Trainer John Butenschoen told harnessracing.com Tuesday morning that he plans on filing an appeal to the New Jersey Racing Commission (NJRC) regarding the order of finish in the $1 million Hambletonian on Aug. 5 at the Meadowlands.

Two inquiries were immediately launched by the Meadowlands track judges after the horses crossed the wire in the Hambletonian final, and while they disqualified the winner What The Hill for interference in the stretch, they did not find any reason to take action regarding an incident in the first turn that led to second-choice International Moni making a break.

The first-turn incident involved the Scott... more...

Seviyorum wrapped up a berth in the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes championship with a crisp victory in Tuesday’s $162,615 final preliminary leg at The Meadows.

The event for freshman filly trotters, known as the Delmonica Hanover, was contested over three divisions, with Strawberry Hanover and Hey Blondie taking the other splits. Andy Miller and trainer Julie Miller teamed for a PASS double with Seviyorum and Strawberry Hanover. The PASS championships for 2-year-olds are set for Monday, Sept. 4 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

Seviyorum was third down the backside when Miller sent her after the leader, Southwind Angelica. The daughter... more...

A group of 16 older pacers will compete in this Saturday’s Canadian Pacing Derby eliminations at Mohawk Racetrack in search of a spot in the $615,000 final on Sept. 2.

First raced in 1936, the Canadian Pacing Derby is the oldest stakes race in Canadian harness racing. An annual showcase of the finest pacers in the sport, this year’s group of entrants is arguably the most competitive in recent memory.

The 16 older pacers have been divided evenly into a pair of $40,000... more...

Harry Von Knoblauch was in his early 40s when he bought his first horse and embarked on a career in harness racing. A decade later, the self-taught horseman was a top trainer on the Chicago circuit, leading a stable that became known for its New Zealand-bred imports. His success with Down Under stock continued the rest of his life, most recently as the owner of stakes-winning New Zealand-bred horses Bit Of A Legend and Mossdale Conner and Aussie import Mackenzie.

Mr. Von Knoblauch passed away Aug. 9 in Tucson, Ariz., at the age of 90.

"His favorite thing to do was watch his horses and talk about his horses," said Von Knoblauch's... more...

Once again shamelessly plagiarizing a term from our Thoroughbred brethren, "Win and You're In."

Yonkers Raceway has announced that the winner of the 63nd Yonkers Trot shall automatically receive a Yonkers International Trot invitation.

The $500,000 Yonkers Trot goes Saturday night, Sept. 2, with eliminations this Saturday, while the million-dollar, 1-1/4 mile Yonkers International Trot is set for Saturday afternoon,... more...

In conjunction with the Southern Tier Harness Horsemen's Association (STHHA), Tioga Downs is announcing that the live racing program scheduled for Monday, Aug. 28, will be cancelled due to a lack of available horses to race.

Both Tioga Downs management and the official horsemen's group at Tioga Downs, the STHHA, believe that the decision is in the best interest of the track, horsemen, and the wagering public.

Live racing will continue as scheduled on Aug. 25-27 with the Sunday, Aug. 27, program highlighted by a trio of $200,000 (est.) stakes races for older horses. (Tioga Downs) more...

Sometime shortly after July 12, either Andy or Julie Miller must have said that they were going to the tack shop to get a set of trotting hobbles. Andy's brother, Erv, must have said, "Hey, get me a set, too."

Team Orange Crush must have liked what their action accomplished, so sometime shortly after July 20, they got two more sets.

An online search showed that trotting hobbles may average out in the $250 range. So their $750 investment helped Andy and July Miller win $25,000 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono Monday night. It would have been $30,000, except Erv... more...