Five years on, Sam McKee’s death seems like yesterday. 15. That is still pretty much the case. 19) $125,000 Prix de Bretagne at Vincennes in Paris. Righteous Resolve goes from a controversial placing to Hambletonian Oaks elimination favorite. “Obviously we would like to have a better post position, but first and foremost, we’ve got to make the final. Tim Tetrick and Yannick Gingras both won their very first races in 1998. Download the free PDF and enjoy the best of harness racing. I worked there for six months with Pete Foley. The Harrisburg yearlings grossed $44,366,000 to crush the previous record of $42,784,000 set in 2007 when 1,048 horses sold. He was 14 when he made his first trip to the. in the Amateur World Cup. Highlighted by the $600,000 Meadowlands Pace, nine of the 14 races on the card boast six-figure purses. Make no mistake about it, Christina Takter is an integral component of her husband’s success, one might even say his domination in world-wide. It’s our home sale, and it’s something we look forward to every year. Dave Landry Atlanta will retire from racing after racing in the TVG Mare Trot on Saturday at The Meadowlands. Fox Valley Gemini, the 8-year-old gelding pacer who is the only horse to. Swan For All led all Indiana trotting sires for the sixth consecutive season and was tabbed as ISS Trotting Sire of the Year. Harness Racing Update, Millwood, New York. “When. The microphone was mine and I. 19) and several top trotters chase a spot in the big race in January. Keep in mind, we purposely left the interpretation for each category up to the contributors. After 70 years of operation as a racetrack, the venue would not be reopening to play host to another season of live harness racing. Benoit Robin’s Hussard du Landret (Bird Parker) qualified for the 2023 Prix d’Amérique (PdA) when he was second to Hooker Berry in last year’s Prix du Bourbonnais in December. December 31, 2019, handle hit a new peak: $795,590. Last March, Lawson spoke out about racing being excluded from the newly-legalized terrain of Canadian sports betting. All day, you listen to the drone of the auctioneer’s voice until suddenly, some of us go into an auction fever, and our $15,000 limit melts away like a snow cone dropped on a hot sidewalk. Djuse was the answer to the question regarding what horse would get the pink ticket to the Elitloppet that went with. by Brett Sturman. View Posts →. David Dunkley. by Bob Heyden. Tell us the Noel Daley story. “It certainly meant a lot to be recognized,” Jacob said. Right up there with those luminaries would undoubtedly be the Pittsburgh-area owner Tom Pollack along with his trainers Jeff Cullipher and Randy Bendis. At Keeneland, the well regarded 2-year-old Fauci, owned by Lindy Farm and David Reid and trained by Wesley Ward, romped in a maiden race on. 1 million TAB Eureka, on Saturday (Sept. Harness Racing Update Harness Racing Update | Page 13 | October 7, 2023 LEXINGTON 2023 SELECTED YEARLING SALE 2023 SELECTED YEARLINGS SALE - TOP SOLD (TOP 20) - CUMULATIVE Hip Yearling Name Buyer Price Sex, Color, Sire-Dam Consignor 48 KADENA MARCUS MELANDER, AGENT, New Egypt, NJ, USA. “It happened with the quietest horse in my stable, the horse you. USTA, Member Services, Racing, News and Horsemen. There’s quite a bit to grumble about in harness racing, and many of us wish the status quo did not have its boot so firmly placed on this sports’ neck. Our replays expire 60 days from publication date. “With the addition of dual eligibility and the wonderful programs Kentucky offers, we have seen an increase in the number of horses being staked,” Freibert said. ”. Harness Racing Update is proud to present the second edition of The HRU Awards. 28) features the 3-year-old and older divisions and just like on Friday, there is the expectation for a series of hotly-contested matchups. 7 million in 1998 to $113. Asher-Stalbaum announced his arrival on the racing scene with an impressive rookie driving season in 2021. My picks for 14 yearlings to consider that are selling on Day 2 of the Standardbred Horse Sales Company auction. Few seem enthused about upsetting the harness-racing applecart. Al Franken comes to mind. H2W horses through the. And trainer Sabine Kaghebrant’s new star didn’t disappoint anyone when she played with the opponents. It is a task that would have been difficult under normal circumstances, but became much tougher following the post draw. Although many racehorses compete at age 2, our horses make most of their earnings during their 3-year-old season. Several champion horses were trained and driven by Amy’s maternal grandfather, Dick Farrington. Hamilton: Jess Tubbs and Greg Sugars are all in on harness racing. Offering 160 days spanning late March through early December, the Anderson, IN track is conducting its 30th season of harness racing. Although Dark Moves was the 6-1 fifth choice on the. Fashion Schooner is a homebred for Hall Of Famer Jules Siegel, much like Bella Bellini. by Steve Wolf. 19-Dec. Editor’s note: Harness Racing Update has joined the leading horse racing industry publications that are covering the Dr. Even that planning can go awry as mares can easily carry 3 to 4 weeks over due date. 60). It’s all part of trying to maximize his own investment. The honor is awarded to a youth between the ages of 13 and 19 who has actively participated in harness racing during 2022 as a driver, trainer, groom, breeder, race office/publicity assistant, track maintenance crew, or has provided outstanding service to harness. Find the latest entries and results for U. Amateurs aiding aftercare, plus double the Ottens this weekend at The Meadowlands. 29 at Mohawk. • Pennsylvania man charged with arson in Tioga Downs barn fire. “This year we hit a new record with 3,000 racehorses. The first preparatory B-race before the Prix d’Amérique 2024, the $125,000 Prix de Bretagne, is scheduled at Vincennes racetrack on Sunday (Nov. “They’re between 50 and 54 inches tall and they go half a mile. Ten years after Nancy Takter started training horses, in the 10th Hambletonian in front of the new Meadowlands grandstand, driver Scott Zeron orchestrated a dream trip from the 10 hole that delivered Tactical Approach to victory in the 98th edition of America’s Classic Trotting Race. Last year’s Breeders Crown runner-up returned last week to win against older at The Meadowlands with a :25. by Adam Hamilton. To get a better idea of the situation, Harness Racing Update reached out to HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus with a list of questions regarding HISA’s relationship with the harness racing. With a background in professional sports (hockey and. 2, 2022, the 2-year-old gelding closed. “That didn’t work out,” he said with a laugh. Virtual sports could turn into slot machines on steroids. Fox Valley Gemini, the 8-year-old gelding pacer who is the only horse to win a. No Control sold for just $9,000 as a yearling at the 2021 Harrisburg sale and has made just five lifetime starts, all at Mohawk for Jones and Micallef. 3s personal best that remains the 5-year-old pacer’s lifetime mark. “They’re between 50 and 54 inches tall and they go half a mile. 3. 11. In February of 2020, Adam Bowden, the owner of Diamond Creek Racing, hired a racing manager to, among many other important things, communicate. Swanya sold for $25,000 at the 2021 Hoosier Classic Sale, purchased by Essig’s mother, Jackie Beeman. Download The MOST Recent EDITION OF Harness Racing Update. 19) afternoon. Saturday night (Sept. Owner Adam Bowden borrowed an idea from the thoroughbreds and ran with it. Hanover Shoe Farms is the perennial leading breeder in the sport, topping the list in winners, wins and purses. Currently, she works at the Guelph Skin Clinic. “But I would say… that’s everybody’s attitude in our business; The show must go on, and we’re not going to sit around here. 19) afternoon. He overcame several life-changing obstacles, including overcoming pancreatic cancer. Meadowlands’ TV talent Dave Brower and Dave Little read comments from Insideharness. Historically, October has not been a typical month for The Big M to race. Our goal is to be the standardbred industry’s. May days: Cam Fella remembered. In a dozen lifetime starts, Righteous Resolve (3, 1:53s; $528,203) had tasted defeat just twice: Her Ontario Sires Stakes Gold debut last July 3 at Georgian. Sold for $100,000. DiLeo would go on to have a tip sheet, called “Harness Insider,” that he sold at the track. The coding problem allowed for wagers to be sent at the base rate, rather than the total cost of the ticket. I’d suggest the four amateur races a week should be raced in races 1 through 4 on. • Diamond Creek looks to continue their banner year with success in the ring at Harrisburg. 80 WINNER. ca is comprised of 60 2-year-olds, 27 3-year-olds and 30 older horses. If one were to ask Luc Blais for a one-word description of his love and association with harness racing, that word would be passion. “We very rarely breed a mare three years in a row to the same stallion,” Meirs said. “In 1989, I landed in sunny California. 19), and finals across two nights next weekend, in all there will be a total of five racing nights contesting Breeders Crown races as the event. by onGait. Pari-mutuel betting didn’t begin there until 1994, but today harness racing at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing and Casino and thoroughbred racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis are thriving. 27), Woodbine Mohawk Park revealed the names of the seven slot buyers for the 2023 Mohawk Million. All American brings to Harrisburg a 29-yearling consignment that is evenly balanced between pacers (16) and trotters (13). ”. Blanchard grew up on Prince. Rick Moore was on hand when Hoosier Park first opened Sep. This year’s Prix d’Amerique winner, Hooker Berry, who basically already has his spot in 2024 Prix d’Amérique because of. Already a member of the Hall of. , with Crawford buying back in. A video featuring trainer Sarah Svanstedt speaking to. The $1 million (all money in CDN $) Grand Circuit event for 2-year-old trotters features a unique format where owners, trainers, and breeders can purchase $100,000 slots for unspecified horses by a Feb. Harness racing is like the Democrats: they eat their own. This comes just a few months after they lost their daughter Melissa in February about a year younger than her older sister at 32. The $1 million (all money in CDN $) Grand Circuit event for 2-year-old trotters features a unique format where owners, trainers, and breeders can purchase $100,000 slots for unspecified horses by a Feb. At the races, Rebuff redeemed himself, if he even needed redemption, by winning the Kentucky Futurity. In the fall of 2021 trainer Gino Toscano asked Desiree if she wanted to go to South Florida to winter train. Home, Online Services, Pathway, Race Programs, Stallion Showcase, Hoof Beats, Harnessphere, Shop and Contact. Of the 37 free-for-all pacers nominated to the stakes series, 32 of them will be in action in the opening leg. The 30-year-old native of Sweden has been around and working with horses all of his life. Minus multiple outs, a group of 77 babies passed through the ring, grossing $538,300 and averaging $6,991. In December 2006, a lawyer called to request a meeting. Cannibal, trained by Nancy Takter, will look to end his career on a winning note when he meets seven rivals in Wednesday’s (Nov. Club now boast facilities more than comparable to any other provincial club and enjoys above state average performance in terms of racing entries and patron attendance. Download The MOST Recent EDITION OF Harness Racing Update. “That didn’t work out,” he said with a laugh. Ted Wing. Tall Dark Stranger—Great Memories—Apaches Fame. “I’ve lived in the city my whole life and I never knew that harness. The legendary race caller — and so much more — would have turned 60 this month. by Victoria Howard. S. 3 — Coming off the rail just out of the far turn to let horses go up the inside. Download The MOST Recent EDITION OF Harness Racing Update. “The worst part was I wasn’t. The harness world was recently shocked to hear of a training accident involving long-time Woodbine Mohawk Park announcer Ken Middleton, Jr. 2 million on his card, T C I is now the sport’s richest 2-year-old trotter. Owned by Kyle Larner of Michigan and Brian Hochman of Illinois, the gelded son of Revenge Shark out of Give Up The Ghost is managed while out East by conditioner Rob Harmon. When most anybody involved in harness racing thinks of Ronnie Pierce, one would naturally think of one of the greatest drivers to ever sit behind a horse. Cross began his career in. REVISITING THE $409. With the formality of last week’s Breeders Crown elimination races complete, the real racing began last night (Oct. Six days later at the Red Mile, he joined John Campbell and David Miller as the only drivers to earn more than $250 million lifetime. Jessica Otten, marketing coordinator and TV host for The Meadowlands and Fox Sports, is excited for the opportunity to once again share the sport that she loves so much with a mostly thoroughbred-centric audience. With $3. He was second-over from fourth early and cleared after the half en route to his Canadian, Breeders Crown,. Download The MOST Recent EDITION OF Harness Racing Update. They’re like little standardbreds. In Today’s HRU (2023-11-17) • Keith: Full-card live streaming from Woodbine Mohawk Park launches on YouTube. In fact, over the last 15 years (not including the COVID-19 year of 2020), other than when they hosted the Breeders Crown in 2016 and 2021. S. 4, 2006 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, the hammer fell on hip number 268 at exactly $40,000. 2). 17) eight $400,000 Kentucky Sire Stake Championship Series finals, perhaps the question that should be asked isn’t how many of those races will be won by favorites but will favorites sweep every race?Harness Racing UpdateOn the possible closure of Vernon Downs — and it is still not a definite – Gural said he is simply trying to make the operation financially viable. That and much, much more in this week’s edition of harness racing’s most popular advice column. He owned horses, he bred them, he bought them, he sold them. When the dust settled, driver Kyle Wilfong and the 4-year-old had earned the. Editor’s note: Harness Racing Update has joined the leading horse racing industry publications that are covering the Dr. “We raced for more money in the ’70s and ’80s [when there were four Chicago-area harness tracks] than we’ll be racing for at Hawthorne this fall and today it takes about three times as much to take care of a horse. Having drawn post 9 while rivals Bythemissal and Tattoo Artist have drawn posts 3 and 4 respectively, it truly has put. “It was an aged pacing class,” she said. Springfield is 173 miles from Hawthorne and DuQuoin is 276. It is made up of 57 trotters and 43 pacers. 60 Minutes is doing a story this Sunday (Nov. Harrah’s Philadelphia hosted a pair of $12,000 co-feature harness racing paces Sunday (Nov. “I decided in late summer of last year that I would come to Florida to help my dad break his yearlings and train back the 2-year-olds turning 3. Download The MOST Recent EDITION OF Harness Racing Update. Online Entry: With the USTA’s new, online entry program, harness racing becomes the first of the racing breeds in North America to have the capability to enter horses electronically. A race that debuted with a purse under $1,500 that reached over $845,000 — The Canadian Pacing Derby, which debuted in 1936. Harrah’s Philadelphia hosted a pair of $12,000 co-feature harness racing paces Sunday (Nov. That card was ultimately cancelled due to the. “Sold for $68,000. With a 14-hour time difference and nearly 10,000 miles between the states of New Jersey and New South Wales, the TAB Eureka. The Meadows’ cross-breed Pick-4 is a creative concept. Search by track, horse, driver or trainer, and view speed and class ratings, claims and trainer changes, and race replay links. New Image Media Locatelli (James MacDonald) winning the $72,000 New Holland Series Trotting final last Saturday at Woodbine Mohawk Park in 1:56. Generally speaking, that horse is racing for more money, but it costs a whole lot more to keep it in action. by Thomas Hedlund. District Court in New York, where prison sentences have. “The orange paint was not cracking back then,” I said. She is shown (from left) with: Bonnie Grant, Brad Grant, caretaker Margaret Gillon, Mickey Burke, Jr. Marie-Claude Auger was in the sulky that night, taking part in a special race for female drivers. by Adam Hamilton. “Place needs an overhaul,” Bahouth said, “but like me, it ain’t getting one. The TwinSpires Harness Blog Weekly Update covers our successes and failures from selected features and the H2W (horses-to-watch list). S. Ponda Jet flying high thanks to maturity, equipment changes. They teamed up with Betterzippit to win the inaugural $1. “Both of them have given me a lot of thrills and. Harness Racing Update is a daily information source serving the standardbred racing industry. Asher-Stalbaum announced his arrival on the racing scene with an impressive rookie driving season in 2021. Ted Wing. Download The MOST Recent EDITION OF Harness Racing Update Coming off the greatest Lexington sale in history, what will the 2023 auction have in store? Last year, the auction — which begins Monday at Fasig-Tipton — set new high-water marks for gross, average, median and number of $100,000 yearlings sold. 12) on our industry, along with the thoroughbred industry. The sport was, too. Even if you have a really good horse, you never give up on achieving more. That’s incorrect. She finished third in her first four starts, including a trio of bronze-medal performances with Trump Train, a 7-year-old bay son of Wind Me Up. 9 million in purses. Data source: United Tote. . 2 days ago · We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Allard is among the bigger names caught up in the scandal and is currently serving a 27-month prison sentence after he previously plead guilty to one. by Debbie Little. The countdown to the 2021 Pepsi North America Cup is on, with Trot Magazine profiling the horses predicted to be the top contenders for Canadian. Prominent harness racing trainer and thoroughbred owner Nick Surick was sentenced Thursday (Jan. Alagna’s mom, Donna Lee, had been struggling In Illinois’ faltering harness racing industry until she decided to make a break and join her son’s team. H2W horses through. Gruesome Twosome followed the win with a runner-up effort in the third leg, held Aug. 3 stakes-record victory in his racing career denouement at The Meadowlands in the $345,000 TVG open pace. and Earl Hill, Jr. S. Full details about HRU Twos in Training broadcasts for the 2023 season. Lexington’s rich history will be on display in week 2 at the historic Red Mile. more by Debbie Little. It is known for bringing the “Twin B” prefix to the North American harness racing industry and is now operated by Rob and Tammy McNiven’s daughter Jenna McNiven. com on the air throughout the night on Saturday and the track even created a two-leg Inside Harness series with a $25,000 final on Saturday, July 2. 1 time trial. Harrah’s Philly hosts co-feature paces. Rollins, a bachelor, had recently passed away in the hinterlands of West Virginia. As an employee of Churchill Downs,. So the 69-year-old Ontarian was perhaps the most surprised to find himself getting emotional watching his rock star stud Bulldog Hanover stop the teletimer in 1:45. S. Grimson has been a revelation in the Down Under training ranks, especially over the past two years, winning the past two Inter Dominions and a string of other major races. 2023 Harrisburg Sale Wrap-Up. Alagna’s mom, Donna Lee, had been struggling In Illinois’ faltering harness racing industry until she decided to make a break and join her son’s team. In 2024, Hawthorne will race on Sunday and Monday from Jan. John Simpson, Sr. So, he filled me in on O’Brien arriving at Del Mar — Del Mar harness, wow — in ‘47 and driving for Castleton Farms’ Pacific outpost he wins the $50,000 Golden West Pace with Indian Land. 1a. Beginning Friday (July 14), Hollywood Casino at The Meadows will offer a multi-leg Pick-4 wager that combines legs from its track along with its sister thoroughbred track, Hollywood Casino. Currently, it is the 11th highest earnings season by a driver. Despite almost 40 years in the sulky, Chris Alford — the most successful driver in Down Under history — is still hungry to scale new heights. Hip #13 Twin B Courageous — My Number $125,000. “He said, ‘Don’t worry. Yes, harness racing can initially seem complicated, so let me simplify as much as possible. by Melissa Keith. 4, people will be spottin’ Otten a lot more. “It was not looking good. One regular Woodbine Mohawk Park (WMP) handicapper had a not-so-regular night at the office on Monday (June 26). Heading into Sunday’s (Sept. That’s what makes horse racing and the horses so special. And the 38-year-old Hill, a seven-time champion South Australian driver, was “rebuilt” again earlier this week. Twos in Training: Shawn Steacy video debuting today. Bloodshot eyes in the Garden State will be watching the world’s richest harness race, the $2. Download The MOST Recent EDITION OF Harness Racing Update. Sold for $25,000 to Nancy Takter. “I grew up here as a kid in Elmira, ON, which is about 15 minutes from Grand River’s racetrack,” Rozema said. 2) at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Borth won the first race of the star-studded card in a 5-1 upset with Emmetts. Previously, Smith has conditioned an Indiana Fair Circuit champion and trained a pair of trotters that each finished third in end-of-season Indiana Sires Stakes finals. Download The MOST Recent EDITION OF Harness Racing Update. 2. U. Morgan, whose streak started in 1996, was named to the Ohio Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2021 and has over 7,200 career wins. Read the latest edition of Harness Racing Update, the publication that covers the sport with passion and insight. All Rights ReservedTHE PREMIERE STOP FOR HARNESS RACING CONTENDERS . In 1995 and 1996, he was Harness Tracks of America’s Driver of the Year. There was never any doubt that Lucas Wallin’s was destined to become a horseman. He was certainly known, but not necessarily by that betting public. Trained by Jay Cross, the pacer. 3027. John Rallis, 27, of Toronto, has been making waves at Woodbine Mohawk Park since being hired as their new paddock interviewer and on-air handicapper a couple of months ago. Amy Cruise Husted was born in Oneida, NY, to a renowned harness racing family. ENTRIES AND RESULTS. Our sport is humbling and teaches lessons along the way. by Murray Brown. RACE 11, $1,000,000 PEPSI NORTH AMERICA CUP FINAL. The four rules that Haskell will be focused on, broken down to their most basic points, are: 1 — Courtesy Tucks. 11,965 likes · 227 talking about this. Download The MOST Recent EDITION OF Harness Racing Update London Classic Yearling Sale grosses record $7. Lucas Wallin. Ground News is unable to assign a bias rating and does not. The Armitage Farm team, which includes former harness racing trainer Larry Rathbone as the racing manager and a former thoroughbred farm manager in Dale Holly, acquired 10 more mares through the session, ranging from $50,000 with Hip #1006 to $275,000 with Hip #1069. Walner Payton was an overlay in her Oaks elimination win last week and would be justified in taking further support now. After him comes Ohioan Dancin Yankee (56 per cent), Minnesota’s Karpathian Kid (55 per cent), and. Brandywine played host to the second-annual Lady Drivers Championship, circa 1972, with five ladies from year one and three newcomers. 31 thoroughbred meeting. ”. Tonight (Oct. In retrospect, one could argue that the suspensions were premature and unjust. The horses range anywhere from claimers of the cheapest variety to world champions such as the Hambletonian winner Atlanta. Download The MOST Recent EDITION OF Harness Racing Update. 12 and Saturday, Sunday and Monday from Oct. Lisa Giannelli sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison for role in horse doping scandal. “It does. Last time Harness Racing Update checked in with Dan Daley, Democratic Representative for District 97, it was a little too soon to disclose much about future House Bill 1269, “a bill to be entitled ‘An act relating to pari-mutuel wagering. “I really do have a story. P L Robert G ($5. This after we lost Sam on March 8, 2017. Middleton is now in the hospital for the third time since going down on June 29. Petersson has taken care of a lot of top horses over the years. Whenever one of his horses hits the finish line first, the trainer’s smile lasts nearly as long as the time it took to run the race. However, the new. I don’t remember any pause in the racing or anything. Club now boast facilities more than comparable to any other provincial club and enjoys above state average performance in terms of racing entries and patron attendance. She didn’t have to think long about her answer. ”. by Ron Gurfein. Most horsemen knew Sam “Chip” Noble III, a member of the Ohio Harness Racing Hall of Fame who learned the sport from his father, and then Chip. Download The MOST Recent EDITION OF Harness Racing Update. Instead, Crossroads Holdings was transforming. Making a case for every yearling that steps onto the stage is easy for us. The Art Major—Danielles All Aces mare was sold to Crystal Springs Farm of Millerburg, OH for just $7,000. S. Tidbits: What a fabulous week for racing — both thoroughbred and standardized. People will tell you takeout doesn’t matter in lotteries, because some survey somewhere asked players if it did and they said it didn’t matter. Slot holders Aaron Bain Racing & Summit Bloodstock had locked-in the South Australian-owned Cobber, but just days after doing so, he went amiss. 5 million with 4,180 wins — entered The Meadowlands paddock in New Jersey for the first time. “I have cared for many, many horses,” she said. In 68 starts, he went 15-13-9 accompanied by $47,821. IHHA executive director Tony Somone projects that casino gambling at Hawthorne would add as much as $12 million to the harness purse account at Hawthorne that currently is about $7 million. The next week — the same week Rene was arrested — Blaise MM Hanover was entered to race on March 14 at Yonkers with Rene listed as trainer. The trotting classic was the latest edition of Harness Racing Update, a news site that covers the sport of harness racing in the US and Canada. 4h. Through horses like Betterzippit and now Swayzee, Boots has become a key part of the growing Grimson success story. 06%. Russell Rash. David Miller drove for Ivan Sugg and the Peter Pan Stable. ”. Download The MOST Recent EDITION OF Harness Racing Update. Karl (Yannick Gingras) won the Breeders Crown final for 2-year-old trotting colts on Friday at Harrah’s Hoosier Park with a 1:51. The concept gave fans the opportunity to become first-time owners. USTA, Member Services, Racing, News and Horsemen. It’s only happened 99 times in harness history, accomplished by 72 distinct horses. That’s a wrap. Courtesy OHHA. 1. 10), Heather Vitale covered the final session of the Standardbred Horse Sales Company’s (SHSC) five-day auction in Harrisburg, PA. 19) and several top trotters chase a spot in the big race in January. Perhaps a hitch in the throat could be blamed on a late-night snack. by Debbie Little. However, there is an opt-in provision whereby state racing commissions can have additional. “I knew, economically, it was a mistake because we were six. “He is retiring to stud at Diamond Creek,” LeBlanc said. Horses are continuing to prepare for the main event in Illinois harness racing, Hawthorne’s Night of Champions for Illinois-breds on Oct. Race one, the first GSY race, saw $339,460 pushed through the windows, while GSY’s second dash (race five) brought in $299,860. Each strike told a story, of races and dreams, Of galloping hooves and triumphant screams. “The only reason I opened Vernon was because the horsemen begged me when it was closed and in bankruptcy,” Gural wrote. I asked that question of Amy Hollar who has been a track representative for the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association for the last 32 years. Our goal is to be the standardbred. He won his first Mohawk preferred handicap this year on Feb.