Track conditions, which bordered on excellent throughout the meet, combined with what many have described as the finest card of harness racing ever to be programmed at the Topsham Fair, conspired to deliver both enthusiastically appreciated action and blazing new track records in the fair’s closing session on Saturday (Aug. 15).
Author: by Mike Sweeney, for the Topsham ME Fair
Dandy Ideal matches stakes record in Dan Patch at Hoosier
A day removed from being named the home of The Hambletonian beginning in 2027, Harrah’s Hoosier Park played host to the $300,000 Dan Patch Stakes presented by Indiana Standardbred Breed Development where Dandy Ideal and driver Tyler Buter survived torrid opening fractions en route to a dominant 1:47.2 score for trainer Hunter Oakes.
Yonkers $6,483 carryover, $15,000 guaranteed pool in Saturday’s early Pick-4
The early Pick-4 sequence was not hit on Friday (Aug. 14) at MGM Yonkers Raceway, triggering a $6,483.59 carryover and a $15,000 guaranteed pool in the wager on Saturday afternoon (Aug. 15).
Warren wins seven including the feature at Tioga
Driver Ridge Warren had a night to remember when he took seven horses to the winner’s circle including Selina’s Choice in the featured $12,000 fillies & mares’ Summer Pop Up Series Final at Tioga Downs on Friday (Aug. 14).
Savage Cindy sets track record in NYSS race at Vernon
Savage Cindy (Leon Bailey) captured the $121,800 leg of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for sophomore pacing fillies at Vernon Downs on Friday (Aug. 14).
Starstruck Dreamer 1:48.4 World Record for 2YOs at Philly
Starstruck Dreamer, a 2-year-old pacing colt by Hall of Famer Captaintreacherous out of double O’Brien award winner Scarlett Hanover, became the fastest freshman on a five-eighth mile track in the sport’s history with he won the single $129,892 division of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Friday afternoon (Aug. 14) in 1:48.4.
Daim Brodda brings high speed to MGM Yonkers International Trot
The field continues to swell for the Grade 1 MGM Yonkers International Trot as the connections of Daim Brodda have accepted an invite to make her the fifth participant in the $1 million event scheduled for Sept. 12 at MGM Yonkers Raceway.
Pandy’s Meadowlands selections for Saturday, Aug. 15
Handicapper Bob Pandolfo offers his selections for the full card at the Meadowlands on Saturday (Aug. 15).
Rau Ru wins sixth consecutive as Switzer wins four at the Topsham Fair
Jetson’s dog, Astro, may have coined the phrase “Rau Ru”, and Scooby Doo certainly made it his trademark, but there was no doubt as to who was the top-dog at the Topsham Fair on Thursday (August 13) as Rau Ru claimed his sixth consecutive win for owner/trainer Zach Vickerson.
Kleinhans wins NAADA Trot, club hosts Italians for Driving Challenge
Peter Kleinhans pushed uncovered with Big Limo through the first half and held his ground in the closing strides to win the lone $13,100 division of the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) Trot at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night (Aug. 13).