Driver Jim Morrill Jr. achieved another major milestone in his stellar career at Batavia Downs on Monday (Feb. 13) when he drove Sportskeeper ($4.70) to an easy gate-to-wire 1:56.1 victory in the seventh race to achieve his 8,000th lifetime win in the sulky.
Author: by Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
Pocono to open 2023 season Saturday; qualifiers conducted
A pair of high-level conditioned events and a starter allowance headline Saturday’s (Feb. 18) 2023 season opener at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Sun Pennsylvania, which is slated to begin at 1 p.m.
Penzance Hanover scores lifetime mark at Dover
Penzance Hanover and owner-trainer-driver Art Stafford Jr. made a well-timed move to win Thursday’s (Feb. 9) $27,500 Blue Hen/Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover.
Long shots rule at Batavia Thursday
It was a warm and wet Thursday afternoon (Feb. 9) at Batavia Downs, and despite the sun making a cameo appearance for a couple of races, the wet conditions may have contributed to only three favorites winning in 12 races on a day where big payouts were the norm.
Embrace The Grind upsets in Dover trot; JL Cruze last
Embrace The Grind set blistering early fractions on his way to a 1:53.1 win in Tuesday’s (Feb. 7) $25,000 Open Handicap Trot at Bally’s Dover.
Dan Patch Awards silent auction to benefit HHYF, USHWA youth programs
The Dan Patch Awards Dinner is rapidly approaching, and, along with it, the annual silent auction that is held in conjunction with the evening’s festivities. The Harness Horse Youth Foundation and U.S. Harness Writers Association industry outreach programs will benefit from the proceeds.
Record purse expected for 78th Little Brown Jug
Officials with the Little Brown Jug expect the purse for the 78th edition of the pacing classic to be a record and may approach $1 million.
Widger sweeps pair of Miami Valley Opens
Sam Widger, currently third in the dash standings at Miami Valley Raceway, had quite a day on Sunday (Feb. 5). The 59-year-old driver, with over 7,350 wins in his career, scored four wins in the span of five races, good for a whopping $44,500 in purse earnings. Included in Widger’s wins were the richest three races on the program.
Highland Mowgli too tough in Dover trot
Highland Mowgli lived up to odds-on billing in Tuesday’s (Jan. 31) $19,000 Winners Over/Select Handicap Trot at Bally’s Dover, turning in a punishing 4-1/4-length win over good going.
Penzance Hanover repeats at Bally’s Dover
Following a powerful 1:51.3 win last week, Art Stafford Jr.’s Penzance Hanover outdid himself in Thursday’s (Jan. 26) $27,500 Blue Hen/Open Handicap Pace at Bally’s Dover, prevailing as the 2-1 favorite in 1:51.1 to notch back-to-back wins in the First State’s top class.