HANNELORE SCORES, CLOCK ROCKED AT BIG M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The return of the defending Horse of the Year and the season’s-fastest trotting and pacing miles highlighted the Friday night action at the Meadowlands.

Hannelore Hanover, the 2017 HOTY, came back to her favorite track and was an easy 2¾-length winner of the feature, the $20,000 Preferred Handicap for trotters.

The 6-year-old daughter of Swan For All used a quick burst of speed to clear the top before the half and had little trouble from there, stopping the clock in 1:50.3, which equaled the fastest trotting mile of the year in the sport. Pinkman was second with Celebrity Ruth third.

Hannelore Hanover, who returned $2.40 as the 1-5 public choice, was driven by Yannick Gingras and is trained by Ron Burke. She now has 41 wins from 63 lifetime starts and earnings just shy of $2.7 million.

Less than an hour later, Muscle Diamond, driven by Andy McCarthy and trained by Brett Bittle, established a new season’s best on the trot of 1:50.1 while winning a conditioned event.

The 6-year-old son of Muscle Hill ($4.80 to win as the 7-5 favorite) was on the point at the half, shrugged off bitter pressure from longshot Celebrity Express heading to three-quarters, and hit the wire 1¼ lengths clear of You Know You Do. He now has 13 wins in 44 career starts and earnings of just under $700,000.

The fireworks show was still going strong in the 12^th-race finale, as the Tony Alagna-trained American History prepped for next week’s Crawford Farms Meadowlands Pace Eliminations with a season's-fastest 1:47 win in a conditioned pace. The victory was Gingras’ fifth of the night.

The 3-year-old son of American Ideal sat off torrid early fractions of :26.3 and :53, which were set by All It Takes. After Hayden Hanover popped the pocket at three-quarters (1:20.1) and came after the leader, right behind him was American History, who got up in deep stretch to record a neck victory, and in the process, lowered his previous lifetime best by two-and-one-fifth seconds. As the 4-5 favorite, he returned $3.60 to win in taking his fifth lifetime victory in 10 starts.

A LITTLE MORE: The program also featured first leg New Jersey Sire Stakes action for 2-year-olds, and one performance stood out from the rest. Greenshoe ($2.80 as the 2-5 public choice) broke at the start, got back on gait, made an explosive move heading to three-quarters and won a division of the colts and geldings trot in 1:56.2. The son of Father Patrick was driven by Brian Sears. … The Late 20-Cent Jackpot Super High-Five failed to result in a single-ticket winner, upping the carryover to $268,210. … All-source wagering on the card totaled $1,893,698. … Racing resumes at the Big M Saturday at 7:15 p.m.

Thinkbig Dreambig gets Tomkins-Geers win at Tioga Downs.

Thinkbig Dreambig (Jimmy Takter) gutted out a victory in the third division ($25,400) of the Tompkins-Greers Stakes races for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings at Tioga Downs on Friday (6-29).  There were three divisions of Sophomore pacers for colt and geldings as well as three division for their counterpart pacing fillies.

No Easy Day (Matt Kakaley) took the lead and controlled all the early fractions (:27.2, :56.4, 1:24.1).

Thinkbig Dreambig ($3.40) went first-over on the back stretch and pressured No Easy Day all around the last half mile.  Trained by Takter for owners Brixton Medical Inc., D Fielding, G N Anderberg, and G C Falk, he would take over in mid-stretch and hold off the late charge of Ideal Feeling (Corey Callahan) to win in 1:52.2.  No Easy Day and Ideal Feeling ended up in a dead heat for second.

Thinkbig Dreambig is a 3-year-old colt by Bettor's Delight.  Not raced as a 2-year-old, he has won four straight as a sophomore in five career starts.

 

In the Tomkins-Geers  first division ($24,900) for Colts and geldings, Rockapelo (Jim Morrill Jr.) charges late to get the victory in 1:50.2.  Shadow Cat (Corey Callahan) finished second.  Wheels On Fire Matt Kakaley was third.

Rockapelo ($10.80) is a 3-year-old gelding by Rock N Roll Heaven.  Owned by Enviro Stables and trained by Linda Toscano, it was his second win this season and career win number six.

Winston (Corey Callahan) went gate-to-wire to win the second division ($24.90) of the Tompkins-Geers Stakes.  Putting up all the numbers.  (:27.1, :55.1, 1:22.1, 1:50.1).  Second place finisher Terror Atthe Beach (Fern Paquet Jr.) came out of the pocket to challenge but fell short by a neck.  Heartbeat Hill (Jim Marohn Jr.) was third.

Winston ($7.10) is a 3-year-old gelding by Western Ideal.  He is owned by Crawford Farms Racing and trained by John Butenschoen.  It was his fourth win this season and career victory number six.

Jewels Forreal (Matt Kakaley) came out of the clouds to win the first division ($23,500) of the Thompkins-Geers Stakes for sophomore pacing fillies.  Sixth at the top of the stretch she swooped by to win in 1:51.0.  E Dee's Well Said (Jim Pantaleano) was second with Betterthanbrie (Jimmy Takter) finished third.

Owned by trainer Ron Burke and Weaver Bruscemi LLC., the 3-year-old filly by So Surreal won for the second time this season.  It was career win number five.

Ask Me If I Care (Mike Micallef) went gate-to-wire to barely hold-off Aldine Hanover (Marcus Miller) in  the second division ($23,500) of the Tompkins-Geers for Fillies in a time of 1:52.1.  Kimberlee (Jim Morrill Jr) finished third.

Ask Me If I Care ($9.20) is a 3-year-old filly by Manhardt.  Trained by Micallef for owners Libby Myers and Anita Micallef.  It was her second win of 2018.  It was career tally number four.

In the last Tompkins-Geers Stakes ($23,500) for sophomore pacing fillies it was Cuts Like A Knife (Corey Callahan) to steal the victory with a late run in  1:52.4.  Reign On Me (Jim Morrill Jr.) was second best.  Newsday (Jim Marohn Jr.) finished third.

Cuts Like A Knife ($23.00) is a 3-year-old filly by A Rocknroll Dance.  Trained by Bruce Saunders for owners Charles, Julie and Francene Nash, it was her first win this season and fourth career victory.

Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (June 30) with a 10 race card starting at 6:15 p.m.  Fireworks follows live racing. 

For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com

Claude Huckabone Jr. wins 2000th career race at Vernon Downs.

Harness driver Claude Huckabone Jr captured his 2000th career victory winning the featured trot ($9,000) with Barn Bella at Vernon Downs on Friday (June 29).

Barn Bella ($3.40) went straight to the front and controlled all the fractions (:26.4, :54.4, 1:23.1, 1:52.0).  Owned by Purple Haze Stables with Nancy and trainer Steven Pratt. Barn Bella was beaten in the stretch last week but this week she had plenty in the tank winning by six lengths.  Buff (Joe Nasimos) finished second  with Muscles Jared (Howard Okusko Jr.) getting third money.

Barn Bella is a 4-year-old mare by Conway Hall.  It was her first win of 2018 and career victory number 19.

Claude Huckabone Jr. is a long time regular at Vernon Downs.  It was fitting he got his 2000th win at the Miracle Mile on the last race of the evening.

Lew's Big Guy (Michael Miller) pays $226.50 to win.

Heels On Wheels (Gates Brunet) fired out of the gate and controlled all the early fractions (:29.1, 1:00.0, 1:29.1).  Lew's Big Guy was four lengths back after three-quarters.  Owned by Judy Harris and trainer Lewis Miller, he blew by in the stretch to win going away in 1:59.1.  Finishing second was Elsas Ruby (Truman Gale) with Heels On Wheels holding on for third.  The $2.00 exacta paid $2,131.00.

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Saturday (June 30) with a nine race card starting at 6:10.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com

MAGIC FORCES WINS FRIDAY 44G DISTAFF DERBY

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

YONKERS, NY, Friday, June 29, 2018—Magic Forces (George Brennan, $3.80) quarter-moved to paydirt Friday night (June 29^th), winning Yonkers Raceway’s featured $44,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Odds-on from an assigned pole, Magic Forces was away third. She then zipped past Sell a Bit N (Jordan Stratton), taking over just before a 27-secone opening quarter-mile.

When Sell a Bit N backing away and only serious challenger Medusa (Brian Sears) having to work from first-over, Magic Forces had few issues finishing it off (:56, 1:23.2, 1:51…smashing the track record for her 4-year-old mare weight class).

The previous number in the clubhouse (1:51.3) was shared by Rocklamation (2012), Venus Delight (’14), Cinamony (’15, twice) and Tessa Seelster (’16).

Magic Forces whipped Medusa by 2¼ angst-free lengths. Bronze Over N (Brent Holland) closed for third,  with Mach it a Par (Jason Bartlett) and Sell a Bit N settling for the minors.

The win was one of a Brennan quartet during the 10-race card.

For Magic Forces, an aforementioned 4-year-old lass (daughter of Art Major) owned by Frank Poerio Jr. and trained by Ron Burke, it was her fifth win in in 15 seasonal starts. The exacta (inside two assignees) paid $11, the triple returned $43 and the superfecta paid $125.50. 

BZ Glide Ties All-Time Trot Mark At Buffalo Raceway

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- BZ Glide ($4.00) tied the all-time trotting record in Buffalo Raceway's $11,500 Open Trot on Friday night (June 29) and broke the aged (5+) gelding mark as well with a brilliant gate-to-wire 1:56.1 mile over the fast track. It was also a lifetime mark for the 9-year-old gelded BZ Glide whose previous career best was 1:56.3.

The all-time standard equaled by BZ Glide will be shared with Gural Hanover and Chelseas Chance who each went 1:56.1 in 2014 and 2018 respectively. Ironically, Chelseas Chance finished second, two lengths behind behind BZ Glide on Friday.

The aged  (5+) gelding record was 1:56.2 established by Lutetium in 2014 and Kahoku in 2016.

While BZ Glide gets the credit for the record-tying race, driver Mike Caprio said the change of bikes made a huge difference. "The bike I was using was like 20 years old so I bought the one I am using now from Jim Morrill Jr. I adjusted the seat and foot pegs and BZ Glide was a lot more comfortable with it."

BZ Glide was ready to go at the start and immediately fired out to the lead. Posting fractions of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:27.2, it appeared Barn Winner might be the main threat down the stretch but that attempt fizzled out. Chelseas Chance (Bobby Verney) skimmed the rail for second while Barn Winner (Ray Fisher Jr.) held on for third.

Owned by the Caprio Stable LLC and trained by Alana Caprio, it was the second win in seven starts in 2018 for BZ Glide (Yankee Glide-Bloomer Zoomer). The victory pushed his seasonal earnings to $20,930 and $276,932 lifetime.

Ray Fisher Jr. and Kevin Cummings had doubles in the sulky while Verney and Marc Shuttleworth had two training victories.

Racing will continue on Saturday night with 10 races scheduled for a 6 p.m. post. 

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

YONKERS’ FRIDAY PICK 5 FEATURES $4,300 CARRYOVER, 15G GUARANTEE

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

YONKERS, NY, Thursday, June 28, 2018—A friendly reminder from Yonkers Raceway that Friday evening’s (June 29^th) Pick 5 wager starts with a carryover of $4,372.31 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 Friday (if 11 or less races, the gimmick is the last five races on the card). 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. 

JOE LEE WINS NAADA TROT AT MONTICELLO ON THURSDAY, JUNE 28

JOE LEE WINS NAADA TROT AT MONTICELLO ON THURSDAY, JUNE 28

by john manzi for NAADA

MONTICELLO,NY—Amateur driver, Joe Lee, proved that when a horse is the best in a race send him to the lead and if he gets beat on the front-end then he wasn't the best when he started. But fear not Joe, your calculations were precise in the sixth race at Monticello Raceway on Thursday afternoon, June 28.

When he drove Soul Train in the third leg of the NAADA trotting series he sent his charge to the front and not only did Soul Train win, but he made a laugh-er out of the contest scoring an 11-length triumph over seven others in a race timed in 1:59.1.

“When I drove him here (at Monticello) two weeks ago we were comfortable on the lead and had three lengths on the field as we headed for home but in mid-stretch it felt like someone cut the lines and Soul Train 'caved-in'. But after the race we found out the reason he stopped (and finished a well-beaten fourth) was because he bled,” Lee said. “We treated him and he raced like a champ this week.

In today's contest Lee gunned Soul Train to the lead from the five-hole and the veteran pacer had command in a :28.2 first quarter. The lead then opened to two lengths as they passed the halfway point and when Soul Train headed up the backside he began to put distance between himself and the remainder of the field. The farther he went the bigger the lead became. It was eight lengths at the three quarters; nine lengths at the top of the stretch and 11-lengths at the finish.

“ I knew we were going to win it but I was surprised to find that there were no horses even close as we headed for home,” Lee added. “It felt kinda strange to win by so many(11) lengths and a margin of victory of that magnitude doesn't happen often.”

The race turned out to be for second place when Woody and driver Bob Krivelin came from the back of the pack to finish second at odds of 33-1. Third place went to Keenan (John Calabrese) who was just a neck off Woody at the wire.

Soul Train, a 7-year-old Trainforthefuture gelding, is owned by Blindswitch Racing, Good Friends Stable, Santo Farina and Joe Lee. Sent off as the slight favorite in the race he returned a $4.70 win payoff.

For Lee, who was the Amateur Driver of the Year last season, it marked his 5th victory thus far in 2018.

Dorsoduro Hanover Takes Over Top Spot In Little's Road to the Pace

Dorsoduro Hanover took the top spot back in Dave Little's Road to the Crawford Farms Meadowlands Pace off a win in one of three eliminations for the Hempt at Pocono Downs (the final is Saturday night). The next challenge for Dorsoduro and seven others: Defeating North America Cup champion Lather Up, whose connections are still kicking around the idea of supplementing to The Pace.

Rank	Horse	Driver, Trainer, Owner(s)	Dave Little’s Comments
1	Dorsoduro Hanover ($172,668 – 1:49.4)	M. Kakaley, R. Burke Burke Racing, Silva, Purnel & Libby, Weaver Bruscemi, Wingfield Five	Takes the top spot back off a lifetime-best win in his Hempt Elimination. The only blemish on his five-start 2018 resume is a tough-trip seventh in his NA Cup Elim. Burke: “He was good in his elimination but will need to step it up more in the final.” He’s drawn post 4 for the $500,000 Hempt Saturday night. Is there a way to beat 2-1 morning-line choice Lather Up (post 7)? Burke: “I haven’t figured that out yet.” Last Race: 6/23 – PcD – Hempt Elim – 1st (1:49.4)
2	Stay Hungry ($619,384 – 1:50)	D. McNair, T. Alagna B. Grant, I. Samelman	Finished a tough-trip third (missing a half-length) in his Hempt Elim and has drawn post 5 for the final. Alagna: “He raced terrific. A horse went off stride in front of him and he came to a halt. I thought it was one of his best races ever. He’s drawn a good post but beating Lather Up, that’s a tough assignment right now.” Last Race: 6/23 – PcD – Hempt Elim – 3rd (1:49.3)
3	Lost In Time ($718,723 – 1:50.1)	S. Zeron, J. Takter Diamond Creek Racing, J&T Silva, W. Rufenacht, Ric Flair Stable	Took the Hempt off to prepare for the Pace. Takter noted the grueling schedule for the 3-year-old pacing colts, where the NA Cup, Hempt and Meadowlands Pace require a horse to race for six straight weeks if they want to go in all three. “When you look at the schedule, it’s kind of insane. I don’t think this horse is suited for that. Horses are not machines. I think Lost In Time will be much better in the Pace than he was in the Cup.” Last Race: 6/16 – Wbsb – NA Cup Final – 3rd (1:48.4)
4	This Is The Plan ($243,372 – 1:50.2)	T. Tetrick, C. Ryder C. Ryder, R. Mondillo	Finished third in his Hempt elim after a four-week layoff but a luckless pill drop has left him with post 9 for the final. Ryder: “I’d have been happier had he finished second, but this week, we are adding Lasix after some minor bleeding. Some horses improve a lot on Lasix, some don’t at all.” Last Race: 6/23 – PcD – Hempt Elim – 3rd (1:49.4)
5	Thinkbig Dreambig ($38,500 – 1:49.2)	Y. Gingras, J. Takter Brixton Medical Inc., J. Fielding, G. Anderberg, G. Falk	Since taking the Escort at the Meadowlands, this son of Bettor’s Delight has won two in a row in Pennsylvania with ease. Takter: “I’m going to race him at Tioga Friday (race 8, post 7). I want him to go a really strong mile. He’s so professional. We are still strongly considering going to the Pace.” Last Race: 6/20 – Phl – NW3 – 1st (1:52.2)
6	Nutcracker Sweet ($196,832 – 1:50.2)	D. Miller, J. Takter H. Taylor, Order By Stable, R. Lombardo	Continues to prove he belongs with this division’s best while having yet to win this year. Finished second in his elim to Lather Up and has drawn post 1 for the final. Takter: “I thought he raced tremendous, Lather Up was just so freaking Good! Right now, he might be unbeatable.” Is Nutcracker sweet on The Pace? “Not sure if he’s going,” said Takter. “We still have a ton of races coming up.” Last Race: 6/23 – PcD – Hempt Elim – 2nd (1:49.2)
7	Babes Dig Me ($122,947 – 1:52.3Q)	B. Miller, T. Alagna B.J. Grant, J. Sbrocco, J. Leblanc, In The Gym Partners	Went a rail trip to grab a fifth-place check in his Hempt Elim. Alagna: “He was in the toughest division, but once he got loose, he had pace in the lane. I am going to give him this week off.” Last Race: 6/23 – PcD – Hempt Elim – 5th (1:50.1)
8	American History ($94,243 – 1:49.1)	Y. Gingras, T. Alagna Brittany Farms, M. Katz, American History Racing	Took the Hempt off after a 10th-place finish in the Cup. Will take on older foes Friday at the Meadowlands in a NW3. Alagna: “Coming off a bad start I thought I was better off giving him the week off to get ready for The Pace. He’s in Friday and trained great.” Last Race: 6/16 – Wbsb – NA Cup Final – 10th (1:50.3)
9	Captain Deo ($28,867 – 1:50.2)	D. McNair, T. Alagna Alagna Racing, J. Sbrocco, In The Gym Partners, Captain Deo Partners	Kicked home in :26.2 to grab a fifth-place check in the Cup Consolation before taking the Hempt off. Alagna: “He’s been very good but hasn’t had a lot of luck. He’s been too far back coming into fast fractions.” He’s in the same Meadowlands race as stablemate American History Friday night. Last Race: 6/16 – Wbsb – NA Cup Consolation – 5th (1:50.3)
10	Odds On Lauderdale ($51,059 – 1:49.1)	V. Ginsburg, T Alagna Odds On Racing	Breaks into the Top 10 after winning his second straight a week ago. The victory came from an impossible spot after being trapped until the final eighth of a mile. Is this a possible Pace upsetter? Alagna: “He’s a little bit of a sleeper. He showed a lot of ability last year. He wasn’t himself earlier in the year so we made some adjustments. As far as the Pace goes, we are on the bubble.” Last Race: 6/23 – M1 – NW2/3 – 1st (1:49.1)

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	I’M A BIG DEAL	C. Ryder	G. Napolitano Jr.	GRAND TETON	Whos Better	1:50.2
	PA Sire Stakes	PcD	DORSODURO HANOVER	R. Burke	M. Kakaley	THIS IS THE PLAN	PRO BEACH	1:50.1
	PA Sire Stakes	PcD	Wes Delight	M. Harder	C. Callahan	LOST IN TIME	STAY HUNGRY	1:50.4
5/20	OnSS Gold	Flm	Backstreet Shadow	R. McNair	D. McNair	St Lads Neptune	Wind Blast	1:52.3
	OnSS Gold	Flm	Western Passage	C. Coleman	D. McNair	Levis Day	SHADOW MOON	1:53.4
5/26	Art Rooney Final	YR	Trump Nation	C. Oakes	J. Bartlett	Minnie Vinnie	BABES DIG ME	1:51.3
5/28	NYSS	VD 1	Courtly Choice	B. MacIntosh	D. Miller	Hitman Hill	Real Surreal	1:48.4
	NYSS	VD	AMERICAN HISTORY	T. Alagna	Y. Gingras	Rock Lights	Heavenly Sound	1:49.1
	NYSS	VD	My Delight	H. Hochstetler	M. Miller	Lyons Steel	Ostro Hanover	1:49.4
6/1	NJSS Final	M1	Melanie’s Fran	K. Mc Dermott	D. Miller	Hypnotico	-	1:56.3
6/2	Somebeachsmwhere	Moh	Burning Midnight	C. Giles	T. Henry	Simple Kinda Man	GRAND TETON	1:50.4
	Somebeachsmwhere	Moh	Lather Up	C. Francis	M. Teague	St Lads Neptune	Scouts Report	1:50.3
	Somebeachsmwhere	Moh	Jimmy Freight	R. Moreau	L. Roy	LOST IN TIME	When You Dance	1:50.2
6/9	NA Cup Elim	Moh	STAY HUNGRY	T. Alagna	D. McNair	Done Well	HAYDEN HANOVER	1:50
	NA Cup Elim	Moh	Wes Delight	M. Harder	C. Callahan	NUTCRACKER SWEET	AMERICAN HISTORY	1:50.2
	NA Cup Elim	Moh	Lather Up	C. Francis	M. Teague	St Lads Neptune	Hitman Hill	1:49.2
6/10	NYSS	Tioga	Springsteen	R. Allard	D. Miller	Real Surreal	I Soar Him First	1:51
	NYSS	Tioga	Heavenly Sound	B. Saunders	A. McCarthy	Ideal Feeling	Trump Nation	1:50.4
	NYSS	Tioga	Keystone Tenacious	P. Kelley	M. MacDonald	My Delight	TWIN B TUFFENUFF	1:52.1
6/16	NA Cup Final	Moh	Lather Up	C. Francis	M. Teague	Done Well	LOST IN TIME	1:48.1
6/18	NYSS	MR	TOPVILLE OLYMPIAN	D. Menary	J. Stratton	Mr Profeta	TWIN B TUFFENUFF	1:55
	NYSS	MR	Ghost Dance	E. Adams	S. Zeron	Rockapelo	Ostro Hanover	1:54.4
	NYSS	MR	Rootin Tootin	B. MacIntosh	M. MacDonald	Handsoffmychips	My Delight	1:53.4
6/23	OnSS Gold	Moh	Sharp Action Money	M. Brethour	S. Filion	Sports Legend	Taste Of History	1:50.4
	OnSS Gold	Moh	Jimmy Freight	R. Moreau	L. Roy	St Lads Neptune	Levis Day	1:49.2
6/23	Hempt Elim	PcD	DORSODURO HANOVER	R. Burke	M. Kakaley	Springsteen	THIS IS THE PLAN	1:49.4
	Hempt Elim	PcD	Hitman Hill	C. Oakes	B. Miller	Shnitzledosomethin	STAY HUNGRY	1:49.3
	Hempt Elim	PcD	Lather Up	C. Francis	M. Teague	NUTCRACKER SWEET	Wes Delight	1:49