Harness Racing

  Racetracks

The Meadowlands Racetrack

The best track in the world. From the moment they open till they day they close, the most important races take place at the Swamp. I believe the Little Brown Jug and the Red Mile races are the best races being run today, but on a day in, day out basis, there is no better racing in the world. The Breeders Crown, the million dollar Meadowlands Pace and the classic Hambletonian are the highlights of the season.

Freehold Raceway

A track that races in the afternoon. It has a lot of the same drivers and trainer as the Big M. During the winter months, I go over to my father's house to watch Freehold during the College football games. They have a few big races, like the Cane Pace and Freehold Cup, but it seems they are not getting the quality of horses they did in the past.

Woodbine/ Mohawk

This is a really excellent site that cover the Ontario Jockey Club tracks in Canada. They feature everything from up to the minute news to live video. I have spoken with Ken Middleton, who writes their Handicapper's Forum analysis and he is a very nice man who really knows his stuff about Canadian Standardbred Racing. Well worth a look , especially if you're following horses during the Meadowlands breaks.

Scioto Downs

This is the local Harness track in Central Ohio. I think it is a really beautiful facility and a good place to go during the summer. I haven't been going there as much as I did in years past, but this summer I am going to try to make it out there and check out the local racing scene. That is one bad thing about simulcasting and the Racing Network. It kinda erodes the interest in live racing. Scioto used to be jam packed on the weekend when I was growing up, but lately that has only been the case on opening night and the Jug Preview.

Balmoral Park

This is the premier track in the midwest, located outside of Chicago. They have pretty decent racing, although they don't have the influx of horses from different tracks the Meadowlands does. Their payoffs seem to be higher than anyplace else outside of the Big M and they have the best homegrown talent outside of the East Coast and the Ontario Jockey Club. One reason I don't follow Balmoral as much as I should is because they are not shown on the Racing Network. Therefore the only time I see their races is when I actually go to the track. I do, however , follow their American National Series every summer.

 

 

General/ Information Sites

United States Trotting Association

Obviously the most important site in the industry. All the news you would ever hope to find about harness racing is here and they have all the current news. The USTA is manned by a host of dedicated people who have spent a lifetime in racing. The Handicapping section is pretty good but the main reason to go here is to feel the pulse of racing. News comes from the smallest fairs up to the major stakes races. 

Times in Harness

Another good site for information. I enjoy reading the columns at this site. They have interesting columnists on most of the major facets of the sport. My personal favorites are the Marketing and Business information. 

 

Last Modified on 11/05/98
David Church [email protected]