The Empire State Harness Horsemen’s Alliance (ESHHA) today applauds Governor Kathy Hochul for signing into law A9234B/S9183, a critically important piece of legislation that clarifies Sire Stakes eligibility and secures the future of New York State’s Standardbred breeding industry. By ensuring that all foals sired by stallions registered standing in New York are eligible for the New York Sire Stakes Program regardless of conception location, this law removes previous implementation hurdles and provides a stable foundation for the industry’s continued growth.
Author: from Jeff Denman for Empire State Harness Horsemen 's Alliance
July 22 IRB meeting cancelled
The July 22nd IRB meeting has been cancelled due to a lack of agenda items. The next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
Open winners pay premium prices at Plainridge Park
Live longshots who won a trio of top class races at Plainridge Park on Monday (July 13) sent chalk bettors home dismayed as savvy speculators cashed in handsomely.
Dame Frances Rips Track Record in Oak Grove KYSS Final
In just the second start of her career, Erv Miller trainee Dame Frances fired first up on the rim to the last turn and kicked by pacesetter Banana Beach to win the $80,000 Kentucky Sire Stakes (KYSS) final for 2-year-old pacing fillies under wraps in a track-record 1:50.4 mile on Monday (July 13) at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel.
Ocean Downs adjust post times with heat wave pending
Berlin, MD – With the heat wave due to settle over the East Coast in the next few days, Ocean Downs would like to remind all horsemen participating in qualifiers and racing…
Hambo Champ Nordic Catcher S sharp in 2026 bow
Nordic Catcher S did not look like a horse who was coming off a 345-day layoff, as the 2025 Hambletonian winner, who had not raced since that million dollar day, was ready for the $27,500 featured fast-class handicap trot at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Monday (July 13) afternoon, winning in 1:51. The time was only two-fifths of a second off the 13-year-old divisional track and world record of Uncle Peter.
Meadows Monday Memo
Here is this week’s Meadows Monday Memo:
Captang springs 23-1 upset in Hickory Pride Stakes at The Meadows
Washington, PA – Two divisions of the Hickory Pride Stakes, each carrying purses in excess of $55,000, along with four Stallion Series divisions for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters, brightened an overcast…
Switzer Jr. snags six at Cumberland Saturday
Driver Kevin Switzer Jr. won nearly half the races on the 13-race card at Cumberland Raceway on Saturday (July 11), including the co-features.
2-year-old trotters in Sires Stakes action at Scioto Downs
It was a night of firsts, with seven $50,000 divisions of 2-year-old trotters going to post in Ohio Sires Stakes action at Eldorado Scioto Downs on Saturday (July 11). Five of the winners won their first lifetime start, with Chris Page piloting the fastest winners for each gender – the filly, Envious Queen, who stopped the timer in 1:55.4 and Iluvmymoni, the fastest colt, who won in 1:56.3.