After having an early lead, Pepper Wow had to make a late rush to grab his fourth victory of the year in the $24,000 Open Handicap trot at Plainridge Park on Thursday (Sept. 3).
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Braiden Rhoades’ first visit to Pennsylvania fair memorable
Braiden Rhoades, setting a pace that could get him to 300 driving victories this season, had driven at 21 Ohio fairs in 2026 before Thursday (Sept. 3), when for the first time the 21-year-old “crossed over” (18 miles) to a Pennsylvania fair, the Stoneboro Fair– and promptly swept the Pennsylvania Fair Sire Stakes 3-year-old colt pace “A” contests for trainer Neil Balcerak and owner George Prushnok.
Tyler Miller ‘crushes’ Philly competition
Tyler Miller spent much of his spring and early summer in Kentucky, racing at Oak Grove and the local fairs with an occasional trip back east, but now he is concentrating on the Mid-Atlantic states – and he made an impact at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Thursday (Sept. 3) by winning both trotting features with “Team Orange Crush” horses.
Spring Haven Farm Ladies Driving Series adds races
Due to a demand from lady drivers with trotters, the Van Wert County Fair at Van Wert, OH and the Williams County Fair at Montpelier, OH have added a trotting race to the Spring Haven Farm Ladies Driving Series. The race at Van Wert will take place on Monday (Sept. 7), and the trotters will take the stage at Montpelier on Wednesday (Sept. 16)
Ocean Storm, Athena’s Girl secure spots in Oak Grove Trotting Derby and Oaks elims
Grade 1 William Wellwood Memorial winner Ocean Storm secured his spot in the eliminations to the 2027 $500,000 Oak Grove Trotting Derby with a stakes record equaling performance of 1:52.4 in Saturday night (Aug. 29) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Top French yearling sale colt pointed to U.S. for trainer Marcus Melander
At the Arqana Trot sale in Deauville, which started on Wednesday (Sept, 2) top price was 500,000 Euros for a half-brother to two-time Prix d’Amerique winner Bold Eagle.
Fresh faces score in INSS at Harrah’s Hoosier Park
A trio of divisions of the fifth and penultimate leg of Indiana Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting colts was contested on the Wednesday (Sept. 2) card at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, with Steppinouttohelp, Fifty And Famous, and Tipsy In Vegas all picking up their first stakes scores of the season.
Northville Downs opens meet with track records and Michigan Sire Stakes elims
Northville Downs at Barry Expo Center opened their 2026 meet Tuesday and Wednesday (Sept. 1 and 2) with Michigan Sire Stakes eliminations as the featured event along with several overnights. Hot temperatures and a well-maintained track surface helped produce multiple track records over the two-day period.
Chapter Geo J wins $115,500 NYSS at Batavia Downs Wednesday
After getting a perfect pocket trip, Chapter Geo J (Chapter Seven-Miss Vet Hanover) held off three opponents to capture the lone $115,500 NYSS division for 3-year-old male trotters that was held at Batavia Downs, where driver Drew Monti won half the card with his five victory performance on Wednesday (Sept. 2) evening.
Black Hope Takes Harrington Open Trot
David Hamm and Frank Chick’s Black Hope ($12, Brandon Givens) was a 1:56 winner in the $22,500 Open Trot Wednesday (Sept. 2) at Harrington Raceway.