By
Carol Hodes for the SBOANJ
MANALAPAN,
NJ – July 31, 2014 – If the pieces all fall into place, the connections of
Western Vintage could be sipping champagne on Saturday.
The
son of Western Ideal is making his return to the races, after being sidelined
since late June, in the $225,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic, the
fourth of 15 races on the Hambletonian Day program on Saturday, August 2, 2014
at the Meadowlands.
The
New Jersey Classic and its filly companion event, the $100,000 Thomas D’Altrui
Miss New Jersey for fillies, are restricted to New Jersey-sired three-year-old
pacers. Both events are sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders &
Owners Association of New Jersey.
In
a well-balanced field, Western Vintage is rated the 5-2 second choice [Doo Wop
Hanover is 9-5] and will leave from post two with Brian Sears at the lines.
Last
season, Western Vintage won five of eight races and earned $316,838. His
victories included the $150,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Championship for
two-year-old pacing colts and a division of the Bluegrass Stakes at the Red
Mile. He finished second in the $648,850 Metro Pace at Mohawk.
This
all marked the bargain colt – he cost only $7,000 at the 2012 Lexington
Selected Yearling Sale – as a potential divisional star at three.
Health
issues, however, detoured Western Vintage after four starts this spring.
“We
gave him a break after the Hempt [on June 21] for a couple of reasons,” said
Perry Soderberg, the colt’s co-owner. “One, because he had some really
tough races up to that point, and two, his blood work wasn't perfect so we
needed some time to improve that. It is a long year and another year
after this one, so we want to take care of the horse.”
Western
Vintage opened his 2014 campaign with a New Jersey Sire Stakes win in 1:49.4 on
May 17 at the Meadowlands and a week later was second to Doo Wop Hanover in the
$100,000 final.
Then
it was on the road to Mohawk Raceway for the North America Cup elims [he
finished fourth] and to Pocono for the Hempt [he was eighth].
Trainer
Nancy Johansson qualified Western Vintage twice in July, including a 1:50.3
clocking and five and a half length victory on July 19 in the hands of new
pilot Brian Sears.
“Well,
Yannick [Gingras, who previously drove the colt] has been great, but he has
[Jimmy] Takter’s and [Ron] Burke’s horses to choose from down the road, and
they have been better than mine so far this year,” Soderberg explained.
“I know Brian has JK Endofanera and other options as well, but I am thankful
that he wants to drive him now.
“All
in all, I thought it was time to get the horse used to different drivers,” he
added. “He has been a bit tricky to drive, but he better get used to
different drivers; that’s how this business works.”
Swedish-born
Soderberg, who has been evaluating horses since 1986, usually picks out
yearlings for others, primarily trainer Jimmy Takter and his owners. But
when no one wanted Western Vintage, he purchased the colt for himself for
$7,000. Marvin Katz of Toronto bought an interest last October.
With
$53,890 earned this year, Western Vintage now has a bankroll of $370,728.
“Western
Vintage is coming in to this race in good shape,” said Soderberg. “He
qualified well, and I think he is the type of horse that can race good after a
break.”
Post
time on Saturday, August 2, 2014 is 12 noon with gates opening at 10 a.m.
Admission is $5.
The
$1 million Hambletonian [Race 13] and $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks [Race 12] and
the $300,650 John Cashman Jr. Memorial Trot will be featured on the live
television broadcast from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network [for Channel
Finder – www.cbssportsnework.com].
The program will be hosted by Gary Seibel, Dave Brower and Justin
Horowitz.
The
fields for the New Jersey Classic and Miss New Jersey with post, horse, sire,
driver, trainer and morning line odds:
Race
4 - $225,000 ANTHONY ABBATIELLO NEW JERSEY CLASSIC
1-Doo
Wop Hanover - Rocknroll Hanover - Yannick Gingras – Steve Elliott – 9-5
2-Western
Vintage – Western Ideal – Brian Sears – Nancy Johansson - 5-2
3-Rockeyed
Optimist – Rocknroll Hanover – Matt Kakaley – Steve Elliott – 20-1
4-Buckwacker
– Rocknroll Hanover – David Miller – Chris Ryder – 9-2
5-Sweet
Rock – Rocknroll Hanover – Brett Miller – Wayne Given - 20-1
6-Dancin
Hill – Rocknroll Hanover – Scott Zeron – Tony Alagna – 10-1
7-Rock
Out – Rocknroll Hanover – Tim Tetrick – Steve Elliott – 15-1
8-Card
Shock- Cam’s Card Shark – George Brennan – Mark Silva – 20-1
9-Beat
The Drum – Tell All – Ron Pierce – Staffan Lind – 6-1
10-Rocknroll
Reality – Rocknroll Hanover – Corey Callahan – John Butenschoen – 12-1
Race
3 - $100,000 THOMAS D’ALTRUI MISS NEW JERSEY
1-Ideal
Helen – Western Ideal – Marcus Miller – Erv Miller – 10-1
2-Act
Now – Western Ideal – Brian Sears – Nikolas Drennan – 3-1
3-Gettingreadytoroll
– Rocknroll Hanover – Yannick Gingras – Jimmy Takter – 2-1
4-My
Lady Day – Western Ideal – David Miller – Joe Holloway – 15-1
5-Surfside
Sexy – Rocknroll Hanover - Ron Pierce – Ron Burke – 20-1
6-Cut
A Deal – Rocknroll Hanover – George Brennan – Nick Surick – 20-1
7-Blixtra
– Rocknroll Hanover – Ake Svanstedt – Ake Svandstedt – 9-2
8-Highland
Rockstar – Rocknroll Hanover – Mike Lachance – Buzzy Sholty – 20-1
9-Rockingcam
Park – Rocknroll Hanover – Tim Tetrick – Ron Coyne Jr. – 8-1
10-
Kate Can’t Wait – Rocknroll Hanover – Corey Callahan – Ross Croghan – 6-1
