MACHNHOPE TAKES FEATURE, BETTING NEAR $3M AT BIG M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Machnhope pulled off an upset in the feature on an otherwise formful evening of racing, and betting came oh-so-close to the magic $3 million mark on an eventful Friday night at the Meadowlands.

The Noel Daley-trained Machnhope, a 5-year-old daughter of Mach Three-Hope For Life, scored in the $25,000 fillies and mares high-end conditioned pace after racing along the rail in the three-hole before Pat Berry swerved her to the outside at the head of the stretch. The pair then exploded home in :27.2 to record a half-length win over Odds On St Lucie in a lifetime-best 1:51.3.

The race set up for a closer after early leader Lily Hammer, in search of her fifth victory in six starts, was pressed by Odds On St Lucie, who was nothing short of gigantic going parked the mile, racing without cover from start to finish. ‘Lucie’ nudged past the leader with a sixteenth of a mile to go and was clear nearing the finish, only to get gunned down. Write Me A Song, the 6-5 favorite who was making her 2020 debut, went second over and finished third.

Machnhope returned $29.60 to win as the fifth choice in the eight-horse field for owner Gary J. Lance and now has 20 wins from 70 lifetime starts and earnings of $243,867.

BETTING BIG: All-source handle reached $2,970,735, the third best night of business in 2020 at the Big M. The only two bigger totals occurred on Jan. 3 ($3,069,967) and Feb. 1 ($3,026,740).

Betting has now exceeded $2.5 million nine of the last 10 race cards.

PICK-6 CARRYOVER: With three of the winners going off at odds of 25-1, 17-1 and 13-1, there were no tickets with all six winners in the 20-cent Pick-Six, creating a carryover of $11,270 heading into Saturday’s card. Those with five winners cashed in for $939.30.

As part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering initiative, there will be a $40,000 guarantee on Saturday’s pool.

There was a Pick-6 carryover of $14,376 heading into the card of Feb. 21, which led to $76,682 in “new money” being poured into the pot for a total of $91,058.

Saturday’s 20-cent Pick-6 begins with the fourth race in the program.

A LITTLE MORE: Yannick Gingras kept his February roll moving, driving two winners on the card, giving him 21 victories for the month. … Berry and Andy Miller also had two winners apiece. … Chalk players ruled again, as for a second straight program, eight winning favorites hit victory lane. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6:55 p.m.

SNOBBYTOWN WINS FRIDAY NIGHT 40G DISTAFF DERBY

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

YONKERS, NY, Friday, February 28, 2020—Prohibitive favorite Snobbytown (George Brennan, $3.20) held off Sandy Win (Austin Siegelman) through the lane Friday night (Feb. 28^th), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $40,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Snobbytown, from post position No. 2, wasted no time making the lead. The people’s preference worked around polester Ba Ba Ba Banana (Matt Kakaley) before a :27.3 opening quarter-mile. It was after a :56.4 intermission when Sandy Win took out of fourth, with Kaitlyn N in tow.

Sandy Win went back inside as Ba Ba Ba Banana hit the skids, while Kaitlyn N (Jason Bartlett)—perched outside that one—inexplicably jumped it off. As that was transpiring in and out of a 1:25 three-quarters, Snobbytown owned a length-and-a-half lead into the lane.

She then held off a stubborn ‘Sandy’ by three-quarters of a length in 1:53.3. Itty Bitty (Dan Dube), Betterb Chevron N (Jordan Stratton) and ‘Banana’ settled for the small change, ahead of the imploding Kaitlyn N among the half-dozen.

For Snobbytown, a 4-year-old daughter of Non Hill High co-owned (as Burke Racing) by (trainer) Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi, & Jason Melillo, it was her third win in six seasonal starts. The exacta paid $13, with the triple returning $65.50.  

$11K Pick 6 Carryover at the Big M Saturday

East Rutherford, NJ (February 28, 2020) - For a second week in a row the Meadowlands Racetrack has a Pick 6 carryover. $11,270.96 will carryover into Saturday night's card after a series of long shots lit up the tote board Friday night. 

The Big M, in partnership with the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering initiative, has created an instant guaranteed pool of $40,000. The bet has a base of 20 cents, which allows players to “spread’ their action further in pursuit of winners with double-digit odds. As always, the P6 has a low 15 percent takeout.

On February 21 a total of $76,682 in “new money” was added to the carryover of $14,376 in the 20-cent Pick-6, meaning that players were betting into a rare “player’s advantage” pool. A total of $79,555 was paid out, almost $3,000 more than was pushed through the windows.

The Pick 6 begins in Race 4 and free pps are available at http://playmeadowlands.com/content.aspx?id=3357

Cal Expo Distaff Open brings out Alwaysalittlemore

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

Alwaysalittlemore, a dominating front-end victress the last time the top pacing fillies and mares got together, gets the marquee treatment in Saturday evening’s $6,700 main event.

The Filly and Mare Open will go as the third on an 11-race Watch and Wager LLC card that gets underway at 6:10 p.m.

Alwaysalittlemore is a 6-year-old daughter of Always A Virgin who carries the banner of Maria Alvarez and Terrence Smith with Edward Hernandez training and Luke Plano once again at the helm.

The hard-knocking bay miss closed out 2019 with romping conditioned victory and has ended up in the charmed enclosure following three of her six trips to the post this season. She recently went over the $100,000 earnings mark and set her 1:52 3/5 standard here on January 18.

Her most recent appearance came two weeks ago in the Distaff Open and she made 3-1 look like a gift as she made every pole a winning one with Plano while coming to the wire with four and a half lengths on her nearest rival.

Taking her on are Royal Mistress, Dancingonthesand, Delightfully Wild, Virgin Eyes and Surprisingly Sweet.

James Marshall IV charting his course

James Marshall IV is another new face in the driver’s room here this season, with the highlight thus far being his Open victories behind the Jenna Cornelison-trained Bright Your Life.

“I got the opportunity to drive for Jenna and I wanted to see California,” said the 34-year-old New Jersey native.

Even though James came to the sport full time at a bit older age that many, he certainly has a harness racing pedigree as his mother and father are heavily involved as were his paternal grandparents.

“I’ve driven over different-sized tracks, but I would have to see I prefer the mile ones like Cal Expo because those are the tracks I’ve raced over the most,” he noted.

“Having said that, just give me an inside post and I’m happy to be driving over any size.”

The biggest change for James has been driving mostly pacers, where he previously did a lot of his steering behind the trotting set, including several Billings competitions.

The 7-year-old pacing mare Brighten Your Life has certainly been the highlight to this point in the stand, including a coast-to-coast victory on January 10 over the best disaffers on the grounds.

Delightfully Wild gets back to circle at Cal Expo

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

Delightfully Wild put her class on display last weekend, as a drop from the Open ranks resulted in a victory with Luke Plano at the controls. She’ll return to the top level on Saturday night.

The 7-year-old pacing daughter of Bettor’s Delight was winning for the 32^nd time in her career from 122 starts, with $182,000 in the bank and a 1:51 1/5 mark that was set two years ago at Pocono. Richard Morita and David Yamada own and Lino Pacheco is the conditioner.

“After a long, successful campaign across the country, we brought Wild back for a break.,” co-owner Morita related. “Lino gave her a few starts to see how she was doing, then she got her vacation.

“We brought her back slowly, and it appears she appreciated the rest. Shari Burns does a great job with our turnouts, and Wild came back sharp. After an easy qualifier, she had to make her first start in the Open.

“Her second start gave her a little class relief, and Luke gave her an easy race from behind. As you probably can tell with her lines, she really likes to be forwardly placed.

“She hasn’t won from the back in a couple of years, so her performance was a nice surprise. Luke gave her a great, tactical steer, and the result was a win against some nice mares. 

“She has really been a star in our barn, and we’re looking forward to the remainder of this meet, and then plan for a summer at Running Aces.” 

Streaking Heza Real Diamond in spotlight

Heza Real Diamond, who has posed for pictures following five of his last seven trips to the post, looks to up that impressive batting average in Friday night’s featured $6,700 Open Pace.

There will be 10 races presented under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first post set for 6:40 p.m. There will also three California Sire Stakes decided as non-betting races prior to the regular program.

Friday’s Open Pace will find Heza Real Diamond leaving from the No. 10 post, with arch-rival Allmyx’liventexas departing from just to his inside while the other four starters have the inside slots.

A 4-year-old son of Allamerican Native, Heza Real Diamond is owned by Orlando Nevarez, is conditioned by Edwin Quevedo and Nick Roland will once again do the honors.

Heza Real Diamond will try to win from the demanding 10 post for the second straight time, have handily scored from that slot two weeks ago with Roland as he established a new lifetime mark with the 1:51 1/5 clocking.

Allmyx’sliventexas is a classy Wayne and Rod Knittel homebred with $214,00 in earnings and a 1:50 mile on his card. The Bob Johnson trainee has Mooney Svendsen in the bike as usual and has gone many giant miles over this layout. Bestinthebusiness, Queenace Blue Chip, Part Time and China King complete the cast.

                                                  ***

There is a $14,893 carryover in the 20-cent Single 6 Friday night and there are also two wagers offered with a reduced 16% takeout rate – the 20-cent Pick 5 and 20-cent Pick 4. The Pick 4 features a $40,000 guaranteed gross pool on Saturdays and a $30,000 guarantee on Fridays.

PICK-6 A HIT IN BIG M RETURN

Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – On February 7, management at the Meadowlands gave their wagering menu a big shakeup, and while the early returns on the new 20-cent-base Pick-5 and additional 50-cent Pick-4 have been solid, the bet that’s provided the biggest jolt of energy has been the 20-cent Pick-6, which looks fresh off a considerable layoff.

“When you go back to the days when the Pick-6 was a staple at many tracks,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “You have to remember that when the bet was flourishing, the multi-race options were the Daily Double and the Pick-3. What happened was, as those racetracks added Pick-4s and Pick-5s to their wagering menus, the Pick-6 got lost in the shuffle.”

The Pick-6 is now back and it’s experiencing a renaissance at the Big M.

When the Meadowlands last offered a Pick-6 in 2012, the Opening Night pool of $3,302 created a one-day carryover of $1,975. The next night saw a pool of $2,610 and a two-day carryover of $3,534. Remarkably, one week later, the four-day carryover had only reached $8,435.

Three weeks ago, the first Pick-6 pool of this era was $17,985, or five times more than the initial 2012 pot. The next night, the pool expanded to $24,474 and one sharp player had the only winning ticket and walked away with $20,797. That’s quite a before ($5,912) and after ($42,549) when comparing the first two pools during the different eras.

On Saturday (Feb. 15), in only the fourth time the Pick-6 was offered, the bet failed to yield a ticket with all six winners, creating a carryover (the first in eight years) of $14,376 that served as the catalyst for a total pool of just over $91,000 after $76,682 in “new money” was wagered the following Friday. Since the carryover money is “rake free”, bettors were actually wagering into a rare “player’s advantage”. Instead of a takeout, the bettor’s edge was 3 percent.

“When the Meadowlands decided to bring back the Pick-6, it had to be a better version that would allow people to participate without waiting weeks for the carryover to build up,” said Settlemoir. “We wanted to go with the traditional no-jackpot format. The 2020 version would lower the minimum to 20 cents and lowered the takeout to 15 percent. It didn’t take very long to realize that the new version of the Meadowlands’ Pick-6 was a hit.”

The popularity of the Pick-6 is continuing to build momentum. The most recent pool was its biggest yet, as $29,150 was pushed through the windows on Feb. 22.

“So far, the revamped version of the Pick-6 has exceeded all expectations,” said Settlemoir. “And the new wagering menu has definitely brought new eyes to the Meadowlands product. The 20-cent Pick-5 ($75,544 on Feb. 22) and Late 50-cent Pick-4 ($75,592 on Feb. 21) also established season highs last weekend.”

Other wagering highlights from last weekend include:

·         All-source total handles of $2.68 million on both Friday and Saturday

·         Average handle per race for the 26-race weekend of $206,806

·         An Early Pick-4 pool of $89,159 on Saturday

REMINDER: The Meadowlands races every Friday and Saturday with a first race post time of 6:55 p.m. The live “Racing from the Meadowlands” simulcast show gets underway at 6:22 p.m. Joining Dave Brower this weekend on set will be Tioga and Vernon Downs’ TV personality Brett Risi.

The wagering menu includes the 20-cent Pick-5 (race one), which has a guaranteed pool of $25,000; 20-cent Pick-6 (race four); 50-cent Early Pick-4 (race six), which has a $50,000 guarantee; and 50-cent Late Pick-4 (race 10). All four wagers offer a low 15 percent takeout.

Free program pages for the Early Pick-4 and Late 20-cent Jackpot Super High-Five are available at ustrotting.com and playmeadowlands.com.

PICK-6 CLARIFICATION: Payouts for the Pick-6 are done in this fashion:

·         When there are ticket(s) with six winners, all the money in the pool (minus the 15 percent takeout) is returned to those winners

·         When there are no tickets with six winners, 25 percent of the pool is paid out to those with five winners (a “consolation”). Then, 75 percent is carried over to the next time the wager is offered

WISHES IT WAS ALWAYS FEBRUARY: Last year, Yannick Gingras crushed the Meadowlands like Godzilla during February, winning seven races on Feb. 1 followed by a six-bagger the next night. He finished the month with a ridiculous 33 wins.

While he hasn’t been quite as dominant during the second month of 2020, he has been dominant nonetheless. The 40-year-old pilot ripped it up last weekend, winning five races on both Friday and Saturday, to up his monthly total to 19 with two race cards remaining.

Trainer Ron Burke also excelled last weekend, sending out seven winners, five of which were handled by his go-to driver Gingras.

WHHC QUALIFIER: On Saturday (March 7), the Big M will host its March World Harness Handicapping Championship Qualifier. The top two finishers will qualify for the WHHC Final. It’s only $200 to play ($100 to enter; $100 bankroll). For complete information, go to playmeadowlands.com.

WHAT’S GOING ON….

·         On Feb. 28, card players who are 21 or older can play Texas Hold’em on “Free Poker Friday”, hosted by World Free Poker.

·         Every live racing night, place a win bet on the fourth race, and if you win, get the “winning experience” and have your picture taken in the winner’s circle. Those who qualify should proceed to the winner’s circle immediately after the race.

Wilberforce Takes Buffalo Raceway's Featured Trot

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Wilberforce was a force to be reckoned with in Buffalo Raceway's $13,000 Class A-Open Handicap Trot on Wednesday evening (Feb. 26) as he struck to the lead and hung on the rest of the way to take a 3/4-length decision over Daylon Phantom in 2:01.0 over the sloppy track.

After being parked at the start of the race, John Cummings Jr. made the decision to march forward with Wilberforce and it proved to be the right call.

With splits of :29.1, :59.3 and 1:30.0, Wilberforce ($8.60) was strong enough down the stretch and was able to hold back the late surge of Daylon Phantom (Renaldo Morales III) while Noble Legend (Billy Davis Jr.) took the show spot.

Co-owned by trainer Kris Rickert and Dale Wareham,  it was the fourth victory in eight starts this season for the 8-year-old gelded Wilberforce (Caviar Crown-Rose Run Imprint). The win moved his earnings to $33,950 on the campaign and $321,222 in his career.

Fox Valley Veto ($3.60) has been battling in the Open Trot to start the 2020 season at Buffalo Raceway but got a much appreciated drop in classification and responded nicely in the $10,000 Class A division with a solid 2-1/4 length victory over Are You In.

It took a three-wide move to the opening panel to vault Fox Valley Veto (Davis Jr.) into the lead and he never looked back from there.

Setting the fractions of :30.3, 1:02.0 and 1:32.1, Fox Valley Veto tripped the timer in 2:01.3 and never was threatened as Are You In (Kevin Cummings) and Catch The Bouquet (Drew Monti) settled for second and third respectively.

Co-owned by Vogel & Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and Adelphia Bloodstock, Fox Valley Veto (Pizzazzed-Yankee Victory Om) is trained by Maria Rice. The win upped the 9-year-old gelding's earnings to $5,650 and $532,638 lifetime.

Machs Echo ($7.90) got a perfect pocket trip and turned it into a narrow nose victory over Sarah Cola in the $10,000 Class A-Open Handicap Pace for the filly and mares.

Jag Out (Kevin Cummings), who finished in third, set the tempo with fractions of :29.1, :59.0 and 1:29.1. She couldn't hang on, however, as Machs Echo (Jim Morrill Jr.) attacked from the passing lane while Sarah Cola came on the outside. It was a photo finish with Machs Echo managing to nose out Sarah Cola.

Owned by Finocchario's Dream Stable and trained by Mike Ohol, it was the first win in four attempts this season for Machs Echo (Mach Three-Rocket Time). The 6-year-old mare has now produced a bankroll of $9,200 in 2020 and $104,571 lifetime.

Cummings Jr. had a triple in the bike while Monti and Cummings each had a pair of wins. Gerry Sarama had a training triple and David Russo a double.

Racing will continue on Saturday evening at 6 p.m. with a 13-race program on tap. 

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

Two Qualify for the WHHC Final

Meadowlands Media Relations

East Rutherford, NJ - Anthony Altomonte of New Jersey, captured the February 22^nd  World Harness Handicapping Championship Qualifier presented by DerbyWars.com at the Meadowlands Racetrack. 

Altomonte cashed on eight of his ten wagers, allowing him to outdistance his closest competitor by $445.  Altomonte is a contest veteran and has qualified for both the WHHC Finals and NHC finals via Meadowlands qualifiers.  With this win he is qualified for the 2020 WHHC Final at the Meadowlands on April 18^th.

William Meisel of Staten Island, NY, also qualified for the April 18^th Final with his second place finish in Saturday’s contest with $413.  His largest score was for $344 in race one with $80 to Place on Test Ride. 

The $200 Qualifier required contestants to place exactly ten $10 minimum win, place, and/or show wagers on Meadowlands races. 

The top ten finishers from this qualifier were:

First	Last	Bankroll	Prize $
Anthony	Altomonte	$858	$1,435 + WHHC Seat
William	Meisel	$413	$1,025 + WHHC Seat
Mark	Kunen	$360	$820
Rick	Arbiter	$298	$410
Patrick	O'Malley	$212	$205
Alison	Shafer	$176	$41
Chris	Simonetti	$121.60	$41
Brandon	Spiegel	$101	$41
John	Steele	$88	$41
John	Murphy	$80	$41

The World Harness Handicapping Championship presented by DerbyWars.com is a one-day tournament [April 18, 2020], with a welcome reception the evening prior.  Players that did not earn a seat through a qualifying event can directly buy-in for $1,300.  The $1,300 entry fee includes a $300 bankroll, with the remaining $1,000 going to the prize pool.  The $150,000 prize pool is based on an estimated 150 entries. 

DerbyWars hosts online Qualifiers for the WHHC every Saturday night.  Players can qualify for as little as $22.    Complete DerbyWars Qualifier information can be found at DerbyWars.com.

Hawthorne is hosting a WHHC Qualifier with two spots up for grabs on Saturday, February 29^th and Buffalo Raceway’s qualifier with one spot into the Final will be held on Saturday, March 21^st.

For more information on how to become a WHHC partner outlet or sponsor, contact Rachel Ryan, Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment (raryan@playmeadowlands.com) or 201-842-5015.  For online qualifying on DerbyWars.com, players may contact support@derbywars.com.

All WHHC details can be found at http://www.meadowlandsracetrack.com/contest_detail.aspx?id=8240

YONKERS’ TUESDAY PICK 5 BEGINS WITH $8,300 CARRYOVER, 20G GUARANTEE

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

YONKERS, NY, Monday, February 24, 2020—Consider this a friendly reminder from Yonkers Raceway, where Tuesday night’s (Feb. 25^th) Pick 5 wager begins with a $8,398.22 carryover and $20,000 guaranteed pool.

The guarantee has been approved by the New York State Gaming Commission and is in conjunction with the U.S. Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program. If the sequence was not hit (as was the case Monday night [Feb. 24^th] after 41-1 Grand Master [Austin Siegelman, $84] won the last leg, the entire pool (minus takeout) moves to the next racing program.  

As a reminder, Yonkers’ Pick 5 remains a 50-cent base wager (5 through 9). 

‘TRUMP’, GINGRAS RULE AT BIG M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – For a second straight night, Yannick Gingras recorded five wins and won the feature at the Meadowlands, as he scored with Trump Nation in Saturday night’s Preferred Handicap for pacers.

Trump Nation, sent to the gate as the 4-5 public choice, blasted away from post seven in the field of eight along with Atta Boy Dan and Americanprimetime. Endeavor was in the early scrum but driver Corey Callahan decided to back off into the four-hole as Atta Boy Dan led at the quarter. Trump Nation continued on until surging to the top at the three-eighths.

Endeavor, the 2-1 second choice, was on the move at the half racing on the rim and chipped away at the leader’s edge, drawing to within a length at the head of the stretch. The rivals battled through the lane as Endeavor continued to inch closer, but at the wire, it was an ultra-determined Trump Nation out-gaming Endeavor by a neck in 1:49.4. Harambe Deo was third.

Gingras wasn’t worried as his primary foe was closing in. “I was pretty confident I was going to be able to hold him off,” said Gingras. “This horse was super again.”

Trump Nation, a 5-year-old gelded son of Betterthancheddar-Late Flyin N who is trained by Ron Burke, returned $3.80 to his backers. He’s now won 15 of 40 lifetime starts and earned $432,446 for owners Burke Racing Stable, Evan Katz, Weaver Bruscemi and Purnel & Libby.

THE NEED FOR SPEED: A fast track and comfortable-for-the-time-of-year temperatures in the 40s on a clear night led to some rock-the-clock times on the program.

The red-hot Bell I No, who won a week ago in 1:49.1 despite cold conditions and a -1 track variant, recorded the second fastest mile in North America of 2020 when he ripped through fractions of :26.4, :54.1 and 1:22 before completing the mile in a lifetime-best 1:48.4 to record his third win in four starts in the sixth race high-end conditioned pace. Andy Miller drove the Andrew Harris trainee.

Just two races later, the Ron-Burke trained Covered Bridge equaled Effronte A’s national season’s-best of 1:48.3 by coming from off the pace in taking another high-end conditioned pace. Driven by Gingras, Covered Bridge lowered his previous lifetime mark by two-and-one-fifth seconds while making his seasonal debut.  

A LITTLE MORE: Chalk players ruled the night, as eight winning favorites scored on the card. … Wagering on the track’s four popular multi-leg puzzles was vigorous as the 20-cent Pick-5 ($75,544), 20-cent Pick-6 ($29,150), 50-cent Early Pick-4 ($89,159) and 50-cent Late Pick-4 ($74,289) accounted for total bets of $268,142. … Gingras, Dexter Dunn (three winners), Andy McCarthy (two) and Marcus Miller (two) combined to win 12 of the 13 races. … Burke recorded three wins on the night. ... All-source handle on the card totaled $2,687,050, the eighth time in the last nine programs that wagering has exceeded $2.5 million. … Racing resumes Friday at 6:55 p.m.

MELADY’S MONET, TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER WIN YONKERS’ SATURDAY CO-FEATURES

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

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, February 22, 2020—The next time Melady’s Monet (George Brennan, $3.90) throws in a bad race would probably be the first time Melady’s Monet throws in a bad race.

It was career win No  63 (in start No. 207) for ‘Melady’ Saturday night (Feb. 22^nd), taking down Yonkers Raceway’s $35,000 Preferred Handicap Trot.

Melady’s Monet—the odds-on favorite from assigned post position No. 7—left around both Lean Hanover (Jim Marohn Jr.) and Smalltownthrowdown (Dan Dube). Once on the point, Melady’s Monet finished what he started (:27.2, :57.3, 1:26, season’s-best 1:54.3). Pappy Go Go (Jason Bartlett) tried it first-up from last among those trotting, but tired.

Meanwhile, Melady’s Monet owned a pair of lengths in and out of the final turn, then whipped Lean Hanover by a length. Third went to Mostinterestingman (Austin Siegelman), with Smalltownthrowdown and Money Maven (Brent Holland) rounding out the payees.

For Melady’s Monet, an 11-year-old homebred Revenue S gelding owned by Melady Enterprises and trained by Hermann Heitmann, it was his second win in seven seasonal starts (career earnings in excess of $1.63 million). The exacta paid $17.80, with the triple returning $101.50.

Saturday night’s $40,000 Open Handicap Pace saw outsider Tookadiveoffdipper (Jordan Stratton, $37.80) beat both the gate and his half-dozen rivals.

From post No. 6, Tookadiveoffdipper left to immediate command, well before a :27.1 opening quarter-mile. Season-debuting Mac’s Jackpot (Holland), as the 19-10 second choice, was able to get  into a chasmic pocket. It was an antsy two-hole that ‘Mac’ tried to vacate between a :56.2 intermission and 1:24 three-quarters.

However, Tookadiveoffdipper stood his ground, taking a length-and-a-three-quarter lead into the lane. He held Mac’s Jackpot at bay, the final margin a half-length in a ’20-best 1:52.2. San Domino A (Dube), the 17-10 choice was a belated third, with Jack’s Legend N (Bartlett) and Rockapelo (Brennan) settling for the smaller envelopes.    

For sixth choice Tookadiveoffdipper, a 6-year-old Always a Virgin gelding co-owned by Jane &Mark Cross and trained by Virgil Morgan Jr., it was his third win in six ’20 tries. The exacta paid $92, the triple returned $433 and the superfecta paid $850.

Saturday props as well to 12-year-old, $1.4 million number Great Vintage (Holland $8.30), who earned his 53^rd career win in the $22,000, fourth-race pace (1:53.1).  

Im So Handsome Wins The War At Buffalo

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Im So Handsome (David McNeight III) had to battle to be the boss on the front end and then ended up winning the war in Buffalo Raceway's $11,000 Class AA-Open Handicap Pace on Saturday night (Feb. 22).

Getting parked for over a quarter mile, Im So Handsome ($11.80) finally got to the pylons and paced home in scoring the length victory over Beachy Dream (Kevin Cummings) in 1:55.0, the fastest of the 2020 meet thus far.

Hold The Gold, who finished in third, parked Im So Handsome through a quarter in :28.3. It was then 'catch me if you can' for Im So Handsome as went the half in a sizzling :56.3.

No one had the answer, however, as Im So Handsome stayed strong in the stretch to collect the win.

Owned and trained by Tessa Perrin, it was the second win in four starts this year for Im So Handsome (Hot Pans-Cheyenne Rose). The decision moved his seasonal earnings to $13,000 and $273,240 lifetime.

In the first of two $10,000 Class A paces, Southwind Onyx (Kyle Cummings) found the top to be the best spot for him with a 1-1/2 nod over the favored Weekend Atnannies in 1:57.1.

It was a three-way scrum at the start between Southwind Onyx, Weekend Atnannies and Utah Beach. When things finally sorted themselves out, Southwind Onyx ($10.60) set the fractions of :28.0, :57.2 and 1:27.2.

There were no problems in the stretch for Southwind Onyx as the 5-year-old gelding was able to turn back Weekend Atnannies (Renaldo Morales III) and Carlos Danger (Mike Baumeister).

Co-owned by trainer Tammy Cummings and Michael Blidy, it was the first win in four attempts in 2020 for Southwind Onyx (Bettor's Delight-It's Only Rocknroll). The win jumped him seasonal earnings to $8,700 and $88,61 lifetime.

In the second division, Lucky McTrucky (Ray Fisher Jr.) watched the pace-setting Burning Shore do all the dirty work then blew on by in the passing lane to register the neck win in the four-horse photo.

Burning Shore, who set the split of :29.3, :59.2 and 1:27.3, couldn't hold off the late charge of Lucky McTrucky ($21.40), Blue On Black (Shawn McDonough) and Don McWhite (Davis Jr.) who took the top three spots respectively.

Co-owned and trained by Perrin, Lucky McTrucky (McArdle-Truculent Lady) is an 11-year-old gelding who captured his first win of the campaign in three tries. The victory increased his earnings to $5,880 and $559,508 in his career.

Morales had a four bagger in the bike while Davis Jr. tripled and Denny Bucceri doubled. Maria Rice, Perrin and Angelo Nappo all posted a pair of training victories.

Racing will continue on Wednesday night with a 13-race program set for 5 p.m.

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

DAYSON TAKES FEATURE, GINGRAS WINS FIVE AT BIG M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Yannick Gingras was the star of the night at the Meadowlands Friday, guiding five winners on the card, including Dayson, who won the featured high-end conditioned trot in 1:52.3.

The 7-year-old gelded son of Conway Hall-Nervey’s Taurus emerged from a first-turn scrum in perfect position, racing in the pocket behind the speedy Nows The Moment, who was on the point to the head of the stretch despite being pressed around the far turn by Kenziesky Hanover.

Through the lane, Nows The Moment weakened, and as he did he bore out, creating more than enough room for Dayson to cruise under the wire first racing along the inside. It was a half-length back to 8-5 favorite Eye Ofa Tiger As. Elysium Lindy, who won this race a week ago, was trip compromised when pushed wide around turn one and raced from the back of the field before charging home to get third. Nows The Moment was fourth.

“He raced great,” said Gingras of Dayson. “He’s such a game horse and tries hard.”

Dayson, who returned $8.20 to his backers as the second choice in the wagering, races out of the Ron Burke barn and is owned by Burke Racing Stable & Weaver Bruscemi, J&T Silva-Purnel&Libby and L. Karr. He now has 38 victories from 89 lifetime outings, good for earnings of $1,181,127.

Burke had a huge night, winning four races. He hooked up three times with his go-to pilot Gingras.

PICK-6 REPORT: A total of $76,682 in “new money” was added to the carryover of $14,376 in the 20-cent Pick-6, meaning that players were betting into a rare “player’s advantage” pool. A total of $79,555 was paid out, almost $3,000 more than was pushed through the windows.

There were many winning tickets in the Pick-6, as the payoff of $238.98 was the result of a sequence that saw winner’s odds of 7-2, 1-1, 5-2, 5-2, 6-5 and 6-5.

The action was big in all four of the Big M’s multi-leg wagers, as a total of $290,158 was wagered in the 20-cent Pick-5, 20-cent Pick-6 and two 50-cent Pick-4 pools. The Late Pick-4 took in $75,592, by far its best showing in five tries since debuting earlier this month.

A LITTLE MORE: The Nancy Takter-trained JK American Beauty – who now has lifetime earnings of $422,790 – made her 4-year-old debut a winning one, taking the fifth race high-end conditioned pace for fillies and mares in a lifetime-best 1:50.2 with Gingras driving. … All-source handle totaled $2,689,916 on the 13-race program, the best Friday night thus far in 2020 and third-best overall. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6:55 p.m.

KAITLYN N WINS FRIDAY NIGHT 40G DISTAFF DERBY

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

YONKERS, NY, Friday, February 21, 2020—Kaitlyn N (Matt Kakaley, $40.20) two-moved early, then picked off 1-20 favorite I’mprincessgemma A (Joe Bongiorno) at the wire Friday night (Feb. 21^st), winning Yonkers Raceway’s $40,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

In play from post position No. 6, Kaitlyn N played leapfrog with Sandy Win (Austin Siegelman) before eventually giving up the lead to ‘Gemma’ right at a 28-second opening quarter-mile.

The prohibitive fave, who had made to the lead after taking a three-hole seat, set quite middle comfy fractions of :57 and 1:26.3. with 133-1 bombardier Clear Idea (Dan Dube) offering no pressure first-up from fifth.

I’mprincessgemma A owned a length-and-a-half lead in and out of the final turn, but was about to be tagged when it counted. It was Kaitlyn N edging out from the pocket and snapping the people’s preference. Sandy Win was third—beaten a neck—more than three lengths clear of pole-assigned Macbnhope (Eric Goodell) and eight-holer Snobbytown (George Brennan), that pair settling for the minors.    

For fourth choice Kaitlyn N, a 7-year-old Down Under daughter of American Ideal co-owned by (trainer) Richard Banca, Barbara & James Boese, it was her second win in as many seasonal starts. The exacta paid $64, with the triple returning $363.50.  

Gary Budahn Final gets Saturday Cal Expo marquee treatment

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

Stablemates Diamonds Are Trump and Flash Me Baby, both impressive winners last weekend, head the cast in Saturday night’s $10,200 Gary Budahn Final for pacing fillies and mares. First post for the 11-race card is 6:10 p.m. 

The feature is named for Dr. Gary Budahn, a mainstay of California harness racing for more than 30 years, who passed away in 2009.

Dr. Budahn served on the Board of Directors of the California Harness Horsemen’s Association for more than 12 years, including three terms as CHHA President. He was a strong voice for California harness racing and was always there for the horsemen, helping them any way he could.

Diamonds Are Trump posted a super win in the first of two Budahn elimination heats last week, brushing to command at the half for Luke Plano and taking complete control from that point in a lifetime-best 1:54 2/5 tour.

The 4-year-old mare carries the banner of Set The Pace Racing LLC and is one of five Nick Roland trainees in the cast. She will be gunning for her fourth straight snapshot.

Flash Me Baby finished strongly to account for the other division last week with James Kennedy at the control and gives the barn another strong look at the outcome Rick Hoffman and Larry Mather are the owners.

Completing the field are the Roland-trained trio of Bertha Vanation, Red N Hotallover and Lakota Law; the Richard Schneider-trained Thats How It Goes; Tabbat McRey from the Rene Goulet shedrow; the George Reider-conditioned Brooklyn Moonshine; and Rue Hanover for Chip Lackey.

Marced Magic, Magee teaming up nicely

While he had to settle for a dead-heat for fourth in last week’s Open Pace, go back a race and there is a very game conditioned score by Marced Magic.

Considering the fact that Marced Magic and pilot Dave Magee did their work from the outside post in the field of nine that night, were used for early position and then had to come first-over to get the job done, that was a very impressive victory.

The 6-year-old pacer is owned and trained by Robin Clements and returned 6-1 to those who had faith that the son of Marced Card could record his first win of the year while leaving from the marooned post in a contentious line-up.

If you want to see a textbook definition of “grinding out a win”, just watch a replay of that February 7 contest and see this guy refuse to lose while battling an equally-game favorite in Coz And Effect.

“This is a very easy horse to drive, and what I really like about him is that he gives his all,” said Magee. “When you think he’s done, he digs in even more, and that’s all heart. This is one tough horse.”

The victory was the 27^th from 108 lifetime trips to the post for Marced Magic, who established a new lifetime standard of 1:53 1/5 with this tally and pushed his career bank account over the $162,000 mark in the process.

Buffalo Raceway Expands Whipping Rule

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway

HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Buffalo Raceway has instituted stage three of the three tiered 'whipping rule' that will go into effect on Wednesday, March 4, 2020.

First introduced in June of 2019 with minimum driving restrictions, the rule was expanded at the start of the 2020 season with drivers required to keep a line in each hand (except as may be necessary to adjust equipment) from the start of the race until the top of the stretch with both hands to stay in front of the body and not raised above the shoulder from the start of the race until the finish. Continuous whipping is prohibited.

Stage three will now require drivers to keep a line in each hand for the entire race.

"We are pleased with the positive reaction so far received from patrons, horse owners and trainers and the total support from the judges and the Western New York Harness Horsemen's Association," said Buffalo Raceway Racing Secretary Tom Agosti. "There have only been two track imposed suspensions to date for violations of the rule. Everyone seems to be on board."

Buffalo Raceway is on the grounds owned by the Erie County Agricultural Society which hosts many animal related events including the Erie County Fair in August.

"Our racing operation is in line with the Erie County Agricultural Society's mission statement that the welfare of all animals on the grounds is a top priority," said CEO Jessica Underberg. "We are going in the right direction."

Racing will resume at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday evening with a 13-race card set for 6 p.m.

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

Sire Stakes, Single 6 carryover on tap at Cal Expo Friday

By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

A pair of $7,000 California Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacers and a $10,220 carryover in the 10-cent Single 6 are the highlights on Friday night’s program,

There will be 10 races presented under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first post set for 6:40 p.m.

In addition to the Single 6 carryover, a reminder that there are two wagers offered each night with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate – the 20-cent Pick 5 on the first five races and the 20-cent Pick 4.

The Pick 4 comes with a $40,000 guaranteed gross pool on Saturdays and a $30,000 guaranteed pool on Fridays.

Friday’s Sire Stakes will go as the first and fifth races on the evening and there will also be a pair of $4,800 pacing events going as the co-features and occupying the second and eighth race slots.

The opener is for colts and geldings and will find the Gordie Graham barn represented by Its Pointless and Itsonlymakebelieve,, while Bob Johnson will send out White Knuckle Ride and Junior Wilkinson has Good To Be Glad in the line-up.

The fifth race features the distaff set and Graham also has two in that contest with Debit Or Credit and Winhavetime in the cast. Robin Clements conditions Prom Queen; Bob Johnson trains Le Montrachet and Edwin Hernandez will send out Akanay. Drivers prove

Age is just a number

Drivers prove age is just a number

Part Time and Fly Away were bookend winners on last Saturday’s program for trainer Steve Wiseman, with Scott Ehrlich owning Part Time while Fly Away races for Ehrlich and Kathie Plested.

What makes it so interesting is the fact that Part Time was guided to victory by 74-year-old Gerry Longo in the opener, while 19-year-old Jacob Cutting did the honors behind Fly Away in the finale.

Part Time is a 9-year-old Illinois-bred who has an Open victory to his credit at this meet and has proven to be an excellent claim by Ehrlich, has been trained to the minute by Wiseman and Plested and has had a perfect pilot in Longo.

“I sure appreciate Steve and Scott putting me up on Part Time because he's a good horse who comes home good,” Longo related. “He's my kind of horse, one that can be right there when he gets the trip, and he got there for us on Saturday."

As far as still doing his thing at 74, Longo said, “As long as I’m competitive and doing well, this old guy is happy to stay driving.”

Meanwhile, Fly Away took care of business to the tune $21 in the Saturday nitecap and this 11-year-old showed once again that he loves to sit back and blast home as he made his second trip to the winner’s circle from his last three appearances. “He’s a solid horse who had plenty of go with a trip like that,” winning pilot Cutting stated.

“I couldn’t ask for any better drives from either guy,” Ehrlich added. “What cracks me up is that Cutting is 8 years older than Fly Away, and Gerry is 65 years older than Part Time.”

PICK-6 CARRYOVER SURE TO CREATE STIR AT BIG M

Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – It’s been a long time since Meadowlands’ fans have been able to utter the following fabulous phrase: “Pick-6 carryover!”

The carryover of $14,376 might not seem extremely impressive by itself, but what figures to transpire as a result will raise eyebrows from players, regardless of the girth of their bankrolls.

First and foremost, the Big M, in partnership with the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering initiative, has created an instant guaranteed pool of $40,000, which could look small by the time the fourth race on Friday heads to the gate, marking the start of the wager.

The bet has a base of 20 cents, which allows players to “spread’ their action further in pursuit of winners with double-digit odds. As always, the P6 has a low 15 percent takeout. What players may not realize is the value in a bet like this with a carryover.

“After a long layoff, we are excited to see a Pick-6 carryover at the Meadowlands,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “The 20-cent minimum has given life to the Pick-6. In 2012, when the Pick-6 had a higher minimum, our Opening Night carryover was $1,975, and it took us four nights to get that number past the $8,000 mark.

“Without the help of a carryover, the 20-cent version has an average pool this year of over $20,000 a night with 20-cent payoffs that have been excellent. With plenty of time between cards for handicappers all over the world to get ready to put money into this big pool, we obviously are expecting an enormous response to the one-day carryover of $14,376 on Friday.”

The mathematics prove that wagers with low 15 percent takeouts that have carryovers provide huge value for the player. In fact, there will be more money paid out than the amount of “new money” wagered Friday.

In the event Friday sees $80,000 in “new money”, the breakdown would be as follows:

·         15 percent of the $80,000 is removed for the takeout, leaving $68,000.

·         Add the carryover of $14,376 to the $68,000, and you get a total of $82,376 left for the players with live tickets to divvy up, with 75 percent going to those who go six-for-six and 25 percent to those who have five winners.

·         With $2,376 more going out after $80,000 comes in, that creates a rare “player’s advantage” of 2.97 percent. 

·         In the event no one picks all six winners, 75 percent – just over $60,000 – would carry over to Saturday’s card.

Free program pages for the 20-cent Pick-6 (which begins in the fourth race), as well as the 50-cent Pick-4 (race six) and Late 20-cent Jackpot Super High-Five (13^th race) will be available at ustrotting.com and playmeadowlands.com.

GUARANTEED GREEN: The Meadowlands will offer four big multi-race pools on the Friday card, with three offering sizable guaranteed pools.

The aforementioned 20-cent Pick-6 sports a guaranteed pool of $40,000, the 20-cent Pick-5 (race one) promises $25,000 and the “signature” 50-cent Pick-4 (race six) offers $50,000. The second 50-cent Pick-4 (race 10) has no guarantee but has been doing quite well nonetheless, with a pool that’s averaged just over $59,000.

Racing will be conducted on Friday and Saturday, with a first race post time of 6:55 p.m.

PICK-5 OFF TO STRONG START: Since dropping the minimum wager to 20 cents, the action has been solid in the Big M’s revamped Pick-5.

The average pool has been $63,382 with both Saturdays since the change registering pools in excess of $70,000. The average payout has been a healthy $1,123 for two thin dimes.

Speaking of five, the green has been steadily piling up in the track's two 20-cent Jackpot Super High-Fives. The carryovers for Friday are $31,773 and $25,021 for races five and 13, respectively.

SEE WILDER-FURY AT THE BIG M: A boxing match for the ages takes place Saturday night (Feb. 22), as a pair of unbeaten heavyweights will go at it in Las Vegas.

Deontay Wilder, 42-0-1, and Tyson Fury, 29-0-1, will go toe-to-toe for the second time to unify the heavyweight division title. The first time the pair met, the result was a controversial draw in December of 2018.

Can’t get to Vegas? Then come on out to the Meadowlands, where you can watch and wager on the action in the track’s FanDuel Sportsbook or Victory SportsBar. The fight is expected to begin sometime between 11 p.m. and midnight.

WHHC QUALIFIER: On Saturday (Feb. 22), the Big M will host its February World Harness Handicapping Championship Qualifier. The top two finishers will qualify for the WHHC Final. It’s only $200 to play ($100 to enter; $100 bankroll). For complete information, check out the brochure at http://playmeadowlands.com/uploadedFiles/2020%20February%20WHHC%20qualifier.pdf.

WHAT’S UP….

·         On Feb. 21, card players who are 21 or older can play Texas Hold’em on “Free Poker Friday”, hosted by World Free Poker.

·         Every live racing night, place a win bet on the fourth race, and if you win, get the “winning experience” and have your picture taken in the winner’s circle. Those who qualify should proceed to the winner’s circle immediately after the race.