The annual Minnesota Harness Racing awards banquet is fast approaching and excitement is in the air as we get ready to crown the champion trotters and pacers from the 2019 season.
Category: Archived
Bruce Kearns, 81, dies
Bruce Lawrence Kearns, 81, of Wayne, Pa., died Feb. 2, 2020.
Blackwell Ruby IR has done nothing wrong
As speedy imports go, Blackwell Ruby IR has had no problem learning the rules of our roads. The 5-year-old Irish daughter of Kikikolt goes after a fourth consecutive victory Tuesday night (Feb. 4), looming a short price from the pole in Yonkers Raceway’s $16,000 second-race pace.
A Yonkers’ million-dollar Monday
The first Monday of the month (Feb. 3) resulted in a Yonkers Raceway single-season high handle. The dozen-race card attracted $1,025,349 through the windows, electronic or otherwise.
Lee wins fifth leg of GSY Series at Monticello
Joe Lee won the fifth leg of the GSY Series on Monday (Feb. 3) at Monticello.
Final Breath outduels Icanflylikeanangel in Meadows top trot
Final Breath and Icanflylikeanangel staged a stirring duel for the final five-eighths before Final Breath finally surged ahead to capture Monday’s (Feb. 3) $20,000 Open 1 Handicap Trot at The Meadows.
Forty $5,000 claimers advance in Miami Valley “Survivor Series”
A total of 40 of the 73 starters “survived” the first elimination round of the popular Survivor Series for $5,000 male claiming pacers at Miami Valley Raceway on Monday (Feb. 3). Many of those that met the top five finish requirement to advance from the eight divisions will go postward for new owners in Round two as 18 horses changed hands via the claim box in Round one. Only the horses claimed in Round one that advanced will carry claiming tags in Round two, but with 30% enhanced purchase prices ($6,500).
Pocono hosts first qualifiers of 2020
The 2020 racing season got off to a quick start at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Monday morning (Feb. 3), as the Big Jim pacing mare Jossie James A won the first qualifier of the season in 1:54 while making her U.S. debut.
Flying high with Top Flight Angel
Top Flight Angel, the winner of the 2017 Yonkers Trot, is ready to return to the races this week and his connections hope he will be continuing his ascent to the million-dollar level. A 6-year-old stallion, Top Flight Angel has won 14 of 65 career races and $902,820 for breeder/owner Alan Hainsworth, a New Yorker who races under the name Legendary Standardbred Farm. Hainsworth has a special bond with the horse because he owns Top Flight Angel’s sire, the 2012 Yonkers Trot winner Archangel, and dam, Top Photo.
Super Bowl Sunday a hit at Pompano
Despite the fact that Pompano Park was the only U.S. track racing on Super Bowl Sunday night, with most simulcasting venues closed as well, the South Florida “Winter Capital of Harness Racing” posted a healthy handle of $413,000, including the largest non-carryover Pick-5 pool of the season (over $21,000), a Pick-4 pool exceeding $30,000 and a Pick-6 pool in excess of $10,000.