January 24, 2016 at the 59Th Annual New Jersey Breeders Awards Luncheon at 1 P.M

The Official Newsletter of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey Vol. 41, No. 1 Representing owners, breeders, drivers, trainers & caretakers MISSION BRIEF NAMED NJ STANDARDBRED OF THE YEAR IN 2015

Trotting filly Mission Brief has been named the winner of the Secretary of Agriculture’s Trophy as New Jersey Standardbred of the Year for 2015. Also selected New Jersey Sire Stakes Horse of the Year, Mission Brief will be honored on January 24, 2016 at the 59th Annual New Jersey Breeders Awards Luncheon at 1 p.m. at O’Connor’s Restaurant [formerly Charley’s Other Brother] in Eastampton, NJ. Voted the nation’s Two-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year in 2014, she also won the Dan

MISSION BRIEF [Lisa Photo] Patch Award as Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year in 2015. The daughter of Muscle Hill–Southwind Serena wrapped up her three-year-old campaign with 10 wins and three sec- onds in 14 starts, banking more than $1 million toward a career total of $1,599,587 for the ownership of the Burke Rac- ing Stable, Our Horse Cents Stables, J&T Silva Stables and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. The Ron Burke trainee was regularly driven by Yannick Gingras. Undefeated in her New Jersey Sires Stakes competition, including the $100,000 final at the Meadowlands, she also won the $307,040 Elegant Image at Mohawk Raceway, the $185,000 Zweig at Vernon Downs, the $187,400 Matron at Dover Downs, the $144,000 Continentalvictory at the Meadowlands and the $174,000 Money Maker at The Meadows. She made a bid to best the boys in the $1 million Hambletonian at the Meadowlands, winning her elimination, but finishing second to Pinkman in the $1 million final on August 8. Bred by Steve H. Stewart, Black Creek Farm and Andrea Lea Racing Stables Inc., she sold for $150,000 at the Lexington Selected Sale. At two, she won both the Merrie Annabelle and Breeders Crown, for nine wins in 13 starts and earnings just shy of $600,000. She collected 150 of 156 votes for freshman honors in 2014, and 118 of 136 votes for 2015 divisional honors. Her 1:50.3 mark still stands as the fastest mile by a two-year-old trotter, male or female, and she lowered her personal best to 1:50.2 on November 12, 2015 on the five-eighths mile track at Dover Downs in the Matron Final. Her sire, Muscle Hill was the 2009 New Jersey Standardbred of the Year. LINDA LISTENS NEWS FLASH Linda Goss the horseman’s representative will be back on site for your Meadowlands convenience. She will be at both Freehold Raceway and The Meadow- January 8—February 27 lands Racetracks to listen to our members. She will be available to ad- NEW POST TIME 6:35 p.m. dress any problems or concerns with track conditions, race office issues

or complaints, as well as answer any questions with regards to insurance. Her main objective is to listen and relay all areas of concern and or any Freehold suggestions to the Board of Directors. She will also be available to take Live Racing will be held on Monday January 18, 2016 membership and insurance payments, and assist with sulky claims. Feel Martin Luther King Day free to stop by and see Linda. She is ready and willing to listen.

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GINSBURG & FUSCO TAKE MEET HONORS AT FREEHOLD

It was all in the family when Vincent Ginsburg captured top driver honors and Vincent Fusco Jr. was the leading trainer when the 109-date Freehold Raceway meet concluded on Saturday, De- cember 12, 2015. Ginsburg is the nephew of Fusco. Freehold General Manager Howard Bruno and Director of Racing Karen Fagliarone presented end of meet awards to leading driver Vincent Ginsburg and leading trainer Vincent Fusco Jr. In the driver standings, Ginsburg posted 154 wins from 875 start- ers for earnings of $573,914. Finishing second was Eric Abba- tiello with 148 wins and $586,070 while Stephen Smith topped earnings with $632,072, with 133 wins for third place. Rounding Freehold General Manager Howard Bruno and Director of Racing Karen Fagliarone present out the Top 5 are James Marshall III with 123 wins and Joseph end of meet award to Vincent Ginsburg and Vincent Fusco Bongiorno with 78. Fusco led the way in the trainer standings with 72 wins and $223,271 in earnings. The Top 5 also included Nick Surick with 49 wins, John Urbanski with 40, Kelvin Harrison with 26 and Robert Bongiorno with 25. MISSION BRIEF & STAYIN STRONG SELECTED NJSS HORSES OF THE YEAR

December 1, 2015 -- Mission Brief, who trotted the fastest mile in New Jersey Sire Stakes history, has been selected as the Premier Division Horse of the Year for 2015 while Stayin Strong was named the Green Acres Horse of the Year. The awards, which are voted annually by the New Jersey Sire Stakes Board of Trustees, are based solely on performances in races for New Jersey-sired horses, including New Jersey Sire Stakes races and other major stakes for New Jersey-sired horses. Mission Brief Mission Brief was undefeated in New Jersey Sire Stakes competition, winning a preliminary leg of the Premier Division and the $100,000 final at the Meadowlands. Her regular driver, Yannick Gingras, handled her in both victories for trainer Ron Burke. After her NJSS campaign, Mission Brief went on to win the Elegant Image at Mohawk Raceway and the Continentalvictory at the Meadowlands. The three-year-old daughter of Muscle Hill won 10 of 14 starts overall during the season, earning $1,008,517 this year for her owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Our Horse Cents Stables, J&T Silva LLC, and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. The filly was bred by Steve H. Stewart, Black Creek Farm and Andrea Lea Racing Stables Inc. . Stayin Strong was undefeated in four New Jersey Sire Stakes Green Acres starts at Freehold, including the $25,000 championship final for Staying Strong two-year-old trotting colts and geldings. The son of Muscles Yankee earned $39,964 from 11 starts this season with $23,700 of it coming in the Green Acres se- ries. Stayin Strong was trained by Julie Miller for co-owners Jason E. Allen and Douglas W. Allen of Vincentown, NJ and was bred by Lauren and Robert Tucker of Glen Gardner, NJ. Photos on page courtesy of Helene Gregory, WWRP and Lisa Photo

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SOUTHWIND FARMS NAMED 2015 BREEDER OF THE YEAR

Southwind Farms in Pennington has been selected as the New Jersey Breeder of the Year for 2015, it was announced by the Breeders Committee of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey on December 11, 2015. Among the Southwind standouts of 2015 was Southwind Frank, the likely divisional champion among the two-year-old trotting colts and geldings.

Mike Klau Southwind Farms will receive the presentation on January 24, 2016 at the 59th Annual New Syndicate Manager Jersey Breeders Awards Luncheon at 1 p.m. at O’Connor’s Restaurant [formerly Charley’s Oth- er Brother] in Eastampton, NJ. Southwind Frank, a son of Muscle Hill – Flawless Lindy, won 11 of 12 starts in 2015, earning $786,419 for the partnership of Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Our Horse Cents Stables and J&T Silva Stables LLC. A $100,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale purchase, he was trained by Ron Burke and driven in most of his starts by Yannick Gingras. Beginning with the $100,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Final on July 17 at the Meadowlands, he strung to- gether 10 straight victories, including the $349,850 Peter Haughton Memorial at the Meadowlands, the $283,480 William Wellwood Final at Mohawk and the $600,000 Breeders Crown Final at Woodbine. His record of 1:52.2 was taken on October 8, winning an International Stallion Stakes at Lexington’s Red Mile. “Receiving this award is bittersweet,” said Laura Young, Southwind’s general manager. “It is wonderful we are being recognized as the top breeder in New Jersey, but on the other hand there are not many of us left. At Southwind Farms, we choose to fly under the radar. Sometimes being silent is louder than loud. We have always produced top quality racehorses from our facility. We average 75 percent two-year-old starter and 85 percent three-year-old starter stats, which is pretty impressive for any breeding farm. This does not go unrecognized by owners and trainers.” “There are many things that sets Southwind Farms apart from other breeding facilities in New Jersey” she added “Many of these things have assured our survival through tough times. We continue to keep everything we possibly can in-house. We make our own hay and straw, and we out- source very little on the facility. Southwind has also found many other ways to ensure revenue flow to keep us going, such as managing stallions [Muscle Hill, Sportswriter and El Titan] from afar.” “Our clients want security,” Young noted. “We offer that at every level here at Southwind. From our year- lings to the stallions we manage, our clients feel very secure when they do business with us. That's a rare incentive to offer in today's world. We work tirelessly to make Southwind Farms the best it can be, and we will continue to do so for many years to come.” This is the second Breeders Award for Southwind Farms. Founded by Connie & Allen Skolnick in 1986, the farm features 235 acres near the Village of Pennington, NJ. Both Skolnicks passed away in 2013, and the farm is currently owned by their son, Barry. Previous New Jersey Breeder of the Year winners include three-time winner White Birch Farm, two-time winner Perretti Farms, Deo Volente Farms, Valley High Stables, Kentuckiana Farms, Fair Winds Farm, Wal- nridge Farm and Heritage Hill Farms. All Photos on page courtesy of Southwind Farms

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NEWS FROM THE NEW JERSEY SIRE STAKES

The deadline is approaching to register mares for the New Jersey Standardbred Development Fund. Owners of mares in foal that are based in New Jersey are reminded that the deadline to register a mare for the Standardbred Development Fund is January 31. The registration fee is $100 and the mare registration forms are available on the New Jersey Sire Stakes website www.newjerseysirestakes.com. All checks should be made paya- ble to the New Jersey Sire Stakes and mailed to New Jersey Sire Stakes, P.O. Box 330, Trenton, NJ 08625. Registered mail is encouraged to be certain that the envelope is postmarked no later than February 1. Any questions or requests for further information can be directed to Chris Cas- tens, NJSS Executive Director at 609-292-8830 or to [email protected]. 2016 NEW JERSEY SIRE STAKES 2016 NEW JERSEY SIRE STAKES PREMIER DATES GREEN ACRES DATES PACERS PACERS 2YO COLT PACE 3YO COLT PACE Meadowlands: (2 Legs & Final) Freehold Raceway Fri. July 1; Fri. July 8; Fri. July 15 - Final (3 Legs & Final) 2YO FILLY PACE Sat. Aug. 27; Sat. Sept. 3; Sat. Sept. 17 Meadowlands (2 Legs & Final) Saturday October 1 - Final Fri. July 1; Fri. July 8; Fri. July 15 - Final 3YO COLT PACE 3YO FILLY PACE Meadowlands (2 Legs & Final) Freehold Raceway Sat. May 21; Sat. May 28; Sat. June 4 - Final (3 Legs & Final) 3YO FILLY PACE Sat. Sept. 10; Thurs. Sept. 22; Thurs. Sept. 29 Meadowlands: (2 Legs & Final) Thursday October 6 - Final Sat. May 21; Sat. May 28; Sat. June 4 - Final TROTTERS TROTTERS 3YO COLT TROT 2YO COLT TROT Freehold Raceway Meadowlands: (2 Legs & Final) (3 Legs & Final) Fri. July 1; Fri. July 8; Fri. July 15 - Final Fri. Aug. 26; Fri. Sept. 2, Fri. Sept. 23 2YO FILLY TROT Friday September 30 - Final Meadowlands (2 Legs & Final) Fri. July 1; Fri. July 8; Fri. July 15 - Final 3YO FILLY TROT 3YO COLT TROT Freehold Raceway: Meadowlands (2 Legs & Final) (3 Legs & Final) Sat. May 20; Sat. May 27; Sat. June 4 - Final Mon. Sept. 5; Fri. Sept. 16; Fri. Sept 23 3YO FILLY TROT Friday September 30 - Final Meadowlands: (2 Legs & Final) Sat. May 20; Sat. May 27; Sat. June 4 - Final

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STAFFORD APPOINTED AS PUBLICITY CONSULTANT

The Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey is proud to welcome Courtney Stafford as our newest publicity consultant.

Courtney Stafford joins the SBOANJ with many years of expe- rience working in the field of advertising and marketing. Staf- ford graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in Art. After graduation she worked for various marketing firms as a graphic designer. The Illinois native relocat- ed to New Jersey in 2011 where she became even more actively involved in the horse industry than she had previously.

“I was attracted to the association’s mission to preserve the future of New Jersey Racing,” Stafford said. “I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with such a talented team in an industry that is very close to my heart.”

“We are pleased to have Mrs. Stafford on board, and look forward to a prosperous future with her,” said President Mark Ford.

SBOANJ OFFERS GUARANTEE ON HORSEMENS BEHALF

The Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey has been in talks with the NJRC about the recent hold on all purse checks. The NJRC is unable to release any purse checks until all post race testing have been completed and cleared. This can be a lengthy process at times; as a result horsemen have to wait weeks on end to receive their purse checks. The SBOANJ is stepping up to provide a solution by guaran- teeing the repayment of any checks that need to be returned as a result of a positive test, if the NJRC is willing to release all purse checks prior to the completion of testing. The association is willing to put themselves on the line for the benefit of the members. This proposal is still in the works, however once the NJRC has accepted the terms the SBOANJ will notify all the horsemen.

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BOSTON RED ROCKS 2015 DAN PATCH AWARD WINNER

Boston Red Rocks received 82 votes to win the honor of 2 year old male pacer in Dan Patch Award voting announced by the U.S. Harness Writers Association. Boston Red Rocks the Rocknroll Hanover - McGibson colt never finished off the board in nine races this year, winning four times. His victories included the Breeders Crown for 2-year-old male pacers and Governor’s Cup. The colt, trained by Steve Elliott, is owned by Peter Blood and Rick Berks. Boston Red Rocks earned $579,205 this year, the top figure for a 2-year-old male pacer. The 2 year old colt pacer has a life time mark of 1:50.3.

2015 DAN PATCH AWARD WINNERS

2-YEAR-OLD FEMALE PACER OLDER FEMALE PACER 3—YEAR-OLD FEMALE TROTTER Pure Country (124 votes) Venus Delight (105 votes) Mission Brief (118 votes) Somebeachsomewhere---Western Mon- Bettor’s Delight---Venus Killean---Run The Muscle Hill—-Southwind Serena—-Varenne tana---Western Hanover Table Breeders: Steve Stewart, Black Creek Breeder: Diamond Creek Farm Breeder: Estate of George Hempt Trust Farm, Andrea Lea Racing Stables Owner: Diamond Creek Racing Owner: Bamond Racing Owners: Burke Racing Stable, Our Horse Trainer: Jimmy Takter Driver: Brett Miller Trainer: Jeff Bamond Drivers: Jason Bart- Cents Stables, J&T Silva Stables, Weaver lett, Tim Tetrick, James MacDonald Bruscemi LLC 3-YEAR-OLD MALE PACER Trainer: Ron Burke Driver: Yannick Gingras Wiggle It Jiggleit (132 votes) 2-YEAR-OLD MALE TROTTER Mr Wiggles---Mozzi Hanover---Jenna’s Southwind Frank (135 votes) OLDER MALE TROTTER Beach Boy Muscle Hill—-Flawless Lindy—-Cantab Hall JL Cruze (118 votes) Breeders: James Bernstein, Theresa Breeder: Southwind Farm Crazed—-Topcat Hall—-Conway Hall Bantle, Eric Felter, Vincent Tancredi Owner: Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Breeders: Joanne Morrison, Glengate Owner: George Teague Jr. Inc. Bruscemi LLC, Our Horse Cents Stables, Farms Trainer: Clyde Francis Driver: Montrell J&T Silva Stables Owners: Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar Jr., Ste- Teague Trainer: Ron Burke Driver: Yannick Gingras phen Iaquinta Trainer: Eric Ell Driver: John Campbell 3-YEAR-OLD FEMALE PACER 2-YEAR-OLD-FEMALE TROTTER Divine Caroline (113 votes) Broadway Donna (112 votes) OLDER FEMAL E TROTTER Rock N Roll Heaven---Loving Caroline---Art Donato Hanover—-Broadway Schooner—- Bee A Magician (119 Votes) MajorBreeder: Diamond Creek Farm Broadway Hall Kadabra—-Beehive—-Balanced Image Owners: Val D’Or Farms, Ted Gewertz, Ro- Breeder: Fashion Farms Breeder: White Birch Farm jan Stables, Michael Ouriel Owner:: Fashion Farms Owners: Mel Hartman, Herb Liverman, Trainer: Joe Holloway Driver: David Miller Trainer: Jim Campbell Driver: David Miller David McDuffee Trainer: Richard “Nifty” Norman Driver: OLDER MALE PACER 3-YEAR-OLD MALE TROTTER Brian Sears, David Miller State Treasurer (108 votes) Pinkman (132 votes) Real Desire---Ideal Treasure---Western Explosive Matter—-Margie Seelster—-Angus IdealBreeder: Brittany Farms Hall Owners: Sally MacDonald, Paul MacDon- Breeder: O Narutac Equine Nursery ald Owners: Christina Takter, John and Jim Trainer: Ian Moore Drivers: David Miller, Fielding, Joyce McClelland, Herb Liverman Randy Waples, Chris Christoforou Trainer: Jimmy Takter Driver: Yannick Gingras, Brian Sears

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HARNESS DATES ANNOUNCED FOR 2016

New Jersey’s two harness tracks – the Meadowlands and Freehold Raceway – have been awarded a combined 200 racing dates for 2016.

The dates were approved at the New Jersey Racing Commission, meeting on Wednesday, Novem- ber 18, 2015 in Trenton, NJ.

Mark Ford, attending his first Commission meeting as president of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey, advised the Commission that the SBOANJ was reluctantly ac- cepting the Meadowlands dates as an experiment for 2016.

“We are concerned about losing dates in January and February and replacing them with Septem- ber and October dates,” Ford said.

The Meadowlands requested 90 dates, Fridays and Saturdays only [plus Sunday, May 8], from Jan- uary 2 through August 6 and from September 9 through December 31 [dark on Saturday, Decem- ber 24]. Post time is 7 p.m.

Freehold received 110 dates, racing January 1 through May 21 plus August 26 and 27, and Sep- tember 2 through December 10. Racing days will be Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays plus three holiday Mondays – January 18, February 15 and September 5. Dark days are September 1 and November 24. Post time is 12:30 p.m.

90 HARNESS RACING DATE 110 HARNESS RACING DATE Fridays & Saturdays Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays January 2 - August 6 January 1 - May 21 Plus May 8 Plus January 18, February 15

Fridays & Saturdays Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays September 9 - December 24 September 2 - December 10 [Dark: December 24] Plus September 5 [Dark: November 24]

Support New Jersey racing with donations to TrotPac

Pacesetter sboanj.com 7 January/February 2016 From the Desk of President Mark Ford

I am happy to be writing your behalf, and in doing so, we will insure that the my first letter to the mem- NJRC will release purse money shortly after the bers as the newly elected horses have crossed the finishing line. We will no- President of the Standard- tify all members once this proposal has been ap- bred Breeders & Owners proved by the NJRC. Association of New Jersey. Another matter we have addressed was regarding This year has already the SBOA health insurance plan. We have re- brought many changes to vamped our qualification requirements for trainers the SBOANJ as well as a and drivers, as well as lowered the rates for new energy. The 15 direc- grooms. We understand that there are a limited tors of the board have number of racing dates making it difficult for many heard your voice in 2015 and have hit the ground trainers to get the necessary starts to qualify. We running. We look forward to listening to your are here to ensure that our members have the best thoughts and suggestions as we move into 2016. opportunity to receive all the benefits we offer. The SBOANJ has met with the management at We here at the SBOANJ work closely with TrotPac, both Freehold and the Meadowlands to discuss the horsemen’s political action committee. issues and open up communication lines between Through TrotPac we have intensified our involve- the organizations. We will continue to have an ment in Trenton with time and manpower. Though open dialog with both tracks to address all matters it is difficult to predict what 2016 may bring, we of concern to you. are prepared to fight to preserve the future of It has been brought to our attention that purse breeding and racing in New Jersey. checks are not being released in a timely manner. I want to express that we are here to listen to any We have proposed to the NJRC that, if they are will- and all concerns, complaints and most of all sug- ing to authorize purse payments prior to the com- gestions. Please contact the main office to have pletion of the testing requirements, we will guaran- your voice be heard. tee any repayments of purse money that need to be redistributed as a result of a positive test. This We wish you all a happy and healthy new year! is a risk we as an association are willing to take on STANDARDBRED BREEDERS & OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY 64 Business Route 33, Manalapan, NJ 07726 Phone: 732-462-2357 Fax: 732-409-0741 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sboanj.com OFFICERS DIRECTORS RACETRACK REP IMPORTANT Mark Ford Stephen P. Dey III VMD Linda Goss PHONE NUMBERS President Michael J. Gulotta Meadowlands 201-842- New Jersey Sire Stakes Mark Mullen 5075 609-292-8830 First Vice President Jacqueline Ingrassia Freehold 732-252-2323 Harness Horsemen Robert Boni Dennis Lane Ext 4365 International Second Vice President 609-747-1000 Thomas F. Luchento LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL Christopher Ryder License/Fingerprint Third Vice President Richard Meirs VMD AJ Sabath NJ Racing Commission Alfred Ochsner Jr. Trenton—609-292-0613 Treasurer Anthony Perretti LEGAL COUNSEL Freehold — 732-462-3800 Dennis Dowd Meadowlands—201-460- Anthony Romano Thomas Pontone 4137 Secretary PUBLICITY CONSULTANT NJ Trailer Ban—NJTP Leo McNamara Paul Wojtowicz Courtney Stafford 800-336-5875 Executive Administrator