World Harness Handicapping Championship Presented by DerbyWars.com Meadowlands Qualifier Schedule

The 2017-2018 Meadowlands World Harness Handicapping Championship presented by DerbyWars.com Qualifier schedule is set and each qualifier brochure is available at PlayMeadowlands.com.  The contest schedule is as follows:

• Saturday, December 2, 2017 - $200 contest with top 2 finishers winning WHHC Final seats
• Saturday, January 20, 2018 - $200 contest with top 2 finishers winning WHHC Final seats
• Saturday, February 17, 2018  - $400 contest with top 4 finishers winning WHHC Final seats
• Saturday, March 10, 2018 - $200 contest with top 2 finishers winning WHHC Final seats
• Saturday, April 7, 2018 - $100 Last Chance contest with top 2 finishers winning WHHC Final seats

This Saturday’s qualifier has a $200 total fee ($100 entry plus a $100 real-money bankroll).  The format requires players to bet a minimum of $10 Win wagers only on 10 Meadowlands races.   The top two finishers will earn spots in the WHHC with prize money to be paid out to the Top 10 finishers.  Players can register on-site Saturday up until 7:15pm.

Additional qualifiers from partner outlets will be announced in the coming weeks.  The World Harness Handicapping Championship presented by DerbyWars.com Final is scheduled for Saturday, April 28, 2018 at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment and has a guaranteed prize pool of $75,000.

For more information on how to become a WHHC partner outlet or sponsor, contact Rachel Ryan, Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment (raryan@playmeadowlands.com) or 201-842-5015.

Mystery Dragon heads marquee in Bill Conlin

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

Mystery Dragon, who has posted three impressive victories since arriving from Canada, looms an overwhelming favorite in Saturday night’s $8,300Bill Conlin Memorial Pace.

An 11-race card is on tap under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first post set for 6:10. The Conlin will go as the sixth event on the program.

Mystery Dragon is a 3-year-old son of Mystery Chase who is owned and trained by Richard Schneider and will once again be handled by Nick Roland. He has dominated his rivals in all three appearances at this meet.

Sent off at 2-1 in his local debut on November 11, he came first-over for Roland at the half and went on to a convincing three and a quarter-length decision, lowering his lifetime standard to 1:54 1/5 in the process.

Mystery Dragon was a punctual 4-5 choice at next asking after being hard-used early to command from an outside slot, then was the 3-5 chalk in last week’s Bill Conlin Prep and did not disappoint his many backers as he never looked like a loser on the front end and came to the line with a length and a quarter on Richellu Cowboy.

The latter is another Canadian-bred miss who races for Quentin and Kimberly Schneider with Quentin the conditioner and Steve Wiseman in the bike. She was able to leave into a nice trip in last week’s Prep and came home well to gain the place spot in an improved effort.

Rounding out the field are Lilbitofmama with James Kennedy; Herecomesthethundr, William Hernandez; He Grins Again, Luke Plano; Crash and Burn with Chip Lackey guiding; Lilmessinaround, Ryan Grundy; and He’s a Navajo, to be piloted from the outside by Tony Succarotte.

There are two wagers offered here each night that come with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate. They are the 50-cent Pick 5, which is decided on the first five races on the evening; and the 20-cent Pick 4 on the penultimate four races. The Pick 4 comes with a guaranteed gross pool that has been raised to $30,000.

Bill Conlin remembered with Memorial Race

Saturday’s main event is named for Bill Conlin, the longtime sportswriter, editor and columnist for the Sacramento Bee who passed away in 1997 at the age of 84.

“Bill Conlin, quite simply, is a legend, a real newspaper man who loved his work and his hometown of Sacramento like no other,” related Sacramento Bee columnist Debbie Arrington.

“With great wit, he covered sports and more in this city for six decades, first at the Sacramento Union and then The Bee. He know everyone – from Ronald Reagan to Al Davis – and was a daily presence in The Bee’s Sports section until his retirement in 1985.

“Through it all, harness racing remained one of his favorite sports, both to cover and to watch as a fan.”

Debbie noted that when Conlin passed away in June of 1997, Cal Expo’s harness drivers paid tribute to him in the winner’s circle before the race named in his honor, which was won by the great pacer and sire Little Steven.

“It’s wonderful that Bill’s name still lives on at Cal Expo in a sport that he truly loved,” Arrington added.

Friday at the Meadowlands

East Rutherford, NJ – With stakes racing concluded for 2017 the Winter Meet kicks off at The Meadowlands on Friday evening with an 11 race overnight card and a dozen more on tap for Saturday. 

Friday’s offering features optimum field size and competitive groups. With the recent closing of Pocono and Plainridge there are horses and drivers coming from every direction making for some real pari-mutuel puzzlers. 

Among the drivers on the Friday card is Anthony Napolitano who took the crown as leading driver of the 2016 Winter-Spring meet in his first extended stay at The Meadowlands. Anthony put together an impressive run, enjoying remarkable success over the mile oval without the benefit of a top barn to drive for. As a result he became a favorite of the longshot player by bringing in an inordinate number of winners at long odds.

Misfortune struck soon after that accomplishment was realized when Anthony sustained a serious injury to his back in a racing accident at Pocono at the end of May keeping him out of the sulky for two months and compromising his season.

A winner of nearly 2,500 races in a career that began in 2001, Anthony recovered gradually and put together another solid season at Pocono in 2017 and has over $2.4 million on his card in 2017. 

On Friday Napolitano picked up drives in 10 of the 11 races, including a couple for perennial leading trainer Ron Burke which can only help his quest to resume Big M success. 

Another live steer is on Lauderdale in the featured seventh race trot who Napolitano steered to a career best 1:53.1 win this spring for trainer Jonas Czernyson. The strapping seven-year-old career winner of over $400,000 is getting class relief and has drawn post nine on Friday for owner Millstream Farms.

All of the Meadowlands signature guaranteed wagers are in place for Friday including the Survivor Pick 10, Pick 5 and pair of Pick 4’s and the 11^th race Jackpot Hi 5 carry-over pool is up to nearly $25,000. 

Program pages for some exotics and Dave Brower’s race reviews are available at no cost via The Meadowlands website. 

Post Time is 7:15 p.m.

TONY CIUFFETELLI WINS NAADA CONSOLATION; JENNIFER LAPPE COPS CATSKILL CLUB FINAL

   by john manzi for NAADA and the CADC

MONTICELLO, NY – The  last two amateur races  of the season at Monticello Raceway were contested on Wednesday, November 29 and when the judges hung the official signs Tony Ciuffetelli emerged victorious in the $6000 NAADA Consolation  while Jennifer Lappe copped the $6500 Catskill Club Final.

Ciuffetelli reined trotter Better To Be Lucky home first in a 2:01.2 clocking whereas Lapped scored a 1:59.2 triumph with pacer Lightning Strike.

There was only a five horse field for the NAADA consolation and taking advantage of the short field Tony Ciuffetelli sent his charge to the lead. Once there they made every pole a winning one en route to a head victory over Connie Keeper and driver Bob Krivelin .

“Since my horse is good on the lead, and with the pole position and the short field, I thought the  front end was the place to be,” Ciuffetelli said after the race.

They charged to the front and Better To Be Lucky trotted off to an early lead. But they couldn’t shake Connie Keeper who followed along doggedly in the two hole as the others faded lengths behind.

When the  leaders headed for home Krivelin  moved Connie Keeper out to challenge and they raced neck and neck to the finish and at the wire Better To Be Lucky prevailed by a head.  Third place went to Grand Vision in rein to Bob Ciavardini.

“He had breaking issues earlier this year but he’s OK now.”, Ciuffetteli  said referring to Better To Be Lucky. “I was getting after him pretty good as we neared the wire but he stayed at his work and hung tough today”

Ciuffetlli also  owns and trains the winner who returned an $8.20 mutuel.

The Catskill Amateur Club’s finale was a tribute to the ladies as three were finalists and the gals finished one –three an action packed driving finish.

When the wings of the mobile starting gate folded Monica Banca sent Fox Valley Leo to the lead followed on the outside by Lightning Strike and driver Jennifer Lappe.  But as they approached the first stanza in a swift :27.2 Lappe found room on the inside and tucked in nicely behind the leader.

Before the field passed the halfway point in .57.2 Gerry Fielding was out and going  with  Troon, the betting favorite. They rallied alongside Fox Valley Leo as the three quarter timer flashed 1:27.4. When they straightened for paydirt  Fox Valley Leo and Troon battled side by side and then in mid-stretch they were joined in the passing lane by Lucky Strike and the three raced to the finish. At the wire Lappe’s pacer, Lucky Strike, prevailed by a length. Troon was second and Fox Valley Leo third.

“We got  lucky finding room along the pylons or we’d have been hung out,” a  joyous Lappe related in the paddock as she hung up the lines. “Lightning Strike is a pleasure to drive and I guess we just clicked.”

It marked Lucky Strike’s fourth victory in his last five starts for Lappe. Owned and trained by Bill Mintz  he paid $4.00 for win.

On Friday the $15,000 NAADA Final will be contested at Yonkers Raceway as a non-wagering affair prior to the first race on the betting  card.

Joe Lighthill Trot, pair of Opens featured

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

The $7,500 Joe Lighthill Trot headed by Talkin Tootsie; an Open Pace featuring Firedrake and a filly and mare Open Pace highlighted by Capitol Hill share the spotlight at Cal Expo Friday evening.

Friday’s Joe Lighthill Memorial Trot is named for the outstanding driver/trainer who was a mainstay in California for decades and passed away at the age of 78 in 2006.

Mr. Lighthill, who began his career in the mid 1940s, drove 2,272 winners for purse earnings just shy of $7 million and reined and/or trained some of the most outstanding performers of their generation.

Included in that illustrious group were Meadow Skipper, Countess Adios, Tender Loving Care, Hickory Pride, Peter Lobell, Try Scotch and BC Count.

"Joe was the consummate horseman and a good friend," said Vickie Desomer, who will send out Silverlode in Friday night’s headliner with husband Steve in the sulky.

"Time and time again Steve and I relied on him to get our young green horses safely around the track and he always did just that. He was truly one of the greats, not just in California, but across the nation."

A field of eight will line-up for the Joe Lighthill Trot with Talkin Tootsie likely to attract plenty of attention for owners Martin Gary and Hank Wieseneck, trainer Bob Johnson and pilot Mooney Svendsen. He won an Open II contest two back and was runner-up to the streaking Pridecrest at most recent asking..

A Cenalta double for Gordon Empey

Trainer Gordon Empey sent out a pair of pacers on last Friday night’s card here and ended up scoring with both as Cenalta Eclipse and Cenalta Artistry got the job done.

Cenalta Eclipse had Steve Wiseman at the controls with the 4-year-old gelding prevailing handily in his conditioned affair, while Cenalta Artistry returned a healthy $26 proving clearly best toward the end of the same program with Rene Goulet guiding the mare.

This is Empey’s second foray to Cal Expo from Canada, having such a good time last season that he has returned with another string of performers while enjoying the warmer Sacramento climate.

A 71-year-old native of Alberta, Gordon only came to harness racing about 16 years ago and has now developed a love of the sport on all fronts.

“I’d been to the races with my uncle when I was in my 20’s, but just as a fan,” he explained. “I guess I was about 55 when I was re-introduced to the game by some friends, then that led to buying some broodmares and going on from there.”

At first, Empey continued to do farming while breeding harness horses on the side, but it really got into his blood. “It was eight or nine years ago that we started racing more and more of them, and then two years ago I took out my trainer’s license.”

Its nights like last Friday that make it all worthwhile.

YONKERS BECOMES MONTI-CELLO

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

YONKERS, NY, Tuesday, November 28, 2017—Yonkers Raceway turned into Monti-cello Tuesday night (Nov. 28^th), as western New York driving standout Drew Monti won his first local race.

Monti, who has been making sporadic sojourns downstate, went up and over with Classy Lane Rose ($10.80) in the $15,000, seventh-race pace. The 7-year-old daughter of Jereme’s Jet crossed the line in a comfortable 1:54.4.

It was Monti’s first Westchester victory in his fifth try this season. The winner is owned by Monti‘s grandfather, Carl, and trained by Steven Weaver.

“We originally claimed (Classy Lane Rose) here from Yonkers for $20,000 (base price) and gave her some time off. She’s raced well for us in the top class back home (eight wins and more than $84,000 overall this season). Shaw was back in for the same price again tonight.

“It’s just the next level,” Monti said of his Yonkers experience. “The money is certainly better, the horses are smoother and the drivers rarely make mistakes, so I really have to be on my toes.”

            Monti, who had success at the Meadowlands last winter, said he’d consider trying the tri-state area more once the current Batavia season ends in mid-December.

           

“I know Yonkers closes around then (Dec. 17^th) also, but when you guys start back up in January, I may come down early in the week and see what happens.”

The 23-year-old Monti has compiled personal best in wins (281) and purses ($1.7 million) this season.  

Buffalo Raceway Stall Applications Available

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Stall applications for the upcoming 2018 harness racing season at Buffalo Raceway are now available at several locations.

Those interested in racing during the 88-day campaign can get an application on-line at www.buffaloraceway.com, at the Western New York Harness Horsemen's office located in Batavia, or by calling Buffalo Raceway Race Secretary Tom Agosti at 716-649-1280, ext. 6235.  Stall applications are due on Friday, December 8.

"There is a concern of a possible shortage of race horses," Agosti said. "We will be pleased to discuss racing opportunities with qualified trainers."

The barn area at Buffalo Raceway, located on the Erie County Fairgrounds, will open on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 with the first live racing program scheduled for Friday, January 12, 2018 at 5 p.m.

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

Personnel Changes In Effect at Hambletonian Society Office

Moira Fanning, Director of Publicity and Event Operations for the Hambletonian Society, has been named COO by the executive committee of the Society, effective immediately.

Fanning has been with the Society since 1988 and will take over many of the administrative duties performed by former president and CEO Tom Charters. Earlier this year Charters announced his retirement and the board elected John Campbell, the sports leading money winning driver to succeed him as president.

“This is a well-deserved promotion for Moira,” said Campbell. “She has been a tremendous asset for the Society for many years and her professionalism, talent and commitment are unparalleled in our industry. It has been a pleasure working with and learning from her these last few months and I feel fortunate we will be working together for the foreseeable future.”

In addition, David Janes, who has been the staking assistant and IT Manager for the past year has been promoted to Stakes Manager, replacing the recently retired Callie Davies-Gooch. He will be responsible for the staking arm of the Society, which currently services 131 important stakes, closers and events across North America.

Janes has been with the Society since 2009 and recently completed his B.A. in Information Technology and Informatics from Rutgers.  He has gained experience in all facets of the harness racing business through his involvement in the VIP Internet Stable, one of the most successful and long-running racehorse syndication partnerships, which his father, Tom Janes, co-manages with founder Ed O’Connor.  

The Hambletonian Society is a not-for-profit organization which supports and encourages the breeding of Standardbred horses by sponsoring and administering stakes and other special events in harness racing.  The Society was founded in 1924 to organize the Hambletonian Stake, one of 37 races it currently owns. These races are some of the richest and most prestigious racing events across North America, held at 14 different racetracks, involving the processing of more than 54,108 individual payments totaling $12.3 million and responsible for the disbursement of more than $16.7 million in purses.

SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN WINS SUNDAY 40G OPEN HANDICAP TROT

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

YONKERS, NY, Sunday, November 26, 2017—Last season’s New York Sire Stakes champ (and Yonkers Trot runner-up) Smalltownthrowdown (Yannick Gingras, $6.40) maintained this season’s form spree Sunday afternoon (Nov. 26^th), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $40,000 Open Handicap Trot.

With just a happy half-dozen, the weekly trotting feature went at the flat mile, after the first seven ‘French’ trots.

Smalltownthrowdown, having won his last six races out of town, made short work of his inside five rivals in his local return.  

As the only leaver, he toured the terrain (:27.3, :59, 1:28, 1:56.4), taking no pressure whatsoever.

Smalltownthrowdown lead by a length-and-a-quarter in and out of the final turn, with the final margin a length.

Pole-assigned Buen Camino (Brian Sears) chased from the pocket and saved second over Melady’s Monet (Jason Bartlett). ‘Melady,’ as the 2-5 favorite, was content to sit third until the three-quarters, when he left the cones but never seriously threatened.

Wings of Royalty (Steve Smith) crossed the line fourth, but was set down to fifth (behind DW’s NY Yank [George Brennan]) for picking off a pylon early in the lane. Home’n Dray (Matt Kakaley) brought up the rear.     

For second choice ‘Smalltown,’ a 4-year-old Cash Hall gelding co-owned (as Allard Racing) by (trainer) Rene Allard, Yves Sarazin, VIP Internet Stable and Bruce Soulsby, it was his eighth win in 14 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $50, the triple returned $100 and the superfeata paid $508.

If you were a shrewd, late-morning handicapper, you made some holiday coin and then some. Time Outa Jail (Bartlett, $67) and Dressed to Impress (Gingras, $29.80) combined for a $1,162 early double, while the winners led respective fat exotics…$600 exacta/$2,210 triple (first race) & $633 exacta/$6,495 triple (second race).  

This ‘New York, New York Double’ saw a winning combination of 4-Archival (Aqueduct’s 3^rd race) and  5-I  C Caviar (Yonkers’ 6^th race) returned $8.20 for every correct $1 wager. Total pool was $3,073.

Sunday matinees, along with the ‘New York, New York Double,’ return Dec. 3^rd 

JOE LEE WINS $25,000 BILLINGS GOLD CUP FINAL AT YONKERS RACEWAY; BOB CIAVARDINI COPS $15,000 SILVER CUP

    by john manzi for the Billings Series

YONKERS,NY- “Yankee Joe” Lee is celebrating today. And why shouldn’t he? After all, he just scored the biggest triumph of his amateur racing career when he guided Dizzy Rizzy to a 2:34 victory  over the 1-1/4 mile distance  in the $25,000 CKG Billings Gold Cup Final this morning (Nov. 26) at Yonkers Raceway

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Second place went to Wygant Prince and driver “Coach Paul” Minore while “Tough Tony” Ciuffettelli garnered the show dough with Aventure.

A true amateur driver Lee has no race horses of his  own and no specific trainer who he drives for and although he always gets first call on horses trained by Bruce Aldrich Sr. Lee travels the amateur circuit seeking drives wherever  he can.

Driving today for trainer Nick Surick, whose trotter won the Billings Gold Cup last year at Harrah’s Chester with “Hurricane Hannah “ Miller at the controls, victory didn’t come easy for Lee who has plenty of supporters at Yankee Stadium where he serves as the assistant locker room attendant for the New York Yankees.

 “We had tough trip today but we got the job done,” Lee related. “I tried leaving but Steve Oldford (with Gonna Fly) was giving Paul Minore and Wygant Prince a tough time. I then tried to slip down on the pylons to no avail but got lucky when Bob Krivelin’s horse made a break.

“Sitting third I thought I had a good spot. Then Oldford pulled the pocket with over a half mile to go so I got to slip into the two hole.  At the top of the stretch I rolled out of the pocket grunted at her (Dizzy Lizzy) a little and she rolled right past the leader and got there in time. I’m real honored to win the Billings Gold Cup for her connections.”

It was the 11^th victory this year  for Dizzy Rizzy, a 7 year old Ken Warkentin mare. She is owned by the Nick Surick Stables, J L Benson Stables  and Hannah Miller.

A rising star in the amateur ranks Lee’s victory was his 15^th this season after garnering 10 last year. His career began in 2010 but earnestly in just the past three seasons.

The $15,000 Billings Silver Cup Final was also a big thrill for driver Bobby “Rapid Robert” Ciavardini who also scored the biggest victory of his career when he guided  Baltimor AS to a  2:32.2 triumph

As a youngster Ciavardini   dabbled in harness racing but upon retirement from a professional career he got back into harness racing and his victory today was paramount to him, especially driving the family horse.

Now with a new trainer Ciavardini and Baltimor AS started from the two hole and enjoyed  a two-hole journey. Following the lead set by  Fox Valley Steffen  and driver by “Doctor John” Kokinos Ciavardini got lucky when Kokinos carried them all the way to the top of the stretch. At that point  Ciavardini moved off the pylons and rallied  his veteran trotter to a head triumph  over Fox Valley Steffen. Peter “Enough Talk” Kleinhans finished third with Toss Cartwright.

Baltimor AS is an 8-year-old Credit Winner gelding owned by Richard, Diane and Robert Ciavardini and trained by Tom Milici.

Both races went as non-wagering events.

BURKE DOUBLES UP IN TVG FINALS

By Dave Little, for the Meadowlands

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – For Ron Burke, nights like these are special. And they tend to happen all the time.

This year will mark his ninth consecutive national training title, and on the last big stakes night of racing at the Meadowlands in 2017, Burke took two of the four TVG Finals and added another winner in a Fall Final 4 event (Youaremycandygirl in the Three Diamonds) on Saturday night.

Burke got the ball rolling with Hannelore Hanover ($2.40 to win) in the TVG Mares Trot. The 5-year-old daughter of Swan For All went a pocket trip behind Emoticon Hanover and rolled right by that foe to record a 2-length win in 1:52.3, raising the possibility of winning a Horse of the Year trophy at season’s end. Emoticon Hanover completed the $3.20 exacta. Caprice Hill was third.

Winning driver Yannick Gingras, who also drives HOTY contenders Ariana G and Manchego, wasn’t saying who he thought should take home the hardware. “I can’t answer that question,” said Gingras. 

“All three of them are really special. I just wanted to do my job. Now it’s time for the voters to do their job.”

What The Hill ($12.80) locked up 3-year-old divisional honors by beating older foes in the TVG Open Trot. David Miller put the son of Muscle Hill in a perfect spot, right behind 4-5 favorite Crazy Wow, and when that one weakened in the stretch, went the inside route to the winner’s circle. It was three-quarters-of-a-length back to Dayson. Pinkman was third. The time for the mile was 1:51.4, which equaled his lifetime best.

“That was my plan (to sit behind Crazy Wow),” said Miller. “He was very strong through the stretch. I’m very proud of him, stepping up to face older and do this.”

“When he sits in the two hole,” said Burke. “He is good as any horse I have and he was concentrated on the horse’s head in front of him.”

Pure Country sat off blinding fractions set by Darlinonthebeach of :27, :54.1 and 1:21 and flew home after vacating the three hole on the far turn to take the TVG Mares Pace by three-quarters-of-a-length in 1:49. The 4-year-daughter of Somebeachsomewhere, who was driven by Mark MacDonald and trained Jimmy Takter, paid $9.00 to win. Bedroomconfessions was second with Darlinonthebeach holding on for third.

“She’s really game,” said MacDonald. “She digs and fights horses all the way to the wire. I know halfway down the stretch she’s going to give me that extra gear.”

Miller was seen in the winner’s circle again in the TVG Open Pace, guiding Mach It So ($5.60) to victory by a half-length over a fast-closing McWicked in 1:49.2. All Bets Off finished third.

The 7-year-old gelded son of Mach Three lifted his lifetime earnings to just over $2.4 million for trainer Jeff Bamond.

“He makes you look good,” said Bamond of his prized pupil. “Once he got to the front (just after the quarter), he looked strong. He’s done for the year but you’ll see him next year. He earned a little vacation.”

A LITTLE MORE: All source wagering on the 13-race card totaled $2,482,425. … Racing resumes at the Meadowlands Friday at 7:15 p.m. Thereafter, the track will race Thursday through Saturday for the month of December.

FOURTH DIMENSION DOMINANT IN VALLEY VICTORY

By Dave Little, for the Meadowlands

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Fourth Dimension stamped himself as the early favorite for next year’s Hambletonian with an easy 1¼-length win in the Valley Victory for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters on Fall Final 4/TVG Finals night at the Meadowlands Saturday.

“He’s very athletic,” said winning driver Brian Sears. “A very good-gaited colt. He’s a little eager at times but he definitely has the talent. (Over the winter) he has to keep maturing physically and mentally and learning there are times when we have to relax and not be too aggressive during the race and know what we are trying to accomplish out there. And it doesn’t mean we have to be on the front end every week.”

Sears had Fourth Dimension on the move down the backstretch and the pair made the lead at the three-eighths. The son of Chapter Seven had no trouble from there, winning for the eighth time in 11 starts for trainer Marcus Melander and owners Courant Inc. of Delray Beach, Fla. Wolfgang was second with Samo Different Day third. As the 3-5 public choice, Fourth Dimension paid $3.20 to win and completed the mile in 1:53.3.

In the Three Diamonds for 2-year-old filly pacers, Breeders Crown champion Youaremycandygirl, the 6-5 second choice, and 4-5 favorite Kissin In The Sand hooked up in a cutthroat speed duel through a sizzling opening half of :53.2 before Kissin In The Sand faltered at the five-eighths. 

Youaremycandygirl then went on to a 1½-length victory over Reign On Me and Rainbow Room in 1:51.

Yannick Gingras guided the daughter of American Ideal to victory lane for trainer Ron Burke. The winner paid $4.40.

“I think she’s proven herself to be one of the best 2-year-old fillies ever,” said Burke in the winner’s circle of his filly who’s won nine of 11 starts.

Plunge Blue Chip ($3.20 as the 3-5 choice) was a decisive 3½-length winner in the Goldsmith Maid for 2-year-old filly trotters. The Ake Svanstedt driven and trained daughter of Muscle Mass lowered her lifetime mark by one-and-four-fifth seconds, trotting the mile in 1:53.1. Dab Hanover was second with Lily Stride third.

“She’s a super filly,” said Svanstedt.

The most exciting finish of the night came in the Governor’s Cup for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers as Lost In Time finished a nose in front of Stay Hungry in 1:50.1. American History was third.

The duo turned for home on even terms, and during their stretch tussle, Stay Hungry actually poked a head in front in mid-stretch, but Lost In Time and driver Scott Zeron battled back to record the slim victory in determined fashion. Lost In Time ($5.40), trained by Jimmy Takter, won for the fifth time in nine starts.

“I’ve only had him for a few weeks,” said Takter. “I could see right away he’s a very nice horse. We were unable to train him much for last week (when sixth in his elimination) because we scoped him and he had some mucus. He was not really prepped for that race. We let the hobbles out a little bit tonight and lengthened the overcheck a little bit and that made a big difference.”

Hinckley Takes Week in Hambletonian Society Handicapping Contest

Final Leg to Decide All

(November 26, 2017) – In the penultimate leg of the 2017 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge on Saturday evening (11/25) at the Meadowlands, Sally Hinckley came out on top for the week to move into third place.  While still in the lead overall, Rusty Nash’s fifth place finish leaves the door open to the possibility of Gordon Waterstone grabbing the brass ring in seventy-ninth and final leg of the contest.

Hinckley took the weekly title easily with six winners out of eight races, including What The Hill ($12.80) in the TVG Final for open trotters who was victorious in a minor upset.  In a card comprising of the Final Four stakes and the TVG Finals, the only race where she didn’t cash in was the Goldsmith Maid; her selection in the Governor’s Cup finished second.  By the time all eight races were contested, Hinckley had a net profit of $35.30 for the evening.  Finishing second with a net profit of $.90 for the evening was Megan Maccario who had four winners for the evening which was good enough to keep her in the race for third place, the final cashing position next week.  Also with four winners on Saturday evening card was Jay Hochstetler whose net loss of $5.30 was good enough for the show position.

With only the Hap Hansen Progress Stake remaining the sole race to be contested in the contest, five handicappers remain in contention to earn a check for their respective rescues.  While the race for first place comes down to Nash and Waterstone, it is possible for Hinckley to land in second place, knocking Waterstone down to the show position in a worst-case situation (Nash can finish no worse than second place).  Should Hinckley have a bad week, Maccario and Anne Stepien remain in the race mathematically for the show position.

  

Standings thru Saturday, November 25, 2017 - Leg #78
Pos	Handicapper	Total Points Earned	Legs Won	Points Back	Last Week	Streak
1st	Rusty Nash	1,484.70	7		1st	7
2nd	Gordon Waterstone	1,448.00	11	36.70	2nd
3rd	Sally Hinckley	1,407.48	10	77.22	5th
4th	Megan Maccario	1,379.90	9	104.80	4th
5th	Anne Stepien	1,366.82	9	117.88	3rd
6th	Matt Rose	1,337.88	10	146.82	6th
7th	Dennis O’Hara	1,336.85	10	147.85	7th
8th	Steve Horoky	1,270.83	5	213.87	8th
9th	Russ Adams	1,218.54	8	266.16	9th
10th	Ray Garnett	1,102.61	6	382.09	10th
11th	Jay Hochstetler	1,061.50	5	423.20	12th
12th	Bryan Owen	1,049.90	9	434.80	11th
13th	Michael Carter	898.03	3	586.67	13th
14th	Ray Cotolo	834.33	5	650.37	14th
15th	Terry Wilson	820.47	5	664.23	15th
16th	Rich Mattei	644.30	2	840.40	16th

Next Up:  The final leg of the contest concludes with the Progress Stakes at Dover Downs on Thursday, November 30.   

The 2017 Hambletonian Society Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge is sponsored by Adam Friedland, DRF Harness, Green Acquisition Corporation, The Hambletonian Society, Hoosier Park Racing and Casino, Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, Northfield Park, Ontario Harness Horse Association, Red Shores Charlottetown/Summerside, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, Wellbourne Farms, and WEG Entertainment.  The contest is administered by HANA Harness, the harness racing division of HANA, the Horseplayers Association of North America.  Fans may follow the challenge by visiting the contest site at http;//hanaharnesscontest.blogspot.com.