In a message to the industry on Thursday (Jan. 21), Ontario Racing stated that the organization is continuing to work with government and industry partners during the lockdown and suspension of harness racing in the province.

Standardbred Canada understands that the impact of the pandemic to horse racing in Ontario is devastating to the entire horse industry.

Standardbred Canada has released the initial set of 2021 two-year-olds in training for our popular and comprehensive nation-wide list.

Mike Tanev has an interest in multiple professional sports, but only one — professional hockey — is active during the current pandemic lockdown. The father of two NHLers would like the Ontario government to give harness racing, his other pro sports interest, a closer look.

Maewegonow, the only mare in the field, opened a daylight lead at the three-quarters and romped to an easy victory in Thursday’s (Jan. 21) feature at The Meadows: an $11,000 Conditioned Trot.

The harness racing industry of Ohio, like many other states, has borne the brunt of a world trifled by a pandemic over nearly the last year. But with time, racing returned to the state with accommodations to help keep business running.

An O'Brien Award finalist this time one year ago, pacing colt Capt Midnight has been retired and will stand stud for the 2021 breeding season.

Marloe Hanover wired the field in the Mares Open/Select Pace at Dover Downs on Wednesday night (Jan 20).

A reminder to all horsepeople that all Standardbreds racing in Canada will be required to be microchipped to race as of January 1, 2022.

The Harold Kelly Memorial Pacing Series comes to a conclusion at Freehold Raceway on Saturday (Jan. 23).

Spurred on by Jeff Gural, owner of the Meadowlands, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs, and facilitated by the United States Trotting Association, a group of key stakeholders representing various parts of the industry and holding diverse viewpoints will meet in the coming weeks to examine the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act and harness racing’s potential role within it.

The Meadowlands has scheduled the legs of the popular Kindergarten Series for trotting and pacing two-year-olds where it is hoped they will best serve those nominating horses for 2021.

The nation’s top older pacing horse of the year in 2017 is back for a second chance at hauling home O’Brien Award hardware, and this time he’ll be looking to do so for trainer Anthony Beaton.

Pat Matters dominated the Open Trot at Dover Downs on Tuesday night (Jan. 19).

Cal launched a three-wide bid into the final turn and narrowly reached in Tuesday's (Jan. 19) featured $6,100 Open Pace at Monticello Raceway.

Equine Guelph is calling on horsepeople to participate in their Ontario Horse Racing Industry Survey.

Nothing can drain the colour from a horse owner’s face quicker than hearing the word "colic"! Winter is an important season to focus on colic prevention and ward off water woes that can lead to impaction in the equine gut.

The Vinny Fusco Jr. Memorial Pacing Series for New Jersey-owned, sired or foaled fillies and mares wraps up at Freehold Raceway on Friday (Jan. 22) with a pair of finals.

Skip To My Lou and Born To Thrive shared the limelight at Pompano Park on Monday (Jan. 18) at Pompano Park, taking top honours in their respective $11,500 Open Handicap events.

Driver Dan Noble will have an enviable decision to make following the draw for the $30,000 championship of the Claim To Fame series for $20,000 claiming trotters to be held next Monday.

Kelly Smith, who has worked for Hall of Fame trainer Chuck Sylvester for more than three decades, has been named the recipient of the 2020 Caretaker of the Year Award sponsored by Art Zubrod and Leah Cheverie’s Fair Island Farm.

In advance of the 2021 breeding season, the owners of pacing stallion Jimmy Freight have issued a statement regarding the stallion's 2020 breeding season results.

The Sunday (Jan. 17) edition of COSA TV focused on racing as it was and is amid the COVID-19 pandemic while also taking time to look back at some of the stars of the year that nonetheless came and went.

The shift to afternoon racing in 2020 proved a beneficial one for Hanover Raceway — so much so they will maintain their daytime schedule on summer Saturdays in 2021, albeit with a couple changes.

Each year, guests at the O’Brien Awards go all out for their wardrobe for the annual Black-Tie Gala. With the event being virtual this year, organizers are still encouraging finalists and guests to dress up according to the Boots & Bling theme to get into the spirit of the event, and they've some extra incentive.

Harness racing's top performers from Western Canada can sometimes end up lost in the shuffle of headlines dominated by the best of Eastern Canada. But, by virtue of a 15-win season, Major Custard made a major name for himself from coast to coast — and rightfully so.

In this week's Rewind, Robert Smith recalls a few of the details of an award's night banquet held 35 years ago in Kingston back in 1986.

Action Uncle, the Ohio Three-Year-Old Trotting Colt of the Year, has been named the 2020 Ohio Horse of the Year.

Not many fillies can become the fourth female in the family to win an O'Brien Award, but then again few fillies come to the races with the pedigree of Caviart Audrey.

In early December 2020 the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) was informed a Standardbred horse that had travelled from P.E.I. had tested positive for strangles.

Due the challenges resulting from COVID-19, the deadline for enrolling stallions for the 2021 Ontario Sires Stakes Program is being extended to January 22, 2021.

Drew Monti likes his home in Buffalo, but he also likes working regularly. Thus, the 26-year-old reinsman has decided to drive at The Meadows, even as he continues his regular schedule at Buffalo Raceway.

Standardbred Canada will present the Virtual O’Brien Awards Gala on Sunday, January 31 and the evening will kick off with the Red-Carpet Show, hosted for the fourth consecutive year by Kelly Spencer.

Maritime star Woodmere Stealdeal created a buzz all through 2020 as he extended his unbeaten record, and that buzz recently reached the mainstream national airwaves.

Standardbred Canada is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2020 Outstanding Groom Award.

Trot Insider has learned that Hall of Fame trotting sire Kadabra has been pensioned from stallion duty.

While 'glamour boy' Beaumond Hanover was the source of most of trainer Jack Darling's headlines last year, it turns out a two-year-old colt that was initially a bit of an afterthought ended up being the one to give the veteran conditioner a finalist for the 2020 O'Brien Awards.

Of the following horses that were retired in 2020, which will you most miss seeing compete on the racetrack in 2021?...read on

While 2020 was without a doubt an extraordinary year, horseman Kelly Hoerdt’s success on track was nothing out of the ordinary.

It’s an extreme honour for anyone in the business to find themselves being involved with an O’Brien Award finalist, but when you’re hooked up with a pair of finalists it’s an unbelievable feeling. Just ask Paul Walker.

The Prince Edward Island Harness Racing Industry Association has implemented a new Breeders Award for 2020.

Nothing quite compares to a good comeback story — especially when the comeback culminates in serious consideration for one of Canadian harness racing's most prestigious honours.

With the second wave of COVID-19 and the lockdown of racing in some provinces, these are extremely challenging times for many of our members. Standardbred Canada wants to ensure our members have access to the most current news and relevant information for Federal and Provincial programs and resources that may provide assistance to you.

As a result of the province-wide lockdown announced on Monday (Dec. 21) by the Government of Ontario, harness racing will be suspended at Rideau Carleton Raceway, The Raceway at the Western Fair District and Woodbine Mohawk Park effective Saturday, Dec. 26.

Standardbred Canada is pleased to announce that Ken Middleton and Jason Portuondo will co-host the 2020 Virtual O’Brien Awards Gala on Sunday, January 31.

The O’Brien Awards Black-Tie Gala is Canadian harness racing’s version of the Academy Awards and each year, not unlike what we see on the Red Carpet at the Oscars, the guests outdo themselves with incredibly stunning, glamourous, and sometimes jaw-dropping gowns and tuxedos.

The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (CHRHF) invites the public to participate in the nomination of people and horses who have made a significant contribution to Canadian Standardbred or Thoroughbred horse racing, for induction to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2021.

Standardbred Canada (SC) would like to notify members that in the best interests of the health and safety of our members and staff, SC Field Reps will not be working at racetracks during COVID-19.

The most up to date information from the North American harness racing industry pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic is located here. Coverage includes news, closures and access changes....read on