Some of the most interesting races in harness racing have come when a heavy favorite tasted defeat. Here are just a few of the more interesting upsets in harness racing history. Bret Hanover had just won the 35th race of his unbeaten career in 1965 when he faced Adios Vic in the $14,400 Review Futurity on August 17, 1965 at Springfield, Illinobis. Heavy rain had postponed the races, and Bret’s trainer-driver Frank Ervin was concerned about the large field and poor racing conditions.
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Bret got away quickly, but moped to the three-quarters in a leisurely 1:33, and Adios Vic used a :27 final quarter to zip by the champion and win the first of two heats. Bret won the second in 1:59.3 and was declared the official race winner by virtue of a speedier time, but his superior winning streak had ended. By the way, if you want to get today football match prediction, we recommend that you follow the link provided and subscribe to the blog section updates.
Breeders Crown at the Meadows Raceway in Pennsylvania: In this race Nihilator would taste defeat for the very first time in his illustrious career, losing to home-track favorite, Dragon’s Lair. The established powerhouse barn-the Haughton stable-vied against the relatively unknown stable of trainer Jeff Mallet. Dragons Lair would hold off Nihilator, with Broadway Express rallying for the place spot, in a world record time of 1:54.1.
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As a matter of fact, in the only three races that Nihilator ever lost, it took a world record EACH time to beat him-Marauder in 1985 at the Adios and Armbro Dalls in 1985 at Garden State Park in the Pilgrim. The loss in the first ever Breeders Crown undoubtedly cost Nihilator Horse Of The Year honors, an award that went to Fancy Crown. The final irony to this story is that a couple of years ago Jeff Mallet went to work as a trainer for-you guessed it-the Haughton stable! We invite you to receive promo code for 22 bet and place a bet. Victory will be yours!
Woodrow Wilson at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey: Longshot Land Grants wins. Slapstick came into history’s first $2 million test undefeated and was sent off at 4/5 odds despite post 10. Land Grant was sent off at 69.90 to the dollar, the fourth longest shot in the field (Mannart Full Speed 99.20-1, Surmo Hanover 86.40-1 and Joe G Hanover 75.60-1).
Del Insko passed them all with Land Grant in the 30.4 final quarter (1:56.4 mile) while Slapstick, enduring a tough journey, could manage just fifth. Finishing in between them were Armbro Wolf in second, Neros BB in third and Areba Areba in fourth. She was the only filly in this event, and remains to this day the only female to ever earn a paycheck in a $2 million race.
There would be just one more $2 million test in the sport, the 1984 Wilson which went for a record $2,161,000. Abe Stoltzfus, Ben Webster and Bill Popfinger have the distinction of being the only three drivers to have appeared in BOTH.
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Meadowlands Pace Elimination: Niatross broke stride briefly, then recovered to finish fourth and earn a berth in the final. This break came just one week after he had fallen over the low hub rail at Saratoga, where he suffered his very first career defeat. The Pace elimination made it two defeats in a row for the champion pacer. Trainer-driver Clint Galbraith to this day calls that fourth place finish by Niatross the greatest of all his races. The son of Albatross was never to lose again, and he dominated the following week in the Meadowlands Pace, demolishing his competition in track record time. 1:53.1.
Hambletonian elimination: CR Kay Suzie, sent off at 10 cents on the dollar, with the whole world assuming that Suzie would automatically make the historic final. But nearing the half she broke stride, and with it, the hearts of the Allen clan who were so close to Hambo glory. CR Kay Suzie did recover and valiantly closed for sixth in that elimination, but that was just one spot too far back to make the final that Tagliabue would claim as his.
Suzie’s break was not typical as she would storm back and take the World Trotting Derby and be voted the Horse Of The Year. It is almost impossible to race in the Hambo, NOT win it, and be named Horse of The Year. Eleven months later CR Kay Susie took revenge again in the Breeders Crown with a dominant victory. But for pure upsets, C R Kay Suzie’s break and ultimate elimination from the 1995 Hambo final is one of the most memorable defeats ever.
Woodrow Wilson Final: Presidential Ball, racing for the Bill Robinson Stable and driver Jack Moiseyev was the favorite at 60 cents to the dollar. But Americas Pastime was able to edge out the champion freshman in the final strides and upset Presidential Ball in 1:51.4 at 18-1. Presidential Ball went on to have an amazing career, considering the fact that in the two Breeders Crowns he competed in, they were the only two races ever where he missed the board-yet he still banked over $3 million career!
Aquarius at the Meadowlands: Red Bow Tie was the hot horse of the moment who just three months earlier had been plucked out of Harrisburg as his three-year-old season was winding down. From there he proceeded to set the world afire. Driven by John Campbell, the son of Raging Glory was ready for the Aquarius sweep, and was sent off at 10 cents to the dollar. But he was not himself that night, and finished a well-beaten fifth in 1:52.
Two entries defeated him that night-trainer Ross Croghan finished first and second with Red Star Longshot and Yankee Cam, while conditioner Bruce Saunders was third and fourth with Burn That Bridge and Manificent. Red Bow Tie would more than make up for that loss, and remains today the only horse to win the Breeders Crown in consecutive seasons BOTH via the supplemental route.
Su Mac Lad at the Meadowlands: Just after Red Bow Tie was defeated in the Aquarius, another horse was defeated at the SAME PRICE!! For the first and only time in Meadowlands history, there were 1-9 shots in back to back races (early double), and they BOTH LOST!! Supergrit was riding high, having not only won all three legs of the Su Mac Lad (1:54.4, 1:55.1, 1:57.2) but all his other races too. But Yentl’s Iceman and Super High Test would have something to say about this, and they were 1-2 on the wire in this 1:55 mile, the top trio separated only by a neck. Supergrit would go on to a million dollar plus career, a Breeders Crown win and would more than make up for the one night miscue.
Breeders Crown at Freestate Raceway: Mack Lobell was looking for his fourth straight Breeders Crown victory, and the fans certainly thought he would do it. Sent off at 20 cents on the dollar odds, the old Mack Lobell never did kick in. He wound up third to Delray Lobell (14-1) and Red Rhone (6-1). But here’s the kicker….the winning Delray Lobell was driven by John Campbell and owned by Lou Guida-the former connections of Mack Lobell. At this time Mack had been sold to overseas interests, and was no longer in their hands or the hands of trainer Chuck Sylvester. Mack would go on to bank over $3.9 million, and gave harness fans memories that will last a lifetime-that is why ANY loss by Mack, especially in a Crown, would be magnified.
Tarport Hap at the Meadowlands: Most don’t remember this one. But it was significant for a couple reasons. Jolibea Hanover won this for Ben Webster and trainer Larry Summer, and her 1:52.4 was a track record at the time for sophomore filly pacers. No Smoking was second and La Toya third. But it was the fourth place finisher that made this a memorable event. Her name was Pacific. George Steinbrenner owned the free-legged filly pacer and Tom Harmer drove and trained her. She had dominated in the Mistletoe Shalee, and everyone thought she’d do the same here; ESPECIALLY the show bettors. She had over $340,000 on her to show in the Tarport Hap, and it marked the biggest show pool in Meadowlands history where the favorite finished off the board.
Meadowlands Pace: Artsplace was beaten by Precious Bunny. How can a horse who would go on to become Horse Of The Year be considered an upset? Well, at the time, Artsplace looked invincible. He had not yet lost a race as a three-year-old (5-5), and most remembered his unreal Breeders Crown effort of 1:51.1 at Pompano on November 30 of 1990.
Artsplace was the kind of horse you don’t see very often, and even though Precious Bunny was razor sharp, the fans still said “not yet pal”. But they were wrong. It was not only the first ever sub-1:50 mile at night (1:49.4), but it was the WAY he did it. Precious Bunny uncorked a move past the half to take the top, the speed of which is the stuff of legends. Horses weren’t supposed to pass Artsplace that way, let alone win. But Precious Bunny did!
A genuine upset in harness racing happens when a low-odds outsider defeats well-backed favorites in a surprising turn of events. This usually contradicts pre-race analysis, market sentiment, and statistical models. The impact is stronger when the winner has little prior success or comes from a less-known stable. These moments expose the limitations of form guides and race previews. Such victories often occur under unexpected conditions or due to tactical brilliance. An upset redefines how risk is perceived in racing markets. They become case studies for bettors seeking deeper insight.
Favorites lose when conditions, tactics, or hidden factors interfere with expected performance. A bad draw or poor start can force them into suboptimal positions early in the race. Unfavorable weather may reduce traction or alter race tempo, affecting control. Physical fatigue or minor, unnoticed injuries can also reduce performance without showing in form sheets. Overconfidence from the driver or stable may lead to risky decisions. Sometimes, other horses simply improve dramatically on the day. Racing remains unpredictable, even for the best.
Poor weather conditions often equalize the field, making raw speed less decisive. Rain or snow can turn a fast track into a slower, tactical surface where positioning matters more. Horses less reliant on early speed tend to benefit in such scenarios. Drivers are forced to adapt strategy on the fly, increasing the chance of misjudgment. Wet conditions may lead to more errors at the gate or during turns. The chaos gives outsiders a better shot at catching the favorites off guard. Experienced bettors often find value during unpredictable weather races.
Yes, split-second choices made by the driver can heavily alter race dynamics. Misreading pace, attempting a risky move too early, or failing to protect the rail can be costly. On the other hand, a well-timed outside burst can position a longshot for an upset. Driver experience, confidence, and chemistry with the horse all factor in. Unexpected tactical changes often catch favorites unprepared. While horses have limits, smart driving can elevate potential. In many upsets, the strategy outshines the statistics.
Track layout and surface consistency vary from one venue to another, influencing performance. Shorter straights, tighter corners, or unpredictable surfaces make pace control harder. Inexperienced drivers struggle to adjust, giving an edge to strategic longshots. Local weather and maintenance patterns also change how races unfold on different tracks. Certain locations have reputations for volatile outcomes due to these structural factors. Bettors who understand these local quirks can anticipate value opportunities. The track itself becomes a variable, not just the horses.
Historic upsets highlight the limitations of over-relying on form or favorites. They encourage bettors to look for hidden strengths, such as strong finishing speed or pace adaptability. Reviewing past shock wins teaches how circumstances, not reputation, decide results. It also shows how market odds can fail to reflect subtle but critical race-day factors. Patterns may emerge around certain trainers, seasons, or driver styles. These lessons support more flexible and informed betting strategies. Memory of past surprises sharpens future judgment.
Yes, more participants naturally increase the complexity and risk of interference. With many horses competing for position, favorites have a harder time finding clear paths. Strategic blocking, accidental bumps, or miscommunications become more likely. Outsiders can slip through unnoticed or benefit from others’ mistakes. Larger fields also dilute betting focus, occasionally undervaluing well-prepared longshots. Race chaos can disrupt pre-planned pacing strategies. In crowded lineups, control is harder to maintain.
After major upsets, public sentiment often shifts toward caution or overreaction. Some bettors chase the next underdog, believing lightning will strike twice. Others double down on favorites, thinking surprises won’t repeat. Bookmakers may adjust early lines more conservatively after volatile race days. Odds movements before the next event can reflect this change in psychology. Sharp bettors observe these patterns to find mispriced selections. Market overcorrection creates fresh value opportunities.
Emotion-driven responses to unexpected results can lead to reckless wagering. Bettors might abandon sound logic in favor of narratives or revenge betting. Some overestimate their predictive skill based on a lucky win. Others begin to distrust statistical models that missed the upset. This creates a mental imbalance, reducing betting discipline. The smartest response is to analyze, not react emotionally. Stability in mindset is crucial for long-term betting success.
While luck plays a role, upsets often result from overlooked variables rather than pure chance. Trainers experimenting with strategy or horses returning from injury may defy expectations. Watching stable behavior, driver interviews, and warm-up intensity provides clues. Deep contextual analysis can reveal subtle vulnerabilities in favorites. The market rarely prices in every possible detail, especially in less prominent races. Consistent research gives bettors an edge even in chaotic conditions. Preparedness turns randomness into recognition.