When Dovescry Wires Competition in Bluegrass

By Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile

LEXINGTON, KY—Hambletonian Oaks winner When Dovescry took control early and turned away all challengers with a swift final quarter to win the first of two divisions of the $218,000 Bar Hopping Bluegrass Stakes—sponsored by the Bar Hopping Syndicate and Hanover Shoe Farms—on the Sunday, Sept. 29 program at The Red Mile.

Driver Simon Allard sent the Muscle Hill filly to the point from post 6 while pylon-starter Golden Tricks pushed for the pocket. When Dovescry led uncontested through a :27.1 first quarter and :55.3 half before facing first-over pressure from Fade Into You rounding the final turn. Fade Into You, tracked by 3-5 favorite Millies Possesion, drew within a length of the lead passing three-quarters in 1:23.4 but quickly retreated entering the stretch. Golden Tricks gave chase from second while Millies Possesion attempted to recoup lost ground in third while the Rene Allard trainee floated to a 1:50.1 mile.

“You know what, she trained me,” Rene Allard said after the race. “When you get a horse like that, they’re just so special. To be able to buy one like that and have it, she makes my job so easy. Probably anybody can do what she’s doing; it’s her, not me.

“Late in the mile she drifts out a little bit but we’re going to make a little adjustment on the equipment,” Allard also said. “We’ve been playing with the Murphy blind a little bit. If you put it too close to her eyes she’ll run in and if you put it too far she runs out.”

Bred by William Weaver III and owned by Go Fast Stable, Yves Sarrazin, Kapildeo Singh and Lawrence Dumain, When Dovescry won her ninth race from 16 starts, earning $696,226. She paid $4.80 to win.

Beautiful Sin pulled an 11-1 upset when getting a neck up on Asiago in a 1:50.4 mile to take the other division of the Bar Hopping.

In her first start for trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt, Beautiful Sin sat third throughout while Starita posted fractions of :27.4, :56 and 1:24.1 on the lead. Asiago, sitting the pocket, pulled wide passing three-quarters with Beautiful Sin following that move as they straightened for the finish. Beautiful Sin then fanned wide of Asiago through the stretch and edged past in the final strides to win while even-money favorite Evident Beauty, from third over, finished three lengths father back in third.

“They didn’t tell me so much but she did hurt her front leg last year,” Svanstedt said after the race. “A little special training and nursing has made it much better. She has a very good race head; she was a winner. She was really sharp when she went behind the gate. I hope she can be a little bit faster [for the Filly Futurity].”

Returning $24.60 to win, Beautiful Sin now races for the SRF Stable. The Muscle Hill filly—bred by Jeff Gural and Moon Goddess LLC—won her fourth race in 13 starts, earning $237,367.

Grand Circuit action resumes at The Red Mile Thursday, Oct. 3 with the $350,000 (est.) International Stallion Stakes for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings. Racing gets underway with first-race post at 1:00 p.m. (EDT).

Workin Ona Mystery Rebounds in Bluegrass

By Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile

LEXINGTON, KY—Entering from several off-the-board finishes, Brian Brown trainee Workin Ona Mystery catapulted off cover to pace the quickest mile of the three divisions of the $267,400 Captaintreacherous Bluegrass Stakes—sponsored by the Captaintreacherous Syndicate and Hanover Shoe Farms—on Sunday, Sept. 29 at The Red Mile.

Semi Tough took command from Dancin Lou entering the first turn and led the field to a :27.1 opening quarter while 4-5 favorite Captain Crunch sat fourth with Workin Ona Mystery on his back. The favorite then tipped from the pylons passing a :54.4 half and ranged towards the pacesetter while supplying cover to Workin Ona Mystery heading to three-quarters in 1:21.4. Captain Crunch took command from Semi Tough through the stretch but could not withstand Workin Ona Mystery as he darted past to a two-length victory in 1:48.1. Dancin Lou, off a pocket trip, finished third.

“It’s been a two-month struggle,” Brian Brown said after the race. “It’s like every time you turned around, there was something else wrong blood related—some infection; the white count was out of whack and then it’d knock his red count, his hemoglobin, out of whack. Just something all the time with him—and he’s finally getting healthy again. Tim [Tetrick]’s helped with getting him rigged up. He’s behaving much better; he’s more relaxed. Hats off to his groom, his trainer—they’ve helped me get this horse back going.”

Bred by White Birch Farm and owned by Diamond Creek Racing, Stambaugh Leeman Stable, Alan Keith and Wingfield Brothers LLC, Workin Ona Mystery won his ninth race from 17 starts, earning $430,341. Tim Tetrick drove the Captaintreacherous colt who paid $4.60 to win.

American Mercury motored off a pocket trip to a 1:49.3 victory in the second division of the Captaintreacherous.

Driver Tyler Buter pushed for the front with American Mercury heading to the first turn but yielded command to Can’t Beach That after a :27 first quarter. American Mercury stayed in the pocket through a :55 half and three-quarters in 1:23.3 while Can’t Beach That endured far-turn pressure from De Los Cielos Deo. But De Los Cielos Deo faltered into the stretch, leaving room for American Mercury to slingshot from the pocket and to the lead through the stretch. He hit the finish two lengths better than Fabrice Hanover, who tracked De Los Cielos Deo’s cover for second, with Can’t Beach That finishing third.

Winning his 10^th race from 20 starts, American Mercury—sired by American Ideal—has earned $631,443 for owners Crawford Farms Racing, Northfork Racing Stable, Chuck Pompey and Scott Bice. Chris Oakes trains the $3.40 winner bred by Steve Stewart, Julie Nash and Charles Nash.

Bettor’s Wish brushed past tiring horses circling the final turn to take the final Captaintreacherous split.

The Chris Ryder trainee raced fourth while Air Force Hanover took control before a :26.4 first quarter. Pyro then pulled wide from third and surged to the lead nearing a :53.4 half but soon decelerated heading to the final turn. Driver Dexter Dunn angled Bettor’s Wish from fourth and blitzed the pacesetter as he slowed to three-quarters in 1:22, then opened a four-length margin on the field through the lane. Air Force Hanover gave pursuit from second while Shake That House closed from third over to finish third in a 1:48.3 mile.

“He impressed me even this week,” Ryder said after the race. “I was saying to myself [that] he feels fresh; he doesn’t feel tired. I had a little bit of trouble with him in the stall—he keeps spinning around; he’s just got so much energy the last two or three weeks. He wanted to go race; he didn’t want to be locked up. That’s just the way he is.”

Accruing $1,426,000 in earnings for owners Chris Ryder, Bella Racing, Fair Island Farm and Bettors Wish Partners, Bettor’s Wish—a son of Bettor’s Delight bred by Brittany Farms—collected his 15^th victory from 26 starts. He paid $2.20 to win.

“This horse he has such a great personality; he’s what I look for in a yearling,” said Art Zubrod, co-owner through Fair Island Farm, after the race. “Every time you put him in the paddock with somebody he was the same… he just can’t wait to get to the racetrack.

“Last year I thought he was a top colt,” Zubrod also said, “and Chris [Ryder] called me this winter, he said ‘We’ve been offered quite a bit of money, what do you think?’ And I said ‘Man, I’m going to be honest with you: I know this horse is top three. Paul MacDonell last year took such good care of this horse—had a couple of races that he could’ve won if he went to the stick but he didn’t go to the stick and I think it’s really helped us this year.”

Grand Circuit action resumes at The Red Mile Thursday, Oct. 3 with the $350,000 (est.) International Stallion Stakes for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings. Racing gets underway with first-race post at 1:00 p.m. (EDT).

Greenshoe Trots in 1:49.4 at The Red Mile

By Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile

LEXINGTON, KY—Surpassing $1 million in earnings, Greenshoe coasted to a 1:49.4 victory in the first of two divisions of the $192,200 Bar Hopping Bluegrass Stakes—sponsored by the Bar Hopping Syndicate and Hanover Shoe Farm—as trainer Marcus Melander swept the pair of sophomore trotting events Sunday, Sept. 29 at The Red Mile.

Greenshoe raced third to a :26.3 first quarter set by Chin Chin Hall with Union Forces sitting in the pocket. Driver Brian Sears kept Greenshoe in third through a :55.2 half before pulling wide and cruising to the top rounding the final turn. The Father Patrick colt—sent the 1-9 favorite—strode past three-quarters in 1:23 and sprinted to the finish in :26.4 under pursuit from stablemate Gimpanzee in second. Chin Chin Hall settled for third.

“He’s been behaving the whole year,” Melander said after the race. “He’s been here almost for three weeks now and he’s very relaxed on this track. I’m always a little bit nervous when he goes out on the track to see how he behaves. But he’s been behaving every start so I cannot complain.

“I think he can go [1]:48,” Melander also said. “If he gets a faster half or faster three-quarters. But he’s so fast that he can do that for sure.”

Winning his 11^th race from 15 starts, Greenshoe has $1,016,273 banked for owners Courant Inc., Hans Backe, Lars Granqvist and Morten Langli. Al Libfeld and Marvin Katz bred the $2.10 winner.

Melander’s other star pupil, millionaire Green Manalishi S, delivered as the 4-5 favorite in the second Bar Hopping division.

Marseille moved for the top heading to a :27.1 first quarter while Osterc protected the pocket. Driver Tim Tetrick angled Green Manalishi S first over nearing a :55.4 half and ranged towards the pacesetter with Pilot Discretion in tow approaching three-quarters in 1:23. Green Manalishi S took command entering the stretch as Marseille battled towards the pylons and Pilot Discretion kicked off cover to give chase. The Melander-trained Muscle Hill colt stopped the clock in 1:50.4 and finished one length better than Pilot Discretion with Marseille holding third.

“[Greenshoe’s] probably a little better at the end of the day but [Green Manalishi S] keeps showing up and has put a lot of dollars on that right column,” Tetrick said after the race. “My horse likes sitting on the outside there and grinding it out. He’s never winning by four or five; he makes it close, but he will fight them

AMERICAN HISTORY’S 1:49.3 A ‘DEAD-HEAT’ FOR YONKERS’ TRACK RECORD

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

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, September 28, 2019—American History (Joe Bongiorno, $2.30) matched Yonkers Raceway’s all-age track record Saturday night (Sept. 28^th), dusting an age-restricted handicap field in 1:49.3.

Assigned outside his five rivals in the $35,000, fifth-race pace, American History floated into a four-hole as Turbo Hill (Eric Goodell) laid down a flat 27-second opening quarter mile and :55.1 intermission.

American History then went after the leader, the tandem throwing it down in a :26.4 third quarter (1:22). He then put away Turbo Hill shortly thereafter, taking a length lead into the lane. After some driver encouragement, American History widened, whipping 36-1 outsider Ideal Flip (Brent Holland) by three lengths.

Turbo Hill and Tiger Baron (George Brennan) rounded out the gimmick finishers.

Fresh off his win in Harrington’s Quillen Memorial—in an identical 1:49.3—American History won his fourth race in 15 seasonal starts. The 4-year-old son of American Ideal is co-owned by (breeder) Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz & American History Racing and trained by Tony Alagna.

“He’s scary fast,” Bongiorno said. “He probably went a :26.1 third quarter and I never had to pull the plugs. There’s no telling just how much he can go in his next start at Lexington.”

The exacta paid $41, the triple returned $249 and the superfecta paid $523.

Saturday’s effort equaled Theartofconfusion A’s (Austin Siegelman) track record from four weeks ago. It also set a new record for American History’s weight class, displacing himself  (1:50) from five weeks ago.

Saturday night’s pair of $42,000 Open Handicaps were won by…

--Pace, None Bettor A (Jason Bartlett, $3) in 1:50.4,

--Trot, Rich and Miserable (Tyler Buter, $7.30) in 1:53.4.     

Rich and Miserable set a track record for 4-year-old geldings, eclipsing Lord Cromwell (1:54.1), taken last October.

Sweet Deisel and Brookdale Bruiser win Vernon twin features.

Sweet Deisel (Dan Daley) and Brookdale Bruiser (John MacDonald) each capture $6,000 co-features at Vernon Downs on Saturday (September 28).

Sweet Deisel ($12.40) comes flying late to grab the first $6,000 featured pace.

Golden Gun (Claude Huckabone Jr.) took the lead just before hitting the first quarter in :26.1.  He maintained the lead at the halfway mark in :55.0.  Sometimes Said (John MacDonald) hit the three-quarter mark first in 1:23.1.

Sweet Deisel, who is trained by Dan Daley for owners Ann Mari Daley, James Crawford IV, and Crawford Farms Racing.  was eighth at the half mile mark.  He was seventh after three-quarters.  The gelding weaved through the field in deep stretch and snuck by Golden Gun to win with a new lifetime best mile of 1:53.0.  Golden Gun was second best with Golden Brit (Howard Parker) getting third money.

Sweet Deisel is a 3-year-old gelding by  Sweet Lou.  It was his fifth win this season and ninth career victory.

Brookdale Bruiser ($13.60) pops the pocket in the stretch to win the second$6,000 featured pace.

Daliocity (Howard Parker) controlled all the early fractions (:27.2, :57.1, 1:25.4).

Brookdale Bruiser, who is owned by the JP Stables and trained by MacDonald, followed until they reached the stretch.  He looked like a rocket in deep stretch blowing by to win in 1:53.4.  Daliocity had to settle for second.  Poisonous (Jimmy Whittemore) finished third.

Brookdale Bruiser is a 5-year-old gelding by Roll With Joe.  It was his eighth win of 2019.  He now owns 16 career victories.

MacDonald drove three winners on the night.  He got his other wins with Jenny Lake ($18.20), and Lyons Johnny ($6.80).

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Friday (October 6) with a starting time of 6:10 p.m.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.

"EASY DAVE" RUSSO WINS BILLINGS TROT IN THE MUD TONIGHT AT BATAVIA DOWNS

by john manzi for the Billings Series

Batavia, NY-- Harness racing's greatest traveling roadshow, the CKG Billings Harness Driving Series, kicked off a three-day weekend with a trotting event Sarurday at Batavia Downs in New York State which will be followed by competitions across the border in Canada; first at Flamboro Downs on Sunday and then at Woodbine-Mohawk on Monday.

Tonight at his hometown track in western New York “Easy Dave” Russo made a laugher out of the contest when he hustled Reiki to the lead from the seven-hole and they rolled on to an easy nine-length triumph in 1:59.4 over a sloppy racetrack.

When the wings of the mobile gate folded Russo found himself in the fresh air on the limb and he had no choice but to have Reiki take command which he did after a :28.4 first quarter.Once on top the field settled in behind Russo and his trotter had no challenges until Tony “ Shifty” Ciuffetelli moved Bazilion off the pylons as the field headed for the third stanza.

Still with a length-and-a quarter lead when the field trotted by the three quarters it was plain to see that Reiki was determined and the 7-year-old Cheyenne Rei gelding hit another gear as he rounded the final turn and then drew off to an oh-so-easy triumph. Bazilion hung on for second money while Ideal Longshot garnered the show dough for Billings president, Tony “the Capo Verruso.

Reiko won for the third time this season and paid $4.20. He is owned by Russo's wife Marissa.  

Russo, who devotes most of his time training, has already harnessed 42 winners thus far this season and is just one victory short of 500 career winners. Tonight's triumph was Russo's 3^rd driving victory—in just 7 starts- this year and 35^th of his career.

Treacherous Reign Soars To Bluegrass Score

By Nicholas Barnsdale, for The Red Mile

LEXINGTON, KY—Treacherous Reign overpowered her competition in the $163,100 American Ideal Bluegrass Stakes, sponsored by Brittany Stallion Management, on Saturday, Sept. 28 at The Red Mile as she ground a first-over trip to win by a length.

Beautyonthebeach was sent forward from post 6, but 4-5 favorite Tall Drink Hanover quickly swooped by just after a :26.2 opening quarter. She maintained the lead to the half in :54.1 and three-quarters in 1:22.1 but could do little to resist Treacherous Reign as the field of 11 turned for home. Driver Dexter Dunn kept the Tony Alagna trainee to task down the lane and held off Beautyonthebeach to stop the clock in 1:49.4. Queen Of The Pride had late pace and moved up for third. Tall Drink Hanover, who Alagna also trains, faded and finished seventh.

“A lot of people forget that she did win the Fan Hanover, defeating Warrawee Ubeaut,” Alagna said after the race. “Of course, Warrawee Ubeaut has gotten better over the course of the year, but this is a very nice filly in her own right. The other filly got used pretty good—Tall Drink Hanover—to get to the front, but she definitely didn’t look like she was on her game today. Not to take anything away from this filly; she came first over the hard way at the half and got the job done.”

The $50,000 Lexington Select collected her 11th win from 26 starts, and she has now earned more than $680,000 for Alagna Racing, Big Al’s Stables, Let It Ride Stables, and Dana L. The daughter of Captaintreacherous, bred by White Birch Farm, paid $12.20 to win.

Grand Circuit action resumes at The Red Mile on Sunday, Sept. 28 with seven total Bluegrass dashes. The sophomore pacing colts compete in three divisions of the $267,400 Captaintreacherous Bluegrass Stakes while the three-year-old trotting colts race in two divisions of the $192,200 International Moni Bluegrass Stakes and the three-year-old trotting fillies race in two divisions of the $218,000 Bar Hopping Bluegrass Stakes. Racing gets underway with first-race post at 1:00 p.m. (EDT).

Elver Hanover Drafts To World Record in Bluegrass

By Nicholas Barnsdale, for The Red Mile

LEXINGTON, KY—Elver Hanover stayed unbeaten when popping pocket to win the $80,950 first division of the $324,800 Stay Hungry Bluegrass Two-Year-Old Colt Pace—sponsored by the Stay Hungry Syndicate and Hanover Shoe Farms—with a world-record 1:48.3 effort on Saturday, Sept. 28 at The Red Mile.

Odds-on favorite Catch The Fire led through a quarter in :27, half in :54 and three-quarters in 1:21.2 before Elver Hanover popped the pocket on the final turn and swept by to win by two-and-three-quarter  lengths. Put To Right tipped three wide off of the winner’s cover as the field entered the stretch and passed Catch The Fire for second.

           

“[Elver Hanover] felt really really good in the hole,” winning driver Yannick Gingras said after the race, “and [Catch The Fire] put up some hot fractions so I was content to sit there. When I called on him up the stretch, he was still full of pace.”

The son of Yankee Cruiser, bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, is now eight-for-eight for trainer Ron Burke and his racing stable, as well as the partnership group of Bridgette Jablonsky, Jason Melillo, J & T Silva and Purnel & Libby. The victory today brings the gelding’s earnings above $325,000. He equaled the world record for a pacing two-year-old, set by stablemate Warrawee Ubeaut last year, and set a new mark for a two-year-old male.

A win ticket returned $6.20.

Captain Barbosa took the $80,950 second division by a one-length margin.

A Positive Hanover went forward early and grabbed the lead as they hit the quarter in :28.1. Captain Barbosa then brushed past on the backside and led every remaining step, hitting the half in :56.3, three-quarters in 1:24.4 and crossing the line in 1:51.2 under mild urging from driver Andrew McCarthy. Opportune Hanover slid up the pylons from the backfield and snatched second from A Positive Hanover. Seeyou At Thebeach, sent the 1-5 favorite, broke stride while moving into the outer flow at the five-eighths and finished last.

“Early in the [year] he was balking at the gate a little bit, and he was out of position, and I had the same trouble with him,” McCarthy said after the race. “But he’s getting smarter about that and I can get him a little more forwardly-placed now. He definitely wants to go to work and do his job; I think it’s more the fact that he’s getting into the race a little bit now that he’s getting off the gate better.”

           

The Tony Alagna trainee adds a second win from ten starts to his tally, and has now earned more than $90,000 for owners Alagnafrankinthegym Stables and Robert J. The Steiner Stock Farm-bred colt paid $15.30 to win.

           

Alagna confirmed that the Breeders Crown is a possibility for the colt.

“We’ll race him back next week in the Grand Circuit and see how he is,” Alagna said after the race. “If he seems okay, and we’re still going forward based on what else we’re going to take to Canada, we’ll take [him into] consideration for the Breeders Crown.”

Cattlewash won in the $80,950 third division after taking command in the second quarter and gliding home.

Esai Hanover floated off the gate and hit the top through the first fraction in :27.1, but soon yielded command to Cattlewash. Driver Yannick Gingras managed the tempo from there, bringing the group of eight to the half in :55.1, three-quarters in 1:23.1 and finished the job in 1:50.3. Manticore came second over as the backfield got moving in the third split and rallied for second, two lengths adrift of the victor. Fortify also came past tired foes, finishing third. Father Nuno challenged first-over into the final turn but did not bother the eventual winner.

Cattlewash’s earnings now total just under $150,000 with his fourth win from eight outings for owner-breeder William Donovan and gave the Burke-Gingras team two wins on the day. He paid $7.40 to win.

In the $81,950 fourth division, Roll With JR fended off late challenger Team Best in a wire-to-wire win.

Driver Doug McNair sent the colt to the front in a :27 opening clip and was unhurried to a :55.3 half. He then repelled a first-up bid from favorite Chief Mate through three-quarters in 1:23.2 and battled to the wire for a 1:50.4 lifetime-best victory. Team Best sat in the pocket for most of the mile and had his go in the lane, finishing second behind a half length. Tell Them Lou charged from the backfield late and finished third.

“[The horses] relax, and the track is second-to-none,” winning trainer Jeff Cullipher said of the track after the race. “This is a really big colt, and he was able to stretch out a little bit here.”

He co-owns $15,000 yearling purchase with Tom Pollack. The son of Roll With Joe has now amassed more than $140,000 in earnings and won three of his nine races. The colt bred by Robert Brady, Rebecca Brady, Kenneth Jackson and Lisa Jackson paid $10.00 to win.

Cullipher recalled giving Pollack free reign on making the purchase.

“I was eating a sandwich and I looked up and he was buying the horse,” he said.

Grand Circuit action resumes at The Red Mile on Sunday, Sept. 28 with seven total Bluegrass dashes. The sophomore pacing colts compete in three divisions of the $267,400 Captaintreacherous Bluegrass Stakes while the three-year-old trotting colts race in two divisions of the $192,200 International Moni Bluegrass Stakes and the three-year-old trotting fillies race in two divisions of the $218,000 Bar Hopping Bluegrass Stakes. Racing gets underway with first-race post at 1:00 p.m. (EDT).

Spoiler Alert wins trot feature at Vernon Downs

Spoiler Alert (Leon Bailey) takes the $6,000 featured trot at Vernon Downs on Friday (September 27).

Spoiler Alert ($6.40) went to the lead and led to the first quarter in :26.4.  Arch Credit (Kyle DiBenedetto) took over and led the way to the half in :57.0.  He continued to control the race by hitting three-quarters in 1:26.2.

Spoiler Alert, who is owned by Jeffrey Hayes and trained by Misty Carey, sat patient in the pocket as they made the turn for home.  Arch Credit still the lead as they reached the stretch but Spoiler Alert would wear him down and go on by to win in 1:56.0.  Arch Credit had to settle for second.  American JJ (Michael Miller) finished third.

Spoiler Alert is a 5-year-old gelding by Chapter Seven.  It was his sixth win this season.  He now owns 13 career victories.

Art Angel Baby (Claude Huckabone III) captures the $6,000 featured fillies & mares pace.

Talbot Chanel (John MacDonald) went to the front and controlled all the early fractions as eshe hit the first quarter in :27.1.  She used a :28.4 second quarter to lead to the half in :56.0 and led to three-quarters in 1:25.1.  

Art Angel Baby ($7.00), who is owned by Chad Lennon and trained by Huckabone III, went to the lead in the stretch.  She would have to hold off a late charge by second place finisher Classic Can Dream (Kyle DiBenedetto) to win in 1:53.1.  Unusual Clarity (Joe Nassimos) picked up third place money.

Art Angel Baby is a 6-year-old mare by Sagebrush.  It was her fifth win this season.  She has 22 career victories.

Leon Baily drove three winners on the evening.  His other wins came with Try For Art ($33.00), and Brooklets Caleigh ($6.50).

Vernon Downs returns to live racing with a 13 race card on Saturday (September 28) at 6:10 p.m.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com

BETTERB CHEVRON N WINS FRIDAY NIGHT 42G DISTAFF DERBY

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

YONKERS, NY, Friday, September 27, 2019—Odds-on favorite Betterb Chevron N (Jordan Stratton, $3.20) could not have gone an slower in the early going Friday night (Sept. 27^th), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $42,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

The lone leaver from post position No. 5, Betterb Chevron N slogged through early intervals of :28 and :57, with those nice round numbers giving her way too much of an advantage.

It was Liberty Rose N (Eric Goodell) trying it first-up from fourth as Betterb Chevron N maintaining her lead in and out of a 1:25.2 three-quarters. Betterb Chevron N owned a three-quarter length lead off the final turn, then held pocket-sitting Lispatty (Austin Siegelman) at bay by that same margin in 1:53.2.

Third went to Liberty Rose N, with Quite a Sight (Brent Holland) and Alexa’s Power (Jim Marohn Jr.) rounding out the remainder.

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For Betterb Chevron N, a 6-year-old Down Under daughter of Bettor’s Delight owned by William Hartt and trained by Lance Hudson, it was her eighth win in 24 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $13, the triple returned $108.50 and the superfecta paid $297.

Ramona Hill Remains Unbeaten with Bluegrass Win

By Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile

LEXINGTON, KY—Sent the 1-5 favorite, Ramona Hill sat second through the mile before tipping from the pocket and striding to a 1:52.4 victory under a hand drive in the final of four divisions for the $330,000 Norman Woolworth Memorial Bluegrass Stakes on Friday, Sept. 27.

Panem pushed for the front moving to a :28 opening quarter with Ramona Hill floating into the pocket. Madame Sherry sat third up the backstretch as the field raced single file towards a :55.4 half. Ramona Hill then edged from the pocket passing three-quarters in 1:24.4 and lunged to the lead through the stretch as Madame Sherry gave chase in second and Panem settled for third.

“We trained the mare, Lock Down Lindy, and this filly had a very similar frame to Lock Down Lindy, but she was an end-of-May foal so she was very immature at the sale but had a great look to her,” trainer Tony Alagna said after the race on purchasing Ramona Hill for $70,000 at the Lexington Yearling Sale last fall. “Knowing how fast the mare was, I thought I’d take a shot at that number.

“I didn’t stake her to the [Jim] Doherty at the Meadowlands because she was a late foal and I told the partnership that I think this filly’s special, but I don’t want to push her early because I want to make sure we have a great three-year-old. That’s what we’ve done by design and so far she’s paying us off.”

Co-owned by breeder Crawford Farms with Brad Grant, Robert LeBlanc and In The Gym Partners, Ramona Hill has won in all four of her starts, earning $66,000. Andrew McCarthy drove the $2.40 winner.

Shishito took the lead early and strode to a 1:53 victory in the opening division of the Bluegrass filly trot.

Dune Hill dashed to the front moving to a :28 first quarter before yielding command to even-money favorite Shishito moving to the backside. Second-betting choice Senorita Rita angled first over from fifth passing a :56 half and ranged towards the pacesetter nearing three-quarters in 1:24.3. Senorita Rita continued to dig into Shishito through the stretch but could only manage second while Dune Hill gave pursuit from third.

Bred by Diamond Creek Farm LLC and owned by Black Horse Racing and John Fielding, Shishito won her fourth race from eight starts, earning $222,776. Dexter Dunn drove the $4.00 winner for trainer Per Engblom.

Common Sense S handed 1-2 favorite Sister Sledge her first loss when wining the second Bluegrass split.

Trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt snagged the pocket with Common Sense S while Hello Tomorrow led the field to a :28.1 first quarter. Sister Sledge slid first over from fourth passing a :56.2 half and drew alongside Hello Tomorrow approaching three-quarters in 1:25.2. Hello Tomorrow kept Sister Sledge at bay through the lane but drifted from the pylons enough to create a seam for Common Sense S to shoot through late in the mile to win in 1:53.3. Sister Sledge settled for third.

“I bought her in Sweden on a sale,” Svanstedt said after the race. “It was because I trained her mother and grandmother and they were very successful—they made around a half- to two-million Swedish kronas. [Coming from the small tracks], it’s good for them to come here and stretch out here on the big track.”

Co-owned by Ake Svanstedt Inc. with S R F Stable, Common Sense S won her fifth race from nine starts, earning $122,600. The Menhammer Stuteri Ab-bred Trixton filly paid $12.20 to win.

Love A Good Story surged past 3-5 favorite Ms Savannah Belle late in the stretch to take the third Bluegrass split.

In control through a :28.1 first quarter, Love A Good Story settled for the pocket past a :55.4 half after Ms Savannah Belle pushed first over for the front nearing the final turn. Seventimesalady floated first over approaching three-quarters in 1:26 but forced Love A Good Story to pop pocket heading for the top of the stretch. Seventimesalady lost ground and gave chase as Love A Good Story and Ms Savannah Belle matched strides towards the finish, with the favorite giving way in the final sixteenth to the Julie Miller-trained Chapter Seven filly in a 1:52.2 mile.

Winning her seventh race from nine starts, Love A Good Story—bred by Celebrity Farms—has earned $216,187 for owners Pinske Stables, Kentuckiana Racing Stable and Daniel Plouffe. Andy Miller piloted the $17.80 winner.

Each division of the Norman Woolworth Memorial was sponsored by Arden Homestead Stables, Et Gerry & Peter Gerry, Margareta Wallenius-Kleberg, Stoner Manor Inc., Menhammar Stuteri Ab, Jorgen Jahre Jr., LST Stables and Lawrence S. Devan.

Grand Circuit action resumes at The Red Mile on Saturday, Sept. 28 with four divisions of the $324,800 Bluegrass Two-Year-Old Colt Pace and a single $163,100 Bluegrass division for three-year-old pacing fillies. Racing gets underway with first-race post at 1:00 p.m. (EDT).

Pinske Sweeps Frosh Bluegrass Filly Pace

By Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile

LEXINGTON, KY—After winning in his Grand Circuit debut, 24-year-old trainer Carter Pinske sent both winners in the $280,500 Artspeak Bluegrass Stakes—sponsored by the Artspeak Syndicate and Winbak Farms—on the Friday, Sept. 27 card at The Red Mile.

Marloe Hanover made her way to the top early and withstood the backfield’s late rally to take the $139,750 opening Bluegrass division in a lifetime-best 1:50.4.

Driver David Miller brushed the Carter Pinske trainee to the front past a :27.4 first quarter while Shouldabeenatd raced second. Beyond Ecstasy, the 6-5 favorite, angled first over from fourth heading to a :56 half and progressed towards the pacesetter while carrying Lady Lou on cover rounding the final turn. Beyond Ecstasy stalled passing three-quarters in 1:24 and retreated through the stretch as Marloe Hanover sprinted for the finish. Shouldabeenatd gave chase to secure second while Lady Lou kicked off cover for third.

Winning her second race from seven starts, Marloe Hanover has earned $124,279 for owners Pinske Stables, David Hoese and Bridgette Jablonsky. She paid $12.40 to win.

Sitting behind dueling favorites around the final turn, driver Dexter Dunn pulled Annabelle Hanover from the pylons and darted past 8-5 favorites Baby Your The Best and Gai Waterhouse to take the second Bluegrass division.

Gai Waterhouse took command from Annabelle Hanover moving to a :27.4 opening quarter but soon bore a first-over challenge from Baby Your The Best heading up the backstretch. Baby Your The Best crossed over to control after a :55.3 half, leaving Love For Sail uncovered and Blood Red gapping from second over rounding the final turn. Annabelle Hanover wove through the two-wide gap passing three-quarters in 1:23.1 and surged by Baby Your The Best through the stretch to win drawing away in a 1:50.2 mile. Gai Waterhouse settled for third.

“[She’s] just a real gamey-looking filly,” trainer Carter Pinske said after the race. “Just the right size, right build; [it’s] what we look for in a Somebeach[somewhere]. There’s a pretty big story behind this horse—it’s about one of the craziest breaking stories ever… just to have her here is awesome. It took until about February until she was broke good. I just have to say thanks to Erv Miller and everybody down in Florida that helped get her to the track, let alone here.”

Owned by Pinske Stables, Lawrence Means and Curly Tall Curly Small, Annabelle Hnaover broke her maiden in her sixth start, collecting $115,233. The Somebeachsomewhere filly paid $7.20 to win.

Grand Circuit action resumes at The Red Mile on Saturday, Sept. 28 with four divisions of the $324,800 Bluegrass Two-Year-Old Colt Pace and a single $163,100 Bluegrass division for three-year-old pacing fillies. Racing gets underway with first-race post at 1:00 p.m. (EDT).

Sophomore Stars Flood Sunday Bluegrass Card

By Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile

LEXINGTON, KY—The nation’s top three-year-olds compete on the Sunday, Sept. 29 card at The Red Mile, which features three Bluegrass divisions for sophomore pacing colts and two splits for both three-year-old trotting colts and fillies.

North America Cup winner Captain Crunch fronts the opening division of the $267,400 Captaintreacherous Bluegrass Stakes, sponsored by the Captaintreacherous Syndicate and Hanover Shoe Farms. The millionaire Captaintreacherous colt looks to rebound off a fourth-place finish in the $253,000 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes Championship. Scott Zeron steers the Nancy Johansson trainee from post 5 for owners 3 Brothers Stables, Christina Takter, Rojan Stables and Caviart Farms.

Messenger Stakes champ American Mercury tops the second Bluegrass colt pace division off a third-place effort in the $384,000 second heat of the Little Brown Jug. With over $500,000 earned for owners Crawford Farms Racing, Northfork Racing Stable, Chuck Pompey and Scott Bice, the American Ideal gelding trained by Chris Oakes races from post 3 in rein to Tyler Buter.

Bettor’s Wish, another millionaire, starts from post 6 in the third division. The Chris Ryder-trained son of Bettor’s Delight failed to qualify for the Little Brown Jug after finishing second in the Messenger Stakes. He rebounded two weeks later with a three-length 1:48.1 victory in the $250,000 Kentucky Sires Stakes Final. Regular pilot Dexter Dunn sits in the bike for owners Chris Ryder, Bell Racing, Fair Island Farm and Bettors Wish Partners.

Hambletonian Oaks favorite and runner-up Millies Possesion will rematch Oaks winner When Dovescry in the first of two divisions for the $218,000 Bar Hopping Bluegrass Stakes, sponsored by the Bar Hopping Syndicate and Hanover Shoe Farms.

Nearing $500,000 in earnings, Millies Possesion has one loss from 11 starts, which came when chasing When Dovescry in a 1:50.2 mile on the first Saturday in August. She returned to the races to cap a Pennsylvania Sires Stakes sweep with a 1:53.4 mile in the $253,000 championship. Jim Campbell conditions the daughter of Possess The Will for owner-breeder Fashion Farms LLC. Dexter Dunn sits in the sulky.

When Dovescry returned to the track one month after winning the Hambletonian Oaks, taking a $63,772 Simcoe Stakes division going wire to wire in 1:54.4. She raced first over as the odds-on favorite in the $282,000 Elegantimage Final but faltered to third in her most recent mile. Simon Allard will drive the Muscle Hill filly from post 6 for trainer and brother Rene Allard, who conditions the winner of $641,976 for owners Go Fast Stable, Yves Sarrazin, Kapildeo Singh and Lawrence Dumain.

Evident Beauty leads the second Bar Hopping division off back-to-back Grand Circuit victories. Winning the Elegantimage final from off the speed, the Trixton filly shipped south to Hoosier Park, where she won as the 1-2 favorite in the $135,000 Moni Maker Trot. Richard “Nifty” Norman trains the winner of $735,398 for owners Melvin Hartman, Little E LLC and R A W Equine Inc. David Miller will drive from post 3.

The first division of the $192,200 International Moni Bluegrass Stakes—sponsored by the International Moni Syndicate and Hanover Shoe Farms—features Marcus Melander’s star Greenshoe, who would become a millionaire with a victory in the $96,100 opening split. The Father Patrick colt has won his three starts following a runner-up finish in the $1,000,000 Hambletonian; his most recent victory being a 1:50.3 effort in the $250,000 Kentucky Sires Stakes final. Greenshoe races for owners Courant Inc., Hans Backe, Lars Granqvist and Morten Langli, and will have Brian Sears in the bike from post 3.

Melander’s other trotting star, Green Manalishi S, starts from post 6 in the second split of the International Moni. The Muscle Hill colt, owned by Courant Inc., surpassed $1,000,000 in earnings with a 1:52.4 victory in the $453,750 Canadian Trotting Classic final. Tim Tetrick will guide Green Manalishi S from post 6 as he competes against Pilot Discretion, the Tony Alagna-trained Muscle Hill colt who finished second in the Canadian Trotting Classic. Andrew McCarthy drives Pilot Discretion from post 8 for owners Robert Leblanc, David Anderson and John Fodera.

The 10-race card Sunday at The Red Mile opens with three late-closing events, two on the pace and one on the trot. Racing gets underway with first-race post at 1:00 p.m. (EDT).

Amigo Volo Trots World Record in Bluegrass

LEXINGTON, KY—Making his first foray into Grand Circuit company, Carter Pinske trainee Amigo Volo vaulted to the top entering the stretch to win in a world-record 1:52.3 when taking the third of three divisions of the $315,500 Bluegrass Two-Year-Old Colt and Gelding Trot—sponsored by Al Libfeld and Marvin Katz—on Thursday, Sept. 26 at The Red Mile.

Odds-on favorite Ready For Moni floated to the front passing a :28 opening quarter while King Alphonso yielded for the pocket and Amigo Volo raced third. Ontopofthehill, positioned fifth, tipped first over into a :56.3 half and flushed Amigo Volo two wide into the final turn.

Amigo Volo advanced to match strides with Ready For Moni passing three-quarters in 1:25.4 while King Alphonso slid from the pocket through a gap in cover straightening for the finish. Both King Alphonso and Ready For Moni lost stride through the lane as Amgio Volo strode clear of his competition, chased by Cafe Americano in second and Rome Pays Off in third.

“He always showed talent down in Florida,” Pinske said after the race. “He just lacked maturity. He’s a little funky with his mouth; a little funky with his shoeing and stuff like that. It was one of those things where he’d train good one week and then he’d have a poor week. When we got him up north and we got him gelded, he turned into a horse then.”

Owned by the Pinske Stables and David J. Miller, Amigo Volo won his third race from seven starts, earning $168,646. The gelding bred by Kentuckiana Farms LLC and Jorgen Jahre had Dexter Dunn in the bike and paid $14.40 to win.

Gangster Hanover hustled past 4-5 favorite Back Of The Neck to win the $104,500 opening Bluegrass division drawing away in a 1:52.3 mile.

Trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt sat fourth with Gangster Hanover while Back Of The Neck led the field to a :27.1 opening quarter with stablemate Expectations sliding into the pocket. Svanstedt floated the Father Patrick colt from the cones passing a :55.4 half and blitzed Back Of The Neck circling the final turn. Gangster Hanover struck the front past three-quarters in 1:25.4 and widened his lead through the stretch as Stonefire US, off at 97-1, rallied towards the center of the course for second. Hobbs snagged third from Back Of The Neck fading to fourth.

Co-owned by Svanstedt with S R F Stables and breeder Brittany Farms (which bought into 25 percent of the colt as a yearling after the Harrisburg Sale), Gangster Hanover won his third race from five starts, earning $114,522. He paid $18.20 to win.

“It’s the only horse I bought at Harrisburg,” George Segal of Brittany Farms said after the race. “I liked the pedigree; I liked the horse. My advisors helped me and everything worked out fine. Normally [these horses] show their best right here. [Ake Svanstedt’s a] great trainer. He’s got great horses that he’s developed here—Six Pack among others.”

Dexter Dunn also drove Svanstedt trainee EL Ideal to a maiden-breaking 1:52.2 mile when taking the second division of Bluegrass.

It’s Academic swept to the front from the outermost post in the field of eight while EL Ideal sat second to a :27.1 first quarter. Berkery J, racing third to the backside, pulled first over and crossed over to control passing a :55.4 half before It’s Academic tipped from second to retake command rounding the final turn. EL Ideal tracked the pocket-popper’s move and ranged past the new leader through three-quarters in 1:25. The Muscle Hill colt maintained command through the lane while pursued by 1-2 favorite Capricornus in second. Big Oil kicked off cover for third.

“He’s been in some really good races as a two-year-old,” Dunn said after the race. “He was a little off his game last out but Ake and Sarah said that today he felt great and he showed it. He’s a big-strong guy and the big track definitely felt like it helped him a lot.”

Bred by Erkki Laakkonen and owned by Emp Invest Oy, EL Ideal has earned $122,682 from six starts. He paid $18.20 to win.

Grand Circuit action resumes at The Red Mile on Friday, Sept. 27 with a nine-race card highlighted by four divisions of the $330,000 Bluegrass Two-Year-Old Filly Trot and two divisions of the $280,500 Bluegrass Two-Year-Old Filly Pace. Racing gets underway with first-race post at 1:00 p.m. (EDT).

Frosh Pacing Colts Front Bluegrass Saturday

By Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile

LEXINGTON, KY—Four divisions for the $324,800 Bluegrass Two-Year-Old Colt Pace headline the Saturday, Sept. 28 program at The Red Mile with a single 12-horse dash for the $163,100 Bluegrass Three-Year-Old Filly Pace also featured.

Ohio Sires Stakes champion Elver Hanover, entering undefeated, competes against Kentucky Sires Stakes champion Catch The Fire in the first Bluegrass division for frosh pacing colts.

Elver Hanover, a gelded son of Yankee Cruiser, has accrued $288,600 from seven starts for owners Burke Racing Stable, Bridgette Jablonsky, Jason Melillo, Jerry and Theresa Silva Stables and Purnel & Libby. Yannick Gingras drives the Ron Burke trainee from post 2.

Catch The Fire, a Captaintreacherous colt, scooted to a three-length victory in 1:49.4 when winning the Kentucky Sires Stakes Final in his most recent start. The John Ackley trainee has earned $237,333 from nine starts for owner Ct Stables LLC, missing the board in only one race. Mike Wilder drives the $15,000 Lexington purchase from post 4.

Seeyou At Thebeach tops the second Bluegrass colt split off a fourth-place finish in the $562,500 Metro Pace. The Brian Brown-trained son of Somebeachsomewhere has two wins on his eight-race record—a 1:51.2 victory in a division of Pennsylvania Sires Stakes and a 1:52.2 win in a division of Arden Downs. He has earned $100,930 for owners Country Club Acres, Joe Sbrocco, Richard Lombardo and Chris Page. Tim Tetrick will drive from post 3.

Western Ideal colt Manticore leads the third Bluegrass colt dash. Hitting the board in every start, the Bruce Saunders trainee exits a runner-up finish in the $252,000 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes Championship to Papi Rob Hanover, who finished second in the Metro Pace Final. M&L of Delaware LLC and M&M Harness Racing LLC own him while Brian Sears will sit in the bike.

Kentucky Sires Stakes runner-up Roll With Jr contests Kentucky Sires Stakes Consolation winner Chief Mate in the final Bluegrass colt split.

Roll With Jr, in his first start on Lasix, rode the pylons to a second-place finish behind Catch The Fire in his most recent mile. He has two wins from eight starts and $101,916 earned for owners Pollack Racing LLC and Jeff Cullipher, who also trains the Roll With Joe colt. Doug McNair handles $15,000 Lexington purchase from post 2.

Chief Mate, winning in his first two pari-mutuel starts, shipped to Canada from the Meadowlands in late July before venturing south to the Kentucky Sires Stakes. Off a sixth-place finish as the odds-on favorite, the Tony Alagna-trained Captaintreacherous colt won the $50,000 consolation by four-and-a-quarter lengths going wire to wire in 1:51.4. Montrell Teague, who drove him to victory in his last start, retains the drive and starts from post 3.

In the lone Bluegrass division for sophomore pacing fillies, Kentucky Sires Stakes winner Beautyonthebeach ascends into Grand Circuit competition off a 1:49.2 mile to secure a series sweep. The Gregg McNair-trained daughter of Somebeachsomewhere approaches $500,000 in earnings for owner-breeder James Avritt Sr. and starts from post 6 with Doug McNair in the sulky.

Current division leader Tall Drink Hanover starts outside of the state-bred champ, racing from post 8. The Captaintreacherous filly won a $128,103 Simcoe split in 1:49.1 on Sept. 7 and has not raced since, but qualified on Sept. 22 at Lexington with a 1:52.1. Tony Alagna conditions the winner of 14 races in 22 starts and $637,807 for owners Alagna Racing LLC, Marvin Katz and Riverview Racing LLC. Andrew McCarthy will drive.

The eight-race card Saturday includes two late-closing events for two-year-old pacing colts and a 13-horse late-closing race for trotting fillies and mares. The card begins with first-race post at 1:00 p.m. (EDT).

Frosh Fillies Fight Friday in Bluegrass

By Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile

LEXINGTON, KY— Trotting and pacing two-year-old fillies front the Friday, Sept. 27 program at The Red Mile with four divisions of the $330,000 on the trot and two divisions of the $280,500 Bluegrass on the pace.

Shishito tops the opening division of the filly trot. Trained by Per Engblom, the daughter of Father Patrick enters off a third-place finish in the $252,000 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes Championship and, recently, a second-place finish in the $250,000 Kentucky Sires Stakes Final. Dexter Dunn drives the winner of three races in seven starts—and over $180,000 in earnings—for owners Black Horse Racing and John Fielding.

In the second filly-trot split Ron Burke trainee Sister Sledge will try to stay undefeated. Winning in all seven starts (including a 1:55.1 victory in the $252,000 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes Championship), the Father Patrick filly has banked $264,562. Yannick Gingras will drive from post 2 for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Jason Melillo, Jerry and Theresa Silva Stables, Purnel & Libby and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.

Kentucky Sires Stakes champ Ms Savannah Belle heads the third Bluegrass filly trot division. The Al Libfeld homebred won in both of her Kentucky Sires Stakes prelims before trotting to a career-best 1:52.4 mile in the $250,000 final. Yannick Gingras sits in the sulky behind the winner of three races in six starts—and $179,658 in earnings—for trainer Per Engblom.

Tony Alagna’s lightly-raced Muscle Hill filly Ramona Hill will put her unbeaten record on the line in the final Bluegrass filly trot division. After winning by open lengths in prelims of the Kindergarten at the Meadowlands in July, Ramona Hill sat on the sidelines until Sept. 12 when she qualified in 1:57.2. She ships to Lexington off a 1:54.2 victory in the $30,000 Kentuckiana Consolation at Hoosier Park. Andrew McCarthy sits behind the earner of $25,000 as she starts from post 2.

The $139,750 opening division of the Bluegrass filly pace gathers eight with Rocknificent fronting the field. A winner of three races in six starts and $128,162, the Linda Toscano-trained daughter of Captaintreacherous enters from a fourth-place finish in the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes Championship after pulling first over but faltering into the stretch. Brian Sears will drive Rocknificent from post 6 for owners Enviro Stables Ltd., South Mountain Stables and Little E LLC.

Gai Waterhouse starts from post 1 in the $140,750 second division off a 1:50.3 career-best performance when winning the Kentucky Sires Stakes final. The Domenico Cecere trainee has won two races from four starts and accrued $155,000 in earnings for owner Lindy Farms of Connecticut. Yannick Gingras will sit in the bike.

Finishing second to Gai Waterhouse in the Kentucky Sires Stakes Championship, Baby Your The Best starts from post 6 in the same division. The Linda Toscano trainee has won two races from seven starts and finished no worse than second in every other outing. The Captaintreacherous filly—with $209,220 earned for owners Richard and Joanne Young—will have David Miller at the reins.

The nine-race card at The Red Mile on Friday also features two late-closing events for two-year-old trotting colts and a single late-closing dash for pacing fillies and mares. Racing gets underway with the Grand Circuit meeting’s now-regular first-race post time of 1:00 p.m. (EDT).

Trotting Freshmen To Open Red Mile Grand Circuit Meet

By Ray Cotolo, for The Red Mile

LEXINGTON, KY—The annual fortnight of Grand Circuit racing at The Red Mile begins on Thursday, Sept. 26 with three divisions of the $315,500 Bluegrass Stakes for two-year-old trotting colts.

Back Of The Neck fronts a field of seven in the opening Bluegrass division. The Marcus Melander-trained son of Ready Cash exits a third-place finish in the $277,500 William Wellwood Memorial after winning his elimination in 1:55. Mattias Melander will sit behind the winner of three races from six starts—with earnings surpassing $80,000—from post 5 for owners Order By Stable, Judith Taylor and Howard Taylor.

Expectations, also trained by Marcus Melander, competes against his stablemate from post 7. The Muscle Hill colt, owned by Vicky Trotting Inc., finished second in the $250,000 Kentucky Sires Stakes final after winning in two prelims and finishing third two weeks prior in the $324,550 Peter Haughton Memorial. Brian Sears will drive the winner of two races in seven starts and $139,399 in earnings.

Capricornus fronts the second division of Bluegrass. Another Marcus Melander trainee, the Cantab Hall colt rolled from off cover to finish second in the William Wellwood Memorial after winning his elimination by a neck in a lifetime-best 1:55.1. Jj Racing Stable Inc. owns the winner of three races from seven starts—with $155,458 banked—and will have Tim Tetrick in the sulky from post 2.

A winner in an elimination of the Peter Haughton Memorial, Per Engblom trainee Synergy will try to rebound from an eighth-place finish in the William Wellwood Memorial. The Father Patrick colt—owned by Brittany Farms LLC, John Fielding, Herb Liverman and David Anderson—trotted a lifetime-best 1:54.4 when winning his elimination of the Haughton but finished fifth in the final. Yannick Gingras drives the winner of three races in six starts and $102,895.

Engblom also conditions third-division frontman Ready For Moni, who enters off 1:54.1 victory in the Kentucky Sires Stakes Final. The son of Ready Cash failed to sweep the series—making a break in the first prelim—but has won in his other four starts, earning $161,500 for John Fielding, Lindy Farms of Connecticut, Herb Liverman and Bud Hatfield. Yannick Gingras will drive from post 6.

The nine-race program to kickoff the Grand Circuit meet also features late-closing events for two-year-old pacing and trotting fillies. A $3,000 division of the Billings Amateur Trot starts the card with first-race post at 1:00 p.m. (EDT).

Rock Out for a Cause at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment

Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment encourages fans to come out to eat, drink and rock out in support of breast cancer awareness month on Saturday, October 5^th.

“Enough Said” will perform on Victory Terrace with great views of the New York City skyline.  Local residents and diehard jammers, Victor Nichols, Russell Nichols, Craig Just, Maryellen Butera Just, Domenic Maffei and Tom O'Rourke will showcase their diverse mix of classic tunes from the 60's-present and unique blend of musicianship.

Delicious BBQ will be available for purchase along with full bar and signature cocktails.

Doors open at 6:30pm with music starting at 8:30 pm.  Tickets are$20 at the door with $10 per ticket going to Susan G. Komen to help fight breast cancer.  In case of inclement weather event will be held inside the racetrack in the Gallery.

Guests that wear pink will receive a Susan G. Komen scented pink bracelet.

More event night information can be found at http://playmeadowlands.com/event_detail.aspx?id=16486
For more information on Susan G. Komen and to donate visit https://ww5.komen.org/

YONKERS ANNOUNCES FIELD OF 10 FOR MILLION-DOLLAR INTERNATIONAL TROT

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

YONKERS, NY, Friday, September 20, 2019—Yonkers Raceway has announced its field of 10 world-class entrants for the $1 million International Trot, set for Saturday afternoon, Oct. 12^th.

The ‘as of now’ list, alphabetically and with country of representation…

Atlanta (U-S)

Bahia Quesnot (France)

Cruzado Dela Noche (Sweden)

Guardian Angel AS (U-S)

Lionel (Norway)

Marion Marauder (Canada)

Norton Commander (Germany)

Slide So Easy (Denmark)

Uza Josellyn (Switzerland)

Zacon Gio (Italy).

A year ago, it was 30-1 shot Cruzado Dela Noche who snapped Lionel at the wire in the mile-and-a-quarter event, prevailing in 2:24.3. Marion Marauder finished fifth, with Slide So Easy eighth.

This is the 41^st International Trot and fifth since it returned after a two-decade hiatus.

The special matinee program—first post 1 PM—also features a pair of $250,000 Invitationals, the Harry Harvey Trot (also at 1¼ miles) and Dan Rooney Pace. As in the past, International Trot Day features giveaways, themed food and drink specials, music and more.

Updates shall be sent when available.

Closing night at Tioga Downs is set for Saturday.

Tioga Downs will end live racing for the 2109 season on Saturday (September 21),

On that night they will be giving away the 2019 Toyota Corolla as part of Horseplay Car Giveaway.  Each night of live racing patrons have purchased a rubber horse for $1.  All the money raised goes to a local charity each month.  They attempt to throw the rubber horse into the moving Toyota Corolla.  Each night three names were picked out of all the ones that landed in the car.  They all received an entry to win the car.  On Saturday all those entries go into a bin.  We will pick the names out in reverse order until one name is left.  That person will win the 2019 Toyota Corolla.  To win the car you must be present.

Tioga will also be giving away two Snapper XD82 volt electric push mowers (sponsored by Clinton Tractor).

Fireworks will follow the 11 race card that starts at 6:15 p.m.

For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com