Photo Finishes Highlight Dramatic Day at Vesey Street
IslandStats.com
The judge was kept busy at the National Equestrian Centre as a thrilling afternoon of Harness Pony Racing on Vesey Street 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, while Kool The Fire and D.J. Burchall followed closely in 1:06/4.
The drama continued in Heat Nine of the 1:03&1 - 1:04&1 bracket, where another tie at the line forced the judge into action. Rockeyed Optimist, with Maurice Raynor in the bike, and Huntinforgold, driven by Tahzii Flood, both clocked a blistering 1:04/0. Raynor was eventually ruled the victor in what was one of the most competitive heats of the afternoon.
History repeated itself in the 1:04&2 - 1:05&3 Time Bar Class, as Jashaun Young and Holy Grail went nose-to-nose with D.J. Burchall behind Inwood's Realist. Both ponies recorded a time of 1:05/2, with Young securing the decision to add another victory to his season's tally.
The atmosphere reached a fever pitch for the final race of the day, featuring the elite 1:03 and Faster Division. 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 1:02 flat. After a final consultation, Correia was awarded the win, capping off an afternoon of heart stopping racing that saw the track record threatened on multiple occasions.
The month of December saw six professionals including Ki-Juan Miners in the hunter/jumper industry either added to the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s Centralized Disciplinary Database or movement in the response and resolution status of their open cases.
One of the two of the biggest decisions involved well-known Wellington show jumper and singer Minors, who was arrested for sexual assault and battery in August.
Minors faces Temporary Restrictions for allegations of misconduct, with additional details including: “no unsupervised coaching/training, no contact directive(s), and limitations on participation.” Minors is a professional rider and musician who competes internationally in show jumping for his native Bermuda, including at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games in Bogotá. On August 26, Minors was arrested and charged with sexual battery (of a victim 18 years of age or older) by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office resulting from alleged events that took place at his home in Wellington in March. He was later released on bail. Minors has pleaded not guilty; his criminal case is currently open and is working its way through the court system.
Saturday, January 03, 2026
Waldron Prepares for Harrah’s 2026 Return
IslandStats.com
Bermudian harness racing ace Kiwon Waldron is set to kick-start his 2026 campaign in the United States, with Harrah’s Hoosier Park confirming the start of its qualifying season.
The Indiana Standardbred Association (ISA) has announced that qualifying races for the new year are scheduled to commence in late January. These sessions, which act as the traditional "curtain-raiser" for the professional season, will allow drivers and trainers to fine-tune their stock after the winter break. For Waldron, who has become a rising force on the US circuit, these qualifiers represent the first opportunity to build on a prolific 2025 that saw him record multiple hat-tricks and signature victories in the Midwest.
The qualifying window will run through early February, serving as a high-stakes preparation period before the pari-mutuel meet officially gets underway.
Following the preliminary qualifying rounds, the full 2026 racing season at Harrah's Hoosier Park is scheduled to officially begin on Thursday, February 12th.
The upcoming calendar is one of the most demanding in the sport, with live racing slated to run for over nine months, eventually concluding November 28th. The Anderson-based track remains a premier destination for the industry, having recently enhanced its facilities to support year-round training and mid-winter starts.
Waldron's inclusion in the Indiana season follows a standout year where he successfully balanced a busy schedule across both Trot and Pace classes. The 25-year-old, often referred to as "The Pride of Warwick," has drawn significant praise from US commentators for his tactical versatility and consistency in the sulky.
As the Indiana Standardbred community prepares for the "dress rehearsal" qualifiers in a few weeks' time, all eyes will be on whether Waldron can maintain the momentum that has seen him move from a rookie sensation to an established name in one of harness racing's most competitive regions.
Friday, January 02, 2026
Smart Machine sets the Pace at National Equestrian Centre
Candyce Martin
IslandStats.com
The dust has barely settled on a high-octane New Year’s Day of Harness Pony Racing, but the record books are already being rewritten after a scintillating afternoon of speed in Bermuda.
Following our live coverage of the holiday festivities, the headlines today belong to Candyce Martin and Smart Machine.
In a season that has already seen its fair share of drama, Heat 16 provided a moment of pure sporting theatre. Martin and her pony engaged in a fierce, high-speed duel with Philip Correia and Red October that brought the capacity crowd to its feet. As they crossed the wire, the clock stopped at a blistering 1:01&4—a new season track record and the fastest time recorded this year. It was a performance of precision and power that narrowly edged out Correia in a finish that reinforced exactly why these two teams remain the gold standard of the circuit.
The rivalry between the two drivers had been simmering long before the record-breaking run. In an earlier encounter that served as a precursor to the main event, Martin and Correia went nose-to-nose in a finish so tight it defied the naked eye. Both ponies hit the line with identical times of 1:02&2, forcing a tense wait as the judges consulted the photo finish. After a meticulous review, it was Philip Correia and Red October who were awarded the victory by the narrowest of margins, setting the stage for Martin's later redemption.
With the holiday racing window now concluded, officials have confirmed the Time Bar winners after totaling performances from Boxing Day through to New Year’s Day. Smart Machine took top honours in the elite 1:03/0 & Faster bracket, followed closely by Red October. The competitive 1:03/1 to 1:04/4 category saw Double Time claim the first-place trophy, holding off a deep field that included SomeGoldSomeWhere, Rockeyed Optimist, Gold Rush, and Huntinforgold.
In the mid-tier divisions, Inwood's Realist secured the top spot in the 1:05/0 to 1:06/2 bracket ahead of Holy Grail, while Gold-N-Glory led the way in the 1:06/3 to 1:08/0 class, followed by Kool The Fire and Inwood's Progress. The final accolades of the afternoon went to Reel Desire, who bested Victoria's Secret in the 1:08/1 to 1:09/0 time bar, and Gold Legacy, who held off Just A Dream to take the title in the 1:09/1 to 1:12/4 division. As the season moves forward, the target on Smart Machine's back has never been larger.
New Years Day Live Coverage Harness Racing 1:00 pm
IslandStats.com
Get ready for the thundering hooves and the blur of the sulkies! IslandStats.com is proud to announce its comprehensive live coverage of the upcoming Harness Racing event at the National Equestrian Center (NEC) on Vesey Street on this New Years Day.
As a staple of Bermuda’s sporting tradition, harness pony racing continues to draw fans to the track for its unique blend of speed, strategy, and sheer determination. For those who can’t make it to the grandstands in person, IslandStats.com will be on the rail, bringing the heat of every dash directly to your screens.
The upcoming race day promises a full slate of competitive heats across various Time Bar Classes. Following a season that has already seen blistering performances from top ponies like Smart Machine and Red October, the stakes have never been higher.
Live Updates: Real-time results and heat-by-heat breakdowns. Fastest Times: Tracking the record-breaking 1:02 and 1:03 dashes that define the "Faster Time Bar" classes. Expert Commentary: Insights into the driving tactics of season leaders like Candyce Martins, and Philip Correia.
This season has been defined by "nail-biting photo finishes" and dead heats that have kept the presiding judges busy. As the Driving Horse and Pony Club (DHPC) moves deeper into the 2025/2026 calendar, every heat serves as a vital qualifier for the prestigious Champion of Champions finale.
Whether you are rooting for the seasoned veterans or the six new ponies making their debut this season, IslandStats.com remains your #1 source for Bermuda's Harness Racing action.
