Wherever David McDuffee goes, people want to talk about Bella Bellini. Even with the number of successful horses McDuffee has had in the past, he considers the two-time Dan Patch Award-winning trotter the most popular he’s ever owned. The fact McDuffee bred her makes it all the more satisfying.
Tag: Ken Weingartner
Going out a winner
Peter Pumpkineater won over owner/trainer Bruce Lauer with his class and determination. He competed for Lauer throughout 2022 and ended the year — and his career — with a win on Dec. 31 at Freehold Raceway. It was the 74th victory of Peter Pumpkineater’s career. In addition to Peter Pumpkineater, four other 14-year-olds over the last two weeks of the year won their final career start.
Jim Slendorn is ‘all in’ since returning to harness racing
Jim Slendorn went 30 years between winning races as a driver, but ever since then, the victories have been coming with increased frequency. The 58-year-old Slendorn, a regular in the GSY Series for amateurs, has added 20 triumphs since he captured a conditioned event at Freehold Raceway in January 2021, his first win since 1991 at the same track.
Day welcomes new year with first win
It might be difficult to imagine a driver getting the first victory of his career and having that single triumph put him on top of the season’s national standings for wins, but thanks to James Day, there is no need to imagine. Day accomplished the feat Sunday (Jan. 1) when he won Northfield Park’s first race — the sport’s first race of 2023.