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The third qualifying race for the Prix d’Amérique is the Prix de Bourgogne, which will take place Sunday afternoon (Dec. 31) at Vincennes.

He’zzz A Wise Sky and Marvelous Mystery concluded their 2023 campaigns with convincing repeat victories in their respective Open Paces on Friday night (Dec. 29) at Hawthorne.

David Glasser and Cote Keim won the final two Meadowlands Amateur Driving Club (MADC) races of 2023, held Friday (Dec. 29) at the Meadowlands, and they both came from off the pace in their respective upsets.

Brett Beckwith has been one of a handful of young drivers having an impact in the driver colony at the Meadowlands during the fall meeting, and the 20-year-old pilot kept rolling Friday night (Dec. 29), making three visits to the winner’s circle, including one with Splash Of Pink, who pulled off an upset in the $17,500 feature for 3-year-old pacing fillies.

The new year is rapidly approaching, which means that 2023 is coming to an end just as quickly. It is time for year-end honors but this year at Freehold Raceway, the title for leading driver has come down to the wire. Jimmy Marohn Jr. was in control of the lead for much of the year, but an injury from an accident at Yonkers in November halted his progress at 131 wins in 2023. Siegelman began the day (Dec. 29) at a total of 125 wins, just six behind Marohn. With the final weekend of racing at the half-mile track upon him, Siegelman decided it was time to kick things into high gear and close the gap. He did so successfully, winning five races on Freehold’s eleven-race Friday (Dec. 29) afternoon card. This puts his total wins up to 130, just one behind the leader.

Bob Nadeau, 86, of Saco, Maine, and his 14-year-old Putnams Storm were honored in an Au Revoir Retirement Showcase at Cumberland just before Christmas. In a story in the Portland Press Herald, Nadeau said harness racing has changed a lot during his 50 years in the sport.

Help Page, who made 8-1 look like easy money in the most recent top dance for the trotters, goes from the rail to the demanding 10 post in Saturday night’s (Dec. 30) featured $8,800 Open Trot at Cal Expo.

Most of the time when someone does a favor for someone else, the usual reply is a thank you. However, there are instances when the response is totally unexpected and much more than just thanks.

The Diamond Creek Farm operation under the direction of youthful veteran Adam Bowden has won two top awards for 2023 success in voting conducted by the United States Harness Writers Association: Owner of the Year, taken by Diamond Creek’s sulky side, Diamond Creek Racing, and Breeder of the Year, in operation as Diamond Creek Farm LLC.

Closing week in December always brings big handles at Dayton Raceway, and Thursday night (Dec. 28) was no exception. Dayton’s faithful bettors were out in full force for the final Thursday of the meet, wagering an all-time Dayton record of $1.286 million.