Driver George Napolitano Jr. became only the eighth North American driver to record 12,000 victories in his sulky career by guiding Pencils Down to victory in the second race at Harrah’s Philadelphia Sunday afternoon (Dec. 24).
Year: 2023
Santa and series finals highlight closing day at Cumberland
The final day of Cumberland’s Winter Festival extended pari-mutuel meet included an appearance by Santa Claus in the first race, along with a thrilling dead heat in the $10,000 Holly Late Closer Final on Christmas Eve Sunday (Dec. 24).
Boxing Day matinee at Mohawk includes Hi-5 mandatory payout
Woodbine Mohawk Park is set to host its annual Boxing Day matinee card Tuesday (Dec. 26), featuring a mandatory payout on the Jackpot Hi-5.
Progressive Claiming Series finals, big pools await Tuesday program at MGM Northfield Park
When racing resumes on Tuesday (Dec. 26), there is a lot for bettors to be excited for, with several features including a pair of $18,000 Open events, four Progressive Claiming Series finals, and a pair of $25,000 estimated pools at MGM Northfield Park.
Muscles For Life wins GLADA at Northfield
Muscles For Life (Muscle Mass) proved for the 48th time he still has the “muscles for winning” as the 10-year-old won the Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association’s Saturday night special (Dec. 23) at MGM Northfield Park.
Favorites go down in Progressive Claiming Series finals at MGM Northfield Park
The Progressive Claiming Series is always a popular hit with horsemen, but on Saturday (Dec. 23) it was popular with racing fans, producing some of the best races of the night at MGM Northfield Park.
Treacherous Penny all heart in $18,000 Filly and Mare Distaff at MGM Northfield Park
Treacherous Penny returned to her winning ways on Saturday (Dec. 23) with a gutsy victory in the $18,000 co-featured Filly and Mare Distaff at MGM Northfield Park.
Ahle sweeps co-features; Pick-8 hit at Big M
For someone who won only three races during 2021, things have certainly taken a remarkably meteoric rise for driver Johnathan Ahle. The 26-year-old pilot, who still raced in amateur events as recently as 16 months ago, steered the winners of both co-featured $27,500 high-end conditioned events for pacers at The Meadowlands Saturday night (Dec. 23), scoring with Queen Of Success in the fillies and mares dash before hitting victory lane with the red-hot Soaring Now in the event for males.
Beltrami bags closing AHDC preliminary
Tony Beltrami took his competition pillar to post in the lone $9,000 dash for the American Harness Drivers Club Trot at Freehold Raceway on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 23).
Ahle wins five at Freehold
Christmas came early this year for Johnathan Ahle and the owners and trainers whom he drove for on Saturday (Dec. 23) at Freehold Raceway. He won five of his 10 drives on the card.