The May 2026 issue of Hoof Beats is the monthly magazine’s annual Top Picks edition, featuring the editorial staff’s projections as to who will emerge as the best 3-year-old pacers and trotters as the season unfolds.
Month: May 2026
Hoof Beats: Owning the Opportunity
Every so often, something happens outside of harness racing that quietly tells us more about ourselves than it does about the decision itself. It doesn’t come with a press release about the future of horse racing, and it isn’t framed as some referendum in front of the public on racing — but if we’re paying attention, it becomes one of the clearest signals we get.
Hoof Beats: Aloha!
Hawaii is the last place anyone would expect to find harness racing. However, at one time, under the heated glow of a volcanic sun, the rhythmic thunder of hooves cut through the island’s quiet, with horses chasing glory on a dirt oval not far from Waikiki waves.
But Why answers again in Saratoga Open Trot
But Why is showing that his award-winning 2025 campaign at Saratoga Casino Hotel was no fluke.
MSOA announces 2026 Scholarship Program
The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA) is proud to announce that applications are now open for its 2026 Scholarship Program, offering more than $69,000 in financial support to deserving students as they pursue their next level of education.
Fayette County (OH) matinee May 17
The Fayette County Harness Horseman’s Association will hold its annual matinee on Sunday, May 17, with a noon post time at the Fayette County Fairgrounds.
NJ Assembly Speaker Coughlin visits Offshore Farm
New Jersey State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin last week visited Julie and Andy Miller’s Offshore Farm, where he met with members of the Standardbred community to hear concerns regarding a proposed adjustment to the state’s annual appropriation for horse racing purses in the fiscal year 2027 budget.
Fields set for Oak Grove Trotting Derby, Oaks; Handle record smashed
Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel hosted a jam-packed day of harness racing stakes on Monday (May 4) that saw a pair of track records established in the eliminations for the Oak Grove Trotting Oaks and Oak Grove Trotting Derby as well as a day of betting that annihilated the previous handle record for the Southwest Kentucky track.
Sweet Hayley Jane A, Memorynimagination score at Plainridge
Co-featured Opens highlighted the racing program at Plainridge Park on Monday (May 4) afternoon and both winners turned in impressive performances with different paths to victory.
Raspalia N shines again in Pocono feature
A mere head away from being unbeaten in nine starts since coming Stateside earlier this year, the Johny Rock mare Raspalia N continues to give evidence that she could be a factor at the very top level with a 1:51.1 victory in the $17,500 featured distaff pace Monday (May 4) at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.