In just the second start of her career, Erv Miller trainee Dame Frances fired first up on the rim to the last turn and kicked by pacesetter Banana Beach to win the $80,000 Kentucky Sire Stakes (KYSS) final for 2-year-old pacing fillies under wraps in a track-record 1:50.4 mile on Monday (July 13) at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel.
Ocean Downs adjust post times with heat wave pending
Berlin, MD – With the heat wave due to settle over the East Coast in the next few days, Ocean Downs would like to remind all horsemen participating in qualifiers and racing…
Hambo Champ Nordic Catcher S sharp in 2026 bow
Nordic Catcher S did not look like a horse who was coming off a 345-day layoff, as the 2025 Hambletonian winner, who had not raced since that million dollar day, was ready for the $27,500 featured fast-class handicap trot at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Monday (July 13) afternoon, winning in 1:51. The time was only two-fifths of a second off the 13-year-old divisional track and world record of Uncle Peter.
Meadows Monday Memo
Here is this week’s Meadows Monday Memo:
Many events for Spirit of Massachusetts Day at Plainridge
Plainridge Park will host the ninth edition of the Grade 2 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot along with the Grade 3 Clara Barton Distaff Pace on Sunday (July 19), on a special afternoon card of racing that will also feature some of the best resident overnight horses currently racing at The Ridge.
W. Ken Wood, 82, dies
W. Ken Wood of Denton, MD, passed away on Saturday after a lengthy illness. He was 82 years old.
Indiana standout Buzzsaw Russ retired
The connections of two-time Indiana Sire Stakes champion pacer Buzzsaw Russ have announced the Indiana standout has been retired following an injury sustained this spring.
Harness Museum receives $7,500 from Monti-Goshen USHWA
Opening the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies and industry honors, the Monticello-Goshen Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association made its annual donation Sunday, July 5, to the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame.
NYSS to start closing week at Buffalo Raceway
It’s closing week for the 2026 season at Buffalo Raceway. While this year’s chapter is coming to an end at the Hamburg half-mile oval, 15 freshman filly trotters will basically be beginning their racing careers in a pair of races in the New York Sire Stakes.
USTA launches webpage to assist industry in utilizing the Equine Health & Wellness Database
In an effort to help the industry understand and better utilize the Equine Health & Wellness Database, on Monday (July 13), the United States Trotting Association launched a new web page with information and explanations on how to use it.