2015 Illinois Bred Stakes still on schedule

Horsemen encouraged to attend yearling sales

HINSDALE, Ill. – The Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association is urging horsemen to participate in upcoming yearling sales, reminding everyone that funding for the Illinois bred stakes program for 2015 should be very similar to 2014.

“The earnings potential for two-year-olds in 2015 should be substantial,” said IHHA President Dave McCaffrey. “We believe that the Illinois breeding program is the lifeblood of the harness racing industry and we will do everything we can to ensure that our breeding program is able to continue.”

While horsemen in Illinois have experienced difficulty over the years because of a lack of new revenue sources, the IHHA is still hopeful that legislation approving slots at racetracks will become law in the near future. In the meantime, Standardbred breeders in Illinois continue to breed great young horses and hold yearling sales throughout the summer.

“Illinois has a long history of breeding champion racehorses,” said Hall of Fame Standardbred breeder “Doc” Walker. “People may be tentative about certain aspects of our future but horsemen can be confident that there will be yearlings to buy this summer and plenty of stakes races to enter them in during 2015.”

Horsemen should expect the usual stakes races in 2015 including the Super Night races, the Cardinals and the Violets. The stakes races at both the Springfield and DuQuoin State Fairs will be run as well as the County Fairs throughout the state. Funding for Illinois bred stakes races that comes from the Illinois Department of Agriculture is slated to remain at current levels. Foal crops have been similar the last few years so nominating payments should also be comparable. “There will be ample opportunity for horsemen to race young Illinois bred horses in 2015,” said McCaffrey.

“The breeding programs are important to the viability of the horse racing industry here and have a positive impact on the Illinois economy,” said Bob Flider, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “I’m very pleased that my department will be able to continue funding the stakes races at existing levels in its current budget.”

The current contract between the IHHA and the racetracks is for racing four nights a week through June 30, 2015. After that is still to be determined but both groups anticipate a schedule of somewhere between two and four days per week beginning July 1, 2015.

“There will be harness racing in Illinois in 2015 and there will be an Illinois bred stakes program,” said Duke Johnston. We understand how important it is to both horsemen and the racetracks. “It is vital to the industry that the Illinois breeding programs stays strong and the horse population stays consistent.”

Supported by industry leaders: Dave McCaffrey, President Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association; Duke Johnston, President Maywood and Balmoral Park; Robert Flider, Director Illinois Department of Agriculture.

YONKERS’ MONDAY PICK 5 FEATURES $25,000 GUARANTEED POOL

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

YONKERS, NY, Sunday, June 29, 2014—What’s better than free money?

Unexpected, end-of-the-month free money.

With Yonkers Raceway’s Pick 5 wager going unclaimed both Friday and Saturday nights, Monday’s multi-racer--which ordinarily offers a $10,000 guaranteed pool—has ceremoniously swelled to $25,000.

The figures includes a double-carryover of $9,381 and some change.

The Pick 5 is a 50-cent base wager offered on races 5 through 9 nightly. It has no consolation payoff, meaning if no one selects all five winners (as was the case Friday/Saturday), the entire pool (minus takeout) moves to the next racing program.

The Pick 5 regularly offers a $10,000 guaranteed pool (though it is indeed 25-large this Monday) every Monday and Tuesday (in conjunction with the US Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program), with program pages for those “guarantee” days available for perusal at www.yonkersraceway.com.

So, do your homework. Excuses shall not be tolerated.

The Raceway's five-night-per-week live schedule continues, with first post every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:10 PM. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available daily.

Jets Are On, Nitro Seelster prevail in Tioga late closers

by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media

The S & P Racing Stable's Jets Are On ($4.90) completed a series sweep in the $38,000 M&J Oil and Lube final for distaffers, while Sandbur Farms and Valarie Sutton's Nitro Seelster ($10.40) outsprinted a trio of Ron Burke trainees in the $46,000 Nichols True Value final on Sunday (June 29) afternoon's Tioga Downs program.

The two late closing series finals served as co-features on the 13-race card, with the M&J Oil and Lube final looking to be a showdown between preliminary winners Jets Are On and Godiva Seelster.  Neither mare was prominent early, as Happy Apples (Matt Kakaley) and Evil Fight (Jeffrey Long) were embroiled in a cutthroat duel to a :54.4 half mile.  On the backstretch, Jets Are On swept three-wide, pushing to the lead into the far turn and drawing clear by five lengths at head-stretch.  Godiva Seelster (Fern Paquet, Jr.) sustained a late bid from farther back in the field, rallying well to take second, reducing Jets Are On's winning margin to two lengths in a 1:53.0 effort.  Always Flash-n (Aaron Byron), who stalked from the pocket, was able to shake free from the fading pacesetters to save third.

Corey Braden drove Jets Are On for trainer Luanne Case.

In the Nichols True Value final for male pacers, Nitro Seelster sustained a bid off the live cover of Real Illusion (Brandon Simpson), edging clear of Ron Burke trainees Pappy's Pal (Matt Kakaley) and Shark Fantasy (Dan Charlino) while holding off a strong late charge from Agood Time to Rock (Dan Rawlings) en route to a 1:52.3 victory.  Sean Bier tipped the four-year-old Camluck gelding off cover at head-stretch, pulling clear late for a two-length triumph.  Agood Time to Rock chased late after suffering an awkward start, re-rallying to just take second from his stablemates, the pocket-sitting Shark Fantasy and the pacesetting Pappy's Pal (third and fourth, respectively).

Doug Hamilton trains Nitro Seelster.

Live racing returns to Tioga on Friday evening, with the Independence Day card set to begin at 6:15 p.m. EDT.

Gural Hanover Smashes Buffalo Raceway Track Mark in NYSS

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Gural Hanover smashed the all-age trotting record at Buffalo Raceway Sunday afternoon by covering the mile in 1:56.1 over the lightning fast track to steal the spotlight in the second $61,300 division of the New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters. The old mark of 1:56.3 was shared by Scorpion Moon (2007), Delano (2012), Crazy About Pat (2013) and Lutetium (2014).

After shattering the track record with Gural Hanover, winning driver Jim Morrill Jr. said, "That was just a training mile. The horse is very, very good."

Morrill Jr. was very good as well as he finished the program with five victories in the sulky.

Gural Hanover ($2.10) started from the six post and cleared the top just before the quarter pole. He posted fractions of 28.4, 57.3, 1:27.3 and had a 28.3 last panel to destroy the record. Zoey De Vie (Phil Fluet) pressed Gural Hanover (Crazed-Givemearing) slightly down the stretch and finished strong a length behind in second while Flyhawk El Durado (Mark MacDonald) placed third.

The lightly raced Gural Hanover, now a winner four times in six career starts, has amassed $75,828 this season and $77,078 lifetime. He is trained by Ron Burke and owned by the Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Little E & Panhellenic Racing Corporation.

Cash Me Out took the opening $61,300 leg and nearly set a new track standard with a 1:56.4 win.

It was just a fifth of a second off the track record before Gural Hanover came along.

It was basically a two-horse race past the three-quarter marker as the pace-setting Expressive Action (Mike Simons) and Cash Me Out pulled away from the field and were ready to battle for the stretch duel. Expressive Action hung tough until midway down the lane as Cash Me Out ($3.50) managed to wear down the leader and registered the length win. Mister Anson (Morrill Jr.) finished in third.

"He's really good when he has a target to chase," winning driver Mike McGivern said of Cash Me Out. "When we pulled out, he had something to chase after."

Owned by Traylor Racing LLC and trained by Cheryl McGivern, Cash Me Out (Cash Hall-China Victory) has now won three straight races and two in a row in Sire Stakes competition. The victory pushed his 2014 winnings to $88,425 and $244,062 lifetime.

In the Excelsior Series A races, all worth $12,500, Commissioner Daley (Dan Daley) cruised to a 1:59.1 victory and returned $5.80 for the win. The second leg had Flyhawk Thrill (Morrill Jr.) notching a popular $2.30 decision after covering the mile in 1:58.

The Excelsior Series B races, with a purse of $6,600 each, had Credit Craze (Morrill Jr) post a surprising $14.20 win while Engagedatlexington (Jim Marohn Jr.) cruised to a 2:00.3 victory and paid $3.20.

The racing will resume on Wednesday night at 5 p.m. with a 13-race card on tap. The New York Sire Stakes will be back with the 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings headlining the program.

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

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

Odds On Equuleus Establishes Lifetime Mark At Meadowlands

 It’s safe to say that Odds On Equuleus has left his 0 for 15 three year old campaign behind him.  Tonight at The Meadowlands, he flashed the turn of foot that caught everyone’s attention as a two year old, winning tonight’s $30,000 Free-For-All Hanidcap in a lifetime best, 1:48.2.

Leaving from post position three and sent off as the 2-1 second choice, Marcus Miller gathered Odds On Equuleus back towards the rear of the field, settling in next to last through an opening quarter of 26.2 and a rapid half-mile of 53.3, established by Aracache Hanover.  He awaited the move of Wake Up Peter, who in turn flushed out Dovuto Hanover, positioning Odds On Equuleus third over through three-quarters of 1:21.3  Turning for home it appeared to be anyone’s race, with Aracache Hanover grimly holding onto the lead, Dovuto Hanover grinding away first over and Wake Up Peter gathering momentum off cover.  But then, seemingly in an instant, Odds On Equuleus appeared widest of all in deep stretch and accelerated dramatically to win going away, pacing the final quarter mile in 26 seconds flat.  Wake Up Peter was a very solid second and Dovuto Hanover a game third.

The winner is owned by Odds On Racing and trained by Tony Alagna.

A pair of Meadowlands Pace contenders earned strong confidence builders Saturday night as well.

                

First up was Beat The Drum, who showed early speed, caught a bit of a shuffle, moved first over as the 2-1 second choice and just kept on coming to win a non-winners of four event in 1:50.1.  Beat The Drum will likely make his next start in a Meadowlands Pace elimination for Bender Sweden Inc and trainer Staffan Lind.  Dan Rawlings guided the son of Tell All to his new lifetime mark.

Not to be out-done was Let’s Drink On It, who faced seven older rivals in the sixth race B-2 event for $18,000.  Moving to the half mile pole, the 4-5 betting choice made the lead through a sharp 54.2 half mile, then paced a 54.1 back half mile to win by over four lengths over the veteran Silent Swing in an extremely sharp, and lifetime best 1:48.3.  Currently eighth on The Road to The Meadowlands Pace, Let’s Drink On It is owned by Seekman, Bond, Hewitt and Boido Jr, trained by Joe Seekman and was driven to victory by his regular pilot, Tyler Smith, who had a career night, winning five races on the program.

For the second consecutive night, live handle at The Meadowlands showed slight gains over the previous year, gathering momentum into the strongest month of the meet.

Next weekend begins the Championship stretch at The Meadowlands.  Friday night features New Jersey Sire Stakes for the two year old trotters, while Saturday night carries the freshmen pacers as well as eliminations for The Meadowlands Pace, Mistletoe Shalee and William Haughton Memorial.  Also on the card is the $450,000 est. Hambletonian Maturity for four year old trotters at one mile and one eighth, with a field that could hold up to 16 entrants.  The intriguing matchup in that event is that of 2013 Hambletonian winner Royalty For Life pitted against the 2013 Hambletonian Oaks Winner (and Horse of the Year), Bee A Magician.  

Please note that while the Friday July 4^th program will begin at 7:15 P.M., Saturday July 5^th will carry a special 6:30 P.M. post time, with fireworks to follow the live racing program.  For more information, go to playmeadowlands.com.

Table Talk tops in Tioga NYSS

by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media

After not getting involved in the Fan Hanover until far too late, the Wiz Kids Stable's Table Talk ($4.60) returned to her winning ways in a $39,900 New York Sire Stakes event for three-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday (June 28) evening at Tioga Downs.

The Bart Dalious-trained daughter of Bettor's Delight was the fastest winner in three Sire Stakes divisions on the evening, yielding the lead to Spreester (Jim Morrill, Jr.) after controlling a reasonable--yet spritely--:27.4 first quarter mile.  After being boxed in by the first-over Scandalicious (Jeff Gregory) through a strong :55.4 middle half, Jim Marohn, Jr. was able to wedge wide with Table Talk on the approach to the home straight, battling with Spreester for the final 150 yards and prevailing by a scant quarter-length in 1:52.  Just Add Vodka (Aaron Byron) finished an even third off a ground-saving trip.

The second division saw Medusa ($13.60) escape a three-race losing streak, finding room at the pegs in the closing yards after being boxed in for three-eighths of a mile to just beat Sweetnsinful in 1:53.3.  Aaron Byron drove the Bettor's Delight filly to her sixth career win for trainer Paul Kelley.  Blush Hanover ($3.90) held sway in the final division, driven clear to hold off a pocket-sitting Bettor Chill Out in 1:53.3.  Jim Morrill, Jr. drove the daughter of Art Major to victory for trainer Linda Toscano.

Live racing continues at Tioga on Sunday (June 29), with a 13-race afternoon card due to begin at 1:30 p.m. EDT.

SOME OR LIS SPRINGS 20-1 UPSET

by Michael Chamberlain, Vernon Downs Publicity

Some Or Lis (Lis Mara-Grabbersome) was the longest shot on the board in the $7,200 feature race at Vernon Downs on Saturday night, but that did not prevent him from storming past the entire field to score an upset win in 1:51.4. The early stages of the race featured a speed duel between You Bet Your Glass (Frank Davis) and I Do Hanover (Chris Lems), who was parked on the outside for the majority of the mile. Those two set some fast fractions early on, covering a quarter in 25.4 and a half in 53.4. That early speed ended up being the undoing of the duo, both of whom finished out of the top three. After hitting three quarters of a mile in 1:22.4, You Bet Your Glass and I Do Hanover faded in the stretch and Some Or Lis (Claude Huckabone III) came all the way from last in the field of six at the top of the stretch to win at 20-1. The second-longest shot in the field, The Green Knight (John MacDonald) at 14-1, finished second. The exacta ended up paying $240 with the two longshots comprising it. Buckeye Baddler (Truman Gale) sat behind the early speed battle in third position and started to rally through on the inside in the stretch as the leaders fell back, but the closers also passed him by and he had to settle for third. The complete order of finish was: Some Or Lis, The Green Knight, Buckeye Baddler, I Do Hanover, You Bet Your Glass, and Stonebridge Master. Some Or Lis is owned by Richard Dow of Holland Patent, New York and trained by Stephen Marsh.

The driving star of the night was John MacDonald who scored three victories and three seconds on the 11-race program. He was a winner with Bandini in the 1st race, MacKenzie's Bliss in the 7th race, and That's Ideal in the 9th race. He was second with The Green Knight in the 2nd race, Beignet in the 8th race, and Tactical Attack in the 11th race.

No live racing on Thursday with a concert being held by Jerrod Niemann and Love & Theft. The concert benefits The Food Bank of Central New York. Tickets are available for $15 and the Chairman of American Racing and Entertainment, Jeff Gural, will be personally donating $10 for every ticket sold to the Food Bank of Central New York with a goal of raising $100,000 to benefit the Food Bank.

Live racing will resume at Vernon Downs on Friday, July 4 with a 6:45pm post time. The Friday program will feature the first leg of the Racing Under Saddle Series. There will be a special July 4th Fireworks Display following the conclusion of the live racing program.

Salazar Leave Little Doubt In Buffalo Raceway Open Pace

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- An inside starting position, a new front-running style and a sloppy race track. Salazar faced those new challenges in the $10,500 Open Pace at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday night (June 28) and passed with flying colors.

After starting his last seven races from the five post or out and over a fast tracks, Salazar got the rail, a sloppy track and tossed out his late-closing style.

Battling Western Alumni to the quarter marker in 29.4, the pace-setting Salazar (Ron Beback Jr.) was the one to catch down the stretch. Western Alumni, who sat the pocket the entire mile, failed to produce a late charge thanks to the 28.3 last panel put up by Salazar ($4.90). Western Alumni finished three lengths behind on second while Best Ears (Jack Flanigen) took the show spot.

Owned by Lisa Denison and trained by Lisa Lederhouse, the 8-year-old Salazar (McArdle-January Spur) now has won four times in 22 starts in 2014, earning $45,872 and upping his career total to $264,456.

Racing continues on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. at Buffalo Raceway with a 13-race program scheduled. The New York Sire Stakes will be in town with the 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters taking the spotlight.

For more information on Buffalo Raceway including the latest news, race replays, upcoming promotions and news, go to www.buffaloraceway.com

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

3 Year Old Trotters Invade Buffalo Raceway

By Michael Carter, for Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY-- The 3-Year Old Colt & Geldings trotters make their mark on Buffalo Raceway on Sunday with 6 out of the 16 entered being nominated for the 89^th Hambletonian.

Currently so far this season 2 track records have fallen at the hands of New York Sire Stakes horses. This Sunday they will be going after the mark of 1:56 3/5 which has been tied once already this season by veteran Lutetium.

The first of 2 New York Sire Stakes takes place in race number 2. Cash Me Out (Cash Hall-China Victory) is the 2/1 morning line favorite coming off a very nice win at Saratoga. This gelding has won $213,412 so far in his career and always looks strong and close to the pace. Cash Me Out driven by Michael Mc Givern has won 3 races this year and is on a streak of 2 straight coming to Buffalo Raceway.

Expressive Action (Conway Hall-Yetta's Angel) driven by Mike Simons is the 2^nd choice in the field at morning line odds of 5/2. This 3 year old colt is coming off a very good front end trip at Saratoga and was a winner in the $215,125 Empire Breeders Classic at Vernon Downs in 1:54 1/5. Its possible trainer John Grasso could be gearing this one up for a shot at The Hambletonian in August.

The rest of the field includes The Lindy Treaty (Ray Schnittker), Elegante Attire (Jeff Gregory), Daley Lovin (Dan Daley), Mister Anson (Jim Morrill Jr.), Hallanet (Jim Mahron Jr.), and High Q (Kevin Cummings).

The second division picks up in Race 5, and looks equally as difficult as the first division. Gural Hanover (Crazed-Givemearing) trained by Ron Burke is coming off an impressive NYSS victory at Saratoga from an outside post just like he has today. Jim Morrill Jr. picks up the line for the gelding who has hit the board in all 4 starts this season.

Flyhawk El Durado (Conway Hal-El Paso Gal) is trained by Mark Ford and stuck on the outside this afternoon. He comes down from Mohawk Racetrack where he was a super horse in the $250,332 Goodtimes elimination and got a tough trip off some hot fractions in the Final. This colt has made over $350,000 so far and really seems to like the ½ mile tracks.

The rest of the field includes JS Trotting Bob (Jeff Gregory), Zoey De Vie (Phil Fluet), Consumer Rate (Ray Schnittker), Karets (Ray Fisher Jr.), Rocky De Vie (Truman Gale), and Crazolo (Jim Mahron Jr.)

There is also a set of $12,500 Excelsior Series “A” for the 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters and also a set of $6,600 Excelsior Series.

For more information, including race replays, results upcoming promotions, and the latest news, visit Buffaloraceway.com

BWTB

The popular Saturday Breakfast With The Babies event again enjoyed a perfect morning weather-wise for the races. They got underway at 9:30 with the Cantab Hall x Musical Victory colt Musical Rhythm reversing his previous form, heading right to the front for a gate to wire 1:59.1 / 28.2 win for Scott Zeron. P Mac Attack was second and Wicker Hanover third. He’s trained in the Tony Alagna stable for John Fodera and Steve Wienick racing as In The Gym Partners who paid $35,000 at the Lex Select sale.

Buzzy Sholty scored a double on the day with a nice pair of Donato Hanover fillies that he trains for the Place Your Betts Stable. The first was Donato’s Babe from Marion Monet, a 2:00.1 winner in the second. She led all the way and coasted in over Sobti Hanover and Chezando. The Betts boys, Andrew, Scott and Tim gave $16,000 for her at Harrisburg last fall. HS Carry On (With Faith) came for $1,000 less at the same venue and she was sharp on the lead today through even numbers for the 2:00.3 score over Iluvmyjimmychoos.

Shafina Hanover was a winner for Ron Pierce and Noel Daley, who have teamed up on more than a few top trotters over the years. She rallied from well back to catch Praying Gear deep in the stretch in 2:01.1. A $50,000 Harrisburg purchase by Adam Victor & Son and Barbara Matthews, she’s an Explosive Matter from She’s A Blizzard.

Ake Svanstedt won the next couple. He brought a nice Yankee Glide filly named That’s So Ironic in and won the fourth, just holding on over a closing Janet in 1:59.3 /28.4. She cost Maryann Racing $47,000 at Lexington. Lima Pride impressed for Svanstedt in the very next race leading to the half, getting buzzed by The Bakers Choice and John Campbell around the last turn then rallying back to win in 2:01.2 / 28.4. He’s from the first crop of Muscle Massive out of Pacific Legacy and was a $25,000 buy at the Lexington Selected Sale for the account of Top Ten Racing. Maestro Blue Chip was a good third, closing stoutly for Trond Smedshammer.

Trond had a winner in Buen Camino in 1:59 / 28.4 after a pocket ride. He’s a good sized homebred Cash Hall from Baby Rella owned by Ernesto Martinez and WCB Stable. He got up to nail Bavaro with Longcat Hanover up for the show.

Magenta Man was game to hold off Soboro Hanover after leading all the way in 1:59.4 / 28.4 for Campbell. He’s a handsome Muscles Yankee from Magenta Hall that brought $70,000 at Harrisburg and races for Let It Ride, Jeff Gural, Howard Taylor and RBH Venture who have entrusted the “Crocodile Man” Ross Croghan to tend to the training details.

She’s Heavenly opened the pacing races with a handy 1:55.4 score with Mike Lachance aboard for owner, trainer and breeder Bob Horowitz. She’s another winner from the first crop of Rock N Roll Heaven from Hedgie Blue Chip and looks promising.

Casie Coleman sent out Oneisalonelynumber to win the tenth in 1:57 / 27.4. He followed Feeling Cam Lucky around the track and surged by with one crack of Dave Miller’s whip for the score. This Bettor’s Delight colt from No One Is Alone cost West Winds Stable and Adriano Sorella $62,000 last fall at Lexington.

Bedroomconfessions got the perfect trip from Scott Zeron and burst through an opening between fillies to win convincingly in 1:55.2 / 27.1 with her individual last split a tick or two faster. She’s an American Ideal x Turnoffthelights homebred owned in partnership by Stephanie & Myron Bell’s Riverview Farms and her trainer Tony Alagna.

The day’s final race was the fastest with the $190,000 (HBG) Well Said colt Paparazzi Hanover winning for Yannick Gingras. He moved to the front at the half in 58.3, then threw a 56 / 27.2 at ‘em on the end to win in hand over a very wide Sicily and American Crossroads. A son of the top mare Paula’s Best, Paparazzi Hanover is trained by Jim Campbell for the potent partnership of Jeff Snyder and Jules Siegel’s Fashion Farm.


The Miss Hot For Trot pageant final is tonight during the live card which begins at 7:15.

FRENCH LAUNDRY & SATURDAY MORNINGS WIN NJSS OPENERS FOR 2YO TROTTERS

-Submitted by Carol Hodes for SBOANJ

MANALAPAN, NJ – June 27, 2014 – French Laundry took the rest of the field to the cleaners, coasting to a five and three-quarter length victory in the $39,000 opening round of the New Jersey Sires Stakes for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings, the first race on Friday, June 27, 2014 at the Meadowlands.

The Muscles Yankee colt, out of the Hambletonian Oaks winner Creamy Mimi, trotted the mile in 1:56 flat, equaling the stakes record set by Yankee Glide in 1996.

The 3-5 favorite, under a confident hand-drive by Yannick Gingras, won his pari-mutuel debut, paying $3.20, following up on a two-for-two record in baby races.  The Jimmy Takter trainee was a $115,000 Lexington Selected Sale purchase by Christina Takter of East Windsor, NJ and Ontario-based John Fielding, Jim Fielding, Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld.

In the battle for second, True Blue [Muscle Hill], with Tim Tetrick driving, got up and Broken Record [Muscles Yankee], with Ron Pierce, held on for third by nine lengths. 

Saturday Mornings, driven by David Miller, collected top money in the $38,500 New Jersey Sire Stakes for two-year-old trotting fillies in the fifth race.

It was a wire-to-wire effort for 6/5 Saturday Mornings [$4.40] who trotted the mile in 1:57.2, finishing a length and three-quarters ahead of Demons N Diamonds.  Southwind Cartier was third by two and three-quarter lengths. 

Trained by Joe Holloway, Saturday Mornings was a $32,000 Lexington Selected Sale yearling purchase for Bluestone Farms of Hopewell, NJ.

Mission Brief, the 4/5 favorite broke early and finished last.

All seven of the starters were daughters of Muscle Hill.

NJSS PACING DIVISIONS TO STACIA HANOVER, DEALT A WINNER, CASHAWAY & WEAPONS DEALER

Stacia Hanover by Western Ideal popped out of the pocket in the stretch and out-sprinted the pacesetter The Show Returns for a half- length victory in the $25,500 first division of the New Jersey Sire Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies in the third race.

Driven by Scott Zeron and trained by Steve Elliott, Stacia Hanover paced the mile in 1:59.1, with a last quarter in 25.4 seconds, after The Show Returns [Rocknroll Hanover], with Brian Sears driving, cut slow, unpressured fractions.

Rocknroll Allnight [Rocknroll Hanover], rough in the stretch, survived an inquiry, finishing third by nine lengths.

Stacia Hanover, sent off at 3-5, paid $3.20.  She was a $35,000 Harrisburg Sale purchase for David Van Duse of Madison, OH and Michael Cimaglio of Lyndhurst, OH.

In the second $25,500 filly pacing division, the 11^th race, 3-5 Cashaway [$3.40] held off challenges from Ideal Nuggets [Western Ideal] and Smart Zone [Rocknroll Hanover] to win in 1:55 flat.

Tim Tetrick guided Cashaway, a daughter of Western Ideal out of the proven producer CPA, to the neck victory with a half-length to Smart Zone in third. 

The Tony Alagna trainee was a $105,000 Lexington Selected Sale purchase.  She is owned by her co-breeder, Brittany Farms of Versailles, KY, in partnership with Marvin Katz of Toronto, Ontario.

Dealt A Winner [$8.20} paced a New Jersey Sire Stakes record for two-year-old geldings when he stopped the clock in 1:52.4 in the ninth race, the $27,000 first division for pacing colts and geldings.

David Miller brushed the Cam’s Card Shark gelding from sixth to the lead down the backstretch, taking command from Western Pioneer, the 4/5 favorite, and would not be caught, winning by a length and a quarter. 

Hurrikane Ali gained ground in the stretch to finish second while Ticket To Roll was three and a half lengths back in third.  Both are sons of Rocknroll Hanover.

Dealt A Winner, trained by Edward Hart and owned by Jeff Snyder of New York City, was a $35,000 Harrisburg Sale yearling purchase. 

The 1:52.4 mile eclipsed the gelding mark of 1:53 shared by Fancy Creek Storm [1997] and Western Ace [2005].

In the 12^th race, the $27,000 second division for pacing colts and geldings, Weapons Dealer by Western Ideal had the ammunition in the stretch to post a length and a half victory over Too Darn Hot [Rocknroll Hanover] in 1:54.2.  Mr Censi [Cam’s Card Shark] was four and a half lengths back in third.

Brett Miller was in the sulky for the victory. 

Isaac Waxman trains for Brenda Waxman of Dundas, Ontario and Aaron Waxman of Burlington, Ontario, who acquired the White Birch Farm-bred colt for $10,000 at the Harrisburg Sale.

WISHING STONE: BREEDING SHED TO WINNER’S CIRCLE

Wishing Stone, back in training after a busy breeding season, won his 2014 debut in Friday night’s sixth race classified trot.

Wishing Stone stood as a stallion at Deo Volente Farms in New Jersey, fulfilling contracts for 331 doses of frozen semen overseas as well as being bred to some 30 mares in North America.

The double-millionaire scored a half-length victory over Undercover Strike in 1:52.4.  Yannick Gingras was at the lines of the Ron Burke trainee who campaigns for the Wishing Stone Syndicate of Flemington, NJ.

Seven-year-old Wishing Stone picked up his 22nd career victory in 70 starts.

The Ms. Hot To Trot Competition was well-received as usual, and those that came out to the track were just as interested in putting some money through the windows as on track handle yielded gains of nearly 10-percent.

Racing resumes on Saturday with first post time at 7:15 P.M.  The Final Round of the Ms. Hot To Trot headlines the entertainment, while the racing features a wide open $30,000 Free For All Pace.

For more information, go to playmeadowlands.com

Upsets abound at Tioga; Summer Snow takes distaff feature

by James Witherite, Tioga Downs racing media

Upsets abounded early on the Friday (June 27) evening card at Tioga Downs, with four of the first six winners returning at least 10-1 odds.  In fact, two of four odds-on favorites on the 10-race card were handed defeat.  However, the featured $11,000 Miracle Mile 2 distaff pace was taken by one of its 9-5 co-favorites.

Summer Snow ($5.70) took the night's top pacing event, passing all five of her rivals en route to a 1:53 victory.  The striking seven-year-old grey Admirals Galley mare settled at the back of the pack early on, floating second-over to track the cover of Seascape Hanover (John Cummings, Jr.) after the pace-setting Hayworth Blue Chip (Jim Marohn, Jr.) clicked off a sharp :55.3 half-mile.  On the approach to the far turn, Mike Simons angled Summer Snow three-wide off a stalling Seascape Hanover, sustaining a push to the lead at head-stretch and edging clear to a 2-1/4 length triumph.  Antigua Hanover (Brandon Simpson) saved second off a pocket trip, while Last Minute Cindy (Aaron Byron) re-rallied between rivals after traffic trouble to take third.

Trainer Jennifer Lappe co-owns Summer Snow with the Squawk Box Stable, LLC.

Live racing resumes at Tioga on Saturday (June 28) evening, with three-year-old pacing fillies taking center stage in a trio of New York Sire Stakes events.  First post for the 13-race pari-mutuel card is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. (EDT).

ILOVEMYMOMMY BACK TO WINNING WAYS

by Michael Chamberlain, Vernon Downs Media

Ilovemymommy (Inquirer-Alpine Goal) got back to the Winner's Circle at Vernon Downs on Friday night in the $8,000 feature race after being unable to pick up a victory thus far in June. The win on Friday ends a three-race losing streak for the mare. Ilovemymommy (Jimmy Whittemore) settled in third after Canadian Sunset (Roman Lopez) forged to the front at the start and set the pace through the opening quarter of 26.4. 

Ilovemymommy then moved to the outside as the field entered the backstretch and made an aggressive move to the front, taking control of the race and never relinquishing it. She remained in front through a half mile of 56.4 and three quarters in 1:26. Painite (Frank Davis) made a valiant try first-over entering the far turn, but didn't threaten the leader and was passed late in the stretch by Long Island Tea (Chris Lems) for second. 

The complete order of finish was: Ilovemymommy, Long Island Tea, Painite, Alarming Quick, MC Tiny's Hope, Stell R Time, and Canadian Justice. The final time for the mile was 1:54.2. Ilovemymommy is owned by Karen Smith of Brushton, New York and trained by Andy Gardner.

The win in the feature by driver Jimmy Whittemore was one of two victories on the night for him. Whittemore is now just nine victories away from 1,000 in his career.

Live racing at Vernon Downs resumes on Saturday night with an 11-race program. The second race is the feature with a purse of $7,200. The 9-5 morning-live favorite in the field of six is I Do Hanover, who has won his last two starts in June at Vernon Downs. Post time for the Saturday program is 6:45pm.

SEARS SWEEPS FRIDAY CO-FEATURED 44G OPEN HANDICAPS WITH “MONKEY,” “LORENZO”

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

YONKERS, NY, Friday, June 27, 2014—Yonkers Raceway’s Friday night $44,000 co-featured Open Handicaps—for distaff pacers and all-welcome trotters-- were won by millionairess Monkey on My Wheel (Brian Sears, $3.40) and Lorenzo Dream (Sears again, $12.80)

Odds-on choice Monkey on My Wheel, whose assigned eight-hole became post position No. 7  after Krispy Apple came up ill, was immediately put in play. She worked around pole-given Handsoffmycookie (Dan Dube), taking the lead before a :28.2 opening quarter-mile.

From there, it was a :57.3 half before Road Bet (Eric Carlson) moved from fifth. Monkey on My Wheel then found a 1:25.4 three-quarters, a couple of lengths to the good turning for home. An off-cover Virgin Mary (Eric Goodell) closed stoutly, but the people’s choice was tough. She held sway by a neck in 1:53.3.

Road Bet, Camille (George Brennan) and Robin Cruiser  (Jordan Stratton) came away with the remainder.   

For “Monkey,” a 6-year-old homebred daughter of Mach Three owned by Mac Nichol and trained by Casie Coleman, it was her seventh win in 16 seasonal starts (career earning just shy of $1.5 million). The exacta paid $26.60, with the triple returning $156.50.     

The week’s marquee trot saw “Lorenzo” make the first lead from post No. 7. He then had a wide-early 3-5 choice DW’s NY Yank (Brennan) get around a breaking Tober (Jason Bartlett) and make the lead before a :27.4 first sub-station. He then found next intervals of :57.4 and 1:27.2, taking a length lead in and out of the final turn.

However, Lorenzo Dream edged in and went by late, picking off the favorite by a neck in 1:55.4. Harbor Point (Dube), a tough-trip Zooming (Goodell) and Hoorayforvacation (Carlson) settled for the small change.

           

For third choice Lorenzo Dream, a 7-year-old Taurus Dream gelding owned by Vincent Laurenzo and trained by Julie Miller, it was his sixth win in 17 ’14 starts.  The exacta paid $23.80, the triple returned $263.50 and  the superfecta paid $463.50.

Note that since no one hit Friday’s 50-cent Pick 5, Saturday’s wager offers a $10,000 guaranteed pool (carryover of $2,728.32).

            The Raceway's five-night-per-week live schedule is back in business, with first post every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:10 PM. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon

simulcasting available daily.  

Murder He Wrote, Western Conquest Win In NYSS At Buffalo

HAMBURG, N.Y.--- Murder He Wrote registered a giant shocker at Buffalo Raceway Friday night as he rallied in deep stretch to pull off the $92.50 upset in the $60,200 first division of the New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings. Murder He Wrote went the mile in 1:53.4, the fastest time of the season at the Hamburg half-mile oval.

In the second $60,200 division, things were much calmer as Western Conquest (Brent Holland) held off I'm All Heart (Matt Kakaley) by a neck in 1:53.4, the same as the first leg. The track record will remain for the time being of 1:52.3 set by Steelehead Hanover in 2012.

Former Western New York regular Jeff Gregory was extremely pleased in getting Murder He Wrote to the finish line first. "It was a special win tonight because Linda Toscano owns and bred this horse. He is a home bred."

Moliere Hanover (Jim Morrill Jr.) put up the grueling fractions of 27.2, 56.0 and 1:24.4. Those times were a perfect recipe for the the closers. Murder He Wrote showed the best kick in the stretch and beat a hard-charging Neat (Holland) by a neck. Moliere Hanover was extremely game and held on for third.

The 2-3-6 trifecta combination returned $3738.50 for a mere buck. 

Murder He Wrote (Kenneth J-JK Dancing Queen) is owned by the Camelot Stable. It was his second victory of the season and pushed his earnings to $43,010 and $97,845 lifetime.

In the second division, Western Conquest ($5.90) managed to grab the top just before the quarter marker and re-inherited the lead past the half as the first over Ideal Cowboy made a brief bobble. After that, it was a matter of battling any challengers in the stretch and I'm All Heart (Kakaley) tried but came up a mere neck short.

"They were really smoking into the first turn," Holland said of the start with Western Conquest. "Coming down the stretch, he really hung in there and was really fast and good tonight." 

Owned by Tanah Merah Farms and trained by Erv Miller, Western Conquest (American Ideal-Aries Conquest) has now won three times in seven starts in 2014, bankrolling $98,300 and $152,313 in his career.

In the Excelsior A Series worth $12,500 each, Cabbie's Delight (Morrill) took the first leg in 1:55.2 and returned $2.20 while Goldin Parachute (Kakaley) used the passing lane late to post a 1:56.2 win. The victory was worth $13.60 to his backers.

The Excelsior B Series, which had a purse of $6,500 each, saw American Force (Gregory) cover the mile in 1:57.1 and return $10.60 while in the second leg, Mark MacDonald steered Diabando to a $7.30 victory in 1:57.1.

It was home sweet home for Lutetium as he returned to Buffalo Raceway after a two-week journey to Vernon and Tioga Downs and went wire-to-wire again for driver Kevin Cummings. Lutetium went the mile in 1:58 and returned $4.10. He is owned by Colleen Girdlestone and trained by Mark Laidlaw.

Racing will continue on Saturday night with another 13-race card on tap with a 6:40 p.m. post time.

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

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

Dining Options For Meadowlands Pace Night

The Meadowlands Pace is just two weeks away and The Meadowlands will provide the following dining options for its guests on Saturday July 12^th.

·         Pink – The tiered dining area overlooking the racetrack has limited seating available on Meadowlands Pace night and will offer a prix-fixed menu at a price of $39.95 per person.  The menu is available at http://playmeadowlands.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/39.95-Meadowlands-Pace-Menu.pdf.
·         Victory Sports Bar – Will be open for dining and will offer its standard a la carte menu.
·         Trotters – Will be open for members only.
·         West Deck – Will offer a buffet-style dining experience at a price of $34.95 per person.  The menu is available at: http://meadowlandsracetrack.com/uploadedFiles/pace%20buffet%20menuwestdeck.pdf.

Post Time for Meadowlands Pace (July 12^th) and Meadowlands Pace Eliminations (July 5^th) is 6:30 P.M.  All guests are encouraged to call (201) 460-4079 for dining reservations at any of the above locations for Meadowlands Pace night.  Horsemen should contact Andrea Caswell in The Meadowlands race office at 201-460-4214. 

Meadowlands Qualifier Report - June 27

Another beautiful Friday morning for babies and qualifiers at The Meadowlands with the 2 year old trotters opening the card. Takter won the first two, opening with the Muscle Hill x Unbelievable colt Falk On Hill S winning in 2:01 last quarter in 29 with Jimmy driving. The colt was bred in Sweden by Goran Falk who has retained ownership and imported to the US over the winter. Nunkeri, from the first crop of Lucky Chucky, was a good second beaten just a half length with Morcredit Blue Chip third. Takter sent the $300,000 Muscle Hill x Cressida Hanover colt Canepa Hanover out with purpose in the second race. Yannick Gingras put him on the lead through the half in a minute then stepped on the gas resulting in long powerful strides from the colt around the bend in a 27.4 third panel, finishing 18 lengths in front in 1:56.1. He is owned by the partnership of Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz, Brixton Medical and Al Libfeld. Ake Svanstedt cut the mile and won the third with another Muscle Hill colt, this one a $60,000 Harrisburg yearling from Cream Puff (she by Pine Chip and this colt bore a likeness to that champion in appearance) named Stonebridge Force. He set a leisurely tempo through a 1:33.4 three quarters then sprinted home in 27.2 when engaged by Uncle Lasse resulting in a 2:01.1 mile in his first start. Sarrasso Inc and Laseur, Inc share ownership. Pacing fillies came along next and a pair of really nice Rock N Roll Heaven fillies were out strutting their stuff. Heaven On Earth, trained for Triple D Stables by Scott Di Domenico and driven by Tim Tetrick won a stretch duel with Hollyrocker in 1:56.4 / 27.2. She was a bargain $10,000 purchase at Lexington. A few races later, Zip Code Envy won her third qualifier straight for the Takter Gingras combo, this time it was from off the pace in 1:56.1, last quarter in 27.1. Sawyer was second and American Truth third. She cost $27,000 in Kentucky last fall. Tony Alagna sent out a couple of nice colts this morning, the first is a homebred Rocknroll colt from Cosmo Blue Chip for British client Tom Hill named Rock On The Hill who scored a 1:56.3 / 26.4 front end win with Tim Tetrick aboard. He looked sharp in his second appearance holding off Manny In Sports through a rousing stretch drive. Tony came right back with Artspeak, a Western Ideal from The Art Museum who brought a winning bid of $100,000 from Brittany, Katz, Joe Sbrocco and In The Gym Stables at Lexington to win in 1:56.2 with a 26.4 closing quarter with Scott Zeron driving. Royalty For Life had another go this morning and looked stronger this time, leading all the way to win in 1:53.2 home in 27.2 for David Miller. His sights are set on next Saturday’s $450,000 Hambletonian Maturity for trainer George Ducharme and owners Al Ross, Ray Campbell, Jr & Paul Fontaine. Bee A Magician was next in a workout with the same goal in mind and she sure made a case for racing the colts next week. She cut the mile and won off by herself in 1:53.1 with a 26.3 close under no encouragement from Brian Sears. A mini-Meadowlands Pace was next in qualifier eleven and JK Endofanera made a statement that he is clearly the horse to beat heading into next week’s eliminations. He strolled along on an easy lead through three quarters in 1:25 then jetted home in 26 flat to win by a couple in 1:51- with Sears motionless in the bike. Lyonssomewhere could not gain from the pocket, National Debt was improved over recent with a good stretch run for third. Shebestingin wrapped the day up with a 1:51 / 26.3 gate to wire win with Sandbetweenurtoes tagging along nicely. Live racing resumes tonight at 7:15 with the opening round of New Jersey two year old sires stakes and the elimination round of the popular Miss Hot To Trot pageant. Horsemen are reminded of the traffic issues surrounding the complex this evening and the suggested route is to take Patterson Plank Road to gain entry.

FOUR NEW YORK SIRE STAKES RACES ON THURSDAY AT VERNON

by Michael Chamberlain, Vernon Downs Publicity

The New York Sire Stakes for 2-year-old trotting fillies highlighted a 13-race program on Thursday night at Vernon Downs with four separate divisions being the focus of the night.

The $27,750 first division (Race 5) went to Frou Frou (Conway Hall-Nowerland Hana) in 1:58.1. Frou Frou (Brett Miller) followed live cover from Northern Obsession (Ray Schnittker) and just blasted on by in the stretch to win going away. Northern Obsession ended up third after getting passed by My Lucky Word (Corey Callahan), who enjoyed the third-over trip, and ended up wearing down her rival for the second spot. Frou Frou is owned by Leigh Raymer of Magnolia, Delaware, James A. Crawford IV of Manilus, New York, and Crawford Partners LLC of Syracuse, New York. Leigh Raymer is also the trainer of Frou Frou.   

The $27,750 second division (Race 7) was a gate-to-wire victory for Concentration (Conway Hall-Super Starlet). Concentration (Chris Lems) took control as soon as the gate opened and never looked back, staying in front all the way to win in 1:58.2. Barn Doll (Jeff Gregory) had the first-over trip up the backstretch and ended up finishing second, with Lock Down Lindy (Scott Zeron) finishing third. Concentration is owned by Raymond W.J. Campbell Jr. of Belchertown, Massachusetts and trained by George Ducharme. She had won two 2-year-old qualifiers at Vernon Downs earlier in June before this first pari-mutuel score.

The $27,750 third division (Race 9) was won by Zanna Blu (Rc Royalty-Zann's Fan) after she set the early pace of 29.1 for the quarter and 1:00.3 for the half. Zanna Blu (Gates Brunet) was then passed on the backstretch after a strong charge from Spell That (John Stark Jr.), who led into the stretch. Zanna Blu re-rallied to pass Spell That for the victory in the late stages of the race in 1:59.1. Up Chuckie (Rick Zeron) finished third. Zanna Blu is owned by Crawford Partners LLC of Syracuse, New York and James A. Crawford of Manilus, New York. Driver Gates Brunet doubles as the trainer.

The $27,250 fourth division (Race 11) might have provided the most exciting finish of the night with Hot Start (Lucky Chucky-Mallelujah) getting the win in 1:59.1. Hot Start (Corey Callahan) appeared hopelessly bottled up at the pylons in the stretch, but managed to work free in the last eighth of a mile and get up in time for the victory over Photo Message (Robert Shepherd) and the longtime leader, Cherry Crown Jewel (Dan Daley). Photo Message, in fact, also got past Cherry Crown Jewel in the shadow of the wire after being parked outside at the top of the stretch. Hot Start is owned by Green Acquisition Corporation of Canfield, Ohio and trained by Jonas Czernyson.

Live racing will resume at Vernon Downs on Friday night with a 10-race program. The 6th race is the featured event of the evening with a purse of $8,000. It is an Open II Trot for Fillies and Mares. The 5-2 morning-line favorite is Long Island Tea, who has won two of her last three starts. Post time on Friday night is 6:45pm.

FRIDAY JULY 4TH ADDED TO MONTICELLO’S RACING SCHEDULE; NYSS & FIREWORKS HIGHLIGHT THE EVENING

During the month of July Monticello Raceway will add a special racing program on Friday, July 4^th which will be the only change in the usual four-day-a-week racing schedule.

“Added to our usual Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday format will be a  Friday July 4^th race card,” noted raceway GM Shawn Wiles. “Our July 4^th program will begin at 5:30pm and about 15 minutes after the completion of the racing program we’ll have our 45^th annual fireworks display. All the other racing post times during July will be at 12:50pm in the afternoon.”

Monticello Raceway Fireworks (Photo by Mike Gonzales) 

According to Eric Warner the tracks director of racing the Friday card was added to accommodate the 2-year-old pacing fillies in both the New York Sire Stakes and the Excelsior Series.

“Sire Stakes and Excelsior’s will also be featured on Tuesday, July 15 and Monday, July 21,” Warner noted.

There is free admission to the races and the fireworks display.

Meadowlands To Stream Baby Races/Qualifiers

 Beginning with Friday June 27^th, the baby races and qualifiers at The Meadowlands will be streamed live on the Meadowlands website, www.playmeandowlands.com. These baby races will be streamed each and every day they are contested for the balance of the summer as a convenience for owners, horsemen and fans. 

In order to access the live stream of the baby races and qualifiers, follow the same directions and procedures as live race streaming. The direct link to The Meadowlands live video section is here: http://meadowlandsracetrack.com/video.aspx?id=252.  Post time for the baby races and qualifiers is 9:30 A.M.

As always, we do invite everyone to enjoy “Breakfast with the Babies” each Saturday morning. 

3-YO C&G Pacers Ready For NYSS At Buffalo Raceway Friday

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Thus far in 2014, two different divisions of the New York Sire Stakes have visited Buffalo Raceway and left town with two track records.

On Friday night, the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers will have their work cut out for them if they want to set a new mark in their division. 

The 3-year-old mark is also the same as the all-aged time of 1:52.3 set by Steelhead Hanover in 2012. But the way records have been falling at the Hamburg half-mile oval, with a fast track and warm weather expected, boys will be boys and anything can happen.

Earlier this season in the Sire Stakes, Sweetnsinful went 1:54.1 to establish a new mark standard for the 3-year-old pacing fillies while Glowngold notched a 1:59.0 mile to etch her name in the record book for 3-year-old filly trotters.

The first $60,200 division will go off as the fifth race on Buffalo Raceway's 13-race card which starts at 6:40 p.m. The Ron Burke-trained entry features Forty Five Red (If I Can Dream-Sakura Hanover) and Keystone Hanover (Bettor's Delight-Heavenly Killean). Forty Five Red won $167,554 last season and finished fifth in an elimination the Art Rooney at Yonkers back on May 24.

Keystone Hanover (Kevin Cummings) has started in three NYSS events this year with two third place finishes. The Burke entry is listed as the 3-1 morning line choice.

Ari Allstar has faced some rugged tests in his career. He was a finalist in the $534,500 Govenor's Cup at The Meadowlands in November, finishing eighth and was fourth in the $500,000 Breeder's Crown final at Pocono Downs in October. It looks like he's rounding into form for trainer Mark Ford as he posted a 1-1/4 length victory in a $15,640 conditioned pace on June 16 in 1:53 at Mohawk. Mark McDonald is the scheduled driver.

The remainder of the field includes Murder He Wrote (Jeff Gregory), Neat (Brent Holland), Believeinthespirit (Ray Fisher Jr.) and Moliere Hanover (Jim Morrill Jr.)

The second division could be considered the stronger one with the likes of Archetto Hanover, Twin B Speedo and Ideal Cowboy.

Archetto Hanover is trained by Erv Miller and comes in with $157,026 in lifetime earnings, $137,076 of which came in 2013. He posted a 1:53.2 clocking in his last appearance at Yonkers and will score from the three post for Cummings.

June has been a great month for Twin B Speedo (3-1) with a win at Tioga Downs, a second place at Yonkers and a third at Vernon Downs in Sire Stakes competition. He's been in the money in all six starts in 2014 and has bankrolled $57,172 and $142,433 lifetime. He'll start from the five hole for McDonald and trainer Mark Ford.

Ideal Cowboy (4-1) is definitely classy with a win on June 19 in the $74,000 Sire Stakes at Yonkers Raceway in 1:52.4. Trained by PJ Frawley, Ideal Cowboy competed in the $920,000 North American Cup at Mohawk on June 14 but finished ninth. Jim Morrill Jr. must navigate him from the six post.

The rest of the field includes I'm All Heart (Matt Kakaley), Sir Sam's Z Tam (Jack Flanigen), Western Conquest (Brent Holland) and El Bloombito (Jeff Gregory).

There will also be two $12,500 Excelsior A races for the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers along with a pair of $6,500 Excelsior B races. The $10,500 Open Trot is also featured with local favorite Lutetium returning to battle five other foes.

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

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

Ugly Betty Scores A Beauty In Buffalo Raceway F&M Open Pace

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- It was a thing a beauty, especially if you had a couple of bucks on the nose of Ugly Betty.

She may have been the longest shot on the board, but Ugly Betty ($46.20) was first across the finish line in the featured $10,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Buffalo Raceway Wednesday night (June 25). She beat Mondatta, sent off at 21-1, by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:57.4 as driver Jack Flanigen drove Ugly Betty to the surprise victory.

The pair combined for a $1,248 exacta and topped a $4,660 trifecta with You're Too Funny (Ron Beback Jr.), who finished in third.

CS Kentucky (Shawn McDonough) posted the fractions of 29.1, 59.3 and 1:29.0 but called it a night after that. Heavenly Place (David McNeight III) was first over and took over the lead at the top of the stretch. She then tired and threw in the towel. That allowed the second over and three-wide Ugly Betty (Camluck-Red Road Rage) to register a 28.2 final panel and cruise to the solid 1-1/2 length win over a late-pacing Mondatta (Jim McNeight).

Ugly Betty, a 6-year-old mare owned by Margaret Payne and Jennifer Falcone, has now won six times in 19 starts this season, bankrolling $42,648 in 2014 and $154,610 lifetime. Dennis Dylo handled the training duties.

Racing resumes on Friday night when two $60,200 divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings highlight the 13-race program that is scheduled to start at 6:40 p.m. 

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

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

OPENING ROUND FOR TWO-YEAR-OLD NJSS ON FRIDAY AT THE MEADOWLANDS

-Submitted by Carol Hodes for the SBOANJ

MANALAPAN, NJ – June 25, 2014 – Hope springs eternal as two-year-old New Jersey-sired pacers and trotters make their first career starts on Friday night, June 27, 2014 at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

Eight trotting colts – five sons of Muscles Yankee and three by Muscle Hill – will make their debuts in the second race, the first leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes, vying for a purse of $39,000.

Seven trotting fillies, all by Muscle Hill, will go postward in the $38,500 fifth race.

Two divisions of pacing colts and geldings, each worth $27,000, are carded as the ninth and 12^th races on the 14-race card.  In the first split, there are six sons of Rocknroll Hanover, two by Cam’s Card Shark and one by Western Ideal.  In the second division, five are by Rocknroll Hanover, and two each by Cam’s Card Shark and Western Ideal.

Two-year-old pacing fillies are competing in a pair of $25,500 divisions, races three and 11, and include seven by Rocknroll Hanover and five by Western Ideal.

Yearling prices do not guarantee great racehorses but expectations will be high for the six entrants who cost $100,000 or more as yearlings.

Among the trotters, they are French Laundry, a $115,000 Lexington Selected Sale purchase trained by Jimmy Takter and winner in both of his baby races, including a 1:57.3 clocking on June 14.  The son of Muscles Yankee is out of the $927,169-earner and Hambletonian Oaks winner Creamy Mimi, who is also the dam of The Franchise and King City.  French Laundry races for Christina Takter, John Fielding, Jim Fielding and co-breeders Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld.

True Blue Stride, a Muscle Hill son of Sabrina Hall, cost $160,000 at the Harrisburg Sale.  He is the three-quarter brother of He’s A Demon, who banked more than $300,000.  Mark Harder trains for Australians Emilio and Maria Rosati.

The filly Mission Brief, trained by Ron Burke, was a $150,000 Lexington Selected Sale purchase by Burke Racing, Our Horse Cents Stables, J&T Silva Stables and Weaver Bruscemi.  The daughter of Muscle Hill is out of Breeders Crown winner Southwind Serena and won her last baby race by 23 lengths in 1:57.4. 

On the pacing side, Richard and Joanne Young have invested $180,000 [Lexington Selected Sale] in The Show Returns by Rocknroll Hanover out of Stienam’s Place and turned her over to trainer Chris Ryder.  The Youngs campaigned her $2.4 million earning full sister Put On A Show.

Tony Alagna is training Cashaway for Brittany Farms [co-breeder] and Marvin Katz, after the Western Ideal –CPA filly passed through the Lexington Selected sales ring for $105,000.  She is the full sister to two who have won in excess of $250,000 each, Authorize and Act Now, and has won a baby race in 1:55.4.

The Rocknroll Hanover colt Sid Rock is the first foal of My Fantasy, who earned nearly $345,000.  He was a $100,000 Lexington Selected Sale purchase for William Wiswell, Jean Goehlen and Eugene Schick and is trained by John Butenschoen.

Robin Schadt named new Cal Expo Director of Racing

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

Watch and Wager LLC, the operator of harness racing at Cal Expo, has announced that Robin Schadt is the new Director of Racing.

Said General Manager Chris Schick, “Robin’s vast experience in all facets of the industry will make her a huge asset to the Cal Expo team.”

The 2014-2015 meeting is set to begin on October 4 and will run through May 4, with plans to expand to three nights of racing a week during the winter months.

Robin Schadt has extensive experience in the harness racing industry, including working as an assistant to Chicago Director of Racing and USTA President Phil Langley in the 1990s at Sportsman’s Park, and as the lead trainer and manager for the successful stable Odds On Racing for 13 years.

Said Schadt, “My goal is to produce a racing program where every horseman gets their horses raced on a regular basis for decent money and to provide the betting public with competitive fields on which to wager. I’m confident I can do both.

“I also want to incorporate on-line technology into the entry and racing  process and bring the racing office into the 21^st century.”

Schadt began her career in racing working as a caretaker for various Chicago conditioners in the 1980s. From there, she worked as the racing office assistant to Langley, while at the same time building a small stable of her own in the Windy City.

In 2000, Robin teamed up with owner Dana Parham to create the Odds On Racing empire. She was responsible for conditioning a stable of more than 100 horses and for managing and maintaining a state-of-the-art training facility located in Crete, IL. As well, she headed up the breeding arm of the operation, known as Odds On Nourrir, which was a key player at the leading yearling sales and in Grand Circuit events.

For more information, please contact info@goldenbearracing.com

Jeff Gural and Brian Sears Issue Joint Statement

Jeff Gural (Chairman, New Meadowlands Racetrack, LLC)

Brian Sears (A Leading Driver in North America)

Earlier today Jeff Gural and Brian Sears spoke by phone and decided to issue a joint statement regarding the issues that were brought to light last week:

Brian Sears said:

"I’m pleased that Jeff and I had a chance to get together and talk about the issues that came to a head last week.  I’ve known Jeff for a long time and so I’m comfortable speaking my mind with him.  I may have said some things in our conversation that didn’t come across very well.  I respect the many good things that Jeff has done for harness racing and I’m glad that we can put our differences behind us and get back to a great summer of racing."

Jeff Gural said:

"Brian is a friend of mine and I am glad we had a chance to clear the air this morning.  Brian is a very talented driver and one of the best I have ever seen.  Brian made some comments to me that particularly did not line up with my vision for harness racing but we have spoken about them and are moving forward.  I completely understand why Brian makes the decision to race at Yonkers and he completely understands why I wish he would still race at the Meadowlands.  At the end of the day, Brian must make the decision that is best for him as I make the decisions that are best for my three tracks.  I told Brian he is welcome to race at any of my tracks (Meadowlands, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs) and hope that he will race at them often.   We are both happy to put this behind us and move forward."

Meadowlands Announces Cat Manzi Tribute Night

In honor of one of the greatest careers in the history of harness racing, The Meadowlands will present an evening that will honor the career of Catello (Cat) Manzi.  On Friday, July 25^th, the “Cat-Man” as many fans called him, will return to The Meadowlands, not to drive any horses, but to take part in an evening that will look back and pay tribute to his storied career.  Manzi, a winner of 14,812 races, currently third all-time, spent many of his best years driving at The Meadowlands, where he finished in the top five in the driver’s standings 12 times.  Manzi’s greatest win at The Meadowlands was undoubtedly the 2006 Meadowlands Pace with the great Artistic Fella.

Details for the evening will be announced shortly.  In the meantime, make plans to come out to The Meadowlands on Friday July 25^th to help honor the magnificent career of Cat Manzi.

Aldrich reins his 5000th winner; new barn, new trainer, new driver still Diamond Tiara wins her 15th

It was the Bruce Aldrich, Jr. show at Monticello Raceway on Monday afternoon. But then again it could have been a Bruce Aldrich Jr. show here many times over the past four years since the talented reinsman has copped the driving tittle at The Mighty M during that period. 

On Monday afternoon (June 23) here Aldrich- again the Mighty M’s leading driver--reined three winners on the nine race card. However one of his three driving victories will stand heads and shoulder above all others in his career. That one was the ride he got behind Road Work Ahead in the third race. Not that the 1:59:2 clocking was special what really mattered was the victory itself which turned out to be the 5000^th of Aldrich’s career.

Most impressive about his victory with Road Work Ahead was that the pacer hadn’t even hit the board in 20 previous starts this year. That made little matter to Aldrich who wheeled Road Work Ahead out second-over as they headed to the half and moved steadily toward the front which they reached prior to the finish when they wore down the pace-setter, NF Wind Chimes (Zeke Parker and held off other  rallies  to score a one length victory.

Usually one who expresses his thoughts after a winning drive Aldrich was especially pensive after reaching his new milestone but did offer “I’m proud and I’m glad it’s over”, when asked about how he felt .

The horse’s lack of prowess notwithstanding, still Road Word Ahead paid just $7.10, a neat price for a pacer who was zero for 20 previously.

That triumph perhaps overshadowed Aldrich’s victory with Diamond Tiara which marked the pacing mare’s 15^th seasonal triumph, and extends her lead in races won this year in North America..  Despite coming from a new barn (Al Annunziata claimed her for $9000 last week) today and having a new driver in Aldrich the results remained the same. But her wire to wire clocking of 1:55.2 was her fastest this year.

After her race was made official, announcer Howard Oil proclaimed that there was a claim in the race, and you guessed it, Diamond Tiara claimed back for the same for the same $9000 tag by her previous owner Philip Schultz, and she was returned to the familiar surroundings of her previous stall in trainer Mike Watson’s barn. (Watson had been the conditioner of Diamond Tiara prior to losing her to Annunziata.)

That triumph came just two races before Aldrich won his 5000^th and he was full of accolades about  Diamond Tiara.

“She was awesome today,” he blurted. “I never even had to lift the lines. What a nice mare she is to drive.”

Since most of her victories were on the front-end Aldrich sent Diamond Tiara to the lead from the pole position and coasted through fractions of :28.2, :57.4; and 1:26.4 before kicking in a :28.3 final quarter en route to her 1:55.2 victory which was two lengths ahead of runner-up  Givemybest Hanover and driver Zeke Parker.

Owner –trainer Al Annunziata came to the winners circle for the photograph and wasn’t surprised that Schultz reclaimed Diamond Tiara. As he kissed the mare goodbye he turned and said, “I figured this would happen” but then added philosophically, “I spent $9000 (on claiming her) and got back that and $2000 extra is just one week.”