Western New York Connections In Hambletonian

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- It's a rarity to see a Western New York connection in the Hambletonian but there's one set for the 2016 edition which is scheduled for this Saturday afternoon (August 6) at The Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J.

Buffalo Trotting Association President Bill Richardson along with former Buffalo Raceway regular Jeff Gregory have teamed up along with Jesmeral Stable (Steven Finklestein) to send the three-year-old gelded trotter Tight Lines (Yankee Glide-IIia) into this year's Hambletonian. 

"I've never been to a Hambletonian before and I am thrilled to death to be going this year," the 83-year-old Richardson said. "I've been involved in racing for more than 45 years and this is the highlight. I'm excited to get a chance to see Tight Lines participate in the Hambletonian."

The last time Western New York was represented at the Hambletonian was in 2012 where Archangel battled it out for trainer/co-owner Pete Arrigenna and driver Jim Morrill Jr. Archangel finished second in his elimination, losing to eventual Hambletonian winner Market Share in 1:52.2.

Tight Lines drew the seven post into the first elimination scheduled as the eighth race with an approximate post time of 2:20 p.m. and is a long shot at 25-1. To advance to the $1 million finals, Tight Lines needs to finish in the top five of his elimination which has nine entrants.

"I think we have a really good chance of doing that," Richardson said confidently.

The morning line odds didn't bother Richardson at all. "I'm realistic about our chances. Tight Lines is a really nice colt who's had a little bit of bad luck. Jeff (Gregory) is very high on him and believes he is better than what a lot of people think."

Gregory said, “Obviously he’s going to be a long shot, but this is a tough race to pass up. He’s a nice little horse. He’s an over-achiever, if anything. He’s never really disappointed us. By no means do we expect anybody to respect us too much, but we didn’t want to pass up the opportunity. You don’t know how many more of these opportunities you’ll get. It’s a shot in the dark but we want to give it a try.”

Tight Lines missed most of his two-year-old campaign due to an injury but Gregory thinks he might just be rounding into top form.

“We just started him a couple times to get him some experience,” Gregory said. “But he was one of my better 2-year-olds training down last year. He’s a little bit green this year, but he’s really done everything we’ve asked of him. He’s learning. It doesn’t seem like he’s ever tired. He’s always willing. He raced super in the Zweig. We had a terrible post (nine) and he finished great. He came home in :27.1 and did it the right way.” 

With three victories in 11 career stars, Tight Lines has won $50,781 in his brief career. All of his wins have come at Pocono Downs.

For Richardson, he was offered a unique chance to get in on 25 percent of Tight Lines.

The 49-year-old Gregory bought Tight Lines as a yearling for owner Bill Weaver. A renowned owner and breeder and a member of the Harness Racing Hall of Fame, Weaver passed away in February and thus giving Richardson and Steven Finkelstein’s Jesmeral Stable an opportunity to buy in.

Richardson said, "Oddly enough, I have yet to meet Steven Finkelstein."

But nothing would be better for them to get to know each other on Saturday in the winner's circle.

The CBS Sports Network will have a 90-minute live broadcast including the $1 million Hambletonian final, the $225,550 U.S. Pacing Championship, and the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks beginning at 4 p.m. The first post for Hambletonian Day at The Meadowlands is noon.

Racehorse Hot Rod Pete Steals The Show at Historical Marker Dedication

By Fred Hudson

(August 2, 2016) - The Copperthite Racetracks Historical Marker Dedication (Sunday July 31^st) was both a historical and fun day that was well attended by the Northern Virginia community. Most of the attendees had never seen a harness race and knew very little, if anything, about the sport.

The Copperthite Racetracks history includes the first ever fly-over of a sporting event and this occurred at this harness racetrack on July 4^th 1909. The pilots were Orville and Wilbur Wright, the inventors of the airplane.

The harness racing industry was well represented with Betsy Brown, John Brown, Charlie Robbins, Jr., Art and Nancy Lisi, Art Lisi, Jr. and Freddie Hudson. The star of the day was the standardbred racehorse, Hot Rod Pete, who stole the show.

From Hot Rod Pete's arrival, the attendees flocked to him and posed for many pictures. He was followed around by the kids eager to pose for pictures, sit on his back or to the feed him one of the carrots that his trainer, Betsy Brown, had brought with her.

Twice during the day, Hot Rod Pete with Charlie Robbins in the bike did an exhibition time trial on what would have been the racetrack's infield. There was only a small section of the original track still intact and due to the rain the night before it was decided that it would be safer to perform the harness race demonstration on the turf.

The demonstration races were officially called and timed by Jon Vrara, the President of the Burke Historical Society. Hot Rod Pete had a time of 46 seconds for the quarter of a mile.

During the day Charlie Robbins and Freddie Hudson both spoke and took questions regarding the sport of harness racing and blacksmith Art Lisi, Jr explained about the craft of horseshoeing. Throughout the day efforts were made at fundraising for the Standardbred Retirement Foundation (SRF).

At the harness racing table attendees picked up literature supplied by the USTA, SRF, Rosecroft Raceway and the Meadowlands. As always, the USTA coloring books were a hit with the kids.

The Capitol Model T Ford Club brought 15 Model T's to the event. The music was performed by the King Street Bluegrass and there were many people in period dress. Mike Copperthite the great grandson of Henry Copperthite (who founded the track) of the Connecticut Copperthite Pie Baking Company supplied pies and refreshments for everyone.

In attendance were organizers of the event that included members from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, The Burke Historical Society, Virginia Historical Marker Committee and members of the Fairfax County History Commission.

The day concluded with the unveiling of the historic marker and speeches by Mike Copperthite, Sharon Bulova, Chariman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Virginia State Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn and Jon Vrara.

Pop Cop repeats in Tioga pacing feature; Coulter wins three

Nichols, N.Y. -- Pop Cop ($4.10) prevailed as the even-money favorite in Sunday (July 31) afternoon's featured $9,000 Open 2 Pace at Tioga Downs, holding off an inside charge from Vangura to earn his second consecutive win at the level.

Leading driver Scott Coulter wasted no time with the 7-year-old Bettor's Delight gelding, sprinting clear of Meadowlands invader Always N the Money (Jim Marohn, Jr.) on approach to the first turn and completing the first half of the one-mile event in :55.1. Pop Cop subsequently turned aside a first-over challenge from Owosso Flash (Jim Meittinis) up the far side, accelerating to shake free by two lengths at head-stretch after rating a slightly slower :28.1 third sectional.

With Owosso Flash fading off the far turn and two lengths clearance on the field, Pop Cop appeared home free at the eighth pole. His lead started to slip away as Vangura (Corey Braden) found a seam to rally up the pegs in the final 150 yards. Ultimately, Pop Cop held Vangura a half-length at bay, posting a 1:51.4 mile time. Always N the Money found room to split rivals off the corner, chasing well to save third.

Trainer Tony Dinges co-owns 28-time winner Pop Cop with Enos Van Stanhope, III. For Coulter, the featured win was one of three on the 12-race card. The "Tan Tornado" also teamed up with Flying Cowboy ($6.20, 1:52.3) and Ulster Hanover ($3.30, 1:54).

Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Friday (August 5) evening, with the first race due off at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.