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.
Author: by Chris Tully, for First Tracks Cumberland
Major Leaguer captures Vernon Downs feature
Major Leaguer and Jimmy Whittemore took the featured $7,500 pace at Vernon Downs on Saturday (April 22).
No Control completes sweep in Spring Series finals
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.
Niki Hill wins 4-year-old debut; Big M cancels after seven
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 collects Jumpstart title at Buffalo
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 rebounds in Northfield feature
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.
Patrikthepiranha A strikes at Plainridge 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 on a roll at Miami Valley
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.
Simpson pleads guilty to drug alteration, misbranding
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.
Up-and-comers featured at Philly Thursday
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).