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Sunday, November 29, 2015

RED HOT HERBIE WINS SUNDAY 40G OPEN HANDICAP TROT

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

YONKERS, NY, Sunday, November 29, 2015—Red Hot Herbie (Dan Dube, $31.40) engineered the upset Sunday afternoon (late morning), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $40,400 Open Handicap Trot.

Assigned post position No. 7 in the 10-horse, mile-and-a-quarter medley, “Herbie” was put in play early. He made the first lead before yielding to 9-10 favorite Luminosity (George Brennan) as the gang moved past the :28.1 opening quarter-mile and into Turn 2.

Luminosity then hit the brake, as in a :57.2 half and 1:27.4 three-quarters. That figured to be enough, but not today. Sumatra (Jordan Stratton) moved from fifth, with last week’s winner, Dot Dot Dot Dash (Matt Kakaley), behind that one.

Despite the cheapy fractions, Luminosity was about done. He did maintain the lead in and out of the 1:57.1 mile post, but Sumatra had displaced him entering the lane. Dot Dot Dot Dash went wide, but Red Hot Herbie was carried where he needed to go.

“Herbie” ducked inside, whipping a wide Dot Dot Dot Dash by a head in an added-distance 2:26.4. Sumatra held very well for third, with Auspicious Hanover (Brian Sears) and Tweet Me (Pat Lachance) rounding out the payees. Luminosity tired to a no-excuse sixth.  

For fifth choice Red Hot Herbie, a 5-year-old Here Comes Herbie gelding co-owned (as Allard Racing) by (trainer) Rene Allard, Albert P Abdala III, Bruce A Soulsby and Michael Reppucci, it was his 11th win in 28 seasonal starts (three wins in last four tries). The exacta paid $197.50, with the triple returning $1,580.

Sunday props to Allard and Sears, who four races each (including a pair in tandem).


Ontario Success Holds on in Meadowlands Feature

One week after being beaten a neck for all the money, Ontario Success did not disappoint those that bet him down to odds on favoritism in the top-level condition pace for $17,000 on Saturday night at The Meadowlands.
Released as the even money choice, driver Yannick Gingras took no prisoners, sending his horse to the lead past the opening quarter in 27-seconds.  He was able to work out a 57.3 middle half-mile, hitting the half-mile in 55.3 and three-quarters in 1:24.3.  On the far turn, he faced a bold challenge from 35-1 longshot Kingofthejungle, who launched a big move and was at the leaders throat latch coming off the far turn. Martini Hanover was tracking from the pylons while Rockin Wizard began to rally off the cover of Kingofthejungle.  In the middle of the stretch, Kingofthejungle stumbled and Ontario Success suddenly found himself with a two length lead.  Rockin Wizard was closing well down the center of the track, but the wire came just in time for Ontario Success who scored in 1:51.2 over Rockin Wizard.  Martini Hanover, last week’s winner in this class finished third.
The victory was the sixth of the season for Ontario Success for trainer Ron Burke who co-owns the gelding with Weaver Bruscemi L.L.C.
The win was one of three on the card for Yannick Gingras.  Tim Tetrick also bagged three winners on the Saturday program.
Ashley’s Husband Returns A Winner
Ashley’s Husband has taken his seasonal mark each of the last two years at The Meadowlands, his mark this year of 1:50, was a lifetime best effort as well.  So it was fitting that he returned off the 10-week layoff at The Meadowlands and it was no surprise that he returned a winner.
Sent off as the 2-1 favorite, Ashley’s Husband tracjed a live outer flow throughout the second half of the mile for Joe Bongirono, tipped three-wide into the stretch and paced fastest of all to the wire, to score in a lifetime-best equaling time of 1:50.  The win marked his seventh trip to the Meadowlands winner’s circle.
Ashely’s Husband is trained by Kyle Spagnola who made it four consecutive starts resulting in victories at The Meadowlands with this win.  He would improve on that record when Our Dragon King won the 10th race as an overwhelming favorite as well.  For the meet, Spagnola’s record shows 7 wins from 9 starts, following a weekend that saw him go five-for-five.
Ashley’s Husband is owned by William J. Donovan.  This was his 22nd lifetime win and he now has earnings over $164,000.
Another Takter Two Year Old
Trainer Jimmy Takter continues to send out powerful two year old performers at The Meadowlands.  On Saturday evening, it was a two year old gelded son of Rocknroll Hanover, All The Cookies, the latest Takter-trainee to grace the Big M winner’s circle. 
The even money favorite, with Yannick Gingras in the sulky was three-wide early in the first turn, but settled and made a strong brush to the lead as the field straightened away on the backstretch.  After a 27.2 first quarter, All The Cookies led the field through fractions of 55.1 and 1:24.2 before turning for home in command.  Major In Life rallied well in the stretch, but not enough to threaten the winner, All The Cookies who scored in 1:53.  Wegottatruckyea was a sneaky-good third.
All The Cookies won for the second time in three starts to begin his career.  The Jimmy Takter trainee is owned by Christina Takter, Brixton Medical, L. Camara and J. Sbrocco.
Surick Scores with New Acquisition
Pistopackinpiper, who established his career in the Midwest, made his first start for new trainer Nick Surick a winning one, when he rallied in deep stretch to win a three-horse photo in 1:52.2 for Marcus Miller.  Surick also teamed up to win the $10,000 claiming nightcap with Brioni.
Pistopackinpiper had ground to make up on Mullet Blue Chip who led at every point of call, but used every inch of the long Meadowlands stretch to just grab the victory on the wire.  App Heaven rallied up the pylons to be third.
The winner, conditioned by Nick Surick is owned by Jerry Graham and Engel Stable Of Illinois.
Handle for the 13-race Saturday program was $2,519,723.

Racing returns on Friday, December 4th, with first post time at 7:00 P.M.

IDEAL COWBOY WINS SATURDAY 40G OPEN HANDICAP PACE

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

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, November 28, 2015—Odds-on favorite Ideal Cowboy (Jason Bartlett, $3.60) held off a two-pronged challenge Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $40,000 Open Handicap Pace.

Remanded outside his seven foes, Ideal Cowboy had a reasonably-simple path to the lead. He worked around Texican N (Eric Carlson) and Bigtown Hero (Dan Dube) just before a 27-second opening quarter-mile.

From there, a somnambulant :56.2 half before the leader upped the tempo. A 1:24.1 three-quarters with Aslan (Brian Sears) taking his shot first-ever and Ideal Cowboy owning a length-and-a-half lead into the lane.

However, with Bigtown Hero edging from the pocket and Texican N darting inside, Ideal Cowboy needed some reminders. He did get the line when in time, a 1:52.1 nose in front of Bigtown Hero and a head ahead of Texican N.

Aslan and The Real One (Pat Lachance) completed the cashers.  

For Ideal Cowboy, a 4-year-old American Ideal gelding trained by Jeffrey Bamond Jr. for co-owners Bamond Racing and J&T Silva Stables, it was his ninth win in 24 seasonal tries. The exacta paid $17.60, the triple paid $160.50 and the superfecta paid $530.


Saturday, November 28, 2015

Solid Saturday Night Card at The Meadowlands

East Rutherford, NJ – The Saturday night (November 28) card at The Meadowlands is another full boat, featuring large fields among the thirteen pari-mutuel puzzlers.

A hard-hitting group of pacers will slug it out in the night’s twelfth race, with a pair of the contenders coming back from an entire season away from the races.

Emeritus Maximus was a successful stakes performer at age three and had a solid season last year at four for the Cancelliere brothers but the 2015 season slipped by without a pari-mutuel start before last week. His return was a purposeful effort, pacing in 1:50.2 beaten only three lengths against solid company. He’s drawn the rail and will take play in here with John Campbell aboard.

Jet Airway has a similar slate for this year, having two Meadowlands qualifiers coming into tonight’s race. He banked over $300,000 last season at three for owner/trainer Erv Miller and partners Tangie Massey, Paul Sunderhaus and Larry Agle with his last start almost exactly one year ago in the 2014 Breeders Crown eliminations at The Meadowlands. He meets an accomplished group in his return for driver Marcus Miller.


Post time is 7:00 p.m. For more information on all things Meadowlands including the various dining options whist enjoying the harness racing visit the track website.

Spagnola a Perfect Three for Three at The Meadowlands

Trainer Kyle Spagnola sent three trotters to the gate on Friday night at The Meadowlands and all three found the winner’s circle.
Two of the wins came with Andrew McCarthy in the bike.  The first, Ulster romped by a dozen lengths in the third race condition trot, winning in a lifetime best 1:53.1, while Keystone Thomas was a wire to wire winner in 1:54.3 in the fifth race condition trot.
Spagnola wasn’t done, as he sent out the prohibitive 3/5 choice in the $17,000 featured trot in the eighth race and the favorite did not disappoint.  After brushing to the lead, past fractions of 27.2 and 56.1, Waiting On A Woman and driver Corey Callahan took on the challenge of Lady Windsor around the far turn.  But when the favorite reached three quarters in 1:25, it was clear that he had plenty left in the tank and the seven year old gelding powered away with a 27.3 final quarter to win going away by just over three lengths in 1:52.3.  The final time was just one-fifth of a second off his lifetime mark.
Trainer Kyle Spagnola now sports a record of five wins from his first seven starts at the 2015-2016 Meadowlands meet.
The win was the 50th in the career of Waiting On Woman, who now has career earnings of over $373,000.
Waiting On A Woman is owned by Michael Polansky.
The win was one of three races won by Corey Callahan through the first eight races.
Jerseylicious Chases Down Radar Contact
The seventh race condition mare pacing event was a filled choc-full of mares with stakes experience.  Radar Contact was a strong 3/5 favorite, but on paper there was competition in the form of Jerseylicious and it played out that way on the racetrack as well.
Radar Contact was quarter-moved to the lead by John Campbell past the first point of call in 27-seconds and she would hold that lead into the stretch, through fractions of 55.1 and 1:24.  Meanwhile, Jerseylicious was sitting mid-pack and committed first over down the backstretch as Radar Contact blazed the way.  As the field approached the stretch, Jerseylicious had room to tuck behind the favorite and did so until the middle of the stretch, when Callahan showed his mare racetrack again and she responded to that move by accelerating late, chasing down the favorite to win in 1:51.2.
For Jerseylicious, the win marked the 15th victory in her 62 race career and sent her earnings past $636,000.  She is trained by Wayne Givens for owners Legacy Racing of Delaware Incorporated, Pamela Curran and Niel Gargiulo.
Takter With Another Promising Young Trotter
The stakes season may have come to an end, but Jimmy Takter is still winning promising races with young trotters.  In the first race on Friday night at The Meadowlands, the Jimmy Takter trained, Massive Clout (Muscle Massive), parlayed a pocket trip into a pylon skimming win by the narrowest margins over Moulin Rouge who defeated this condition one week ago.
Massive Clout and Corey Callahan sat comfortable in the pocket behind pacesetter Barnaby Rudge through fractions of 29.3, 59.1 and 1:29.1.  Meanwhile, the even-money favorite, Moulin Rouge was tracking in a live outer flow and loomed boldly three-wide off the far turn and appeared poised to blow by, but Massive Clout found room at the pylons and was full of trot as well.  The pair of trotters raced down to the wire together, with Massive Clout escaping with a nose-victory in a mild upset at odds of 5-1.  Moulin Rouge was second with Barnaby Rudge third.  In the field of 10 trotters, there were three-two year olds and they ironically comprised the trifecta.
Massive Clout is a homebred for Brixton Medical who co-owns the colt with Christina Takter.
The winning time of 1:57.2 was a lifetime best performance and was the second consecutive win for the son of Hambletonian winner Muscle Massive who now has two wins from three starts.
GSY AMATEUR TROT

Robert Krivelin’s name has been one of the most popular among amateur drivers for years and that name reigned supreme again with an 8-1 upset in the GSY Amateur Trot with Chocolate Xplosion.  Krivelin, who also trains the four year old gelded son of Chocolatier, turned a pocket trip into a 1:56.3 victory, a lifetime best performance for Chocolate Xplosion.  Crazed N Lindy rallied from well-back for Peter Kleinhans to be second with Jack’s Reef and Hannah Miller third.

The win was the 184th amateur driving victory in the career of Robert Krivelin, with earnings over $1.2 Million.

Total handle for the 13-race Friday card was $2,642,922, a seven-percent (7%) increase over this same Friday last year. On-track handle also showed slight gains.  The guaranteed pools performed well on Friday, with the pick five totaling $44,233, the early pick four handling $47,983 and the late pick four reaching $78,955.

Both jackpot super high five carryovers continued to grow as the fifth race now stands at $17,625.09 and the last race now at $18,381.34.


Racing resumes on Saturday with a 13-race card set to begin at 7:00 P.M.

SELL A BIT N WINS FRIDAY NIGHT 40G DISTAFF FEATURE

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

YONKERS, NY, Friday, November 27, 2015—Slight favorite Sell a Bit N (Jordan Stratton, $6.30) continued her distaff derby dominance Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $40,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace for a fourth consecutive victory.

Ordered outside her seven rivals, Sell a Bit N paid a :27.4, opening-quarter price to get around Skippin’ By (Brian Sears). That one wanted no part of an early seat behind Stormunn (Brent Holland).

From there, no issues for the people’s preference, as she completed her rounds (:57.1, 1:25.2, 1:53.2) for a comfy win. After a mild, first-up bid from Carolsideal (Dan Dube), Sell a Bit easily closed the sale. The final margin was a length-and-a-quarter over Request for Parole (George Brennan), with Skippin’ By, Al Raza N (Eric Carlson) and Jonsie Jones (Tyler Buter) completing the cashers.

For Sell a Bit N, a 5-year-old Down Under daughter of Julius Caesar owned by Harry von Knoblauch and trained by Peter Tritton, it was her ninth win in 20 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $26.80, with the triple returning $82


Friday, November 27, 2015

Cal Expo Sunday Barn Notes

Jessesjo gets his chance to shine

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

Jessesjo has turned in two big efforts at this meeting following a 17-month layoff, finishing second to El Azteca on both occasions, but won’t have that rival to worry about when he suits up for Sunday’s featured Open II Trot.

Jessesjo is an 8-year-old son of Jailhouse Jesse who is owned by Mark Anderson and races out of the Gordie Graham barn. He has really impressed his veteran pilot Chip Lackey, who had never sat behind the trotter before his October 24 qualifier.

“I was told he was returning from an injury and a long layoff and to see how he finished,” Lackey related. “I have to tell you, I’ve driven some very nice trotters, but I’ve never had one give me the acceleration he did in that qualifier.”

After easily capturing a second qualifier, Jessesjo has completed the exacta behind course-loving El Azteca in two clashes at the head of the class. He actually showed the way to deep stretch before getting collared in their meeting two weeks ago, then sat the pocket behind that rival at most recent asking through some pedestrian fractions and once again had to be happy with second money.

“He made a little break at the start in that first race, but it was mostly my fault because I tried to rush him away from there,” Chip explained. “Last time, I took a little hold for the first few steps to let him settle and he was away perfectly.”

El Azteca, who was leaving from the assigned No. 10 post for the second straight time, was able to make the top by the half in a crawling 1:01 for Luke Plano, with the pocket-sitting Jessesjo trying hard but unable to cut into the margin in the stretch.

“We got bottled up and never really got a clear shot, and he did come home in :26 and change,” Lackey said. “You can’t ask for more than that.”

Open II Trot getting marquee treatment

Jessesjo, who has raced in the shadow of El Azteca in his first two appearances at this stand, looms the solid favorite in Sunday night’s featured Open II Trot.

There will be a 10-race program presented under the Watch and Watch LLC banner with the headliner going as the sixth event. First post will be 6:10 p.m.

Jessesjo is an 8-year-old son of Jailhouse Jesse who comes into this assignment with $236,000 in his bank account and a 1:53 4/5 career standard. He will be making his third start since returning for 17-month layoff. Mark Anderson owns, he hails from the Gordie Graham barn and Chip Lackey will once again do the honors.

In both his local tries he has completing the exacta behind El Azteca in solid efforts.  He showed the way into the stretch in the first of those match-ups but was unable to contain the winner, then sat a pocket trip after being used early in their last meeting and could not overtake the favorite while holding off the rest.

Flameon will give the Mark Anderson/Gordie Graham team two strong looks at the outcome Pat Galbraith handling the lines. The Angus Hall homebred took the measure of conditioned company two weeks ago, then put in a good mile to be third behind El Azteca and his stablemate in last week’s Open I Handicap event.

Franks Best comes into Sunday’s main event with $230,000 in earnings and he has several Sire Stakes trophies on his mantle. Bob Johnson owns, trains and bred the son of Armbro Scribe and Mooney Svendsen will be in his usual spot in the sulky.


Completing the field are Franky Provolone, who is making his second start on the comeback trail with Steve Wiseman guiding; and a pair from the Marissa Tyler barn in Claim Jumper and Quantum Uptown Boy. 

YONKERS’ FRIDAY PICK 5 FEATURES $1,900 CARRYOVER

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

YONKERS, NY, Thursday, November 26, 2015—A friendly reminder from Yonkers Raceway that Friday night’s (Nov. 27) Pick 5 wager begins with some holiday-shopping-approved coin, as in a carryover of $1,928.60.


The Pick 5 is a 50-cent base wager comprising races 7 through 11 during every racing program. It has no consolation payoff, meaning if no one selects all five winners (as was the case Tuesday afternoon), the entire pool (minus takeout) moves to the next program. 

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Cal Expo Saturday Barn Notes

Katie Mouse is looking mighty these days

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

The 3-year-old trotting filly Katie Mouse appears to have acclimated nicely to her new home, scoring back-to-back wins for the team of owner Stephen Grollneck, trainer Kennedy Lindsey and pilot Luke Plano.

The Illinois-bred daughter of Armbro Tropicana captured three of her 19 starts before joining the Lindsey barn and moving her act to the West Coast, and has now posed for pictures the last two weeks while establishing a new mark in the process.

“I bought her from someone I know in Illinois who was looking to sell,” Lindsey related when asked about the bay miss. “It looked like she would fit out here and would benefit by racing on a mile track.”

After a needed effort with her trainer in the bike, Katie Mouse was paired with Plano for the first time on November 15 and came with a nice late charge to get the job done by a half-length as a 7-1 shot.

Sent off an even-money co-choice last week, they took advantage of the rail post and made every pole a winning one while prevailing by three-quarters of a length over the pocket sitter.

“Luke said she was real good in that first win,” Kennedy said. “We were going to play it by ear as far as the tactics go last time, and she just went right to the front. I was pretty confident the entire way, although I know she’s the type of horse who waits a bit on them.”

Can Katie Mouse keep the momentum going and complete a hat trick? Stay tuned.

Quality Sport, BB’s Harley in main event


Quality Sport, who has used a strong closing kick to win two of his last three starts; and BB’s Harley, his most immediate victim last time, get another chance to settle the score in Saturday night’s featured $5,000 Open I Pace.

A 12-race program is on tap with the headliner going as the third event on the evening and a first post of 6:10 p.m., while racing continues Sunday with things getting underway at 5:10 p.m.

Quality Sport is a 7-year-old son of Sportsmaster who carries the banner of Ronald and Tammy Wells and is reined and trained by Steve Wiseman. He comes into this assignment with seven wins from his 36 starts on the year with a lifetime mark of 1:53 1/5 that was set this summer at Running Aces.

The dark-hued pacer came from well back to post a neck upset at 10-1 on November 7 with Tony Succorotte at the controls, had to settle for third at next asking and then came calling late with trainer Wiseman in his last outing to prevail by a half-length over BB’s Harley while returning $20 to his backers.

BB’s Harley is a 3-year-old from the Gene Vallandingham shedrow who races for A Piece Of The Action LLC with Williams Hernandez in the sulky. He registered solid front-end victories on October 31 and November 14, led the way to deep stretch in that last tour but was unable to contain Quality Sport at crunch time. 

Rounding out the field are Endeavors King, who gives the Vallandingham barn another look at the outcome from the cozy rail slot; I’m Real Good from the Lino Pacheco shedrow; and At Last for Grodie Graham.

                                                     *******

A reminder there are two wagers on the program that come with a reduced 16 percent takeout race. They are the 50-cent Pick 5, which this season features a 25 percent minor pool payout; and the 20-cent Pick 4, which comes with a $25,000-guaranteed gross pool.


Big Fields Highlight Friday Night at The Meadowlands

East Rutherford, NJ – Friday (November 27) night’s slate of racing at The Meadowlands offers thirteen overnight races with the majority filled to the brim with ten or eleven horse fields.

Forty one pacing mares split into four divisions will compete for one of the ten berths next week $20,000 “G-Note” final. A pair of tens comprise the “G-Note” trot with the best finishers returning to race for the bonus amount next week.

Amateur racing is back with the GSY Amateur Trotting Series going post ward with a bulky field of eleven in race two.

The guarantees continue on The Meadowlands horizontal wagers with the “Late Pick 4” (races 8-11) leading the way with a promise of $50,000 in the pool at a minimum for that bet.

Friday night’s promotions are led by the $1,500 Black Friday Gift Card Sweepstakes  offering some relief to wallets preparing to be made weary by Holiday shopping and the popular Free Texas Hold’em weekly game.

For more information on all things Meadowlands including the various dining options whist enjoying the harness racing visit the track website.


Post time remains 7:00 p.m.

Monday, November 23, 2015

Meadowlands Suspends Rule Limiting Trainer Entries

After careful consideration and consultation with various horsemen, The Meadowlands will be suspending its rule limiting a trainer to two horses (other than any horse the trainer has campaigned since the horse’s first start) in the Final of a stakes race.

“There had been concerns voiced to us in the past regarding any trainer having multiple starters in one stakes final,” said Jeff Gural.  “But after listening to the view points of several horsemen, we will suspend the rule going forward.  In addition, with the horse population continuing to decrease, limiting the number of horses entered into some of our biggest races may not be in the best interest of the Meadowlands as a business.  We will monitor this going forward and we certainly reserve the right to bring this rule back with 30 days notice, if we feel it is necessary.”


The suspension of this rule is effective immediately and all trainers should be aware of this when submitting their nominations for our stakes events on February 15th.

DOT DOT DOT DASH WINS SUNDAY 50G OPEN HANDICAP TROT

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

YONKERS, NY, Sunday, November 22, 2015—Lone lass Dot Dot Dot Dash (Matt Kakaley, $24.20) engineered the upset Sunday afternoon, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $50,000 Open Handicap Trot.

Assigned post position No,. 6 in the mile-and-a-quarter medley, Dot Dot Dot Dash lagged last in the early going as lone 3-year-old French Laundry (Dan Dube) two-moved to the lead (:29.2, :59.2). Red Hot Herbie (Brian Sears) was patrolling the pocket when 3-2 choice Luminosity (George Brennan) moved…in a hurry.

Luminosity engaged French Laundry in and out of both a 1:29.2 three-quarters and 1:57.1 mile post (:27.4 fourth quarter) Meanwhile, Dot Dot Dot Dash had loosely tracked move of the favorite before ducking in a three-hole for a breather.  

It was Luminosity owning a short lead in and out of the final turn, but pre-Thanksgiving company was coming. A refreshed Dot Dot Dot Dash left the cones, angled widest and went by. He defeated a ground-saving Sumatra (Jordan Stratton) by a length-and-a-half in 2:27.1.

Red Hot Herbie, Luminosity and There’sademoninme (Andy Miller) completed the cashers.   

For fifth choice Dot Dot Dot Dash, a 5-year-old daughter of Classic Photo owned by William Vandervort Jr. and trained by Shae Vandervort, it was her seventh win in 23 seasonal tries. The exacta paid $142, with the triple returning $1,673.

Note that since no one took down the Sunday Pick 5, Monday’s gimmick, which already has a $10,000 guaranteed pool, begins with a carryover of $2,649.08 (50-cent base wager, races 7 through 11, program pages at www.yonkersraceway.com).

Also, Sunday props to driver Mark MacDonald, who won four races during the dozen-race card.


Sunday, November 22, 2015

Vernon Racing Recap - Saturday, November 21, 2015

by James Witherite, Vernon Downs racing media

Vernon Downs crowns champions; wraps up 2015 season

Vernon, N.Y. -- The 2015 season at Vernon Downs came to a close on Saturday (November 21) evening, with a nine-race card bringing the curtain down on the 90-program meeting.

"We thank all of the horsemen who raced at Vernon Downs this year for another successful meet," said Jason M. Settlemoir, Vice President of Racing at Vernon Downs.  " As always, we also thank our loyal customers, and we look forward to seeing everyone back in the spring for the 2016 racing season at the Miracle Mile."

John MacDonald took top driving honours for the meet, winning 151 races, 14 more than runner-up Chris Lems.  MacDonald teamed up with Vernon Downs training champion Dave Dewhurst in the evening's $4800 first event, prevailing with odds-on favourite Fox Valley Cadet ($2.60) in pillar-to-post fashion in 1:55.1.

Dewhurst successfully defended his 2014 training championship, concluding the 2015 season with 69 winners, 16 more than Truman Gale.  Among Dewhurst's triumphs were a pair on Closing Night, as he also found success with Pantheon Hanover ($6.30) in a $5400 pacing event.

Co-featured $9000 races on both gaits shared the spotlight, with Shock N Rock ($12.00) kicking cover to defeat a quartet of pacers in 1:51.  Justin Huckabone drove the 5-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding for owner-trainer Scott West.  Among an octet of trotters contesting their feature, War Hero ($3.90) took advantage of a pocket trip behind Write That Down, vacating the pegs in mid-stretch and lunging to a narrow 1:54.2 win under Howard Okusko, Jr.  Jessica Okusko trains the 7-year-old Ken Warkentin gelding for Howard Gill.

A pair of events for 9-year-olds and upward closed the season, with trotter Yankee Manny ($3.20, Lems, 1:59) and pacer Veal Marsala ($12.60, Jimmy Whittemore, 1:54.4) capturing the "War Horse" events.  Another veteran took his curtain call earlier in the evening:  14-year-old My Fella, owned and trained by Allie Berube and driven by Fern Paquet, Jr., made his final Vernon Downs appearance after a 12-season career on the racetrack with a third-place finish in a $3000 conditioned event.

Live racing will return to Vernon Downs in the spring of 2016.  Once made final, the schedule will be available at www.vernondowns.com.


TAKE IT BACK TERRY WINS SATURDAY 40G OPEN HANDICAP PACE

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

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, November 21, 2015—Favored Take it Back Terry (George Brennan, $4.80) held off the other 7-5 shot Ideal Cowboy (Jason Bartlett) Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $40,000 Open Handicap Pace.

Assigned inside their four rivals, “Cowboy,” then “Terry” both found front quickly. Take it Back Terry gained the lead right at the :27.1 opening quarter mile. From there, it was a 55.4 half and 1:23.3 three-quarters as Lucan Hanover (Brian Sears) took out of third.

Take it Back Terry owned a length-and-a-half into the lane, then held Ideal Cowboy—chauffeur dropping whip and all—at bay by a half–length in 1:50.4. The Real One (Pat Lachance) rallied from last to grab third, with Lucan Hanover and E Z Noah (Brent Holland) settling for the remainder. Dream Out Loud N (Tyler Buter) was outrun.


For Take it Back Terry, a 6-year-old Western Terror gelding co-owned (as Burke Racing) by (trainer) Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi, Larry Karr and Phil Collura, it was his 13th win in 29 seasonal tries. The exacta paid $10, with the triple (three wagering favorites in order) returning $27.

Bettor’s Edge Upsets the TVG Pacing Championship

A field of six contested the $400,000 TVG Pacing Championship.  Off the wings of the gate, five of the six free for all pacers tried to leave for position.  The only horse content to watch the action early was Bettor’s Edge.  That strategy by Matt Kakaley turned out to be the winning one as Bettor’s Edge stormed down the center of the track, from dead last, to score a 19-1 upset in the TVG Pacing Championship.
The first horse to the lead was Mach It So, who took all the late-money being released as the 4.5 favorite.  He used every ounce of his speed to clear the lead from the widest post in the field, reaching the opening quarter in a sharp 26.1.  But the second-choice in the wagering, JK Endofanera was already on the move and he quickly challenged for the lead down the backstretch and would clear the front before the half mile in 54 seconds.  Meanwhile, Somewhere In L A was headstrong in the three-hole and Corey Callahan could not hold his gelding and was forced to commit first over.  Foiled Again picked up the cover in the outer flow, while Bettor’s Edge inched closer into the third over position.  JK Endofanera led past three-quarters in 1:22.2 while facing pressure from Somewhere In LA.  As the field turned for home, the free for all pacers spread across the track and all took their shots.  Mach It So found room at the pylons, Foiled Again tried to kick off cover, JK Endofanera reached for the wire and Mach It So was rallying down the center of the track.  In the end, Bettor’s Edge out-sprinted the talented field to win going away in 1:50 with Matt Kakaley.  Mach It So rallied up the pylons for the runner-up spot while Foiled Again finished third.
Matt Kakaley was pleased to finally get a trip for his six year old getting.  “He really has had a lot of bad luck,” said Kakaley.  “We have been trapped in a few times where he was finishing with pace, but we just had bad luck in those races.  Tonight they were mixing it up early and it really set up well for us.  It worked out absolutely perfectly.”
Trainer Ron Burke confirmed that both Bettor’s Edge and Foiled Again will head to North Carolina for the winter and will return for the 2016 racing season.  The win in the TVG Pacing Championship was the third stakes win on the night for trainer Ron Burke.
The win was the 26th in the career of Bettor’s Edge, sending his lifetime earnings to nearly $1.8 Million.
Resolve Trots the Race of His Life in TVG Trotting Championship
There have been a lot of questions regarding the older trotters and just who would assume command of the division.  After Saturday night, Resolve answered all those questions and jumped to the head of the class, winning the TVG Free For All Trotting Championship in 1:51.4 for Ake Svanstedt.
In similar fashion to his win in the final preliminary leg last week, Resolve moved to the lead shortly after the opening quarter, which was reached in 27 seconds by longshot DW’s NY Yank.  Once on the lead, Resolve was allowed to relax. 
The same could not be said for E L Titan who got caught in some traffic down the backstretch and ended up three wide, trotting toward the half mile.  Tim Tetrick guided E L Titan to the first over position after racing three wide, crossing in front of Obrigado with The Bank in the outer flow.  But Resolve was able to back the field down with a 29.3 second quarter, reaching the half-mile in 56.3. E L Titan, in the final start of his career was applying pressure, but Ake Svanstedt had plenty of horse in front of him and Resolve began to edge away, trotting past three-quarters in 1:25.  The stretch drive was a mere formality as Resolve began to pour it on, winning by three lengths in the end, trotting a final quarter of 26.4 to complete the mile in 1:51.4. 
“He’s a very good horse,” said owner/trainer Ake Svanstedt.  “He is getting closer and closer to Sebastian K with every start.  He is just a four year old beating the older horses, he should be really good next year.”
Obrigado held the runner-up position while Flanagan Memory rallied from last to be third.
The win was the fourth of the season for Resolve.  He finishes his four year old campaign with earnings of $706,938 this season.
Resolve was trained and driven by Ake Svanstedt for owner Hans Enggren.
Boston Red Rocks Makes His Case For Divisional Honors
Going into the Breeders Crown Final, Boston Red Rocks wasn’t on anyone's radar in terms of the two year old pacing championship.  It is safe to say that over the past month, that has changed.
Sent off as the even-money favorite, Boston Red Rocks was allowed to settle mid-pack while elimination winner, Big Top Hanover established the pace through an opening quarter in 27-seconds.  When the field straightened away in the backstretch, driver Tim Tetrick popped the plugs and Boston Red Rocks unleashed his turn of foot and flew to the lead, reaching the half-mile in a sharp 55-seconds.  The outer flow was slow to develop, but that didn’t prevent the race favorite from sprinting a 27.3 third quarter, with the 8/5 second choice Big Top Hanover on his back.  Into the stretch, Boston Red Rocks got separation on the field and reached for the line, holding off the other elimination winner Katies Rocker to win in a lifetime best 1:50.3.
The win was the fourth in nine starts for the two year old son of Rocknroll Hanover.  Tim Tetrick has been impressed with the colt over his past few starts. “He doesn’t do his best work on the front end, it’s really not where he wants to be,” said Tetrick.  “But, I knew I had to go forward off the gate.  He really likes to chase horses though.”  Looking ahead to next year, Tetrick said the upside is there.  “He can shoot for the skies next year.”
Boston Red Rocks is trained by Steve Elliot for owners Peter Blood and Rick Berks.
Katies Rocker was second and Big Top Hanover held on to the show spot.
Win Photo Cannot Separate Winners of Valley Victory
They say there are few moments in sports that can rival the photo finish and the $489,400 Valley Victory Final certainly was representative of that statement.  In the end, the win photograph couldn’t decide a winner, because the noses of Dog Gone Lucky and Make Or Miss hit the wire together, a dead heat in the richest race of the night.
For Dog Gone Lucky, the win belonged to Chuck Sylvester and for Make Or Miss, the story was his young pilot Joe Bongiorno.  The irony, Sylvester was winning Hambletonians before Bongiorno was born and now they both set their eyes on harness racing’s greatest prize in 2016.
Dog Gone Lucky made an aggressive move to the lead, after Mavens Way made a break after a quarter in 27 seconds.  In the meantime, Make Or Miss had nearly 10 lengths to make up, trotting in eighth position down the backstretch.  Then, the outer flow began to develop as Taco Tuesday committed first over passed the half in just 57 seconds, a 30-second second quarter. Marion Marauder picked up that cover and Make Or Miss tracked the pair on the far turn while Dog Gone Lucky reached three-quarters in 1:26.  Dog Gone Lucky opened up a clear lead in the stretch after a 59-second middle half, but just as he did, Make Or Miss found his best stride and put that electric turn of foot on display as he began to reel in the favorite. However, the wire was also coming quickly and it came just as both noses hit the wire, a dead heat in 1:54.
Joe Bongiorno was nearly speechless in the winner’s circle.  “This is beyond amazing, I can’t believe it,” said Bongiorno.  “I just want to thank all the connections for giving me the opportunity, this is the best moment in my life.”  Not to be out-done, trainer Chuck Sylvester reminded that he isn’t done yet.  “I’m not retired yet,” Sylvester joked.  “These horses will get a well-deserved break and hopefully we’ll back (for the Hambletonian) next year.
The win was the first major stakes win for Bongiorno and the fifth win in the Valley Victory for Sylvester.  It was the second victory for Make Or Miss, the son of Donato Hanover who now has earnings of over $223,000 while Dog Gone Lucky won for the seventh time and his fifth in a row, with his earnings now beyond a half-million dollars.
Make Or Miss is trained by Ron Burke for Burke Racing Stable, Our Horse Cents Stables, Weaver Bruscemi and Jerry and Theresa Silva.  Dog Gone Lucky was driven by Corey Callahan for trainer Chuck Sylvester and owners Amy Lynn Stoltzfus and Charles E Stansley.
Mission Brief Concludes Season with a Statement
The buzz around the $144,000 Continentalvictory was centered on two fillies, Mission Brief and Wild Honey, hoping to earn divisional honors with a compelling performance.  Mission Brief seized that opportunity and performed like a champion.  Sent off as the prohibitive 1/9 choice, Mission Brief was hustled to the lead early in the mile and it was a lead she would never relinquish.
Sprinting past a quarter in 27.4, Mission Brief and her pilot Yannick Gingras kicked away from Wild Honey down the backstretch and Wild Honey felt whip taps from her driver John Campbell just to try to keep up.  In the meantime, Mission Brief was trotting smoothly on the lead past the half-mile in 56 seconds and she began to open up on the field on the far turn, reaching three-quarters in 1:24.1 while leading the field by four lengths.  From there, Mission Brief had the Meadowlands homestretch all to herself and she trotted a 27.2 final quarter under no urging to win the Continentalvictory in 1:51.3 in the final start of her season, a win that put Mission Brief past $1 Million this season.
“She’s the best trotter in training,” exclaimed driver Yannick Gingras in a post-race interview. “No disrespect to any of the older trotters, but I wish she was in that race tonight.  I don’t think any of them want any part of her.”
Ron Burke was beaming with pride in the winner’s circle as well.  “She’s the best horse I’ve ever had,” said Burke.  “Next year is going to be tough, she is going to face all the good ones and I am not going to duck anyone.  We are going to find out if she is as good as we all think she is.”
With the win, Mission Brief concludes her season with 10 wins from 14 starts and earnings of $1,001,317.  For her career, the star filly has 19 wins from 27 races and earnings of nearly $1.6 Million.  She is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Our Horse Cents Stables, Jerry and Theresa Silva and Weaver Bruscemi.  Wild Honey completed the exacta with Kelsey’s Keepsake and Lady Winona completing the field.
Divine Caroline Triumphant in the Tarport Hap
An overflow field of 12 contested the $173,500 Tarport Hap at 1 1/8th miles on Saturday night at The Meadowlands.  The race was hotly contested with no less than five lead changes from start to finish.  The last lead change belonged to Divine Caroline, who took over in the shadow of the wire and scored the victory in 2:05.1 after the mile was paced in 1:50.1.
There was plenty of speed early, with Single Me launching from post 10 and reaching the first quarter in 26-seconds.  From there, Rock Me Gently would move to the lead briefly, before Bettor N Better cleared the front past the half-mile in 54.4.  Next to the lead would be the 9/5 favorite Bedroomconfessions, who guided the field past three-quarters in 1:22.2.  That move left Sassa Hanover uncovered first over with Divine Caroline stalking from a second over position.  It took the length of the stretch, but Divine Caroline would use the long Meadowlands stretch to wear down Bedroomconfessions to earn the victory.  Bettor N Better finished third.
The victory was the eighth on the season for the three year old daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven for trainer Joe Holloway who was very pleased with the win. “I think that wrapped up the division for her with this win,” said Holloway.  “I thought she was in a good spot and it took her a while to get there but she got it done.”  Holloway confirmed that Divine Caroline would return to the racetrack in 2016 as a four year old.
Divine Caroline is owned by Val D’Or Farms, Ted Gewertz, Rojan Stables and M.A. Ouriel.  Her seasonal earnings conclude at $673,339.
It was worth sticking around for the last race for Wallington, New Jersey resident Joseph Bohnarczyk, whose $20 Win and $10 Place and Show Wager on Buckeye In Charge at 39-1 launched him to a win in the World Harness Handicapping Championship Qualifier that took place on Saturday night at The Meadowlands.  He earned a berth into the Championship event on April 30, 2016 at The Meadowlands and took home $1,764 in prize money in addition to his bankroll which was over $1,100.

Total handle for the 14-race program was $2,941,258.

Racing resumes on Friday night, with first post time at 7:00 P.M.

Bettor’s Edge Upsets the TVG Pacing Championship

A field of six contested the $400,000 TVG Pacing Championship.  Off the wings of the gate, five of the six free for all pacers tried to leave for position.  The only horse content to watch the action early was Bettor’s Edge.  That strategy by Matt Kakaley turned out to be the winning one as Bettor’s Edge stormed down the center of the track, from dead last, to score a 19-1 upset in the TVG Pacing Championship.
The first horse to the lead was Mach It So, who took all the late-money being released as the 4.5 favorite.  He used every ounce of his speed to clear the lead from the widest post in the field, reaching the opening quarter in a sharp 26.1.  But the second-choice in the wagering, JK Endofanera was already on the move and he quickly challenged for the lead down the backstretch and would clear the front before the half mile in 54 seconds.  Meanwhile, Somewhere In L A was headstrong in the three-hole and Corey Callahan could not hold his gelding and was forced to commit first over.  Foiled Again picked up the cover in the outer flow, while Bettor’s Edge inched closer into the third over position.  JK Endofanera led past three-quarters in 1:22.2 while facing pressure from Somewhere In LA.  As the field turned for home, the free for all pacers spread across the track and all took their shots.  Mach It So found room at the pylons, Foiled Again tried to kick off cover, JK Endofanera reached for the wire and Mach It So was rallying down the center of the track.  In the end, Bettor’s Edge out-sprinted the talented field to win going away in 1:50 with Matt Kakaley.  Mach It So rallied up the pylons for the runner-up spot while Foiled Again finished third.
Matt Kakaley was pleased to finally get a trip for his six year old getting.  “He really has had a lot of bad luck,” said Kakaley.  “We have been trapped in a few times where he was finishing with pace, but we just had bad luck in those races.  Tonight they were mixing it up early and it really set up well for us.  It worked out absolutely perfectly.”
Trainer Ron Burke confirmed that both Bettor’s Edge and Foiled Again will head to North Carolina for the winter and will return for the 2016 racing season.  The win in the TVG Pacing Championship was the third stakes win on the night for trainer Ron Burke.
The win was the 26th in the career of Bettor’s Edge, sending his lifetime earnings to nearly $1.8 Million.
Resolve Trots the Race of His Life in TVG Trotting Championship
There have been a lot of questions regarding the older trotters and just who would assume command of the division.  After Saturday night, Resolve answered all those questions and jumped to the head of the class, winning the TVG Free For All Trotting Championship in 1:51.4 for Ake Svanstedt.
In similar fashion to his win in the final preliminary leg last week, Resolve moved to the lead shortly after the opening quarter, which was reached in 27 seconds by longshot DW’s NY Yank.  Once on the lead, Resolve was allowed to relax. 
The same could not be said for E L Titan who got caught in some traffic down the backstretch and ended up three wide, trotting toward the half mile.  Tim Tetrick guided E L Titan to the first over position after racing three wide, crossing in front of Obrigado with The Bank in the outer flow.  But Resolve was able to back the field down with a 29.3 second quarter, reaching the half-mile in 56.3. E L Titan, in the final start of his career was applying pressure, but Ake Svanstedt had plenty of horse in front of him and Resolve began to edge away, trotting past three-quarters in 1:25.  The stretch drive was a mere formality as Resolve began to pour it on, winning by three lengths in the end, trotting a final quarter of 26.4 to complete the mile in 1:51.4. 
“He’s a very good horse,” said owner/trainer Ake Svanstedt.  “He is getting closer and closer to Sebastian K with every start.  He is just a four year old beating the older horses, he should be really good next year.”
Obrigado held the runner-up position while Flanagan Memory rallied from last to be third.
The win was the fourth of the season for Resolve.  He finishes his four year old campaign with earnings of $706,938 this season.
Resolve was trained and driven by Ake Svanstedt for owner Hans Enggren.
Boston Red Rocks Makes His Case For Divisional Honors
Going into the Breeders Crown Final, Boston Red Rocks wasn’t on anyone's radar in terms of the two year old pacing championship.  It is safe to say that over the past month, that has changed.
Sent off as the even-money favorite, Boston Red Rocks was allowed to settle mid-pack while elimination winner, Big Top Hanover established the pace through an opening quarter in 27-seconds.  When the field straightened away in the backstretch, driver Tim Tetrick popped the plugs and Boston Red Rocks unleashed his turn of foot and flew to the lead, reaching the half-mile in a sharp 55-seconds.  The outer flow was slow to develop, but that didn’t prevent the race favorite from sprinting a 27.3 third quarter, with the 8/5 second choice Big Top Hanover on his back.  Into the stretch, Boston Red Rocks got separation on the field and reached for the line, holding off the other elimination winner Katies Rocker to win in a lifetime best 1:50.3.
The win was the fourth in nine starts for the two year old son of Rocknroll Hanover.  Tim Tetrick has been impressed with the colt over his past few starts. “He doesn’t do his best work on the front end, it’s really not where he wants to be,” said Tetrick.  “But, I knew I had to go forward off the gate.  He really likes to chase horses though.”  Looking ahead to next year, Tetrick said the upside is there.  “He can shoot for the skies next year.”
Boston Red Rocks is trained by Steve Elliot for owners Peter Blood and Rick Berks.
Katies Rocker was second and Big Top Hanover held on to the show spot.
Win Photo Cannot Separate Winners of Valley Victory
They say there are few moments in sports that can rival the photo finish and the $489,400 Valley Victory Final certainly was representative of that statement.  In the end, the win photograph couldn’t decide a winner, because the noses of Dog Gone Lucky and Make Or Miss hit the wire together, a dead heat in the richest race of the night.
For Dog Gone Lucky, the win belonged to Chuck Sylvester and for Make Or Miss, the story was his young pilot Joe Bongiorno.  The irony, Sylvester was winning Hambletonians before Bongiorno was born and now they both set their eyes on harness racing’s greatest prize in 2016.
Dog Gone Lucky made an aggressive move to the lead, after Mavens Way made a break after a quarter in 27 seconds.  In the meantime, Make Or Miss had nearly 10 lengths to make up, trotting in eighth position down the backstretch.  Then, the outer flow began to develop as Taco Tuesday committed first over passed the half in just 57 seconds, a 30-second second quarter. Marion Marauder picked up that cover and Make Or Miss tracked the pair on the far turn while Dog Gone Lucky reached three-quarters in 1:26.  Dog Gone Lucky opened up a clear lead in the stretch after a 59-second middle half, but just as he did, Make Or Miss found his best stride and put that electric turn of foot on display as he began to reel in the favorite. However, the wire was also coming quickly and it came just as both noses hit the wire, a dead heat in 1:54.
Joe Bongiorno was nearly speechless in the winner’s circle.  “This is beyond amazing, I can’t believe it,” said Bongiorno.  “I just want to thank all the connections for giving me the opportunity, this is the best moment in my life.”  Not to be out-done, trainer Chuck Sylvester reminded that he isn’t done yet.  “I’m not retired yet,” Sylvester joked.  “These horses will get a well-deserved break and hopefully we’ll back (for the Hambletonian) next year.
The win was the first major stakes win for Bongiorno and the fifth win in the Valley Victory for Sylvester.  It was the second victory for Make Or Miss, the son of Donato Hanover who now has earnings of over $223,000 while Dog Gone Lucky won for the seventh time and his fifth in a row, with his earnings now beyond a half-million dollars.
Make Or Miss is trained by Ron Burke for Burke Racing Stable, Our Horse Cents Stables, Weaver Bruscemi and Jerry and Theresa Silva.  Dog Gone Lucky was driven by Corey Callahan for trainer Chuck Sylvester and owners Amy Lynn Stoltzfus and Charles E Stansley.
Mission Brief Concludes Season with a Statement
The buzz around the $144,000 Continentalvictory was centered on two fillies, Mission Brief and Wild Honey, hoping to earn divisional honors with a compelling performance.  Mission Brief seized that opportunity and performed like a champion.  Sent off as the prohibitive 1/9 choice, Mission Brief was hustled to the lead early in the mile and it was a lead she would never relinquish.
Sprinting past a quarter in 27.4, Mission Brief and her pilot Yannick Gingras kicked away from Wild Honey down the backstretch and Wild Honey felt whip taps from her driver John Campbell just to try to keep up.  In the meantime, Mission Brief was trotting smoothly on the lead past the half-mile in 56 seconds and she began to open up on the field on the far turn, reaching three-quarters in 1:24.1 while leading the field by four lengths.  From there, Mission Brief had the Meadowlands homestretch all to herself and she trotted a 27.2 final quarter under no urging to win the Continentalvictory in 1:51.3 in the final start of her season, a win that put Mission Brief past $1 Million this season.
“She’s the best trotter in training,” exclaimed driver Yannick Gingras in a post-race interview. “No disrespect to any of the older trotters, but I wish she was in that race tonight.  I don’t think any of them want any part of her.”
Ron Burke was beaming with pride in the winner’s circle as well.  “She’s the best horse I’ve ever had,” said Burke.  “Next year is going to be tough, she is going to face all the good ones and I am not going to duck anyone.  We are going to find out if she is as good as we all think she is.”
With the win, Mission Brief concludes her season with 10 wins from 14 starts and earnings of $1,001,317.  For her career, the star filly has 19 wins from 27 races and earnings of nearly $1.6 Million.  She is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Our Horse Cents Stables, Jerry and Theresa Silva and Weaver Bruscemi.  Wild Honey completed the exacta with Kelsey’s Keepsake and Lady Winona completing the field.
Divine Caroline Triumphant in the Tarport Hap
An overflow field of 12 contested the $173,500 Tarport Hap at 1 1/8th miles on Saturday night at The Meadowlands.  The race was hotly contested with no less than five lead changes from start to finish.  The last lead change belonged to Divine Caroline, who took over in the shadow of the wire and scored the victory in 2:05.1 after the mile was paced in 1:50.1.
There was plenty of speed early, with Single Me launching from post 10 and reaching the first quarter in 26-seconds.  From there, Rock Me Gently would move to the lead briefly, before Bettor N Better cleared the front past the half-mile in 54.4.  Next to the lead would be the 9/5 favorite Bedroomconfessions, who guided the field past three-quarters in 1:22.2.  That move left Sassa Hanover uncovered first over with Divine Caroline stalking from a second over position.  It took the length of the stretch, but Divine Caroline would use the long Meadowlands stretch to wear down Bedroomconfessions to earn the victory.  Bettor N Better finished third.
The victory was the eighth on the season for the three year old daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven for trainer Joe Holloway who was very pleased with the win. “I think that wrapped up the division for her with this win,” said Holloway.  “I thought she was in a good spot and it took her a while to get there but she got it done.”  Holloway confirmed that Divine Caroline would return to the racetrack in 2016 as a four year old.
Divine Caroline is owned by Val D’Or Farms, Ted Gewertz, Rojan Stables and M.A. Ouriel.  Her seasonal earnings conclude at $673,339.


Resolve Trots the Race of His Life in TVG Trotting Championship

There have been a lot of questions regarding the older trotters and just who would assume command of the division.  After Saturday night, Resolve answered all those questions and jumped to the head of the class, winning the TVG Free For All Trotting Championship in 1:51.4 for Ake Svanstedt.
In similar fashion to his win in the final preliminary leg last week, Resolve moved to the lead shortly after the opening quarter, which was reached in 27 seconds by longshot DW’s NY Yank.  Once on the lead, Resolve was allowed to relax. 
The same could not be said for E L Titan who got caught in some traffic down the backstretch and ended up three wide, trotting toward the half mile.  Tim Tetrick guided E L Titan to the first over position after racing three wide, crossing in front of Obrigado with The Bank in the outer flow.  But Resolve was able to back the field down with a 29.3 second quarter, reaching the half-mile in 56.3. E L Titan, in the final start of his career was applying pressure, but Ake Svanstedt had plenty of horse in front of him and Resolve began to edge away, trotting past three-quarters in 1:25.  The stretch drive was a mere formality as Resolve began to pour it on, winning by three lengths in the end, trotting a final quarter of 26.4 to complete the mile in 1:51.4. 
“He’s a very good horse,” said owner/trainer Ake Svanstedt.  “He is getting closer and closer to Sebastian K with every start.  He is just a four year old beating the older horses, he should be really good next year.”
Obrigado held the runner-up position while Flanagan Memory rallied from last to be third.
The win was the fourth of the season for Resolve.  He finishes his four year old campaign with earnings of $706,938 this season.
Resolve was trained and driven by Ake Svanstedt for owner Hans Enggren.
Boston Red Rocks Makes His Case For Divisional Honors
Going into the Breeders Crown Final, Boston Red Rocks wasn’t on anyone's radar in terms of the two year old pacing championship.  It is safe to say that over the past month, that has changed.
Sent off as the even-money favorite, Boston Red Rocks was allowed to settle mid-pack while elimination winner, Big Top Hanover established the pace through an opening quarter in 27-seconds.  When the field straightened away in the backstretch, driver Tim Tetrick popped the plugs and Boston Red Rocks unleashed his turn of foot and flew to the lead, reaching the half-mile in a sharp 55-seconds.  The outer flow was slow to develop, but that didn’t prevent the race favorite from sprinting a 27.3 third quarter, with the 8/5 second choice Big Top Hanover on his back.  Into the stretch, Boston Red Rocks got separation on the field and reached for the line, holding off the other elimination winner Katies Rocker to win in a lifetime best 1:50.3.
The win was the fourth in nine starts for the two year old son of Rocknroll Hanover.  Tim Tetrick has been impressed with the colt over his past few starts. “He doesn’t do his best work on the front end, it’s really not where he wants to be,” said Tetrick.  “But, I knew I had to go forward off the gate.  He really likes to chase horses though.”  Looking ahead to next year, Tetrick said the upside is there.  “He can shoot for the skies next year.”
Boston Red Rocks is trained by Steve Elliot for owners Peter Blood and Rick Berks.
Katies Rocker was second and Big Top Hanover held on to the show spot.
Win Photo Cannot Separate Winners of Valley Victory
They say there are few moments in sports that can rival the photo finish and the $489,400 Valley Victory Final certainly was representative of that statement.  In the end, the win photograph couldn’t decide a winner, because the noses of Dog Gone Lucky and Make Or Miss hit the wire together, a dead heat in the richest race of the night.
For Dog Gone Lucky, the win belonged to Chuck Sylvester and for Make Or Miss, the story was his young pilot Joe Bongiorno.  The irony, Sylvester was winning Hambletonians before Bongiorno was born and now they both set their eyes on harness racing’s greatest prize in 2016.
Dog Gone Lucky made an aggressive move to the lead, after Mavens Way made a break after a quarter in 27 seconds.  In the meantime, Make Or Miss had nearly 10 lengths to make up, trotting in eighth position down the backstretch.  Then, the outer flow began to develop as Taco Tuesday committed first over passed the half in just 57 seconds, a 30-second second quarter. Marion Marauder picked up that cover and Make Or Miss tracked the pair on the far turn while Dog Gone Lucky reached three-quarters in 1:26.  Dog Gone Lucky opened up a clear lead in the stretch after a 59-second middle half, but just as he did, Make Or Miss found his best stride and put that electric turn of foot on display as he began to reel in the favorite. However, the wire was also coming quickly and it came just as both noses hit the wire, a dead heat in 1:54.
Joe Bongiorno was nearly speechless in the winner’s circle.  “This is beyond amazing, I can’t believe it,” said Bongiorno.  “I just want to thank all the connections for giving me the opportunity, this is the best moment in my life.”  Not to be out-done, trainer Chuck Sylvester reminded that he isn’t done yet.  “I’m not retired yet,” Sylvester joked.  “These horses will get a well deserved break and hopefully we’ll back (for the Hambletonian) next year.
The win was the first major stakes win for Bongiorno and the fifth win in the Valley Victory for Sylvester.  It was the second victory for Make Or Miss, the son of Donato Hanover who now has earnings of over $223,000 while Dog Gone Lucky won for the seventh time and his fifth in a row, with his earnings now beyond a half-million dollars.
Make Or Miss is trained by Ron Burke for Burke Racing Stable, Our Horse Centes Stables, Weaver Bruscemi and Jerry and Theresa Silva.  Dog Gone Lucky was driven by Corey Callahan for trainer Chuck Sylvester and owners Amy Lynn Stoltzfus and Charles E Stansley.
Mission Brief Concludes Season with a Statement
The buzz around the $144,000 Continentalvictory was centered around two fillies, Mission Brief and Wild Honey, hoping to earn divisional honors with a compelling performance.  Mission Brief seized that opportunity and performed like a champion.  Sent off as the prohibitive 1/9 choice, Mission Brief was hustled to the lead early in the mile and it was a lead she would never relinquish.
Sprinting past a quarter in 27.4, Mission Brief and her pilot Yannick Gingras kicked away from Wild Honey down the backstretch and Wild Honey felt whip taps from her driver John Campbell just to try to keep up.  In the meantime, Mission Brief was trotting smoothly on the lead past the half-mile in 56 seconds and she began to open up on the field on the far turn, reaching three-quarters in 1:24.1 while leading the field by four lengths.  From there, Mission Brief had the Meadowlands homestretch all to herself and she trotted a 27.2 final quarter under no urging to win the Continentalvictory in 1:51.3 in the final start of her season, a win that put Mission Brief past $1 Million this season.
“She’s the best trotter in training,” exclaimed driver Yannick Gingras in a post-race interview. “No disrespect to any of the older trotters, but I wish she was in that race tonight.  I don’t think any of them want any part of her.”
Ron Burke was beaming with pride in the winner’s circle as well.  “She’s the best horse I’ve ever had,” said Burke.  “Next year is going to be tough, she is going to face all the good ones and I am not going to duck anyone.  We are going to find out if she is as good as we all think she is.”
With the win, Mission Brief concludes her season with 10 wins from 14 starts and earnings of $1,001,317.  For her career, the star filly has 19 wins from 27 races and earnings of nearly $1.6 Million.  She is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Our Horse Cents Stables, Jerry and Theresa Silva and Weaver Bruscemi.  Wild Honey completed the exacta with Kelsey’s Keepsake and Lady Winona completing the field.