News & Updates

HASTINGS, Mich. — The stage is set for next week's rich Michigan Championship card at the Barry Expo Center, in Hastings, Mich., after the eliminations for both 2-year-old trotting divisions were contested on Tuesday (Aug. 27) at the same venue.

Libbys Lucky Lady became the fastest 2-year-old trotting filly ever at Hastings when she defeated A Gal Named Jane by 19-1/2 lengths with a pillar-to-post 2:02.4 performance in her $10,441 elimination. Trainer-driver Tim Roach co-owns the five-time winner, a daughter of Musclesprinctonian-Stickum Vicky, with Kyle Larner and Ron Van Wagoner.

Capella Star captured the other $10,441 elimination for fillies, defeating Betsy Lou by 7-1/4 lengths in 2:05.1. Lavern Miller owns, trains, and drove the Big Rigs-Dreamy Secret filly to her fourth career win.

Chip Of The South was the dominant force among rookie male trotters, winning in 2:05.1 and delivering a 15-1/4-length drubbing to Ripn Hero in his $10,280 elimination. Brad Kramer picked up the drive on the Bourbon Chip-Belle Of The South gelding, who has now won three of his nine career starts for trainer Monica Krist and the partnership of Teresa Marotta, Rick Dobson and Melissa Kesler.

New Plan Stan extended his undefeated record to six-for-six in the $10,280 first elimination, turning aside a sustained bid from Amtrac to win by 2-1/2 lengths in 2:07. Trainer-driver Greg Bateson co-owns the Musclesprinctonian-Vegas Sunset gelding with Ernest Ayers.

The top four finishers from each elimination qualified for the Michigan Championship finals, to be held next Tuesday (Sept. 3). The fields, in alphabetical order, are as follows:

2-Year-Old Filly Trot

A Gal Named Jane

Betsy Lou

Capella Star *

Girly Muscles

Keepurhandstourslf

Libbys Lucky Lady *

Ruth Langmore

What The Fluff

 

2-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Trot

Amtrac

Bandsrompawaykid

Chip Of The South *

Creed

Deadly Sting

New Plan Stan *

Paragon Magicway

Ripn Hero

Neither of the 2-year-old pacing divisions nor any of the 3-year-old events required eliminations.

To watch replays from Tuesday's program, click the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI_48tPJe1o

Track records decimated at Oceana (Mich.) County Fair

from the Michigan Harness Horsemen's Association

HART, Mich. — Bo Silas became the fastest trotter in the history of the Oceana County Fair, parrying a head-stretch challenge from Rankin to win Tuesday's (Aug. 20) $7,950 Michigan Colt Stakes for Michigan-bred 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings in 1:59.

In line to Brad Kramer, Bo Silas set early fractions of :30.1, 1:01.2 and 1:30.3 with Rankin sitting in the pocket. Turning for home, Rankin encroached to within a length of Bo Silas, but the gelded son of Jailhouse Jesse-Betteka sprinted home in :28.2 to score by 3-1/4 widening lengths.

The 1:59 mark takes 2-2/5 seconds off Erie's Blues' 2:01.2 all-age record, set in 1996, and three seconds off the divisional mark of 2:02, shared by New Swan In Town and Bluemoon Glide. Trainer Kelly Goodwin shares ownership of the Jailhouse Jesse-Betteka gelding with Deborah Spike-Pierce and Scott Price.

Born Wild used a :27.4 sprint home to evade Captain Candy Man by 1-1/4 lengths in the $7,950 3-year-old male pace, with his 1:58 winning time taking two-fifths of a second off the 1:58.2 divisional standard set in 2003 by Johnny G That's Me and a tick of Black Chana's 20-year-old all-age track record of 1:58.1. David Lake drove the Well Said-Artistic Heart gelding for trainer Kent Hess and owner Ted Boschma.

Also, on Tuesday's card:

• King Putt rode the pocket to a four-length, 1:59.4 win over Nightpro Star in the $8,050 2-year-old male pace, one-fifth of a second faster than the 2:00 divisional record set by Goodness Graycious last year. Joe Casagranda bred, owns, trains and drove the JK Endofanera-PV Miracle Mary colt.

• Tequila Time defeated Plays Pro by 7-1/4 lengths in the $8,000 2-year-old filly pace, and her 2:01 time matched the divisional record set by Mother Mary last year. Driver Aaron Colley owns and trains the daughter of Real Desire-DCN Tulip Time.

Monday's (Aug. 19) Colt Stakes card for Michigan-sired horses also saw a pair of long-standing track records fall:

• Kaa Dee Carol and Lake sped to a 2:05.1 win in the $9,950 2-year-old filly trot, knocking 1-2/5 seconds of Mariesa's Gem Star's 2002 standard. Kent Hess trains the Marjorie Deshetsky homebred Southwind Russet-Can't Fire Me filly.

• Ice Crystal and owner-breeder-trainer-driver Scott Altizer romped in the $11,150 sophomore filly trot, defeating Paragonalisnchains by 10-3/4 lengths in 2:04.4 and taking one-fifth of a second off Quillionaire's 20-year-old divisional track record.

The Michigan fair harness racing circuit returns to the Barry Expo Center, in Hastings, Mich., on the next two Tuesdays (Aug. 27 and Sept. 3).

To watch replays of the 2024 Michigan fair harness racing circuit, visit the Michigan Harness Horsemen's Association YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@MichHarnessHorse).

Guns A Brazen asserts, Kramer triples in Midland (Mich.)

from the Michigan Harness Horsemen's Association

MIDLAND, Mich. — Guns A Brazen stamped himself as the season's leading Michigan-sired 3-year-old male trotter when he handed Kaa Dee Archie his first defeat on the Michigan fair harness racing circuit in Saturday's (Aug. 10) $11,150 Michigan Colt Stakes event at the Midland (Mich.) County Fair.

Through the first six weeks of the season, Guns A Brazen and Kaa Dee Archie had managed to avoid each other by drawing into separate divisions, and they both maintained undefeated seasonal records on the circuit, with Guns A Brazen winning all six of his starts and Kaa Dee Archie taking all five.

In their meeting at Midland, Guns A Brazen and trainer-driver Raymond Kinney floated into fourth from his back-row starting spot as Inkadabra Abe and T L Waldo dueled through first-half fractions of :31.1 and 1:00.3. Heading to the midway point, Kinney angled Guns A Brazen three-wide, and he vaulted around dueling leaders with ease and power to build up an eight-length lead at three-quarters in 1:30.1. From there, the Brazen-Premier Glitter gelding was never in doubt, speeding away from Kaa Dee Archie — who similarly swept three-wide into second on the backstretch — to win by 11-3/4 lengths in 2:01.3. Smashingoodmatch closed for third.

Sandra Kinney and Chad and Jared Kreeger own Guns A Brazen, who is now seven-for-seven this season.

Driver Brad Kramer took three Colt Stakes events on Saturday's nine-race card after also tripling on Friday (Aug. 9). He won the $9,950 2-year-old filly pace with Brett Boyd trainee Myheaertfromtestart in 2:05.2; and he then teamed up with trainer Kelly Goodwin to sweep the sophomore paces, steering Forever A Flirt to a 2:01.3 win in the $11,100 filly division and Kourageous Key to a 2:00 score in the $11,000 split for colts and geldings.

Kramer's Friday hat trick included a pair of Colt Stakes Green Division wins for trainer Paul Cloer Jr.: Taylor Dawn won the $5,000 freshman filly pace in 2:09, and Topinabee narrowly edged Man Of Time in 2:08.4 in the $5,000 male pace.

The Michigan fair harness racing circuit moves to Charlotte, Mich., on Monday (Aug. 12); the 17-race card is slated to begin at 12 noon.

To watch Michigan fair harness racing live or on demand, visit the Michigan Harness Horsemen's Association YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/@MichHarnessHorse).

BAD AXE, Mich. — Guns A Brazen continued to build a case for himself as Michigan's top 3-year-old male trotter on Sunday (July 28) at the Huron Community Fair, where he trotted the fastest mile in the 156-year history of the fair by way of his 2:01.1 victory in a $5,600 Michigan Colt Stakes Blue Division event.

Trainer-driver Raymond Kinney sent Guns A Brazen straight to the front from post five, and the pair cleared Inkadabra Abe midway on the first turn before opening a six-length advantage through a :29.1 first quarter. Guns A Brazen extended his advantage to 10 lengths through a :59.3 half before Striking Chips emerged to take second up the backstretch and cut into Guns A Brazen's margin through the far turn. Despite Striking Chips' late rally, the victorious Brazen-Premier Glitter gelding held clear by five lengths to record his sixth victory in as many starts this season and to take a fifth of a second off Rompaway Willie and Tim Martinson's 2:01.2 standard, set in 2005.

Sandra Kinney, Chad Kreeger and Jared Kreeger share ownership of Guns A Brazen.

The $5,600 first division of the 3-year-old filly pace saw Fancywontletyadown duel down Forever A Flirt — who was previously undefeated on the season — in 1:59.4, the fastest mile of the meet. Kody Massey drove the Megatron-Too Shy filly to her fourth victory of the circuit for trainer Al Tomlinson, who shares ownership with Edward Engle Jr. and David Jarvis.

Two drivers notched stakes doubles on Sunday: Brad Kramer drove a pair of five-time seasonal winners in 2-year-old pacing colt Not Fake New's (2:04) and 3-year-old pacing gelding Kourageous Key (2:02), while Chuck Taylor won win 2-year-old trotting gelding Amtrac (2:10) and 3-year-old pacing filly Pair Of Hardts (2:03.3).

Monday's (July 29) Michigan Colt Stakes Green highlights included New Plan Stan and trainer-driver Greg Bateson improving to a perfect three-for-three with a 2:07.2 win in the $5,000 2-year-old male trot, and Kaa Dee Polly scoring her fourth win in six seasonal starts by way of a 2:07 score in the $5,000 2-year-old filly pace.

Bateson also made headlines at the Clare County Fair, in Harrison, Mich., earlier in the week, piloting Legendary Doowrah to a 1:59.1 score in an $8,000 event for Michigan-bred pacers on Friday (July 26). The 3-year-old Bit Of A Legend N-Artistic Hanover gelding improved to three-for-three in Michigan this season while notching his seventh win in 15 starts this season.

The Michigan fair harness racing circuit moves to Ludington, Mich., for a two-day stand at the Western Michigan Fair. The Great Lake Stakes are slated for Monday (Aug. 5) while Tuesday's program features Michigan Colt Stakes for Michigan-sired and Michigan-bred 2- and 3-year-olds.

To watch replays of Michigan fair harness racing programs, visit the Michigan Harness Horsemen's Association YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/@MichHarnessHorse).

 

FOWLERVILLE, Mich. — Driver Brad Kramer was the king of the two-day harness racing stand at the Fowlerville Family Fair, winning five Spartan Stakes divisions on Monday (July 22), the highlight of Week 5 of the 2024 Michigan fair harness racing circuit and the richest program of the season to date.

Among Kramer's winning drives was Kelly Goodwin and Crystal Terrell's Forever A Flirt, who extended her undefeated seasonal record to five-for-five with a 2:00.1 win in the $10,150 first Spartan division for 3-year-old pacing fillies. The daughter of Bondi Hanover-Always A Romance circled three-wide up the backstretch to clear the lead past a :30.2 first quarter before coasting unchallenged through middle splits of 1:00.1 and 1:31.1 and then drawing 4-1/2 lengths clear of runner-up Solidazabrickhouse.

Kramer and Goodwin also teamed up to give Kourageous Key his fourth win in five seasonal starts in the $20,000 sophomore colt and gelding pace. The Manhardt-Kwani Key gelding rated his first three-quarters in 1:31.1 before digging in through a :28.3 sprint home to stave off Isle Of Man by a half length in 1:59.4. Kramer's other Spartan Stakes winners were Fancywontletyadown (2:00.4), in the $10,150 second division for 3-year-old pacing fillies; Myheartfromtestart (2:05), in the $20,000 2-year-old filly pace; and Not Fake New's (2:02.4), in the $20,000 2-year-old male pace.

Sophomore trotting geldings Guns A Brazen (2:03.3, Raymond Kinney) and Kaa Dee Archie (2:05.1, David Lake) also kept their respective undefeated fair seasons intact with wins in their respective $10,150 Spartan splits.

Tuesday's (July 23) program saw three horses post winning miles faster than 2:00, all in $1,000 free-for-all pacing events: Native's Filou, who won in 1:59.3 for trainer-driver Gerald Malady; RB, who rallied to a 1:59.4 score for driver Ty Goodell and owner-trainer Kim Pluta; and Dandy's World, who ground to a 1:59.3 win over Magic Shark for driver Kody Massey and owner-trainer Ronnie Moawad.

Week 5 began with a two-day meeting at the Tuscola County Fair, in Caro, Mich., featuring Colt Stakes events for Michigan-bred horses on Saturday (July 20) and overnight races on Sunday (July 21).

Rankin, who campaigns as a homebred for owner-trainer Judy Roegner, added another track record to his résumé in an $8,000 Colt Stakes for 3-year-old male trotters, which he won in 2:00 with Tim Roach in tow. The son of Enterprise-Luvyaformiles knocked 1-3/5 seconds off the previous all-age trotting record at Caro, which was previously set by Super Top and driver Bob Sampson in 1990.

Mother Mary also made her way into the Caro record books, with her 1:58.1 mile in an $8,150 Colt Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies besting the previous all-age pacing mark of 1:59.1, set by Gabe The Babe. Brad Kramer drove the Rockin Image-PV Miracle Mary mare for owner-trainer-breeder Joe Casagranda.

Week 6 of the Michigan fair circuit features racing at the Clare County Fair, in Harrison, Mich., on Thursday (July 25) and Friday (July 26) with first post at 12 noon both days; and at the Huron Community Fair, in Bad Axe, Mich., on Sunday (July 28) and Monday (July 29) at 1 p.m.

HASTINGS, Mich. — A trio of Michigan-sired 3-year-olds — Kaa Dee Archie, Guns A Brazen and Forever A Flirt — kept their undefeated seasonal records in Michigan Colt Stakes competition intact through Saturday's (July 13) Blue Division events at the Barry Expo, in Hastings, Mich.

In the first $5,625 division for 3-year-old male trotters, Kaa Dee Archie carved out splits of :31.2, 1:07.1 and 1:40 before repelling a challenge from Blazingmonsieur to win by four lengths in 2:11.3 over a track rated slow with a three-second allowance. David Lake drove the Southwind Russet-Can't Fire Me gelding to his fourth win in as many starts on the fair circuit for trainer Kent Hess and owner-breeder Marjorie Deshetsky.

Guns A Brazen and trainer-driver Raymond Kinney likewise rolled to a fourth consecutive win in the second 3-year-old male trotting split, sustaining a first-over grind to wear down pacesetter Inkadabra Abe through middle splits of 1:04.2 and 1:35 before edging 7-1/4 lengths clear of runner-up Rockylanesamazon in 2:08. Sandra Kinney and Chad and Jared Kreeger own the Brazen-Premier Glitter gelding.

The second $5,600 division for 3-year-old pacing fillies saw Forever A Flirt and driver Brad Kramer travel unopposed through a 1:06.2 half before using a 1:00.4 back half to speed 13-1/2 lengths clear of Solidazabrickhouse to win in 2:07.1 and improve to four-for-four on the season. Trainer Kelly Goodwin co-owns the Bondi Hanover-Always A Romance filly with Crystal Terrell.

Previously undefeated 2-year-olds Kaa Dee Carol, Kaa Dee Polly and Not Fake New's all lost for the first time in their careers, losing all chance at extending their win streaks to four after breaking stride at the outset of their respective Colt Stakes races.

Friday's (July 12) program featured Michigan Colt Stakes events for Michigan-bred horses, led by a 26-3/4-length, 2:07.1 win from Mother Mary in a $4,150 3-year-old filly pace. Brad Kramer drove Joe Casagranda's homebred daughter of Rockin Image-PV Miracle Mary. On the trotting side of the ledger, Judy Roegner's homebred Rankin again used front-stepping tactics, this time to win by 23 lengths in 2:09. Tim Roach drove the Enterprise-Luvyaformiles gelding.

Chanceitlikeitis took the fastest mile of the meet in the overnight portion of Sunday's (July 14) program, winning a $1,000 Free-For-All Pace in 2:00 over good going for trainer-driver Paul Cloer Jr. 

The Michigan fair harness racing circuit moves east to the Tuscola County Fair, in Caro, Mich., for a two-day meeting. The Saturday (July 20) program features Colt Stakes events open to both Michigan-sired and Michigan-bred horses; The Sunday (July 21) program will consist of overnight races. Post time both days is 5:30 p.m.

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — The two-day meeting at the Mecosta County Free Fair, which took place Monday (July 8) and Tuesday (July 9), produced the fastest miles yet of the 2024 Michigan fair harness racing season and also saw decades-old track records broken on both gaits.

Monday's Michigan Colt Stakes card featured two-minute miles in all three events for sophomore pacers, capped by a 1:58.2 track-record performance from Kourageous Key in the lone $10,950 Colt Stakes event for 3-year-old male pacers. The Manhart-Kwani Key gelding set fractions of :29.4, :59.1 and 1:29.2 before being driven out to evade pocket rival Deciding Factor by nearly three lengths and knock two-fifths of a second off the previous all-age track record for pacers, set in 1993 by Lon Todd's Power and driver Vince Copeland.

Brad Kramer drove Kourageous Key to his second win in three starts this season for trainer Kelly Goodwin, who shares ownership with Sarah Goodwin.

Kramer and Goodwin also teamed up with Forever A Flirt, who posted a 1:59.4 mile in winning the second $5,600 division for sophomore pacing fillies and improved to three-for-three on the season. Fancywontletyadown took the first split in 2:00 for Kramer and trainer Al Tomlinson.

The team of driver David Lake, trainer Kent Hess, and owner-breeder Marjorie Deshetsky enjoyed another lucrative night of racing, winning with 2-year-old trotting filly Kaa Dee Carol (2:08), 2-year-old pacing filly Kaa Dee Polly (2:07.2) and 3-year-old trotting gelding Kaa Dee Archie (2:05.3), all of whom are now three-for-three on the circuit. They also won with 3-year-old trotting filly Kaa Dee Kate (2:05.4). Lake was joined by Kramer in notching grand slams on the 12-race card.

The overnight portion of Tuesday's 13-race card saw Lases Racing's Chanceitlikeitis and trainer-driver Paul Cloer Jr. get within a tick of Kourageous Key's day-old track record, winning in 1:58.3, before Judy Roegner's homebred Rankin rolled to a 2:01.4 track-record mile in a $1,000 Free-For-All Trot.

With Kramer at the lines, Rankin sprinted to an 12-length lead over Randall Howey T through a :57 first half mile. Although he tired considerably through the second lap, the 3-year-old Enterprise-Luvaformiles gelding still had roughly six lengths of clearance over runner-up Wonderful Day at the finish line, upending the 2:02.1 trotting mark set in 2000 by Mr Blackwell and Danny Davidson.

Kramer led all drivers on Tuesday with three wins; Don Harmon, Bart Stimer and Paul Cloer Jr. all registered doubles.

To watch replays, visit the Michigan Harness Horsemen's Association YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@MichHarnessHorse.

The Michigan fair circuit moves to the Barry County Fair, in Hastings, Mich., for a three-day stand commencing Friday (July 12) and continuing through Sunday (July 14). First post each day is 12 noon.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Roach achieves 1,000th training win at Caro (Mich.)

from the Michigan Harness Horsemen's Association

CARO, Mich. — Trainer Tim Roach reached the 1,000-win milestone on Thursday (June 27) when Elian's Lightning trotted to a 2:08.4 win in her $5,650 Colt Stakes event for Michigan-sired 3-year-old trotting fillies at the Tuscola County Fairgrounds, in Caro, Mich.

Elian's Lightning, who won eight of 11 races and made $89,645 as a 2-year-old, rebounded from a fifth-place finish at Croswell by riding the pocket behind Paragonsalisnchains before Roach pulled her off the pegs to take the lead at three-quarters. From there, the daughter of Southwind Elian-Show Me The Light trotted three lengths clear to give Roach the milestone win and the centerpiece of a training and driving hat trick.

Roach, who turned 63 on Thursday, also won with 2-year-old trotting filly Libbys Lucky Lady (2:09) and 3-year-old trotting filly Wally's Queen (2:12).

Trainer Kent Hess and driver David Lake continued their dominance of the Colt Stakes, teaming up for a hat trick after winning four races together last Thursday at Croswell. The pair won with a trio of Marjorie Deshetsky homebreds: 2-year-old trotting filly Kaa Dee Carol (2:08.2), 2-year-old pacing filly Kaa Dee Polly (2:05) and 3-year-old trotting gelding Kaa Dee Archie (2:05.2). Lake also drove 2-year-old trotting gelding Bandsrompawaykid (2:10.1) to victory for trainer Rick Lake.

The Michigan fair circuit saw its first 2:00 miles of the season as Forever A Flirt defeated Flippin Lucky in a $5,625 3-year-old filly pace in 1:59.1 for driver Brad Kramer and trainer Kelly Goodwin, and Isle Of Man narrowly held off a hard-closing Kourageous Key in 1:59 to win the $11,150 3-year-old male pace for driver Justin Irvine and trainer Peter Otten.

Through two weeks of the Michigan Colt Stakes season, Libbys Lucky Lady, Kaa Dee Carol, Kaa Dee Polly, Kaa Dee Archie and Forever A Flirt all boast two-for-two records, along with 2-year-old pacing colt Not Fake New's (2:02.1, Kramer) and 3-year-old trotting gelding Guns A Brazen (2:04, Raymond Kinney).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lake, Hess team up for Croswell (Mich.) grand slam

from the Michigan Harness Horsemen's Association

CROSWELL, Mich. — Trainer Kent Hess and driver David Lake teamed up to win four of the 14 Michigan Colt Stakes events on Thursday (June 20) at the Croswell (Mich.) Fair, the first stop on the summer-long Michigan fair harness racing circuit.

Of their four winners, Hess and Lake found the winner's circle with a trio of Marjorie Deshetsky homebreds: Kaa Dee Carol, who won a $5,125 2-year-old filly trot in 2:17.3; Kaa Dee Kate, who won a $5,675 3-year-old filly trot in 2:16.3; and Kaa Dee Archie, who won a 3-year-old colt and gelding trot in 2:11.4. The duo also won with 2-year-old pacing gelding Sunsetacreshandsum, who took his $5,150 Colt Stakes split in 2:12.3 for owner Ted Boschma.

Tim Roach notched a training and driving double, winning with 2-year-old trotting filly Libbys Lucky Lady (2:17.2) and 2-year-old pacing filly Lady Wolverine (2:12).

Thursday's fastest mile over the Croswell half-mile oval belonged to Kourageous Key, whom Brad Kramer drove to a 2:04 win in the $11,000 3-year-old male pace for trainer Kelly Goodwin. Kramer and Goodwin also partnered with Forever A Flirt to win a $5,600 split for sophomore pacing fillies in 2:05.

In Wednesday's (June 19) action, 13-year-old Stening A posted the fastest mile off the two-day meet, winning a Free-For-All Pace in 2:02.1. Winter Asher-Stalbaum owns, trains and drove the Jereme's Jet gelding who now has 38 career wins.

The Michigan fair circuit travels to Caro, Mich., for a single Colt Stakes program on Thursday (June 27). First post is 5 p.m. EDT.

 

The Charlotte races are canceled today due to rain and track conditions. We are working on approvals to reschedule them at a later date.