Clifford Keene passed away on Sept. 16, 2026.
Author: from The Daily News Batavia, NY
Alan wins easily again in Batavia Downs trot
The 10-year-old trotting gelding Alan has seemingly found the fountain of youth since entering the Megan Wilson Stable in September as he has since run off the screen in two successive outings at Batavia Downs, the latest being on Thursday (Oct. 8) night when he won the $8,000 conditioned trot with ease.
Dayton FM Open Pace to Foxy Hill
Foxy Hill and Luke Hanners survived and early three-wide tussle and later cruised to a 2-1/2 length score in the $30,000 Filly/Mare Open Handicap Pace Thursday evening (Oct. 8) at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.
Strong numbers posted at 2026 Winner’s Circle Speed Sale
Good To Great attracted the highest bid ever in the history of the Winner’s Circle Speed Sale when Mark Gibbs paid $41,000 for her on Thursday (Oct. 8) at Michigan State University.
Memorynimagination scores 13th win of year at Plainridge Park
To say Memorynimagination is having a career year would be an understatement, and the 5-year-old gelding kept adding to his accolades after winning the $25,000 Open trot at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Oct. 8).
Ahle wins six at Philly, five for Svanstedt barn
The driver sitting number six in the dash standings at Harrah’s Philadelphia has not changed his name to Johnathan Åhle – yet. But the 29-year-old from New Jersey did drive five winners from the barn of newly-elected Hall of Famer Åke Svanstedt as Philly reopened after a week dark, also adding another catch-drive victory to give him six successes on the day.
Holy lunges to International Stallion Stakes victory
Holy secured back-to-back Grand Circuit victories at The Red Mile after she thrusted to the top in the closing strides to snag the $163,000 Grade 3 International Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies, sponsored by The Cuddy Farms, on Thursday (Oct. 8).
Whateverittakes As, Special Day storm to International Stallion Stakes wins
Odds-on favorite Whateverittakes As and 5-1 shot Special Day both vaulted off speedy early fractions and past expended rivals late to win in their respective $135,500 divisions of the Grade 3 International Stallion Stakes for 2-year-old trotting males on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 8) at The Red Mile.
U.S. harness racing wagering increases for second consecutive quarter vs. 2025
During the third quarter, from July 1 through Sept. 30, total wagering across the United States increased by 3.38%, following the second quarter when handle was up by 2.38% compared to last year in 2025. This year, $374,280,401 was wagered during the third quarter compared to $362,053,597 a year ago. That increase was despite decreases in race days and the number of pari-mutuel races compared to the third quarter of last year.
Birr Castle headlines Friday International Stallion Stakes
Finishing no worse than second in all seven of her starts with already a half-million dollars banked, Grade 1 Jim Doherty Memorial winner Birr Castle looks to return to the winner’s circle when she starts as the odds-on favorite in the first of two $139,000 International Stallion Stakes divisions for 2-year-old trotting fillies—sponsored by Midland Acres—on Friday (Oct. 9) at The Red Mile.