vernon ticket to charity
April 26, 2012
As track owner Jeff Gural told harnessracing.com two weeks ago and with tickets going on sale Saturday, April 28, Vernon Downs announced Thursday a continuation of its recent $8.1 million dollar expansion by reviving the racetrack as a major concert venue!   The Bruce Springsteen
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2013 Harness Racing Congress announced
April 26, 2012
Four major, national and international Standardbred racing organizations–Harness Horsemen International (HHI), Harness Tracks of America (HTA), United States Harness Writers' Association (USHWA) and United States Trotting Association (USTA)–have announced that they will participate in the 2013 H
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Molson Pace on tap May 25 at Western Fair
April 26, 2012
The Raceway at The Western Fair District is gearing up for the $300,000 Molson Pace which will highlight the closing night program on Friday, May 25.   This year's event will be bigger and better than ever and fans should note that special post time of 6:50 p.m. has been implemented f
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NEW! Weekend Preview now available!
April 26, 2012
The latest edition of HarnessRacing Weekend Preview is now available by clicking below or by signing up by following the link at the top of this home page. The Weekend Preview is FREE and this edition features a look at Saturday's Levy Memorial Series final at Yonkers, a race which was turned
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Tbed turf races at Meadowlands May 4-5
April 26, 2012
As a prelude to the May 12 opening of the 2012 racing season at Monmouth Park, two days of Thoroughbred turf racing will be conducted at the Meadowlands on Friday, May 4, and Saturday, May 5.   Four races on the Meadowlands grass course will be run each day, with the first race going
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Knows Nothing knows Tie Silk winner's circle
April 26, 2012
Knows Nothing remains unbeaten in his career as he found the winner's circle once again in the $50,000 Tie Silk Series final on Thursday evening at Woodbine. The lightly-raced son of Kadabra-Savvy Yankee notched his third career victory in a career-best clocking of 1:56.1.   In the ea
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Gillis knows something about Knows Nothing
April 25, 2012
He certainly knows something, as his reigning Trainer of the Year in Canada honor attests. But Jeff Gillis also Knows Nothing...and he couldn't be prouder.   Gearing up for the summer stakes-filled months on the Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) circuit is one of the most enjoyable t
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Rage N Ryan scores in Here We Go Again final
April 25, 2012
Aided by a last-minute equipment adjustment, Rage N Ryan poured through the Lightning Lane to capture Tuesday's $32,400 championship of the Here We Go Again Pace for 3-year-old colts and geldings at The Meadows.   Tony Hall guided Rage N Ryan to victory, and Hall was just getting
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Chad Rozema leaves WEG TV
April 25, 2012
Chad Rozema, who worked as an on-air commentator for both Standardbred and Thoroughbred broadcasts for Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG), has made the decision to leave the company to spend more time with his family.   Rozema, who began his career as a commentator with HPItv on Feb.
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Foiled Again behind the eight ball in Levy
April 25, 2012
Nowhere, not even in the fine print, does the word "handicap" appears, and as a sage of the sport once said, "Post position is just a starting point."   That power of positive thinking figures to be the mantra of Yannick Gingras entering Saturday night's $455,000 final of Yonkers Race
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Harrah's Chester now Harrah's Philadelphia
April 25, 2012
Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack in Pennsylvania, which opened in September 2006, will have a new name beginning Sunday, April 29. Because of what company officials termed "rebranding," the track will now be known as Harrah's Philadelphia Casino and Racetrack.   With the name swi
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Winbak offering Shark Gesture discount
April 25, 2012
Due to the unfortunate circumstances regarding the 2012 breeding season of Cam's Card Shark (hernia surgery), Winbak Farm is now giving $1,000 off of Shark Gesture p,2,1:51.3; 3,1:49.1; 1:48.1 ($2,818,021) to anyone who was booked to Cam's Card Shark and to 2011 returning breeders.  
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Batavia Downs Casino expansion approved
April 25, 2012
Batavia Downs Casino announced Wednesday that their $27 million expansion has been approved by the New York State Lottery.   The expansion, which is slated to begin immediately, will make repairs to the roof, replace the facility's neon sign with an energy efficient LED one and
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Tax rebate for new Big M grandstand receives support
April 25, 2012
A New Jersey state tax commission on Wednesday approved a bill that would provide a $10.5 million tax rebate for the construction of a new grandstand at Meadowlands Racetrack. During the meeting of the commission it was also noted that Gov. Chris Christie supported the bill.   The bil
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Nine to go postward in Courageous Lady
April 25, 2012
The $86,000 Courageous Lady has drawn an impressive field of nine and goes postward this Saturday evening as Northfield Park's 11th race. Approximate post time is 10:50 p.m. The race is an open event for North America's top 3-year-old-filly pacers and is the first national stake o
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Undefeated Market Share to debut in Dexter Cup
April 25, 2012
When it comes to winning, Market Share is at 100 percent. Market Share was five-for-five last year for trainer Linda Toscano and owners Richard Gutnick and Gary Cocco. He made all of his starts at Freehold Raceway, where he swept the New Jersey Sire Stakes Green Acres series and ended
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Podges Lady starts fresh in Courageous Lady
April 25, 2012
After a strong 2-year-old season, Podges Lady will try to begin this year with a stakes win in Saturday's $86,000 Courageous Lady at Northfield Park.   The Courageous Lady drew a field of nine 3-year-old filly pacers, including Matron Stakes winner Destiny's Chance and American-
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Instant Racing arguments heard in Kentucky
April 25, 2012
A legal challenge filed by The Family Foundation on the legality of Instant Racing machines was heard Wednesday in the Kentucky Court of Appeals.   The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission promulgated rules in 2010 for the Instant Racing machines, which allow bettors to wager on previousl
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Pompano-based horseman Bob Arnold dies
April 25, 2012
Horseman Robert S. (Bob) Arnold, 58, a trainer-driver who competed for many years at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, passed away recently while awaiting a kidney transplant. Arnold last competed on the racetrack in 2010 but was forced to forego his hobby and love of training and driving duties
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Bob And Bobby win Sir Caviar Trot final
April 24, 2012
Bob And Bobby, whose connections were so disappointed with his early efforts they nearly sold him, rewarded their patience Monday at The Meadows with an 11-1 upset victory in the $30,200 championship leg of the Sir Caviar Trot for 3-year-old colts and geldings.   Trainer William
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As Bad As Thunder strikes at Harrington
April 24, 2012
Elizabeth Brittingham's As Bad As Thunder ($4.40, Bret Brittingham) earned his first lifetime Open-level win with an impressive 1:54.4 triumph in the $18,000 Open on Monday at Harrington Raceway. The 6-year-old Badlands Hanover gelding, who had been in claiming races much of the last two ye
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HHYF camp deadlines approaching
April 24, 2012
The Harness Horse Youth Foundation has a limited number of openings for its July horsemanship camps. This summer, the HHYF and its stable of Trottingbreds will travel to Goshen Historic Track, Tioga Downs, Pocono Downs and Gaitway Farms for youth camps.   July 2-6 Goshen Historic Trac
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BC champ Bettor Sweet aims for Graduate
April 24, 2012
Bettor Sweet is better than ever as he gets ready to begin another season racing against the best older pacers around.   Last week, the 7-year-old gelding returned to the racetrack for the first time since last winter, winning a qualifier by 14 lengths in 1:52.1 at the Meadowlands Ra
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Real Nice 7, Foiled Again 8 in Levy final
April 24, 2012
The pills played out, shall we say, rather interestingly. Real Nice and Foiled Again drew post position numbers seven and eight, respectively, for Saturday night's $455,000 final of Yonkers Raceway's George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series.   The complete lineup, with declared
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Royal Passion continues her Hoosier roll
April 24, 2012
After successfully sweeping the Miss Windfall Series at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, Royal Passion extended her dominating win streak with a triumph in the second $12,500 leg of the Bill Thompson series on Tuesday. The Rod Lorenzo-trained filly is now a perfect five-for-five in her sophomor
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Tioga to offer NYSS prep races
April 24, 2012
Tioga Downs will offer New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) prep races to all NYSS-eligible horses. The unofficial "preps" are for New York-bred 3 year olds of each sex and gait. These races are designed to ensure the sire stakes horses a start against other sophomores heading into the first leg of the p
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Hat tricks for Nice N Nice, Morand, Wolfenden
April 24, 2012
Nanticoke Racing and Josh Parker's Nice N Nice ($12.60, Jim Morand) won her third straight race Tuesday, pulling off a mild upset in a division of the $16,000 Mares Junior Open at Harrington Raceway in 1:53.4.   The 5-year-old Blissfull Hall mare set all the fractions, leaving from po
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Haydon named RMTC interim director
April 24, 2012
At its April 23 meeting, the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) board of directors approved an agreement with The Jockey Club to engage the full-time services of Jamie Haydon as RMTC interim executive director. Haydon will report directly to the RMTC board of directors. He has worke
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Gingras scores 4,000th career win
April 23, 2012
Driver Yannick Gingras scored his 4,000th career driving victory Sunday afternoon at Harrah's Chester, reaching the milestone with the 5-year-old pacer Versado in 1:53 in the fourth race. The win came two races after Gingras notched win 3,999 with the 11-year-old trotter Ripped. Leaving from
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Arch Madness invited to Elitlopp, Oslo
April 23, 2012
Trainer Trond Smedshammer told harnessracing.com Monday morning that Arch Madness, on the heels of back-to-back 1:52.2 victories in the Invitational Trot at the Meadowlands, has been invited to defend his championship in the Oslo Grand Prix May 13 in Norway and also to make a return engagement i
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Celias Counsel winner is 'on cloud nine'
April 23, 2012
Im On Cloud Nine pulled off a series sweep to retain her perfect three-for-three sophomore record in the $50,000 Celias Counsel final on Monday night at Woodbine.   Over a sloppy track, trotting filly Sugar Wheeler (Paul MacDonell) put up splits of :28.3, :58.3 and 1:28.4, while the
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Pennsylvania breeders elect new officers
April 23, 2012
The Standardbred Breeders Association of Pennsylvania (SBAP) recently elected new officers and added two new members to the Board of Directors for the association. The new line-up for the coming year includes the following: Joe M. Thomson of Winbak Farm as president; Dr. John M. Egloff of Vieux Carr
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Condren returns with qualifying victory
April 23, 2012
Hall of Famer Steve Condren, one of Canada's most successful drivers of all time, returned to the sulky Monday morning at Mohawk Racetrack in a pair of qualifying races.  Condren, who last raced on May 22, 2011, has been sidelined for almost a full year after being diagnosed with cance
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Ranger goes four deep at Pompano
April 23, 2012
The Monday evening card at the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park featured a stretch of four consecutive races which were won by Pompano's all-time leading reinsman, Bruce Ranger.   His streak began in the second race with the maiden 3-year-old trotting filly Magical Affair for
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A Geant upset of San Pail at Woodbine
April 23, 2012
Windsong Geant and trainer-driver Rick Zeron defeated trotting titan San Pail by three-quarters of a length, stopping the teletimer in 1:55 in the $50,000 Open Trot Handicap Monday night at Woodbine Racetrack. The five-year-old gelded son of Kadabra-Early Secret, who is owned by The Brabant S
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Arch Madness romps in Meadowlands invite
April 21, 2012
Arch Madness cruised to a seven-length, 1:52.2 victory in Friday night's $30,000 Invitational Trot at the Meadowlands.   Trainer Trond Smedshammer was in the sulky behind the 8-year-old son of Balanced Image as he increased his win streak to three. Hot Shot Blue Chip and John Campbell
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Looking for a breakout year for Mel Mara
April 21, 2012
Tony Alagna knows colt pacer Mel Mara is fast. Beyond that?   "The horse could be anything,” Alagna said. "He could be a top colt, or he could be middle of the road. But he's got the speed to be a top horse if everything works his way.”   Mel Mara opened eyes last year at
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Commander Crowe, Main Wise As win in Europe
April 21, 2012
Two major races were held in Europe on Saturday afternoon and both featured two notable North American-breds, 2010 Kentucky Futurity champion Wishing Stone and the stakes-winning filly Crys Dream. Neither horse was a factor, however. The Olympic Trot in Sweden was won by Commander Crowe, the
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Mother's Day Open House in Ontario
April 21, 2012
The Standardbred Breeders of Ontario Association and Standardbred Canada's I Love Canadian Harness Racing Fan Club are partnering to present a special Mother's Day Open House Program at five Standardbred breeding establishments in the province.   On Sunday, May 13, these breeding farm
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Miller time in Spring Survivor finals!
April 21, 2012
Driver David Miller got off to a fast start Saturday night at the Meadowlands, directing both winners of the Spring Survivor Series finals for 3 year olds of both gaits. Miller kicked off the card with a win with Breakin The Law in the $59,200 final for pacers, and then followed that up wit
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Real Nice still real perfect in Levy Series
April 21, 2012
Yonkers Raceway Saturday night offered up fifth and final preliminary round competition in its George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series competition. Four $50,000 events comprised the fourth round, with many of the usual names--save for the AWOL Foiled Again--strutting their stuff.  
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Rick's Sign posts win in Pompano feature
April 21, 2012
Almost 24 hours of rain cleared away just in time for live racing to resume on Saturday evening after a week off at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park.   With the track rated as "good" under clearing skies and a temperature hovering near 80 degrees, the program's top event was the Is
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Fred And Ginger, Lolique score at Pocono
April 21, 2012
Pacer Fred And Ginger and trotter Lolique won the feature races for their respective gaits on a sloppy Saturday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Each of the features was a condition for winners of over $25,000 lifetime and carried a purse of $25,000.   On the pacing side, Fred
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Tubby Trimble Series continues at Hoosier
April 20, 2012
Three divisions of the Tubby Trimble Series, a late-closing event open to Indiana-sired 3 year olds and up that are non-winners of $30,000 life, were contested at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Thursday.   Artychoke, trained by Art Gregory Jr., was the first divisional winner and
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Harrington set to open Sunday
April 20, 2012
Harrington Raceway's 66th season of live harness racing will begin Sunday, April 22, with a 13-race program.   Promotions are aplenty on the opening night program as a family fun day with face painting, pony rides, balloon art, etc. and a hat giveaway are planned. There will also be $
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Check Me Out wins qualifier in 1:54.4
April 20, 2012
After watching filly trotter Check Me Out return to the racetrack Friday morning for a 1:54.4 qualifying win at the Meadowlands Racetrack, co-owner Charles Iannazzo could smile.   "She looked good,” said Iannazzo, who owns the 3-year-old with trainer Ray Schnittker. "It was
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Sweet Lou "well within himself" in qualifier
April 20, 2012
Driver Dave Palone told harnessracing.com Friday afternoon that Sweet Lou, the 2011 Two-Year-Old Colt Pacer of the Year, "was well within himself” in a winning 1:54.1 qualifying effort a short time earlier at The Meadows. Leaving from post six, Sweet Lou led at every call through fractions of :2
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Stars out in force at Big M qualifiers
April 20, 2012
Besides Check Me Out's impressive in the first of 17 qualifiers Friday at the Meadowlands, there were several other standout effort. Speed-badge honors of 1:52.1 were shared by the 2011 Breeders Crown Older Horse Pace champion Bettor Sweet and the 3-year-old pacer Mel Mara, who has just five car
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Tioga TOY Aruba Vacation returns
April 20, 2012
Tioga Downs held it's first of three sets of qualifiers on Friday morning before the opening of the 2012 race season on Saturday, May 5, with a special post time of 5 p.m.   Only five qualifying events were held on Friday morning, but the fifth and final marked the return of the
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Death of Giddy Up Lucky results in suspensions
April 20, 2012
Trainer Josh Green, assistant trainer Boyd Hudson Jr., and veterinarian Dr. Jan Henriksen have all been suspended by the New Jersey Racing Commission as a result of their roles in the death last September of the horse Giddy Up Lucky following what was reported at the time as a reaction to an iro
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A bit of a difference for Lexus Helios
April 20, 2012
When it comes to the fortunes of 3-year-old trotting filly Lexus Helios, trainer/owner Norm Dunstan is hoping the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Lexus Helios, a homebred daughter of Ken Warkentin, is out of the Conway Hall mare, Lexus Hall. Dunstan purchased Lexus Hall as a yearling for $
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Hoosier invite winner is Forever Showin Off
April 20, 2012
Forever Showin Off and driver-trainer Charlie Conrad seized an opportunity in late stretch to score the 20-1 upset in the featured $24,000 Fillies and Mares Invitational Pace at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Friday. Neither the jump in class nor sloppy track seemed to hinder the 8-year-old
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Family looks for marquee season from Top Billing
April 20, 2012
Jason and Doug Allen know that patience can be the key to success with a top trotter. The brothers and their parents Ron and Sandy Allen co-owned Fool's Goal, the triple-millionaire who finally hit his best stride at age seven.   The family is hoping to strike gold a little sooner thi
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Put On A Show goes back-to-back at Woodbine
April 20, 2012
After missing her entire 4-year-old season last year due to knee surgery, Put On A Show has now posted back-to-back victories in 2012 after scoring a 1:51.3 victory in the $42,000 Open Pace for fillies and mares Friday night at Woodbine Racetrack. Driver Jody Jamieson had enough faith in th
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See You At Peelers still perfect in Matchmaker
April 20, 2012
It was the end of line for prelims Friday night, with Yonkers Raceway's Blue Chip Matchmaker for Open pacing mares offering Round 5. Four, $40,000 divisions went to post, with the Reader's Digest version as such...   1st division--Tim Tetrick committed thievery in front of any number
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Upfrontstrikesgold sweep Weiss Series
April 20, 2012
Upfrontstrikesgold survived a long first-over journey to win the $30,000 final and complete a sweep of the Bobby Weiss Series for 3- and 4-year-old trotters on Friday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.   Upfrontstrikesgold, who won both preliminary legs of the series, left as
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Winning Mister edges Sir Caviar at The Meadows
April 19, 2012
It was Goliath vs. Goliath in Wednesday's $22,500 Preferred Handicap Trot at The Meadows, with Winning Mister slaying Sir Caviar in the season's first match-up of the track's top two older trotters.   Each entered the battle with impeccable credentials. Winning Mister had taken on eli
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$143 payoff for Typical New Yorker
April 19, 2012
Last year Typical New Yorker was one of the top 3-year-old trotting colts on the New York Sire Stakes circuit where he amassed $73,841 in 12 starts, earned a seasonal record of 1:59.1, and ended the year with purses totaling $85,948.   A recent arrival at the Mighty M, up from Pompan
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Ooh Bad Shark dominates in Weiss final
April 19, 2012
Ooh Bad Shark dominated on the front end to complete a sweep of the Bobby Weiss Series for 3- and 4-year-old fillies and mares on the pace, winning Wednesday night's final at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The race carried a purse of $30,000.   Leaving from post position five in a field
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Southwind wants photos of Muscle Hill yearlings
April 19, 2012
Southwind Farms is looking for photos of Muscle Hill's first crop yearlings.   We have the list of the royal mares that have registered 2012 yearlings up on our web site, http://www.southwindfarms.net/ and we would like to post photos of your yearlings. We are excited about Muscl
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Impact of harness racing in Ontario
April 19, 2012
As part of its April 19 issue, The Canadian Sportsman put together a special 24-page pullout section called Fight For Our Future documenting the stories of real people impacted by the cancellation of Ontario's slots-at-racetracks program.   Go to page two and click on this l
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Gural: "How did we get Springsteen?"
April 19, 2012
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have performed at virtually all of the world's biggest venues, and on Wednesday, Aug. 29, they will add a new site to the mix: Vernon Downs Raceway in Vernon, N.Y. This year's Wrecking Ball tour includes stops at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Citizen's Bank
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NEW! Weekend Preview now available!
April 19, 2012
The latest edition of HarnessRacing Weekend Preview is now available by clicking below or by signing up by following the link at the top of this home page. The Weekend Preview is FREE and in this edition trainer Bruce Saunders talks about his chances with Nob Hill High—who stands eighth in th
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Royal Passion still unbeaten in '12 at Hoosier
April 18, 2012
Royal Passion continued her undefeated streak as she captured a division of Tuesday's Bill Thompson Series, a late-closing event open to Indiana sired 3-year-old and older fillies and mares that are non-winners of $30,000 lifetime, at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. The 3-year-old filly is
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Fearless Diablo rallies to win Weiss final
April 18, 2012
Fearless Diablo used a powerful closing kick to capture the $30,000 final of the Bobby Weiss Series for 3- and 4-year-old colts, horses and geldings on the pace on Tuesday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.   Leaving from post position six in a field of nine, Fearless Diablo settled
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Chalk players bite the dust at Rosecroft
April 18, 2012
Longshot players had their night at Rosecroft on Tuesday evening as the favorite failed to win all races on the 11-race card. Craig Fletcher's Strong Like Bull got good early position and converted it into a win paying $66.20 in the evening's second race.   Wayne Long drove two longshot wi
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First qualifiers at Tioga on Friday, April 20
April 18, 2012
The first qualifying races of the season will be offered at Tioga Downs at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 20. Entries will be taken at 607.699.7688 until the box closes at 10 a.m. on Thursday.   The big news on the grounds is that the new paddock, built over the winter by Chenango Build
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HANA handicappers discuss contest strategy
April 18, 2012
With just a little over a week until the kick off of HANA Harness' The Pen vs. The Chip--The Road to the Breeders Crown Handicapping Challenge co-sponsored by the Hambletonian Society, Meadowlands Racetrack, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs--we asked some of our handicappers participating in the chall
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Art Z making self known in Levy Series
April 18, 2012
Take a gander at the leaderboard entering this Saturday's final preliminary round of Yonkers Raceway's George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series. There's millionaire Real Nice, last season's series champ and this season's only four-for-four combatant. There's the off-this-week Foiled Again,
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Gaming at PA casinos/racinos hit monthly high
April 18, 2012
On the heels of a record amount of monthly revenue for slot machines during March of this year, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced on April 17 that revenue for table games that same month was also an all-time high.   Gaming also increased at two of the three faciliti
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Breedings available to benefit SRF
April 18, 2012
The Standardbred Retirement Foundation (SRF) has new breeding donations to Lucky Chucky, Classic Photo, Tom Ridge and Glidemaster for sale, as well as other breedings.   The SRF, now in its 23rd year, is a non-profit organization. The sale of stallion breedings is one of SRF's key fun
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Bigtime Ball on schedule for May return
April 18, 2012
This time last year trainer Gord Irwin wasn't very optimistic when it came to his prized pacer, Bigtime Ball. The 2009 O'Brien Award winner for Canada's older pacer of the year was trained down to 2:00 in the spring of 2011 in Florida before suffering an injury to a sesamoid bone. That side
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Sugg gets 2,000th win with own horse
April 18, 2012
Kurt Sugg scored the 2,000th win of his driving career while driving RUA Looker in Northfield Park's 12th race on Tuesday evening. They went off as the 2-5 betting choice and took the lead right off the gate. The pair never had an anxious moment at any point in the mile and won by 1¼ lengths, st
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Qualifiers at Gaitway Friday, April 27
April 18, 2012
With the Meadowland closed next week, the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey, in cooperation with Freehold Raceway and Gaitway Farms, has arranged for a special qualifying card on Friday, April 27, 2012 at the Manalapan, NJ, training center. The qualifiers at Gaitway Farm
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Diva's Photo, Ants Iner Pants win at Balmoral
April 18, 2012
Illinois conceived and foaled trotting fillies squared off for the first time in 2012 on Wednesday night at Balmoral Park as a pair of $10,000 divisions of the Trotting Tilly Stakes attracted a total of 15 participants.   In the opening split, David Hermann's Diva's Photo showed no signs
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Washington Hanover's 1:50.4 fastest at HoP
April 18, 2012
Washington Hanover made his presence felt in the late stages of the $24,000 Open Pace at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino as he rallied sharply to take home top honors on Wednesday (April 18). Shipping in from Balmoral Park, Washington Hanover's 1:50.4 victory marks the fastest mile thus far of
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Knows Nothing cruises in Tie Silk split
April 17, 2012
Despite unfavorable conditions due to high winds occurring at Woodbine Racetrack on Monday evening, a handful of trotting divisions were featured on the 12-race card.   A pair of Tie Silk Series divisions took place in the second leg for sophomore trotting colts, as well as a trio of
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Poll shows support for Woodbine casino
April 17, 2012
A recently commissioned poll by Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG), conducted by Environics Research Group, shows that 51% of Torontonians surveyed support the idea of a casino at Woodbine. The survey of City of Toronto residents shows that there is considerably more support for a casino at Wood
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Check Me Out tops star-studded qualifiers
April 17, 2012
Several of last year's stars will be on the track for the first time in 2012 in qualifiers Friday at the Meadowlands. Included among the group is the 2011 Two-Year-Old Filly Trotter of the Year Check Me Out, the 2011 Three-Year-Old Filly Trotter of the Year Cedar Dove, and New York Sire Stakes cha
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Quillen purse adjusted downward
April 17, 2012
The purse structure for the 7th annual Bobby Quillen Memorial at Harrington Raceway has been adjusted.   Due to unforeseen circumstances, there will be $170,000 added to the final as opposed to the $250,000 original figure. Eliminations (if necessary) will be raced for a purse of $20,
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Cloverleaf horsemen being stonewalled by county
April 17, 2012
On March 5, 2012, the Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association (CSOA) sent a request to the offices of the Prince George's County Executive and the Minority Business Development Division requesting access to public records dated within the last year regarding gaming. By law, the records r
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Cyrus Seelster 1:53.1 series leg winner
April 17, 2012
The Rodney Dangerfield of the field, Cyrus Seelster outperformed his odds in Tuesday's Here We Go Again Pace at The Meadows, capturing his third straight win. Dungeon Dragon and TSM Warhol T also took $15,000 second-leg divisions in the series for 3-year-old colts and geldings.   Dave Palon
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Dr. Rick Balmer injured in auto accident
April 16, 2012
Dr. Richard Balmer, a well-known veterinarian who practiced on the backstretch at the Meadowlands for many years and is now working in western Pennsylvania, was injured in an automobile accident that killed two persons on Saturday night (April 14).   Balmer, the husband of traine
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Race-day ban on Lasix rejected in Kentucky
April 16, 2012
With a tie vote of 7-7, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) on Tuesday afternoon turned down a rule change that would have banned the race-day use of the anti-bleeding medication Lasix. The Race Day Medication Committee earlier Tuesday voted 4-1 to approve the re
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Hoorayforvacation rallies to win in series leg
April 16, 2012
Hoorayforvacation erased a 6-1/2-length deficit with a determined uncovered bid and went on to capture his second straight split in the Sir Caviar Trot at The Meadows. Bob And Bobby and Keystone Wyatt also took $15,000 second-leg divisions Monday in the series for 3-year-old colts and geldings.
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Updated: Moiseyev slightly injured in race spill
April 16, 2012
Driver Jack Moiseyev and the 4-year-old pacing gelding Docs Leopard King came away relatively unscathed in a one-horse spill in Monday's fifth race at Woodbine Racetrack.   Doc's Leopard King, a son of Cams Eclipse who is conditioned by Harry Poulton, was eighth along the pylons&
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Drop Red Edges Fred And Ginger in 1:50
April 14, 2012
Drop Red won a thrilling stretch duel with Fred And Ginger to take the featured condition pace on Saturday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The race carried a purse of $25,000.   Leaving from post position four in a field of seven as the 2-1 second betting choice, Drop Red, train
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Big M pre-game show: Wilfork talks horses, football
April 14, 2012
New England Patriots defensive lineman Vince Wilfork joined Meadowlands Racetrack's Saturday pre-game show to talk about racing Midnight Lawyer, a horse he co-owns, at the East Rutherford, NJ oval.   Wilfork shares ownership of the 6-year-old pacing gelding with Plainridge Racecourse
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Breakin The Law wins fourth straight at Big M
April 14, 2012
Breakin The Law, a 3-year-old gelding by Artiscape, won his fourth straight race Saturday night when he captured a $15,000 Spring Survivor Series semi-final at the Meadowlands in 1:52.2. Driven by David Miller, Breakin The Law kept his winning streak alive by edging Arts Ideal Hanover by a head.
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Real Nice, Foiled Again among Levy winners
April 14, 2012
On Saturday night Yonkers Raceway offered penultimate preliminary round competition of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series competition. A quintet of $50,000 events comprised the fourth round, with many of the usual names--save for the AWOL Atochia--adorning the marquee. &n
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Yagonnakissmeornot romps in Blossom
April 14, 2012
The ultra-consistent pacing filly Yagonnakissmeornot romped to a victory in in the Blossom Series final on Saturday evening at Woodbine. With driver Jody Jamieson in the sulky, the George Teague Jr. student captured the lion's share of the $50,000 purse by 5 3/4 lengths in 1:52.3  
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Our Lucky Chip sweeps Landess Series
April 13, 2012
Our Lucky Chip completed the Jerry Landess Series sweep as the 3-year-old colt rattled off a sharp front-end effort in the $15,000 final of the late-closing event open to 3- and 4-year-old Indiana-sired colts and geldings that are non-winners of $7,500 lifetime at Hoosier Park Racing & Casin
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Meadowlands Mixed Sale set for July 29
April 13, 2012
The annual Meadowlands Summer Mixed Sale will be held this year on Sunday, July 29, the day after the eliminations for the $1 million Hambletonian, it was announced Friday. The sale, presented by Tattersalls Sales Co., is back to its more traditional spot on the calendar after being held on Hamb
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Trotters go back-to-back in Celias Counsel
April 13, 2012
After capturing their respective divisions in the opening round of the Celias Counsel Series last week, both Lexus Helios and I'm On Cloud Nine found the winner's circle once again in the second leg on Thursday evening at Woodbine.   In the opening division, Lexus Helios went gat
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Four-bagger for Dobson at Saratoga
April 13, 2012
Billy Dobson is back atop the drivers' standings after a big Thursday night at Saratoga Casino and Raceway.   The 27-year-old is coming off back-to-back driving championships at the Spa and though he fell behind Jim Morrill Jr. in the early stages here in 2012, Dobson has surged
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Alan Charles wins Passover Trot
April 13, 2012
As Four Starz Ransom and Digital Photo raced through the lane the former went offstride as they neared the finish line which opened the door for the latter to rally to a 2:05.2 victory in Monticello Raceway's 14th annual ‘Race For The Matzos' for drivers of Jewish descent on Thursday afternoon.
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O'Sullivan hoping to Mach A Wish in Blossom
April 13, 2012
Trainer Tony O'Sullivan always admired Mach A Wish and ultimately that led to him purchase the lightly-raced 3-year-old filly just a few weeks ago.   Now, the daughter of Mach Three could give O'Sullivan the largest return on his investment when she goes postward in the inaugural edit
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Lake sentenced to 9 years in Balmoral accident
April 13, 2012
Horseman Angus Lake was sentenced Thursday to nine years in prison as a result of a drunk-driving crash that killed 25-year-old Michelle Eustis one year ago on the Balmoral Park backstretch. The Chicago Tribune reported that moments before Lake heard his sentence by a Will County Court judge, he a
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Ohio horse owner Robert Drake, 94, dies
April 13, 2012
Robert W. Drake, 94, a longtime Findlay attorney and Standardbred owner, died at Birchaven Retirement Center on Thursday, April 12. Mr. Drake campaigned horses in Ohio for many years, including the notables Dark Secret, Kit Hanover and Preferred Time.   Mr. Drake was born Sept. 5, 1917, in
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Chester Short, father of Gil Short, dies
April 13, 2012
Chester Short, 94, died Friday (April 13). Mr. Short was employed for 18 years by his son, Gil, at Spring Garden Ranch in Florida. He was best known for shipping and helping take care of Steinam, the 1985 divisional champion as the sport's top 3-year-old pacing filly. Stienam earned $1,355,474
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Apogee Hanover big 1:53.2 winner in qualifer
April 13, 2012
Apogee Hanover, the 2-year-old Ontario Sire Stakes Super Final champion, made her 2012 debut in qualifying action at The Meadows Friday. With trainer-owner Roger Hammer in the sulky, the filly by Jeremes Jet created a buzz among horsemen when she coasted to a 15 1/2-length win in 1:53.2.  
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2 guaranteed pools at Balmoral Saturday
April 13, 2012
A one-day Pick 5 carryover of $9,665 will once again bring players across North America to wager on two guaranteed pools at Balmoral Park on Saturday. The 50 cent Pick 5 wager is offered on races 2 thru 6. With the large carryover in play, the USTA and Balmoral Park have created a $35,000 INSTANT
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Check Me Out works out at Big M in 1:54
April 13, 2012
Check Me Out, the 2011 Dan Patch 2-Year-Old Filly Trotter of the Year, was on the track at the Meadowlands before qualifying races Friday morning (April 13). Trainer-driver Ray Schnittker told Derek Giwner of the Daily Racing Form that he put the filly through a 1:54 workout mile which she did "ea
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Order By Roosevelt ready to Swing Into Spring
April 13, 2012
When Order By Roosevelt takes to the track Monday evening at Woodbine in the opening round of the inaugural edition of the Swing Into Spring Series, the resilient trotter will look to come up big with a little help from his friend.   Since returning from an injury in June 2011, Order By Roo
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Monticello investigating slaughter allegations
April 13, 2012
In response to an article written by David Mattia that was posted on harnesslink.com regarded the purchasing of horses stabled at Monticello Raceway for slaughter, racetrack officials have announced they will impose a lifetime ban on anyone engaging in the practice of buying or selling horses
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Winning It starts winning in another series
April 13, 2012
Fresh off her sweep in one series, Winning It began her assault on another Friday at The Meadows with an effortless victory in the opening leg of the Tremor Hanover Pace.   Tykesa Moon and Sharkist Breeze also took $15,000 divisions of the event for 3-year-old fillies. Dave Palone and
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Katz talks about Simply Business, and Spring Survivor
April 13, 2012
While owner Marvin Katz looks forward to another successful season with Metro winner Simply Business, the Toronto-based businessman will keep a watchful eye on two more promising 3 year olds in the Spring Survivor Series on Saturday at the Meadowlands Racetrack.   Rockndream (program
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Aqua Artist 1:53.1 winner of HoP mare feature
April 13, 2012
Aqua Artist and driver Tyler Smith made it a gate to wire effort to win the featured $24,000 Fillies and Mares Invitational Friday (April 13) at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. The duo tripped the timer in 1:53.1 for the win.   A late scratch reduced the field to eight starters behi
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Andover Hall colt Top Billing stays undefeated
April 13, 2012
Trotters turned on the speed at the Meadowlands Friday night, with free-for-aller Arch Madness leading the way with a 1:52.2 score over Fountainbleau Volo in the $30,000 Invitational Trot. Other notable trotting winners included the 3 year olds Lindy McDreamy (1:55.3) and Top Billing (1:55.2), t
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Put On A Show wins at Woodbine in 1:50
April 13, 2012
Millionairess Put On A Show made her first start on Canadian soil in over a year and a half a winning one, pacing to a 1:50 victory Friday night in the $42,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace at Woodbine Racetrack.   Put On A Show and driver Jody Jamieson started from post one and s
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Upfrontstrikesgold fastest in Weiss series
April 13, 2012
The Bobby Weiss late-closing Series had trotters on center stage on Friday at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs with three divisions on the card. The $30,000 Weiss final is set for next Friday.   In the first division, Upfrontstrikesgold found pay dirt with a three-wide move at the top of th
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Anndrovette's 1:52.1 fastest in Matchmaker
April 13, 2012
Yonkers Raceway's Blue Chip Matchmaker for open pacing mares took on a bit of a different look for Friday night's fourth round. For starters, series standouts See You at Peelers and Western Silk did not start, giving the week off by their respective connections. Next, after five divisions were t
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'Upset City' at Hoosier Park on Wednesday
April 12, 2012
Willy Mucha and driver Ed Hensley proved to be much the best as they pulled off a 14-1 upset in the $24,000 Open Pace at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino on Wednesday.   Willy Mucha left alertly from post five securing a spot third on the rail while Lookinforadventure and Jason Dillande
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Weiss late-closers continue at Pocono
April 12, 2012
The spotlight was front and center on the pacing fillies and mares in the Weiss Late-Closing Series on Wednesday night at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs as two divisions went postward.   Like the saying goes, "When you're bad, you're oh so good." Ooh Bad Shark was oh so good in the
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Tioga's late-closing April payments due
April 12, 2012
Nominations for Tioga Downs' 2012 late-closing program are due this month. Recognizing that the April 15 deadline falls on a Sunday, those with postmarks up to and including April 17 will be accepted.   Tioga's new race paddock is complete and will be available for use for the first q
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WEG payments due April 16
April 12, 2012
Woodbine Entertainment Group would like to remind all owners, horsemen and women, that Monday, April 16, is the deadline for sustaining payments that are due for the circuit's major stake events.   For more detailed information, please visit the Standardbred nomination page at:
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Zeron's Windsong Geant going to Elitlopp
April 12, 2012
Windsong Geant, trained and driven by Woodbine regular Rick Zeron, will head to Europe in the coming weeks to compete in a pair of signature events, the Oslo Grand Prix and the prestigious Elitlopp. The Oslo Grand Prix will be contested on May 13 in Norway, followed up by the Elitlopp, at the S
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16 qualifiers set for Vernon on Friday
April 12, 2012
Vernon Downs is set to host its first set of qualifiers in preparation for the beginning of the 2012 race season. A total of 16 qualifiers will be held on Friday morning at 11 a.m.   Vernon will also host another set of qualifiers on Friday, April 20, at 11 a.m., and then again on T
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Balmoral handle up $10 million in 2012
April 12, 2012
Balmoral Park reported strong first-quarter growth in 2012 showing an increase of 35 percent in handle versus the first quarter of 2011. Total Q1 handle of $41,926,837 for 38 programs in 2012 was an increase of $10,879,738 compared to the 2011 Q1 handle of $31,047,099 on 37 programs.  
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NEW! Weekend Preview now available!
April 12, 2012
The latest edition of HarnessRacing Weekend Preview is now available by clicking below or by signing up by following the link at the top of this home page. The Weekend Preview is FREE and in this edition driver George Brennan talks about his chances with Sea Venture to upset Foiled Again in a
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After 9 years, Ouellette set for Yonkers return
April 12, 2012
It's sort of odd to see a new face emerge in a the fourth round of a series...but then again, this new face is really an old, familiar face. Luc Ouellette makes his initial Yonkers Raceway appearance in nearly nine years Saturday night, driving early solid choice Strand Hanover from post positio
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Request made for Cal Expo meet Aug.-Dec.
April 12, 2012
The California Exposition & State Fair has sent a letter to the California Horse Racing Board requestion permission to operate a harness meet beginning in late August. Here is that letter:     Dear Commissioners: On behalf of the California Exposition & State Fair, we
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Alleigh Girl scores in DSBF 3FP final
April 12, 2012
Alleigh Girl lived up to advance billing and overpowered seven rivals to win the $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) 3-Year-Old Filly Pace final on closing day of Dover Downs' 43rd season on Thursday.   For the third time in four $100,000 finals, driver Ross Wolfenden
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Royal Passion brings out broom in Miss Windfall
April 11, 2012
Royal Passion swept both legs and the $15,000 final of the Miss Windfall Series, a late-closing event open to 3- and 4-year-old Indiana-sired fillies and mares that are non-winners of $7,500 lifetime, off a tough front-end effort at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Tuesday.   In ju
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Upfront Ellijay Ed fastest in Weiss splits
April 11, 2012
Social Network, with regular driver Dave Miller aboard, took little effort in making the top at the quarter in the first division of the Weiss Late Closing Series Tuesday at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.   After hitting the half in :57.2, the pair led the field through a third panel in
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Fillies prepping for April 28 Courageous Lady
April 11, 2012
The $90,000 Courageous Lady, an open event for North America's top 3-year-old filly pacers, is the first national stakes race in 2012. Scheduled for Saturday, April 28, at Northfield Park, the race has 22 fillies nominated, and some of them have been preparing for the event in impressive fa
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Spring Fever hitting The Meadows April 13
April 11, 2012
The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA) will be sponsoring a special Spring Fever event at The Meadows Racetrack and Casino on Friday night, April 13, hoping to make it a Lucky Friday the 13th for local racing fans.   There will be a divers meet and greet at the entranc
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An imposter in the Monticello winner's circle
April 11, 2012
It might be told as a tale of two coasts. Monticello Raceway pacer, Imposter A, scored his 10th seasonal triumph already this year and he's at the top of the North American leaderboard, but he is joined by Cal Expo pacer Double Dakota, who also has accumulated 10 wins this season.   Im
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Meadowlands open for training Saturdays in May
April 11, 2012
Meadowlands Racetrack will open its track Saturday mornings in May for stables that would like to train their 2-year-olds over the surface. Training hours will be held 7–11 a.m. on May 5, 12, 19 and 26. Owners are welcome to come out and watch their young horses on the track. The first baby race
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Takter happy with See You At Peelers' return
April 11, 2012
Fans will not see See You At Peelers on Friday night as the Blue Chip Matchmaker series for older female pacers continues at Yonkers Raceway. After opening her season with three wins, the 4-year-old mare will take a week off.   Sidelined last year by a heart ailment, See You At
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Warrawee Needy likely to qualify in early May
April 11, 2012
This time last year, Carl Jamieson, trainer of pacing star Warrawee Needy, was preparing a top sophomore colt for the $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup, the richest race on the continent for 3-year-old pacers. When Up The Credit crossed the wire first in the premier pacing event in 1:49.3 for
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Ontario commission chair comments on uncertainty
April 11, 2012
Rod Seiling, chairman of the Ontario Racing Commission, has issued the following statement regarding the Horse Improvement Programs for 2012.   The announcement by the government on February 13, 2012, ending the Slots at Racetracks Program, has created uncertainty for the industry inc
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VC Chocoholic picks up first 2012 victory
April 11, 2012
VC Chocoholic 3, 1:54.4 ($222,203) snagged his first victory as a 4 year old on Wednesday afternoon at Harrah's Chester. The son of Chocolatier scored in 1:55.4.   With Andy Miller in the sulky for trainer Trond Smedshammer, VC Chocoholic started from post six but quickly took the lea
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Smokin Dabra scores in 1:55.2 at Pompano
April 11, 2012
Ontario's top trotting contribution to the 2011-2012 meet at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, Smokin Dabra, has made his way into the win column for his 6-year-old campaign. In the $8,000 purse Isle Mile 1 Handicap on the Wednesday (April 11) program, Smokin Dabra made the most of a tri
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Windshield wins another Delaware Fund final
April 11, 2012
Windshield (pictured) wiped away the opposition to win the $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) final for 3-year-old colt and geldingm trotters, while Allmar Surprise was never headed and won the $22,500 Jr. Open Trot on Wednesday night (April 11) at Dover Downs.
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Levy contender Fitz's Z Tam "getting better"
April 11, 2012
Tyler Raymer likes to see Fitz's Z Tam in front, who will be competing in the George Morton Levy Memorial Series at Yonkers Raceway Saturday night, but only when it matters. Raymer trains Fitz's Z Tam, a 5-year-old pacing speedster who likes to race on the lead but is at his best when racin
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DePinto hoping for strong 2012 campaign
April 10, 2012
Sam DePinto does not know what will happen this season with his stable, but he believes the potential exists for another big year.   Last season, DePinto's stable won a career-high $1.58 million thanks in large part to the success enjoyed by pacers We Will See and I Fought Dalaw. Bot
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Passover Pace converted to Passover Trot
April 10, 2012
It certainly wasn't planned but as it worked out Monticello Raceway's Passover Pace will become the Passover Trot this year. And though the gait of the horses for the race has changed the race will still be presented on Thursday, April 12, which falls during the Passover holiday.  
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Sugar Wheeler fav in Celias Counsel Series
April 10, 2012
Sugar Wheeler, a sophomore daughter of Angus Hall, has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favoritefor the second leg of the Celias Counsel Series,set for Thursday at Woodbine. Trained by Mike Keeling, the winner of $38,300 finished third in the opening leg.The veteran conditioner feels his c
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Vernon announces requirements for meet
April 10, 2012
Vernon Downs will conduct its first qualifiers for the 2012 racing season this Friday (April 13) at 11 a.m. Three more qualifiers are scheduled prior to opening night (April 27): Friday (April 20) at 11 a.m., Tuesday (April 24) at 6:55 p.m. and Friday (April 27) at 11 a.m. The entry box for each
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Wall, Kadabra among newest Canadian HOFers
April 10, 2012
The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame is pleased to announce its 2012 inductees. This year's honor roll includes three horses and two people representing the Standardbred industry, as well as three horses and two people from the Thoroughbred ranks. The 2012 Standardbred Inductees are: Astre
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3YO Doctor RJ breaks maiden in 1:54
April 10, 2012
With nothing more than a qualifier on his career card, Doctor RJ performed like a seasoned veteran Tuesday at The Meadows, swooping the field three-wide down the backside and capturing a division of the Here We Go Again Pace. Rage N Ryan, Dungeon Dragon and Cyrus Seelster also took $15,000 split
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Heres My Ticket cashes in $100,000 DSBF final
April 10, 2012
Heres My Ticket was the winning ticket in the $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) final and Monochromatic won her third in four starts to take the $27,500 Mares Open/Handicap Pace at Dover Downs on Tuesday (April 10).   Starting from outside post 8, driver Ross Wolfend
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Raceway Park gearing up for opening
April 09, 2012
Raceway Park is gearing up for the 2012 season in Toledo, Ohio. The ship-in area and racetrack open for training beginning Monday, April 9, at 9 a.m.   Pre-meet qualifiers will be held on Saturday, April 21, at 11 a.m. Subsequent qualifiers will be held on Saturdays at 5 p.m. for the d
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Fitzpatrick now CFO of Gural-operated tracks
April 09, 2012
American Racing and Entertainment LLC and New Meadowlands Racetrack have announced the promotion of Rob Fitzpatrick to chief financial officer of American Racing and Entertainment and New Meadowlands Racetrack.   Fitzpatrick joined American Racing and Entertainment last May as the vice
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Meadowlands shows 1st-quarter increase
April 09, 2012
Meadowlands Racetrack has shown growth in both attendance and live handle in the first quarter of 2012 under the management of New Meadowlands Racetrack LLC (NMRLLC).   Live wagering on the Meadowlands races was up 13.8 percent through the first 35 nights of racing, from $9.3 million
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Scholarships available through Youth Foundation
April 09, 2012
Applications for several Harness Horse Youth Foundation scholarships must be postmarked by April 30, 2011. The scholarships, for students who are at least high school seniors, are awarded based on GPA, financial need, completeness of application and quality of essay (where applicable). For compe
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Real Nice, Atochia lead Levy in points
April 09, 2012
Round up the usual suspects. A peek at the standings after the third of five preliminary rounds of Yonkers Raceway's ongoing series for free-for-all pacers shows the standouts standing out. Points for both series are divvied up the same way as purses, as in 50 for a win, 25 for second, 12 for th
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Chapter Seven set to return to track in June
April 09, 2012
There was no reading between the lines when it came to Chapter Seven and his place among the top sophomore trotters last season on the Grand Circuit. He put together a sophomore record of 5-2-0 from 10 starts with $720,784 in earnings and proved he could come up with a big effort in th
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Strong numbers for Instant Racing in Kentucky
April 09, 2012
The Lexington Herald-Leader reported Monday that the Instant Racing machines at Kentucky Downs in Kentucky posted a 19.75 increase in wagering in March from February's total. According to the story, more than $67.5 million was wagered from last September through March, with players betting more
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3YO fillies Copain Du Haras, Mint Kiss win
April 09, 2012
It's that time of year when an increasing number of promising 3-year-old trotters are hitting the at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park to lay the foundation for their 2012 campaigns. Two more prime examples were winners on the Monday (April 9) program at the South Florida track.  
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Hawaiiancaviar 1:58.2 winner in series leg
April 09, 2012
Parked the opening quarter and pressured once he got the lead, Hawaiiancaviar still had little trouble fashioning a daylight lead and cruising home in Monday's opening leg of the Sir Caviar Trot at The Meadows. Blokbuster Hanover and Hoorayforvacation also captured $15,000 divisions in the serie
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Flying Instructor takes $100,000 Delaware final
April 09, 2012
Flying Instructor followed flight instructions well to win $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) final, while Warning Zone won the photo in the $37,000 Preferred/Handicap Pace on Monday (April 9) at Dover Downs.   In similar fashion to his two preliminary leg wins, Tim T
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A Rocknroll Dance wins Hoosier qualifier
April 07, 2012
A Rocknroll Dance made his 3-year-old debut a winning a one as he won his qualifier in 1:55.4 at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Saturday.   Driver Pete Wrenn sent the colt out of the seven hole to settle third on the rail through a first quarter in :29.4. The pair didn't sta
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Mister Herbie upsets 2011 HOY San Pail
April 07, 2012
It was no ordinary Saturday night for San Pail, the 2011 Horse of the Year on both sides of the border, as the 8-year-old trotter tasted defeat for the first time since July 16, 2011. Mister Herbie played giant killer as he reached the winner's circle first in the $125,000 final of the Glorys
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Golden Receiver romps in Spring Pacing Championship
April 07, 2012
After finding the winner's circle in both preliminary legs, Golden Receiver and driver Randy Waples dashed away from their rivals by 5 3/4 lengths to capture the $125,000 Spring Pacing Championship on Saturday evening at Woodbine.   Sent off as the even-money favourite, the 44-time wi
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Talk To Tony back on top at Pompano
April 07, 2012
After settling for a runner-up finish last week, Talk To Tony returned to the top of the heap in South Florida's top weekly pacing class on Saturday in the $8,000 Isle Mile 1 Pace at the Isle Pompano Park.   Andy Santeramo was in the bike to find a pocket trip for Talk To To
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Foiled Again wins 60th race in Levy split
April 07, 2012
Foiled Again turned 60 Saturday night...doesn't look it, doesn't act it, but it says it right there on his record...60. The number "60," as in the number of career wins after his wrapped-up, public workout in the fifth, $50,000 division of Yonkers Raceway's George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Ser
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Breakin The Law repeats in Survivor Series
April 07, 2012
Breakin The Law scored a 1:53 victory Saturday night in the second round of the Spring Survivor Pacing Series at the Meadowlands Racetrack, the third consecutive victory for the 3-year-old gelded son of Artiscape. David Miller was in the sulky for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing, Weave
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Teague for two in Blossom divisions
April 06, 2012
The second leg of the Blossom Series continued on Thursday evening at Woodbine and it was trainer George Teague Jr. and driver Jody Jamieson pairing up to capture both $30,000 divisions with Yagonnakissmeornot and Arm In Arm.   Yagonnakissmeornot went gate-to-wire in the first divisi
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Cold Certified fastest in Tie Silk splits
April 06, 2012
Cold Certified, driven by Jason Brewer, kicked off the Tie Silk Series in fine form as he captured the fastest of three $20,000 divisions on Thursday evening at Woodbine.   The lightly-raced son of Kadabra made his 2012 pari-mutuel debut a winning on as he stopped the timer in a lifet
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Favorites dominate in Landess action
April 06, 2012
Favorites prevailed in the second round of the Jerry Landess Series at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Thursday. The 1-9 betting favorite, Our Lucky Chip, visited Hoosier Park's winner circle for the second consecutive time in his second start of the season.   Driven by Trace Tetr
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A Rocknroll Dance to qualify at Hoosier Park
April 06, 2012
A Rocknroll Dance, the richest freshman colt pacer in 2011 with $863,325 in earnings, will make his 3-year-old debut Saturday in a qualifier at Hoosier Park. Co-owner and trainer Jim Mulinix told The Horseman that with the mild winter his horses are ahead of schedule so he has decided to put his
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"Peelers," Anndrovette win again in Matchmaker
April 06, 2012
It's like a theme show, with another Yonkers Raceway "Ladies Night" Friday in the third round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker for open pacing mares. As was the case in the first two rounds. five, $40,000 divisions went postward.   The song remains the same for See You at Peelers (Bri
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On The Podium takes Spring Survivor leg
April 06, 2012
On The Podium, a 3-year-old son of Donato Hanover, won the lone division of the Spring Survivor Series Trot on Friday night at the Meadowlands, scoring in 1:55.2.   Trained and driven by Ray Schnittker, On The Podium followed Markz Moose through the first three-quarters of the mile (:
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Veterans capture Hoosier Park features
April 05, 2012
The multiple stakes-winning Allthatgltrsisgold is well on his way to another stellar season making his first start a winning one in the $24,000 Open Pace feature at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Wednesday.   Allthatgltrsisgold and driver Dave Magee stopped the clock in a blister
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Winning Mister back winning again
April 05, 2012
His six-race winning skein a memory, Winning Mister took the first step to a new streak Wednesday at The Meadows with a facile victory in the $22,500 Preferred Handicap Trot.   Winning Mister was undefeated this season before encountering 2011 Horse of the Year San Pail in the Glorys
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Northfield joining with Hard Rock for gaming
April 05, 2012
Hard Rock International, one of the world's most iconic brands, has announced that it has entered into a joint venture and related agreements to acquire equity in, and to develop and operate a Hard Rock Gaming and Entertainment Facility, at Northfield Park racetrack in Northeast Ohio.
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Delaware trainer sends out Spring Survivor pair
April 05, 2012
Delaware-based trainer Jason Skinner ships in a promising pair of 3-year-old pacers, including a $1,500 bargain, for the $12,500 second bracket of the Spring Survivor Series, carded as race two on the 12-race Saturday program at the Meadowlands Racetrack.   Skinner, 28, is from Ridgly
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Saratoga cleared to reopen April 11
April 05, 2012
The New York State Racing and Wagering Board, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Markets, has cleared Saratoga Harness for re-opening after a recent outbreak of strangles. The racing season will resume on Wednesday, April 11.   "Thanks to quick action on the part of
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Crown champ Monkey On My Wheel wins qualifier
April 05, 2012
Millionaire pacing mare Monkey On My Wheel is gearing up for her 4-year-old campaign. After winning her first qualifier of 2012 on Thursday morning at Mohawk, she is one step closer.   The Travis Umphrey pupil, who won the O'Brien Award as Canada's top 3-year-old pacing filly, go
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NEW Weekend Preview now available!
April 05, 2012
The latest edition of HarnessRacing Weekend Preview is now available by clicking below or by signing up by following the link at the top of this home page. The Weekend Preview is FREE and in this edition Breeding Banter has an update from Hunterton Farm at Stoner Creek, where a full brother t
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Horseman Wade Ross, 45, dies of cancer
April 05, 2012
Horseman Wade Ross, the 45-year-old son of Wally and Pat Ross, died Thursday afternoon, April 5, after battling cancer.   Ross got his start in harness racing working for his father, racing primarily at Rosecroft Raceway and Pompano Park. Last summer he assisted Fred Grant and un
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Possess The Will tops 108 Hambo eligibles
April 05, 2012
Dan Patch freshman trotting colt Possess The Will tops a list of 108 trotting colts eligible to the 87th Hambletonian, the richest and most prestigious event in harness racing. Possess The Will, from the first crop of 2007 Hambletonian winner Donato Hanover, is owned by Jules Siegel's Fashion Fa
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Impressive wins in DSBF 3FT prelims
April 05, 2012
Alleigh Girl and Da Boss Lady, both trained by Les Givens and co-owned by Nanticoke Racing, scored impressively to take both $20,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) 2nd leg sophomore filly trot preliminaries on Thursday at Dover Downs.   As expected, prohibitive favori
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Royal Passion fastest in Miss Windfall splits
April 04, 2012
The second leg of the Miss Windfall Series, a late-closing event open to 3- and 4-year-old Indiana-sired fillies and mares that are non-winners of $7,500 lifetime, was contested with four divisions at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Tuesday.   The fastest of the four divisions wen
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Golden Pocono start for Midas Blue Chip
April 04, 2012
Midas Blue Chip kicked off the 2012 season at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs with a bang on Tuesday night, winning the opening race of the campaign with a sizzling mile, the highlight of the 14-race program.   Driven by Jim Morrill Jr., Midas Blue Chip overcame a three-wide journey around the
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Sweet Lou, A Rocknroll Dance top Jug eligibles
April 04, 2012
The 2-year-old Dan Patch Champion Sweet Lou and A Rocknroll Dance, No. 1 in Hoof Beats/Trackmaster ratings, headline the list of eligibles for the 67th Little Brown Jug. Economy Terror, voted best 2-year-old filly pacer in 2011 by the U.S. Harness Writers Association, and once-beaten American Je
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Post-time change at Woodbine
April 04, 2012
Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) would like to inform racing fans of a post-time change for Woodbine's Standardbred spring meet.   Beginning this Thursday, April 5, post time at the Toronto oval will change from 7:10 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Post time
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Youth Foundation part of Pinehurst matinee
April 04, 2012
There was no gambling, no charted lines, and, in fact, nothing but 2-year-olds going behind the gate, but the 63rd Annual Pinehurst Matinee drew over 5,000 race fans Sunday, ranging from the curious to the avid and, for the first time, the festivities also drew the Harness Horse Youth Foundation
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San Pail to start from post 1 in Glorys Comet
April 04, 2012
Woodbine is offering a stakes-filled card this Saturday and on one of the biggest Standardbred program so far this year, racing fans will be treated to a trio of top-notch stakes finals. Trotting titan San Pail will take on six others in the $125,000 Glorys Comet final while Golden Receiver will
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CEO says WEG has "commitment" to racing
April 04, 2012
In an interview with Canadian Sportsman editor Dave Briggs, writing for the Guelph Mercury, Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) CEO Nick Eaves said the company hopes to stay in both the gaming and horse racing business, and that despite uncertainty, "Our core objective through all of th
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Ontario Sires Stakes still has May 15 deadline
April 04, 2012
The Program Administrator of the Standardbred Ontario Sires Stakes Program has issued the following to clarify information currently circulating in the industry. The May 15 deadline for nominating Standardbred yearlings to the Ontario Sires Stakes Program has NOT been cancelled or deferred
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More Delaware-bred races for 3YOs at Dover
April 04, 2012
The Budster returned to the winner's circle for the first time since Feb. 1, notching a 1:56 triumph in the $22,500 Jr. Open Trot on Wednesday night at Dover Downs. Also, favorites responded with impressive victories in two $20,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) sophom
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Wildfire takes 1:55.1 mark with Pompano win
April 04, 2012
Florida's older trotting mare of the year in 2011, Wildfire, is truly getting better with age.   In the mid-week top trot for an $8,000 purse at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, the 5-year-old mare by Famously-Giant Wonder was kept in line third behind the fast first half fraction
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Revenue Agent wins series final in 1:56
April 03, 2012
In the General Brock Series final and an opening leg division of the Celias Counsel Series, driver Mike Saftic scored with a pair of upset-minded trotters on Monday night at Woodbine. Revenue Agent (1:56) and Lexus Helios (1:57.1) found the winner's circle in their stakes engagements for Saftic,
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Monticello to begin taking outside entries April 4
April 03, 2012
Monticello Raceway announced Tuesday that as of Wednesday, April 4, it will begin taking entries for horses that are not currently housed at Monticello Raceway and will permit horses to ship in to its facility beginning on April 9. Since March 26, no horses from outside the property ha
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7th annual East-West Amateur Driver Challenge
April 03, 2012
Joe Faraldo is no stranger to the winner circle. But he has not been up close and personal to it in our country's largest state. Joe appeared in five races in the 2007 version of the Challenge, and did muster a second place finish, but the glitz of the circle eluded the NY-based barrister. To
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Breedings available through New Vocations
April 03, 2012
You can support the racehorse adoption mission by purchasing a stallion season from New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program. The charity has breedings available to stallions in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Ontario. Call or email for a list: (937) 947-4
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Low DD payoff at Buffalo results in voucher giveaway
April 03, 2012
On Friday night, March 30, the early double (races one and two) at Buffalo Raceway paid $2.70 for a $2 wager. This payoff was peculiar because the winning horse in the second race, Ideal Miss, paid $29.80 to win. Immediately following the second race, Buffalo Raceway began a full investigat
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The Game Plan to start season on May 18
April 03, 2012
The Game Plan, last year's 2-year-old trotting colt of the year in Canada, is right on schedule to make his 2012 return, according to trainer John Kopas.   The gelding posted eight victories from 13 efforts last season with freshman earnings of more than $450,000. His biggest tri
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Northfield announces 2012 stakes schedule
April 03, 2012
April begins a full slate of stakes action at Northfield Park. The $90,000 (est.) Courageous Lady will go to post on Saturday, April 28. This race is a nationally open stakes event for North America's top three year-old filly pacers and is the first national stakes race in 2012. Among the 22 fil
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Cam B Zipper sews up Sagamore Hill Series
April 03, 2012
Favorite Cam B Zipper (Jason Bartlett) prevailed from the pocket Tuesday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $70,400 final of the Sagamore Hill Pacing Series for 3- and 4-year-old colts and geldings.   The Raceway's richest event of the season to date saw Cam B Zipper--perfect in his th
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Meirs Hanover repeats at The Meadows
April 03, 2012
Shrugging off a demanding opening panel, Meirs Hanover rolled to his second straight victory in Tuesday's $22,500 Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows.   Meirs Hanover sprang for the lead from post seven for Dave Palone but encountered resistance from Biletnikoff, who forced the 2-5
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Heres My Ticket fastest in DSBF prelims
April 03, 2012
Ron Pierce, who drove six winners Monday, continued with a hot hand in piloting four winners, including Freedom Crossing to nip Mystra in the final step in the $27,500 Mares Open Handicap Pace on Wednesday at Dover Downs.   Heres My Ticket won the first of three $20,000 Delaware Standa
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Rich N Fancy a 1:55.4 winner at Balmoral
April 02, 2012
The Illinois conceived and foaled stakes action continued on Sunday night at Balmoral Park as a field of eight three-year-old pacing fillies met for the $12,000 Direct Balance Stake.   Fresh off a wire to wire victory in her 2012 debut at Maywood Park last week, Kenneth Hughes good loo
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Tioga/Vernon stakes numbers show increase
April 02, 2012
The nominations for Tioga and Vernon Downs stakes are in and the numbers are up virtually across the board.   Topping the charts is the Miss Versatility (mare trot),benefiting from a restructuring of the series. Increasing the number of preliminary legs to four, raising the purse
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64 still North America Cup eligible
April 02, 2012
An elite group of 64 horses remain eligible to the 29th edition of the $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup, one of harness racing's most prestigious events.   Headlining this year's talented group is Sweet Lou, who captured the 2011 Breeders Crown and recorded the fastest mile in his
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Horseplayers offering Road to Crown handicapping contest
April 02, 2012
The Horseplayers Association of North America's (HANA) harness racing division, in association with the Hambletonian Society, Meadowlands Racetrack, Tioga Downs, and Vernon Downs, has announced "The Pen vs. The Chip – The Road to the Breeders Crown Handicapping Challenge. " This handicapping
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Newton Angus the apple of owner's eyes
April 02, 2012
"I wish we had a farm, but it is probably a good thing that we don't, or I would probably have a lot more.” Nancy Campbell laughs at her own words and at the very thought of having dozens of Standardbred horses of her own.   That said, she would love nothing more for that dream to bec
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Action-Broadway breaks stride in 2012 debut
April 02, 2012
Trotslikethewind, a 7-year-old mare by Pegasus Spur, captured the $22,500 Preferred Trot for fillies and mares at The Meadows Monday afternoon. Action-Broadway, last year's Dan Patch Trotting Mare of the Year, was lined up in the fifth spot on the gate in her 2012 debut, but she was rough g
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Sir Jillian Z Tam snags $66,400 Petticoat final
April 02, 2012
Favorite Sir Jillian Z Tam (Pat Lachance) won the draw Wednesday morning and the race Monday night, annexing Yonkers Raceway's $66,400 final of the Petticoat Pacing Series for 3- and 4-year-old fillies and mares in 1:56.3.   "Jillian" stung Look Annie Hall (George Brennan) a bit, then
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3YOs start season; 4YO Sleigh Bells Ring wins
April 02, 2012
The first race of the Monday evening (April 2) program at Pompano featured 3 year olds making their first lifetime starts, but none of them came up a winner in the maiden trot event.   Cutting the mile was Occupy Wall Street, in rein to Jan Johnson. The Muscles Yankee-My Girl Hal
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Nuclear Breeze breeding for scholarships
April 02, 2012
The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association is pleased to announce the donation of a breeding to the Pennsylvania stallion Nuclear Breeze, to benefit the MSOA collegiate scholarship fund.   Tom Cooke, president of the Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association and owner of Nuclear Bre
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Golden Receiver, Melvyn win SPC legs
April 01, 2012
Fresh off a victory in the opening round of the Spring Pacing Championship, Golden Receiver and driver Randy Waples returned to victory in the second $60,000 leg Saturday evening at Woodbine. Sent off as the favourite, Golden Receiver used the same tactics as last week as he immediately took
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Real Nice a millionaire with Levy leg win
April 01, 2012
Yonkers Raceway Saturday night hosted the second round of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series, with another six, $50,000 divisions... and, on the night before April Fool's Day, the big boys weren't fooling around. Real Nice (Jason Bartlett), fresh from throwing down the fastest loca
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Al's Hammered pounds rivals at Balmoral
April 01, 2012
The 2012 stake season kicked off on Saturday at Balmoral Park as a field of nine Illinois conceived and foaled three-year-old pacing colts squared off the in the $12,000 Taurus Bomber Stake.   Getting off to a quick start just like he did as a two-year-old Robert Phillip’s prize pupil Al’s H
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