From the time he was a teenager, Marcus Melander was focused on a career in harness racing. Growing up in Sweden, he raced ponies until he was 16 years old, at which point he left school to work for his uncle, Hambletonian winner and future Swedish Trotting Hall of Famer Stefan Melander, and began to make his own name in the sport.
Tag: Ken Weingartner
Benny J takes aim at third win in a row Sunday at Big M
After finishing his 2025 campaign with back-to-back victories, Benny J will look to continue his winning ways in his first start this year when he meets nine rivals in Sunday afternoon’s (Jan. 11) featured trot at the Meadowlands.
Harrisburg mixed sale sees three seven-figure prices in opening session
Female trotters French Champagne, French Cafe and Parisian Charm, selling as part of the final dispersal to dissolve the partnership of breeder/owners Al Libfeld and Marvin Katz, were each purchased back by Katz for a minimum of $1 million on Thursday during the opening session of the Standardbred Horse Sale mixed sale at the Pennsylvania State Farm Show Complex.
Yearling sale comes to a close in Harrisburg
The yearling portion of the 87th annual Standardbred Horse Sale concluded Wednesday at the Pennsylvania State Farm Show Complex, where trotting colt Custom Content sold for $130,000 to Noel Daley to lead the day’s activities.
Dance Of Victory leads second yearling session in Harrisburg
Trotting filly Dance Of Victory, a daughter of Walner-She Rocks Kemp, was purchased for $250,000 by Ake Svanstedt on Tuesday to top the second yearling session of the 87th annual Standardbred Horse Sale at the Pennsylvania State Farm Show Complex.
Thai Hanover ready for another test in Matron
Mitchell York is not someone who typically races horses this late in the season, especially a 2-year-old, but Thai Hanover will be a rare exception when he goes behind the starting gate in Thursday’s $122,600 Grade 3 Matron Stakes for freshman male pacers at Bally’s Dover.
Climatic Hanover tops opening session of Harrisburg sale
Trotting filly Climatic Hanover, a three-quarter sister to 2024 Dan Patch and O’Brien Award-winning colt Maryland, sold for $725,000 to Tor Hagmann as agent for Kjell Andersen to top Monday’s opening session of the 87th annual Standardbred Horse Sale at the Pennsylvania State Farm Show Complex.
Kindergarten finalists help keep owner feeling young
John Fodera has been involved in harness racing for nearly 65 years, and he has worked in various capacities at St. Peter’s Boys High School on Staten Island for 59, and he credits both pursuits for keeping him young at heart.
Nordic Catcher S wins 100th Hambletonian
Ake Svanstedt won his third $1 million Hambletonian Stakes on Saturday, capturing the 100th edition of America’s Trotting Classic for 3-year-olds with Nordic Catcher S in a stakes-record 1:50 at The Meadowlands.
Oaks connections ready for thrills of Hambletonian Day
John Fodera has gone to the winner’s circle twice as an owner of a Hambletonian Stakes champion. He hopes on Saturday to make that trip again, this time following the Hambletonian Oaks.