Search Results: ALAGNA
99 per cent of Alagna’s 99 horses looked good Tuesday
by Ron Gurfein This report is from Tuesday (Feb. 18) because of the USHWA Awards banquet this weekend. It’s hard to believe that the Tony Alagna barn trained 99 horses Tuesday morning and, what’s more amazing, 99 per cent looked … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryReflect 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 Storyby Ron Gurfein Tidbits: I have been asked by many friends, who will remain anonymous, to fight to overturn the policy of the Meadowlands and the Hambletonian Society on their mutual decision to maintain the April 15 stake deadline. My … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryA salute to Mr. Harness Racing
by Murray Brown Sometimes in this world of ours, we see situations from afar better than we do when they are right beside us. Such was the case with me last week when I wrote of a group of people … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryAnother successful Saturday at Sunshine Meadows
by Ron Gurfein The fact that the temperature had a 25 degree drop in 24 hours did not deter The Deck’s Saturday attendance in the least. It was, possibly, the largest crowd I have seen in recent memory. Pompano could … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryRare Tuesday crowd at The Deck
by Murray Brown This past Tuesday was the most active non Saturday I ever remember on The Deck. It seemed that all the stables were extremely active. The weather was glorious and both the horses and the people seemed very … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryIn Today’s HRU (2020-02-23)
• Brown: Recalling a memorable 1968 Horse of the Year banquet • Dan Patch awards preview • Guest Column – Marty Adler: Improving horse racing is as easy as 1-2-3 • View from The Deck: 99 per cent of Alagna’s … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryAnne Schlichtig — trainer
by Victoria M. Howard Have you ever wondered what it would be like to train horses for a famous clothes designer? Well, ask Anne Schlichtig. At one time Schlichtig and her life partner Tom Merriman trained for high-end fashion designer, … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryHRU Feedback (2020-02-16)
View from Australia on product availability RE: Brett Sturman’s last column (full story here). Monmouth Park has entered into an agreement with the Australian firm BetMakers to offer fixed odds wagering on their 2020 meet. Will it help? Who knows? … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryEnough with the negativity over Pennsylvania
Also, why Sunshine Meadows rules, why it’s tough to get a mainstream advertiser for the Hambletonian, how to deal with a mare that grabs on and more. by Ron Gurfein Tidbits: I am sick and tired of the negativity about … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryCrowds turn out to see Maverick at Sunshine Meadows
by Ron Gurfein The weather was not cooperative with a chill in the air and prevailing winds, but the presence of Maverick seems to be a major crowd creator. It was, by far, one of the biggest groups to enjoy … Read more
Read The Full HRU StoryMaking Joe O’Brien proud
Standardbred Canada’s black tie event — named in honor of the legendary Canadian horseman Joe O’Brien and celebrating the best in Canadian harness racing — is the standard by which all other awards banquets should be judged. by Dave Briggs … 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
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