In the face of record cold temperatures, action on and off the track at The Meadows is red hot. After last Thursday’s race card, the North Strabane Township track reported a parimutuel handle of more than $3 million over a three-card span.
Saturday’s card showed more than $950,000 wagered on 13 races, while Wednesday’s 13-race card totaled $1,098,011 in handle—one of the highest non-stake cards in track history. Thursday’s 12 races closed with more than $987,000 in the pools.
“I can’t thank our bettors enough,” said Michael Carter, director of racing at The Meadows. “They have really been supportive of our races so far in 2026. It’s been a total team effort, and none of it could be done without the support of our horse owners, trainers, and drivers. Winter weather has been a little rough this year, but they’ve been filling the entry box and helping us to offer some quality races for the bettors.
“With many tracks forced to cancel races, we have been able to continue racing and present a strong, competitive product at the most opportune times. This success is a direct result of the outstanding support from our horsemen and the MSOA, along with the remarkable efforts of our track crew in maintaining a safe and consistent racing surface for our competitors.”
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### Moira Retires
One of the most important personalities and executives in the harness racing industry has retired. Sort of. She was in the office Monday.
Moira Fanning, the co-CEO of the Hambletonian Society and the main force behind the Hambletonian and formerly the Breeders Crown, plans to spend more time with her grandson and just catch her breath a bit. Gunjan Patel will succeed her at the Hambletonian Society.
Fanning completed her official duties attending The Prix d’Amerique on January 25. Whatever retirement is supposed to look like, it’s hard to be totally convinced that those in the sport won’t be seeing Moira Fanning—or at least calling on her.
Fanning’s near 40-year association with the Hambletonian Society involved working behind the scenes to assure and confirm details were covered while presenting the Breeders Crown and Hambletonian races on an annual basis. She started in the sport as a caretaker.
“If you ask me what I’m most proud of,” said Fanning in a recent story published by DRF Harness Digest, “it’s the longevity of races like the Hambletonian that’s been going on for 100 years and the Breeders Crown that’s going on for 40 years.”
Two greatly respected horse racing writers, Kimberly French and Ellen Harvey, understand the impact Fanning had.
“Moira has meant the world to me,” said French, former editor of Hoof Beats magazine. “She gave me my first opportunity to work on the Hambletonian. That’s where I met her.
“She’s been integral in the growth of my career in harness racing. Moira is the one who does everything. I know she still will be involved in some capacity, obviously, because (her husband) Tom is still training horses. But it leaves a huge hole in the sport.”
Added retired publicist Harvey, a longtime Standardbred publicist: “She would solve problems better than anybody and then make contingency plans. Moira is extremely efficient. Her boss Tom Charters was an idea guy and Moira would handle the implementation and move the ball down the field.
“She is extremely intelligent and well-read. Moira has been extremely important to harness racing.”
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### On Schedule
The Meadows has returned to its usual three-day-per-week schedule in February, racing Wednesday through Friday afternoons at 12:45 p.m.
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### Ladies Rule
A few races last week featured a lone mare racing against stallions and geldings, and the girls showed the guys how to win.
In a $6,000 claiming pace Thursday, Speaking Of Coffee, a 9-year-old daughter of Artspeak, was a winner in 1:56.3 for trainer Dean Glispie and driver Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.
In the next race, claiming trotter Fred’s Dream Girl (Team Six), driven by Justin Irvine for trainer Cory Kreiser, defeated eight males in 1:57.2.
The next day, L Dees Maria, a 6-year-old mare by Cantab Hall, bested a field of male trotters in a $6,900 conditioned trot, winning in 1:57.4 for trainer Justin Pirillo and driver Jeremy Indof.
Saturday’s third race saw Alwaysanun (Always a Virgin) and Justin Irvine win for trainer Brandon Presto in a claiming handicap race in 1:54.4.
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*Note: Track announcer Jeff Zidek contributed to this story.*
https://www.observer-reporter.com/uncategorized/2026/feb/03/meadows-handle-surges-during-cold-stretch/