Sergeant York, a Standardbred who served for 25 years as an equine member of the United States Army’s Caisson Platoon, died Jan. 1, 2026, at the age of 35.
Author: from the USTA Communications Department
Massive Desire takes Miami Valley feature
Massive Desire kicked off the new year with a victory, taking Tuesday’s (Jan. 13) featured event at Miami Valley Raceway in 1:54.4.
Rocknroll Shelli takes short route to Batavia win
Rocknroll Shelli got a perfect trip right to the stretch, where she took the passing lane to victory in the $9,000 Open II-III Handicap Pace on Tuesday (Jan. 13), the opening day of the 2026 Batavia Downs winter meet, which greeted contestants with a good track and intermittent rain.
January Hoof Beats: Steppin’ Out
The January issue of Hoof Beats explores remnants of harness racing’s rich past while also profiling some key individuals moving the sport forward into 2026 and beyond.
Speed Away wires Dover trotters
Speed Away wired the field in the Winners Over Select Trot at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday night (Jan. 6).
Miami Valley moves Wed. post to 6 p.m.
Miami Valley Raceway will attempt to race its first card of the year on Wednesday (Jan. 7). In order to allow maximum time to have the track ready, post time will be moved to 6 p.m.
Herman elected to Ohio Hall of Fame
Noted Grand Circuit driver/trainer Billy Herman has been elected as the 52nd member of the Ohio Harness Racing Hall of Fame by the members of the Ohio Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA).
Hoof Beats: Curtailing the Cartels?
Over a decade ago, I voiced my longstanding concerns about what I called “the cartels”— the term I assigned to computer-assisted wagering entities (CAWs), which first raised danger flags for me when one or more began operating at the Meadowlands.
Hoof Beats: Rock Steady
Dependable but not spectacular. A hard-nosed racer who shuns hard work. A horse who makes his connections happy but isn’t too jovial himself. That’s what you get with 11-year-old Mississippi Storm.
Peter Leu, 81, dies
Peter Edwin Leu, 81, of Springfield, Ill., died of cancer Dec. 26, 2025, at Springfield Memorial Hospital.