Author: from the USTA Communications Department

Reports have surfaced that Standardbred horseman Brandon Simpson has pleaded guilty to claims of drug alternation and misbranding in conjunction with the doping ring brought to light in March 2020.

A trio of $13,500 contests for up-and-coming horses topped the bill of fare at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon (April 20).

Two of the three $20,000 second-round divisions of the Bobby Weiss Series for sophomore trotting fillies saw repeat winners in Tuesday’s (April 18) action at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, but the other success story, the debutante Kaddari — who, like the other Weiss winners is a daughter of Walner — posted the fastest time of 1:55.1.

Trainer Bob Marston earned the 600th win of his career on Tuesday afternoon (April 18) at Plainridge Park, when stable newcomer Top Down (Kevin Switzer Jr., $5.20) turned a first-over move into a 2:00 victory in a $12,500 conditioned trot.

Eternal Lee withstood sustained pressure before drawing clear to a 1:58 win in the featured $24,000 Open Trot on Sunday’s (April 16) meet-opening harness racing program at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel.

There were plenty of fine trotters in display in the featured races at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon (April 16).

Reinsman Kevin Switzer Jr. won three races on the Saturday (April 15) program at First Tracks Cumberland, including both $6,000 features. Known to extract speed from a horse, Switzer already owns the track record for older pacing horses, and he was back to his old tricks setting the fastest mile of the early meet on opening weekend.

Red Right Hand and Inaminute Hanover both brought their A-games on Saturday night (April 15), taking the co-featured pacing and trotting events, respectively, at the Meadowlands.

Discus Hanover (John MacDonald) hung on to capture the featured $7,500 trot by a nose at Vernon Downs on Saturday (April 15).