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September 13, 2025
Anderson, IN – Apex and driver Dexter Dunn proved to be top dogs in the $368,950 Grade 1 Peter Haughton Memorial, for 2-year-old male trotters, at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday (Sept. 12). The “Win and You’re In” event for the Breeders Crown highlighted a 15-race card with nearly $1.5 million in purses and also featured the $464,400 Grade 1 Jim Doherty Memorial, for freshman female trotters, won by Atlantic Summer by the narrowest of margins on the stakes-filled night. Apex was made the 2-5 favorite by the bettors, leaving from post two in a scratched-down field of nine rookie male trotters. Dunn landed Apex in the third position on the first turn while Magic Punk (Ake Svanstedt) hustled off the wings to grab command with Mr Big Spender (Mike Wilder) in the pocket through a quarter of :27.2. The tempo slowed on the backstretch with Magic Punk left alone to a half of :57.1 when Dunn had seen enough and tipped his Marcus Melander trainee off the cones. Apex moved into second on the final turn, racing at the leader’s wheel as Magic Punk got to three-quarters first in 1:26.1. The sprint was on, with Magic Punk briefly getting away from Apex at the top of the stretch, allowing Apex to tuck back into the pocket briefly before looking to slingshot by late. Motoring home in :27.1, a refreshed Apex took aim late and surged in front of Magic Punk in the final stages by a half-length to score in 1:53.3. Mr Big Spender held for the show position, with Hawt Yoga (Ricky Macomber Jr.) rounding out the super at 99-1. “He really couldn’t have done it any easier,” Dunn said in the winner’s circle. “He just keeps getting better and better through experiences like this. He got out of the gate really well, took a helmet, moved out, was able to tuck back in, and then he finishes the miles so impressively.” A winner now in five of seven lifetime races, Apex has yet to miss the board in his career while banking $456,575 for owners Jeffrey Snyder, S R F Stable, and Steve Stewart. The royally bred colt by Walner out of the world champion mare Mission Brief was bred by Mission Brief Stable and sold for $525,000 at last fall’s Standardbred Horse Sale. The victory was the second consecutive for Dunn and Melander in the Peter Haughton Memorial, having teamed up with Maryland to take the 2024 edition. 
September 7, 2025
Driver Doug McNair got longshot Windor home in the $159,745 Champlain Stakes and teamed Crack Shot to a commanding victory in the $80,062 Simcoe Stakes first division, the highlights of a five-win evening for the reinsman on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Windor scored a 29-1 upset in the lone dash of the Grade 3 Champlain Stakes as the third-longest shot on the board when persevering through a first-over trip to clinch the win in a 1:51.2 mile. Odds-on favourite Tilthecowscomehome (Jody Jamieson) swooped for the lead out of post six as Sweet Lovin Lou (James MacDonald) grinded forward on the outside to take point past a :27.1 first quarter. Tilthecowscomehome circled back to the front on the backstretch and took the field by the half in :55.4, where Doug McNair readied Windor for a first-up blitz on the far turn. Windor steadily gained ground on the march to three-quarters in 1:24.2. Tilthecowscomehome quickened in the lane, but Windor kept clawing to the outside and successfully powered by for a neck win in the closing strides. Sweet Lovin Lou gave pursuit from a locked pocket in third. “He’s been top three with [Tilthecowscomehome and Beau Jangles] all year and never had any luck,” trainer Mike Vanderkemp said after the race. “He’s been first-up, he got his wheel hooked one night, and he had a tough first quarter last week and still had go on the end. "I was happy we got a clear run at them. I wasn’t worried about the first-over; he doesn’t really get tired.” A homebred colt by Bulldog Hanover-Winx for owner Dianna Secord of Fergus, Ont., Windor collected his second win from eight starts and has now earned $141,930. Windor returned $61.30 to win. McNair teamed up with his father, trainer Gregg McNair, to win with Crack Shot, who cruised as the 1-9 choice to a 1:51 win in the first division of the Simcoe. Doug McNair gathered speed from post seven with Crack Shot and fired him past Sterling Choice to take the lead into a :26.2 first quarter. Crack Shot coasted up the backside with no challengers incoming and snagged a breather to a :55.4 half, at which point Welcometotheshow (Josert Fonseca) began an uncovered bid out of fifth and pushed forward through the turn to reach the leader’s wheel passing three-quarters in 1:24. McNair gave the chalk his cue to sprint spinning for home, and Crack Shot easily peeled away from the competition while drifting off the pylons to register a 4-1/2-length win over pocket-sitter Sterling Choice (Billy Davis Jr.) in second. Control Rocks (Tyler Borth) was third. Gregg McNair of Guelph, Ont. co-owns Crack Shot , a son of Bettors Delight-Beautyonthebeach, alongside Dale Hunter of London, Ont., Frank Brundle of East Garafraxa, Ont. and George Kerr of Gowanstown, Ont. The colt won his fourth race from 12 starts this season and his ninth race from 20 starts in his career, good for $514,160 in earnings. He paid $2.30 to win.
September 6, 2025
East Rutherford, NJ – Hunterton Sold Yo Tillie dug in through the stretch and overtook a game Champagne Problems in the final strides to extend her winning streak to 11 by capturing Friday’s (Sept. 5) $250,000 New Jersey Classic for 3-year-old female trotters by a neck in 1:50.2 at The Meadowlands. Walspea finished third and Conversano was fourth. The winning time was a career best for Yo Tillie, who is 8-for-8 this season for trainer Andrew Harris after finishing her 2-year-old campaign with three consecutive victories for then owner-trainer-driver Verlin Yoder. “I think she would exceed almost anybody’s expectations,” said Harris, who joined with Bill Pollock and Bruce Areman to buy Yo Tillie in mid-November. “You don’t ever expect a filly to go out there and do what she’s doing. “She just does it, she just wants to win. When you get about 10 feet from the wire, she’s trying to put her nose out in front. That’s all class. You can’t teach that, you just have it, or you don’t.” Yo Tillie and driver Todd McCarthy found themselves in third as Walspea, with Yannick Gingras in the sulky, led to the opening quarter in :26.3 while keeping Champagne Problems and driver Dexter Dunn a parked-out second until past that marker. Champagne Problems got the lead on her way to the half in :55.3, then faced a first-over challenge from Yo Tillie as they raced to three-quarters in 1:23.3. Champagne Problems and Yo Tillie matched strides for much of the stretch drive, with Yo Tillie’s race-best :26.3 last quarter proving decisive at the wire. “I know all these horses are getting better, and every horse is good right now,” Harris said. “I respect every horse. The second you don’t respect one of them, they’re going to come up and beat you. They’re all super athletes. “That was the fastest mile of (Yo Tillie’s) life, so she’s not running out of steam, horses are getting better. Kudos to (trainer) Nancy Takter. She’s got Champagne Problems 10 times better than what she was, and she was really impressive tonight. It’s just kudos to the competition she’s racing, and I think it says more about Yo Tillie that she’s actually beating these guys when these guys are all trotting in (1):50.” Yo Tillie has won 16 of 20 career races and increased her earnings to more than $700,000. The daughter of Tactical Landing -Consolidator was bred by GBW Breeding Farms and Black Creek Farm. She is the No. 3-ranked horse in North America in this week’s Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll. “It’s unbelievable,” co-owner Pollock said. “This is what everybody dreams of, having a horse that wins pretty much week after week.” Yo Tillie paid $2.20 as the 1-9 favorite.
September 6, 2025
East Rutherford, NJ – Apex took full advantage of a pocket trip behind rival Diabolic Hill before lifting in mid-stretch en route to a dominant 1:52.2 score — his fourth in a row in New Jersey — in the $250,000 New Jersey Classic for 2-year-old male trotters on Friday (Sept. 5) at the Meadowlands. Dexter Dunn kept Apex out of trouble on the first turn as both Maga Hill (driven by Yannick Gingras) and Practical Man (Todd McCarthy) broke stride in pursuit of the early lead. Captain Jordan (Tim Tetrick) inherited that lead from the pole nearing the completion of a :29 first quarter before yielding to Apex, who in turn yielded control to Diabolic Hill (Andy McCarthy) upon reaching the backstretch. “We had enough room on the first turn when they both made the breaks to handle it,” said Dunn of Apex, who had floated just behind the front flight in the race’s initial stages. “To the horse’s credit, he handled it like a professional.” After ceding the lead to Diabolic Hill, who was unopposed for the entire middle half, Apex drafted through splits of :56.4 and 1:25.2 before angling off the pegs turning for home. And while McCarthy had to ask Diabolic Hill for his best stretch effort, Apex’s mind was already on business, and the Walner -Mission Brief colt rolled to the lead with 150 yards to go and drew clear handily by 5-3/4 lengths while also shaving a full second off his previous lifetime best. Captain Jordan and Southwind Alamo (Johnathan Ahle) overtook a breaking Diabolic Hill in deep stretch and rallied to finish second and third, respectively. “He felt super tonight; he traveled terrific throughout the mile,” continued Dunn. “When I moved him at the top of the straight, he was doing it easy at the end. He seems to be learning all the time; I couldn’t be more pleased with how he’s progressing.” As the 2-5 favorite, Apex returned $2.80 to win. Marcus Melander trains the four-time winner, who has earned $272,100 for the partnership of Jeffrey Snyder, SRF Stable and Steve Stewart. The $250,000 New Jersey Classic for 3-year-old male trotters proved markedly more eventful: Second choice The Rogue Prince broke behind the gate, 1-2 favorite Onajetplane stalled turning for home after a long first-over grind, and first-place finisher Mountcastle switched to a pacing gait four strides before the winning post, all leading to unofficial runner-up Camera Man being elevated to a 21-1 upset. Jason Bartlett spotted Camera Man in seventh early as 50-1 pacesetter Go Boom (Dunn) controlled early splits of :27.1 and :55.3. As Onajetplane and Andy McCarthy began their first-over ascent out of fifth midway up the backstretch, Mountcastle (Scott Zeron) angled second-over and Bartlett landed Camera Man third-over into a live tow that picked up considerably through the far turn. Onajetplane worked forward steadily to offer mild pressure to Go Boom past three-quarters in 1:23.2 but stalled upon cornering for home, prompting Zeron to slingshot Mountcastle three-deep in the final furlong. But as Mountcastle struck the front and picked up speed nearing the winning post, he switched into a pace, resulting in his demotion to second behind Camera Man, who slipstreamed his bold mid-stretch move and finished two lengths in arrears before being promoted to victory. Go Ahead Makemyday (Gingras) emerged from traffic to save third over an engulfed Go Boom. Onajetplane faded to finish ninth in the 10-horse field. Camera Man, a Six Pack -Cameron Hill colt with five career wins and $201,927 in total purses earned, is trained by Bruce Saunders for Randy Zane. He paid $44 to win, and his race time of 1:51.2 knocked over two seconds off his previous lifetime mark. “We got multiple breaks in there,” admitted Saunders. “We were lucky two times, and you’ve got to be lucky in this game. He got a very good trip tonight. The flow was perfect, and Jason did a great job with him.  “He’s improved each start. He’s a happy horse; we couldn’t be any happier for him. Great owner, great caretaker — that’s what’s necessary to be successful in this game.”
September 6, 2025
Batavia, NY — Batavia Downs hosted the $2.4 million New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions on Saturday (Sept. 6) with eight divisions vying for $300,000 each. The competition was solid across the board, but two stars rose above the rest when the dust settled. Per Engblom’s Hunterton's Bred, Born & Sold Fragment turned a lot of heads when he scorched the Batavia oval in 1:52.1 for driver Jason Bartlett and shattered the track record for 2-year-old pacing colts by 1-2/5 seconds. And it was only one of four wins for Bartlett, who also had one second and one third in his seven NYSS drives. Here is a recap of all the night’s action. 2-year-old Colt and Gelding Pace sponsored by the Agriculture & NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund Champion – Fragment (Hunstville-The Show Returns) 1:52.1 (Track Record) – $2.42 Driver – Jason Bartlett Trainer – Per Engblom Owner – Engblom Stable and Douglas Sipple Breeders – Steve Stewart, Black Creek Farm, Michael Robinson and South Mountain Stables Knoxville (Mark MacDonald) was first to the front as the heavily favored Fragment was content to take the trip. The pace was good with quarters of :27.1 and :56, and the top two horses began to separate heading to three-quarters. Knoxville still had the lead, but Fragment pulled and just blew right by, opening up a three-length advantage entering the stretch. From there, Bartlett sat chilly as Fragment tugged him to the line on top by 6-3/4 lengths in 1:52.1, which was also just one-fifth of a second off his lifetime mark. “He’s so quick when he gets a trip like that. He’s a real professional off a half like that. I was feeling pretty confident when I saw the half time come up and the other ones were kind of struggling to keep up, it was our race to win. I knew he was fast enough and he did it with plugs in, so we had a little bit left,” said trainer Per Engblom. It was the sixth win in eight starts this year for Fragment, who has now earned $336,475 this year.
September 1, 2025
Lexington, KY – On another beautiful evening for Sunday Night Lights sponsored by Crawford Farms, Hunterton Sold Topville Lucky secured the victory in a lifetime best 1:50.2 in the $80,000 fourth round leg of the Kentucky Championship Series at The Red Mile for freshman pacing fillies. The 12-race card included two $30,000 fourth round divisions of the Kentucky Commonwealth Series, three $15,000 fourth round legs of the Kentucky Golden Rod Series and two $10,000 fourth round divisions of the Kentucky Wildcat Series for 2-year-old female pacers. Topville Lucky comes out on top in Championship Series Atlee Bender made the most of his inside draw to guide second choice Topville Lucky home in front of favored Gala (Todd McCarthy) in the field of eight after the scratch of Beautiful Memory. Caviart Daisy (Andrew McCarthy) closed for third but was nearly a full second behind the top pair. Leaving from post position one, Topville Lucky allowed 72-1 shot She’s A Rich Girl (David Miller) to cut out the first split of :28.1. Dexter Dunn, however, decided Seaside Shuffle needed to be involved in the early action and steered his filly to the half in :56.2. But Bender decided it was time to move from second position and placed Topville Lucky on the lead through three quarters in 1:24.2. It was a lead she would not relinquish despite the concerted effort of Gala, who had the outermost post, to record her third win in four starts. The top two fillies came home in :26. A daughter of Sweet Lou and Warrawee Winx, Topville Lucky is trained by Erv Miller. The only blemish on her record is when she broke stride in the second leg of this series after breaking her maiden in the first leg of the Commonwealth Series. The filly was bred by Jeremy Yoder and went through the ring at last year’s Standardbred Horse Sale for $27,000 to her trainer Douglas Overhiser, Michael Ternisky and Scott Leaf. Topville Lucky has now amassed $95,000 from four starts. She paid $7.24 to win to her supporters.
August 27, 2025
Lexington, KY – On Wednesday (Aug. 27) Hunterton's Bred, Born & Sold Endurance made it look effortless as he stopped the clock in a lifetime best 1:52.3 in the $80,000 fourth round leg of the Kentucky Championship Series at The Red Mile for his fifth consecutive victory. The 13-race card also included two $30,000 divisions of the Kentucky Commonwealth Series, three $15,000 divisions of the Kentucky Golden Rod Series and two $10,000 divisions of the Kentucky Wildcat Series for freshman male trotters. Endurance makes quick work of his foes in Championship Series Assigned post position six, Andrew McCarthy and Endurance left the gate in second position in the field of seven and that is where they remained for the majority of the mile. It Could Be Worse (Scott Zeron) took command at the outset and set splits of :28.4, :56.4 and 1:25.3 with the favored Endurance content to follow. By the three-quarter pole, Endurance was only behind the leader by a nose and from there on it was really witnessing a talented colt come home in :27. Silverstein (David Miller) closed from fourth with a last quarter panel in :26.4, but Endurance refused to be denied. Neighver Punt (Dexter Dunn) was overtaken by Silverstein in the lane but held for third. Trained by Chris Beaver, Endurance is a son of Captain Corey -Love Session. He has banked $193,200 with his only loss in six starts a fourth-place finish in his debut at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel in June. The colt was bred by Steve Stewart and Marti S Ala Seppala. He is the third foal out of his dam, a half sibling to world champions Triumphant Caviar and Centurion ATM , and by far her most prolific, which is ironic considering his price tag. Super Endurance Stable, Bill Manes, Leo Fleming and Mark Moger signed the check at last year’s Standardbred Horse Sale for $14,000 and sent him to Beaver, who also trained Triumphant Caviar . Endurance paid $4.15 to those that wagered on him as the public’s top selection.
August 24, 2025
Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs played host to the Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) for sophomore pacers on Sunday (Aug. 24). Unreasonable (Marcus Miller) charged late to capture the $200,650 EBC for 3-year-old pacing fillies. Shes A Streaker (Tyler Buter) was first to the quarter in :26.2. She slowed things down with a :29.2 second quarter and led to the half in :55.4. The Last Martini (Jason Bartlett) came first-up to challenge as they headed for the final turn. Shes A Streaker was first to three-quarters in 1:22.4.  As they made the turn for home, second-place finisher The Last Martini took over the lead. Then Unreasonable ($3.00) made her move heading down the stretch. The Last Martini dug in, but Unreasonable kept coming and got by just in time to win in 1:50.2. Shes A Streaker finished third. Unreasonable is a 3-year-old filly by Huntsville . She is owned by David Miller and trainer Erv Miller. It was he sixth win this year. She now has nine career victories.
August 19, 2025
Lexington, KY — As the heat in the Midwest continued on Tuesday (Aug. 19), so did the competition of beautifully-bred individuals at the Red Mile. Topville Lucky rebounded in a big way in the $80,000 third-round leg of the Kentucky Championship Series for freshman filly pacers in a new mark of 1:50.2 while Gala paced a big mile of her own. The 15-race card also included two $35,000 second-round Kentucky Sire Stakes legs for older trotters, two $30,000 third-round legs of the Kentucky Commonwealth Series, three $15,000 third-round divisions of the Kentucky Golden Rod Series, and two $10,000 third-round legs of the Kentucky Wildcat Series. The last three series were exclusive to 2-year-old filly pacers. Topville Lucky demonstrates her class in Kentucky Championship Series Slightly overlooked at odds of 8-1, Topville Lucky and driver Atlee Bender finished best to win for the second time in three starts for trainer Erv Miller. Favored Bahama Momma (Scott Zeron) was second with Seaside Shuffle (Dexter Dunn) rounding out the trifecta. The daughter of Sweet Lou -Warrawee Winx drew the rail in the contentious field of eight and settled in fifth through the first quarter while first-leg winner Beautiful Memory (Marvin Luna) established the first split of :27.4. That is when Andy McCarthy and second choice Caviart Daisy went to the top to set fractions of :55.4 and 1:23.3. As Caviart Daisy lost her head of steam, Topville Lucky and Seaside Shuffle were advancing to make their final bids to the wire and were a nose apart going into the homestretch with the latter in charge. Bahama Momma, however, was launching her own bid from fourth. Bahama Momma was valiant in defeat after overcoming post position eight and pacing her final quarter mile in :26.4. On this day, though, it just was not good enough to catch Topville Lucky, who uncorked her own :26.2 last panel. Bred by Jeremy Yoder, Topville Lucky broke her maiden in her first attempt in the first leg of the Kentucky Commonwealth Series on July 29. Her connections were pleased enough with that effort, in which she came home in :25.3, to move her up in class to the Championship Series on Aug. 10. The filly was last after drawing outside and breaking prior to the half-mile marker. She was a different animal today with an inside assignment. Topville Lucky is the first foal out of her unraced dam and was selected for $27,000 at last year’s Standardbred Horse Sale by her trainer in partnership with Douglas Overhiser, Michael Ternisky and Scott Leaf. The filly paid $19.18 to win. She has earned $55,000.
August 16, 2025
Dexter Dunn pulled Miki And Minnie out of the pocket in the stretch and overtook pacesetter Chantilly nearing the finish line to capture Saturday’s (June 16) $250,000 Grade 1 James M. Lynch Memorial, for 3-year-old female pacers, by three-quarters of a length in 1:49.1. Rodeo Drive Deo was third. It was the long-awaiting first meeting between Miki And Minnie, the 2024 Dan Patch Award winner for best 2-year-old filly pacer, and Chantilly, Canada’s 2024 Horse of the Year. They were supposed to meet in the Fan Hanover Stakes at Ontario’s Woodbine Mohawk Park in June, but Chantilly was scratched due to sickness. On Saturday, Chantilly and driver James MacDonald left quickly from post six and rolled to a :25.4 opening quarter on the lead. Miki And Minnie, who started from post two, took up the pocket position behind Chantilly, followed by Rodeo Drive Deo. The order remained unchanged as Chantilly reached the half in :55 and three-quarters in 1:22.1. Dunn tipped Miki And Minnie to the outside momentarily on the last turn but then returned to the pocket until the head of the stretch. Once Dunn asked Miki And Minnie to go from there, she worked her way to the front as part of a :26.4 last quarter to earn her eighth victory in nine races this season. “Yes, I was a little nervous,” Miki And Minnie’s trainer, Chris Ryder, said about the matchup. “I figured she might beat us out of the gate, and what would happen after that was up to Dexter. But (Miki And Minnie) got out of the gate well enough to get a good spot, and she’s just got a lot of heart. “I think I know my filly fairly well; she’s a grinder. She’s not the fastest filly, maybe, for actual quick speed, but she can hold whatever speed she’s got. She just keeps it going. She’s got a big heart and a great set of lungs, and she always finds the wire. She’s fantastic. It’s just a great result. It’s a real thrill.” Miki And Minnie has hit the board in all 20 of her career races, with 14 wins and $1.35 million in earnings. The daughter of Always B Miki -That’s The Ticket is owned by breeders Craig Henderson, Robert Mondillo, and Lawrence Minowitz. Ranked No. 1 in the current Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll, Miki And Minnie has won nine of her past 10 starts dating back to her Breeders Crown triumph in October. Her only defeat was by a head in June. Chantilly, who was unbeaten in nine races last season, has won 13 of 15 lifetime. “Chantilly went a great race,” Ryder said. “It was a matchup we were looking for, I believe. Let’s do it again.” Miki And Minnie, the 1-2 favorite, paid $3 to win. 
August 16, 2025
Wilkes-Barre, PA — The Tactical Landing filly Yo Tillie survived a rough early journey, limbed three-wide past the eighth pole, not crossing over to the inside and the lead until past the three-eighths, but kept trotting strongly to win her sixth race in an undefeated season by taking the $250,000 Grade 1 Delmonica Hanover, for 3-year-old trotting fillies, in a stakes- and track-record 1:51.2. Hambletonian Oaks winner Conversano left well as did Delaney Hanover; the latter hit the top before a :27.2 quarter, then kept the winner out in the air for most of the next quarter, with Yo Tillie reaching the half in :55.4. Conversano came first-over before the 1:23.2 three quarters, but the overland route took its toll, and Delaney Hanover provided the major stretch danger. That filly picked up a few inches on the winner, but Yo Tillie appeared to be in control, winning by three parts of a length while making driver Todd McCarthy the first two-time winner in the Delmonica Hanover’s five-year history. “I was actually glad when I heard that she would be starting from post six (after What A Bid Hanover was scratched) – six is a lot easier than seven,” winning trainer Andrew Harris, also co-owner with William Pollock and Bruce Areman, said after the race. “She’s a professional now. She used to get a little fired-up before the race, but she’s learned and is easier that way now.” The 1:51.2 clocking shaved a tick off the stakes record first set by Joviality S in 2022 and tied by Warrawee Michelle last year. Those two had also shared the track record with Check Me Out (2012), Designed To Be (2014), and Lasting Dream (who won a consolation earlier in the day). “She’s a really special filly, and Andrew is doing a phenomenal job with her,” said winning driver Todd McCarthy. “She’s matured a little bit, and she’s quite smart at the moment. We can race her anyway we want. She’s just been an absolute pleasure to drive every single time.” Yo Tillie now has career earnings of $592,383, with 14 wins in 18 starts. Sent off as the 2-5 favorite, Yo Tillie paid $2.80 to win. 
August 14, 2025
Hightstown, NJ — Yo Tillie was not eligible to the Hambletonian Oaks earlier this month, but she will meet four horses from that event’s final – including champ Conversano – when she brings an eight-race win streak to Saturday’s (Aug. 16) $250,000 Grade 1 Delmonica Hanover Stakes, for 3-year-old female trotters, at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania. Purchased this past November by Bill Pollock, Bruce Areman and trainer Andrew Harris following the completion of her 2-year-old season, Yo Tillie is unbeaten in five starts this year. The daughter of Tactical Landing -Consolidator finished her rookie campaign with three consecutive victories for then owner/trainer/driver Verlin Yoder as part of an eight-win season that included Kentucky Sire Stakes titles at Oak Grove and Cumberland Run. Over her past four starts, Yo Tillie has won twice in 1:51 and once in 1:51.1. The next fastest victory time this season by a sophomore trotting filly is 1:51.2, set by Conversano when she captured the Grade 1 Hambletonian Oaks at the Meadowlands on Aug 2. Conversano, trained by Juan Cano, and driver James MacDonald will leave from post three in the Delmonica Hanover and get the 5-2 nod as morning-line favorite. Yo Tillie, the 3-1 second choice, and driver Todd McCarthy will start from post seven in the field of eight. “She’s been doing great, and she’s coming into the race good,” Harris said about Yo Tillie, who is ranked No. 6 in the current Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll, four spots ahead of Conversano. “Obviously, we respect the heck out of Conversano; she’s a very nice filly. I’m just like the fans; I get to watch this and see what happens.” Yo Tillie heads to the Delmonica Hanover, which is part of Pocono’s Sun Stakes Saturday card, off a three-length, 1:51.1 win in the first round of the Kentucky Sire Stakes Championship Series at the Red Mile. Her remaining four victories this year have all been by more than three lengths, including her 1:51 score in a division of the Grade 2 Del Miller Memorial at the Meadowlands on July 12. Her other triumphs this season came in divisions of the Tompkins-Geers Stakes, Reynolds Memorial and Garden State Trot for 3-year-old trotting fillies. All were at the Meadowlands. “Did I expect her to be as good as she is? No,” Harris said. “But at the same time, nothing she does surprises me. I had a feeling she was the real deal, and that’s what attracted us to try to buy her.” So, what has been the key to her success? “I think it’s just that she has such a big set of lungs,” Harris said. “She’s obviously fast, but there are a lot of fast horses. I think it’s the lungs. She can just take so much more air than most horses. And she’s doing it any way Todd wants to do it right now, so she’s not trip dependent. I think her lungs allow her to do that. She can make a sweeping move and just keep going.” For her career, Yo Tillie has won 13 of 17 races and banked $467,383. Conversano will make her first start since winning the Hambletonian Oaks. The daughter of Muscle Hill -Celebrity Ruth has hit the board in all nine of her starts this season, with seven wins, one second and a third. In addition to the Oaks, her victories include the New Jersey Sire Stakes championship and a division of the Reynolds. The remaining Hambletonian Oaks finalists heading to the Delmonica Hanover are third-place finisher Delaney Hanover, fifth-place finisher R Charm, and seventh-place finisher Torrisi. Delaney Hanover, who came home in :26.3 as she rallied from eighth in the Oaks, leads the trio at 5-1 on the morning line. She leaves from post six with Scott Zeron in the sulky for trainer Lucas Wallin. Also among the field, at 4-1 on the morning line, is 2024 Goldsmith Maid winner What A Bid Hanover. She will start from post two with trainer Åke Svanstedt doing the driving. She was a 1:51.4 winner in her Del Miller Memorial division last month but went off stride in her Hambletonian Oaks elimination and failed to reach the final. The Sun Stakes Saturday card at Pocono also features the $250,000 Grade 1 James M. Lynch Memorial, for 3-year-old female pacers; $300,000 Grade 2 Max C. Hempt Memorial, for 3-year-old male pacers; and $300,000 Grade 2 Earl Beal Jr. Memorial, for 3-year-old male trotters. Miki And Minnie, the sport’s No. 1-ranked horse, is the 5-2 morning line favorite in the Lynch, which also includes Canada’s 2024 Horse of the Year, Chantilly, in her first trip away from Ontario’s Woodbine Mohawk Park.  Prince Hal Hanover, coming off victories in the Adios and Carl Milstein Memorial, is the 5-2 morning-line favorite in the Hempt while multiple graded-stakes winner and Hambletonian runner-up Super Chapter gets the 5-2 nod in the Beal.
September 13, 2025
Anderson, IN – Apex and driver Dexter Dunn proved to be top dogs in the $368,950 Grade 1 Peter Haughton Memorial, for 2-year-old male trotters, at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday (Sept. 12). The “Win and You’re In” event for the Breeders Crown highlighted a 15-race card with nearly $1.5 million in purses and also featured the $464,400 Grade 1 Jim Doherty Memorial, for freshman female trotters, won by Atlantic Summer by the narrowest of margins on the stakes-filled night. Apex was made the 2-5 favorite by the bettors, leaving from post two in a scratched-down field of nine rookie male trotters. Dunn landed Apex in the third position on the first turn while Magic Punk (Ake Svanstedt) hustled off the wings to grab command with Mr Big Spender (Mike Wilder) in the pocket through a quarter of :27.2. The tempo slowed on the backstretch with Magic Punk left alone to a half of :57.1 when Dunn had seen enough and tipped his Marcus Melander trainee off the cones. Apex moved into second on the final turn, racing at the leader’s wheel as Magic Punk got to three-quarters first in 1:26.1. The sprint was on, with Magic Punk briefly getting away from Apex at the top of the stretch, allowing Apex to tuck back into the pocket briefly before looking to slingshot by late. Motoring home in :27.1, a refreshed Apex took aim late and surged in front of Magic Punk in the final stages by a half-length to score in 1:53.3. Mr Big Spender held for the show position, with Hawt Yoga (Ricky Macomber Jr.) rounding out the super at 99-1. “He really couldn’t have done it any easier,” Dunn said in the winner’s circle. “He just keeps getting better and better through experiences like this. He got out of the gate really well, took a helmet, moved out, was able to tuck back in, and then he finishes the miles so impressively.” A winner now in five of seven lifetime races, Apex has yet to miss the board in his career while banking $456,575 for owners Jeffrey Snyder, S R F Stable, and Steve Stewart. The royally bred colt by Walner out of the world champion mare Mission Brief was bred by Mission Brief Stable and sold for $525,000 at last fall’s Standardbred Horse Sale. The victory was the second consecutive for Dunn and Melander in the Peter Haughton Memorial, having teamed up with Maryland to take the 2024 edition. 
September 7, 2025
Driver Doug McNair got longshot Windor home in the $159,745 Champlain Stakes and teamed Crack Shot to a commanding victory in the $80,062 Simcoe Stakes first division, the highlights of a five-win evening for the reinsman on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Windor scored a 29-1 upset in the lone dash of the Grade 3 Champlain Stakes as the third-longest shot on the board when persevering through a first-over trip to clinch the win in a 1:51.2 mile. Odds-on favourite Tilthecowscomehome (Jody Jamieson) swooped for the lead out of post six as Sweet Lovin Lou (James MacDonald) grinded forward on the outside to take point past a :27.1 first quarter. Tilthecowscomehome circled back to the front on the backstretch and took the field by the half in :55.4, where Doug McNair readied Windor for a first-up blitz on the far turn. Windor steadily gained ground on the march to three-quarters in 1:24.2. Tilthecowscomehome quickened in the lane, but Windor kept clawing to the outside and successfully powered by for a neck win in the closing strides. Sweet Lovin Lou gave pursuit from a locked pocket in third. “He’s been top three with [Tilthecowscomehome and Beau Jangles] all year and never had any luck,” trainer Mike Vanderkemp said after the race. “He’s been first-up, he got his wheel hooked one night, and he had a tough first quarter last week and still had go on the end. "I was happy we got a clear run at them. I wasn’t worried about the first-over; he doesn’t really get tired.” A homebred colt by Bulldog Hanover-Winx for owner Dianna Secord of Fergus, Ont., Windor collected his second win from eight starts and has now earned $141,930. Windor returned $61.30 to win. McNair teamed up with his father, trainer Gregg McNair, to win with Crack Shot, who cruised as the 1-9 choice to a 1:51 win in the first division of the Simcoe. Doug McNair gathered speed from post seven with Crack Shot and fired him past Sterling Choice to take the lead into a :26.2 first quarter. Crack Shot coasted up the backside with no challengers incoming and snagged a breather to a :55.4 half, at which point Welcometotheshow (Josert Fonseca) began an uncovered bid out of fifth and pushed forward through the turn to reach the leader’s wheel passing three-quarters in 1:24. McNair gave the chalk his cue to sprint spinning for home, and Crack Shot easily peeled away from the competition while drifting off the pylons to register a 4-1/2-length win over pocket-sitter Sterling Choice (Billy Davis Jr.) in second. Control Rocks (Tyler Borth) was third. Gregg McNair of Guelph, Ont. co-owns Crack Shot , a son of Bettors Delight-Beautyonthebeach, alongside Dale Hunter of London, Ont., Frank Brundle of East Garafraxa, Ont. and George Kerr of Gowanstown, Ont. The colt won his fourth race from 12 starts this season and his ninth race from 20 starts in his career, good for $514,160 in earnings. He paid $2.30 to win.
September 6, 2025
East Rutherford, NJ – Hunterton Sold Yo Tillie dug in through the stretch and overtook a game Champagne Problems in the final strides to extend her winning streak to 11 by capturing Friday’s (Sept. 5) $250,000 New Jersey Classic for 3-year-old female trotters by a neck in 1:50.2 at The Meadowlands. Walspea finished third and Conversano was fourth. The winning time was a career best for Yo Tillie, who is 8-for-8 this season for trainer Andrew Harris after finishing her 2-year-old campaign with three consecutive victories for then owner-trainer-driver Verlin Yoder. “I think she would exceed almost anybody’s expectations,” said Harris, who joined with Bill Pollock and Bruce Areman to buy Yo Tillie in mid-November. “You don’t ever expect a filly to go out there and do what she’s doing. “She just does it, she just wants to win. When you get about 10 feet from the wire, she’s trying to put her nose out in front. That’s all class. You can’t teach that, you just have it, or you don’t.” Yo Tillie and driver Todd McCarthy found themselves in third as Walspea, with Yannick Gingras in the sulky, led to the opening quarter in :26.3 while keeping Champagne Problems and driver Dexter Dunn a parked-out second until past that marker. Champagne Problems got the lead on her way to the half in :55.3, then faced a first-over challenge from Yo Tillie as they raced to three-quarters in 1:23.3. Champagne Problems and Yo Tillie matched strides for much of the stretch drive, with Yo Tillie’s race-best :26.3 last quarter proving decisive at the wire. “I know all these horses are getting better, and every horse is good right now,” Harris said. “I respect every horse. The second you don’t respect one of them, they’re going to come up and beat you. They’re all super athletes. “That was the fastest mile of (Yo Tillie’s) life, so she’s not running out of steam, horses are getting better. Kudos to (trainer) Nancy Takter. She’s got Champagne Problems 10 times better than what she was, and she was really impressive tonight. It’s just kudos to the competition she’s racing, and I think it says more about Yo Tillie that she’s actually beating these guys when these guys are all trotting in (1):50.” Yo Tillie has won 16 of 20 career races and increased her earnings to more than $700,000. The daughter of Tactical Landing -Consolidator was bred by GBW Breeding Farms and Black Creek Farm. She is the No. 3-ranked horse in North America in this week’s Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll. “It’s unbelievable,” co-owner Pollock said. “This is what everybody dreams of, having a horse that wins pretty much week after week.” Yo Tillie paid $2.20 as the 1-9 favorite.
September 6, 2025
East Rutherford, NJ – Apex took full advantage of a pocket trip behind rival Diabolic Hill before lifting in mid-stretch en route to a dominant 1:52.2 score — his fourth in a row in New Jersey — in the $250,000 New Jersey Classic for 2-year-old male trotters on Friday (Sept. 5) at the Meadowlands. Dexter Dunn kept Apex out of trouble on the first turn as both Maga Hill (driven by Yannick Gingras) and Practical Man (Todd McCarthy) broke stride in pursuit of the early lead. Captain Jordan (Tim Tetrick) inherited that lead from the pole nearing the completion of a :29 first quarter before yielding to Apex, who in turn yielded control to Diabolic Hill (Andy McCarthy) upon reaching the backstretch. “We had enough room on the first turn when they both made the breaks to handle it,” said Dunn of Apex, who had floated just behind the front flight in the race’s initial stages. “To the horse’s credit, he handled it like a professional.” After ceding the lead to Diabolic Hill, who was unopposed for the entire middle half, Apex drafted through splits of :56.4 and 1:25.2 before angling off the pegs turning for home. And while McCarthy had to ask Diabolic Hill for his best stretch effort, Apex’s mind was already on business, and the Walner -Mission Brief colt rolled to the lead with 150 yards to go and drew clear handily by 5-3/4 lengths while also shaving a full second off his previous lifetime best. Captain Jordan and Southwind Alamo (Johnathan Ahle) overtook a breaking Diabolic Hill in deep stretch and rallied to finish second and third, respectively. “He felt super tonight; he traveled terrific throughout the mile,” continued Dunn. “When I moved him at the top of the straight, he was doing it easy at the end. He seems to be learning all the time; I couldn’t be more pleased with how he’s progressing.” As the 2-5 favorite, Apex returned $2.80 to win. Marcus Melander trains the four-time winner, who has earned $272,100 for the partnership of Jeffrey Snyder, SRF Stable and Steve Stewart. The $250,000 New Jersey Classic for 3-year-old male trotters proved markedly more eventful: Second choice The Rogue Prince broke behind the gate, 1-2 favorite Onajetplane stalled turning for home after a long first-over grind, and first-place finisher Mountcastle switched to a pacing gait four strides before the winning post, all leading to unofficial runner-up Camera Man being elevated to a 21-1 upset. Jason Bartlett spotted Camera Man in seventh early as 50-1 pacesetter Go Boom (Dunn) controlled early splits of :27.1 and :55.3. As Onajetplane and Andy McCarthy began their first-over ascent out of fifth midway up the backstretch, Mountcastle (Scott Zeron) angled second-over and Bartlett landed Camera Man third-over into a live tow that picked up considerably through the far turn. Onajetplane worked forward steadily to offer mild pressure to Go Boom past three-quarters in 1:23.2 but stalled upon cornering for home, prompting Zeron to slingshot Mountcastle three-deep in the final furlong. But as Mountcastle struck the front and picked up speed nearing the winning post, he switched into a pace, resulting in his demotion to second behind Camera Man, who slipstreamed his bold mid-stretch move and finished two lengths in arrears before being promoted to victory. Go Ahead Makemyday (Gingras) emerged from traffic to save third over an engulfed Go Boom. Onajetplane faded to finish ninth in the 10-horse field. Camera Man, a Six Pack -Cameron Hill colt with five career wins and $201,927 in total purses earned, is trained by Bruce Saunders for Randy Zane. He paid $44 to win, and his race time of 1:51.2 knocked over two seconds off his previous lifetime mark. “We got multiple breaks in there,” admitted Saunders. “We were lucky two times, and you’ve got to be lucky in this game. He got a very good trip tonight. The flow was perfect, and Jason did a great job with him.  “He’s improved each start. He’s a happy horse; we couldn’t be any happier for him. Great owner, great caretaker — that’s what’s necessary to be successful in this game.”
September 6, 2025
Batavia, NY — Batavia Downs hosted the $2.4 million New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions on Saturday (Sept. 6) with eight divisions vying for $300,000 each. The competition was solid across the board, but two stars rose above the rest when the dust settled. Per Engblom’s Hunterton's Bred, Born & Sold Fragment turned a lot of heads when he scorched the Batavia oval in 1:52.1 for driver Jason Bartlett and shattered the track record for 2-year-old pacing colts by 1-2/5 seconds. And it was only one of four wins for Bartlett, who also had one second and one third in his seven NYSS drives. Here is a recap of all the night’s action. 2-year-old Colt and Gelding Pace sponsored by the Agriculture & NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund Champion – Fragment (Hunstville-The Show Returns) 1:52.1 (Track Record) – $2.42 Driver – Jason Bartlett Trainer – Per Engblom Owner – Engblom Stable and Douglas Sipple Breeders – Steve Stewart, Black Creek Farm, Michael Robinson and South Mountain Stables Knoxville (Mark MacDonald) was first to the front as the heavily favored Fragment was content to take the trip. The pace was good with quarters of :27.1 and :56, and the top two horses began to separate heading to three-quarters. Knoxville still had the lead, but Fragment pulled and just blew right by, opening up a three-length advantage entering the stretch. From there, Bartlett sat chilly as Fragment tugged him to the line on top by 6-3/4 lengths in 1:52.1, which was also just one-fifth of a second off his lifetime mark. “He’s so quick when he gets a trip like that. He’s a real professional off a half like that. I was feeling pretty confident when I saw the half time come up and the other ones were kind of struggling to keep up, it was our race to win. I knew he was fast enough and he did it with plugs in, so we had a little bit left,” said trainer Per Engblom. It was the sixth win in eight starts this year for Fragment, who has now earned $336,475 this year.
September 1, 2025
Lexington, KY – On another beautiful evening for Sunday Night Lights sponsored by Crawford Farms, Hunterton Sold Topville Lucky secured the victory in a lifetime best 1:50.2 in the $80,000 fourth round leg of the Kentucky Championship Series at The Red Mile for freshman pacing fillies. The 12-race card included two $30,000 fourth round divisions of the Kentucky Commonwealth Series, three $15,000 fourth round legs of the Kentucky Golden Rod Series and two $10,000 fourth round divisions of the Kentucky Wildcat Series for 2-year-old female pacers. Topville Lucky comes out on top in Championship Series Atlee Bender made the most of his inside draw to guide second choice Topville Lucky home in front of favored Gala (Todd McCarthy) in the field of eight after the scratch of Beautiful Memory. Caviart Daisy (Andrew McCarthy) closed for third but was nearly a full second behind the top pair. Leaving from post position one, Topville Lucky allowed 72-1 shot She’s A Rich Girl (David Miller) to cut out the first split of :28.1. Dexter Dunn, however, decided Seaside Shuffle needed to be involved in the early action and steered his filly to the half in :56.2. But Bender decided it was time to move from second position and placed Topville Lucky on the lead through three quarters in 1:24.2. It was a lead she would not relinquish despite the concerted effort of Gala, who had the outermost post, to record her third win in four starts. The top two fillies came home in :26. A daughter of Sweet Lou and Warrawee Winx, Topville Lucky is trained by Erv Miller. The only blemish on her record is when she broke stride in the second leg of this series after breaking her maiden in the first leg of the Commonwealth Series. The filly was bred by Jeremy Yoder and went through the ring at last year’s Standardbred Horse Sale for $27,000 to her trainer Douglas Overhiser, Michael Ternisky and Scott Leaf. Topville Lucky has now amassed $95,000 from four starts. She paid $7.24 to win to her supporters.
August 27, 2025
Lexington, KY – On Wednesday (Aug. 27) Hunterton's Bred, Born & Sold Endurance made it look effortless as he stopped the clock in a lifetime best 1:52.3 in the $80,000 fourth round leg of the Kentucky Championship Series at The Red Mile for his fifth consecutive victory. The 13-race card also included two $30,000 divisions of the Kentucky Commonwealth Series, three $15,000 divisions of the Kentucky Golden Rod Series and two $10,000 divisions of the Kentucky Wildcat Series for freshman male trotters. Endurance makes quick work of his foes in Championship Series Assigned post position six, Andrew McCarthy and Endurance left the gate in second position in the field of seven and that is where they remained for the majority of the mile. It Could Be Worse (Scott Zeron) took command at the outset and set splits of :28.4, :56.4 and 1:25.3 with the favored Endurance content to follow. By the three-quarter pole, Endurance was only behind the leader by a nose and from there on it was really witnessing a talented colt come home in :27. Silverstein (David Miller) closed from fourth with a last quarter panel in :26.4, but Endurance refused to be denied. Neighver Punt (Dexter Dunn) was overtaken by Silverstein in the lane but held for third. Trained by Chris Beaver, Endurance is a son of Captain Corey -Love Session. He has banked $193,200 with his only loss in six starts a fourth-place finish in his debut at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel in June. The colt was bred by Steve Stewart and Marti S Ala Seppala. He is the third foal out of his dam, a half sibling to world champions Triumphant Caviar and Centurion ATM , and by far her most prolific, which is ironic considering his price tag. Super Endurance Stable, Bill Manes, Leo Fleming and Mark Moger signed the check at last year’s Standardbred Horse Sale for $14,000 and sent him to Beaver, who also trained Triumphant Caviar . Endurance paid $4.15 to those that wagered on him as the public’s top selection.
August 24, 2025
Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs played host to the Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) for sophomore pacers on Sunday (Aug. 24). Unreasonable (Marcus Miller) charged late to capture the $200,650 EBC for 3-year-old pacing fillies. Shes A Streaker (Tyler Buter) was first to the quarter in :26.2. She slowed things down with a :29.2 second quarter and led to the half in :55.4. The Last Martini (Jason Bartlett) came first-up to challenge as they headed for the final turn. Shes A Streaker was first to three-quarters in 1:22.4.  As they made the turn for home, second-place finisher The Last Martini took over the lead. Then Unreasonable ($3.00) made her move heading down the stretch. The Last Martini dug in, but Unreasonable kept coming and got by just in time to win in 1:50.2. Shes A Streaker finished third. Unreasonable is a 3-year-old filly by Huntsville . She is owned by David Miller and trainer Erv Miller. It was he sixth win this year. She now has nine career victories.
August 19, 2025
Lexington, KY — As the heat in the Midwest continued on Tuesday (Aug. 19), so did the competition of beautifully-bred individuals at the Red Mile. Topville Lucky rebounded in a big way in the $80,000 third-round leg of the Kentucky Championship Series for freshman filly pacers in a new mark of 1:50.2 while Gala paced a big mile of her own. The 15-race card also included two $35,000 second-round Kentucky Sire Stakes legs for older trotters, two $30,000 third-round legs of the Kentucky Commonwealth Series, three $15,000 third-round divisions of the Kentucky Golden Rod Series, and two $10,000 third-round legs of the Kentucky Wildcat Series. The last three series were exclusive to 2-year-old filly pacers. Topville Lucky demonstrates her class in Kentucky Championship Series Slightly overlooked at odds of 8-1, Topville Lucky and driver Atlee Bender finished best to win for the second time in three starts for trainer Erv Miller. Favored Bahama Momma (Scott Zeron) was second with Seaside Shuffle (Dexter Dunn) rounding out the trifecta. The daughter of Sweet Lou -Warrawee Winx drew the rail in the contentious field of eight and settled in fifth through the first quarter while first-leg winner Beautiful Memory (Marvin Luna) established the first split of :27.4. That is when Andy McCarthy and second choice Caviart Daisy went to the top to set fractions of :55.4 and 1:23.3. As Caviart Daisy lost her head of steam, Topville Lucky and Seaside Shuffle were advancing to make their final bids to the wire and were a nose apart going into the homestretch with the latter in charge. Bahama Momma, however, was launching her own bid from fourth. Bahama Momma was valiant in defeat after overcoming post position eight and pacing her final quarter mile in :26.4. On this day, though, it just was not good enough to catch Topville Lucky, who uncorked her own :26.2 last panel. Bred by Jeremy Yoder, Topville Lucky broke her maiden in her first attempt in the first leg of the Kentucky Commonwealth Series on July 29. Her connections were pleased enough with that effort, in which she came home in :25.3, to move her up in class to the Championship Series on Aug. 10. The filly was last after drawing outside and breaking prior to the half-mile marker. She was a different animal today with an inside assignment. Topville Lucky is the first foal out of her unraced dam and was selected for $27,000 at last year’s Standardbred Horse Sale by her trainer in partnership with Douglas Overhiser, Michael Ternisky and Scott Leaf. The filly paid $19.18 to win. She has earned $55,000.
August 16, 2025
Dexter Dunn pulled Miki And Minnie out of the pocket in the stretch and overtook pacesetter Chantilly nearing the finish line to capture Saturday’s (June 16) $250,000 Grade 1 James M. Lynch Memorial, for 3-year-old female pacers, by three-quarters of a length in 1:49.1. Rodeo Drive Deo was third. It was the long-awaiting first meeting between Miki And Minnie, the 2024 Dan Patch Award winner for best 2-year-old filly pacer, and Chantilly, Canada’s 2024 Horse of the Year. They were supposed to meet in the Fan Hanover Stakes at Ontario’s Woodbine Mohawk Park in June, but Chantilly was scratched due to sickness. On Saturday, Chantilly and driver James MacDonald left quickly from post six and rolled to a :25.4 opening quarter on the lead. Miki And Minnie, who started from post two, took up the pocket position behind Chantilly, followed by Rodeo Drive Deo. The order remained unchanged as Chantilly reached the half in :55 and three-quarters in 1:22.1. Dunn tipped Miki And Minnie to the outside momentarily on the last turn but then returned to the pocket until the head of the stretch. Once Dunn asked Miki And Minnie to go from there, she worked her way to the front as part of a :26.4 last quarter to earn her eighth victory in nine races this season. “Yes, I was a little nervous,” Miki And Minnie’s trainer, Chris Ryder, said about the matchup. “I figured she might beat us out of the gate, and what would happen after that was up to Dexter. But (Miki And Minnie) got out of the gate well enough to get a good spot, and she’s just got a lot of heart. “I think I know my filly fairly well; she’s a grinder. She’s not the fastest filly, maybe, for actual quick speed, but she can hold whatever speed she’s got. She just keeps it going. She’s got a big heart and a great set of lungs, and she always finds the wire. She’s fantastic. It’s just a great result. It’s a real thrill.” Miki And Minnie has hit the board in all 20 of her career races, with 14 wins and $1.35 million in earnings. The daughter of Always B Miki -That’s The Ticket is owned by breeders Craig Henderson, Robert Mondillo, and Lawrence Minowitz. Ranked No. 1 in the current Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll, Miki And Minnie has won nine of her past 10 starts dating back to her Breeders Crown triumph in October. Her only defeat was by a head in June. Chantilly, who was unbeaten in nine races last season, has won 13 of 15 lifetime. “Chantilly went a great race,” Ryder said. “It was a matchup we were looking for, I believe. Let’s do it again.” Miki And Minnie, the 1-2 favorite, paid $3 to win. 
Birthplace of Champions
Allegiant
Tactical Landing - Too Good For You
2, 1:52.2; 3, 1:51.1f-’24 ($1,043,347)
Hunterton bred, raised and sold
Maryland
Chapter Seven - Crucial
2, 1:51.4 ($1,227,695)
Owned by Hunterton and Partners
Jiggy Jog S
Walner - Hot Mess Hanover
5, 1:49.2 ($3,090,391)
Owned by Hunterton and Partners
Monserrate
Chapter Seven - Guinevere Hall
2 , 1:52.1 ($332,693)
Hunterton bred, raised and sold
Allegiant
Tactical Landing - Too Good For You
2, 1:52.2; 3, 1:51.1f-’24 ($1,043,347)
Hunterton bred, raised and sold
Maryland
Chapter Seven - Crucial
2, 1:51.4 ($1,358,784)
Owned by Hunterton and Partners
Jiggy Jog S
Walner - Hot Mess Hanover
5, 1:49.2 ($3,095,467)
Owned by Hunterton and Partners
Monserrate
Chapter Seven - Guinevere Hall
2 , 1:52.1 ($395,833)
Hunterton bred, raised and sold
Miki And Minnie
Always B Miki - That's The Ticket
P , 2 , 1:49.2 ($834,086)
Hunterton raised
Miki And Minnie
Always B Miki - That's The Ticket
P , 3 , 1:48.3 ($1,101,338)
Hunterton raised
Year after year, horses bred and raised at Hunterton Farm in Paris, Ky., have been winning harness racing’s biggest races. The list of 2024 champions with connections to Hunterton includes THREE Breeders Crown winners—Allegiant 3YearOld Filly Trot), Maryland (2YearOld Colt Trot), and Miki And Minnie (2YearOld Filly Pace)—and Valley Victory Trot victor Monserrate.
The Stewarts, along with partner Atlantic Trot, bred Allegiant and Monserrate was bred by the Stewarts, Black Creek and Maumee River. Miki And Minnie was raised at Hunterton as a homebred for her owners. The Stewarts were brought into the ownership group of Maryland when Anders Strom purchased him last year at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. Coincidentally, the Stewarts and partners bred the dam of Maryland, Crucial.
And the above horses weren’t the only big 2024 winners with a connection to Hunterton. In February of this year, the Stewarts put a group together to purchase the phenomenal trotting mare Jiggy Jog S, who holds a 1:49.2 mark and earned $3,095,467 before she was retired in the fall due to injury.
In the fall of 2023, Hunterton sold a sister in blood to Maryland, a filly named
Voguish, for $535,000. She wrapped up her freshman season with a secondplace finish in the Goldsmith Maid at the Meadowlands, beaten only by a nose.
The drumbeat continued this year for Hunterton Sales Agency as one of the leading consignors. At the Lexington Selected Sale, Hunterton sold 94 yearlings for a gross of more than $9 million.
The Lexington consignment was highlighted by two yearling fillies that each sold for $550,000: Muffin Queen (Tactical LandingLove Muffin) and Naughty Beauty (Bettor’s DelightBeautyonthebeach). Hunterton Sales Agency also takes a large consignment to Harrisburg every fall and this year sold the colt Apex (WalnerMission Brief) for $525,000, the thirdhighest price at that auction.
Investing in bloodlines has been a cornerstone of Hunterton’s business. In addition to its acquisition of interests in the mare Jiggy Jog S and future stallion Maryland, Steve Stewart and partners purchased the following mares in 2024:
• On Your Tab (Cantab HallSoutaine HanoverDonerail), dam of Buy A Round 3, 1:51.4 ($745,782)
• Pirouette Hanover p,3, 1:50.3 ($608,759) (Western IdealPaula’s BestPro Bono Best), dam of Nijinsky p,3, 1:47.3 ($1,287,445)
• Highland Top Hill 5, 1:52.4s ($148,624) (Muscle HillHighland ImageAndover Hall), dam of Highland Kismet 3, 1:51.1s ($529,006), runnerup in 2024 Hambletonian
• Miss I LA 3, 1:52.4 ($437,508) (WalnerSouthwind VenusMuscle Hill), half sister to 2024 fastest two year old filly and stakes winner Luna Lovegood 2, 1:51.4
• Special Talent 2,Q2:00.4 (WalnerSpecial HillMuscle Hill), full sister to Breeders Crown winner Special Way 3,1:51.2 ($1,296,815)
• Beach Cowgirl p,4, 1:49.1 ($484,330) (CaptaintreacherousStonebridge SundaeCamluck)
• Paulina Hanover 3, 1:52f ($336,209) (Father PatrickPersonal StyleYankee Glide)
Hunterton has never stood a stallion, putting its faith and concentration in its broodmares. While the first review of its labors comes when foals are born, the initial public test is at the fall yearling sales, when buyers inspect and invest. In 2025, Hunterton Sales Agency will offer the following yearlings at auction:
• Walner filly—first foal—out of When Dovescry 3, 1:50 ($2,098,210)
• Walner colt—first foal—out of Selfie Queen 3, 1:51.1 ($479,882)
• Bulldog Hanover colt—first foal—out of Firestart Hanover p,3, 1:49 ($1,273,448)
• Gimpanzee colt out of Mission Brief 3, 1:50.2f ($1,599,587), the dam of 2024 stakes winner Kadena 2, 1:53.4
• Pebble Beach filly out of Rocknificent p,4, 1:48 ($1,153,822)
• Muscle Hill filly out of Woodside Charm 2,1:53f ($531,658)
• Gimpanzee filly out of Southwind Serena, dam of Mission Brief and Tactical Landing
• Chapter Seven filly out of Dream Child, dam of Ari Ferrari J 3, 1:50.3 ($1,115,431)
• Muscle Hill filly out of Guinevere Hall, dam of 2024 Valley Victory winner Monserrate 2, 1:52.1 ($332,693)
• Walner colt out of Sarcy, the dam of Hambo winner Tactical Approach 3, 1:50.1 ($1,544,489) and Double Deceiver 3, 1:50.2 ($770,954)
• Chapter Seven filly out of $2 million winner Maven, the dam of Pretender 3, 1:51.3 ($818,748).

Hunterton now consists of over 1,300 acres in the lush rolling hills of Bourbon County, Ky. This gives them the amazing opportunity to raise great racehorses each year. While broodmares wait to foal—or barren or new mares wait for the breeding season to officially commence, the everyday rhythms of a horse breeding farm continue at Hunterton Farms in Paris, Ky for Steve and Cindy Stewart.
The Stewarts would like to thank their many partners and clients for their support. As the Stewarts have always said, “When you see a turtle on the top of a fence post, you know he didn’t get there on his own.”
THREE FOR THREE
There were 3 MILLION DOLLAR RACES in 2024 and Hunterton (Born, Raised or Sold) Has Won All 3! North America Cup & Little Brown Jug Final Winner IT'S MY SHOW & Hambletonian Final Winner TACTICAL APPROACH!
