While winning races is nothing new for veteran conditioner Valerie Grondin, driving the 3-year-old male trotter Chipper Dale to victory on Friday (Sept. 20) at the Farmington Fair is also familiar territory.
Author: by Chris Tully, for the Maine Sire Stakes
Female trainers dominate at Farmington Fair
In a sport whose major stars and branded leaders are generally men, the accomplishments of harness racing’s female participants often fly well under the radar. But on Friday (Sept. 20) at the Farmington Fair, the afternoon program was so completely commanded by horses harnessed by women trainers that their accolades demanded to be sung.
Running Aces adds $7,500 instant guarantee for Saturday early Pick-4
Running Aces, in conjunction with the USTA’s Strategic Wagering Program, has added a $7,500 ‘instant guarantee’ for the early 50-cent Pick-4 wager on Saturday night (Sept. 21).
Hauser, Paris and Magee team up for big consolation wins at Running Aces
The Friday night (Sept. 20) program at Running Aces featured five Minnesota-sired consolation events, with each event going for $15,000.
Massachusetts Breeders Stake starts Monday at Plainridge Park
The $3 million (est.) Massachusetts Breeders Stake will begin its 2024 season at Plainridge Park on Monday (Sept. 23).
Joseph Scorsone, 85, dies
Joseph Scorsone, 85, of Chesterfield, N.J., died Sept. 19, 2024, at Serenity Hospice at Robert Wood Johnson-Hamilton.
Ruthless Hanover scores in Philadelphia
Ruthless Hanover, the author of the fastest mile ever on a five-eighths-mile oval with a 1:46.3 win here on Super Sunday 2023, was the heaviest of favorites in Friday evening’s (Sept. 21) $15,000 fast-class handicap pace at Harrah’s Philadelphia, and he won in total control in 1:51.2 over a sloppy oval.
Double Class scores in Batavia Downs trot
Double Class has been an Open trotter at Batavia Downs since his first win here in 1:55.3 in July. On Friday (Sept. 20) at The Downs, the trotter essentially made a double class drop to a mid-level conditioned event and got back to his winning ways in the $10,000 co-featured race of the night.
Zapaca wins feature at Vernon
Zapaca (Steeven Genois) captured the $7,500 featured trot at Vernon Downs on Friday (Sept. 20).
Freshman pacers and trotters shine at Tioga
Tioga Downs played host to eight W.N. Reynolds races on Friday (Sept. 20).