Stablemates Fear Danie and Tr’sshining Star, both trained by Heather France, battled to the wire before Fear Danie emerged victorious by the slimmest of margins in a lifetime best 1:51.1 in Thursday’s (Oct. 29) $30,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.
Liberty Bell Stakes make 2026 bow
The Liberty Bell Stakes series, designed to give talented Pennsylvania-sired horses a final seasonal chance at a nice payday, began on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 29) at Harrah’s Philadelphia. There was an event for 2-year-old males on both gaits, and both freshmen winners, in addition to the winner of the top handicap trot for overnight horses, continued recent strings of successes on Thursday.
Jessica Okusko scores 1,000th training win
When Manador won the $165,000 Massachusetts Breeders Stakes for 3-year-old male pacers at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Oct. 29), Jessica Okusko registered the 1,000th training win of her career.
Gingras wins five Mass. Breeders Stakes finals
The $1.32 million finals of the Massachusetts Breeders Stakes were held at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Oct. 29) with eight divisions going postward for $165,000 each and Yannick Gingras stealing the show by winning five of them.
Fred’s Dream Girl wins Norhtfield GLADA trot
Fred’s Dream Girl, skillfully and confidently guided by Bill Rhoades, captured Northfield Park’s Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA) trotting feature on Wednesday (Oct. 28).
Swiss Lights looks to shine in Monument Circle
Swiss Lights has been lights out this season at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, where the Indiana Sire Stakes champion will go for his third win in a row Friday when he competes in the Grade 2 Monument Circle for 3-year-old male pacers.
Communicators Hall of Fame publicist John Manzi passes
Communicators Hall of Fame publicist John Manzi, known for his longtime association with Monticello Raceway and promotional events, passed away Wednesday (Oct. 28) at the age of 82, his family announced.
Shenandoah Downs “Horse of the Meet” Award won by locally-based first time horse owner
Shenandoah Downs will dole out end-of-season awards Sunday (Oct. 31) for leading driver, leading trainer and Horse of the Meet when the 11th annual fall harness racing campaign comes to a close, and while the first two awards won’t be decided until weekend action ensues, the final one has actually been determined already — and it comes with a storyline that can’t be beat.
USTA & National Racing Compact at The Black Book Sale
USTA Member Services will be set up at The Black Book Sale, presented by the Standardbred Horse Sales Company, at the Pennsylvania State Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pa., from Monday, Nov. 2, through Friday, Nov. 6. The National Racing Compact (NRC) will share the USTA booth space Tuesday afternoon through Thursday morning, Nov. 3-5.
Carryovers, Kindergarten and Breeders’ Cup are Big M treat
There will be no need for horse players to knock on doors this weekend to get tricks and treats, all they need to do is head to The Meadowlands, where three carryovers will be available Friday (Oct. 30) to satisfy the sweet tooth of any punter before the Kindergarten Series for 2-year-olds, a tasty treat with purses totaling $500,000, takes center stage on Halloween Night, Saturday (Oct. 31).