Here is this week’s Meadows Monday Memo.
Breakfast on the Backside kicks off Grand Circuit meet at Red Mile
The Red Mile will officially kick off its 2026 Grand Circuit meet Tuesday (Sept. 29) with the return of Breakfast on the Backside, sponsored by Hunterton Farm, beginning at 7 a.m. on the track’s viewing deck.
Dryden Hanover splashes to victory at Cumberland Fair opener
Harness racing at the 154th annual Cumberland Fair kicked off on Sunday (Sept. 27) with Jimmy Nickerson’s Dryden Hanover overcoming the muddy conditions to win the $7,050 featured conditioned trot.
Northfield draw schedule advisory
Please note the following changes to the normal draw and racing schedules at Northfield Park this week.
Leslie Joyce repeats as leading driver in Spring Haven Farm Ladies Driving Series
Leslie Joyce captured her second consecutive Spring Haven Farm Ladies Driving Series driving championship.
Cindy’s Faith scores Pop-Up final at Saratoga
Cindy’s Faith recorded the biggest win of her season on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 27) at Saratoga Casino Hotel when the Kirsten Proctor-trained mare scored in the $21,250 Pop-Up Final. Aaron Byron got the driving assignment behind the 4-year-old mare, who is on her way to earning six-figures in a 2026 campaign that has seen her climb the class ranks all the way up to the local Fillies and Mares Open.
Lou’s Starr sets all-time Shenandoah Downs pacing mark
Dan Chansky’s Lou’s Starr triggered his second track record of the week — at two different ovals — when he wired the field in a $10,000 conditioned pace Saturday (Sept. 26) at Shenandoah Downs in 1:51.1, the fastest mile ever recorded at the Woodstock half-miler. The 4-year-old Sweet Lou horse shattered the previous best — which he authored last fall — by three-fifths of a second. The winner, who recorded quarter fractions of :27, :55.4 and 1:23.1, is trained by Scott Warnick and was driven by Corey Braden.
Wrong Sounds Right, Climatic Hanover secure spots in Oak Grove Trotting Derby and Oaks elims
Two more standout 2-year-old trotters have punched their tickets to the eliminations for the 2027 Oak Grove Trotting Derby and Oaks following major Grand Circuit victories over the weekend.
Keim, Verruso victorious in Pocono AHDC Trots
Cote Keim and Anthony Verruso put together winning steers over a track rated “sloppy” to snag the pair of $10,000 American Harness Drivers Club (AHDC) Trots at Pocono Downs on Saturday (Sept. 26) as part of an abbreviated weekend for the club with Sunday’s slated races at Harrah’s Philadelphia cancelled due to weather.
Sunday races cancelled at Eldon, Iowa
Please be advised that the races scheduled for Sunday at Eldon, Iowa (Sept. 27) have been cancelled due to rain and poor track conditions.