Atlee Bender and Erv Miller trainee Sparks Fly persisted through a first-over push to clinch a tight win in the $40,000 Open Trot at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel on Tuesday afternoon.
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Athearn reaches $10 million in career earnings
When driver Matty Athearn finished third with I’m A Clown in the 11th race at Plainridge Park on Tuesday (July 2) afternoon, he surpassed $10 million in career earnings, with his current bankroll sitting $446 over that benchmark on the strength of 1,126 career wins.
Future stars score at Pocono Tuesday
Three $15,000 contests for horses headed upwards on the class ladder highlighted the Tuesday (July 2) afternoon card at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania.
Mark Short named administrator of Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund
The Delaware Department of Agriculture announced today that Mark Short has been named the new Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund administrator.
Top-two horses separated by one point in Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll
The Week 3 edition of the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll released Tuesday found the top-two horses separated by one point — equaling the closest margin for No. 1 since 2020 — and a three-way tie among a trio of newcomers for 10th place.
New Jersey budget includes appropriation for purses
New Jersey’s horse racing industry will receive a $20 million appropriation for purses as part of the state’s fiscal year 2025 budget signed recently by Gov. Phil Murphy. The appropriation will be divided equally between Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds. Funds allocated for Standardbred racing include money for overnight purses at the Meadowlands and Freehold, as well as for the New Jersey Sire Stakes and breeder awards.
50th Zweig Memorial on Independence Day at Vernon
The Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial, a Grand Circuit trotting stake “Open to the World,” will celebrate its 50th anniversary with top fields of 3-year-old colts and fillies competing for more than $500,000 in purses on the Independence Day holiday evening (July 4) at Vernon Downs.
USHDC feature to Country Squire at Oak Grove
Country Squire (Keystone Velocity) took top honors in the United States Harness Driving Club (USHDC) event on Monday (July 1) at Oak Grove Racing and Gaming.
Cowgirl Hanover scores in NYSS at Monticello
On paper it looked like a contest between the unbeaten Cowgirl Hanover, winner of last week’s New York Sire Stake race at Buffalo and All Hail The Queen, who was making her pari-mutuel debut after a pair of strong winning qualifier performances at Monticello. However, when the dust settled Cowgirl Hanover was clearly the best Monday afternoon (July 1) and extended her winning streak.
Update: Fields drawn for Meadowlands Pace elims
The entries are in for the $700,000 (est.) Meadowlands Pace and with 17 declared, there will be two $50,000 eliminations on Saturday (July 6).