Deirdre “Dee” Hotton, age 62, passed away suddenly on January 6, 2026, in Wooster.
Author: from USTA Communications
Boston Bound batters foes in Big M feature
Boston Bound appeared to be in an ambitious spot in the Saturday (Jan. 10) night feature at The Meadowlands, a $25,000 TrackMaster 90 on the pace, but after being claimed out of his last outing for $35,000, the Chris Height trainee proved up to the challenge of the bump up in class to record a sizzling 1:50.1 score on a damp, chilly evening over a sloppy track at The Big M.
Saturday Training Cancelled at Woodbine Mohawk Park
Woodbine Mohawk Park has cancelled training for Saturday morning (Jan. 10) due to forecasted weather and to allow time for the track to be prepared for the evening’s race card.
Miami Valley cancels Tuesday racing
With the track continuing its rapid & unexpected January thaw, racing has been canceled for Tuesday (Jan. 6). Miami Valley hopes to return to racing on Wednesday (Jan 7). Tomorrow’s draw (for Sunday) will be done remotely, please enter online. Thursday’s (Jan. 8) driver changes will be done on thier normal schedule, which is 12:30-2 p.m., on Tuesday.
Luke Hanners to receive the renamed Hunter Myers Memorial Award from the Ohio Chapter of the USHWA
The Ohio Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association recently voted to rename its Peter Haughton Memorial Award to the Hunter Myers Memorial Award.
Miami Valley to delay Sunday’s post
Miami Valley will delay Sunday’s (Jan. 4) post time from 4:00 p.m., to 6:00 p.m., to try and avoid any possible track thawing issues that may arise. Please add two hours to your Lasix and paddock times.
Merriman, Kreiser run away with 2025 honors at MGM Northfield Park
Let’s be honest—the driving title was decided on Day One. Just as it has been for the past nine years. Aaron Merriman seized control immediately, and history took care of the rest. Everything that followed didn’t change the outcome; it merely delayed the announcement.
Illinois Racing Board Temporarily Shuts Down Hawthorne Harness Meet, OTB Network
The Illinois Racing Board has ordered financially strapped Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney, Ill., to cease live horse racing and off-track betting operations – at least temporarily. The order, made late Friday afternoon, came after Standardbred horsemen at the current harness meet were issued a second round of checks with non-sufficient funds to cover purses and, according to communications within the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association board of directors, Hawthorne failed to secure required bonds for 2026
Aardie B Miki N dominant in Big M feature
Despite drawing post 10, Aardie B Miki N flaunted her back class in the Friday (Jan. 2) night feature at The Meadowlands, crushing her foes as the 1-5 favorite in the $17,500 high-end conditioned pace for fillies and mares.
Bright Bet & Barley A Lie Capture Dayton Co-Features
Bright Bet and Barley A Lie beat the strong winds and frigid temperatures to take the $18,000 co-featured condition claiming paces on Monday (Dec. 29) night at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.