Jun 11, 2026 By John Sacco 4 min read

The Meadows, along with the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, are attempting to attract more people to harness racing by hosting Friday a family friendly fun night and a chance for patrons to learn more about the sport.

The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association will host the event, which will include a full card of racing. Post time is 5:10 p.m.

In addition, one of the sport’s top ambassadors – legendary Foiled Again – will also be on hand. During his lengthy racing career, Foiled Again – trained for many years through his retirement by Ron Burke – earned more than $7 million, more than any other Standardbred in history.

Michael Carter, director of racing for The Meadows, said the idea was hatched by the MSOA, specifically Meadow Twaddle – the MSOA’s marketing director.

“She came up with the idea,” Carter said. “Patrons will be learning how to bet and learn things like that. The MSOA has several people (involved), and we’ve got trainers coming over. So, there’ll be a lot of people here to help folks learn.”

Carter added that trainers will be on hand to meet with racing fans and discuss the sport, including fractional ownership opportunities.

Also, on-track patrons will have an opportunity to not only do a Meet and Greet with a mare and foal from Winbak Farm, but they will also have the chance to give the foal his official United States Trotting Association registered name.

“Winbak Farm is excited to have a top-notch mare, Exotic Form, and her foal attending the races Friday. We have to thank Shaffer Standardbreds for making this possible for them to attend, the mare and foal are currently residing at their farm,” said Jack Burke, Winbak Farm general manager. “Each year, we post foals on Facebook for fans to submit name suggestions for and now they can do it in person while watching races at The Meadows.”

The young trotting colt is a son of millionaire Father Patrick, and from the stakes-winning mare Exotic Form. He is a half-brother to 2025 New York Sire Stake Champion, Happy Jack B, a winner of more than a half million dollars in just two seasons of racing. Local racing fans might remember another of Exotic Form’s offspring, Barn Hall, who raced here for the Randy Bendis Stable.

The mare and foal will be in a special stall located outside on the track’s apron level throughout the evening.

NA Cup

Ron Burke trains three of Saturday’s North American Cup finalists including Melillo, Lindy Dragonwater and Al Papi.

Melillo, to be driven by 2025 Cup winner Ronnie Wrenn Jr., drew post 1. Lindy Dragonwater, the 2025 Ohio Sire Stakes champion, will leave from post 6 with Jason Bartlett picking up the drive. World record holder Al Papi drew post 8 and will be driven by Hall of Famer Yannick Gingras.

The 43rd edition of the Grade 1, $1 million North America Cup, for 3-year-old pacers, will be contested Saturday at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Odds On Mr Mamba and Sweet Lovin Lou won their respective Cup eliminations June 6.

Odds On Mr Mamba landed post 3 and Sweet Lovin Lou drew post 4.

Beau Jangles took his first loss in the second Cup elimination. He remains a favorite.

Loua Dipa

World champion Loua Dipa returned to Woodbine Mohawk Park last weekend off a defeat in her debut to post a 1:48.3 mile and win the last of three $35,000 Fan Hanover eliminations for 3-year-old pacing fillies.

Loua Dipa, a homebred daughter of Sweet Lou, won for the 10th time in 15 career starts for owners Burke Racing Stable, Fredericktown, and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

The Fan Hanover final will be contested Saturday.

Roger that

Last Saturday, The Meadows cancelled after the fourth race because of bad weather.

Longtime voice of The Meadows, Hall of Famer Roger Huston, was stalled in his effort to reach his march to 185,000 race calls.

Huston, on his Facebook page, thanked current Meadows racetrack announcer Jeff Zidek and race secretary Michael Carter for providing him the opportunity to call Wednesday’s first five races to reach that milestone. Huston wrote: “During my 44 years at The Meadows we had other milestones 100,000 and 150,000 totals.”