Tag
Columbus, OH – In an effort to enhance the services provided to the harness racing industry, the U.S. Trotting Association announced Tuesday (Sept. 1) that starting on Oct. 1 free online ACH payments will be available and Discover card has been added as a new payment option. In addition, the USTA will be updating its payment […]
Columbus, OH – Daily Racing Form has reported that Hawthorne Race Course was sold at auction on Tuesday (July 14) to the stalking-horse bid of $90 million from a non-racing developer after no other bids matching or surpassing it were submitted. According to Matt Hagerty in the DRF story, “Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney, Ill., has been sold to […]
Columbus, OH – The United States Trotting Association (USTA) applauded Thursday’s (June 11) unanimous ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, finding the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) unconstitutional for a third time. The court ruled, “HISA violates the nondelegation doctrine” by unlawfully giving governmental power to a private corporation. […]
Columbus, OH – Donald “Skip” Hoovler, a longtime Ohio harness racing owner and former director of the United States Trotting Association, whose decades of leadership and advocacy helped shape the sport in the Buckeye State, died Friday afternoon (March 13) following a brief illness. He was 83. Donald “Skip” Hoovler. Mark Hall / USTA Photo. Hoovler, […]
Columbus, OH – Following is a statement from U.S. Trotting Association CEO and Executive Vice President Mike Tanner on the fire at the Woodland Run Equine Veterinarian Facility in Grove City, OH on Friday (Feb. 6). “The USTA sends heartfelt thoughts and sympathies to the veterinarians, staff, and horse owners affected by the devastating fire at […]
Columbus, OH – The United States Trotting Association announced Monday (Dec. 22) that the Standardbred Graded Stakes Committee has approved the addition of eight new graded stakes races for the 2026 racing season, bringing the total number of graded stakes events to 179. The announcement follows the committee’s annual grading meeting, held Nov. 18-19, in Goshen, […]
Columbus, OH – The U.S. Trotting Association announced Monday (Nov. 24) that respected Ohio driver-trainer and longtime Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association (OHHA) Director Roy Burns has been appointed to the USTA Board of Directors. Burns will succeed Skip Hoovler, who is stepping down after decades of distinguished service and exceptional financial stewardship within the Standardbred industry. […]
Dover, DE — Jason Bartlett was the big winner on Thursday (Nov. 13) at Bally’s Dover, taking two of the four Matron Stakes for 3-year-olds contested on the harness racing program. Hambletonian Oaks winner Conversano used a first-over blitz into the far turn to overpower R Dutchess and take the $132,350 Grade 2 Matron for 3-year-old […]
Columbus, OH – During the third quarter of 2025, from July 1 through Sept. 30, total wagering was slightly down and purses increased for harness racing in the U.S. The $362,026,274 wagered during July through September was $4,870,186 (1.33%) less than the $366,896,460 bet during that period in 2024. During the third quarter, purses increased by […]
Washington, PA — After stringing 4-5 harness racing favorite Twisted Destiny out for the first three-eighths of the mile, Prince Hal Hanover (Captaintreacherous) took full advantage of a pocket trip behind a pressured pace and rallied up the open stretch to narrowly capture the $385,000 Grade 1 Adios Pace for the Orchids, held Saturday (July […]
Columbus, OH – The U.S. Supreme Court announced today that it has granted certiorari in the challenge brought by the United States Trotting Association (USTA), the States of Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Louisiana, and a group of racetracks, racing associations, and breeders against the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), and has vacated the decision and […]
Columbus, OH – On May 30, 2025, the United States Trotting Association (USTA), following an investigation by the Standardbred Racing Investigative Fund (SRIF), sanctioned John, Pamela, and Kelsey Wagner for fraudulently transferring registered Standardbreds to Kelsey to avoid the consequences of John’s suspension by state racing officials after seven horses he trained tested positive for prohibited […]
Columbus, OH — Following a comprehensive investigation conducted in collaboration with the Standardbred Racing Investigative Fund (SRIF), the United States Trotting Association (USTA) has issued sweeping disciplinary action against members of the Wagner family for orchestrating a fraudulent ownership scheme — commonly known as “bearding” — to circumvent regulatory suspensions and continue profiting from harness racing. […]
On Friday, May 23, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) announced that it has issued a 10-year suspension and $40,000 penalty to Standardbred trainer Jeffrey Gillis following an investigation by its Equine Drug Unit. The AGCO has been actively investigating potential violations of Ontario’s horse racing anti-doping rules stemming from an international criminal […]
Columbus, OH — Forty-eight United States Trotting Association directors met on the afternoon of March 8, 2025, during the USTA’s annual meeting to receive and discuss the report of the board’s ad hoc investigative committee. In the course of a 2-1/2 hour meeting, the board found the violations and imposed the penalties that have since been […]
Columbus, OH – At its annual meeting on Sunday (March 9) in Columbus, Ohio, the US Trotting Association (USTA) Board of Directors voted to hand down sanctions to seven members judged to have violated Association rules and/or bylaws. The Board relied upon the results of a nearly year-long probe conducted by the Standardbred Racing Investigative Fund […]
