As the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association continues to work to restore the pride in Illinois racing and move harness racing back into prominence, the IHHA understands the importance of honoring those who have made significant and meaningful contributions to the Standardbred industry.
Author: from the Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association
Supplemental entry Dandy Ideal wins Matron
Supplemented by his connections to the tune of $20,000, Dandy Ideal brought a three-race winning streak into Thursday’s (Nov. 14) $178,900 Matron Stakes for 2-year-old male pacers at Bally’s Dover. And the American Ideal-OK Heavenly gelding did not disappoint, making good on his owners’ risk with a lifetime best-equaling 1:50.3 victory.
‘Peyton’ wins sixth straight in DSBF filly pace
Donna Messick’s homebred Little Miss Peyton rolled to her sixth consecutive win, posting a 1:55.1 score in the second of three $20,000 first-round Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund events for 2-year-old pacing fillies on Wednesday (Nov. 13) at Bally’s Dover.
Faze upsets in Matron filly pace
After winning the Kentucky Golden Rod Series final and finishing third behind Papi Grad in her first Grand Circuit assignment, Faze captured the biggest win of her career to date when she nabbed Rose up the open stretch in the $133,100 Matron Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies, held Wednesday (Nov. 13) at Bally’s Dover.
Long shots drive $41k Pick-5 payout at Batavia
A $23,931 carryover and $75,000 guaranteed pool through the USTA Strategic Wagering Program for the Pick-5 at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 13) night generated $79,508 of new money, producing a $102,701 total pool that yielded the biggest mutuel payout ever in the 85-year history of Batavia Downs.
USTA District 5 meeting recap
On Wednesday (Nov. 13), Chairperson Sam Lilly and Directors Casey Leonard, Jim Miller and Jim Reynolds hosted the annual District 5 meeting via Zoom.
Keg Stand victorious at Bally’s Dover
Keg Stand brushed first-over and powered to victory in the $25,000 Open Handicap Trot at Bally’s Dover on Tuesday night (Nov. 12).
Ordained, Prominence, Empty Nest win Pocono features
Trainer-driver Åke Svanstedt had heavy favorites in both $15,000 trotting features on the Tuesday (Nov. 12) card at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania. One was coming off a victory against non-winners of two races while the other won his Breeders Crown elimination two starts back.
Melvin G wins fifth straight in DSBF prelim
Sent off the overwhelming 1-20 favorite, Melvin G rolled to a lifetime-best 1:57.2 score — his fifth win in a row — in the second of two $20,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund (DSBF) first-round preliminary divisions for 2-year-old male trotters on Tuesday (Nov. 12) at Bally’s Dover.
Luna Lovegood strolls to Matron triumph
After falling short in the finals of the Kentucky Sire Stakes Championship Series and Breeders Crown, Holly Lane Stud East Ltd.’s Luna Lovegood put it all together in the $116,100 Matron Stakes for 2-year-old trotting fillies at Bally’s Dover, coasting to a 1:53.2 win over Kendra.