The Race Office at Running Aces has processed 13 nominations for the 2023 Dan Patch FFA, which will get underway with elimination races going for $20,000 each on Sunday (July 16) and will culminate with the $50,000 final on Sunday (July 23).
Author: by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces
James McNeight Jr. wins Buffalo Raceway Horseman of the Month
For driver James McNeight Jr., it’s been a pretty good run during the month of June, and thus he has been selected Buffalo Raceway’s ‘Horseman of the Month.’
Fan Appreciation Weekend at Meadowlands Racetrack
It is Fan Appreciation Weekend this Friday (June 30) and Saturday (July 1) at Meadowlands Racetrack.
Impressive 2-year-old talent on display at Monticello Raceway
On a wet afternoon at Monticello Raceway on Monday (June 26), 29 2-year-old pacing colts embarked on their pari-mutuel careers, racing for total purses in excess of $145,000. It was a fine display of this year’s crop of juvenile pacing talent. The card featured two divisions of New York Sire Stakes and two heats of the Excelsior Series.
Bob Tisbert, 86, scores 2,400th career driving win at Plainridge
After longtime Massachusetts-native Bob Tisbert drove Court’s N Session to victory in 1:58.2 in the sixth race at Plainridge Park on Monday (June 26), he circled back with the trotter he also trains and entered the winner’s circle for the 2,400th time in his driving career that dates back to 1962.
Sophomores to spar in Kentucky Sire Stakes
Breeders Crown runner-up Charleston invades Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel for Tuesday’s (June 27) second round of the Kentucky Sire Stakes for 3-year-olds, as do a number of harness racing’s premier trainers and drivers.
Iowa sired horses featured at What Cheer
What Cheer hosted the season’s first division of Iowa Sired racing on Sunday (June 25), featuring 11 races for freshman and sophomore pacers and trotters.
History repeats in Oak Grove amateur events
Harness racing history repeated itself in amateur competition at Oak Grove Racing and Gaming on Sunday (June 25) as Tony Dinges and Dein Spriggs, again, finished one-two in the pair of USHDC events, repeating that same unusual feat that occurred in their pair of races on May 22.
It’s My Show to skip Meadowlands Pace
It’s good to be the top ranked horse in North American harness racing, as horses that find themselves atop the poll often develop a following. Ever since he set a Canadian record in the 2023 Pepsi North America Cup at Woodbine Mohawk Park, fans of the sport have wondered when the seasonally unbeaten sophomore It’s My Show would race again.
Gaitway hosts its final qualifiers
Gaitway Farm held 10 qualifiers for 2-year-olds on Monday (June 26) as its June events for the rookies came to an end. Trainer Ron Burke had four winners while Jennifer Bongiorno, Julie Miller and Symon Spicer each had two. Burke-trained colt Dancin Champion, a 1:55 winner, had the day’s fastest pacing time over the one-mile oval while Spicer-trained Shiv took trotting honors with a 1:58.2 clocking.