July 1 Recap

July 1, 2026

TOWN

It took a while but has summer finally arrived in the Catskills and is making up for lost time with some brutal temperatures. Today’s card had 11 races.

The featured race of the day was the $9,000 Open Trot with 7 starters, the betting public made #7 KJ Title the post time favorite.  DC Anna made a break before the gate unfolded to severely hampering her chances.  Going to the opening panel there was a give and go between Ackles Hanover (J. Devaux) and Makin Magic Tonight (R. Silvestri) Ackles Hanover was the first to trip the beam at 28, 57.3. Little Town Road and KJ Title came first over at the half to start the outer flow. Ackles Hanover was still showing the way at the next station at 1:26.3 but barely as the 14-1 Little Town Road had a full head of steam and gaining momentum rounding the paddock turn to easily clear the pack and started to draw off in the lane and won by 4 lengths in 1:56.2 – $30.58 for driver Kyle Dibenedetto and trainer Bryson Dunning. Memento Mori (M. Merton) was second followed by Prince Archie (T. Merton)

Greg Decker Jr’s Full Disclosure earned his second win on the year with his 1:55.1 – $10.20 score, Odds On Brexit (B. Aldrich Jr.) now has a 3 race wins streak for trainer Jim Doherty Jr.  Tammy Sowers picked up a pair of training wins with She’s Spicy in 1:59.1 – $2.74 and Squeaky Clean in 1:57.2 – $9.78, both winner were driven by Kyle Dibenedetto, Sowers is now tied with the leading Jennifer Petrelli with 85 trips to the winners circle with the double she is now tied with the leader Jennifer Petrelli with 85 wins. Like the ever ready battery, Chip Chip Conway continues to grind on, today the 10 year old gelding notched career win # 55, third win of the year after his open length core in 1:58.1 -$5.86 for the winning connection of Jim Taggart Jr and Gary Messenger

Kyle Dibenedetto & Jim Taggart Jr. were both hot today with a driving triples, Greg Merton had a pair of wins as did trainer Scott Jensen.

Wagering has as hot at the temperatures today, the handle was $725,000 with a per race average of $65,900.

Racing has been cancelled for tomorrow due to the excessive heat and out of caution for the horses and horsemen and women.