Western New York native, driver Kyle Swift, left his base of operations at Saratoga Raceway to visit home just long enough to grab the winner’s share of the purse in his four driving wins at Batavia Downs on Thursday (Oct. 29) night.
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USTA to contribute to international discussions at World Trotting Conference
The U.S. Trotting Association (USTA) will take an active part in the 2026 World Trotting Conference, Nov. 3 – 10 in Christchurch, New Zealand, joining harness racing leaders from around the world to exchange ideas, address industry challenges and explore opportunities to strengthen the Standardbred industry.
Go Now springs upset in Rosecroft distaff
Overlooked at 10-1 odds, P T Stable’s Go Now mounted a massive three-wide push up the backstretch to overpower pacesetter Stamphillshadow GB and post a 1:51.2 victory in Thursday’s (Oct. 29) $10,000 high-end conditioned pacing feature for fillies and mares at Rosecroft Raceway.
Fear Danie nips stablemate in Dayton distaff
Stablemates Fear Danie and Tr’sshining Star, both trained by Heather France, battled to the wire before Fear Danie emerged victorious by the slimmest of margins in a lifetime best 1:51.1 in Thursday’s (Oct. 29) $30,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.
Liberty Bell Stakes make 2026 bow
The Liberty Bell Stakes series, designed to give talented Pennsylvania-sired horses a final seasonal chance at a nice payday, began on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 29) at Harrah’s Philadelphia. There was an event for 2-year-old males on both gaits, and both freshmen winners, in addition to the winner of the top handicap trot for overnight horses, continued recent strings of successes on Thursday.
Jessica Okusko scores 1,000th training win
When Manador won the $165,000 Massachusetts Breeders Stakes for 3-year-old male pacers at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Oct. 29), Jessica Okusko registered the 1,000th training win of her career.
Gingras wins five Mass. Breeders Stakes finals
The $1.32 million finals of the Massachusetts Breeders Stakes were held at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Oct. 29) with eight divisions going postward for $165,000 each and Yannick Gingras stealing the show by winning five of them.
Fred’s Dream Girl wins Norhtfield GLADA trot
Fred’s Dream Girl, skillfully and confidently guided by Bill Rhoades, captured Northfield Park’s Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA) trotting feature on Wednesday (Oct. 28).
Communicators Hall of Fame publicist John Manzi passes
Communicators Hall of Fame publicist John Manzi, known for his longtime association with Monticello Raceway and promotional events, passed away Wednesday (Oct. 28) at the age of 82, his family announced.
Shenandoah Downs “Horse of the Meet” Award won by locally-based first time horse owner
Shenandoah Downs will dole out end-of-season awards Sunday (Oct. 31) for leading driver, leading trainer and Horse of the Meet when the 11th annual fall harness racing campaign comes to a close, and while the first two awards won’t be decided until weekend action ensues, the final one has actually been determined already — and it comes with a storyline that can’t be beat.