Tgdn5/8 - Tioga Downs Tompkins – Geers golf outing scheduled for Thursday, July 18

Tioga Downs would like to extend an invitation to all horsemen and owners participating at Tioga Downs to join us in the annual Tompkins - Geers golf outing on Thursday, July 18^th.

The format for the golf outing will  be the traditional Captain and Crew format and will take place at Pheasant Hills Country Club in Owego, NY with an 8:00am shotgun start. There will be a BBQ at Pheasant Hills following the golf outing along with a prize ceremony. The tournament is free for all horsemen and owners, to sign up please email Dustin Ross, Racing Operations Manager at dross@tiogadowns.com or call him at 607.699.7688.

We hope that you will make plans to join us on Thursday morning (July 18) for golf, and also that night for racing at 6:50 pm featuring divisions of the Tompkins – Geers for 2-year old colt and filly trotters.

Tioga Downs’ race schedule for that weekend is Thursday, July 18 (6:50 PM) – Tompkins – Geers 2-year old colt and filly trot, Friday, July 19 (6:50 pm) 2-year old colt and filly pace, Saturday, July 20 (6:50 PM) 3-year old colt and filly trot, and Sunday, July 21 (1:30 PM) 3-year old colt and filly pace.

Tioga Downs would like to thank all of its farms sponsors who help make these events possible during the year: Allerage Farms, Blue Chip Farms, Brittany Farms, Crawford Farms, Deo Volente Farms, Lindy Farms, Perretti Farms, Southwind Farms, Steuben Farms, Stirling Brook Farms, and Winbak Farms.

For more information on Tioga Downs please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com .

M1 - Cinco De Miller, Marcus Bags Five

Marcus Miller made the most of his trip to the Meadowlands on Saturday night, scoring wins in 5 of the 14 races on the card.  Two of his victories came in New Jersey Sire Stakes which continued at the one mile oval in East Rutherford.  The 14-race betting card included two divisions each for the two year old colt and filly pacers.  

The first Sire Stakes leg was held as a non-betting event for the two year old pacing colts and was won by Beat The Drum, a son of Tell All, showing good acceleration in the stretch and chasing down Doo Wop Hanover late, completing the mile in 1:54.1. The winner was sent out by typical-trotting connections of Bender Sweden Inc, and owner/trainer Staffan Lind while driven by Eric Carlson.

Next it was Western Vintage flashing promise as he used a powerful first over brush in tripping the teletimer in a sharp 1:52.4 with Marcus Johansson. Trained by Nancy Johansson for Perry Soderberg, Western Vintage has already proved to be a bargain yearling purchase, costing just $7,000 at the Harrisburg yearling sale.  

On the filly side, the two Sire Stakes divisions saw wins by Rockingcam Park and Ideal Helen.  The former, a $7,500 Harrisburg yearling appears to be another bargain baby, as she put forth a powerful first over effort, scoring in 1:52.4 for Marcus Miller.  Rockingcam Park is trained by co-owner Ron Coyne Jr. and is owned in part by B C & E R Corbelli and Ron Coyne Stables Inc.  Ideal Helen was the most impressive winner of the night, showing a powerful brush on the far turn and romping to an open-length score in a wrapped up 1:53.3.  That filly completed a strong night for stallion Western Ideal, who's offspring won a pair of Sire Stakes and for driver Marcus Miller who notched five winners on the card.

The Summer Survivor Series Finals were also held on Saturday.  The Trot went to Raven Victory who returned from a break in stride in The Pennsylvania Sire Stakes at Pocono with a strong 1:56 mile tonight.  Raven Victory is owned by M Biasuzzi Stable Inc and trained by Linda Toscano.  The Summer Survivor Series Pace saw Ima Giggity Fool roll to a 1:50.1 performance for Vincent Ginsburg.  That winner is trained by Taylor Gower for owner Brian Bennett.

It was another strong betting night at the Meadowlands.  The 14-race Saturday program showed an increase of 43-percent over the same Saturday in 2012. 

Racing resumes on Friday night with New Jersey Sire Stakes and Reynolds Stakes action.  The Saturday night program features eliminations for The Meadowlands Pace, William Haughton Memorial and Mistletoe Shalee, along with New Jersey Sire Stakes action and another leg of the TVG Free-For-All Trotting Championship.  Post Time for both programs is 7:15 P.M.

YR - BARTLETT'S SATURDAY SIX-PACK, INCLUDING SAPPHIRE CITY IN 46G OPEN 'CAP PACE

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

           

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, June 29, 2013--Jason Bartlett won six of Yonkers Raceway's 13 races Saturday night, including pole-sitting Sapphire City ($6.70) in the featured $46,000 Open Handicap Pace.

Pocketed to 3-2 choice Malak Uswaad N (Eric Goodell) through fractions of 26.4; 55.1; 1:22.3, Sapphire City angled out in the lane. He was able to grind by a stubborn foe by a head in 1:50.4. Pan from Nantucket (Jordan Stratton) was third, with Great Vintage (Larry Stalbaum) and Fat Man's Alley (Brent Holland) completing the cashers.

For second choice Sapphire City, a 5-year-old Metropolitan gelding trained by Paul Blumenfeld for co-owners Centaur Stable and Jordan Sklut, it was his fourth win in 17 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $16, with the triple returning $68.

Saturday's card also featured 3-year-old young ladies in a game of musical chairs--nine to eliminate one--for the $175,624 Hudson Filly Trot. Favored Lady Broadway (Goodell, $5), the lone $15,000 supplemental entrant, left from post position No. 6 and won the $20,000 elim from the pocket in 1:55.3. Second went to Andie Sophia (Stalbaum), beaten three-quarters of a length, with Royal Assets (Ray Schnittker) a pace-setting third.

For Lady Broadway, a daughter of  Broadway Hall trained by Chris Oakes for co-owners Susan Oakes, Hauser Brothers Racing and Conrad Zurich, it was her fifth win in 10 '13 tries (18-for-28 lifetime).

The (alphabetical) qualifiers for next Saturday's $155,624 final of the Hudson (open draw is Tuesday) are Andie Sophia, Caneel Hall, Cha Cha Magic, Global Beauty. Lady Broadway, Royal Assets, Southwind Cocoa and Time to Kill. A recall-causing Miss Panthers (Holland) broke and was never a factor.

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.

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Tgdn5/8 - Barn Babe Impressive in NYSS

Barn Babe and John Cummings Jr. posted the fastest mile of the night as the NYSS for 3-year old trotting fillies rolled into Tioga Downs on Saturday night. Three divisions of sophomore filly trotters highlighted the twelve race card.

Barn Babe (John Cummings Jr.) left the gate alertly from post position number four and sat a two hole trip behind Wygant Lady (Jeff Gregory) through fractions of 27.3, 57.1, and 1:25.3 before challenging in the stretch. In deep stretch it looked as though Louise Kemp (Jim Marohn Jr.) had put away her competition with a grueling first over move, but Cummings had Barn Babe firing on all cylinders out of the pocket. Barn Babe used a 28.3 final quarter to get up by three parts of a length in a new lifetime best of 1:54.2. Steve Pratt trains and co-owns the 3-year old daughter of Cash Hall – My Baby’s Momma with Nancy Pratt of Corfu, NY. It was the second win in the NYSS this season for Barn Babe who posted her fourth win in seven seasonal starts.

In the first division of the NYSS Trond Smedshammer used a second over trip with Proclaiming April to capture the first race of the night in 1:56.1 as the 1-2 betting favorite. Smedshammer also trains the 3-year old daughter of Conway Hall – Lawn Tennis for owner-breeder White Birch Farm of Allentown, NJ.

In the third and final division of the night, Brandson Simpson steered Lola De Vie to her fifth win in seven seasonal in a lifetime best equaling 1:55.3. Chris Ryder trains the 3-year old daughter of Credit Winner – Fan Favourite for the Joie De Vie Farm of Jobstown, NJ. With the win, Lola De Vie increased her seasonal earnings to more than $183,000 on the year, with the lion’s share coming from her Empire Breeders’ Classic victory earlier this month at Vernon Downs.

Four divisions of NYSS Excelsior Stakes were also held on Saturday night at Tioga with the winners being: Blarney – Jeff Gregory (1:57.2), Suzies Little Vic – Jeff Gregory (1:58.2), Minnie Madness – Ivan Davies (1:58), and Pretty Crazy – Brandon Simpson (1:57.1).

Tioga Downs continues live racing action on Sunday, June 30^th with a post time of 1:30pm, for more information on Tioga Downs please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com.

M1 - Meadowlands Baby Report

Saturday morning's Baby Races at The Meadowlands were conducted under ideal conditions with the temperature in the 80's and just a light breeze.

    A few impressions were left by trotting colts Flacco and Trixton, both trained by Hall of Fame trainer Jimmy Takter and driver by Yannick Gingras. Flacco is a Muscles Yankee  $62,000 Harrisburg yearling who took over past the opening quarter and coasted home in 28.3 on the end of a 2:00.3 mile.

    Trixton was the most expensive trotting yearling sold at auction last year, bringing a final bid of $360,000 from Brixton Medical and Christina Takter at the Lexington Select Sale. He won for the second time in 2:00-, closing the mile with a 28.1 last quarter for Gingras.

    Dottie Major won at first asking for trainer Nick Surick closing into a 27.2 last quarter to get up in 1:57.2 with Andy Miller aboard in the first pacing event. This Art Major filly was an $8,000 bargain for owners Kerry Feuker-Weed and MK Weed.

    Put On A Display did just that for the team of trainer Chris Ryder and owners Richard and Joanne Young. The $175,000 Lexington sale Somebeachsomewhere filly led all way in 1:54.3 / 28.1 for Tim Tetrick.

    The colt pacers came next and Murder He Wrote went a nice trip for Terick, putting the finishing touches on a 1:56.2 mile with a sub 27 final quarter after a first over move. This colt by the ill-fated Kenneth J is owned by trainer Linda Toscano's Camelot Stables.

    Winds Of Change took a mark of 1:55- next. The Brittany Farms, Val D'Or Farms homebred American Ideal colt was impressive in defeat last week, recovering from interference to be a fast closing second. This time, driver Tim Tetrick moved him to the lead up the backstretch and tacked a 27.4 close onto the mile in hand.

    The best race of the day was the last of the two year olds where a couple of really nice colts hooked up for the length of the stretch. Stay Up Late is an Artiscape colt that cost West Winds Stable and Christine Calhoun $67,000, while Avalanche Hanover (Somebeachsomewhere) was a $200,000 buy for Brittany, Katz, Goldband, Libfeld, Sbrocco and Gural. This pair reached the three sixteenth's pole together and paced in tandem through the 27.3 end to a 1:58.3 mile with Avalanche getting the nod. The team of Toscano and Tetrick closed out the baby races with this, their third consecutive winner of the day.

    Check Me Out went her second qualifier of the season in anticipation of her return to the racing wars. She was a 1:54.3 winner with a 55.4 final half and 27.4 last quarter.

M1 - Sire Stakes Under Way, Handle Up 87-Percent

The New Jersey Sires Stakes for trotting freshmen, fillies and colts, opened their 2013 season on Friday night at the Meadowlands.

    

The first crop of 2009 Hambletonian winner and Horse of the Year Muscle Hill were making their pari-mutuel debuts on this evening and he was well represented with winners in both colt divisions.

    

In the first $20,500 division, there were three by that sire and they took the first two positions. Southwind Spirit lived up to the hype after a couple of easy baby race wins with an effortless forwardly placed 1:57- win over Well Built. He took over just past the 58.3 half and sealed it with a 28.1 final stanza for leading Meadowlands driver Yannick Gingras. The colt is owned by Burke Racing LLC, Weaver Bruscemi, LLC & Stable 45. Ron Burke is the trainer.

    

Hill I Am (one of five Muscle Hills in this division) scored a mild upset in the second split leading all the way in his 1:56.4 victory. "Captain" Corey Callahan rated him kindly through a 59.3 half and engaged race favorite Great Society when that one came quickly just past that mark, then went off stride. Hill I Am widened on his rivals near the wire, using a 28.2 last quarter to seal the win.

    

The two divisions of fillies (for a total purse of $37,500) were won by daughters of Muscles Yankee.

    

Dancing For Money shipped in from Ontario and was up in the last step to win in 1:59.3 for John Campbell. Paula Wellwood trains and owns the filly with Karen Carroll.

    

Cee Bee Yes finished up her 1:58.1 win with a 57- half and 28.1 quarter for an easy score. Andy Miller drove for wife Julie, the trainer. The Allens, Jason and Douglas share ownership.

It was another fantastic Friday at the betting windows for the Meadowlands.  The total handle for the 13-race card of $2,449,807 marked an increase of $1,138,721 or an astonishing 87-percent from the 11-race card on the same Friday in 2012.  In addition, the live handle showed an increase of 46-percent.  Not only were the Meadowlands handle figures up when compared to 2012, but they were also up substantially from 2011 as well.

Racing returns on Saturday featuring Beerfest and great on-track entertainment for the 14-race program with post time of 7:15 P.M.

Tgdn5/8 - All Spirit Wins Tioga Downs Friday Feature

All Spirit won for the 3^rd time this season in the Mares top pacing class, the Miracle Mile 1, this one in a front-stepping 1:52.2. With a track listed as good, All Spirit left from her assigned outside post and cruised unchallenged thru fractions of 26.4, 55.1 and 1:23. In the stretch, All Spirit remained unopposed until Haggin Oaks made a late bid, but was just too far back to catch the heavy favorite. The win was one of three on the night for the combination of driver Jim Marohn, Jr. and trainer Judy Lanpher. The pair made trips to the winner circle in the 3^rd race with Ideal Temptation and the 5^th race with Sinspirational. Ideal Temptation was a $23 upset bid in the Non-winners of 3 Pm while Sinspirational was sent off as the bettors’ choice in the Miracle Mile 3.

Jim Marohn, Jr. picked up one more win in the finale to finish off his total at four for the evening. Antonino Buttitta picked up a driving/training double in back to back races while driver Aaron Byron also managed a driving double in back to back races. 

Tioga Downs continues live racing action on Saturday, June 29^th with a post time of 6:50pm, for more information on Tioga Downs please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com.

SBOANJ - SDF PROGRAM WOULD PROVIDE STAKES FOR FOALS BORN TO BROODMARES BASED IN NEW JERSEY

MANALAPAN, NJ – June 28, 2013 – A bill awaiting the governor’s signature would introduce the Standardbred Development Fund, a program to encourage boarding and foaling in the state of New Jersey.

The SDF program would exist concurrently with the New Jersey Sire Stakes “premier” events which are restricted to the offspring of stallions standing in the state.

The specific rules and regulations for the program will be determined by the New Jersey Sire Stakes Board of Trustees at its July 16, 2013 meeting, assuming Governor Chris Christie signs the legislation which was unanimously approved in both the Assembly and Senate.

The Standardbred Development Fund would require that the broodmare spend 150 consecutive days and deliver her foal in the state of New Jersey for the foal to be eligible to the SDF stakes program.

“The idea behind this (which was initially suggested by Mark Mullen and Anthony Perretti) was that the Standardbred Development Fund (SDF) would replace the Green Acres program, beginning with two-year-old races run in 2016, if possible,” explained Chris Castens, the New Jersey Sire Stakes executive director.  “With the number of sires in New Jersey greatly diminished, it was the feeling that there may not be enough two year olds in 2013 to fill both the Premier and Green Acres series. 

“Discussions were entertained about completely switching the New Jersey Sire Stakes over to a mares-bred program — similar to what has occurred in Kentucky,” Castens explained.  “That idea was discarded, however, on the basis that we want to encourage (not discourage) owners to stand horses in New Jersey.

“It was decided to continue with the Premier Divisions solely for horses that are sired by New Jersey-based stallions while converting the Green Acres to the SDF,” he added.  “Agricultural considerations also came into play in the decision making.  If well received, a mare residency program can have much greater impact on the overall agricultural community than a handful of stallions would.”

While horses sired by New Jersey stallions would be eligible to all New Jersey Sire Stakes-sponsored races as well as SDF races, the SDF foals would only be eligible to SDF races and not New Jersey Sire Stakes Premier Division events or the Lou Babic Stakes.

The earliest SDF stakes races would be run in 2016.  The dates of these races and the allocations as far as the Meadowlands and Freehold Raceway will be determined at a later date.

“Conceivably, the SDF could begin with the foals of 2014,” Castens said.  “If things move quickly, we could begin accepting mare registrations this September.”

The money for SDF purse will be allocated annually by the New Jersey Sire Stakes Board of Trustees from the revenue received from existing sources by the Sire Stakes program.  The expectation is that purse estimates will be established in the fall of each year.

-Submitted by Carol Hodes for SBOANJ

WFD - The Raceway Announces Personnel Changes

London, June 28, 2013 -- Western Fair District has announced that Greg Blanchard has been promoted to Raceway Manager effective June 30, 2013.  Greg has been with Western Fair District for the last three years as Assistant Raceway Manager and Announcer. 

Blanchard will take over management of the Raceway operations and will also take on additional assignments and duties throughout the year in other areas of the District including Fair and Shows. 

“We are very pleased to have someone of Greg’s passion and racing knowledge to head up our Raceway operations. Greg has a wide range of skills that will serve him well as he joins our management team” said Hugh Mitchell, CEO. 

Blanchard will take over for Ian Fleming who is stepping back, but will continue to serve as the track’s Race Secretary.

With the changes to the raceway structure, Western Fair District will be seeking a new Announcer for the fall meet commencing in October. 

MR - PARKER GETTING CLOSER TO 11,000 WINS; NEEDS JUST 13 MORE

In an outstanding career that began in the late 1960’s Billy “Zeke” Parker, Jr. is approaching a milestone that only six others in the history of the sport have met …and passed. 

After two more driving victories at Monticello Raceway on Thursday June 27^th Parker now has 10,987 career wins—seventh best all time-- and he needs just 13 more to reach an incredible milestone.

What makes his  reaching 11,000 career wins so much more special is that he did it by driving at just one track daily and not like today’s catch-drivers (there’s got to be a better phrase) who drive at two tracks nearly every day of the year.

Parker’s first winner on Thursday came behind a Gary Messenger trained trotter Sin To Win  ($4.30) in a 1:59.2 clocking. His other was with the Sam Fava –trained pacer Western Mac ($13.60) in 1:57.4.

Now with 109 winners thus far in 2013 Parker is way behind his norm in races won this season.

“I believe I’m driving as good as I always have,” Parker admitted , “ but I’m just not getting the amount of live drives as I used to in the past. “

Still Zeke has nothing to be ashamed of, and of course he isn’t, but he’s used to being the king of the hill.

He has won  driving titles at  every racetrack he competed at  on a regular basis. Born and raised in the Pine Tree State he was tops at Scarborough Downs, Lewiston Raceway  and  Foxboro Raceway  prior to coming to Monticello in 1984. Here he’s won 18 driving titles.

“I just had my 2000^th win before I came here,” Parker recalled.

For two years –around the turn of the century  he I raced  regularly at Yonkers Raceway and was leading driver there, too. But over 8500 of his winners  have come here at Monticello.”

Asked why he discontinued racing at Yonkers , Parker explained  that his life was in crisis his during that period.

“My wife TJ had cancer and she was slowly, and painfully dying,” Parker said as tears began to fill his eyes.  “I had to be with her as much as possible.  She was my rock and when I lost her my life was in turmoil.

“We had two young boys and  when she (TJ) died  they had no mother. It was hard and I couldn’t be running up and down the highway (to Yonkers) so I stayed put here at Monticello.”

Although  the industry has been recording driving victories with relative accuracy since the 1950’s, it wasn’t so for training wins.

 In 1977, with the assistance of computers, the USTA  began registering  driver and trainer wins on its Driver/Trainer Performance Report.

Not to overuse  a cliché , ‘in the old days’ horsemen were both drivers and  trainers and  Parker certainly fit that bill. In fact he still trains a small stable of horses, but not nearly as many as he did  prior to the turn of the 21^st Century.

To accompany his 10,987 driving wins he has recorded 1223 training victories.

Bruce Aldrich Jr. a four time driving champ and current leader at the Mighty M, admittedly used to idolize Parker when he was a youngster growing up in Battleboro Vermont, just a stones’ throw from the old Hinsdale (N.H) Raceway where he began his career.

“Zeke is an outstanding driver and he could get more out of a horse than almost anybody,” Aldrich said.

“When I was kid and growing up in New England , I idolized him. He not only was a leading driver, he was also a  top trainer, and in his early days he always had a big stable.

“He‘s  been racing horses for parts of five decades and he  has always been a complete horseman.”

YR - YONKERS' THURSDAY PICK 5 FEATURES $7,500 CARRYOVER

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

           

 YONKERS, NY, Thursday, June 27, 2013--Yonkers Raceway's Thursday night Pick 5 comes complete with a $7,500 carryover....actually $7,500 and three cents, to be precise.

 Yonkers' two-week-old Pick 5 is a 50-cent base wager offered on races 5 through 9 nightly. It has no consolation payoff, meaning if no one selects all five winners (as was the case Tuesday), the entire pool carries over to the next racing program.

The Pick 5 also offers a $10,000 guaranteed pool every Monday and Tuesday.

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.

MR - BATTLE OF THE BRAIN TRUST III SET FOR MONDAY, JULY 22

It’s official. On Monday afternoon, July 22 Monticello Raceway will host the third edition of the Battle of the Brain Trust, a race is for harness racing executives from various aspects of the Standardbred business.

As of this writing five people who make the decisions for their respective organizations will don racing silks 

and be in the unfamiliar position of driving a harness horse competitively over a one mile distance.

Anxious to get behind a spirited steed again in the event  are Shawn Wiles, General Manager of Monticello Raceway, Jason Settlemoir,  General Manager t of the Meadowlands,  and Vic Harrison, Marketing Director for  United Tote.

This year they’ll be joined by, the first lady of harness racing Moira Fanning ,the Director of Operations  and Publicity for the Hambletonian  Society, and  by  Jerry Murkerson ,who’ll be coming in all the way from Hawkinsville, Ga., where, as city manager, he runs the training center  there.

And if he fails to qualify for some local golf tournaments, John Hensley, VP of racing at Dover Downs  may also join the fray.

The initial “Battle” was presented on July3, 2008 and was won by then Monticello Casino & Raceway President and CEO, Dave Hanlon, when he guided a pacer named M I Nasty to a 2:07:1 victory. That afternoon Hanlon defeated Tom Charters, President and CEO of the Hambletonian Society, Jason Settlemoir, Vice President of Racing at both Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs, and John Hensley, Vice President of Racing at Dover Downs.

A second “Battle’ was contested two years later and saw Larry Roman, CEO Of WDF Green and longtime horse owner, win with Big John B in a time of 2:13 over Shawn Wiles,  Jason Settlemoir, and Vic Harrison.

“I’m going to do my best to protect my home turf from any of the invaders this time around,”  Wiles said about the upcoming Battle. “And I can guarantee everyone that I’ll be tough to beat whether I draw the pole or the outside “

“I’m giving fair warning that I’ll be practicing before the race and I’ll be in top form when the man says go.”

SBOANJ - A LOT OF MUSCLE, A HANDFUL OF CHOCOLATIERS & SOME REVENUE ON DISPLAY FRIDAY AT THE MEADOWLANDS

MANALAPAN, NJ – June 27, 2013 -- There will be a lot of Muscle, a handful of Chocolatiers and a couple of Revenues on display when New Jersey Sire Stakes racing for two-year-old trotters is spotlighted on Friday night, June 28, 2013 at the Meadowlands. 

Of the 29 entrants, divided into four divisions with purses of $18,500 to $20,500, 14 are from the first crop of Muscle Hill; six are by his sire, Muscles Yankee; seven are by Chocolatier and two are by Revenue.

The fillies are carded as a non-betting event at 7 p.m. and the second race while the colts are races four and 11.

Muscle Hill, the 2009 Hambletonian winner and Horse of the Year, won the New Jersey Sire Stakes Finals at two and three before retiring to Southwind Farm in Pennington, NJ.

The New Jersey Sire Stakes record for two-year-old trotting fillies is 1:55.3, shared by Act of Grace [1995] and Southwind Cocoa [2012].  The record for colts is 1:56 held by Yankee Glide [1996].  The mark for geldings is 1:57 set by Shadow [2000].

-Submitted by Carol Hodes for SBOANJ

MR - MONICA BANCA WINS CATSKILL AMATEUR SERIES FINAL; 2-YEAR-OLD HD’SDREAM BOY WINS IN 2:00.2

Just four weeks ago Monica Banca received her provisional license and the Norwegian native  has shown she has a talent in the sulky.  Not only did she win the final of the Catskill Amateur Driver’s Club’s Pacing Series yesterday (June 26)at Monticello Raceway but in  five trips to post in betting races  Monica has won four times. And her  last three drives here were all winning ones.

In Wednesday’s fourth race here  Banca had the favorite ,Indescribable from the pole position, and she drove the veteran gelding like he was the best.

She sent her pacer to the lead and they reached the first stanza in :28.4. Despite a first-up  move nearing the half by Tom Riddle and driver Steve Oldford, Monica sat calm in the sulky, occasionally glancing at her challenger.

Up the backside  a battle ensued and the two pacers were neck and neck to the third stanza. As they headed for home, Indescribable drew off a length and coasted  to  1-1/4 length victory in  a 1:58 clocking over Tom Ridge. Third place, two lengths behind the winner, was B B Smash with Matt Zucccarello at the controls.

When Banca returned  to the winners  circle with her pacer the first thing she said was “He’s awesome” referring to Indescribable.  “I didn’t think we’d win it at the top of the stretch but he’s a classy old horse and I learn a lot when I drive him.”

Banca also won the last CADC preliminary on June 19 with Indescribable in 1:58.3 using the passing lane to victory that time.

“ I was a little nervous today because Rick (Dane, Jr, her partner and mentor) had to go to Pocono (Downs) and I was all alone with the horse before the race. But I’m not nervous now…I’m happy,” she said as she was being  presented  the trophy for winning the series finale.

Indescribable won  for the  fourth time in  16 starts. The 6-year-old Cole Muffler gelding  is owned by Dane and Banca  and trained by Dane. He returned a 4.30 win mutuel.

Also of note on the on the  June 26^th card was the impressive 2:00.2 victory in his first lifetime start by  HD’s Dream Boy, a 2 year old pacing colt by If I Can Dream out of My Gal Hall by Cambest..

Trainer Sean Campbell  had Pat Beeler again handle the driving chores (Beeler qualified him in 2:05.3 on June 19) behind  HD Dream Boy  and Beeler zipped the colt to the front and he paced every quarter  around 30 seconds (:29.3, 30.3, 30.2, 29.4) and finished with an easy 2-1/2 length  triumph over  Princess Cantilena and Bruce Aldrich, Jr.

“This is some nice colt,” Beeler exclaimed after the victory. “He’s just now learning his lessons and he’s got a great way of going.  He’s gonna beat a lot of them before it’s all over.”

HD Dream Boy is owned by Daniel Meier of Fort Covington, NY. He paid $5.50 for win.

Takter Factor Looms Large This Weekend and on Road to the Hambletonian

Takter Factor Looms Large This Weekend and on Road to the Hambletonian

Hall of Fame trainer Jimmy Takter typically has some aces in hand heading into a big weekend of major stakes and on the Road to the Hambletonian, Saturday, August 3 at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

On Saturday, Takter sends out a pair of three-year-olds in both the Earl Beal, Jr. Memorial and the Max C. Hempt Memorial at Pocono Downs.  Those two races, plus the Ben Franklin Free For All, go for $500,000 each.  The $300,000 James M. Lynch Memorial is also on the card, which will be available for simulcast wagering at the Meadowlands.

Last year, Takter send out two sophomores in the $1.5 million Hambletonian.  He drove Guccio to a close second, and the favorite Uncle Peter finished seventh, placed eighth.  Takter won the Hambletonian with Malabar Man in 1997 and Muscle Massive in 2010. 

Currently, Takter appears to have a Hambletonian dynamic duo in world champion Dontyouforgetit, and Corky, who was the New Jersey Sires Stakes Champion as a freshman.

 “At this point, I believe Dontyouforgetit and Corky are my top two Hambletonian horses,” admitted Takter.  “I thought High Bridge [post one in a $50,000 consolation on Saturday at Pocono Downs] would make the Beal final.  He trotted a great mile to finish fourth in his elimination.  He’s just slightly behind them right now.  Bluto has high speed and Muscle Mountain [post four in race six on Friday at the Meadowlands] was used pretty hard last time.  I think Muscle Mountain will race well on Friday.”

Both Dontyouforgetit and Corky won their Beal eliminations in a career best.  Dontyouforgetit, ranked fourth on the Road to the Hambletonian top ten list, found room up the inside to score in 1:52.1 last week with Yannick Gingras driving.  The $453,569 winner for Solveig’s Partners of East Windsor, NJ added trotting hopples this season and drew post two on a three-race winning streak.  What he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in speed, versatility and determination.

 “He’s not the cleanest gaited horse,” noted Takter.  “He kind of interferes with himself a little bit, but he’s the most honest little fella I’ve ever been around.  If he gets a trip he doesn’t care who’s in front him.  Yannick said he felt super, but when he watched the replay he thought the colt didn’t look so good.  I told him never mind as long as he felt super.”

 Corky, a son of Muscles Yankee, went wire-to-wire in 1:52.4 after a :27.3 third quarter with Dave Miller.  He followed up on his first win of the season in a division of the Historic at Tioga Downs in 1:54.4 and a second in the New Jersey Sires Stakes Final at the Meadowlands.  The consistent colt, ranked fifth in the Hambletonian top ten, sports a $325,968 bankroll for Christina Takter of East Windsor, NJ and John and Jim Fielding of Toronto, Ontario. 

 “Corky is such a laid back horse,” said Takter.  “I mean, basically he’s very lazy.  I drove him once [on May 17], and I couldn’t get him going.  I just don’t have the driving skills of Dave Miller.  He’s just a strange horse, and I’ve been aiming him more for the Hambletonian than anything.  I’m sure he’s going to get a piece of the action on Saturday, and he could win it.  He hasn’t been off the board in six starts this year.”

 Takter commented on two other Beal entrants.

 “Royalty For Life [post one] made a nice recovery from his break, and we know he’s a class horse.  He finished second in the Breeders Crown and he’s a fast horse.  Smilin Eli hasn’t done 

anything wrong, but of course post nine is going to compromise anything he tries to do.”

 Takter will also be busy on Saturday at Pocono Downs with a pair of contenders in the Hempt, including 2012 Breeders Crown champion and $548,390 winner Rockin Amadeus.  The son of Rocknroll Hanover, a Meadowlands Pace eligible, has drawn post four with Yannick Gingras.  Bred and owned by Lothlorien of Cheltenham, Ontario, Takter has now trained all five foals of the dam Kikikatie [Rockin Image, Grams Legacy, Time To Kill, Rockin Amadeus and Tellitlikeitis].

 “He didn’t come into his elimination last week one hundred percent,” Takter revealed.  “He got hurt climbing his stall up in Canada.  It was a gash in his knee.  We debated whether to race him or not in his elimination for the North America Cup.  He was jogging sound, but he didn’t race good [fifth].  Also, his white count was elevated after a trauma like that. 

 “I thought he raced okay last week [third from post eight], and he had two pretty darn good horses in front of him [Captaintreacherous and Vegas Vacation].  I don’t know if he’s ready to win this, but I think he’s going to step up and put in a good performance.”

Sunfire Blue Chip suddenly emerged as a player in the glamour boy division with an eye-opening 1:48.3 elimination score.  Yannick Gingras will drive the son of American Ideal, a full brother to millionaire Heston Blue Chip, and Takter has high hopes for this talented colt.

 “He’s a horse I always thought very highly of,” said Takter.  “We had to shut him down in April, and he showed us he had some ability.  Then, Yannick thought he was a winner in his elimination for the Rooney, but he didn’t handle the turns that well at Yonkers.  He just couldn’t use him that hard there.  He finished fourth in that final, yet wasn’t really comfortable with the half mile track. 

 “He came back to win an overnight at Pocono in 1:49.2 [on June 15] before winning his elimination in 1:48.3.  He’s the real deal.  Unfortunately, we have post eight on Saturday, but you know about the open draw going in, and it kind of makes it interesting.  The two top horses in the race have post seven [Vegas Vacation] and nine [Captaintreacherous].  It’s not going to be easy for Captaintreacherous out there.  I think it’s going to be a very exciting race.”

Tgdn5/8 - FREE CARNIVAL AT TIOGA DOWNS FEATURES GIANT INFLATABLE OBSTACLE COURSE, GAMES, SNOW CONES, COTTON CANDY AND MORE

Carnival takes place Sunday, June 30 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

NICHOLS, NY – As if camels and ostriches weren’t exciting enough, Tioga Downs continues its ‘fun and games’ theme this Sunday with a free summer carnival during live harness racing, sponsored in part by the Southern Tier Harness Horsemen’s Association.

The carnival, which runs from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, will feature a giant inflatable obstacle course, carnival games and prizes, snow cones, cotton candy, sand art projects and a horse-themed coloring book giveaway while supplies last.

“We want a lot of families and their kids to come out and have a good time on Sunday and enjoy watching the horse races too,” said Guy Howard, President of the Southern Tier Harness Horsemen’s Association.

“This is a great example of the type of family-friendly events that can help promote harness racing to the community when track management and the horsemen’s association work together as partners,” said Justin Horowitz, Regional Racing Marketing Manager. “These carnivals were well attended last year and with the partnership of the STHHA, we’re hopeful it’ll be even bigger this year.”

Sunday’s carnival also includes face painting, caricature drawings and trackless train rides.

Live racing continues at Tioga Downs Friday and Saturday beginning at 6:45 pm and Sunday at 1:30 pm.

CKG Billings - BUFFALO RACEWAY IMPROVEMENTS NOTICED BY BILLINGS PARTICIPANTS

 by john manzi for the C.K.G. Billings Amateur Driving Series

When the Billings members, who came from far and wide, made a recent visit to Buffalo Raceway after a hiatus of some seven years and it was an eye popping experience.

According to Tony Verruso, president of the Billings Series, the overall improvements to the racetrack and the "quick start" away from the gate instituted was immediately noticed.

“I was told that General Manager James Mango has made many changes at Buffalo and that  he has become deeply immersed in doing whatever possible to insure that racing is conducted at a very high standard.” Verruso said.

“We were thankful for the chance to return to this historic half mile oval which was established back in 1941 and became the second  night time pari-mutuel harness facility only weeks behind the former Roosevelt Raceway.”

Verruso added that the Billings races were very well received by the trainers who entered their horses for the Billings races and the bettors wagered nicely on the two events.

Besides the track innovations, the Society, along with the Western NY Harness Horsemen's Association under its President and USTA director Bruce Tubin, have invested in the improvements.

“Increasing race days and developing a healthy simulcasting market in winter months are among our added improvements. Jim (Mango) is proud of what is going on at Buffalo and prouder still is the desire of the Society and our Buffalo horsemen to keep the sport going while continuing to invest,” Tubin said.

“Buffalo's parent company, the Erie County Agricultural Society, has been true to its commitment to racing's future as well as promoting its Video Lottery Terminals. We cooperated in the building of a new paddock with spacious and clean stalls and a very nice viewing area. Buffalo Raceway  is making the kind of investment in the future of racing that hopefully will increase racing revenue, “Tubin added.

“It was great to see all the brand new barns and improved facilities on Buffalo's backstretch and it (the backstretch) quite possibly could be the best in New York State,” Verruso added. “And the ship-in facilities are excellent with each horse having a designated stall with their name on it. That’s first class.”

Perhaps the most impressive part of Verruso’s trip to Buffalo Raceway, besides racing over the refurbished oval, was the  fact that Jim Mango  took time from his busy schedule to spend some time with the Billings  participants.

“I was told that in his thirty seven years as a racing executive only once has he ever left his post at the track before the conclusion of a racing card and that was to show some kindness to us, the returning Billings participants,”  Verruso said.

                                                                         

Moh7/8 - Draw Info for Miss Versatility

    The second leg of the Miss Versatility series for trotting mares will be raced on Monday, July 1 at Mohawk Racetrack. Entries must be made with the Racing Office by 10:30am on Thursday, June 27. Follow this link to the condition sheet for further information.

 

MR - HAROUN HANOVER WINS FOR THE 16TH TIME

When Haroun Hanover won for the 16^th time this year at Monticello Raceway one just had to check the finish line photo where the tote board odds are displayed-- as can be seen in the accompanying picture --to put  Haroun Hanover  race, and season for that matter,  in perspective.

In that photograph the tote board odds on the number one horse, Haroun Hanover, can be seen as 1-9, and  the pacer certainly has the respect of the betting public. Besides his 16 victories, which is second best  in North America behind Tracys Song’s 19 wins, Haroun Hanover also has five seconds and two thirds in 25 seasonal starts.

On  Tuesday afternoon June 25^th driver Jimmy Marohn, Jr.  had no trouble getting the pacer home first  in a time of 1:57.1.

In the contest Haroun Hanover started from the pole position but he was looped on the first turn by Fuguzzi and driver Bruce Aldrich, Jr. However, as soon as the field straightened in the backstretch Marohn moved his pacer to the front and once on top they cruised to an easy  three-length triumph over Fuguzzi. Third place went  Classic Camelot driven by Zeke Parker.

“Strangely, for the past month or so it’s either been raining or it begins to rain—like it did today—when Haroun goes to post. And he loves  it when it rains,” trainer Danny Gill  said about Haroun Hanover who has a strong penchant  to be in high gear every time he’s on the race track .

“He was and O-fer (no wins) when we got him late last year and now he’s got 18 wins with us. I believe we’ve had a little luck with him because we jog him and don’t tow him as others have done. We take him out very early in the morning when no one else is around and even then he’s hard to pull-up (stop).

“But the way he’s  been racing we can put up with his nonsense.”

                                                                                   

YR - YONKERS' "JACKPOT NEXT DOOR" CLAIMING SERIES DEBUTS FRIDAY

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

YONKERS, NY, Tuesday, June 25, 2013--There are horse trailers, there are trailing horses...and, in the case of Yonkers Raceway Friday night, there are going to be horse trailers with trailing horses.

That's because the opening round of Yonkers' debuting "Jackpot Next Door" Claiming Series has produced overloaded fields.

The five-Friday series, for $20,000 claiming pacers of both sexes, has proven quite popular. So much so that seven of the evening's baker's dozen races are "Jackpot Next Door" events, and all but one of those events have second-tier starters. All races during all four prelim rounds carry a $20,000 purse.

Ladies first (races 1 and 4), with the second of those two a nine-horse affair. The lads do battle in races 5,6,10,11 and 12, featuring 9,9,10,10 and 10 entrants, respectively.

A horse may be claimed only during his/her first two series starts, with a 50 percent premium added to a second-start claim (in addition to standard allowances for age and gender).  The finals, worth  $76,000 (boys) and $59,900 (girls), and their requisite consolations, are scheduled for Friday, July 26^th.

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.

 

VD7/8 - NYSS Colts Coming to Vernon Downs on Thursday

Vernon, NY - The glamor boys hit town this Thursday when the three year old colt pacers roll into Vernon Downs for a New York Sires Stake event worth a total of $132,975.

    Twenty seven colts & geldings were entered resulting in three even divisions of nine, each for a purse of $44,325. The under card offers five $12,800 Excelsior divisions for the same group.

    While the first two divisions, carded as the fourth and sixth races, featured some nice, solid pacers, the ninth race drew the most heat. That division boasts two division winners from the Yonkers leg in Sir Cary's Z Tam and Bet The Moon along with Rooney Memorial winner Doctor Butch and Fool Me Once, who won his North American Cup elimination in 1:48.1 a few weeks back then came fourth in the $1,000,000 final.

    This one sets up in a fashion that may well threaten Coral Snake's 1:50.1 Vernon Downs track record for sophomore pacers, perhaps even He's Gorgeous' all age standard of 1:48.3. Both were established over the razor sharp seven-eighths mile strip just last year.

    First post Thursday is 6:45. Visit the Vernon website for more information. 

Tgdn5/8 - Sophomore trotting fillies in NYSS action headline Tioga Saturday card

Three divisions of NYSS for 3-year old trotting fillies will headline the twelve race card on Saturday night at Tioga Downs (Post 6:50pm). In the first division eight trotting fillies will line up in race number one for $44,029 led by the morning line favorite Proclaiiming April (Trond Smedshammer). Coming off of back to back second place finishes, Proclaiming April finished second to Lola De Vie in the $237,600 EBC final at Vernon Downs. Proclaiming April then finished second to Barn Babe in the first leg of the NYSS at Buffalo Raceway on June 16. Trond Smedshammer also trains the 3-year old daughter of Conway Hall – Lawn Tennis for White Birch Farm of Allentown, NJ.

In the second divisions (race 4), nine trotters will go post ward for $44,829 led by Fifty Shades (Driver: TBA). The 3-year old daughter of Malabar Man – Spellbound Hanover is still looking for her first victory of the year coming off a third place finish in the Historic Stakes on June 16 at Tioga Downs. Ross Croghan trains Fifty Shades for Let It Ride Stables, Mentally Stable, Robert Cooper, and J Myers and will leave from post position number one on Saturday night.

In the third and final divisions (race 7), Lola De Vie from the Chris Ryder stable will leave from post position number three. The 3-year old daughter of Credit Winner – Fan Favourite has won four of six seasonal starts including the $237,600 Empire Breeders’ Classic Final at Vernon Downs. For the year, Lola De Vie has banked $161,498 and was a winner in the first leg of the NYSS at Buffalo Raceway on June 16^th in 2:02.2 as the 1-9 betting favorite.

Final driver changes and scratches will be made for the Saturday race card on Wednesday, June 26^th by 10:00am.

Tioga Downs continues live racing action on Friday, June 28^th with a post time of 6:50pm, for more information on Tioga Downs please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com.

 

 

MR - BACK HOME AGAIN, TRACY’S SONG WINS FOR THE 19TH TIME

Tracys Song was back home again at Monticello Raceway on Monday, June 24^th and the venerable pacing mare won for the 19^th time this year to continue leading all other standardbreds in races won this season in North America.

Although it was drizzling at the start of the race when the field passed by the first quarter the rains began to fall more earnestly and the attending fans ducked for cover although the falling rain  seemed oblivious to the competing horses and drivers.

With regular driver Bruce Aldrich ,Jr. again at the controls, Tracys Song  grabbed an early lead on the first turn  but instead of racing her on top  as  he  has done with her in the overwhelming majority of her victories, Aldrich yielded command to Jimmy Marohn, Jr. and  Community Spirit as the two pacers straightened in the backstretch and headed for the first stanza which was clocked in :28 seconds

Aldrich kept Tracys Song on Marohn’s helmet and they followed Community Spirit past the half in :59.3 and by the three quarters in 1:28.2. On the final turn Aldrich moved  his mare out to challenge the leader and when the  two pacers came off the turn Tracys Song  began to where down Community  Spirit and she coasted home an easy two-length winner in a time of 1:58.

“She never ceases to amaze me ,” Aldrich said  in the winner’s circle referring to Tracys Song victory.”She was a little sore today but she still got the job done. She’s got a big heart and  she just loves this race track.”

For the first time in months trainer Bob Lounsbury and owner Nancy Fugere  were absent  from the  winners circle photograph.

“The rains were coming down too heavily to travel there (from the paddock),”Lounsbury said. “ Besides, we’ve got plenty of winners circle pictures with Tracy.”

Sent off at odds of 1-2 Tracys song paid $3.00 for win. There was no show wagering in the race.

On June 15^th , after 18 wins in a row at Monticello, Tracys Song’s connection tried her on Tioga Downs’ the five eights mile racetrack in New York’s Southern tier, but the mare didn’t find the racing surface to her liking and  she finished  last interrupting her consecutive win skein.

Still, during her prowess at the Mighty M, Tracys Song’s 18 consecutive victories established a new track record and with her triumph on Monday afternoon, the 8 year old mare now is just three victories from the Monticello track record of 22 wins during a single season  which was set in 1985 by a pacer named Golden Storm GB.

CKG Billings - BOB “THE HEADHUNTER” HECHKOFF WINS BILLINGS TROT AT PLAINRIDGE

It wasn’t an easy trip and at several points in the mile, Bob” the Headhunter” Hechkoff thought his  venerable trotter, Tremendous Hit was going to get beat  but when they crossed the finish line a neck ahead of Current Crisis and driver Bobby “Rapid Rail” Krivelin all thoughts were unfounded as Tremendous Hit  hung tough and won the Billings Trot at Plainridge Racecourse in a time of 1:59.2 on Monday, June 24^th.

After starting from the pole position Hechkoff  took command  as the gate sprung and he kept “Peter “the Past President” Gerry  and Drill Sergeant  Sam on the limb past the quarter in :27.4. Finally before the half mile timer flashed :57.4, Gerry’s trotter cleared  but Hechkoff  wasted little time before he retook.

On the front-end  as the field passed the third stanza 1:28, Hechkoff braced for a strong challenge by Krivelin’s Current Crisis.

“We had a rough journey the entire way and at the top of the stretch I thought Krivelin’s trotter would  go by us but my old guy dug in and we ended up winning it ” Hechkoff said via telephone after the race was completed.”Last week he tied up a bit but he was good today and he went a big mile. “

Third place went to Sam’s Honeybee with current Billings President Tony “the Capo” Verruso at the lines

Tremendous Hit, a  12 year old  Giant Hit gelding with a lifetime bankroll of over $447,000, won for just the second time this year in 20 trips to post.

Owned by  Hechkoff’s  R.B.H. Ventures Inc. of New York City and trained by Brandon Simpson Tremendous Hit paid  $5.80 for win.

Hechkoff, who is poised to accept the 2012 Billings Amateur Driver of the Year Award  at the Hall of Fame Banquet in Goshen on July 7^th , notched his  second winning drive of the season and 41^st of his amateur driving career.

YR - Frosh Fillies in $290G NYSS Clyde Hirt Pace

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

 

YONKERS, NY, Monday, June 24, 2013 --Yonkers Raceway Monday night played host to the $290,875 New York Sire Stakes Clyde Hirt Pace for 2-year-old fillies.

Five divisions--worth $58,175 each--had 34 young ladies on display, with all but one racing for purse money for the first time. 

The first division saw odds-on Clara (Brian Sears, $2.90), from post position No. 5, a handy first-up victress. The Art Major homebred, owned by Yonkers'  president Tim Rooney, grinded by pace-setter Hay Stacked (Ray Schnittker), then draw out by length-and-a-half in 1:58.1. Second went to a pocket-protecting It Was Fascination (Corey Callahan), with Jaded Dream (Tyler Buter) third.

The exacta paid $8.50, with the triple returning $66.

Sears was sent postward at 25-cents-on-the-dollar with Instant Respect in the second division, but the chalk players took it on the chin here. Leading to the lane, Instant Respect faded to fourth, as 15-1 Bettor Chill Out (Jeff Gregory, $32.20), from post No. 6, outclosed 14-1 pocket-sitter Supplemental Income (Matt Kakaley), winning by a neck in 1:57. Wondering Heart (George Brennan) went last-to-third.

The winning lass a daughter of Bettors Delight owned by Joseph Meaney and trained by Bruce Borden. The exacta paid $592, with the triple returning a  local season-high $7,553.

Monday's third NYSS grouping had a down-the-road Scandalicious (Brennan, $4.50)--from post No. 2--winning by 2¼ lengths in 1:56.2. Even-money fave Vitameatavegamin (Tim Tetrick, subbing for Lucille Ball) chased for second, with more than 10 lengths of daylight between that one and Mean Pauline (Matt Kakaley).

Scandalicious is a daughter of American Ideal owned by JFE Enterprises and trained by Scott DiDomenico. The exacta paid $9.10, with the triple returning $33.40.

The evening's fourth sire stakes event again saw the second choice (Ali Blue [Sears, $4.90]) picking off the people's preference (Bettor Business [Tetrick]). Leaving from post No. 2, Ali  Blue was pocketed to Bettor Business, then beat her by a length-and-a-quarter in 1:56.4.  Third went to a first-up Expose (Callahan).

Ali Blue is an American Ideal miss trained by Jimmy Takter for co-owners Christina Takter, Jim & John Fielding and RAW Equine.  The exacta paid $8.20, with the triple returning $80.50.

The final NYSS grouping was won by second-choice Mind Over Matter (Tetrick, $5.50), throwing down the night's fastest gauntlet of 1:55.1. Sitting a three-hole--from post No. 2--to 3-4 fave Sweet Charity (Andrew McCarthy), Mind Over Matter picked off her foe by a length. Gentlemen's Delight (Sears), full sister to See You at Peelers, was third.

Mind Over Matter is another Art Major filly, this one a Millar Farms homebred trained by Gregg McNair. The exacta paid $9.40, with the triple returning $20.60.

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.

 

Tgdn5/8 - Fans flock to Sunday’s camel and ostrich races, and Eastend Eddie captures the feature at Tioga.

Tioga Downs also held its second annual Camel and Ostrich races on Sunday afternoon in front of more than 5,700 eager fans. The ostrich race was held after race number four on the card, while the camels hit the track after race number eight. In the three entry ostrich event, Dixie Chick left alertly from the rail and never relinquished her lead.

In the featured four entry camel event, My Lovely Humps easily dominated after Lawrence Of Arabia refused and Humpty Dumpty and Pepi Lepew seemed to have a few steering issues. 

Eastend Eddie and Jim Marohn Jr. took home Sunday afternoon’s $16,000 open handicap pace at Tioga Downs. Starting from post position number seven in a field of eight, Marohn backed Eastend Eddie off to last as the field was led to the quarter in 27 by Sheer Brilliance (Aaron Byron). The 6-5 betting favorite Pence Hanover (Andrew McCarthy who was assigned the eight post, was parked and pressing on the leader by the half mile mark of the race in 55.2. Down the backside, Corey Braden pulled Fireyourguns three wide through a third panel in 27.3 but could not even move into the second position past Pence Hanover by three quarters in 1:23. Around the final turn Marohn was still sitting last as the field straightened up in the lane, and down the stretch Eastend Eddie exploded five wide to win by a length and three quarters in 1:51.2.

Ron Burke trains the 5-year old gelded son of Million Dollar Cam – Armbro Cinema for Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi of Pennsylvania. Eastend Eddie who was crowned pacer of the year last year at Tioga Downs, posted the fourth win in eighteen seasonal starts and with the win increased his seasonal earnings to more than $41,000.

Sheer Brilliance and Aaron Byron despite taking pressure the entire mile hung on for second, while May Day (Jim Taggart Jr.) finished third.

Tioga Downs continues live racing action on Friday, June 28^th with a post time of 6:50pm, for more information on Tioga Downs please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com.

 

M1 - Saturday Night at the Meadowlands

Saturday night at The Meadowlands offered a something for everybody. On the racetrack, the $25,700 final of the Caramore series went to Redneck Outlaw and Vinny Ginsberg in 1:50.3. Vinny settled him off the pace and launched an extended first over move at favored Long Live Rock, eventually wearing that one down to score a length victory for trainer Vincent Fusco and owner Gina Frazzitta.

Promotion-wise, Saturday was the second annual camel and ostrich races. The crowd of 5,520 was vocal and the action fast, with the birds performing after race six and the camels after the tenth. Local charities were awarded checks after the promotion, with Tunnel to Towers and Garden of Dreams reaping the benefits.

Handle-wise, all sources was up 22% over 2012 at $2,066,758 while the live in the building number was up 26% over last year.

Racing resumes next Friday with the New Jersey Sires Stakes for two year olds taking center stage.