John Ciocca Jr. recently went on his own as a trainer and currently has five horses in his barn. He has no helpers, no grooms; and literally does it all by himself. “It’s some long days,” the 29-year-old Ohioan said, “but I get to hang out with horses all day so it could be worse.” It’s a refreshing attitude and a necessary one for a guy who wants to make his living in harness racing. And the fact is, it actually was worse at one point.
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Gigi Hanover and Royal Filly win NYSS at Monticello
On Monday (Aug. 7), Gigi Hanover and Royal Filly easily dispatched a field of their contemporaries in the New York Sire Stakes at Monticello for 3-year-old trotting fillies.
Phoenix Rising scores eighth win in 2023 with Maryland Standardbred score
Ocean Downs hosted two splits of the Maryland Standardbred Fund Stakes for 3-year-old filly pacers and a lone division for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings on Monday night (Aug. 7).
Brodeur and Longfellow S lead the way at Red Mile
On Monday (Aug. 7) the 15-race card at Red Mile featured trotters in two $80,000 second round legs of the Kentucky Sire Stakes, four $30,000 second round legs of the Kentucky Commonwealth Series and six $15,000 second round divisions of the Kentucky Goldenrod Series for freshman and sophomore males.
I’m No Outlaw N takes lifetime mark in Plainridge feature
Taking full advantage of a stiff early pace, I’m No Outlaw N rallied late to score a career-best effort in the $22,500 featured pace at Plainridge Park on Monday (Aug. 7).
Do Better proves best in Battle of Waterloo; Cheese Party upsets in Battle of the Belles
Bob McIntosh sent out two elimination winners in the $205,200 Battle of Waterloo final, presented by Winbak Farm, at Grand River Raceway on Monday afternoon (Aug. 7), and neither one of them disappointed. Do Better, a gelded son of Bettors Delight, guided by Sylvain Filion, delivered as the public’s choice to capture the prized event in 1:54.3. Always A Thrill, the second of two homebred rookies for McIntosh, finished second to complete the exacta for the stable.
Brisk August so far at onGait
Grand Revival 3,1:54.4f led all auctions Monday afternoon (Aug. 7) at onGait bringing a winning bid of $70,400 from Indiana’s Jeff Fought.
Summer Series finals headline Monday program at MGM Northfield Park
The $20,000 Summer Series finals for the trotters and pacers will light up the track Monday (Aug. 7) evening at MGM Northfield Park.
NYSS glamour division at Batavia Tuesday for $119,800
The most anticipated division of New York Sire Stake horses will be at Batavia Downs on Tuesday (Aug. 8). That’s when the 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings will assemble for one $119,800 dash that headlines a 14-race card beginning at 6 p.m.
BP’s Lucky Star shines again with another new Aces record
Talented trotters were in the spotlight at Running Aces on Sunday (Aug. 6) with Minnesota-sired sophomores featured along with the Steve Wiseman Memorial eliminations and fans were treated to some exciting racing and impressive performances.