Suburban Downs at Hawthorne Race Course has requested approval to vacate live racing scheduled for Jan. 24-25, the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association announced Thursday (Jan. 22). The IHHA said the racetrack’s “banking issues” have not been resolved.
Author: by Tom LaMarra, USTA web correspondent
Opens headline snow-shortened Batavia card
Everything was going as scheduled at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Jan. 22) until immediately after the ninth race, when heavy snow squalls moved into Genesee County and dumped copious amounts of snow on the track while causing zero visibility at the same time. That combination prompted racing officials to quickly call off the remaining three contests due to unsafe racing conditions and an abundance of caution for the safety of the horses and horsepeople competing.
A Blue Million cashes in at Bally’s Dover
A Blue Million trotted his way to his fourth consecutive victory in the $25,000 Open Handicap Trot at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday night (Jan. 20).
Jeremy Smith registers 4,000th career win
Driver Jeremy Smith picked up his 4,000th career win on Tuesday (Jan. 20) at Miami Valley Raceway when he drove long shot Cruisinoverfire to a 1:55 win in a $15,000 conditioned pace.
Monti, Cummings win half the Batavia card
Driving hat tricks registered by Drew Monti and Kyle Cummings comprised six of the 12 wins charted on Tuesday (Jan. 20) at Batavia Downs, and two of those winners returned rather handsome mutuels.
Full fields, new wagers await Rosecroft players
Horseplayers will be treated to a steady dose of full fields and a refreshed wagering menu — including a pair of low-takeout Pick-4s nightly — when harness racing returns to Rosecroft Raceway on Monday (Jan. 19).
Muskateer Hanover wins coast to coast at Dover
Muskateer Hanover won wire-to-wire in the $25,000 Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover on Thursday night (Jan. 15), scoring his third consecutive victory.
Beckwith bags five at Batavia
Heavy oscillating snow squalls that fell throughout the card and temperatures that hovered around 15 degrees provided the conditions to be dealt with for those racing at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Jan. 15). But despite the inclement weather, there were many impressive performances on display during the program, including by one of the leading drivers in North America.
Long Tom book full and closed
Midland Acres has announced that Long Tom’s 2026 book is now full and closed, marking his eighth consecutive season with a full book.
2026 New Jersey Racing and Stallion Guide available
The Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey (SBOANJ) has released its 2026 Racing and Stallion Guide, the definitive resource for the New Jersey harness racing industry.