SBOANJ - SBOANJ 2013 GOLF OUTING SLATED FOR JULY 8 – SAVE THIS DATE!

MANALAPAN, NJ – April 29, 2013 – The annual golf outing to benefit New Jersey horsemen will take place this year on Monday, July 8, 2013.

Save the date for a day of golf, prime rib dinner and door prizes.

The Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey’s annual event will once again take place at Gambler Ridge Golf Course in Cream Ridge, NJ. 

The fee is $180 per golfer.  The shotgun start is at 1 p.m., preceded by registration, starting at 11:30 a.m., and buffet lunch.  Dinner is at 6 p.m. and is available to non-golfers for $75.

The money raised through the golf tournament supports the New Jersey Standardbred Horsemen’s Benevolent Fund.

For more information, contact the SBOANJ at 732-462-2357 or visit www.sboanj.com.

--From Carol Hodes for SBOANJ

 

Nfld - Northfield Park To Host 2nd Annual Food Truck Festival

On Kentucky Derby Day Northfield Park is the place to be for this year’s Triple Crown action! Plan your weekend with us, beginning with the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby on aturday, May 4 and for the first time ever, the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 3. Join ESPN Cleveland, WKNR’s The Hooligans as they broadcast live on Friday from 3 to 6 pm for this special event.

Doors open early at 9:30 am on both days with first post at Churchill Downs at 10:30 am. Northfield Park will offer a special $1,200 Churchill Downs Handicapping Contest each day! Advance wagering on the Derby will be available plus, there will be over 40 tracks from all over the world looking for your wagering dollar.

Northfield Park will host its 2nd Annual Food Truck Festival outside on the apron on Saturday. Seven of northeast Ohio’s top food trucks will be selling their specialties from 12 noon until 7 pm. Food truck participants include StrEat Mobile Bistro (American style dishes), Zydeco Bistro (Gourmet Creole and Cajun Cuisine), Seti’s Polish Boys (As seen on the Food Networks “The Best Thing I Ever Ate”), Little Cheeser’s (Unique Grilled Cheese Creations), The Nosh Box (Paninis and Sandwiches), The Orange Truk (Fresh Gastro Cuisine) and So Yummy! (Ice Cream Treats and Novelties). Enjoy live music by Unknown Reason on the outdoor apron from 12:30-6:30 pm and visit WMJI’s Chip Kullik from 1-3 PM to spin the Majic Prize Wheel. Check out 92.3 The Fan’s Bull and Fox from 4-6 PM with The 92.3 the Fan Prize Wheel and Street Team. If you are arriving early join us for a special morning snack of two donuts and a coffee for $1.00 in the Racebook, plus don’t miss out on a Kentucky Derby favorite - the mint julep served in a souvenir Derby glass.

The excitement continues all afternoon for a chance to win big just for being here! Prize giveaways will be held throughout Derby Day. Simply fill out your entry blank that you receive when you enter, and deposit it in the contest bins located throughout the track. Names will be drawn randomly throughout the day for Kentucky Derby merchandise, Cleveland sporting tickets, and much more. Names will also be selected to represent each of the twenty horses in the Kentucky Derby. If your horse wins the Kentucky Derby then you win the top prize of $3,000 cash! If your horse doesn’t win, don’t worry, because all the runners-up win a prize too!

FREE admission and FREE parking everyday at Northfield Park.

 

WFD - Molson Pace To Be Raced As Invitational

London, April 30, 2013 -- The Molson Pace at The Raceway at The Western Fair District will be contested as a $150,000 Invitational event this year on Friday, May 31.

In recent years, the Molson Pace has had elimination races and a final the following week. However, this year’s event drew fewer nominations (17 in total) which prompted management to make a change to the format.

Racing and Gaming Manager Ian Fleming explained that nothing is etched in stone and that the event will be reviewed prior to next season to see which format works best in today’s climate.

The Raceway has an added a new twist to this year’s race, however.

A Molson Pace prep will be held on Friday, May 24 and the winner of that will receive an automatic berth into the Molson and will join seven other invitees for the $150,000 main event.

The marketing and promotion team is busy putting together another fantastic Molson Pace night with more details to follow in the coming days.

Gosh - HISTORIC TRACK PREPPING FOR ITS 175TH SEASON OF HARNESS RACING

by john manzi for Goshen Historic Track

Goshen Historic Track, where it all started and where it still is today, is gearing up for it 176^th season of exciting harness racing and 2013 will mark the 103^rd year of Grand Circuit Racing at “the Cradle of the Trotter”.

On tap this season will be three matinee programs on Sundays in June followed by four days of Grand Circuit racing from Thursday, July 4^th through Sunday, July 7^th.

Racing action at Historic Track commences on Sunday, June 2^nd with the first of three matinee programs and matinee racing will continue on the consecutive Sundays of June 9^th and June 16^th. Post times for all three matinee race cards will be at 1p.m

This year will mark the 52^nd consecutive season of matinee racing over the fame double oval.

Grand Circuit Racing begins on Thursday, July 4^th and will feature NYSS County Fair Races. On Friday, July 5^th the Landmark Stakes are featured and Saturday, July 6^th the NY Excelsior Series for 3-year-old pacers, the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Trots, and the Catskill Amateur Drivers Club Pace will be presented.

Then on Sunday, July 7^th the 2013 Grand Circuit meeting will culminate with the annual Hall Of Fame Trot with Hall of Fame members at the controls which has always been a fan favorite.  And after that race the Hall of Famers will be available for photos and autographs.  Also that day will be races for 3-year-old trotters in the NY Excelsior Series and tentatively scheduled is an Under Saddle Trotting Race.

Once again, Historic Track will sponsor a golf outing this year on July 1^st  at the West Hills Country Club on Golf Links Road I Middletown, NY. For further information on the golf outing please call 845-294-5333.

Along with the racing programs Historic Track will play host to a few informative programs which pertain to the Standardbred industry.  

For the second consecutive season Historic Track, along with the Mark Ford Training Center, will host the 2013 USTA Standardbred Driving School from May 29 –June 2.

Open to participants 16 years and older, a plethora of racing knowledge will be disseminated by racing officials and  talented harness drivers, this year  including Hall of Famer, John Campbell, as an instructor and he’ll also deliver a speech on driving strategy. Also Linda Toscanp will make a presentation on training and the incredible season she had last year.  For further information about the driving school  please go to  www.ustrotting.com

But that’s not all.

The Harness Horse Youth Foundation will host two Harness Horsemanship Camps at Historic Track in July.  The Leadership Camp, for students aged 14-18 runs from July 8-13 while the Introductory Camp, for applicants aged 10-13, is set for July 10-13. For further information please go to www.hhyf.org .

 

 

RCI - Hugh Gallagher, Steve Barham 2013 RCI Awards Recipients

NEW ORLEANS, LA – The Association of Racing Commissioners International (RCI) is pleased to announce that Hugh Gallagher, the Executive Director of the Delaware Harness Racing Commission, has been named the recipient of the 2013 RCI Len Foote Award.

The Foote Award is the highest honor bestowed on racing regulators in North America. The award was presented at the annual awards luncheon held on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Gallagher, a native of Maryland, has been involved in the racing industry in eight different jurisdictions for nearly 40 years. As a racing steward and presiding judge, Gallagher has officiated more than 38,000 races. Gallagher was unable to attend the convention, but accepting on his behalf was John Wayne, the Executive Director of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission.

In a written acceptance statement, Gallagher expressed that he was “humbled by the honor” of being selected among his peers for the award, while also urging all racing regulators to “stand firm at this time although you may face fierce resistance and objection from various elements of the industry we have chosen to regulate.”

RCI also honored Steve Barham, Associate Coordinator for the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program and former Executive Director of the Oregon Racing Commission, with the 2013 RCI William H. May Award. The award honors “meritorious service” to the racing industry of individuals or groups, and past recipients of the include Stanley Bergstein, John Gaines, and John and Barbara Smicklas, the 2012 co-recipients.

RCI Model Rules Committee Chairman Larry Eliason, the Executive Secretary of the South Dakota Commission on Gaming, presented Barham with the award, noting that under Barham’s supervision the Oregon Racing Commission successfully undertook the regulation of Advanced Deposit Wagering, which has grown to over $2 billion annually in handle. Barham has also been a driving force in the development and maintenance of the RCI Model Rules.

“In both his time as a racing regulator and an RTIP faculty member Steve Barham has been an important and well-respected factor at RCI and throughout the racing industry, and he is a noble recipient of the William H. May Award,” said RCI President Ed Martin.

Barham plans on retiring from the University of Arizona at the conclusion of the spring academic semester, a void that will be felt at the Race Track Industry Program, at RCI, and throughout the pari-mutuel racing industry.

M1 - Calling All Sports Fans

Throughout the Championship Meet, Meadowlands Racetrack guests will have the chance to meet their favorite local New York and New Jersey sports celebrities.  This new addition to the event calendar is an effort to enhance the on-site fan experience.    

The first celebrity weekend kicks off Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11.  On Friday, former NY Jet quarterback and current SportsNet New York football analyst Ray Lucas makes an appearance.  On Saturday, racetrack fans will have the chance to meet former NY Ranger and New York hockey fan favorite Nick Fotiu. Lucas and Fotiu will greet patrons, sign autographs take pictures and do a brief interview on the in-house TV show.

Also scheduled to appear on Saturday, June 22 is former NY Ranger defenseman Ron Greschner.

“We’re excited to welcome several of the tri-state area’s sports legends here to the New Meadowlands Racetrack while continuing to showcase the excitement and pageantry of the world’s best harness racing,” says Jason M. Settlemoir, CEO and general manager of the Meadowlands.

All former athletes appear courtesy of Peter Grandich, managing member of Trinity Financial Sports & Entertainment Management Co., LLC.  Trinity Financial Sports & Entertainment Management Co., LLC. has committed major marketing support to the New Jersey harness racing industry and the Meadowlands Racetrack.

Other Trinity Financial Sports & Entertainment Management Co., LLC Advisory Board members who may appear include New York Jets legend Joe Klecko and his son, three-time Super Bowl champion Dan Klecko; former NFL quarterback Ray Lucas; former New Jersey Devil Ken Daneyko; and Former New York Giants Lee Rouson and Keith Elias. 

All upcoming appearances will be posted on the Meadowlands Racetrack’s event page - http://www.meadowlandsracetrack.com/events.aspx

Tgdn5/8 & VD7/8 - TIOGA DOWNS AND VERNON DOWNS STAKES SEE INCREASES IN NOMINATIONS

A Who’s Who of Harness Racing’s Elite Expected to Compete in 2013

 

NICHOLS, NY – Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs report increases in the number of horses made eligible to most of its stakes races after the April 15 sustaining payments.

Vernon’s premier aged trotting stakes, the Credit Winner Open Trot and the Muscle Hill Aged Mare Trot, saw slight increases with 33 and 29 nominations respectively.

The Credit Winner eligibles are highlighted by defending champion Hot Shot Blue Chip plus a host of top four-year-olds including Hambletonian winner Market Share, Breeders’ Crown winner Intimidate, and the Jimmy Takter-trained duo of Guccio and Little Brown Fox.

The Credit Winner and Muscle Hill will each be raced on September 6 at Vernon Downs.

Tioga’s top aged pacing events, the Roll With Joe (formerly the Bettor’s Delight) and the Artiscape saw numbers nearly equal to last year with 28 males in the Roll With Joe and 19 mares in the Artiscape.

The Roll With Joe features all of the aged pacing divisions superstars entering 2013 including Foiled Again, Golden Receiver and Bettor Sweet, plus an all-star cast of four-year-olds led by Sweet Lou, Heston Blue Chip, Bolt The Duer and Pet Rock.

The Roll With Joe and Artiscape kick off Tioga’s open stakes season on Sunday, June 9.

“We’re very pleased with the horsemen’s continued support of our stakes program,” said Jason Bluhm, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs Regional Director of Racing. “I think I speak for all of the fans when I say I’m really looking forward to seeing how the group of four-year-olds stacks up against the aged horses.”

“The past two Horses of the Year, San Pail and Chapter Seven, have each raced in the Credit Winner and we’re hoping to once again showcase the sport’s premier trotters to our fans and horseplayers again,” said Scott Warren, Vernon Downs Director of Racing.

The Kindergarten Classic for two-year-old trotters saw a six percent increase in nominations with more than 340 colts and fillies paid into the event. The list of eligibles includes 39 freshmen from the much anticipated first crop of world champion Muscle Hill. The Kindergarten Classic begins August 2 at the Meadowlands with the $200,000e final on October 25 at Vernon Downs.

MR - TRACYS SONG HOLDS ON FOR HER 14TH CONSECUTIVE VICTORY

Perhaps it was the falling rain or the wet racetrack but whatever it was Tracys Song had to reach for something extra to score her 14^th consecutive victory at Monticello Raceway on Monday afternoon, April 29.

Although  driver  Bruce Aldrich, Jr. had to use the  8 year old pacing mare hard at the start of the race to get to the front, Tracys Song used pure grit to rebuff  the late challenge by Eagle Hilarious and driver Jimmy Taggart, Jr. to eke-out a  head victory in a time of 2:01 over the soggy racecourse.

“She won it on sheer heart,” driver Bruce Aldrich Jr. declared referring to Tracys Song’s struggle for victory.

“We opened up a few lengths on the final turn as she has been doing but by mid-stretch she was  flat and struggling. I don’t know if she didn’t like the (race track’s) footing or the mud hitting her belly all I know is that she would not let Jimmy’s (Taggart, Jr.) horse get by her.

“This mare has a heart as big as she is.”

Now with 14 seasonal triumphs Tracys Song continues to lead North America in races won this year, some three more than runners-up, Haroun Hanover (another Mighty M pacer) and Tagmaster.

Owned by Nancy Fugere of Westbrookville, NY and trained by Bob Lounsbury Tracys Song was sent off at odds of 2-5and paid $2.80 for win.

If she wins her next start here Tracys Song will equal the track record of 15 wins in a row set in 2010 by Northern Chief and driver Mike Merton.

BR - Buffalo Pick 7 Carryover Nears $30,000

by Gabe Prewitt, Buffalo Raceway

 

Hamburg, NY – Even with four solid opportunities to nail down the Pick 7 last week, the wager has eluded the public once again.  The carryover stands at $29,748 heading into Wednesday (May 1).   

Fans connected on six of seven on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night, yet the carryover somehow managed to escape on each program. 

Friday night had one lucky fan staring at a ‘pool shot’ of over $27,000 if Tremendous Hanover, 3-1 second choice, could have been victorious in the 12^th race finale.  The gelding ended up finishing a dull sixth, while the race was won wire-to-wire by the 9-5 favorite, Puppetandmee N.  The consolation payout, for six of seven, returned $279.  

Track management has added to the excitement of the Pick 7 on each program, by announcing the number of live tickets remaining at the conclusion of each leg.

The Pick 7 is a $2 minimum wager held nightly on Races 6 – 12. 

Live racing continues at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 5 p.m., with Friday and Saturday first post at 6:40 p.m. 

Tgdn5/8 - Tioga Down Reminds Horsemen of Four Day Box

Tioga Downs would like to remind all horsemen that we have switched to a four day box for the 2013 racing season. Entries for opening day (Saturday, May 4) are due into the Tioga Downs’ race office (607.699.7688) by 9:00AM on Tuesday, April 30. 

Tioga Downs’ opening day will carry a special post time of 5:00PM. We will race 3 races and then take a 1 hour break for the Derby and resume racing at 7:00PM.

For more information on Tioga Downs please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com or call the Tioga Downs race office at 607.699.7688. 

 

 

 

Meadowlands Adds 4YO Open Pace to Condition Sheet

The Meadowlands is adding a $25,000 4 Year Old Open Pace to the menu for Saturday's races. The Saturday card is drawn on Tuesday with a box close of 9:00am. Phone your entries to the Race Office at 877-782-2537.

MR - TRACYS SONG SEEKS 14TH CONSECUTIVE VICTORY TODAY AT MONTICELLO RACEWAY

Monticello, NY--Tracys Song, North America’s winningest standardbred, will be shooting for her 14^th consecutive victory  in the 10^th race this afternoon (April 29) at Monticello Raceway.

Already a winner of 13 racers this year the 8- year- old pacing daughter of Astreos will again be handled by Bruce Aldrich, Jr. when he leaves from the  six-hole carrying with her  a $9,000 claiming tag.

Last week Tracys Song was an easy three and one- half length winner in a 1:57.2 clocking over similar company.

Currently Tracys Song holds the track record for most wins in a row by a mare but now she’s chasing the tracks all-time mark of 15 consecutive victories set in2010  by a pacer Northern  Chief who was driven by Mike Merton.

“It looks like rain today and  this year all Tracys Song’s wins were over a fast racetrack, so barring anything unforeseen I believe we have a great chance at continuing our win streak and (have) a legitimate shot at the 15 wins in a row,” said trainer Bob Lounsbury.

Traceys Song, a $4000 purchase earlier this year is owned by Nancy Fugere, of Westbrookville, NY

M1 - Meadowlands Resumes Racing

Racing resumes at The Meadowlands next Friday with the kickoff to the 2013 Championship Meet.

   The weekend will feature Grand Circuit racing with the John F. Simpson Memorial stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies on Friday and the colts on Saturday. Friday's conditions also offer prep races for Simpson trotting colts & fillies in anticipation of those stakes on Friday, May 10.

   Also on Saturday is the $100,000G Meadowlands Maturity, a brand new stake for four-year-old trotters. The Maturity is open to all comers of that age, there were no nomination payments required. The top ten lifetime money winning horses at the time of entry that are declared will race. The entry fee is $2,500.

   The new condition sheet is available on The Meadowlands website. Friday's draw will be conducted on Monday morning with the box closing at 9:00am.

-------------------

    Summer Survivor Late Closer

The next deadline for Meadowlands Late Closers is May 15 for the Summer Survivor and Ima Lula series'.

The Summer Survivor offers an option for both trotters and pacers three years of age that are Non Winners of 2 Pari-Mutuel races or $30,000 lifetime as of May 15. The races encompass weekends through the month of June.

The Ima Lula provides a few races for four-year-old trotting mares to race against their own division in late July with a $73,000 estimated final on Hambletonian Day.

Contact the Racing Office with any questions.

Nomination forms are available here.

 

YR - FEELING YOU WINS $285,000 FINAL OF BLUE CHIP MATCHMAKER

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

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, April 27, 2013--It was the trip Tyler Buter wanted, so he and his escort graciously obliged.

Feeling You prevailed from the pocket Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $285,000 final of the Blue Chip Matchmaker.

The event, culminated a six-week series for the best pacing mares in training, had Feeling You in play from the pylons. She stung Camille (Yannick Gingras)--part of the 11-10 favored entry--then released her rival just after a 28-second opening quarter-mile. All the while, double-millionairess Anndrovette (Tim Tetrick), saddled with the eight-hole, had left hard for a seat fourth, behind Eighthunrdolarbill (Brian Sears).

After a 57-second intermission, Anndrovette was out and moving again. She amplified the action to the tune of a :27.3 third quarter (1:24.3), with Camille fending her off...for the moment.

 Camille owned a length lead in and out of the final, but interlopers were coming. Anndrovette was relentless, while Feeling You awaited her close-up. The latter lass edged inward, whipping a tenacious Anndrovette by a half-length in 1:52.4. Camille faded to third--photoed by Anndrovette--with Ramona Disomma (Dan Dube) and Anndrovette's barn buddy, Krispy Apple (Matt Kakaley), grabbing the remainder.

 (As the luck of the open draw would have it, Anndrovette and Levy finalist Something for Doc, both piled up more prelim points than any of their rivals, and both draw eight-holes for their respective finals.)

Last season's Matchmaker winner, Camille entrymate Rocklamation (George Brennan), Warrawee Koine (Jason Bartlett) and Eighthunrdolarbill rounded out the order.

Feeling You, a 6-year-old daughter of Cambest bred by Alan Kirschenbaum, trained by Amber Buter for co-owners Buter the driver, Stephen Oldford and Oldford Farms, returned $6.10 (second choice) for her sixth win in nine seasonal starts. The exacta paid $17, with the triple returning $23.40.

 

"She's as good now as at any time since she's been with us," Tyler Buter said. "She swells up when she gets a trip, and she did again tonight. To beat mares like Camille and Anndrovette is a big honor.

Honestly, we so were concentrated on this series, I can't say what's next for her. She's earned some time off, then we can take a look."  

A $75,000 series consolation was won by Handsoffmycookie (Tetrick, $8.20) in 1:53.3.

YR - RAZZLE DAZZLE WINS $450,000 FINAL OF GEORGE MORTON LEVY MEMORIAL PACING SERIES

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

 YONKERS, NY, Saturday, April 27, 2013--Brian Sears' plan was simple...if they were going to beat him, they were going to have to pass him.

They did not.

Harness racing’s richest event of the season to date put a bow on a six-week competition for the leading Free-For-Allers, and Razzle Dazzle--the public choice at just above even-money—made his intentions known very early.
 

He left, as did Versado (Andy Miller) from his immediate outside and two-time series champ Foiled Again from post No. 7. That one had more than enough room to drop in ahead of entrymate Annie'swesterncard (Matt Kakaley), who had drawn post No. 3.

Razzle Dazzle found a 27-second opening quarter-mile, then rated a 29-second next interval (:56 half) before "Annie" took out fourth. That one waited for Foiled Again to make his second move, which was a strong one.

Harness racing's all-time richest pacer threw down the gauntlet, prompting Razzle Dazzle with a :27.3 third quarter (1:23.3). Razzle Dazzle countered, taking a length-and-a-quarter lead into the lane.

He needed a good bit of that advantage, as Foiled Again kept up those unwanted advances. Razzle Dazzle held sway, however, winning by a neck in 1:51.3. Versado ducked inside and was third--beaten a length--with Annie'swesterncard and Casimir Jitterbug (Doug McNair) completing the cashers.

Rounding out the order were Dancin' Yankee (Tim Tetrick), Second Wind N (Eric Goodell) and a done-in-by-the-draw Something for Doc (George Brennan). "Doc," the prelim rounds points leader making his first start for trainer Mark Ford after his purchase last week, could not reach from the ever-popular eight-hole.

For Razzle Dazzle, a 6-year-old Real Desire gelding owned by Ira Kristel and trained by Mark Silva, he returned $4.10 for his fourth win in six seasonal starts. The exacta (two wagering favorites) paid $6.40, the triple returned $16.20 and the superfecta ("Jitterbug" fourth for purposes of this wager) paid $94.

  "Winning the draw definitely dictated my strategy," Sears said. "He's been tremendous throughout the series, and all the credit goes to Mark (Silva) for having him on his toes.

  :I have all the respect for Foiled Again, but things worked out well for us tonight and we able to beat him."

Foiled Again, snapped in deep stretch by stablemate Atochia (Ron Pierce) in last season's edition of the Levy, now boasts career earnings of $4,831,984.      

The $100,000 series consolation was by 11-10 favorite Shoobee's Place (Brennan, $4.30) in 1:52.1.

The 12-race card produced a total handle of $1,060,992, Yonkers' second seven-figure night of the season.

 

The Raceway's five-night-per-week live schedule continues, with first post every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:10 PM. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule.

 

M1 - Meadowlands Qualifier Report

     On a perfect morning in New Jersey, an All Star cast put on quite a show at The Meadowlands in 17 qualifying races. The rule of the day was a relaxed first half with fast final quarter sprints.

     The day began with the "Jonas Czernyson Show", as the popular trainer signaled his return from Florida with a bevy of lovely ladies winning the first four races. Mistery Woman, Thistle Dhu, Deja Vu Too and D'Orsay sent Team Czernyson back to their base smiling after a perfect start to 2013.

     Dontyouforgetit sharpened up for next week's Grand Circuit stop at Freehold in the Dexter Cup for Jimmy Takter with an effortless 1:57.1, home in 27.2 score.

     Older trotters lined up for race 7 on the day and Quick Deal was looking to find the form that won the Horse & Groom series for him after recent struggles with a clean start. Away trotting, he set the fractions and gave way grudgingly late to Real Babe and My MVP in 1:54.2 / 27.1 on the end.

     Sweet Lou took another giant step toward his return to the races, sitting a pocket to Mel Mara through slow numbers before ripping home in 25.4 on the end of a 1:51.3 win over the pacesetter. Making her return and staying for third was the accomplished pacing mare Drop The Ball.

     Driver Yannick Gingras was dutifully impressed with the effort and the anticipation of the return of 2012's top three year olds continues to build toward the FFA ranks this year. 

     I Luv The Nitelife had her hooves full to get by the stubborn Give Me An Amen, but she did in 1:53.2, home in 26.2 for her second qualifying win of the year.

    Odds On Equuleus has drawn the eye of many watching for his return after a carefully considered freshman campaign and certainly looked like a contender in his first prep. Raced on the lead by John Campbell through pedestrian fractions, OOE dashed home in a flat 26 to hold Dedi's Dragon safe by a diminishing neck margin, mile in 1:52.4.

    Both 2012 freshmen pacing Breeders Crown winners were on the card. Filly Somwherovrarainbow cruised along on the lead to an easy 1:52.4 / 26.4 win.

    Rockin Amadeus also set the pace in his 1:51.3 / 26.2 effort, though he was pushed to the limit by Johny Rock. Both winners were making their third qualifying appearance of the new season.

    Captaintreacherous was embarking on his sophomore campaign this morning and handled his assignment as expected, looking the part of defending Pacer of the Year. He coasted along for Tim Tetrick through the "Groundhog Day" like 28, 57, 1:25 and change numbers with a 26.2 kicker with energy in reserve to hold off Teresa's Beach by a comfortable margin.

    JK's Black Beauty made just a pair of starts during her freshman season, winning both. With today's effort she signaled that she may have a leading role in the sophomore filly pace marquee events this season. She was well in hand to Brian Sears through a 26.3 close to her 1:52.2 mile.

    The pièce de résistance of the day was held until the very end, race 17. Top older pacer Golden Receiver returned to his favorite venue after a few weeks away and was absolutely devastating in a front stepping 1:49.3, home in 25.4 win for Tetrick. Major Bombay and Hurricane King Cole followed him home, with the latter posting a 25.2 closing panel.

    All of the results and video of the day's events are available to you on The Meadowlands website.

YR - UP FRONT BILLY WINS FRIDAY NIGHT $38,500 OPEN HANDICAP TROT

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

YONKERS, NY, Friday, April 26, 2013--Upstate invader Up Front Billy (Brian Sears) strolled by from a loose pocket Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $38,500 Open Handicap Trot.

Leaving from post position No. 3 as the 8-5 favorite, "Billy" left, then gave it up to double-digit proposition Perfect Rendition (Larry Stalbaum) before a :28.2 opening quarter-mile Perfect Rendition rated a :58.2 half as Political Desire (Jason Bartlett) tried it first-over.

That one didn’t make much an impression in and out of the 1:26.2 three-quarters, with Perfect Rendition opening to 2½ lengths entering the lane.

However, Up Front Billy quickly closed ranks, ducking inside and winning by a length in 1:55.3. Perfect Rendition held second, with Imperial Count (Tyler Buter), Master Pine and Political Desire (Jason Bartlett) completing the cashers.

For Up Front Billy, a 4-year-old Andover Hall gelding co-owned by (trainer) Mark Ford and Up Front Racing, he returned  $5.30 for his sixth win in eight seasonal starts. The exacta paid $62, the triple paid $235.50 and the superfecta paid $1,564.

 

Saturday night, the Raceway presents one of its premier stakes cards of season, with the $450,000 final of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series and the $285,000 finale of the Blue Chip Matchmaker. 

The Raceway's five-night-per-week live schedule continues, with first post every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:10 PM. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule.

M1 - Top Horses to Qualify at The Meadowlands

Before you answer how much a track might have to offer in purses to stage a 17 race card featuring 2012 Pacer of the Year Captaintreacherous, last year's Breeders Crown winning two year old pacing colt Rockin Amadeus and filly Somwherovrarainbow, multiple stakes winner Odds On Equuleus, KYSS two year old colt pace winner Duel In The Sun, next week's Dexter Cup favorite and half mile track World Record holder Dontyouforgetit, 2012 Tattersalls Pace winner Sweet Lou, Kentucky Futurity champ My MVP, She's A Great Lady titleholder I Luv The Nitelife, NYSS two and three year old colt pace champs Doctor Butch and Major Bombay, the star of the 2013 season to this point Golden Receiver and a host of other top stakes winners excluded only due to the length of this sentence and my regard for good grammar, I'll warn you to guess low.

Nothing, would be the correct answer. Zero. Nada.

As it turns out, all of these great horses and many more not mentioned in this piece are all in to qualify at The Meadowlands tomorrow morning at 10:00am.

You may download the proof program pages for these races here. You can get the results as they happen and later tomorrow afternoon watch the video replays if you so desire by following this link and clicking on "Qualifiers" then click the "Video Replay" option when they have been loaded for viewing.

    Stakes season is upon us!

Fhld - DEXTER DRAWS SEVEN; ALL ADVANCE TO FINAL

MANALAPAN, NJ – April 25, 2013 – Harold Dancer Trot winner King Muscles is among the seven horses in the entry box this week for the eliminations for the Dexter Cup at Freehold Raceway.

With only seven set to go, no eliminations will be scheduled and all seven will advance to the $139,600 Dexter Cup Final on Saturday, May 4, 2013.  The Dexter begins the stakes season for three-year-old trotters heading down the road to the $1 million Hambletonian on August 3 at the Meadowlands.

King Muscles, a New Jersey-sired son of Muscles Yankee – Queen For A Day, will be joined in the final by Celebrity Maserati, Celebrity Stimulus, Dewey Luvs Britt, Dontforgetit, Il Pizzaiolo and Stirling Bullet.

King Muscles, trained by Aaron Lambert for J&T Silva Stables LLC of Long Beach, NY, took his lifetime mark of 1:59.1 on April 19, 2013 at Freehold.  He now has two wins, three seconds and two thirds from 10 career starts and earnings of $77,230. 

The $22,000 Harrisburg Yearling Sale purchase was a length and a quarter winner of the $36,500 Harold Dancer on September 20, 2012, a few weeks after he finished second to Corky in the $150,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Final at the Meadowlands. 

The filly companion race to the Dexter, the Lady Suffolk, will be contested on Friday, May 3.

SBOANJ - SBOANJ 2013 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ANNOUNCED

MANALAPAN, NJ – April 26, 2013 -- The deadline is June 25 for applicants wishing to be considered for the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey 2013 college scholarships.

Scholarships, which can range from $2,500 to $5,000, are for qualified students who plan to attend a two or four-year college or university, who are the son or daughter of a full-time participant in New Jersey harness racing or are themselves a full-time participant in New Jersey harness racing.  Only one candidate per household will be considered, and there is a lifetime cap of $10,000 per individual.

The applicant must have taken either the SAT or ACT test, be accepted to or attend a college or university and fill out the SBOANJ’s Scholarship Award application.  Financial need, student involvement in community work, extracurricular academic activities, evidence of strong character and leadership and interest in the equine industry will all be considered.

All scholarship winners and their families will be invited to a night at the races at the Meadowlands where they will be recognized for their accomplishment in the winner’s circle and have a complimentary dinner on a date determined after the selection is completed.

Applications and requirements are available on the SBOANJ website – www.sboanj.com -- or at Freehold and the Meadowlands [see Horsemen’s Rep Linda Goss], the Backstretch Community Assistance Program offices at the Meadowlands and Showplace Farms [see Dr. Chris Samaha] and the SBOANJ office at 64 Business Route 33, Manalapan, NJ 07726.

-Submitted by Carol Hodes for the SBOANJ

 

M1 - Racing Under Saddle "Monte" Trrot Series at The Meadowlands Announced for 2013

$25,000 Final Featured on Hambletonian Day

A late-closing series for trotters racing under saddle will feature a $25,000 final on Hambletonian Day, Sat., Aug. 3 at the Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, NJ.

Monte racing, a hybrid of harness and thoroughbred racing is a popular pari-mutuel sport in Europe, especially in France where many top trotters and drivers compete in both sulky and saddle races.

The fledgling organization Monte America has announced a series for trotters comprised of two legs worth $10,000 on July 19 and July 26 respectively and a $25,000 final showcased on harness racing's richest and most prestigious day - the 88th edition of the Hambletonian, traditionally the first Saturday in August. Racing trotters under saddle enjoyed a resurgence last year in North America under the direction of monte rider Helene Gregory.

“The response from last year’s Under Saddle racing was overwhelming, so I am delighted that Jeff Gural will host the series at the New Meadowlands and that the Hambletonian Society will handle payments and purses for this event. This will help us grow monte racing in the U.S., “ said Gregory, who received a President’s Award from the U.S. Harness Writers for her efforts in staging under saddle racing in 2012.

“Last year a total of 56 riders applied to the U.S.T.A. for a RUS license, so there is great interest in this new sport. We started with one race on Hambo day, and by the end of the year we had  13 races in several different states and more than $80,000 in purses,”  continued Gregory.

“I hope the series we created this year will make for an exciting final with well-matched trotters and riders. Since there will be no betting on these races, we are looking for sponsors to finance the series.”

A $200 nomination fee is due May 15 for those wishing to compete. Conditions, nomination blanks and more information can be found on the Monte America website http://www.monteamerica.com/ or on the Hambletonian Society website http://www.hambletonian.org.

NAADA - BOB HECHKOFF WINS NAADA TROT WITH TREMENDOUS HIT in 2:01

Tremendous Hit has had many good seasons during his lengthy racing career attested by the fact that the veteran 12-year-old trotter has bankrolled over $438,000in his career.

Even last year the Giant Hit gelding won eight times and earned over $51,000. But it wasn’t until Thursday (April 25) that Tremendous Hit sccored his first seasonal triumph when Bob Hechkoff guided him to a gate to wire victory the seventh leg  of the  North American Amateur Drivers Association Trotting Series at Monticello Raceway in a very creditable time of 2:01.

“He’s a classy old horse and a pleasure to drive,” Hechkoff said from the paddock after his driving victory.  “When he’s in top form he’s tough to beat whether we are on the front end or we come from behind.

“He was just peaking in his last start at Yonkers which I thought we should have won (he finished second) but today he warmed up real good and raced even better.”

Tremendous Hit left from the five-hole and made the front fairly easily when the betting favorite Mandinga, driven by Bobby Krivelin, made a break at the start. Mandigna’s mis-step caused second choice, Iroquoindianmagic driven by Alan Schwartz, to get a late start, too.

“When Bobby’s (Krivelin) horse made a break it cost me the race,” Schwartz said. “I lost five lengths and had to use my horse hard just to catch up.”

With Tremendous Hit cruising along on the front-end Schwartz got Iroquouindianmagic up to fourth by the half-way point. Then up the backside they made a run at Hechkoff’s trotter and as the two approached the third stanza  Iroquouindianmagic  could get no closer than a length behind the leader.

On the final turn Tremendous Hit trotted away open lengths and rambled on to an easy three-length triumph over Iroquouindianmagic. Third place went to Oliver Kiss and driver Tony Verruso .

Tremendous hit is owned by Hechkoff’s R.B.H Ventures Inc and trained by Brandon Simpson. He paid  $11.20 for win.

The next preliminary leg in the series is slated for Saturday, May 4^th at Freehold Raceway. Actually the ninth and final leg on Saturday, May 11^th will also be at Freehold Raceway. Then on Thursday, May 23^rd the $14,000 Series Final will be contested at Yonkers Raceway between the drivers who earned the most points in the series.

MR - JIMMY MAROHN, JR. HAS A FIVE-BAGGER—TRAINER DANNY GILL UNDERGOES TRIPLE BY-PASS SURGERY

Jimmy Marohn, Jr. put on a driving clinic at Monticello Raceway on Thursday afternoon, April 25^th when he reined five winners on the 10-race card.

Marohn, the defending driving champion here at the Mighty M,started his  day winning both ends of the early double.

He scored with Allan Cisco Stable’s trotter La Hollywood ($3.40) in a time of  2:03.3 in the first race, and then came back to cop the second behind Ed Hall’s first time Mighty M starter, Tom Riddle ($5.20) in a 1:57.4 clocking.

He then won the fourth race with Ed and James Hall’s 4-year-old Kadabra trotter, Bell Kat Kadab ($4.70) in 2:01.1.

A  1:59.1 triumph with Ed Hall’s with Rusty’s Flying ($5.70)  in 1:59.1 gave young Marohn his fourth driving victory on the card and he capped his afternoon when he won with Dr. Howard (Doc) Gill’s Miss Marla  ($5.70) in 2:01.3.

“I’m really pleased with the way things worked out today,” Marohn said from the paddock after the racing program had finished.”When I studied the program I figured I had a good chance in winning three( races) but  the dice were rolling my way this time.”

When asked  if any of the winners impressed him Marohn quickly added: “Tom Riddle , who won the second race impressed me real good. He’s big and green but he had a lot of pace at the wire.”

Marohn’s five victories today matched to same daily output he had earlier this season.

Three of his winners, the ones  owned by the Hall’s of Lebanon, Ct, are from the powerful Danny Gill barn. Gill won top training honors here last year and is currently the meet’s leading trainer again this season.

Unfortunately—or maybe fortunately—Gill underwent triple bypass surgery today at Westchester Medical in Valhalla, NY  and is reportedly doing well.

              

CalX1 - Friday Barn Notes

WAINSCOTT AND TONY ARE LEADING THE PARADE

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

 

Outrider Billy Don Wainscott and his trusted steed Tony show the way in the post parades here each night, making sure things go in orderly fashion and helping out when needed by a driver.

Wainscott, a former jockey, has been the outrider here for some 11 years, while quarter horse Tony has been his partner for the last five. “I actually broke Tony as a yearling and the plan was for him to be in match races, but they decided against it and I ended up taking him,” Billy Don explained.

Wainscott, who retired from riding in 1996, is best know for piloting the storied mule Black Ruby. “I was aboard for three of her wins, and all of them turned out to be track records,” he related.



Cal Expo outrider Billy Don Wainscott is flanked by Courtney Dagorret and Tony



As for Tony, while his main job is as the outrider’s pony, he still gets a chance to do a little racing. For the last several years, he has traveled up to the Red Bluff Roundup Club Rodeo to compete in what is known as the Cowgirl Races. “They race 300 yards and his owner, Courtney Dagorret, has ridden him to three wins up there, including last weekend,” Wainscott noted. 

When the meeting concludes here next month, Billy Don and Tony will hit the fair circuit while leading the parades to post for the thoroughbreds, quarter horses and mules. “It’s different than working with the trotters and pacers, and they all have their good points and bad.”

 

PACING COLTS CLASH IN SIRE STAKES

A $10,000 California Sire Stakes for the 3-year-old pacing colts will be featured at the Watch and Wager LLC meet at Cal Expo Saturday night, with Lebo Jones and Bit Player getting plenty of support.

A 14-race program is on tap, with the Sire Stakes going as the opener. The featured Trot is a $4,500 Open 2 event that brings together K D Amazin Spirit, Stars and Glides, Inside Broadway, Franks Best and D D’s Tiger.

Getting back to the stakes, Lebo Jones is a homebred son of Wicked Island and the Incredible Finale mare Credible Preciosa who races for Frank Nevarez, is conditioned by Gordie Graham and will once again have Scott Cisco at the controls.

The dark-hued pacer earned both his maiden diploma and a trophy when looped his rivals to capture the most recent added-money event for this group two weeks ago. He won going away by a length and a quarter that evening, then came back last weekend to finish third in an Open 3 event behind A Real Miracle and the sharp filly Strings.

Bit Player is a multiple stakes victor and has to be given plenty of respect. A Desomer Stables homered, he is by Moxie out of the Leading Edge mare Linear and is conditioned by Vickie Desomer with Steve Wiseman at the helm.

The dark-hued gelding recorded his most recent added-money decision on March 30. He raced up close and personal in that affair, opened up on his rivals turning for home and came to the wire with two and a half-lengths to spare while equaling his lifetime standard with the 1:56 3/5 clocking.

Completing the field are Daring Do with Steve Desomer guiding; Me Tarzan, Tim Maier; Winonefordoug for Richard Bertrand; Hi Ho Disguise with Luke Plano doing the honors; and Kablooie, who leaves from the outside post with Bruce Clarke in the sulky.

 

There are three wagers offered here at Cal Expo with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate and a carryover provision. They are the 50-cent Pick 5 that begins on the third race; the $1 Pick 4 on the penultimate four races on the evening with a $20,000-guaranteed pool on Fridays and a $25,000-guaranteed pool on Saturdays; and the 10-cent High 5 on the finale.

 

VD7/8 - “VERNON DOWNS ‘SHOWDOWN’ CONTEST BEGINS TOMORROW”

$1,500 top prize, contestants must register for free by Friday, April 26

VERNON, NY – The inaugural edition of Vernon Downs “Showdown” contest begins tomorrow (Friday) as the track’s live racing season continues. Free registration is still available.

“Showdown” requires contestants to select one horse in any race each racing night. That horse must finish first, second or third in order for the contestant to remain in the competition. If the contestant is successful, they will advance to the next race night, otherwise, they will be eliminated.

Contestants must register for free and make their horse selection no later than 6:35 PM Eastern Time Friday, April 26 in order to be eligible for the contest.

The contestant that lasts the longest will win the $1,500 top prize. The runner-up will receive $750.

Fans can register and make their daily selection by visiting showdown.vernondowns.com.

Free online streaming video is also available on the Vernon Downs website so contestants can follow along with their selections each race night.

CalX1 - Thursday Barn Notes

COG HILL STILL IN THERE PITCHING

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

 

One of differences between standardbreds from their thoroughbred counterparts is their racing longevity, and Cog Hill is a perfect example of how the pacers and trotters are often in it for the long haul. 

Still posing for pictures at age 13, Cog Hill got the job done last weekend for the combination of owners Richard and Marlene Thomas, conditioner George Reider and driver Luke Plano. The victory put the pacer over the $360,000 earnings plateau and he has a sparkling 1:50 4/5 decision in his scrapbook from a 2004 tour.

“I’ve had this horse about six months now,” Reider said. “The Thomas’ actually bought him off the internet when he was racing at Buffalo, because they remembered him from when he was at Hoosier Park. They saw him win a couple of late-closing series there and knew how good a horse he was.

“He’s a very nice aged gelding and that back class shows each and every time he goes to the track. A horse doesn’t win that much money by accident and even though it would have been nice to have him when he was a 3-year-old, he’s been a welcome addition to the stable.”

With the mandatory retirement age for harness horses being 15, Cog Hill still has a good year and a half to add to the resume and George related that the plan is turn him out for the summer and then point for a fall return when things start up again here at Cal Expo. “With some TLC, I think this horse wants to race for another year,” he added.

 

SIRE STAKES, OPEN PACE HOLD SPOTLIGHT

 

A pair of $10,000 California Sire Stakes headed by Strings and More Tequila and a $6,000 Open Pace featuring Lloyd Arnold winner Cycle Power are the main events at Cal Expo Friday night.

The Sire Stakes for the pacing fillies will go as third on the 14-race program, while the Open Pace is the fourth event on the evening and the trotting Sire Stakes will be decided as a non-betting race prior to the regular card.

Strings is a daughter of Hi Ho Silverheels out of the No Nukes mare Sharps N Flats who is owned and was bred by Wayne and Rodney Knittel with Bob Johnson the conditioner and Bruce Clarke in the sulky. She has won half of her 16 lifetime appearances with a 1:54 mark that was established here in a March 29 romp.

The Knittel colorbearer has definitely taken over leadership of her division as she guns for her fourth straight Sire Stakes decision on Friday. Her first two were accomplished in facile fashion, then she had to work harder to hold safe over Show Runner two weeks ago after holding a clear advantage to the lane. Strings was beaten a nose by the by colt A Real Miracle in an Open 3 event last week and is now back with distaffers. 

Looking at the stakes events that combines sophomore filly and colt trotters, More Tequila holds the aces as she goes for her fourth straight added-money score. The Eager Seelster hombred competes for Frank Nevarez, takes her lessons from Gordie Graham and will once again have Luke Plano handling the lines.

Cycle Power has the outside slot in the Open Pace. He is a 7-year-old son of Cambest who is owned and trained by Nathalie Tremblay and will have Scott Cisco at the helm. He has $96,000 in the bank and established his 1:53 3/5 career standard over this track when capturing an Open Handicap on March 30.

In his most recent appearance in the Lloyd Arnold, Cycle Power found himself sixth of the eight performers down the backstretch. Cisco wheeled him out first-over at the half, he ranged up on the leaders once straightened for the wire and was up by three-quarters of a length over longshot Phantom Don that evening.

There are three wagers offered here at Cal Expo with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate and a carryover provision. They are the 50-cent Pick 5 that begins on the third race; the $1 Pick 4 on the penultimate four races on the evening with a $20,000-guaranteed pool on Fridays and a $25,000-guaranteed pool on Saturdays; and the 10-cent High 5 on the finale.