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Thursday, June 30, 2016

Holiday Racing Weekend at The Meadowlands

East Rutherford, NJ - The holiday weekend at The Meadowlands offers a look into racing's future with two-year-old stakes on Friday, July 1 then celebrates America's Independence on Saturday with a special 6:30 p.m. post time and a grand fireworks display immediately following the races.

The New Jersey Sires Stakes (NJSS) for two-year-olds gets underway on Friday with six divisions of Garden State bred trotting and pacing hopefuls.

It's been said that it takes a Muscle Hill to beat a Muscle Hill. That claim becomes fact in the four divisions of freshman trots as all of the twenty five participants are the progeny of that top trotting sire.

A dozen colts were split into two $20,000 divisions carded as races three and four.

The $280,000 Lexington sale purchase Mountain Of Love has had a pair of Meadowlands baby races in preparation for his pari-mutuel debut in the third race. He's trotted in the 1:59 range with solid final fractions in each and leaves from post position four with driver Scott Zeron. Tony Alagna conditions the colt for his own interests as Alagna Racing with partners Crawford Racing, Mystical Marker Farms and In The Gym Partners.

The second division of colts finds Fly On also situated in post four. He has been successful in both of his preps, most recently streaking home in 27.3 for driver Andy Miller to finish out a 1:59.4 mile. Fly On was a $55,000 Lexington purchase by trainer Julie Miller on behalf of the Andy Miller Stable, Arden Homestead Stable and GTY Stable.

Trotting fillies open the Friday card with a field of six chasing the winner's share of the $20,000 purse. Checkmate Time (post four) has been very impressive in her morning trials, trotting sub 28 final quarters in each resulting in a pair of closing seconds before winning her most recent effort in 1:59.2. She is a homebred racing for the interests of Roy Dobbins, is trained by Dennis Laterza and Scott Zeron has the call on her as well.

Seven precocious trotting fillies will contest division two of the stake (race six). Ariana G has won both of her schooling races, trotting home in 27 and change in each the latest a 1:58.2 tally out of the pocket for Yannick Gingras. She's a Marvin Katz & Al Libfeld homebred trained by Hall of Famer Jimmy Takter.

The pacing fillies and colts will race for a purse of $25,000 being just a single division for each. If I Can Dream boasts a like distinction to Muscle Hill on this gait as all of the pacers are by that Breeders Crown winning sire.

The colts number seven in race two with Aaron Lambert going old school as the owner, trainer and driver on his $12,000 Harrisburg bargain colt Every Way Out. He was an easy 1:59.2 winner at Gaitway Farms in his first outing, followed up by a useful fourth in preparation for Friday's stake.

Ten of the fairer sex throw down in race ten where trainer Erv Miller and Ron Michelon's homebred Livinginthedream has the most impressive credentials but must overcome the far outside post ten.
She's paced home hard in each of her three prior efforts and has the talent, it's left to driver Marcus Miller to fashion the winning trip.

Last year's Cane Pace champ Dealt A Winner makes his seasonal debut on Saturday, facing a field of high-end condition types in the sixth race.

Saturday's early post time will result in the live races being concluded by around 10:15 p.m. with the Ben Franklin and Earl Beal finals shown on the giant infield screen before the fireworks begin at 10:30.

With Saturday's earlier-than-normal post time, the track’s Pick Five guarantee will not be offered on the sequence which covers Races 1 – 5. In addition, the Late Pick Four wager’s guarantee will be $40,000. The Late Pick Four covers Races 7 – 10. The Early Pick Four (Races 3 – 6) will continue to offer a $25,000 guaranteed pool. These changes will only be in effect on Saturday, July 2.


Cherry Royal Ruby Impressive In NYSS At Buffalo

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Cherry Royal Ruby put in the fastest time of the five divisions ($109,800) of the New York Sire Stakes for the 2-year-old filly trotters at Buffalo Raceway Wednesday night (June 29) as she romped to an easy 6-1/2 length victory in 2:02.1.

Despite the eye-opening performance by Cherry Royal Ruby, it was well off the track record for her classification of 2:00.2 set in 2009 by Munis Bluechip.

There was a dead heat in the fifth division as Scarey Karie and Run For Royalty couldn't be separated by a photo in 2:04.0. 

Maewegonow ($3.70) took her division with a win in 2:03.3, Mighty Surf got the perfect gate-to-wire journey from driver Kevin Cummings to notch a $27.00 surprise in 2:04.4 while Heels On Wheels used a last panel of 29.1 to dispose of the field in her bracket in 2:04.0.

It was a good night for the sires Conway Hall and Rc Royalty as each had offspring win two divisions with Prayer I Am and Deweycheatumnhowe having one winner apiece.

The most impressive on the picture perfect night was Cherry Royal Ruby (Rc Royalty-Nowerland Kristen). After putting up an opening half mile of 1:03.1, driver Dan Daley stepped on the gas with her on the back half, going in 59.0 including a 28.2 final panel.

Nightflix Hanover (Ray Schnittker) finished in second with Royal Pine (Matt Kakaley) taking the show spot.

Cherry Royal Ruby ($3.30) is co-owned by the Cherry Hill Farm and Todd Van Alstyne and is trained by Daley.

Scarey Karie (Phil Fluet) and Run For Royalty (Kakaley) were fortunate to be involved in the win photo. 

It first appeared that Barn Bella (Chuck Huckabone Jr.) was going to catch the front-running Speedy Prayer but broke stride coming off the final turn. Speedy Prayer (Kevin Cummings) looked home free but jumped it off midway down the lane.

Those miscues put Scarey Karie ($2.60) and Run For Royalty ($3.30) on top but the they hit the wire deadlocked in 2:04.0. Mamora Bay took third for driver Sam Schillaci.

Scarey Karie (Conway Hall-Alabama Hotel) is owned by Michael Woodward and is trained by Fluet. 

Run For Royalty (Rc Royalty-Feegee) is owned by Simo Jalava and is conditioned by Jenny Melander. 

In the opening division, Mighty Surf ($27.00) zoomed to the lead and avoided trouble with the breakers on the opening turn to score the front-running 2-3/4 length victory over Creditover in 2:04.4. Busy Doing Nothing (Mark Etsell) took the show position.

Mighty Surf (Prayer I Am-Big Surfer) is owned by Roy Dobbins and is trained by Dennis Laterza.

Heels On Wheels ($8.40) and Kakaley made a first-over move down the backstretch and that proved to difference to dispose of Dazzlash (Trond Smedshammer) and Deweybelievenhowe (Ed Greeno Jr.) in 2:04.4.

Owned by the Burke Racing Stable, Crawford Farms, Lawrence Karr and Weaver Bruscemi, Heels On Wheels (Conway Hall-Go Go Dancer) is conditioned by Ron Burke.

A big brush heading to the three-quarter pole gave Maewegonow (Charlie Norris) a commanding edge and never looked back in registering a throttled down 1-1/4 length nod over Shecheatedondewey (Kakaley) in 2:03.3. Deli-Delight (Mike Simons) placed third. 

Maewegonow (Deweycheatumnhowe-Mauresmo) is co-owned by Carrie Norris and Acadia Farms and trained by Charlie Norris.

In the $15,000 Excelsior A races, Onyx Blue Chip ($7.30) took the first division in 2:06.3 with Ray Schnittker board while Jenny's Dew Drop went wire-to-wire and posted a $22.40 upset for John Cummings Jr. in 2:04.4.

Ms McGillicuddys (Kevin Cummings) was victorious in the non-betting $6,200 Excelsior B series as she covered the mile in 2:13.1.

Racing will resume on Friday evening with 10 races slated to begin at 5 p.m.

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


Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Control The Moment Still On Top Road to the Pace

Control The Moment remains in top spot in the Road to the Crawford Farms Meadowlands Pace Week 6

RANK
HORSE
DRIVER, TRAINER, OWNER
JUSTIN HOROWITZ & JENN BONGIORNO'S COMMENTS
1
CONTROL THE MOMENT
($462,095 – 1:49.3)
R. WAPLES, B. MAXWELL
BRADLEY R. MAXWELL, HOWARD A. TAYLOR, EDWIN J. GOLD, BEN D. MUDRY
REMAINS IN THE TOP SPOT AFTER A GATE-TO-WIRE VICTORY IN HIS HEMPT ELIMINATION AT POCONO IN A LIFETIME BEST 1:49.3 OVER BOSTON RED ROCKS. DIDNT DRAW WELL FOR THE FINAL (POST 8) BUT LOVE THE WAY THIS HORSE HAS RACED AT 3 AND HAVE TO THINK HE WILL LOVE THE BIG M
LAST RACE: 6/25 – PCD – HEMPT ELIMINATION – 1ST (1:49.3)
2
RACING HILL
($333,666 – 1:49.1)
B. MILLER, T. ALAGNA
TOM HILL
DOMINANT WINNER IN LIFETIME BEST (1.49.1) FASHION IN HIS HEMPT ELIMINATION AT POCONO. SEEMS TO BE PAST THE BREAKING ISSUE WITH BACK-TO-BACK STRONG PERFORMANCES. LOOKS TO GIVE ALAGNA HIS SECOND MEADOWLANDS PACE
LAST RACE: 6/25 – PCD – HEMPT ELIMINATION – 1ST (1:49.1)
3
LYONS SNYDER
($121,218 – 1:49.0)
D. MILLER, M. SILVA
JEFFREY S. SNYDER, GEOFFREY LYONS MOUND
WELL RESTED AFTER SKIPPING THE HEMPT. WILL TUNE UP IN A SATURDAY MORNING QUALIFIER WITH DRIVER DAVID MILLER NAMED TO DRIVE. AFTER WINNING HIS FIRST NA CUP, MILLER LOOKS TO ADD A PACE VICTORY TO HIS HALL OF FAME RESUME
LAST RACE: 6/18 – MOH – NA CUP FINAL – 6TH
4
KATIES ROCKER
($318,005 – 1:50.3)
D. MILLER, J. CAMPBELL
FASHION FARMS LLC
FINISHED A GOOD SECOND BEHIND RACING HILL IN FIRST PARI-MUTUEL START AFTER UPSETTING BOSTON RED ROCKS IN NJSS FINAL IN EARLY JUNE. LOOKS TO BE TIGHTER IN SATURDAYS FINAL. WILL START FROM POST POSITION SEVEN.
LAST RACE: 6/25 – PCD – HEMPT ELIMINATION – 2ND
5
BOSTON RED ROCKS
($701,865 – 1:50.3)
T. TETRICK, S.ELLIOTT
PETER R. BLOOD, RICK BERKS
CHASED TOP-RANKED CONTROL THE MOMENT AND SPRINTED HOME THE FASTEST LAST QUARTER OUT OF BOTH DIVISIONS. SEEMED MORE LIKE THE BOSTON RED ROCKS THAT WAS 2YO CHAMPION. STILL FEEL LIKE ON HIS BEST DAY HE CAN GO WITH ANY OF THESE
LAST RACE: 6/25 – PCD – HEMPT ELIMINATION – 2ND
6
JK WILL POWER
($327,933 – 1:51.1)
Y.GINGRAS, R. BURKE
3 BROTHERS STABLE
FINISHED THIRD IN HIS HEMPT ELIMINATION BEHIND CONTROL THE MOMENT AND BOSTON RED ROCKS. LOOKS TO BE THE BEST OF BURKES THREE HEMPT FINALISTS. 3 BROTHERS STABLE HAD BEATEN FAVORITE IN 2014 PACE, JK ENDOFANERA
LAST RACE: 6/25 – PCD – HEMPT ELIMINATION – 3RD
7
CHECK SIX
($490,988 – 1:50.3)
Y. GINGRAS, R. BURKE
BURKE RACING STABLE, WEAVER BRUSCEMI, WILLIAM L. SWITALA, JAMES J. MARTIN
SAT OUT THE HEMPT TO FRESHEN UP FOR THE PACE. IN TO QUALIFY ON SATURDAY MORNING AGAINST LYONS SNYDER. GET THE FEELING HE WILL APPRECIATE THE MOVE TO THE BIG TRACK AT THE MEADOWLANDS AS HE SHOWED LAST YEAR IN THE GOVERNORS CUP ELIM
LAST RACE: 6/17 – PHL – PASS – 1ST (1:51.1)
8
TALK SHOW
($123,186 – 1:51.1Q)
S. ZERON, S. ELLIOTT
TALK SHOW PARTNERS, LLC, HOWARD J GRANT, HOWARD A TAYLOR
MADE THE FINAL AS THE FASTEST OF TWO FIFTH-PLACE FINISHERS IN HEMPT ELIMINATIONS. STILL HAS TO PROVE HIMSELF ON THE GRAND CIRCUIT. LOOKS TO GIVE ZERON HIS FIRST PACE WIN
LAST RACE: 6/25 – PCD – HEMPT ELIMINATION – 5TH
9
AMERICAN PASSPORT
($212,534 – 1:51.3Q)
T. TETRICK, T. ALAGNA
BRITTANY FARMS, RIVERVIEW RACING, ALAGNA RACING, JODI L. SIAMIS
MADE A BREAK IN THE FIRST TURN OF THE HEMPT ELIM AND FINISHED LAST. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME HE HAS MADE A BREAK IN FOUR PARI-MUTUEL STARTS THIS YEAR. GOES FRIDAY NIGHT IN A PACE PREP AT THE MEADOWLANDS AND WILL BE DRIVEN FOR THE FIRST TIME BY TIM TETRICK
LAST RACE: 6/25 – PCD – HEMPT ELIMINATION – 6TH
10
BIG TOP HANOVER
($580,437 – 1:50)
M. KAKALEY, R. BURKE
JT45, BURKE RACING STABLE
DECENT THIRD IN HIS HEMPT ELIMINATION BUT DREW THE DREADED OUTSIDE POST IN THE FINAL. WOULD BE HIGHER ON THIS LIST BUT CONNECTIONS HAVE INDICATED POTENTIALLY SKIPPING THE PACE
LAST RACE: 6/25 – PCD – HEMPT ELIMINATION – 3RD


Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Filly Trotters Ready To Begin Careers At Buffalo Raceway

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- There are 37 horses entered in five $22,000 (est.) divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for 2-year-old filly trotters on Wednesday night (June 29) at Buffalo Raceway and only four have had a pari-mutuel start.

So to say that experience is at a premium is an understatement, but there's still plenty of hope and optimism as most of the young ladies get their race careers started.

There could be some proud fathers by the end of the night with Deweycheatumnhowe leading the way with nine off-spring going to the starting gate, Rc Royalty has seven while Conway Hall and Chapter Seven each have five.

The first division will feature Creditover (Credit Winner-Andover The Top) who was a $95,000 purchase at the 2015 Lexington Sale. Trond Smedshammer is the driver-trainer of Creditover for owner The Purple Haze Stable.

A couple of high-priced trotters collide in the second division as Heels On Wheels (Conway Hall-Go Go Dancer), a $75,000 buy at Lexington, will go against Chapter Too (Chapter Seven-Wood Blue Chip) who was a $50,000 purchase at Harrisburg Sale.

The most competitive leg looks to be the third division as Royal Pinot (Rc Royalty-Graduation Party), a $55,000 selection at the Morrisville Sale, will have to contend with the likes of Chapter Heaven (Chapter Seven-Southwind Angel) and Blurred (Chapter Seven-Blur) who were each $42,000 choices at the Harrisburg and Lexington Sales respectively.

There have been six track standards lowered at Buffalo Raceway this season and with ideal conditions expected, the 2-year-old filly trotting mark of 2:00.2 set by Munis Blue Chip back in 2009 could definitely be in jeopardy.

There is a non-betting $6,200 Excelsior Series B race that will go off at 4:30 p.m. while the regular card that features 12 races including a pair of $15,000 Excelsior A Series events will begin at 5 p.m.

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


Monday, June 27, 2016

BOB DAVIS WINS A PAIR OF BILLINGS RACES AT BUFFALO RACEWAY

   By john manzi for the Billings Amateur Driving Series

Bob Davis enjoyed his best day ever competing in amateur races when he won both Billings Series races at Buffalo Raceway on Sunday, June 26. Davis won the first event – a pace—with Goddess’s Justin in a time of 1:59.4 and came back cop the second Billings race- a trot—with Christina Victory in 2:03.2.

When this seasons Billings Series began Bob Davis carried the moniker of “Bullet Bob”, but since he won both Billings contests at Buffalo Raceway he’ll now be known as “Buffalo Bob” Davis. And according to Davis himself, in five races that he’s had  over the Erie County double-oval he has won four times, certainly enough to encourage a change his nickname.

For a sportsman who travels far distances just for the opportunity to drive competitively in one, or two,  races some might wonder why Davis does this since he receives no remuneration.

“I do it because I love the sporting aspect of amateur driving”, “Buffalo Bob” said. “After all, in what sport do you know where amateurs can compete on the same level as the professionals?  So what if we don’t get paid for our services, it’s the sport of the completion that’s the driving force”

It took Davis nine hours overall to go to Buffalo for the two races and then return home to Saratoga.

“That’s nothing” Davis said. “Last year I drove 14 hours round-trip to race at on Prince Edward at Charlottetown (Driving Park),”   

 But it was days like he had yesterday in Buffalo that supplies the impetus.

In his first outing Davis was up behind 7-5 favorite Goddess’s Justin, an 11 year old altered son of Western Hanover.

When the gate sprung Davis sent his charge to the lead from the three-hole and they got away with relatively slow early fractions. Goddess’s Justin passed the first stanza in a soft :30.2 and remained unchallenged past the three quarters which was clocked in 1:30.3  But by then it was too late for the competition as Davis’ pacer kicked in a :28.2 final quarter which turned out to be enough to hold off Hawaiian Joe and driver Richard “the Wolverine” Roach, who enjoyed two-hole journey the entire way.

At the wire heads separated the first two finishers while eight lengths in the rears in third place was Ahead Of The Crowd, driven by Nadine ‘the Outrider” Habke.

Goddess’s Justin is owned by Spalluto, Spalluto, and Dylo and trained by Mihajlo Zdjelar. He paid $5.30 for win.

In the second Billings race Davis employed a come-from-behind strategy.

After starting from post six Davis found a spot along the pylons in fourth positions as the field trotted by the quarter in :30.1. Content to follow the leaders until the field approached the third stanza Davis then moved out to challenge and Christina Victory was second over as they passed the three quarters. In the lane the 11 year old altered son of Victory Sam trotted on to a length victory over Armbro Casino, driven by Richard Roach. And yes it was odd that the same two drivers finished one-two in each Billings race on Sunday.

Fashionableapple was third for Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford.


Christina Victory is owned by Tessa Roland and trained by J D Perrin. Backers of the winner each received $3.50 for each two-dollar ticket.

Smalltownthrowdown Sets Mark At Buffalo In NYSS


HAMBURG, N.Y. ---Smalltownthrowdown threw down the gauntlet early and held on late to win his $61,300 leg of the New York Sire Stakes for the 3-year-old trotting colt and geldings in a track record 1:56.2 at steamy Buffalo Raceway Sunday afternoon (June 26).

The previous record for 3-year-old trotting colts was 1:56.4 established in 2014 by Cash Me Out.

In the other division, The Royal Harry led every step of the mile and beat Crazycat by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:59.4 over the fast track.

Smalltownthrowdown opened up a commanding six length lead to the quarter pole and was cruising, maintaining a two length cushion turning for home the final time.

But after putting up splits of 29.2, 59.0 and 1:28.0, Smalltownthrowdown ended up beckoning for the finish line and held on for a diminishing half length victory over the never-say-die Drazzmatazz (Francisco Del Cid). Do The Deal (Ake Svanstedt) managed to take third.

"He's good on a half-mile track," driver Dan Daley said of Smalltownthrowdown. "The main thing was getting around the turns here and getting to the lead. That was key."

The relieved Daley smiled when asked about the close finish saying, "He flattened out a little bit in the end but he got the job done."

It was the third victory in eight starts this season for Smalltownthrowdown (Cash Me Out-Ann's Promise) and moved the Daley-trainee's earnings to $73,108 in 2016 and $195,073 lifetime. 

The Royal Harry also went to the winner's circle in coast-to-coast fashion in the first division with a relatively comfortable decision over Crazycat (Drew Monti).

Setting fractions of 28.4, 59.2 and 1:30.0, The Royal Harry seemed worry-free in the stretch run but driver Svanstedt said there was an anxious moment. "I thought he was going to break stride in the lane but he got himself back before he did."

Crazycat made a brief rally in passing lane and settled for second while A Jersey Contract (Jim Morrill Jr.) took third.

Co-owned by Michael and William Pozefsky and trained by Svanstedt, The Royal Harry (Rc Royalty-Wilsonator) now has two victories in four attempts in 2016. The win sent his seasonal earnings to $65,624 and $79,254 lifetime.

In the $15,000 Excelsior A Series, Reasinforpleasin ($6.60) turned in the fastest time with 2:01.2 with Kevin Cummings in the sulky while Morrill Jr. guided Boxall ($4.60) to a 2:01.3 victory.

Chargin Cadet (Ray Schnittker) took a $6,500 division of the Excelsior B Series with a 2:03.1 time and Thanks For Playin (Chris Lems) got the job done in 2:03.3 in the other leg.

Robert Davis took both divisions of the C.K.G Billings Amateur Driving Series as he steered Christina Victory ($3.50) and Goddess's Justin ($5.30) to wins.

Morrill Jr. finished with a double as well while Buffalo Raceway's leading trainer JD Perrin had two victories.

Racing will continue on Wednesday night at 5 p.m. with 12 race card set. The New York Sire Stakes returns once again with the 2-year-old trotting fillies highlighting the program.


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

Believe This Bob holds sway in top Tioga pace


Nichols, N.Y. -- Mary Ann Larrimore's Believe This Bob ($4.10) made all the pace en route to a 1:51.1 triumph in Sunday (June 26) afternoon's $11,000 Open 1 Pace at Tioga Downs, holding off a belated rally from the rising Andreios Kardia to prevail at even money.

Mike Simons wasted no time with the 8-year-old Beach Romeo gelding, sprinting clear of Theseyesrcrying (Justin Huckabone) through a :26.3 first quarter. Believe This Bob would escape pressure through splits of :55 and 1:22.2, maintaining an uncontested lead and accelerating clear on the backstretch. His biggest threat would come from the second-over Andreios Kardia (Aaron Byron), who circled three-wide in the final three-sixteenths of the mile as the first-over P L Idaho (Dan Clements) weakened after only mild gains. The :27.2 third quarter was enough for Believe This Bob to keep the other seven at bay, as he held off Andreios Kardia by three-quarters of a length.  Knocking Around (John Cummings, Jr.) rallied from a rearward trip to take third, and Theseyesarecrying faded to fourth from his pocket trip.

Joe Skowyra trains Believe This Bob, now a 35-time winner.

In addition to Believe This Bob, Simons teamed up with Big Jer ($2.30, 1:52.3) and Lucky Man ($3.10, 1:53.2) to lead all drivers with three wins on the 11-race card.

The Tompkins-Geers Stakes headline Week 9 at Tioga Downs, with 3-year-old trotters taking the spotlight on Friday (July 1) evening. Post time is slated for 6:30 p.m. Eastern.


Sunday, June 26, 2016

Americanprimetime battles, bottoms out top Big M pacers


East Rutherford, N.J. -- The Rock and Roll Stable's Americanprimetime ($7.40) was resolute amid early pressure, turning aside two early challengers and setting fast fractions en route to a 1:49 triumph in the featured $17,500 top-level pace at the Meadowlands on Saturday (June 25) evening.

Joe Bongiorno had the accelerator down early with the 4-year-old American Ideal entire, battling with Vapour N (Pat Berry) and Art History (Victor Kirby) through a :26.2 first quarter and refusing to yield. While Vapour N eased off the pace, Americanprimetime would not shake off the challenge of Art History until well after a :53.4 half, subsequently gaining separation on the field through the far turn. Americanprimetime amassed a 3-1/2 length lead in upper stretch, but was fully extended in the last eighth to stave off a massive rally from Jacksrluckytoo (Jim Marohn, Jr.), who circled three-wide off the far turn and closed boldly to miss Americanprimetime's 1:49 mile by a scant head. Ashley's Husband (Vinny Ginsburg) circled from the rear of the field to take third, a farther 3-1/2 lengths back.

Rick Dane, Jr. trains Americanprimetime, now a 7-time winner.

For Bongiorno, the featured win was one of five on the 12-race card. Vinny Ginsburg also accounted for five driving wins on the evening, including the $15,000 Dash for the "G" Notes mini-series final for first-level conditioned pacers with Vague Traces ($2.20, 1:50).

Kate Repetto was crowned the 2016 Ms. Hot to Trot at the Meadowlands and Alicia Blanks the runner-up, taking a $5,000 grand prize and $2,500 second prize, respectively.

Both 20¢ Jackpot High 5 wagers carry over to next Friday's (July 1) program, with $21,976.73 going to the fifth-race High 5, and $267,769.47 added to the closing-race High 5 should one bettor take down the entire pool.

Despite one fewer race on the card in comparison to the corresponding Saturday program in 2015, total all-sources handle increased by $178,363.

Friday evening's program is due to commence at 7:15 p.m. Eastern. Fans and horsemen alike are advised that the Saturday (July 2) card carries a special first post of 6:30 p.m. For full information on racing, dining, and events at the Meadowlands, visit www.playmeadowlands.com.


GO DADDY GO GOES…SWIFTLY; MORGAN, HOLLAND TRIPLE

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

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, June 25, 2016—Yonkers Raceway had its version of Old Home Week Saturday night…

…provided “Old Home” was Chicago. All that was missing was deep-dish pizza and Oprah.

Tony Morgan—making his first Westchester appearance since September of 2012—and Brent Holland each had three wins during the dozen-race card.

            Morgan, he of the 15,400-plus career victories, earned a place in the local record books when pole-sitting Go Daddy Go ($13) won the $30,000 4-Year-Old Open Handicap Pace in a spiffy 1:50.1.

            The Ponder gelding, co-owned (as Allard Racing) by (trainer) Rene Allard and Bruce Soulsby, became the fourth member of the all-age-track-record club, joining Crombie A, Forty Five Red and Limelight Beach.

It was also the swiftest local mile of the season.

Morgan also won the co-featured $45,000 Open Pace with favored Doctor Butch ($5.30) in 1:51.2, and the $26,000, 11th race trot with a left-alone Major Athens ($4.10) in 1:53.3.

That effort matched the fastest Westchester trot mile of the season with E R Ellie.

Connecting the dots, “Ellie” (Larry Stalbaum, $14.40) won the co-featured $45,000 Open Handicap Trot from the pocket in 1:55.

As for Holland, he upset the apple cart with American Venture ($57) in the $18,000, second-race pace (1:52), then escorted Mah Sish N ($9) in the $18,000, third-race pace.


The Holland Hat Trick was completed with Moonliteonthebeach ($23.80) was a first-up winner in the $26,500 pacing finale (1:52.2).

All Stienam vaults from pocket in top Vernon pace

Vernon, N.Y. -- All Stienam ($5.90) took full advantage of a clear pocket trip in Saturday's (June 25) $8,000 Miracle Mile/Open Pace a Vernon Downs, sprinting clear of 1-2 favorite Pantheon Hanover for a 1:49 score on a warm summer evening.

Trainer-driver John MacDonald yielded the lead to outside rival Pantheon Hanover (Chris Lems) in the early stages, coasting along with a clear pocket trip just off stout fractions of :25.4, :53.3, and 1:21.1. Just above the eighth pole, MacDonald tipped All Stienam off the pegs, and the 7-year-old Tell All gelding sprinted off at once, working clear of Pantheon Hanover by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:49. Modern Gesture (Truman Gale) made mild gains off a wide bid to take third from a beleaguered Abreathofreshart (Dan Daley).

The J P Stables of Winchester, Ontario own All Stienam, now a 24-time winner.

The featured win kicked off a driving hat trick for MacDonald on the 11-race card. "The Prime Minister" later partnered with Fox Valley Cadet ($4.70, 1:50.4) and Steuben Rudy ($21.20, 1:53.1).

No one hit the 50¢ Pick 5 on Saturday night, resulting in a $221.91 carryover to Friday (July 1) evening's card. Post time is slated for 6:45 p.m. Eastern.


Hititoutofthepark rallies in Tioga open; Simons wins five

Nichols, N.Y. -- Fresh off a 15-1 upset in a $55,503 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes event at Pocono, Hititoutofthepark ($8.30) rose to chase down older company in Saturday (June 25) evening's $11,000 Open 1 Trot at Tioga Downs.

Mike Simons took his time with the 3-year-old Yankee Glide ridgling, settling well off a :27.3 first quarter Dragin the Wagon (Aaron Byron) and working closer through a :58.1 half. With three-eighths to go, Simons chased the first-over Oh No Three O (Jeff Long), towed significantly closer through the far turn before readying to make a three-wide push for home.

"He came right off the gate nice and handy, followed live cover, and when I called on him, he just pinned his ears and dug in," commented Simons on the 8-time winner. "He's a real professional."

Hititoutofthepark accelerated upon cornering, passing the stalled Oh No Three O with little effort, and subsequently chasing down Dragin the Wagon for a narrow 1:55.2 triumph. Six Bax (Jim Taggart) stayed on for third off a cozy pocket trip.

John Butenschoen trains Hititoutofthepark for the Give It a Shot Stable, Kurt Welling, and the VIP Internet Stable.

For Simons, the win was one of five in the bike on the 10-race card. In addition to his trainee Talktomecourage N ($4.70, 1:54.1) in the seventh, Simons teamed up with Undercover Bro ($5.20, 1:56.1), Alaskan Seelster ($12.80, 1:54), and Justherighttouch ($9.20, 1:56.2).


No one hit the 50¢ Pick 5, resulting in a carryover to Sunday (June 26) afternoon's card of $1,143.61. The Pick 5 kicks off in the first of 11 races, with post time set for 1:30 p.m. Eastern.

China Dream Use New Tactic To Take Buffalo Raceway Win

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- It was apparent that the game plan for China Dream in Buffalo Raceway's $10,000 Open Pace on Saturday night (June 25) was to try and cut the mile, something he's not accustomed at all in doing.

The new strategy worked to perfection though as the usually late-charging China Dream tied his lifetime best in going gate-to-wire to beat GD Airliner by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:54.0 over the fast track.

Off the starting gate, driver Drew Monti fired out with China Dream and had every opportunity to tuck into third but nixed that idea and continued on to the lead. Setting respectable fractions of 28.1, 57.1, and 1:26.4, China Dream was patiently awaiting the arrival of the other stone-cold closer in GD Airliner (David McNeight III) in the race for home.

But the charge never came to fruition as China Dream ($3.60) paced a 27.1 final quarter to leave the first over GD Airliner in a holding pattern while Bad Fox (Lee Dahn) was third.

Co-owned by Jack Rice and trainer Maria Rice, it was the seventh victory in 18 starts this year for the 5-year-old gelded China Dream (If I Can Dream-China Art). The win pushed his seasonal earnings to $49,475 and $139,068 lifetime.

Todd Cummings and David McNeight III each had three wins on the night while Monti, and Ray Fisher Jr. doubled. Trainers JD Perrin, John Mungillo and Rice all had two wins.

Racing will continue on Sunday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. with a 12-race card scheduled. The New York Sire Stakes will roll into town again with the 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters set to battle it out. There will also be action in the Excelsior A and B series and a pair of races in the C.K.G. Billings Amateur driving series.


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

Special 6:30 pm Post Time for Saturday, July 2

Join Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment for a full weekend of Independence Day celebrations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ  – On Saturday, July 2nd live harness racing will commence with a special 6:30 pm post time. Fans can test their luck in the cash cube. During the races, guests can enter the Money Machine Fever contest prior to Race 5. Six lucky contestants will have 30 seconds to catch as much cash as they can and place it into a Hambletonian bag without bending down or turning around in the cash cube. Cash denominations will include $1, $2, $5, $10, $25, $100 and $500. Participants will catch Money Machine Fever after Race 2, 4 and 8. Each contestant that participates will walk away with all the cash they have caught in their bag.

Following live harness racing, an enthralling fireworks display will take place to honor Independence Day. The best place to be will be atop Victory Terrace Rooftop Bar. With great views of the racing action, city skyline and fireworks, guests are in for an amazing show that will begin 15 minutes after the last race. Victory Terrace has a full service bar and a rooftop grill serving hotdogs and hamburgers.

On Friday, July 1st, guests will head to Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment for action-packed live harness racing beginning at 7:15pm featuring the New Jersey Sire Stakes for 2 year olds and a chance to participate in Money Machine Fever.

Horseplay will begin at 6:00 PM both nights. Buy a horse for $1 and throw the horse into the car for a chance to win $100 and entry into the August 8th car drawing for a 2016 Scion FRS. All proceeds in the month of July will be donated to the Team Racing for Recovery.

Text “NewBigM” to 23819 to receive offers, prizes and event updates about Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment. To make reservations or book your private event, call 201-THE-BIG-M (201-843-2446) or email catering@playmeadowlands.com.


Saturday, June 25, 2016

Resolve Dominant in Cutler at Big M

by Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Displaying no ill effects after being away from the races for almost a month, Resolve powered down the road to an easy 1-length win in the $200,000 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial Final for trotters at the Meadowlands Friday night.

The winner’s last start came in the May 29 Elitlopp at Solvalla (Sweden) when the 5-year-old son of Muscle Hill finished second to Nuncio.

“The horse was very good,” said winning trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt. “He came back home (from Sweden) and it took him two weeks to get back to normal.”

Too bad for his foes.

Resolve, the even-money favorite, was sent away fast from post seven and had the lead at the quarter in :27.1.
Svanstedt did a masterful job of rating the second fraction, which was timed in a sleepy :30 as they hit the half in :57.1. Obrigado, the 2-1 second choice fresh off wins in the Maxie Lee and Hill Memorial, vacated the four hole at the seven-sixteenths and grinded his way into contention at three-quarters, which went in 1:25.4.

Then Svanstedt hit the gas and Resolve responded with a final quarter of :26.3, leaving Obrigado behind while opening up a safe lead. Flanagan Memory, who went a third-over trip, closed well through the stretch to end up a no-threat second. Obrigado held third. Early-season sensation JL Cruze was fourth.

Resolve trotted the mile in 1:52.2 and paid $4.20 to win for owner Hans G Enggren.

HAIL THE QUEEN: Medusa won her second straight $25,000 Open Handicap Mares pace in determined wire-to-wire fashion for driver Brett Miller and trainer Andrew Federico Jr. The 5-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight went the mile in a lifetime-best 1:49.2 and paid $3.00 to win as the 1-2 favorite.

STILL GROWING: The 5th race 20 cent Jackpot Super High Five did not have a single-ticket winner, increasing the carryover to $20,452.28, while the 11th race version of the wager, unhit since the beginning of the meeting in November, saw its carryover swell to $264,140.15. Both pots of gold will be up for grabs on the next program. … Live racing resumes at the Big M Saturday at 7:15 p.m.


Twice Too Nice wires the boys at Vernon

Vernon, N.Y. -- An early break in stride by 3-2 favorite A Penny Earned helped pave the way for Twice Too Nice ($6.10) to wire the boys in Friday (June 24) evening's featured $8,000 Miracle Mile/Open Handicap Trot at Vernon Downs.

Trainer-driver John MacDonald pointed the 5-year-old Valley Victor mare immediately to the fore, out-sprinting fellow distaffer Gimme the Cash (Angus MacDonald) to a :27.2 first quarter before reining back the speed. Twice Too Nice remained uncontested through a :57.3 middle half and edged away a bit at head-stretch. With Gimme the Cash unable to threaten from the pocket and the first-over Pounce K (Claude Huckabone, III) fading off the far turn, Winding Hill (Jimmy Whittemore) challenged from his stalking trip upon cornering, working into second at the eighth pole. Twice Too Nice held sway for a 1:53.4 triumph, keeping Winding Hill a length at bay while Gimme the Cash finished a laboring third.

Brett Crawford owns Twice Too Nice, who took her 12th career win and her fourth on the year.

While MacDonald prevailed in the feature, Jimmy Whittemore led all drivers with three wins on the 11-race card.

Racing returns to the Miracle Mile on Saturday (June 25) with an 11-race card due off at 6:45 p.m.


Drea's Good Powow circles top Tioga distaffers


Nichols, N.Y. -- Despite sitting last a quarter mile from home, Drea's Good Powow had enough late pace to circle her six rivals in Friday (June 24) evening's $11,000 Mares Open Handicap at Tioga Downs.

Trainer-driver James Hysell wanted no part of the early pace with the 6-year-old daughter of Squaw's Fella, settling second from last as Asset Management (Fern Paquet, Jr.) and Four Hour Nap (Jim Meittinis) alternated on the lead through early splits of :26.4 and :56.2. As Four Hour Nap faced intensifying pressure from K J's Caroline (Jim Taggart, Jr.) Hysell moved Drea's Good Powow fourth-over from the rear of the field. Drea's Good Powow swung five-wide off the far turn, circling the entire group in the final 150 yards as the pacesetting pair dueled into defeat. Goldstar Rockette (Corey Braden) finished second from a perfect second-over trip, while lukewarm 5-2 favorite Shutthefrontdoor (Dan Clements) stayed on for third from third-over.

Patricia Connor owns Drea's Good Powow, now a 17-time winner.

Trainer Shane Arsenault scored a hat trick on the nine-race card, accounting for victories from Mittnage a Trois ($3.70, Scott Coulter, 1:55.4), Artiawitchtoyou ($5.30, Brandon Arsenault, 1:54.2), and Crazy Blue ($6.00, Coulter, 1:58.1).

The 50¢ Pick 5 evaded the Friday players, chiefly due to a 20-1 upset from Vacation Day (Tyler Freese) in the sequence. The carryover mounts to $700.78 for Saturday's Pick 5.

Post time for the first of 10 races on Saturday's Tioga card is 6:30 p.m. Eastern.


DAVE “LINEMASTER” EHRENBERG WINS BILLINGS TROT AT SCIOTO DOWNS

      by john manzi for the Billings Series

In harness racing there’s such a thing known as a good trip; or sometimes referred to as a perfect journey. It is this that can be a great equalizer and the result of getting a good journey can be victory  often despite the horses odds when the race starts.

Case in point: T K’s Jelly Belly who was sent off at odds of 44-1 in the Midwest region Billings trot tonight (Friday) at Scioto Downs and came away with a upset triumph.

A horse that starts from the pole position usually deserves watching because they already have a position along the pylons. For some reason T K’s Jelly Belly got no respect in the 10-horse field but it was his driver, Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg who laughed last. And for that matter so did those who wagered on him when they received a $91.00 mutuel payoff.

When the gate sprung Ehrenberg, a veteran of many Billings wars and a prominent Ohio owner, send his trotter away and held the pylon position and allowed Ned “the Insurance Guy” Hodkinson and Mutinyonthebounty to take command and in the process shut out Celtic Merchant and driver Steve “You’re Never too” Oldford who was looking for a hole.

Hodkinson kept the pedal to the medal and sent his trotter through speedy early fractions mostly caused by Oldford’s parked out horse. After a :28.2 first quarter they passed the halfway point in in :57.3 with Ehrenberg and T K’s Jelly Belly tucked in tightly behind the leader. 

Mutinyonthebounty and T K’s Jelly Belly were one-two and lengths in front of the field as the three quarter timer flashed 1:27.4. In the lane Ehrenberg and T K’s Jelly Belly rallied to a head triumph over Mutinyonthebounty in a 1:58.1 clocking. Third place, some three lengths in the rears, was Patient I D driven by “Lawbook Larry” Farley.

It was the second win for the 4-year-old daughter of Victory Sam who’s owned and trained by Terry Milhoan.   Across the board payoffs were $91.00- $36.00 and $11.20. The 1-5 exacta paid $1349.80.


Next Billings action will be at Goshen Historic on Saturday, July 2.

EMPIRE’S GLAMOUR GANG IN 167G NYSS HUGH GRANT PACE

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

YONKERS, NY, Friday, June 24, 2016—Yonkers Raceway Friday night welcomed the Empire’s glamour division in the $167,874 New York Sire Stakes Hugh Grant Pace for 3-year-old colts and geldings.

A pair of $83,937 events comprised this statebred visit.

The first division saw pocketed maiden-no-more Roll Away Joe (Matt Kakaley, $10.40), from post position No. 3 (in one notch after a scratch) stalk pace-setting Fine Diamond (George Brennan) through intervals of :28.2, :58 and 1:26.1.

“Joe” then ducked inside, whipping Fine Diamond by three-quarters of a length in 1:53.4, with Art Rooney Pace winner Missile J (Jim Morrill Jr.) a belated third as the 3-5 favorite, unable to reach from off the pace.

            For third choice Roll Away Joe, a Roll with Joe gelding co-owned by Steve Demeter, Thomas Lazarro and Howard Taylor and trained by Tracy Brainard, he’s now 1-for-9 this season (1-for-14 career). The exacta paid $30.40, with the triple returning $72.

“He was really good and the trip worked out perfectly," Kakaley said.

Friday’s second NYSS grouping had Brennan and pole-sitting Artmagic ($7.60) pop pocket before the half, widen the advantage down the backside and hang on for dear life.

Concur (Brent Holland) made the lead before a :28.3 opening quarter-mile, then Artmagic took it away coming to the :58.2 intermission. He had a couple of lengths in and out of a 1:26.1 three-quarters and enjoyed an open lead into the lane.

The hooves were getting heavy late in the game, but Artmagic found the end zone when he needed it. He held off a long-uncovered, just-over-even-money fave Craftship (Scott Zeron) by a neck 1:55.1, with Autotune Hanover (Morrill Jr.) third.

The slogging final quarter tightened up the ranks, with the five cashers separated by just a length at the line and the entire octet by just 2½ lengths.

For second choice Artmagic, an Art Major gelding trained by Trond Smedshammer for Purple Haze Stables, it was his first win in five seasonal starts. The exacta paid $22.20, the triple returned $53 and the superfecta (Bottom Deals [Brian Sears]) paid $682.

"It wasn’t pretty, but we got the job done," Brennan said.
  

Friday’s $45,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace was won by a from-last Mach it a Par (Zeron, $23.40) in 1:52.2 (note last week’s victress and this week’s eight-hole assignee Krispy Apple was scratched-lame).