Meadowlands Hosts Big Crowd for NJSS Finals and JerseyFest

East Rutherford, NJ - Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment played host to JerseyFest on this, the night of the New Jersey Stakes Finals. The crowd was large and the atmosphere electric, with attendance estimated to be in excess of 14,000.

This year the event included a competition between seventeen food trucks competing for prizes and recognition, as well as vendors and artisans from all over the Garden State on-site sampling and selling their wares. The weather finally cooperated with a pleasant, dry evening.

The festival began around 5pm Saturday evening and the track apron and outfield park filled quickly. A portion of the crowd crept into the grandstand as the evening wore on with many drawn to the racing by the visual displayed on the high definition infield video screen. The design of the new grandstand nicely integrates the racing with events held outside with the track and horses in close proximity to the fans.

An added attraction was the appearance by Victor Espinosa, the jockey set to ride California Chrome in his date with destiny next week in the Belmont Stakes as he tries to be the first winner of the Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing since 1978. Espinosa greeted fans and signed autographs, joined in a winners circle ceremony that included WNBC sportscaster Bruce Beck and spoke with Sam McKee about the upcoming race

Antigua Hanover a gutsy winner in Tioga distaff feature

by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media

Faced with a host of challengers in the final 300 yards, Oldford Farms and Tyler Buter's Antigua Hanover ($8.20) had just enough left in reserve, digging in to stave off three late-charging rivals en route to a 1:53.3 score in Friday (May 31) evening's $11,000 Miracle Mile 2 pace for fillies and mares at Tioga Downs.

The four-year-old daughter of Somebeachsomewhere was beaten to the first turn by Canaco Star (Mike Merton), but brushed to the fore immediately upon Canaco Star's clearing at the apex of the first turn.  After setting sensible early splits of :28.2 and :56.3, Antigua Hanover turned aside a first-over challenge from If I Didnt Care (Rick Dane), edging clear to the top of the stretch.

After dismissing If I Didnt Care's challenge on the approach to the far turn, Antigua Hanover withstood late charges from eventual runner-up Bazooka Terror (Aaron Byron) and third-place finisher Dirty Girty (Greg Merton), digging in late to prevail by a diminishing three-quarters-length margin.

Brandon Simpson handled the driving duties aboard Antigua Hanover for trainer Amber Buter.

Live racing resumes at Tioga Downs on Sunday (June 1) afternoon, with the Roll With Joe Pace headlining the card.  Non-wagering events begin at 12:45 p.m. EDT, with the first of 13 pari-mutuel races scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

LONG ISLAND TEA UP IN TIME

by Michael Chamberlain, Vernon Downs Publicity

Long Island Tea picked up a victory in the $8,000 featured trot at Vernon Downs on Saturday night. While the favorite may have made it to the Winner's Circle, she did not have an easy time of it at all. Naughty Not Nice led through the bulk of the mile for driver-trainer Rick Plano and set fairly comfortable fractions of 27.1 for the quarter, 56.2 for the half, and 1:24.2 for three-quarters. Long Island Tea sat the pocket trip and was actually pinned in by Client Nine, who made a first-over move on the turn. However, Client Nine's charge faded and when that happened, Long Island Tea was guided out by driver Chris Lems and eventually wore down Naughty Not Nice to win by three-quarters of a length in a final time of 1:53.4. Long Island Tea is owned by Steve Stewart of Paris, Kentucky and Kelley Racing Stable LLC of Gansevoort, New York. Paul Kelley is the trainer. The complete order of finish for the featured fourth race was Long Island Tea, Naughty Not Nice, Painite, Client Nine, Master Builder, Pegasus Point, and Mc Tiny's Hope.

Long Island Tea was one of four winners for driver Chris Lems on the Saturday program. He won the first race with Ziegler Hanover, the fifth race with Lindys Real Deal, and the ninth race with Suzies Little Vic in addition to the score with Long Island Tea. Ziegler Hanover and Long Island Tea were sent off as race favorites, while Lindys Real Deal won as a 4-1 second choice, and Suzies Little Vic was a nice value play at 7-1.

The draws for the Empire Breeders' Classic Finals were also held on Saturday at Vernon Downs. The winners of the eliminations from Friday were able to select their own post positions for the Finals. In the three-year-old fillies Final, Avalicious will be in post four as part of a Leigh Raymer-trained entry with Winning Pursuit. Crediama won the other elimination and selected post two. The complete post position draw from inside-out for the three-year-old fillies Final is Glowngold, Crediama, Annies List, Avalicious, Beauty Of Gray, Driving Miss Crazy, Winning Pursuit, Cut Up Hanover, and Slice Slice Baby. There are two also-eligibles with Lady With Credit the first also-eligible and Maud Blue Chip the second.

In the three-year-old colts Final, Karets selected post position number three and Expressive Action will be right alongside after picking post number four. The complete post position draw for the three-year-old colts Final from inside-out is Daley Lovin, Hallenet, Karets, Expressive Action, Cash For Gold, Cashamattic, Rocky De Vie, Wild And Crazy Guy, and Crazzycrazzy. As in the fillies Final, there are two also-eligibles. Mister B's Way is the first also-eligible and Elegante Attire is the second. Mister B's Way suffered an unfortunate break right near the end of his elimination and was disqualified from fourth to fifth, costing him an automatic berth in the Final.

The Empire Breeders' Classic Finals will be part of a special Sunday night program at Vernon Downs on June 8. First post that night will be 6:45pm

There will be also be a nine-race Sunday program at Vernon Downs tomorrow. First post time will be 6:45pm as well.

TRIXTON, HEAVEN’S DOOR, DOO WOP HANOVER & ACT NOW CAPTURE NJSS FINALS

MANALAPAN, NJ – May 31, 2014 – Trotters Trixton and Heaven’s Door, and pacers Doo Wop Hanover and Act Now captured the quartet of $100,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Finals for three-year-olds, the featured events on Jerseyfest night, Saturday, May 31, 2014, at the Meadowlands.

Even in a field of five, the drawing the rail was the key to victory for 9/5 second choice Doo Wop Hanover in the $100,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Final for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings, the second race on card.

John Campbell sent Doo Wop Hanover [$5.80] to the lead on the backstretch, relinquished the front to 2/5 favorite Western Vintage as they passed the half and drafted until they straightened out in the homestretch. 

Doo Wop Hanover, a son of Rocknroll Hanover, outsprinted Western Vintage [Western Ideal] to the wire in a lifetime best of 1:50 flat.  The margin of victory was one-length.

Beat The Drum [Tell All] was third by two lengths.  There was no show wagering.

“I think the difference was drawing the rail and getting away good, not using him hard,” said Campbell.  “I was able to follow Western Vintage into the lane.  We beat a very good colt in Western Vintage.  I think this colt earned the right to go to Toronto for the North America Cup.”

Trained by Steve Elliott, Doo Wop Hanover now has two wins and one second in three starts this year.  The $52,000 Harrisburg Sale purchase has finished in-the-money in nine of 15 career starts, banking $137,013 for the partnership of Peter Blood of Pompano Beach, FL; Rick Berks of Boca Raton, FL and Gary Piontkowski of North Smithfield, RI.

Trixton’s six and a half-length victory was no surprise in the $100,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Final for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings in the third race.

The 1/5 favorite romped with a 26.4 final quarter, stopping the clock in 1:52.1, matching the stakes record set by Manofmanymissions in 2011 and equaled by Smilin Eli in 2013.

“He is so nice, a real pleasure to drive,” said winning driver-trainer Jimmy Takter.  “He’s a [perfect] 10 in every category.”

Takter moved the Muscle Hill colt to the lead on the backstretch and opened up ground in the final eighth of a mile, leaving it to Martiniwithmuscle to edge out Lightning Force, both by Muscle Hill, for minor spoils.

Takter indicated that Trixton [$2.40] would be heading to the Goodtimes in Ontario and not likely to meet his other two trotting standouts, Father Patrick and Nuncio, until the Stanley Dancer Memorial on July 12 at the Meadowlands.

Trixton, a $360,000 Lexington Selected Sale purchase, picked up his third straight win in four starts this year and now has seven wins, two seconds and one third in 12 tries.  He has now earned $144,583 for the partnership of Brixton Medical AB of Orsundsbro, Sweden and Christina Takter of East Windsor, NJ.

Last week, Heaven’s Door was disqualified when she raced inside three pylons in the stretch.  This week, the daughter of Muscle Hill was straight and true to the wire, winning the $100,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Final for three-year-old trotting fillies, the fourth race, in a stakes record 1:52 flat.

Trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt guided the filly to a length and a half victory over Lady Suffolk winner Cee Bee Yes [Muscles Yankee].  My Inspiration [Chocolatier] was third by six and a quarter lengths.

Heaven’s Door [$10.40] scored a wire-to-wire tally, picking up her first victory in her seventh career start and doubling her lifetime earnings to $100,255 for Mellby Gard Inc of Vero Beach, FL.  Bred in Sweden by Winwintrotting AB, she was a $90,000 Harrisburg yearling purchase.

The 1:52 clocking eclipsed the 1:52.4 stakes record established by Passionate Glide in 2006.

Tim Tetrick tested Act Now early and pushed her to the lead with a 26.4 first quarter and 54.3 half and extended that advantage in the stretch to win the $100,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies, the fifth race, in 1:49.3.

Sent off as the even-money favorite, Act Now, a daughter of Western Ideal, paid $4.20, finishing two lengths ahead of Sayitall BB [Tell All].  Fanticipation [Rocknroll Hanover] was third by four and three-quarter lengths.

Act Now, a $40,000 Lexington Selected Sale purchase trained by Nikolas Drennan, posted her second straight win in her third start of the year.  She now has five wins, one second and two thirds in 12 lifetime outings.  She has banked $256,559 for Joseph Davino of Clarksburg, NJ and Patrick O’Brien of New Hyde Park, NY.

-By Carol Hodes for SBOANJ

Closing Credits Romps In Buffalo Raceway Open, Spring Break Series Gets Underway

By Michael Carter, for Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY-- The sun shined brightly of Western New York for a big night of racing at the ½ mile track in Hamburg. The track listed as fast proved to be so, as the horses for the Spring Break Claiming Series and Open Pacers raced over the track.

Last week Naked News was the pace setter trained by Bob Gruber III and Closing Credits was parked most of the mile just missing at the wire by ¾ of a length. Tonight, when the gates opened Western Alumni (Jim McNeight) went three wide to go after Art Two D Two and Naked News. When the smoke cleared at the opening ¼ Western Alumni had cleared the lead, but was used very hard to get there.

When the field hit the back stretch for the last time Closing Credits (Jack Flanigen) had a perfect 1^st over trip just like last week, except this time he cleared for the lead. Once getting on top it was no looking back as Closing Credit won easily in the Open. Salazar (Ron Beback Jr.) closed very nicely to be 2^nd and Art Two D Two (Drew Monti) was a very game 3^rd.

Closing Cedits is owned by James P. Graham and the Cybo Stable Inc. This 4 year old has 3 wins and has hit the board 5 out of 7 times this season getting better and better as the year goes on.

The Spring Break Claiming Series started tonight at Buffalo Raceway and Wild Cruise trained by Michelle Gramza and driven by Jim Mcneight made a lifetime mark cruising to victory in 1:56.4.  The Spring Break Series continues next Saturday with Leg #2 as they compete for the final on Saturday, June 21.

Racing continues at Buffalo Raceway on Sunday with an 11 race card that gets underway at 1:05 PM.   Our live racing schedule in June now switches to 4 days a week, Wed, Fri, Sat, and Sunday.  

M1 Baby Races

The first baby races of the 2014 season were conducted on Saturday morning under sunny skies with temperatures in the 60’s and a considerable breeze in their faces finishing. Trotting fillies opened the card and Bluestone Farms’ Muscle Hill filly from Malabar Memories led from start to finish to win in 2:01 flat with a 28.3 close. Joe Holloway trains and Dave Miller drove the handsome bright bay lass. She was a $32,000 buy from the Lexington Select Yearling Sale. The Muscles Yankee colt French Laundry won race two for Yannick Gingras in 2:00.4. He rode along behind stablemate The Bank through easy fractions then brushed past that one with a final quarter of 28.3. Jimmy Takter conditions the son of Hambo Oaks winner Creamy Mimi for owners Christina Takter, John & Jim Fielding and breeders Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld. He was purchased at the Lexington Select Yearling Sale for $115,000. Walter White won the third schooler for Takter in 2:01.3 / 29.3 from the pocket after following Apostle’s Creed around the oval. This one’s a Cantab Hall from Muscaloosa purchased by Christina Takter, RAW Equine and John & Jim Fielding for $57,000 at Harrisburg. The Well Said filly Aria Hanover won the first pacing race in 2:01.1 home in 28 flat for Yannick Gingras. She is trained by Jimmy Takter for George Segal’s Brittany Farms. A daughter of Allamerican Cognac, Aria Hanover was an $80,000 Harrisburg yearling. Two more Takter pacers finished one two in the next race with the Somebeachsomewhere colt Blood Brother edging Azorean Art in 2:00.4 / 28.4 for Gingras. He is a Diamond Creek homebred from the mare Blood Diamond owned in partnership with J&T Silva Stables. The very first of the Rocknroll Hanover’s on display was a winner this morning for Takter (who won five of the six contested) as Zip Code Envy led all the way in 1:59.4 / 28.1 with Jimmy driving. This filly is from Neverhaveneverwill and brought a bid of $27,000 from Christina Takter, John & Jim Fielding and Brixton Medical AB at Lexington.

Quick Deal Establishes New Lifetime Mark at The Meadowlands

The Friday night feature at The Meadowlands was a $20,000 B2/B1 handicap trot won by Quick Deal in 1:51.4.

Now six years old, Quick Deal still struggles with clean starts but when he gets away on the trot he is deadly. Driven for the first time by Ake Svanstedt for Meadowlands leading trainer Ron Burke, the win was the back end of Svanstedt’s catch driving double for Burke,.Quick Deal went straight to the front and shook off a middle half challenge from Lauderdale through honest numbers of 27-, 54.4 and 1:23.4. Once clear of that rival around the final bend, the final quarter was an in hand 28 flat sprint for the winner.  The 1:51.4 clocking was a new lifetime mark for the classy trotter.

Our Horse Cents Stables and Rossie Smith have endured the peaks and valleys associated with sharing the ownership of Quick Deal, tonight was a peak. The former $1,000 yearling has earned well in excess $300,000 in his racing career with tonight’s mile a career best.

Supporting the feature trotting event was a B2/B1 handicap for filly and mare pacers that came down to the wire with just a nose separating Icommandmysprirt and Monochromatic in the win photo.  In the end, it was Icommandmyspirit earning her third consecutive victory for trainer Chris Ryder, driven to victory tonight by Scott Zeron.  The winner made an early lead pressing passed the quarter as Simple Saver N conceded the lead through a 26.3 opening split.  Monochromatic then moved her way to the lead, hitting the half-mile in 54.1.  Soon after, the early leader Simple Saver N made her second move to the lead as the action really picked up and tripped the three-quarter timer in 1:21.4.  From there the battle was on as the three mares lined up across the track down the stretch.  Eventually it was Icommandmyspirit and Monochromatic left to decide the winner, with Icommandmyspirit wearing down her rival to score in a very sharp 1:50.1.  Simple Saver N dug in gamely and was just three-quarters of a length back in third, with Mattie Terror Girl rallying well to finish fourth.

The three-peat winner is owned by Cheryl Costello.

Saturday night at The Meadowlands is sure to be one of the more exciting evenings of the summer in East Rutherford, N.J.  On the racing front, the 13-race Saturday program features the New Jersey Sire Stakes Championships for three year olds as well as a select field in the FFA Handicap Pace.  For entertainment, The Meadowlands proudly presents Jerseyfest, a night long party featuring music, food trucks, games and more.  Also making an appearance Saturday night is Victor Espinoza, who one week from now will make his run at the Triple Crown as the jockey aboard California Chrome in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday June 7^th.  Espinoza will be signing autographs and California Chrome posters will be given out beginning at 6 P.M. for those seeking Espinoza’s autograph in this rare opportunity to possess a piece of triple crown history.

Post Time for the Saturday program is 7:15 P.M.  For all information regarding Jerseyfest, Victor Espinoza and racing, visit PlayMeadowlands.com

State Treasurer Defends Molson Pace Title

 LONDON, Ontario . . . In one of the most exciting editions of The Raceway at Western Fair District’s signature race, the $150,000 Molson Pace, last year’s winner State Treasurer defended his title despite a terrible start and an inquiry on a beautiful evening in front of a great crowd tonight at the London half-mile track.

State Treasurer (1) gets up on the outside to narrowly defeat Apprentice Hanover (4) and two time champion Foiled Again (7) in tonight's Molson Pace. (Iron Horse Photo)

Fan favourite Foiled Again, harness racing’s richest performer with more than $6.2 million earned, was making his sixth appearance in the Molson Pace and the 10 year-old showed his younger rivals he still knows how to step off the gate.

Yannick Gingras had Foiled Again flying from post seven to grab control from early leader Dancin Yankee by the :26.1 first quarter while State Treasurer, with Chris Christoforou at the controls, made a slight bobble leaving and got away at the back of the talented field.

Bandolito with Mark MacDonald at the lines came first up to challenge Foiled Again who paced by the half in :54.4. Bandolito tired before the 1:23 three-quarters but there was lots of action behind him.

Christoforou had State Treasurer three wide down the backside and picked up the cover of Apprentice Hanover and Jody Jamieson heading into the stretch. It was a great race to the finish with State Treasurer getting up on the outside to win by a neck in 1:51.4. Apprentice Hanover was a close second followed by the always game Foiled Again just a half length back in third. Dancin Yankee and Bettors Edge picked up the final two cheques.

The winning connections, trainer Dr. Ian Moore and owners Sally MacDonald of PEI and Paul MacDonald of Saskatchewan, had to wait out an inquiry regarding the start before the race was declared official.

“I sweated a little bit last year too, but this is a little different this year,” noted Moore.

“He’s a real good little horse, he tries his heart out and he showed that tonight for sure.”

When asked if he was worried about the start, Christoforou responded:  “There was a tremendous amount of worry, but I was sitting behind the right horse in the race and he proved that tonight.

“I was hoping to get back down on Jody’s back after I went three wide and that worked out so I wasn’t three wide all around the turn. He just swooped his way by and got his little head up in front and I’m real proud of him.”

Bred by Brittany Farms of Kentucky, State Treasurer was a mere $6,500 yearling purchase. The now five-year-old son of Real Desire was posting his fourth win in five attempts this year (the other start being a second place finish).  Tonight’s winner’s share of the purse put his 2014 earnings at $134,5000 while lifetime he sits with $614,991.

Tonight marked the final card of racing for The Raceway’s meet.

MacDonald Triumphant In Two City Of London Finals

 LONDON, Ontario . . . Mark MacDonald, one of harness racing’s most talented drivers, made his return to The Raceway at Western Fair District where he made his start and was leading driver for several seasons, and captured two of the four City Of London finals tonight, part of the Molson Pace undercard.

The third and fastest City Of London final, a $38,200 contest for pacing distaffers, had tons of action with MacDonald, now a regular on the New York circuit, scoring a victory. As the race got underway Trevor Henry and Face To Face overtook Miss Brandi K by the :27.3 opening panel.

She hit the half in :55.3 with pressure from favourite Milliondollar Babe who was neck and neck with the leader down the backside but they were both overtaken by Lyons Katrina and MacDonald, who’d been stalking second over, and were absolutely flying by the 1:25.4 three-quarters.

Lyons Katrina slowed in the stretch but held on to win in 1:57.1. Played By Anangel was a close second followed by Miss Brandi K.

It was first lifetime win for Lyons Katrina, a three-year-old daughter of Major In Art owned by Geoffrey Lyons of Burford, Ontario and trained by James Morrison. Bred by Bill Loyens of London, Ontario, the filly is the second foal from $457,000 winner Milliondollarsmile, her first being $482,000 winner Windsong Jack.

The fourth and final City Of London final, the $39,000 test for pacing horses, saw MacDonald and Fortune Playboy cutting the pace early as he hit the opening quarter in :27.3. He had pressure from Teranadawn at the :57.2 half but rebuffed that challenge and hit the three-quarters in 1:26 and held his position through the wire in 1:57.3. Hussys Blu Boy was second with Decroft Havaball third.

Fortune Playboy, a four-year-old gelding by Rambaran, was recording his seventh win in 10 starts this year for trainer Patrick Shepherd and owner Holland Racing Stable of Niagara On The Lake, Ontario.

In the $35,600 final for male trotters it ended up being a four horse race thanks to a late scratch and several breakers in the early going. That allowed Trevor Henry and Shadywood Kid easy access to the front end early and they never relinquished it.

The three-year-old gelding by Pegasus Spur tripped off splits of  :29, 1:00.2 and 1:30.4 and was a comfortable winner in 2:01.3 over Crime Novel and Kdazzle. Henry, the leader driver at The Raceway, co-owns the winner with John MacLeod who bred the Shadywood Kid with Henry’s father Ross.

Trained by Shannon Henry, Shadywood Kid was recording his first lifetime win in his 11th attempt.

An exciting photo finish took place in the $34,800 final for mare trotters which saw Ja El Diamond setting the early tempo for Steve Byron through fractions of :29.3, 1:01.2 and 1:31.1. Heroine Seelster sat the pocket the entire mile and was trapped in that spot until late going when she finally found racing room and trotted up quickly but was just a nose short at the wire in 2:02.1. Oaklea Wand was third.

Pat Hunt trains the winner, a three-year-old daughter of Angus Hall owned by Glengate Farms of Campbellville, Ontario. Unraced last year at two, Ja El Diamond now has three wins in six starts this year for $31,000 in earnings.

FAVES MONKEY ON MY WHEEL, ARCHANGEL WIN FRIDAY NIGHT 38G CO-FEATURES

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

YONKERS, NY, Friday, May 30, 2014—Yonkers Raceway’s pair of Friday night $38,000 Open Handicaps—for distaff pacers and any trotter with the street cred--were won by a pair of wagering favorites in  millionairess Monkey on My Wheel (Brian Sears) and 2012  Yonkers Trot champ Archangel (George Brennan).

Ordered outside her seven rivals, Monkey on My Wheel—as the just-above-even-money favorite—settled in third as 32-1 rank outsider Fast and Feisty (Brent Holland) and Classy Lane Rose (Eric Goodell) played leapfrog on the lead.  

After a :27.4 opening quarter-mile and :57.1 intermission, Monkey on My Wheel was back on the case. She took out after Classy Lane Rose in out of a 1:25 three-quarters, tackling that one through the final turn. Monkey on My Wheel finally gained the upper hoof, then held off a passing lane Fast and Feisty by a scant nose in 1:53.4.

Hula’s Z Tam (Pat Lachance) was third, with Fashion Mystery (Eric Carlson) and Classy Lane Rose settling for the small change. 

For “Monkey,” a 6-year-old homebred daughter of Mach Three owned by Mac Nichol and trained by Casie Coleman, she returned $4.10 for her fifth win in 13 seasonal starts.  The exacta paid $64.50, with the triple returning $281.50.     

The week’s marquee trot was strictly a two-speed number as 11-10 choice favorite Archangel—starting from post position No. 5—work around Tober (Holland). The mare Frau Blucher (Sears) settled third in her local debut. Early intervals of :27.1 and :56 left several gaps among the rest of the gang.

Archangel held sway through a 1:24.3 three-quarters, taking a couple of lengths into the lane. He held Tober at bay, winning by a length in 1:54.3…matching the fastest local trot mile of the season. 

Lorenzo Dream (Dan Dube) rallied well to grab third—beaten 5¼ lengths--with Awesome Valley (Carlson) and Frau Blucher rounding out the payees.

For Archangel, a 5-year-old (unraced last season) statebred son of Credit Winner co-owned by Clare Semer and Legendary Standard Farm and trained by Ron Burke, he returned $4.30 for his first win in four ’14 tries.  The exacta (two wagering favorites) paid $11.60, the triple returned $133.50 and the superfecta paid $460.50.

            The Raceway's five-night-per-week live schedule--along with evening simulcasting--goes on hiatus after Saturday’s card, which includes the $300,000 final of the Art Rooney Pace (3-eyar-old colts/geldings) and $124,744 Lismore Pace (3-year-old fillies). Afternoon simulcasting remains available daily. Live racing/evening simulcasting returns Friday, June 13^th. 

Lutetium Ties Trot Mark At Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Wow! That's about the best way to describe the run that Lutetium is on at Buffalo Raceway.

Lutetium, already dominating the Open Trot competition at Buffalo Raceway, stepped it up even more Friday night (May 30) when he tied the all-aged track record for trotters on the half-mile oval with a 1-3/4 length victory over BZ Glide in a sizzling 1:56.3 over the fast track in the featured $10,500 event. The time tied the record set by Scorpion Moon (2007), Delano (2012) and Crazy About Pat (2013). 

It was the fifth straight win at Buffalo Raceway for Lutetium, four of which have come in Open competition. And what makes this more remarkable, in all of those starts, he's been in front at every marker.

Being assigned the outside seven post, Lutetium and driver Kevin Cummings bullied their way right to the lead, putting up fractions of 28.4, 58.0 and 1:27.1. Not good news for the remaining six horses in the field.

BZ Glide (Mike Caprio), who was first over, had the only real chance of chasing down Lutetium in the stretch but that proved to be futile. Studio City (Ron Beback Jr.) finished third in the seven-horse event.

The win was the seventh in 14 appearances this year for Lutetium (Credit Winner-Luby). The 7-year-old gelding is owned by Colleen Girdlestone and is trained by Mark Laidlaw. The victory pushed his earnings to $40,740 this season and $226,596 lifetime.

Racing continues this Saturday with a 13-race card set for 6:40 p.m. Sunday afternoon action will begin this week as well with 11 races set to go to the post at 1:05 p.m.

For more information including the latest news, notes, race replays and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

Students contest Scholarship Race at Tioga Downs

by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media

This Sunday (June 1) afternoon, five high school students from the Southern Tier will contest the 2014 Scholarship Race at Tioga Downs, sponsored by the Harness Horse Breeders of New York State, the New York State Agricultural Fund, the Southern Tier Harness Horsemen's Association, and Tioga Downs.

The students will contest a 5/8 mile race--one complete circuit of the Tioga Downs track--for a top prize of a $3,000 scholarship, with all students earning at least a $1,000 scholarship.  The students will be joined in the race by the professional trainer or driver with whom they have prepared for the race through the previous two weekends.  The participants (along with high school, horse, and professional horseman) are:

Post - Student (high school) - Horse - Professional Horseman

1 - Megan Vanvorce (Binghamton) - What About Brian - Mike Deters

2 - Shania Shaver (Candor) - Isthatallyagot - Edgar "Sparky" Clarke

3 - Jason Hill (Maine Endwell) - Ideal Temptation - Tim Lanpher

4 - Kayla Martin (Newark Valley) - Ten Yard Penalty - Phil Fluet

5 - Rachael Oltmer (Union-Endicott) - Newyorkjoyants - Corey Braden

The non-betting Scholarship Race will be held after race 2 on the Sunday card at Tioga Downs.  First post for the stakes-laden program is set for 1:30 p.m. EDT.

MARKET DYNAMICS ALL THE WAY TO WIN

by Michael Chamberlain, Vernon Downs Publicity

Market Dynamics was certainly dynamic in leading gate-to-wire to win the $8,500 featured race Thursday night at Vernon Downs. Market Dynamics was sent immediately to the front by driver-trainer Rick Plano and was never really threatened through the one-mile pace. She set the fractions of 27.2 for the quarter, 56.1 for the half, and 1:23.4 for three-quarters. The final time for the mile was 1:51.4. Market Dynamics is owned by Mindy Findling Repko of Delray Beach, FL. The prohibitive favorite, Rocks N Bagels, looking to go five for five this season at Vernon Downs, was last up the backstretch and suffered a break at approximately the half-mile mark. She was never a factor after going off-stride and finished fifth and last. Love You Bye sat the pocket trip for the lion's share of the mile, but never really menaced the leader. Artic Byrd made a move on the far turn, but stalled in the stretch after getting alongside Love You Bye. Love You Bye ended up holding on for second place. The complete order of finish for the feature was: Market Dynamics, Love You Bye, Artic Byrd, Elleofnxample, and Rocks N Bagels.

Market Dynamics won as the longest shot on the board in the feature at 9-1, paying $21.80 to win. She was just one of several longshots to reach the Winner's Circle on Thursday night at Vernon Downs. The third race was won by gate-to-wire leader, Mass Appeal at 29-1, paying $61.50 to win. The sixth race was highlighted by MC Tbone Ida coming from off-the-pace to win at odds of 22-1 and paying $47.00 to win.

Racing resumes at Vernon Downs with a twelve-race program on Friday night that includes three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies. The horse to watch is Precocious Beauty, who will be making her 2014 season debut, in the seventh race. The Friday program also includes the eliminations for the Empire Breeders' Classic with the Final to be held at Vernon Downs on June 8. Post time for the Friday program is 6:45pm.

47 Remain Eligible to The Meadowlands Pace

After the final sustaining payment, 47 three year old pacers remain eligible for the 35^th edition of The Meadowlands Pace.  The list of remaining Meadowlands Pace eligibles can be found here: http://meadowlandsracetrack.com/uploadedFiles/2014_Road%20To%20The%20Pace_Week%208.pdf

               

 Last year, The Meadowlands Pace was won by Captaintreacherous who went on to become the Dan Patch Award Winner as champion three year old pacer as well as Pacer of the Year for the second consecutive season.  While Captaintreacherous was a dominant force in the three year old pacing ranks in 2013, the 2014 landscape is painted much differently, as this year’s crop appears to be one of the most wide open of  the last decade.

                In addition, due to the increase in horses eligible for The Meadowlands Pace, the purse of the race will grow, according to Director of Racing Operations Darin Zoccali.  “This year just worked out perfectly for this race.  The combination of a wide open three year old pacing division tied into the changes we have made to the payment structure have secured a stronger purse for the Final of The Meadowlands Pace than the past two years, which was our hopes in implementing this plan,” said Zoccali.  “At this time last year, we had 25 horses still eligible to the Pace.  This year that number is 47, which is incredible.  While the purse for the Final is always dependent on the number of eliminations, I estimate the purse for the Final being in the vicinity of $750,000.”

                In addition, the payment structure for the eliminations and Final of The Meadowlands Pace is different, with a $2,500 starting fee for the elimination and a $5,000 starting fee for the Final.  “We thought asking someone to put up $6,000 for just the elimination with no guarantee of making the Final was a policy that could be improved upon,” added Zoccali.  “By structuring the payments this way, we were able to lighten up the nominating and sustaining payments for the race, while only requiring a $2,500 starting fee for the elimination.  Now, in the case where an owner’s horse does not make the Final after contesting the eliminations, he has paid nearly $5,000 less than in previous years.  These improvements will continue in 2015 and 2016 and I envision the purse continuing to grow as well.”

                To check out the leading contenders for The Meadowlands Pace, look through the latest edition of “The Road To The Meadowlands Pace” here: http://meadowlandsracetrack.com/uploadedFiles/2014_Road%20To%20The%20Pace_Week%208.pdf.

Clear Vision looks for second Roll With Joe triumph

by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media

After prevailing in the Levy Consolation at Yonkers in April, Clear Vision has his sights set on a second triumph in the $160,000 Roll With Joe Open Pace, which headlines Sunday (June 1) afternoon's stakes-laden program at Tioga Downs.

Formerly known as the Bettor's Delight, the Roll With Joe was unveiled in 2010 by Tioga Downs and Blue Chip Farms.  Clear Vision (post 9) and Matt Kakaley took the 2012 edition in 1:48.2, and they team up again this year as part of a Ron Burke-trained entry.  Sweet Lou (post 2) serves as the other half of the entry, coming in off a pair of TVG Free-For-All Series wins at the Meadowlands, most recently sprinting home in 1:48 with Ron Pierce in tow.  Pierce remains aboard, and the Burke pair have been installed the 6-5 morning line favorite in this year's Roll With Joe, carded as race 10.

All-Star Racing's Bolt the Duer (post 4, Mark MacDonald) boasts career earnings in excess of $1.7 million, and has been named the 9-2 second choice in the morning line.  The five-year-old Ponder entire boasts a 1:47.4 lifetime mark taken in the 2012 Adios at the Meadows, and most recently earned minor placings behind Sweet Lou in two TVG events.  Two other millionaires contest the Roll With Joe, with Heston Blue Chip (post 7, Tim Tetrick, part of a Linda Toscano-trained entry) and Warrawee Needy (post 5, David Miller) among the standouts in the ten-horse field.

A trio of $41,300 New York Sire Stakes events for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings share sub-feature status on the 13-race card, with twenty-seven sophomores contesting races 6, 8, and 11.

Winds of Change (American Ideal) prevailed in the Champlain at Mohawk last September, and will make his three-year-old debut in the first division.  Tim Tetrick handles the driving duties on Winds of Change for trainer Linda Toscano.

The second division is headlined by Forty Five Red (If I Can Dream), a five-time winner with multiple NYSS wins from last season to his credit.  He boasts a 1:51.1 mark at Vernon, and Matt Kakaley gets the driving assignment from trainer Ron Burke.

Twin B Speedo (Art Major) leads the third division, coming in off a 1:55.3 front-end win at Yonkers and having amassed just shy of $100,000 in career earnings.  Trainer Mark Ford has named Mark MacDonald to drive the two-time winner.

Post time for the Sunday opener at Tioga is slated for 1:30 p.m. EDT

Heavenly Place Explodes To F&M Open Pace Win At Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- It's more than a month away from the Fourth of July, but Heavenly Place put on an explosive display Wednesday night in the $10,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Buffalo Raceway Wednesday night (May 28).

After hitting the three-quarter pole with a mere half-length edge in 1:27.4, Heavenly Place extended that advantage quickly to five lengths at the top of the stretch and that spelled doom for the remainder of the field. Heavenly Place ended up beating Ugly Betty by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:57.1 over the fast track.

After watching You're Too Funny (Kevin Cummings) and Majic Laughter (Jim McNeight) battle to the half mile in 58.1, Heavenly Place ($14.40) was starting the first over grind. At the three-quarter point, driver David McNeight III put the 6-year-old mare into high gear and quickly paced away from the remaining six ladies.

It was all over but the shouting in the lane as Heavenly Place was throttled down. The only race at that point was who was going to get the minor awards. Ugly Betty (Jack Flanigen), the winner of the past two F&M Open paces, rallied for second while V'La Faire (Drew Monti) took the show spot.

Heavenly Place (Riverboat King-Angel Place) is co-owned by Chs Racing LLC and by Limerick Racing with Dave McNeight Jr. the trainer. It was the seventh win in 16 starts this season for Heavenly Place, now a winner of $40,697 in 2014 and $118,270 lifetime.

Racing resumes to Buffalo Raceway on Friday night with a 10-race card getting underway at 6:40 p.m. After Saturday's card, also set for 6:40 p.m., Sunday afternoon action returns this week with a 1:05 p.m. post.

For more information including the latest news, race replays, results and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

While there are no new faces to this week’s Road to the Meadowlands Pace, the top 10 took on a different look with a new horse standing atop the division.  Following the loss suffered by He’s Watching, the Ron Burke trained JK Endofanera has moved into the top spot leading into the Somebeachsomewhere, where he will get a stiff challenge from the No. 3 ranked pacing colt, Luckbewithyou.  He’s Watching, who had been No. 1 for the first seven weeks of the Road to the Pace fell six spots to #7 after finishing last in a field of six in his Art Rooney Elimination.  Of the 10 horses on this week’s list, six (JK Endofanera, Luck Be Withyou, Always B Miki, Somestarsomewhere, That’s My Opinion and He’s Watching) are all in to go in the Somebeachsomewhere on Saturday at Mohawk. The No 2. Ranked Western Vintage is an overwhelming favorite in his New Jersey Sire Stakes Final Saturday at The Meadowlands, while Limelight Beach (No. 8) is entered in an overnight Thursday at The Meadows.

Some of the biggest movers outside the top-10 were Lyonssomewhere who moved from No. 35 to No. 25 following an impressive overnight score at The Meadowlands.  Additionally, Somewhere Fancy moved from No. 43 to No. 29 after also winning at The Meadowlands.  Journeyman jumped seven spots to No. 26 following an impressive qualifier and Stevensville cracked the top-20 after winning his Art Rooney Elimination.

The Road to The Meadowlands Pace is available here: http://meadowlandsracetrack.com/uploadedFiles/2014_Road%20To%20The%20Pace_Week%208.pdf

Darin Zoccalihttp://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Racino-payment-kills-site-for-now-5511655.php

A FABULOUS FRIDAY LINED UP AT VERNON DOWNS

by Michael Chamberlain, Vernon Downs Publicity

May 2014 Hoof Beats cover girl, Precocious Beauty, will be one of many stars to be on the track on Friday night at Vernon Downs. The Friday program includes three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies, as well as eliminations for the Empire Breeders' Classic for three-year-old colts and three-year-old fillies. The stars will also be in the bikes on Friday night with the likes of Tim Tetrick, David Miller, Jim Morrill Jr., Matt Kakaley, and many others coming into Vernon to drive on the twelve-race program.

Precocious Beauty makes her official return to the races for 2014 on Friday night after participating in Qualifiers at Pompano Park in April and Mohawk Raceway in May. The imposing filly is owned by James Avritt Sr. of Lexington, Kentucky, trained by Gregg McNair and will be driven by Douglas Mcnair on Friday night. Precocious Beauty is hoping to recapture her 2013 form, which saw her win divisional honors for two-year-old female pacers at the Dan Patch Awards last season. She was a winner in seven of eleven starts last year, including a victory in the She's A Great Lady Stakes, earning purses of $446,692. 

Precocious Beauty has been installed at 5-2 on the morning line in Friday's seventh race, but she appears to have plenty of competition coming her way from Blush Hanover, to be driven by Tim Tetrick. Blush Hanover has three wins in four career starts, two at Harrah's Philadelphia and has also scored a win and a second in two tries at The Meadowlands.

In the other two New York Sire Stakes divisions to be run on Friday night, morning-line favoritism goes to the horses on the rail. The 5-2 favorite in Race 8 is Sweetnsinful, driven by Jimmy Whittemore. Sweetnsinful is owned by Connie and Homer Hochstetler of Crete, Illinois and James Michels of Muncie, Indiana. Homer Hochstetler doubles as the trainer of Sweetnsinful. She was the winner of the Madison at Hoosier Park last October and paced a Qualifier at Vernon Downs on May 16 in 1:58.2. The favorite in Race 9 is Medusa, also listed at 5-2. Medusa is owned W.J. Donovan of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, trained by Paul Kelley and will be driven by Chris Lems, who was at the controls for all four impressive wins the filly has registered this season at Vernon Downs.

The Empire Breeders' Classic eliminations also are on the docket for Friday night at Vernon Downs. There are two eliminations for each division. The 7-5 morning-line favorite for the first division of three-year-old colt trotters is Lukas Hall, runner-up in the Simpson at The Meadowlands on May 9 and runner-up in a New York Sire Stakes race at Tioga Downs on May 23. Lukas Hall is owned by former New York Jets Wide Receiver Wayne Chrebet of Colts Neck, New Jersey and Little E LLC of New York, New York. Little E LLC is owned by Vernon Downs owner, Jeff Gural. The second division of three-year-old colt trotters is led by 9-5 choice, Expressive Action, winner of a New York Sire Stakes race on May 23 at Tioga Downs. 

Expressive Action is owned by John Grasso Stable Inc. of Hawthorne, New York. Grasso is also the trainer, while the driver on Friday night is Mike Simons.

The three-year-old fillies also have two eliminations on Friday. A winner of a New York Sire Stakes race at Vernon Downs on May 17, Lady With Credit, has been installed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite in the first division. Lady With Credit earned her first career win with that Sire Stakes score in 1:55.1. She is owned by White Birch Farm of Allentown, New Jersey, and trained and driven by Trond Smedshammer. The second division also features a New York Sire Stakes winner from this season at Vernon Downs. Glowngold is 6-5 on the morning line off of a two and a quarter length win in 1:56.1 on May 17. Glowngold is owned by the Andy Miller Stable of New Jersey, S. Demeter and Blue Chip Bloodstock, both of New York, and Highland Green Farms of Florida.

The Finals for the Empire Breeders' Classic races will be run as part of a special Sunday night program on June 8, which will also include the New York Sire Stakes for three-year-old colt pacers.

The twelve-race program will kick off at Vernon Downs on Friday night with a first post time of 6:45pm.

ALL BETS OFF LANDS 4-HOLE IN 300G FINAL OF ART ROONEY PACE

YONKERS, NY, Tuesday, May 27, 2014—Standout statebred All Bets Off drew right smack in the middle, landing post position No. 4 for Saturday night’s $300,000 final of Yonkers Raceway’s Art Rooney Pace.

This is the 24^th edition of the Rooney. The premier event for 3-year-olds was inaugurated in 1989, a year after the passing of Art Rooney Sr.

(Author’s aside…in last week’s elim story, I inadvertently referred this as the 23^rd Rooney. After recounting on fingers and toes, it is indeed the 24^th. My bad.)

Saturday’s final goes as the 11^th race (approximate post of 11 PM) on a 13-race card, with first post at the usual 7:10 PM.

All Bets Off, a son of Bettor’s Delight co-owned (as Burke Racing) by (trainer) Ron Burke, Frank Baldachino, Panhellenic Stables and Rosemary Shelswell, he is 2-for-3 this season. With Matt Kakaley driving—as he’s doing Saturday—All Bets Off comfortably won the second of last week’s two $40,000 elimination races, going down the road in 1:52.3.  

Stevensville, himself a wire-to-wire winner (1:53) in the last weekend’s other elim, landed post No. 6 for the final…he same starting venue from a week ago. Tim Tetrick again takes a seat for co-owner/trainer Ray Schnittker.

After the race was drawn, Thereisapaceforus, who had drawn the pylons, was scratched. That moved Maxi Bon from the “also eligible” list into the race and inside his seven rivals. That also forced Maxi Bon and Gold Rocks, both trained by Tony Alagna to race coupled (common ownership).

Alagna’s third horse, Bondi Hanover, goes as a distinct wagering interest (bona fide separate ownership).

The new and improved field for the final of the Rooney, with declared drivers…

1-Maxi Bon (Jason Bartlett), 2-Bondi Hanover (Bartlett also listed), 3-Gold Rocks (George Brennan), 4-All Bets Off (Matt Kakaley), 5-Some Playa (Brennan also listed), 6-Stevensville  (Tim Tetrick), 7-Unlocked (Brent Holland),  8-Ideal Fashion (Jordan Stratton). Maxi Bon and Gold Rocks are coupled (see above), Some Playa is a gelding, while Forty Five Red is the only also eligible.

The $124,744 final of the Lismore, for 3-year-old fillies, goes as the 9^th race (approximate post 10:20 PM) drew as such…

1—Also Encouraging (Kakaley), 2-It Was Fascination (Scott Zeron), 3-Bettor Business (Dan Dube), 4-Tyra (Tetrick), 5-Southwind Silence (Brennan), 6-Rusty’s Bliss (Bartlett), 7-Gentlemen’s Delight (Kakaley also listed), 8-Palm Beach (Kakaley also listed).  Note that JK Molly and A Little Starstruk are the also eligibles.  

Program changes shall be updated when finalized.  

After Saturday’s stakes program, live racing/evening simulcasting is on hiatus until Friday, June 13^th. Yonkers offers afternoon simulcasting daily, including the June 7^th Belmont Stakes (first post 11:35 AM).

DIAMOND TIERA WINS FOR THE 12TH TIME; TWO DEAD-HEATS IN ONE RACE, A RECORD?

In spite of a five- week layoff the beat goes on for Diamond Tiara. On the sunny afternoon of May 27 at Monticello Raceway the 7 year old pacing mare notched her 12^th seasonal victory with a gate to wire performance in 1:58.1 which has once more placed her atop the North American leaderboard in races won this year.

Jimmy Taggart Jr. was again in the sulky for trainer Mike Watson as the daughter of McArdle notched her ninth consecutive victory.

Surprisingly disregarded by the betting public even with eight wins in a row coming into the contest she was sent off at odds of over 7-2 paid $9.40 for win.

Perhaps the fear of being scratched sick in her last two attempts to race here and with only a qualifying event on May 15 at Pocono Downs since she last started on April 21, could have explained the reluctance but Diamond Tiara was again herself and sped to the lead and never had an anxious moment en route to victory. Zeke Parker and Givemybest Hanover, even with a perfect two-hole journey, couldn’t get by Diamond Tiara in the deep stretch and they had to settle for second money. Theron Seelster finished third for Austin Siegelman.

“This was a tougher bunch this week”, Jimmy Taggart Jr said of his mare’s competition today. “We got away cheap and she was her old self today in spite of her layoff.”

Diamond Tiara is owned by Philip Schultz of Michigan and it was the fourth winning drive on the 10-race card for Taggart.

Maybe something even more astonishing happened on the Tuesday card when a pair of dead-heats developed between the first four horses under the wire in the seventh race. There was a dead-heat for win and a dead-heat for show and many believe that the double dead-heats are a harness racing first. But there’s one thing for sure, it is something that never happened in the 55 years of racing here at the Mighty M.

Early Morning and driver Peter (PJ) Lutman III were on the lead and when Jimmy Marohn, Jr made a quarter pole move with Latin Lyric,  Lutman never yielded and Latin Lyric was on the limb the rest of the way.

The fast early fractions were responsible for a tight field going into the final turn and when the field straightened for home horses were coming from everywhere and only 1/5^th-of- a -second separated the winner from the sixth pace finisher.

As one would expect there was an extended time before the numbers were posted and when it was all sorted out there was the dead-heat for win between Early Morning and a hard-charging Midnight Mass with  Jimmy Taggart, Jr. aboard.

But the photo still had to be inspected and when the judges declared the race official Bettorthanicecream (Austin Siegelman) and Check My Pulse with Jimy Devaux aboard, were tied for the show spot, just noses behind the first two finishers. And Latin Lyric and KZ Bezz (Mike Merton) were right there too, just a nose or two back of the leaders.

The double dead- heats spurred multiple payoffs in the exactas, trifectas and superfectas which are too numerous to mention.

The ‘People’s Horse’ Shoots For Third Molson Title

  By Dave Briggs for The Raceway at Western Fair District

London, May 27, 2011 -- He defies what you would expect from a world-class professional athlete at the top of his game in just about every category except heart. He lacks size, is an old man in a younger man’s game and isn’t blessed with blinding speed or a chiselled physique.

Yet, Foiled Again stands atop the globe as the richest horse in harness racing history and is an epic overachiever by any sport’s standards.

Friday night at The Raceway at The Western Fair District in London, fans will get a chance to sit mere metres away from this superstar as Foiled Again competes in his sixth consecutive Molson Pace. One lucky fan will be sitting even closer. The Raceway will draw one name to sit behind the great horse in a special two-seat jog cart when Foiled Again completes an early warm-up trip of the downtown oval.

As for the $150,000 race, Quebec native Yannick Gingras will be in the sulky behind Foiled Again, a horse that has earned over $6.2 million in his career. Gingras, who lives and works in New Jersey, is Foiled Again’s regular driver and one of the pacer’s biggest fans. He calls Foiled Again “The People’s Horse”. “He’s that third-line guy, the sixth round draft pick that scores 50 goals six years in a row,” Gingras said.

To further the hockey analogy, Foiled Again not only is a grinder, he’s also pushing 40. He’s 10 years old in a sport where most racehorses are retired at half his age and mandatory retirement comes when they reach 15.

“He’s an overachiever that wasn’t an expensive yearling, wasn’t a great two- and three-year-old,” Gingras said of horse racing’s most lucrative years. “He’s a horse that’s done it the hard way his whole life. Not only did he have to earn it against the best in the world, the $6 million he’s earned he’s earned it in the open company. He didn’t make $3 million by the time he was three against restricted horses. He’s made the most the last six years racing against the best North America has to offer… He’s a very easy horse to love.”

In the 42nd edition of the Molson Pace, Foiled Again will start from the outside post seven in the eight-horse field as he tries to win the race for the third time in his career to go along with victories in 2012 and 2011. Gingras said Foiled Again’s post might not be as big a hindrance as it may first appear. “He never takes his trip with him. He likes it roughed up. He’s a fighter,” Gingras said.

Last year’s champ, State Treasurer, drew the rail in a deep field in which the horses have combined earnings exceeding $10.5 million, as well as 215 career victories between them from nearly 650 starts.

The Molson Pace will be race 12 on a card that kicks off Friday with a 7:05 p.m. first-race post. Apart from the chance to win a trip around the track behind Foiled Again, commemorative Foiled Again post cards will be given away to fans while supplies last. The Molson team will have games, contests, giveaways and a grand prize draw at its Party on the Patio. The track will have a grand prize draw for a VIP package for eight people to annual London Beer and Barbecue Show June 20-22 at The Western Fair District. The OLG will be giving out slots vouchers to all customers in attendance. Radio station 98.1 FREE FM will also be on site, broadcasting live.

On the betting side, there will be a $7,500 guaranteed pool on the Early Pick-4, a $10,000 guaranteed pool on the Late Pick-4 and a $10,000 guaranteed pool on the Super Hi-5. HorsePlayer Interactive (HPI) will be running an online promotion to give away a Pepsi North America Cup VIP package and the Horseplayers Association of North America (HANA) is promoting the Late Pick-4 by asking people to vote for the races they’d like to see make up the sequence.

Gingras said he likes his chances to win a third Molson Pace with Foiled Again despite an ultra-talented field that, apart from State Treasurer, also includes: Bettors Edge, Bandolito, Apprentice Hanover, Dancin Yankee, P H Super Cam and Captive Audience.

“He’s actually gotten better and better and better every year,” the driver said of Foiled Again’s age-defying performance.

Meanwhile, Foiled Again’s fan following has grown substantially.

“I love that,” Gingras said. “At the end of 2012, I think he earned a lot of people’s respect. It was definitely when he went over Gallo Blue Chip’s money record in the Canadian Pacing Derby… It started a little bit there, but it snowballed into last year. At the end of last year all the attention was well, well deserved. I’m very proud of him.”

National Television Fund Update

The Meadowlands would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the National Television Fund in response to the Jack Darling initiative in his Standardbred Canada blog.

So far, Meadowlands has received $  57,817.99 of the $103,875 total that was pledged.

If anyone who made a pledge would still like to contribute, please send in a check  to :

Meadowlands Racetrack TV Fund

1 Racetrack Drive

East Rutherford, NJ  07073

Thanks again to everyone in the industry for your overwhelming support.

Breakfast with the Babies Kicks off Saturday

This time of year is always exciting, not only because warmer weather is upon us, but we have the opportunity to get our first glance at the stars of tomorrow with “Breakfast with the Babies” at The Meadowlands.  The first baby-race session will take place Saturday, May 31^st with post time at 9:30 A.M. and will be combined with older qualifying races as well.  

Thanks to our new facility, we have a new location to offer breakfast each Saturday morning. That location is the elegant Trotters, located on the second floor on the west side of the building.  Trotters members can enjoy complimentary breakfast each Saturday morning while watching the two year olds take to the track, but also any New Jersey licensed owner that is not a member of Trotters can enjoy breakfast for just $7. 95 per person.  

The qualifier and baby race proofs will be made available at the Players Club desk and Trotters hostess stand.  In addition, Sam Mckee will be calling the baby-race action and each of the two year olds yearling sales price will be provided in the racing proof.  We look forward to seeing you Saturday morning.

$1,500 FIRST PRIZE UP FOR GRABS IN 2ND ANNUAL TIOGA DOWNS SHOWDOWN CONTEST

Online handicapping contest begins Sunday, June 1st

NICHOLS, NY (May 2014) – A $1,500 first place prize is up for grabs in the 2^nd Annual Tioga Downs Showdown Contest. The online handicapping challenge begins this Sunday, June 1^st.

The contest requires contestants to select one horse racing at Tioga Downs. If that horse finishes third or better in its race, the contestant will advance to the next day of the contest. If the horse finishes worse than third, the contestant is eliminated. The contestant that survives the longest will win the $1,500 grand prize.

The contest is free to enter and available to all fans 18 years and older in the United States and Canada. To register, fans can visit showdown.tiogadowns.com.

Contestants are encouraged to take advantage of the new handicapping resources available on the Tioga Downs website including detailed analysis and trip notes compiled for each race.

Live streaming video is also available on the Tioga Downs website for contestants that wish to follow along with the contest.

Meet California Chrome's Jockey Victor Espinoza at JERSEYFEST – Saturday, May 31, 2014

at The Meadowlands.

Espinoza will be at The Meadowlands beginning at 7:00 P.M. on Saturday and will be signing autographs of special California Chrome posters.  He will also make an appearance on The Meadowlands television show and make a winner’s circle presentation.

The Espinoza meet & greet event is made possible through the sponsorship of “Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program, Purple Haze Center.”

Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment has partnered up with Exposure North Jersey and the North Jersey Media Group to host the 3rd annual Jerseyfest on Saturday, May 31^st.

Jerseyfest will take place from 5-11pm with free admission, showcasing the best food trucks in the area, along with New Jersey artisans, vendors and crafters. Other highlights include games and entertainment and special guests.

The wide selection of Jersey-centric food trucks includes Bacon on Wheels, Gorilla Cheese NYC, Lechon de Negron, The Thai Elephant, Dark Side of the Moo, Luke’s Lobster, Kona Ice, Wrap Star, Waffle de Lys, Empanada Guy, Incrediballs, Polkadot Cupcake, Sweet Spot Ice Cream, and The French Quarter.

Guests can enjoy live musical performances from American Country duo, Brothers Osborne as well as children’s singer, songwriter and entertainer Kimmy Shwimmy.

Sports Authority will host a Sports Zone with outdoor games, a bouncy house and entertainment for kids. Former NFL linebacker, Quentin Coryatt, will be presenting live demos from his one of a kind invention The Perfect Jumper, a unique training aid for the serious basketball player. His invention has been endorsed by NBA greats such as Carmelo Anthony, Steve Nash and Bob Night. Coryatt will be donating a percentage of all proceeds from the sales of The Perfect Jumper at Jerseyfest to The Max Cure Foundation, Meadowlands “Charity of the Month” for July and August.

Charity partners for Jerseyfest include Center for Food Action and Max Cure Foundation. Both organizations will be on-site collecting donations with Center for Food Action collecting non-perishable food and Max Cure Foundation collecting used sneakers and athletic shoes.

On the racetrack, the Garden State’s finest horsepower will be showcased in the New Jersey Sire Stakes Finals worth $400,000.  Post Time is 7:15 pm

“Our new $100 Million entertainment complex is the perfect location to celebrate all the great food, crafts, entertainment and live racing that the Garden State has to offer,” stated Jason Settlemoir, General Manager & CEO of Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment.  “Last year’s Jerseyfest was a tremendous success and with all the new additions, this year’s event will be even better.”

Jerseyfest will be held rain or shine. For up-to-date event information: http://www.meadowlandsracetrack.com/event_detail.aspx?id=7543

State Treasurer Gets Rail In Molson Pace Defense

London, May 26, 2014 -- The post position draw for this year’s Molson Pace was conducted earlier today at The Raceway in London, Ontario and it was defending champion State Treasurer who came away with the coveted rail position in this Friday night’s $150,000 event.

State Treasurer has been off to a great start this season, winning his last three in a row, including a 1:48.3 national season’s record in his latest outing at Mohawk.

Two-time winner Foiled Again drew the outside post seven in the eight-horse field and will be making his sixth appearance in London’s signature race.

Dancin Yankee, who set a 1:47.2 world record in his most recent start at Pocono, drew post five in the star studded field which also includes Bettors Edge (PP2), Bandolito (PP3), Apprentice Hanover (PP4), PH Super Cam (PP6) and Captive Audience (PP8).

First post on Friday night is 7:05 p.m. (E.T.). There will be commemorative Foiled Again post cards given to customers with program purchase and one lucky fan will have a chance to ride behind Foiled Again in a double-seated jogger earlier in the night.

The Molson girls will be on hand hosting a Molson ‘Party on the Patio’ with plenty of contests and giveaways throughout the night. There will also be a pair of grand prize draws for VIP packages to both the Beer and Barbecue Show and the Pepsi North America Cup.

On the wagering side, the Early Pick-4 will feature a $7,500 guaranteed pool with a $10,000 guarantee on the Late Pick-4. The Super Hi-5, in race seven, will also feature a $10,000 guaranteed pool.

For more information on this year’s Molson Pace, visit www.westernfairdistrict.com