Four Win Seats to the BetAmerica WHHC Final

Rob Krausz, of Bronx, NY, captured the February 25 BetAmerica World Harness Handicapping Championship Super Qualifier at the Meadowlands Racetrack. 

The Super Qualifier required contestants to place exactly ten $20 minimum win, place, show or any combination WPS wagers on Meadowlands races. 

Krausz built his $200 bankroll into $1,400 earning him the $2,800 top cash prize and an $800 seat in the BetAmerica World Harness Handicapping Championship on April 29 at Meadowlands Racetrack. 

Krausz’s hit on six of ten wagers with two early night scores the key to his Qualifier win.  Rob hit for $510 on #7 B Fast Eddie in Race 3 and for $1,440 on #7 One More Miracle in Race 4.

Also earning berths into the BetAmerica World Harness Handicapping Champion Final were Patrick O’Malley of Westbury, NY, Mark Acerra of Staten Island, NY and the 2016 WHHC champion Stan Koper, of Chicago Ridge, IL.

The official Qualifier Top 10 is below:

Prize $	Bankroll	First	Last
$2,800.00	$1,400.00	Rob	Krausz
$1,400.00	$868.00	Patrick	O'Malley
$1,050.00	$830.40	Mark	Acerra
$700.00	$796.00	Stan	Koper
$350.00	$647.00	Joe	Barre
$140.00	$567.00	James	Bohnarczyk
$140.00	$500.00	Arthur	Suckow
$140.00	$454.00	Guy	Gerber
$140.00	$392.00	Greg	Capece
$140.00	$374.00	Frank	Palmer

The BetAmerica WHHC is a one-day tournament [April 29, 2017], with a welcome reception the evening prior.  Players that did not earn a seat through a qualifying event can directly buy-in for $800.  The BetAmerica WHHC contest format requires players to bet 10 races: their choice of six Meadowlands races, plus four designated mandatory races from partner tracks.  Players keep all pari-mutuel winnings.  Prize payouts are to the Top 10, with an guaranteed prize pool of $50,000.

BetAmerica.com is currently hosting regular online Qualifiers for the BetAmerica WHHC Entries for the first online Qualifier are now open, with an entry fee of $35. New accounts to BetAmerica are eligible for a $300 Sign Up Bonus.

Cal Expo, Hoosier Park, Monticello Raceway, Northville Downs, Plainridge Racecourse, Scioto Downs, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs and Buffalo Raceway have signed up to host BetAmerica World Harness Handicapping Championship Qualifiers. 

Registration deadline is 10 p.m., Friday April 28.   For the contest entry form and complete rules visit PlayMeadowlands.com 

It's 'All In The Family' For McNeights At Buffalo Raceway

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- It was a unique version of 'All In The Family' for the McNeight crew on Saturday night (Feb. 25) at Buffalo Raceway as driver David McNeight III drove three horses to victory which covered three generations of his family.

In the third race, trainer David McNeight Jr. enjoyed watching his son (David III) guide Sea Star to a $38.00 victory.

Lucky Millionaire ($12.80), who was driven and trained by David III, captured the ninth race.

So with two generations now covered, there was a chance for the unique trifecta in the 12th race as Spring Terror, trained by grandfather David McNeight Sr. was entered with David III in the bike.

Sure enough, Spring Terror ($4.00) got up in the shadow of the wire to score the half length win, giving the McNeights a unique three-generation family hat trick.

McNeight III sits fourth in the Buffalo Raceway driver's standings with 21 wins while David McNeight Jr. is in fourth place in the trainer's rankings with 17 wins.

Racing resumes at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday night at 5 p.m. with 12 races scheduled. There's a $2,347 carryover in the Pick-5 which begins in the second race.

JACKSRLUCKYTOO STORMS HOME TO WIN AGAIN

Jim Marohn, Jr. wins three to take over driving lead at the Meadowlands

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (February 25, 2017) – Jacksrluckytoo unleashed his patented late rally to win the Saturday night pacing feature at the Meadowlands in 1:52.1.

The 5-year-old Michigan sired gelding by He’s All That has regained the top form that saw him earn close to $100,000 last year.

Bettor Rock On set up shop on the front end through a :28.3 opening quarter and a half mile in :56.2. Corey Callahan kept the winner of last week’s Open Handicap at Saratoga on the lead past three quarters in 1:24.1. That’s when favored Ontario Success (Joe Bongiorno) made the front, only to be swallowed up by the furious rally of Jacksrluckytoo.

“This horse is so much fun to drive when he is on top of his game,” said winning driver Jim Marohn, Jr. “The Harmons have him back on his game and I know I can drive him with a lot of confidence every week.”

Jacksrluckytoo has won two in a row and has already won four times in 2017. He has 18 career wins.

Marohn won three races to take over the top spot on the 2017 driving standings at the Meadowlands. Marohn now holds a 41-40 lead over Brett Miller.

Earlier in the night, stakes winner Rockeyed Optimist bounced back from a dull seasonal debut to score a powerful win in 1:51. He was driven by John Campbell, who also won three times, for trainer Steve Elliott.

Total handle was $2,634,833 on the 12-race card.

Live racing resumes Thursday with a 9-race card. Post time is 7:15 p.m. For more information, visit www.playmeadowlands.com.

SOTO WIN SATURDAY NIGHT 50G OPEN HANDICAP PACE

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

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, February 25, 2017—Saturday night offered any number of entrants for Yonkers Raceway’s upcoming George Morton Levy Memorial Series (nominations close this Wednesday, March 1—hint, hint), including favored Soto (Matt Kakaley, $4.50), winner of the featured $50,000 Open Handicap Pace.

In play from post position No. 4, Soto then gave up the baton to Somewhere in L A (Mark MacDonald) just before a moist :26.4 opening quarter-mile. After a 56-second intermission and moving down the backside, First Class Horse (Tyler Buter) took out of fourth, That one towed Guantanamo Bay (Jason Bartlett) while moving into a :27.4 third quarter (1:23.4).

Somewhere in L A owned a length-and-a-half lead into the lane, was good, though not quite good enough. Soto dipped inside, edging past by a neck in 1:52.1. Third was a best-of-the-rest Guantanamo Bay, with Roland N Rock (Jordan Stratton) and Caviart Luca (George Brennan) rounding out the payees.

For Delaware-based Soto, a 5-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven trained by Eric Ell for co-owners Kenneth Wood, William Dittmar Jr. and Stephen Iaquinta, it was his fourth win in seven seasonal starts. The exacta paid $27.40, with the triple returning $147.

China Dream Captures Buffalo Raceway Open Pace

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- China Dream is known for his late closing speed but a change in tactics paid off for him in Buffalo Raceway's $10,000 Open Pace on Saturday night (Feb. 25) by beating Itsonlyrocknroll A by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:55.4 over the good track.

In an uncharacteristic move, China Dream (Shawn Gray) fired off the gate and had to go three-wide to grab the lead as Gallant Major and Thunderbolt Jaxon played hard ball to the opening quarter. 

After setting splits of 28.3, 57.3 and 1:26.4, China Dream ($8.40) opened up a commanding four length advantage turning for home and cruised to the throttled down victory over the favored Itsonlyrocknroll A (Larry Stalbaum). Knocking Around (David McNeight III) took the show position.

Co-owned by trainer Maria Rice and Jack Rice, China Dream (If I Can Dream-China Art) is a 6-year-gelding that has earned $14,620 in 2017 and $187,293 lifetime. 

Gray had four victories in the bike with Stalbaum and McNeight III scoring triples. Trainers Kimberly Asher and Gerry Sarama each notched a double.

Racing will return on Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. with a 12-race program scheduled. There will be a carryover of $2,347 Pick-5 which begins in the second race.

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

AN ORANGE CRUSH GRAND SLAM AT THE MEADOWLANDS

Andy Miller wins four including featured trot with Opulent Yankee

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (February 24, 2017) – Andy Miller entered the weekend in ninth place in the Meadowlands driver standings, but Friday night reminded fans why the “Orange Crush” can still get it done with four wins including a score in the featured trot with Opulent Yankee.

Miller began the evening by capitalizing on a perfect pocket trip with Opulent Yankee to upset 4/5 favorite Lady’s Dude in the $17,000 conditioned trot.

He swept finished off the sweep of the early double with a perfect front-running drive on favored Keystone Blade.

Miller won races 7 and 8 by a nose and a neck, respectively, with Truth And Liberty and Nowucit Nowudont.

Corey Callahan won three races and Jim Marohn, Jr. celebrated his 35^th birthday by winning two races.

Vinny Ginsburg steered The Pokester, a 42/1 longshot to victory in the last race, leading a parade of outsiders past the wire. With 7/5 favorite Sailin Metro and 8/5 second choice Cherokee Ranger off the board, the $2 trifecta returned $10,131.80 and the 10-cent superfecta was good for $6,335.

There were no winning tickets in the last race Super High Five as the jackpot now stands at $32,071 heading into Saturday.

Total handle was $2,486,926 on the 11-race card.

Live racing continues Saturday with a 12-race card. Post time is 7:15 p.m. For more information, visit www.playmeadowlands.com

MACH IT A PAR WINS FRIDAY 50G DISTAFF DERBY

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

YONKERS, NY, Friday, February 24, 2017—Mach it a Par (Jason Bartlett, $6) was the third and last leader Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $50,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Into the game early from assigned post position No. 7, Mach it a Par waited her turn as Empress Deo (Matt Kakaley) and Lispatty (Mark MacDonald) took turns with the lead. Mach it a Par grabbed her chance just after a :27.2 opening quarter-mile.

After a 29-secone next substation (:56.2 half), it was 48-1 rank outsider For the Ladies N (Dan Dube) taking out of fourth. Regil Elektra (Brent Holland) was second-up, while 19-10 choice Mackenzie A (Jordan Stratton), in  her U-S parimutuel debut, was behind that one

Mach it a Par continued her work night in and out of a 1:25 three-quarters, taking a length-and-a-quarter lead into the lane. Despite drifting a bit, she held sway, negating the sharp close of Mackenzie A to win by a head in 1:52.4. Third went to Lispatty, with Empress Deo and Regil Elektra rounding out the payees.

The five cashers were separated by just 1¾ lengths at the line. 

For second choice Mach it a Par, a 7-year-old daughter of Mach Three co-owned by D’Elegance Stable IX, Carmen Iannacone, Gandolfo & T L P Stables and trained by Richard Banca, it was her first win in two seasonal starts. The exacta paid $28, with the triple returning $75.50.

Bo Sowers Gets 1,000th Win With Buffalo Victory

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- When Monster Cantab ($20.40) crossed the finish line in Buffalo Raceway's sixth race on Friday night (Feb. 23), it gave trainer Philip 'Bo' Sowers his 1,000th career victory.

"It now puts me in a category that I never thought I'd ever reach when I started training," Sowers said of hitting that magical plateau.

Back in 2002, Sowers was training four horses as a hobby in Maine but this wife suggested he start doing it full time.

"I was driving a truck from 8 to 5 every day and wasn't enjoying it," he said. Now with 1,000 wins in the books and almost $3 million in purse earnings, Sowers is sure glad he made the switch.

While getting most of his victories in Maine at Scarborough and Bangor race tracks, Sowers was a little apprehensive about making the move to Buffalo Raceway this winter.

"I was asked by the Mo Coo Stables the past few years if I wanted to go to Buffalo Raceway and train," Sowers said. "I kept turning it down until this year and I am very happy I came here. I wondered how I'd be treated here because I was a newcomer but everyone has been absolutely great. They've welcomed me and have made me feel right at home. It's a closeness here like I felt back in Maine."

Sowers added that he'll be starting his quest for 2,000 victories in Western New York. "We have over 20 horses here and my wife and I decided a few days ago that we will be staying at Buffalo Raceway throughout the season. We love it here."

Osprey Vision ($9.10) wasn't going to be denied in Buffalo Raceway's first co-featured $8,200 trot as he gamely held off Kadabrasnewrecruit by a neck in 2:00.0 over the fast track.

In the second $8,200 trot, Winkys Pride (Drew Monti) was able to power by the pace-setting Northern Matador in the stretch and post the mild $11.60 upset in 1:58.3.

David McNeight III and Ray Fisher Jr. each tripled while John Cummings Jr. had two wins.

David McNeight Jr. and Gerry Sarama had two training victories each.

Racing will resume on Saturday night with a 12-race program set for 6 p.m. There is a $1,034 carryover in the Pick-5 which begins in the second race.

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

WHHC Leg Spices Meadowlands Saturday Night

East Rutherford, NJ – Racing at The Meadowlands on Saturday, February 25 is an interesting mix of a dozen pacing races. Included among them are four divisions of the second leg of the popular “Race for the G-Notes” series made ultra-competitive by the ensuing scramble for the coveted ten positions in next week’s $15,000 final.

The overnight feature is race eleven where the red-hot Patty Harmon sends her streaking Jacksrluckytoo in pursuit of his fourth win of the new season for owner John Marvin, Jr. Known for a powerful closing kick, Jacksrluckytoo shows final quarters in 27 flat or faster, including a mind-numbing 25.3 in a February 4 win. Jimmy Marohn, Jr has driven Jacksrluckytoo in many of his Meadowlands starts and has developed a keen sense for just how to position his mount and when to hit the “turbo-charge” button to get the job done.

It is a move up in class for Jacksrluckytoo and he’ll face stiff competition led by Ron Burke’s rugged vet Ontario Success and a pair of Heidi Rohr trainees in Calvin B and Bettor Rock On N.

The big news in the grandstand is another leg of the World Harness Handicapping  Challenge (WHHC) with four seats in the April 29 final up for grabs. It’s also “Scratch & Win” night with prizes ranging from $2 to $500 plus live hot dogs and free popcorn!  Plus enter the 2nd chance drawing to win $100!

Post time is 7:15 p.m.

FOX VALLEY STEFFEN HIGHLIGHTS SUPER BRETT DOUBLE

Jim Marohn, Jr. wins three

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (February 23, 2017) – Leading drivers Brett Miller and Jim Marohn, Jr. stayed hot on Thursday at the Meadowlands on a day where temperatures were unseasonably into the 60s.

Marohn won three of the night’s nine races including a five-length blowout in 1:51.3 with the Darran Cassar trained-mare Snow Cone.

Brett Miller was the star of the latest broadcast of “Meadowlands Harness Live” airing on SNY. Miller won two of the three races including a victory with the 8-year-old Fox Valley Steffen, who equaled his lifetime mark of 1:55. Miller also won with I Found My Beach, the classy veteran who won his third straight. He has three wins and a runner-up finish since being claimed by trainer John Mc Intyre.

Total handle was $1,317,458 on the 9-race card.

Live racing continues Friday with an 11-race card. Post time is 7:15 p.m. For more information, visit www.playmeadowlands.com.

Saturday Cal Expo Advance

Delta Breezeoflodi delivers in Grundy Trot

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

Delta Breezeoflodi owned the Jim Grundy Trot, narrowly capturing the Grundy Prep over a sloppy track and then scoring a definitive victory in last weekend’s Final while once again catching an off track that she obviously enjoys.

A 4-year-old daughter of Little Steven out of the multiple stakes-winning Spicy Charlie mare Magna Kay, Delta Breezeoflodi is actually bred to be a pacer. She is owned by Mary Harris and Pierre Girard with Girard the conditioner and Luke Plano has been handling the driving duties.

Last year was a frustrating one for mare, as she had to settle for just one victory from her 26 starts with 13 place and show finishes, but this season she’s already made four trips to the winner’s circle from her eight appearances, including the two Grundy scores and a tally in the Gary Budahn Prep.

“She was a 2-year-old when we switched her over to trotting,” Girard explained. “We couldn’t get her to pace at all, but when we took off the hopples it was a different story.

“As far as last year goes, I wasn’t disappointing because trotters often need more time, and even though she wasn’t winning very much, she was developing with every race and putting in a real good finish almost every time.

“Luke Plano has been very important to her success this year, because he does a great job with her. I knew she would like the off tracks, because we get a lot of them at the farm and she always trains well in the mud.

“The plan now is to give her a week off and then come back for the next Sire Stakes. Hopefully she can continue to race well with those horses.”

Contentious cast set for Filly-Mare Open

A well-matched field of distaffers in the $6,600 Filly and Mare Open Pace  and a pair of California Sire Stakes for the 3-year-old pacers and trotters are the highlights on Saturday night’s Cal Expo program.

Watch and Wager LLC will present 13 races and the action is set to get underway at 6:15 p.m. The Distaff Open goes as the ninth race on the evening, while the two Sire Stakes will be decided as non-betting events prior to the regular card.

Trainer Kathleen Plested is strongly represented in the Filly and Mare Open with Party Hangover Two and Shark Festival giving the barn two solid looks at the outcome in the field of seven.

Party Hangover Two is owned by the trainer, Arnstine and Chambers and will have Steve Wiseman once again doing the honors. The Party At Artsplace mare captured the most recent clash at this level two weeks ago, surging when it counted to prevail by a length at the 3-2 favorite.

Shark Festival is a 6-year-old Shadow Play mare who carries the banner of Medinah Racing and Scott Ehrlich and will have Mooney Svendsen in his usual spot in the sulky. The long-fused performer has a pair of Open victories to her credit this season, the most recent coming on January 28 in a very game mile.

McFoolery is going in sharp form for owner John Obert and trainer Jennifer Sabot and looms a major player with Chip Lackey handling the lines. She parlayed a conditioned victory to an Open win on February 3 and finished strongly when runner-up to Party Hangover Two at most recent asking.

Completing the field are Window Wiper with David Siegel; Magnifique, who will have the services of Luke Plano; Directing Traffic with James Kennedy; and Blue Gem, who leaves from the cozy inside slot with William Hernandez.

Friday Meadowlands Highlights

East Rutherford, NJ - On Friday night The Meadowlands will present an eleven race program conducted under spring-like conditions with temperatures in the 60's all weekend.

Among the evening's racing highlights are the weekly featured trot carded as the first race where Lady's Dude, another Ron Burke veteran trotter, makes his 2017 debut. The now six-year-old Ohio bred won the final of his home state sires stakes program at age three and four and now plies his trade against the best of the East. Lady's Dude has a win over the course in 1:52.2 last fall and will eclipse the $400,000 mark in career earnings with a another on Friday. Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi and Johnny Yoder pay the bills and collect the checks on the "Dude" while Joe Bongiorno will do the driving.

The GSY guys are in the midst of short series for pacers and they assemble for Friday's fifth race led by returning winner Seafood Mike who stormed by the field from well back for driver Tony Beltrami to get the 1:55.3 win last week. Seafood Mike will get underway from post ten on Friday for trainer Chris Marino and owner Robert Weinstein.

David Glasser claimed Keystone I Wish for the series, turning her over to trainer John Butenschoen and she debuts for the pair from the seven slot in Friday's race. Glasser is a key cog in the GSY administration and an enthusiastic participant in any and every capacity.

In the grandstand you can "Paint Like A Pro" with noted artist Desiree Mills in the Gallery and take advantage of cash and concession prizes via the "Tote Machine Payout" on the self service terminals.

It all gets underway at 7:15 p.m.

Wanna Rock N Roll Wins War To Wire At Buffalo

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Wanna Rock N Roll couldn't win the battle for the lead off the starting gate but she ended up winning the war to the wire instead.

Getting a first over trip, Wanna Rock N Roll proved much the best in Buffalo Raceway's $10,000 Open Pace for the mares on Wednesday night (Feb. 22) with a solid length victory over Susie's Delight in the seasonal best 1:56.3 over the fast track.

It was the fourth victory of the year in Open competition at Buffalo Raceway for Wanna Rock N Roll.

Deliciouslynaughty (Larry Stalbaum) and Susie's Delight (Ray Fisher Jr.) locked horns to the opening quarter in 28.4 while Wanna Rock N Roll (Drew Monti) managed to tuck into third. 

But going past the half, Wanna Rock N Roll wasn't too happy and pulled out, zooming past the pace-setting Deliciouslynaughty to the top.

Going past the three quarter pole in 1:27.3, Monti and Wanna Rock N Roll ($3.70) enjoyed the unseasonably warm weather at the Hamburg half-mile oval the rest of the way. The remainder of the field scrambled for the minor awards with Susie's Delight taking second place and Scarlet N Silk (Kevin Cummings) rallying for third.

Owned by Rose Campbell and trained by Steven Kiblin, the 6-year-old mare Wanna Rock N Roll has now put $23,000 in the bank this season and $255,477 lifetime.

Monti ended the evening with five wins while Stalbaum had a four-bagger. Trainer Kimberly Asher had four victories with JD Perrin getting two.

Racing will continue on Friday night with 11 races scheduled for 5 p.m.

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

Cal Expo Friday Advance

Window Wiper settles into new home

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

Window Wiper turned in a solid effort in her first start for Robin Clements and David Siegel, checking in a close third in the Filly and Mare Open after sitting a tracking journey.

The 7-year-old daughter of Island Fantasy was claimed from her prior effort here and co-owners Clements and Siegel are looking forward to some good things with their new acquisition.

“I had watched Window Wiper when she had been in the $6,000 claimers earlier and raced against Windsun T Bird and almost claimed her a month ago,” trainer Clements related. “I loved how she was so versatile and could leave a first quarter and how she had a huge kick coming home.

“I had previously lost a few horses either claimed or sold, and needed to replace them. I had talked to Dave and asked if he wanted to partner up with me as he is a great owner and we had just sold Every Day Hanover and Brandon's Colt had been claimed earlier from us. Dave loved the mare as well, so we claimed her.”

Window Wiper finished third the night she was red-tagged as the 3-2 favorite after having some traffic troubles, then followed with the nice try at the Open level in her initial try for the new connections.

“She has a few issues and is a bull of a mare and needs to learn a few manners, but that will come in time. She is a big and beautiful mare and should fit well with my barn.”

Silverlode gets top billing in Open Trot

Silverlode has been assigned the demanding No. 10 post position as she heads the cast for Friday night’s featured $6,600 Open Trot.

Silverlode is going in razor-sharp form for Steve and Vickie Desomer, and it will be interesting to see how driver Luke Plano navigates the extremely outside slot as the mare looks to continue her winning ways.

Thirteen races will be presented by Watch and Wager LLC with a first post of 5:55 p.m. and there will also be a California Sire Stakes for  3-year-old trotters going as a non-betting event prior to the regular card.

Looking at the co-featured Open III Pace, Sandestin Hanover gets the nod. The  6-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere is owned by Little Bapa LLC, is conditioned by George Reider and like Silverlode will be guided by Plano.

A 1:50 2/5 winner at a 4-year-old. Sandestin Hanover had one victory last season, a 1:52 4/5 score that was recorded at Philadelphia Park. He closed out his 2016 campaign by making his California debut in an Open II contest at this meeting on December 3, where he was no factor.

The Little Bapa representative subsequently turned in a sharp qualifier on February 4 to get his new year rolling, then followed that tuner by finishing fifth at the Open level while chasing home China King in a tough February 10 contest.

Ideal Art comes into this assignment having captured two of his last three outings and may very well handle the step up in class. The American Ideal gelding is owned by Kathleen Plested, Benvenga Racing LLC and Tyler Wiseman with Plested training and Steve Wiseman handling the lines.

Holloway Fillies Lead Thursday Card

East Rutherford, NJ - The Thursday, February 23 card opens with a pair of interesting three-year-old fillies from the Joe Holloway barn competing in a Non-Winners pacing class as the evening's first race.

Joe has developed some truly great mares including Shebestingin, the fastest female Standardbred ever, who seared around The Red Mile in 1:47 a few years ago along with multiple World Champion She's A Great Lady and the 2015 Dan Patch award winning Divine Caroline.

Led by the great triple Breeders Crown winning World Champion Jenna's Beach Boy ($1.9 million), horses trained by Holloway have earned more than $30 million over his illustrious career.

Make no mistake, Thefoolalwaysrocks and Twist Of Fate have a mountain to climb to reach that lofty perch but both have the pedigree and are gaining experience over the winter.

Thefoolalwaysrocks is a homebred owned by Roll The Dice Stable, Joe Hurley's Nom d'Course. She is by successful sire Always A Virgin who was campaigned by the same connections. This filly won a schooling race last year in 1:56.4 but hasn't raced much and the last couple have done little to impress.

Twist Of Fate is an Art Major owned by a partnership that includes two long time Holloway patrons who shared in the great Shebestingin, Marty Granoff's Val D'or Farms and Ted Gewertz, along with John Travis as Four J's Stable, LLC. She's coming in on a three race winning streak including a career best 1:54.1 at Dover last month and is clearly on the right track.

The fillies will race uncoupled due to bona-fide separate ownership per the NJRC.

Races 7 - 9 will again be carried live on the SNY network with Justin Horowitz in the host chair.

Post time is 7:15 p.m.

Racing From The Meadowlands Welcomes Les Stark on Saturday

East Rutherford, NJ - With Racing From The Meadowlands host Sam McKee on the mend, several industry participants have been recruited to support the existing team on The Meadowlands broadcast.

Coming up on Saturday, February 25 a welcome face from the past will settle into the co-host seat as Les Stark makes his return to the show after a 20 year absence. Stark served as a racing  analyst in the early 90's offering viewers his handicapping info and observations.

Les has been playing the horses (focusing primarily on Meadowlands racing) for many years. His keen eye and insight combined with the valuable input of host Justin Horowitz and breaking developments from Jenn Bongiorno will ensure that The Meadowlands customers are the best informed players in harness racing.

It's a Thursday, Friday, Saturday schedule this week with post time at 7:15 p.m. each night

ALBERTO CONTADOR STORMS TO SECOND STRAIGHT

Opening legs in Dash For G-Notes series contested

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (February 18, 2017) – Alberto Contador lowered his lifetime mark for the second straight week at the Meadowlands, winning the featured $15,000 conditioned pace in 1:49.4.

Alberto Contador won last week at 14/1 in 1:50.1 and stepped up in class in his repeat bid. Brett Miller moved the New Zealand bred 9-year-old Bettor’s Delight gelding to the front past the quarter in :26.4. Miller controlled the rest of the action from there, easily holding sway from Ontario Success by two lengths at the wire. Jet Airway was third while racing for purse money only with Barimah finishing fourth and rounding out the trifecta.

Alberto Contador, named for the champion Spanish cyclist, has won 33 times in 138 career starts with earnings of $452,431.

Four preliminary divisions of the Dash For the G-Notes series were contested. So Take That won the fastest division in 1:51.4 for Corey Callahan and Mike Watson. It was Watson’s third training win of the weekend.

Iminurblindspot, the 3-year-old full brother to world champion Shebestingin, broke his maiden in his third career start in a “non-winners of two” in 1:55.3. He is trained by Nifty Norman and owned by Enzed Racing Stable and William Switala. He was a $35,000 Harrisburg yearling purchase.

John Campbell, Corey Callahan, and Jim Marohn, Jr. each posted a driving double. Patti Harmon scored a training double.

Total handle was $2,799,173 on the 12-race card.

Live racing resumes Thursday with a 9-race card. Post time is 7:15 p.m. For more information, visit www.playmeadowlands.com.

ROCK OF CASHEL, CAVIART LUCA WIN SATURDAY 50G CO-FEATURES

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

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, February 18, 2017—It was the old double-nickel Saturday night as a pair of fives took down Yonkers Raceway’s $50,000 co-featured Open Handicaps.

Rock of Cashel (Scott Zeron, $13.20) won the week’s marquee trot from second over, snapping pace-setting (:28.3, :58, 1:27.1) 17-10 choice Springbank Sam N (Jordan Stratton) by a head in 1:56. Dot Dot Dot Dash (Steve Smith) offered her best stride late to grab third, with a two-move Red Hot Herbie (Jason Bartlett) and a pocket-tiring Newcastle (Dan Dube) settling for the minors.

For third choice Rock of Cashel, a 7-year-old son of Majestic Son co-owned by Joseph Jannuzzelli & Jeffrey Ruch and trained by Mark Harder, it was his second win in six seasonal starts. The exacta paid $48, with the triple returning $124.

The weekly featured pace saw tepid fave Caviart Luca (George Brennan, $6.30) have a simple a trip as was equine-ly possible, as in unpressured intervals of :27.3, :57.3, 1:25 and 1:52.2. The final margin was 2¼ lengths over the loose pocket of Sports Bettor (Brent Holland).

A season-debuting But of a Legend N (Stratton) was saved to the lane from the eight-hole, then was sharp closing for third. Delaware interloper Soto (Matt Kakaley) was also solid late grabbing fourth, while First Class Horse (Tyler Buter) earned the final pay envelope.

For Caviart Luca, a 6-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding co-owned (as Burke Racing) by (trainer) Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi and Phil Collura, it was his fourth win in five ’17 tries. The exacta paid $40.40, with the triple returning $664.

More tidbits from a Saturday evening…

--no one hit the Pick 5, so Monday night’s gimmick begins with a carryover of $2,310.27 (50-cent base wager, Monday going as races 7 through 11);

--Stratton won four races, including three in succession, during the 10-race card;

--a local season-high daily double of $1,251 was the result of 6-Validus Deo (Dube, $99.50) and 4-Aggressive (Mark MacDonald) winning the first two races.

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Itonlyrocknroll A Continues Dominance At Buffalo Raceway

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- A break at the start looked like it might have doomed the chances of Itsonlyrocknroll A ($3.80) in Buffalo Raceway's $10,000 Open Pace on Saturday night (Feb. 18) but in the end, he had the remaining six participants waving the white flag in surrender.

Itsonlyrocknroll A (Larry Stalbaum) continued to stamp himself as the top pacer on the Buffalo Raceway grounds by breezing to an easy 3-3/4 length victory over Bubbie Boy in 1:55.1 over the fast track. It was his fourth victory in five appearances in 2017.

Able to regroup and get back on gait going around the first turn, Itsonlyrocknroll A was in high gear to the opening quarter mile and eventually took command going around the clubhouse turn the final time.

With Stalbaum popping the plugs before the three-quarter pole, Itsonlyrocknroll A impressively increased his lead to six lengths at the top of the stretch and jogged home from there.

The only battle to the wire was for the minor spoils as Bubbie Boy (Shawn Gray) rallied for second place with Knocking Around (David McNeight II) rolling into third.

Itsonlyrocknroll A (Million Dollar Cam-Boldandbeautiful) is a 6-year-gelding owned by Stalbaum and trained by Kimberly Asher. The win pushed his earnings to $22,700 this season and $190,920 lifetime.

It was a great night for the Stalbaum/Asher team as Larry captured six events in the sulky while Kim conditioned four winners.

Shawn Gray posted a triple in the bike while JD Perrin notched a training four-bagger.

Racing will resume on Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. with an 11-race program scheduled.

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

Solid Saturday Card at Meadowlands

East Rutherford, NJ - The Meadowlands will host a dozen races on Saturday night, featuring a cracker-jack field of ten in the seventh race, a condition/optional claiming pace for a purse of $15,000.

This group is an amalgamation of accomplished veterans with a number of variables to complicate the handicapping issue.

Trainer Dylan Davis bookends the field with a pair of talented six-year-old pacers coupled as a pari-mutuel entry that will open as the morning line favorite. Brand new purchase Somesizesomestyle starts from the rail and recent Dover Open winner Jet Airway will get underway from the far outside.

Alberto Contador N and Barimah A both move up a step after impressive wins last week, Dynamic Youth and The Rock ship over from Yonkers and top stakes winner Rockeyed Optimist makes his first start since last September.

There are several more interesting races on the bill for your wagering pleasure and to help with the task we offer free program pages for the $50k guaranteed Late Pick 4.

Saturday is also the night of the eagerly anticipated Whiskey Dinner in Pink with former NY Knick star Larry "Grandmama" Johnson. There are four delicious courses, each paired with a delicate spirit to complement the food.

Post time is 7:15 p.m.

BRETT MILLER SWEEPS DASH FOR G-NOTES FINALS

Meadowlands leading-driver Miller wins four on Thursday night card

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (February 16, 2017) – Brett Miller stole the show on a cold, windy night at the Meadowlands on Thursday, winning four of the night’s nine races including both Dash For the G-Notes series finals.

Miller kicked off the “Meadowlands Harness Live” broadcast on SNY with a Dash win with the mare Never Ever Clever, who defeated the boys in the $15,000 final.

Never Ever Clever, a 6-year-old Muscle Hill mare trained by Jonas Czernyson, held off the late charge of the favored Harmon Stable entry of Montalbano Bi and Detroit Rapper. Never Ever Clever won in 1:55 for her 11^th lifetime victory.

One race later, Miller survived an adventurous final quarter mile to score in another G-Notes final with I Found My Beach. After following race favorite Mr. Big Load from the pocket, Miller first attempted to go outside in the stretch only to swerve back towards the pylons. That was the winning move as the 8-year-old Mach Three gelding sprinted away to score in by a length in 1:53 in the $12,500 event.

The four wins give Miller 83 for the current season, 31 more than second-place Jim Marohn, Jr.

Total handle was $1,347,906 for the 9-race program.

Live racing resumes Friday with an 11-race card. Post time is 7:15 p.m. For more information, visit www.playmeadowlands.com.

James Devaux wins 13 this week at Monticello Raceway

By Shawn Wiles

James Devaux rounded out a productive week at Monticello Raceway, for the 2^nd time in a week he drove 5 winners on the card, the tally for the week was 13 trips to the winners circle.

Can’t It Be Me started off the 5 bagger for DeVaux in the 3^rd race, starting from the 9 hole he got away 4^th, and was parked from the half to past the ¾ pole to win by a scant head in 1:59.1 for leading trainer Dolores Basilone.  In the next race he scored a wire to wire victory with Lone Valley Sam for New Berlin NY. trainer Steven Ray.  In race 7, the out of town invader Mccito, took no prisoners to win by 11 lengths in 1:57.3, the fastest mile of the day. The 5 year old son of McArdle was recently racing at Miami Valley for trainer Al Annunziat.  Monticello Raceway newcomer Marta Piotrow has been turning heads recently with a respectable UDRS of .256, with 3 wins in 8 starts, she is part owner with Anthony Napolitano of Winback Prince (PP5) who gave Devuax his 4^th win of the afternoon. In race 10, Devaux survived a little scare when Troon put in some extra steps and briefly went off stride in deep stretch, he regained his composure and gait to track down pace setter Intheperfectstorm to prevail in 1:59.1.

Mike Merton and John Desimone Jr. each drove 2 winner on the afternoon card.

Monticello Raceway is dark on Presidents Day Monday February 20, live racing resumes on Tuesday with a 12:25 post time.

Cal Expo Saturday Advance

Barbarian has top billing in Open Pace

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

Barbarian, who lost a tough one last week after carving out all the fractions, looks to seal the deal this time around in Saturday evening’s featured $6.600 Open  Pace.

There will be 12 races presented under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first post set for 6:10 p.m. The main event will go as the eighth event on the program.

Barbarian is a 6-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere out of the Western Idol mare Righteous Renee who is owned by Robert Orr, is conditioned by Sparky Clarke and will have Tony Succarotte giving directions from the No. 6 post in the field of seven.

The hard-hitting performer won five of his 19 starts last season, including a lifetime-best 1:52 performance at Vernon Downs and an Open II score here on December 3 to close out that campaign.

Barbarian suited up in last week’s meeting at the head of the class and was sent off as the 3-1 second choice. He went a big mile on the front end, eventually giving way to China King by a half-length in that affair.

I’m An Athlete and One And Only both had difficult assignments leaving from the 10 and 9 posts, respectively, in that race and loom large in Saturday’s headliner. I’m An Athlete captured the January 13 Open for owner Ronald Retttig-Zucchi and driver/trainer James Kennedy and has to be respected.

One And Only races for Richard Morita and David Yamada with Lino Pacheco training and Luke Plano in the sulky and is very dangerous with his top effort. Completing the field are Why Ask Why, Lodi Machete Man, Manhattan Benny and Jazzmanian Devil.

Manhattan Benny getting warm greeting

Manhattan Benny is the new face in Saturday night’s Open Pace, as the 7-year-old makes his California debut for A Piece Of The Action LLC, trainer George Reider and pilot Davie Siegel in the feature.

Manhattan Benny has posed for pictures following 13 of his 96 starts with a 1:51 mark that was established over a sloppy track last year at Pocono Downs. He is making his first evening appearance since early November and romped home by a dozen in a qualifier last week with Siegel sitting chilly in the sulky.

He’ll be getting a pretty nice test in his seasonal debut with some sharp customers in Jazzmanian Devil, I’m An Athlete and One And Only among those who will be greeting him at the starting gate.

You can only get so tight after one qualifier, but on paper Manhattan Benny certainly fits with Saturday night’s crew and it will be interesting to see how the Reider trainee does fresh off the bench.

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A reminder that there are two wagers offered here each night that come with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate, giving players the chance to get some real value.

They are the 50-cent Pick 5, which is decided on the first five races of the evening; and the 20-cent Pick 4, which covers the penultimate four contests on the program.

Last Saturday night’s Pick 5 returned a healthy $1,138 for each correct 50-cent investment, enriched nicely by that reduced takeout. Jump right in, the pool is fine. 

Friday at The Meadowlands

East Rutherford, NJ - Friday night's live racing at The Meadowlands consists of eleven events with a solid field of nine trotters set to go in the featured in the seventh race, a $20,000 conditioned trot.

The streaking B Yoyo was a handy 1:53 winner against many of these last week with a crushing first over move for driver Joe Bongiorno. The pair ground up gradually around the final bend, wearing down early leader Crosby's Clam Bake then holding off the late bid of Muscle Diamond with a 27.3 closing quarter. Both of those mentioned rivals return along with potent new shooter Rose Run Parker, who makes his 2017 debut for Burke and Gingras.

Richie Johnson trains the razor sharp B Yoyo for owners Bill Lambos and Dionisios Liberatos.

Friday is $5 voucher night and all the standard horizontal wagers guarantees are in place with free program pages for the Late Pick 4 available courtesy of Trackmaster.

Find up to the minute info with trainer and driver quotes from the paddock on Meadowlands twitter and don't miss the JHo & JBO live stream each Thursday via Facebook.

Be reminded that Tony Alagna co-hosts the SNY live broadcast on Thursday night with Justin Horowitz the first of several trainers to sit in that chair over the next few weeks.

Post time is 7:15 p.m.

Cal Expo Friday Advance

Race honors memory of Jim Grundy

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

Friday night’s feature at Cal Expo is named for Jim Grundy, a fixture in California harness racing for over 30 years who passed away in 2009 at the age of 74.
Jim Grundy’s nephew Glenn will be in the winner’s circle to present the trophy to the winning connections.
“I worked for Uncle Jim in California and New York and always respected and appreciated what I could learn from him,” Glenn related. “We had a good working relationship and I’d train horses for Jim in Western Canada.
“One of the highlights is when he gave me the opportunity to train the great Hug A Bear for three weeks in Alberta.
“Even though he was my uncle, he was more like a big brother. I never received any more praises than any of the his other employees, however, if I didn’t meet his standards, I’d be in twice as much trouble as anyone else!
“Jim also always made sure that no kids at the track ever went hungry. A big thank you to everyone for taking the time to show their respect for my Uncle.”
Jim Grundy made 2,617 trips to the charmed enclosure as a driver, with more than $10.3 million in earnings and was inducted into the California Hall of Fame in 2007.
Originally a hockey player in his native Canada, a knee injury forced Grundy to hang up his skates and stick in 1958. Going into the family business of harness racing, he found his second niche in life as a top driver/trainer.
Grundy apprenticed under famed horsemen Eddie Cobb, Clint Hodges and Frank Popfinger before going out on his own in the early 1960s. He was the leading driver at Monticello for three straight years between 1971 and 1973 before heading west with his wife Deborah, a former schoolteacher and bookkeeper for the stable.
It was here where Grundy blossomed into one of the state’s top harness horsemen. Teaming with owners like Chris Bardis, Lloyd Arnold and Ron Zumbrun, he won countless stakes with the likes of Googie, Hugabear, Steam and Easel. He was especially noted as an outstanding conditioner of young trotters.
Steve Desomer, Gene Vallandingham and Rick Kuebler competed against Grundy for many years and had high praise for his skills. “Jim was not only our friend, but partners with us on many memorable horses,” said Desomer. “He was an exceptional horseman and this resulted in a long and successful career.”
“I knew Jim from the time he came to California in the early 70s,” stated Vallandingham. “He was a nice guy and a great horseman, and I always enjoyed his company.”

Jim Grundy Final matches sharp trotters

Delta Breezeoflodi, a sharp winner of the prep two weeks ago, heads the cast for Friday night’s featured  Jim Grundy Trot.

The Watch and Wager LLC program will get underway at 5:55 p.m.

Delta Breezeoflodi is a 4-year-old daughter of Little Steven and the Spicy Charlie mare Magna Kay who is owned by Mary Harris and Pierre Girard, takes her lessons from Girard and will once again have Luke Plano in the sulky.

The bay miss captured the Gary Budahn Prep on January 20 racing over a “good’ track, finished second in the finale to Talkin Tootsie and then came back to capture the Grundy Prep two weeks ago over a sloppy track.

Hammered down to 2-5 for the latter assignment, Delta Breezeoflodi sat a tracking trip for a half-mile and then attacked the leader on the final bend. The mare took a clear advantage once straightened for home and then had enough to hold safe by a half-length over Hatfield and McCoy.

The latter is a 4-year-old son of American Native who races for Richard Bertrand and Amy Grunwald, is conditioned by Bertrand and has James Kennedy giving directions. He is coming off a romping conditioned win last weekend and is razor sharp at the moment. 

Who Says That Skims Pylons For Buffalo Raceway Win

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Who Says That skimmed the pylons and that ground saving journey proved to be the difference in the $10,000 Open Pace for the mares at Buffalo Raceway on a snowy Wednesday night (Feb. 15).

Using the passing lane, Who Says That (Shawn Gray) held back the late-charging Wanna Rock N Roll (Drew Monti) by a half length while Looney Dune (Ben McNeil) finished in third.

At the start, Looney Dune set the pace by posting times of 29.0, 58.2 and 1:28.4. Turning for the wire, the first over Honor Roll got the lead but started to falter. Who Says That in the meantime dipped into the passing lane and rallied to get victory in 1:58.4.

Co-owned by Vogel and Wags Nags Stable, Christopher Shambo and Jack Rice, the 6-year-old Who Says That (Badlands Hanover-Powercorp) is trained by Maria Rice. It was the first victory in six tries this season for Who Says That, now a winner of $9,350 in 2017 and $103,478 lifetime.

McNeil helped throw a monkey wrench in the Pick-5 as he registered a double by driving Aritzia ($13.80) and Get The Look ($40.80) to victories. Larry Stalbaum helped out as well he took Power Off to a $37.80 decision to kick off the sequence.

With the big prices, Buffalo Raceway will have a $3,359 carryover in the Pick-5 heading into Friday night's 12-race card that begins at 5 p.m. The Pick-5 starts in the second race. 

Truman Gale had the largest win price of the night as he drove Paltrow Blue Chip to the $105.00 victory.

Gray finished the evening with a driving triple while Stalbaum and Ray Fisher Jr. doubled.

Gerry Sarama and Jeff Amann each recorded two training victories.

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

YONKERS’ SUNDAY, FEB. 26th, CARD SET FOR 12:30 PM FIRST POST

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

YONKERS, NY, Wednesday, February 15, 2017—Yonkers Raceway’s fourth Sunday (Feb. 26^th) program of the season goes at 12:30 PM, with races 2 (post time 12:55 PM) through 8 (post time 3:55 PM) as the ‘French’ trots. The 11^th–race finale is scheduled for 4:55 PM.

The ‘New York, New York Double’ also resumes, featuring one race from Aqueduct and one from Yonkers. Updated information about this edition of the wager shall be sent when available.

ALL-STAR LINEUP TO BE FEATURED ON “MEADOWLANDS HARNESS LIVE”

One-hour live broadcast airs Thursdays on SNY

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (February 15, 2017) – “Meadowlands Harness Live,” the one-hour live broadcast that airs Thursdays on SNY at 9:30 p.m. returns this week after last week’s snowstorm prompted a cancellation.

Regular host Justin Horowitz will be joined by special guest co-host Tony Alagna, the trainer of two-time Pacer of the Year Captaintreacherous.

The broadcast will feature the last three races on the Meadowlands card including two finals in the Dash for the G-Notes overnight series.

Hall of Famer Bob “Hollywood” Heyden and Jenn Bongiorno will provide additional commentary and interviews while Ken Warkentin will call the races.

Next week, Hall of Famer John Campbell will be the co-host with Horowitz.

The March 2 broadcast will feature a return appearance by trainer Andrew Harris, who received rave reviews after co-hosting the February 2 show.

The final Thursday broadcast on March 9 will be co-hosted by Nancy Johansson, who conditioned 2014 Horse of the Year, JK She’salady.

For more information, visit www.playmeadowlands.com.

G-Note finals head up Thursday card at Meadowlands

East Rutherford, NJ  --- Thursday night's (Feb. 16) Meadowlands card was carried over intact from last week when Winter Storm Niko forced cancellation of the live racing program.

Featured are a pair of finals of the short "Racing for G-Notes" overnight series for trotters and pacers, races seven and eight on the card. Both will be a part of the live TV broadcast on the SNY television network.

Trotters are up first going for $15,000 and trainer Patti Harmon holds a very strong hand with a powerful pair of 6-year-old geldings that are coupled as a pari-mutuel entry.

Montalbano Bi is experiencing a career renaissance since being paired with young driver Drew Monti by winning both preliminary legs of this series in the 1:55 range, flirting with his career mark taken at age three. He's drawn post five in the final for owner Joel Kahan.

The other half of the Harmon entry is Detroit Rapper, a long-timer in the barn, owned by the Harmon family. Detroit Rapper has been on the board in all three 2017 starts but clearly last week's was his best effort of the season. He came from well back for driver Jimmy Marohn Jr. to be second, closing with a :28.2 final quarter on the 1:55.4 final time.

The pacers go for $12,500 in their final and the only leg repeat winner in the field is Mr Big Load. Trainer/driver Billy Mann has had the 6-year-old gelding razor sharp throughout the series with a dominating 1:52.1 win last week. If Mr Big Load can hold his form for one more week (well, two more weeks as it turns out), he could very well bring home the top prize to owners Friendship Stables.

Thursday is another Fan Appreciation night with $1 hot dogs and $2 beers.

Post time is 7:15 p.m.