Author: by LeAnn Shinn

Features for all types of horses — trotters and pacers, fast-class veterans and developing younger stock — helped close out the racing week at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon (April 23).

Nick Graffam continued his quest toward the 1,000-win plateau on Saturday (April 22) at Cumberland, winning the featured $7,500 Spring Fling Late Closer No. 2 elimination with The Bird Dance N in grand fashion.

Major Leaguer and Jimmy Whittemore took the featured $7,500 pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday (April 22).

Ontario-sired 3- and 4-year-olds were the main attraction on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park. A quartet of Ontario-Sired Spring Series finals for 3-year-olds (non-winners of C$30,000 in 2022) were contested along with the second leg of the Ontario Graduate for 4-year-old pacers.

In what promises to be the first chapter in a season-long rivalry, Niki Hill drew first blood against Treacherous Dragon in Saturday’s (April 22) $15,000 New Jersey Breeders Maturity for 4-year-old mares on the pace at the Meadowlands.

Filly Speaks ($3.10) smoked her rivals in the $30,000 Jumpstart Series final for horses with TrackMaster Horse Ratings of 77 or less at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday night (April 22), winning by four lengths in 1:55.2.

Blue Ivy returned to the winner’s circle on Saturday (April 22) following a 14-day layoff, cruising to an easy 1:53.1 victory in the $19,000 feature event at MGM Northfield Park.

Making his first start since Jan. 27 but coming off two impressive qualifiers at Northfield Park, Patrikthepiranha A returned to Massachusetts and looked to be in midseason form after winning the $25,000 Winners-Over pacing feature in impressive style at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon (April 20).

Im Offngone N won her second straight Mares Open at Miami Valley on Thursday (April 20), using a strong stretch brush to collar Single Girl and Trick Of The Light in 1:51.2.