A trio of $30,000 Open events highlight the opening week of the 2026 harness racing season at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel, which commences Monday (March 23).
Author: from Oak Grove Racing
Custard Dolce two-for-two at Saratoga
Custard Dolce moved her record to two-for-two at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Sunday afternoon (March 15) as the Jackie Greene trainee went back-to-back in the Fillies and Mares Open. The four year old made her Spa debut last Sunday (March 8) in the $16,500 ladies’ feature and put in a late surge to score in the Open for distaffers.
Gem Quality a gate-to-wire winner in MVG Open
Gem Quality went gate-to-wire to win the featured $36,000 Open Handicap on Sunday night (March 15) at Miami Valley.
Illinois previews slated for May, June
A preview will be held for 3-year-olds and up Illinois-bred horses on Wednesday, May 13 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The total purse payout for the day will be $57,000. A preview for 2-year-old Illinois-bred horses will be held on Thursday, June 11th at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The total purse payout will be $38,000. Entry fees for Springfield-based trainers will be $50 for purse races and $35 for qualifiers. Entry fees for non-Springfield-based trainers will be $65 for purse races and $50 for qualifiers. Post time for both days is 11:00 a.m.
Admiral Hill sails first-over, wins Pocono feature
Pylon-hugging horses did not get a major share of the money on Saturday afternoon (March 14) at a cool Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, as horses in the two-wide lane during the second half of their miles during a crosswind session were most effective, including the Sweet Lou gelding Admiral Hill, a 1:51 winner in the $27,500 featured fast-class pace.
Flag Party celebrates Open Pace win at Buffalo
Flag Party ($9.84) was able to celebrate on Saturday afternoon (March 14) at Buffalo Raceway by winning a three-way photo in the $15,500 Open Pace. He nipped Bettor Than Spring by a nose while the pace setting Lanjo Lee finished just a narrow head behind in 1:56.3.
Cumberland qualifiers set for Sunday
Nine qualifying races are carded and ready to roll at First Tracks Cumberland (Maine) on Sunday (March 15). Forty seven horses filled the entry box for the day’s 11:00 a.m. post time, which will be broadcast in its totality on the Racetrack Television Network.
Schedule changes at Buffalo Raceway
Buffalo Raceway has announced schedule changes for the rest of the 2026 meet. The track has now added live racing on Friday, March 20 and Friday, March 27 with the normal post of 2:30 p.m. still in effect. Originally, Friday afternoon racing was to begin on April 3. The final race day of the season will now be on Saturday, July 18 with Sunday, July 19 taken off the calendar.
‘Boy’ bullies field in Big M feature
With stiff winds in their faces down the backside, the front end wasn’t where you wanted to be Friday night (March 13) at The Meadowlands, but the veteran 7-year-old gelding Bully Boy Hill, despite some anxious moments, was able to go wire-to-wire in the featured TrackMaster 77.5 on the trot.
Drink Up Drink Up repeats in Hoosier Open Trot
Drink Up Drink Up doubled up in the $22,000 Open Trot at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, repeating with a front-end score from the far outside post with Brandon Bates in the bike for trainer Walter Haynes Jr. Friday (March 13).