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

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 Thursday, December 26.

Much like the year before, the top news stories were dominated by news pertaining to Ontario's slots-at-racetracks program. Here's the first part of our look back at the top headlines of 2013.

50. Godfrey Out As OLG Chair; May 16, 2013
49. Executive Changes At WEG; February 5, 2013
48. Hudak Presents PC Path For Ontario Horse Racing; OHRIA Responds; March 14, 2013
47. A Legend's Deteriorating Dream; February 10, 2013
46. San Pail Back In; Ownership Change On Warrawee Needy; September 4, 2013

45. Jobs Cut At Flamboro Downs; April 4, 2013
44. 'Captain' Wins Clash Of Titans; Shebestingin Sets World Record; October 5, 2013
43. $14 Million For ON-Sired Horses; April 2, 2013
42. Scott Zeron Heading To The Big M; October 21, 2013
41. Sunshine Beach Upsets 'Captain'; August 17, 2013

40. Community Rallies For Driver's Son; Contributions Pledged; November 13, 2013
39. Update On Unsigned Tracks; April 1, 2013
38. Driver Attacks Driver During Race; September 25, 2013
37. ORC Updates Ontario Racing Program; April 23, 2013
36. Update On MacKenzie Injury; October 27, 2013

35. Fields Set For Breeders Crown Night; October 12, 2013
34. Motion To Reinstate SARP Carried; November 20, 2013
33. Six Nations Propose Racetrack; February 17, 2013
32. Boom! Upset In Metro Pace; Canadian Record In Canadian Pacing Derby; August 31, 2013
31. OHRIA: NDP, PCs Cooperate To Pass Horse Racing Motion; March 19, 2013

30. Coleman Fined, Suspended; March 12, 2013
29. WEG Announces Restructuring; February 13, 2013
28. Escape The News Wins Gold Cup & Saucer; August 17, 2013
27. Updated: More Ontario Tracks Ink Transitional Funding Deals; March 26, 2013
26. ORC Approves Race Dates For April; March 28, 2013