Two familiar faces around the close knit Maine harness racing circuit got back into the winners circle on Saturday (April 18) at Cumberland Raceway, giving fans and the horse’s individual connections something t0 cheer about.
Bailey gets slam including feature on opening night at Vernon
Driver Leon Baily had four wins on the opening night card including the $8,500 featured fillies & mares’ open pace with Huntressville A at Vernon Downs on Saturday (April 18).
‘Oakwood’ topples foes at Big M
Oakwood Ardan IR was in the right spot to provide a dominant performance Saturday (April 18) night at The Meadowlands in the featured $22,500 high-end conditioned pace, and the 2025 William Haughton winner (in a lifetime-best 1:47.3) delivered in a big way in his second start of the year, crushing seven overmatched opponents in 1:50.4.
Weiss glamour division up for grabs after last prelim
Next Saturday (April 25), Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania hosts the $50,000 final of the Bobby Weiss Series for 3-year-old pacing males, and after this Saturday’s (April 18) final preliminary round, conducted in three $17,500 divisions, you’d be hard pressed not to give a decent chance to several different horses.
Belmont Royale N scorches Saratoga
After runner-up efforts in his first three starts at Saratoga Casino Hotel, Belmont Royale N sustained a first-over attack to take Saturday’s (April 18) $16,500 Open Pace in 1:51.4, the fastest mile of the meet to date.
Idao de Tillard shatters Prix de l’Atlantique record
On Saturday afternoon (April 18), Idao de Tillard won the Prix de l’Atlantique at Enghien Racecourse, setting a new race record in his first win since the 2025 Prix d’Amérique.
Brett Beckwith update
Meadowlands executive and USTA director Jason Settlemoir has offered the following update on driver Brett Beckwith’s recovery on his Facebook page.
Lyons Surfing makes it five in a row
Lyons Surfing ($7.54) won his fifth consecutive race by taking Buffalo Raceway’s $15,500 Open Pace on Saturday afternoon (April 18). He beat I Aint No Mack by a length in 1:55.2 over a good track.
Nominations soar for Oak Grove Derby, Oaks
Oak Grove Racing & Gaming has announced an impressive turnout for the inaugural $500,000 Oak Grove Trotting Derby and $300,000 Oak Grove Trotting Oaks. Based on preliminary numbers following the March and April nomination payment cycles, it is anticipated that a total of 101 elite trotters will remain eligible for these prestigious new events.
Bam Bam wins back-to-back at Hoosier
Bam Bam, driven by Atlee Bender for trainer Erv Miller, continued to impress by winning for the second time in just three career outings, taking the $20,000 final of the Jerry Landess Pacing Series on Friday (April 17) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.