The first leg of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for pacing mares at Yonkers Raceway was drawn on Monday afternoon (March 13), with a total of 24 entrants necessitating a trio of $40,000 divisions on Friday night’s (March 17) ten-race program.
Category: Grand Circuit News
Woodbine Mohawk Park releases nominees for 2023 major stakes
Woodbine Entertainment today released the full list of horses nominated to this season’s major stakes races at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Woodbine’s lucrative Standardbred stakes program again saw strong support from owners and trainers for the Feb. 15 nomination deadline. From 18 major stakes requiring a nomination, half of the events saw numbers increase or remain the same.
Pepsi North America Cup draws highest number of nominations since 2010
Woodbine Entertainment today announced 86 sophomore pacers have been nominated to this year’s C$1 million Pepsi North America Cup. O’Brien and Dan Patch Award winner Stockade Seelster leads the group of 86 nominees.
Big M’s Roll With Joe renamed in honor of Dave Brower
Fittingly, beginning with this year’s edition, the stakes event held at The Meadowlands will be renamed “The Dave Brower Memorial,” in honor of another standout from the world of harness racing.
Meadowlands Pace payments up significantly
The Meadowlands is pleased to announce an enthusiastic response to the February payment for the track’s signature event, the $700,000 (est.) Meadowlands Pace. The first payment for 3-year-old colts and geldings saw 55 sustain eligibility and two pay the $7,500 supplement for a total of 57 paid in. This represents a 27 percent increase over the 2022 February figure.
Slot owners revealed for 2023 Mohawk Million
Woodbine Entertainment today announced the fourth edition of the Mohawk Million will officially be held on Saturday (Sept. 23) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Record purse expected for 78th Little Brown Jug
Officials with the Little Brown Jug expect the purse for the 78th edition of the pacing classic to be a record and may approach $1 million.
Robust support of Breeders Crown program generates purse hikes
The Breeders Crown, harness racing’s year-end championship series, will raise purses on six of the 12 divisions of Breeders Crown races to be held at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday (Oct. 27) and Saturday (Oct. 28).
Graduate Series information for 2023
The $1 million Graduate Series for 4-year-old trotters and pacers returns to The Meadowlands stakes schedule this summer, with a stop at Woodbine Mohawk Park to kick things off. The mare divisions tried in 2022 have been discontinued. Mares may be nominated for and race in the open divisions of the Graduate.
McDuffee reflects on Bella Bellini’s past and future
Wherever David McDuffee goes, people want to talk about Bella Bellini. Even with the number of successful horses McDuffee has had in the past, he considers the two-time Dan Patch Award-winning trotter the most popular he’s ever owned. The fact McDuffee bred her makes it all the more satisfying.