DERICK GIWNER; PHIL PINES AWARD RECIPIENT

Four years ago the Monticello-Goshen Chapter USHWA named an award in honor of the late Hall of Famer and former chapter president, Phil Pines.  Since then  there have been some worthy recipients and this year’s beneficiary, Derick Giwner, is no exception.

Giwner is a man for all seasons as far as harness racing is concerned. He was a writer and editor of Sports Eye and over the years, despite takeovers and name changes at the company, Derick managed to work his way up the ladder to his current position as the Editor of DRF Harness for the  Daily Racing Form.

Giwner began his love affair with harness racing in the early 1990’s while taking trips to Yonkers Raceway to see the great trotters of the era like Scenic Regal and Dr Trotta.

He continued on to earn his BBA in Marketing before getting his feet wet in the harness racing industry as an  editor at Sports Eye, a daily harness news publication and printing company, in 1996.

Initially starting as a chart caller, program editor and handicapper, Derick used his free time to explore other facets of the sport.  In 1998, Giwner competed in the first ever Sports Eye Battle of Monticello, a harness race in jog carts amongst employees. After winning the race with Rasta Hanover with a four wide move on the final turn, he was hooked and immediately started pursuing a license to driver in “real” races.

Since getting his Provisional license in 1999 Derick has driven in over 80 races as an Amateur Driver. During that time he has also been involved as an owner with horses such as Call Me Cam, Kentucky Flyer, Christy Rae  and Twin B Sassy, among some of his favorites.

On the other side of the fence and high above the action, Derick spent time in the announcers booth calling the action. After learning the ropes at Yonkers Raceway from veterans Bob Meyer and John Hernan, Derick went on to call races at Goshen Historic Track, Monticello Raceway, Bangor Raceway, and even made a guest appearance calling a race at the Meadowlands in 2012.

As the head of harness content for the DRF, Derick writes a weekly blog and daily features. He is also the lead handicapper for the Meadowlands and manages all social media (Twitter/Facebook) for the DRF Harness brand. He can often be found covering big events, from the Little Brown Jug to the Hambletonian, or simply watching live qualifying action. As his sometimes neglected wife Stephanie, and kids Jenna and Emily will attest, harness racing consumes his life.

Derick also wrote a chapter covering half-mile track racing (specifically Yonkers Raceway) in Dave Brower’s book, Harnessing Winners: The Complete Guide to Handicapping Harness Races and he’s always  looking to promote harness racing.

Writing and handicapping aside, Derick also dabbles in photography and can often be seen shooting pictures at racetracks across the country.

On Sunday evening, November 17 Giwner will receive his award when the scribes hold their 55^th Annual Awards Banquet at The Fountains on Sands Road in Middletown, NY.

For reservations, congratulatory ads, or for further information, please contact chapter president, Chris Tully at Tullytrot@yahoo.com 

CalX1 - Late Closing Series Kick-Off on First Friday Night of the Season

Bob Staats Pacing series, Don Lovier Memorial set 

          By Mark Ratzky, publicity – Cal Expo Harness

Two divisions of the first leg of the Bob Staats Pacing series and the Don Lovier Memorial Pace featuring Haggin Oaks and That’s Mara have center stage at Cal Expo Friday evening.

A 13-card is on tap as the Watch and Wager LLC meet will now find the trotters and pacers in action on Friday and Saturday nights. First post has been set at 6:10 for Friday’s program.

Gene Vallandingham figures to have a strong say in the opening leg of the Staats as his barn will have three representatives in each division, including last week’s winners After Alimony and R Journey Together, both of whom he will guide. 

That’s Mara also gives Gene a major look in the co-featured Lovier Memorial as she is coming off a game decision two weeks ago and should be well supported in the event. She will be taking on the likes of the hard-hitting Haggin Oaks, Strings, Scooter Babe and No Mo Parking. That event carries a $4,500 purse and goes as the third on the card, while the Staats divisions are scheduled as the seventh and twelfth contests.

After Alimony deserves plenty of respect as the Staats series gets underway after turning in a pair of big races since arriving from the East Coast. Owned by A Piece of the Action LLC and reined and trained by Vallandingham, she finished nicely for second in her local debut and then proved a punctual 3-5 favorite in last week’s tour in a 1:57 flat performance.

R Journey Together is a 3-year-old daughter of Western Ideal who races for the same connections. Like her stablemate, she was a runner-up in her local debut after coming in from Pocono Downs and followed with a trip to the winner’s circle last week as the odds-on choice.

That’s Mara looks to make it two straight in the Lovier and could be part of a big night for A Piece of the Action LLC and Vallandingham. The 4-year-old Lis Mara offspring took the measure of an optional claiming field on opening night, was hard used early and paid the price at second asking here and then rebounded to hold safe by a neck with this group last time.

VD7/8 - The Simpsons are at Vernon Downs

The John F. Simpson Memorial stakes, a Grand Circuit event for two year old pacers and trotters makes a stop at Vernon Downs on the evening of Friday, November 1.

The freshman trotting colts start the show in races one and three dubbed the "Super Bowl", with a pair of five horse fields each for a purse of $13,271. Trainer Chris Ryder has a Muscle Hill contender in each division and has an ownership position in both.

Well Built has had a consistent if unspectacular campaign and broke maiden in a Vernon overnight event just last week. Jim Meittinis is listed to drive the colt on Friday evening for Ryder and partner Robert Mondillo.

Muscle On In is the more accomplished of Ryder's pair, having won the Harold Dancer Memorial and NJ Futurity at Freehold this fall. He has earned more than $60,000 for the partnership of Ryder and Mondillo along with Max Wernick. Chris will drive this one from post four in the abbreviated field.

Trotting fillies go for $25,716 in race seven, named for the grand dame Davidia Hanover where Ruby looks like the one to beat. She is an Explosive Matter filly trained by Erv Miller for Patrick Quaid and James Bafia who comes to the Simpson off a solid fourth in the Breeders Crown final. Meittinis catches the drive on her from the advantageous post two.

The "Bret Hanover" (race ten) is comprised of six pacing colts and geldings racing for $25,341. Beat The Drum is a Tell All colt who's won a few stakes this summer, including the Tompkins-Geers at Tioga Downs and took a 1:53- record winning a NJSS leg at The Meadowlands. He's made just shy of $90,000 for trainer Staffan Lind who owns him in partnership with Bender Sweden, Inc.  Jim Meittinis has the drive on this morning line choice as well.

The filly pace, christened the "Razzle Hanover", boasts a competitive field of six with JK Molly and Ideal Helen the most accomplished.

JK Molly was a factor all summer in the NYSS program, earning over $115,000 and took a fast 1:52.1 mark right here at Vernon in early September for owners the 3 Brothers Stable. Ron Burke trains and Roman Lopez has the drive on the Art Major lass.

Ideal Helen has had a successful season in the Garden State with seven wins and nearly $120,000 earned for owner/breeder D. R. Van Witzenberg. She counts the Review Stakes, NJ Futurity and Babic Filly Stake among her conquests while in the care of Erv Miller. Chris Lems will plot her course from the outside.

Post time is 6:45pm at Vernon on Friday. The season is winding down with just one more weekend of live racing to go. Visit the Vernon website for further information