The centers of energy were aligned for Chakra on Tuesday (April 21) as she turned in her best effort in two years while winning the $13,000 conditioned pacing headliner at Plainridge Park.
Author: by Tim Bojarski, for the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts
Oak Grove Festival of Racing details
The inaugural Oak Grove Festival of Racing, a premier two-week harness racing celebration featuring the region’s richest purses and world-class entertainment, is scheduled to kick off on Monday, May 4. Spanning five days of elite harness racing, the festival will distribute an estimated $2.75 million in total purses, culminating in a blockbuster $1.5-million 11-race program on Saturday, May 16, followed by a live performance from country music superstar Jake Owen.
37 foals confirmed from Maryland matings
Winbak Farm of New York has announced that Maryland, 2,1:51.4; 3,Q1:51.2-’25 ($1,719,655) has been bred to 41 mares and 37 of them have been checked in foal.
Weiss glamour division up for grabs after last prelim
Next Saturday (April 25), Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania hosts the $50,000 final of the Bobby Weiss Series for 3-year-old pacing males, and after this Saturday’s (April 18) final preliminary round, conducted in three $17,500 divisions, you’d be hard pressed not to give a decent chance to several different horses.
Belmont Royale N scorches Saratoga
After runner-up efforts in his first three starts at Saratoga Casino Hotel, Belmont Royale N sustained a first-over attack to take Saturday’s (April 18) $16,500 Open Pace in 1:51.4, the fastest mile of the meet to date.
Idao de Tillard shatters Prix de l’Atlantique record
On Saturday afternoon (April 18), Idao de Tillard won the Prix de l’Atlantique at Enghien Racecourse, setting a new race record in his first win since the 2025 Prix d’Amérique.
Brett Beckwith update
Meadowlands executive and USTA director Jason Settlemoir has offered the following update on driver Brett Beckwith’s recovery on his Facebook page.
Lyons Surfing makes it five in a row
Lyons Surfing ($7.54) won his fifth consecutive race by taking Buffalo Raceway’s $15,500 Open Pace on Saturday afternoon (April 18). He beat I Aint No Mack by a length in 1:55.2 over a good track.
Nominations soar for Oak Grove Derby, Oaks
Oak Grove Racing & Gaming has announced an impressive turnout for the inaugural $500,000 Oak Grove Trotting Derby and $300,000 Oak Grove Trotting Oaks. Based on preliminary numbers following the March and April nomination payment cycles, it is anticipated that a total of 101 elite trotters will remain eligible for these prestigious new events.
Bam Bam wins back-to-back at Hoosier
Bam Bam, driven by Atlee Bender for trainer Erv Miller, continued to impress by winning for the second time in just three career outings, taking the $20,000 final of the Jerry Landess Pacing Series on Friday (April 17) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.