Shecouldbegood N wins Tioga Downs featue.

John Horne for Tioga Downs.

Shecouldbegood N ((Mike Merton) out duels Gold Star Mysti (Cory Braden) to capture the $8,000 fillies & mares open handicap pace at Tioga Downs on Monday (June 29).

Persistent Bettor (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) went to the front and led to a first quarter of :27.0.   Gold Star Mysti went first-up and took the lead as they went by the stands for the first time.  She took them to the half in :56.0.  Shecouldbegood N ($7.40) made her move down the back stretch and the duel began.  The two mare went side by side by side as Gold Star Mysti hit three-quarters in 1:24.0.

As they made they turn for home the two mares were followed by the big favorite Prairie Cougar (Wally Hennessey) who tried to find an opening between them.  Gold Star Mysti and Shecouldbegood N continued to go stride for stride all the way down the stretch.  Shecouldbegood N gave one last lunge to win in 1:53.2.  Gold Star Mysti had to settle for second.  Prairie Cougar finished third.

Shecouldbegood N is a 7-year-old mare by Well Said.  She is trained by Rob Harmon for owners Harmon Racing Stable,  Lawrence Kittenplan, William VanWie, and Bianchi Services.

Mike Merton drove two more winners on the day.  His other wins came with Standing Respect ($6.60), and Post Time Terror ($9.40).

Live racing returns on Tuesday (June 30) with a 13 race card starting at 4 p.m.  There is no racing on Friday (July 3).  Tioga Downs will race (pending regulatory approval) on Saturday (July 4) at 4:00PM and Sunday (July 5) at 1:00PM. The schedule will then follow a Friday & Saturday at 4:00PM and Sunday at 1:00PM for the balance of the month of July.

For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com<http://www.tiogadowns.com>.

Meadowlands Racetrack Re-Opens to Fans

 

Meadowlands Media Relations

East Rutherford, NJ - The Meadowlands Racetrack will re-open its doors to fans this Thursday, July 2 when onsite simulcasting and sports wagering is allowed to resume in New Jersey.  Per the Executive Order 157, the grandstand will open to 25% capacity. The Backyard and Apron areas will also be open.

All guests will be required to wear a face covering, have their temperature checked and complete a brief health questionnaire.  No one with a temperature exceeding 100.4 will be allowed to enter.  All guests will be required to enter via the simulcast entrance and valet parking will not be available at this time.

Dining will also resume on Friday and Saturday nights for live racing (7:15 pm post).  Trotters will be open to horse owners and members and the West Deck will be open for all other reservations.  Reservations are required and dining must be prepaid.  Reservations can be made by calling Marianne Rotella at 201-842-5059 or emailing mrotella@playmeadowlands.com.

The Backyard BBQ & Grill along with the Rooftop Terrace will also be open weather permitting.

Further details regarding the re-opening will be posted on PlayMeadowlands.com

Major Betts, Blank Stare, and JK Last Chance get NYSS wins at Tioga,

 Tioga Downs played host to three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for sophomore pacing colts & geldings at Tioga Downs on Sunday (June 28).

 Major Betts (Dexter Dunn) rockets past Splash Brother (Tyler Buter) to take the $38,233 first division.

 Major Betts ($10.20) jumped out of the gate and went to the front and led to a first quarter in :26.1.  The big favorite Splash Brother went first-over from third and took over the lead with a circuit to go.  He led to the half in :53.0 with Major Betts following in the pocket.  As they made the move down the backstretch it was Groovy Joe (Matt Kakaley) to make the first move going first-over from third.  He couldn’t make any traction and actually fell back as Splash Brother hit three-quarters first in 1:21.0.

 As they made the turn for home it was evident that it was going to be a two-horse race.  Major Betts popped out of the pocket as they reached the stretch and blew right on but to win in 1:49.4.  Splash Brother had to settle for second money.  Groovy Joe held on to finish third.

 Major Betts is a 3-year-old colt by Art Major.  He is owned by Joe Jannuzzelli, Deena Frost, and trainer Mark Harder.  It was a win in his first start of 2020.  He now has five career victories.

 Blank Stare (Corey Callahan) holds firm to win the $38,233 second division.

 Genius Man (Jason Bartlett) went straight to the lead but Blank Stare ($3.50) would go by him just after Genius man hit the first quarter in :27.0.  Blank Stare led to the half in :55.3.  Reagan Blue Chip (Brian Sears) went first-up and put on the pressure and actually held the lead briefly before Blank Stare reclaimed the front hitting three-quarters in 1:22.3.

 Blank Stare and Reagan Blue Chip battled all the way down the stretch but in the end Blank Stare was too strong and won in a lifetime best of 1:50.1.  Regan Blue Chip was second with Genius Man claiming third.

 Blank Stare is a 3-year-old gelding by Bolt The Duer.  He is trained by John Butenschoen for owners Harmony Oaks Racing Stable, James Crawford IV, and In Over My Head Stable.  It was his second win this season and he now owns five career wins.

 JK Last Chance captures the $38,934 third division.

 Cigars And Port (Wally Hennessey) took control early and led to the first quarter in :26.2 and to the half in :55.0.  Save Me A Dance (Jason Bartlett) came first over and took charge just after Cigars And Port hit three-quarters in 1:22.3.

 JK Last Chance ($14.80) was sixth at the half and found himself second-over fourth after three-quarters.  He went along side Save Me A Dance as they made the turn for home.  JK Last chance skipped away in deep stretch to win easily in a life time best of 1:50.4.  Save Me A Dance was second best.  Ideal Perception finished third.

 JK Last Chance is a 3-year-old gelding by So Surreal and is owned and trained by Jim McDonald.  He did not race as a 2-year-old.  The gelding is two for two as a sophomore.

 Wally Hennessey drove five winner on the night.  Along with sire stakes winner JK Last Chance he finished first with Mr Dunnigans ($2.20), Cashallic ($2.60), Queen Me Again ($11.60), and Steuben Warlock ($8.80).

Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Monday (June 29) with a 13-race card stating at 4 p.m.

For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com<http://www.tiogadowns.com/>

TALL DARK STRANGER 1:47.4 IN SEASON’S DEBUT AT BIG M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – For Tall Dark Stranger, it’s all systems go for The Meadowlands Pace.

Trainer Nancy Takter had her prized colt in a less-than-ideal spot for his 3-year-old debut, facing older foes in a high-end conditioned pace, but in this post-coronavirus reality where many plans have had to be re-worked, everything turned out as well as she could have hoped.

“I wasn’t shocked,” said Takter. “I knew he had that in him. He did it very easily without much effort. The fact that he did it in his first start, that surprised me.”

What Tall Dark Stranger did was win in 1:47.4 to equal the fastest mile in the sport this year.

The Bettor’s Delight-Precocious Beauty product was in a live cover flow past the half, getting a perfect tow from Western Joe, who won a week ago in 1:48.2. But just after the five-eighths, Western Joe started to slow, causing driver Yannick Gingras to swing three-wide a little earlier than he would have liked, midway through the far turn, with Tall Dark Stranger.

“[The trip] didn’t concern me,” said Takter. “He’s a racehorse. He knows what he’s supposed to do.”

What he did was explode through the stretch, pacing his final quarter in :25.4 to record a 1½-length win in lowering his previous lifetime best by one-and-one-fifth seconds. Escapetothebeach was second, The Devils Own N third and Western Joe fourth.

The top-ranked horse in the Big M’s weekly “Road to the Meadowlands Pace” Top 10 looks more than ready to go. “He’s got a blowout mile in him now,” said Takter. “He’s going to get next week off before the [July 11] Pace eliminations. He’s right where I want him to be.”

Tall Dark Stranger ($3.80 to win as the 4-5 public choice) has now won nine of 10 lifetime starts and has earnings of $726,889 for owners Crawford Farms Racing, Marvin Katz, Caviart Farms and Howard Taylor.

The $682,650 Meadowlands Pace Final takes place on July 18.

GIMPANZEE AT THE HEAD OF THE CLASS: It wasn’t easy, but Gimpanzee came from well off the pace to win one of two $50,000 divisions of the Graduate Series’ second leg for 4-year-old trotters in a lifetime-best 1:50.2.

Driver Brian Sears opted to race the two-time Breeders Crown and New York Sire Stakes champion from off the pace after a highly contentious several-horse scrum into the first turn had him take back to seventh at the quarter.

“I knew the horse to beat was Chin Chin Hall and I wasn’t going to press my horse early,” said Sears.

The son of Chapter Seven-Steamy Windows was sixth in a third-over flow at three-quarters as Chin Chin Hall was sailing along on the lead.

But Gimpanzee still had plenty of fuel in the tank.

Despite having 4½ lengths to make up through the final three-sixteenths, the Marcus Melander trainee was up to the task, rocketing home in :27 to best Chin Chin Hall by a half-length. Kings County was third.

“Gimpanzee is everything you want in a racehorse,” said Sears. “I thought [Chin Chin Hall] was going to be spent [in the latter stages] and I thought we had a chance. My horse is a gamer and knows what we are trying to accomplish. He put his head down and did what he had to do.”

Gimpanzee paid $2.60 to win as the 1-5 favorite in raising his lifetime numbers to 19 wins from 25 starts, good for earnings of $1,770,111 for owners Courant Inc and S R F Stable.

A LITTLE MORE: Southwind Avenger won the other Graduate division in 1:51.3 at odds of 22-1, one of four victories on the night for driver Andy McCarthy. Don’t Let’em, the 4-5 favorite, broke at the start and finished last in the field of nine. … Geez Joe gunned down 3-5 favorite Sintra for a second straight week in taking the overnight feature, the Preferred for pacers, in 1:48.2 as the 9-2 second choice. … Wagering on the 13-race card totaled $2,863,730. Betting has now exceeded the $2.5-million mark the last 15 racing programs. … The season’s mark that Tall Dark Stranger equaled was Kissin In The Sand’s, who is trained by Takter and driven by Gingras. … Racing resumes Friday at 7:15 p.m. Patrons will be welcomed back into the Meadowlands at 25 percent capacity.

ZERON MAKES RIGHT CALL WITH ‘CHROME’ AT BIG M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Southwind Chrome was sent on a mission by his driver Scott Zeron in the Friday night feature at the Meadowlands. And he completed it in spectacular fashion.

The 5-year-old son of Chapter Seven-Counter Pointe won a second straight start in the Preferred for trotters, as the razor-sharp Jeff Cullipher trainee scored in 1:50.4 after going a less-than-ideal trip.

There were horses leaving the gate from the outside, so Zeron had a decision to make early on from post eight.

“I think given the circumstances, it worked out the way it had to,” said Zeron. “There were not a lot of leavers mid-pack, so it was either sneak into the four-hole or go to the front. Midway around the first turn, I decided to go to the lead. He was so good tonight. I figured I’d make the front and then rate from there.”

But it would not be easy. JL Cruze, the 5-2 favorite, grabbed the lead at the quarter in a wicked :26.3 as Southwind Chrome continued his march to the top while uncovered. He did not clear until the three-eighths.

The half was reached in :55 and Southwind Chrome was moving well on the point, then Zeron asked for more in an effort to seal the victory on the far turn. “I figured if I put space between Dex [Dunn, driving JL Cruze] and I at the five-eighths, I would be able to cruise down the lane.”

He did just that.

Southwind Chrome opened up a 1¾-length edge at three-quarters after rating the third fraction in :28 and upped his lead to 2½ at the head of the stretch. Southwind Chrome’s advantage diminished in deep stretch as JL Cruze was closing in, but still held on by a safe neck. Kenziesky Hanover was third.

“When you have a good horse, you just want to know the other horses’ form,” said Zeron. “I knew my horse was at the top of his game.”

Southwind Chrome, who is heading for next week’s $200,000 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial at the Big M, paid $9.20 to win as the second choice in the betting and now has 13 wins from 36 career starts and earnings of $230,210 for owners Pollack Racing and Jeff Cullipher.

NJSS WRAP UP: The second leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for 3-year-olds saw four divisions on the Friday card, and filly pacer Odds On Sarasota (Rock N Roll Heaven-Odds On Charmaine) stayed perfect in two sire stakes starts this year by finding room late along the pylons to win in 1:55 as the 4-5 favorite for driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Ross Croghan.

Rockin The Aces (Rock N Roll Heaven-Mattaroni) came from way back at odds of 17-1 to gun down 1-9 public choice Rock Me Hard in deep stretch in the colts and geldings pace in a lifetime-best 1:51.2 for Brian Sears and Robert Cleary.

Ab’sattitudexpress was sent to the top by Yannick Gingras and blew away the field at odds of 7-1 for Lucas Wallin in the filly trot. The daughter of Trixton-Abbie’sgotattidtude stopped the clock in a lifetime-best 1:52.4.

After racing wide around the first turn, 2-5 favorite Play Trix On Me was a dominant winner in the colts and geldings trot. The son of Trixton-Lima Playmate equaled his lifetime best of 1:53.2 for Zeron and Linda Toscano, the Hall of Famer who was celebrating a birthday.

A LITTLE MORE: Former Meadowlands leading drivers Sears and George Brennan, who were winless in 39 and 22 starts, respectively, both won for the first time at the meet. … The Big M’s “Big 4” multi-leg wagers were popular, as the 20-cent Pick-5 ($74,907), 20-cent Pick-6 ($32,872 with some help from a $8,948 carryover), Early 50-cent Pick-4 ($78,906) and Late 50-cent Pick-4 ($78,087) all took big play. Wagering for the 13-race card totaled $2,837,178, upping the Big M’s streak of at least $2.5 million in handle to 14. … Racing resumes Saturday at 7:15 p.m.

Tioga Downs to host NYSS 3-year-old pacing colts on Sunday.

Tioga Downs will welcome three divisions of the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for pacing colts and geldings on Sunday (June 28).

In the $38,233 first division the horse to beat is the Ray Schnittker trained Splash Brother (Tyler Buter).  The 3-year-old gelding by So Surreal is two for two this season after being winless as a freshman.  He put in an eye popping 1:48.2 mile his last time out at the Meadowlands.

His main rivals will be Major Betts (Dexter Dunn) and Groovy Joe (Matt Kakaley).  Major Betts (Art Major), who is trained by Mark Harder, will make his 2020 debut on Sunday.  He has four wins and has earned over $130,000.  Blake Macintosh trains Groovy Joe (Roll With Joe).  The 3-year-colt is winless in two starts as a sophomore after seven wins and 10 starts as a freshman.  He has earned over $230,000 in his career.

The top choice in the $38,233 second division is the John Buteschoen trained Blank Stare (Corey Callahan).  The Roll With Joe gelding has four career victories and has amassed over $50,000 in earnings.  He is one for one in 2020 with an easy win at Pocono Downs.

Always On The Hunt (Mark MacDonald is one for one in 2020 and should be a top rival after earning a win at Tioga Downs last Sunday.  The 3-year-old colt by American Ideal is trained by Ray Scnittker and has two lifetime wins.

Reagan Blue Chip (Brian Sears) should a top contender.  The 3-year-old gelding by American Ideal did not race as a feshman but is one for three with two seconds in 2020.  He is trained by Casie Coleman Herlichy.

Freedom Warrior (Dexter Dunn) has five career wins and earnings of nearly $150,000).  The gelding is trained by Kevin Lare.

The top contenders in the $38,934 third division appears to be JK Last Chance (Wally Hennessey), Ideal Perception (Brian Sears), Cigars And Ports (Mark MacDonald) American Rebel (Tyler Buter),and Save Me A Dance (Jason Bartlett). This appears to be the most competitive of the three divisions.

JK Last Chance (So Surreal) had an impressive win at Tioga Downs last Sunday in his first career start.  Jim McDonald trains the gelding.

Ideal Perception (American Ideal) is trained by Casie Coleman Herlichy.  He is winless in 2020 but had four wins as a freshman.  He has earned over $60,000 in his career.  

Cigars And Ports (So Surreal) is the top money earner in this group with over $190,000 in the bank.  Trained by Ray Schniitker, he won the NYSS final as a freshman.  The colt has three career victories.

American Rebel (American Ideal) is trained by Rob Harmon.  The colt had five wins as a freshman including a lifetime mark of 1:53.2 at Tioga Downs.  He owns five wins and earnings of over $140,000.

Save Me A Dance (Heston Blue Chip) is coming off an impressive win in his 3-year-old debut at the Meadowlands.  He has four career wins and has earned over $110,000 in his career.  The colt is trained by Andrew Harris.

The 13-race card on Sunday (June 28) starts at 4 p.m.

For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com

 

Fashionwoodchopper flies late to capture Vernon feature.

Fashionwoodchopper (Claude Huckabone III) takes the $5,600 featured trot at Vernon Downs on Thursday (June 25).

Spoiler Alert (Leon Bailey) broke sharp and took the lead as they went by the stands for the first time.  Warrawee Preferred then went on by to take them to a first quarter of :26.4.  He then used a :29.2 second quarter to take them to the half in :56.1. 

Fashionwoodchopper ($6.10) was the first to make a move going first-over from fifth.  Warrawee Preferred continued to lead as they hit three-quarters in 1:25.4.  Spoiler Alert remained in the pocket second but Fashionwoodchopper made it to third.  As they reached the stretch Fashionwoodchopper took over second and blew right on by in deep stretch to win in 1:55.0.  If Not Why Not (Brett Crawford) was fifth after three-quarters and somehow found an opening by weaving through traffic to come up to take second.  Warrawee Preferred had to settle for third.

Fashionwoodchopper is a 5-year-old gelding by Donato Hanover.  He is owned by Howard Jacobs and trained by Huckabone III.  It was his first win of 2020.  He now has reached the winner’s circle 11 times in his career.

Claude Huckabone III, Howard Parker, Leon Bailey, and Jimmy Taggart Jr all had driving doubles.  Huckabone III’s other win came with Keystone Magneto ($36.20).  Parker’s victories came with Kellyurthegreatest ($12.40), and Golden Brit $5.80.  Bailey finished first with Jenny Lake ($3.60), and Ulysses Bi ($8.30).  Taggart Jr. combined with trainer Kerin Warner for wins with Londaonfitz ($12.40), and Roll With Joy ($6.30).

Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Thursday (July 2) with a post time of 4:00 p.m. (time change).  On Saturday (July 4) “The Miracle Mile” will feature the Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) for 3-year-old trotters.  New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) for freshman pacing fillies will make their debut that day as well.  Post time for July fourth is 1:10 p.m.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.

Dave Little's Road to the Meadowlands Pace Week 3

 Meadowlands Media Relations 

East Rutherford, NJ - While the top three remained unchanged with the Meadowlands Pace Eliminations just a little over two weeks away, Catch The Fire and Captain Barbossa made their way into the Top 5 in Week 3 of Dave Little's "Road To The Meadowlands Pace." 

 

Rank	Horse (Earnings - Mark)	Driver, Trainer, Owner	Dave Little’s Comments
1	Tall Dark Stranger ($717,514 – 1:49.1)	Y. Gingras, N. Takter Crawford Farms Racing,  Marvin Katz, Caviart Farms,  Howard Taylor	Saturday (June 20) morning Big M qualifier was of the eye-popping variety, hitting the wire 8 lengths to the good in a lifetime-best 1:49. Gingras: “He’s ready to go. We wanted to get one good run in him. He had plenty left [at the finish of his qualifier].” Faces Western Joe and other older tough customers Saturday in the 7th race at the Meadowlands. Last Race:: 6/20 – M1 – Qualifier – 1st (1:49)
2	Papi Rob Hanover ($754,774 – 1:50)	D. Miller, B. Pelling David McDuffee	Pelling: “I would have liked to have raced this week but didn’t want to race against aged horses. He’s fit. He’s good. I’m pretty much assured of a 3-year-old open week. We’ll qualify this Saturday and then race next week.” Last Race: 6/12 – M1 – Qualifier – 2nd (1:51)
3	Capt Midnight ($299,038 – 1:49.4)	A. McCarthy, T. Alagna Marvin Katz, Ken Jacobs, Brad Grant, Capt Midnight Racing	Alagna: “He raced against the top two last year and did well for himself. He qualified well last week. He’ll need an overnight next week [before The Pace Eliminations].” It must be nice to be Alagna. In addition to Captain Barbossa (See No. 5 below), he also has Captain Kirk, who Alagna says might be in the same talent category as Midnight but without the resume. He also has Chief Mate, who won at Philly Sunday in 1:50.2. Don’t be surprised if Alagna puts four in the Pace elims. Last Race: 6/22 – Gaitway – Qualifier – 1st (1:51)
4	Catch The Fire ($258,547 – 1:49.4)	M. Wilder, J. Ackley CT Stables	The trainer loved the qualifier. Ackley: “That’s right around what we wanted to go. He was fantastic. He came out of it good. Our plan right now is to head for New Jersey [from western Pennsylvania] Sunday and starting him in an overnight at the Meadowlands on July 3rd or 4th. We’re excited about [The Pace] and we think we’ll be competitive.” Last Race: 6/18 – Mea – Qualifier – 1st (1:52.1)
5	Captain Barbossa  ($130,188 – 1:51.2)	A. McCarthy, T. Alagna Robert Leblanc,  David Anderson, Alagnafrankinthegym Stable	Alagna: “He went a good trip [when he finished second on Saturday]. He was three-wide off the last turn and got beat by a horse who went a ground-saving trip. He’s getting this week off. We’ll look for a 3-year-old open or a non-winners of 5 or something like that the week after. I’m very happy with him.” Last Race: 6/20 – M1 – NW4 – 2nd (1:50.4)
6	Major Betts ($134,274 – 1:49.1)	D. Dunn, M. Harder Joseph Jannuzzelli,  Mark Harder, Deena Rachel Frost	Easy 5½-length score in a qualifier at Philly was his third time on the track this year, but none as of yet in a real race. Harder: “I told Dexter [Dunn] to go [1:]53 and he went 52 and 4. He was very handy.” Harder did not want to race four straight weeks, but in this strange year, what are you going to do? “On Sunday, we’ll be at Tioga in sire stakes, and then we hope to go again the week after, then it’s The Pace Elims. We’re going to face these [super tough] horses sooner or later. We might as well get started.”  Last Race: 6/19 – Phi – Qualifier – 1st (1:52.4)
7	Cattlewash ($313,423 – 1:50.3)	Y. Gingras, R. Burke W J Donovan	Finished an even third after drawing poorly at Pocono after kicking home in :28.2. Burke: “He’s getting this week off. I’m not thrilled with the way he’s progressing. Horses cycle [in terms of form] and right now he’s not in the best cycle. We’ll get a race in him the weekend of July 3-4.” Last Race: 6/20 – PcD – NW6 – 3rd (1:52.1)
8	Manticore ($176,585 – 1:52.2)	D. Miller, B. Saunders M and L of Delaware, M & M Harness Racing	Drew the 10 hole for the 5th race at the Meadowlands Saturday, so his trainer wasn’t thrilled, but he remains optimistic. Saunders: “He had a good week. Much of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes races clash with the bigger events, and for us, the logic is, the money is the way to keep score. my people like to go in big races and we have a colt who can compete at that level.” Last Race: 6/13 – M1 – NW4 – 3rd (1:51.3)
9	Roll With Jr ($166,516 – 1:50.4)	T. Tetrick, J. Cullipher Pollack Racing, Jeff Cullipher	Racing Friday at Hoosier in 3-year-old series action. Cullipher: “I want him to go a good mile Friday. He likes to be forwardly placed, which will permit us to see where we are really at. [As for The Pace] We are going to give it a shot.” Last Race: 6/9 – HoP – Qualifier – 2nd (1:53.2)
10	Father Nuno ($205,472 – 1:52.4)	B. Sears, T. Canciellere John Canciellere	Not in this week. In early July, won his highlight-reel race of 2019 at the Meadows in 1:52.4 in a division of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes. Thus far this year, has a pair of qualifiers under his belt. Tom Canciellere: “we are happy with the way he’s coming back.” Last Race: 6/9 – Chfld – Qualifier – 4th (1:54.4)

Ken Warkentin's Road to the Hambletonian Week 4

Meadowlands Media Relations

 

East Rutherford, NJ - Amigo Volo takes over the top spot in week 4 of Ken Warkentin's Road to the Hambletonian.

 

Rank	Horse	Driver, Trainer, Owner	Ken Warkentin’s Comments
1	Amigo Volo  (Father Patrick)	Dave Miller, Jim Campbell, Fashion Farms LLC	Leading money winner among 2YO trotters in 2019 [$610,646], won the Breeders Crown & Matron & set four world records, rallied for third [1:54.2] with a :26.3 in a Big M qualifier on June 20, entered in a $25,000 overnight @ Big M on June 27
2	Real Cool Sam (Muscle Hill)	Dexter Dunn, Nifty Norman, Pinske Stables, David J. Miller	Dan Patch Award & Peter Haughton Memorial winner took a bad step & went offstride approaching the half & finished seventh in his first qualifier on June 20 @ The Big M, back in to qualify on June 27
3	Hypnotic AM (Chapter Seven)	Brian Sears, Marcus Melander, Courant Inc.	NYSS champion & Jim Doherty Memorial winner by Chapter Seven won her first Big M qualifier in 1:54 on June May 30, then unleashed an ultra impressive 1:51.1 [:27.3] on June 12, cruised in a NYSS @ Tioga Downs on June 21 in 1:54.2
4	Maesteraemon (Andover Hall)	Brian Sears, Marcus Melander, S R F Stable	Gives Melander three in the Top Ten, took a mark of 1:52.4 @ The Red Mile, rallied to win his second Big M qualifier in 1:53.3 [:26.4] on June 6, won another Big M qualifier in 1:54 [:26.3] on June 20, entered in a $25,000 overnight @ Big M on June 27
5	Synergy (Father Patrick)	Yannick Gingras, Per Engblom, Brittany Farms, John Fielding, Herb Liverman & David Anderson	This son of Father Patrick was third [1:55.4] in a Big M qualifier on May 30, fourth [1:54.2] @ Big M on June 12, second by a head in 1:54 [:26.2] @ Big M on June 20, entered in a $25,000 overnight @ Big M on June 27
6	Big Oil (Father Patrick)	Andy & Julie Miller, Jason, Doug & Ron Allen	The Millers have two seconds & a third in the last four Hambletonians, first in a deadheat with Real Cool Sam in 1:52.1 @ The Red Mile, 1:53.3 winner in Big M qualifier on June 12, entered in an overnight @ Harrah’s Philadelphia on June 28
7	Capricornus (Muscle Hill)	Tim Tetrick, Marcus Melander, JJ Racing Stable, Inc	Second in the William Wellwood Memorial, Melander finished second, third & fifth in last year’s Hambletonian, second [1:52.4] in his 2020 debut on June 5, was entered in an overnight @ Harrah’s Philadelphia on June 25
8	Third Shift (Chapter Seven)	Ake Svanstedt, Mellby Gard, Inc., Ake Svanstedt	NYSS champion son of Chapter Seven set a stakes & Batavia Downs track record of 1:56 in the NYSS Final, banked $210,461, won a Big M qualifier in 1:55 on May 30, was entered in NYSS @ Vernon Downs on June 24
9	Chestnut Hill (Muscle Hill)	Dave Miller, Nifty Norman, Melvin Hartman, David McDuffee, Little E LLC	Stablemate to Amigo Volo gives Muscle Hill three in the Top Ten, third in the PASS Final, Breeders Crown & Valley Victory, won his 2020 debut @ The Big M on June 19 in 1:53.1 [:26.1]
10	Back of the neck (Ready Cash)	Yannick Gingras, Ake Svanstedt, Howard Taylor, Order By Stable, Judith Taylor	Son of two-time Prix D’Amerique winner Ready Cash now with Team Svanstedt, won a Wellwood elimination & third in that final, won a Big M qualifier on June 20 in 1:53.4, entered in a $25,000 overnight @ Big M on June 27

 

 

 

BIG M HITTING ON ALL CYLINDERS

Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – It was neither Hambletonian Day nor Meadowlands Pace Night, but you couldn’t tell that from the betting at the Big M Saturday night.

Wagering surpassed the $4-million mark for the first time on a “non-event” card since March 1^st of 2014, as a total of $4,100,386 was pushed through the windows on June 20. The track did program 18 races – five more than usual – to get some horses raced who had been on the sidelines during the coronavirus shutdown, but the average action per race was still a rock-solid $227,789.

“Last weekend was a good one for us,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “It was gratifying to be able to afford our horsemen more opportunities to race and make some much-needed money for their connections as we waited for some of the neighboring states to open up. We were also happy to see the response of our fans, who bet vigorously throughout the weekend.”

The total wager for last Friday (June 19) and Saturday was $7,582,203 for 36 races, good for an average per race of $210,616.

This weekend, when racing will be conducted on the usual Friday (June 26) and Saturday (June 27) at the usual post time of 7:15 p.m. with the usual 13 races, bettors will be shooting for a pool that figures to be far bigger than usual in the 20-cent Pick-6.

Pick-6 players will be adding to a pot that will start out with a carryover of $8,948 Friday night. The Pick-6 is one of the track’s betting “Big 4”.

The wagers, which all offer a low 15 percent takeout and will also have $160,000 in guaranteed pools, are the 20-cent Pick-5 (race one, $40,000 guaranteed pool), the aforementioned Pick-6 (race four, $30,000), the Early 50-cent Pick-4 (race six, $50,000) and Late 50-cent Pick-4 (race 10, $40,000).

Twenty-cent Jackpot Super High-Five players will no doubt continue to chase their pot of gold, given some serious carryovers. Friday’s fifth race will begin with $54,154 in the hat, while the 13^th and final has a carryover of $65,202.

Last Saturday, despite nine winning favorites on the card, Pick-5 players hit big, cashing in for $32,943 when two double-digit-odds winning horses scored during the sequence, including a 38-1 chance in the opening leg (race one).

TIM ON TOP: Tim Tetrick led the way last week in the driver’s colony, scoring nine times. Dexter Dunn, Yannick Gingras and Jordan Stratton were next with four winners apiece.

Nancy Takter and Shane Tritton were the leading trainers, as each sent three to victory lane.

FAST, FASTER, FASTEST: Saturday night saw eight of the 17 pacing events go in sub-1:50. On Friday, when Manchego nosed Atlanta in 1:50 in the first leg of the Miss Versatility Series, she established the fastest mile on the trot in the sport this year. She bested her own mark – set on June 5 – by three-fifths of a second.

COMING UP: This weekend, there will be plenty of good racing to go around, as the New Jersey Sire Stakes for 3-year-olds rolls on. In addition, 4-year-old trotters will go at it in “harness racing’s traveling road show”, the Graduate Series. There will also be a 3-year-old open trot, where some Hambletonian contenders will get in behind the gate.

HOW TO WATCH, HOW TO BET: Since fans are still not allowed to attend the races, for those anxious to be a part of the Big M action, they can watch the races on the Roberts Television Network (rtn.tv) or on the Television Games Network (TVG). To bet the races in New Jersey, go to 4njbets.com, and if out of state, go to tvg.com or your favorite ADW (advance-deposit wagering) platform.

FREE STUFF: For free past performances of some key wagers, go to playmeadowlands.com. On Friday, the 20-cent Pick-6 (race four) and Late 50-cent Pick-4 (race 10) will be available. The Late Pick-4 will be available for Saturday’s races.

CHECK OUT THE TEAM: For those who need to get a leg up on the action, go to playmeadowlands.com to see track oddsmaker and analyst Dave Brower’s selections and commentary. Go to the “handicapping” drop down and then go to “race reviews”.

Additionally, track announcer Ken Warkentin’s blog is available on the site and offers his picks and analysis.

Last week, Big M handicappers did good things, as Brower led the way with 15 winners. Dave Little and Warkentin tabbed 13 and 12, respectively.

This weekend’s pre-game shows get underway at 6:45 p.m., and the team – which includes Jessica Otten – will give out best bets and value plays. Little and Brower will do some news and notes and will also look at each evening’s feature races. They will give out Pick-4 selections during the evening before saying good night after the 11^th-race replay with the segment “Little’s Late Double”, where the former Daily News handicapper tries to send everybody home a winner.

During the evening, look for Otten’s interviews with horsemen from the back paddock after race replays.

TWEET THE TEAM: Stay in touch on Twitter with the Big M’s Brower (@eedoogie), Little (@DaveLittleBigM), Warkentin (@kenvoiceover) and Otten (@JessicaOtten1) anytime, but especially on race night. Check in everyday for Meadowlands news and updates at those handles, as well as at @TheMeadowlands.