Author: from USTA Communications Department

On Monday (Jan. 23), Batavia Downs began a four-week Pop-Up Racing Series for Western New York-based Trackmaster pacers and trotters with preliminary leg classes going for between $6,000 and $9,000 each (depending on class). Monday saw 10 series races go postward and these events provided some very competitive racing.

A pair of Indiana’s fastest 3-year-olds of the 20

A pair of $13,000 Open I Handicaps — one on the pace and one on the trot — topped a solid and bettable card at Batavia Downs on Monday afternoon (Jan. 16) and those races produced another stout handle as a result.

Winneress lived up to his name Saturday (Jan. 14) at Freehold as he claimed his first victory of the year in the American Harness Drivers Club trot. Piloted by his owner Anthony Verruso, the duo took advantage of an early speed duel to help overcome his outside post.

The Mercer County Harness Horsemen’s Association will be presented the 2022 Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association Dick Brandt Sr. Extra Effort Award at the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday (Jan. 14), at the Hilton Columbus-Polaris in Columbus, Ohio.

Former Batavia Downs driving regular Larry Stalbaum has only been racing at the Downs as a part-time ship-in in recent years as his base of operations has moved away from western New York. But after spending more time in Genesee County this past year, Stalbaum was a force to be reckoned with on opening day (Jan. 9) of the first winter meet in over 20 years as he trained and drove five winners on the 13-race card that produced the highest betting handle since 2019.

If not for a break in the first turn of her first race, Rose Run Yolanda might have had the perfect freshman campaign. The daughter of Triumphant Caviar rallied to finish second then won the rest of her races on the way to winning the Ohio Triple Crown and being named the 2-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year.