Jimmy McNeight Jr. went from as low as he could go to as high as he has ever been in the span of 10 months. The western New York product had made steady progress since embarking on a driving career in 2016. But at the beginning of this year, things just weren’t working out and, for the first time since he started, McNeight was having doubts.
Author: by Rich Fisher, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent
Pandy’s Meadowlands selections for Dec. 8
Handicapper Bob Pandolfo offers his selections for the full card at The Meadowlands on Friday night (Dec. 8).
Top horsemen and horses to be feted at Batavia Downs Saturday
The Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association and Batavia Downs have announced the top driver, trainers and horses from the summer and fall live racing meet who will be honored for their efforts during the Night of Distinction awards presentation that will be held on closing night at Batavia Downs on Saturday (Dec. 9). Post time for the first race is 6 p.m.
Retirees help pack Cumberland Late Closers
Race secretary Rob Pennington hit a home run with his holiday-themed winter late closing series, resulting in the presentation of over a dozen legs of four individual series being contested over the upcoming three-day (Dec. 8–10) weekend at First Tracks Cumberland. With a total of $68,800 in first leg purses alone, the series conditions were obviously a big hit with the Maine horsemen, as well as soon-to-be retirees.
Eileen Mae Stuart, 98, dies
Eileen Mae Stuart RN (nee Segriff), 98, died Nov. 30, 2023. She was a longtime owner and breeder of Standardbreds.
Darke County Fair board approves racing for 2024
Wednesday night (Dec. 6), the Darke County Fair board approved racing for the 2024 fair as Friday and Saturday evening (Aug. 16 and 17) with a post time of 6:30 p.m., featuring the OCRA events.
Adam Moeykens is Monticello’s Rising Star
The shortest distance between points is a straight, direct line. Adam Moeykens, 20, a native of Honesdale, Pa., knew early in life the goal that he wanted to achieve and has embarked on the journey to reach that goal and quench the desire to become a successful driver in harness racing. His efforts have already been getting noticed, because when the Monticello-Goshen USHWA Chapter holds its 64th annual awards banquet on Sunday (Dec. 10), Adam Moeykens will receive the association’s Rising Star Award.
Mcnatural L trips to Batavia Open victory
After three unsuccessful starts in the track’s top class for female pacers, Mcnatural L got the job done at long odds in her fourth attempt in the $15,000 Distaff Open I Handicap on Wednesday night (Dec. 6) at Batavia Downs.
Nutcracker Sweet new to Delaware in 2024
Winbak Farm of Delaware is pleased to announce that Nutcracker Sweet p,2,1:50.2; 1:50.1f ($520,015) will be standing his first season in Delaware in 2024.
Pandy’s Meadowlands selections for Dec. 7
Handicapper Bob Pandolfo offers his selections for the full card at The Meadowlands on Thursday night (Dec. 7).