Walner (Chapter Seven) was nothing short of a phenomenon over every harness racing venue he set hoof over during his career. Now, he’s brought that same phenomenal talent to the breeding shed, and neither his trainer, Linda Toscano, nor David Reid, who put together the stallion syndicate for Walner, are surprised by his success.
Maryland Sires Stakes produces big payouts
Sires Stakes cards in general tend to be chalk ladened affairs for the bettors. Low win payouts and exotics that tend to return low on the investment. However, sometimes you can catch lightning in a bottle and Tuesday night (May 16) at Rosecroft, it struck twice as the track hosted four $85,000 finals in the Maryland Sires Stakes program.
USHWA Youth Membership open for 2023
The United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA), the world’s oldest organization for harness racing communicators, on Friday (May 12) opened to new applicants for its Youth Membership designation for 2023-24.
Dandy’s Everlasting wins Plainridge distaff
After tripping out early, Dandy’s Everlasting and Matty Athearn brushed late and finished strong to capture the featured $25,000 fillies and mares winners-over pace at Plainridge Park on Tuesday afternoon (May 16).
Another Matt Kakaley milestone: 6,000 driving wins
Matt Kakaley closed out a storybook week at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania — one in which he went over $100 million in total career purses — by notching his 6,000th career driving victory with Willing Hanover in a co-featured $15,000 conditioned trot on Tuesday afternoon (May 16).
SBOANJ offers new Spring Ahead Series for NJ sired horses
The SBOANJ has sponsored four divisions of the SBOA Spring Ahead Series, the first leg kicking off this Saturday (May 20) at Freehold Raceway.
Allywag Hanover and Charleston win qualifying races; Test Of Faith second
Allywag Hanover and Charleston were 1:53.1 winners in their qualifying races on Tuesday morning (May 16) at Harrah’s Philadelphia for trainer Brett Pelling, while 2021 Horse of the Year Test Of Faith was second in her first outing of the year.
Caesars Sportsbook to partner with Keeneland and Red Mile for sports betting in Kentucky
Legalized sports wagering is coming to Kentucky and Caesars Sportsbook, the sports wagering platform for Caesars Entertainment, Inc.
Rodney Grady, 82, dies
Rodney Grady (Zeke to many), 82, died May 9, 2023, at his home in Chelsea after a lengthy illness with cancer.
An open letter to The Jockey Club from the USTA
We did not anticipate reaching out to you, but we couldn’t help reacting to the broadside that your president, James L. Gagliano, directed at the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (NHPBA) on May 12 for having the temerity to challenge The Jockey Club’s wounded sacred cow, the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Act (HISA). You didn’t mention the U.S. Trotting Association (USTA) by name, but there’s a clear implication that the USTA is one of those “unrelated, agenda-driven, special interest activist” plaintiffs that you flippantly accuse as trying to “hoodwink” the racing public. How ironic.