Two $14,000-plus divisions of the Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies opened the festivities at Topsham Fair on Monday (Aug. 7), serving as the starter’s call for the annual Pine Tree State harness racing pari-mutuel fair circuit.
Hambletonian Society accepting supplemental yearling nomination payments
This year marks the fifth year in which the Hambletonian Society is accepting supplemental yearling nominations for the races we service that require a yearling nominating payment be made.
Sabrina Hitchcock, 44, dies
Sabrina Booth Hitchcock, 44, born Aug. 10, 1978, to Robert D. Hitchcock and Susanne Hitchcock in Derby, Conn., died Aug. 5, 2023, after a long and courageous fight with cancer.
Sylvia Hanover remains No. 1 in Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll
Sylvia Hanover remained No. 1 in the Week 9 edition of the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll released Tuesday while Hambletonian Stakes winner Tactical Approach led a trio of newcomers into the Top 10.
Harrington double draw announcement
Horsemen racing at Harrington Raceway are advised that Wednesday (Aug. 9) will be a double draw for racing on Monday (Aug. 14) and Tuesday (Aug. 15).
John Ciocca Jr. looks to make his mark as a driver/trainer
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.
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).
OHHA to live stream two fairs on Tuesday
The Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association will continue its 2023 Ohio County Fair racing season with live-streaming coverage from the Cuyahoga County Fair in Berea and the first day of racing from the Champaign County Fair in Urbana on Tuesday (Aug. 8).
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.