MGC licensing office at Plainridge will be open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 10-4. It will be closed Thursdays and Fridays
Big Congratulations to leading 2025 PRC Driver Bruce Ranger & Leading PRC Trainer Gretchen Athearn!
Peter Weisberg has been involved in harness racing since working as a groom at Monticello Raceway as a teenager in the late 1970s and as a groom/assistant trainer for Mark Loewe in the 1980s (caretaker of 1988 Little Brown Jug runner-up Threefold). Now his participation is as an owner and an accountant for many of the sport’s top trainers and owners.
Weisberg, a CPA/CFP who races as PCW Racing LLC and counts 2024 Dan Patch Award-winning trotter Maryland and promising 2-year-old trotter Zephyr Kemp among the horses he co-owns, said legislation passed this year by Congress as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) contains key provisions that favorably impact horse owners, particularly those involved in breeding and racing.
He offered these thoughts regarding the legislation:
1. Bonus Depreciation
One of the most powerful provisions of OBBBA is the permanent extension of 100% bonus depreciation for qualifying assets — capital expenditures such as racehorses, breeding stock, barns, equipment, and related facilities. Under the prior Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), bonus depreciation was phasing out (40% in 2025, 20% in 2026, and gone by 2027). Thanks to OBBBA, investors in racehorses can now write off the full purchase cost immediately, retroactive to Jan. 20, 2025.
2. Net Operating Loss Carryover
The Bill also restored the net operating loss carryover allowing excess business losses to carryforward as a net operating loss. The net operating loss carryover can be applied against up to 80% of future taxable income each year and carries forward indefinitely until fully utilized.
3. Restored and Enhanced Business Interest Deduction
OBBBA restores a favorable method of calculating the business interest deduction by adding back depreciation rather than subtracting it. This helps equine businesses carry costs more efficiently when using debt financing and generally increase the amount of deductible interest expense. This is important for businesses that rely on debt financing for the high cost of capital investments.
Potential Trade-off: Impact on Betting
There’s a notable downside: starting in 2026, OBBBA limits the ability of bettors (including horseplayers) to deduct gambling losses — allowing only 90% of losses to be deductible (against winnings), down from 100%. This change may reduce betting activity, which could indirectly affect purse sizes and demand for horses. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has expressed that “work remains to offset some losses by horseplayers,” and they plan to pursue legislative fixes.
Overall, this is a huge win for Standardbred and Thoroughbred owners and breeders and paves the way for reinvestment, modernization, and sustained growth across breeding, racing, and farm operations. This was reflected in the recent Saratoga Thoroughbred sale, which was up 22.6% from the previous record-setting year.
Comfort Inn & Suites just outside the track is now open.
Horsemens rate of $99.00 plus tax Mon-Thurs, Event blackout dates apply.
Turners food trailer wants to thank the HHANE and everyone for their patronage. Have a great off season and hope to see everyone next year.
Click here to follow HHANE sponsored social media sites
TO SIGN UP FOR TEXTCASTER SERVICE PASTE THE FOLLOWING LINK INTO YOUR BROWSER:
If you want to be added to our email list for daily updates click here
Find out your Track Master Number
MDAR Rules
HHYF-Harness Horse Youth Foundation
2026 TRAINING SCHEDULE AT PRC
No info yet
Get your overnights on the Drawsheet/Stewards list page!
2025-26 winter schedule for MGC White Bldg at Plainridge
MGC licensing office at Plainridge will be open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 10-4. It will be closed Thursdays and Fridays
2026 Lasix Reminder!
Lasix information is to be emailed to: mgclasix@massgaming.gov
Even if your horse raced on Lasix last year, a new slip must be on file for the 2025 Racing Season.
Please use the email address:
mgclasix@massgaming.gov to list any of your horses racing on Lasix at Plainridge for the 2026 season whether they have been on it before or not. If you are taking one off of Lasix, use the same email address to take them off of Lasix. You must Also notify the Plainridge Racing Secretary.
RACE OFFICE 508-576-4486
JUDGES OFFICE 508-576-4487 LICENSING 508-576-4565
All TRAINERS PARTICIPATING AT PLAINRIDGE PARK MUST PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING PAPERWORK PRIOR TO THE DRAW:
1. NEGATIVE COGGINS TEST DATED IN 2026
2. HEALTH CERTIFICATE WITHIN 30 DAYS OF TRANSPORT WITH PLAINRIDGE PARK AS DESTINATION.
3. EHV-1 VACCINATION FOR 2026
EMAIL TO:
2026 MGC Office licensing. On race days, the office opens four hours before post time and is open until the conclusion of the day’s racing.
Phone number 617-533-9803
Please make sure you are sending your information to the right department.
Horse-related paperwork is to be emailed or hand-delivered prior to entry to:PLR-RacingDocs@pennentertainment.com
Licensing applications are to be faxed to Attn: MGC @ 1-508-643-9624 or mailed to MGC Racing Div c/o Plainridge Park Casino at 301 Washington St, Plainville MA 02762 or hand-delivered to the White Building just outside the paddock. Please Do Not Send the applications to the PLR Racing Doc email as the application contains sensitive personal information and cannot be accepted at this email.
This 25-26 winter, MGC licensing office at Plainridge will be open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 10-4. It will be closed Thursdays and Fridays
On 2026 race days, the office opens four hours before post time and is open until the conclusion of the day’s racing. On non-race days, the office is open for licensing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lasix information is to be emailed to: mgclasix@massgaming.gov
Trainer reminder: Even if your horse raced on Lasix last year, a new slip must be on file for the 2026 Racing Season. Please use the email address mgclasix@massgaming.gov to list any of your horses racing on Lasix at Plainridge for the 2026 season whether they have been on it before or not. If you are taking one off of Lasix, use the same email address to take them off of Lasix.
You must notify the Plainridge Racing Secretary of changes as well.
IMPORTANT UPDATES AND INFORMATION
DO NOT Fax or Text paperwork. Paperwork is to be EMAILED ONLY to:
PLR-RacingDocs@pennentertainment.com Paperwork MUST BE on file prior to entering.
____________
Massachusetts Gaming Commission licensing office hours:
The MGC licensing office at Plainridge will be open
On race days, the office opens four hours before post time and is open until the conclusion of the day’s racing. On non-race days, the office is open for licensing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The office does take phone calls if there are questions, and can be reached at
(617)533-9803, Monday –Friday.
License applications can be mailed to:
Racing Division, MA Gaming Commission
c/o Plainridge Park Casino
301 Washington Street
Plainville, MA 02762
__________
The fillable licenses for new licensees are on the mass gaming website: https://massgaming.com/licensing/horse-racing-licenses/. Instructions also have been updated to read for both new and renewal licenses, they can be mailed or faxed. They’ll still need to get the payment to mass gaming.
LASIX
There will be no billing for Lasix. Payment for Lasix is due at the time of administration in the form of Cash or Check. You can pay for all Lasix horses for the day or week at the same time.
TRAINERS AND DRIVERS
You can reach the judges between 7-10 am by calling 508-576-4487, which may be transferred to 207-458-4846 if not in the office. Horsemen can call the judges or text changes to 207-458-4846 between 7-10 am only. Please don’t call or text outside those hours or at inappropriate times. Absolutely no calls or texts during live racing. No Exceptions.
____________
2026 SHIP-IN TRAINING/OVERNIGHT STABLING
No Info yet
You must pick up after yourself when done, no wrappers, vet wraps, or manure is to be left in the stall including wash stalls or privileges may be revoked.
Horses will be allowed to stable overnight with permission from either the Presiding Judge or the Paddock Judge.
RACING RULES AND REGULATION
Trainers and Drivers
Beginning Tuesday May 14, 2025, you will no longer be required to remove your Saddle Pads while on the track. You may return to your stall and leave them hang there OR if you go to any stall in the barns out back after the race, you will be responsible for returning the pads to the numbers room.
Make sure your grooms know the procedure.
ANY PADS LEFT OUT BACK THE TRAINER OF RECORD WILL INCUR A $100 (ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR) FINE!
When you need information, here's who to contact:
General concerns
Bob McHugh president@hhane.com 781.929.7254
Alice Tisbert
alice.md@hhane.com 508.662.8564
Health/Welfare, Membership questions
Alice Tisbert alice.md@hhane.com 508.662.8564
Race Track Comm/Sulky ins claims
Jim Hardy jhardystable64@yahoo.com 508.577.6631
Race Conditions Committee
Joe Flynn flynneileen@verizon.net 508.887.0685
Plainridge Race Office
for entries/Clerk of Course: 508.576.4486
Race Office - Paul Verette: 508.576.4485
Judge's Office: 508.576.4487
(all scratches/driver changes are due by
10 a.m. on the day following the draw)
MGC Office: 617.533.9803
Email:
Meadows Standardbred Owners Association accepting applications for collegiate scholarships
Washington, PA — The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for its 2025-2026 MSOA collegiate scholarships. Thanks to the help of generous partners, this year will feature the most lucrative scholarships offerings in the lengthy history of the program, with over $40,000 available to the winners.
-----------------
Harness Horse Youth foundation
In addition to the scholarships offered by the Harness Horse Youth Foundation, there are many more opportunities for students. Here is a compiled list of useful resources for students and those who would like to get more involved in harness racing. Click on one of the links below to learn more about how you can further your education within harness racing!
https://hhyf.org/scholarships/
HHI Scholarship infomation
and application
MISSION STATEMENT
HHANE Mission Statement Section 1.2 of the Association’s Bylaws The mission of HHANE shall be to promote the welfare and development of harness racing on behalf of the owners, trainers, drivers, breeders and others affiliated with harness racing in New England. HHANE shall encourage and promote legislation to horsemen in general, recommend to rules and regulators which are deemed to be in the best interest in harness racing, to cooperate with and make suggestions to all associations conducting harness racing meetings, advising them on problems affecting the interests of horsemen, hear any grievances of any member, and to intercede if the executive board deems such action is appropriate.
Welcome! The Harness Horseman's Association of New England (HHANE) welcomes you to visit our site and visit us personally during racing season. If you are a trainer, driver, or owner who has either raced at Plainridge in the past or is interested in racing here this year you will find information about HHANE membership and benefits as well as information on racing in Massachusetts and at Plainridge. Feel free to explore and contact us if you have questions.