Equine Affaire opens up Thursday (April 10) at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio, and runs through Sunday (April 13). The USTA and Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association have once again teamed up to promote the excitement of harness racing and programs like the Standardbred Incentive Program for retired racehorses.
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Legal Jeopardy repeats in Buffalo distaff
Legal Jeopardy ($22.40) made it two consecutive victories on Wednesday afternoon (April 9) at Buffalo Raceway by streaking down the stretch to take a three-quarter-length, 1:58.3 win over American Jazz in the featured $11,000 pace for fillies and mares.
Mike Kimelman named USTA ID Technician
Mike Kimelman has been involved in multiple aspects of the Standardbred business since the mid-1980s, and he will add another entry to his résumé this month when he begins his role as a U.S. Trotting Association ID Technician, covering New Jersey, lower New York, and northeastern Pennsylvania.
First quarter 2025 U.S. harness racing economic indicators down
All economic indicators for harness racing in the U.S. saw decreases during the first quarter of the year from Jan. 1 through March 31, 2025.
Mike Merton wins four at Monticello
Leading driver Mike Merton owned the Wednesday (April 9) card at Monticello Raceway, taking four races, one of which was the Open Trot.
Sir Pinocchio impressive in Pocono qualifier
Sir Pinocchio, an altered son of Met’s Hall who trotted to over $600,000 in earnings last year at three while winning several major stakes, made his 2025 debut a successful one at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania Wednesday morning (April 9), winning in 1:55.2 despite the mercury being barely above the freezing mark.
Brandon Bates wins 2,000th race
A day after Brett MacDonald came to town and crossed the 2,000-win plateau, Brandon Bates entered the Tuesday (April 8) card at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel a few wins shy of the milestone himself. But a driving hat trick coming down to the last race on the day lifted Bates into the 2,000-win club.
Good news for “Gemini” fans
Three-time Illinois harness Horse of the Year Fox Valley Gemini will be back in competition in 2025, says his long-time driver and job-sharing conditioner Casey Leonard.
Railee Something returns powerfully in Oak Grove Open
A winner in a Kentucky Sire Stakes final last season, Ronald Mersky’s talented International Moni mare Railee Something made a powerful 2025 debut on Tuesday (April 8) at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel while delivering as the 1-2 chalk in the $30,000 Open Trot.
Napolitano wins six at Pocono
The all-time winningest driver at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, George Napolitano Jr., reclaimed the seasonal lead in the driving dash derby with six winners on the Tuesday (April 8) program at the mountain oval, include three amidst the eight $15,000 divisions of the first preliminary of the Game Of Claiming Trotting Series for horses tagged at $20,000.