ver the last several years, conversations surrounding equine welfare and racing safety have increasingly moved from a general discussion to actual measurable expectations. Regulators, industry organizations, racetracks, horsepeople, veterinarians and the public are all asking similar questions: What information is being collected? What trends are being identified? And how is the racing industry using that information to improve the safety and long-term welfare of our horses?
Author: by TC Lane
Pennsylvania fair season gets underway
The 2026 Pennsylvania fair racing season, featuring top state-sired 2- and 3-year-olds in the summer-long Pennsylvania Fair Sire Stakes, began this Wednesday and Thursday (July 1-2) at the Big Butler Fair, in west-central Pennsylvania.
Nightlife In wins ‘Sweden’s Hambletonian’
Nightlife In, driven by Carl Johan Jepson and trained by David Persson, won both his elimination heat and the final of the Sprintermästaren — the race popularly known as “Sweden’s Hambletonian” — on Thursday (July 2) at Halmstad.
Scioto to showcase the ‘Next Generation’ Sat.
The seventh annual Next Generation for pacers and sixth annual Next Generation for trotters are coming up Saturday (July 4) at Eldorado Scioto Downs. Each of the four divisions for freshmen have a $150,000 purse.
Meadows sets all-time handle record
Hollywood Casino at The Meadows set its all-time single-card handle record on Thursday (July 2).
Warren’s Charm, Lovers Cay DSBF filly winners
Rodney Wyatt and Jason Skinner’s Warren’s Charm ($2.10, Tim Tetrick) and Anthony Carson’s Lovers Cay ($2.40, Brandon Givens) won their respective $20,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund (DSBF) divisions for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Tuesday (June 30) at Harrington Raceway.
Hey Porter delivers in Plainridge trot
Following fast early fractions, Hey Porter did his best work late and won the $25,000 Open Trot at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (June 30).
Buter wins five at Pocono, sweeps features
The leading horsepeople (and defending champions) in their respective statistical categories at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, driver Tyler Buter and trainer Ron Burke, combined to win Tuesday’s (June 30) $20,000 featured fast-class trot at the mountain oval with Southwind Coors, who boosted his lifetime earnings to $752,456 with a 1:52.2 victory.
Harrah’s Philadelphia cancels Thur., Fri. cards
Harrah’s Philadelphia has canceled live racing on Thursday (July 2) and Friday (July 3) due to the extreme heat forecasted this week.
Hoof Beats: Honoring the Past
Every year, on the first Sunday of July, harness racing’s greatest human and equine performers are enshrined into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame, in Goshen, N.Y., amid a large celebration on the lawn of the Harness Racing Museum. Every fan of the sport should attend the event at least once to appreciate the celebration and absorb the history that goes along with it.