Hot Mess Express has been a big part of owner Sam Bowie’s life for more than three years. On Friday, he will watch his 6-year-old female pacer compete for the final time before she embarks on the next chapter of her career as a broodmare.
Tag: Ken Weingartner
Winter time is winning time for Brookview Bullet
Henry Graber Jr. got goosebumps watching stable star M-M’s Dream race in 2023 and hopes to enjoy that feeling again when the trotter returns to action later this year. In the meantime, having a horse like Brookview Bullet in the barn is a great way to fend off any winter blahs. In fact, the pacer provides ample reason to enjoy the season.
Adam Twelve on patrol at Yonkers
Adam Twelve, named after a television police drama and co-owned by driver Yannick Gingras, has been capturing plenty of wins since arriving at MGM Yonkers Raceway in November. The 4-year-old male pacer, who raced previously in Indiana, has posted six victories in eight starts at the Hilltop, with his two setbacks being second-place finishes.
Good times continue for improving trotter Sidd Finch
Unlike his fictional counterpart, the horse Sidd Finch has never studied meditation in the mountains of Tibet. Still, in the past year the trotter has been able to attain a calmer disposition, leading to improved results in his own athletic endeavor.
Jersey move working well for Herschberger
Mark Herschberger began working with horses at an early age, but it’s only been in the past several years that the Illinois native — and nephew of trainer Erv Miller and driver Andy Miller — started pursuing his own everyday career in harness racing.
So Rock N’ Roll looks to step up in Big M debut
So Rock N’ Roll has been a stakes-winner in Maine and Massachusetts during his career, and now the 4-year-old pacer will kick off his 2024 campaign with a visit to The Meadowlands. Bred by Les Leighton and owned by Leighton Property, So Rock N’ Roll has hit the board in 32 of 37 career races, winning 11 and earning $255,531.
It’s all about winning and improving for Joe Chindano Jr.
Joe Chindano Jr. enters each new season with one basic goal — to steadily improve his numbers from the previous year. When looking at his stats at the completion of 2023, the 24-year-old driver had accomplished that goal for the sixth consecutive year.
Engblom right back to work after big 2023
After a busy 2023 that saw Per Engblom finish second in North America in wins and fifth in purses, the trainer is set to get right back in action this weekend with 11 horses racing at The Meadowlands. Engblom, a former Jimmy Takter assistant, saw his fifth year with his own stable end with 363 victories and $6.09 million in earnings. Those figures doubled his previous highs in both categories, set in 2022.
Urtel remains positive as he waits for another kidney transplant
When Jim Urtel Jr. was 12, he fell in love with horses and harness racing. In the ensuing years, he enjoyed operating a small stable, often with his father, while also working for several other trainers, primarily in western New York and Pennsylvania. Thirty years after jogging and training his first horse, though, Urtel was forced to give up his days at the barn. The Batavia, N.Y., resident was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2012 and spent eight years on dialysis while waiting for a kidney donation. He finally received a transplant from a deceased donor in 2020, but the kidney has not functioned as hoped, leaving Urtel in need of another transplant.
Cullipher enjoys rise of Down Under imports
A couple of Down Under pickups have gotten off to strong starts for trainer Jeff Cullipher as he looks to determine their paths for the year ahead.