BETTING TOPS $4 MILLION AT BIG M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Powered by a pair of races that featured huge action, all-source handle totaled $4,083,026 Saturday night at The Meadowlands, the second time this month where wagering blew past the $4-million plateau.

During all of 2020, the $4-million barrier was broken three times, the first of which did not occur until June 20.

Saturday’s play marked the second-best night of the year, topped only by Jan. 2, when wagering reached $4.5 million. All five Saturday programs during the month of January have seen action of at least $3.4 million.

The 20-cent Pick-5 got things off to a big start, with $105,890 put in the hat, keying the first race grand total of $379,815. The sixth race 50-cent Early Pick-4 took in a 2020-best $135,815 as a total of $417,983 was pushed through the windows on that dash.

Rarely will wagering top $300,000 on the last race of the night, but that’s just what the Big M faithful put in play (actually $300,670) in the 14^th event, keyed by an exacta pool that topped $95,000.

The Late Pick-4 saw $107,428 pushed through the windows, marking the second time this year where both Pick-4s reached six figures. The other night (Jan. 2), Pick-4 betting totaled a little more than $223,000 while on Saturday, the total wager was $243,243.

JL ‘CRUZES’: Fan favorite JL Cruze came back to his favorite track and took the featured $22,500 high-end conditioned trot in impressive fashion.

The Eric Ell-trainee rebounded off a sixth-place finish in the Open Handicap at Dover Downs 18 days ago with a crisp performance to get back into the win column for a second consecutive start at The Big M, hitting the wire in 1:54.4 on a night where the real-feel temperature was 19 degrees.

A 10-year-old gelded son of Crazed-Topcat Hall, driver Dexter Dunn guided JL Cruze away quickly from the rail in the nine-horse field with designs on sitting right in behind speed-burner Warrior One.

It worked to perfection.

After Warrior One cut out fractions of :28.1, :57.4 and 1:26.4, Dunn moved JL Cruze from the pocket well before they completed the far turn, took a 1-length lead with three-sixteenths of a mile to go, and drew clear to 2-length win over Buck Dancer. Scirocco Rob was third. Warrior One weakened to finish seventh.

“We had his knees done,” said Ell. “I thought he was about 80 percent heading into the race. He flipped a palate [in his last race] at Dover. The five-eighths mile track doesn’t suit him, but I took him there to put a line on his card so he wouldn’t have to qualify.”

JL Cruze, who was the first trotter to break the 1:50 barrier at The Big M when he went 1:49.4 six years ago, returned $6.80 to his backers as the lukewarm 2-1 favorite. He now has 42 wins from 125 career starts and a bulky bankroll of $1,555,517 for owners W Kenneth Wood, J Dittmar Jr. and S J Iaquinta.

“I hope The Meadowlands keeps filling races for him to go in,” said Ell. “When Dexter pulled him on the turn and he opened up, I said to myself ‘He’s an unbelievable horse. He loves what he does’.”

A LITTLE MORE: Springsteen took the $22,500 featured pace for Todd McCarthy and trainer Brett Pelling from off the pace in 1:51.2 as the 5-1 third choice. … Dunn and Andy McCarthy both recorded driving triples on the card, while Corey Callahan, Todd McCarthy and Yannick Gingras won two apiece. … For a second straight night, the red-hot Jeff Cullipher barn sent two to the winner’s circle. … Chalk players finally had a good night. After only 10 post-time choices had emerged victorious over the three previous race cards, a total of six chalks scored on the program. … Racing resumes Friday at 6 p.m.

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Allstar Energy Powers Way To Buffalo Raceway Win

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Allstar Energy (Ron Beback Jr.) had plenty of power left in his battery down the lane and rolled past Southwind Onyx (Kyle Cummings) to pull a $15.00 surprise in Buffalo Raceway's featured $8,000 Class A Pace on Saturday night (Jan. 30).

Allstar Energy took a quick early lead but before reaching the opening panel, Southwind Onyx took over command and set the splits of :28.4, :58.0 and 1:27.0 over the good track.

Getting a perfect pocket trip, Allstar Energy tipped to the outside at the top of the stretch and was able to cruise on by Southwind Onyx thanks to a 29.3 last quarter, taking the 1-3/4 length win. Charmbo Orbit (Wade Tomaszewski) was able to nab the show position.

Trained by Beback Jr. and co-owned by Sandra Beback and James Kustra, Allstar Energy (Four Starzzz Shark-Flickering Light) is a 9-year-old gelding that has now earned $244,221 in his career.

Owner Mike Torcello, trainer Gerry Sarama and driver Jim Morrill Jr., after combining for five victories Wednesday night, took four more on Saturday's eight-race program.

Racing will resume on Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. with a 10-race program slated. There will be a $4,000 guaranteed pool in the Pick 5 which begins in the second race.

For more information including the latest news, race replays, results and entries, go to www.buffaloraceway.com or follow along on Facebook or Twitter.

MATT ZUCCARELLO WINS AHDC TROT AT FREEHOLD ON SATURDAY

Freehold, NJ-- When Matt Zuccarello is not writing about about a harness race he is equally at home sitting up behind a steed and competing against his fellow amateur drivers.

Case in point: the American Harness Drivers Club trot today at Freehold Raceway where Zuccarello used the front-end route to score a 2:01.3 triumph over seven others with Donald Maiorano's, Latoka

Sent off as the second choice in the 8-horse field and knowing that he had solid contender Zuccarello sent Latoka for the lead and they gained command after a :29.1 first quarter. Once on top Zuccarello kept the pedal to the metal and Latoka had a 1-1/4 length lead over Can Do and driver Joe Lee at the first quarter.

 When the field trotted by the halfway point Latoka was solid on the lead as Joe Faraldo and the betting favorite, Always a Good Time, moved off the pylons and up towards the leader. But as the field trotted by the third stanza Latoka was still in command when Faraldo's charge couldn't get by.

As the field headed for home Always A Good Time stalled which allowed 16-1 Can Do, who was trailing the pacesetter throughout, a clear shot at the Latoka and although he got to Latoka's chin-strap Can Do couldn't get by as the leader and Latoka was a head winner in the 2:01.3 trotted mile. Always A Good Time held on for the show dough.

It was the second consecutive victory for Latoka who was victorious last week in 2:01.3,also at Freehold.

Owned and trained by Donald Maiorano, Latoka paid $8.00 for the win.

Cal Expo Open Pace lures Allmyx’sliventexas

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

 

Allmyx’sliventexas, unbeaten in five appearances at this meet, looks to keep the streak going in Saturday night’s featured $7,200 Open Pace.

 

There will be 12 races decided under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first post set for 4:50 p.m.

 

An 8-year-old homebred son of Hi Ho Silverheel’s out of the Distinguishedbaron mare Annie Get Your Gun, Allmyx’sliventexas races for Wayne and Rod Knittel with Bob Johnson the conditioner and Jacob Cutting will be at the controls from the assigned outside post in the field of eight.

 

The Knittel charge comes into this race with 44 trips to the charmed enclosure from his 138 starts, $250,000 in the bank and a 1:50 lifetime standard that was set three years ago at Hoosier Park.

 

Allmyx’sliventexas scored his richest win at the meet in the December 11 Dave Goldschmidt and three of his six tallies were recorded from the assigned No. 10 post position, including his most recent decision two weeks ago.

 

Sent off at 9-5 in that affair, he was parked a long way to the lead at the half, fought off a strong challenge on the final bend and then gamely held safe over Hoo Nien A by a neck in a 1:52 tour.

 

Looking to end his streak are Rockinscience from the rail with Luke Plano; I’m An Athlete, Doug Chappell; Proof with Cordarius Stewart; Ponda’s Prospect, Nick Roland; Royale Big Guy, to be guided by Mooney Svendsen; Super Pac Hanover, Tony Kerwood; and Hoo Nien A for Gerry Longo.

 

Tony Kerwood enjoying the change in scenery

 

Tony Kerwood only arrived on the scene a few weeks ago, but made his presence felt quickly with a win behind Relentless Dancer for Ashlee Sluggett in his second-ever trip to the post here.

 

The 62-year-old native of Ontario grew up around horses and got his initial exposure to the sport through his father. “It was more of a hobby for him and I pretty much picked up what I knew about horses on the farm.”

 

Kerwood was 19 when he decided harness racing would be a full-time occupation and put in 30 years of winning up and down Canada and at the Meadowlands, with the pacer Armbro Temple being his best charge about 12 years ago.

 

He admits things tapered off in his 50’s when he just kept a small stable, but then a phone call from out of the blue changed that situation.

 

“It was about a year and half ago that I got a call from Rick Moles, who was looking for someone to drive his horses at Fraser Downs,” Tony continued. “That brought me back more into the game.”

 

When asked about bringing his buggy and whip here to Cal Expo earlier this month, Kerwood explained it was pretty much a combination of factors.

 

“First of all, Covid shut down the track, and then I got some good reports about the racing here and the great weather from someone who had come down at the start of the meet.

 

“I’ve certainly driven my share of the bigger tracks like Woodbine, Mohawk and the Meadowlands, and I have to say that this is a good group of guys driving down here and it’s been very enjoyable.

 

“Right now it looks like I’ll stay through the end of the meet, and then I might follow the circuit and head to Minnesota.”

 

                                               ***

 

Please note due to the Super Bowl, next week will find the trotters and pacers in action on Friday and Saturday night.

 

 

 

 

Monticello Raceway cancels racing Friday January 29

Due to the excessive high winds and extreme cold temperatures slated for the region amid concerns for safety of the horseman and horses, live racing has been cancelled for Friday January 29.

Live racing will resume Monday February 1 with 12:25 Post Time.

CHALKS FAIL, BIG PAYOUTS PREVAIL AT BIG M

Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The nature of racing is sometimes favorites win, sometimes they don’t, and Meadowlands’ fans are versatile enough to adjust to whatever scenario comes their way, although smiles were likely broader last weekend (Jan. 22-23) when four-figure payouts were the norm.

During the 27-race (13 on Friday, 14 on Saturday), two-card race week, only seven favorites were seen in the winner’s circle at mile’s end, for a low percentage of 26. But when you remove Friday’s Early Double and Saturday’s Late Double – both of which were swept by post-time choices – the Big M faithful were able to make some scores over the 23 races in between, when only three chalks clicked (13 percent).

Friday saw a pair of handsome $2 Trifectas as $2,795 was the payout in the sixth race and $1,008 in the ninth. Those races were the bookends to a 50-cent Pick-4 that returned $8,987. The ninth race also served as the payoff leg to a huge $1 Pick-3 that came back $5,400, with driver Corey Callahan, aka “The Captain”, commanding 27-1 shot Explosive Ridge to victory.

Those who correctly selected five winners in the 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 cashed in for $2,162 before longshot lovers got one more bite of the big-payoff apple in the 11^th, as the Pick-3 returned $1,705.

Saturday saw seven scintillating settlements where payouts were $1,000 or more. With Yannick Gingras winning his second of four races on the night (three of which went off at odds of at least 8-1), the second race saw a 10-cent Superfecta payoff of $1,072 and a Trifecta return of $2,244.

Race four’s Trifecta paid $2,016 even with the mile pace being taken by 5-1 second choice Sports Column (with Mark MacDonald driving) and completed a Pick-3 that came back $1,335.

The biggest payoffs of the night came later in the evening, as the fifth race 20-cent Pick-5 returned $6,907, with all of Gingras’ winners coming during the sequence. The ninth race Survivor, where one only needed to have six correct, came back $2,992.

The 20-cent Pick-6, which came into the night with a carryover of $7,293, saw a total pool of $36,159 and those who correctly selected all six winners walked away with $6,365 at the conclusion of the 13^th race.

“When you have competitive, full fields on a mile track, there are going to be constant opportunities for a horseplayer to make a score,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “Combine that with low takeout options, which create even bigger payouts, it gives you the kind of wagering product that horseplayers around the world will always respond to. We continue to be the No. 1 nighttime signal of any breed in horse racing, with Saturday handle averaging more than $3.7 million during our Winter Meet.”

Once again, all-source wagering during the weekend was up considerably over the corresponding cards from 2020.

Friday’s total of $2,806,228 was better than a half-million more than the year before. There have been three Friday racing programs in 2021, and each has seen action of $2.8 million or more.

Saturday’s stayed perfect in four 2021 programs with wagering of at least $3.4 million. The $3,404,537 in total play Jan. 23 was $737,494 more than what was bet 12 months prior, an uptick of 28 percent.

GET SOCIAL: You can always check in with the team at The Meadowlands on Twitter.

For early changes, racing information and staff selections, go to @themeadowlands or #playbigm.

On race nights, stay in touch on Twitter with the Big M’s Dave Brower (@eedoogie), Dave Little (@DaveLittleBigM), Ken Warkentin (@kenvoiceover), Shades Demsky (@shadesonracing) and Jessica Otten (@JessicaOtten1).

FREE FOR ALL: Thanks to an agreement between The Meadowlands and TrackMaster, past performances for every race of every Big M program are now available at no cost.

To access the free PPs, go to playmeadowlands.com.

PROMISES, PROMISES: As any seasoned horse player knows, there are no guarantees at the racetrack. But at The Meadowlands, there are.

Each 50-cent Pick-4 (one gets underway in race six, the other in race 10) sports a $50,000 guarantee in total play. Last Saturday, both pools exceeded the $90,000 level.

THE SCHEDULE: Live racing at The Meadowlands takes place every Friday and Saturday evening. Post time is 6 p.m.

The track’s live “Racing from the Meadowlands” pre-game show begins at 5:27 p.m.

COUNTDOWN TO THE GAME: The National Football League’s championship game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m., and The Meadowlands’ FanDuel Sportsbook is the place to get all your action.

As of Thursday morning, the Kansas City Chiefs were a 3-point favorite over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but that’s not the only way to play, as there will be a plethora of propositions to palpate players.

Do you like the Chiefs at -3½ and the total points scored to go over 56½? The payoff would be +280. How about the Buccaneers at +3½ and under 56½? That would be +250.

If you’d like to bet the coin toss, both heads and tails are -103. What about the first scoring play to be a Kansas City touchdown? The return would be +160. Those bets merely scratch the surface of what will be offered.

Hours for the track’s FanDuel Sportsbook are from 10 a.m. – midnight Sunday through Friday and from 10 a.m. – 2 a.m. on Saturday.

Blue Bell Bonnie Sees 'Red' In Buffalo Opener

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

 

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Blue Bell Bonnie ($3.90) was seeing 'red' in the stretch and rallied to register the victory in Buffalo Raceway's featured $10,000 Filly and Mare Open Pace on Wednesday night (January 27).

 

Driven by Jim Morrill Jr., Blue Bell Bonnie took the lead at the top of the lane and never looked back in beating Yankee Secret (David McNeight III) by a non-threatening half length in 2:00.0 over the good track. Lady Dudette (Kyle Cummings) took the show position.

 

The win helped kick off a tremendous opening night for Morrill Jr., owner Mike Torcello and trainer Gerry Sarama as the threesome combined on five victories. Morrill Jr. finished the evening with six trips to the winner's circle.

 

Blue Bell Bonnie went on a three-race tour to Yonkers and Northfield Park during the hiatus between the Batavia Downs and Buffalo Raceway meets and she was ready to go.

 

Sitting fourth behind the pace setting HP Sissy, who set fractions of :29.3, 1:00.0 and 1:29.0, Blue Bell Bonnie was first over down the backstretch the final time. The two on even terms with a quarter mile left but hitting the top of the stretch, Blue Bell Bonnie slowly but surely crept away from the field. notching the convincing victory.

 

Blue Bell Bonnie (Mr. Big-The Girl Can Bet) collected her first win in three tries on the 2021 campaign. The victory upped the 9-year-old mare's seasonal earnings to $6,140 and $215,864 lifetime.

 

Defending Buffalo Raceway driver Billy Davis Jr. started the season out with two wins along with Kevin Cummings. Maria Rice, who took the 2020 training crown, posted two victories.

 

Racing will resume on Saturday with an 8-race program set for 5 p.m.

 

For more information including the latest news, race replays, results and entries, go to www.buffaloraceway.com or follow along at Facebook or Twitter.

 

Photo:

Velocity McSweets eyes Cal Expo curtain call

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

 

Pacing fillies and mares hold the spotlight at Cal Expo Saturday evening, with Velocity McSweets heading the marquee.

 

The main event goes as the fifth of 11 races presented by Watch and Wager LLC and first post is set for 5:35 p.m.

 

Velocity McSweets is a 6-year-old McArdie mare who is owned and trained by Jennifer Sabot and is again guided by Cordarius Stewart. She will be gunning for her 23^rd snapshot from 86 trips to the post, recently went over the $200,000 mark in earnings and has a 1:52 mark that was established last year at Tioga Downs.

 

Following a smashing win in the December 19 Joe Alto, the bay miss had to settle for minor awards as the heavy favorite in her next two appearances. She returned to the winner’s circle last week, however, as she stormed home from off the pace to get the job done over a sloppy track.

 

Bertha Vanation had to settle for the place money that night after rattling off back-to-back upsets at the top rung for owner Cathy Dessert and driver/trainer Nick Roland.

 

The Voracious Hanover mare captured the January 2 Open at 25-1 and came right back to weeks later to click again at 7-1 while earning a lifetime best 1:53 2/5 clocking in the process.

 

Taking her on this weekend are Alwaysalittlemore with Luke Plano; Dancingonthesand, Mooney Svendsen; Capitol Hill; Delightfully Wild, Tony Kerwood; Paloma Ruiz, Jacob Cutting; Mary’s Pretty Girl with Doug Chappell; and Bertha Vanation for Nick Roland.

 

Get My Good Side prevails in wild finish

 

The finish of last Saturday night’s seventh race looked more like a quarter horse race than a pacing event, as the first five across the line were separated by a total of half a length.

 

At the end, it was the mild 3-1 choice Get My Good Side who prevailed by a nose over Johnny Ringo, with Regal Mark beaten two nostrils for the whole thing, while Sneak Peek Hanover was another head back in fourth with How Your Remind checking in fifth beaten half a side.

 

“I can’t remember ever calling a finish like that one,” track announcer Gary Seibel noted. “Like a bigger than normal ocean wave, you could almost see it forming around the sixteenth pole. At that point, there’s much you can do except brace for impact – and try not to get tongue tied!”

 

The victory was sweet revenge for Get My Good Side, who himself was beaten a nose a week earlier after holding a clear lead in deep stretch. He was ultra-game last Saturday, doing the work in first-over fashion for Jacob Cutting.

 

The 4-year-old is conditioned by George Reider, who co-owns the performer with Dave and Rob Haness. “I bought this horse the last day of racing at Running Aces,” Reider noted. “He’s a nice little horse who doesn’t do many things wrong.”

 

One race later, Rockinscience rattled off his third straight win while capturing the Robert Gordon Pace, going coast-to-coast for Luke Plano as the 1-5 choice. After posting a sparkling 1:52 2/5 decision one race back, he returned with a 1:53 3/5 jaunt last weekend.

 

It was also a consecutive double on the card for Dave Haness, who co-owns the son of Rockin Image with Nikki Hudson.

 

Talk about a nice half an hour.

 

 

 

Monticello Raceway signal now in HD

 By Shawn Wiles 

Monticello, NY -   On Monday January 25, Monticello Raceway’s Simulcasting signal will be broadcasted in High Definition (HD).  Monticello Raceway’s Director of Pari Mutuals and Simulcasting, Maureen Flynn said “We are very happy to bring HD to our fans and hope that this will add enjoyment to the many loyal fans that follow and wager on us, Monticello Raceway joins an elite group of only 5 harness racing tracks that transmit their signal in HD”

Monticello Raceway’s simulcasting afternoon signal has been a mainstay in the industry and simulcasting parlors for decades, it’s signal is sent to over 500 sites with many International sites as well, such as, UK, Ireland, Denmark, Germany, South America and South Africa.

Monticello Raceway is racing 5 days this week, Monday –  Friday with a   12:25 Post Time.

Buffalo Raceway Returns On Wednesday

 

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- The racing surface is ready. More than 250 stalls have been filled by horses chomping at the bit ready to race. This can only mean the 66-day season at Buffalo Raceway is set to begin with opening night scheduled for Wednesday, January 27 with a 5 p.m. post slated for the 11-event program.

 

Wednesday's first card will feature a $3,000 guarantee in the Pick 5 pool thanks to the United States Trotting Association's Strategic Wagering Program, the Western New York Harness Horsemen's Association and Buffalo Raceway. The Pick 5 begins in the second race.

 

With Covid-19 protocols still in place, fans will not be allowed at the facility located at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg.

 

Buffalo Raceway Director of Operations Jon Cramer said, "Following 2020 and the way 2021 has started, we can't wait to get the racing season started. We hope to have spectators sometime during the season but until then, we will put out a good product for the bettors to play along at home."

 

Owners who have horses entered will be able watch live at the track but they must call the race office in advance of the race.

 

The race schedule shows action on Wednesday and Saturday evenings beginning at 5 p.m.

 

Starting on April 2, Friday nights will be added to the slate with a start time of 5 p.m. The Saturday programs will then be moving to 6 p.m. There will be three special 7:15 p.m. posts set for Saturday, May 1, Saturday, May 15 and Saturday June 5 to accommodate thoroughbred Triple Crown events.

 

There are two Sunday afternoon cards on tap, June 20 and June 27 with each having a 12:30 p.m. post. The track will be dark on Friday June 18 and June 25.

 

The season will conclude on Saturday, July 17.

 

Buffalo Raceway's wagering menu for the horse players includes three daily doubles (Races 1-2, 5-6 and the last two on the program), a Pick 5 (races 2-6), a Pick 4 (races 7-10) and a Pick 3 (the last three races) along with win, place, show, exacta, trifecta and superfecta bets

 

On the track, driver Billy Davis Jr., the 2020 Buffalo Raceway driving champion, is returning to defend his title. Davis Jr. won 71 races last season and collected more than $376,000 in purse earnings in the abbreviated season. He'll be busy on Wednesday as he is scheduled to drive in all 11 races.

 

Drivers Jim Morrill Jr. and Kevin Cummings will participate in 10 of the 11 races.

 

Maria Rice, who captured her first ever training title, will try and make it two straight crowns after notching 39 victories at Buffalo Raceway in 2020, winning more than $242,000 in purses. She'll try and get an early jump on the competition as Rice will send eight to the gate on opening night.

 

For more information including the latest news, entries, race replays, results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com or follow along on Twitter or Facebook.

 

GINGRAS SCORES 4, BETTING TOPS $3M AGAIN AT BIG M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – With real-feel temperatures that got as low as 12 degrees, it was tough to stay warm at The Meadowlands Saturday night, but driver Yannick Gingras and The Big M betting faithful were unaffected by the winter chill.

The 41-year-old Gingras was scalding hot at the start of the card, winning four of the first five races. While Gingras has had many four-winner nights at the mile oval it’s hard to imagine he’s had very many with the kind of prices his followers collected Saturday.

Ollie’s Ztam got Gingras’ night off to a good start with a wire-to-wire win at odds of 9-1 in the opener before 8-1 chance Big City Bud came from off the pace to complete the Gingras Early Daily Double that returned $163.40.

“The Green Hornet” guided Pogey Beach to a 10-hole score to complete a natural hat trick at odds of 11-1, before Gingras completed his grand slam with 5-2 Warrawee Unique, who went gate-to-wire in race five. Three of Gingras’ winners hailed from the Ron Burke barn.

All-source wagering continued to show huge Saturday night returns, as a total of $3,404,537 was put in play, marking the fourth consecutive Saturday in 2021 (and fifth straight dating back to 2020) where betting topped the $3.4-million mark. During all of last year, betting reached the $3-million plateau 11 times, only once during January.

As usual, the two Pick-4 wagers proved popular, as a total of $182,844 was put in play on the preferred puzzles.

The 20-cent Pick-6 had a carryover of just under $7,300, which led to a total pool of $36,159. The sharpies who had all half-dozen correct collected $6,365.90.

ONTARIO STANDOUTS: While the COVID-19 shutdown continues at Woodbine at Mohawk Park, trainer Carmen Auciello won twice on the card with a pair of Ontario shippers.

Buck Dancer, who last raced on Dec. 21 at WMP, impressed going wire-to-wire in the $15,500 featured trot for non-winners of $11,500 in their last five starts. Andy McCarthy guided the 7-2 second choice, a 5-year-old gelded son of Guccio-Shaken Not Stirred, who stopped the clock in 1:53.4.

Auciello’s Points North took the $22,500 pacing feature for non-winners of $15,000 in their last five outings. Mark MacDonald, who broke an oh-fer at the meeting with a driving double, guided the 6-year-old gelded son of Somebeachsomewhere-Northwest Hanover – who was sent to the gate as the 6-1 sixth choice – to his fourth straight score after hitting the wire in 1:51.3.

The Jeff Cullipher barn is out of its early-meet slump. The Big M’s second-leading barn at the Fall Meeting equaled the “Burke Brigade’s” three wins on the Saturday card.

A LITTLE MORE: Simon Allard recorded his second consecutive driving double. … Dexter Dunn also won twice, giving him six winners for the weekend and 21 at the current meeting, which leads all Big M drivers. … George Napolitano Jr. also guided a pair to victory lane. … Chalk players took it on the chin, as only three public choices emerged victorious on the card. Before both favorites took the Late Daily Double, only two chalks had won over a 21-race span. … Free past performances for every race of every Big M card are available by going to playmeadowlands.com. … Racing resumes Friday at 6 p.m.  

Silverhill Volo puts Cal Expo streak on line

Silverhill Volo puts Cal Expo streak on line

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

 

A $7,400 Open Trot that finds Silverhill Volo aiming for his fifth straight victory and a $7,200 Filly and Mare Open Pace with Bertha Vanation eyeing the hat trick are the marquee events on Sunday’s Cal Expo card.

 

There will be 12 races under the Watch and Wager LLC banner and things get underway at 4:55 p.m.The Open Trot is scheduled as the third race, while the Distaff Open will occupy the sixth-race slot on the evening.

 

Silverhill Volo, perfect in his four outings at this meet, looks to keep the streak going in the Open Trot while leaving from the assigned outside post in the field of nine.

 

A 10-year-old son of Muscle Hill, Silverhill Volo is owned, trained and driven by Chip Lackey. He is eyeing his 29th victory from 140 trips to the post, has $168,000 in his bank account and sports a 1:55 1/5 mark.

 

Silverhill Volo has raced up close and personal in all his wins here, including a coast-to-coast decision in the Joe Lighthill two back. He was hard used while first over in his most recent tally three weeks ago, pulling away by two and a half lengths while making 3-5 look like a gift.

 

Mandeville could prove to be the main rival for owner/driver/trainer Gerry Longo. The 9-year-old sidewheeler had a second, a third and a fifth-place finish behind Silverhill Volo before returning to his winning ways two weeks ago in a conditioned affair.

 

Leaving from the outside post in the field of seven, he left into a pocket journey, then had the needed response when asked in the lane and drew off by a length and a quarter. It was the 31st snapshot in 142 trips to the post for Mandeville, who pushed his earnings close to the $270,000 mark. He lands two slots inside his main rival in the No.7 post for this go-around.

 

In the co-featured Distaff Open, Bertha Vanation has posted back-to-back surprise scores at the top rung for owners Bill and Cathy Dessert and driver/trainer Nick Roland, working out sweet trips on both occasions. This time around she will be asked to depart from the assigned outside slot in the field of seven.

 

Bertha Vanation longshot players delight

 

Those who have backed Bertha Vanation in her last two starts at the head of the distaff pacing ranks have been nicely rewarded, as the mare clicked at 25-1 weeks ago and came back to get the job done at 7-1 last Saturday evening.

 

The 6-year-old daughter of Voracious Hanover is owned by Cathy and Bill Dessert and is trained and driven by Nick Roland, who has been able to work out perfect two-hole trips with Bertha Vanation for those two upsets.

 

“I’ve been with Cathy and Bill for five or six years now and we bought this horse from her breeder John Hendricks three years ago,” Nick related. “She got sick on us this summer and kind of went off form, but the minute she got here she perked right up and showed how much she likes this track.”

 

Bertha Vanation won her first start at the meet, had to settle for minor awards in her next two tries, then missed a couple of weeks before suiting up for the January 2 Filly and Mare Open where she dismissed at 25-1 from the No. 2 slot.

 

“Because she’d missed some time, she needed every bit of that two-hole trip and the moderate fractions to get there by a nose,” Roland noted.

 

Nick admits he didn’t see another pocket journey in Bertha Vanation’s future when she left from the No. 4 post in a compact cast last week, but the racing gods were once again in her favor and she prevailed once more at the head of the class.

 

“I didn’t see it happening on paper, but for whatever reason Brighten Your Life didn’t go and I left hard for the top. I didn’t mind it at all when Delightfully Wild retook the lead and we were able to work out another good trip.”

 

Upsets are often made of such things.

 

 

DUNN STAYS HOT, WINS 4 AT BIG M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – The wins just keep on coming for Dexter Dunn.

The 31-year-old New Zealand native, who was named the United States Harness Writers Association’s Driver of the Year for a second straight time last week, registered four winners on the Friday night card at The Meadowlands.

Before the start of the program, Dunn was awarded The Big M’s Driver of the Week after winning seven times last weekend (Jan. 15-16), and now sits atop the standings at the mile oval with 19 victories in the early stages of the Winter-Spring-Championship Meeting.

Dunn’s backers got to cash in some nice prices, as after winning with 1-5 public choice Billion Dollar Day ($2.60 to win in race one), the track’s leading driver (with 131 wins) during 2020 scored with Smooth Aceleration ($11.40 in the fifth) and Tango Dancer N ($12.40 in the featured 10^th) before completing his grand slam with Alexander Hanover ($14.40 in the 13^th).

Another Down Under standout, Australia native Andy McCarthy, had a big night as well, scoring three times during the night. His fans were smiling after those races as McCarthy’s winners were sent to the gate at odds of 7-2, 7-1 and 10-1.

PICK-6 CARRYOVER: With a sequence that began with a 10-1 chance and a 27-1 long shot, no one hit the 20-cent Pick-6, creating a carryover for Saturday night’s program of $7,293.

Those who had five winners cashed in for $347.34. Free past performances for the entire Saturday card are available by going to playmeadowlands.com.

HIGHS AND LOWS: With three odds-on choices scoring during the sequence, the 20-cent Pick-5 returned $75.90.

In sharp contrast, the Early 50-cent Pick-4 saw no winning favorites and a healthy payout of $8,987.35.

A LITTLE MORE: Simon Allard drove two winners on the program while Kelvin Harrison registered a training double. … Play in the two Pick-4s was predictably vigorous, as the two pools combined to see over $160,000 in action. … All-source wagering totaled $2,806,228, the third consecutive Friday where at least $2.8 million was pushed through the windows. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6 p.m.

Robert Gordon Pace headlines Cal Expo card

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

 

Rockinscience, fresh from a sparkling victory for driver/trainer Luke Plano, takes on a solid cast in Saturday night’s featured $9,700 Robert Gordon Pace.

 

Watch and Wager LLC will present 13 races with first post set for 4:55 p.m. and the main event will go as the eighth contest on the evening.

 

There are several major contenders in the Gordon line-up, with Rockinscience likely to have his share of backers as he goes for the hat trick this weekend. The 4-year-old son of Rockin Image carries the banner of Nikki Hudson and Dave Haness.

 

After taking the measure of a softer group here on January 10, the bay performer came back last week and streaked home in :27 1/5 to make it two in a row while stopping the timer in 1:52 2/5, shaving two full seconds off his lifetime mark.

 

Bobs Time will be gunning for his third snapshot from his last five trips to the post and is another major player. Rick Bertrand owns and trains the 4-year-old with Jake Cutting in his usual spot in the sulky.

 

Bobs Time proved a punctual even-money favorite last week as he sat the pocket early, brushed to command on the final bend and went on to a length and a quarter score over Cut A Rug, who will again be among his rivals in the Gordon with Doug Chappell at the controls.

 

Rounding out the field are Paddy Murphy, to be handled by Cordarius Stewart; Its Pointless, Tony Kerwood; Villa For Rent with Mooney Svendsen; and Artspire, who will leave from the outside slot with Nick Roland guiding.

 

Low takeout wagers offer true value

 

There are three wagers offered here each night that come with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate – the 20-cent early and late Pick 5 and the 20-cent Pick 4, the latter featuring a $25,000-guaranteed gross pool.

 

To give you some idea of the value that comes as a result of the lower takeout, take a look at last Sunday night’s 20-cent Pick 5 that covered the first five races on the card.

 

There was an even-money winner, three horses clicking at 3-1 and one scoring at 5-1, with the 20-cent investment coming back a nifty $353.68, which equates to a much higher return than the parlay and a nice increase on what the regular takeout payoff.

 

                                          ***

 

This weekend’s Robert Gordon Pace is named for the noted driver/trainer and track executive who passed away at age 65 in 2006.

 

Bob Gordon started his 40-year-career in Ohio and learned his lessons under the outstanding horseman Bob Farrington. He eventually settled in California and was a mainstay at the top of the standings from the late 70s through the early 90s, conditioning such starts as Stand By N, Theora Hanover and Pack Leader.

 

Gordon was a past president of the Western Harness Standardbred Association and the California Harness Horse Breeders Association, while in the early 90s he served as a director of the United States Trotting Association.

 

He was president of Premier Harness Racing, which raced at Los Alamitos, and was instrumental in keeping the sport alive in the mid 90s at a time when harness racing was definitely on the ropes.

 

Bob Gordon was also director of backstretch operations for the Sacramento Harness Association and helped in starting the not-for-profit corporation, which was operating at Cal Expo at the time of his death.

 

 

SATURDAY SIZZLE KEEPS BURNING AT BIG M

SATURDAY SIZZLE KEEPS BURNING AT BIG M

Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – What a difference a year makes.

The first three Saturdays of 2020 were solid from a business perspective at The Meadowlands, as total wagering of $7.7 million averaged out to $2.569 million per card, resulting in an average per race of $183,523.

Turn the page to 2021, and despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s continued miserable grip on the globe, business at the industry’s handle leader has been booming.

Good as the numbers were during the first three Saturdays of a year ago, thus far this year has seen tremendous gains over the corresponding race cards.

Betting reached $4,562,477 on Jan.  2, which represented the third-highest single-card handle – beaten only by Meadowlands Pace Night and Hambletonian Day – over the last 13 months.

A total of $3,646,603 was put in play Jan. 9 while $3,458,896 was wagered on Jan. 16. Over the three-Saturday span, a total of $11,667,976 was pushed through the windows, an average per card of $3,889,325 for an average per race of $259,388.

“That’s an increase of almost $4 million when compared to our first three Saturdays of the year before,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “The average handle per race has increased over $65,000 and the pools are the largest we have seen on overnight racing in over a decade.”

Five of the Meadowlands’ most popular wagers have seen average pools over the three Saturdays that are deep to say the least. The 20-cent Pick-5 has led the way by averaging $205,437. Rounding out the top five were the 50-cent Pick-4 ($99,858), Exacta ($74,125), Win-Place-Show ($63,370) and Trifecta ($53,730) bets.

As usual, the track’s Exacta wager continues to take the most total action. Over the last 45 races conducted on Saturdays, total Exacta play has exceeded $3.3 million.

“The Meadowlands wagering menu offers horseplayers plenty of action all night long,” said Settlemoir. “What an encouraging start for New Jersey racing when you see the size of our pools increase this much going up against the NFL Playoffs on Saturday nights.

“We are certainly getting some new eyes on our product with our low take outs and low minimum wagers, especially now that we are offering free programs every night on our website. Low take outs equal greater payoffs, and that creates longer play. We try to create an exciting wagering format for the horseplayers and offering value for the customer is very important to us at The Meadowlands. It has been a major part of the equation to our early success in 2021.”

DAN PATCH AWARDS: Thanks to a cooperative effort that included The Meadowlands’ TV team – both in front of and behind the camera – and The United States Harness Writers Association, the 2020 Dan Patch Awards were held before the racing card last Saturday via a virtual ceremony that was televised to every outlet that takes harness racing all over the world.

The Big M’s leading driver from 2020, Dexter Dunn, walked away with his second consecutive Driver of the Year trophy before going out and winning four races on the live card. As a result, Dunn will be named the track’s Driver of the Week on Friday night during the nightly pre-game show.

For those who would like to view the Dan Patch Awards Show, all you need to do is go to YouTube and search for “2020 Dan Patch Award Show.”

SOCIAL MEDIA STALWARTS: You can always check in with the team at The Meadowlands on Twitter.

For early changes, racing information and staff selections, go to @themeadowlands or #playbigm.

On race nights, stay in touch on Twitter with the Big M’s Dave Brower (@eedoogie), Dave Little (@DaveLittleBigM), Ken Warkentin (@kenvoiceover), Shades Demsky (@shadesonracing) and Jessica Otten (@JessicaOtten1).

THE SCHEDULE: Live racing at The Meadowlands takes place every Friday and Saturday evening. Post time is 6 p.m.

The track’s live “Racing from the Meadowlands” pre-game show begins at 5:27 p.m.

This week, Otten will join Brower on set Friday night, while the team of Brower and Little will bring you the action on Saturday.

CAN’T MAKE IT TO THE TRACK? There are several options for those who would rather catch the action from The Big M at home.

Racing fans can watch all the races live on the Roberts Television Network (rtn.tv). In addition, they can watch and wager by going to the Television Games Network (tvg.com) or their favorite Advance-deposit Wagering site (ADW).

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

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

FREE FOR ALL: Thanks to an agreement between The Meadowlands and TrackMaster, past performances for every race of every Big M program are now available at no cost.

To access the free PPs, go to playmeadowlands.com.

GUARANTEES SURE TO PLEASE: As any seasoned horse player knows, there are no guarantees at the racetrack. But at The Meadowlands, there are.

Each 50-cent Pick-4 (one gets underway in race six, the other in race 10) sports a $50,000 guaranteed pool, which leads to pools normally in the $75,000-$100,000 range when all the action is counted.

AND THEN THERE WERE FOUR: The NFL Playoffs are down to the conference championship round, and for those who want to get action on the games, all they need to do is head for The Meadowlands’ FanDuel Sportsbook.

On Sunday (Jan. 24), the first game is the NFC title game, which is slated for 3:05 p.m. Six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to Green Bay to take on Aaron Rodgers and the Packers (-3).

The AFC Championship is the late game at 6:40 p.m. Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills will be in Kansas City to take on the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (-3). The big question: Will Patrick Mahomes be able to play?

Hours for the track’s FanDuel Sportsbook are from 10 a.m. – midnight Sunday through Friday and from 10 a.m. – 2 a.m. on Saturday.

BILLINGS SERIES TO RACE A REDUCED SCHEDULE THIS YEAR BEGINNING JAN. 21

by john manzi for the Billings Series

Monticello, NY--After being sidelined last year for the first time since its inception the granddaddy of all amateur racing organizations, the CKG Billings Harness Driving Series, is in the process of resuming races again this season, albeit with a reduced schedule

“Last year was a tough year for all of us”, noted Billings Series president, Tony Verruso. “The Billings was unable to race at all for the first time in 38 years and looking forward to this year, I still see obstacles to construct any type of series as we have had in the past. Horsemen are reluctant to travel as far as they used to and with still so many Covid restrictions in place many are unable to.

“ So with that in mind we are going to race a reduced schedule this season. We are starting with a 3-race schedule at Yonkers Raceway beginning on Thursday 1/21 and then every other week from there, 2/4 and finally on 2/18. Other legs will be added as the Spring approaches, but for now this is all I can guarantee.”

“The Conditions for these races are basically the same as the AHDC Series currently racing at Freehold. The Club Entry Fee will be $50 for the whole year and there will be an Entry Fee of $50 for EACH LEG. Entries will be made by EMAIL ONLY on the day prior to the host track's box closing at Noon. Those entries will be made to the email address below which is this same address:
                       sulkyracer@hotmail.com
“We will try and add as many dates as I can secure with Racetracks that I think will have a chance of filling,” Verruso added. “I hope to see you all racing at some point this year.”

Currently two divisions have already been drawn and will be contested on Thursday (Jan. 21) at Yonkers Raceway.

Kelly Smith ‘honored’ by Caretaker of Year selection

From U.S. Harness Writers Association

 

Kelly Smith, who has worked for Hall of Fame trainer Chuck Sylvester for more than three decades, has been named the recipient of the 2020 Caretaker of the Year Award sponsored by Art Zubrod and Leah Cheverie’s Fair Island Farm in conjunction with the U.S. Harness Writers Association (USHWA). Smith was announced the winner during the USHWA Dan Patch Virtual Awards Show on Saturday, Jan. 16.

 

“I was very surprised and honored,” said Smith. “The competition was fierce, that’s for sure. There are some of the others nominated who are very good friends of mine. Everybody nominated was well deserving; clearly somebody thought we were special.

 

“I am very appreciative of this. Chuck has meant everything to me.”

 

Smith was nominated by Sylvester himself.

 

“Kelly often knows more of what’s going on with me than anyone else,” Sylvester wrote in his nomination letter. “She is there every day starting at 5 a.m., feeding all the horses, turning them out for a few hours, waiting for vets or blacksmiths and staying with the horses, holding them during their appointments.

 

“Kelly is honest, reliable, trustworthy and absolutely passionate about the horses! She is extremely smart and could do anything, but she chooses the horses.

 

“This last year Kelly even went above and beyond her usual excellence and complete loyalty. When I was unable to go north this year, as I needed to stay home with my wife Sharon, Kelly went … and was my eyes and ears. She is my unsung hero.”

 

All caretakers in North America were eligible for the Fair Island Farm Caretaker of the Year Award, with nomination letters submitted detailing the skills and special qualities of the nominee. A seven-member panel — all USHWAns who were former caretakers themselves — selected Smith as the winner.

 

As winner of the Fair Island Farm Caretaker of the Year Award, Smith will receive a cash prize of $1,000 and a trophy etched with a likeness of her and a favorite horse, Breeders Crown champion Spider Blue Chip.

 

Including Smith, 16 names were submitted for the Fair Island Farm Caretaker of the Year. All nominees will receive an honorary certificate commemorating their nomination. Here are all the nominees, with the stable for which they work noted in parentheses:

 

Erin Bonno (George Ducharme)

Margaret Gillon (Ron Burke)

Bethany Graffam (Graffam Stable)

Shelly Greico (Linda Toscano)

Michelle Hallett (John Hallett)

Kim Hines (Jason Robinson)

Diane Lewis (Joe Holloway)

Trish Nappi (Cory Deyermand)

Lisa Palmiter (Chris Lakata)

Katie Remmerswaal (Nancy Takter)

Kelly Smith (Chuck Sylvester)

Sierra Smith (Gerry Sarama)

Anki Wernis (Jim Campbell)

Dave Wisher (Joe MacDonald)

Vicki Wright (Noel Daley)

Cheyenne Yoder (James Yoder)

From USHWA

Harrisburg, PA --- Tall Dark Stranger, a 3-year-old male pacer who was harness racing’s lone millionaire last season, cashed in on his winning ways Saturday when he was named 2020 Horse of the Year by the U.S. Harness Writers Association.

Trained by Nancy Takter and driven by Yannick Gingras, Tall Dark Stranger won 11 of 13 races and $1.30 million last year. He also was named Pacer of the Year and the sport’s top 3-year-old male pacer during USHWA’s virtual Dan Patch Awards show Saturday. The show replaced the organization’s traditional awards banquet, which was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Four-year-old Gimpanzee was named Trotter of the Year and best older male trotter. Trained by Marcus Melander and driven by Brian Sears, Gimpanzee won eight of 11 races and $980,964 last season. His earnings were second to Tall Dark Stranger.

Trotters winning divisional Dan Patch Award honors in addition to Gimpanzee were 2-year-old male Venerate, 2-year-old female Anoka Hanover, 3-year-old male Amigo Volo, 3-year-old female Ramona Hill, and older female Manchego.

Pacers garnering divisional awards in addition to Tall Dark Stranger were 2-year-old male Perfect Sting, 2-year-old female Fire Start Hanover, 3-year-old female Party Girl Hill, older male Bettor’s Wish, and older female Kissin In The Sand.

Tall Dark Stranger, Bettor’s Wish, Kissin In The Sand, Gimpanzee, Ramona Hill, and Manchego all were Dan Patch Award winners in previous years.

Takter, the 2020 Trainer of the Year, had three division champions: Kissin In The Sand, Manchego, and Tall Dark Stranger. Nifty Norman and Chris Ryder trained two each; Norman had Amigo Volo and Fire Start Hanover while Ryder had Bettor’s Wish and Party Girl Hill.

Dexter Dunn, the 2020 Driver of the Year, was the regular driver of six champs: Amigo Volo, Bettor’s Wish, Fire Start Hanover, Kissin In The Sand, Manchego, and Party Girl Hill.

In voting for Horse of the Year, Tall Dark Stranger received 89 votes, followed by Party Girl Hill with 29 and Gimpanzee with six. Receiving two votes each were Bettor’s Wish, Perfect Sting, and Ramona Hill. Anoka Hanover rounded out the balloting with one vote.

Pacer of the Year voting saw Tall Dark Stranger outdistance runner-up Party Girl Hill, 93-31, among five horses receiving at least one vote. Trotter of the Year balloting saw Gimpanzee with 80 votes, followed by Ramona Hill with 29 and Amigo Volo with 11. Three other trotters also received at least one vote.

Tall Dark Stranger, by Bettor’s Delight out of Precocious Beauty, is the 19th 3-year-old male pacer to be named Horse of the Year since the award began in 1947. He is only the second male pacer in 35 years to receive a Dan Patch Award at age 2 and return to be Horse of the Year at 3. The other was Somebeachsomewhere in 2008.

Among Tall Dark Stranger’s wins last year were the North America Cup, Meadowlands Pace, Cane Pace, and Kentucky Sire Stakes championship. He finished second by a neck in the Breeders Crown.

“He’s just the toughest horses ever,” Takter said. “I’m going to have to add smart to that, too, because he figured out what this is all about. He knew that he was supposed to be first, and he made sure that he was first.

“Where ‘heart of a champion’ is in the dictionary, Tall Dark Stranger’s name and picture are right next to it.”

Tall Dark Stranger is owned by Crawford Farms Racing, Marvin Katz, Caviart Farms, and Howard Taylor. He was bred by Jim Avritt Sr.

The colt is Takter’s second Horse of the Year winner, joining JK She’salady in 2014. She is the 13th trainer in history with at least two different Horse of the Year honorees. Gingras has driven three Horse of the Year winners.

“It feels amazing,” Takter said. “To have the opportunity just to be involved with these great horses is a humbling experience. A lot of people put faith in me to make champions when we buy horses as yearlings and to be able to execute on that is a very rewarding feeling.”

Trotter of the Year Gimpanzee counted the Breeders Crown Open Trot, Hambletonian Maturity, John Cashman Memorial, Graduate Series championship, and Caesars Trotting Classic among his wins last season. He became only the third trotter in history to capture a Breeders Crown at ages 2, 3, and 4.

Gimpanzee, who was a Dan Patch Award winner at 2 in 2018, is owned by Courant Inc. and S R F Stable. The stallion is a son of Chapter Seven out of Steamy Windows and was bred by Order By Stable. He is Melander’s second Trotter of the Year, joining Greenshoe in 2019.

There were no unanimous divisional champions. Tall Dark Stranger, Gimpanzee, Party Girl Hill, Bettor’s Wish, Ramona Hill, and Amigo Volo each received at least 97 percent of the votes in their respective divisions. The closest race was among older female trotters, where Manchego won 72-58 over Atlanta.

The Dan Patch Awards show will be archived and available on the USHWA website and USHWA Facebook page, as well as the U.S. Trotting Association’s YouTube channel, on Sunday, Jan. 17.

Following is a look at the 2020 Dan Patch Award division winners. Listed drivers were either the horse’s regular driver or won at least one Grand Circuit final with the horse.

TWO-YEAR-OLD MALE PACER

PERFECT STING, colt

Always B Miki – Shebestingin – Bettor’s Delight

Breeders: Brittany Farms, Val D’Or Farms

Owners: Brittany Farms, Val D’Or Farms

Trainer: Joe Holloway Driver: David Miller

Races: 10-10-0-0 Purses: $534,300 Mark: 1:49.2 at Red Mile

Top wins: $600,000 Breeders Crown; $250,000 Kentucky Sire Stakes final

 

TWO-YEAR-OLD FEMALE PACER

FIRE START HANOVER

Somebeachsomewhere – Fit To Frame – Art Major

Breeder: Hanover Shoe Farms

Owners: Pinske Stables, David Hoese, Lawrence Means

Trainer: R. Nifty Norman Driver: Dexter Dunn

Races: 13-8-2-0 Purses: $592,562 Mark: 1:50.3 at Red Mile

Top wins: $600,000 Breeders Crown; $151,030 Kindergarten Classic Series final

 

HORSE OF YEAR, PACER OF YEAR, THREE-YEAR-OLD MALE PACER

TALL DARK STRANGER, colt

Bettor’s Delight – Precocious Beauty – Art Major

Breeder: James Avritt Sr.

Owners: Crawford Farms Racing, Marvin Katz, Caviart Farms, Howard Taylor

Trainer: Nancy Takter Driver: Yannick Gingras

Races: 13-11-1-0 Purses: $1.30 million Mark: 1:47.1 at Meadowlands

Top wins: $760,000 North America Cup; $636,650 Meadowlands Pace; $273,125 Cane Pace; $250,000 Kentucky Sire Stakes final; $239,500 Tattersalls division

 

THREE-YEAR-OLD FEMALE PACER

PARTY GIRL HILL

Captaintreacherous – Look Cheap – Geartogear

Breeder: Tom Hill

Owner: Tom Hill

Trainers: Chris Ryder, Chantal Mitchell Drivers: Dexter Dunn, Doug McNair

Races: 16-15-0-1 Purses: $880,345 Mark: 1:47.2 at Red Mile

Top wins: $304,000 Fan Hanover; $253,000 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes final; $239,500 Tattersalls division; $237,725 Jugette; $154,450 Matron

 

OLDER MALE PACER

BETTOR’S WISH, 4-year-old stallion

Bettor’s Delight – Lifetime Star – Western Ideal

Breeder: Brittany Farms

Owners: Chris Ryder, Bella Racing, Fair Island Farm, Bettors Wish Partners

Trainer: Chris Ryder Driver: Dexter Dunn

Races: 13-6-3-2 Purses: $685,432 Mark: 1:47.3 at Meadowlands

Top wins: $340,000 TVG Series Open final; $229,660 Sam McKee Memorial; $176,500 Dayton Pacing Derby; $150,000 Allerage Farms Open

 

OLDER FEMALE PACER

KISSIN IN THE SAND, 5-year-old

Somebeachsomewhere – Kiss Me Kate – Real Artist

Breeders: Christina Takter, John Fielding, R A W Equine, Concord Stud Farm

Owners: Marvin Katz, Hatfield Stables

Trainer: Nancy Takter Drivers: Dexter Dunn, Jody Jamieson

Races: 12-8-1-0 Purses: $491,984 Mark: 1:47.4 at Meadowlands

Top wins: $300,000 Breeders Crown; $175,000 Dayton Distaff; $161,250 Milton; $150,000 TVG Series Mare final; $72,000 Allerage Farms Mare

 

TWO-YEAR-OLD MALE TROTTER

VENERATE, colt

Love You – Peaceful Kemp – Muscle Hill

Breeders: Steve Stewart, Kemppi Stable

Owners: Pinske Stables, Andy Miller Stable

Trainer: Julie Miller Drivers: Andy Miller, Andrew McCarthy

Races: 10-5-0-3 Purses: $772,914 Mark: 1:51.4 at Red Mile

Top wins: $1 million Mohawk Million; $250,000 Kentucky Sire Stakes final

 

TWO-YEAR-OLD FEMALE TROTTER

ANOKA HANOVER

Donato Hanover – Aunt Mel – Yankee Glide

Breeder: Hanover Shoe Farms

Owners: Noel Daley, L.A. Express Stable, Caviart Farms

Trainer: Noel Daley Driver: Todd McCarthy

Races: 14-10-1-1 Purses: $587,758 Mark: 1:52.3 at Meadowlands

Top wins: $451,800 Goldsmith Maid; $252,340 Kindergarten Classic Series final

 

THREE-YEAR-OLD MALE TROTTER

AMIGO VOLO, gelding

Father Patrick – Margarita Momma – Yankee Glide

Breeders: Kentuckiana Farms, Jorgen Jahre Jr.

Owners: Pinske Stables, David J. Miller

Trainer: R. Nifty Norman Driver: Dexter Dunn

Races: 15-9-1-2 Purses: $939,498 Mark: 1:50.2 at Dover Downs (world record)

Top wins: $500,000 Breeders Crown; $444,000 Kentucky Futurity; $252,000 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes final; $162,350 Matron

 

THREE-YEAR-OLD FEMALE TROTTER

RAMONA HILL

Muscle Hill – Lock Down Lindy – Lucky Chucky

Breeder: Crawford Farms

Owners: Brad Grant, Crawford Farms Racing, Robert LeBlanc, In The Gym Partners

Trainer: Tony Alagna Driver: Andrew McCarthy

Races: 10-6-1-1 Purses: $915,615 Mark: 1:50.1 at Meadowlands

Top wins: $1 million Hambletonian; $266,000 Elegantimage; $253,500 Del Miller Memorial; $160,140 Harry M. Zweig Memorial Filly

 

TROTTER OF YEAR, OLDER MALE TROTTER

GIMPANZEE, 4-year-old stallion

Chapter Seven – Steamy Windows – Muscle Massive

Breeder: Order By Stable

Owners: Courant Inc., S R F Stable

Trainer: Marcus Melander Driver: Brian Sears

Races: 11-8-1-1 Purses: $980,964 Mark: 1:50 at Meadowlands

Top wins: $500,000 Breeders Crown; $464,900 Hambletonian Maturity; $291,350 John Cashman Memorial; $250,000 Graduate Series final; $150,000 Caesars Trotting Classic

 

OLDER FEMALE TROTTER

MANCHEGO, 5-year-old

Muscle Hill – Secret Magic – Cantab Hall

Breeder: Brittany Farms

Owner: Black Horse Racing

Trainer: Nancy Takter Driver: Dexter Dunn

Races: 13-6-2-2 Purses: $599,451 Mark: 1:49.3 at Plainridge Park (world record)

Top wins: $320,000 TVG Series Open final; $300,000 Breeders Crown; $250,000 Spirit of Massachusetts