Harrington Raceway set for 78th season of racing

The pacers and trotters are set to go as Harrington Raceway opens on Monday, April 8 for their 78^th season of harness racing at the Delaware half-mile oval.

First race post time Monday is 4:30 pm. Harrington Raceway will feature live racing with a Monday through Wednesday schedule for most of the season. Qualifiers will be held on Wednesdays.

“Through the first few draws of our season,” said Matt Sparacino, Assistant General Manager at Harrington Raceway. “The driver/trainer colony will feature familiar faces from recent years with past driving champions at Harrington returning including Allan Davis, Ross Wolfenden and Tony Morgan.

“Youngster Troy Beyer is a recent addition to the driver colony,” Sparacino added. “And he will join track veterans including Pat Berry, Montrell Teague, Corey Callahan, Russell Foster, Art Stafford Jr., and Victor Kirby, just to name a few. Trainer Joe Columbo retains a large stable as the 3-time defending training champion and is expected to have a strong presence once again.”

On the wagering side for this season, Matt Sparacino said. “Fans can look forward to our superfecta and pick four wagers which feature full carryovers if nobody selects the winners in all positions. Those particular pools can build rather quickly with that format. Also – we have a healthy purse structure which continues to draw many of the area’s finest horses, trainers and drivers which leads to very competitive racing.”

To kick-off the live race meet on Monday, Harrington Raceway is hosting a $22,500 Open Handicap Pace feature in the 6^th race.

Trojan Banner N (Bettor’s Delight) is the 5/2 morning line favorite in the race. The nine-year-old New Zealand bred stallion (who was racing in Australia) is on a three-race winning streak from Bally’s Dover for trainer-owner Brendan Davis of Smyrna, Delaware.

He will start from the rail for driver Tyler Davis and in his last three starts, Trojan Banner has shown the ability to win from either on or off the pace.

In his last start Trojan Banner N was able to wire the field on a sloppy track from post eight in 1:52. The 34-time career winner took his lifetime mark three starts back, coming from off the pace to win in 1:50.2.

Also, on a winning streak is Sir Charles Of Sky (Charley Barley), who starts from post seven for driver Art Stafford, Jr. The six-year-old gelding, trained by Jason Johnson, has won his last two starts, both by a neck, in 1:51.1 and 1:51.2 respectively and has four wins so far in 2024.

Another contender is Dreaming Of Lou (Sweet Lou) who starts from the far outside in post 8 for driver Allan Davis. Owned by Jo Ann Looney-King of Harrington and trained by her husband, Jim King, Jr., Dreaming Of Lou sports four wins this year and has been victorious in three of his last five starts.

Other standouts in the field include Sprocket (post 6) for driver Pat Berry, Mack (post 4) with Montrell Teague driving with Lou’s Beach (post 2), Sweet Angel Boy (post 3) and the $900,000 career winner, Stag Party (post 5).

And what does Matt Sparacino look forward to the most with the opening of the new race meet?

“I look forward to seeing members of our racing community again,” Sparacino said. “Many of whom have been racing at Bally’s Dover over the fall and winter months. In addition, our annual day of racing during the Delaware State Fair in July is always memorable, given all the stakes races on the card and our best attendance of the season.”

And who does Sparacino think will take the 8^th race opening day feature?

“I’m going with #6 Sprocket,” said Sparacino. “He just missed by a neck in his last in 1:51.1 at Bally’s Dover.”

For a free race program, click here. The 2024 race schedule can be viewed here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink