By
Carol Hodes for the SBOANJ
MANALAPAN,
NJ – July 30, 2014 – Saturday’s Hambletonian Day 15-race card at the
Meadowlands is loaded with rich stakes worth nearly $3.6 million in purse
money, including the $225,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic and its
filly companion race, the $100,000 Thomas D’Altrui Miss New Jersey.
The
two stakes for New Jersey-sired three-year-old pacers are early in the card –
the third race for the Miss New Jersey and the fourth race for the New Jersey
Classic – and have the possibility of being two of the most contentious and
bettor-friendly events, with no prohibitive favorites.
Racing
conditions for the two stakes were amended to eliminate eliminations. The
finals are limited to the 10 highest lifetime money-winning horses in the entry
box. To further sweeten the pot, even those who do not share in the top
five purse distribution will not go home empty-handed. The connections of
the New Jersey Classic colts finishing sixth through 10 will receive $1,500
each while the connections of the Miss New Jersey fillies will receive $1,000
each.
“We
are very pleased that we have full and competitive fields for both stakes, in
fact, 11 entered in each with 10 going postward,” said Tom Luchento, president
of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey [SBOANJ],
which sponsors the two races.
“We
feel stallions will return to New Jersey once we have casino-infused purses, a
likelihood in the next few years, but for now we are trying our best to make it
worthwhile for breeders to support our program and owners to buy New
Jersey-sired offspring with the opportunity to compete in such events as the
New Jersey Classic and Miss New Jersey,” Luchento added.
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
