Author: from Bally's Dover Downs Publicity

Sprocket “ The Rocket” soared to victory in the Blue Hen/ Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover on Thursday (Jan. 25) night over an off racing surface.

The track was fast for the Monday afternoon (Jan. 22) card at Batavia Downs, and so was the pace at which money flowed through the windows from all outlets as the track handled $509,180, setting a new all-time one-day betting record on live racing at the track and marked the first time ever that the Downs handled in excess of one-half million dollars while under the ownership of Western Regional Off Track Betting.

The Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame has an outstanding list of stallions for the 2024 breeding auction. The complete list of 2024 stallions, conditions and bidding form have been posted at www.harnessmuseum.com under the Fundraising tab. The list will be updated as additional breeding’s are donated.

Batavia Downs opened their 2024 winter meet last Thursday (Jan. 4) and celebrated with a new all-source handle record of $390,922. Now only four days later on Monday (Jan.8), the second session of racing for this early season has again recorded a new high after $421,221 was wagered on the afternoon card. The increase is the latest jump in this upward handle trend at The Downs that began last winter and has continued ever since.

The Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association has awarded Tim Harless the Association’s Dick Brandt Sr. Extra Effort Award for 2023.

With just two MADC races to start out the 2024 year, both winners came from off the pace to reign victorious Friday evening (Jan. 5).