Racing Forward in Pink 002

Racing with Heart: Women Drivers Lead Delaware’s “Pink Pace” at Harrington Raceway

Staff WriterSports, Headlines

Racing Forward in Pink 002

A Standardbred horse and driver in pink racing silks capture the spirit of the annual “Pink Pace,” Delaware’s harness-racing event supporting breast-cancer awareness.

By Jamie Kleman | Contributing Journalist |Delaware Live | October 2025

The rhythmic clatter of hooves and the hum of anticipation fill the air as harness-racing fans take their seats at Harrington Raceway. But this week, the spotlight isn’t only on speed – it’s on strength, community, and compassion. As part of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) Finals, Harrington is hosting the annual “Pink Pace” – a special all-female drivers’ race raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research.

Women in the Driver’s Seat

(In harness racing, athletes are called drivers because they steer their horses from a two-wheeled cart known as a sulky, rather than riding on the horse’s back.)

The Pink Pace is more than a competition; it’s a celebration of women in a sport long dominated by men. The race brings together a lineup of talented female drivers from across the region, each donating her driver’s percentage to a local breast-cancer charity.

“This event is about empowerment – on and off the track,” said a spokesperson for Harrington Raceway & Casino. “These women train, compete, and give back, all in one night. It’s one of our most inspiring traditions.”

For the drivers, the race carries both personal and professional meaning. Many have friends or relatives affected by breast cancer, and the cause adds purpose to every stride. Dressed in pink silks and helmets, they steer Delaware-bred horses around the half-mile oval, greeted by cheering fans lining the rail in matching pink gear.

Spotlight on the DSBF Finals

The Pink Pace coincides with one of Delaware’s premier racing events — the $110,000 DSBF Finals for two-year-old pacers and trotters. Sponsored by the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund, the finals showcase the best of Delaware’s breeding and training programs, highlighting the state’s role in sustaining the national standardbred industry.

Behind the scenes, trainers, grooms, and breeders from Kent and Sussex Counties work tirelessly to prepare their horses for the spotlight. Many of them are family operations, balancing early-morning barn work with school runs, office jobs, and year-round care for the animals they raise.

“It’s a lifestyle more than a business,” said one longtime Delaware trainer. “Every horse that crosses that finish line represents months of work – and a little piece of our heart.”

A Tradition That Runs Deep

Harrington Raceway, often called “the little track with a big heart,” has been home to standardbred racing since 1946. Over the decades, it has produced champions and hometown heroes alike, including noted driver Montrell Teague, whose roots trace back to Harrington’s barns.

The Pink Pace adds a modern chapter to that legacy, blending sport, charity, and celebration. Fans can expect family-friendly activities throughout race week, including driver meet-and-greets, local food vendors, and a “Best in Pink” contest where attendees show off their most creative race-day attire.

Racing Forward

For the women on the track, the Pink Pace is about more than the purse – it’s about visibility, unity, and giving back. As the final lap approaches and the crowd rises to its feet, the pink-clad drivers remind Delaware that competition and compassion can share the same finish line.

The Pink Pace and DSBF Finals run through October 15th at Harrington Raceway, with additional championship events scheduled later this month. For race schedules, entry lists, and live-stream information, visit harringtonraceway.com.

 

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