The 47-1 shot Hellabalou pulled off the big upset in the $511,000 MGM Borgata Pacing Series final on Monday night (April 24) at MGM Yonkers Raceway, rallying up the inside in the lane after yielding to sit in the pocket early. The final time for the Joe Bongiorno-driven, Ron Burke-trained horse was 1:50.3.
Amazing Dream N delivers in Blue Chip Matchmaker Series final
Amazing Dream N and driver Yannick Gingras drew the pole for Monday’s (April 24) $328,200 Blue Chip Matchmaker Series final at MGM Yonkers Raceway and used that position to advantage, setting all the fractions and drawing clear in the homestretch to score an impressive victory in a 1:53.1 mile.
Southwind Dredge wins Series final; Weiss filles impress
On a Monday (April 24) afternoon at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania where horses racing up front did not do too well late, the best illustration of that concept came in the $20,000 Championship of the Game Of Pacing Claims Series for $10,000-base claimers, where Southwind Dredge was last at every call but the most important one, thundering by his field to reach the wire first in 1:54.2.
Icanflylikeanangel soars to victory at Plainridge
After changing owners, trainer and driver, and not having raced in four weeks, Icanflylikeanangel flaunted his class and made easy work of a full field of eight entrants in the $25,000 Winners-Over trotting feature at Plainridge Park on Monday afternoon (April 24).
Wager On Me Upsets In Harrington Open
George and Tina Dennis’ Wager On Me ($19.60, Ross Wolfenden) was an upset winner in the $20,000 Open Pace Monday (April 24) at Harrington Raceway.
Meadows Monday Memo; April 24
Here is this week’s Meadows Monday Memo.
Multi-talented Witherite ascends to position of Hoof Beats editor
James Witherite did not spend his life preparing to become the editor of Hoof Beats magazine. Rather, life itself readied Witherite for the role. Witherite, a 36-year-old Pennsylvania native whose interests and talents encompass not only harness racing but multiple facets of the arts, ascended to the position of editor earlier this month following a one-year stint as assistant editor. He took the helm from Kathy Parker, who joined Hoof Beats as editor in 2021 and will continue with the magazine as a contributing writer.
Nominations for Next Generation races at Eldorado Scioto Downs are due May 1
Nominations for the $150,000 Next Generation races at Eldorado Scioto Downs are due May 1. The events, held on Saturday (July 1), are for 2-year-old Ohio-sired horses, with four divisions for each sex and gait combination.
Ontario Sire Stake yearling nomination deadline is May 15
The yearling nomination deadline for the Ontario Sires Stakes program is May 15.
Donna Kerr honored at Buffalo Raceway
For Donna Kerr, being in the harness racing business for over 50 years, she’s thought many times of just walking away. But that’s easier said than done.