DRF HARNESS HOME DIGITAL HARNESS EYE HARNESS PPS DRF BETS ENTRIES ARCHIVE THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021 Road to the 2021 includes diverse group of horses

List of 42 eligible horses for the Meadowlands Pace includes stallions from many states, winless horses and first-time Pace-hopeful connections

EDITOR’S EYE By Derick Giwner @DRFHarness

What will you be doing three months from Inside this issue today? Some people are concerned with just finish- ing out their day and others might be look- Jay Bergman: Weiss series provides ing a day or a week ahead, but the trainers, fillies to watch for 2021, Page 4 owners and drivers associated with the 42 horses currently eligible for the Meadowlands Bob Marks: The babies are coming yet Pace are hoping to be in vying for the future remains unknown, Page 6 what should be a purse in the $700,000 range. Unlike 2020 when “The Pace” led off the Hesa Kingslayer N looks to continue stakes schedule for 3-year-old pacers since Borgata perfection at Yonkers, Page 7 the North America Cup was moved to August and the Max Hempt was canceled, this year’s On The Backstretch: Profile of trainer Meadowlands Pace is supposed to be No. 3 on Edwin Quevedo, Page 9 the Grand Circuit schedule after the June 19 NA Cup at Woodbine Mohawk Park and July 2 Best Bets & Analysis, Page 10 Messenger at Yonkers. Of course with Canada Charlie May hopeful for Grand Circuit back in a lockdown, who knows what travel restrictions will be in place and what the campaign in 2021, Page 11 participation will be in the NA Cup, and only Headlines: Lockdown at Mohawk 14 horses are eligible to both the Meadow- extended to training; Get Legs romps in lands Pace and Messenger. So, for some of the top 3-year-olds, the Meadowlands Pace could Brennan series at Yonkers, Page 12 be their first taste of Grand Circuit action. Comments? Questions? As society continues to change, so too does the landscape. While includ- Email the Editor [email protected] ing all of the top names you’d expect – Perfect Sting, Always A Miki, Southwind Gendry, To ensure proper delivery etc. – the 2021 Meadowlands Pace certainly contains an eclectic group that was more than of the newsletter via Courtesy Eddie Davis willing to “ante up” in order to participate. email, add [email protected]. Hellabalou, a 3-year-old Sweet Lou-sired colt, posted the fastest winning qualifier at com to your contact list CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 Harrah’s Philadelphia on April 6.

Thanks to everyone who nominated their youngsters to the 2021 Ohio Sires Stakes!

The first Ohio Sires Stakes of 2021 are less than one month away!

Miami Valley Raceway Leg One Divisions Sunday, May 2 Monday, May 3 3-Year-Old Filly Trot & Pace 3-Year-Old Colt Trot & Pace

Kim Rinker, OSDF Administrator 614-779-0269 [email protected] Conditions & schedule available at www.racingohio.net

© 2021 Daily Racing Form, LLC - 10 Grand Central, 3rd Floor, NY, NY 10017 ALWAYS A VIRGIN X ARTSTOPPER | $12,500

Freshman Sire SENSATION

ALWAYS A MIKI Governors Cup Winner 1:50.2 $331,261

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PERFECT STING Undefeated Champion and 2020 Dan Patch Champion 1:49.2 $534,300 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Ohio is well represented with the connec- tions of Charlie May and Heart Of Chew- bacca putting up the $7,500 supplement fee on February 15 along with the $2,000 March 15 payment to remain eligible. Indiana-sired JK Going West also paid his way in for $7,500 to join fellow Hoosier State eligible Joelsyy Hanover. The Canadian sire Shadow Play has a supplemented son in Lawless Shadow. New York gets in the picture with a few from American Ideal including the once-defeated (eight starts) supplemented American Cour- age. Pennsylvania has a plethora of , Betting Line, Captaintreacherous and Sweet Lou sons who’ll look to make some noise in the July 17 final. There is even a son of A Rocknroll Dance eligible. An amazing 10 horses were supplemented to the Meadowlands Pace in 2021, which if not a record, has to be the highest number in the last 20 years. Strangely one of the 10, an Indi- ana-bred named Velocity Gator, never made the March 15 payment, so we’ll have to assume that gelding suffered a setback or injury. Amanda Stephens Two of the more interesting supplements The undefeated Perfect Sting, driven by David Miller for trainer Joe Holloway, remains are from a barn that has never even started the spring favorite to capture the Meadowlands Pace. a horse in the Meadowlands Pace. Eddie Dennis trainees Hellabalou and Capt Jack “I kind of screwed up with Brassy Hanover when I had him and Hanover, two horses with a combined 1-for-16 career record, both didn’t supplement him,” said Dennis, recalling his former trainee qualified on Tuesday (April 6) at Harrah’s Philadelphia and the who was second in the 2019 Max Hempt at Pocono. “If you are not 53-year-old trainer explained that there were reasons neither horse eligible, you can’t get into the race. So we talked about it during the jumped up at age 2. winter and just decided to take a shot. If it works out, great. If not, we “Hellabalou had breathing issues that were really bothering him,” lost $8,000. said Dennis. “He got to the Sire Stakes consolation at Pocono and was “Just being in some of these big races is huge. When I finished second sitting a perfect second-over trip and just backed through the field. with Brassy Hanover in the Hempt it was a big thrill. It made every- We scoped him after the race and saw he was having some ulceration thing we’ve worked for worth it. We’ve been trying to buy a little better around his palate, so we stopped with him and had it worked on. quality lately. We are taking baby steps and trying to get to the top.” “Over the winter it has really seemed like the light bulb has come on When it comes to supplements, it is also worth noting that four for him,” continued Dennis on Hellabalou. “I think he is finally real- horses – Brookview Bullet, Charlie May, Heart Of Chewbacca and izing that he can breathe properly and not be scared to do it. Even when Highlandsbeachsbest – paid $6,000 for a chance to race in the MGM he had the issue, he still tried hard, he just couldn’t get enough oxygen. Grand Messenger in 2021. There are no supplements to the North “Capt Jack Hanover was good up until the day he was sitting the America Cup or most of the other stakes for 3-year-old pacers during two-hole at The Meadows [August 29, 2020]. He was looking good to the summer. The allows for supplements prior to the draw. make the Sire Stakes final and he bled that day. We put him on Lasix The 2021 Pace also includes a number of horses who are winless and he rebounded to come back and pace in 1:52 3/5 [2nd in Sire Stakes in their careers. Texas Miki (Sarah Andrews – Trainer), Mikimoto consolation], but he didn’t seem to be as sharp as he was prior to that. (Nancy Takter) and As Always (Per Engblom) are three eligible At the end of the season I had chips taken out of his right front ankle.” horses who have yet to even start in a race. All three have qualified in Hellabalou posted an impressive qualifying effort, setting fractions of the last 10-14 days in preparation for their debuts. While Texas Miki 29 2/5, 59 and 1:27 before sprinting home in 27 2/5 to complete a 1:54 2/5 will start in a non-winners-of-1 race on April 8 at The Meadows (race mile with Dennis in the bike. The final time was the fastest of 11 races on 3), the others are still in the “cooking” stage of their development. the card and more than a second quicker than last year’s 3-year-old Male “He’s a big, growthy colt,” said Takter about Mikimoto. “He has the Pace Breeders Crown champion Sandbetweenmytoes (1:55 3/5). ability to be in there.” Two races later the trainer/driver left for a pocket spot in a 29 2/5 “I think he has pretty high potential but is still very green,” said opening quarter and waited behind the pace-setting Crunch Hanover Engblom about As Always. “I’m hoping he will catch up with the through three-quarters in 127 2/5. In the stretch, Dennis took aim others, but it is hard to say when.” with Capt Jack Hanover and got up by a nose with a 27 3/5 final quar- Now about 90 days before the Meadowlands Pace eliminations, it ter and 1:55 2/5 final clocking. is anyone’s guess how many of these horses will enter and which one “They were both good,” said Dennis. “The track was still slow, will step up to win the coveted Pace trophy. With 10 horses already heavy and deep. It was cupping out really bad and was deepened out “into” the race for $10,000 in entry fees, you can be sure most of along the rail.” those will be in attendance. Add in another seven to 10 logical horses The decision to pay $8,000 on February 15 to make the pair eligible coming off strong rookie campaigns and we should see at least two was done partly because of a missed opportunity in the past. eliminations and hopefully a classic final.

DRF Harness Digest | 3 | April 8, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Pocono’s Weiss series provides some fillies to watch for 2021

Miller appeared to know what he was sitting behind for the first time in driving Incaseyoudidntknow to victory in the fourth and final jaywalking division on Monday. “She’s a tall and gorgeous filly,” said Miller of the Les Givens’ By Jay Bergman BergmanJay trained daughter of Always B Miki who posted the fastest (1:52 4/5) Weiss clocking in what appeared effortless fashion. Incaseyoudidnt- know made five starts as a freshman but they all come from mid- November through December at Dover Downs, not exactly the time Put the snow shovels away. Shed one layer of clothing and turn the or place to prove what was in the tank. Nevertheless, Incaseyoudidnt- page. Spring is upon us and to me it’s the most glorious season for know won four of those five juvenile starts, with the loss likely attrib- harness racing as it brings forth the first wave of potential talent in the uted to road trouble. Still, it was hard to know what to expect from 3-year-old ranks. The unveiling in the northeast arrived this last week the $55,000 Harrisburg yearling that hadn’t shown a whole lot of early as The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono commenced April with the speed in her 2-year-old arsenal. Bobby Weiss series that offered more than a fair share of talent spread Miller found out quickly that Incaseyoudidntknow could in fact out among the four divisions of gait and sex for the sophomore set. accelerate at the start as he powered out quickly through the 27 4/5 What the Weiss and no doubt other competitive races will accom- opening quarter for the front. Miller yielded the front readily, but the plish in the next few weeks is quite important for a list of owners that pace continued hot, with Jane Diamond on the lead and being pressed spent the long winter hoping that last year’s freshmen might indeed by Carrington. The action led to a 55 3/5 half and Miller in a three- turn into more useful, perhaps stakes caliber, horses with some hole, but that didn’t last very long as Anthony Napolitano pulled maturity. the pocket almost immediately after the half and went right back to It’s important not regain the lead from Carrington. That left Miller without cover and to get too high or even Incaseyoudidntknow went up to engage the leader through a 1:24 2/5 too low at this point of three quarters. At that point it would have been no disgrace for the the year when attempt- dueling leaders to pack it in, but Incaseyoudidntknow stormed home ing to quantify what’s in 28 2/5 and looked well within herself (something Miller suggested) witnessed on the race- in a career-best mile. track. As the first three From a pedigree perspective, there is a lot to like going back a few months of the year have generations in Incaseyoudidntknow’s family tree. She’s out of In Deep shown, many horses Thought, a near $300K-winning daughter of Ponder that was a stand- can look very sharp and out freshman on the PaSS circuit in 2010. She had previously had talented while domi- three foals, all by Art Major, prior to moving to champion Always B

Curtis Salonick nating lesser competi- Miki. In Deep Thought was the lone foal from Adoration, a half-sister Always B Dancing was one of three tion. Only when faced to trainer Jack Darling’s outstanding freshman from 1996 Décor. This Weiss-winning pacing fillies by with a strong challenge could be a filly family, if such exists, as Décor’s first foal was the $747K Always B Miki in the opening round. can anyone determine winning mare Northern Sky. whether a horse will It’s Spring and it is early in the 3-year-old season, but there’s a lot have the capacity to defeat tougher or not. to get excited about when pacing fillies can take air and continue to On Monday (4/5) the Weiss attracted a solid group of pacing fillies charge hard through the finish line. The Weiss series is certain to and anyone that studies pedigrees even a little had to notice the pres- reveal some fillies we’ll see in bigger stakes down the road. ence of first-crop fillies from Always B Miki out of broodmares by the late champion . You don’t have to be a snob to like this cross and certainly with the “Beach” no longer available for stallion duty, his direct influence on the breed can be expected to come from a bevy of broodmares with his name attached. That Always B Miki sired three of the four Weiss-winning fillies on Monday may not have come as a surprise since the victors looked to be standouts when the entries were drawn. Still, past performances can only tell you so much, as many of the fillies would be tested for tough- NEW PLAYERS ness over the five-eighths mile track. Always B Dancing and So Irre- sistible last dueled at The Meadowlands where the latter scored a neck victory over the former on March 26 in a 1:54 mile. The pair of “Miki” DOUBLE YOUR fillies captured separate divisions on Monday, with Always B Danc- ing’s 1:53 1/5 mile the faster but So Irresistible’s 1:54 requiring a bit more effort and a willingness to do so for the Bruce Saunders trainee. FIRST DEPOSIT Driver Marcus Miller captured the other pair of $17,500 first-round- ers with a couple that showed a certain raciness that could tip off big things to come. Milieu Hanover, a $35,000 Harrisburg-sold daughter UP TO of Betting Line, showed a good amount of courage wearing down a pacesetter that had backed down the half decisively in her 1:53 3/5 score. Milieu Hanover won just once in 10 starts at age 2, but has shown improvement now with her two straight sophomore triumphs $250 without defeat. “She was first-over,” said Miller of the trip, “But I was lucky and was able to wait to pull her on the backstretch. She’s a very nice filly.” Milieu Hanover is the first foal from the $300K winner Mayhem Join Now Seelster. Looking a few generations back on the dam side, Capelo Rose, a daughter of the $750K-winning transcontinental mare Tupelo Rose N, has been extremely productive with five of her first seven foals earning six figures. In that elite group is the multiple 2021 MGM Borgata series division winner Rockapelo.

DRF Harness Digest | 4 | April 8, 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 AT STUD

BY MUSCLE HILL OUT OF FLAWLESS LINDY | 2021 PRIVATE FEE The babies are coming while the future remains unknown

ON THE MARK By Bob Marks @BobMarks3

March is gone. Many of the southern-based stables are heading north, though some are leaving their 2-year-olds here in Florida for a little more fine-tuning prior to joining the soph- omores and older horses in the process of reach- ing their Northern destinations. The March 15 payments have been made and in many cases optimism abounds. Some of that initial euphoria will abate when the first round of baby races commence in the various locales, but for now they’re all potential champions as they reach the 2:20 range. The 2:20 time barrier at Sunshine Mead- ows might not be the same as 2:20 at Spring Courtesy Greg Peck Garden given the track compositions in both Highgate is a son of Muscle Hill that trainer Greg Peck hopes will outperform his areas, which makes spectator observations a bit $4,000 price tag. haphazard at this point. Way back in my Boardwalk days in the early 80’s a filly I thought would be a monster turned out to be as common Alagna for example, he has well over 20 2-year-olds by his former as the day is long. The stage was the old Pompano training center pupil Captaintreacherous and from recent results by that sire, we can and this pacing lass was three wide with no cover the entire mile and anticipate the following scenario: some will be quite good and several nipped her two highly-touted and super-expensive rivals at the wire may even be exceptional. But that comes with the Captaintreacherous in 2:30 and some odd. territory as he has proven an exceptional sire. The same holds true “Oh this filly can take air,” the handicapper in me concluded. Unfor- for Muscle Hill, Chapter Seven, and other top sires. tunately she couldn’t sustain it when the miles got faster and she However, what is exciting is when a brilliant first-cropper like leveled off, becoming a minor conditioned mare at best. Ultimately, Walner comes along where there’s no precedent to go on, only the I learned not to be overly positive about anything in the early stages, anticipation that he may or may not be great. Walner was arguably though it was possible to distinguish some underachievers due to gait the most impressive trotting colt since Muscle Hill and being by a and in some cases attitude. great sire in Chapter Seven, his individual’s sky is literally the limit. For the record, neither of her more touted rivals in that set did any Thus one might approach his colts and fillies with a bit more scrutiny better, although one became a decent broodmare upon retirement. than other sires, and thus far initial reports are favorable. In fact, In another memory from the past, my great friend TNT Bluechip (Walner-Thislady’sdynamite), a $180,000 yearling, has had two of my Perretti graduates – Immortality (No Nukes-Jefs Eter- impressed at the Alagna barn. nity) and Vagabond Heart (No Nukes-Cover Story) – and training Brian Brown and Peter Wrenn indicated that their first-crop Down- down there was little to separate them. In fact, each was victorious bytheseaside’s were a bit tough to get gaited initially but once they the first week of baby races at The Meadowlands, both winning hand- figured it out, they were fine. Brown added that he did not break ily in 1:59 and a piece. The coy Mr. Nickells didn’t say which one he Downbytheseaside so he didn’t know what to expect, but once they liked better, though I think he may have preferred the larger, longer got the hang of it, several are in his best sets. and stronger-looking Vagabond Heart. Since I’m not really inclined to put any trainer on the spot at this The very next week when asked to go in 1:57 and thereabouts, the particular time, I’ll pass along a couple of “consensus” Captaint- following things happened: Immortality came back to the paddock reacherous observations from the Alagna barn that have impressed indicating “no problem, I can do that.” Vagabond Heart on the other all season. One colt, Atlas Hanover (Ameraway-American Ideal), a hand did not win and needed urging just to stay with the other girls $180,000 yearling, and Captiva (Aria Hanover-Well Said), a Brittany in the heat. Farms homebred filly, have sparkled all season at Sunshine Meadows. As is common knowledge, Immortality became an all-time great In addition, I get weekly videos from Greg Peck illustrating the prog- while Vagabond Heart was no more than just a nice filly. ress of a $4,000 Muscle Hill colt now named Highgate. Thus far he’s Often Tony Alagna may send a set of eight or even 10 or 12 to go a as an impressive-going a colt as any I’ve seen down here. If nothing training trip at Sunshine Meadows, which in many ways can almost else Mr. Peck should have a reasonably good idea of what he’s sitting resemble a real race. Except that the movements are choreographed behind. Of course at his anemic sales price, one can surmise the exis- in advance as Tony sets the pace with his mount while the rest follow tence of a conformation flaw or two, but then again, he wouldn’t be in double file until branching out turning for home in an attempt to the first to overcome a flaw or two if so inclined. To my knowledge, finish together at the wire. It’s not easy to draw too many conclu- nobody ever accused sire Muscle Hill and grandsire Muscle’s Yankee sions other than perhaps noticing the gait on a highly-touted one and of physical perfection personified. concluding, “I might not be looking at a great colt or filly.” I watched several expensive ones in his and other barns last year and there were times I just didn’t think I was observing potential greatness. That held true for a million-dollar baby (Maverick) that Follow turned out to be worth considerably less than that, although at 3 he’s training back well. The jury however will remain out until he actu- ally races again. Basically the most exciting and/or interesting aspect of the 2-year- old-in-training scene is the appearance of first-crop sires. Using Mr.

DRF Harness Digest | 6 | April 8, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Hesa Kingslayer N tries to continue Borgata perfection at Yonkers

By Jay Bergman

The fifth and final preliminary round of the MGM Borgata Series will highlight Monday’s 10-race Yonkers Raceway program with three $40,000 divi- sions offered. While the identity of the top eight eligi- ble for the final has left little doubt to who the key players will be, Monday’s sixth race (third division) has all the elements of a semi-final. Driver Jimmy Marohn Jr. will guide Hesa Kingslayer N (post 5) against six rivals and the 8-year-old has been flaw- less, winning all three legs of the series in which he was entered. “I’d say he’s among the best in the series,” Marohn said. “Along with Leonidas A and This Is The Plan. I think he can win with a trip. I also think the other two can win with a trip, too.” While the big money will be on the line when the three collide the following week in the final, Marohn didn’t shy from his chances this week when he’ll Chris Brokate meet up with Leonidas A (post 1), who also sports Hesa Kingslayer N has won all three of his starts in the Borgata series. three leg triumphs, and This Is The Plan (post 6), who has posted the fastest (1:51 1/5) mile of the series. Hesa Kingslayer N has won four of eight starts this year for trainer bad luck for others to reach the six-figure bonanza. Mach N Cheese Mike Deters with Marohn as the regular pilot and the driver has (post 3) keeps knocking on the door for trainer Edwin Quevedo and clearly loved what he’s seen. perhaps Monday’s short and less distinguished group will propel him “I think he can handle any sized track,” Marohn said. “He bears in to a victory. The 6-year-old has finished second and third in the last a little bit on the turns here (Yonkers) but that’s not an issue.” two rounds of action. On Monday Leonidas A clearly has the advantage of post position Past Borgata (Levy) champion Western Fame (post 1) may finally be as well as some early speed, but Hesa Kingslayer N has proven that he showing some signs of aging as he has failed to hit the board in any of can leave the gate if needed and still have something left in the tank. the previous four legs despite relatively good draws and racing luck. “I’ll try to give him a good trip,” said Marohn, indicating that he’s The $1.8 million winner was sold following his last outing and trainer not taking the week off and looking towards the final. Daniel Renaud hopes to earn a quick return for the new ownership. While This Is The Plan was able to score decisively in leg four, it While Chief Mate (post 6) is unlikely to reach the final, the 4-year- should be noted that the veteran Pennsylvania-bred son of Some- old by Captaintreacherous has shown promise from difficult spots for beachsomewhere could not handle the New Zealand-imported son of trainer Todd Luther, including a pair of thirds to Leonidas A. Scott Christian Cullen when the two met in the second and third round of Zeron figures to have Chief Mate in contention. series action. Monday’s final Borgata round action kicks off with a first-race post “He’s a gritty little horse,” said Marohn, complimentary no doubt of time of 7:15 PM. Hesa Kingslayer N’s tenacity in the final quarter mile. Three Borgata leg winners will meet in the first (race 4) of the three divisions on Monday night, with Backstreet Shadow (post 1) meeting borgata series leaderboard Lyons Steel (post 5) and Western Joe (post 6) in the select group of a half-dozen. Position/Horse Points 14 let It Ride N 133.0 San Domino A is another in this bunch, who along with the afore- 1 Western Joe 233.0 15 Pat Stanley N 132.0 mentioned trio, sit in the top eight in the Borgata standings. For San 2 rockapelo 230.0 16 Western Fame 126.0 Domino A, who sports a win, second and third in the three legs he’s 3 Hesa Kingslayer N 225.0 17 american Mercury 125.0 raced in, a quality performance will be needed for the Nancy Takter 4 leonidas A 225.0 18 sheriff N 117.0 trainee to reach the final. Todd McCarthy will guide him from post 5 this Is The Plan 225.0 19 semi Tough 116.0 three. 6 Backstreet Shadow 175.0 20 rodeo Rock 104.0 Western Joe has not missed a leg of Borgata for trainer Chris 7 lyons Steel 162.0 21 chief Mate 99.0 Choate and the veteran performer looks for his third straight. West- ern Joe was impressive collaring a pacesetting Backstreet Shadow 8 san Domino A 162.0 22 stars Align A 92.0 in round three of the series and then managed to save every bit of 9 raukapuka Ruler N 150.0 23 ideal Jimmy 85.0 ground sneaking up the pylons to capture his division in a thriller 10 mach N Cheese 145.0 24 ana Afreet N 83.0 last Monday. 11 tyga Hanover 142.0 25 artie’s Ideal 80.0 The $515,000 MGM Borgata Series final is slated for April 19 and 12 ostro Hanover 140.0 26 Bronx Seelster 80.0 pretty much all of the six horses entered in the fifth race division this 13 mac’s Jackpot 136.0 27 none Bettor A 80.0 Monday will need a combination of good fortune for themselves and

DRF Harness Digest | 7 | April 8, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness PAYMENTS DUE APRIL 15 One list and one check keeps your horses eligible to these top events.

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The Hambletonian Society | Breeders Crown • 109 South Main Street, Suite 18 • Cranbury, NJ 08512-3174 Phone: 609-371-2211 • Fax: 609-371-8890 • Web: hambletonian.com Did you ever want to know more about the people involved in the harness industry? Editor Derick Giwner combs the harness land- scape each week to profile a new personality from the sport.

Trainer Edwin Quevedo What kind of car do you drive? Gray Dodge. Favorite dinner meal? Snack? Baked Chicken; Peanuts. What is your favorite track to race at? Why? Meadowlands – My horses stay sound over the track and they go so fast. The horses are very happy there and have done well. What is your favorite big event in racing? Meadowlands Pace and Hambletonian. How often is racing on your mind? All the time. What is your favorite thing to do outside of racing? Play basketball with my 13-year-old son or take my kids to lunch.

Courtesy Edwin Quevedo What is your favorite sport to watch? Team? Edwin Quevedo has won 309 races in 2,261 career starts since beginning his training career in 2014. Soccer – Barcelona. Which is the best horse you’ve ever trained? What is one thing about you most fans/bettors don’t know? Either Heza Real Diamond or Mach N Cheese. Mach N Cheese is try- I started in Thoroughbred racing and for like six years I was a sec- ing to qualify for the Borgata final. ond trainer at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park. You came east in October 2020. Why did you make the move What is one word that describes harness racing for you? from the Cal Expo/Running Aces circuit? Everything. Harness racing is everything for me. Cal Expo has good weather but the money is low. Minnesota is nice too, but I always wanted to try The Meadowlands. I thought about it How did you get started in the sport? for almost a year and made the decision. I bought my first horse in about 2007 or 2008, then I bought my second horse, and I did pretty good. I was a groom at the time and did You are tied for 5th in the trainer standings at The Meadowlands everything with those horses but I didn’t have a license so someone this year. Did you think such quick success was possible? else trained. No – When I first came I just wanted to win a race. Everybody told What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten about harness me The Meadowlands was too tough, but it really isn’t that tough. I’ve definitely won more than I thought. racing? If you can buy cheap horses and make them better you’ll make good Williams Hernandez also came from the same circuit. Did his money. decision affect yours? What was your favorite moment in harness racing? He’s my friend and we worked together in California. He told me to try it here and I also saw him do well here, too. When Heza Real Diamond won at The Meadowlands in 1:48 [actual time 1:48 4/5]. That was one of the best miles in my life. He’s an amaz- ing and fast horse, but it is complicated to make him stay straight. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

DRF Harness Digest | 9 | April 8, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

You and your wife Fabiola own a bunch of the horses you race. How important is it for a trainer to own horses they train? At DRF Harness we strive to provide the best handicapping I think it is good. It can be more expensive, but you can also make a information in the sport. Each week we’ll use this space to bring little more money. The move has been expensive so it helps to make you some of our handicappers’ best bets, value plays and horses to more as an owner. 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. Right now you are participating in overnight races. Do you envision trying stakes races in the future? Thursday, april 8 Yeah, if somebody gives me some nice horses. I’m getting more own- RACE 2 ers now and I plan on buying some babies from the sales, either by myself or with partners. (1) CIRCLE OF LIFE AS came up just a neck shy of Is there one stakes race that you are hoping to win? another win last Thursday. She won’t offer much value My dream right now is to win the Borgata with Mach N Cheese. I but looks like the one to beat. know there is tough competition. I always watched the Levy [former -Greg Reinhart name of Borgata] on TV and now I get to race in it. friday, april 9 How many horses are in your barn and where do you stable? RACE 2 22 – Gaitway. (2) SHINKANSEN blew You’ve been using 23-year-old newcomer Tyler Miller on out a sharp qualifying mile some of your horses. How did that come about? to prepare for this race and even if he is a bit short, this He’s a good friend who would come around to the barn and ask to get 4-year-old son of Sebastian K some drives, so I told him I would give him some chances. The mare seems too fast for these. he started with [Gottalovemyshadow] is very easy to drive and he’s -Derick Giwner done good with her. I also have a new owner named Steve Heimbeck- er who wanted to give Tyler some chances. RACE 7 What is the biggest difference between racing out west versus (4) STORMY KROMER on the east coast? wins the ‘four through eight’ draw so the post relief makes There are better horses here and the competition is better. him routine selecting; he’s a strong candidate to take this How do the top horses at Cal Expo compare to horses at The field wire-to-wire. Meadowlands? -Matt Rose Heza Real Diamond used to win in short fields every week at Cal Expo Saturday, april 10 in the Open from post 10. He was one of the best horses over there. He was in Non-winners $15,000 last week here. I’d say most of the top RACE 10 horses there fit at the $15,000 claiming level at The Meadowlands. (6) DECISION DAY has If you could choose any horse in history to train, which horse been off his game of late, would it be and why? though he’s still finishing with pace each week. He gets Somebeachsomewhere or Always B Miki. They were both two of the major class relief here and best and very fast. Hopefully I’ll find one like them. Callahan will be firing hard off the gate. If you had the power to change one thing in the sport, what -Giwner would it be? I wouldn’t change anything. full card analysis / past performances

Time for the stretch drive: Yonkers (THU) Analysis Meadowlands (SAT) Analysis

Best Horse You Ever Saw: Always B Miki. Meadowlands (FRI) Analysis Best Driver Ever: There are a lot of good drivers. I think a good horse Yonkers (FRI) Analysis makes a good driver, though sometimes it can be the other way around.

Lasix – Yes or No?: Yes. DHP PPs harness eye PPs trackmaster PPs free PPs Favorite TV Show?: I don’t get the chance to watch much TV. Some- times I’ll watch a telenovela with my wife.

Trotters or Pacers?: Pacers. Want full-card analysis? Visit DRF.com/harness

DRF Harness Digest | 10 | April 8, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Charlie May tries to start a Grand Circuit year at Miami Valley

By Ken Weingartner

Don Tiger knows where Charlie May’s 3-year-old season will begin. Where the pacer goes from there will be decided as his campaign unfolds, but the owner knows where he would like to see his horse. All around the Grand Circuit. Charlie May, who was voted Ohio’s best 2-year-old male pacer in 2020, makes his seasonal debut Saturday in a $15,000 elimination of the James K. Hackett Memo- rial for 3-year-old male pacers at Miami Valley Raceway. Charlie May, trained by Steve Carter, will start from post seven in a seven-horse field with driver Brett Miller. Last year, Tiger’s homebred gelding won seven of nine starts and finished second in both defeats. Charlie May earned $328,627 to rank sixth among all 2-year-old male pacers in North America and his best win time of 1:50 2/5.2, established in a track-record Ohio Sire Stakes championship performance at Scioto Downs, tied for fifth. Charlie May will be pointed toward events for Ohio- Charlie May was a star in Ohio, winning the Next Generation and the Ohio sired horses to begin the season, but Tiger has paid the Sire Stakes Championship. horse into numerous open stakes for 3-year-old male pacers including the North America Cup, Meadowlands Pace, and Breeders Crown. He is not eligible to the Little Brown Jug of races we’re going to go because we’re bringing a howitzer. We’re not but can be supplemented if he wins one of the following races: North going with a squirt gun. America Cup, Meadowlands Pace, , or Cane Pace. “We’ll see how it shakes out. I just want him to be healthy. If he’s “We’ve got four weeks here (in Ohio) to find out where we’re at,” healthy and gets beat, I’m great with that. I just don’t ever want to play Tiger said. “The goal is to get better each week, and then at the begin- the ‘what if’ game. If he’s healthy, then it’s just up to the racing gods ning of May we’ll have decisions to make as far as where we’re going. and whatever is supposed to happen is going to happen.” I paid the money for everywhere. He’s staked until the end of Novem- Charlie May’s opening assignment will not be easy. Among his ber. I did my part. Now it’s going to be up to the horse. Hackett rivals is Heart Of Chewbacca, who handed Charlie May a “I’m real excited. You never know what is going to happen between setback in a preliminary round of the Ohio Sire Stakes last year and (ages) 2 and 3, but I think the good thing for me is I’ve been playing was second in the final. with house money, so I’m calm and relaxed and excited and happy. I Heart Of Chewbacca, trained by Ron Burke and driven by Dan wouldn’t trade places with anybody.” Noble, also is staked to numerous Grand Circuit races. He was one of Charlie May is by McArdle out of Stipple Hanover. He is the first last season’s fastest 2-year-olds on both a five-eighths and half-mile horse Tiger ever bred. track. “I just took a leap of faith,” Tiger said. “This is for the little guys. “Ohio has gotten tougher,” Burke said. “I think you’ll see that This isn’t supposed to happen to Steve Carter and Don Tiger. It’s a maybe those colts can step and go with the other ones. They’re breed- feel-good story. I own the horse, but he’s not my horse. It’s those guys ing a lot of horses; they’re breeding way more quality. Things are at the barn -- Steve Carter and his staff. They’ve told me he’s a one-in- heading in the right direction there.” a-million horse. Laughagain Hanover, who was third in the Ohio Sire Stakes cham- “I’d love for those local guys to get the chance (on the Grand Circuit). pionship, leads the first Hackett elimination. He is trained by Christi It would be great for them and great for Ohio racing.” Noble and driven by Dan Noble. Tiger plans to bring a realistic approach to determining Charlie The first-four finishers from each elimination will advance to the May’s stakes schedule. $40,000 final April 17. They will be joined by the fifth-place horse with “I want to make a stamp on the national scene, but I’m not going to the fastest time. go through it just to do it,” he said. “I’m not going to go to the Meadow- Racing begins at 4:05 p.m. (EDT) Saturday at Miami Valley. lands Pace to be 30-1 and hope I’m fifth. If we’re going to those kinds -courtesy USTA Communications

DRF Harness Digest | 11 | April 8, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness NEWS FROM AROUND THE HARNESS INDUSTRY

lockdown now extended to training at Mohawk Park Manchego to qualify Saturday at The Meadowlands

As a result of the Provincial State of Emergency declared today (4/7) Two-time Dan Patch winner Manchego heads a stellar group of by the Government of Ontario, which includes a province-wide 28-day pacers and trotters scheduled to qualify Saturday at The Meadowlands. stay-at-home order effective Thursday, April 8 at 12:01 a.m., Woodbine Manchego, who was named top older Trotting Mare in 2020 for Entertainment announced that training at Woodbine Mohawk Park trainer Nancy Takter and owner Black , drew the will be suspended immediately. Training will be offered again after outside post eight with Dexter Dunn listed to drive in the third of the stay-at-home order is lifted or when there is clarity on when live six late-afternoon qualifiers. She’ll face a solid group that includes racing will be permitted to resume. Play Trix On Me, runner-up in the 2020 Breeders Crown 3-year-old Woodbine Entertainment also confirmed that it is continuing its male trot, millionaires Lindy The Great and Crystal Fashion, Blue- efforts with government officials and local health authorities to be grass winner Back Of The Neck, and the returning-from-injury half- permitted to safely operate live racing during a lockdown situation millionaire Chin Chin Hall. which would allow the Racing season at Woodbine Takter is also sending out Governor’s Cup winner Always A Miki Mohawk Park to resume after the stay-at-home order is lifted on May 6. from post eight with Dunn driving in the fourth qualifier and PA Sire READ MORE Stakes champion No Lou Zing and Progress Pace winner Fortify in the fifth race. Get Legs returns to winning ways in Brennan Trotting Series Former Breeders Crown winner American History looks to get back on track after an unsuccessful Borgata bid for trainer Tony Get Legs entered last week’s opening round of the John Brennan Alagna and Ron Burke 7-year-old Filibuster Hanover makes his first Trotting Series at Yonkers Raceway with eight wins in nine starts appearance since November in the fifth race as well. at the Meadowlands, but miscued over the sloppy going and had to The first qualifier is scheduled for 4PM and can be viewed on The settle for rallying for third. He made no such miscues this Wednesday, Meadowlands’ website. though, cruising to a 1:55 2/5 victory. Driver Andy Miller didn’t hustle Get Legs away from post two in Strong Pocono qualifiers for Schnittker trainees Wednesday’s final $20,000 division, but he didn’t tuck on the inside, either, letting his horse move steadily up on the rim to get the lead Two horses trained by and driven by Mark from Lady Jeter (Scott Zeron) after the 28 4/5 opening quarter. From MacDonald turned heads during Wednesday morning qualifiers at there, Get Legs put up the half in 57 2/5 and the three-quarters in 1:26 The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, with Splash Brother (1:50 4/5) 2/5, navigated the far turn without any issue, and pulled away impres- and Billy Flynn (1:52 4/5) winning by a combined 36 1/4 lengths. sively in the lane on his way to defeating Lady Jeter by 5 1/2 lengths. A 4-year-old So Surreal gelding, Splash Brother went down the road READ MORE while posting fractions of 28 2/5, 56 3/5, 1:23 3/5, and 1:50 4/5 for the partnership of Schnittker, Nolamaura Racing LLC, Steven Arnold, McWicked’s book full and closed and Tammy Flannery. He took a mark of 1:48 2/5 at The Meadowlands last year and won over $300,000, including a victory in his Empire Winbak Farm of Canada has announced that McWicked’s book is Breeders Classic and a second in his New York Sire Stakes final. now full and closed. The sophomore pacing colt Billy Clyde posted a 1:52 3/5 qualifying McWicked, p, 2, 1:52f; 3, 1:47 3/5f; 1:46 2/5 ($5,103,271), is standing his mark in limited campaigning last year, and just missed that clock- second season in 2021. He stands at Winbak Farm of Canada. ing Wednesday after hanging up fractions of 29 4/5, 58, 1:25 2/5, and READ MORE 1:52 4/5. Billy Clyde, owned by Schnittker and Dr. John Egloff, may be pointing for the first Pennsylvania Sire Stakes of the season, to be Robert “Bob” Burgess, 85, passes held at The Meadows on Day, May 1. -edited release (Pocono/PHHA) The Ontario horse racing community mourns the loss of Robert (Bob) Burgess, a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Greg Schuler Interactive launches redesigned website in the Standardbred builder category. Mr. Burgess was a lawyer specializing in equine law who achieved great success within harness Greg Schuler Interactive (GSI), the largest advertising agency serving racing as both a co-owner and breeder. the harness racing industry, has launched a redesigned website. Accord- READ MORE ing to Greg Schuler, who owns the company with his wife, Barbara, “it has to be about the sixth new look in our 11 years in business.” New directors added to Hambletonian Society Board READ MORE

At the Annual Winter Meeting of the Directors of the Hambletonian California icon Bill Vallandingham passes Society David H. Anderson, Ernest M. Gaskin and David H. McDuffee were appointed to fill vacancies on the Society Board. California harness racing Hall-of-Famer Bill Vallandingham The new appointments, created by the retirement and subsequent passed away Sunday due to complications from a lung transplant he election to director emeriti status of long-time Society directors Dr. J. had seven years ago. He was 74. Glen Brown, E.T. Gerry Jr. and Charles Keller III, were approved on Billy V, as he was affectionately known, was the starter at Cal Expo March 28 at the Society virtual Winter Board meeting. for 20 years before health issues forced him to leave the job in 2014, but READ MORE he did return to limited duties at the Sacramento track in 2018. READ MORE Breeders Crown champ Sandbetweenmytoes wins qualifier meadowlands seeing increased horses from canada Sandbetweenmytoes made his first racetrack appearance of 2021 during a qualifier at Harrah’s Philadelphia Tuesday, and interest- With the shutdown of racing in Canada announced last week, many ingly, he finished in the same position as in his last race -- first -- but connections are already taking action by sending horses to trainers he finished on the opposite side of the track -- against the inside, as in the United States where all tracks are open. opposed to his dramatic wide charge to upset Horse of the Year Tall At The Meadowlands alone, eight horses who started most recently Dark Stranger in the Breeders Crown at Hoosier. in Canada are entered this weekend. By comparison, only one horse READ MORE shipped south to The Meadowlands the previous weekend.

DRF Harness Digest | 12 | April 8, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness