FIELD FINALIZED FOR YONKERS INTERNATIONAL TROT

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

YONKERS, NY, Friday, September 30, 2016—In this election season, the votes have been counted…for Yonkers Raceway’s International Trot.

The complete field of 10 world-class invitees/acceptances for the million-dollar event, set for Saturday afternoon, Oct. 15^th, is now final. The seats at the table (alphabetically), with country of representation… 

BBS Sugarlight – Norway

Explosive de Vie – Sweden

Flanagan Memory – Canada

Hannelore Hanover – USA (mare)

Jonesy -- Finland

Oasis Bi -- Italy
On Track Piraten -- Sweden

Resolve – USA

Ringostarr Treb -- Italy

Tano Bork – Denmark

Three of the entrants – BBS Sugarlight (4^th), On Track Piraten (7^th) and Oasis Bi (5^th) competed in this race a season ago. Last season’s winner, Norway’s Papagayo E, is injured and unable to defend his title.

The international horses are scheduled to arrive in New York next Wednesday (Oct. 5^th), and after a couple of days of quarantine, get Raceway-situated Friday (Oct. 7^th). 

Please note post time for the rare afternoon program is 1:10 PM, with International Trot No. 38 set to go at 3:20 PM (numbers of races on card and race number of International Trot both TBA).

Also note and make use of the race-dedicated website, www.InternationalTrot.com as an excellent resource.

The race is to be drawn Tuesday, Oct. 11^th, along with a pair of $250,000 Invitationals (1¼-mile trot [10 horses] and flat-mile pace, [eight horses]).

            More information regarding all these races in the coming days.

Shake It Up Lindy Upsets in Bluegrass

By Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile

LEXINGTON, KY— Shake It Off Lindy surged first over around the final turn to pass pacesetter Southwind Cobra, upsetting in one of the six $334,500 Bluegrass splits for two-year-old trotting colts on Thursday, September 29 in a lifetime best of 1:55.

With Eburry Street and Sortie breaking before the first turn, Moonshiner Hanover inherited the lead, keeping Southwind Cobra parked while Shake It Off Lindy sat in the pocket. Rough-gaited clearing the lead, Southwind Cobra maintained his stride passing the quarter in :29.1, and was unchallenged through a :58.1 half.

Sitting in third, Shake It Off Lindy pulled to the outside approaching the three-quarter pole and was up to Southwind Cobra’s wheel within a matter of strides. Past the third-quarter in 1:27.3, Shake It Off Lindy had taken the lead, and was holding off Moonshiner Hanover splitting horses and Signal Hill coming down the center of the track. In front by a length, Shake It Off Lindy finished in front of Moonshiner Hanover and Southwind Cobra.

The Frank Antonacci trainee won his second start in six tries this season, earning $45,250 this season. By Crazed out of the Love You mare Nashville Lindy, he is owned by K R Breeding LLC and was driven by Tim Tetrick. He paid $29.60 to win.

“He’s been training down good and we didn’t stake him too heavy,” Antonacci said. “He was a $17,000 yearling that was part of my dad’s experiment with the French mares. We gave him every chance he could possibly have to be a good horse, and he’s showing a good turn of foot and he has a good head on him.”

“Anytime you’re involved with these horses multiple generations; train the mare and train the father, it’s definitely a little special,” Antonacci also said.

“He’ll probably be back here next week,” Antonacci also said.

Brushing to the lead after the half, Long Tom maintained control as he advanced to a 1:55.2 win over Bill’s Man and Equestrianconxtion.

Bill’s Man parked around the first turn and was forced to move to the lead, clearing in :28.3. Approaching the half, driver Tim Tetrick edged Long Tom, sitting in third, off the pylons and rushed towards Bill’s Man through a :58 half.

Shuffled to third, Equestrianconxtion moved first over midway through the final turn. Long Tom passed three-quarters in 1:26.3 as Bill’s Man tried to weave out of the pocket and Equestrianconxtion hanged to his outside. The two struggled to approach Long Tom and couldn’t get by, as Long Tom hit the line a half-length in front of Bill’s Man and Equestrianconxtion in 1:55.2, a lifetime best.

Owned by Amg Stable Oy, trained by Marcus Melander, and driven by Tim Tetrick, the colt by Muscle Hill from the Windsong’s Legacy mare Ilia scored his third win out of four tries this season, earning $46,875. Sent off the 2-5 favorite, he paid $2.80 to win.

“When I was home in February, he told me ‘I have a good horse I want to send over,’” Marcus Melander said. “A trainer in Sweden bought him at Harrisburg and he brought him overseas to Sweden. I was there for my visa, and I happened to go there for just a week and we talked. We sent him over as soon as possible, and he came to my barn at the end of March.”

“I thought he had potential after the first time he raced,” Melander also said. “He had a little time off; trouble getting to the races and then he raced great at Freehold [in the $29,000 Harold Dancer Memorial] after a month off, and then he raced great again at the Meadowlands. After that, I decided to bring him down here and try him in the Grand Circuit.”

“We’ll have to look at him after this race to see if he’s good, but he’ll probably be back here next week,” Melander said.

Snowstorm Hanover took the lead into the first turn and managed to hold command, trotting a 1:55.3 mile, a lifetime best, over Buckeye Boss and International Moni.

Trotting the first quarter in :29 and the half in :59.2, Snowstorm Hanover was unchallenged on the lead. Buckeye Boss, sent off the even-money favorite, drafted from the pocket, Meme Hanover trotted third and International Moni sat fourth. Into the final turn, Buckeye Boss tipped outside attempting to sling to command, but Snowstorm Hanover began to accelerate at three-quarters in 1:28.3.

Buckeye Boss challenged Snowstorm Hanover through the stretch. As Buckeye Boss advanced, Snowstorm Hanover steadfastly remained on the lead, staying about a half-length in front of Buckeye Boss at the wire.

Returning $13.40 to win, Snowstorm Hanover, by Muscle Massive from the Andover Hall mare Snow Angel Hanover, won her third race in eight starts this year, earning $86,869. He is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Frank Baldachino, Peter Collura & Weaver Bruscemi, trained by Ron Burke, and driven by Matt Kakaley.

Waiting to pursue the lead until the top of the stretch, Fly On easily gained command midway through the stretch, besting Dunbar Hall and Southwind Woody in a 1:55 lifetime-best performance.

Taking the lead through a :29.1 quarter, Fly On soon yielded to Southwind Woody brushing to the lead into the backstretch. He was unchallenged off a :57.1 half and was unchallenged up until the three-quarter pole, when Fly On inched towards the lead with Always A Good Time on his back. Fly On met strides with Southwind Woody at three-quarters in 1:27.

Fly On drifted through the stretch, eventually sprinting clear of Southwind Woody clinging to second while Always A Good Time hanged in fourth and Dunbar Hall flew up the pylons from fourth, edging by Southwind Woody to claim second.

Winning his sixth race in ten starts this year, Fly On, a Muscle Hill colt out of the Credit Winner mare Calchips Finisher, has now earned $88,747 this year. Owned by Andy Miller Stable Inc., Arden Homestead Stable and Gaitway Stable, trained by Julie Miller and driven by Andy Miller, Fly On paid $2.60 to win.

“He has been a model of consistency,” Julie Miller said. “He didn’t really like the track at Freehold that day on the half [in the Harold Dancer Memorial]… he didn’t maneuver the track well; that’s the only mishap he has had. We’ve been real pleased with him. He has willingness to go and we’re pretty excited about him.”

“Julie Miller called me about a year ago, after she and Andy bought him, and said that they were looking for a partner,” Peter Gerry of Arden Homestead Stable said. “We have had such wonderful luck with the Miller’s Stable.”

“There was one horse we didn’t have any luck with,” Gerry also said, “and that was because we kind of pressured them into buying him, and that was the brother of a good horse they bought from our consignment. We felt so guilty, but they have always been so kind to us. What fun it is to have an investment with the Miller family.”

Going wire to wire, New Jersey Viking finished in front of Muscles Jared and Explosive Ridge, trotting his Bluegrass division in 1:56.1.

Holding an uncontested lead through a :28.3 quarter and :59 half, New Jersey Viking led Muscles Jared, who raced from the pocket, and What The Hill, who was sent off the 4-5 favorite. Fraser Ridge, caught on the outside since the start, gradually advanced towards the leader from first over, carrying Explosive Ridge on his tail.

Fraser Ridge reached New Jersey Viking’s wheel into the final turn. What The Hill tried to sprint off the pylons, but lost stride. Fraser Ridge began to falter, forcing Explosive Ridge three wide, chasing after New Jersey Viking in 1:27.4. In the stretch, New Jersey Viking held control while Muscles Jared dipped towards the cones and edged to the outside, attempting to slide to the lead, but New Jersey Viking held him off by about half a length.

New Jersey Viking, by Muscle Hill out of the Broadway Hall mare Hall Of Wishes, won his fourth race in seven starts this year, earning $111,893 for owners Knutsson Trotting Inc. and Little E LLC. Trained and driven by Ake Svanstedt, he paid $8.40 to win.

Clearing control at the quarter, Dover Dan stayed in front as he trotted a lifetime-best 1:55 mile in the final Bluegrass division.

Setting a :28.2 quarter, Dover Dan brushed by Soho Hanover to take the lead into the backstretch. Eternal Patrol trotted third in front of the 1-2 favorite King On The Hill in fourth. After a :57.1 half, King On The Hill led a two-wide charge into the far turn.

King On The Hill reached Dover Dan’s neck midway around the final turn, but Dover Dan accelerated toward a 1:27.1 third-quarter and drew separation at the top of the stretch. Soho Hanover attempted to sneak by at the pylons while King On The Hill faltered and Patton, riding his cover, tried to close down the center of the track. Dover Dan held off Soho Hanover, while Patton finished third.

John Butenschoen trains the colt by Andover Hall out of the Royal Troubador mare Cr Kay Suzie. Winning four of eight starts this season, he has earned $108,579 for owners William Wiswell, Jean Goehlen, and Eugene Schick. Driven by Corey Callahan, he paid $8.40.

“I think Corey [Callahan] and I were a little bit aggravated after our first two races,” Butenschoen said. “They both raced well, but neither one really got a big shot to race. Bill’s Man was second and tried to sneak up the wood there, and then Simply Volo had no shot; he had a horse on the long side of him the whole mile, so I think it was in Corey’s mind that if we get beaten [to the lead], they’re going to beat us.”

Live racing resumes on Friday, September 30 at The Red Mile with five divisions of the $298,000 Bluegrass Stakes for two-year-old trotting fillies slated on the nine-race card. First race post is at 7:00pm. 

ABBATIELLO FETED FOR MILESTONE WIN

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

YONKERS, NY, Thursday, September 29, 2016—Driver Eric Abbatiello, who reached the 2,000-win milestone early in the day, was duly recognized by Yonkers Raceway.

Proving it’s nothing if not a good sport, the Raceway offered congrats to Abbatiello, who arrived at his latest plateau at Freehold Raceway.

The 47-year-old Abbatiello, whose Harness Hall of Fame father, Carmine, won a few Yonkers races in his day, is actually at 2,001 wins and more than $13.2 million in career purses.

His single-season bests are 212 wins (2014) and $1.6 million in purses (2008) in career which began in 1999, but wasn’t ‘full-time’ until 2005.

Yonkers’ Thursday Pick 5 wager, beginning with a double-carryover of just under $8,200, attracted $25,620 of fresh funding. The winning combination of 5/1/2/1/4 paid $217.50 for every correct half-a-buck wager.

HANNAH MILLER WINS BILLINGS AT THE RED MILE; JOE LEE AND BOBBY KRIVELIN COP NAADA TROTS AT YONKERS

For the second time in recent weeks there has been racing action in both the Billings Series and the NAADA[i] Trotting Series on the same day which is indicative of the growing popularity of amateur driving.

On Thursday, (Sept 29) in Billings action at The Red Mile in Louisville, Ky., “Hurricane Hannah” Miller, after a stellar showing in the recently completed World Cup of Amateur Racing in Budapest, Hungary, added to her seasonal totals by reining Jack To Open to a 1:56.4 victory. Meanwhle, several hundred miles away at Yonkers Raceway in New York in the NAADA Trotting Series, Joe Lee scored a 1:59.2 victory with Four Starz Credit in their split while Bobby Krivelin  was a 1:58.3 winner in his division behind P C’s Wildcard.

At The Red Mile “Hurricane Hannah” notched her 28^th seasonal driving victory. After leaving strongly from the three-hole with Jack’s To Open they took command before the first stanza which was trotted in :28.2. Being pressured by a parked-out Bold Strike, driven  by Steve”You’re Never Too” Oldford, both trotters  were just heads apart at the half in :57.0. But when Bold Strike began to fade “Buffalo Bob” Davis hustled  80-1 shot Facing Justice up to challenge Jacks To Open and the two were just  heads apart as they straightened for home. However, Miller’s charge was game and held off Bold Strike by a length at the wire. Third place went to Rompaway Beau, driven by “Lawbook Larry” Farley.

“Hannah said she loves coming to Lexington and it's a great place to race,” trainer Nick Surick said. “She said she was a little nervous around last turn when Bob Davis flipped three wide with a strong challenge but ‘Jack’ dug in and got the job done for Hannah.”

Jack’s To Open paid $3.20 for win. He’s owned by his driver and the Nick Surick Stable and trained by Surick. Besides her 28 wins Hurricane Hannah has 20 seconds and six thirds for a .434UDR.

Also on tap on Thursday night  was  the second leg of the NAADA Fall trotting Series in which  Joe Lee took no prisoners in his division. He sent Four Starz Credit for the lead and after gaining command they remained nearly unchallenged from there to the wire.

My horse raced great,” Lee said after the race. “Alan (Schwartz with Linda Marie)) let me cut the mile and although I had some mild pressure to the half by John Kokinos and Cassa’s Image, my horse scooted off to win pretty easily.”

At the finish Four Starz Credit was a solid five-length winner over I’m Fabulous, driven by John Turock.  Cassa’s Image held on for the show dough.

Four Starz Credit is owned by Eric Prevost and trained by Tom Milici. Joe Lee, the locker room manager for the New York Yankees, notched his eighth seasonal driving victory and 18^th of his fledgling driving career.

The other non-betting trot saw Bobby Krivein hustle PC’s Wildcard to the lead and once on top Krivelin played catch me if you can; and no one could, as the  7-year-old altered son of Sand Chaser trotted the final four furlongs in :58 en route to a three-length triumph over Signal Hill OK and driver Joe Faraldo. Third place went to Wygant Prince, handled by Paul Minore.

PC’s Wildcard is owned by the Joe P Racing Stable and trained by Dan Altman. For Krivelin, a three time national Amateur Driver of the Year, it was his 14^th seasonal triumph and the 198^th of his career.

K J’s Caroline rallies, repeats in top distaff

Vernon, N.Y. – The most drastic change of tactics possible proved no issue for K J’s Caroline ($4.80), who once again was best among the top distaffers at Vernon Downs in Thursday (September 29) evening’s featured $9,900 Mares Open pacing event.

The 6-year-old Roddy’s Bags Again mare, who typically plays a big role in the pacesetting duties, dropped to last immediately, sitting well off pacesetter Yes You Can (Truman Gale) through a strong yet even pace of :27.4, :56, and 1:24. Roman Lopez angled K J’s Caroline off the pegs with five-sixteenths to go, and the pair made immediate headway before they were carried to the four-path off the far turn by Southern Girl (Fern Paquet, Jr.), who angled to the three-path out of third just upon cornering for home. K J’s Caroline would sustain her bid through a :27.1 individually-timed closing sectional to just collar Southern Girl by a neck in 1:52.1. Yes You Can gave way under duress in deep stretch, but narrowly held third from Bettorhaveanother (Brett Derue).

For K J’s Caroline, the second straight Vernon win was her seventh of the year and the 30^th of her career. Paul Long handles the training duties for owner-breeder Scott Woogen.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (September 30) evening with an 11-race card due to commence at 6:45 p.m. Eastern.

Sophomore Spectacular Sunday at Red Mile

By Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile

LEXINGTON, KY— Sophomore pacers and trotters compete on the first matinee program of the Grand Circuit meeting at The Red Mile on Sunday, October 2, with three divisions of the $188,200 Bluegrass for trotting fillies, two divisions of the $163,500 Bluegrass for trotting colts, two divisions of the $147,000 Bluegrass for pacing fillies, and three divisions of the $173,900 Bluegrass for pacing colts.

The opening of the three Bluegrass splits for trotting fillies pins Celebrity Eventsy against Double Exposure. Starting from post one, Celebrity Eventsy, by Manofmanymissions from the American Winner mare Little Ms Queenie, exits a ninth-place effort in the $331,360 Elegantimage, which was the result of a parked first-over trip. Owned by Celebrity Farms and trained by Staffan Lind, the winner of eight out of twenty-one starts lifetime has earned $453,863.

Double Exposure enters off a 1:55.2 qualifier at The Red Mile, and adds Lasix for the first time in her career. Her last pari-mutual start was in a $26,950 Elegantimage elimination, where she finished sixth, failing to make the final. She has won six races out of fifteen starts lifetime, earning $297,413 for owners Brittany Farms and Melvin Hartman and trainer Tony Alagna.

Freshman-sensation Broadway Donna, by Donato Hanover from the Broadway Hall mare Broadway Schooner, draws into the second division. Winning the $252,000 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes Championship in 1:53.4 in her most recent start, she earned her 12^th win in 17 races, earning $800,894 for owner Fashion Farms LLC. Trained by Jim Campbell, she starts from post one.

Trond Smedshammer sends Fad Finance, by Credit Winner from the Sierra Kosmos mare Armbro Vanity, from post five in the second division. Her last race was in the $225,000 New York Sires Stakes Final, where she finished fifth as the 3-5 favorite. Winning nine of 20 starts and earning $275,356, she races for owners Purple Haze Stables LLC, Marc Goldberg, and Rojan Stables.

Hambletonian Oaks-elimination winner Side Bet Hanover competes in the final trotting filly split. Since her 38-1 upset in her Hambletonian Oaks elimination, she has finished second in a $74,690 Casual Breeze division and fifth in the Elegantimage Final. A winner of four of 17 starts, the filly by Donato Hanover from the Muscles Yankee mare Sea Level Hanover has earned $143,636 for owner Srf Stable. Trained by Jonas Czernyson, she starts from post two.

Wildflower, off a 14-1 upset in the $118,574 Hudson Filly Trot, starts from post six against Side Bet Hanover. After her 1:56.1 performance in the Hudson Filly Trot, she qualified at Pocono Downs, winning by seven lengths in 1:58. Winning four of 16 starts lifetime, she has earned $225,507 for owner-trainer Ake Svanstedt along with partners Douglas Sipple and Mal & Janet Burroughs.

The first of two Bluegrass divisions for trotting colts attracts Mavens Way, Sutton, and Lagerfeld. Mavens Way, finishing sixth to Sutton in a 1:51.4 mile against conditioned trotters at the Meadowlands, starts from post one. By Muscle Hill from the Andover Hall mare Doris Deo, he has earned $141,724 over 17 starts for owner-trainer Ake Svanstedt along with partners Mal & Janet Burroughs, T L P Stable, and Esa Hietakanagas.

Sutton, who finished third at 48-1 in the $1,000,000 Hambletonian, races from post four. Finishing fourth in the $500,000 Colonial Trot and breaking as the even-money favorite in an $80,095 Simcoe division, he will try for his sixth win in his career. By Donato Hanover, from the Muscles Yankee mare I Wanted Wings, Sutton has compiled $328,806 in earnings over 20 starts  for trainer Julie Miller and owners Andy Miller Stable Inc. and Jason & Douglas Allen.

Exiting a fourth-place finish in the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes Championship, Lagerfeld, by Yankee Glide from the Yankee Paco mare Southern Senorita, starts from post two. The Jimmy Takter trainee has struggled with gait issues most of the season, breaking in a $153,250 Stanley Dancer Memorial division and in the $40,000 Yonkers Trot elimination. A winner of six in 26 starts, he has earned $602,603 for owners Christina Takter, John and Jim Fielding and Herb Liverman.

Bar Hopping, who was sent off as the even-money favorite in the Hambletonian, races in the other trotting colt division. Off a 1:53.1 victory in the $522,120 Canadian Trotting Classic, the Jimmy Takter trained son of Muscle Hill, from the Credit Winner mare Cocktail Hour, starts from post three. Winning six of 22 starts, he has earned $808,188 for owners Christina Takter, Hatfield Stables, Marvin Katz, and Al Libfeld.

Pure Country and Darlinonthebeach will battle again when they race in the first Bluegrass division for pacing fillies. Exiting the $143,640 Jugette, Pure Country finished fourth in the final, while Darlinonthebeach scratched after finishing fifth in the first heat.

Pure Country, by Somebeachsomewhere from the Western Hanover mare Western Montana, has won 17 of 26 starts and earned $1,578,448 for owner Diamond Creek Racing. She’ll race from post two.

Darlinonthebeach, by Somebeachsomewhere from the Bettor’s Delight mare Darlin’s Delight, neighbors Pure Country from post three. A winner of 10 of 26 starts, she has earned $739,823 for owner White Birch Farm.

Call Me Queen Be highlights the other pacing filly split. Finishing second as the 1-2 favorite after setting the pace in the Jugette Final, she draws post three. Defeating Pure Country and Darlinonthebeach in both the $252,000 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes Championship and the first heat of the Jugette, they filly by Somebeachsomewhere from the Western Terror mare Preppy Party Girl has nine wins to her credit out of 25 starts, earning $752,384 for owners Let It Ride Stables Inc. and Mr Dana Parham.

American Passport, who emerged into the stakes spotlight after winning a division of the International Stallion Stakes last fall, returns to The Red Mile. Drawing post four, he exits a ninth-place finish in the $100,000 Jenna’s Beach Boy. Winning five of 24 starts, he has earned $283,691 for owners Brittany Farms, Alagna Racing, Riverview Racing, and Jody Siamis.

The second Bluegrass division for pacing colts features Western Fame, who won at 10-1 in a $92,320 Little Brown Jug elimination. Drawing post six, the Western Ideal colt from the Artiscape mare Shyaway has won four of 21 starts, earning $287,006 for owner Brittany Farms and trainer Jimmy Takter.

Another Jug finalist, Big Top Hanover, starts from post two. Going off stride before the start, he finished sixth. A winner of five in 33 starts, the colt by Western Ideal from the Art Major mare Blind Ambition has earned $625,612 for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Jt 45 and Weaver Bruscemi and trainer Ron Burke.

The final Bluegrass division attracts Dr J Hanover, who enters off a third-place effort in the Little Brown Jug. Starting from post five, Tony Alagna trains the gelding by Somebeachsomwhere, out of the Western Ideal mare So Perfect. He has won eight of 15 starts, amassing $289,149 in earnings for owners Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz, John Cancelliere, and Dr J Partners.

Manhattan Beach, who finished fifth in the Little Brown Jug, races from post two. By Somebeachsomewhere from the Badlands Hanover mare Benear, the Ron Burke trainee has won five of 27 starts, which includes an elimination for the Adios Pace. Also finishing second in the $320,000 Cane Pace, he has earned $381,492 for owners Burke Racing Stable & Weaver Bruscemi, Geoffrey Lyons Mound and Wingfield Brothers.

Sunday’s 14-race card is set to start at 1:00pm, which will be the post time for the remaining dates in the Grand Circuit meet. 

DAVE OFFENBERG TO JOIN USA TEAM VS. NEW ZEALAND IN EARLY DECEMBER

          by john manzi for NAADA

Four members of the North American Amateur Drivers Association (NAADA) will wing their way to New Zealand to compete against their counterparts from Down Under in early December in a series of races in a Friendship Competition.

Leading the USA team will be Peter Kleinhans who earned that honor after winning a lottery drawing upon the completion the NAADA Summer Trotting Series by being among the top three point earners in the series, and then winning a lottery drawing.  

Recently the international amateur drivers organization has released that Dave Offenberg will join Kleinhans on the overseas journey to represent the USA in the competition. Others, they say, will be named in the upcoming days.

Offenberg, a true sportsman, an avid amateur driver, and a longtime prominent horse owner is excited  to be representing America in the upcoming Friendship Competition.

“I'm absolutely thrilled to be going to New Zealand to represent the U.S. in an amateur driving competition with three other drivers. I have never been there although I drove against the New Zealand amateurs last year at Yonkers,” Offenberg said.

“I have been overseas several times to drive in amateur races in Italy, Spain, Finland and Sweden, but this trip will probably top them all. I have as much fun driving in the amateurs as I have racing my own horses.”

According to Offenberg, he has been lucky to have had several good horses including Continental Victory (Hambo Winner), Mr Vic, Angus Hall, Yes Its True and many other hard-hitting raceway horses.

“In what other sport can you be totally hands-on and get enjoyment doing it?” he asks.

Queried about his biggest thrill as an amateur driver it didn’t take Offenberg much time to respond.

“Obviously the first win was a big kick and all amateur wins are special. One of my greatest thrills was driving and winning an overnight race at Freehold against the pros (including Hall of Famer Cat Manzi) with my own horse that paid almost $100 to win. I’ve won several NAADA regional finals but winning the Billings Silver Cup last year was special.”

However, when it comes to driving Standardbreds as an amateur reinsman realism sets in.

“I do race against the pros on rare occasions and am quickly brought back to reality just watching the driving skills they exhibit during a race. I guess that's why they’re the pros and we are the amateurs.”

Offenberg, by his own admission, has been one of the fortunate few being able to participate in the sport as an owner, breeder and driver and has been blessed to have met many special people at all levels in the sport.

“It is my hope that I can continue in the sport for many years to come,” he added.

Freshmen Pacers in Saturday Bluegrass Spotlight

By Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile

LEXINGTON, KY— The Saturday, October 1 program at The Red Mile will feature four divisions of the $294,000 Bluegrass for two-year-old pacing fillies and five divisions of the $330,000 Bluegrass for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

Idyllic Beach draws into the opening division of the Bluegrass for pacing fillies. Racing from post five, the filly by Somebeachsomewhere, from the American Ideal mare Idyllic, enters off a 1:52.2 performance at Hoosier Park as the 1-5 favorite in the $246,000 Kentuckiana Pace. Owned by Christina Takter, John Fielding, Brixton Medical Ab and Marvin Katz, and trained by Jimmy Takter, she has won six of eight starts this season, earning $449,132.

Noel Daley sends Jenny’s Terror in the second division. By Western Terror from the Beach Towel mare Beach Jenny, Jenny’s Terror enters off two wins in Kindergarten Classic preliminaries, winning recently in 1:53.4 at 3-2. Owned by The Ok Corral, she has earned $12,800 over five starts this year, and will start from post two.

Ella Christina also starts in the second division. Racing from post five, the Nancy Johansson-trainee enters off a 1:54.3 win at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in a $49,200 division of the Standardbred Stakes. Also owned by Nancy Johansson, the daughter of Western Ideal, from the Artiscape mare Arthroscopic, has won two of seven starts, earning $48,067.

Division three gathers She’s A Great Lady finalists Happy Hannah, That’s The Ticket, and Awash. Recently winning a conditioned race at Mohawk Racetrack as the 1-5 favorite, Happy Hannah, by Well Said from the Village Jolt mare Hallie Gallie, will make her eighth start of the season. She has earned $54,479 over seven starts for owners Stan Klemencic, Hudson Standardbred Inc., and Hutt Racing Stable and trainer Mark Steacy. She races from post one.

That’s The Ticket, who upset her She’s A Great Lady elimination in 1:52 at 58-1, starts from post three. By Roll With Joe from the Artsplace mare Art Account, the Chris Ryder trainee enters off a seventh-place effort at Mohawk in an $81,671 division of the Champlain. She has one win in eight starts this year, amassing $42,681 in earnings for owners Craig Henderson, Robert Mondillo, and Lawrence Minowitz.

Awash, entering off a third-place effort at Hoosier Park in the Kentuckiana Stakes, will start from post five. Winning one race in eight starts, she has earned $91,503 this season for owner Bradley Grant. Tony Alagna trains the daughter of Somebeachsomewhere, from the Jereme’s Jet mare Apogee Hanover.

The final pacing filly split features Everyones Watching. Trained by Tony Alagna, the daughter of Artiscape, from the Rocknroll Hanover mare Burnett Blue Chip, enters off a 1:52.4 win at Mohawk in an $80,516 division of the Champlain Stakes. With that being her lone win in six outings this year, she has earned $79,941 for owners Riverview Racing, Deo Volente Farms, Crawford Farms Racing, and Steven Wienick.

Kicking off the Bluegrass splits for pacing colts and geldings is a matchup between Huntsville, Ocean Colony, and Fear The Dragon. Huntsville, by Somebeachsomewhere from the Western Hanover mare Wild West Show, has finished better than second in every start this season. He enters off a win in the $252,000 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes Championship, where he bested Fear The Dragon in 1:51.1. Earning $227,484 over six starts this season, Huntsville will race from post three for owner-trainer Ray Schnittker along with partners Ted Gewertz, Charles Iannazzo, and Steven Arnold.

Fear The Dragon, a son of Dragon Again from the Western Ideal mare Armbro Cinnamon, races from post seven. Trained by Brian Brown, he has finished better than third in every outing this season. He enters off a 1:50.4 win at Hoosier Park as the even-money favorite in the $140,000 Elevation Pace. Winning five of nine starts this year, he has earned $212,016 for owner Emerald Highlands Farm.

Jimmy Takter trains Ocean Colony, by Somebeachsomewhere from the Western Ideal mare Amora Hanover. He finished second to Fear The Dragon in the Elevation Stakes and was fifth as the even-money favorite in the $508,970 Metro Pace final. Earning $91,383 over seven starts this year, Ocean Colony will race from post six for owners Christina Takter, John Fielding, Hatfield Stables, Marvin Katz, Al Libfeld, and Sam Goldband.

Division two features Windsong Napoleon, who won a $30,800 Metro Pace elimination in 1:51.3 going wire to wire at 54-1. Finishing ninth in the final, the Carl Jamieson trainee rebounded to finish third in an $81,215 division of the Champlain Stakes. By Art Major from the Precious Bunny mare Bunny Dearest, he has won three out of ten starts this year, earning $70,635 for owners Carl Jamieson, Thomas Kyron, and Douglas Good. He starts from post four.

Rivaling Windsong Napoleon is Odds On Delray, who failed to make the Metro Pace final following a break at the start in his elimination. Going on to win the $38,500 consolation in 1:51.2, he has since finished third in a division of the Champlain Stakes and in the Elevation Stakes. Winning three times in eight starts, the son of Somebeachsomewhere, from the Dragon Again mare My Little Dragon, has earned $62,095 this season for owner Odds On Racing. Trained by Tony Alagna, Odds On Delray starts from post two.

Tony Alagna sends Western Hill in the third division. Starting from post one, the Western Ideal colt from the Art Major mare Cosmo Blue Chip enters off a 1:54.3 qualifier at The Red Mile, as well as a 1:53 effort to win the $40,000 Stallion Series final at Pocono Downs. Owned by Tom Hill, he has won four of five starts this season, compiling $49,750 in earnings.

Starting from post three in the third division is Blood Line. Sent off the favorite in his Metro Pace elimination, he went on to finish tenth in the final. Following that performance finishing second in a division of the Champlain and fifth in the Elevation, the Jimmy Takter trainee will go for his second win of the season. He has earned $69,687 over seven starts this season for owner Diamond Creek Racing.

Downbytheseaside highlights the fourth division. Exiting a 1:50 performance at the Delaware County Fairgrounds to win a $34,500 division of the Standardbred Stakes, the Brian Brown trainee will start from post seven. Winning four of eight starts this year, the Somebeachsomewhere colt from the Allamerican Native mare Sprig Hanover has earned $173,956 this season for owners Country Club Acres Inc., Joe Sbrocco, and Richard Lombardo.

Against him from post one is Machiavelli, by Somebeachsomewhere from the Western Ideal mare So Perfect. Finishing third and second respectively in his recent performances in the Kindergarten Classic preliminaries, he will try for his second win of the season. Trained by Joe Holloway, he has earned $16,622 this season for owners Val D’Or Farms, Ted Gewertz, and Rojan Stables.

The final division features Miso Fast, by Roll With Joe from the Artsplace mare Sakura Hanover. Entering off a second-place finish at Yonkers Raceway in the $225,000 New York Sires Stakes final, the Ron Burke trainee will start from post two. He has won five of eight starts this year, earning $174,231 for owners Burke Racing Stable, Our Horse Cents Stables, and Jerry & Theresa Silva Stables.

Brian Brown sends Mcthriller from post one. He enters off a six-length victory in 1:53.4 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in the $35,325 Ohio Breeders Championship, where he trailed the field by 13 lengths at the quarter. A winner of four in seven starts this season, he has earned $88,662 for owners Nr Holdings LLC, T L P Stable, and Howard Taylor.

First race post for Saturday’s 11-race program is 7:00pm. 

LONGEST RUNNING RADIO SHOW IN THE CATSKILLS; WVOS-FM’s’ BOP SHOP CELEBRATES 33rd ANNIVERSARY SUN. OCT. 9

     MONTICELLO, NY- On Sunday, October 9, the longest running show in the Catskills, WVOS-FM’s “The Bop Shop” hosted by John Manzi, will celebrate its 33rd anniversary. The four- hour radio show is heard on Sunday nights from 8pm until mid-night.

The unique program  which features music—mostly vocal group harmony records-- from the late 40’s, 50’s and early 60’s is available on WVOS radio on 95.9FM and on Time Warner Cable channel 1962 in southeast New York , northeastern Pennsylvania and northwestern New Jersey. And it is now heard world-wide on the internet at wvosfm.com.

“We have a fun program and we play enjoyable songs from small labels that never really go much airplay and since we’ve been on the internet we’ve been getting calls from listeners in Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Long Island  and all over the East Coast; even from Alaska,” Manzi relates.

“We go back to the roots of rock n roll and rhythm n blues playing great songs from what is now known as the doo wop era. Sure we play chart records but mostly we feature vocal group harmony records but we also play some rock-a-billy and  blues records, too.”

Currently with features like “the name game”, “name that tune”, “same thing only different”,  battle of the (record’s) B-sides”, “rate a record”, and “common denominator”,  Manzi tries to keep his audience involved in the show.

From time to time Manzi has live in-studio a cappella from vocal ensembles like Larry Chance and the Earls, Guy Villari & the Regents; The Shallows; the Cliftonaires; Mystique; the Creations, the Arrogants, the Excellents; Sentimental Journey; and BQE, to mention a few;  and recently, Little Isadore and the Inquisitors .

Every Sunday Manzi is joined by his sidekick, Joe “Doo Wop” Greco who has been with him since the beginning of the show in early October 1983. Also an integral part of the program are Steve “the Eggman” (Ristano) and Cindy “G”.

Besides playing  the music, they inform the listeners of the background of the songs; talk about the personnel and where they originated from, as well as where songs placed on the Billboard charts.

Manzi, the retired longtime publicity director at Monticello Raceway, has always been a fancier of oldies music. His collection of 45RPM records exceeds 50,000 and his albums  number more than 3000. He plays his 45RPM records over the airwaves.

For the first 25 years the Bop Shop was heard on WSUL-98.3FM but eight years ago Watermark Communications, which owns both WSUL and WVOS,  switched the program to WVOS-FM when that station  began an “oldies” format.

When Manzi took over the Sunday night oldies show at WSUL radio in October 1983 little did he fathom that 33 years later he’d still be at it.

“And the beautiful part of this music is that even though the records are 50 years old, and most older, I’m always coming across vocal group harmony songs that I never heard before,” Manzi said. “It’s like listening to new music.”

“I really look forward to Sunday nights. I love the music and I love our audience.”       

YONKERS’ THURSDAY PICK 5 = $8,199 DOUBLE-CARRYOVER

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

YONKERS, NY, Tuesday, September 27, 2016—A friendly reminder from Yonkers Raceway that Thursday night’s (Sept. 29) Pick 5 wager begins with a rare double-carryover of $8,199.88.

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 both Monday night and Tuesday afternoon), the entire pool (minus takeout) moves to the next program. 

Friday Bluegrass Feature Freshmen Trotting Fillies

By Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile

LEXINGTON, KY— Freshmen trotting fillies will race in the spotlight on Friday, September 30 at The Red Mile, with five divisions of the $298,000 Bluegrass Stakes scheduled for the nine-race program.

The first division draws six fillies. Chezatter, by Explosive Matter from the Malabar Man mare Chez Lucie, will start from post three for owner Purple Haze Stables LLC and trainer Trond Smedshammer. Making her eighth start this season, she has already compiled $134,325 in earnings, including three wins, two seconds and one third. Her lone off-the-board finish was in the $252,000 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes Championship, where she broke at the start.

Chezatter’s competition includes Princess Aurora, a Jimmy Takter-trainee exiting a 1:54.4 win in the $35,000 Kentuckiana Consolation, and Evelyn, entering off wins in a $29,190 Reynolds division and a conditioned race at Pocono Downs. They race from posts four and five respectively.

Division two attracts Grandma’s Moni, by Donato Hanover from the Self Possessed mare All Our Moni. Racing for owner Moni Maker Stable and trainer Frank Antonacci, she will try to rebound off of breaks in a $23,100 Peaceful Way elimination and in her most recent qualifier. She’ll start from post five.

French Press, also in division two, will make her tenth start of the season. Winless, she enters off a second-place finish in a $27,747 division of the Standardbred Stakes at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. She has earned $27,274 this year for owner Black Horse Racing and trainer Nancy Johnansson. She’ll race from post two.

Meeting up in the third division are That’s All Moni, Can’t I, and Hillarmbro. That’s All Moni, a Jimmy Takter-trainee by Cantab Hall from the Pine Chip mare Mom’s Millionaire, recently finished second at Mohawk Racetrack in the $275,880 Peaceful Way Stakes. She has won three times in seven outings, earning $173,523 for owners Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz, and Al Libfeld. She’ll start from post two.

Can’t I, a Bob Stewart-trainee by Cantab Hall out of the Jailhouse Jesse mare Buck I St Pat, has won four times in six starts and finished second twice. Amassing $205,752 in earnings for owners Howard Taylor, Edwin Gold, Abraham Basen, and Ron Fuller, she enters off a second-place finish at Hoosier Park in the $250,000 Kentuckiana Stakes. She races from post four.

Hillarmbro, a Trond Smedshammer-trainee by Muscle Hill out of the Dream Vacation mare Armbro Emma, ships from the Meadowlands, where she won three-races straight, including two preliminaries of the Kindergarten Classic. With three wins out of five starts, she has earned $17,050 for owner Purple Haze Stables LLC. She’ll race from post six.

The fourth division lines seven trotting fillies behind the gate. Both Broadway Idole, starting from post two, and Heels On Wheels, racing from post four, exit Sires Stakes finals. Broadway Idole, by Broadway Hall from the Promising Catch mare Idole Normand, enters from a fourth-place finish in the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes Championship, while Heels On Wheels ships in from a third-place effort in the $225,000 New York Sires Stakes Final.

Broadway Idole races for owner Fashion Farms and trainer Jim Campbell, and has earned $97,279 in eight starts this season. Heels On Wheels, owned by Burke Racing Stable, Crawford Farms Racing, Lawrence Karr, and Weaver Bruscemi and trained by Ron Burke, has earned $98,250 in nine starts.

Rounding out the program is the fifth division. Racing from post four is Fine Tuned Lady, by Cantab Hall from the Pine Chip mare Poster Princess. Owned by William Wiswell and M&L of Delaware LLC, the John Butenschoen-trainee has not finished worse than second in eight starts this year. She has earned $326,340 and enters the Bluegrass off wins in the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes Championship and Kentuckiana Stakes.

First race post for the Friday, September 30 program is 7:00pm.

YONKERS EYEING 250G INVITES FOR INTERNATIONAL TROT DAY

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

YONKERS, NY, Tuesday, September 27, 2016—Yonkers Raceway is looking to augment its million-dollar Yonkers International Trot (Saturday afternoon, Oct. 15^th) with a pair of $250,000 Invitationals, one each for trotters and pacers.

The distance(s) of the Invitationals race(s) is/are one mile, though either/or may be changed.

Any interested parties are requested, resumes in hand, to contact the race office at (914) 457-2627.

Horsemen and fans are reminded that first post for the rare Saturday afternoon card is 1:10 PM, pending approval of the New York State Gaming Commission. 

FORMER MET ACE JOHN FRANCO VISITS EMPIRE CITY FRIDAY

from Empire City Yonkers Raceway

YONKERS, NY, Tuesday, September 27, 2016—Former New York Met John Franco, one of baseball’s all-time great relief pitchers, visits Empire City Casino @ Yonkers Raceway Friday night (Sept. 30), meeting and greeting fans at Dan Rooney’s Sports Bar.

Franco is going to be among the faithful watching as the Mets travel to Philadelphia in what figures to be a pivotal game in the National League wild-card race.

The Brooklyn native and St. John’s University product, fifth on the all-time saves list (424, first among lefties), is scheduled to appear between 7-9 PM, posing for pictures and signing autographs for the first 100 fans, then taking in the game with the Amazin’ fans.

Franco, a four-time All-Star and three-time National League saves leader in a 21-year career, was inducted into the Mets’ Hall of Fame in 2012.

Food and drink specials are available, not to mention a perfect view of the game on Dan Rooney’s large-screen TVs.

  

YONKERS’ TUESDAY PICK 5 FEATURES $2,865 CARRYOVER

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

YONKERS, NY, Monday, September 26, 2016—A friendly reminder from Yonkers Raceway that Tuesday afternoon’s (Sept. 27) Pick 5 wager begins with a carryover of $2,865.44.

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 Monday evening), the entire pool (minus takeout) moves to the next program.

Note that Tuesday is a matinee card, with first post at 1 PM.

Freshmen Trotters Kick Off Grand Circuit Meeting

By Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile

LEXINGTON, KY-- The annual Grand Circuit meeting at The Red Mile commences on Thursday, September 29 with six divisions of the $334,500 Bluegrass Stakes for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters.

Race four gathers six trotters for the first division. Long Tom, a Muscle Hill colt from the Windsong’s Legacy mare Ilia, starts from post one for owner Amg Stable Oy and trainer Marcus Melander. He enters off a lifetime-best 1:56.1 effort in a conditioned race at the Meadowlands.

Stormy Kromer also enters off a lifetime-best performance, drawing post six after a 1:58.4 win from first over as the favorite in the $37,547 Ohio Breeders Championship at the Delaware County Fair. He’s owned by Gene Oldford Farms LLC, Wrenn Racing LLC, and Kales Co. LLC.

Division two features another field of six. Signal Hill, who finished seventh in the $266,000 William Wellwood final after a runner up finish in his elimination, competes against Moonshiner Hanover, who finished second in both the $260,000 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes Championship at Harrah’s Philadelphia and the $32,050 Standardbred Stakes at the Delaware County Fair.

Moonshiner Hanover will start from post two for owner-trainer Christopher Beaver along with partners Synerco Ventures Inc. and Bill Manes. Signal Hill races from post five for owners Brittany Farms, David Mc Duffee, Marvin Katz, and Adriano Sorella.

International Moni headlines the third division, attempting to obtain the first win of his career. He ships in off a third-place finish in the William Wellwood Memorial along with Mountain Of Love, who finished eighth following a break at the start. Winless in six starts, International Moni, by Love You out of Moni Maker, has amassed $43,165 in earnings for owner Moni Maker Stable and trainer Frank Antonacci.

The fourth division collects seven trotters. Julie Miller sends Fly On from, by Muscle Hill from the Credit Winner mare Calchips Finisher, from post four for his tenth start this season. Winning five of his nine starts and finishing third in his other four starts, he has earned $60,622 this season for owners Andy Miller Stable Inc., Arden Homestead Stables and Gaitway Stable.

Opposing Fly On is Lars Perry for trainer Jimmy Takter, entering off a break as the 8-5 favorite in a $32,050 division of the Standardbred Stakes at the Delaware County Fair. He’ll race from post seven in pursuit of his first win of the season. He races for owners Christina Takter, John Fielding, Mellby Gard, and Hatfield Stables.

Division five features Peter Haughton champion What The Hill. Sent off the 9-5 favorite in the William Wellwood Memorial, he broke into the last turn, finishing sixth. Winning three of eight starts this season, he has compiled $236,378 in earnings for owners Burke Racing Stable, Our Horse Cents Stables, Jerry & Theresa Silva Stables and Deo Volente Farms.

What The Hill races from post six against New Jersey Viking, an Ake Svanstedt-trainee who has won three of six starts this year including a $55,780 division of the Reynolds at Tioga Downs and the $29,000 Harold Dancer Memorial, as well as Muscles Jared, a George Ducharme-trained son of Muscle Massive who has won four of seven starts this year and exits the $252,000 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes Championship off a fourth-place finish as the 3-5 favorite. New Jersey Viking and Muscles Jared start from posts four and two respectively.

Capping the card and Bluegrass splits is a field of seven highlighted by the Jimmy Takter-trainee King On The Hill. The colt by Muscle Hill from the Viking Kronos mare Lantern Kronos enters from a fourth-place finish in the William Wellwood Memorial. Earning $86,963 over nine starts this year and two wins, coming in an elimination for the Peter Haughton and a preliminary for the Kindergarten, King On The Hill will start from post one for owners Christina Takter, Goran Falk, Goran Andberg, and Hatfield Stables.

Thursday’s program is the first of four Grand Circuit cards this week. Friday’s card, September 30, will feature divisions of the Bluegrass for two-year-old filly trotters. The program on Saturday, October 1 will include divisions of the Bluegrass for two-year-old colt and filly pacers, and Sunday’s card will feature divisions of the Bluegrass for three-year-old colts and fillies of both gaits.

First race post for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday’s cards is 7:00pm. Sunday’s card begins the matinee post time of 1:00pm, which will carry through the remainder of the meeting.

YONKERS HOSTS 27^TH NEW YORK NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS (3 YO’S)

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

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, September 24, 2016—The Empire’s best of the best converged upon Yonkers Raceway Saturday night for the $1.8 million New York Night of Champions.

Eight, $225,000 sire stakes finals, each sponsored by a prominent breeding farm, feature the best 2- and 3-year-olds of both sexes and gaits in the 27^th NOC edition.

The 3-year-olds are summarily summarized…

(Allerage Farm 3-Year-Old Filly Trot) – Last season’s division champ, Non Stick (Ake Svanstedt, $4.80), defending her title in wire-to-wire, 1:56.4 fashion. Swinging Royalty (Brian Sears) was a pocket second, beaten a length, with 111-1 proposition Straight A Student (Mark MacDonald) closing for third.

Non Stick, a daughter of  Lucky Chucky trained by her co-owner (with Little E LLC) and driver, has won six of her 10 seasonal starts ($345,907) and 12-for-16 in her career. The exacta paid $42.20, with the triple returning $841.

            

Fad Finance (Jim Morrill Jr.), as the 3-4 choice, had a brutal strip, trying to leave, only getting a (three-hole) seat when a rival broke and eventually finishing an empty fifth.

(Cameo Hills Farm 3-Year-Old Filly Pace) – Wishy Washy Girl (Morrill Jr., $6) finished what she started, two lengths better than frosh champ Dime a Dance (Matt Kakaley) in a life-best 1:53.3. American Ivy (Andy Miller) was a loose pocket third.

No Clouds Bluechip (Sears), the 11-10 fave, was a weak first-over and backpedaled to last.

            Wishy Washy Girl, a daughter of Roll with Joe trained by Tracy Brainard for co-owners Steven Demeter and Michael Cimaglio, is now 4-for-14 this season. The exacta paid $24.20, with the triple returning $129.

(Blue Chip Farms, 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Pace) – Slight favorite Roll Away Joe (Jason Bartlett, $4.90) never had an anxious moment, whipping second choice Bottom Deals (Tim Tetrick) by 2½ lengths in 1:52.3. Craftship (Scott Zeron) picked of the rest for third. Art Rooney Pace winner Missile J (Sears) tried it uncovered, gave way readily and finished last.

Roll Away Joe, a Roll with Joe gelding trained by Brainard for co-owners Demeter, Howard Taylor and Tom Lazzaro, has won six of his 17 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $14.80, with the triple returning $57.

(Morrisville College Equine Institute 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Trot) – Small-priced Smalltownthrowdown (Dan Daley, $2.80) needed some coaxing, but finished it off in 1:56.1. Dayson (Sears) was a good, two-move, eight-hole second–beaten a length—with Dante (Svanstedt) a pocket third and The Royal Harry (MacDonald) fourth.

For ‘Smalltown,’ a Cash Hall gelding trained by his driver for co-owners Ann-Mari Daley, James Crawford IV, Donald Brenner and Richard Lombardo, it was his seventh win in 15 seasonal starts ($446,263). The exacta paid $13.80, the triple returned $33.20 and the superfecta (four wagering choices in order) paid $110.

“He had issues with a pus pocket the last time he raced (Yonkers),” Dan Daley said. “I know it had to be stinging him a bit, so that’s why I had to keep after him.”

Daley said Smalltownthrowdown would be in the Harrisburg sale. “He’s going to make someone some money, but I have partners and we need the money to buy more babies.”

Saturday night’s pair of $45,000 Open Handicaps were won by..

--Pace, Bit of a Legend N (Jordan Stratton, $4.30) in 1:52.1, and

--Trot, Allerage Star (Andy Miller, $5.60) in 1:54.2.

YONKERS HOSTS 27TH NEW YORK NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS (2 YO’S)

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

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, September 24, 2016—The Empire’s best of the best converged upon Yonkers Raceway Saturday night for the $1.8 million New York Night of Champions.

Eight, $225,000 sire stakes finals, each sponsored by a prominent breeding farm, feature the best 2- and 3-year-olds of both sexes and gaits in the 27^th NOC edition.

The freshmen (and freshwomen) played out as such…

(Winbak Farm 2-Year-Old Filly Pace) –Roaring To Go (catch driver Jason Bartlett), pocketed and a bit wobbly-gaited late, crossed the line first in 1:55. The wobbles didn’t do her in, but the cutting the cones did.

She was set down to second for leaving the course in the final turn, promoting 6-5 favorite Tequila Monday (Brian Sears, $4.50) to the win. The latter, last after an early, eight-hole break, was relentless, closing from a dozen lengths back at the half to miss a head before eventually being put up.

Robin J (John Campbell) sat and was a best-of-the-rest third.

Tequila Monday, a daughter of American Ideal, trained by Chris Oakes for co-owners Susan  Oakes and Chuck Pompey, has won four of her five seasonal starts. The exacta paid $12.40, with the triple (three wagering choices returning $41.

(Genesee Valley Farm 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Pace) – Odds-on Funknwaffles (Jim Morrill Jr., $2.70) won this “match race” with second choice Miso Fast (Matt Kakaley) by three-quarters of a length in 1:52.3, a track record for 2-year-old  pacing geldings. It was 10 lengths back to Twin B Cowboy (Tim Tetrick), with 140-1 shot What’s Goin’ On (Mark MacDonald) fourth.

Funknwaffles, a son of American Ideal co-owned by Ms. Oakes & Crawford Farms Racing and trained by John Butenschoen, has been just about perfect (9 starts, 8 wins, 1 second) this season ($257,284). The exacta paid $4, the triple returned $29.60 and the superfecta paid $266.

“He’s an overachiever,” Morrill Jr. said. “May not much to look at, but this was a tremendous mile on a cool evening.”

(Majestic View Farms International 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Trot) – He was the best in the division coming in, and Devious Man (Andy Miller, $3.20) was the going out. Working his way to the lead just before the half, he finished of his rounds in 1:58. Stick with Me Kid (Sears) chased after yielding, beaten a length-and-three quarters, with Such an Angel (Campbell) a first-up third.

For Devious Man, a son of Credit Winner owned (as part of Stroy Inc.) by trainer Julie Miller, he’s won six of his 10 ’16 tries. The exacta (two wagering choices) paid $11.20, with the triple returning $23.40.

“He just zips around these small tracks,” Andy Miller said. “He was getting a little tired around the last turn, but he’s figured out how to win.”

(Crawford Farms 2-Year-Old Filly Trot) – Despite 22 days off and a scratched-sick in between, odds-on Barn Bella (Jeff Gregory, $3.20) held sway. She defeated an out-a-long-way Mamora Bay (Sam Schillaci) by length in a division track-record 1:57.2. Heels on Wheels (Kakaley) was third.

            

Barn Bella, a Conway Hall miss co-owned by (trainer) Steve & Nancy Pratt and Purple Haze Stables, has won six of her nine first-season starts. The exacta (two wagering choices) paid $7.70, with the triple returning $22.

            “She was sick before her last scheduled start (here),” Gregory said. “Steve (Pratt) didn’t want to qualify her because she’s been racing regularly before that. He and Claude Huckabone Jr., who drove her earlier in the season, did a very good job with her, because she was a project when she first started.” 

Calvin B presses to featured win; Ciuffetelli upsets in Billings

Vernon, N.Y. -- Calvin B ($3.40) did not disappoint at odds-on in Saturday (September 24) evening's featured $9,100 top-level Miracle Mile pacing handicap at Vernon Downs, sustaining a first-over press to circle the field for a 1:51.4 triumph.

Chris Lems settled the 6-year-old Bettor's Delight gelding at the back of the quintet early before angling off the pegs with just less than five-eighths of the mile remaining. Calvin B advanced the instant he was switched first-over, working into a pressing role with three-eighths to go and dueling down pacesetter Major War (Fern Paquet, Jr.) in mid-stretch. Calvin B would accelerate clear while driven and evade a late charge from Modern Gesture (Claude Huckabone, III), who worked around the tiring pacesetter to save second off his pocket trip. No Monkeys Allowed (Truman Gale) mounted belated gains from the back to take third.

Calvin B prevailed by three-quarters of a length in the end for owner Dolores Smiel and trainer Heidi Rohr. His seventh seasonal win increased his career tally to 21.

In the $5,000 C.K.G. Billings event for amateur drivers, owner-trainer-driver Tony Ciuffetelli sprung a double-digit upset with Aventure ($23.60), rallying belatedly off live cover to narrowly collar 6-5 favorite Rocket Master (Hannah Miller) in 1:57. The 5-year-old Muscle Mass gelding earned the 15th win of his career.

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Thursday (September 29) evening; first post is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Eastern.

STANDARDBRED BREEDERS AND OWNERS WILL FIGHT FOR CASINO GAMING

MANALAPAN, NJ -- September 23, 2016 -- Despite the suspension of a statewide campaign to encourage residents to support casino gaming outside of Atlantic City, the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey today announced that it would continue its grassroots efforts to help pass the ballot question that could provide much needed revenue to bolster New Jersey’s struggling horsemen.

“It’s frustrating that the best financed advocates for casino gaming in North Jersey decided to pull the plug on their statewide campaign,” said Mark Ford, President of the SBOANJ.  “Our members now must use our limited financial resources to drive the message to voters that a YES vote on Question 1 will provide our industry with additional revenue to continue offering the residents and taxpayers of New Jersey important entertainment and quality of life benefits.  Even if others are stepping back from the fight, the horsemen have no choice but to step up and do our part.”

This November 8th, voters will choose whether to allow casino gaming outside of Atlantic City.  If the ballot question passes, the New Jersey Legislature could authorize two new casinos to be built in northern New Jersey.  A percentage of the state tax revenue collected from the new casinos would be dedicated to supporting the horse racing industry.

The SBOANJ has scheduled series of media interviews, public appearances, and social media events to highlight the Association and the benefit its members bring to their towns and communities.