Search Results: ALAGNA
Reflect With Me gives Team Alagna back-to-back Crown takedowns
by Ray Cotolo The pairing of trainer Tony Alagna and driver Andrew McCarthy did not have much time to reflect on Ramona Hill’s 14-1 upset in the Two-Year-Old Filly Trot. With the three elimination winners succumbing to quick fractions, Reflect … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryAnswering an Alagna critic, thoughts on drivers’ posture and speed bikes and my take on Dexter Dunn
by Ron Gurfein Tidbits: My apologies for stating that Pilot Discretion was unraced at two. He won his only two starts at the Red Mile in early closing events. On the subject of enforcing the no-holes-given-in-the-first-turn rule at the Meadowlands, … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryTony Alagna in video spotlight
Trainer Tony Alagna was interviewed in Florida by HRU’s Heather Vitale about the huge pile of 2-year-olds he has in training at Sunshine Meadows, including nine from the first crop of his champion Artspeak and, of course, many sired by … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryTony Alagna: Working hard and loving it
Tony Alagna relishes the work that goes with training “about 100 horses”. by Dave Little Tony Alagna always wanted to be a trainer on the big stage. He has accomplished that goal and more, but even he couldn’t have anticipated … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryPlenty of talent on display already at Sunshine Meadows
For the record, I don’t believe in hexing horses. by Ron Gurfein Wind and overcast skies prevailed on Friday morning. Even with the inclement weather and just a few viewers on The Deck, the mood was upscale, elevated by both … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryMaverick highlights Opening Day on The Deck
Babies start taking to the oval at Sunshine Meadows in Florida. by Ron Gurfein It felt wonderful to get out early Saturday to watch the new residents of Sunshine Meadows go through their morning works. At this time of the … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryIt’s O Canada, not “Only” Canada
Plus, thoughts on negativity, the Driver of the Year, books and what it takes for a trainer to get better owners. by Ron Gurfein Tidbits: I don’t like to use this column or social media for a discussion of health … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryRanking the Top 25 moments of this decade
The best moments in harness racing from 2010-2019. by Bob Heyden Here’s a ranking of some of the decisive and memorable events, personalities and singular moments of the 2010-2019 decade: 25. The disqualification in the 2017 Hambletonian. What The Hill … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryThoughts on year-end snubs, Yonkers expanding its oval and whether partnerships hurt the yearling game
All this, and more, in the final edition of Ask The Guru for 2019. by Ron Gurfein Tidbits: I have received lots of emails about what a great job Russell Williams is doing as USTA president. The word on the … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryRanking the 10 best horsemen of all time
Of all the tremendous horsemen The Curmudgeon has known personally, here is his list of the top 10 in terms of talent. by Murray Brown I was asked this question by horseman John Amidon: “Who is the best horseman you’ve … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryThoughts on the Zeron case, Allard ban at the Big M, whether I expected Continentalvictory to be a top broodmare and can an American-bred can compete in Europe
by Ron Gurfein Tidbits: It’s truly refreshing to see how far our little online magazine reaches. On my story of an odd happening on my way to Florida last week, I got so much mail from folks in that area … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryFiona Reynolds: The caretaker with the golden hands
by Victoria M. Howard Some of the most important people in horse racing are the ones behind the scenes. I’m talking about the caretakers, the unsung heroes of the sport. The trainer tends to get all the credit and recognition … Read more
Read The Full HRU StorySmashing sale
The Harrisburg yearling sale, which concluded Wednesday, broke the record for average and topped $40 million in gross sales for just the second time in its history. by Ray Cotolo A couple hundred yearlings circulated through the sales ring before … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryBalazsi bankable in bonkers opening session
Stefan Balazsi highlighted an outstanding opening session of the 81st Standardbred Horse Sales Company’s yearling sale which saw the average soar 22.3 per cent and the gross up more than $3.3 million (21 per cent) over the first session of … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryHRU video spotlight on gangbuster opening session
Heather Wilder covers the opening session of the 81st Standardbred Horse Sales Company yearling sale held Monday at the Pennsylvania State Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA. by Dave Briggs Heather Wilder returns to anchor HRU’s video team in Harrisburg … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryGuesstimating the fair market value of some notable racehorses being sold in Harrisburg
by Brett Sturman The annual Standardbred Horse Sale Company sale in Harrisburg, PA is the industry’s largest, and while predominantly known for its yearling offerings, each year presents opportunities to acquire talent already racing. Specifically focusing on the 2 and … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryThoughts on the Breeders Crown, including Mohawk as host, the drive on Greenshoe and more
by Ron Gurfein Tidbits: I totally agree with Jerry Connors’ assessment that the 2019 the Breeders Crown will not be a determining factor in the Horse of the Year race. Greenshoe, Bettors Wish and Shartin all raced their hearts out … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryNotes from the Breeders Crown
by Murray Brown There was more driver talk around this year’s Breeders Crown events than any other that I can remember. The star of the show was Aussie Andrew McCarthy, who is sometimes overlooked when speaking of the great drivers … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryWarrawee Ubeaut scores second Breeders Crown victory
by Frank Cotolo Warrawee Ubeaut designed back-to-back Breeders Crown victories, this time as a sophomore at Woodbine Mohawk Park, winning the $720,500 Breeders Crown for 3-year-old pacing fillies on Oct. 26 in 1:50.2. Yannick Gingras guided the 1-5 favorite trained … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryJoe Bongiorno scores first Crown driving win by piloting American History to victory
by James Platz When the connections of American History ponied up $150,000 three years ago at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, they had high expectations for the son of American Ideal—Perfect Touch. Saturday night, the 4-year-old delivered in the $500,000 … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryCaviart Ally takes down Shartin for Chaffees and Pelling
by Melissa Keith It was already setting up for an evening of randomness: As the rain began, race 1 saw a narrow photo finish decided in favor of #10 Classic Pro (Bob McClure), at odds of 67-1. A racing surface … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryIn Today’s HRU (2019-10-26)
• Drama closes out terrific Breeders Crown opening night • Crown 2yocp: Tall Dark Stranger elevated to victory in dramatic Breeders Crown final • Crown 2yoft: Ramona Hill flexes her muscles, climbs back into winner’s circle • Crown 2yofp: Reflect … Read more
Read The Full HRU Story