Harness Racing Blog

Below is what happened in harness racing this week, as reported on Harnesslink and from other places across the web.

From Harnesslink

1. Proof that racing is bleeding to death! - AU
   Sometimes it is the littlest things that tell the greatest story. An oversight can be the symptom of something far more dramatic, an indication that eyes have been averted, minds distracted. A small crack can signal a great eruption.
2. Half-sister to Somebeachsomewhere in Victoria, Peter Wharton - AU
   Is she the most valuable standardbred broodmare in Australia? It is Child From The Sea, an Astreos half-sister to Canadian pacing superstar Somebeachsomewhere 3, 1:49 ($1,583,296), holder of the two-year-old world record and winner of America’s richest race, the $1.5 million North America Cup.
3. Somebeachsomewhere harness racing’s savior, Derick Giwner - North America
   With all due respect to Martin Luther King Jr., I have a dream. I have a dream that Somebeachsomewhere can be the savior of the harness industry by accomplishing feats of uncommon genius.
4. Tony Shaw recovering well from skull surgery - NZ
   According to an article in The Dominion Post on Wedesday (July 2), Tony Shaw is awake and talking after undergoing head surgery at Auckland City Hospital.
5. Just An Excuse euthanised, Greg O’Connor - NZ
   Two time New Zealand Trotting Cup Champion Just An Excuse had to be humanely destroyed at the Raglan farm of his trainer Robert Mitchell today after he was found with a shattered off front leg.
6. World Champion Lis Mara to Nevele R Stud - US & NZ
   Nevele R Stud in association with Kentuckiana Farms of the US will be standing world champion pacer Lis Mara at Nevele R Stud, Canterbury, New Zealand this season. Nevele R has secured the lifetime breeding rights for the multiple world champion and co-fastest race winning stallion of all time.
7. Records smashed as Menangle hosts 15,000 - AU
   The weekends opening of the Menangle track came with the promise of a new era of speed racing on a world-class 1400m track, and it delivered.
8. John Campbell closing in on 10,000, Carol Hodes - US
   In the next few weeks, Hall of Fame driver John Campbell will reach another career plateau. With eight wins this past week, he now stands only 17 shy of 10,000 victories (through June 28, 2008).

United States

• Court: FL Governor Exceeded Authority, Blood Horse
• Free-Legged: A wedding anniversary at Winterwood, USTA
• Mega-resort with gambling planned in N.Y.’s Borscht Belt, The Canadian Press

Canada

• Sophomore trotter defies odds, GuelphMercury
• Davies just grand at making the call, Dailygleaner.com
• Horse owners champing at the bit, The Gazette
• $120M tax break urged for Woodbine project, The Star

Australia

• EI-free, but vaccination remains a hot topic, The Age
• Radical consideration, Barossa & Light Herald
• Harness board want money plan,Warick Daily News
• HRNSW confirms $650,000 workers compensation payment, Harness Racing NSW
• One-stop shop for stewards but who’ll pay the bills? Sydney Morning Herald

New Zealand

• Racing: Salute a champ, with no excuses, NZ Herald
• Miracle Mile likely to shift to Sunday on new Menangle track, NZ Herald
• Winston Peters Present double edged, The Press
• Ferguson wins world selection, Sunday Star Times

Europe

• Harness driver Dowse finds home in America, RecordOnline

Best of the Best

• NZPA racing cuts are reckless & irresponsible, Harnesslink
• THE VIEW: Bring Back Beach, Standardbred Canada
• Somebeachsomewhere harness racing’s savior, Harnesslink

From the Harness Racing Blog Network

• The amazing harness racing helmet cam, Harness Racing Blog
• Horse Injury Critics Need to Wake Up, Harness Racing Insider