The countdown to the winter’s major European harness racing event, the Prix d’Amérique, is in full swing. The first eight horses have qualified for the race, and on Sunday afternoon (Dec. 22) at Hippodrome de Vincennes, two more horses can secure their spots.
Month: December 2024
Hawthorne features have indeed been ‘Open’
In past years, it was common to see horses that began to tower above others in Hawthorne’s Open Pace trigger the race office to take steps to make the top overnight event more competitive.
Cash Crazy Express leads Campbell hat trick at Cumberland
On the final weekend of the Cumberland Raceway meet, Drew Campbell continued his reign of terror with three wins on Friday (Dec. 20), including the $5,500 feature with Cash Crazy Express, with whom Campbell made every call a winning one.
Big M Pick-6 returns $70k
A big carryover led to big play which led to a big payout in the 20-cent Pick-6 Friday night (Dec. 20) at the Meadowlands.
Yonkers’ 2024 meet concludes
Live racing for 2024 at MGM Yonkers Raceway came to a conclusion on Friday night (Dec. 20), with Jason Bartlett and Per Engblom once again leading driver and trainer, respectively.
Benjamin Hanover scores in Philadelphia feature
The 4-year-old Sebastian K S gelding Benjamin Hanover, who earlier this season trotted the Harrah’s Philadelphia oval in 1:51.2 for a divisional track record, didn’t quite go that fast in winning the $15,000 fast-class handicap feature at the riverside oval on a Friday (Dec. 20) that saw snow fall through the last third of the card, but his 1:54 mile was very impressive in its own right.
Karl will not stand at stud in 2025
Diamond Creek Farm is reporting on their Facebook page that Karl will not stand at stud in 2025.
2024 O’Brien Award finalists announced
Standardbred Canada is pleased to announce the finalists for the 36th O’Brien Awards, honoring Canada’s best in harness racing over the past season.
Boxing Day Jackpot Hi-5 mandatory payout at Woodbine Mohawk Park
Woodbine Mohawk Park will offer a mandatory payout for the Jackpot Hi-5 this Thursday (Dec. 26).
Virginia horse owner Adam Ainspan’s pair of $500k stakes
When retired Virginia small animal veterinarian Adam Ainspan purchased his first racehorse 22 years ago, he most likely had a dream, as any new owner would, to someday win a stakes race say, with a $500,000 purse.