DRF HARNESS HOME DIGITAL HARNESS EYE HARNESS PPS DRF BETS ENTRIES ARCHIVE THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2021 Drivers playing too much “Mr. Nice Guy”

Can stricter enforcement of the “no tuck” rule lead NEW PLAYERS to a more desirable racing product for the betting public?

in by this son of Rock N Roll Heaven, few will DOUBLE YOUR watch the first turn of action and see how FIRST DEPOSIT JAYWALKING little Dunn had to do to find improved posi- tion in the early stages despite starting from UP TO $250 By Jay Bergman an outside post. Before we get too carried away, it would @BergmanJay be very easy for any driver on the track last JOIN NOW Saturday to indicate the numerous reasons one or two drivers might let the odds-on favor- About this time every year many folks set ite in front of him. I’ve heard countless times aside a moment to ask what they can do better. how advantageous it is to find cover behind The sense that January brings about the need the betting favorite. Despite that ringing Inside this issue to do things a bit differently than December endorsement by some drivers, from a betting has been a tradition for centuries. From a perspective I’d much rather see a horse that perspective, I take note in leaves from the outside actually have to Darin Zoccali: Higher guaranteed not necessarily what I can do to effect change commit to going to the front from the start. wagers produce higher handle, Page 5 but perhaps what drivers might wish to do to What Dunn was able to accomplish on Satur- improve the product. day has routinely been the courtesy other top Derick Giwner: It may be chilly, but There’s been discussion far and wide of the drivers have received when leaving from the winter is the best time to race, Page 7 need to rid the sport of cheaters who have outside posts at The Meadowlands and other forever imbalanced the playing field for some. tracks. Cassar hopes to break into the 2021 It is a noble cause mind you, but one in and of Competition on the racetrack can only be Meadowlands win column, Page 9 itself that changes very little on the racetrack. accomplished if the betting public feels confi- If the idea of eliminating nefarious types was dence that drivers are all in actual battle Jay Bergman: Giving Gimpanzee some truly game-changing it is certainly hard to against one another. The first turn of a race much-deserved credit, Page 10 define the last nine months of a racing prod- where horses are allowed to improve posi- uct looking fundamentally different than the tion without struggling, offers the pretense On The Backstretch: Profile of owner previous years. of a collective effort and not the feeling that Bill Donovan, Page 12 While there are many factors that have every driver is working vigorously to secure changed the racing canvas over the years to his position and make it harder on a rival to Retirement seems likely for its current iteration, there is a sense from improve theirs. Wiggle It Jiggleit, Page 14 what I’m seeing with regularity that little The late Joe DeFrank, the original coordi- $100K Pick 5 Saturday at Big M, Page 14 effort is being made to tighten the rules on nator of the racing product at The Meadow- drivers who regularly allow favored positions lands, was a regular at the track at night and Industry Headlines, Page 15 on the racetrack. watched over each race with a fine-toothed Look no further back than Saturday Janu- comb. One of DeFrank’s biggest gripes was Comments? Questions? ary 2, where the latest equine phenom from when he would watch drivers race half-in Email the Editor [email protected] Down Under by the name of Let It Ride N half-out down the backstretch. The strategy managed to improve his position in the early was effective when a driver could stall the To ensure proper delivery stages for Dexter Dunn without much concern outer flow while waiting to move or perhaps of the newsletter via for those who had drawn inside of him in this waiting for the horse he was following to “Handicap” race. advance without cover. DeFrank correctly email, add [email protected]. While those who write about the sport will BHSCo.-Winter Entries_Layout 1 1/4/2021 11:46 AM Page 1 com to your contact list undoubtedly focus on the incredible mile put CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 ACCEPTING ENTRIES ENTER ONLINE NOW www.bloodedhorse.com Entries will close around mid-January 2021.

JERRY HAWS P.O. Box 187 Wilmore, Kentucky 40390 Phone: (859) 858-4415 Fax: (859) 858-8498 FEBRUARY 9 & 10, 2021 “There’s No Substitute for Experience” © 2021 Daily Racing Form, LLC - 10 Grand Central, 3rd Floor, NY, NY 10017 A CUT ABOVE... in the sales ring

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As we expand our sales division, Diamond Creek Phone: 717-638-7100 looks forward to earning [email protected] your business. www.DiamondCreekFarm.com Lisa Photo Let It Ride N uncorked a 1:48 1/5 winning mile on January 2 at The Meadowlands and is undefeated since coming to the United States.

Jockeys they are cutthroat and lodge objections while our guys just CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 seem to not want to rock the boat.” Gural could be on to something as all it would take is one big-name recognized this strategy may have been beneficial to one person but driver getting banned for a few cards to perhaps make others notice was counterproductive to allowing all 10 horses to have a reasonable that the new “no-tuck” policy was something to take seriously. chance to win the race. There were multiple occasions this past Satur- It was great to ring in the New Year with impressive betting figures day night at the Meadowlands where the outer flow was hampered by at The Meadowlands. Even more inspirational was the appearance of one or two horses moving to the outside but not proceeding to chal- Let It Ride N as a potential high-class star in 2021. What’s important lenge the leader. to remember from both of these stories is how the sport can’t live 52 Many of my generation bemoan the fact that “closers” no longer have weeks-a-year off of a great betting night or one star-quality perfor- the same chance of winning races as they once did over the mile track. mance. In order to sustain viability, the racing product needs to be Needless to say, it’s hard for the clock to be turned back far enough to maintained at a high level each and every racing day. Carryovers recreate scenarios popular in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Still, to have certainly proven to attract additional money, with sharp play- suggest the sport is not capable of finding answers as to how to make ers recognizing how it neutralizes takeout. However, regular players the product less biased from a speed-dominant standpoint is to put your who look to find angles to bet on should really be the main focus for head in the sand and suggest there are no remedies. all. The regulars keep the game alive and it’s their everyday money For his part, Meadowlands President Jeff Gural says he has tried that churns and helps to fund a track’s purse structure. multiple times to get the drivers at his track to change their regular It’s obviously early in 2021 and hopefully the first taste of quality routine, but the habits of the driving colony have been difficult to racing will inspire greater handle. The Meadowlands historically has break. enjoyed great success with its winter schedule. With many fans still “For the first few years, I would meet with the drivers along with home-bound there is every reason to believe this winter’s product can the judges. I even had John Campbell with me and we showed videos produce its best handle in a long time. of old races when you had the (Meadowlands) ‘shuffle’. The judges Here’s hoping that the New Year can usher in an effort to keep the would make a speech about enforcing both rules and maybe the first holes closed on the first turn and keep traffic moving on the back- one or two weekends you would see a difference and then it would go stretch, with rubberneckers not getting in the way of a free-flowing back. Brian Sears was first person fined and he left for Yonkers,” said second tier. Gural. “I think it is hopeless unless the judges are going to enforce the On a personal note, I would like to thank all of those who wished me rules, although I was thinking of telling [drivers] we would enforce it well on election into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame’s Communica- ourselves and tell them to take the weekend off. When you watch the tors wing. It is truly an honor to be grouped with the sports’ legends.

Happy New Year & Best of Luck in 2021! from the Ohio Sires Stakes

Conditions, schedule & nomination forms for the 2021 Ohio Sires Stakes are now available at www.racingohio.net Kim Rinker, OSDF Administrator 614-779-0269 [email protected]

DRF Harness Weekend | 3 | January 7, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness First-Crop 3YOs in 2021 include: FLAWLESS COUNTRY (pictured) PASS Champion (1:53.0, $430,423)

DELAYED HANOVER Winner of Bluegrass Series (1:53.4, $136,418) Six yearlings sold for $100,000 or more last year TYPE A Winner of Matron Stakes (1:55.0, $164,779)

THE BEST SON OF MUSCLE HILL AT STUD

BY MUSCLE HILL OUT OF FLAWLESS LINDY | 2021 PRIVATE FEE Higher guaranteed wagers clearly produce increased handle

that was very much rewarded. Those guaranteed pools attracted more wagering dollars and that resulted in a $28,183 Pick 5 carryover that at the track Pompano guaranteed at $150,000 for Tuesday night. The result was over $200,000 in new money and another million-dollar night in handle, By Darin Zoccali AtTheTrack7 the first time Pompano has eclipsed that lofty handle figure on consec- utive nights in its history. Was everything perfect? Of course not. For starters, as evidenced by the resulting $314,000 in new money wagered and the $150,000 guar- In a column I wrote last spring, I spoke about a unique opportunity antee Pompano put out for Tuesday, The Meadowlands guaranteeing for harness racing. The COVID-19 pandemic had shuttered several $150,000 on its Pick 5 was an after-thought. If you guaranteed a pool and thoroughbred racetracks, professional sports had ceased operating the resulting pool is double that guarantee, then your guarantee was and harness racing came back to a market with far less competition too conservative. But, to their credit, The Meadowlands has reacted to for gambling dollars. We saw the result of that initially with the Scioto the performance of that Pick 5 pool and they are doing something rarely Downs signal breaking nearly every handle record it had when it led seen this Saturday. They are not only guaranteeing their pick five pool the industry back from the shutdown. at $100,000, but they are seeding it with $25,000. In other words, before As we sit here in early January, we are facing another period of time, a dollar is wagered this coming Saturday, there will already be $25,000 where let’s face it, we aren’t going to be able to do a whole lot, especially in the pool. That is a bold and aggressive initiative that deserves praise in the New York Metropolitan area. Football has moved into the playoffs, from the entire industry and I hope the bettors respond! so there will be fewer games to wager on. All that remains in college foot- Another thing that isn’t perfect is something I referenced in my last ball is the National Championship game. Once again, harness racing is column of 2020, these ridiculous post-drags have to stop. I understand in a position to attract more eyes than it normally would. a racetrack wants as much money bet into its big carryover pool as This is not the time to be reducing guaranteed pools when things are possible, but to advertise a 6:00 P.M. post time, not bring the horses onto tight or operating as business as usual. This is the time to take advan- the track until 6:07 P.M. and not run the race until 6:14 P.M. is excessive. tage of the opportunities that exist. Two entities have done just that to During my time at The Meadowlands we did a two-minute drag, on kick off 2021. big pools sometimes that went to three to four minutes. But 14 minutes? First, Pompano Park offered free full-card past performances for Where does this end? its races and The Meadowlands followed suit with its January 2 card, As I pointed out, Gulfstream Park has gotten rid of its post-drag announcing the track will be offering that data for free the entire and they aren’t suffering at all for it. Tell your bettors when the year. The significance of that is not lost on me, having been in a posi- minutes to post hits 0 that the horses will go to the gate and they will tion to work with Trackmaster before on offering online past perfor- bet accordingly. mances for free, so I am well-versed on the expense of such a venture. As an example, I was coaching my son’s basketball game on Saturday. If Pompano and The Meadowlands are both offering the past perfor- The game ended at 5:30. I knew I was going to have close to 10 minutes mances for free now, perhaps Trackmaster has lowered its price for past the hour to get my tickets in, so I waited until I got home to enter allowing the racetracks to provide that free data and it would be wise if them. If I knew the race was going off at 6:00, I just would have adjusted other tracks reached out to the company to inquire about utilizing that and entered them sooner. I wouldn’t have missed the pool. service as well. Why is this such a problem? In the modern age of gambling, bettors The Meadowlands also switched things up, moving to a 6:00 PM post- don’t want to sit around waiting. They want action. The slower this time and subsequently offering a pair of 15-race Saturday programs process is and the more drawn out a night of racing is, the more bettors since there was no racing on Christmas or New Year’s Day. Fueled by a are turned off. It’s the very reason why racetracks stagger post times near $50,000 Pick 5 carryover that came with a $150,000 guarnatee for and try to stay off each other’s signals. It recognizes that bettors want the New Year’s card, The Meadowlands handled over $4.5 million this action and will bounce around from track to track to get it. On Satur- past Saturday. Was that number aided by two extra races and a Pick day night, The Meadowlands began a program at 6:00 PM that did not 5 carryover? Sure. But even factoring all that in, The Meadowlands end until 11:31 PM That’s just too long of a night. still handled over $300,000 per race and a 13-race program would have So, harness racing is still not doing everything right, but they are come close to $4 million. In addition, the two Pick 4 pools were both taking steps in the right direction. Not doing everything right and over $100,000. yielding positive results means only one thing . . . potential. That is a On Monday night, Pompano handled over $1.3 million on its program. foundation to build upon. There is clear progress from the properties All the track did was offer free programs and guarantee a couple of in which Gabe Prewitt is the Director of Racing, and at The Meadow- pools at $30,000. lands. I hope and expect that both entities continue to adapt and try These are not huge leaps of faith the tracks are taking, although new things, while leading the industry forward, and I hope other race- Pompano guaranteeing $30,000 on its pools was a bit aggressive and tracks catch on and start doing the same.

DRF Harness Weekend | 5 | January 7, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness BY YANKEE CRUISER OUT OF SWEET FUTURE 2021 FEE: $12,500 Despite the weather, winter is the best time to race

EDITOR’S EYE By Derick Giwner @harnesseyeguy

Anyone paying a semblance of attention to harness racing since just before Christmas will be aware that handle has been strong in recent weeks. There are a couple of factors at work – competition and available funds. On the money end, people naturally have more cash on hand during the holidays due to bonuses and gifts. So it is no shock that handle is up during this period. It is the same logic which creates higher handles on the first weekend of the month since many people get checks on the first Friday. Lisa Photo The Meadowlands handled $4.5 million on January 2 as one of Competition is also reduced during the holidays as many tracks take only two harness tracks racing that evening. winter breaks during this period. Yonkers Raceway, The Meadows, Rosecroft, Saratoga, Philadelphia, Pocono, Buffalo and Dover all take at least some time off from mid-November to March. The question is why? closed and people have fewer options for entertainment and may Sure the weather is cold and perhaps not ideal for racing, especially naturally gravitate to racing. considering that the majority of tracks are located in regions where From the end of December into the begining of January the average winters can be brutal, with snow, wind and rain a common occur- number of tracks racing each day was less than five. In the summer rence. If fans were permitted at the tracks in the states of New York that number is more like 12. Those numbers speak volumes. or Pennsylvania, perhaps weather would be a factor, but with COVID- 19 rules in place they are not, which takes me to a greater issue, the inability of tracks to pivot. We’ll get to that in a minute. Odds and Ends From my perspective it is always a good time to race during the Perhaps we are all numb to it by now, but someone needs to point four-week period from mid-December to mid-January because other out that Ron Burke trained an amazing 883 winners in 2020 despite tracks are dormant. As Hall of Fame MLB player Willie Keeler would two months of inactivity due to the pandemic. He also won the train- say, “Hit ‘em where they ain’t.” Well, they ain’t racing during this ing titles at all three Pennsylvania tracks (Pocono, The Meadows and time and those tracks which do take in loads of handle. Harrah’s Philadelphia). Pompano Park put up its first back-to-back million-dollar nights in Burke holds the 12 best single-season totals for wins and earnings. history racing against virtually no competition on January 4 and 5. He also has the most career earnings (nearly double Jimmy Takter in Where was the competition? No track pivoted! second) and wins (by almost 5,000!). How he isn’t in the Hall of Fame Obviously tracks in Ohio are hamstrung by a 10 PM curfew, but yet is beyond my comprehension. others clearly could have done some quick maneuvering to take Following my piece on the forced high takeout and lack of a Pick 4 advantage. Surely with Yonkers closed Monticello could’ve fired carryover at New York harness tracks, I’m pleased to say that some- up the lights and hosted a night card or two. Maybe The Meadows one from the New York Gaming Commission reached out and showed could’ve hosted a pair of night cards? There are five harness tracks great interest in my gripes. I came away feeling that every effort racing on January 7 and three of them have post times from 12:25 PM would be made to investigate the issues and potentially correct them. to 12:45 PM. Same thing on January 8. How does that make sense? Let’s take a moment to applaud The Meadowlands and SBOANJ for There is no doubt that the logistics of changing post times or adding seeding Saturday’s Pick 5 pool with $25,000. It is so rare for a track to racing dates at the last minute are difficult, but the only way to succeed do something special for bettors that I would encourage everyone to consistently as a track in the current environment is to be light on your support this Pick 5 with both hands at the windows. The track and feet and willing to make moves when necessary. That’s what staggered SBOANJ will surely lose money on this promotion but it is a nice post drag is all about, tracks delaying post time at different intervals to token of appreciation to those who support the track daily. find the perfect window to catch the greatest betting audience. It was no surprise to read that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo Switching back to the winter racing schedule . . . if I ran a track like came out with favorable comments about sports betting coming to Yonkers Raceway, I would race right through the holidays and take the state, though it was a bit surprising to find out that it might run that time off in May after the Borgata series is over and the number through the Lottery rather than casinos. If that occurs, will it take of tracks racing is nearing its height. Or if two stoppages are required gambling revenue away from the brick and mortar casinos and ulti- for track maintenance, take two weeks in May and a week in the fall, mately hurt racing? Will it take sports betting customers away from but don’t close shop when the majority of tracks in the country are New Jersey and hurt tracks like The Meadowlands? Time will tell.

DRF Harness Weekend | 7 | January 7, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness

Cassar hopes to get into the 2021 Meadowlands win column

By Jay Bergman Ultimately Italian Delight N would find his way down the class ladder racing on December 27 at Harrah’s Philadelphia in the non- This Friday The Meadowlands will begin its first full weekend of winners of $4,000 class. “That was his best race in a long time,” said racing action in 2021 and trainer Darran Cassar hopes to kick off the Cassar of the 1:52 virtual wire-to-wire victory. “I think it was the kind year in style with five horses entered over the two-day period. For of confidence booster he needed.” Cassar, who has developed some quality imports in recent years, the On Saturday Italian Delight N drew post four in the evening’s action unfolds on Friday night when Its Mesmerise N faces nine rivals seventh race, a conditioned contest at the non-winners of $4,500 level, in the $15,500 conditioned event for mares in the ninth race. a class far below where he began his 2020 season. “The trip wasn’t ideal last week” said Cassar of the two-move effort The veteran American Boy N has been a solid earner for Cassar and by the daughter of American Ideal that led to a ninth-place finish. Its company over the last three years and the now-10-year-old hopes to Mesmerise N had a solid season in 2020 winning 11 times in 32 starts, get in the win column in the eighth race on Saturday. with seven of those victories coming in the last half of the year upon “He’s just a classy horse. He got a little sick and I was surprised how her arrival on the Northern Hempisphere. well he raced in his last start,” said Cassar. “We paid a little more for her,” said Cassar of the purchase. “She After missing five weeks of action, American Boy N was a hard- was on the way up the class ladder at the time.” charging fourth in his return on December 26 at The Meadowlands. On Friday night Its Mesmerise N drops in class and lands post three He drew post two for Saturday’s contest and moves up in class a notch, against a solid group of mares, but Cassar believes his mare should do but Cassar believes he’s got the talent to compete in this group. well. “I think versatility is her strongest suit,” said Cassar. “She does Yankee Osborne has won two of his four starts since joining the what she has to do.” Cassar stable. “He’s got some back class,” said Cassar of the 6-year- As has been the case with many imports, Seeuinnashville A has old by Yankee Cruiser, a horse that was winning in Open company at had to overcome a few obstacles for Cassar before finding his form. A Northfield last year during the winter. more recent arrival, Seeuinnashville A drew post four in Saturday’s Despite the appearance of Yankee Osborne as being an ideal fit for fifth race, a mid-level conditioned affair. Yonkers Raceway, Cassar was more than encouraged by the gelding’s “He got sick,” said Cassar of the early challenges. “Then when we first outing at The Meadowlands last week. “I’m not sure where we will started racing him he was in a bit tough, so we really didn’t find out race him now. He looked solid finishing here last week,” said Cassar. much about him. The last race at Yonkers (12/12) we knew he hadn’t Yankee Osborne drew post eight in the ninth race on Saturday. yet recovered.” For Cassar, the recent scheduling change that has Yonkers racing Cassar gave Seeuinnashville A some time off, and when the 7-year- Monday through Friday figures to work to his benefit this year. “I’ve old son of Mach Three debuted last week at The Meadowlands, he got 17 horses and I want to be there to race them. Now that Yonkers appeared to have turned the corner. has moved those races to Monday it will give me the chance to race “I was very happy with his last start. I think we finally saw what he horses in at both tracks,” said Cassar. can do,” said Cassar. Seeuinnashville A paced in 1:51 in his big-track The $500K winning Alicorn is now a 4-year-old mare that Cassar debut and finished with a broken headpole. will give as much time as necessary to return. “We tried her at A year ago at this time Italian Delight N was making his Mead- Yonkers and she fell and skinned herself up pretty good,” said Cassar owlands debut and the son of Bettor’s Delight showed the talent that of the daughter of Bettor’s Delight that was among the elite 2-year- seemed to indicate he was headed for the top classes in 2020. Much of olds in North America in 2019 but struggled somewhat as a 3-year- that changed, although he did finish the year with $71K in earnings. old to regain that form. “We’re going to give her as much time as she “He was racing very well and then COVID happened,” said Cassar. needs and bring her back.” The return could come in late spring with “We tried to work him hard to bring him back when the tracks Cassar suggesting she could be entered in a few stakes contests. re-opened but it was difficult.”

DRF Harness Weekend | 9 | January 7, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Dean Gillette Gimpanzee became a three-time winner with his victory at Hoosier Park in October 2020.

exhibited on just a few occasions made him the one to beat as soph- omores. “Greenshoe had an extreme turn of speed that Gimpanzee jaywalking couldn’t match,” said Melander. “Gimpanzee would put in a good performance every time he raced.” A look at the brilliant three BergmanJay By Jay Bergman seasons Gimpanzee spent on the racetrack is something to behold. With 25 wins in 34 career starts and over $2.7 million in earnings the would-be Diamond Creek Farms (Kentucky) stallion did plenty to establish his credentials. Missing from those numbers is the fact that Giving Gimpanzee some much-deserved credit there was not a single break in stride on any of his charted lines while racing against the best and on every sized track. Sometimes the understudy has to wait until the star leaves the “He just had a great gait and could go around the turns as fast as he stage to get true recognition. Such is the case of Gimpanzee, the now- could the straights. You saw it in the Yonkers Trot,” said Melander, retired son of Chapter Seven who accomplished more on the track pointing to the Triple Crown race where Gimpanzee left Hambleton- than most horses historically yet for the two of the last three years ian winner Forbidden Trade a distant second in a 1:53 3/5 blowout. has been overshadowed by many, even one from his own stable. As a 4-year-old Gimpanzee proved his dominance over a solid group “He’s always been perfect to be around,” said Marcus Melander, of aged horses and sealed the division title with a powerful perfor- who broke and trained Gimpanzee throughout his brilliant racing mance in the Breeders Crown at Hoosier Park. While there were some career that included an undefeated season in 2018 as a juvenile and bumps in the road including setbacks in the Maple Leaf Trot and Alle- ended in late October of this year with a victory in the Breeders rage Farms Melander was never disappointed in the effort. “If you Crown, his third in as many tries. look at the Allerage he was only beaten by a few lengths after cutting “He trotted in (1):55 the first time we took him to the track,” said a 1:50 mile,” said Melander of a rare off-the-board finish. Melander. Interestingly enough Gimpanzee, as impressive he was on While it may be a long time before Melander can duplicate the that June 2 morning of 2018 at The Meadowlands finishing second a powerful class of trotters he had debuting as juveniles in 2018 he is head behind the soon-to-be Peter Haughton Memorial winner Don’t poised to turn into the New Year with a solid foundation. Heading Let Em, Gimpanzee’s stablemate Greenshoe garnered much more his sophomores will be In Range, a $411K winner as a juvenile that attention with his 1:55 victory in a separate baby race. was first or second in 9 of his 10 starts in 2020. Dancinginthedark M The two would go in separate directions in 2018 with Gimpanzee off is a colt that showed high speed as a freshman but made mistakes. to New York for Sire Stakes action. “When we sent him to Monticello Melander is hoping he will mature to be a better 3-year-old this year. for his first race, I wasn’t worried at all about him getting around the Then there is Damien, the $1 million purchase from the 2019 turns,” said Melander, highlighting perhaps the best attribute of the Lexington Selected Sale. “He’s probably the strongest horse I’ve ever young horse in his first season. Gimpanzee would win that start and trained,” said Melander of the Muscle Hill-sired colt that made just eight others during his freshman campaign getting over all-sized one start in a qualifier this year. “In that qualifier Brian (Sears) tracks with ease. He got one chance to race against open company and thought that he made a break because they were just going too fast that came in the Breeders Crown at Pocono, where he won his elimi- for him. I took him back and we trained him down and wanted to give nation from post eight and then dominated the final by open lengths. him a start or two in the fall. Then he got sick so we’re going to bring In as much as going undefeated as a 2-year-old and winning the him back and probably start him a little earlier.” Breeders Crown would do for most horses the reality of the pre-2019 Melander believes that Ineffable, a Cantab Hall-sired filly that campaign was the high anticipation of just how Greenshoe, his stable- finished third in the Jim Doherty Memorial early in the 2020 mate, would return. While everyone recognized what Gimpanzee had campaign may be one that improves from 2 to her 3-year-old season. accomplished in a workman-like way the extreme speed Greenshoe “She’s a very big filly that could develop,” said Melander.

DRF Harness Weekend | 10 | January 7, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Dan Patch Awards Saturday, January 16, 2021 Streaming Live from 5 to 6 pm, ET & Presented by United States Harness Writers Association & Roberts Communications Network United States Trotting Association

Watch the Dan Patch Awards Dan Patch Awards Show Live on USHWA Facebook page (www.facebook.com/USHarnessWriters)

Meadowlands simulcast signal & website (www.playmeadowlands.com) 2021 RTN Channel 9740 Night of Champions

Kimberly Rinker President

Barry Lefkowitz Vice President & Treasurer

Jerry Connors Secretary

Shawn Wiles www.usharnesswriters.com Chairman of the Board Did you ever want to know more about the people involved in the harness industry? Editor Derick Giwner combs the harness landscape each week to profile a new personality from the sport.

OWNER BILL DONOVAN What kind of car do you drive? Land Rover. Favorite dinner meal? Snack? Lobster; Mixed nuts. What is your favorite track to visit? Why? The Red Mile. The racing is tremendous and the social aspect is great, being able to catch up with so many people you may not see otherwise. What is your favorite big event in racing? Why? The Hambletonian. It’s the pinnacle of the trotting events that draws the attention of the world.

How often are horses or racing on your mind? Courtesy Bill Donovan Facebook Page Owner Bill Donovan’s favorite activity outside of harness Every day I scope out the industry-related sites for news, re- racing is going on cruises. sults, etc. What is your favorite thing to do outside of harness What is one word that describes harness racing for you? racing? Roller coaster. Cruising – it’s a great way to see the world. How did you get started in harness racing? How much has the pandemic taken that joy from you? Growing up in Boston my neighbors owned horses at Foxboro Raceway. I used to go and sit in the barn area. The first time I’ve had three cruises canceled since last April. The industry is they let me jog I was hooked for life. supposed to start back up in April so I’m hoping for May. What is your favorite sport to watch? Team? What keeps you involved in the sport as an owner? I make money! I approach racing as a business and 99% of the Baseball – Boston Red Sox. You can take the boy out of Boston time I leave emotion and sentimentality behind. but you can’t take the Boston out of the boy. What is one thing about you most fans/bettors don’t At 66 now, are you working outside of the industry or know? retired? I’m pretty much retired. Besides racing, my real estate and Back in the day, kids weren’t allowed into the tracks except for financial investments keep me occupied. special events. At age 13, in the Suffolk Downs clubhouse on Thanksgiving night, I picked nine straight winners. By race 10, almost everyone there wanted my pick. He lost. I’ll never forget What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten about harness the horse, Torridadios driven by John Hassapelis. racing? Does that mean you still like to play the horses? Don’t hang on to a horse longer than you should. Know when to sell! I do, but I’m smarter about it now because you can’t win betting every race. I probably play two to three races in a night. CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

DRF Harness Weekend | 12 | January 7, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

What was your best moment in harness racing? Maven setting the World Record of 1:51 4/5 at Delaware, Ohio in 2013. Which is the best horse you’ve ever owned? Hopefully it hasn’t been born yet. What goes into the decision whether to buy a horse solo or in partnership? Up until 2018, the vast majority of horses I owned were solo. With almost all horses now owned in partnership that got pretty tough to do. So now almost all I buy are in partnership. Derick Giwner Maven’s World Record 1:51 4/5 victory in 2013 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds How many horses do you own? stands out as Bill Donovan’s best moment in the sport. 89 – 26 solo and 63 in partnership. Since you understand the plight of the handicapper as well as Going into 2020, did you think Cattlewash was a potential the owner, what can we do to appeal to bettors? stallion prospect? This has been hashed out on DRF Harness and other publications, I did because I believed he would step up from age 2 to 3 and because but we have an integrity issue. Harness Racing has a bit of a black so many people have remarked about his good looks and how his eye with some people not thinking it is on the up-and-up. We have closely resembles his daddy (Somebeachsomewhere). to rebuild credibility. How to do that is the $1 million question. We have to look at the way races are raced and Judges need to make sure What made you everyone is putting forth their best effort. Too many races are con- tested in a straight line without movement and there are too many decide to race and holes. We’ve turned the sport into a quarter-mile sprint. We might as breed him in 2021 well be a quarter-horse race. rather than choosing one or the other? How do you view the future of harness racing? The sport will continue to fade unless we can attract young people. At first I thought to retire and breed. How- How would you rate yourself as an owner? Are you laid back ever, Ronnie Burke is confident we have or more hands-on? yet to see his best. So, Amanda Stephens A successful businessman knows to give his managers the freedom considering all that Cattlewash posted the fastest mile of to do the job they were hired to do. I encourage, communicate and happened in 2020, it 2020 when he stopped the clock in 1:46 then we jointly make the decisions. 4/5 for owner Bill Donovan. seemed wise to keep all options open and do both. What about as a yearling selector? How would you rate yourself in that respect? Was his 1:46 4/5 win at The Red Mile a surprise to you? I think I do okay. I have selected and purchased six world champions. Yes and no. I knew he had more to him than what we’d seen. I was It helps having a second set of eyes when judging physical attributes. surprised at how comfortable he was doing it, especially realizing David Miller never pulled his earplugs. You are involved in Irish Harness Racing. What lured you into racing in that country? Is Cattlewash your first venture into standing a stallion? In 2012, I met two gentlemen (Donal Murphy & Fimbarr Quill) from Yes, although I’ve owned shares in dozens of stallions over the years. Ireland at the Harrisburg sale. When I visited Ireland I met up with them at the races one day and was so impressed by the Irish horse- You also own broodmares. Do you enjoy that side of the men and their passion and dedication. I felt the need to try to help business? them grow racing there. I am absolutely intrigued by it. Federico Tesio and Bill Shehan are Time for the stretch drive. two of my idols. It’s like an artist approaching a blank canvas. Best Horse you ever saw: Niatross. Will your pacing broodmares be bred to Cattlewash? Best Driver: The one that drove my last stakes winner. Fourteen of my 18 pacing mares will be. Best Trainer: Ronnie Burke.

If you had the power to change one thing in the sport, what Lasix – Yes or No?: Yes. would it be? Favorite TV Show?: Suits. We need to focus more on the bettor and increasing handle. Harness Racing must achieve self-sustainability. Trotters or Pacers?: Trotters.

DRF Harness Weekend | 13 | January 7, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Wiggle It Jiggleit likely retired

By Derick Giwner

For two years no captured the heart of the industry more than Wiggle It Jiggleit. The horse with the catchy name who dominated on the track in 2015 and 2016 may finally be at the end of At DRF Harness we strive to provide the best handicapping the road for his racing career. information in the sport. Each week we’ll use this space to bring According to co-owner George Teague Jr., the now 9-year-old geld- you some of our handicappers’ best bets, value plays and horses to ing is not officially retired but he is leaning towards that direction. watch. Use this information as one of your tools when wagering or simply click on the link above and head to DRF Bets to wager now. Happy Handicapping! friday, january 8

RACE 2

(2) R HERBIE BLUE CHIP closed steadily for third behind a 4-5 winner after the long break in action. That was his first start for solid connections and he might not even need to improve to beat this soft group. -Derick Giwner Saturday, january 9

RACE 8

(3) CHASER HANOVER moves up in class again this week, but he has David Miller to drive again and catches a Derick Giwner pretty beatable field for this Wiggle It Jiggleit made one final appearance at the Delaware level. County Fair in 2019. -Greg Reinhart

“He’s living the good life. He’s out with Western Ace and they are $100K GTD Pick 5 w/$25K Seeded Pool best friends,” said Teague. “I see him every day. He’s fat, actually too fat. It would take a while for him to start to even get the weight off.” The Meadowlands is putting up $25,000 to seed the first-race Wiggle It Jiggleit was last seen on the track at Harrington Race- Pick 5 on Saturday. Below is a quick look at the sequence. way on August 17 when he finished seventh in an overnight race. He RACE 1 - (1) DUDDIE’S LOR was foolishly bet to favoritism from completed an 11-race 2020 campaign with one win clocked in 1:51 and post 10 off a year layoff and couldn’t deliver. He should be much earnings of $34,570. tighter now. (5) MY PAL JOE would be tough if he can reproduce While the son of Mr Wiggles began his comeback from back issues last week’s career mile. (6) THE CANDYMAN CAN & (9) FLYING in 2019 after missing the previous two years of racing, he started only EVENBETTOR N are others to consider. four times and failed to record a victory. Thus Wiggle It Jiggleit’s 2020 RACE 2 - Wide-open race with (2) SO SO DE VIE, (3) KEYSTONE campaign was his first full season of racing since 2016 when he won HONOR & (4) WESTERN REDHOT my top picks. (1) DEERFIELD 15 of 24 starts and earned over $1.7 million. As a 3-year-old in 2015, BEACH & (7) REGGIANO are capable with the right setup. Wiggle It Jiggleit won 22 times in 26 races for more than $2.1 million RACE 3 - (3) ALEX THE GREAT had no shot last time after in earnings and earned Horse of the Year honors. chasing slow fractions versus better. (2) SWEET CHAPTER was Should his career “officially” end, Wiggle It Jiggleit will retire with pushed hard last time and held well. She is in the Jan 18 sale. (8) a stellar 66-39-12-6 record, $3,945,839 in earnings and a career-best GRACEFUL WINNER & (9) SWAN IN MOTION deserve a look. time of 1:47 2/5. He ranks sixth all-time in earnings. RACE 4 - (1) SUGARTOWN had to need his last two starts after “I’ve thought about that all along, but I’ve also had to measure that missing a year of action. He drops to the basement here. I’m versus the horse and his reputation,” said Teague about reaching the expecting a big effort and may single him. Others I’m watching: $4 million mark. “I always promised myself that if he wasn’t going (2 - adding Lasix), (3 - barn change), (7 - keeps Miller over #1). to come back to the status where he was before (the injuries) that I RACE 5 - (1) SEMI TOUGH is a classy horse taking a substantial wouldn’t continue to race him down in class.” class drop this week. (6) SOMEBADDUDE also drops and should A rare Standardbred to become a household name since the new be handled aggressively ahead of the sale in 10 days. millennium, along with the all-time money-winner Foiled Again, -Giwner Wiggle It Jiggleit did more in his two years at the top of the sport than most horses accomplish in a lifetime. His major stakes wins include full card analysis / past performances The , Canadian Pacing Derby and of course the race that made him a legend, the 2015 Little Brown Jug, where he Meadowlands (FRI) Analysis Meadowlands (SAT) Analysis overcame the most difficult of trips and fought back in the stretch to take home one of the most famous trophies in the sport. DHP PPs harness eye PPs trackmaster PPs free PPs Perhaps there is one last stop left in Wiggle It Jiggleit’s career, a trip to the Harness Museum in Goshen, New York to become part of the Living Horse Hall of Fame. Want full-card analysis? Visit DRF.com/harness

DRF Harness Weekend | 14 | January 7, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness NEWS FROM AROUND THE HARNESS INDUSTRY

Newcomer Bo Sowers garnered the title of leading trainer with a History-making handle on Tuesday at Pompano slate of 80 wins, 82 place and 87 show finishes and a UDRS of .273. His total purses earned was $365,140. Gary Messenger, last year’s leading Spurred by a Pick 5 carryover that brought in over $200K in new trainer, finished 2nd this year with 65 wins. money to start the card, Pompano Park posted back-to-back million- -edited release (Monticello) dollar handle nights for the first time in its 57-year history. After bettors wagered $1.33 million on Monday night’s 13-race card, fall- Stakes races set for Tioga and Vernon in 2021 ing about $100,000 shy of the all-time Pompano handle record, the harness racing faithful were back out in full force on Tuesday evening sending The $1 million(e) Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) stakes for 3-year- $1.16 million through the windows on the track’s 10-race program. old New York sired trotters and pacers will be raced without elimina- A host of skilled handicappers took down the Pick 5 for $10,028.90 tions in 2021. This format was implemented for the 2020 EBC trotting and one lucky player scored the entire Pick 6 pool for $22,333.80 on races and the 2020 EBC colt pace went straight to the final with ten Tuesday’s program. declarations. Pompano races Sunday to Thursday through the end of March READ MORE when Wednesdays are dropped until the end of the meet on May 19. USTA releases economic indicators for 2020 Pat Matters shatters Dover track record With the suspension of racing for about three months during 2020 Pat Matters shattered the track record for older trotting mares at due to the COVID-19 pandemic, total wagering at all U.S. harness Dover Downs on Tuesday evening. tracks for the year was down by 18.39 percent from $1,424,886,558 in Leaving alertly from post six, Pat Matters took the field through 2019 to $1,162,848,201, a decrease of $263,038,357. a quick 26 2/5 opening quarter before Warrior One, who was parked In addition, the amount of purses distributed was down significantly from the start, motored up before the half to seize the lead. After a by 30.82 percent. In 2020, horsemen earned a total of $304,059,115, a half in 55 seconds, Andrew McCarthy boldly pulled the pocket and decrease of $135,486,904 from the $439,546,019 in 2019 purses. brushed to the lead as Warrior One began to labor. The 2,358 race days in 2020 was 1,066 less than the 3,424 race days in Jack Vernon challenged Pat Matters to the three quarters in 1:23, 2019, a 31.13 percent decrease. but at the top of the stretch, he and the fast-closing 7/5 race-favorite READ MORE Scirocco Rob could not make up enough ground. Pat Matters, the lone mare in the race, won by a half-length in 1:51 $25,000 seeded pool at The Meadowlands Saturday 2/5, erasing the previous mark for aged trotting mares held by Buck I St Pat (1:53 in 2008). The Meadowlands is pleased to announce that Saturday, January Pat Matters (Explosive Matter) is owned by Patricia Stables and 9th will have a guaranteed Pick 5 pool of $100,000. Additionally, the trained by the red-hot Nifty Norman. pool with be seeded with $25,000. -edited release (Dover) “We want to run a wagering promotion that gives back to our customers as a way of thanking them for wagering over $4.5 million Fusco series kicks off Friday at Freehold on us last Saturday night,” said COO & GM of the Meadowlands Race- track, Jason Settlemoir. “This seeded and guaranteed Pick 5 pool, Twenty-four New Jersey-owned, sired, or foaled pacing fillies and along with free past performances hopefully provides bettors an addi- mares will take center stage at Freehold Raceway on Friday (January tional incentive to wager on us.” 8), as the Vinny Fusco Jr. Memorial Pacing Series begins. “We would like to thank the SBOA of NJ especially President Mark READ MORE Ford and the SBOA Board for taking on this initiative with us,” Settle- moir added. “We were extremely pleased with on-track racing prod- Ohio Horsemen’s Association to host virtual awards show uct and pool totals last Saturday and this promotion will hopefully keep the momentum going.” Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Asso- The 20-Cent Pick 5 covers races 1-5 and features a low 15% takeout. ciation (OHHA) will not hold its annual awards banquet and member- Live racing returns this Friday, January 8th at 6pm. ship meeting but will instead present a virtual awards show on the -edited release (Meadowlands) OHHA YouTube channel on January 16th at 7:00 PM. The awards show will feature Ohio’s top equine athletes of 2020. $6,016 Pick 5 Carryover at Northfield Saturday Other Ohio award winners honored will be the Terry Holton Youth Award, Maynard and Stella Hagemeyer Significant Contribution MGM Northfield Park has announced a $25,000 guaranteed Pick 5 Award, Ohio Outstanding Groom Award and the Special -Service to total pool for Saturday’s (January 9) race card. Beginning in Race 6, Harness Racing Award. In addition, the United States Harness Writ- the $25,000 guarantee includes a carryover of $6,016. ers Association -- Ohio Chapter annual awards will also be presented The evening’s eighth race starts the 50¢ (non-jackpot) Pick 6 offer- as will the Ohio State Racing Commission’s Kaltenbach Awards. ing a $4,891 carryover. READ MORE Northfield’s Pick 3s, Pick 4s, Pick 5, Pick 6 and 20¢ Super High Five offer a reduced take-out rate of just 14%. Aldrich and Sowers take 2020 Monticello titles Saturday’s post time is 4:20 PM. -edited release (Northfield) Bruce Aldrich Jr. and Bo Sowers have copped the titles of leading dash-winning Driver and Trainer at Monticello Raceway for 2020. Yonkers stakes schedule set, will race 234 nights For Bruce Aldrich Jr. being the leading dash-winning driver is not new to him. This year’s title marks the seventh time that Bruce has MGM announced its 2021 Racing Program for Yonkers Raceway won the title at Monticello Raceway. Aldrich led all drivers with 136 with opening night scheduled for Monday, January 11, 2021, pending trips to the winner’s circle in 2020 with a UDRS of .305 and earned approval by the New York State Gaming Commission. The 234 live purses of $587,807. The 52-year-old Aldrich is approaching a monu- racing dates include a stakes schedule featuring the return of the MGM mental personal milestone of 8,000 career wins, almost 50% - 3,979 - of Borgata Pacing Series, Blue Chip Matchmaker Series, and two Triple those wins came at Monticello Raceway. Crown events, the MGM Yonkers Trot and MGM Grand Messenger Last year’s dash winner Jim Taggart Jr. finished second this year Stakes, all of which were canceled last year as a result of the pandemic. with 117 wins, narrowly edging Michael Merton with 116 wins. READ MORE

DRF Harness Weekend | 15 | January 7, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness