MISSLAROSE UPSETS IN BIG M FEATURE

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Driver Joe Bongiorno guided Misslarose to a perfect pocket trip and the veteran mare found clearance inside the final sixteenth to pull off a 30-1 shocker in the $30,000 featured Preferred for trotters at the Meadowlands Friday night.

The 5-year-old daughter of Majestic Son-Marion Chocolata was hustled away from the gate by Bongiorno and raced in the pocket behind JL Cruze at the quarter in :27.1. The action started to heat up at the half as Rich And Miserable vacated the three-hole to come after the leader. The look of the race changed shortly thereafter when 4-5 favorite Southwind Chrome broke as he looked to pick up cover.

On the far turn, Rich And Miserable was up to engage JL Cruze as Bongiorno sat patiently just in behind the dueling leaders, waiting for his chance.

And his chance would come.

Through the stretch, Meladys Monet, who swung three-wide for the drive after going a third-over journey, was putting in his usual late charge while Rich And Miserable clung to a short edge after JL Cruze weakened. Nearing the wire, Bongiorno found a seam between Rich And Miserable (to his inside) and Meladys Monet (to his outside) and got up on the wire to record a neck win over Meladys Monet and Rich And Miserable in 1:53.

Even at odds of 30-1, Misslarose’s trainer had faith. “If I can be totally honest,” said Jenn Bongiorno. “I really did think we had a shot. Granted, this was a big step up and I respect the field of horses she was up against immensely – the field was stacked – but at the end of the day, this is a really nice mare that absolutely loves the Big M.

“(My brother) Joe couldn’t have worked out a better trip and just always seems to get the most out of our horses. Both Joe and Misslarose continue to impress me more and more every day. I couldn’t be happier.”

Misslarose, who paid $62.40 to win, now has four wins in eight Meadowlands starts in 2019 and has 11 Big M victories over the last two years. Her only other start in the Preferred ranks this season came in February when she missed a head to Trolley. Her career stats now stand at 19 wins from 73 starts and earnings of $229,790 for owner Wish Me Luck Stables.

A LITTLE MORE: Trainer Justin Sodano, 23, won his first career Meadowlands race when The Lady Sheriff scored in the fifth race. … One sharp player betting into the Catskills hub walked away with $6,847 after lasting just five legs in the 20-cent Survivor Pick-10. Three of the five races were won by the post-time favorite. … Tyler Buter had the right stuff, driving three winners on the card. Buter’s fans grabbed some Black Friday green as his horses paid off at 2-1, 13-1 and 11-1. … All-source handle for the 13-race card was $2,622,854, third best at the Fall Meeting. … Racing resumes Saturday at 7:15 p.m.

Tabbat Mcrey headlines Funicello/Holt Final

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

Tabbat Mcrey, who came from out of the clouds to record her first Cal Expo victory last week, gets the top billing in Saturday night’s $8,500 Funicello/Holt Final for pacing fillies and mares.

Watch and Wager LLC will present 12 races Saturday with first post at 6:10. The co-features will be a $7,200 Open Pace featuring the streaking Allmyx’sliventexas and two divisions of the Alan Horowitz Eliminations.

Getting back to the Funicello/Holt, Tabbat Mcrey is a 5-year-old daughter of McArdie who goes about her business for owner David Watson and is reined and trained by Rene Goulet. After closing for the place spot in her local debut two weeks ago, the long-fused came back to get the job done by two lengths in last week’s Prep for this event at 7-1 odds.

Lakota Law completed the exacta in that affair and will be looking to turn the tables this weekend for owner Peter Jesh and driver/trainer Nick Roland. She was a 1:54 3/5 victress last season at Hoosier Park and fits very nicely with this group.

Casey N Grinegan had to settle for a fourth-place finish as the 3-2 choice last week after being parked first-over to the lead in the stretch. Darryl Cutting conditions the Alberta-bred miss for Melinda Smith and Steve Wiseman will be at the helm.

Completing the field are LLuli, Palmona Ruiz, That’s How It Goes, Nightgirl, June Morning and Brooklyn Moonshine. 

                                          ***                   

Saturday night’s third race is named for the Orangutan Foundation International.

Nick Roland hoping to lay down the Law

Nick Roland is making his presence felt here as both a driver and trainer with another California invasion, with his most immediate concern being Lakota Law in Saturday night’s Funicello/Holt Final.

The 5-year-old mare, who carries the banner of Peter Jesh, spent her summer at Running Aces and was runner-up behind Tabbat Mcrey in last week’s Prep. She will be looking to turn the tables with conditioner Roland guiding from middle of the nine-horse line-up.

“She’s getting better,” her mentor noted. “She had some soundness issues when she first got her, but we’ve been able to work on those and she’s improving.”

Nick arrived with 16 racehorses and two babies, and is expecting six or seven more youngsters to join the barn shortly. He tips that some of the better performers are set to turn up in the entries, including the trotter Scramble Camp, who was scheduled to suit up on Friday night. 

In the meantime, Roland enjoys getting involved in the evening frays and is always open to catch drives. “It’s always nice to have people put you up behind their horses. When the weather is nice, I certainly don’t mind being out there every race. On the other hand, when it’s colt and rainy, I have no problem sitting out some races.”

Nick hopes to stay here for most of the meet, which runs through April, with one caveat. “If the weather back home turns nice sooner rather than later, that could mean we leave a few weeks earlier than planned.”

In the meantime, look for Nick Roland to make his share of appearances in the Cal Expo winner’s circle.

Bettor in the Bank, Kennedy a strong team

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

Bettor in the Bank became the first three-winner at the meet when the 9-year-old pacer made short work of his conditioned rivals last week with James Kennedy at the controls.

Despite leaving from the outside post in the field of nine, Bettor in the Bank got the job done once again by saving his best for last, looping the leaders into the lane to win going away by four and a quarter lengths.

A son of Better Tuwin who is owned by Debra McCarthy and conditioned by Gordie Graham, Bettor in the Bank was winning for the 46^th time from 185 starts and pushed his career bank account to $236,000 in the process. He established his 1:51 3/5 standard here last season.

“He’s just too classy for the horses he’s been racing against here,” said Kennedy of the McCarthy colorbearer. “He definitely likes to come at the end, so even though he had the outside post last time, I was worried about it. At some point he’ll come out and make his move.”

Bettor in the Bank will attempt to keep the streak going in Friday evening’s fourth race, leaving from the much more advantageous No. 3 post in the field of seven.

The victory with Bettor in the Bank last Friday was one of four tallies on the card for Kennedy, who is looking to repeat as the leading driver at this meeting. His other scores came with Joltin Joe, Relentless Dancer and Marilyn.

As far as repeating as leading pilot at this stand, James acknowledges this is one of the strongest driving colonies in recent memory. “I don’t know if I can repeat this year, but some people wait their whole lives to get a title and I was very proud to do it at the last meeting.”

Trot, Distaff Pace head the marquee

Trot, Distaff Pace head the Friday night marquee

An Open II Filly and Mare Pace featuring Dancingonthesand and an Open II Trot that brings out Its a Horse and invading Scramble Camp are the main attractions on Friday night’s program at Cal Expo.

There will be 12 races presented under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first post set for 6:10 p.m.

Dancinginthesand will be gunning for her third straight victory in the Distaff Pace while being asked to leave from the outside slot in the field of 10. Alan Cooper owns, Kathie Plested trains and Mooney Svendsen will be in the sulky.

After a romping score here on November 9, Dancinginthesand did her work from the No. 9 slot in last weekend’s clash at this level and came from double digits off the pace to post a length and a half score with Svendsen.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s program, the $8,500 Funicello/Holt Final, an Open Pace headed by Allmyx’sliventexas and two divisions of the Alan Horowitz Elimination will headline the evening’s action. 

Tabbat Mcrey, who came from out of the clouds to record her first Cal Expo victory last week, gets the top billing in the Funicello/Holt Final, which is for pacing for fillies and mares.

                                               ***

There are two wagers offered here nightly that come with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate. They are the 20-cent Pick 5, which begins on the first race; and the 20-cent Pick 4, which comes with a $25,000-guaranteed gross pool.

BIG M’S TVG/FALL FINAL FOUR FEATURED FABULOUS FINISHES

Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Last Saturday’s (Nov. 23) TVG/Fall Final Four Night at the Meadowlands promised an evening of incredible racing featuring a galaxy of harness racing stars.

And it delivered.

The four TVG Finals for older horses yielded no winning favorites and left a somewhat blurry Horse of the Year picture even more out of focus.

The biggest surprise of the night came early for the backers of 1-9 favorite Atlanta, who got gunned down by Emoticon Hanover after a thrilling stretch duel in 1:51.4, giving Emoticon a second straight TVG Mares Trot championship.

In the TVG Open Pace, Always A Prince, being driven by Yannick Gingras for the first time, blasted down the road in a sizzling 1:48.2. Rallying for second was 2-1 public choice Bettor’s Wish, whose record for 2019 now stands at 13 wins and six seconds from 19 starts. He is the leading money-earning horse in the sport this year with a bank account of $1.64 million and figures in the Horse of the Year conversation.

Ake Svanstedt moved Six Pack at just the right moment and charged past 7-5 shot Manchego – who was seeking to beat the boys – in the TVG Open Trot in 1:50. It marked the final career start for Six Pack (the 3-2 second choice), who finished his career with 19 wins from 35 starts and earnings of $1.93 million. His 1:49.1 win in the 2018 Kentucky Futurity is the fastest mile ever by a 3-year-old on the trot.

The last of the TVG Finals – the Mares Pace – brought high drama, as 1-2 favorite Shartin N was looking to hang on to the top spot in the Horse of the Year race facing her arch-rival – and 3-1 second choice – Caviart Ally. The stretch duel was as thrilling as they get, and at the wire, Caviart Ally had her third consecutive win over Shartin N in a race of great significance (the Breeders Crown and Allerage were the other two), this time by a nose in 1:48.3.

The Fall Final Four for 2-year-olds featured some pulse-pounding performances as well.

Papi Rob Hanover was much the best as the 1-9 public choice in the Governor’s Cup for colts and geldings on the pace while 1-2 favorite – and Breeders Crown champion – Amigo Volo went off stride early, paving the way for EL Ideal (3-1 second choice) to go wire-to-wire in the Valley Victory for male trotters.

Senorita Rita, the even-money choice, got up just in time to catch Sister Sledge after a stretch battle in the Goldsmith Maid for filly trotters while 3-1 second choice JK First Lady powered home after rallying three-wide at three-quarters to take the Three Diamonds for filly pacers. Lyons Sentinel, the 1-2 public choice, finished third.

In addition to Six Pack retiring, others making their final starts Saturday included Hannelore Hanover, a lifetime earner of over $3 million who goes out as one of the top female trotters in the history of the game; 2018 Horse of the Year McWicked, who finished fifth behind Always A Prince and completes his career with a staggering bankroll of $4.93 million; and 2018 Meadowlands Pace winner Courtly Choice, whose lifetime best of 1:47.1 came in the Big M’s signature pacing event.

TOUGH NIGHT FOR TOP 10: None of the seven horses in the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown Top 10 Poll who raced Saturday emerged victorious.

In addition to No. 8 Atlanta, No. 2 Bettor’s Wish, No. 10 McWicked, No. 5 Manchego and No. 1 Shartin N, No. 4 Warrawee Ubeaut – a 3-year-old who took on older – finished fourth in the TVG Mares Pace while No. 6 Gimpanzee – another sophomore that took on elders – finished fourth in the TVG Open Trot.

LET THE DEBATE BEGIN: While Shartin N remains the favorite to take home the Horse of the Year trophy, there will no doubt be some voters who will cast their ballots elsewhere.

In the Top 10 Poll that was released Tuesday, four horses received first-place votes: Shartin N (23), Bettor’s Wish (8), Greenshoe (3) and Manchego (1).

“The Meadowlands was proud to host an unforgettable night of racing,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “The TVG races showcased the best of the best and featured several much-anticipated matchups of top 3-year-olds taking on some of the outstanding older horses in training. We watched the stars of the future in the Fall Final Four and we said goodbye to some of our greatest stars who were honored in retirement ceremonies. The TVG Finals, in unison with the Fall Final Four, certainly was the perfect way to close out a sensational Meadowlands 2019 stakes season.”

ON THE CALENDAR: Racing resumes this weekend on Friday and Saturday with a first-race post time of 7:15 p.m. This will be the last two-card race week of the year as during the month of December, racing will be conducted on a thrice weekly basis, Thursday through Saturday. … On Nov. 29, card players who are 21 or older can play Texas Hold’em on “Free Poker Friday”, hosted by World Free Poker. … Bring your appetite on Saturday (Nov. 30), for the Big M’s third annual Pork Roll Eating Contest. First prize is $500.

TOYS FOR TOTS: Come on out to the track on Monday (Dec. 2) and bring an unwrapped toy for a child at Harlem Grown. Not only will you help a youngster have a happy holiday, but you will also get to greet New York Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa – the honorary Captain of the 2019 Toys for Tots Campaign – as the U.S. Marine Toys for Tots Annual Holiday Toy Drive Reception takes place at the Meadowlands.

FOX5 sportscaster Tina Cervasio will host the event, where some of Enunwa’s Jets teammates are expected to attend.

For those who cannot make it but would like to help, they can bring a new, unwrapped toy to the track between now and the night of the event.

FANDUEL HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: Here is the holiday operating schedule for the Big M’s FanDuel Sportsbook:

·         Thanksgiving Day: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

·         Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

·         Christmas Day: Closed

·         New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

·         New Year’s Day: 10 a.m. – 1 a.m.

For more information, go to playmeadowlands.com/fanduel.

Create Your Own Mac & Cheese at the Meadowlands This Friday

This Friday, November 29^th guests dining in Pink can let their creativity fly at the “Make Your Own Mac & Cheese” bar. Diners can upgrade their cheesy and creamy macaroni with an array of toppings that include bacon, scallions, chicken, tomatoes and ham.

The buffet is $29.95 also includes plenty for those that haven’t gotten enough of Thanksgiving dinner with favorites such as hand-carved turkey, sweet potato casserole and sausage and sage stuffed mushrooms. 

The $39.95 Saturday, November 30^th buffet is highlighted by roasted pork loin, chicken Milanese, salmon piccata along with delicious desserts including German chocolate cake and tiramisu.

The Friday buffet themed stations continue in December:

• December 6^th: Creole Favorites – Jambalaya with Andouille Sausage, Gulf Shrimp with Red Beans and Cornbread
• December 13^th: Mexican Fiesta – Chili (Beef & Vegetarian), Queso, Guac, Pico De Gallo, Tortilla Chips, Refried Beans and Churros
• December 20^th: Cocktail Hour – Chicken Empanadas, Baked Sausage Bread, Mini Pizzas, Swedish Meatballs, Pigs in a Blanket & Eggrolls
• December 27^th: Southern Hospitality – Chipotle Pork Sliders, Mac & Cheese, Fried Oysters, Southern Baked Beans, Homemade Coleslaw

Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling (201) THE-BIGM and the complete menus can be viewed at http://playmeadowlands.com/dining/pink-dining.html

Live harness racing post time for Friday and Saturday is 7:15pm.

Buffalo Raceway Stall Applications Ready

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Stall applications for the upcoming 2020 season at Buffalo Raceway are now available through several different sources.

Applications have been mailed out and can also be obtained at www.buffaloraceway.com or picked up at the Western New York Harness Horsemen's Association office located at Batavia Downs. Deadline to return the form is Friday, December 13.

Racing at the half-mile oval located at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg will begin on Wednesday, January 29 and will conclude on Saturday, July 18.

Race Secretary Tom Agosti also announced that the conditions instituted last season will remain in effect in 2020 with Class A, B, C and D levels used. The purse structure will remain the same as in 2019 as well.

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

STORMY KROMER, JACK’S LEGEND N WINS SATURDAY NIGHT 35G CO-FEATURES

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

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, November 23, 2019—‘Twas a pair of Yonkers Raceway $35,000 Preferred Handicaps highlighting the Saturday night (Nov. 23^rd) soiree.

Stormy Kromer (Brent Holland, $36.80) edged past Will Take Charge (Jordan Stratton) in the week’s marquee trot, snapping that one in a season’s-best 1:54.  The latter retook from the eventual winner, throwing down subsections of :27.3, :57 and 1:25.2 while Top Flight Angel (Eric Goodell) offered a weak, first-up bid. 

Will Take Charge owned a length-and-a-half lead into the lane, but was unable to close the sale for the second week in a row. Stormy Kromer—from post position No. 5—eased out and by, the margin a neck. Lean Hanover (Jim Marohn Jr.) was a best-of-the-rest third, with Swansea (Austin Siegelman) and 17-10 choice Melady’s Monet (George Brennan) settling for the small change.   

For sixth choice Stormy Kromer, a 5-year-old Dejarmbro gelding owned by Tom Ceraso Jr. and trained by Paul Stafford, it was his eighth win in 35 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $123.50, the triple returned $1,193 and the superfecta paid $13,076 (base $2 payout).

The weekly adult-table pace saw odds-on fave Jack’s Legend N (Jason Bartlett, $3) get the memo just in time. 

Assigned outside his five rivals, he floated from the gate, but landed only fifth as The Wall (Brennan) rolled intervals of :27.4; :56.3 and 1:24. The one had a length-and-a-half lead in and out of the final turn, with San Domino A (Holland) pocketed and The Real One (Pat Lachance) pacing in place first-up from third.

All the while, Jack’s Legend N was lagging to catch his tow, then went wide. The Wall fought the good fight, but the people’s preference did get there, winning by a half-length in a life-best 1:51.2. The Real One, San Domino A and invading Tookadiveoffdipper (Stratton) picked off the remainder,  

For Jack’s Legend N, a 5-year-old Down Under Bettor’s Delight gelding co-owned by (trainer) Richard Banca, Barbara & James Boese, it was his sixth win in 10 ’19 tries. The exacta paid $11.60, the triple returned $31.40 and the superfecta paid $51.

Special Saturday props to venerable vets Somewhere in L A (Bartlett, $16) and Bit of a Legend N (Stratton, ), who were a nose apart in the $22,000, 11^th-race pace (1:52.1). That was a now 44-time winner ($1,799,046) just holding off a 53-time winner ($2,562,871) with a combined 328 career starts.

GINGRAS WINS FOUR ON TVG/FALL FINAL FOUR NIGHT AT BIG M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – On the biggest night of the Meadowlands’ Fall Meeting, driver Yannick Gingras came up huge.

The 40-year-old pilot guided four winners on the Saturday night card at the Meadowlands, with two of those victories coming among the eight TVG/Fall Final Four events.

Gingras won his first of the night with the Ron Burke-trained Matticulous GB in a $21,000 conditioned pace. The 1-5 favorite ran his record to eight wins in as many 2019 starts after hitting the finish in 1:50.1, a lifetime-best.

Then Gingras got serious.

Driving 4-year-old Always A Prince ($12.00 to win) for the first time, Gingras and the Tyler George trainee paced a back half in a wicked :53.2 on the way to a 1:48.2 score in the $350,000 TVG Open Pace over favorite Bettor’s Wish and American History.

In the very next race, JK First Lady gave Gingras his third score of the night in the $411,000 Three Diamonds for 2-year-old fillies on the pace. The Nancy Johansson student stopped the clock in a track-record – and lifetime-best – 1:49.2 in front of Rocknificent and favorite Lyons Sentinel and paid $8.20 to win.

Quality Bud gave Gingras his fourth of the night in the 12^th race $16,000 conditioned pace at odds of 4-1, completing the mile in 1:51.3 for trainer Andrew Harris.

A LITTLE MORE: A meet-best $110,502 was wagered in the 50-cent Pick-4. … All-source handle on the 13-race program was $2,699,358, missing the meet high of $2,730,886 (established on November 2) by just over $30,000. … Racing resumes Friday at 7:15 p.m.

CAVIART ALLY NOSES SHARTIN N TO WIN TVG MARE PACE CHAMPIONSHIP

EAST RUTHERFORD NJ – It took a while for the Bettor’s Delight mare Caviart Ally ($8.80) to find a way to defeat the season-long pacing mare divisional leader Shartin N, but “Ally” was able to exploit the late-found knowledge for the third time in recent weeks, just nosing out her ultimate rival in taking the $175,000 TVG Mare Pace Final Saturday night at The Meadowlands in a stakes-record 1:48.3.

Youaremycandygirl made the early lead, then yielded to Kissin In The Sand before the :27.1 quarter. Shortly into the backstretch, the archrivals were on the move, with Caviart Ally first coming from third to grab the lead before the half, then yielding to 1-2 favorite Shartin N just past the :54.1 half. Apple Bottom Jeans and three-year-old Warrawee Ubeaut were first- and second-over, respectively, on the far turn past the 1:21.3 three-quarters, but in the stretch they couldn’t come closer, giving Caviart Ally and driver Andrew McCarthy the chance to vacate the pocket nearing midstretch.

The stretch drive was harness racing at its best, with Shartin N giving her all to hold her lead to the finish, with Caviart Ally charging after the two-hole trip. Caviart Ally just got the nod in the last steps over her game opponent; Kissin In The Sand (third-in) and Warrawee Ubeaut were next in line.

Trainer Brett Pelling was confident that his mare would be better tonight than in her last start, when she was a no-factor third behind Shartin N: “That race was a late addition to our schedule; I was fairly sure she would bounce back.” Asked about Caviart Ally returning to the track next year for the Caviart Farms, the conditioner said, “Well, we haven’t talked about that yet, but my vote would be yes.”

Caviart Ally has nine wins and $672,215 in a season where she has not missed the board in 19 starts. Shartin N needed to finish first to become the first pacing mare to have consecutive $1 million seasons, but the defending champion’s $2,035,413 over the last two campaigns, with 34 wins, is by no means insignificant.

A win by Shartin N, coupled with other finishes in the evening, might have solidified Horse of the Year honors for her; she still could earn the award, but Caviart Ally’s nose will make a long discussion of supremacy extend even further.

EL IDEAL LANDS IN VALLEY VICTORY; SENORITA RITA TAKES GOLDSMITH MAID

By Ray Cotolo, for the Meadowlands

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The trotting side of the Fall Final Four saw a favorite foiled and a favorite deliver.

Misfortune for 1-2 favorite Amigo Volo paid fortune for 3-1 second choice EL Ideal in the $505,050 Valley Victory Final—sponsored by Kentuckiana Farms—on Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Meadowlands.

At the gate’s acceleration Amigo Volo lost stride, racing distanced from the field while driver Andy Miller landed EL Ideal on the lead. “It was just kind of my race from there,” Miller later said in the winner’s circle.

The Ake Svanstedt-trained Muscle Hill colt controlled the tempo through a :28.1 first quarter and :57.4 half as Amigo Volo hustled to come back into contact with the field.

EL Ideal faced his main challenge from Ready For Moni in the final turn. The latter drew to the leader’s wheel passing three-quarters in 1:26.1 but could only give pursuit in the straightaway. EL Ideal dashed away, hitting the finish two-and-one-quarter lengths better than Ready For Moni in a 1:53.2 mile, with Chestnut Hill—sitting pocket the whole mile—taking third and Moveoutofmyway K fourth.

“Halfway down the lane behind the gate I saw [Amigo Volo] was a little unsteady,” Andy Miller said after the race, “so I didn’t know when he ran or what happened but I thought he probably ran when he didn’t move at the quarter.

“This horse is quick off the car and then he relaxes really good,” Miller also said. “Ake’s done a great job managing him and keeping him under control.”

Owned by Emp Invest Oy, EL Ideal won his fourth race from 10 starts, pushing his career bankroll to $523,934. He paid $8.00 to win.

A couple weeks ago after Senorita Rita won the Kindergarten Classic final trainer Linda Toscano said some trotting fillies “got it or they don’t.” Her Chapter Seven pupil continued to prove she may “got it” with a win in the $475,100 Goldsmith Maid, sponsored by Hunterton Farms.

Driver Scott Zeron positioned Senorita Rita third while Sister Sledge protected position from the pylons to grab the front moving to a :28 first quarter. Positions remained unchanged through a :56.4 half but Zeron made his move entering the final turn.

Sister Sledge scooted away from Queen Of The Hill in second while Senorita Rita tried to recoup ground trotting to three-quarters in 1:25.1. Circling into the stretch Sister Sledge appeared to have Senorita Rita measured, but Zeron kept his filly straight under urging to then surge by and nail Sister Sledge by a head in a career-best mile of 1:53. Hall Of Am S took third with Common Sense S fourth.

“[Sister Sledge] got a great jump on me at the three-quarter pole and it felt like an insurmountable deficit to make up,” Zeron said after the race. “But when I straightened up and my filly corrected I pulled the plugs and she went into orbit. It was a matter of ‘Where’s that wire?’ because I had to maintain her speed. As long as I did that I thought I’d get up.”

Owner Kenneth Jacobs opted to sideline Senorita Rita in July to ready her for a late-season campaign on the Grand Circuit. In eight starts Senorita Rita has won six, finishing no worse than second while also accruing $421,985.

 “She was just beautiful; I really wanted to get her,” Jacobs said of purchasing Senorita Rita as a yearling for $285,000. “They pushed me a little bit on the price but that’s okay. I figure we’re even now.”

 “It’s nice to have a fresh filly this time of year,” Jacobs also said.

Senorita Rita returned $4.20 to win.

STEVE “YOU'RE NEVER TOO” OLDFORD WINS BILLINGS EAST REGION GOLD CUP AT YONKERS

by John Manzi for the Billings Series

YONKERS, NY—The 2019 CKG Billings Amateur Driving Series is now in the books after $25,000 Gold Cup Championship Finals in the series Midwest and Eastern regions. Last night at The Meadows Kelly “Sky” Walker emerged victorious with Keystone Blade in the Midwest final and tonight at Yonkers Raceway Steve “You're Never Too” Oldford scored with Blasco in the East Regional finale.

Both Billings Gold Cup finals were contested at a distance of 1-1/4 mile. Keystone Blade was victorious in 2:30 while Blasco scored in 2:29.1.

Unlike last night's Gold Cup Final where the winner returned a $38.60 mutuel Oldford's trotter was second choice in the wagering and paid $6.10.

In tonight's contest Oldford hustled Blasco to the lead from the two-hole and was in front when he passed the first quarter in :28.2. But as they trotted beyond the quarter pole Oldford, still on the pylons, opened up some daylight which allowed Minore to settle a parked Wygant Prince in behind him.

As Blasco showed the way by the half mile pole “Yankee Joe” Lee moved the favorite, Inukchuk Chuck to the outside from far back and began moving up but he had to go three- deep as they neared the three quarter pole to get around Wygant Prince.

Still in charge Blasco was a length to the good when he passed the one- mile marker in 1:59:3. And through the lane despite constant urging by Joe Lee, Inukchuk Chuck couldn't make up any ground on the leader and finished second , 1-1/2 lengths behind Blasco. Wygant Prince held on for the show dough.

Oldford had qualified his trotter Utopia for the Midwest Gold Cup Final but they finished off the board. However, they more than made up for that with a gutsy win by Blasco in tonight's East Region Gold Cup Final.

Blasco is owned by Oldford Racing and trained by Ethan Cisco.

Although there is no award for best trotter in the BIllings Series one could easily nominate the Nick Surick-trained, Inukchuk Chuk. The veteran trotter won five Billings trots this year with four different drivers: Sofia Zingale, Tyler Miller, Kiara Morgan and two wins by Hannah Miller.

EMOTICON HANOVER OUTSPRINTS ATLANTA FOR UPSET IN TVG MARE TROT CHAMPIONSHIP

By Jerry Connors, for The Meadowlands

EAST RUTHERFORD NJ – For most of its initial stakes race, the TVG Mare Trot final, the Fall Super Saturday Championship card at The Meadowlands didn’t look like it would get off to an unusual start, but that changed in the final sixteenth, as Emoticon Hanover ($16.40) unleashed a vicious sprint from the pocket to catch 1-9 favorite and pacesetter Atlanta, winning in 1:51.4 to both defend her title in this event and equal the 2016 stakes record of Hannelore Hanover.

Darling Mearas S made a break behind the gate; once the gate sprung, Atlanta from post one, Emoticon Hanover from post two, and Beautiful Sin from post three all left rapidly, but Atlanta asserted herself through track geometry heading into turn one, with the field lined up through post position order through a :27.3 quarter and a :56.3 half.

Late on the far turn, the sophomore Beautiful Sin came out of third to increase the tempo nearing the 1:25.2 quarter, and Atlanta shifted into a very high gear. And so did Emoticon Hanover from the pocket, staying on the pacesetter’s back, then clearing to the outside for driver Dan Dube inside of the eighth pole. Emoticon Hanover quickly shifted into overdrive, gaining about two lengths into a :26.2 last quarter (and probably a sub-:13 eighth) and had enough thrust to surprise the favorite by a head. Hannelore Hanover went inside in the stretch and finished third, beaten just a length.

“I figured that I would sit the trip behind Atlanta,” Dube noted after the race. “When the pace picked up on the far turn, I thought we might have a chance to catch her.”

Emoticon Hanover, a six-year-old daughter of Kadabra, now has two TVG Final wins and a 2017 Breeders Crown championship among her 26 career wins, which has brought $1,765,383 for trainer Luc Blais and owner Determination.

The TVG Mares final was the last career race for Darling Mearas S, Meadowlands track recordholder and winner of $837,308, and the 2017 Harness Horse of the Year Hannelore Hanover, she of the multiple triumphs in open company and $3,069,857. Hannelore Hanover will now be bred to Greesnhoe; her regular driver, Yannick Gingras, noted in retirement ceremonies that “I wouldn’t mind driving that one.”

SHELLIE DE VIE BEST IN BIG M FEATURE

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Shellie De Vie was the recipient of a superb drive by Vinny Ginsburg, and the result was an easy 3¼-length score in the $25,000 featured conditioned pace for fillies and mares at the Meadowlands Friday night.

The 4-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Beach Girl De Vie was put on the point around the first turn and made the quarter in :27.3. Oceania, the 4-5 favorite, was sitting sixth at this stage before working her way into the outer flow third-over as Shellie De Vie hit the half in :55.3.

You Should Be Here came calling first-over to pressure the leader, but Shellie De Vie kept on rolling to three-quarters in 1:23.1 after a middle-half rating of :55.3 by Ginsburg with a strong winds at the horses’ backs. Oceania was now three-wide with cover as the field came to the top of the stretch.

Through the final three-sixteenths of a mile, Shellie De Vie continued to move well while Oceania could provide no punch after tipping off cover. Trained by Paul Fusco, Shellie De Vie completed the mile in 1:52. Annabeth came from way back to grab second while Renaissance Lady K finished third. Oceania was seventh in the nine-horse field.

As the second choice in the wagering, Shellie De Vie, who’s now won 11-of-56 lifetime with earnings of $129,304 for owner Robert Arzano, paid $11.80 to win.

THE BIG NIGHT IS HERE: Saturday night, the Meadowlands is hosting its biggest night of the autumn meeting, Fall Final Four/TVG Finals Night, with purses totaling just over $2.8 million.

A galaxy of harness racing stars will be on the card, including Atlanta, Hannelore Hanover, Papi Rob Hanover, Amigo Volo, Sister Sledge, Senorita Rita, American History, McWicked, Bettor’s Wish, Lyons Sentinel, Six Pack, Gimpanzee, Manchego, Warrawee Ubeaut, Caviart Ally, and last but not least, the great Shartin N, who will look to claim the Horse of the Year trophy should she emerge victorious.

The star-studded program gets off to an earlier-than-usual start, with the first race going off at 7 p.m.

A LITTLE MORE: Dexter Dunn and Yannick Gingras both drove three winners on the card. Dunn leads the way at the Big M at the current meeting with 24 victories. … The 20-cent Survivor Pick-10 returned $3,147 for those who lasted seven legs. Of the seven winners, four were post-time choices. … All-source handle totaled $2,193,101 for the 13-race program.

ROBYN CAMDEN WINS FRIDAY NIGHT 35G DISTAFF DERBY

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

YONKERS, NY, Friday, November 22, 2019—Yonkers Raceway graded the distaff derby on a curve Friday night (Nov. 22^nd), going with a brisk $35,000 Preferred Handicap Pace for the ladies.

It was Robyn Camden (Jim Marohn Jr., $16.20) getting the better of Lady Dela Renta A (Jordan Stratton) and 25-1 Cabowabocuttie (Eric Goodell) in a cavalcade of closers, the teletimer doing its thing in 1:55.4

At the outset, 4-5 fave Write Me a Song (George Brennan) found the lead, working around Sudden Change N (Austin Siegelman) before a :26.4 opening quarter mile. Then, Kaitlyn N (Jason Bartlett) grabbed the baton, parked into the second turn for the privilege.

It was a :55.3 intermission before Shady Caroline (Matt Kakaley) took out of fourth, challenging in and out of the 1:25.3 three-quarters. She towed in Cabowabocutie while our heroine, Robyn Camden, was third-over from assigned post position No. 4.

They had to get to Kaitlyn N and her length-and-a-quarter leader into the lane.

They did.

Cabowabocuttie grabbed the first lead, but Robyn Camden was about to go by. ‘Robyn’ then held the late threat of a cone-extricating Lady Dela Renta A at bay, the final margin three-quarters of a length. A last-to-fourth Clear Idea (Joe Bongiorno) and a tiring Kaitlyn N settled for the minors.    

For third choice Robyn Camden, a 4-year-old daughter of Art Professor owned by Jason O’Sullivan and trained by Rene Allard, it was her 12^th win in 27 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $103, the triple returned $783 and the superfecta paid $3,717.

Allmyx’sliventexas heads Don Ratchford Pace at Cal Expo

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

Allmyx’sliventexas and Gorgeous For Real head the cast in Saturday night’s featured $7,200 Don Ratchford Pace.

Watch and Wager LLC will present 10 races with first post set for 6:40 p.m. and the main event goes as the fifth on the program. 

Allmyx’sliventexas is a 6-year-old son of Hi Ho Silverheel’s who is owned and was bred by Rod and Wayne Knittel, takes his lessons from Bob Johnson and will have Mooney Svendsen back at the controls.

In last week’s Open Pace, he was sent off the 6-5 second choice while leaving from the outside post and blasted away from the barrier to make virtually every pole a winning one in a 1:53 2/5 performance.

It was the 32^nd lifetime victory for Allymyx’sliventexas and he is now just shy of the $200,000 earnings mark with a 1:50 flat lifetime standard that was established last year at Hoosier Park.

Gorgeous For Real put in a good late move in that top dance last weekend, but had to settle for the exacta completion as the odds-on choice. The 5-year-old goes about his business for the partnership of Schwartz, Wilkinson, Axelrod and O’Neill with Jim Wilkinson training and Luke Plano in the sulky.

A winner of 19 of his 88 appearances, Gorgeous For Real romped here opening night and established his 1:50 3/5 career standard this summer in Indiana. Completing the field are Marced Magic, Bestinthebusiness, Part Time, Coz and Effect and Cowboys Dirtyboots.

Race honors memory of Don Ratchford

Saturday’s feature race is named for Don Ratchford, the respected horseman who passed away in August at the age of 75.

Born in Nova Scotia, Don originally came to the United States in 1962 with Hall of Famer Joe O’Brien and quickly established himself as a valuable asset to the success of the O’Brien stable.

Ratchford also worked with such top horseman as Bob Farrington, Jim Dennis, Jack Williams, Bob Williams and Harold Merriam which, he said, “Contributed to whatever success I achieved because of what I learned from them.”

Not only was he very successful as a trainer/driver, Don was a partner and operator of Highland Farm, a breeding and training facility under his care from 1980 to 1994.

Among Ratchford’s most successful performers were Armbro Guest, Hilarious Brew, Timeron Hanover, Karen’s Rowdy One, A Little Bit Rowdy and Karen’s Magic One.

Said trainer Barry Abrams, “He was very important to me, because I learned to be horsemen from Don and never would have been a trainer without him.

“He was an outstanding horseman. Give him a sore horse and he would change the shoeing and rub those legs, the way he learned from Joe O’Brien, and get amazing results.”

Rue Hanover proves hearty traveler

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

The road to victory in last weekend’s Bill Conlin Pace by Rue Hanover and Chip Lackey is an interesting one.

The Pennsylvania-bred 3-year-old miss was purchased as a yearling by John Glenn at Harrisburg and was then sent to Canada for her 2-year-old season, where she had to settle for minor awards in her first 10 starts.

Lackey picks up the story. “It was the first of August and I got a call from John, who is a good horseman and an even better friend. He knew I was desperate for horses and said he had a maiden I should come take a look at up in Toronto.”

After checking out Rue Hanover, Chip bought the pacing filly for himself and Kenneth Seastrom and promptly brought her with him to Hawthorne Park, where she recorded two wins before once again hitting the road and arriving in Sacramento last month.

“I was very impressed with her win in the Conlin leg on opening night,” Lackey noted. “She’d been off for five weeks and traveled across the country.”

Rue Hanover came right back and accounted for the Conlin final last week, leaving sharply from the No. 8 slot to get position before challenging first over past the half and gamely getting the job done

“She’s a bit of a firecracker, high strung and all, but she’s shown she has guts,” her mentor praised. “Her dam is a half-sister to Rock N Roll Hanover and Royal Flush Hanover, who were both millionaires, so she has class in her pedigree.”

Bettor in the Bank eyes hat trick

Bettor in the Bank, who has started the meet with back-to-back wins, looks to keep the momentum going in Friday night’s $5,000 pacing feature. First post for the nine-race card is 6:40 p.m.

A 9-year-old son of Bettor Tuwin, Bettor in the Bank is owned by Debra McCarthy, hails from the Gordie Graham barn and will once again have James Kennedy giving directions as he steps up another notch in class and leaves from the demanding No. 9 slot.

The dark-hued performer, who has captured 45 of his 184 starts with a 1:51 2/5 mark established here last season, left little doubt on opening night as he waltzed home by two and a quarter lengths on the class drop.

Bettor in the Bank had to work a lot harder in last week’s tally as the 2-5 chalk, surging when it counted for Kennedy to up by a nose in a 1:53 1/5 mile where the first three finishers were separated by a neck.

Friday’s eighth race is a very interesting affair that will be decided at the elongated distance of a mile and a half, with last week’s coast-to-coast victor Blue Star Maverick squaring off against Al’s Briefs, who was Bettor in the Bank’s most immediate victim last weekend.

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Watch and Wager LLC is proud to host its 8^th annual Thanksgiving Dinner this Saturday from 3 to 8 p.m. in the driver’s room. All licensees and employees are welcome!

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There is a $5,898 carryover in the 20-cent Hi-Five, which is conducted on the finale, with a $20,000-guaranteed gross pool. There is also a $25,000-guaranteed pool on the 20-cent Pick 4 on both Friday and Saturday. 

BLOCKBUSTER CARD ON TAP SATURDAY AT BIG M

Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The final true monster card on harness racing’s 2019 calendar takes place Saturday (Nov. 23) night, when just over $2.8 million in purses will be up for grabs in eight stakes events on Fall Final Four/TVG Finals Night at the Meadowlands.

Seven of the horses in the weekly Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown Top 10 poll will be in action. In three events, two of those horses will go head-to-head.

The 6-year-old super mare Shartin N (No. 1 in the poll), the presumptive leader in the Horse of the Year race, will take on the top 3-year-old filly in training, Warrawee Ubeaut (No. 4), in the $175,000 TVG Mares Pace. A win by Shartin N puts her on the inside track for the HOTY hardware, a loss could put that award up for grabs.

Bettor’s Wish (No. 2) is another 3-year-old who will take on older foes, as he’ll tackle defending Horse of the Year McWicked (No. 10) in the $350,000 TVG Open Pace. Bettor’s Wish is off an impressive score in the Matron in 1:49.2 and is harness racing’s high money-earner this year, with a bankroll of just over $1.5 million. A TVG win would undoubtedly help his Horse of the Year cause, but he would have to beat the standout who sealed up last year’s HOTY trophy (McWicked) in the very same event last November.

The final matchup of Top 10 horses comes when the sport’s hottest horse, the great mare Manchego (No. 5), a winner of six in a row, takes on the boys in the $350,000 TVG Open Trot. Standing in her way will be double New York Sire Stakes and double Breeders Crown champion Gimpanzee (No. 6), who has banked $1.1 million in 2019.

Atlanta (No. 8) is the other Top 10 member who will be on the card. She’ll be a short price in the $175,000 TVG Mares Trot off an easy win in a prep at the Big M in 1:52.2. One of the great trotting mares of all time – Atlanta’s Ron Burke stablemate Hannelore Hanover – a lifetime earner of more than $3 million, will also be behind the gate making the final start of her stellar career.

The four TVG events are just half the story. The Fall Final Four races – all for 2-year-olds with divisional honor impact  – include the $401,850 Governor’s Cup for pacing colts and geldings (where Papi Rob Hanover is the 3-5 early favorite); $505,050 Valley Victory for trotting colts and geldings (Breeders Crown winner Amigo Volo is 8-5); $475,100 Goldsmith Maid for trotting fillies (Senorita Rita is 2-1); and $411,00 Three Diamonds for pacing fillies (Lyons Sentinel is 2-1).

EARLY START, BIG ACTION: The Saturday night program, which will have an earlier-than-usual first race post time of 7 p.m., features an enhanced wagering menu. It will include:

·         20-cent Survivor Pick-6 (Races 1-6)

·         $40,000 guaranteed 50-cent Pick-5 (Races 3-7)

·         $75,000 guaranteed 50-cent Pick-4 (Races 8-11)

·         Rolling Pick-3s

GETTING IT DUNN: Driver Dexter Dunn’s star continues to rise, as the regular pilot for horses such as Manchego and Bettor’s Wish has been red hot during November at the Meadowlands, winning 17-of-60 drives, good for a gaudy win percentage of 28.

Yannick Gingras and Tim Tetrick have more than earned their keep as well, as both have nine victories through the first three weeks of the month with still four November race cards remaining.

TOYS FOR TOTS: Come on out to the track on Monday, Dec. 2 and bring an unwrapped toy for a child at Harlem Grown. Not only will you help a youngster have a happy holiday, but you will also get to greet New York Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa – the honorary Captain of the 2019 Toys for Tots Campaign – as the U.S. Marine Toys for Tots Annual Holiday Toy Drive Reception takes place at the Meadowlands.

FOX5 sportscaster Tina Cervasio will host the event, where some of Enunwa’s Jets teammates are expected to attend.

For those who cannot make it but would like to help, they can bring a new, unwrapped toy to the track between now and the night of the event.

FANDUEL HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: With Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 28) just a week away, here is the holiday operating schedule for the Big M’s FanDuel Sportsbook:

·         Thanksgiving Day: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

·         Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

·         Christmas Day: Closed

·         New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

·         New Year’s Day: 10 a.m. – 1 a.m.

For more information, go to playmeadowlands.com/fanduel.

GIVING OUT THANKS: “On behalf of Jeff Gural and I, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of our employees, horsemen and officials for all they do to help us maintain a great racing product. I would also like to wish our faithful fans a joyous Thanksgiving holiday. This is a time for family and friends, and I sincerely hope everybody gets to spend some quality time with the special people in their lives,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir.

Meadowlands Racetrack Live Post Draws this Tuesday

 The entries and post positions will be revealed for the TVG Finals and Fall Final Four  during a live post position draw on Tuesday, November 19th at 12:30 pm.   

The event will be streamed exclusively on the Meadowlands Racetrack Facebook page. Fans should be sure to "Like" the Facebook page in order to view the stream.  

The lineup on Saturday, November 23  for Fall Final Four/TVG Finals Night is a stacked one. The four events for 2-year-olds are the $505,050 Valley Victory for trotting colts and geldings, $475,100 Goldsmith Maid for trotting fillies, $401,850 Governor’s Cup for pacing colts and geldings and $411,000 Three Diamonds for pacing fillies.

In addition, some of the sport’s biggest names will be on the track in four TVG Finals. They include the $350,000 Open Pace, $175,000 Mares Pace, $350,000 Open Trot and $175,000 Mares Trot. 

Purses for the eight races total $2,843,000. Post time is 7pm. 

ATLANTA SHARP IN TVG PREP AT THE MEADOWLANDS

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Atlanta tuned up for next week’s TVG Mares Trot by winning the Saturday night feature at the Meadowlands in dominant fashion.

The fastest trotter in Big M history by virtue of her 1:49.1 clocking on July 6 of this year, Atlanta toyed with a talented field in the mile oval's featured $30,000 Preferred for trotters.

Sent to the gate as the 3-5 public choice, driver Yannick Gingras put Atlanta on the early lead, hitting the quarter in :27.3. After a sleepy second fraction of :29.4 followed, it was all but over right then and there.

The 4-year-old daughter of Chapter Seven-Hemi Blue Chip never had an anxious moment, hitting the finish 2¼ lengths in front of the pocket-sitting-throughout Guardian Angel As in 1:52.2. Southwind Chrome rallied for third. The winner returned $3.40 to her backers.

“I couldn’t be happier with her,” said Gingras. “She trotted right to the wire better than she has in a little while.”

“The track wasn’t playing super fast,” said winning trainer Ron Burke. “There might have been a bias against horses racing on the front end. It’s the best performance Atlanta has had on the front this year. We could not have asked for anything more. She was straight all the way to the wire. I can’t take anything bad out of the race.”

Atlanta has now won 20 of her 38 career starts and earned $1,866,889 for owners Crawford Farms Racing, Brad Grant and Howard Taylor.

Atlanta’s stablemate, Hannelore Hanover, raced first over at the half but never threatened before weakening and finishing last in the field of eight.  

The lifetime earner of more than $3 million, who will face Atlanta when she makes her final career start in the TVG Mares Trot on Nov. 23, had some problems in her next-to-last race. “She bled again,” said Burke of Hannelore Hanover. “It happens intermittently. That’s why she’s not who she was before. She’s not the same because of it. That’s why it’s time to call it quits. We’ll treat her this week and she’ll be better on Saturday.”

A LITTLE MORE: Tim Tetrick drove four winners on the card. … Dexter Dunn stayed hot, as after winning three on the Friday card, he won three more on Saturday. … Favorites ruled for a second straight night as eight post-time choices won Saturday after a half-dozen scored on Friday. … The 20-cent Survivor Pick-10 paid $4,060.24 to the pair of players who lasted eight legs. … All-source handle on the 13-race card was $2,412,658. … Racing resumes Friday at 7:15 p.m.