Despite drawing the outermost post position, Classicist and driver Chris Page cruised to a second straight triumph, winning Thursday’s (Jan. 5) $30,000 Mares Open at Miami Valley in 1:53.
Year: 2023
Ron Ruggles, 82, dies
Ron Ruggles, one of harness racing’s most dedicated and loyal owners, died Jan. 4. He was 82.
Merriman, Kreiser secure 2022 titles at Northfield
Aaron Merriman locked up his sixth straight dash title at MGM Northfield Park in 2022, winning 569 races in 2,281 starts over the Flying Turns, while Cory Kreiser locked up the training title with 247 victories, 36 more than 2021 leading trainer Sam Schillaci (211).
Bill Still named Delaware Valley USHWA Caretaker of the Year
William “Bill” Still has been named the Delaware Valley Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association’s Caretaker of the Year for 2022.
Awards Night/personnel changes announced at The Raceway
Horse people at The Raceway will have a chance to celebrate the track’s top performers of 2022 with the return of its annual awards night on Saturday (Feb. 25). The event will take place this year at the Top Of The Fair dining room, featuring an awards ceremony, dinner and dancing to follow.
Pandy’s Meadowlands selections for Jan. 6
Handicapper Bob Pandolfo offers his selections for the full card at The Meadowlands on Friday night (Jan. 6).
Betting bonanza awaits Big M faithful
Given the fact that The Meadowlands has been carding 13 races a night for a majority of the last year or so, it’s a pretty good bet that what will transpire this weekend (Jan. 6-7) has never happened before as the mile oval will present 14 races this Friday and Saturday (post time, 6:20 p.m.), and each of those 28 dashes will feature full 10-horse fields if there are no scratches.
Open Pace highlights Cal Expo card
Dancin Lance, who has two Open wins at the meet, and Major Attribute, who denied him a third in the most recent clash at the head of the class, square off in Friday night’s (Jan. 6) $7,500 Open Pace at Cal Expo.
Jim Slendorn is ‘all in’ since returning to harness racing
Jim Slendorn went 30 years between winning races as a driver, but ever since then, the victories have been coming with increased frequency. The 58-year-old Slendorn, a regular in the GSY Series for amateurs, has added 20 triumphs since he captured a conditioned event at Freehold Raceway in January 2021, his first win since 1991 at the same track.
William Height Sr., 88, dies
William “Bill” Stickle Height Sr., 88, of Howell, N.J., died Dec. 30, 2022, at the FountainView Care Center in Lakewood, N.J.