Kyle Cummings Named Buffalo's Horseman Of The Month

 by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

 

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- "It's pretty humbling and nice to be noticed," said 21-year-old driver/trainer Kyle Cummings after being named the 'Horseman Of The Month' at Buffalo Raceway. "There's a lot of hard working people on the backside of the track and it's nice to see Buffalo Raceway recognize them."

 

It's been a busy 2022 campaign for Cummings who besides driving duties, handled training responsibilities during the early part of the season.

 

"My parents went south for the winter so we had horses that needed to be raced so I was the option," Cummings said. "I'm in the barn every day so it really didn't add any more to my plate. I'd call my parents and ask for their advice when I needed to." He did condition four winners in 26 starts.

 

Currently sitting fifth in the Buffalo Raceway driver's standings with 26 wins, Cummings is excited about driving in the New York Sires Stakes this Wednesday. "It will be great to drive with some of the top drivers around and race some high class horses. It's a great experience."

 

He went on to say, "It's very encouraging and nice to see my hard work being acknowledged. I want to make the most of my opportunities. I picked it up at the end of the Buffalo meet last year and I had a pretty good season at Batavia Downs."

 

For being named The 'Horseman Of The Month', Cummings will receive a gift certificate from J.P. Fitzgeralds Restaurant and Irish Pub located at 4236 Clark Street in Hamburg, N.Y.

 

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

June Events at Meadowlands Racetrack

Meadowlands Racetrack

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Meadowlands Racetrack’s Championship Meet runs through Hambletonian Day, Saturday, August 6^th.   Live racing takes place every Friday and Saturday night with a 6:20pm post time.

 

Every live race night fans can enter Horseplay. Pick up a free horse at the promotions table and throw the horse into the car for a chance to win $100 and an entry into the Friday, August 5^th drawing for a brand new 2022 Toyota Corolla.

 

The Free World Harness Handicapping Championship Qualifier is Saturday, June 4.  Guests can enter this free contest for a chance to win a $1,000 seat into the WHHC Final held on September 10^th, 2022.

 

Saturday, June 11^th is the return of the popular Wiener Dog Derby.  Fans watch dachshunds dash down the track’s stretch in between live harness racing.  Dachshunds can register at PlayMeadowlands.com.

 

The annual Meadowlands Racetrack Burger Battle is slated for Saturday, June 18^th. The contest offers a $1,500 grand prize with $1,000 for 2^nd place, $500 for third and a $500 prize for the best burger patty. This free event runs from 5-11 pm and fans are encouraged to come out and taste some of the best local burgers. 

 

On Saturday June 25^th, the vino will flow at Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment for the Meadowlands Wine Festival.  Doors open for VIP Admission ($65) at 4:30 pm with General Admission ($45 in advance or $50 at the door) at 5:30 pm and wine is poured until 9:30pm. Fest-goers will experience an evening of great wines from around the world, live-harness racing, music and food. Tickets are available at PlayMeadowlands.com.

 

For a complete list of nightly events, promotions and updated racing calendar please visit PlayMeadowlands.com.  Buffet dining reservations can be made by calling 201-The-BigM (201-843-2446).

 

Reminder, guests must be 18+ to wager; 21+ to gamble on sports.  Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler. 

Talk Show Chica wins feature at Tioga

Talk Show Chica (Corey Braden) takes the featured $10,000 fillies and mares pace at Tioga Downs on Friday (May 27). 

Talk Show Chica ($5.50) took the lead and was first to the quarter in :28.  She used a :30.0 second quarter to cruise to the half in :58.0.  LA Always Martini (Joe Chindano Jr.) was the first to make a move going first-over heading for the final turn.  Talk Show Chica shook her off and led to three-quarters in 1:26.1. 

As they made the turn for home Arnie’s Angel (Jacob Cutting) made a three-wide move and came charging at Talk Show Chica but Talk Show Chica was too strong and won easily in 1:54.2.  Arnie’s Angel had to settle for second money.  Larjon Legacy (Aaron Byron) finished third. 

Talk Show Chica is a 5-year-old mare by Heston Blue Chip.  She is owned by Braden and trained by Stacey McLenaghan.  It was her second win of the season and the 13^th victory of her career. 

Braden and McLenaghan combined for two wins on the card.  They got their other win with Gold Star Igotdis ($20.40).   Wally Hennessey drove three winners on the card.  He got his wins with Splittsville ($5.60), Crystal Sparkles ($2.20), and Su Su Sussudio ($3.10). 

Tioga Downs returns to Live racing on Saturday (May 28) with an 8-race card 

Horse Rescue United Wins Meadowlands Charity Handicapping Contest

Meadowlands Racetrack

East Rutherford, NJ – This past Saturday night the Meadowlands Racetrack held its 3^rd Annual Charity Handicapping Contest.  Nine local charitable organizations were selected to compete for their share of $14,500.

Horse Rescue United took the lead after the 4^th race when they hit on their $2 across the board wager on Bayfield Beach. They racked up $51 from that race and finished with a final bankroll of $99.60.  This was Horse Rescue United second win in the Meadowlands Charity Contest; the organization took home the top prize in the 2021 charity contest.

 

Coming in second with $75.60 was the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of New Jersey with the Wayne Police Athletic League finishing third with $67.20.

 

“This is tremendous,” said Sue Cohen, the representative from Horse Rescue United. “This contest is so much fun and what makes the win extra special is that is helps so many horses under our care.”

The full Charity Handicapping Contest standings are below:

Charity	Total	Donation
Horse Rescue United, Inc	$99.60	$5,000.00
Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of New Jersey	$75.60	$3,000.00
Wayne Police Athletic League	$67.20	$2,000.00
Horse Park of New Jersey	$45.20	$1,500.00
Act Now Foundation Inc.	$39.40	$1,000.00
North Jersey Friendship House	$36.50	$500.00
Homeless Animal Adoption League, Inc	$26.00	$500.00
CBH Care	$25.40	$500.00
Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Hunterdon County	$23.90	$500.00

 

For the Charity Handicapping Contest, organizations had to select one (1) horse in nine designated Meadowlands live races.  The organization amassed a mythical bankroll if their selection finished first, second or third in the designated race. Official $2 WPS (Win, Place, Show) payoffs were added to the mythical bankroll. The organization with the highest bankroll was declared the winner.

Each organization came out with a crew of volunteers and supporters that thoroughly enjoyed their night at the races which included winner’s circle presentations.

 “We want to have a positive impact on our community which is why we plan on running this promotion every year.” said Jason Settlemoir, COO and GM of Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment. “Seeing these organizations bringing out family and friends and enjoying the races is exciting.”

For more information on the upcoming events and racing visit PlayMeadowlands.com 

Greene County Kicks Off Summer of IL Harness Racing

Most foals born in a decade brings optimism to sport

CARROLTON, Illinois - Harness racing returns on June 1st this year and promises to feature a great schedule of races when Standardbred horses from around the state compete at the Greene County fairgrounds in Carrolton. The Illinois Harness Horseman’s Association (IHHA) wants you to come out this summer and see the competition for yourself. 27 County Fairs are slated to host racing this year.

 
“There’s nothing like a horserace,” said IHHA President Marty Engel. “It’s a real thrill, especially when you see how much everyone is working to compete and put on the show.”

Horse racing is a labor-intensive sport with each animal employing roughly five people. A strong racing industry is good for Illinois’ agricultural economy supporting breeding farms, trainers, blacksmiths, grooms and more.

 
Illinois has a long and storied history of harness racing going all of the way back to the days when farmers would race on country lanes after Sunday church. It has been remarked that Honest Abe himself was fond of watching horse races. For many years, Illinois hosted the prestigious Hambletonian at the DuQuoin State Fair.

However, as states around Illinois supported horse racing and boosted purses with racinos in the 1990’s and 2000’s, the Prairie State did not keep pace and many people in the horse racing industry moved to more lucrative horse racing states like Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

 
New legislation passed in 2019, promising larger purses and a new Illinois racetrack, have boosted interest in the sport in Illinois. The IHHA encourages Standardbred breeders to bet on Illinois and breed their horses here.

Illinois Standardbred horse owners bred more horses last year than any time in the last decade with 534 foals registered in 2021. The low point was 2017 when only 144 foals were registered. At its peak, over 2,500 foals were registered in Illinois.

 
“It’s a great time to get into the sport and it’s a great time to be an Illinois breeder,” said IHHA board member Ed Teefey.

 
Teefey hosts the Illini Classic Sale, one of the largest Standardbred horse sales in Illinois. “As more people come back to Illinois to race, the quality of the horses goes up, the purses go up, the racing becomes more competitive and more people can work in the industry,” said Teefey. “We’ve seen a lot of interest in breeding, buying, and racing in Illinois in the last few years.”

The Illini Classic Sale will be held on September 5th this year and the Land of Lincoln Standardbred sale will be held on August 15th. Both sales are expected to do well.

 
“It’s a great sport and it’s great family fun at the County Fairs,” said Engel. “I hope everyone comes out to enjoy the races.”

Racing Returns to Tioga Downs for 2022 Season

Exciting slate of racing returns to the historic oval, beginning on Saturday, May 7th

Nichols, NY— It’s that time of year once again, with racing fans hearing the call to post for the first time at Tioga Downs Casino Resort. An exciting slate of racing is set to return to the famous Tioga oval on Saturday, May 7^th with a special slate of racing scheduled around the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs.

“We’re proud to be the home for the best harness racing in all of the Southern Tier, and we’re excited to welcome our fans back to the track,” says Tioga Downs owner Jeff Gural. “There’s no better place in the region where families can come trackside and enjoy a night out with each other, and where racing fans can take in some of the most competitive races in the state.”

The 2022 season kicks off with a special 5:00 p.m. post time on Saturday, May 7th. Food and drink specials will be in place all evening long, along with live entertainment coming from the PJ Clarke’s patio and a special t-shirt giveaway. Guests will also be encouraged to participate in the ever-popular Kentucky Derby hat contest, and more promotions are expected.

There will be scheduled breaks in live racing so guests can watch the 148th Run for the Roses live from Churchill Downs.

This season will also feature eight New York Sire Stakes race days, showcasing the best standardbreds  in the state and some of the  greatest harness drivers in the industry. The competitive racing schedule will also feature the Empire Breeders Classic Finals for three-year-old colt and filly pacers on Sunday, August 28th.

Tioga Downs is also proud to host, for the first time ever, the New York Sire Stakes Day of Champions on Saturday, September 10th.  There will be a special double header of racing that day featuring Eight NYSS Finals for a purse of $200,000 each, with purses for the day of racing totaling over $1.6 million. The first half of the double header featuring the NYSS finals will start at 1:00 p.m. The second half will feature overnight racing with a post time of 6:15 p.m.

The 2022 racing season will be packed with promotions that will be fun for the whole family to enjoy. Visit our website here for more information on the individual promotions scheduled this year.  Sunday post times begin at 1:00 p.m.  All other race days, post time is 6:15 p.m. including a special night of racing on Monday, July 4, followed by a spectacular firework display.

MONTE MIKI RETIRED AFTER SUSTAINING TENDON TEAR

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Monte Miki, the Dan Patch Award winner as the top 2-year-old male pacer of 2021, has been retired, according to his trainer, Mark Evers.

“He’s got a tear on the side of his tendon and is going to stud,” said Evers. “We were devastated. He had a little bump on the side of his tendon and he had a 20 percent tear after we worked him the Friday before last.”

Evers was looking forward to a big 3-year-old campaign for the son of Always B Miki-Montenegro, who won six-of-seven starts a year ago, good for earnings of $665,276, by far tops in his division.

“It’s disappointing, that’s for sure,” said Evers. “He had a lot of talent, but there are a couple of breeding farms interested in him and we are currently in negotiations.”

Monte Miki took home divisional honors on the strength of two major stakes wins – the $650,960 Metro at Woodbine Mohawk Park in 1:52.2 and $600,000 Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands in 1:53.2. After being driven in his first three starts (all wins) by Josh Sutton, Scott Zeron was in the bike for the remainder of the season.

Owned by Velocity Standardbreds, ‘Miki’ took his lifetime mark of 1:50.4 in a Breeders Crown Elimination at The Big M.

CHARLIE MAY 1:48.3 IN SEASONAL DEBUT AT BIG M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – When it came to the Saturday night feature at The Meadowlands, track announcer Ken Warkentin said it best: “Charlie May came to play!”

The 2021 Ohio Horse of the Year made a huge splash in his 4-year-old debut, powering off cover in mid-stretch to take the $31,500 Open Handicap for pacers in a lifetime-best 1:48.3.

“It’s interesting because every season he’s won his first race of the year,” said Charlie May’s owner Don Tiger. “It’s pretty cool. He surprised me tonight. I knew he’d be very good, but those were Invitational pacers he was facing with starts under their belts. We raced him conservatively, but the horse has his own mind. He doesn’t like to lose.”

After a 3-year-old campaign that saw him battle the likes of Perfect Sting, Lous Pearlman and Abuckabett Hanover, Charlie May won 10-of-22 starts and banked a hair under $880,000, and off a pair of winning qualifiers at Miami Valley Raceway, the gelded son of McArdle-Stipple Hanover, who is trained by Steve Carter, was more than ready at first asking for his third season of racing.

A year ago, it was Perfect Sting gunning down Charlie May in the Oct. 30 Breeders Crown for driver Dave Miller, so it was ironic that Miller was piloting Charlie May – for the first time ever – Saturday.

“I got asked to drive him and was glad to get to race him,” said the Hall of Famer. “We were going to race him from the end of it and I was able to sit quite a ways. We got some cover and he did the rest.”

Charlie May was away fifth in the early going as No Lou Zing and American History slugged it out to the quarter in :26.1 before American History made a second move to command and hit the half in :54.3. Miller moved Charlie May off the rail at the five-eighths and quickly picked up live cover from Backstreet Shadow.

American History was clear by 3 lengths at three-quarters in 1:21.4 as Charlie May continued second-over with Let It Ride N – who was seeking a second straight score in the weekly feature – in hot pursuit in the live flow right behind the eventual winner.

Charlie May was tipped off his cover with an eighth-of-a-mile to go and steamrolled past the field, hitting the wire 1½-lengths in front of Backstreet Shadow. Vettel N was third. Let It Ride N, the 3-5 favorite, didn’t fire off cover and finished in a dead-heat for fourth in the six-horse field.

In raising his lifetime stats to 18 wins from just 32 starts, Charlie May padded his earnings to $1,223,777. He returned $8.00 to his backers as the 3-1 second choice in the wagering.

“We’ll be in the Graduate (at The Meadowlands) for sure next week,” said Tiger. “And the week after that, The Confederation Cup (at Flamboro Downs). We have our schedule all mapped out, and we will show some loyalty to Ohio, and we’ll go to the Dan Patch because that is a neighboring state (Indiana). We’ll finish up in the Breeders Crown (at Woodbine Mohawk Park). But we’ll be at The Meadowlands for a good chunk of races.”

A LITTLE MORE: Dexter Dunn was on target all night, leading the driver colony with four victories. Joe Bongiorno guided the winner’s circle visitors in the first, second and third races. … The 20-cent Pick-6 had a double carryover, leading to $100,000 in “new money” poured into the pool, for a grand total of $127,024. After Scott Zeron guided 29-1 shot No Stone Unturned to victory lane in the 13^th and final, those with winning Pick-6 tickets walked away with $12,443.96. … All-source handle totaled $2,794,862. … Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m.

J-Huck wins five including Open Trot at Vernon

 John Horne for Vernon Downs 

2022 is the year of Justin Huckabone so far, as he added five more driving wins and three training wins to his impressive season total at Vernon Downs on Saturday (April 30). 

Huckabone steers Credit List ($4.20) to a victory in the $7000 Open Trot. 

Credit List was first to the quarter in :28.1.  Meadowbranch Rickey (Mike Merton) then took over and led to the half in :57.2.  Credit List came first up as they went around the final turn but Meadowbranch Rickey still had a short lead and led to three-quarters in 1:27.0. 

As they made the turn for home it was all Credit List breezing down the stretch to win easily in a seasonal best of 1:55.4.  Spoiler Alert (Frank Affrunti) came up to finish second.  Joxter (Dan Daley) finished third. 

Credit List is a 7-year-old gelding by Credit Winner.  He is trained by Huckabone for owner Jonathan Applebaum.  It was his second win this season.  He now owns 25 career victories. 

Huckabone was just the driver for wins with Bet Big On Blue ($3.90) and Major Steel ($10.40).  He was driver-trainer for wins with Da Boogie Man ($6.50) and Wind Blast ($2.70). 

Chatelroll (Frank Affrunti) charges late to win the $7,000 Open Pace. 

Lyons Pegasus (Justin Huckabone) led to the first quarter in :26.2.  Golden Gun (Jeff Sorenson) was along side as they went around the first turn.  He wrestled the lead away just before hitting the half first in :54.3.  Northern Rein (Chris Long) was the next to make a move and led to three-quarters in 1:22.4. 

Chatelroll ($4.50) looked like he was shot out of a cannon as they entered the stretch and he blew right on by to win in 1:51.4.  Northern Rein had to settle for second.  Frontier Rollo (Josh Kinney) was third. 

Chatelroll is a 6-year-old gelding by Roll With Joe.  He is owned by the Purple Haze Stables and trained by George Ducharme.  He is one for one in 2022.  He now has 22 career wins. 

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (May 6) with a post time of 6:05 p.m. For more information, go to www.vernondowns.com.