CakX1 - ALAN HOROWITZ RETIREMENT PACE

ALAN HOROWITZ RETIREMENT PACE

HEADLINES CLOSING NIGHT AT CAL EXPO

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

Cal Expo is giving a tip of the cap to Alan Horowitz Saturday night, naming the closing-night main event for the executive secretary of the California Harness Horsemen’s Association. He will be leaving the post at the end of the month after 36 years of service. 

Horowitz had been an owner for some seven years when he joined the board of directors of the CHHA in the early 70s, and two years later he was hired as the executive director of the organization. He held that position until 2005, then returned as the executive director in 2010.

“I guess you could describe the job as everything from chief cook and bottle washer to administrator,” Alan related. “We represent the owners, trainers, breeders and drivers and are involved in the negotiation of all contracts. It’s often been an uphill battle for harness racing in California, but it’s a testament to our horsemen that we’ve survived.”

Horowitz, who has a home in Boise, is looking forward to his retirement. “I will be getting an apartment in Los Angeles and plan to spend a lot of time with my new granddaughter,” he said.

DOC’S ZIPPY HEADS CLOSING NIGHT FEATURE

Doc’s Zippy, who made every pole a winning one at most recent asking, gets the top billing in Saturday night’s $4,200 Alan Horowitz Retirement Pace, which will bring down the curtain on the Watch and Wager LLC harness meeting at Cal Expo.

First post for the 14-race card is 6:10 p.m., with the headliner going as the fifth event on the evening and a ceremony honoring outgoing CHHA executive secretary Horowitz to follow. This is also fan appreciation night, with $1 beer, wine and hot dogs.

Doc’s Zippy is 4-year-old son of Cams Eclipse from the Jate Lobell mare Awesome Viking who is owned by Toman Enterprises, takes his lessons from George Anthrop and will again be handled by Gene Vallandingham. He will be one of three Anthrop trainees in the cast, with Mobil Big John and Sea Bug also representing the shedrow.

Doc’s Zippy had been knocking on the door with runner-up finishes behind Gold Deuce and Emery Vern when he suited up for his most recent assignment on May 11 and this was sent off the 8-5 second choice from the cozy rail slot. Vallandingham took command at the half and was never threatened thereafter, reporting to the wire with two lengths to spare in a 1:53 3/5 tour.

Mobil Big John gives Anthrop another big look at the outcome. The 6-year-old, who also carries the Toman Enterprises banner, has been mixing it up with some solid company of late and is a nice fit under these conditions. He was a 1:53 victor last season at Colonial and is looking for his second snapshot on the year.

Ra Ra Steven is coming off a third-place finish behind Rich Native at this level last weekend and helps making things interesting. The Little Steven homebred races for Billie Schwartz, David Rachford and Junior Wilkinson with Wilkinson the conditioner and Rich Wojcio handling the lines. His most recent score came with a slightly softer group on April 13 off a stalking journey.

Rounding out the field are the mares Hi Fidelity, who hails from the Rick Cisco barn and leaves from the cozy rail post; and La Madawna De Rosa, who has the No. 2 slot for trainer Robert Bell.

This being closing night of the meeting, there will be mandatory payouts in all wagers. A reminder that the 50-cent Pick 5, $1 Pick 4 and 10-cent High 5 all feature a reduced takeout of 16 percent, with the Pick 4 coming attached with a $25,000-guaranteed gross pool.

 

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Plans call for the trotters and pacers to return to action here with Saturday racing in October, pending CHRB approval.

 

 

YR - DOCTOR BUTCH LEADS DOZEN INTO ART ROONEY PACE

BY FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway

YONKERS, NY, Thursday, May 23, 2013--The Doctor is in...to the tune of 30-large.

New York Sire Stakes freshman champion Doctor Butch begins his 3-year-old season Saturday night, supplementing into Yonkers Raceway's Art Rooney Pace. A dozen sophs—nine colts and three-geldings--entered the Rooney, necessitating a pair of $40,000 eliminations.

Owner Ken Jacobs plunked down $30,000 for the privilege of getting Doctor Butch into the entry box and onto a track where he's enjoyed much success.

"Butch," a originally $55,000 yearling purchase (nee Recent Vintage), was the scourge of the Empire State last season, with eight wins and four seasons in a dozen starts ($344,411). The son of Art Major wired the field in the $225,000 final of the sire stakes here in late September (1:53.1) and has three wins a pair of seconds in five Westchester work nights.

"Honestly, the Rooney wasn't on his schedule," trainer Linda Toscano said. "The plan was to start him in the (May 18) sire stakes at Vernon, but when that was rescheduled (after the equine herpesvirus-1 [EHV-1] outbreak), we went looking for a place to race him.

"We took a look at this race and who was eligible to it, and thought it would be a good fit," Toscano said. "There are some talented horses here, but a lot of others are making their way up to Canada getting ready for the Somebeachsomewhere and North America Cup, so we decided we'd enter him."

Doctor Butch drew post position No. 4 in the first elimination, going as the second race.  Tim Tetrick drives the 6-5 early favorite, who comes in off a trio of Meadowlands qualifiers.

"He's my favorite-size horse," Toscano said. "He filled out, like you'd want a horse to (between 2 and 3), and he look great.:

As far as the upcoming season, Toscano, having had a successful partnership with owner Jacobs for many years, is well aware of his priorities.

"First, Ken is a New Yorker," Toscano said. "He lives in New York, loves the New York program and loves racing in New York. "His goal with every one of his New York-breds is always to try and earn enough points to qualify for the final of the sire stakes. He concentrate on those races, then after the sire stakes season is over, if they continue to race, it's the open stakes."                       

Toscano also trains Swift As a Shadow, who, with George Brennan doing the honors, landed the pylons the second elim (6^th race). The  Winbak Farms homebred son of Bettor's Delight was thrice a winner in nine tries at 2, winning more than $109,000.

"He's a tiny horse, but he doesn't know it," Toscano said. "He came charging out of the pocket against Captaintreacherous in a qualifier and raced well. Last week, after he closed very well in an overnight (Meadowlands), he sold us on entering him.

"George (Brennan) drove him last season and liked him, Hopefully, if we make the final, he can drive him again."

The fields for Saturday night's elims for the 23rd Art Rooney Pace...1st elim (2nd race)... 1-Source of Pride (Dave Miller, 4-1), 2-Visa Viper (Eric Goodell, 8-1), 3-Bet the Moon (George Brennan, 6-1), 4-Doctor Butch (Tim Tetrick, 6-5), 5-Mach it So (Brian Sears, 6-1), 6-Just Bettor (Jason Bartlett, 12-1).

2nd elim (6th race)...Swift As a Shadow (Brennan, 8-1), 2-Good Day Mate (Bartlett, 5-1), 3-Sir Cary's Z Tam (Pat Lachance, 8-5), 4-Duel in the Sun (Corey Callahan, 8-1), 5-Sunfire Blue Chip (Yannick Gingras, 10-1), 6-Lonewolf Currier (Sears, 4-1).

The first four finishers in each elim qualify for the Saturday, June 1, final of the Rooney (purse $275,000). That night also includes the $117,060 Lismore Pace for 3-year-old fillies.

 

M1 - Hambletonian Fire Burns Again for Deshawn Minor

East Rutherford, NJ-May 23, 2013

Don’t get him started.

Like so many horsemen, trainer Deshawn Minor understandably can barely contain his enthusiasm when you mention the Hambletonian, especially with a prospect in one his stalls at Magical Acres in Chesterfield, NJ.

It’s time to dream again for Minor, who teamed up with his older brother Dewayne to finish sixth in the 2000 edition with New Jersey Sires Stakes champion Legendary Lover K.  Dewayne also trained third-place finisher Wishing Stone in 2010.

 Deshawn, 39, has the Hambletonian fire burning brightly with Smilin Eli, a very lightly-raced son of Muscles Yankee, who looks to make it two-for-two in the second leg of New Jersey Sires Stakes on Friday night at the Meadowlands.

With Tim Tetrick scheduled to drive, Smilin Eli drew post five in a $33,000 division, carded as race two.

 In his career debut last week, Smilin Eli sat patiently in third, then rallied with a sharp :26.4 final quarter to capture his division in 1:54.4.

However, one start and one win does not make a champion nor a Hambletonian contender.  It’s a long road to Saturday, August 3.

“He’s obviously a green horse, and you have to be skeptical about what the next few weeks are going to bring,” admitted Minor, a native of Detroit, Michigan.  “I don’t want to guesstimate, but after speaking with Tim Tetrick, he believes this horse has the special kind of ability to climb that mountain.  To trot a last quarter like that right out of the box is impressive.  Tim has let the colt figure things out.  He told me to just call him when we need him to drive this colt.  I guess he also drank the Kool Aid!”

“The owner and breeder Nick Cimino [of Pompano Beach, FL] sent him up to me around the end of April,” explained Minor.  “I’ve known Nick for about eight years.  He’s been around and he’s a student of pedigrees.  His dam Gerri’s Joy won the 2006 Merrie Annabelle.  He mentioned this colt was coming along pretty good.  Well, we’ve discovered he’s quite a fabulous horse.  He has a lot of raw talent and he’s a pleasure to be around.”

Smilin Eli came into his first start off a pair of qualifiers at the Meadowlands, his latest was a 1:56 romp with a :28.3 final quarter.

“Tim said he was roaring through the bridle and ready to go a lot more, but he’s inexperienced,” noted Minor.  “As a two-year-old he had some soreness, and was just a big, growthy colt.  He was trained down to about 2:15 and was shut down.  His knees were pretty wide open and it just wasn’t a good idea to continue with him. 

 “To me, being affiliated with the Perretti Farms, I got the chance to see Muscles Yankee [his sire] a lot,” observed Minor.  “This colt has his bone structure.  He’s a big, wide colt, and does everything right.  Hopefully, we can keep him healthy and strong.  At this point, I think we can actually make some money in the Hambletonian.  I do believe we have a Hambletonian horse.”

With that lofty goal, the keys will be meticulous management, how the colt progresses and responds, plus a lot of racing luck.

 “He’s staked up to everything, but our immediate plans are to just get him through the sires stakes final,” continued Minor.  “I’d be happy if he came right back with the same kind of mile this week.  You have to let the horse tell you what to do.  We can’t throw him to wolves right away.  Everybody will want to see him up against stakes company.  We’ll aim for that, but you have to take it race-by-race in small steps and with the right combination.  In four or five races we’ll see if that win last week was just a one-time thing.  We’re really happy where he’s at, and we’re hoping the talent we see now continues to surface.  We’ll just pick and choose our spots with the biggest thing on our list being the Hambletonian.

“We’ve been there with Legendary Lover K, and my brother, DeWayne was third with Wishing Stone, and we know it takes a lot of luck.  DeWayne is on the same boat with me this time.  All we can do is make sure the horse in the best physical shape and let him take it from there.  This colt is absolutely a longshot, but it’s okay to dream.  I mean, it’s the Hambletonian.”

MR - NO LIVE RACING ON MEMORIAL DAY AT MONTICELLO RACEWAY

There will be no live race card at Monticello Raceway on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27^th . However, simulcast wagering will be available both day and night.

After that Memorial Day card, live racing will continue on the afternoons of Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout the remainder of the month and all through June.

On Tuesday, May 28^th the venerable Tracys Song will seek her 17^th consecutive victory when she leaves from the four-hole with regular driver Bruce Aldrich, Jr. at the controls.

CKG Billings - C.K.G. BILLINGS HARNESS DRIVING SERIES KICKS OFF ITS 32nd SEASON MONTICELLO RACEWAY ON JUNE 5TH

The C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Series kicks off its 32^nd season at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday, June 5  followed closely  by a contest  at Scioto Downs on Friday,  June 7^th . Then, almost weekly, there will be races for amateur  drivers at various racetracks through late October.

Again the Billings will be run under the auspices of the Delvin Miller Harness Drivers Association.

The series which began in the early 1980’s is considered the Grand Circuit of Amateur Racing.  Known for its constant traveling sideshow, over the years some of the best amateur drivers in North America compete, or have competed, in it.

This year the amateur driving series takes on a new look.

“We have changed to five divisions of short series instead of having a seven-month year long event,” noted Billings Series president Tony Verruso. “We think now the series format will be more attractive and easier for many of the members to participate.”

According to Verruso the Eastern Regional and the Midwest Regional  will each have two  short series and there will also be a Travel Series. All will have  a series ending finale.

Obviously, the eastern divisions will encompass racetracks  in the east while the western divisions  will feature races at tracks in the Midwest.  The travel division will have events in both east and Midwest  as well as races in Canada on Prince Edward Island. And at the end of every divisional series a final event  will be contested.

“The beauty of this format will allow everyone to race in any division. However, the points earned in each division will be calculated in that division only,” Verruso explained. “And the European Point System will again be used to tally each participant’s points.”

Despite the new format there still will be Billings Gold and Silver Cup finals at the end of the season and will take place at Harrah’s Philadelphia on November 24^th .

As usual, only drivers can be nominated to the Billings Series; horses have to meet the series criteria.

A complete listing of conditions and nominating costs can be had by contacting  Verruso at sulkyracer@hotmail.com  or one can check out the Delvin Miller Harness Driving Series  on the USTA website under amateur racing.

But remember, nominations close on May 30^th,. However, late nominations can always be made but at an additional cost.

IHHA - Horsemen’s costs skyrocket as prize money plummets

Illinois gets stampeded by other horse racing states

HINSDALE, IL – Data gathered recently from Illinois horsemen shows that the cost of putting a horse on the racetrack has increased dramatically even as money earned has dwindled. The Illinois Harness Horseman’s Association (IHHA) also says that the General Assembly’s inability to pass legislation to help horse racing grow in the Prairie State has further hurt an industry that employs nearly 30,000 people. Horsemen say that purse amounts (or income) have dropped so low that many individuals and families have been forced out of business or out of the state altogether.

IHHA President Dave McCaffrey says that general maintenance for horses has gone way up. “The price of hay alone is up 300 percent since 1995,” he said. “Grain prices have increased greatly as well.  The price for hoof care and many veterinary costs has increased as much as 800 percent. The price of a new race bike has risen 1000 percent.” 

McCaffrey also says that in 2011 horsemen raced for less than half of the prize money that there was 20 years ago. And that means their paychecks are smaller.

 “I realize that most businesses face rising costs, but most businesses don’t encounter the inverse relationship we're having with our revenues and expenses,” he said. “The amazing thing is that our problems are all remediable.  Most states that have horse racing have passed laws to help the labor intensive horse industry.  Illinois hasn’t and as a result many agri-business jobs are leaving.”

The IHHA says that horsemen competing in other states like Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Delaware race for purses that are four times higher than in Illinois. Legislatures in those states have allowed race tracks to install slot machines to boost purse levels which in turn attract the best horses and horsemen in the country, many of them from Illinois.

“We’ve watched other states move forward and diversify so they can continue to aggressively compete,” said horseman Bernie Paul from Oregon, IL. “But the Illinois horse racing industry is still operating as if nothing has changed in 20 years. It’s a shame because horsemen here are losing their jobs. They’re losing their family businesses and it doesn’t have to be that way. Horseracing can be just as successful here as it is in Indiana or Pennsylvania or New York.”

In the past, the General Assembly has passed legislation to help the horse racing industry. The approach typically consists of revenue sharing where casinos allocate some of their revenue for horsemen in order to boost purses. However, the IHHA says that the money is never a sure thing and is often tied up in courts or pilfered by the cash-strapped state.

Because of the unreliability of revenue sharing with the hostile casino industry, Illinois horsemen have looked to other states to see how they have managed to grow their racing programs; programs that the IHHA says are so successful, entire horse racing families have left Illinois for greener pastures.

Horsemen say that flourishing industries in other states are the result of slot machines installed at racetracks. Those slot machines mean bigger purses which attract the best horses, and the most gamblers. The IHHA says that horsemen outside of Illinois have been able to keep up with the rising cost of living as well as the cost of putting a racehorse on the track because the purse winnings have kept pace with increasing costs.

“Horsemen out east aren’t struggling the way we are in Illinois,” said McCaffrey. “They are driving new trucks with new horse trailers. They can pay their veterinarian bills, and afford new equipment. In Illinois, we’re operating with shoestrings and bubblegum. The General Assembly and the Governor should let us modernize and compete or they will kill the entire horse racing industry in Illinois.”

The IHHA is hopeful that legislation can be worked out soon. They say that time is running short and every day states like Indiana lure more horsemen over the stateline.

“We are hemorrhaging jobs,” said McCaffrey. “In less than a year our money runs out and 30,000 people will vacate the state or be added to the unemployment rolls.”

 

MR - SECOND EDITION OF THE JUNIOR FREE FOR ALL IS SET FOR MONDAY, JUNE 17

Last year Monticello Raceway introduced its Junior Free For All around the Fathers Day Holiday. It was a race for drivers whose fathers are, or were,  harness horsemen and who bear  their dad’s name with junior added at the end to differentiate them from their pop.

Again this year the Mighty M will card another Junior Free For All which will be presented on Monday, June 17^th , again one day after the National Holiday which honors fathers because Monticello Raceway is dark on Sundays.

“We have a few Junior’s racing regularly with us and some are among our leading drivers, “ noted Eric Warner, the tracks director of racing. “If we can get a few more from nearby racetracks we will be able to fill the event.”

Warner is referring to Billy Parker, Jr. , Bruce Aldrich Jr., Jimmy Taggart, Jr., Jimmy Marohn, Jr. all of whom are  outstanding drivers and proud to be juniors.

“Don’t forget Greg Decker, Jr.” chirped Warner, “ He won our first Junior Free For All last year.”

However filling a race with juniors , although somewhat daunting,  Warner proved it could be filled as he did last season and is hoping to do again this year.

Warner is now searching for drivers with a “A” or “P”  USTA license who carry junior after their last names. Anyone  fitting the criteria  who may be  interested in competing in the Junior Free-For-All  is urged to call Warner in the race office at 845-794-4100x557. Or they can contact the tracks publicity office at extension 455.

MR - DVC GIFTED INDEED WINS FOR THE 10TH TIME; BRUCE ALDRICH, JR. HAVING A BANNER YEAR

Bruce Aldrich, Jr. may be having the best season of his career. Now with 216 driving victories the 45 year old reinsman currently is in sixth place on the North American leaderboard in races won with 216.

On May 21  Aldrich drove two winners  at Monticello Raceway. His first was behind veteran pacer DVC Gifted Indeed when he reined the 6 year old Place to Be gelding to his 10^th seasonal victory in a time of 1:55.1.

After securing the pocket on the first turn Aldrich kept DVC Gifted Indeed tight on the back of driver Jimmy Marohn, Jr. who had Olive Loaf on the lead.

“We got looped ( by Olive Loaf) on the first turn but we went a very quick quarter ( 27.3) so I was content to follow the leader,” Aldrich explained.

And that’s just what he did.

Olive Loaf and DVC Gifted Indeed were one-two  by the half in :57 and the order remained the same as the field passed the third panel in 1:26.3.

“I had a lot of horse as we headed for home so I pulled on Jimmy (Marohn, Jr,) and we went by him for a length  (1 ¼ )  victory.

DVC Gifted Indeed rallied by Olive Loaf and held tough even as  May Day Mojo and Jimmy Devaux were ‘flying’ between horses at the end of the mile.

“As we neared the wire Devaux  aimed his horse (May Day Mojo) between me and Marohn and I  tried to keep the hole as small as possible  to make sure he ( Devaux) couldn’t get his bike through ,” Aldrich said.

And Devaux couldn’t. So May Day Mojo had to settle  for third money, a nose behind second place finisher Olive Loaf.

“This is some gritty pacer,” Aldrich said of DVC Gifted Indeed. “Like most of ( trainer Bob) Lounsbury’s horses he knows how to win and he likes doing it.  This was his 10^th win in 15 starts this year and last season he won 14 times.”

Owned by Irwin Kaplan and trained by Bob Lounsbury  DVC Gifted Indeed paid $3.40 for win.

Aldrich’s other victory was with Strong Signal in a time of 1:56.3. Owned by Joseph Di Fraancesco and trained by  Bruno Nicolo, Strong Signal paid $3.60 for win.

Now with 155 driving victories at Monticello Raceway Aldrich continues to lead the driving colony here  in races won. Runner-up Jimmy  Marohn Jr. , who won three races on May 21 card, now  has 122 wins.

In his career thus far Aldrich has 4321 driving victories

VD7/8 - Vernon Downs Revised Racing Schedule

  There are a number of schedule changes for racing at Vernon Downs as a result of the recent quarantine, which is to be lifted on Saturday, June 1.

  Horses that are not stabled at Vernon may enter to race for the June 1 card and from there forward. Qualifiers for that week will be held on Saturday, June 1 as well to accommodate trainers with horses that need to be qualified that are stabled off the grounds. 

  The Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) trotting eliminations have been moved from Friday, May 31 and will be raced on Sunday, June 2 with a post time of 1:15pm.

  The live racing program originally scheduled for Wednesday, June 5 has been canceled. Sunday, June 9 (post time 6:45) will be added in its place. The EBC trotting finals and Excelsior series events for three year old colt and filly trotters will be raced on that card.

  Race Secretary Scott Warren will conduct a double draw on Wednesday, May 29 for the June 1 & 2 cards and again on Wednesday, June 5 for the June 8 & 9 race cards.

  Further, live racing is canceled for Saturday, June 15 due to a concert. That card will be raced on Sunday, June 16 at 1:15pm.

  Please be advised that all details herein are contingent upon no further complications with the quarantine.

  Further information is available on the Vernon website or by calling the Race Office at (315) 829-6825. 

M! - Meadowlands Racing Information

  Nomination to the three series' written at The Meadowlands to accommodate the Freehold horsemen through the month of June require a payment of $100 which must be received by the Racing Office by Tuesday, May 28.

  There will be two $10,000 legs and a $20,000 added final for trotters, pacing mares and pacing horses and geldings with the conditions for all reading:

ALL AGES with 6 or MORE STARTS at FREEHOLD RACEWAY in 2013 or HORSES CLASSIFIED C-2 as of MAY 27TH, 2013 (Winners Over $30,000 in 2013 Ineligible).

  Meadowlands Race Secretary Pete Koch and Rick Kane of Pocono have agreed to alternate weekly writing a class for older trotting mares. As a result, a $25,000 Mare Open Trot will be on the Meadowlands condition sheet for Saturday, June 1.

  That night is already filled with stakes including all four $150,000 NJSS finals for three year olds, the $200,000e Golden Girls and another $50,000 TVG Open.

  Looking forward to the start of Baby Races on Saturday, June 1, there will be some changes to the schedule.

  Qualifying races will be moved to Friday and the box for those will close at 9am on Tuesdays. The Baby Races will go on Saturday mornings and have a box close of 4pm on Friday. That schedule begins with next week's qualifiers.

  As always, further information is available on the web or by calling the office at 877-782-2537. 

WFD - Six Confirmed So Far For $150,000 Molson Pace

London, May 21, 2013 -- The $150,000 Molson Pace Invitation is quickly approaching and so far the connections of six horses have accepted invitations to the track’s signature event.

Two-time defending champion – and the richest pacer of all-time – Foiled Again will headline this year’s edition.  Joining the career winner of more than $4.8 million will be Aracache Hanover, State Treasurer, Versado, Keystone Velocity and Something For Doc.

The Molson Pace Prep will take place this Friday night and the winner of that event will also receive an invite.

The draw for the Molson Pace will be conducted next Monday afternoon during the live race program. Local CTV Sports personality Norm James will be on hand to act the guest drawmaster.

The 12-race Molson Pace program on May 31 will feature an attractive wagering menu that includes and early Pick-4 ($5,000 guaranteed pool), Late Pick-4 ($10,000 guaranteed pool), Early Super Hi-5 (Race 7 - $7,500 guaranteed pool) and a Super Hi-5 on the Molson Pace (Race 12 – Mandatory Payout).

Molson Night  will also feature a commemorative mug giveaway (featuring the image of Foiled Again), mystery betting vouchers (with program purchase), the Molson Party On The Patio and special editions of Deal Or No Deal and the Pick-10 For A Grand contest.

Limited seating is still available at the Top Of The Fair dining room for Molson Pace night. Customers are asked to book early by calling 519-438-7203 (ext. 252) or emailing topofthefair@westernfairdistrict.com.

YR - TWELVE ENTER $275,000 ART ROONEY PACE; LISMORE ATTRACTS 8

BY FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway

YONKERS, NY, Tuesday, May 21, 2013--A dozen 3-year-olds--nine colts and three geldings--have been entered for the 23rd edition of Yonkers Raceway's Art Rooney Pace.

The number of entrants resulted in a pair of $40,000 eliminations this Saturday night (May 25, card to be drawn later this afternoon), with the first four finishers in each elim qualifying for the $275,000 final, set for Saturday night, June 1.

The dozen, in alphabetical order with declared drivers, are…Bet the Moon (George Brennan), Doctor Butch (Tim Tetrick), Duel in the Sun (Corey Callahan), Good Day Mate (Brian Sears), Just Bettor (Brennan also listed), Lonewolf Currier (Sears also listed), Mach it So (Sears also listed), Sir Cary's Z Tam (Pat Lachance), Source of Pride (Dave Miller), Sunfire Blue Chip (Yannick Gingras), Swift As a Shadow (Brennan also listed) and Visa Viper (Brennan also listed).

Doctor Butch as a $30,000 supplemental entrant, while Duel in the Sun, Just Bettor and Mach it So are the geldings.

The companion event to the Rooney, the Lismore for 3-year-old pacing fillies, attracted eight lasses. It's a one-dash-for-the-cash event, worth $117,060, and also goes Saturday night, June 1.

The roster of young ladies, again alphabetically with escorts, are…Aria J (Brennan), Freetime (Sears), Give Me an Amen (Sears also listed), Handsoffmycupcake (Dan Dube), JK  Black Beauty (Sears also listed), Live Entertainment (Gingras), Mattwestern (Brennan also listed) and Offintothesunset (Brennan also listed). 

Fhld - ABBATIELLO & FUSCO CLAIM TITLES; FREEHOLD WAGERING TOPS $26 MILLION

MANALAPAN, NJ – May 21, 2013 – When the winter-spring meet concluded on May 18, 2013 at Freehold Raceway, Eric Abbatiello had claimed his third straight driving title, Vincent Fusco topped the standings at the Monmouth County track for the first time and 61 days of racing drew a total of $26 million in wagering.

“Our first half-of-the-year results were mixed,” said Freehold General Manager Howard Bruno.  “Export wagering on our races was up slightly and wagering at the track on simulcast signals was about even.  Average daily live handle was down, reflecting the addition of January–February race dates and a winter season that was not as mild as last year.  Freehold continues in its struggle to compete with surrounding states and looks to find the right balance to maintain a racing program that interests both horsemen and handicappers.

“Guests should look for some changes on and off the track when we return for live racing August 29,” Bruno added. 

The live handle for the 61 days of racing was $3,621,446 on-track [$59,368 daily average] plus $22,408,226 [$367,348 average] “transmission handle” for a total from all sources of $26,029,672 [$426,716 average], according to stats provided by Bruno.

Abbatiello posted 101 wins from 512 starts to capture top driver honors for the third straight Freehold meet.  Hall of Famer Cat Manzi was second with 97 wins from 437 starts. 

Fusco, who has won titles at Chester and the Meadowlands, harnessed 32 winners from 115 starters to secure his first Freehold training crown.  Karen Garland was second with 22 wins from 89 starters.

“I was lucky enough to drive quite of few horses for Vinny,” Abbatiello noted.  “I appreciate the drives he gave me.”

The son of Hall of Fame driver Carmine Abbatiello is not going to rest on his Freehold laurels.

“I’ve already picked up a nice amount of work at Chester and have my own stable racing at Chester and at the Meadowlands,” he explained. 

Fusco, from a family of trainers, was delighted to win the title at his “home” track.

“I really want to thank my owners for entrusting me with their horses,” he said. 

-Carol Hodes for SBOANJ

 

Gosh - MATINEES; BUDWEISER CLYDEDALES; & USTA DRIVING SCHOOL AT HISTORIC TRACK IN JUNE

For the 52^nd consecutive season Goshen Historic Track will again offer matinee racing during the month of June. And these matinees can double as qualifying races.

Again this year the races will be offered on Sundays in June with the first program on June 2 followed by events on June 9 and June 16.

Entries can be made by calling Historic Track at 845.294.5333 or 845.294.5357 but be aware that the race office must receive entries prior to 11am on the Fridays before the actual matinees are to go to post.

However, prior to the month of June, and for the second consecutive year, Historic Track, along with the Mark Ford Training Center, will host the USTA Driving School from May 29 –June 2.

At Historic Track on Sunday June 2^nd students from the driving school will get a chance to show what they’ve learned when they get to compete in a one mile harness race as part of the matinee program that day.

And the Clydesdales are coming.

On the dates of June 12-17 the world famous Budweiser horses will be stabled at Historic Track during their duration in the Cradle of the Trotter and they will perform on the race track on the matinee program  of Sunday, June 16.

Then the Grand Circuit races will get underway beginning on Thursday July 4^th and continuing  through Sunday, July 7^th.

Post times for the both the matinees in June  and the Grand Circuit races in early July will be at 1pm.

BR - Buffalo Racewey Schedule Chnage

This is just a reminder that Thursday night, May23, is the final Thursday night for the race meet at Buffalo Raceway. 

As scheduled, Sunday afternoon racing will begin on June 2, and continue until the end of meeting – eight Sundays in all.  We will be continuing our Wednesday, Friday and Saturday schedule through July 21.