Sep 25, 2025 3 min read

By John Sacco

For the Observer-Reporter

newsroom@observer-reporter.com

Track conditions are such that The Meadows cancelled its race card today, including seven Keystone Classics divisions.

The North Strabane Township track thus has cancelled all three of its race cards this week after being closed last week to work on the track’s surface.

According to sources, the track’s surface was scarified, which is to cut or remove debris.

In a press release from track announcer Jeff Zidek on Thursday morning, it said today’s card – which included seven divisions of Keystone Classic stakes – was cancelled. The release added that it had been previously announced that those races would be carried over to another date. “However, an updated decision was made to cancel those events.

Attempts to reach Scott Lisha, outgoing director of racing, and Dawnelle Mock, executive director of the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, prior to deadline were not successful.

According to the release, “horses drawn into the Keystone Classics will receive a payout based on the value-to-date of each individual stake division. Value-to-date includes all monies paid in by owners to the event. No added money will be included and no starting fees will be collected or added to the payout.”

The impact of no racing for two weeks is being felt among horsemen.

“There are several soft spots that are just not safe,” said trainer Tim Twaddle. “It was perfect Saturday. Then we got a little bit of rain, the track fell apart. We need some sun and wind.

“It’s really a hardship for most of us. The overhead is staggering. Not racing one week is bad and then a second week takes its toll.”

Owner/trainer Dirk Simpson said missing a second week “makes it tough.”

“We’re a year around track so we expect to race,” Simpson added. “Missing a second week puts a strain on the stables.”

Simpson said he is taking two horses to Ohio for the weekend.

Trainer Mark Goldberg has a different outlook.

“I’m sure they’ll try to add on a few extra (race) days,” Goldberg said. “It’s tough on the horseman and the thing is, it’s part of the business. We know this normally hits us in the wintertime. We get snow and stuff like that.

“In the past, the track has tried to make up the days. It’s not the track’s fault.”

Live racing is expected to resume Wednesday at 12:45 p.m.