YONKERS’ TUESDAY PICK 5 FEATURES $5,100 CARRYOVER, 15G GUARANTEE

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

YONKERS, NY, Monday, May 21, 2018—A friendly reminder from Yonkers Raceway that Tuesday evening’s (May 22^nd) Pick 5 wager starts with a carryover of $5,145.55 and a $15,000 guaranteed pool. The guarantee is in conjunction with the U.S. Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program.

The Pick 5 is a 50-cent base wager comprising races 6 through 10 Tuesday night (7 through 11 if at least that many races carded). It has no consolation payoff, meaning if no one selects all five winners (as was the case Monday night), the entire pool (minus takeout) moves to the next racing program.

POST POSITIONS DRAWN FOR ART ROONEY, LISMORE PACES

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

YONKERS, NY, Monday, May 21, 2018—Post positions have been drawn for Yonkers Raceway’s $300,000 Art Rooney Pace and $111,444 Lismore.

The 28^th Rooney, one of Yonkers’ premier event’s for the sport’s glamour division, offers six 3-year-old colts and two geldings. The event, which began in 1989, a year after the death of Art Rooney Sr., goes as Saturday night’s (May 26^th) sixth race.

The open draw probably didn’t bother one elimination winner (Trump Nation [Jason Bartlett, post 4]), though it cheesed off the other (Decoy [Dave Miller, post 8]).

Miller, who has won this race three times, including last season with Downbytheseaside, obviously has his work cut out behind the son of Somebeachsomewhere. Jimmy Takter trains for Brixton Medical, R A W Equine and Joe Sbrocco.

Decoy won his elim going away, by 8½ lengths in a ‘good’ 1:54.

Bartlett, the perennial leading local driver, has never won the Rooney. Trump Nation took over early a week ago, making the lead from an eventual breaker and holding sway. He won by a head in 1:53.3. his fastest purse mile of the season.

The Betterthancheddar colt enters the final with new co-ownership (Evan Katz and Crawford Racing) and  new trainer (Chris Oakes).

The field, with declared drivers…1-Minnie Vinnie (Tim Tetrick), 2-Kwik Talkin’ (Jordan Stratton listed), 3-Springsteen (Brian Sears), 4-Trump Nation (Jason Bartlett), 5-Jimtastic (Eric Goodell), 6-Major Authority (Yannick Gingras), 7-Babes Dig Me (Brett Miller), 8-Decoy (Dave Miller).    

The 14^th Lismore, companion event to the Rooney, was carded as the fifth race. Lone elimination winner Jewels Forreal (Dan Dube) landed in post No. 2 among the octet of 3-year-old pacing.

The field, with declared drivers…1-Solitary (Brent Holland), 2-Jewels Forreal (Dan Dube), 3-Believe in Me (Brian Sears), 4-Pass Line Bluechip (Jason Bartlett), 5-Python Blue Chip (George Brennan) 6-Alexa’s Power (Tim Tetrick), 7-Checkered Past (Mark MacDonald), 8-Reign on Me (Brett Miler).

First post for the 12-race card is the usual 6:50 PM.

Two AM wins Open Trot at Tioga Downs.

Two AM (Tyler Buter) won the co-featured Open Trot ($12,000) at Tioga Downs on Sunday (May 20).

Dragin The Wagon (Aaron) led the group into first quarter in :28.3.  Prairie Fortune (Jim Meittinis) took over and controlled the next fractions (:57.0, 1:26.3) and led going into the stretch.

Two AM ($5.90), who is owned by Gene Oldford Farms, L.M. Buter, and the Fuhs Stable, while trained by Todd Buter, charged late in the stretch to win in 1:54.2.  Prairie Fortune held on for second with I'm Fabulous (Jim Taggart Jr.) finishing in third.

Two AM is a 4-year-old gelding by Muscle Massive.  He is one for one in 2018.  It was his 13th career victory.

Chantepleure (Austin Siegelman goes gate to wire to take the Open Pace ($12,000).

Chantepleure ($25.60) flew out of the gate like he had wings and led by five lengths by the first quarter Owned by Rose Deluca and trained by Dawn Devaux, he controlled all the fractions (:27.2, :55.3, 1:22.2, 1:50.1).  Major Leaguer (Jimmy Whittemore) came up to finish second with Doo Wop Hanover (Jim Meittinis) getting third.

Chantepleure is a 7-year-old gelding by Art Major.  It was his second win of the season and  his20th career win.  The time of 1:50.2 smashed his lifetime best by three seconds

Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Friday (May 25) at 6:15 p.m..  Tioga Downs will celebrate Memorail Day a day early.  The will have a special Sunday night (May 27) card starting at 6:15 p.m., with firworks following the live performance.

For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com

SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN WINS SUNDAY 54G OPEN HANDICAP TROT

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

YONKERS, NY, Sunday, May 20, 2018—Smalltownthrowdown (Brian Sears, $8.50) was a two-move titan Sunday afternoon (May 20^th), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $54,800 Open Handicap Trot

The field of eight (seven with nose-to-gate, one in back of bus) went as the opener and the first of four ‘French’ trots. Smalltownthrowdown, three-wide from post position No. 6—in one notch after the programmed pylon number was removed—found an early four-hole.

He watched Buen Camino (Jim Marohn Jr.) and longshot Bluebird Jesse (catch-driver Brent Holland) duel early, with the latter—out two turns—making the lead between a :28.1 opening quarter-mile and :57.2 half.

Smalltownthrowdown was then ready for his cue, extricating himself from the cones and busting the race wide open. The lead was 3½ lengths at the 1:27 three-quarters. After a 1:55.2 milepost, Smalltownthrowdown finished the mile-and-a-quarter in 2:25.4.

Buen Camino found room late to grab a best-of-the-rest second, beaten 3¾ lengths. Bluebird Jesse easily held third, with Kinetic King (Jordan Stratton) and Gural Hanover (George Brennan) relegated to the minors. Seasoned Saint (Jason Bartlett) was a never-in-it sixth as the 19-10 favorite.  

For third choice Smalltownthrowdown, a 5-year-old statebred Cash Hall gelding co-owned (as Allard Racing) by (trainer) Rene Allard, Bruce Soulsby, Yves Sarazin and VIP Internet Stable, it was his second win in three seasonal starts. The exacta paid $26.80, the triple returned $124 and the superfecta paid $439.50.

Sunday’s return of the ‘New York, New York Double’ offered a winning combination of 9-Forest Blue (Belmont’s 3^rd race) and 1-Noble Warrawee (Yonkers’ 7^th race) paid $50.75 for every correct $1 wager. Total pool was $6,254.

The next Sunday matinee is June 17^th (post time TBA).  

ARIANA G SCORES AT BIG M IN 2018 DEBUT

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Ariana G made her return to the races a winning one, scoring in the first of two divisions of the first leg of the Graduate Series for 4-year-old trotters Saturday night at the Meadowlands.

The 2017 Hambletonian Oaks and Breeders Crown champion was ready to go in her first start as a 4-year-old off a pair of solid qualifiers, marching up to the top just after the quarter, which went in :27.3.

Bill’s Man, the 9-2 second choice in the wagering, came after the leader as he made progress up the backstretch and got into striking position at three-quarters, but Ariana G had been able to rate the middle half in :57.2, leaving her plenty for the stretch drive. After trotting her final quarter in :27.1, she hit the wire three-quarters-of-a-length in front of Dunbar Hall, who had explosive late trot after going a third-over trip. Yes Mickey, one of only three horses to defeat Ariana G a year ago, finished third.

“(Driver) Yannick (Gingras) said she was loaded,” said winning trainer Jimmy Takter. “But I’m always nervous when my horses make their first start of the year.”

He needn’t have been.

As the 2-5 favorite, Ariana G returned $2.80 to her backers for owners Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld. She trotted the mile in 1:52.1 and now has 22 wins from 27 lifetime starts and earnings of $1.89 million.

The second Graduate division saw a thrilling stretch duel go to Achille Duharas, who nailed International Moni by a nose on the wire in 1:52.2.

Making his first start of the year, International Moni was sharp, working out an inside trip and looking like a winner in deep stretch, but the Toronto invader Achille Duharas ($8.20 to win), with Jody Jamieson driving, got up as they hit the finish. Lord Cromwell was third.

A LITTLE MORE: The total wager of $2,172,322 represented a 25 percent decrease from the corresponding card from a year ago. A total of only 83 horses participated on Saturday’s program, an average of 8.3 per race for the 10 races. Last year, 112 horses were spread over 12 races, an average of 9.3 per race. … One lucky simulcast player in Toms River, N.J. raked the pot in the 20-Cent Survivor Pick-10. After surviving nine legs, he or she walked away with $15,257. … Harness racing’s biggest pot of gold got a little bit bigger. The Late 20-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five failed to result in a single-ticket winner, bloating the carryover to $233,359. … Racing resumes at the Meadowlands Friday at 7:15 p.m.

ELIMS FOR ROONEY, LISMORE PACES LEAD YONKERS SATURDAY

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

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, May 19, 2018—Yonkers Raceway’s foggy Saturday night (May 19^th) featured eliminations for both the Art Rooney and Lismore Paces.

With 10 3-year-old boys entering the Rooney and nine sophomore girls in the Lismore, it was three games of ‘musical chairs’ to determine next week’s finalists.

Odds-on favorite Decoy (Dave Miller, $2.20) made short work of his four foes in the first, $40,000 eliminations for the Rooney. Unhurried from post position No. 3, he rolled to the past the half, then rolled away. The final margin over a ‘good’ surface was 8½ lengths in 1:54.

Minnie Vinnie (Brett Miller) closed for second as the 32-1 rank outsider, with Major Authority (Brian Sears) third and early leader Jimtastic (Jason Bartlett) fourth. Matinee Fashion (George Brennan) eliminated himself with a break down the backside the second time.  

For Decoy, a son of Somebeachsomewhere co-owned Brixton Medical Group, R A W Equine & Joe Sbrocco and trained by Jimmy Takter, it was his second win in three seasonal starts. The exacta paid $36.60, with no triple wagering offered due to the short field.

“I was pretty happy with him,” Miller said. “He went a good middle half. Now, we hope to good for next week.

Miller has won three finals of the Rooney Pace, including last season with Downbytheseaside.

Saturday other 40-large elim for the Rooney saw Trump Nation (Bartlett, $9) hold off both 4-5 choice Springsteen (Sears) and Babes Dig Me (Brett Miller) by a head and a neck, respectively.

Pole-sitting Trump Nation took over from early leader—and subsequent breaker—Handsoffmychips (Brennan), then finish it off in 1:53.3, his fastest purse mile of the season.

Kwik Talkin’ (Jordan Stratton) wound up fourth.

For third choice Trump Nation, a statebred son of Betterthancheddar co-owned by (trainer) Andrew Harris and Evan Katz, he’s now 2-for-4 this season. The exacta paid $17.80, with again no triple wagering offered.

“I wanted to control the race,” Bartlett said. “When I saw the cheap (:57.2) half, I thought I was in good shape, but halfway down the lane, when (Springsteen) came at me, I thought I was beaten. He dug in.”

The evening’s lone $20,000 elimination for the Lismore was won by Jewels Forreal (Dan Dube, $5.20, part of entry) in a life-best 1:55.1.

Pocketed from post No. 4, Jews Forreal was able to get out when entrymate Python Blue Chip (Brennan) made a bad, first-over break in the final turn. Pass Line Bluechip (Bartlett) cut the mile but could not last, beaten a head.

Checkered Past (Mark MacDonald) was third, with Solitary (Brent Holland), Alexa’s Power (Stratton), Believe in Me (Sears), Reign on Me (Brett Miller) and a recovering Python Blue Chip also qualifying for the final.

Krushed Apple (Dave Miller) was outrun.   

For second choice (part of three-headed entry) Jewels Forreal, a daughter of So Surreal co-owned (as Burke Racing) by (trainer) Ron Burke and Weaver Bruscemi, it was her first win in seven ’18 tries. The exacta paid $12.20, the triple returned $55.50 and the superfecta paid $267.

The finals of both events, worth $300,000 (Rooney) and $111,444 (Lismore), go next Saturday night (May 26^th). Open draws take place Monday afternoon (May 21^st).

Saturday night’s $44,000 Open Handicap Pace saw favored Evenin’ of Pleasure (Sears, $5.20) repeat in 1:52.3 . The 8-year-old son of Dragon Again, owned by Gestion J Y Blais and trained by Jennifer Bongiorno, is approaching $900,000 in career coin after a 30^th lifetime win.

Sunday matinees return tomorrow (May 20^th), with a first post of 12:35 PM.     

Shell I Be Bad wins Vernon Downs feature.

Shell I Be Bad (Truman Gale) wins exciting Vernon Downs featured pace ($5,100) on Saturday night (May 19).

Golden Brit (Adam Capizzano) fired out of the gate and led the way to all the early fractions (:27.2, :56.4, 1:25.2).

Danza (Raymond Vizzi) followed in the pocket all the way to the stretch. He looked prime to win but Shell I Be Bad ($23.40) had other thoughts.  Shell I Be Bad, who is owned and trained by Gale as well, found himself in fifth place after three-quarters.  He went four wide in mid-stretch to swoop by and get the win in 1:54.0.  Danza held on for second with Bosshoss Hanover (Jimmy Whittemore) getting third money.

Shell I Be Bad is 5-year-old gelding by Big Bad John.  It was his first win of 2018 and career victory number six.

Gale added two more wins on the night with Ulysses Bi ($5.50) and Card Knock Life ($4.90).

Vernon Downs returns to live action on Friday (May 25) with a post time of 6:15 p.m.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com

Fireyourguns Fully Loaded In Buffalo Raceway Win

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Fireyourguns may have misfired in his seasonal debut last week but he was fully loaded on Saturday night (May 19) by wiring the field in Buffalo Raceway's $11,500 Open Pace in 1:52.1 over the fast track. It was just a fifth of a second off the all-time track mark of 1:52.0 set ironically by Fireyourguns in 2015.

In the co-featured $11,500 Open Trot, Empire Earl N ended a modest two-race winless streak by going coast to coast to beat a pesky Fox Valley Veto by a neck in 1:58.1, equalling his seasonal best.

Last week, Fireyourguns had a front end journey but stalled out in the stretch and finished sixth in 1:53.3. But that effort proved to be a perfect tightener.

Starting from the three post, driver Mike Caprio guided Fireyourguns ($3.00) to the lead and put up fractions of :27.3, :56.0 and 1:24.1.

In the stretch, Fireyourguns had threats coming from everywhere. Western Conquest (Ray Fisher Jr.) and Bugatti (Billy Davis Jr.) each were making charges late but had to settle for second and third respectively as Fireyourguns held on for the half length victory.

Co-owned by trainer Terence McClory along with Jennifer and Robert Lowe, the victory by the 9-year-old gelded Fireyourguns (American Ideal-Villa Hanover) moved his lifetime earnings to $401,966. 

Empire Earl N (Drew Monti) raced off the starting gate to get the early advantage, putting up a rather pedestrian :30.0 opening panel. With middle times of :59.4 and 1:29.1 splits, Empire Earl N ($6.80) had just enough left in the stretch to fend hold off Fox Valley Veto (Davis Jr.) and BZ Glide (Caprio).

The win was the fourth in 12 tries this year for Empire Earl N (Earl-Santa Nita). The 10-year-old gelding is owned by Kimberly Asher and trained by Riley Asher-Stalbaum. The victory upped to seasonal winnings to $26,013 and $187,873.

Shawn Gray, Monti and Fisher Jr. each had driving triples. Trainer James Clouser Jr. conditioned a trio of winners.

Racing will resume on Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. with a 12-race program scheduled.

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

John Cummings Jr. wins five at Tioga Downs

Sudden Change N (Jim Taggart Jr.) takes the Tioga Downs Fillies and Mares Open 2 ($9,000), on Saturday (May 19).  Harness racing driver John Cummings Jr visits the winner's circle five times.

In the feature, K J's Caroline (Mike Merton) charged out to the lead and controlled all the early fractions (:27.1, :56.2, 1:23.4).

Sudden Change N ($9.70), who is owned by trainer Jody Riedel and Super Mile LLC., went first-over from last just before the three-quarter mark.  K J's Caroline looked like she was a winner in the stretch but Sudden Change N made one more run at her to nip her at the wire in 1:52.2.  K J's Caroline held for second with Kardashian (John Cummings Jr.) finishing third.

Sudden Change N is a 7-year-old mare by Changeover.  She won for the fourth time this season and secured her 20th lifetime victory.

John Cummings Jr. and trainer Jenny Melander combine for three wins on the night.

Cummings Jr. and Melander got wins with My Cherrie Pie ($3.00), Away My Baby ($3.60), and American Assassin ($5.50).  Cummings Jr., also secured victories with Explosive Jet ($31.00), and Gold Star Aurora ($5.60)

Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Sunday (May 20) with a post time of 1:00 p.m.

For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com

TONY CIUFFETELLI WINS BILLINGS TROT AT FREEHOLD RACEWAY ON SATURDAY

by john manzi, for the CKG Billings Harness Driving Series

MONTICELLO,NY-After a CKG Billings Series Midwest regional trot at Scioto Downs last night (May 18) the longest running amateur driving series moved on to Freehold NJ for a contest over the famed double-oval at Freehold Raceway and when the results were finalized, “Tough Tony”Ciuffettelli scored an impressive victory with Better To Be Lucky in a time of 2:00.4 over a soggy racetrack.

Last October Ciuffetelli purchased Better Be Lucky and since then the 6-year-old Lucky Chucky gelding has proven to be a valuable commodity after the trotter notched his fourth seasonal triumph.

“I bought him as a back-up Billings horse,” Ciuffetelli explained. “He's a nice horse but he occasionally gets temperamental.”

After leaving softly from the two-hole Ciuffetelli headed for the pylons and watched the speed duel ensue between Annie “Get Your Gun” Stoebe, with betting favorite Uriel, and “Yankee Joe” Lee's, Great Emancipator, who was on the limb fighting for command.

“I was feeling good watching Anne and Joe go at it. They were going pretty swift over the muddy racetrack and I was hoping that they'd get tired ... and that's just what happened,” Ciuffetteli said.

With snappy early fractions of :28.2 and :58 Ciuffetteli just bided his time. He was second at the third stanza in 1:29.2 and when Better To Be Lucky cleared on the final turn he had command.

“I felt pretty confident as he headed for the wire since the two favorites battled it out early, “Tough Tony” added. “I saw Tyler (Miller) coming at us but he went off-stride before the finish.”

"Young Tyler" Miller finished second with Masster Blue while Anne Stoebe took home the show dough with Uriel.

It seems that Bettor To Be Lucky lived up to his name as he crossed the finish line 1-1/2 lengths in front of Miller's, Masster Blue.

Ciuffetelli, a former corrections officer, also owns and trains the winner who returned $20.20; $7,00 and $3.60. For “Tough Tony” it marked his 54^th career driving victory.

DAVID MILLER WINS THREE AT BIG M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – David Miller had the hot hand Friday night at the Meadowlands, winning three times on the 10-race card.

The Hall of Famer scored in the first race – a New Jersey Sire Stakes event for 3-year-old pacing fillies – with 3-5 public choice Hypnotic Tale (Hypnotic Blue Chip-Born Storyteller) in 1:53.1, which lowered her previous lifetime best by two-and-two-fifth seconds.

Miller’s second score came with the Domenico Cecere-trained Hat Trick Habit, who prevailed in a lifetime-best 1:54 as the 9-5 public choice in the fourth race conditioned trot before he completed his three-bagger with Super S Yzerman in the ninth race “Dash for the G Notes” pace in 1:53 as the 3-1 second choice. In the process, Super S Yzerman lowered his previous lifetime best by four-and-one-fifth seconds.

CHURN, BABY, CHURN: Chalk players had a nice night, as the first five races were taken by the post-time choice and a total of six favorites scored on the program. Two other races were taken by the second choice.

A LITTLE MORE: The Early 20-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five was hit. The lucky player holding the combination of 7-8-5-1-9 in the eighth race cashed in for $10,522. … All-source wagering was down 18 percent over the corresponding card from last year. The primary culprits being one five-horse field and another that was scratched down to four. The total wagered was $2,030,038. … The 20-Cent Survivor Pick-10 saw one simulcast player at Pompano Park the only bettor to survive nine legs. The payoff was $17,070. … The Late 20-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five failed to result in a single-ticket winner, upping the carryover to $226,062. … Racing resumes at the Big M Saturday at 7:15 p.m. Gates open at 9:30 a.m., with the first race at Pimlico slated for 10:30 p.m. and the Preakness scheduled to go at 6:48 p.m.

Six Pack ties Vernon Downs track record in EBC eliminations.

Vernon Downs ran eliminations for the Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) for sophomore trotters on Friday night (May 18).  Three divisions for 3-year-old fillies and two divisions for 3-year-old colts. The top three fillies in each elimination and the top four colts (and one fifth place finisher) will compete in the EBC Finals on Memorial day (May 28).  Each class will race for an estimated $250,000 purse.  All elimination races were for a purse of $12,500.

 

Six Pack (Ake Svanstedt) won the first division for sophomore trotting colts.

Ronnie Goldstein (Kim Crawford) took the lead into the first quarter (:26.1).  Six Pack ($3.00) took over right after the quarter.  However Helpisontheway (Tim Tetrick) brushed on by to take the half in :56.2 and led to the three-quarter mark in 1:26.1.

Six Pack who is owned by Little E LLC., Stall Kalmar, Lars Berg, and trainer Svanstedt, sat patiently in the pocket then wore down Helpisontheway to tie the track record for 3-year-old trotting colts in 1:52.1.  He tied the mark first set by Market Share in 2012.  Helpisontheway held on for second.  Classichap (Trond Smedshammer) finished third with Southwind Chrome (Scott Zeron) getting fourth place.  All four qualified for the EBC Finals on Memorial Day.

Seven Iron (Tim Tetrick) uses one last lunge to win the second division for 3-year-old trotting colts.

Tito (Andrew McCarthy) took the early lead, hitting the first quarter in 27.2.  Voss Volo (Corey Callahan) then took over and led to the half in :56.3.  On The Ropes (Ake Svanstedt) then made his bid and had a slight lead after hitting three-quarters in 1:26.0.

Seven Iron ($6.40), who is owned by Kenneth Jacobs and trained by Linda Toscano, found himself fifth after three-quarters.  Tetrick would send him three-wide in deep stretch just getting by to win in a lifetime best mark of 1:54.2.

On The Ropes narrowly took the runner-up spot.  Voss Volo managed to finish third with Clive Bigsby (Scott Zeron) getting the fourth position.  All four would qualify for the EBC Final. They will be joined by fifth place finisher Purpose Blue Chip (Dan Daley) to round out the nine qualifiers.

Seven Iron is a 3-year-old colt by Chapter Seven.  It was his first win of 2018 and his third career victory.

Atlanta (Scott Zeron) coasts to easy win in the the EBC first division for 3-year-old fillies.

White Cheetah (Marcus Miller) led the group to the first quarter mark in 27.0.  The lead was short lived as Atlanta ($2.20), who is owned by Howard Taylor, Bradley Grant and trainer Rick Zeron, blew right by and never looked back.  She would control all the rest of the fractions (:56.2, 1:26.1, 1:53.1).  

Golden Muscle (Drew Monti) charged late to finish in second with Tribute To Seven (Tim Tetrick) getting the third spot.  All three fillies qualified for the EBC Final.

Atlanta is a 3-year-old filly by Chapter Seven.  She is two for two in her sophomore season.  She would nail down her sixth career victory.

 Plunge Blue Chip (Ake Svanstedt) goes gate-to-wire to capture the second division for sophomore fillies.

Plunge Blue Chip ($3.00), who is owned by trainer, Svanstedt, Blue Chip Bloodstock inc., and Tomas Anderson, charged out for the lead and controlled all the fractions (:27.4, :57.2, 1:26.0, 1:54.0).  Her stablemate Ciao Dolce (Andy Miller) followed the whole way to finish second.  Repentance (Tim Tetrick) finished third.  All three will be in the EBC Final.

Plunge Blue Chip is a 3-year-old filly by Muscle Mass.  It was her second win of the season and she now has won 11 of her 12 career starts.

The third division for 3-year-old fillies went to Natalie Hanover (Ake Svanstedt).

Seven Karats (Tim Tetrick) took the lead and put up all the early fractions (:27.1, :57.1, 1:26.2).  Natalie Hanover ($9.30), who is owned by Van Camp Trotting Corporation, Anders Olsson, and Borje Nasstrom while trained by Svanstedt, followed in the pocket all the way to thr three-quarter mark.  The two fillies would battle all the way down the stretch.  Natalie Hanover was just too strong and got the victory.  Seven Karats held for second.  Supergirl Riley (Marcus Miller) came up late to finish third.  All three qualified to complete the field of nine for the EBC Final.

Natalie Hanover is a 3-year-old filly by Chapter Seven.  She picked up her first win of the season and her third career victory with a lifetime best time of 1:54.1.

A big day for Ake Svanstedt with three wins and one second in the elimination races.

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday night (May 19) with a 13 race card starting at 6:10 p.m.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.

NED HODKINSON COPS BILLINGS TROT AT SCIOTO DOWNS ON FRIDAY NIGHT

by john manzi, for the Billings Series 

Harness racing's greatest traveling roadshow, the CKG Billings Harness Driving Series, was on the move again on Friday, May 18 with a trot in the series mid-west region at Scioto Downs and when it was completed Ned “the Insurance Man” Hodkinson emerged victorious with his old warhorse, Mutinyonthebounty after they turned back seven others in the 2:00.1 trotted mile.

Hodkinson, a longtime member of the Billings Series notched his 60^th driving victory.

Up behind his 9-year-old Mutineer gelding Hodkinson made the trotter's seasonal debut a winning one.

After starting from the two-hole as the race's betting favorite, Hodkinson sent his charge to the front when the wings of the mobile gate folded and took command before the first stanza, which was clocked in 29 seconds.

From there it was catch me if you can as Hodkinson kept the pedal to the metal as they showed the way past the half in 1:00.3. And when they went by the third quarter in 1:30 Mutinyonthebounty was still safely in command.

As the field headed for home Steve “You're Never Too” Oldford came charging from the middle of the pack with Smoother Ride and as the two trotters approached the finish line they were heads apart. But Mutinyonthebounty was up for the challenge and staved off his competitor for a neck victory. Big Bro finished third for “Tiny Tim” Miller.

“He was real sharp in his seasonal debut,” Hodkingson said of Mutinyonthebounty who came into this race off a 1:58 qualifier. “We gained command rather easily and were coasting along on the lead until Michelle (Ruvolo, with Upfront Chip Daddy) challenged us up the backstretch. After we put her away my horse had a three length lead and in mid-stretch, without any horses around, he got lazy but still he had enough in the tank to hold off Steve's horse and get the win.”

Hodkinson also trains Mutinyonthebounty who paid $3.40 for win.

Next up in the Billings Series is a trot in the eastern region at Freehold Raceway tomorrow (May 19). 

The next Midwest region action is slated for May 26 at Hoosier Park.

NEWBORN SASSY WINS FRIDAY 44G DISTAFF DERBY

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

YONKERS, NY, Friday, May 18, 2018—Stop us if you’ve read this one before…

Odds-on Newborn Sassy (Jordan Stratton, $2.60) did not play fair Friday night (May 18^th), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $44,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace in obnoxiously facile fashion.

This field, reduced to a half-dozen after a mid-pack defection (ill), found Newborn Sassy and Call Me Queen Be (Eric Goodell) hooking up early. The former, from what became outside post position No. 6, stepped around the latter well before a :27.4 opening quarter-mile, then waltzed through a :56.4 intermission.

Between the half and the (1:24.4) three-quarters, Mach it a Par (Jason Bartlett) tried it first-up from fourth. However, the leader’s 57-second middle portion figured to make everyone else’s life difficult.

Newborn Sassy owned a length lead into the lane, then widened to 2¾ lengths at the 1:52.3 finish.

Mach it a Par fought the good fight to wind up second, with Delightful Dragon (Mark MacDonald) third. Tequila Monday (Brian Sears) and Call Me Queen Be rounded out the payees, while Motu Moonbeam N (Brent Holland) settled for some lovely parting gifts.     

For Newborn Sassy, a 5-year-old daughter of Western Ideal co-owned by CC Racing & Jo Ann Looney-King and trained by Jim King Jr., it was her fourth (consecutive) win in 15 seasonal starts after starting’18 0-for-11. The exacta paid $9.40, with the triple (three wagering choices in order) returning $29.80.

Yonkers’ Saturday (May 19^th) program offers eliminations (two) for the Art Rooney Pace and (one) the Lismore. The finalists go at it next Saturday (May 26^th) for $300,000 (Rooney) and $111,444 (Lismore). 

Saturday’s 143^rd Preakness Stakes shall be prominently simulcast throughout the Raceway. Mutuel windows open at 10 AM, in advance of Pimlico’s first post at 10:30 AM. Pimlico offers 14 races (final post 7:35 PM), with the Preakness going as the 12^th race (post time 6:48 PM).

TIM BOJARSKI APPOINTED TO USHWA'S HALL OF FAME SCREENING COMMITTEE

by United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA)

HARRISBURG PA – Tim Bojarski, the immediate past president of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) and now the chairman of the board, the organization’s webmaster, and a publicist for Batavia Downs (NY) and Plainridge Park (MA), has been named to a six-year term on USHWA’s Hall Of Fame Screening Committee, it has been announced by Shawn Wiles, current president of USHWA, the largest organization devoted to standardbred communicators.

Bojarski, of Akron NY, has a background in harness horse ownership and training, and has driven in qualifying races. He has been a member of USHWA for 17 years, 11 of them as a Director of the Association. Voted in as national second vice-president in 2012, he progressed “up the chairs” to become the organization’s president from February 2016 to February 2018, and per the USHWA bylaws will serve as the Chairman of the Board until the 2020 national meetings. Tim is familiar with the procedures of the Screening Committee, as the president of USHWA is an ex officio voting member of all committees, so he has attended the group’s last two sets of screening sessions.

Bojarski works with his “hometown track,” Batavia Downs, as the publicist during their racing season, and since has linked with Plainridge Park near Boston and the Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts. He is a regular columnist for Hoof Beats magazine, the acclaimed publication of the United States Trotting Association (USTA). Tim is also kept busy updating the USHWA website, bringing the latest of information about the organization, its activities, and major racing news to all visitors to www.ushwa.net. And in case that doesn’t fill all his time, Bojarski also serves as the president and secretary of the Upstate New York chapter of USHWA.

“Tim brings with him a wide range of knowledge of harness racing and its vast and glorious history,” said USHWA president Wiles upon making the appointment. “As past President of USHWA he is familiar with the inner workings of this committee. He will be a welcome addition to an already-strong slate of members on this prestigious committee.”

Bojarski will begin his new term, which expires after the 2023 meeting, with the gathering of the Screening Committee during Hall of Fame weekend at the Hall / Harness Racing Museum in Goshen NY, that weekend culminating with the induction of the newest Hall of Famers at a dinner on Sunday, July 1.

MINORE; KOKINOS; NAADA TROT WINNERS AT YONKERS

    by john manzi for NAADA

YONKERS, NY-The final leg of the NAADA Trotting Series was contested tonight (May 17) at Yonkers Raceway and when the dust had settled Paul Minore and Dr. John Kokinos each emerged victorious in their respective divisions and both were repeat winners in the series.

Minore and his old war horse Wygant Prince, used the front-end route for a 1:59 victory and “Dr John” used similar tactics to notch a 1:58.3 triumph behind Here Comes Numbers. . However both drivers needed the photo finish camera to verify the decisions.

In his contest Minore set sail from the three-hole with his 11-year old SJ's Photo gelding and cut nearly equal fractions of :29.1; 1:00 and 1:29.4 before turning back his stubborn competition. Still with a solid one length lead as the field turned for home Minore was busy urging his charge as Bobby Ciarvardini and Balimor AS supplied constant pressure but when the photo-finish carmera snapped Wygant Prince had notched his 36^th career triumph which raised the trotter's lifetime earnings to almost $410,000. Fox Valley Steffen took home the show dough for Jennifer Lappe.

The winner is owned by Minore and trained by Taylor Gower.

Employing his usual strategy, Kokinos, who seems to like the front-end, sent the 10 year old altered son of Here Comes Herbie to the lead and played catch me if you can... and nobody could, although his competitors made a race out of it as they headed for paydirt.

Still seemingly comfortable as the field heard for paydirt a hard charge by Master of Excuse and driver Monica Banca nearly made the outcome in question. But Here Comes Numbers gave Dr. John his fourth winning ride in the series as the veteran trotter tripped the camera for a neck triumph in 1:58.3. Lurking closely behind the leaders another neck farther back was third place finisher Soul Train and Joe Lee.

The winner is owned by Patrick Laiso and Jennifer Lappe and trained by Ms Lappe.

Slated next week is the consolation followed by the $15,000 series finale.

BIG M TO SHOWCASE EMPIRE BREEDERS CLASSIC FRIDAY

Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – During the course of the live program at the Meadowlands Friday night, the five eliminations for the $500,000 Empire Breeders Classic for both male and female 3-year-old trotters at Vernon Downs will be shown live on the Big M feed, weaved in between Meadowlands events.

“Many top trotters will be racing,” said Jason Settlemoir, the Big M’s chief operating officer and general manager who also serves as Vernon’s regional vice-president, racing and simulcast. “Including a pair of top fillies. One being Plunge Blue Chip, who went nine-for-10 last year and won the Goldsmith Maid. Another is Atlanta, who won last week at the Meadowlands, beating older males and females in 1:52.”

The first EBC elimination is set to be shown at 7:34 p.m., soon after the first Meadowlands race replay is concluded. Thereafter, the elims will be shown after each Meadowlands replay of races 2 through 5.

The Empire Breeders Classic finals are set for Memorial Day, Monday, May 28 at Vernon Downs.

Free program pages for Vernon’s all-EBC Pick-4 (Races 6 through 9, guaranteed pool of $2,500) as well as the Meadowlands’ Pick-4 (Races 7 through 10, guaranteed $50,000), courtesy of Track Master, are available on the handicapping section at www.ustrotting.com.

The Meadowlands’ live racing programs this Friday and Saturday get underway at 7:15 p.m.

SUPER CARRYOVER: Harness racing’s biggest pot of gold will be up for grabs in the Friday finale at the Big M, as the carryover for the Late 20-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five has now grown to $221,892. … Meadowlands chairman Jeff Gural will answer questions about the recent green light for sports betting on Friday night’s “Racing from the Meadowlands” pre-game show at 6:45 p.m.

PREAKNESS DAY: Come on out to the Meadowlands Saturday and see if the Bob Baffert-trained Justify can take the second jewel of Thoroughbred Racing’s Triple Crown when he tries his luck at a mile and 3/16ths in the 143^rd running of the Preakness at Pimlico.

Gates at the Big M will open at 9:30 a.m. The first race at Pimlico is slated for 10:30 a.m. while post time for the Preakness is 6:48 p.m.

ROAD TO THE CRAWFORD FARMS MEADOWLANDS PACE

Week 3 (May 17, 2018)

The Crawford Farms Meadowlands Pace – Saturday, July 14

There were no changes in the Top 10 from last week to this. That's certain to change this time around as all 10 horses will be in action on Saturday.

Rank	Horse	Driver, Trainer, Owner(s)	Dave Little’s Comments
1	Lost In Time ($608,112 – 1:50.1)	S. Zeron, J. Takter Diamond Creek Racing, J&T Silva, W. Rufenacht, Team S Racing	What’s different about this colt from age 2 to 3? Zeron: “his gait has become more efficient and he’s a little smarter. He doesn’t seem like he ever gets tired. He has no bottom to him. let’s hope it stays that way.” Makes his debut this Saturday night at Pocono against three other RTTMP rivals. He has drawn post 6 and is 3-1 on the morning line. Last Race: 5/5 – M1 – Qualifier – 1st (1:51)
2	Stay Hungry ($535,742 – 1:50.2)	D. McNair, T. Alagna B. Grant, I. Samelman	Will take on his arch-rival Lost In Time on Saturday and will start out as the 5-2 favorite from post 3 with Doug McNair at the controls. Alagna: “He’s coming along well. We trained him Tuesday and he was very sharp. We are ready to go.” Last Race: 5/5 – M1 – Qualifier – 4th (1:51.2)
3	This Is The Plan ($222,971 – 1:50.2)	T. Tetrick, C. Ryder C. Ryder, R. Mondillo	the 5-2 morning-line choice will start from post 3 in another Pennsylvania Sire Stakes division Saturday at Pocono that will feature four members of the RTTMP Top 10. Last Race: 5/5 – Mea – PaSS – 1st (1:53)
4	Dorsoduro Hanover ($117,566 – 1:50.3)	M. Kakaley, R. Burke Burke Racing, Silva, Purnel & Libby, Weaver Bruscemi, Wingfield Five	Back after two months on the shelf after being in a bad spill at Yonkers, driver Matt Kakaley makes his return to the races Saturday at Pocono. Kakaley: “I can’t wait. Seeing my name on the entries, it was a good feeling.” Dorsoduro leaves from post 6 and will start out at 3-1. Last Race: 5/5 – Mea – PaSS – 1st (1:50.3)
5	Pedro Hanover ($317,188 – 1:51)	A. McCarthy, A. Harris B. Gray, D. Guerriero	Will look to get back on track Saturday at Pocono after a sixth-place finish in his seasonal debut. Listed at 9-2 from the rail in the second of three divisions of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes. Last Race: 5/5 – Mea – PaSS – 6th (1:52)
6	Babes Dig Me ($66,647 – 1:52.3Q)	B. Miller, T. Alagna B.J. Grant, J. Sbrocco, J. Leblanc, In The Gym Partners	Heading to Yonkers Saturday for an elimination of the $380,000 Art Rooney after crushing a weak field at the Meadowlands as the 1-9 public choice. Alagna: “rather than take everything to Pennsylvania, we figured we’d take a shot going to Yonkers. I think he’ll get around a half well.” Last Race: 5/12 – M1 – Escort – 1st (1:53.4)
7	Captain Deo ($18,257 – 1:51.2Q)	D. McNair, T. Alagna Alagna Racing, J. Sbrocco, In The Gym Partners, Captain Deo Partners	The 7-2 third choice on the morning line from post 5 Saturday in a stacked second division of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes. Alagna: “He trained Tuesday with Stay Hungry. We had a little bit of a rigging issue in his last start, so we made some adjustments. He was a very big colt at 2 and had some issues that he had to grow out of, which is why he had so few starts (four) last year.” Last Race: 5/5 – Mea – PaSS – 3rd (1:51)
8	Nutcracker Sweet ($168,909 – 1:50.2)	T. Tetrick, J. Takter H. Taylor, Order By Stable, R. Lombardo	Has been saddled with post 8 in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes division (6-1 on the morning line) that features Lost In Time and Stay Hungry. Takter: “He was super in his qualifier. He looked strong. He drew poorly in his race Saturday and there are some of the best colts in there. He’ll just come from behind. This horse is real.” Last Race: 5/12 – M1 – Qualifier – 1st (1:50.2)
9	Hayden Hanover ($289,092 – 1:50)	A. Miller, J. Miller Pinske Stables, J. Simpson	Leaves from the rail at 4-1 in the toughest division of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes on Saturday. Julie Miller: “Oh my! When I saw the entries, it looked like the Breeders Crown race.” There are many questions that will be answered Saturday in the Pocono Mountains. Last Race: 5/5 – M1 – Qualifier – 5th (1:51.4)
10	American History ($60,683 – 1:52.2)	Y. Gingras, T. Alagna Brittany Farms, M. Katz, American History Racing	Will take on older conditioned foes at the Meadowlands Saturday. Alagna: “The most important thing is to get a start in him. And, yes, he is a Meadowlands Pace-type of horse.” Last Race: 5/5 – M1 – Qualifier – 3rd (1:52.2)

KEY PREP RACES

MEADOWLANDS PACE ELIGIBLES IN CAPS – Supplements are permitted per the conditions of the race

Date	Stakes	Site	Winner	Trainer	Driver	2nd Horse	3rd Horse	Time
5/5	PA Sire Stakes	Mea	THIS IS THE PLAN	C. Ryder	D. Palone	BABES DIG ME	Record Machine	1:53
	PA Sire Stakes	Mea	DORSODURO HANOVER	R. Burke	J. Pantaleano	Wes Delight	CAPTAIN DEO	1:50.3
5/19	PA Sire Stakes	PcD
	PA Sire Stakes	PcD
	PA Sire Stakes	PcD