Meadowlands Returns Friday with $30K Pick 5 Carryover

The Big M returns this Friday night offering some opportunities to hit big on the 13-race card.

There is a $30,202 Pick 5 carryover with a guaranteed pool of $125,000, thanks to the track’s partnership with United States Trotting Association Strategic Wagering. 

The bet requires a player to correctly select the winners of Races 3 through 7 and has a base wager of 50 cents. Race 3 is scheduled to go off at 7:25pm eastern. 

Program pages for all Pick 5 races, as well as the $50,000 guaranteed Pick 4 (races 8 through 11) and the Race 13 Jackpot Super High five with a carryover of $120,134 will be available on the program pages tab at http://www.meadowlandsracetrack.com/content.aspx?id=3357 , courtesy of Track Master.

Live racing at the Meadowlands takes place every Friday and Saturday evening and has a first race post time of 6:35 p.m.

Tremblay doubles fun with two winners

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

Last Friday night saw Nathalie Tremblay making a pair of winner’s circle appearances, sending out the pacers Windsong Lindsey and Lilbitofmama for solid victories.

Windsong Legacy carries the banner of Ericka Lugar and was guided by Mooney Svendsen, while Lilbitofmama is the pride and joy of her owner/breeder Wendi Wiener and had Luke Plano in the sulky.

Windsong Legacy was rattling off her second straight victory last weekend and has certainly turned things around of late. She romped home over a softer group on February 16 in a 1:54 1/5 tour, then repeated that clocking in another coast-to-coast score while up a notch in class.

Lilbitofmama closed out the program with a 9-1 upset as he did the track-and-attack to perfection for Plano and was up by a half-length. He is a 6-year-old son of Little Steven out of the Distinguishedbaron mare Mamahaswhiskerstoo and was also recording his second win of the year.

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Cal Expo has announced that the guaranteed gross pool for the 20-cent Pick 4 on Saturdays has now been raised to $50,000, with the guaranteed pool for Friday’s Pick 4 remaining at $30,000.

The Pick 4 is one of two wagers each night at Cal Expo with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate, the other being the 50-cent Pick 5, which is offered on the first five races of each program.

"We started our guarantee at $25,000, went to $30,000. then $40,000, now $50,000,” said Cal Expo General Manager Chris Schick. “The Saturday Pick 4 guarantee equals that of The Meadowlands and Woodbine. We have now joined an exclusive club. The low 20-cent minimum, coupled with the low 16 percent takeout, have certainly proved a powerful combination.”

Trotting Sire Stakes, distaff Pace share spotlight

A $4,200 contest for pacing fillies and mares headed by Shesamysterytome and Shark Festival and a $6,500 California Sire Stakes for 4-year-old trotters head the marquee at Cal Expo Friday night.

First post for the 11-race program is 6:10 p.m.

Set to do battle in the first Sire Stakes of the season for the 4-year-old trotters are Lodi Jazz Player with Tony Succarotte; Bo Plenty, Leon Smith; Indio Azteca, to be guided by Gerry Longo; Gravel Girl for George Luster; and Never Onebadchange with Pierre Girard in the sulky.

Looking at the co-feature, Shesamysterytome is a 4-year-old daughter of Mystery Chase who is owned by Ashleet Sluggett and Trevor Williams with Ryan Grundy reining and training. She established her 1:54 2/5 career standard here earlier in the meet.

The bay mare was runner-up to Blue Note in the Alan Kirschenbaum Final on February 2 and has come back with a third and a fourth-place finish while racing at the Open level in her last two outings. She has a tough, first-over trip when facing a very sharp Delightfully Wild in last week’s appearance.

Shark Festival usually comes with a solid finish and has to be respected as she also drops out of the Open ranks for this assignment. Medinah Racing and Scott Ehrlich own the Shadow Play mare with Kathie Plested training and Steve Wiseman handling the lines.

She recorded her most recent score on January 13 in a conditioned event, exploding in the stretch to win going away by three-quarters of a length with Mooney Svendsen at the controls. She has a 1:53 3/5 mark that was established two years ago. 

YONKERS’ THURSDAY PICK 5 FEATURES $6,100 CARRYOVER, 20G GUARANTEE

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

YONKERS, NY, Tuesday, February 27, 2017—A friendly reminder from Yonkers Raceway that Thursday evening’s (March 1^st) Pick 5 wager starts with a carryover of $6,118.60 and a $20,000 guaranteed pool.

The Pick 5 is a 50-cent base wager comprising races 6 through 10 (for these 10-race cards, ordinarily it’s races 7 through 11). It has no consolation payoff, meaning if no one selects all five winners (as was the case Tuesday night), the entire pool (minus takeout) moves to the next racing program.

JUST A TYPICAL TUESDAY NIGHT 61-1 SOLO STORY

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

YONKERS, NY, Tuesday, February 27, 2018—A week ago, Solo Story missed a hard-charging neck at 40-1.

Tuesday night (Feb. 27^th), he didn’t miss at all.

Try $125.50, Yonkers Raceway’s largest win mutuel of the season. Bumping up from the $15,000 claimers to the $20,000 fraternity, the 61-1 Solo Story (catch-driver Larry Stalbaum) closed from seventh from in the line, winning the $13,000, eighth-race pace in a season’s-best 1:54.3.

Starting from post position No. 7 in the field of nine, Solo Story was barely in the same area code—eighth, 14 lengths out—early. He remained eighth (though closer) at both the half and three-quarters before uncorking his rally from seventh off the final turn.

He actually won going away, beating Wild Again (catch-driver Anthony Napolitano) by a length. Adonis Bay (Eric Goodell) was third, with Inspiration View (Jordan Stratton) fourth to complete the gimmicks.

For Solo Story, a 5-year-old Bettor’s Delight gelding owned by Jesse McAssey and trained by Jaymes McAssey, it was his second win in six seasonal starts.  The exacta paid $599, with triple returned $4,971 and the superfecta paid $40,448 (base $2 payout, 10-cent ticket worth $2,022.40).

Mexican Fiesta this Friday in Pink

                                On Friday, March 2 Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment is hosting a Mexican Fiesta!

The Fiesta buffet is $29.95 and features a make your own taco bar with steak, chicken and shrimp and all the classic fixings including fresh pico de gallo.  Guests can enjoy quesadillas, chili con queso and a delicious tortilla soup. The buffet also includes homemade flan and tres leche cake.

Reservations can be made by calling 201-THE-BIGM.  Live harness racing kicks off at 6:35 pm.

               

Visit PlayMeadowlands.com for additional details, live racing and events schedule.

Meadowlands 2018 February Nominations Rise

East Rutherford, NJ - The nominations are in for the 2018 Meadowlands Grand Circuit Stakes and the February payment totals are up by 9% over the 2017 numbers.

The major pacing stakes, WR Haughton and Sam McKee Memorials swelled by nearly 30% with 33 horses making the nomination payment for both. The Stanley Dancer for sophomore colt trotters and Mistletoe Shalee also increased by a third.

All of the freshman stakes saw solid increases in totals for the new season. 

"It's an encouraging sign to see the owners and trainers show support for Meadowlands stakes," said Meadowlands President & CEO Jeff Gural. "Out Of Competition Testing will be expanded this year as part of our efforts to provide a level playing field at The Meadowlands."

Also of note, all three Spring Late Closers for older horses, the Whata Baron, Burning Point and Shiaway St Pat have filled and will begin the first week of April.

Complete lists on the nominees are now available on the Meadowlands website.

Questions should be directed to Peter Koch in the Racing Office at (201) 842-5130.

U.S. HARNESS WRITERS ASSOCIATION MEETS, HOSTS DAN PATCH BANQUET

HARRISBURG PA – The United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA), the leading organization of harness racing’s chroniclers, held their annual meetings this past Saturday and Sunday at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando FL, in conjunction with its annual Dan Patch Awards Banquet, which on Sunday evening celebrated the best of brightest of the sport during the 2017 campaign.

Saturday’s meeting gathered the organization’s board of directors, while Sunday’s session was an open gathering for all of USHWA’s members.

Two major developments, one affecting the size of the Board and one broadening the parameters of USHWA membership, took place on Saturday as the directors voted on amending USHWA’s By-Laws and Rules & Regulations (R&Rs). A by-law change saw the number of directors from each of the sport’s “chapters” (regions) reduced from two to one, in part of the organization’s ongoing effort to streamline in keeping with the harness racing times. There will now be 5 Officers, 11 Past Presidents, and 13 chapter directors guiding the affairs of the organization.

In an effort to encourage younger harness fans to explore the possibilities of sulky journalism, the Board created a “Youth” category of membership, with interested parties able to gain a non-voting membership at a lower price while increasing their exposure to established members of the sport’s media. More information on the process of applying for USHWA Youth membership status will soon be posted on the organization’s website, www.ushwa.net.

An operation R&R change will see the organization reaching out to racetracks to allow full USHWAns access to horsemen, the race paddock, and other important sources of stories, while an Awards R&R sets new parameters for the Rising Star Award, which honors an up-and-coming young trainer or driver.

Another Awards change saw the Broadcasters Award for outstanding achievement in video named after the late Sam McKee, the Hall of Famer (and former winner of the award) who set the highest standards for the sport as an announcer, media director, and other employments in communications areas.

USHWA continued its renewed efforts to improve the financial situation of the organization, with a profit being shown in 2017, and every expectation of another plus figures after the highly-successful Dan Patch Banquet. The group seeks to establish a winning association of streamlining costs with growing revenue sources such as advertising in the annual Dinner Journal and with sponsorships of the Association’s activities.

As reported earlier, USTA photographer Mark Hall joined with Meadowlands media man and former New York Daily News Racing Editor Dave Little as ballot candidates for this summer’s election for the status on being a member of the Communicators Hall of Fame.

Shawn Wiles, Executive Director of Racing and Facilities at Monticello Raceway in the Catskills of New York, was voted president of the organization after Tim Bojarski, who now becomes the Chairman of the Board of Directors, completed his two-year term at the top, a standard length of service in USHWA. Kim Rinker will now serve as the organization’s Vice President, with Barry Lefkowitz and Jerry Connors returned as treasurer and secretary in the voting.

At the Dan Patch Awards Banquet, trotting matron Hannelore Hanover was named Harness Horse of the Year, as that announcement was reserved for the Banquet this year to heighten excitement. Hannelore was also named Trotter of the Year, while the richest harness horse of 2017, Downbytheseaside, won honors as Pacer of the Year.

  

Also honored were Jules Siegel and Margareta Wallenius-Kleberg upon their election to the sport’s highest honor, the Hall of Fame, along with were Carl Becker and Dave Briggs, who were voted into the Communicators Hall of Fame. This quartet will be formally inducted on the first of July at the site of the sport’s Hall, Goshen NY.

WILD WEST SHOW IS PACING'S BROODMARE OR THE YEAR

Ray Schittker's Wild West Show was honored as the 2017 Pacing Broodmare of the Year at Sunday night's(Feb. 25) USHWA gala in Orlando, Fla. 

Wild West Show is the dam of the fastest 3-year-old of 2017--Huntsville 3, 147.4.

In 2017 Huntsville captured the Meadowlands Pace, the Cane Pace, the Jenna's Beach Boy, multiple Pa. Sire Stakes and Eliminations of the North America Cup, the Meadowlands Pace and the Adios. He was also second in the Finals of the North America Cup, the Bluegrass, and the Adios Final.

In 2017 Huntsville raced against divisional champion Downbytheseaside three times, and defeated him all three times they raced each other.

In 2016 Huntsville was the Dan Patch 2-Year-Old pacing champion. He paced to a World Record mile  at Lexington winning the International Stallion Stakes in 1:49. He captured the Breeders Crown at the Meadowlands winning in a track record time of 1:49.

Huntsville was also victorious in the Bluegrass, the Breeders Crown Elimination, the Pa. Sires Stakes Final as well as multiple Pa. Sires events. 

Other top performers from Wild West Show include:

Stevensville-3, 1:50 with earnings of over $500,000

Cowboy Terrier--5, 1:50.1 with earnings over $450,000

and the precocious  Wild Bill--2, 1:52.3 in 2017

Wild West Show has these top four performers from just five foals of racing age.

Schnittker, from Middletown NY, purchased Wild West Show from Cameo Hills  Farm as a yearling foe $85,000. She had a 3-year-old record of 1:53.3f and earned $4,569 before going to the breeding she.

Schnittker also campaigned Wild West Show's mother Sweet On Art for Cameo Hills Farm Sweet On Art earned $217,000 and earned a record of 1:52.4. Schnittker won the Jersey Girls Final and lit up the board that night paying $59.00 for win.

Saturday Cal Expo Pick 4 guarantee raised to 50K

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

Cal Expo has announced that the guaranteed gross pool for the 20-cent Pick 4 on Saturdays has now been raised to $50,000, with the guaranteed pool for Friday’s Pick 4 remaining at $30,000.

The Pick 4 is one of two wagers each night at Cal Expo with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate, the other being the 50-cent Pick 5, which is offered on the first five races of each program.

"We started our guarantee at $25,000, went to $30,000. then $40,000, now $50,000, “ said Cal Expo General Manager Chris Schick.

“The Saturday Pick 4 guarantee equals that of The Meadowlands and Woodbine. We have now joined an exclusive club. The low 20-cent minimum, coupled with the low 16 percent takeout, have certainly proved a powerful combination".

RUBBER DUCK WINS SUNDAY 50G OPEN HANDICAP TROT

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

YONKERS, NY, Sunday, February 25, 2018—All together now, ‘Taking to the off-going like a duck to water…’

Rubber Duck (catch-driver Matt Kakaley, $18.40) waddled home fastest Sunday afternoon (Feb. 25^th), winning Yonkers Raceway’s sloppy $50,000 Open Handicap Trot.

The field of nine (reduced by one after a nose-to-gate defection) went as first of seven ‘French’ trots, with Rubber Duck starting from an assigned 10-hole. Thus, he had no choice but to watch early as lass NF Happenstance (Jack Parker Jr.) offered her customary leave.  

Wide early from behind the ‘seven-ball’ after that scratch, she worked around 17-10 favorite In Secret (George Brennan) after a :28.1 opening quarter-mile.

It was a  :57.4 half and 1:28.2 three-quarters before Melady’s Monet (Jason Bartlett) made his second move. Getting away fourth, he went after NF Happenstance going toward to the 1:57.2 milepost. However, Melady’s Monet wasn’t the problem.

Le Reveur N (Dan Dube) went wide, Rubber Duck even wider. NF Happenstance did owned a length-and-a-half lead into the lane, but the hooves were getting heavy. In Secret edged out of the pocket, while Rubber Duck continued his bid.

The latter went right past the former, winning by a couple of lengths while getting the mile-and-a-quarter in 2:27.4.  Le Reveur N, NF Happenstance and Money Maven (Jordan Stratton) settled for the remainder.

For fifth choice Rubber Duck, a 6-year-old Muscle Mass ridgling Alberta co-owned by Blain & Erna Corbeil and trained by Jennifer Bongiorno, it was his second win in four seasonal starts. The exacta paid $58.50, with triple returning $375.50.

Sunday’s return of the ‘New York, New York Double’ offered a winning combination of 1-Westerdale (Aqueduct’s 3^rd race) and 9-Uva Hanover (Yonkers’ 5^th race) paid $60.75 for every correct $1 wager. Total pool was $5,900.  

WESTERN JOE TAKES BIG M FEATURE AGAIN

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Western Joe received another good steer from driver Pat Berry on the way to winning the Meadowlands Saturday night feature, the $20,000 Preferred Handicap for pacers, for the third time in four tries.

Ever since finishing fourth to Downbytheseaside in the Progress Pace on Nov. 30, the 4-year-old son of Western Ideal has won five of eight outings, with a total of seven on-the-board finishes.

On Saturday night, Western Joe was on the go early, grabbing the lead from Bettor’s Edge just after the quarter, which went in :27.1. Bettor’s Edge retook at the three-eighths and the pair stayed that way to the top of the stretch.

Around the far turn, 4-5 favorite Rockin Ron was making his presence felt swinging to the outside for the stretch drive after racing in a live flow third-over. But through the lane, while Rockin Ron was closing in on the far outside, Western Joe found an opening along the inside and powered clear to record a 1¼-length win in 1:50. Rockin Ron finished second, with Bettor’s Edge holding third.

As the third choice in the field of seven, Western Joe returned $13.00 to his backers for trainer Chris Choate and owner Anthony Ruggeri. He now has 13 wins in 34 career starts and a bankroll of just over $200,000.

A LITTLE MORE: Leading driver Jim Marohn Jr. won three races on the card. … One lucky player held the only winning ticket in the fourth-race Trifecta and walked away with $24,961.50 for a $1 base wager. … The Pick-5 was not hit, resulting in a carryover of $30,202. … The Pick-4 pool was crushed to the tune of $94,699, and those who hit it cashed in for $454.35 for a 50-cent bet. … The Late 20-Cent Jackpot Super High Five again did not result in a single-ticket winner, bloating the carryover to $120,134. … All-source wagering totaled $2,719,591. … Racing resumes at the Big M Friday at 6:35 p.m.

THISJETSABOOKIN’ WINS SATURDAY 40G OPEN HANDICAP PACE

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

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, February 24, 2017—Favored Thisjetsabookin’ (Jordan Stratton, $5.30) just lasted on the lead Saturday night (Feb. 24^th), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $40,000 Open Handicap Pace.

Leaving from post position No. 5 in the gang of a half-dozen, Thisjetsabookin’ was stung by pole-assigned Quick asa Trick N (Dan Dube). The people’s preference paid a :26.3 privilege to make the lead before rating a :56.2 intermission.

Gokudo Hanover (Matt Kakaley) started the outer assemblage, moving from fourth toward a 1:24.1 three-quarters. Don’tcallmefrancis (Greg Merton) chased that one,  

Thisjetsabookin’ owned a length-and-three-quarter lead entering the lane, but his pursuers remained stubborn. 1:53.1. Gokudo Hanover was resurgent, trying the leader one more time. Thisjetsabookin’ found the wet wire when he need it, a short nose to the good in a season’s-best 1:53.1.

Don’tcallmefrancis was third, beaten a head, with Quick asa Trick N and Killer Martini (Jason Bartlett) settling for the minors. Orillia Joe (Brent Holland) brought up the rear.    

For Thisjetsabookin’, 6-year-old Jereme’s Jet gelding owned by William Emmons and trained by William Adamczyk, it was his second win in five seasonal starts. The exacta (two wagering choices) paid $18.40, with the triple returning $83.50.

Sunday matinees resume tomorrow (Feb. 25^rd), with first post of 12:15 PM.

Drew Monti Scores 1,000th Career Victory

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- "It came a lot quicker in my career than I thought it would," driver Drew Monti said after registering his 1,000th career victory on Saturday night (Feb. 24) in guiding Im So Handsome ($5.50) to a 1-1/4 length win in the sixth race at Buffalo Raceway.

At the age of 23, Monti's career has skyrocketed in the past three years as proven by his statistics. He's gone over the 200-win plateau since 2015 including a career-high 294 victories last season. Monti's purse earnings are well over $5.6 million. He also has a driving title to his credit after beating out Jim Morrill Jr. 116-112 to capture the 2016 Batavia Downs' crown.

"My success has led to more opportunities," Monti stated in boasting his win total each year. "I've been getting better horses and have driven in the New York Sire Stakes and hope that continues." It also helps now being the first-call driver for trainer J.D. Perrin, always a top conditioner on the Western New York circuit.

Monti stated he doesn't really worry about his numbers saying, "There's no calculated goal on how many races I have to win every night. I try to win every race but sometimes you are hot and sometimes you are cold. You just have to give your best day in and day out."

When asked about his most memorable victory in his young career, Monti said that winning several New York Sire Stake events are near top of his list but the one that sticks out the most was his first victory driving on behalf of his family.

"I can remember it like it was yesterday, the horses involved and how the race unfolded," Monti recalled. "The first race I ever won, my father (Darrin) wasn't in the winner's circle but the next race I won, it was with our family horse, The Prophet Mary. My dad was in the winner's circle for that. The Prophet Mary was responsible for a lot of wins for our family."

And as for the future, Monti, who had a double on Saturday night, wants to continue roll up the victories and enjoying his time in the sulky.

In the featured $8,800 pace, Mach Stockn Barrel remained razor sharp by notching his third victory in five starts in 2018. The 7-year-old gelding also has a pair of second place finishes this season.

Getting solid cover from P L Jackson past the three-quarter pole, driver Shawn Gray tipped Mach Stockn Barrel ($8.10) three-wide around the far turn and rolled to the length win in 1:56.0 over the fast track. P L Jackson (Mike Micallef) took second with Western Alumni (David McNeight III) rounding out the top three.

Owned by William Emmons and conditioned by James Clouser Jr., Mach Stockn Barrel (Mach Three-Timeless Classic) has earned $16,050 on the season and $136,774 lifetime.

Gray completed the night with five victories in the bike while Billy Davis Jr. doubled. Trainer James Clouser Jr. notched four wins and Gerry Sarama had a triple.

Racing will return on Wednesday night at 5 p.m. with a 10-race program on tap.

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

Photo:

TRIFECTA RETURNS $24K AT BIG M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – One lucky bettor walked away with the entire fourth-race Trifecta pool at the Meadowlands Saturday night.

After $33,313 was bet into the pool, the correct combination of 4-2-10 appeared on only one ticket (19-1 shot Siskel hit the wire first), giving the winner a payoff of $24,961 for a $1 base wager.

Saturday at the Meadowlands

East Rutherford, NJ - The Meadowlands is back with a value-laden 13 race card tonight beginning at 6:35. The evening begins with the popular Survivor Pick 10 wager which returned nearly $15,000 to a single horseplayer last night and ends with the Jackpot Hi-5 wager where the carry over pool has swelled to $112,904.

The seventh race $20,000 Preferred pace features a field of seven that were denied their latest chance to compete as a result of last Saturday's weather cancellation.

The start to his 2018 campaign may have been stalled a week but Rockin Ron stands ready to embark on his season after a hugely successful season facing the best in the game last year. The career winner of more than $1 million starts from the outside post 7 with leading driver Jimmy Marohn, Jr doing the driving for the Burke Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and RTC Stables.

The fields are big and the pools will be deep once again for your wagering pleasure. 

Check The Meadowlands website for free program pages and other perks.

BIG PAYOFFS CONTINUE AT BIG M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Competitive racing, a sloppy track and a strong anti-speed track bias gave the chalk players fits Friday night at the Meadowlands, but for those who love to go for the big score, everything was just fine.

Only three favorites emerged victorious on the 13-race card (only one in the first 11 races), which created some large payoffs for the Big M faithful, who love their multi-leg wagers.

For starters, the 20-Cent Survivor Pick 10 saw a total pool of $17,432, and one player, wagering into the Mid Atlantic cooperative, walked away as the only winner, cashing in for $14,817 for surviving six legs.

The Pick-5, which is guaranteed at $25,000, saw $39,786 in action, and when the sequence concluded in Race 7, those with winning tickets walked away with $8,454 for a 50-cent bet.

The Late 20-Cent Jackpot Super High failed to result in a single-ticket winner, but those who had the winning combination of 6-1-3-8-2 aren’t complaining, as those tickets were worth $1,932. The carryover continues to expand, as it now stands at $112,904.

A LITTLE MORE: Finn Tack Driver of the Week Eric Carlson, meet leader Jim Marohn Jr. and Marcus Miller all recorded driving doubles. When Miller scored with Pappy Go Go in the second race conditioned trot, it lifted his meet-leading total of winners with trotters to 10. … All-source wagering on the program totaled $2,329,745. … Racing resumes at the Big M Saturday at 6:35 p.m. In the feature, Rockin Ron takes on Western Joe in the Preferred Handicap for pacers.

‘WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRESS?’ REGIL ELEKTRA

FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway

YONKERS, NY, Friday, February 23, 2018—Hard-knocking pacing mare Regil Elektra became harness racing’s newest seven-figure performer Friday night (Feb. 23^rd), with a Yonkers Raceway second-place effort.

Career start No. 149 saw just-over-even-money favorite Regil Elektra (Jordan Stratton) lead early in the $25,000 finale, before yielding to eventual winner Mach it a Par (Jason Bartlett). Regil Elektra did end up the bridesmaid, the $6,250 pay envelope increasing her lifetime loot to $1,001,978.

The 8-year-old daughter of Mach Three, owned by Fred Monteleone Stable and trained by Keith Armer, has a record of 44 wins, 27 seconds and 15 third-place finishes.

His win in the finale was one of a Bartlett quintet during the 10-race card

SELL A BIT N WINS FRIDAY NIGHT 40G DISTAFF DERBY

FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway

YONKERS, NY, Friday, February 23, 2018—Eight-hole remanded Sell a Bit N (Jordan Stratton, $24) justified her impost Friday night (Feb. 23^rd), winning Yonkers Raceway’s moist $40,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Four-wide early, Sell a Bit N was denied a seat by 13-10 favorite Safe from Terror (Eric Goodell). Undaunted, she drove on, making the lead around Carobbean Pacetry (Jason Bartlett) after a 27-second opening quarter-mile.

It was a 56-second intermission as Safe from Terror made her second move, first-up from third. Season-debuting Lispatty (George Brennan) worked behind that one going toward a 1:24.3 three-quarters.

Sell a Bit N opened a length-and-a-half off the final turn, needing only to hold off Carobbean Pacetry. She did so by a wet nose in a season’s-best 1:54.1. All About Madi (Dan Dube) cone-skimmed for third for the second consecutive week, with Lispatty and Gina Grace N (Larry Stalbaum) settling for the remainder.  

For sixth choice Sell a Bit N, an 8-year-old Down Under daughter of Julius Caesar owned by Von Knoblauch Stable and trained by Peter Tritton, it was her third win in a half-dozen seasonal starts. The exacta paid $164.50, with triple returning $904.

Lenny Mac Beats The Boys In Buffalo Feature

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Lenny Mac ($3.50) may have been the lone mare in the field in Buffalo Raceway's $9,500 Open Trot on Friday night (Feb. 23) but it didn't matter to her as she roughed up the boys in taking a solid 2-1/2 length victory over Noble Legend in 2:00.0 on the sloppy track.

It was a battle to the front end early with Osprey Vision taking command over Empire Earl N in 29.3. Lenny Mac, sitting third past the half, put her head down and went to work up the backstretch the final time, taking the lead with a quarter mile to trot.

In the stretch, Lenny Mac (Shawn Gray) found little competition as Noble Legend (Billy Davis Jr.) and Empire Earl N (Drew Monti) scrambled for second and third place respectively.

Owned by William Emmons and trained by James Clouser Jr., it was the second win in four tries in 2018 for Lenny Mac (Kadabra-Lend A Hand). The victory pushed the 7-year-old mare's seasonal earnings to $12,635 and $250,425 lifetime.

Davis Jr. led the way on the night with four wins in the sulky, Monti finished the program with a  triple while Shawn Gray and John Cummings Jr. each had doubles. Trainers J.D. Perrin, Jerry Nugent Jr. and David Russo had two victories apiece.

Racing will resume on Saturday night with a 12-race card scheduled to go to the post at 6 p.m.

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

YONKERS’ FRIDAY PICK 5 FEATURES $3,600 CARRYOVER, 15G GUARANTEE

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

YONKERS, NY, Thursday, February 22, 2017—A friendly reminder from Yonkers Raceway that Friday evening’s (Feb. 23^rd) Pick 5 wager starts with a carryover of $3,677.73 and a $15,000 guaranteed pool.

The Pick 5 is a 50-cent base wager comprising races 6 through 10 (for these 10-race cards, ordinarily it’s races 7 through 11). It has no consolation payoff, meaning if no one selects all five winners (as was the case Thursday night), the entire pool (minus takeout) moves to the next racing program.

FOILED AGAIN’S 100TH WIN HAS TO WAIT

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

YONKERS, NY, Thursday, February 22, 2018—Foiled Again wound up in a Yonkers Raceway fourth-place dead-heat Thursday night (Feb. 22^nd), adding few dollars to the retirement account but holding a 100^th career win in abeyance.

Sent off as the 13-10 favorite from post position No. 3 in the $20,000, eighth-race pace, Foiled Again (George Brennan) found the easiest of pockets behind pole-sitting Kept Under Wraps A (Jordan Stratton). The brisk evening saw early intervals of :27.1 and :56.4 before BB’s Harley (Jim Marohn Jr.)—who made no attempt to secure an early-two-hole from post No. 2—moved from third.  

BB’s Harley made steady advances toward the leader in and out of a 1:25.2 three-quarters, with Heez Orl Black N (Jason Bartlett) working from second-over.  

It was Kept Under Wraps A about to wear up his welcome off the final turn while BB’s Harley ($44.20) went by and edged away, winning by a length-and-a-three-quarters in 1:54.1. As for Foiled Again, he did slip off the cones from behind a tiring leader, but needed more late punch. Heez Orl Black N chased home his tow for second, with Twin B Speedo (Brent Holland) third.

Foiled Again and Theartofconfusion A (Greg Merton) divided the final two envelopes in that ‘heater’ for fourth, beaten two lengths. Foiled Again’s $1,300 payday increased the career bankroll to a sport’s-best $7,572,178. It was the 14-year-old gelding’s 308^th career purse start and his fourth try at reaching the triple-figure victory milestone.

Win, lose or (appropriately) draw, Foiled Again was going to be a television star. New York’s WCBS-TV (Channel 2), in the persons of sports anchor Steve Overmyer and cameraman Brad Yurcisin, chronicled his work night for a future feature. More information regarding that as it becomes available.     

Austin Siegelman wins 4 at Monticello Raceway on Thursday February 22

Austin Siegelman has always danced to a different beat, today was no different.  Taking advantage of the absence of leading drivers James DeVaux Bruce Aldrich Jr, the young 25-year-old Siegelman reeled off 4 winners on the afternoons 9 race card.

The first winner of the day came mid-way in the card in race 4 aboard Musical Romance ($6.30) from post 3 for trainer Robert Lounsbury in 2:02.  Siegelman then won the 2 next races in succession with Cundalini from the rail in 2:01.3 and Sheer Action (PP6) in 2:01.1  The 4^th win of the card came in the last race with the favorite Oneisalonleynumber in 2:00.4 for trainer James Siegelman, who enjoyed a training double.  

With the 4 wins, it gives Siegelman a seasonal tally of 31 wins, within striking distance of overtaking Bruce Aldrich who is currently in second place with 32 wins.

Meadowlands Racetrack’s Super WHHC Qualifier Rescheduled for March 3

After last Saturday’s snow storm caused the Big M to cancel the WHHC Qualifier after three races, Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment has rescheduled the $400 Super Qualifier for Saturday, March 3.  Four seats for the World Harness Handicapping Championship Qualifier presented by DerbyWars.com are up for grabs.

The qualifier has a $400 total fee ($200 entry plus a $200 real-money bankroll).  The format requires players to bet a minimum of $20 Win, Place, Show or WPS wagers on 10 Meadowlands races.    Players can register on-site Saturday up until 7:15 pm. The remaining Meadowlands contest schedule is as follows:

• 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

DerbyWars.com is hosting a WHHC Mega-Qualifier on Saturday, February 24 with five seats up for grabs.  On Saturday, March 3 TVG/4NJBets is hosting an online qualifier for customers.  The contest includes 3 seats into the WHHC Final plus travel expenses.  Buffalo Raceway is hosting a WHHC Qualifier on Saturday, March 24.  Tioga Downs has set qualifiers for March 3^rd and 17^th and Vernon Downs has qualifiers on March 10^th and 24^th with four people in total qualifying for the WHHC presented by DerbyWars.com Final.  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.

It’s go time for Prideofthesierras

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

George Reider appears to have a nice prospect for the upcoming California Sire Stakes in the 3-year-old gelding Prideofthesierras, who put it all together last weekend in his fourth start with Steve Wiseman in the sulky.

A son of Little Steven out of the Personal Power mare Brooklets Kia, Prideofthesierras was bred by Rick and Marlene Thomas and they co-own along with Reider and Dave and Rob Haness.

George had tipped in a column back in December that he felt this was a promising youngster, and nothing this pacer has done in the interim has made him change his opinion.

“He’s the second offspring from the mare, who also had Feeling Fancy Free, and it really is two different tales,” Reider noted. “She is very small and very high strung, but he’s big and strong with a very nice demeanor. He trained down so nice we’ve had high hopes all along.”

Now it’s time for Prideofthesierras to get serious, as the first round of Sire Stakes action for the class of 2015 is upon us.

“We’ve got 12 weeks for the six stakes races, and I’m very excited for the connections,” George said. “As far as plans for the summer go, we’ll see how he progresses toward the end of the meet and go from there.”

As usual, Reider is quick to point out that a trainer is only as good as his help, with Juan and Chicky being singled out for their excellent work behind the scenes.  

Pacing fillies and mares command the spotlight

An excellent $6,600 Distaff Open Pace serves as the main event at Cal Expo Saturday night with a very contentious cast of nine set to face the starter.

There are 11 races on tap and the Watch and Wager LLC card gets under way at 6:10 p.m. The headliner will be the eighth event of the evening.

Last week’s Filly and Mare Open turned out to be a thriller, with Delightfully Wild getting home by a nose over Blue Note, with that pair a length and three-quarters ahead of Shesamysterytome at the wire.

Delightfully Wild is a 5-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight who races for Richard Morita and David Yamada, is conditioned by Lino Pacheco and will have James Kennedy back at the controls while leaving from the No. 7 slot.

In last week’s clash, the bay miss relaxed early, came first over at the half, continued on gamely in the lane and wore down pace-setting Blue Note by a nose in a 1:54 4/5 tour. It was her third win from seven starts on the year.

Blue Note is going in razor-sharp form for owner/trainer Rick Cisco and will have the services of Luke Plano. She has won three of her last seven starts, including a victory in the Alan Kirschenbaum Final on February 2. She has been runner-up in the other four efforts, including that narrow setback at most recent asking.

Completing the field are Capitol Hill, Shark Festival, Poorlittlerichgirl, Sparkin Your Fire, Getter Queen Flush, Shesamysterytome and Melodies That Rock.

BE A ‘STATSMASTER’ AND WIN AT THE BIG M

Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – If one invests the time, they can find some extremely useful information at the Meadowlands website, www.playmeadowlands.com, which can help them cash some big tickets.

Once at the site, handicappers can click on the “News and Stats” tab near the top of the homepage, and then go to “Driver/Trainer Standings". There, you’ll find an endless amount of numbers provided by StatsMaster, which is powered by TrackMaster.

Some of the data you’ll find may surprise you, and also enable you to get a leg up on those who opt to not use the site, which is always free.

Some of the golden nuggets found after sifting through the rocks include:

·         Eric Carlson and Eric Abbatiello both sport solid UDRS of .271 during the month of February

·         Marcus Miller has nine wins with trotters thus far in 2018, the most of any driver, while Anthony Napolitano is next with eight

·         Given the number of favorites he drives, Yannick Gingras sports a remarkable positive ROI of 111 percent for his 34 drives in the month of February

·         Thus far this year, two drivers with positive ROIs include Abbatiello (53 percent) and Bill Mann (40 percent with only 3 wins in 52 starts!)

·         Two top trainers with outstanding ROIs this year include Ron Burke (55 percent) and Jenn Bongiorno (42 percent)

So try StatsMaster at the Big M’s website, it just might reveal something that will help you hit big.

FRIDAY FACTS: The February 16 program saw $2.6 million in total handle, an average of just over $200,000 per race, the third time this year that per race plateau was reached. … In the Late 20-Cent Jackpot Super High Five, the 7-5 favorite hit the wire first followed by the third, fourth and second choices in that order. Despite all of that chalk, those who had the winning combination of 5-9-4-1-8 still cashed $274.68 for a 20-cent wager. Interest is certain to be sky high this Friday in the bet, as the carryover has now swelled to $108,155.

CALLING PICK-4 FANS: Free program pages for the Meadowlands Pick-4 (Races 8 through 11), courtesy of TrackMaster, are available on the Meadowlands’ website (www.playmeadowlands.com) and on the handicapping section at www.ustrotting.com.

SOCIAL SETTINGS: Want to know what’s going on at the Meadowlands? On Twitter, check out Dave Brower (@eedoogie), track photographer Mike Lisa (@lisaphoto) or the track itself (@themeadowlands).

If you prefer Facebook, go to ‘Dave Brower’ or ‘MeadowlandsRacetrack’.

LIVE SHOW FRIDAY: “Meadowlands Harness Live” returns Friday night and will show races 7, 8 and 9 from 9-10 p.m. The telecast can be seen on SportsNet New York (SNY) with host Dave Brower, color commentator Dave Little and track announcer Ken Warkentin bringing you all of the action.

LIVE RACING SCHEDULE: Racing is conducted at the Meadowlands on Friday and Saturday evenings. The winter post time of 6:35 p.m. will continue until Saturday, March 17. Post time will change to 7:15 p.m. on Friday, March 23.

Friday at the Meadowlands

East Rutherford, NJ - Live racing returns to The Meadowlands on Friday night as the trotters and pacers will circle the mile oval thirteen times. It's another card packed with big fields and interesting match ups leading the parade, supported by the usual guarantees on the Pick 4's and 5 and the Super Hi 5 Jackpot carry over that is now well past the six figure mark.

Expert selections and free program pages are available to enhance your handicapping experience.

On the track, the seventh race features conditioned trotters for a purse of $15,000. Fully half of the ten horse field comes into the race off of a winning effort led by Meadows invader Neednorestrictions who has strung together five straight at the western PA track for owner Trudy Hite and trainer Wayne Hite. Jim Pantaleano is in for the drive.

His main rivals begin from the far outside posts 9 and 10 in this handicap event. Scirocco Jacob (Marcus Miller) took the class last week in a speedy 1:53.4 for trainer Greg White and owners Lewis and Kathleen Whitaker.

PL Ichabod skipped a week after his 1:54.4 score in the class on February 2. Tony Alagna conditions PL Ichabod for owner Jennifer Dalton and Eric Abbatiello will drive.

The dining highlight in Pink is a cornucopia of delights on Endless Pasta & Soup night that includes scrumptious Italian desserts all for the reasonable price of $29.95.

Post time is 6:35 p.m.

Silverhill Volo shines in Grundy Trot

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness


Chip Lackey worked out a perfect trip with his trainee Silverhill Volo in last weekend’s Jim Grundy Final, getting up by a head over favored Silverlode in the fixture.

The trotter is co-owned by Lackey and Roland Dekeyser Jr. and was recording his biggest victory since joining the barn back in November of 2016.

Silverhill Volo came into the Grundy final off back-to-back tough beats, finishing 
second in the Prep after carving out all the fractions and then dropping a nose decision to division leader Pridecrest in the Open Trot one start back.

“Roland likes trotters and we got this one from Joe Anderson,” Chip related. “He always tries hard, but up until recently, he could be a little silly. He’s learned to sit in a hole now and I was also able to work out some shoeing issues with some very useful help.”

Chip mentioned that a lot of credit for Silverhill Volo’s success goes to Fern Wald, who has a very special bond with the trotter. “I honestly think he digs a little deeper because of her,” he said.

Lackey admits he wasn’t happy when the post positions came out for the Final and he was in the No. 6 slot, while main rival Silverlode was a cozy draw in the No. 2 post. 

“We got lucky and were able to get a good trip, and then he came the fastest final quarter of his life to get up.”

What made the win extra special was it being named for longtime California driver/trainer Jim Grundy, against whom Chip competed for many years and had the utmost respect.

“It was a big thrill to win a race named for Jim Grundy, because he was the best horseman I’ve ever known, in every sense of the word.”

Allymx’sliventexas, Gorgeous For Real battle

A solid $4,400 Open III Pace gets the marquee treatment Friday night, with Allmyx’sliventexas and Gorgeous For Real among the major players.

The feature will be decided as the fourth race on an 11-race card under the banner of Watch and Wager LLC with a first post of 6:10 p.m.

Allymx’sliventexas and Gorgeous For Real are one of five members of the his cast who chased home favored I’m An Athlete in last week’s Open Pace, checking in second and fifth, respectively, in that contest.

Allymx’sliventexas is a 5-year-old homebred son of Hi Ho Silverheel’s who races for Wayne and Rod Knittel with Bob Johnson the conditioner and Mooney Svendsen handling the lines.

Two starts back with Nick Roland at the helm, the Knittel charge was a dominating winner of a conditioned event, and then last week he turned in a solid effort to complete the exacta behind I’m An Athlete in a 1:52 4/5 tour.

Gorgeous Fore Real has a pair of Open victories to his credit at this meet and found himself with too much work to do from last place in that mile and had to settle for a minor check. He is owned by Schwartz, Wilkinson, Axelrod and O’Neill with Junior Wilkinson training and William Hernandez in the sulky.

Rounding out the field, from the rail out: Pancetta with Luke Plano; Julerica, Richard Remillard; One And Only, to be guided by Ryan Grundy; Almost Cut My Hair, also with Svendsen named; and Ragin’s Flight, who will have the services of Steve Wiseman.

FOILED AGAIN GOES ‘FOURTH’ IN QUEST FOR NO. 100

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

YONKERS, NY, Wednesday, February 21, 2018—The Foiled Again saga continues Thursday night (Feb. 22^nd), with the venue (Yonkers Raceway) and the quest (100 career wins) remaining the same.

It’s the fourth crack at the milestone for harness racing’s richest-ever equine ($7,570,878) in his 308^th career purse start. Foiled Again drew post position No. 3 in the $20,000, eighth-race pace. First post is 6:50 PM, with approximate post for the eighth at 9:30 PM

George Brennan drives for co-owner (as Burke Racing)/trainer Ron Burke. The 14-year-old Dragon Again gelding won (with Brennan) his seasonal debut, moving him to the precipice of the plateau. He hit the board once (a third-place finish) in three subsequent starts. 

Foiled Again has raced at the same (non-winners of $20,000 in last five starts) in every start this season.

Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment's Endless Soup & Pasta Buffet

                               

This Friday, February 23, Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment is giving guests a truly customizable buffet with endless pasta and soup!

The Endless Buffet is $29.95 and features classic pasta dishes such as tortellini panna, linguine with clam sauce, penne arrabiata with wild mushrooms and of course spaghetti with marinara sauce . Guests can also enjoy the make your own soup station filled with various flavorful broths and all the soup fixings including fresh noodles, assorted vegetables, rice and beef.  The buffet also includes fresh salads, a NY Strip carving station and home-made desserts

Reservations can be made by calling 201-THE-BIGM.  Live harness racing kicks off at 6:35 pm.

               

Visit PlayMeadowlands.com for additional details, live racing and events schedule.

CONNIE WINN TO CHAIR ARCI PARI-MUTUEL AUDITORS COMMITTEE

              Connie Winn, the Oregon Racing Commission’s Supervisor of Account Wagering Hubs has been appointed by ARCI Chairman Jeff Colliton to Chair the Pari-Mutuel Auditors Committee.   Sylvie Dubreuil of the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) has been designated as Vice-Chair.

The ARCI Pari-Mutuel Auditors Committee provides the racing regulatory network with essential input concerning wagering system security, accountability, and the propriety of new wagers.  The committee was largely responsible for the creation of the ARCI Tote Standards relied upon by most regulatory entities in assessing totalizator companies.  The committee also analyzes and reviews new wagers.  

The ARCI Model Rules concerning wagering have, in some jurisdictions, the force of law as they have been incorporated by reference.  In Canada, a change to certain sections of the ARCI Model Rules document becomes the public policy in that jurisdiction.  In California, the creation of a new wager on horse racing requires state Legislative approval unless there is an ARCI Model Rule governing the wager, which would still need to be authorized by the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB).

Last October, the ARCI Pari-Mutuel Auditors Committee and the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau conducted a continuing education briefing for regulatory staff in conjunction with the Thoroughbred Racing Association’s 20/20 committee dealing with the technology aspects of processing the myriad of individual financial transactions taking place each day throughout the pari-mutuel system.

“Most fans don’t pay attention to all this,” said ARCI President Ed Martin.  “They just assume everything will work and the integrity of their bets will be protected.  They never see all the work that goes into making that the reality.”

Winn takes over the committee at a time when regulatory policy needs to be revisited to adapt to advances in technology and a changing industry.

At the Oregon Racing Commission Winn manages the multi-jurisdictional licensing of ten Advanced Depositing Wagering (ADW) Hubs and twenty-two white label affiliates, as well as the regulating and auditing of on site and remote ADW's including operations, information technology, finance and security.  She is also responsible for the Pari-Mutuels Auditing Department which manages simulcasting, historical and live racing in the state of Oregon.

Previously Winn served as the Vice President of Career Services with Education Management Corporation, responsible for the selection, customization and implementation of information systems, including data tracking, metrics monitoring, design, usability, training, & implementation.  

Ms. Dubreuil is the Director of Operations for the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency and plays a critical role in the regulation of wagering across all the Canadian Provinces.  

Meadowlands Issues Reminder on Stakes Requirements

East Rutherford, NJ - The Meadowlands wishes to remind the owners of horses nominated to 2018 stakes of the new language in place regarding approved trainers that was made public in a February 1 press release.

The new language may be found in all Meadowlands stakes conditions under the "Rules" heading and states;

"Any horse nominated to any Meadowlands stakes/event must be in the care of an approved trainer by April 15, 2018 for any stake/event raced during the month of May and by May 15 for all other 2018 stakes/events. Nominator also agrees that any horse paid into any 2018 Meadowlands stake/event may be required to be stabled at an approved facility in a state that agrees to cooperate in an Out Of Competition Testing (OOCT) protocol; an approved for up to 14 days facility within a 150 mile radius of The Meadowlands or the Tioga or Vernon Downs stable area by the date set by The Meadowlands for that stake/event for the purpose of OOCT. Failure to comply with these conditions may result in any agreement created by the acceptance of any stakes payment to be declared void at the discretion of The Meadowlands rendering the horse(s) in question ineligible to race in those stakes/events with no liability to The Meadowlands and no assurance of a refund of payments previously made to the stake/event in question." 

Questions may be directed to the Racing Office at (201) 842-5130.

THE "1-1A HEATHER" ENTRY -- VITALE AND WILDER -- ON FACEBOOK FROM DAN PATCH AWARDS SUNDAY

What’s better than one Heather? Two Heathers, of course!

Well-known harness racing personalities Heather Vitale and Heather Wilder will be walking and working the Red Carpet at the U.S. Harness Writers Association’s (USHWA) annual Dan Patch Awards banquet on Sunday night, Feb. 25, at Rosen Shingle Creek resort in Orlando, Fla., and broadcasting live on their Facebook pages.

Heather Vitale’s Facebook page can be found here. Heather Wilder’s Facebook page can be found here.

“If you can’t make the banquet, we are going to bring the party to you!” said Wilder.

The Facebook Live shows will begin at 6 p.m. and continue until 7 p.m., when the awards dinner will commence.

Sponsored by Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Ron Burke, the entire awards dinner, hosted by Roger Huston and Jason Settlemoir, will be broadcast live on the USHWA Facebook page and available on the U.S. Trotting Association’s YouTube page the following day, Monday, Feb. 26.

Vitale has hosted two popular television shows: Post Time and PA Harness Week. In addition to her local weekly productions, the charismatic personality has covered the sport nationally on espn2, CBSSN and MAV-TV. Vitale loves communicating with Standardbred enthusiasts around the world via social media and her unconventional interviews with a “when in doubt, add glitter” attitude has brought a unique sparkle to the sport and grabbed the attention of new fans.

Wilder is currently known for her handling talent management for the Delaware County Fair during the live TV broadcast of the Little Brown Jug. While working as public relations and marketing director for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association she became a pioneer of reporting on racing on Facebook Live and coordinated the promotion of countless on-track events. She was the 2013 recipient of USHWA’s Lew Barasch Memorial Breakthrough Award. 

While the two Heathers will interview arriving attendees on the Red Carpet, one special guest will be Ric “The Nature Boy” Flair, considered by many to be the greatest professional wrestler of all-time. Flair is attending the Dan Patch Awards dinner as a guest of one of the honorees and will also be meeting and greeting attendees on the Red Carpet, which is sponsored by Hoosier Park.

Dinner tickets must be ordered by Tuesday, Feb. 20, by contacting Judy Wilson via email at zoe8874@aol.com or by phone at 302-359-3630. You can download the form to order the $175 dinner tickets on the USHWA site at www.ushwa.net. Dinner selections must be made at the time of ordering, with the choices either filet mignon, Caribbean spiced grouper or a vegetable plate. All meals are prepared gluten-free.