Meadowlands Thanks Stakes Sponsors

East Rutherford, NJ - The Meadowlands wishes to recognize its stakes sponsors for the 2017 Championship Season.

Winning a major stake at The Meadowlands remains a goal to all who breed, raise, sell, buy, train and race Standardbreds. Thanks to the support of the sponsors listed below, The Meadowlands is able to continue to provide the races so important to harness racing at the same purse levels as in the past. We are proud to be able to continue to provide the stage for these marquee stakes.

 
"To be honest, after the casino referendum failed it was originally our intent to drastically reduce the stakes program to try to recoop the $5.7 Million overpayment that had been made under the assumption that we would get a casino and that money could get repaid over time," said Meadowlands President & CEO Jeff Gural. " However, when I saw how successful the sales were last fall in Kentucky and Harrisburg, we decided to see if we could get sponsors for all of our stakes which would allow us to keep our normal stakes program with a few minor modifications in place. The response we got was overwhelmingly positive and I was only turned down by two people. I am really proud of the industry for stepping up as our stakes program this year is scheduled to be around $12 Million."

Stake:	Sponsor:
Arthur J. Cutler Memorial	Sponsored by Allerage Farms
Cane Pace	Sponsored by Fair Winds Farm & Cameo Hills Farm
Delvin Miller Memorial	Sponsored by Hanover Shoe Farms
Duenna	Sponsored by Joie De Vie Farm
Dr. John R. Steele Memorial (Fresh Yankee)	Sponsored by Dr. John R. Steele & Associates, Mark Weaver, Jerry & Theresa Silva
Golden Girls	Sponsored by Mel Hartman & David McDuffee
Goldsmith Maid	Sponsored by Nick Surick & Erv Miller Stable
Governors Cup	Sponsored by Blue Chip Farms
Graduate – Pace Final	Sponsored by Magical Acres
Graduate - Trot Final	Sponsored by Drivers & Trainers of The Meadowlands Racetrack
Hambletonian Maturity	Sponsored by Northwood Bloodstock
Hambletonian Oaks Elim	Sponsored by Brittany Farms
Jim Doherty Memorial	Sponsored by Hunterton Farm & Sales Agency
John Cashman Memorial	Sponsored by Southwind Farms
Kindergarten 2yrC Pace	Sponsored by Vieux Carre Farms
Kindergarten 2yrC Trot	Sponsored by International Sound Corporation
Kindergarten 2yrF Pace	Sponsored by Daniel Baer
Kindergarten 2yrF Trot	Sponsored by Svanstedt Stables
Lady Liberty	Sponsored by The SBOA of NJ & NJ TrotPac
Meadowlands Pace Elimination	Sponsored by Lexington Selected Yearling Sale
Meadowlands Pace Final	Sponsored by Crawford Farms
Miss Versatility	Sponsored by Burke Racing Stables
Mistletoe Shalee	Sponsored by Jetaway Charters & Odds on Racing
Peter Haughton Memorial	Sponsored by Purple Haze Stables
Sam McKee Memorial (US Pacing Champoinship)	Sponsored by Diamond Creek Farm
Shady Daisy	Sponsored by Deo Volente Farm & Tony Alagna "In Memory of Craig Lipka"
Stanley Dancer Memorial	Sponsored by Tattersalls Sales Company
Three Diamonds	Sponsored by The United States Trotting Association
Tompkins-Geers 3CT	Sponsored by Climans Green Liang Architects Inc.
Tompkins-Geers 3FT	Sponsored by Climans Green Liang Architects Inc.
Townsend Ackerman	Sponsored by Team Miller - Andy & Julie Miller
TVG FFA Pace Final	Sponsored by New Jersey Equine Practitioners
TVG FFA Trot Final	Sponsored by Knutsson Trotting and SRF Stable
TVG Mares FFA Pace Final	Sponsored by Winbak Farms
TVG Mares FFA Trot Final	Sponsored by Angelo J. Genova, Esq. Chairman of Genova Burns LLC
Valley Victory	Sponsored by Kentuckiana Farms
W.N. Reynolds 3CT	Sponsored by Gaitway Farms
W.N. Reynolds 3FT	Sponsored by Jimmy Takter Stable
William R. Haughton Memorial	Sponsored by Libfeld & Katz Breeding Partnership

Final Audition for Pace Eligibles at Big M

The Meadowlands - With the titans of the "Glamour Boy" division racing for a half million dollars in the Hempt final at Pocono and the Meadowlands Pace eliminations just a week away, four Pace eligible horses are getting one final chance to impress their connections enough to make the leap on the Saturday night card at The Meadowlands.

Trainer Tony Alagna has three of those prospects in his barn and two of them will go forth in race three.

Mr Varsity (PP #7) went the best race of his life last week, taking a Non Winners class with a 1:50 mile in his very first start of the season making a strong case for consideration. The Roll With Joe colt gets Marcus Miller back in the bike for owners Crawford Farms, Robert LeBlanc, Joe Sbrocco and In The Gym Partners on Saturday.

Just to the outside of Mr Varsity, Odds On Delray will get underway for driver Joe Bongiorno. The spawn of two great champions, by Somebeachsomewhere from My Little Dragon, Odds On Delray won the Metro consolation and was second both weeks of Red Mile Grand Circuit at two but has been slow to find his best form thus far at three. This start will tell the tale for owner Odds On Racing as to his immediate future.

Western Hill has accomplished the most of the Alagna trainees at age three and comes in off a good fifth place finish in the North America Cup final. The Tom Hill homebred won a few minor stakes at two and starts from the rail in the eighth race with Joe Bongiorno aboard.

The fourth Pace eligible is RJP (Marcus Miller) who will start from post nine in that same eighth race. RJP was a Red Mile Grand Circuit winner last fall for trainer Erv Miller and has been improving in each of his four starts this season. With any luck he'll punch his ticket to the big dance for owners Donald & John Prushnok, David J Miller and Lawrence Means.

It's a twelve race card on Saturday with the standard horizontal wager guarantees in place and free program pages for the Late Pick 4 available on the web.

Post time is 7:15.

Miriam Toland and Fleetwood Hall shocks field at Vernon Downs (6/29).

Miriam Toland the 72-year-old owner, trainer, and driver took command of Fleetwood Hall ($39.80) to go from last to first at Vernon Downs Thursday night. 

The 7-year-old Deweycheatumnhow gelding found himself already behind by 12 lengths after the first quarter.  ABC Crown ((Joe Nassimos) would charge out to the early lead and set the early fractions of :27.0, :56.3, 1:26.3.  The African (John MacDonald) rode in the pocket and looked poised to takeover after the top of the stretch and would take a short lead in deep stretch.  Then came the late charge by Fleetwood Hall who looked like a speeding bullet in deep stretch to go by and just nip The African (second) at the wire in 1:57.0.  ABC Crown held on for third.  For Toland it was her first win this season at Vernon Downs, holding the reins like a thirty year-old, she proudly strolled Fleetwood Hall into the winners circle.  Is harness driving a young mans sport?  Not on this night!

Earlier in the night Special Princess (John MacDonald) would win in her debut.  The 2-year-old Art Major filly charged to the front right out of the gate.  Owned by 4 for 3 Stable and trained by Donna Reidel, Special Princess ($11.40), would put up fractions of :28.1, :59, 1:27.1, 1:56.0 while going gate-to-wire.   Hayleighs Hat (Ben McNeil) would be second best and Bonita Island (Truman Gale) would finish third.

Truman Gale would get a couple winners on this night.  Gale would win race number one with Tea Party Tempest ($12.40) winning in 1:54.1.  Gale would capture the last race of the night with Southwind Vixon ($6.80) in 1:55.0

There will be no racing Friday night (6/30) because of a 38 Special concert at Vernon Downs.  The miracle mile will return to live action on Saturday (7-1) with a nine race card starting at 6:45 p.m.


For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.

JEFF GURAL RESPONDS TO NEW YORK LEGISLATION ENSURING SURVIVAL OF VERNON DOWNS

VERNON, NY (June 29, 2017) – “I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of all of my employees, the many local businesses that rely on Vernon and me personally to thank Governor Andrew Cuomo for his support yesterday and today in getting the legislation we needed that would allow us to remain open.”

“A special thank you to Senator Joe Griffo, who worked tirelessly in this effort and the Mohawk Nine, whose bipartisan support yesterday also made a difference.  In the Assembly my thanks going out to Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi, who also worked extremely hard, along with Assemblyman Bill Magee and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo from Binghamton.”

“Thanks to this legislation we will not only continue to employ 300 people but will continue to provide education with between $11 Million and $12 Million annually and continue to pay $2 Million dollars in local taxes to the local communities.”

“I remain committed to maintaining Vernon Downs as a local Mom & Pop type casino with horse racing, an affordable hotel and a great place to host weddings and meetings at our event center.  This is obviously a great way to begin the summer season and the upcoming holiday.”

“We expect to continue to give back to the local community as we have in the past.  For those of you in the area tomorrow we are hosting our annual charity concert featuring 38 Special.  As always, all of the ticket sales, plus an additional $10 for every ticket sold and $0.50 for every dollar raised by Food Bank of Central New York at the door will be donated to the Food Bank of Central New York.  On Saturday after the races we will be having our annual fireworks display.  Thanks again to everyone who insured the future of Vernon Downs.”

For more information, visit www.vernondowns.com.

Yonkers Raceway Congratulates Brian Sears and John Campbell

Meadowlands Fetes John Campbell on Friday

The Meadowlands - The Meadowlands celebrates the career of harness racing's greatest driver on Friday evening as John Campbell retires from competitive racing to assume his new role as President & CEO of the Hambletonian Society.

Campbell's accomplishments are the stuff of legend, having won every race worth winning in a career that has seen him steer the winners of nearly $300 million. His name appears as the leader in virtually every driving category at The Meadowlands.

The celebration begins at 6:00 p.m. on the grandstand level, where John will greet fans and sign autographs before stepping outside to "Go to the office" on the racetrack one last time.

The live racing includes ten races on the betting card and three early races that include the $20,000 New Jersey Sires Stakes (NJSS) for two-year-olds.

With just a handful of sires standing in New Jersey for the 2014 breeding season, the NJSS is down to eight or fewer horses being eligible to all divisions of two-year-olds. As a result, the colt and filly paces and colt trot will be raced off the betting program starting at 6:30 p.m. and will be carried on The Meadowlands simulcast broadcast.

The pari-mutuel card includes four freshman events featuring the NJSS for trotting fillies in race two, where trainer Noel Daley is holding a strong hand with a pair of by Wishing Stone in the field of six.

Be Bop Sally ($25,000 Lex Select) has had two good qualifiers in anticipation of the stakes, the more recent a 2:00.4 effort at The Meadowlands. She is owned by the trainer in partnership with the driver, Andy McCarthy, and Patricia Stable and starts from post 2 on Friday.

Diamond Stone US ($20,000 Lex Select) has past performance lines that virtually mirror those of her stable-mate having trotted two ticks faster in her Meadowlands qualifier. She is wholly owned by trainer Daley and he has named David Miller to drive.

Come join the fun. Post time is 7:15 p.m.

Freshmen Filly Trotters Land At Buffalo Raceway Friday.

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- There's plenty of hope and high expectations on Friday night (June 30) at Buffalo Raceway as many of the entrants in the New York Sire Stakes for the 2-year-old filly trotters begin their racing careers in earnest.

There are 38 fillies that will be battling in five divisions worth approximately $22,000 each and only four have actually had a pari mutuel start so experience is basically non-existent. The only one who has a trip to the winner's circle is Bonamassa (Muscle Mass-Under The Pines). This sidewinder took a $6,000 maiden race by a neck in 1:59.3 at Saratoga on June 22.

The sires of these freshmen is a like a 'Who's Who' in the harness racing world. Some of the possible proud papas at the end of the night include Muscle Mass, Conway Hall, Credit Winner, Lucky Chucky, Deweycheatumnhowe. Rc Royalty and Chapter Seven. 

While most of the names are unknown right now, top-notch conditioners such as Ake Svanstedt, Trond Smedshammer, Ray Schnittker, George Ducharme, Linda Toscano and John Butenschoen bring their charges to Buffalo Raceway in hopes their trainees might household names.

One of Buffalo Raceway's longest standing track records could be on the line as well. The mark for 2-year-old trotting fillies is 2:00.2 established in 2009 by Munis Blue Chip. 

The Sires Stakes will go off as the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth races on the unique all-trot program.

The second division seems to be the most intriguing as several big purchases from the Lexington Sale in 2016 will be involved..The leader of the pack is Abbie Hall (Conway Hall-Armbro Archer) who was bought for $85,000. She gets the six post for driver/trainer Trond Smedshammer. 

Starting next to Abbie Hall off the seven post will be A Gift To You (Credit Winner-Soprano Hanover), a $50,000 purchase at the Lexington Sale. The George Ducharme trotter put up a 1:57.2 qualifying victory at Vernon Downs on June 23.

The third leg features a pair of Lexington Sales gals who went for nice prices. Kowtow Hanover (Credit Winner-Kristins Victory) was purchased for $34,000 and Girl Talk (Credit Winner-Hey Mister) went for $35,000.

Plunge Blue Chip (Muscle Mass-Dunk The Donato) tops the final Sire Stakes event as she was bought for $42,000 at the Harrisburg Sale. 

The 14-race card gets underway Friday at 5 p.m. Besides the New York Sire Stakes, there will be competition in the Excelsior A and B Series along with the always exciting $10,000 Open Trot. There's $2,951 in the Pick-5 carryover which begins in the second race.

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

Dustlanemissmolly Gives Elders A Lesson At Buffalo Raceway

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Dustlanemissmolly may have been the youngest participant in the $10,000 Open Pace for the mares on Wednesday night (June 28) at Buffalo Raceway but she was also the fastest and taught her elders a lesson in taking a head victory over Susie's Delight in 1:55.4.

The 4-year-old Dustlanemissmolly served the youth well as she went gate-to-wire for Buffalo Raceway's leading driver Larry Stalbaum in posting the popular $4.70 victory.

Starting from the rail, Dustlanemissmolly had no trouble in gaining the lead off the starting gate and put up reasonable fractions of 28.0, 57.2 and 1:26.2. Turning for home, the pocket-sitting Susie's Delight (Ray Fisher Jr.) appeared to have the only realistic chance of chasing down Dustlanemissmolly but just ran out of real estate. Classy Lane Rose (Drew Monti) put in a late kick and settled for the show spot.

Co-owned by the Vogel & Wags Nags Stable and the Pine Hill Racing Stable, LTD, Dustlanemissmolly is trained by Maria Rice. It was the fifth win in 18 attempts in 2017 for Brandon's Cowboy-The Boss' Daughter mare. The victory pushed her seasonal earnings to $41,951 and $68,532 lifetime.

Monti and Fisher Jr., each registered driving triples while Stalbaum had a pair. Trainer Russell Bratt had three victories with Gerry Sarama and Rice getting two.

There's a unique all-trot 14-race card slated for Friday night beginning at 5 p.m. There will be New York Sire Stakes action with the 2-year-old filly trotters ready to tangle in five events worth approximately $22,000 each. There will also be Excelsior A and B Series races along with the $10,000 Open Trot. There's a $2,951 carryover in the Pick-5 which begins in the second race.

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

Roosevelt Raceway Last Reunion and Racing Auction Hosted by Standardbred Retirement Foundation

Millstone Township, NJ - 6/28/17 - The last Roosevelt Raceway reunion is set for Saturday, July 22, 2017 and will be held at the New Meadowlands in the Skyboxes by Pink Restaurant on the 3rd floor. Dinner reservations may be made by contacting the New Meadowlands directly at 201-460-4079 or online at thebigm.com. We already have nearly 80 memorable drivers and trainers scheduled to attend including Carmine Abbatiello, the Popfingers, Mike LaChance, Billy O'Donnell, Bob Bencal, Butch Dokey, Randy Lee, Benny Webster, Bobbie Rahner, Jon Paton, Fred Hudson, Jimmy Marohn, Jr., the Galantes, and many more.

A cocktail party from 6-7:30 pm is open to all for just $39 if paid by July 17th and $49 at the door, giving all guests an opportunity for autographs, and meet their all time favorites. What will really wow many is the collection of Roosevelt Raceway memorabilia which will be on display and available in an auction. Roosevelt Raceway programs, and photographs will top the list, but also included will be memorable pieces of history, Dan Patch prints; publications dating back to the early 1900s; Greyhound pieces; drivers' colors, and helmets from past and present; and so much more. Items will be available for bidding online at 32auctions/rrr2017 opening on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 5pm and will close on Monday, July 24, 2017 at noon.

Sponsorships for the event are available and range from $250-$5000 and include tickets, and a few include other recognition. 

To sponsor, attend the cocktail party, and donate racing memorabilia from any period of time, contact Tammy at 732-446-4422, SRFhorseandkids@gmail.com, use the form through the link or visit SRF's website at  AdoptaHorse.org

Vernon Downs Offered as OOC Location for Meadowlands Stakes

The Meadowlands - In an effort to make conforming with The Meadowlands Out Of Competition (OOC) testing requirements easier and less expensive, arrangements have been made for trainers to stable horses coming from outside the established 150 mile radius in the Vernon Downs barn area for that period of time.

There will be no charge for stalls and a discounted hotel rate of $20 per night at the Vernon Downs hotel (which includes free continental breakfast during the week) will be available to horsemen with OOC horses.

The Vernon track surface is among the best and qualifiers will be held on Friday, July 9 for those who need a race.

Trainers will still need to notify Brice or The Meadowlands Racing Office of the location of their horses beginning Monday, July 3.

To accept this option, please call the Vernon Downs racing office at (315) 829-6825 or Brice Cote at (609) 558-5062.

SECOND ANNUAL MILLENNIAL NIGHT AT THE MEADOWLANDS DEEMED A SUCCESS

$15,000 given away to the “30 and Under” crowd while exposing young fans to harness racing

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (June 28, 2017) – The second annual Millennial Night at the Meadowlands, held this past Saturday, June 24, by all accounts can be deemed a success.

A total of ten $1,000 scholarships were awarded as well as a total of $5,000 in prize money in the form of a free handicapping contest was distributed. The $15,000 was sponsored in full by Jeff and Paula Gural’s Allerage Farms.

Hundreds of millennials – ages 30 and under – came out on a perfect early summer night to enjoy the horse racing and party atmosphere at the track, especially on the rooftop terrace.

A total of 49 people entered the free-to-play handicapping contest.  Contestants were tasked with picking one horse in 10 designated races and amassing a mythical bankroll of winnings based on their selection’s finish in each race. The rooftop terrace served as contest headquarters where players were also treated to a free barbeque and a DJ.

At the end of the night, Dominique Carnevale of Watertown, NJ was the winner of the $2,500 first place prize. Meggan Carver of Hazlet, NJ took home the $1,500 second prize and Justin Pickens of Landing, NJ won $1,000.

The 10 scholarship winners were Kelsie Quintana from Weehawken, NJ, Alexander Glasser from East Windsor, NJ, Jean-Luc Hourcade from Little Ferry, NJ, Aaron Dudek from Garfield, NJ, Joao Borges from Elizabeth, NJ, Eric Rivlin from Glen Rock, NJ, Steven Rivlin from Glen Rock, NJ, Lauren Perone from New Canaan, CT, Shauna Voza from Lyndhurst, NJ, and Ryan Weist from Rutherford, NJ.

“We always talk about how important it is for our industry to reach out to the next generation of harness racing fans and participants to introduce them to our great game,” said Meadowlands GM/COO Jason Settlemoir. “This is an event that is getting bigger each year and encourages the “millennial crowd” to get their friends together and experience the Meadowlands Racetrack and maybe even go home with some money that can help them with their education – a true win-win event.”

For more information, visit www.playmeadowlands.com.

YONKERS’ SUNDAY MATINEES RETURN THIS WEEKEND

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

YONKERS, NY, Tuesday, June 27, 2017—Yonkers Raceway’s next Sunday matinee goes this weekend (July 2^nd), with a 12:30 PM first post.

It’s a 12-race, all-trot card, with races 3 (post time 1:25 pm) through 6 (2:55 PM) of the ‘French’ theme, as in overflow fields at the mile-and-one-quarter distance. The $68,000 Open Handicap goes as the third race, with a robust dozen, including the last matinee idol, Rubber Duck (Joe Bongiorno, post 12).

   

The remaining July Sundays (16^th, 23^rd & 30^th) all have the popular post time of TBA (updates when available).

The ‘New York, New York Double’ is also back this Sunday, including Belmont’s 3^rd race (post time 2:32 PM) and Yonkers’ 7^th race (post time 3:15 PM). 

Final post for Sunday is scheduled for 4:55 PM. 

ROAD TO THE MEADOWLANDS PACE

Week 6

The Crawford Farms Meadowlands Pace – Saturday, July 15

Rank	Horse	Driver, Trainer, Owner	Justin Horowitz’s Comments
1	Huntsville ($928,343 – 1:49.0)	T. Tetrick, R. Schnittker Raymond Schnittker, Theodore Gewertz, Charles Iannazzo, Steven Arnold	With a long, grueling campaign ahead, this strapping colt will benefit from the weeks off now leading up to The Pace. If not for some minor steering issues and Fear The Dragon, he would be undefeated in 2017. Either way, he’s the colt to beat on July 15 Last Race: 6/17 – Moh – North America Cup – 2nd
2	Downbytheseaside ($875,606 – 1:49.0)	B.Sears, B. Brown Country Club Acres, Joe Sbrocco, Richard Lombardo, Diamond Creek Racing	Went a huge mile to win his Hempt Elim on the heels of his mile-cutting effort in the NA Cup that included the fastest half-mile (:52.1) in Mohawk history. Came first over through a :26.4 third quarter then held off fresh challengers late. Clearly still sharp despite early season big efforts Last Race: 6/24 – PcD – Hempt Elimination – 1st (1:49.2)
3	Miso Fast ($300,674 – 1:49.2)	M. Kakaley, R. Burke Burke Racing Stable, Our Horse Cents Stable, J&T Silva Stables	Made an eye-catching backside brush to go right by Fear The Dragon approaching the three-quarters, then held off his late rally to hand the top-ranked pacer his first loss of 2017 while taking a new lifetime mark. drew a good midpack starting spot for the $500k Hempt Final on Saturday Last Race: 6/24 – PcD – Hempt Elimination – 1st (1:49.2)
4	Classic Pro ($169,375 – 1:52.1)	T.Henry, Dr. I. Moore Ian Moore, R G McGroup Ltd., Serge Savard	After a best-of-the-rest 4th place finish in the NA Cup, this son of Shadow Play drops back into Ontario Sire Stakes company on Saturday. A good showing there could earn him a trip out of Ontario for the first time Last Race: 6/17 – Moh – North America Cup – 4th
5	Boogie Shuffle ($181,380 – 1:50.3)	S. Zeron, M. Harder Fox Hollow Farm	Finished 3rd in the slowest of the 3 Hempt Elims after cutting the mile, but made the final. He’s been 2nd or 3rd in 13 of 18 career starts so you have to admire his consistency, but he’ll need a little more to beat the top ones Last Race – 6/24 – PcD – Hempt Elimination – 3rd
6	Hurricane Beach ($40,150 – 1:50.3)	L. Roy, L. Blais Determination	Laid down some wicked fractions in the NA Cup consolation (:25.1, :53) before wilting down the lane. Has the same type of blazing speed as his brother, Hurrikane Kingcole, but still needs to be more manageable Last Race: 6/17 – Moh – North America Cup Consolation – 5th
7	Western Hill ($129,007 – 1:51.4)	D. McNair, T. Alagna T. Hill	Has raced well in Ontario to open his 3-year-old season, culminating with his 5th in the NA Cup. Alagna just missed winning his second Pace last year with Racing Hill – perhaps he climbs to the top of “the hill” this time around? Last Race: 6/17 – Moh – North America Cup – 5th
8	Filibuster Hanover ($174,480– 1:52.0)	T.B.A, R. Burke Burke Racing Stable, Joseph Di Scala, Jr., J&T Silva Stables, Weaver Bruscemi	Had an adventurous trip in the NA Cup that included a break while sitting in the two-hole. Previous efforts were all competitive including 2nd in his Elim and runner-up finishes in 2 PASS legs Last Race: 6/17 – Moh – North America Cup – 8th
9	Ocean Colony ($162,903 – 1:50.1)	Y. Gingras, J. Takter Christina Takter, John Fielding, Hatfield Stables, Marvin Katz, Al Libfeld, Sam Goldband	Never got involved from post 1 in the NA Cup in his first poor start of the year. Has already won at M1 this season and will be perfectly prepared for the Pace by skipping the Hempt. Last Race: 6/17 – Moh – North America Cup – 10th
10	Santafe’s Coach ($51,010 – 1:51.1.)	A. Napolitano, L.Iordan Edward De Rosa, Matthew Iovaldi, Ralph Woythaler	Appears in the top 10 fresh off his upset score in a Hempt Elim in a lifetime best mile. Had never faced Grand Circuit types until the Hempt and scored at 21/1 after the favorites broke. Couldn’t have nicer people associated with this homebred and he would be the ultimate underdog story Last Race: 6/24 – PcD– Hempt Elimination – 1st (1:51.1)

Details On Meadowlands Pace and Graduate Finals

East Rutherford, NJ - The $750,000 Crawford Farms Meadowlands Pace Final, centerpiece of "The Greatest Party In Harness Racing", is scheduled for Saturday, July 15.

All horses for the Meadowlands Pace, including any supplements, must be declared for the Saturday, July 8 elimination card by the time listed on the condition sheet for that week. The list of nominees is available on The Meadowlands website.

The Meadowlands Pace conditions state that 1% of the Final purse shall be paid to the sixth through last place finishers.

The Graduate Series final for both trotters and pacers will be raced at The Meadowlands on Saturday, July 8 as part of Meadowlands Pace elimination night. Each final has an estimated purse of $250,000. Horses must be declared for the finals by the time listed on the condition sheet.

The Graduate conditions require a horse to have started in a minimum of two preliminary legs to be guaranteed eligibility to the Final. If the Final does not fill to the maximum of ten, horses that made one start shall be included in the order of the point standings.

Graduate conditions state that 1% of the Final purse shall be paid to the sixth through last place finishers.

Horses racing in stakes on both cards are required to be available for Out Of Competition testing as described in an earlier release.

Questions should be directed to the Racing Office at (201) 842-5130.

Post time on both July 8 and July 15 will be 6:30 p.m.

Monticello Raceway Fireworks Sunday July 2

Monticello Raceway will have its annual Fireworks show on Sunday July 2^nd at 10 pm.  For decades the Monticello Raceway fireworks have been lighting up the sky and bringing smiles to many. Executive Director of Racing & Facilities Shawn Wiles, noted that there is a slight departure from the norm, and that there will be no live Harness Racing that evening.  Admission is free for the fireworks display.

Monticello Raceway will resume its normal live racing schedule of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with a 12:50 pm post time, with and day and evening simulcasting also available in the comfort of its state of the art Simulcasting room.

The season’s first New York Sire Stakes event will be held on July 11, where 3 year old filly trotters will take the stage.

Shady City wins Open I Pace ($12,000) at Tioga Downs.

For the second week in a row Shady City (Larry Staulbaum) would capture the featured pace at Tioga Downs on Sunday afternoon (June 25).  Sing For Me George (Aaron Byron) took over from the start and controlled all the early fractions :27.1, 55.2, 123.1.  Shady City($4.80) for the second week in a row would find himself parked out first-over for over half a mile.  The 7-year-old gelding by Metropolitan took over at the top of the stretch.  Rodeo Rock (Jim Meittinis) would fire late and looked poised to win in the stretch but Shady City who is owned by Staulbaum and trained by Kim Asher dug down deep and found something extra to earn his fourth consecutive win going away in 1:51:1.  Rodeo Rock settled for second best while Golden Gun (Truman Gale) was third.

Staulbam would win again in race 10 with the big long shot Great Tune ($80.50).  Mad Mad World (Jim Taggart Jr.) had a three length lead at the top of the stretch but the big favorite would tire in the stretch, setting up the late chase by Great Tune (Art Major).  Owned by Brittany Ohol and trained by Michael Ohol, Great Tune would win his first career victory in 1:56.3.  Mad Mad World held for second.  Winback Willie T (Atlee Bender) finished third.

Tioga Downs returns to live racing on Friday (June 30). No racing on Saturday (July 1) because of 38 Special concert.  

For more information go to www.tiogadowns.com

Mamora Bay, Heels On Wheels Win NYSS At Buffalo

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- All eyes were focused on Barn Bella in the $58,000 first division of the New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotting fillies at Buffalo Raceway on Sunday afternoon (June 25). But a break in stride by the heavy 1-to-9 favorite going into the first turn sure changed the entire complexion of the race in a real hurry.

Mamora Bay (Sam Schillaci) took advantage of Barn Bella's misfortune and registered the $20.60 upset victory over Maewegonow by a 1-1/4 length in 1:59.4 over the fast track. 

In the second division worth $59,100, there was drama as well as 3-to-5 favorite Amber Ella broke gait several times which opened up opportunities for the remaining five. Heels On Wheels (Jim Morrill Jr.) bounced on the chance created by Amber Ella's bobbles and scored the neck win over Chapter Too (Jeff Gregory) in 1:59.4.

In the first stunner, the defending 2-year-old champion, Barn Bella (Gregory) jumped it off as soon as she started to enter the first turn. In the meantime, the remaining four trotters stayed on their best behavior knowing the race was up for grabs.

Maewegonow (Charlie Norris) took the lead off the rail and posted splits of 30.0, 1:01.0 and 1:31.2. The race boiled down to three ladies in the stretch with Mamora Bay using the passing lane to go past Maewegonow while Mighty Surf (Morrill Jr.) took the show spot. Barn Bella regrouped in time to take fourth but was 8-1/4 lengths behind the winner.

Schillaci said, "Mamora Bay wasn't herself at Vernon Downs last week but she felt good today." He added, "A little racing luck didn't hurt with Barn Bella breaking and then getting a perfect trip up the passing lane."

Owned by Peter Barbato and trained by former Buffalo Raceway regular Schillaci, Mamora Bay (Chapter Seven-Giulie Bi) got her first victory of the 2017 campaign. The win moved her seasonal earnings to $41,433 and $223,804 lifetime.

In the second division with Amber Ella out of contention around the opening turn, Heels On Wheels ($9.10) got to the lead and put up splits of 29.3, 59.1 and 1:30.0.

The drive to the finish line was a little tense as Heels On Wheels started to get leg weary while Chapter Too was charging down the lane but came up just short. Deli-Delite (Drew Monti) captured the show check.

Morrill Jr. stated after the race, "She's a nice filly and we caught some luck with the breaking favorite. Once Heels On Wheels got settled on the lead, she was game to hold off Chapter Too late."

Co-owned by the Burke Racing Stable, the Crawford Farm Racing Stable, Lawrence Karr and Weaver Bruscemi, it was the second victory in five tries this season for Heels On Wheels (Conway Hall-Go Go Dancer). The win upped her 2017 winnings to $40,863 and $139,113 lifetime.

Seventh Heaven ($4.10) was able to overcome the eight post and capture the first $15,000 division of the Excelsior A Series race. Jason Bartlett toured the half mile oval aboard Seventh Heaven in 2:02.2. The second division went to Cinnamon Prayer ($6.70) who also found the winner's circle from the eight spot. Morrill Jr. was in the sulky as Cinnamon Prayer went the mile in 2:02.3.

In the lone $6,600 Excelsior B Series race, Running Prayer ($6.10) went gate-to-wire in 2:02.3 for Morrill Jr.

Morrill Jr. finished the afternoon with four victories Monti had two wins. Trainer Dennis Laterza had a double.

Action will continue on Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. with a 10-race program scheduled. There is a $907 carryover in the Pick-5 which begins in the second race.

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