After more than a decade living with kidney disease, Jim Urtel, a longtime member of New York’s harness racing community, has received a successful kidney transplant, marking a major milestone in a journey defined by patience, discipline, and resilience.
Author: from Kidneys for Communities
Woodbine Mohawk Park entry box remains open for Monday
Woodbine Mohawk Park’s Race Office would like to inform all trainers that the draw for this Monday’s (Feb. 2) card of live racing has been carried over to tomorrow (Thursday, Jan. 29).
$7,500 guaranteed Pick-5 pool at Batavia Downs Thursday
After no one hit the Pick-5 wager at Batavia Downs on Tuesday (Jan. 27) afternoon, there is a $2,201 carryover pool for that wager in the first race on Thursday (Jan. 29) and the management of Batavia Downs has announced that the pool will be guaranteed at $7,500 through the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering program.
Bally’s Dover cancels Wednesday races, Thursday qualifiers
The Wednesday (Jan. 28) harness racing program at Bally’s Dover has been canceled due to continued effects of last weekend’s winter storm.
Family Valentine’s Day Craft Event
Bring the kids to the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, located at 240 Main Street, Goshen, NY on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. for a fun-filled Valentine’s Day celebration.
Jan. 30 deadline approaches for USTA broadcast and promotions funding requests
Columbus, OH — The deadline for member racetracks, horsemen’s associations and industry organizations to apply for broadcast and promotions funding that will be made available in the Association’s 2026 budget is Friday,…
Monticello cancels Monday racing and simulcasting
Due to Winter Storm Fern, Monticello Raceway has canceled live racing and simulcasting for Monday, Jan. 26
Watch and Wager brings harness racing to Fresno Fairgrounds
The Big Fresno Fair is excited to announce that harness racing will return to Fresno after a century-long absence through a new agreement with Watch and Wager, LLC, a California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) approved racing operator and the newest interim event at the Fresno Fairgrounds.
Members reminded to vote on rule change proposals; Feb. 1 deadline approaches
As the 2025–2026 USTA membership meetings wrap up this weekend, all current U.S.Trotting Association members are encouraged to make their voices heard by voting on the 2026 rule change proposals. Online voting is open through each member’s secure USTA account, with the deadline of Feb. 1, 2026, to vote.
Cattlewash breeding to benefit HHYF
Thanks to the generosity of the Cattlewash Syndicate and William Donovan, the Harness Horse Youth Foundation has been given a scarce commodity – a 2026 breeding to Cattlewash whose book is full and closed.