The 2026 Graded Stakes schedule kicks off on Thursday (April 23) with four finals of the Restricted 3 James K. Hackett Memorial for Ohio-sired 3-year-olds at Miami Valley Raceway. Each has a purse of $75,000.
Author: from the USTA Communications Department
Hawthorne loan increased by court to include harness horsemen payments
A federal judge on April 20 issued a final order that will increase the debtor-in-possession loan available for Hawthorne Race Course to $20 million from $16 million through August 1. The racetrack filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February of this year.
Retired Standardbred mounted police horse assists in apprehension of thief in NYC
A retired Standardbred racehorse, who was adopted by the New York City Police Department in 2020, assisted in the apprehension of a thief last week in Manhattan.
Saratoga new claiming requirement
The Saratoga Casino Hotel race office has announced that effective Saturday, April 25, 2026, any horse claimed at Saratoga Harness is required to race at Saratoga Harness for 60 (sixty) days.
Alexander barn wins three Pocono qualifiers Wednesday
Trainer Travis Alexander sent out three of the six qualifier wins at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania Wednesday morning (April 22).
Trainer Mangiardi wins two at Saratoga Tuesday
It has been a strong start to the 2026 racing season at Saratoga Casino Hotel for Robyn Mangiardi, who added two wins on Tuesday.
Big carryovers in Pick-4, Pick-5 at Yonkers Wednesday
As a result of the late Pick-4 and Pick-5 not being hit Tuesday (April 21), there will be a $15,873 carryover and a $50,000 guaranteed pool in the early Pick-4 and a $12,495 carryover and a $40,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick-5 on Wednesday (April 22).
Mercer County (OH) Matinee on May 9
The 55th Annual Mercer County Harness Horsemen’s Association Matinee will be held in Celina, OH and is scheduled for Saturday, May 9 with a first post time of noon.
Full Ontario Sires Stakes 2026 schedule released; Beau Jangles aiming for Gold opener
The complete 2026 schedule for the $15 million Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) program has now been released and is available on the OSS website.
Darke County matinee Saturday, May 16
The Darke County Harness Horseman’s Association, Greenville, OH, will put on a matinee on Saturday, May 16 starting at noon at The Great Darke County Fairgrounds located at 800 Sweitzer Street, Greenville, OH.