FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2016

©2016 HORSEMAN PUBLISHING CO., LEXINGTON, KY USA • FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION CALL (859) 276-4026 Yonkers’ Leader Bartlett Has Likely Levy Finalist In PH Supercam DON’T BE SHUT OUT! With 700 drives, nearly 200 wins, and more than $2 mil- lion in purses, Jason Bartlett is far ahead of his peers when it comes to leading the Yonkers Raceway driver standings this year. But he can’t say he has the upper hand in the ultra-competitive George Morton Levy Memorial Series, with the final leg of the series on Saturday night. Nevertheless, Bartlett has a solid contender in PH Super- cam, who won the 2014 Levy championship and last year MAY 9, 2016 snagged victories in every preliminary leg he raced in be- Racehorses, racing prospects, fore drawing post 8 for the final and finishing fourth. broodmares, foals, yearlings & more! Trained and owned by Jeff Bamond Jr., this year has been DON’T DELAY ENTER ONLINE NOW! tougher for PH Supercam and Bartlett as they have only www.bloodedhorse.com managed a win, an eighth, a fifth and a second in the first Entries will be taken through Friday, April 15. four Levy legs. Bartlett, however, says the horse’s past per- formance lines don’t really tell the whole story. “I would say he’s been good the entire series,” said Bartlett of the 9-year-old gelding with $1.2 million in career earn- ings. “I kind of overdrove him in one start, and he hasn’t drawn the best (post 7, 8, and twice the 4). “There’s No Substitute for Experience” “He was really good last week (closing in :26.4 to finish INQUIRIES TO ANY ONE OF THESE: second behind Wiggle It Jiggleit),” added Bartlett. “We just JERRY HAWS • P.O. Box 187 • Wilmore, Kentucky 40390 had to come too early.” Phone: (859) 858-4415 • Fax: (859) 858-8498 It’s no secret that a horse’s post position is an important CHARLES MORGAN (937) 947-1218 factor at Yonkers, but Bartlett’s preferred starting point DEAN BEACHY & ASSOCIATES, Auctioneers might be a surprise to some. “Sometimes the rail is a great spot at Yonkers, but you can end up in a bad spot,” he said. “I like the middle behind the car, Levy Memorial Series Point Standings the three, four or five. That way you can see what drivers are Name 1st Leg 2nd Leg 3rd Leg 4th Leg Total doing to your inside and outside and make your decisions.” 1. Bit Of A Legend N 50 50 50 50 300 PH Supercam drew post 1 in the first of three divisions for 2. Take It Back Terry 50 50 50 25 275 3. Mach It So 50 5 25 50 230 the fifth Levy preliminary on Saturday. Bartlett says the post 4. Lucan Hanover 50 50 0 8 208 should benefit his horse, who he describes as versatile. “He 5. All Bets Off 25 0 50 12 187 can race on the lead or in a hole,” he shared. Ideal Cowboy 12 25 0 50 187 Based on the point standings following the first four Levy 7. PH Supercam 50 5 0 25 180 legs, PH Supercam should make the Levy final if he performs 8. Santa Fe Beachboy 5 8 50 5 168 well on Saturday night. He’ll get 25 points just for showing up. 9. Domethatagain 5 50 0 12 167 On the other hand, it is unlikely that 2015 Horse of the Year Texas Terror N 50 12 5 0 167 Wiggle It Jiggleit will have enough points to make the cut 11. Bettor Rock On N 25 25 5 5 160 for the Levy final on April 23, even if he wins on Saturday. 12. Texican N 25 25 0 8 158 13. Evenin Of Pleasure 25 25 5 0 155 Continues on page 2 ›››› 14. Melmerby Beach 0 50 0 0 150 15. Phil Your Boots 8 8 25 8 149 WHAT’S INSIDE . . . 16. Limelight Beach 12 5 12 12 141 Rockin Ron is rockin’ for Burke—pg. 2 17. Bettorever 5 5 25 5 140 18. The Real One 25 5 0 8 138 Shake It Cerry starts Saturday at Big M—pg. 4 19. Scott Rocks 12 12 8 5 137 Tatker stars make 2016 debut—pg. 6 20. Dream Out Loud N 5 12 0 12 129 Breeding Banter—pg. 7 Horses receive 25 points just for starting HarnessRacing Weekend Preview, 2 of 10 April 15, 2016 www.harnessracing.com “Obviously, no one wants Wiggle It Jiggleit in the final, al- though it would be good for Yonkers and the sport,” laughed FREE THIS WEEKEND’S Bartlett. “That trip he went in his first Levy start (getting Program away seventh in the field and racing three wide in the last Pages FEATURED RACES turn) was incredible. All times listed are local. “You never see that move at Yonkers with a horse gaining Friday, April 15 ground like that in the turn, racing against good horses,” contin- 8:50p YR6 Matchmaker Pace div. Trackmaster PPs ued Bartlett. “You tip three wide even halfway through the last 9:10p YR7 Matchmaker Pace div. Trackmaster PPs turn, you need horses coming back to you in order to advance. 9:15p M6 OpenTrot Trackmaster PPs After seeing that, no one wants to face him.”—By Kathy Parker Click here to download all Friday PPs Rockin Ron Is Rockin’ For Burke Saturday, April 16 8:05p MVR7 Open Pace Trackmaster PPs Trainer Ron Burke admits he purchased the now 4-year-old 8:30p YR5 Levy Mem. Pace div. Trackmaster PPs Rockin Ron late last year in part because of the pacer’s 8:50p YR6 Levy Mem. Pace div. Trackmaster PPs name. Burke also admits he never expected Rockin Ron to 9:10p YR7 Levy Mem. Pace div. Trackmaster PPs be rockin’ as much, as the gelding is perfect in eight starts Click here to download all Saturday PPs since entering his barn late last year, including a perfect seven-for-seven slate this year. Visit www.trackmaster.com After dominating the top-class events at The Meadows in his first six victories in 2016, Rockin Ron shipped to Miami and subscribe to download Valley Raceway in Ohio for an April 9 start in a $20,000 full cards from your favorite tracks! Open. The race was status quo for Rockin Ron as he once again went off the betting favorite and once again led at HarnessRacing Weekend Preview every call to score his eighth consecutive victory, bringing Kathy Parker Heather Kemper his seasonal earnings to $75,000. [email protected] [email protected] While driver Dave Palone had the call behind Rockin Ron Editor/ General Manager Assistant Production Manager at The Meadows, Burke turned to Chris Page at Miami Val- Lynne Myers Vanessa Flannery [email protected] ley. Again with Page in the sulky, Rockin Ron will have a [email protected] Accounting & Circulation chance to make it nine straight on Saturday at Miami Valley. Advertising Manager Originally assigned the outside post 9 by director of racing Gordon Waterstone Gregg Keidel in the $20,000 Open (Race 7), Rockin Rock will [email protected] For mail sent via U.S. Postal Service, Associate Editor either P.O. Box 8480, now start from post 8 as a result of a scratch. Lexington, KY 40533, Suzanne Starbuck or 1910 Harrodsburg Rd., Suite 200, “We raced him one time at the end of last year and he was [email protected] Lexington, KY 40503. (859) 276-4026 vicious,” said Burke. “We had a feeling he was a pretty good Production Manager horse. He will do anything we ask him to do. He really © Copyright Horseman Publishing Company. wants to do it.” A product of Horseman Publishing Company, publishers of the website A son of Real www.harnessracing.com and The Horseman And Fair World magazine. Desire, Rockin This newspaper may not be reproduced in any form or by any means, Conrad Photo electronic or mechanical, without prior written permission. Ron was competi- tive in the Indiana Sires Stakes last To sign up for the Weekend Preview please visit year for Hoosier www.harnessracing.com/members_sign_up.php State-based Rockin Ron trainer Jon Ander- “Instead of getting into a battle we’ve been letting him son before being purchased by Burke Racing Stable, Mark work his way up to where he needs to go,” Burke explained Weaver and Mike Bruscemi’s Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Ron of the race strategy. Schram’s RTC Stables. Rockin Ron won his first start for Burke said Rockin Ron has been paid into only a few Burke in early November, rallying from sixth in the stretch. stakes this year, including the Graduate Series for 4- That was the only start for Rockin Ron in his new barn that he year-old pacers that gets underway May 21 at the Mead- saw the back end of his competitors as he has been charted owlands. on the lead at every call in all seven of his wins this year. “If he can handle just being competitive in that at this at Rockin Ron has been parked to the quarter in each of his this point we’ll be thrilled,” said Burke. “Then we can pay last five starts—each in :26 and change—before assuming him up to more of a stakes schedule as a 5 year old.”—By control to the wire. Gordon Waterstone ONLINE ONLYONLLYY AAUCTIONUCTION LOEB It’’ssPPoostTi Time!!! 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POMMJJOF BUU PrProxiBid.com.oxiBidd..ccoom. (773) 548-4131 [email protected]@LOEBWINTERNITZ.COM HarnessRacing Weekend Preview, 4 of 10 April 15, 2016 www.harnessracing.com Shake It Cerry Makes Her friend in Oklahoma. But as soon as I got back up north and 2016 Debut Friday With Miller back in the bike, I realized I was not as comfortable as I usu- ally was. So I had to step things up a bit to be sharp. Next Shake It Cerry has beaten the boys before, but she has a year I still plan to take some time off, but I’ll exercise more.” tough assignment in her season debut Friday night at the If his results on April 9 and 10 are any indication, Miller cer- Meadowlands, as she’ll be facing the fit JL Cruze and a group tainly is back on top of his game. Within the space of 24 hours of other well-seasoned males in the $25,000 Open Trot. and 9 minutes, from Saturday night (April 9) to Sunday night The race comes three weeks prior to the inaugural Mack (April 10), Miller drove 10 winners at three different tracks. He Lobell Elitlopp Playoff on Sunday afternoon, May 8, at the racked up three wins at the Meadowlands on Saturday night, Meadowlands. Besides the $150,000 (est.) winner’s share of then scored five wins at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Sunday after- the purse, also at stake is an invitation to the famed Elitlopp noon before winning two at Mohegan Sun Pocono later that at Solvalla Racetrack in Sweden on May 29. night. Miller’s last three at Philly and first two at Pocono came “It’s a good possibility,” trainer Jimmy Takter answered in five straight drives for him. Had Mr. Hasani N been able to when asked if he would send Shake It Cerry overseas win instead of finishing third in the ninth at Philly, Miller would whether or not she won the Elitlopp Playoff. “I think she is a have had eight straight wins.—By Kathy Parker good candidate for the race.” David Miller, who drove “Cerry” to her Breeders Crown Post Position Wins at Meadowlands victory last fall, was behind the 5-year-old Donato Hanover mare in her qualifier on Saturday, April 9, at the Meadow- PP 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 lands and will be sticking with her. starts 527 527 527 527 525 525 513 482 414 275 47 “She’s obviously a real good mare, and she was good in win 41 63 56 51 74 93 56 44 34 13 4 place 56 54 62 57 65 59 58 54 33 21 7 the qualifier,” said Miller of the mare’s 1:55 victory, which show 52 63 57 72 63 63 61 32 47 12 4 she scored by brushing home in :27 to trot by the paceset- Percent in Money ting Crazy Wow. “I think we’re still in the stage where we’re win 7.8 12.0 10.6 9.7 14.1 17.7 10.9 9.1 8.2 4.7 8.5 prepping her for the season. I don’t think she’s at her best place 18.4 22.2 22.4 20.5 26.5 29.0 22.2 20.3 16.2 12.4 23.4 yet, and JL Cruze has a couple of starts already this year.” show 28.3 34.2 33.2 34.2 38.5 41.0 34.1 27.0 27.5 16.7 31.9 PP 12 had 4-0-1-0 record; PP 13 had 3-0-0-1 record; PP 14 had 2-0-0-0 record.

Miller is also the regular driver of the Takter-trained power- statistics through 4/9/2016 USTA house Always B Miki, who is scheduled to qualify on Satur- day at the Meadowlands. “I haven’t sat behind him yet this year,” said Miller of Always B Miki, who rebounded from injuries to capture last fall’s Breeders Crown Pace. “But they tell me he’s good and ready to go.” While drivers often follow their horses during the offseason, Miller and his wife, Misty, spent the winter in Florida and he did not check in on “Miki” at Takter’s farm in New Jersey. “They sent me a video of him training, so I could see he was doing just fine,” said Miller. Miller drove in a few races at Pompano Park during the winter and then got back in the swing of things full-time in mid-March. “I really enjoyed the winter in Florida,” said the 51-year-old Miller. “We had a couple of horses and I exercised a couple of days a week. We took a week and went to visit a family Michael Lisa/Lisa Photo

Shake It Cerry THE TIME IS NOW TO BREED IN NJ!

With North Jersey casinos on the horizon, New Jersey anticipates substantial purse increases.

“This is historic” “The odds are pretty good that there will be Assemblyman Ralph Caputo D-Essex a casino at the Meadowlands... in the latter NJ lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to part of 2017.” add a Nov. 8 ballot amendment asking “...I believe that we’ll be able to have the voters whether to approve two casinos in North Jersey. highest purses in the country again.” Gural

Why breed in a crowded market when you can take advantage today of limited competition?

Leverage the SBOANJhttp://sboanj.com/2016/Renaissance/renaissance-documents.pdf Stallion Rebate and Mare Residency programs

• Breed to a NJ Stallion in 2016 and be eligible for a rebate of up to $1,500 when you pay the fee in 2017. The mare need not be a resident of NJ in order to qualify!

• Get an additional residency bonus of $500 by keeping your mare in NJ for 150 days.

The Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey Inc. 64 Business Route 33, Manalapan, NJ 07726 732-462-2357 Fax: 732-409-0741 www.sboanj.com HarnessRacing Weekend Preview, 6 of 10 April 15, 2016 www.harnessracing.com Takter Stable Stars Ready To Debut Trainer Jimmy Takter has a busy Saturday morning at the Meadowlands lined up as the Hall of Famer will send out 10 in the qualifiers that get underway at 9:30 a.m. Included among Takter’s qualifying starters are three of his six Breeders Crown champions of 2015: Always B Miki, Creatine and Pure Country. Eight of Takter’s starters will be making their first appear- ance of 2016 on Saturday morning, including all three reign- ing Crown champs. Takter said all eight of the newcomers will have at least one more qualifier under their belt before embarking on the pari-mutuel trail. “They’re all going to need a couple qualifers,” said Takter. “All of them have been training nice. There really isn’t much “Pure Country was to write about now, is there?” trained in 1:55 and Now six, Creatine is eligible to she felt awesome. the Mack Lobell Elitlopp Playoff It’s exciting to see on May 8 at the Meadowlands, her on the track.” but Takter is unsure of an exact schedule. –Jimmy Takter “I trained him in 1:55 at the Meadowlands last Saturday and he was very good,” said Takter. “He’s put on a lot of good weight this winter and he needs to burn up some calories. He’s got a big belly, a little bit like JK Endofanera, who also had a good winter.” Takter said the 5-year-old Always B Miki has been trained down to 1:51. “Miki will have to start somewhere. The problem is finding races,” said Takter. “He could race at Pocono, but he’s a hu- mungous horse. With horses racing right now in the Levy (at Yonkers) maybe in another week or two some of the horses will come back (to the Meadowlands).” Pure Country will bring into 2016 a first-year resume that shows her undefeated in 10 career starts. “Pure Country was trained in 1:55 and she felt awesome,” Takter said about the 3-year-old filly pacer. “It’s exciting to see her on the track. She is staked to the new race at Pocono (Miss Pennsylvania) that has eliminations on April 30. I will get two qualifiers in her and if I’m satisfied with her then we’ll aim for that.” Also set to qualify for Takter on Saturday is the 3-year-old filly trotter Kathy Parker, who finished second last year to eventual divisional champion Broadway Donna in the Jim Doherty Memorial final and Pennsylvania Sires Stakes final. Two Takter trainees close to qualifying are the 4-year-old trotters Canepa Hanover and Pinkman, the latter voted Trot- ter of the Year and divisional honors last year. Takter is really high thus far on Canepa Hanover. “I trained Canepa Hanover and Pinkman last Saturday at the Meadowlands, and they were both very, very good and I’m happy,” said Takter. “It looks like Canepa is going to come back good. He’s a very, very good horse and in my opinion he was the best 3 year old in the country last year, unfortunately he had a knee that was bothering him. We did surgery on him and he’s come back awesome.”—By Gordon Waterstone HarnessRacing Weekend Preview, 7 of 10 April 15, 2016 www.harnessracing.com Half Brother To Kathy minute drive without traffic or weather). I told him there Parker On The Ground was no way we could get her to Columbus in the snow- storm, so we took her to his clinic. We got the foal out fine At Hickory Lane (by Uncle Peter) and he’s a pretty nice colt. With 157 stallions registered to “Then we found out Ideal News had a blood compatibility stand in Ohio in 2015, and 141 issue and the foal had to be taken to Ohio State, but he’s registered for the 2016 breeding doing very well now.” season, it is not surprising there Hickory Lane stands the young trotting stallions Dejarm- is plenty of activity at Standard- bro and Uncle Peter and the veteran pacing sire McArdle. bred farms in the Buckeye State. Wallace said he’s pleased with the size of their books for the So a call to a couple of farms 2016 breeding season. All three will breed more than 100 seemed in order. First on my list mares this year. was Hickory Lane Farm. That’s be- “It’s so nice to have the quality of stallions we have so I cause I wanted a report on the don’t have to haggle on fees,” noted Wallace. “I’m especially Malabar Man mare Mallelujah surprised about McArdle’s book. He’s 17, we raised his stud and her colt by Dejarmbro that she delivered Feb. 11. You fee $1,000, and with all the competition in Ohio, to have see, Mallelujah is the dam of the 3-year-old trotting filly that over 100 mares is really something.” Christina Takter named after me. Midland Acres stands eight stallions in Ohio—Art Official, Kathy Parker, the filly, of course, finished second to Broad- Big Bad John, Break The Bank K, Broadway Hall, Feelin way Donna in last year’s Jim Doherty Memorial and is set to Friskie, Lionhunter, Manofmanymissions and Pet Rock. The qualify on Saturday at the Meadowlands. Last fall I was vis- quantity alone makes for busy breeding days, and Jay iting her in The Red Mile stable area when Hickory Lane’s Mossbarger said the farm also has more than 200 foaling Kevin Greenfield joined me to look her over. mares on its roster for 2016. “He’s a nice colt,” said Hickory Lane’s Brad Wallace of “Right now we’re about halfway through, at 110,” said Kathy Parker’s new little brother, giving me the well-worn Mossbarger. phrase that horsemen use when they like a horse. As far as the size of the books, the popular pacing sires “He’s ornery too,” Wallace continued. “He’s a good size. I Big Bad John and Pet Rock are leading the way. think he’ll be a knock-out individual when he grows up.” “They’ll both be over 100, but I don’t think they’ll hit 140,” Wallace told me Mallelujah has been bred to Trixton, but added Mossbarger. he used my inquiry about the mare’s colt by Dejarmbro to Jay and his son, Jake, have also been keeping a close eye tell me he’s heard good reports about how the sire’s first on the broodmare Margie Seelster, who they personally crop is training. own. She, of course, is the dam of 2015 Hambletonian win- “Trainers tell me they like all the ones they’ve got; they’re ner Pinkman and she’s carrying a foal by Explosive Matter, not just giving me a single horse,” he added. thus the foal will be a full brother or sister to Pinkman. Wallace said he expects Hickory Lane will foal 65 to 70 “She’ll be foaling in late May,” said Jay. “We’ve got her mares this season, and the number could increase. “Every booked back to Explosive Matter and we have a yearling day I get a call from someone who wants to bring their filly by Manofmanymissions we plan to sell in Lexington.” mare over here to foal,” he explained. Jay and Jake and the entire Midland Acres crew have been It’s not unusual for small breeders to want their mare to be at carrying a bit more responsibility this breeding season be- a farm where she’ll get plenty of attention as her foaling date cause Jay’s brother, John, who is also the farm’s veterinar- nears. And Wallace unfortunately had stories to share of foal- ian, has been slowed down after being accidentally knocked ings that were troublesome, although thankfully had good out- over by a horse while in the breeding shed. comes. Naturally, they involved some of the farm’s best mares. “He’s just now at the point where he can put weight on the “Timelesswinner Too (3, 1:54.4f) had a dystocia on the leg,” shared Jay. “I had to have some cartilage repair done night we were having a blizzard,” Wallace recalled. “I got the on a knee too. We keep laughing that if Dad (the late Dr. vet out here but he told me we needed to get her to Colum- Don Mossbarger) was still around, he’d be thrilled to tell us bus (to The Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital, a 90- he’s running the farm!”—By Kathy Parker 2016 ORDER YOURS NOW! $9.00 Each (includes postage & handling) For credit card orders (Visa & MasterCard accepted), call toll free 1-800-860-8199 or email [email protected] HarnessRacing Weekend Preview, 8 of 10 April 15, 2016 www.harnessracing.com

Elitlopp Playoff To Be Part cious, who was trained by Ron Gurfein and last year set a Of Sweden’s V64 Wager world record in Sweden. Nuncio, driven by owner-trainer Stefan Melander, won the The special May 8 Mother’s Day program at the Meadow- race named in memory of the top horse The Onion by a lands featuring the inaugural edition of the $150,000 Mack half-length in 1:53.4. Melander allowed Food Money to set Lobell Elitlopp Playoff Trot will be featured in Sweden’s V64, the pace and he gave Nuncio a race until just before the fin- a Pick 6 style wager that routinely handles more than $1 ish line. Nuncio raced first-over for most of the one-mile million and guarantees SEK 10 million (Swedish Krona cur- distance over the five-eighths mile oval. rency) if there is a single winner. The V64 will be comprised Melander is pointing Nuncio to the Elitlopp, but said after of six trotting races on the Meadowlands program and will the race that he has no plans to ship his horse for a start be- be the main wager that evening on Sweden’s national tote fore the big Swedish classic. and advanced deposit wagering platform, ATG. A total of seven Meadowlands races will be offered for separate pool Standardbred Alliance Exceeds wagering in Sweden and Finland. Wagering Expectations In addition, the Mack Lobell Elitlopp Playoff, which awards The Standardbred Alliance announced Wednesday that its the winner an automatic invitation to the prestigious Elit- customer-driven focus is responsible for strong wagering lopp in Sweden, will be broadcast live on national television results the racetrack association achieved in its second year. on Sweden’s TV4 network. All other Meadowlands races All-sources wagering on Standardbred Alliance racing that day (night in Sweden) will be broadcast live on ATG’s from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016 was $432,335,245 television channel and shown at all online and brick and (Can.), a healthy 9.63 percent increase over $394,367,606 mortar wagering outlets throughout Sweden. This will be (Can.) bet from April 2014-March 2015. the first time the ATG has broadcast a V64 race card on its Led by Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG), the Stan- television network from outside Scandinavia. dardbred Alliance is a consortium of eight Ontario race- “We continue to be extremely excited for what is shaping tracks created in April 2014. Its goal is to deliver up to be a must-see event,” said Meadowlands GM/COO Jason M. Settlemoir. “This has been a wonderful show of co- Standardbred racing and wagering opportunities with a operation with our Swedish counterparts. Jeff Gural and I focus on ease-of-access to customers, consistent racing would like to extend a huge thank you to Sam McKee who opportunities and purses for its participants, efficient has worked tirelessly to help put this event together with offi- track operations and coordinated efforts to attract new cials from Solvalla Racecourse and the ATG.” (Meadowlands) fans. The members represent a three-tier racing hierar- chy: Grassroots (Clinton, Hanover), Signature (Flamboro, In Sweden, Nuncio Wins; Wild Honey Breaks Georgian, Grand River and Western Fair) and Premier Nuncio trotted to another victory in Sweden on Wednes- (Mohawk and Woodbine). day night, scoring at the Solvalla track in Stockholm. At the Home Market Area (HMA) wagering, a metric which in- Bergsaker track in Sweden the same night, Wild Honey was cludes live and simulcast betting at the Alliance tracks, defeated in her European debut. WEG’s on-track, HPIbet.com and Champions Off-Track oper- With top driver Orjan Kihlstrom in the sulky, Wild Honey ations, reached $836 million in 2015-16, $28 million more was put on the lead, but then she broke stride in the final than $808 million bet in 2014-15. turn, with less than a quarter of a mile to race. She was dis- Challenges remain for the Standardbred Alliance going qualified and placed last. forward. “It was my fault. I eased her and she thought the race was The Standardbred Alliance recognizes field size and over- over. It was the first timed she raced over 1 5/16th miles and all horse supply levels are becoming more challenging now this happened after the mile. She thought she was finished, because of issues such as the effects on the breeding cycle I think,” Kihlström said. with the cancellation of the Slots At Racetracks Program and When Wild Honey broke stride, Rondine d’Asolo took com- horses being sold to the US as a result of low Canadian dol- mand, but then the 9-year-old mare Lady Lee, a 40-1 shot, lar. Factors such as these may potentially derail strong brushed to the front to win. gains in wagering growth and the fan goodwill developed “Lady Lee could not read,” quipped winning driver Kerstin by the Alliance in its first two years of operation. Hell. “The Standardbred Alliance tracks are facing a horse sup- Wild Honey is now owned by Stall Zet, the European sta- ply issue and going forward it may be difficult to keep field ble of Bengt Agerup, who races his American-based horses size up,” said Jamie Martin, chairman of the board for the as Brixton Medical. Daniel Reden trains Stall Zet’s horses in consortium. “We intend to work with government, Ontario’s Sweden. Among Stall Zet’s notables is the U.S.-bred Deli- Continues on page 9 ›››› HarnessRacing Weekend Preview, 9 of 10 April 15, 2016 www.harnessracing.com

horsepeople and other industry influencers to ensure we formance-enhancing drug prior to a race and having inten- are able to avoid detracting from the great strides we have tions of injecting another racehorse. made to deliver an outstanding customer experience.” Both incidents occurred at Windsor Raceway in 2010. Ries- The original key goals of Standardbred Alliance remain in- berry was fined a total of $3,750 for both offenses. Ries- tact. Maintaining a live racing schedule with competitive berry’s license has been suspended by the Ontario Racing purses as part of efforts to raise the quality and consistency Commission and his lawyer told the Windsor Star he has no of the customer encounters is the core objective of the con- intention of returning to racing. sortium. (WEG) This is the first time a trainer was prosecuted criminally in Canada for the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Trainer Strangles Confirmed At Chris Haskell is also embroiled in a similar case, which was Lebanon, Ohio, Fairgrounds delayed until Riesberry’s case was adjudicated. Miami Valley Raceway responded to one confirmed case To read the entire Windsor Star story, please click here. of strangles identified in Barn 2 at the Warren County Fair- grounds, formerly known as Lebanon Raceway. The Warren Canada Announces Dates For 2017 WDC County Fair Board operates the private training center. Standardbred Canada has announced that all host race- Racing officials were notified of the confirmed case on Sat- tracks for the 2017 World Driving Championship have now urday, April 9. According to the treating veterinarian, pre- been confirmed. cautionary measures where immediately placed in force at The event will be hosted at five different racetracks in four the fairgrounds, specifically within Barn 2, to prevent the different provinces between Aug. 12 and 18, 2017, which will spread of the contagious infection. Immediately following offer the competing drivers the opportunity to see much of notification, Miami Valley Raceway informed the five train- the country during this competition. ers with horses stabled in Barn 2 of a temporary restriction The 2017 WDC, which will feature a field of 10 of the on entries from all horses stabled in Barn 2 until further no- world’s best harness drivers, will kick off in the west at Cen- tice. Miami Valley instituted this restriction after consulta- tury Downs Racetrack and Casino in Calgary, Alberta, on tion with representatives of the OHHA (Ohio Harness Saturday, Aug. 12, for the first leg. The drivers will then Horsemen’s Association) and the OSRC (Ohio State Racing head to Ontario for the next two legs. Mohawk Racetrack in Commission). Campbellville will host the second leg on Monday, Aug. 14, “Miami Valley evaluated all the facts in this case and took and that will be followed by the third leg at Georgian necessary measures to protect the racehorse population,” Downs in Innisfil on Aug.15. said race secretary Gregg Keidel. “Horsemen can be as- The action then moves to Quebec on Wednesday, Aug.16, sured the race paddock here is clear of infection risk.” where Hippodrome 3R will host the fourth leg of the WDC The Warren County Fair Board, on the recommendation of before the drivers head to Prince Edward Island and Red the attending veterinarians, has ordered Barn 2 quarantined Shores Racetrack and Casino at Charlottetown Driving Park and no horses are entering or leaving Barn 2 during this pe- for the fifth and final leg of the Championship on Friday, riod. Treating veterinarians confirm all 25 horses housed in Aug.18. Delegates at the World Trotting Conference will be the barn are examined daily and to this point, have not ex- able to take in all of the action of the final leg, which is one hibited symptoms. Miami Valley Raceway officials will re- of the major highlights of Old Home Week. assess the restriction on entries from these horses after the This event, which is held in conjunction with the WTC and quarantine is lifted by the Warren County Fair Board. which are both held every two years, will coincide with the “We will provide updates, if warranted, and are hopeful for 250th anniversary of horse racing in Canada, and Canada an expeditious resolve so we can re-open the entry box to 150 celebrations. horses in Barn 2,” said Miami Valley Racing Operations Canada’s driving rep will be the winner of the 2016 Na- Manager Helen Carlo. “We empathize with the trainers who, tional Driving Championship, which is scheduled for Friday, through no fault of their own, are currently enduring this Oct. 14, at The Raceway at Western Fair District. unfortunate hardship.” (Miami Valley) Canada has previously hosted the World Trotting Confer- ence and World Driving Championship in 1973, 1989 and Riesberry Convicted In Canadian Court most recently in 2003, where the WTC was hosted in Toronto The Windsor Star has reported that former Standardbred and the WDC was hosted in Prince Edward Island, Quebec horseman Derek Riesberry was convicted late last week of and Ontario with the final leg at Woodbine Racetrack. fraud over $5,000 and attempted fraud over $5,000 by the Standardbred Canada will release more information about Ontario Super Court of Justice. Riesberry’s convictions the 2017 World Trotting Conference and World Driving come as a result of having injected a racehorse with a per- Championship as it becomes available. (SC) HarnessRacing Weekend Preview, 10 of 10 April 15, 2016 www.harnessracing.com

Harness Racing Leaders Leading Breeders Compiled by the USTA—through April 12, 2016 (week difference April 6-12). Breeder Starters Winners Wins Earnings Leading North American-Based Money-Winning Horses Hanover Shoe Farms Inc. 637 281 495 $4,145,929 Winbak Farm 567 246 400 3,190,347 Sts. W P S Earnings Perretti Farms 173 85 154 1,327,858 Bit Of A Legend N (7ph) 8 6 2 0 $128,000 Brittany Farms 169 74 136 1,312,729 Major Athens (6th) 10 4 4 0 106,635 Bulletproof Enterprises 108 63 126 989,267 Atta Boy Dan (7pg) 10 4 3 1 99,600 Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc. 114 52 97 867,417 Nickle Bag (6pg) 12 7 1 3 94,717 Seelster Farms Inc. 106 50 102 799,980 Regil Elektra (6pm) 12 4 3 1 92,800 Kentuckiana Farms Gen Par 133 52 104 768,767 Bushwacker (5pg) 13 5 0 5 92,100 White Birch Farm 103 36 77 742,852 Take It Back Terry (7pg) 5 3 1 1 90,500 Frederick Hertrich III 97 48 79 718,312 Rockeyed Optimist (5pg) 7 5 2 0 90,250 Robert McIntosh Stables Inc. 86 51 86 584,527 Bad Boy Matt (6pg) 13 4 3 1 84,645 Steve Stewart 76 36 64 550,244 Lucan Hanover (6pg) 6 4 0 0 84,000 Diamond Creek Farm LLC 70 26 57 459,008 Mustang Art (9pg) 14 3 4 1 84,000 Midland Acres Inc. 100 33 55 451,212 Spreester (5pm) 13 6 1 2 78,325 VAE LLC 59 27 46 449,947 Blazing Bobby Sox (5pg) 14 6 2 0 77,165 Al Raza N (6pm) 6 4 1 0 77,000 Leaders Of The Week Ranked by wins for April 6-12 from results at major North American pari-mutuel tracks. Capela (4pm) 9 6 0 1 76,875 Drivers Starts W-P-S Leading Money-Winning Drivers Aaron Merriman ...... 89...... 20-20-14 Sts. W-P-S UDR Earnings (wk. diff) Ronnie Wrenn Jr...... 70...... 20-17-8 Alfred Carroll ...... 63...... 18-6-9 Jason Bartlett 687 182-128-88 .411 $2,173,945 ($176,430) David Miller ...... 58 ...... 17-4-10 Aaron Merriman 1,197 256-197-184 .357 1,857,872 (165,691) George Napolitano Jr ...... 94...... 15-18-15 Tim Tetrick 715 136-111-88 .317 1,663,543 (230,644) Matt Kakaley...... 67...... 15-5-7 Brian Sears 486 98-84-66 .343 1,406,828 (111,070) Mike Wilder...... 50...... 15-7-5 Matt Kakaley 709 88-94-97 .243 1,396,960 (170,320) Tim Tetrick ...... 78...... 15-9-10 Brett Miller...... 74 ...... 14-11-13 George Brennan 581 83-86-87 .275 1,381,306 (131,331) Bob McClure ...... 42...... 13-9-5 Dave Palone 656 154-87-79 .349 1,373,172 (113,021) Bruce Aldrich Jr...... 61...... 13-13-6 Corey Callahan 822 132-124-114 .291 1,362,727 (149,626) Dan Noble ...... 55...... 13-8-5 Jim Pantaleano 704 102-120-83 .279 1,165,996 (70,388) Dave Palone ...... 47...... 13-8-7 Mike Wilder 710 108-107-111 .288 1,136,465 (131,498) Josh Sutton ...... 63...... 13-8-1 Trace Tetrick...... 47...... 13-8-1 Josh Sutton 788 149-112-85 .304 1,103,186 (96,590) Joe Bongiorno ...... 51 ...... 12-11-4 Jordan Stratton 477 55-62-71 .237 1,095,326 (115,745) Chris Page ...... 56...... 11-6-6 Scott Zeron 594 87-73-75 .257 1,071,730 (102,239) John DeLong...... 44...... 11-8-6 Tony Hall 731 101-86-99 .249 1,051,426 (60,792) Wally Hennessey ...... 33...... 11-6-9 Daniel Dube 584 66-65-74 .217 1,024,662 (114,730) Corey Callahan ...... 99...... 10-16-9 Jason Bartlett ...... 45...... 10-12-9 Leading Money-Winning Trainers Tony Morgan ...... 55 ...... 10-11-7 Trevor Henry...... 32...... 10-3-3 Sts. W-P-S UTR Earnings (wk. diff) Anthony Napolitano...... 48...... 9-10-7 Ron Burke 779 173-112-108 .348 $2,201,757 ($272,546) Frank Coppola Jr...... 35 ...... 9-4-3 Rene Allard 449 83-77-58 .323 931,693 (172,372) Jim Morrill Jr...... 39 ...... 9-8-3 Richard Banca 314 74-47-38 .359 804,834 (78,118) Jim Taggart Jr ...... 39 ...... 9-4-5 Richard Moreau 338 68-64-42 .348 801,658 (74,066) Trainers Wins Jeff Bamond Jr. 235 31-34-32 .258 643,636 (117,688) Ron Burke ...... 16 Carmen Auciello 427 48-58-56 .232 587,098 (65,924) Rene Allard...... 13 Thomas Milici 141 53-25-12 .503 521,690 (60,615) Gilbert Garcia-Herrera ...... 8 Richard Johnson ...... 7 Dylan Davis 220 55-45-31 .411 519,922 (54,180) Matias Ruiz ...... 6 Scott Di Domenico 224 40-42-28 .324 479,397 (27,165) Victor Puddy...... 6 Gilbert Garcia-Herrera 320 37-31-49 .220 462,796 (95,443) Dylan Davis ...... 5 Jim King Jr. 197 36-28-29 .311 421,980 (32,685) Jackie Rousse ...... 5 Norm Parker 204 30-36-25 .286 411,984 (29,629) Jeffery Clark...... 5 Jimmy Takter...... 5 Wayne Givens 175 32-23-23 .300 400,402 (38,760) Les Givens ...... 5 Tony O’Sullivan 135 32-13-13 .323 391,748 (26,874) Richard Moreau...... 5 Mark Ford 303 27-29-35 .181 387,055 (19,700) Thomas Milici...... 5