The judges were kept working overtime at the National Equestrian Center as a thrilling afternoon of harness pony racing culminated in four photo finishes and the fastest times of the 2026 season.
In a day defined by razor-thin margins, the presiding official was called upon to settle multiple dead heats, starting in the 1:07&1 – 1:08&3 Time Bar Class. Victoria’s Secret, driven by Candyce Martins, and Reel Desire, piloted by Liam Stones, crossed the wire in an identical time of 1:06/2. After a careful review of the tape, Martins was awarded the win by the narrowest of margins.
The drama continued in the 1:03&1 – 1:04&1 Time Bar Class, where Rockeyed Optimist and Huntinforgold both clocked a blistering 1:04 flat. Maurice Raynor was eventually ruled the victor in a heart-pounding finish. History repeated itself in the 1:04&2 – 1:05&3 Time Bar Class, as Holy Grail went nose-to-nose with Inwood’s Realist. Both recorded a time of 1:05/2, with Jashaun Young securing the decision.
The atmosphere reached a fever pitch for the elite 1:03 and Faster Time Bar Class. In a spectacular display of speed, Red October, driven by Philip Correia, and Smart Machine, with Candyce Martins at the helm, recorded the joint-fastest times of the day at a scorching 1:02/0. After a final consultation, Correia was awarded the win, capping off an afternoon of racing that saw the track record under constant threat.
