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Northfield set for 212 days of racing in 2013
December 31, 2012
Northeast Ohio's premier racetrack will be offering live harness racing four nights a week to start the 2013 racing year. Beginning Jan. 1 and continuing through June 7, Northfield will be racing every Monday, Tuesday,Wednesday and Friday evening with a 6:30 pm post time. There is no live racing
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Tetrick reflects on big 2012 season
December 31, 2012
Entering 2012, Tim Tetrick never drove a horse that was voted Horse of the Year.This year he accomplished that feat – and so much more. Tetrick drove seven division champions this season, including Horse of the Year Chapter Seven and Pacer of the Year Captaintreacherous. The 31-year-old Illinois
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Monticello looking for drivers for Dr. King Pace
December 31, 2012
The nation will celebrate the life and memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 21 despite the fact that his actual birthday is Jan. 15. Because Monticello Raceway will not have a live card on Monday Jan. 21, the raceway will present its 13th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pace on Tu
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Filion, Jamieson tie for WEG title at 284 wins
December 31, 2012
Richard Moreau had the 2012 training title on the WEG circuit all wrapped up coming into Monday's (Dec. 31) matinee program at Woodbine Racetrack, but Jody Jamieson and Sylvain Filion found themselves fighting right to the finish on the final day of the season in their quest to capture the drivi
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Burke-Gingras team wins 4 at Meadowlands
December 30, 2012
It was a common theme early in 2012. It seemed that every night trainer Ron Burke and driver Yannick Gingras were winning multiple races together. On Saturday at the Meadowlands, that trend resurfaced. Together, the duo combined for four wins while Gingras earned five total wins on the card, giv
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Tracks won't take Sports Creek starters
December 30, 2012
Due to the report of a confirmed Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) in a horse that raced at Sports Creek Raceway on Dec. 19, the Meadowlands Racetrack is among the tracks denying entries of horses that have raced at Sports Creek Raceway after Dec. 1, until further notice. Balmoral Park and Maywoo
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Merriman drives 6 winners at Northfield
December 30, 2012
Northfield Park's 2012 leading driver Aaron Merriman drove six winners on Saturday (Dec. 29). Merriman's winners included Race Track Cruiser ($3.40) in race three, CJ's Victory ($5.80) in race four, Chillinghim ($6.60) in race six, Tag The Lady ($17.00) in race seven, SF Stampede ($14.60) i
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Ready Cash wins prep for Prix d'Amerique
December 30, 2012
The third "B" prep for the 2013 Prix d'Amerique was raced Sunday afternoon at Hippodrome Paris-Vincennes. The two-time defending Prix d'Amerique champion Ready Cash won the race, but it was not an easy victory for the mega favorite.   In a fast opening 6/16 mile Ready Cash had command
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Sweet Future, La Riviera Lindy top broodmares
December 30, 2012
Sweet Future has again been elected Pacing Broodmare of the Year by the United States Harness Writers Association, making her the first broodmare to win her category twice, while Trotting Broodmare of the Year honors went to La Riviera Lindy, dam of Harness Horse of the Year Chapter Seven. &n
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Woodbine to be available for winter training
December 29, 2012
Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) has announced that Woodbine Racetrack will be available for winter standardbred training on Tuesday mornings and on race nights before the live card. WEG closed the Mohawk backstretch and track for training in December.   Trainers who wish to conditio
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Awards to Zeron, Horowitz, Zoccali
December 29, 2012
Although "Z” is the last letter of the alphabet, it ranked at the top of the voting done by the U.S. Harness Writers Association in honoring the top young (35YO or less) people in the sport: Canadian Scott Zeron won the Rising Star Award, for trainers and/or drivers, in a landslide, while after
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Horse Rescue United receives donations
December 28, 2012
Horse Rescue United (HRU) is pleased to announce they are the recipient of donations as a result of this year's The Pen vs. The Chip Handicapping Challenge sponsored by the Hambletonian Society, Meadowlands Racetrack, Tioga Downs, and Vernon Downs. The Pen vs. The Chip Handicapping Challenge, orga
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Services set for Trent Tharps Sr., 51
December 28, 2012
Ohio horseman Trent Tharps Sr., who celebrated his 51st birthday on Dec. 17, died unexpectedly on Thursday (Dec. 27) at home in Lebanon, Ohio. Tharps had been shoveling snow and may have suffered a heart attack.   Visitation will be on Thursday, Jan. 3, from 10 a.m. until 12
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Get ready for Big M with Weekend Preview
December 28, 2012
The Meadowlands is back in action beginning Friday night and race secretary Peter Koch has 12 races ready for handicappers. The latest edition of HarnessRacing Weekend Preview includes stories about a few new faces at the meet, both human and equine. First post at the Meadowlands Friday night is 7
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Maine horseman Raymond Ireland dies
December 28, 2012
Maine horseman Raymond V. Ireland, 84, who campaigned many top horses including 2005 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes championship runner-up Kerogen, died Dec. 21. Affectionately called "Razor," Mr. Ireland passed away at home with his family.   He was born June 23, 1928, in Westfield, Ma
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Gutnick top owner; White Birch top breeder
December 28, 2012
Richard Gutnick, a self-described "30-year overnight success in racing” who campaigned 2012 Horse of the Year (Chapter Seven) and the richest Standardbred of 2012 (Market Share), has been named the Norman Woolworth Owner of the Year in balloting conducted by members of the U. S. Harness
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CHHA stallion auction listing now available
December 28, 2012
The stallion auction listing is now available for the January 28 – February 2, 2013 Christian Harness Horsemen’s Association Stallion Auction. It can be viewed at www.chha.net. Breeding donations are also still being accepted. Contact Lee Alphen at leealphen@comcast.net.    
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Western Fair cuts purses 12 percent
December 28, 2012
The Raceway at Western Fair District announced on Friday (Dec. 28)  purse decrease of approximately 12 percent, effective in January. This decrease is necessary to ensure that a sufficient amount of purse money remains available through the end of the current meet in May. "Our industry will fa
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Wagering on Rosecroft races up 70%
December 28, 2012
Rosecroft Raceway's recently concluded 29-night fall-winter race meeting showed significant gains in overall handle versus the 2011 comparable meet.Total wagering on Rosecroft's live races for the fall-winter meet increased 70% over the 2011 meet.   The 2011 season featured the resumption o
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Big payoffs, 24% handle increase at Big M
December 28, 2012
The Meadowlands Racetrack put on a pari-mutuel show on Friday night, the opening of the 2012-2013 meet. The night contained a little bit of everything. The bettors came out in force as the Meadowlands' total handle of $2,691,107 was an increase of 24% from the $2,166,584 bet on opening nigh
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Hearing to be held on new Lebanon track
December 27, 2012
At the December meeting of the Ohio State Racing Commission, Chairman Robert K. Schmitz announced the date, time and place of the commission's next monthly meeting: It will be held on January 10, 2013 at 10 am in Room 1960 of the Riffe Center located at 77 S. High St. in Columbus.   O
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Record $70,192 Pick 5 payoff at Balmoral
December 27, 2012
With a carryover of just over $10,000 and more than $80,000 in "new money” put through the betting windows, Wednesday night's 50 cent Pick 5 wager at Balmoral Park gave gamblers a great chance to share in the Holiday cheer. And it did just that for one lucky gambler who toted home a Balmoral Par
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Gingras set to defend Big M dash title
December 27, 2012
Following a season of career firsts, Yannick Gingras is anxious to defend his Meadowlands driving title when live racing returns opening weekend, Friday, Dec. 28, and Saturday, Dec. 29. Post time is 7:15 p.m.   Gingras has firmly established himself as one of harness racing's rising s
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Pacer Tattler's Jet featured in NY Times
December 27, 2012
The lead story on the front page of the Wednesday (Dec. 26) edition of The New York Times sports section, placed by Harness Racing Communications, is about 14-year-old pacer Tattler's Jet, who is making his final career start in the Au Revoir at Monticello on Thursday afternoon (Dec. 27). The
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Tetrick named 2012 Driver of the Year
December 27, 2012
Tim Tetrick was the regular driver behind the top five horses in harness racing's year-end Top 10 performers. He drove Chapter Seven, the Horse of the Year (also Trotter of the Year), conditioned by Trainer of the Year Linda Toscano, and Captaintreacherous, the Pacer of the Year; in fact he
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Last call for Groom of the Year nominations
December 27, 2012
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2012 "Groom of the Year" Award. The award, sponsored annually by Harness Tracks of America and Hanover Shoe Farms, recognizes theunsung heroes of the sport, the grooms who maintain the health and welfare of the sport's horses.   All that is needed
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Big M patrons can win 1 percent of The Captain
December 27, 2012
One lucky harness racing fan will experience the thrill of owning a champion racehorse via a unique promotion at the Meadowlands where the Grand Prize is a one-percent share of all future purse earnings by the sensational Captaintreacherous.   Syndicate manager Myron Bell proposed the idea
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Whitlock N holds off Tattler's Jet in Au Revoir
December 27, 2012
Whitlock N won Monticello Raceway's Au Revoir Pace for 14 year olds on Thursday. After the calmest of early winter seasons in the southern Catskill Mountains, a heavy snowstorm moved in on Wednesday, which carried over to the following day and played havoc on the racing program at Monticello
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Toscano named 2012 Trainer of the Year
December 26, 2012
Linda Toscano, the trainer of the Harness Horse of the Year (Chapter Seven), the richest Standardbred racehorse of 2012 (Market Share at just over $2 million), and the champion of the sport's glamour division (3-year-old pacing colt Heston Blue Chip), capped her extraordinary season by being the
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Meadowlands returns Friday with ABC racing
December 26, 2012
Racing returns to the Meadowlands this weekend with the track changing to a new post time of 7:15 p.m. Another change is the introduction of classified racing, with nine of the 12 races on the Friday's opening night card going postward as part of the new "ABC" system employed by race secretary P
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Trotter favored in Au Revoir Pace/Trot
December 26, 2012
To say that Monticello Raceway's $5,000 Au Revoir on Thursday afternoon is a unique race would be a gross understatement. Not only is it a tremendous undertaking to get a field of 14 year olds together in the waning moments of a year for a final race of their careers, but add to that the fa
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JJ Shark takes Woodbine Valedictory final in 1:52
December 26, 2012
On a special afternoon Boxing Day card at Woodbine, a pair of $60,000 series finals headlined the programme. After a pair of preliminary legs, both JJ Shark and Oceanview Bindi completed the Series sweep for their connections.   JJ Shark and Randy Waples went from eighth-to first
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NY continues online video streaming of races
December 26, 2012
The New York State Racing and Wagering Board on Wednesday (Dec. 26) announced the continuation of online video streaming of thoroughbred and harness races in New York state throughout the 2013 calendar year.   The action extends an agreement forged in 2010 and renewed in 2011 by
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Winky's Gill: Babysitter to the stars
December 24, 2012
According to equine custom, Winky's Gill, whose actual birthday is Jan. 31, turns 33 on Jan. 1. According to her age, one rarely achieved by a horse, she ought to be doing nothing--or close to it.   At 32, the trotting broodmare Winky's Gill still holds some impressive records. The m
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Winbak's Joe Thomson to be honored in Maryland
December 24, 2012
The World Trade Center Institute Awards' Review Committee has selected Joe Thomson, owner of Winbak Farm, to be one of six awarded with Maryland's 17th annual International Leadership Award on March 6.   The committee remarked on Winbak Farm's accomplishments and strong growth record
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Wisconsin horsewoman Carol Yohn dies
December 24, 2012
Carol E. Yohn, 65, wife of U.S. Trotting Association director Robert Yohn, died on Friday, Dec. 21.   She was a longtime member of the Wisconsin Harness Horse Association, a breeder and owner of Standardbreds, and a licensed trainer.   Gabe Wand, a prominent Wisconsin har
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Archangel to stand at stud at Blue Chip in NY
December 24, 2012
Blue Chip Farms in New York is welcoming world champion Archangel to its stallion ranks in 2013. His fee will be $4,000.   A winner of $906,579, Archangel won the 2012 Yonkers Trot in 1:54.1h, a world record time, without trotting hobbles. He defeated heavily favored Googoo Gaagaa and
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Eighteen wins 8th of season in 1:54.2
December 23, 2012
Eighteen (Mark MacDonald) finished what he started Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's final-card-of-the-season $28,000 winners-over pace for owners James Snyder and trainer Mark Ford.   Leaving from post position 4, Eighteen worked around pole-sitting Bettor Design (Jason
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Funeral services set for Walter Russell
December 22, 2012
Hall of Famer Walter Russell, a son of a Hall of Fame horseman who chose to make his mark in harness racing in the judges' stand instead of on the track, died Saturday morning, Dec. 22, at the age of 86. Mr. Russell, who lived in suburban Atlanta for many years but frequently visited his ho
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Jamieson, Filion slugging it out at Woodbine
December 22, 2012
As the year begins to draw to a close, the tussle for WEG's top driver bragging rights continues to intensify. Jody Jamieson has 276 wins on the season while Sylvain Filion has 271.   Jamieson is in search of his fourth WEG driving title. The defending champion recorded 328 victories
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Northern Companion 1:51 winner at Pompano
December 22, 2012
Northern Companion, given a picture perfect journey by driver Rob Hoffman, collared the pacesetting Keemosabe (Bruce Ranger) turning for home and went on to score a neck victory in 1:51 over Special Strides (Rick Plano) and the late charging Amillionpennies (Matt Romano) in Pompano Park's $11,00
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Meadowlands draw schedule for opening cards
December 21, 2012
Please be advised of The Meadowlands' draw schedule for the opening weekend of live racing. For opening day; Friday, Dec. 28, the box will close at 9 am on Saturday, Dec. 22 (tomorrow). For the Saturday, Dec. 29 card, the box will close at 9 am on Sunday, Dec. 23.   The complete
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USTA announces online handicapping contest
December 21, 2012
In conjunction with HorseTourneys.com and the $100,000 World Harness Handicapping Championship (WHHC), which will be held at the Meadowlands on Saturday, April 13, 2013, the United States Trotting Association (USTA) announced on Friday (Dec. 21) that it has created a free, on-line, qualifyi
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Walnridge Farm NJ Breeder of the Year
December 21, 2012
Walnridge Farm of Cream Ridge, NJ, one of the state's oldest farms, is the 2012 New Jersey Standardbred Breeder of the Year. The Breeders Committee of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey has selected the Meirs family's Walnridge Farm to be among the honorees at the 5
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Meadowlands donates Toys For Tots
December 21, 2012
It has been a trying time in the northeastern United States in the recent weeks. With reminders of Hurricane Sandy all around and the recent tragedy in Connecticut, The Meadowlands Racetrack and Winners Bayonne are happy to take part in an uplifting event this holiday season.   For th
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Dewey to stand at Morrisville in NY in 2013
December 21, 2012
Deweycheatumnhowe 3,1:50.4 ($3,155,178) will stand at Morrisville College in Morrisville, NY, beginning in 2013. The announcement was made by Alan J. Leavitt, president of Walnut Hall Ltd., the Deweycheatumnhowe syndicate manager.   The only undefeated Hambletonian winner in
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CDI, Delaware North close on Lebanon assets
December 21, 2012
On Friday, Dec. 21, Miami Valley Gaming & Racing, a joint venture of Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment and Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI), completed its purchase of the harness racing licenses and certain assets held by Lebanon Trotting Club Inc. and Miami Valley T
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Seven to say "Au Revoir" at Monticello
December 21, 2012
When Monticello Raceway's director of racing, Eric Warner, opened the entry box for next Thursday's Au Revoir he unexpectedly found that seven 14 year olds had entered.   "We've been working hard to try to get a field together for this end-of-a-career race and we were expecting just f
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NY Yankees scores in Meadows finale
December 21, 2012
Aided by a second-quarter breather, NY Yankees rolled to her ninth victory of the year in Friday's $22,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows.   NY Yankees and Dave Palone shot to the lead in a representative :27.2 opening panel. But when Palone worked out a :30.3
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Brando's Muscle Man wins open trot at Yonkers
December 21, 2012
Brando's Muscle Man (George Brennan) lasted on the lead Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's penultimate-program $35,000 Open Handicap Trot. In play from post position No. 4, "Brando" worked around Master Pine (Andy Miller), making the lead before :28.1 opening quarter-mile. A bit of a d
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Stahl drives 3,000th career winner
December 21, 2012
Ryan Stahl scored the 3,000th win of his driving career while driving Manny Shuffle in Northfield Park's fifth race on Friday by boldly looming from the back to pass the competition. Manny Shuffle paced his successful mile in 2:03.1, winning by a neck in the blowing snow.   Stahl's r
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Simpson, Montgomery named to IHHA Hall of Fame
December 20, 2012
The Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association Hall of Fame Committee is proud to announce that the following individuals were chosen for induction into the Illinois Harness Racing Hall of Fame.   The Living Inductees will be Dirk Simpson and Gene Montgomery and the Equine Inductees wil
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Halfpipe wins Monticello Marathon
December 20, 2012
By definition halfpipe is a structure used in gravity extreme sports such as snowboarding, skateboarding and skiing. At Monticello Raceway, Halfpipe has another meaning.   The Monticello Raceway version of Halfpipe is a 6-year-old trotting gelding who has won five times this year and has be
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Chapter Seven Named 2012 Horse of the Year
December 20, 2012
Chapter Seven did not race many times, but he made the most of his opportunities. The 4-year-old male trotter, who won eight of 10 starts and equaled the world record of 1:50.1 on a mile racetrack, was named Horse of the Year on Thursday in Dan Patch Awards voting by the U.S. Harness Writers Ass
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Western Shore fastest in Big M qualifiers
December 20, 2012
Western Shore's 1:52.2 clocking in the fifth of 11 qualifiers was the fastest mile of the morning at qualifiers on Thursday morning at the Meadowlands Racetrack.   The qualifiers mark the return of racing for the winter meet at the Meadowlands which opens on Friday, Dec. 28. The
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New Weekend Preview Now Available!
December 20, 2012
Want to know what happened 30 years ago this week? Find the answers in the new Harness Racing Weekend Preview that is now available. Also, Dial Or Nodial goes for five in a row at Harrah's Philadelphia on Friday and trainer Jim Campbell talks about the year the 6-year-old pacer has had on the race
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Langley honors trio with Presidents Awards
December 20, 2012
A trio comprised of key horsemen's association executives will be recognized at the 2013 Harness Racing Congress with Presidents Awards, as selected by--and to be presented by--U.S. Trotting Association president Phil Langley.   The three are Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association p
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Tattersalls Mixed Sale catalog now online
December 19, 2012
The online catalog and racelines for the Meadowlands January Select Mixed Sale, presented by Tattersalls, is now available on the company's website, www.tattersallsredmile.com, and via the Equineline® sales app.   The sale will be held Monday, Jan. 21, in the Meadowlands race padd
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Milby hits grand slam at Rosecroft
December 19, 2012
The never-ending series of multiple win nights for Frank Milby at Rosecroft continued on Tuesday night as Milby showed no lasting effects from a bout with the flu on Saturday and visited the winner's circle four times on a 10-race card. The wins give him 61 wins out of 310 races held this meet a
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Freehold raises $29,000 for local food bank
December 19, 2012
Freehold Raceway announced today that more than $29,000 had been raised on Saturday, Dec. 15, with "Racing Toward Recovery Day.”   All money raised is being donated to The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Freehold pledged to donate all net proceeds from live racing to Th
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Kierans, Fellows among Woodbine TV layoffs
December 19, 2012
It has been reported in Canada and confirmed by harnessracing.com on Wednesday morning that 20 people who worked in the TV department at Woodbine Racetrack have been laid off and another dozen have been shifted from full-time status to seasonal. Included among the layoffs is commentator Renee
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Captaintreacherous voted Pacer of the Year
December 19, 2012
Captaintreacherous, who won eight of 10 races and earned $918,253, on Wednesday became the first 2-year-old pacer in 25 years to be named Pacer of the Year, earning the nod over 3-year-olds Michael's Power and American Jewel and defending champion Foiled Again in a wide-open contest.  
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Don't forget: Bowie documentary on Thursday
December 19, 2012
The 60-minute documentary on former University of Kentucky basketball star Sam Bowie, who has been a longtime owner of Standardbreds and is a regular at The Red Mile, has been scheduled to air on ESPNU at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20. "Going Big” chronicles Bowie's basketball career at Kentuck
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Qualifiers and draw schedule for Big M opener
December 19, 2012
Four trotting and seven pacing races make up the 11 qualifiers scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday morning at the Meadowlands Racetrack.   The draw for opening night, Friday, Dec. 28, will be held Saturday, Dec. 22, with the entry box closing at 9 a.m. The opening night card features a $3
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Chapter Seven arrives at Blue Chip Farms
December 19, 2012
Chapter Seven, the 2012 Trotter of the Year, arrived at Blue Chip Farms in New York on Wednesday to relax before standing stud during the 2013 breeding season. The 4-year-old stallion was welcomed to the farm by Blue Chip president Mike Kimelman and his trainer, Linda Toscano, along with Michae
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Ontario horsemen donate to Toys for Tots
December 19, 2012
Generosity personified best describes the drivers and trainers on Woodbine Entertainment Group's (WEG) horse racing circuit as they unite again this year in support of the Halton Police's Toys for Tots campaign to benefit the Salvation Army. The horsemen have contributed $6,087 to help bring the
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Trophies stolen from Harness Racing Museum
December 19, 2012
The Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame (www.harnessmuseum.com), in Goshen, NY, was burglarized sometime overnight between Dec. 17 and Dec. 18. Thieves targeted the display case containing a sterling silver Faberge soup tureen and ladle, the Memphis Gold Challenge Cup, the gold Weaver L
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Trotting mare Perfect Chance wins third straight
December 19, 2012
Perfect Chance won her third straight race, holding off the late charge of Victory Is Coming to capture Wednesday's $20,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Trot at The Meadows. Although up in class from the conditioned ranks, Perfect Chance shot right to the lead for Dave Palone and was on t
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Repeat winners in Valedictory, Niagara
December 18, 2012
The $30,000 second legs of the Valedictory and Niagara Series were contested on Monday night at Woodbine, with a pair of repeat winners and a longshot making the trip down victory lane.   In the first Valedictory dash, JJ Shark, who was an opening round division winner, captured the l
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Badlands Hanover Syndicate offers foal options
December 18, 2012
The following press release was issued by the Badlands Hanover Syndicate manager John Celii. "The Badlands Hanover Syndicate recognizes that recent industry related decisions may place significant hardship on many Standardbred owners and breeders. Over the last several months, we have read
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NJ bill makes law what is presently in contracts
December 18, 2012
The New Jersey General Assembly approved bipartisan legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Ronald S. Dancer to guarantee consistent levels of funding from horse races to programs that benefit horsemen, such as those administered by the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jerse
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Gural: NJ online casino games bad idea
December 18, 2012
A bill that allows online versions of casino games anywhere in New Jersey passed the state's Assembly on Monday (Dec. 17), but Meadowlands operator Jeff Gural believes it is a bad deal for the state.   "It's shocking to me that anyone would do what should be called the ‘Casino Wo
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Clay Faurot Sr. dies in Florida at age 76
December 18, 2012
Longtime horseman Clayton Faurot Sr., 76, died Monday (Dec. 17) after a long bout with cancer.   Born June 23, 1936, Faurot drove 616 winners during his career and added 532 training victories to his resume, as well. One of his more successful horses was Turbo Rabbit, a pacer tha
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Chapter Seven named 2012 Trotter of the Year
December 18, 2012
Chapter Seven and Market Share gave owner Richard Gutnick and trainer Linda Toscano a strong 1-2 punch on the racetrack. The stablemates knocked out the competition off the track as well.   Chapter Seven on Tuesday was named Trotter of the Year by the U.S. Harness Writers Association,
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Rosecroft to resume T-bred simulcasts Jan. 1
December 18, 2012
Rosecroft Raceway and the Maryland Jockey Club have reached an agreement for Thoroughbred simulcasting to resume again at Rosecroft in Fort Washington, Md.  The two parties were about to begin arbitration on the matter, but an agreement was reached before that began.   Beginning
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Six in a row for Come Together at Dover
December 18, 2012
The pacer Come Together won his sixth consecutive start while driver Corey Callahan, after driving six winners last night, returned with five winners on Tuesday at Dover Downs.   Come Together began his now lengthening win streak at Pocono Downs in late October at the $10,000 cl
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Put On A Show retires as fastest female pacer
December 17, 2012
Put On A Show had been entered to make her final career start Wednesday in the Mares Open Handicap Pace at Harrah's Philadelphia, but her connections announced late Saturday night that the 5-year-old daughter of Rocknroll Hanover-Stienams Place will not race due to soreness.  
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RCI makes major modifications to medication rules
December 17, 2012
The Board of Directors of Racing Commissions International has voted to move forward with a major revision of the association's model medication rules for horse racing.   The RCI Board gave preliminary approval to a list of 17 "Controlled Therapeutic Medications” with set testing thre
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American Racing and Entertainment donates $700K
December 17, 2012
American Racing and Entertainment, which runs Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs in Upstate New York proudly, announced Monday that total contributions to charities in 2012 reached in excess of $700,000.   A few of the highlights for charitable donations in 2012 included concerts at b
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WEG announces holiday schedule
December 17, 2012
Woodbine Entertainment Group on Monday announced schedule amendments for live racing and qualifiers during the holiday season and upcoming new year.   Woodbine will offer plenty of live Standardbred racing action over this holiday season. The final live race card prior to Christ
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Canada's O'Brien finalists announced
December 17, 2012
Standardbred Canada announced on Monday the finalists for the 2012 O'Brien Awards, which honor Canada's best in harness racing over the past season. The winners will be announced at the annual O'Brien Awards Black Tie Gala on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013.   The awards are named in honor o
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Diamond Creek's Bowden becomes a dad
December 17, 2012
Diamond Creek Farm has welcomed a new "foal," well before the foaling season begins. The farm's Adam Bowden and his wife, Lindsay, became parents Monday, Dec. 10, when a daughter, named Finley, was born at St. Joseph's East Hospital in Lexington, KY.   Finley 
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Registration now open for Harness Racing Congress
December 17, 2012
Harness racing officials, owners, trainers, drivers, communicators, breeders, vendors and fans can now register to be part of the Harness Racing Congress VI that will convene in Fort Lauderdale, Fla, on Thursday, Feb. 28, through Monday, March 4.   The sixth industry congres
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Need a gift? Try Halters For Hope
December 17, 2012
If you don't have a champion Standardbred in your barn this holiday season, you can have the next closest thing–his or her halter.   The Halters For Hope program, which provides harness racing fans with halters worn by some of the sport's brightest stars in exchange for a donation to
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Run And Tell Pap wins 2nd straight at Meadows
December 17, 2012
Run And Tell Pap notched his second straight win in the slop with a powerful performance in Monday's $22,500 Preferred Handicap Trot at The Meadows.   Away third for Dave Palone, Run And Tell Pap made the lead with a quarter-pole move and, just as he did last week in the off going, dr
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Alexachase picks up 3rd straight Dover win
December 17, 2012
Alexachase may have been the smallest starter in the $23,000 Mares Open/Handicap Pace, but she showed her big motor, coming from fifth on the final turn four-wide to post her third consecutive trip to the winner's circle in the Monday, Dec. 17, feature over a "sloppy” track at Dover Downs. 
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Tobago Cays by a nose in Yonkers feature
December 16, 2012
Tobago Cays (Jim Pantaleano) prevailed in blanket photo Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's featured $28,000 winner-over pace.   Leaving from post position two, he watched early as 2-5 choice Something for Doc (Yannick Gingras) seemed to be involved in a bit of early happenstanc
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No joke: Richie The Clown wins 20th of year
December 16, 2012
Richie The Clown crossed the finish line in 1:55.1, winning the ninth race on Saturday at Northfield Park. The win is the 20th time that Richie The Clown has been triumphant in 2012.   Richie The Clown, a 6-year-old son of Richess Hanover, is owned by Rhonda Conn of Northfield, O
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Amillionpennies scores in Pompano Open
December 16, 2012
Amillionpennies took top honors in Pompano Park's $10,500 Open 1 Pace on Saturday night.   The 7-year-old gelded son of Million Dollar Cam took command just a step or two out of the gate and went on to wire the field in 1:51 off of evenly rated panels of :27.2, :55.3 and 1:23.2. &n
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Speculative Edge repeats at Dover
December 16, 2012
Speculative Edge made it two wins in a row scoring a 1:52.2 victory in the $11,000 pace feature Sunday at Dover Downs.   A big December continued for trainer Leigh Nichol--now Mrs. Tyler Raymer--of the Raymer Stable, as she conditioned her sixth winner of the month in 1
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Top trotting mare Kandor Hanover retired
December 16, 2012
Kandor Hanover, who banked $516,139 in her career, has been officially retired by her connections due to a tendon injury, which occurred in her latest start at The Meadows on Dec. 12.   The speedy trotting daughter of Tagliabue-Kaitlyns Glory raced the majority of her career on the Wo
[read more]

Sugar Queen Gabby rules in Yonkers open
December 15, 2012
Sugar Queen Gabby (Brian Sears) rallied from third-over Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $35,000 Open Trot.   Unhurried early from post position two, Sugar Queen Gabby sat as 6-5 favorite Looking Hanover (Yannick Gingras) left around pole-sitting Rookie Mistake (Larry Stalbaum)
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Do Me Honor scores in Meadows feature
December 15, 2012
Forced wide in a demanding :26.2 opening panel, Do Me Honor still had enough in reserve to notch a facile victory in Friday's $22,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows.   Do Me Honor and Aaron Merriman hunted for a spot along the pylons in that first quarter
[read more]

The Meadowlands needs you
December 15, 2012
The Meadowlands needs you to sign up forthe Race Officetext messaging service.   This service will be used by the Meadowlands, Tioga and Vernon Downs to distribute information regarding classes that need entries, changes to the various classes and even weather/cancellation
[read more]

Michigan racing bill passes, heads to governor
December 14, 2012
It was just after 3 a.m. this morning when the Michigan Senate passed HB5546, a bill which in part allows for Instant Racing machines to be installed at the state's racetracks. The bill passed in the legislature's final gathering of 2012, a marathon session that began at 10 a.m. on Thursday and
[read more]

Ohio Sires Stakes finals raised to $150,000
December 14, 2012
At a meeting of the Ohio Standardbred Development Fund (OSDF) on Dec. 11, the three-member panel approved a racing schedule for 2013 that includes estimated purses of $150,000 in each of eight championships.   Championship purses for Ohio Sires Stakes in 2012 were $100,000. Tota
[read more]

Donau hoping to ride into Valedictory Series win
December 14, 2012
It hasn't always been smooth sailing for Donau, but the 3-year-old pacing gelding will look to stay the course in the $30,000 second leg of the Valedictory Series, Monday night at Woodbine.   The Riina Rekila trainee, who was named after a river in central Europe, surprised the betti
[read more]

Ontario announces first-quarter 2013 race dates
December 14, 2012
The Director of the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) Friday announced the decision on the applications received seeking variances to the assigned dates for 2013. A total of five applications were received from four different racetrack operators, which in total sought to reduce the number of 2013
[read more]

Prairie Big John ties Pompano track mark
December 13, 2012
Prairie Big John took honors in Pompano Park's Open I Trot while Dutchess Seelster tied the track record for aged trotting mares with her win in the Open II Trot on Wednesday night.   Prairie Big John escaped with his victory in a three-horse photo with a determined lunge at the end o
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Unefoisdansmavie wins third straight at Meadows
December 13, 2012
In a familiar scenario with a familiar result, Unefoisdansmavie sat in the pocket behind Victory Is Coming, then brushed by in the Lightning Lane to capture her third straight in Wednesday's $22,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Trot at The Meadows.   As they have in all three w
[read more]

Horsemen lending hand to Canadian fire victims
December 13, 2012
When a tragedy takes place in the Standardbred industry, it doesn't take long for the sport's participants to rally and lend a hand to those in need. Racing equipment and cash donations are quickly pouring in to aid those affected by the tragic barn fires in the Goulds, Newfoundland earlier this
[read more]

New Vocations seeks breedings for auction
December 13, 2012
New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program is currently organizing its 15th annual Stallion Auction to be held through OnGait.com Feb 11-15, 2013.   "This is a dangerous time for unwanted horses, and a successful stallion auction is essential to our ability to handle the staggering
[read more]

Following positive, Toscano writes letter to harness community
December 13, 2012
Trainer Linda Toscano told harnessracing.com on Thursday morning that she has received a positive test for the Class 2 drug levamisole with its metabolite pemoline on her horse Forever Just on July 22 at Tioga Downs, and that she has agreed to sanctions of a 10-day suspension and $1,500 fine by
[read more]

Harness Racing Museum's Kim Green dies
December 13, 2012
Kim Emmerich Green, of Warwick, N.Y., died at home on Dec. 12. She was 65.   For 20 years she worked at the Harness Racing Museum in Goshen, N.Y. She loved her co-workers and enjoyed going to work there every day.   Born on Oct. 3, 1947, in Framingham, Mass., she
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HHI honors Palone, McLaughlin, Paradise
December 13, 2012
Dave Palone, Mike McLaughlin and Mike Paradise are being honored by Harness Horsemen International with a trio of prestigious awards for 2012.   Palone has been named the recipient of the Dominic Frinzi Person of the Year Award, while McLaughlin is being honored with the HHI App
[read more]

New Weekend Preview now available!
December 13, 2012
The new HarnessRacing Weekend Preview is now available and contains a letter from trainer Linda Toscano apologizing to the racing industry for a positive test she received on one of her horses in late July, while also explaining the situation and why she has accepted the penalties,  
[read more]

Two meth positives disclosed at Red Mile
December 13, 2012
Gregory A. Hall of the Louisville Courier-Journal reported Thursday that two methamphetamine positives at The Red Mile are being investigated by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. The two horses are trained by the same trainer, who has not been identified. It has also not been disclosed if th
[read more]

Nob Hill High repeats $35,000 Preferred win
December 13, 2012
Nob Hill High made it two-straight $35,000 Preferred pace wins while Mustang Art, second last week, was not denied in the $30,000 Delaware Special  on Thursday, Dec. 13 at Dover Downs. Allan Davis notched five wins. David Miller pulled Nob Hill High to the outside on the backstretch an
[read more]

Gassien Stable covers new ground at Cal Expo
December 13, 2012
Among the new faces at this meet is Dan Gassien, who is invading from Ontario while making his first venture to California. He currently has six horses on the grounds with at least three more set to arrive shortly. "The situation is obviously pretty shaky right now up in Ontario, so I
[read more]

Northern Companion is Fla. Horse of the Month
December 12, 2012
Northern Companion, a rags-to-riches star in 2012, will be honored by the Florida Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association Wednesday as the November Horse of the Month at the Isle Casino & Racing at Pompano Park.   The special presentation will take place in the wi
[read more]

Bowie documentary to air Dec. 20 on ESPNU
December 12, 2012
The 60-minute documentary on former University of Kentucky basketball star Sam Bowie, who has been a longtime owner of Standardbreds and is a regular at The Red Mile, has been scheduled to air on ESPNU at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20. "Going Big” chronicles Bowie's basketball career at Kentuck
[read more]

Dec. 15 deadline for Meadowlands winter series
December 12, 2012
The first stakes series of the year at the Meadowlands close for nominations Dec. 15.    The marquee event for free-for-all pacers, the Presidential, has an estimated final purse of $110,000. The Clyde Hirt Stake for 4-year-old conditioned pacers (n/w of 3 pari-mutuel races
[read more]

Saratoga donated $250,000 to charity in '12
December 12, 2012
More than150 guests attended Saratoga Casino and Raceway's eighth annual Make a Difference event on Tuesday, which presented 26 local charitable organizations with monetary donations totaling $100,000. Those donations contributed to an overall $250,000 provided for community support by the casin
[read more]

Harrington lowers Quillen payment for 2013
December 12, 2012
Harrington Raceway has lowered the amount of its sole nominating payment for the track's signature race, the Bobby Quillen Memorial.   The April 15 payment will now carry a fee of $500, half of its previous total. The race will still carry a $2,500 starting fee, due with declaration i
[read more]

Newly-married Raymers celebrate Dover win
December 12, 2012
Just a few hours after their wedding in Las Vegas, the new Mr. and Mrs. Tyler Raymer celebrated a win Wednesday night at Dover Downs when the $1.2 million-winner Green Day captured the $23,000 Open Trot with a 1:53.3 effort for driver Corey Callahan.   The win was the third straight f
[read more]

Big handle increase in 2012 at Batavia
December 12, 2012
Batavia Downs Casino, America's oldest lighted harness racetrack, concluded its 66th season on Dec. 8 with significant increases in wagering handle over 2011. Export handle rose a staggering 53 percent, while all-sources handle increased by 14 percent. On track, attendance was up .5 percent whil
[read more]

Boots Dunn recovering after leg surgery
December 12, 2012
U.S. Trotting Association director and trainer-driver Walter "Boots” Dunn has been moved to HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Erie, Pa. following a second surgery for a broken leg sustained in a training accident on Dec. 6.   Dunn was unseated while training a yearling at the tr
[read more]

Filion moves past Jamieson in WEG race
December 11, 2012
Driver Jody Jamieson continued to be the leading driver on the WEG circuit for the majority of the calendar year, but with a pair of victories on Monday evening's program at Woodbine, driver Sylvain Filion now sits atop the standings.   The Milton resident found the winner's circle wi
[read more]

Alexachase upsets again at Dover
December 11, 2012
Alexachase pulled her second upset in less than a month to win the $23,000 Mares Open Handicap pace on a rainy Monday at Dover Downs. Meet leader Corey Callahan won four races.   After setting a lifetime-best clocking of 1:51.2 to win a winners-over pace, Alexachase stepping up
[read more]

Bargain-priced filly aims for DSBF glory
December 11, 2012
When Floyd Pratt headed to Frank Chick's Harness Horse Sale in December 2010, he had no intentions of buying a young horse. That was before a filly weanling with an easy-going demeanor caught his eye. Pratt plunked down $250 for the pacer.   On Tuesday night, Lookout Stokk Zone--as t
[read more]

Run And Tell Pap rebounds in Meadows feature
December 11, 2012
Run And Tell Pap, who broke stride last week with victory in sight, had no problem holding the lead Monday at The Meadows when he drew off to a facile win in the $20,000 Preferred Trot.   Run And Tell Pap used his quick speed to grab the early lead in each of his four most recent star
[read more]

Pocono gets ready for 2013 season
December 11, 2012
Opening night for the 2013 harness racing season at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs will be Saturday, March 23, and it will kick off the Northeast PA track's 48th racing season.   Dale Rapson, vice president of racing operations, announced details with regard to entries. "Preference
[read more]

2nd Newfoundland fire in 2 days kills 7 horses
December 11, 2012
Standardbred Canada reported Tuesday morning that a barn fire in the Goulds area of Newfoundland--the second in as many days--killed seven Standardbreds. The fire also killed three goats and destroyed all the equipment in the barn owned by local veterinarian Dr. Kevin Anderson and his wife, Dr.
[read more]

Tioga and employees donate to United Way
December 11, 2012
Tioga Downs is pleased to announce that it has recently made a $20,244 donation to the United Way to assist area organizations this holiday season.   The amount includes donations from Tioga Downs employees that were matched dollar-for-dollar by the company and a personal $5,000 contr
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Monticello's Au Revoir set for Dec. 27
December 11, 2012
Since Monticello Raceway instituted its Au Revoir back in 1991 only five times has the race been presented. Although the raceway had tried to fill it every year since the inaugural the fact remains that there is usually is a shortage of 14 year olds still racing in December of the final year of
[read more]

Sarandon Blue Chip named NJSS Horse of Year
December 11, 2012
Sarandon Blue Chip, winner of the two biggest races for 3-year-old pacing fillies in New Jersey-sired competition this year at Meadowlands Racetrack, has been selected as the New Jersey Sires Stakes Premier Division Horse of the Year for 2012.   The award for NJSS Green Acres Division
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Thankyoukessel, Thankyoukessel, Thankyoukessel
December 11, 2012
There might not be any National Hockey League action these days, but it hasn't stopped one "Kessel" from scoring impressively.   With apologies to fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs, it's not Phil Kessel, the team's points leader of 2011-12 in the limelight. In this instance, the tr
[read more]

Inittowinafortune cashes big in DSBF final
December 11, 2012
An early fall purchase turns into a second $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) 2-Year-Old Filly Pace final win on Tuesday at Dover Downs.   Inittowinafortune captured the lead at the start and driver Tim Tetrick dictated the winning fractions for a 1:55.3 victory
[read more]

Itrustyou wins 15th of year at The Meadows
December 11, 2012
Parked for the first three-eighths, Itrustyou was much the best when he finally made the lead, winning his 15th race of 2012 in Tuesday's $22,500 winners-over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows.   Stuck with post eight, Itrustyou endured an opening panel of :26.4 befo
[read more]

Dejarmbro to stand at Ohio's Hickory Lane Farm
December 11, 2012
Hickory Lane Farm is pleased to announce that it has purchased the millionaire and two-time world champion trotter, Dejarmbro 2, 1:55f; 3, 1:52.2f; ($1,137,285) from the Purple Haze Stables LLC to stand at its farm in Ohio beginning with the 2013 breeding season.   Dejarmbro is a dar
[read more]

Crazed colt captures Swedish stake
December 10, 2012
Crazed scored his most important victory in Europe on Sunday, when the top 2 year olds raced in the two divisions of the Svampen at the Orebro track. It¹s the second year of the new 2-year-old stake, which has a purse of 300,000 SEK ($45,000 US) for each division.   Tum
[read more]

No Pan Intended will stand in Ohio for 2013
December 10, 2012
Peter Pan Stables and the Marvin Raber Farm announce that No Pan Intended will stand the 2013 breeding season in Ohio for a $3,000 fee. The 2003 Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year will join The Panderosa to form a powerful one-two punch for the upcoming year. "Marvin and I felt
[read more]

Upsets in opening round of Valedictory Series
December 09, 2012
Both JJ Shark and Donau were not heavily supported by the betting public on Saturday evening at Woodbine, but both sophomore pacers found the winner's circle in the first round of the $20,000 opening leg of the Valedictory Series.   JJ Shark, sent off at odds of 21-1, captured the fir
[read more]

Shocker in Pompano feature
December 09, 2012
Woodmere Ultimate, making his first pari-mutuel start since being claimed last September, lit up the Pompano Park toteboard by pulling off a stunning 28-1 upset in the $12,000 Open Handicap Pace Saturday night.   The 4-year-old gelded son of Western Success, driven by Dave Ingraham an
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Fitz's Z Tam wins Yonkers Open
December 09, 2012
Pocket-sitting Fitz's Z Tam (Yannick Gingras) whipped pace-setting Casimir Jitterbug (Jason Bartlett) in a two-speed number Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $35,000 Open Handicap Pace.   Leaving from post four as the just-over-even-money favorite, Fitz's Z Tam yielded t
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T Russell Lou closes Lebanon meet with win
December 09, 2012
Longshot T Russell Lou sat on the back of pacesetting Andy's Z Tam, then pulled out with a quarter-mile remaining and paced to victory for driver Jeremy Smith in the Lebanon Raceway feature on Saturday.   The winning was time of 1:58.2 and T Russell Lou paid $31.40 for a $2 win bet. H
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Bolt The Duer wins Cleveland Classic
December 09, 2012
Bolt The Duer, owned by All Star Racing Inc. and trained by Pete Foley, won the $130,000 Cleveland Classic for 3 year-old pacing colts in 1:51 at Northfield Park on Saturday night.   Bolt The Duer briefly led through the first eighth of the mile before releasing Pet Rock (Doug M
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Ready Cash wins easily in Vincennes
December 09, 2012
Ready Cash was ready to cash in the Prix du Bourbonnais Saturday at Vincennes in Paris, France, the second pre-test of four for January's Prix d¹Amerique, which he won easily and earned about $75,000.   Ready Cash, driver Franck Nivard and trainer Thierry Duvaldestin had dec
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$100,000 Pick 5 guarantee at Balmoral
December 09, 2012
Here we go again! Get ready for another giant betting opportunity on Sunday at Balmoral Park. Players will get a $100,000 guaranteed pool, a big carryover, free program pages courtesy of Track Master and a low 15 percent takeout. What more could a player ask for?   If you ar
[read more]

Hot Roddy goes wire to wire in DSBF final
December 09, 2012
Hot Roddy won his sixth race in a row, registering a wire-to-wire 1:55.2 triumph in the $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund 2-Year-Old Colt and Gelding pace final on an overcast, drizzling off track at Dover Downs on Sunday.   Starting from outside post eight and overloo
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Faraldo comments on proposed owner sanctions
December 08, 2012
A news item by Tom LaMarra of Bloodhorse.com entitled "Integrity Push Continues Despite Obstacles," reported on the doings of this past week's University of Arizona Global Symposium on Racing and Gaming.   In the piece, Mr. LaMarra quotes Rick Goodell, assistant general counsel
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Foreclosure N to stand at Sugar Valley Farm
December 08, 2012
Sugar Valley Farm of Delaware, Ohio, in conjunction with Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi & JJK Stables, is pleased to announce that Foreclosure N will be joining the Sugar Valley Farm stallion roster for the 2013 breeding season.   Foreclosure N p,2,1:52.1f; 3,1:49.2f; 4,1:48.4 ($77
[read more]

Manzi wins Freehold Driving Challenge
December 08, 2012
Hall of Famer Cat Manzi captured the first-ever $10,000 Driving Challenge at Freehold Raceway on Saturday. Manzi started things off with back-to-back wins in the first two races of the challenge, followed by a second in the third. For the day, Manzi tallied five wins. Manzi clinched
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Meadowlands hires new marketing director
December 07, 2012
The Meadowlands Racetrack is pleased to announce the hiring of Valerie Harlan as director of marketing for the New Meadowlands Racetrack and Winners Bayonne, effective Dec. 10, 2012.   Valerie has considerable experience in Casino Marketing programs, with a significant amount of that
[read more]

New Jersey bills move forward
December 07, 2012
New Jersey Assemblyman Ron Dancer has sponsored a bill that would allow persons who live in New Jersey the ability to place a wager on a race in the state even though they may be outside the state's borders. The bill received approval on Thursday from the Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming
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Zenker to receive Gallo Scholarship award
December 07, 2012
Martin Scharf will present the seventh annual Gallo Blue Chip Scholarship to Julia Zenker during the Saturday evening, Jan. 12, race card at the Meadowlands. Julia is currently studying at Wagner College on Staten Island, where she is majoring in Philosophy and Spanish, in pursuit of a law
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Santanna Blue Chip to stand in Ohio for 2013
December 07, 2012
Sugar Valley Farm is excited, as all Ohio harness racing should be, with the announcement that Santanna Blue Chip p,2,1:51:3 will be standing in the Buckeye state for the 2013 season. At two, Santanna Blue Chip showed early speed winning in 1:51:3 and banking $927,095, the most of any
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Former racehorse equine ambassador at college
December 07, 2012
When a race horse turns 14, the last possible year they are eligible to race, the horse and owners are recognized in a special post parade. Flapjack Attack, a harness horse named Horse of the Year, Aged Trotter of the Year and Trotter of the Year in 2004, was among those honored Sunday at S
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Boots Dunn breaks leg in training accident
December 07, 2012
U.S. Trotting Association director Walter "Boots” Dunn was unseated by a yearling at his training center in Cochranton, Pa., Thursday morning, Dec. 6, and has badly broken a leg.   Dunn remains hospitalized following surgery on his broken leg Thursday night and will need add
[read more]

Yonkers feature winner is a keeper
December 07, 2012
Yonkers Raceway's pair of moist Friday night, $35,000 co-featured Open Handicaps--for distaff pacers and trotters of all assorted alliances--were won by a sharp Keeper's Destiny (George Brennan, $6.30) and a equally-crisp Mystical Starlight (Mark MacDonald, $5.10).   Finding a seat fi
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Scootie Best Lou is best at Lebanon
December 07, 2012
The 3-year-old filly Scootie Best Lou demonstrated dauntless courage in winning the Friday night featured pace at Lebanon despite racing on the outside for more than five-eighths of the mile.   Driver Kayne Kauffman kept his tiring horse alive in the stretch as Tailor's Filly and Conn
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Longshots rule in Batavia features
December 07, 2012
The longshots were the hot shots in the co-features at Batavia Downs Friday night. Columbia County ($17.80) scored the victory in the $7,400 conditioned trot while Pathtodover ($21.80) came from nowhere and nabbed the $7,400 Fillies and Mare pace.   In the first co-feature, Columbia C
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4,000 wins for Jack Flanigen
December 07, 2012
Reinsman Jack Flanigen became a member of the 4,000 win club when he guided Frank Zambito's, All Got In, to victory in the ninth race on Friday night at Batavia Downs Casino.   The 46-year-old Flanigen started the Friday program with 3,998 wins and moved closer to the milestone w
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Niagara for soph filly pacers gets underway
December 07, 2012
Oceanview Bindi, driven by Keith Oliver, delivered on her 1-5 pari-mutuel promise in a $20,000 opening round division of the Niagara Series on Friday night at Woodbine.   The 3-year-old pacing filly took all the spoils in the first dash with a 1:53.4 career-best performance for traine
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Arrangements set for John Como, 88
December 06, 2012
John Como, owner of Scenic View Acres in Towaco, N.J., died on Wednesday, Dec. 5. He was 88.   Mr. Como and his son have owned horses for many years and their All Star Racing Inc. currently campaigns one of the top 3-year-old pacing colts, the million-dollar earner Bolt The Duer. &
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Big M announces $1 million FFA series in 2013
December 06, 2012
The stakes calendar at The Meadowlands will have a distinctly different look for 2013 with the focus shifting from 2 year olds stakes to events geared for the older horse set.   Gone are the Woodrow Wilson and Sweetheart. The Reynolds and Simpson freshman stakes have been relocated t
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Reduced threshold causes NY positives
December 06, 2012
The New York State Racing and Wagering Board (NYSRWB) over the past few weeks has issued rulings against seven trainers for positives for the Class 2 drug levamisole with its metabolite pemoline, used as a lung wormer in horses. There are also at least two additional positives which have not yet
[read more]

Batavia set to bring curtain down on 2012
December 06, 2012
Just 24 blares of the bugle remain before the curtain comes down on another racing season at Batavia Downs Casino. America's oldest lighted harness racetrack began operation in 1940.   Friday night features Customer Appreciation Night. After the fourth race in the enclosed grandstand,
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Scarborough holding toy drive
December 06, 2012
Scarborough Downs will be donating to children and horses in need this holiday season. Starting this weekend, the track will be collecting toys for the Salvation Army's Toy Shop: customers who bring in a new, unwrapped toy will receive a free race program through December 16th. Drop boxes will b
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Wark Woman wins Autumn final in 1:56
December 06, 2012
Sophomore trotting fillies highlighted the Thursday evening card at Woodbine as the $60,000 Autumn Stakes final took place on the program. Post time favorite Wark Woman scored an impressive victory in stakes record fashion for driver Randy Waples in 1:56.   After winning her eliminati
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New Weekend Preview now available!
December 06, 2012
The new HarnessRacing Weekend Preview is now available, which takes a look at Saturday night's $130,000 Cleveland Classic at Northfield Park, which consists of a high-powered field of six 3-year-old colt pacers going postward.   The Weekend Preview talked to a pair of trainers who sti
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Nob Hill High 1:50.3 winner at Dover
December 06, 2012
Nob Hill High spent the mile on the outside and still prevailed in the $35,000 Preferred/Open Handicap while Nova Artist came three-wide to win the $30,000 DelawareSpecial at Dover Downs on Thursday, Dec. 6.   David Miller raced Nob Hill High on the outside from the start and they&nbs
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Owner back in game with Don't Hurry Love
December 06, 2012
When Don't Hurry Love captured the first leg of the Bob Staats Pacing series last weekend at Cal Expo, it marked a victorious return to racing for owner Ed Acktinson, who was watching his first starter in some 15 years. For good measure, he added a tally with the trotter Chevie Balboa a bit late
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Brett Miller drives 6,000th winner
December 05, 2012
Brett Miller notched career win 6,000 when he piloted They Call Me Moon to victory, although by disqualification, in Tuesday's first race at The Meadows.   They Call Me Moon and Miller finished second but were awarded the milestone victory when the apparent winner, TSM Artist Sta
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Balmoral Park handle to show increase for 2012
December 05, 2012
If the first week of December is any indication, Balmoral Park will cap off a stellar 2012 season with sizable gains in business. Handle for the opening weekend of December was robust. The Saturday, Dec. 1, handle of $1,380,892 was $128,107 higher than 2011, and the Sunday, Dec. 2, program handl
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Milby mania at Rosecroft on Tuesday
December 05, 2012
Leading driver Frank Milby turned in another big night at Rosecroft on Tuesday night. Milby had 11 drives on the 13-race card and had five winners, two seconds and a third. He also had another finish fourth for a huge night.   Milby won the second race with Storm Logan, breaking that
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Art Official to stand at Midland Acres in Ohio
December 05, 2012
Kentuckiana Stallion Management together with Midland Acres is extremely excited to announce that multiple world champion Art Official p,3, 1:47 ($2,082,885), by Art Major-Naughty Shady Lady, by Falcon Seelster, will stand the 2013 breeding season at Midland Acres, located in Bloomingburg, Ohio.
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High-powered field entered in Cleveland Classic
December 05, 2012
Northfield Park director of racing Dave Bianconi told harnessracing.com Wednesday morning that while just six horses will go postward in Saturday night's $140,000 (est.) Cleveland Classic, it's not lacking for quality. The post-position draw will be held later Wednesday and posted when avai
[read more]

120-time winner Tattler's Jet nearing retirement
December 05, 2012
In a few weeks, the career of 14-year-old pacer Tattler's Jet will come to an end. And as the final chapter is written in the life of the fastest horse ever bred in Wisconsin, 71-year-old breeder-owner Dave Carter might have provided the most amusing summation of the tale, which also features 68
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Brooks brigade primed for Woodbine series
December 05, 2012
Uxbridge conditioner Jeffrey Brooks and owner/breeder Prince Lee Acres will be busy this weekend at Woodbine. The pair will send out a trio of starters in the last two stakes engagements of the year.   PL Firstlady will contest the first round of the Niagara Series on Friday and PL Fi
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Field set for $130,000 Cleveland Classic
December 05, 2012
The $130,000 Cleveland Classic, one of Northfield Park's premier races, is set for Saturday night. The final open stakes event on this year's national harness racing calendar, the Classic always draws an impressive slate of equine athletes as well as North America's top drivers. This year i
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Gilmour: "I wanted to go out a winner"
December 05, 2012
After his victory on Nov. 28 with his beloved trotter My Buddy Chimo, John Gilmour announced in the winner's circle that he was retiring from driving.   Unbeknownst to nearly everyone, Gilmour sprung that on the world although he admitted he'll continue training his current five- hor
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Between-race interviews to start at Maywood
December 05, 2012
The Illinois Harness Horseman's Association (IHHA) this Friday will unveil unprecedented between-race interviews that promise to revolutionize the way that fans handicap and understand harness racing in Chicago.   "I hope racing fans tune in to the Maywood Park signal on Friday,” said
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Commander K in charge again at Pompano
December 05, 2012
Commander K, smartly driven by Joe Pavia Jr., was sent to the lead as the gate's wings folded and wired the competition for the second straight week in Pompano Park's $11,500 Open Trot on Wednesday night.   Owned by trainer Luca Derrico, the 5-year-old gelded son of Ken Warkenton carved out
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Gurf wins Wednesday Dover Open Trot
December 05, 2012
Overlooked at 15-1 after winning at Yonkers from post eight last week, Gurf stormed from last to first in the stretch to win the $23,000 Open Handicap Trot at Dover Downs on Wednesday.   With Allan Davis at the controls, Gurf sat seventh when the field began to bunch as Magic Wheel (Brad Ha
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Crazed moving to Hanover in 2013
December 04, 2012
World champion Crazed will move to Hanover Shoe Farms in 2013, it was announced Tuesday. He stood in New York at Blue Chip Farms since he entered stud in 2009, with full books his first two seasons and well over 100 mares bred in each of the past two.   His fee for next year has
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Windsong Ingenius upsets at 31-1 in Autumn
December 04, 2012
An upset-minded Windsong Ingenius stormed home late to lower the stakes record to 1:54.4 while defeating the popular Nowucit Nowudont in the $60,000 Autumn Stakes final on Monday night at Woodbine.   With driver Mike Saftic at the helm, the 3-year-old trotting gelding scored the victo
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Monochromatic wins at Dover off layoff
December 04, 2012
Following a two-month hiatus from racing Monochromatic came back as if she hadn't been away, closing strongly to win the $23,000 Filly and Mare Open/Handicap pace at Dover Downs on Monday. During the last two seasons, Monochromatic has been nearly invincible in the upper ranks at Dover.   A
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Toscano: 2013 Spirit of the Horse Award winner
December 04, 2012
The Rutgers Equine Science Center has named Linda Toscano as the 2013 recipient of the Center's annual "Spirit of the Horse” award.   Toscano will receive the award during the Equine Science Update on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at the Cook Campus Center on the G. H. Cook Campus in Ne
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Amateur Schwartz wins 500th career race
December 04, 2012
Amateur driver Alan Schwartz is having a banner year. Not only did he rein his 57th winner of the season at Monticello Raceway on Monday, but that triumph was Schwartz's 500th of his amateur driving career. Schwartz's milestone victory came behind Space Chalet in 1:58.1.   T
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NY Times story wins 1st Bergstein Award
December 04, 2012
The first annual Stanley Bergstein Writing Award was presented at a special luncheon in Lexington, KY, on Tuesday (Dec. 4). Sponsored by Barry Irwin's Team Valor International, the award went to writers Walt Bogdanich, Joe Drape and Rebecca Ruiz for their New York Times story about the role of v
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Woodbine Entertainment wins Top Choice Award
December 04, 2012
For the fourth consecutive year, Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) is proud to accept the Top Choice Award as the Entertainment Complex of the Year for Woodbine Racetrack. WEG also received, for the second straight year, the Top Choice Award in the Sports Bar (Vaughan) category for its WEGZ Sta
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Meadowlands hires Director of Sponsorship
December 04, 2012
New Meadowlands Racetrack (NMR) is proud to announce the appointment of Jason Hall as the Director of Sponsorship Sales. Hall will also oversee sponsorship sales at Winners Bayonne OTW and continue to serve as Director of Sponsorships Sales at Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs in New York, sister pro
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Intowinafortune posts 6th win in last 8 starts
December 04, 2012
Intowinafortune, Grace Of An Angel and 29-1 shot Lookkout Stoke Zone came through with preliminary victories on Tuesday night (Dec. 4) to set the stage for next Tuesdays $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) Two-Year-Old Filly Pace Final at Dover Downs.   Meet-leadi
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Somebeachsomewhere's book full & closed
December 03, 2012
Hanover Shoe Farms president Jim Simpson has announceds that the 2013 book for Somebeachsomewhere is officially full and closed.   Simpson noted, "We expected an incredible response based on the success of Beach's first crop to the races and the way his yearlings sold at the fall
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NJ horsemen to donate to benefit Sandy's victims
December 03, 2012
New Jersey's standardbred horsemen are donating their share of the revenue on Saturday, Dec. 15, at Freehold Raceway to benefit the victims of Hurricane Sandy. The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties will receive the proceeds from Freehold's "Racing toward Recovery Day.”   "We wil
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Magic Lindy a pleasant surprise for trainer
December 03, 2012
When Magic Lindy first entered the Johnathan McKinnon stable, the young conditioner wasn't sure what would be expected of the trotting miss. Magic Lindy, a sophomore daughter of Kadabra, was purchased for a mere $4,500 by McKinnon along with close friend and driver, James MacDonald, at the Summe
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Fox Valley Smarty takes Meadows Preferred
December 03, 2012
Fox Valley Smarty shot the Lightning Lane — and got a break when the leader jumped it off late — as he captured Monday's $22,500 Preferred Trot at The Meadows.   Fox Valley Smarty was gaining inside when Run And Tell Pap made a brief break on top. That was all Fox Valley Smarty and To
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Harness racing secretaries meet in Florida
December 03, 2012
The North American Harness Racing Secretaries held their annual meetings in Deerfield Beach, Fla., from Nov. 30-Dec. 2. President Connie Hochstetler opened the meetings each morning and very successful stakes scheduling sessions followed. She was also re-elected president of the organi
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Hypnotic Blue Chip wins Saturday night Open at Yonkers
December 02, 2012
Hypnotic Blue Chip (Brian Sears), he of the $1.7 million career bankroll, rolled from second-over Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $35,000 Open Pace. Leaving from post position No. 5--in his first local appearance since a leg of the 2010 George  Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Ser
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Heston wins Matron over Thinking Out Loud
December 02, 2012
Heston Blue Chip continued to show that he is at the top of his game, overwhelming an all-star group of 3-year-olds in the track record time of 1:48 to win the final Matron event of the season, worth $163,663. In addition, three $20,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) second
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P L Fighter pulls off a shocker in Autumn final
December 02, 2012
P L Fighter, driven by Chris Christoforou, got up in the final strides to upset heavily-favoured Autumn Gottem in the $60,000 Autumn Stakes final on Saturday night at Woodbine. The three-year-old pacing gelding drew into the final off the also eligible list when St Lads Zoom Zoom was scratc
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Northern Campanion runs streak to three
December 02, 2012
Most astute observers had written Northern Companion off when he trailed by nearly seven lengths at the halfway point of Saturday night's $11,500 Open Handicap Pace at Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park.  Driver Rob Hoffman wasn't one of them, though, urging his favorite horse past one rival a
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All Heart Gal wins Meadows $22,500 F&M Pace
December 01, 2012
All Heart Gal proved that her win last week in softer company was no fluke as she reeled off a front-end victory at a juicy 12-1 in Friday’s $22,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Pace at The Meadows. A top earner at 2 and 3, All Heart Gal slumped thereafter and lost her first 25 races
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Kilowatts Fantasy shines in Lebanon win
December 01, 2012
Favored Kilowatts Fantasy took the Friday night featured pace at Lebanon Raceway for driver Jack Dailey in 1:58.1, holding off Connie’s Marti. Pacesetting Keene Supreme finished third in the field of nine. At the start, driver Mark Winters, Sr. shot Keene Supreme to the front from post posi
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Nowucit Nowudont continues to shine for Henriksen
December 01, 2012
When Nowucit Nowudont entered the Per Henriksen barn earlier this year, it was nothing new for O’Brien Award winning conditioner. Nowucit Nowudont, a son of Kadabra, earned $18,500 as a rookie with a 1:57.1 speed badge, but coming into this season the gelding wasn’t perf
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Canada's Davis Jr. triumphant in European debut
December 01, 2012
While representing Canada, Billy Davis Jr., a regular driver on the Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) circuit, won the 2012 Prix des Rencontres Internationales du Trotteur Français on Saturday at the Hippodrome de Paris-Vincennes. The 26-year-old Guelph resident was
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Matron Stakes come to an end Sunday at Dover
December 01, 2012
The final Matron Stakes of the year features last week’s elimination winners Thinking Out Loud and Hillbilly Hanover and a pair of millionaire pacers, Heston Blue Chip and Bolt The Duer leading a field of eight racing for a $176,663 purse and possible recognition as 2012 Dan Patch Three-Yea
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