The Standardbred Canada website and Trot Insider present the annual Christmas tradition of listing the top 50 news stories of the year.

Looking back over 2012, the top news stories were dominated by reports pertaining to the slots-at-racetracks program. Thus, Trot Insider has categorized the top news stories into two sections.

Today we highlight stories 50 through 26 in terms of web traffic and page views, with the top 25 stories in harness racing featured on Tuesday, December 25.

Enjoy the first part of this look back at 2012.

Harness Racing News

50. New 5/8-Mile Track For Windsor?
49. Hudon Steps Away From The Bike
48. Race Timed In 1:46.1?
47. Baillargeon Recovering After Accident
46. MacDonald On His Hiatus From Racing

45. Gold Cup & Saucer Documentary
44. Hambletonian Day News Centre
43. Emilio Estevez, Catch-Driver?
42. See What A Driver Sees
41. Jet Speed Tops Summer Sizzler

40. Promising Youngster Euthanized
39. Canadians Stepping Up In Harrisburg
38. Darena Hanover Wins 2012 Jugette
37. A Rocknroll Dance Wins Meadowlands Pace
36. R. Peter Heffering Passes

35. Captaintreacherous Wins Metro Pace; Foiled Again Makes History
34. Standardbred Found At Wal-Mart
33. Churchill Hanover Tops Harrisburg Day 1
32. Gold Cup & Saucer Trials Set
31. Stew Firlotte Passes

30. Geoffrey Stein Passes
29. Fields Set For 2012 Breeders Crown
28. Miracle Colt Survives Shooting
27. Pena Files Lawsuit Over 'Big M' Barring
26. ORC Decision On 2013 First Quarter Race Dates

Slots-At-Racetracks News

50. Clouthier: McGuinty's Comments "Inexcusable, Indefensible"
49. Ministry Of Finance Officials Dispute Duncan's Job Numbers
48. Panel: OSS Purses Maintained
47. OHRIA Issues Open Letter To Premier McGuinty On Foreign Investment
46. Holmes: Woodbine Could Close If GTA Casino Goes Elsewhere

45. What's Happening To Save Racing
44. The End Of An Era
43. Poll: Ontarians Blast OLG Plan; Liberals' Popularity Falling
42. Mohawk Backstretch To Close Dec. 15
41. Drummond, Duncan Disagree

40. Tropea: Taxes Don't Fund Racing
39. Not Happy With The Liberal Budget? Tell The NDP Your Story
38. MacDonald Replies To MPP Sandals' Comments On Horse Racing
37. Why Did OLG Just Cut Racing?
36. Liberal Reports Support Ontario Horse Racing's Employment Figures

35. McGuinty Doesn't Support Casino Referendums; Godfrey Pressures Toronto; MGM Speaks
34. Adler Turns Up The Heat
33. Petition To Save Horse Racing: Sign It, Print It, Circulate It, Send In ASAP
32. OHRIA Looking For Answers
31. Jamieson, Macdonald On OMAFRA Report

30. NDP To Force Summer Election?
29. OLG Announces RFI, Outlines 29 Gaming Zones
28. Will Ontario's Budget Pass?
27. Horwath To Liberals: Protect Jobs, Help Horse Racing
26. Heartbeat Of Ontario Horse Racing: Meet Anthony and Jason