Austin Siegelman won four out of 11 races at Freehold Raceway on Friday (Dec. 22).
Author: by Katie Eick, for Freehold Raceway
USHWA sets schedule for Dan Patch Award releases
The United States Harness Writers Association has announced the schedule for the release of the Dan Patch Awards, presented by Caesars Entertainment, with the banquet to be held on Sunday (Feb. 25) at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Fla.
Gray elder statesmen grab Frosty final at Cumberland
Two of Maine harness racing’s favorite elder statesmen, 85-year-old Bob Nadeau and his trusty 14-year-old gray steed Putnams Storm made quick work of the $7,000 Frosty final at Cumberland on Friday (Dec. 22), winning the pop-up series final in 2:02.1, and putting an exclamation point on a poignant career.
Roberts’ five bagger clinches Fall meet dash title at Rosecroft
Jonathan Roberts rallied on closing night to win five races and edge Johnathan Ahle in the Rosecroft Fall meet drivers standings.
Urtel remains positive as he waits for another kidney transplant
When Jim Urtel Jr. was 12, he fell in love with horses and harness racing. In the ensuing years, he enjoyed operating a small stable, often with his father, while also working for several other trainers, primarily in western New York and Pennsylvania. Thirty years after jogging and training his first horse, though, Urtel was forced to give up his days at the barn. The Batavia, N.Y., resident was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2012 and spent eight years on dialysis while waiting for a kidney donation. He finally received a transplant from a deceased donor in 2020, but the kidney has not functioned as hoped, leaving Urtel in need of another transplant.
Special Tuesday card set at Cal Expo
Rock’s Image and Rockin Sage, who both proved punctual favorites in last week’s eliminations, loom the main rivals in Tuesday night’s (Dec. 26) $13,700 Donald Arnstine Pace at Cal Expo.
John Calabrese chosen USHWA Amateur Driver of the Year
John Calabrese has been chosen the U.S. Harness Writers Association Amateur Driver of the Year for 2023 in a vote conducted by USHWA with the amateur driving clubs.
Force N Fury to stand in Indiana
Force N Fury will stand stud in 2024 at Schwartz Brothers Farm in Berne, Ind.
Pandy’s Meadowlands selections for Dec. 23
Handicapper Bob Pandolfo offers his selections for the full card at The Meadowlands on Saturday night (Dec. 23).
Joviality S heading to Vincennes
The 4-year-old mare Joviality S will make her racing debut on French soil Sunday afternoon (Dec. 24) in the Criterium Continental at Vincennes, where the winner will get a bye for the Prix d’Amerique.