Top Stories | 2025
HRU Spotlight
Shortly after the end of each month, we will update the top 5 stories for that month. Select the title bar below to see the top 5 stories for each month this year. The 5 stories are displayed in random order to give each of our talented HRU writers some extra exposure.
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Elegantimage appeal overruled
ByMelissa Keith Posted onThe Elegantimage appeal is officially over, and the original disqualification stands. After video review and testimony, the panel backed the judges’ call, confirming a controversial Grade 1 result and leaving disappointed connections to regroup and look ahead.
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Richard Moreau appeal hearing begins with questions of ‘insufficient integrity’ on testing sample
ByMelissa Keith Posted onA long-delayed appeal hearing opened with troubling testimony about compromised testing samples, as Richard Moreau challenges a career-altering ruling. Questions around chain of custody and regulatory standards quickly took center stage, setting the tone for a complex fight ahead.
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NYRA pushes for fixed-odds wagering
ByBob Duff Posted onNYRA’s push for fixed-odds wagering could reshape how fans bet on horse racing in New York. Supporters say it’s a necessary evolution to attract younger bettors and new revenue, while critics wonder how tradition fits into a changing gambling landscape.
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Ridiculous eligibility requirements leaves major Canadian horse ineligible for O’Brien Award
ByDave Briggs Posted onCanadian trotting star Lexus Kody delivered a season for the ages, million-dollar wins, records, and national pride. Yet a little-known eligibility rule quietly shut him out of Canada’s top honors, raising uncomfortable questions about what the O’Briens truly reward.
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Further testimony from Richard Moreau appeal hearing
ByMelissa Keith Posted onTestimony continued in Richard Moreau’s appeal with scientists and regulators dissecting sample integrity, chain of custody, and testing protocols. Conflicting views on handling and anonymity deepened the stakes, as no timeline yet exists for when the high-profile case will resume.
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Doug Paul on 50 years of M And L and the rise of Armitage Farms
ByMurray Brown Posted onDoug Paul reflects on five decades in harness racing and the steady rise of M And L, while helping guide Armitage Farms into elite breeding territory. Loyalty, sharp instincts, and long-term vision fuel one of the sport’s most intriguing partnerships.
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Katz thrice broaches seven figures in Harrisburg dispersal buybacks
ByRay Cotolo Posted onMarvin Katz stole the spotlight in Harrisburg, diving deep into seven-figure territory three separate times to keep a prized family intact. Emotions ran high, records fell, and one buyback rewrote the mixed sale history books.
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Pair of $700,000 yearlings spark opening session of Harrisburg yearling sale
ByRay Cotolo Posted onTwo $700,000-plus yearlings lit up the opening session at Harrisburg, setting an early tone for the 2025 sale. Big pedigrees, bold bids, and familiar buyers made Monday feel anything but ordinary inside the Farm Show Complex.
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Erv Miller looks back at his nearly half century in the business
ByMurray Brown Posted onNearly 50 years in, Erv Miller isn’t slowing down. From humble Midwest beginnings to 7,000 wins, the veteran trainer reflects on favorite horses, family ties, shifting circuits, and why the long road has been worth every mile.
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Carl Jamieson has thrived in harness racing by not taking shortcuts
ByMurray Brown Posted onCarl Jamieson’s career was built the hard way, with patience, ownership, and zero shortcuts. From a bold move out of Nova Scotia to Hall of Fame honors, his story explains why steady principles still win in harness racing.
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Harness racing’s reality check: Defending Jeff Gural’s stewardship at The Meadowlands
ByDavid Mattia Posted onHarness racing’s harsh realities take center stage as Jeff Gural’s critics call for change at The Meadowlands. This story digs into fading fanbases, industry fatigue, and why pushing Gural aside might undercut the very stability everyone depends on.
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Breeders Crown caps two brilliant nights of racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park
ByDave Briggs Posted onTwo electric nights at Mohawk delivered slugfests, shockers, and record breakers, capped by Ervin Hanover’s jaw-dropping 1:46.2 in the Open Pace. The Breeders Crown had everything, leaving next year’s host with one tough act to follow.
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Appeal filed in Elegantimage placing
ByMelissa Keith Posted onAn appeal has been filed over R Dutchess’ dramatic Elegantimage placing at Mohawk. Fresh video angles raise new questions about who caused the early turn interference, and the final outcome now rests with the Ontario appeal panel.
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The role of modern-day sulkies in record-settingspeed marks
ByBrett Sturman Posted onRecord times keep falling, and a new 2-year-old speed mark has everyone asking how much modern sulkies are changing the game. A look inside the tech, the riders’ feedback, and why tiny efficiencies may be rewriting the sport’s limits.
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Hambletonian location in limbo for 2027 and beyond as Gural and Society disagree
ByDave Briggs Posted onThe future of the Hambletonian heats up as Jeff Gural and the Hambletonian Society square off over where the sport’s marquee trot may land in 2027, leaving fans wondering how this high-stakes standoff will resolve in coming months.
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Trotting filly Keys a million-dollar bid in Lexington
ByDave Briggs Posted onTrainer Noel Daley didn’t expect to hit a million, but Patty Key’s final bid on Dejeuner made history. Dave Briggs captures the moment that turned a Walner filly into the most expensive standardbred yearling filly ever sold.
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Breaking down the trotting yearlings being offered at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale
ByMurray Brown Posted onThe 2025 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale promises one of the strongest trotting catalogs ever assembled. Murray Brown takes a deep dive into each sire’s offerings, uncovering trends, surprises, and hidden value that could shape the sport’s next generation.
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Breaking down the pacing yearlings being offered at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale
ByMurray Brown Posted onMurray Brown turns his sharp eye to the pacing yearlings heading to Lexington, breaking down each sire’s prospects and uncovering where real value, risk, and surprises might lie among one of the sale’s most competitive groups ever.
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Jug Preview a casualty of a jam-packed stakes schedule
ByBrett Sturman Posted onOnce a key prep for the Little Brown Jug, the Jug Preview’s planned comeback at Scioto Downs fell apart. Brett Sturman explains how a crowded stakes calendar and shifting priorities left one of Ohio’s signature races without enough entries.
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Noble matter raises questions on transparency and fairness
ByBrett Sturman Posted onEyebrow-raising performances from four horses trained and driven by Dan and Christi Noble at Scioto Downs have Ohio horsepeople talking, as Brett Sturman explores growing calls for out-of-competition testing and questions surrounding fairness, transparency, and public accountability.
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Mohawk Million slot a hot property in first online sale
ByMelissa Keith Posted onThe first ever online sale for a Mohawk Million slot is stirring interest as a slot trainer Casie Coleman bought is now being bid on by multiple parties through onGait.com, with no reserve and horse declarations due mid-September.
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Casie Coleman on the repercussions of losing her hometown track, Fraser Downs
ByMelissa Keith Posted onCasie Coleman grew up at Fraser Downs, racing alongside her family from childhood, but the recent shutdown of BC’s last harness track has left her community without its backstretch heart, stabling, or simple daily connections, forcing tough choices for horsepeople she once called neighbours.
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Churchill Downs wins another legal battle in Michigan
ByBob Duff Posted onThe Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has let TwinSpires keep taking bets in Michigan, striking down a Michigan law that demanded all online wagering sites partner with a live racetrack in-state. The decision leans on the Interstate Horseracing Act, setting up a showdown over federal vs. state control.
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A cherished friend lost
ByJohn Berry Posted onMichigan born‐and‐raised horseman Tom Merriman died at 85 after a long fight with cancer, leaving behind decades of memories from his early drives at county fairs to racing in Italy and winning records at Pompano, Yonkers and beyond.
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As his time at The Meadowlands draws to a close, David Miller says, ‘I’m coming home’
ByDebbie Little Posted onDavid Miller says he’s counting the weeks until he’s back home in Ohio, after wrapping up his season at The Meadowlands. His new house, a “barn-dominium”-style place (without stalls for now), should be move-in ready around November. At 60, Miller is ready for a lighter schedule, racing closer to home at tracks like Scioto Downs, Miami Valley and Dayton, spending more time with family, and dialing down the travel grind.
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Gural proposes stallion fee to sustain The Meadowlands until a casino arrives
ByDebbie Little Posted onJeff Gural sees hope in bringing a casino to The Meadowlands as early as 2027, but until then, he’s proposing a stallion-nomination fee—half the stud rate for stallions over $5,000—to help raise $500,000 in stakes purses.
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2-year-old pacers have never been faster, earlier
ByBrett Sturman Posted onThe fastest 2-year-old miles ever before July? Just one before 2025. Then, over a single U.S. holiday weekend, Dancingdreamer, A Clean Deal and Beau Jangles shattered the record, showing how speed has exploded. Brett Sturman shares the stats.
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Eric Cherry responds to misconduct violations and USTA fines of $32,500
ByBrett Sturman Posted onEric Cherry faces a $32,500 USTA fine over hidden co-ownership claims and misleading testimony. He insists any concealed stake was “definitely hidden from me,” and faults the investigation for lacking transparency as he weighs his future in the sport.
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Two-minute mare turns into priceless treasure
ByJohn Berry Posted onEmma’s Pearl—once a “dummy foal” at birth—now, at 19, shares a bond with Kelby, 28, that turned them both into companions whose value goes well beyond any monetary measure, Berry reveals their journey together.
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Chloe Fisher is a strong woman keeping Hunter Myers’ legacy alive
ByVictoria M. Howard Posted onChloe Fisher turned tragedy into purpose. After losing Hunter Myers in a devastating accident, she embraced fundraising, took ownership of his filly, and resolved to raise their son while honoring his memory. Victoria Howard shares how Chloe keeps Hunter’s legacy alive.
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Going inside Braxten Boyd’s viral drive in the Pepsi North America Cup
ByBrett Sturman Posted onBrett Sturman brings you inside the viral, 110,000-view video capturing Braxten Boyd’s raw, paddock-to-post-race drive aboard 53-1 longshot Madden Oaks in the Pepsi North America Cup. From quiet focus to split-second choices, it’s closer to the rail than you’ll ever be.
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Gillis, Fishman wiretap case proves industry must act faster to protect horses
ByDave Briggs Posted onThe troubling wiretaps reveal Jeff Gillis casually describing his reliance on untraceable PEDs for horses, yet it took 18 months before any formal action. Dave Briggs shows why regulators must act faster to protect horses and honest horsepeople.
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How asking Billy Haughton for a job changed Ernie Gaskin’s life
ByMurray Brown Posted onAt 19, Ernie Gaskins knocked on Billy Haughton’s door at Pompano Park, seeking work—and landed a place in Haughton’s vast, thriving operation. That single knock transformed his path and launched a career he still reflects on with gratitude.
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I was wrong about how much post time drag impacts handle
ByDave Briggs Posted onDave Briggs admits he underestimated how much post-time drag affects wagering handle, especially after The Meadowlands’ drag-reduction experiment led to lower bets. He and John Campbell still agree: drag must go, but doing so alone carries financial risk.
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Mark MacDonell is successfully growing into his famous last name
ByMatthew Lomon Posted onMark MacDonell, a fourth-generation horseperson and cousin to Hall of Famer Paul MacDonell, embraced a steady rise from electrician’s apprentice to race-winning driver. He credits mentors like Travis Cullen and cherishes the journey more than the spotlight.
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Harness racing landscape has to change
ByJohn Berry Posted onFans and insiders warn that harness racing often forgets its core audience. High takeouts, shrinking pools, and competing betting options are dragging attendance. Voices call for bold innovations—like mega-lottery style jackpots—to revive the sport’s appeal.
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Nifty Norman is concerned about the future of harness racing in the Northeast
ByMurray Brown Posted onNifty Norman voices real concern over harness racing’s decline in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, noting shrinking crowds, limited racing days, and reliance on benefactors. He’s watching Kentucky closely as a possible lifeline for the sport’s future.
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Loss of Greg Sugars is devastating
ByAdam Hamilton Posted onJess Tubbs reflects on life without Greg Sugars, the partner who shaped her career and home, after his sudden death in his sleep. She survived the announcement, embraced the stable, and carried on their legacy by nurturing the horses they loved.
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The Meadowlands is putting outsiders’ suggestions into action
ByDebbie Little Posted onThe Meadowlands is testing new ideas from fans and media, including changes to post drag and CAW wagering. Debbie Little reports on how the track is navigating regulatory hurdles to bring fresh concepts to life.
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After 46 years at Freehold Raceway, Karen Fagliarone is still going strong
ByVictoria M. Howard Posted onKaren Fagliarone spent 46 years at Freehold Raceway, shaping its racing program and mentoring countless horsepeople. Now, with the track closed, she’s not slowing down. Victoria Howard shares how Fagliarone is embracing her next chapter.
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Concerns as handle continues to decline
ByBrett Sturman Posted onHandle is down 14.41% in the U.S. and over 20% in Canada. The Meadowlands and Mohawk Park are both seeing sharp declines. Brett Sturman breaks down the numbers and asks what’s next if the trend continues.
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Owner Sam Bowie on his two great loves, hoops and harness racing
ByMurray Brown Posted onSam Bowie, once a towering figure on the basketball court, now finds equal passion in harness racing. Murray Brown explores how Bowie balances his love for hoops with his dedication to the sport of kings.
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The axe may fall
ByTrey Nosrac Posted onTrey Nosrac reflects on the sudden collapse of industries like print media and Jai Alai, drawing parallels to the precarious state of harness racing. He questions whether the sport is prepared for similar upheaval.
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A conversation with Jody Jamieson
ByMurray Brown Posted onDriver Jody Jamieson values developing young horses and cherishes career moments related to his father. Known for fan engagement, he’s optimistic about his colt, Paquet. Influences include Blair Burgess, Mike Lachance, and Myron Bell, and he enjoys cooking for his kids.
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Tim Tetrick and Irad Ortiz, Jr. comparisons, early million-dollar races and a chat with Ron Pierce
ByBob Heyden Posted onStandout jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. and harness racing driver Tim Tetrick share remarkable parallels. Both reached $100 million in earnings young, led their sports in victories and earnings for years, and continue to set records, showcasing their exceptional talent and dedication.
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John Campbell rates his legendary driving contemporaries
ByDave Briggs Posted onHall of Fame driver John Campbell reflects on his legendary contemporaries, noting the close competition and exceptional skills that defined his era. Despite the minimal differences in talent, Campbell highlights Herve Filion’s tactical genius, George Sholty’s daring moves, and Mike Lachance’s intense focus.
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Howard Taylor is wrong on two counts and his ire is misdirected
ByDave Briggs Posted onHambletonian Society CEO John Campbell clarifies that the owner’s battle is with The Meadowlands, not the Society. Campbell asserts that the Hambletonian Society has not banned Howard Taylor from its events and that Taylor’s exclusion is solely due to The Meadowlands’ decision.
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Old man Miller keeps rolling along
ByDebbie Little Posted onAt 59, David Miller is leading The Meadowlands’ drivers’ standings with 41 wins, outperforming younger rivals. Despite winter being a time for ‘Young Guns’ to shine, Miller’s skill and experience keep him at the top.
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Brent MacGrath’s life with and without ‘The Beach’
ByMurray Brown Posted onMurray Brown shares Brent MacGrath’s deeply personal story of transformation, where the loss of Somebeachsomewhere sparked not only reflection, but a renewed commitment to health, family, and the future of the sport.
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Mickey McNichol reflects on his many miles in harness racing
ByMurray Brown Posted onIn a Bronx-born tale of friendship, determination, and trotting glory, Murray Brown shares Mickey McNichol’s journey from Yankee Stadium vendor to Hambletonian winner alongside lifelong partner Joe Caraluzzi.
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Jody Riedel’s horses helped her battle cancer
ByVictoria M. Howard Posted onVictoria Howard shares the inspiring story of Jody Riedel, a lifelong horsewoman whose love for standardbreds helped her through cancer and continues to fuel her passion for the sport.
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Paul Kelley on a life well lived
ByMurray Brown Posted onMurray Brown chronicles the wide-ranging career of Paul Kelley, from training world champion Obrigado to mentoring Chad Brown, all while rooted in a family legacy steeped in horses and hockey.
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A spirited debate: Is eliminating post-time drag “handle suicide”?
ByDave Briggs Posted onDave Briggs sits down with John Campbell for a candid discussion on post-time drag, computer-assisted wagering, and the complex trade-offs racetracks face in trying to serve both on- and off-track audiences.
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From slapshots to sulkies, Todd Ratchford is a rising star
ByMatthew Lomon Posted onFrom pro hockey rinks across the globe to Canada’s harness racing spotlight, Todd Ratchford’s rise to O’Brien Award finalist is a story of grit, trust, and chasing what matters most.
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Imagine: Every 10 minutes The Big M goes crazy
ByDave Briggs Posted onCould shorter race nights help The Meadowlands turn things around? Dave Briggs looks at how running races every 10 minutes could boost revenue, attract fans, and set a new standard for the industry.
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Farewell to Freehold
ByDebbie Little Posted onRain fell, but spirits were high as fans packed Freehold Raceway one last time. Debbie Little captures the emotion, memories, and moments that defined the track’s final day.
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Michigan no longer offering advance deposit wagering on horse racing
ByBob Duff Posted onOnline betting in Michigan keeps expanding, but horse racing just got left behind. Bob Duff explains why the state pulled the plug and what could bring it back.
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Everybody’s wild about Heather
ByMurray Brown Posted onHeather Wilder wears many hats in harness racing, but her growing connection to Ireland’s Vincent Delaney Memorial adds an international chapter to a remarkable story still being written.
