MGM Yonkers Raceway will be hosting a special qualifying session on Thursday (Feb. 5) this week. The entry box closes on Wednesday (Feb. 4) at 3 p.m. (EST).
Month: February 2026
Carmine Abbatiello Celebration of Life on Feb. 7
Eric Abbatiello announced Sunday night (Feb. 1) on Facebook that a Celebration of Life for his father, Carmine Abbatiello, will be held from 1-4 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 7) at the American Hotel in Freehold, N.J.
Tioga and Vernon racing applications due March 15
Tioga and Vernon Downs’ stall applications for the 2026 harness racing season are now available for download on the horsemen’s pages at www.tiogadowns.com and www.vernondowns.com.
Meadows Monday Memo
Here is this week’s Meadows Monday Memo.
CSOA, MSBA hand out 2025 honors
Last Saturday night, owners, trainers, drivers and other invited guests from both sides of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge braved the sub-freezing temperatures to make the trip to the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club in Stevensville, Md., for the annual combined Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association and Maryland Standardbred Breeders Association 2025 Horse of the Year Awards Banquet.
Frisco Bay N springs upset at Saratoga Casino Hotel
Frisco Bay N (Downbytheseaside) sprung a big-time upset in the season’s first Open at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Sunday (Feb. 1) afternoon.
I Did It Myway takes Miami Valley Open
I Did It Myway had his way with the field, going wire to wire to win the $36,000 Miami Valley Open pace on Sunday evening (Feb. 1)
$30,407 Pick-5 carryover Sunday night at MGM Northfield Park
For the second consecutive card there were no winning tickets in the Pick-5. Without a winning combination on Saturday (Jan. 31), a tremendous sized carryover of $30,407 is rolled over to the Sunday (Feb. 1) wager.
Lady Rita outgames stablemate for third straight Northfield Filly Feature
Lady Rita and Aaron Merriman didn’t complicate things on Saturday evening (Jan. 31). The mare fired to the front before they were off the straightaway heading into turn one. After taking control immediately she led the field single file for nearly 5/8ths of a mile. The sustained pressure for the remaining 3/8ths of a mile came from her stablemate Jumpingjoy N (Chris Lems). Jumpingjoy N and Lady Rita battled side by side for the final strides but ultimately ‘Rita’ dug in to win her third consecutive Filly and Mare Open Pace.
2025 O’Brien Awards Winners Announced by Standardbred Canada
Standardbred Canada announced the winners of the 2025 O’Brien Awards, honouring Canada’s best in harness racing over the past season, at the Black-Tie Gala on Saturday (Jan. 31) at the J-AAR Expo Centre at Western Fair District in London.