DRF HARNESS HOME DIGITAL HARNESS EYE HARNESS PPS DRF BETS ENTRIES ARCHIVE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021 Those wealthy Pennsylvania horse owners

Dispelling the myth in Pennsylvania that all horse owners are NEW PLAYERS sitting in their mansions counting the money they’ve made owning horses

one horse but occasionally there were two DOUBLE YOUR or three. To my recollection, at no time was FIRST DEPOSIT EDITOR’S EYE I rich. If I was, my stable would’ve been much larger and low-level claimers wouldn’t have UP TO $250 By Derick Giwner been my go-to horses. There were times when @DRFHarness I worried how much the training bill for the month would be and there are plenty of others JOIN NOW who own horses that carry the same financial Some comments rub me the wrong way concerns. So again, I take umbrage with the regardless of the fact that they don’t target me wealthy owner comment. specifically. The statement above from Spicka also Reading about Pennsylvania Governor neglects to consider the numerous costs Inside this issue Tom Wolf seeking to raid the involved with ownership. Owners must pay Development Fund was hardly shocking. The the trainer and veterinarian. They must shell Governor has done it before and I’m certain out more money for stall rent, food, vitamins, Jay Bergman: Toscano fights through if he doesn’t succeed in 2021 he’ll attempt medications, and travel. That means the the cold to produce champions, Page 5 it again. It was a specific quote from Susan money goes back into the economy, not neces- Spicka, the executive director of the Educa- sarily all into Pennsylvania, but certainly a Bob Marks: Stallions which left us tion Voters of Pennsylvania, in this story portion of it. On February 13 at The Downs at prematurely but left a legacy, Page 7 from Matt Hegarty on DRF.com that rubbed Pocono, despite a series which will typically me the wrong way. draw horses from all over the east coast, a Bob Pandolfo: Angles to consider when “The legislature has to make a choice,” said total of 33 horses were owned at least in part wagering on , Page 9 Spicka. “They can either fund college students by someone with a permanent address in the who will become our nurses and teachers or state. Harris brings two handfuls to weekend continue to give $200 million to wealthy horse Tony Schadel, who owns 16-head at his action at The Meadowlands, Page 11 owners, many of whom live out of state.” Sacramento, PA farm along with his wife/ The concept that $200 million is going to trainer Linda, is one of the owners repre- Deadlines approaching for North “wealthy horse owners” is simply false. Yes, a sented on the program and part of a blue- American stakes nominations, Page 13 fair share of that money goes to owners, some collar family operation. The 47-year-old has who may be well-off, but to say that all owners been in the business since he was 15 when he On The Backstretch: Profile of Hall of are wealthy is absurd and uneducated. Some bought a horse for just $800. Fame writer Gordon Waterstone, Page 15 owners came into racing “We are just trying to get by,” said Schadel, Best Bets & Analysis, Page 19 wealthy and invest in the sport for profit or who buys his feed locally in Pennsylvania. “A the love of the game. A select few built up a couple of years ago we had a top horse, but the Industry Headlines, Page 20 strong operation over the years and have business eats up your profit really quick. I had become wealthier via the purse structure in a $3,000 feed bill last month just for grain. It Comments? Questions? the sport. Many owners, certainly outnum- isn’t cheap to be in this business and care for Email the Editor [email protected] bering the rich ones, are involved fraction- the horses.” ally or as “mom and pop” operations trying Even if an owner and trainer are from out- To ensure proper delivery to make an honest living like the rest of the of-state, there is money being spent in Penn- of the newsletter via population. sylvania. They might stop for gas, receive From about 1999 to 2012, I was an owner services from the local vet, pay a local groom, email, add [email protected]. whose horses raced in New York, com to your contact list and Pennsylvania. Most of the time I owned CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

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PERFECT STING Undefeated Breeders Crown Champion and 2020 Dan Patch Champion 1:49.2 $534,300 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 or eat in a local restaurant. If there is no reason to race in the state, none of that money is spent. Of course it is not limited to trainers shipping in for one night of racing. Owners, from Pennsylvania and elsewhere, often show up at the track and spend money. Members of the media and fans show up and spend money. Take away the lure of top racing and that atten- dance surely evaporates. Schadel freely admitted that if the Governor was ever successful, he may need to look outside the Keystone state. “If purses go down, we are already talking about relocating,” said Schadel. “I’m already shipping some horses three hours to New Jersey because the purses are better there right now. If you can compete at The Meadowlands, you have to go where the money is. I’m sure a lot of guys living in Western Pennsylvania go to Ohio.” None of the above even takes into account the effect on the breeding industry. Consider what happened in New Jersey. Many stallions left the state and the entire pacing side of the breeding industry basically dissolved, only recently seeing a resurgence with Lazarus N, Bettor’s Wish, Cattlewash and others spending at least some time in New Jersey. Imagine a collapse of the Sire Stakes program in Pennsylvania. What toll would that take on Hanover Shoe Farms and others in the state? What reason would there be for Diamond Creek Farm to remain in Pennsylvania? How much money do those farms generate for the Pennsylvania economy? There is also an active fair program in Pennsylvania. The state has 15 fairs which host up to 20 different meets that truly showcases racing on the grassroots level. Schadel races regularly on the circuit and certainly fears that it would be crippled by purse cuts and poten- tially a mass exodus of horsemen. I’m far from an expert on Pennsylvania economics. Honestly, I don’t know much about it at all. But I know harness racing and every- thing above is simple logic. Raiding the Horse Racing Development Fund would cripple the horse racing industry in the state from top to bottom. Since you are reading this newsletter, here’s another comparison: If Courtesy Linda Schadel we get more ads, we need more content, which means we need to pay Linda and Tony Schadel own more than 20 horses that reside in someone to write more stories, which means you get to enjoy more arti- Pennsylvania at their Sacramento farm. cles. Just like the owners, does DRF make more money? Yes. We also provide more benefit to the readers and keep more people employed. It is much easier to drop a horse in for a claiming tag when a win means To suggest that the $200 million is sitting in the pocket of wealthy a nice profit. Plus, because of the good purse structure, owners will be owners is simply not fair and it is not true. more willing to claim horses back for the higher cost in future starts, which leads to the second reason I like the series: claiming activity. Claiming events tend to produce better races because of the risk Game of Claims that any horse could be lost at any time. That leads to more aggressive Since we are on the topic of Pennsylvania racing, I’m quite intrigued driving and ultimately more interesting races. by the Game of Claims series that kicks off Saturday, February 13 at By my unofficial count, 29 horses were claimed during the $15,000 The Downs at Pocono. and $25,000 series in 2020. That’s a pretty high number for three The pacing version of the series, which includes three legs and finals weeks of racing. Now, consider that occurred with just five total divi- for each division, runs through March 7. Horses are entered for base sions between the two claiming levels on the opening week of the claiming prices - $7,500, $10,000, $15,000 or $25,000 – which escalate in series. This year, Pocono is hosting 11 divisions on February 13 and each leg. So the $25,000 claimers can be purchased for $27,500 in the 10 more divisions for the lower-level claimers the next evening. In second leg or $30,000 in the third leg. There are no claims allowed in theory some sort of record for claiming activity could take place (glad the final. I’m not the charter who has to enter them). There are two reasons I like this series. First, the purse of the race After the four-week pacing series, the trotters take center stage in is equal to the claiming price in the first leg, so while you are taking a the Game of Claims and race throughout March. That’s nearly two risk of losing the horse by entering in the race, you are rewarded with months of what should be very interesting claiming races. Should be a healthy purse of half the value of your horse plus the purchase price. a fun watch!

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DRF Harness Digest | 3 | February 11, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness The Best Trotting Colt of his Generation

GREENSHOE KY Futurity Champion, Sub 1:50 trotter, Millionaire

AMIGO VOLO 2x Breeders Crown Champion, World-Record Holder

Other top earners include Crucial, Sister Sledge, Panem, etc.

BY CANTAB HALL OUT OF GALA DREAM REDUCED 2021 FEE: $17,500 Linda Toscano fights through the cold to produce champions

jaywalking By Jay Bergman BergmanJay

The winter in the Northeast this year hasn’t been as cooperative for trainers as it has in the past. For Linda Toscano, who proudly claims to be a 40-year veteran of her profession, the cold and snow of the last few weeks was unexpected but couldn’t bring her down. “The weather in the fall was really good and I guess I was optimistic that it would continue,” Toscano said. “Missing some days isn’t really that much of a problem and I like to think for the babies it gives them time to grow.” Derick Giwner Photos Philosophically thinking, Toscano has a firm grip on the reality Lady Chaos won the Breeders Crown on the way to a Dan Patch- of not just bringing back 3-year-olds but in developing young horses. winning season for trainer Linda Toscano (below). Unlike those in warmer climates, Toscano has mastered her craft in New Jersey and done an outstanding job leading her into the sport’s injury at the time and I didn’t Hall of Fame. Yet while those in Florida may have a better handle, sit behind him but was able to or at least more training miles to evaluate horses for the upcoming watch him go.” February 15 staking deadline, Toscano faces that puzzle with less With the experience of a pair certainty. of generational stars Toscano “You have to have a crystal ball around this time of year,” said is hopeful that Walner will be Toscano. “The way we have to stake horses is just stupid.” able to follow in the footsteps of For the most part Toscano bends to the will of her clients. “I have Chapter Seven as a sire. some owners that think it’s a crime to under-stake,” said Toscano. “Chapter Seven has been “Then I have others who feel the exact opposite.” an incredible sire. He’s had With 27 2-year-olds in training for the coming year, Toscano has the all different types that have historical perspective to study where her horses are at the moment one thing in common,” said while at the same time recognize how easily things change from Toscano, noting the speed February to April. and stamina. Chapter Seven’s “Last year at this time I had five trotting fillies that I couldn’t sepa- legacy can be carried out in rate,” said Toscano, referring to a solid class of freshman preparing the next generation through for the races. “By the time April came around Lady Chaos emerged Walner as well as the popular Gimpanzee, whose book is already from that group.” filled for the 2021 season. Lady Chaos, a daughter of Cantab Hall, would go on to win the “I’m happy with the five I have,” said Toscano of her group. “If I Kentucky Sire Stakes final and then later capture the Breeders can say one thing about them it’s that Walner has cleaned up some of Crown at Hoosier Park. The $125K Lexington Selected yearling from these mares.” the 2019 sale went on to earn in excess of $565K in just her first year The trainer was essentially saying that she’s had foals from the on the track. same dams that produced horses with more flaws and that Walner’s While Pennsylvania-bred, Lady Chaos has the opportunity to race presence on the stallion line has improved them collectively. as well in the Kentucky program and that is a benefit to many trainers Toscano suggested that trainers of other sons and daughters of who recognize they need a place to develop horses while not putting Walner have commented to her at this early stage indicating there additional stress against much tougher company. It’s a dilemma that may be some very good ones come June. Toscano now faces come staking time. With a stable size ranging between 45 and 48 at the moment, “I have a 3-year-old trotting filly that is showing promise but there Toscano is highly optimistic for the coming season and most nota- aren’t many staking options for her,” said Toscano, confiding the bly looks forward for the sophomore season of Lady Chaos. “I’m very details of a conversation she had recently with one owner. “She’s a excited about her return,” said Toscano. New Jersey-bred and outside of the Sire Stakes races that come early On the pacing side, 2021 will be somewhat of a rarity for the Toscano in the year there’s no secondary stakes for her.” stable in that she’s returning a 4-year-old pacing mare. “I’m really While New Jersey is in a rebound phase as far as its Sire Stakes looking forward to racing Rocknificent,” said Toscano. “I haven’t had program, most other States and Provinces offer tiered events that an aged pacing mare to race since Molly Can Do It.” allow horses of varied abilities to compete and earn at the same time. That’s going back some 19 years to the 2002 Breeders Crown Open While it is way too early to evaluate 2-year-olds, the anticipation Mares champion, but it’s easy to see what there is to like about Rock- is extremely high for the first crop of the Toscano-trained stallion nificent. “There was a point last year that I thought she was going to Walner. The bloodlines for Walner go back another generation as he win one of the big ones,” said Toscano. “We had battles with sickness is by Chapter Seven. Both were developed by Toscano, but the trainer with her.” noted how much different the two were bringing to the races. A daughter of Captaintreacherous from the $2.2 million winner “Chapter Seven didn’t have it together from the start,” Toscano said. Rocklamation, Rocknificent could be expected to have a solid 4-year- “Even when we got him ready to qualify, he would make mistakes for old season. Her dam captured the Blue Chip Matchmaker at 4 but don’t no reason at the start and have to spot the field 15 lengths. I didn’t expect Rocknificent to repeat that feat. “We’ll hopefully have her back want to put the trotting hopples on him, but I had no choice.” by May,” said Toscano. “I’m glad that Shartin N and Kissin In The Sand As for Walner, things were different for a few reasons. “For years have retired. But Chris’ (Ryder) filly (Party Girl Hill) will be tough.” other trainers would tell me that you’ll know from the start whether you Toscano finished the pandemic-shortened 2020 racing season have a great one or not. I never believed that was true,” said Toscano. eighth in North America in earnings ($3,295,585) and with a strong “Then Walner came along and for the first time I knew what it meant.” 21% win rate from 356 starters. It was the 13th consecutive year Unfortunately for Toscano, when Walner was in training as a that her stable eclipsed the $2 million mark in earnings. Knowing baby she had to take a different approach. “I was recovering from an Toscano, the streak will roll on in 2021.

DRF Harness Digest | 5 | February 11, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness LAZARUS On the headline, change to “BREED TO THE PACING KING OF NEW JERSEY” On the sub headline, change to, “You will dominate the rich New Jersey Sire Stakes program when you breed to this $3,070,095-winning son of Bettor’s Delight”

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on the mark By Bob Marks @BobMarks3

There has been some talk lately about which were the most vital- siring stallions who left a legacy with successor sons prior to prema- turely passing on and causing a major loss to the breed. The following names were bandied about in no specific order, start- ing with Spencer Scott, Billy Direct, , Windsong’s Legacy, Rocknroll Hanover, and most recently . In that context, the following names did not necessarily pass on early but did succumb to premature infertility. They are Mystic Park, Valley Victory, Victory Dream, and most recently Self Possessed. Fortunately each of the above mentioned left images as to what might have been had they maintained fertility. Lisa Photo Of those listed above, Spencer Scott, a 1937 foaled son of Scotland-May Windsong’s Legacy, who won the 2004 Trotting Triple Crown, Spencer, accounted for six small crops numbering 146 foals in entirety. passed away after producing just four crops. Thankfully one of Remember, it was all live-cover back then. Fortunately one of those foals them included Chapter Seven. was Rodney from Earls Princess Martha, better known as “The Big Train” during his racing days. Spencer Scott succumbed at age 11. Most Happy Fella may have passed on prematurely, but in light of Rodney sired a horse named Speedster, who in turn sired the great his astounding accomplishments it’s hard to say just how much the Speedy Scot, still considered amongst the best American trotters “breed lost” due to that mid-life passing. ever. Windsong’s Legacy, by Conway Hall, had but four crops resulting in While not a great sire, Speedy Scot did account for one son in Speedy 255 foals before prematurely passing from a heart attack on the phan- Crown, whose descendants are still flourishing in today’s times. For tom in March of 2007. Consequently his last crop comprised just seven example, is a fifth generation Speedy Crown on his sire’s foals. Fortunately one of them was named Chapter Seven, he among side. That sire, Muscles Yankee, is from a Speedy Crown mare, which today’s greatest sires responsible for Atlanta, Walner, Gimpanzee, etc. makes Muscle Hill a direct 5x3 line bred to Speedy Crown. While Chapter Seven may have brilliantly extended his sire’s line, Rodney lived long enough. one could certainly say Windsong’s Legacy was in the words Neil Billy Direct, a son of Napoleon Direct, was the first 1:55 pacer, doing Diamond “Done Too Soon”. so at age 4 in 1938. Like Spencer Scott, he passed on at the early age While Somebeachsomewhere, a foal of 2005, was responsible for 11 of 11, but not before siring 265 foals from eight crops. They included crops and 1081 foals during his stallion tenure, one can surmise he the major stallions Tar Heel, Direct Rhythm and Dudley Hanover, had far more left in his siring tank as he’s still A if not THE leading in addition to super broodmares Evalina Hanover, Barbara Direct pacing sire today. and Debby Hanover. Tar Heel, while not necessarily a sire of sires, The “Beach” legacy will endure through his brilliant son Captain- emerged as the great broodmare sire of his or any time, credited with treacherous and the just-getting-started sons Downbytheseaside, siring the dams of , , Romulus Hanover, Huntsville and Papi Rob Hanover. However, his ultimate contribution Romalie Hanover, etc. won’t be measurable for a few decades. Undoubtedly his early demise Billy Direct did plenty in his brief tenure at stud and probably at age 13 represents a breed loss. would have done more had he not succumbed. Rocknroll Hanover, a foal of 2002, managed eight crops before pass- Most Happy Fella was mentioned, and while he succumbed to a ing prematurely at age 11. Several in his final crop numbering 46 were pasture injury at the age of 17, it’s hard to imagine he could have done conceived via available frozen semen, as the sire of Put On A Show, I that much more than he did considering he single-handedly expanded Luv The Nitelife, Rock N Roll Heaven, A Rocknroll Dance, Pet Rock, his line from into three distinct power branches. etc. passed on early in the fateful 2013 breeding season Each are thriving today in 2021. Also mentioned above in that discussion were Mystic Park, Valley From his second-crop son Oil Burner came No Nukes, responsible Victory, Victory Dream and Self Possessed, each of whom succumbed for the unbroken line of Western Hanover-Western Ideal-Rocknroll to infertility at an early age. Hanover and American Ideal. The last three named each have their Mystic Park, a son of the infertile Noble Gesture, managed 141 foals own distinct branch lines. In addition, Western Ideal’s “other son,” from his seven crops. His best was the superstar, though totally infer- Always A Virgin, is responsible for last year’s noticeable first-crop tile, . Mystic Park’s daughter Feeling Great contributed success , the world’s co-fastest pacer at 1:46. Self Possessed to the marginally fertile Victory Dream, who managed Most Happy Fella sired his ultimate son , a fellow 1979 just 72 foals in his short siring career. crop mate of the Oil Burner. Cam Fella became a brilliant sire of sires, Victory Dream’s greatest son Self Possessed managed five small accounting for Cam’s Card Shark, Camluck, Cambest, etc. Cam’s crops comprising 341 foals. Fortunately one is current stallion star Card Shark in turn sired Bettor’s Delight, he in the argument as one Cantab Hall from his initial 2001 crop. Another son, Cash Hall, from of the greatest stallions ever and sire of the aspiring contemporary that same crop, still gets his share of good ones out Ohio way. greats Tall Dark Stranger, Bettor’s Wish, Lazarus N, etc. It should be noted that Victory Dream is a son of Valley Victory. Most Happy Fella had another significant son in Tyler B in 1977. He was a super-sire in his own right despite chronic marginal fertil- Tyler B often played second or third fiddle to crop mate and champion ity that saw his foal numbers dwindle from 86 and 69 in his first two . Still, Tyler B sired Dragon’s Lair, the conqueror of Niat- years to a “precious few” in the years that followed. In that Valley ross’s all-time best son Nihilator in that fateful multi-heat Breeders Victory accounted for Continental Victory, Victory Dream, Donerail, Crown at The Meadows. Dragon’s Lair hung around long enough to Muscles Yankee, Yankee Glide and so many others, that fertility prob- sire the recently deceased Dragon Again, responsible for the world’s lem became a mammoth loss for the trotting breed. richest racehorse Foiled Again. It remains to be seen if Dragon Again The premature loss of all of the above stallions certainly cost the can continue his line though son Fear The Dragon, but he’ll give it a Standardbred breed at least something. A few robbed the sport of whirl in Ohio. quite a lot.

DRF Harness Digest | 7 | February 11, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness 2021 Fee: $3,000 BY MUSCLE HILL OUT OF ORDER BY WISH

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on weather, then use the search area at the top to type in the city. For instance, if you type in Yonkers, and Past Weather, you’ll see PANDYCAPPING that you can find the weather for any day in the last 12 years. At the bottom of each day is the wind mph at different times of the day plus By Bob Pandolfo bobpandolfo the direction that the wind was blowing. I’ve used this for shippers from Canada, Chicago, and other places that have cold and windy weather. If a horse ships in and its last race final time seems slower than normal, I can go back to the date, and sure enough, I often find Competitive races are the most difficult to handicap, but there are that it was a cold and windy night. Sometimes it’s the little extra work opportunities for good payoffs. One of the things I’ve noticed this you do that helps to come up with the winner. winter is that handicapping angles still work. In a few weeks, the temperatures will level off and there won’t be Many players are trying to put together exotic wagers, like the Pick such a wide variance in fractions and times. This is a big difference 4, trifectas and superfectas. If you’re dealing with competitive races between harness racing and racing. In thoroughbred where the favorite doesn’t look that strong, don’t just use the obvious racing, comparing final times is tricky, even with the speed figures contenders. that are available. The track surfaces are deep and can change Here are some things to keep in mind: dramatically due to humidity and other weather factors. In-Form Overlays: At the Meadowlands this winter, sure, some In harness racing, once the coldest part of the winter is over, on dry of the longshot winners were tough to come up with, but there have nights, the track speed at many tracks is surprisingly consistent, espe- been some big longshot winners that were simply under-bet (over- cially if there’s not much wind. Harness tracks don’t have a deep cush- lays) because the field was competitive. Stormy Kromer shipped ion and there aren’t any distance and surface changes to deal with. from Yonkers to the Meadowlands last Saturday (Feb. 6) and won at The Last Race: Another angle is simply too much emphasis on the 15-1. I picked the horse second and I did bet him. I guess he went off horses’ last race. This is an angle that evolved along with the speedier long because he had been racing mostly on half-mile tracks, but this horses and times. A lot of horses that are coming off what looks like is a fast trotter that had won the Open Handicap trot at Yonkers, for a regression, bounce back to win or finish second in their next start. higher purses, three times in his last five starts. He was clearly an There are many legitimate excuses in today’s racing. Post position, overlay. The days of throwing out horses that ship into the Meadow- against the bias, used hard on a windy night, needed last off a layoff, lands from half or five-eighth tracks are long gone. Yonkers shippers had traffic problems like dull cover or was shuffled in tight quarters, have done very well at the Meadowlands but we’ve also seen horses etc. Because many tracks have an inside post bias (and many tracks ship in and win from other three and four-turn tracks. You can’t take have an inside post and a speed bias), horses that don’t get good posi- the easy way out. You have to evaluate each horse on its class, form, tion or have a bad post are often up against it. and speed. Post position is a big one. At most tracks, the outside posts are There have also been longshot winners at the Meadowlands that winning at low percentages. Some drivers give up on the horse when showed good form over the track just a month ago, but shipped some- they see that they have no chance of picking up a purse check for the where else, then came back and were overlooked. Yes, some were owners. And even if the driver does try hard to get into the race, the tough to come up with but not all of them. Always check to see what energy the horse expends often produces a tiring effort. kind of horses the shipper was facing when it was at this track previ- A good angle at Yonkers and other half-mile tracks is to key in on ously. horses that have been unlucky in the post position draw. For instance, 2nd off layoff: At Yonkers on Monday (Feb. 8) in the first race, say a horse draws posts 8, 7, 7, 6 in its last four starts and just plugs Somwherenbrookln N won at 31-1 odds in his second start off a layoff. along at an even pace or tries to brush three wide at the three quar- In his prior start on January 22 he was off a seven-week layoff, tried to ters and can’t rally. Now the horse drops in class and draws post 3. brush to the lead on a windy night and tired badly. Monday night the Unless the horse is really bad or out of form, the driver is going to be horse was dropping back into the $20,000 claiming level. This horse fit all-out to try and win because the horse finally has a chance. Don’t three angles, he was 2nd off a layoff, he had been used trying to brush think for a second that the drivers don’t care about the connections. first-over on a windy night, and he was dropping in class. I’ve seen The drivers know how expensive it is to own racehorses. They’re driv- quite a few horses throw in bad efforts on these very windy nights and ing for the owner and trainer just as much as they are for the bettors. bounce back with a solid miles in their next start. Another reason for a misleading effort is a very fast race for the As for the layoff angle, some of you baby boomers may remember class. A horse is racing well in $20,000 claimers but then draws into a the days when you could throw out every horse that came off a layoff. particularly salty race where a couple of horses are dropping down. In today’s sport, horses often come off three or four-week layoffs and That’s why it’s good to know your horses. win. Another difference, years ago horses would be raced into shape. You have to be careful about getting into lazy habits when handi- They would come off a layoff and tour the track until they had three capping. Even with all of my experience, I make that mistake some- or four starts. There are very few trainers that operate that way now. times. Lazy handicappers don’t win. If a race seems confusing to you, These horses are trained down. If a horse is coming off a very long you’re better off passing the race than trying to cut corners. layoff, six months or more, it may need a couple of starts, but off 30 There have been some puzzling races at the Meadowlands this to 90 day layoffs, many horses only need one start, providing that the winter, usually races with several shippers, where I’m admittedly horse is placed at a level where it can compete. hard-pressed to find a horse that I like. I have to handicap the race Weather: One of the factors that can make winter handicapping so the best I can because I’m providing picks for the USTA website. interesting is the weather. The track variants are all over the place But that doesn’t mean that I’m going to bet the race. Look for races because the temperature and wind conditions have a strong effect on where you have a better feeling for the horses. Harness racing is the fractions and final times. That makes it tougher to handicap, but still a good gambling product. Don’t get lazy. Don’t press. Pick your can help you catch some overlays. spots. You’ll see a horse with its last four final times that look something like this: 1:57, 1:54 4/5, 1:56 3/5, 1:53 2/5. At first glance you may think that the horse is off form because it’s last final time (1:57) was so slow. Can the horse still pace in 1:53 2/5? You have to look at the weather Follow conditions that night. If the temperature was 18 degrees and the wind was gusting to 20 mph, the track speed was probably slow by three seconds or more. I’m giving away one of my secrets here, but a website I use to check on past temperatures and wind conditions is timeanddate.com. Click

DRF Harness Digest | 9 | February 11, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness BY YANKEE CRUISER OUT OF SWEET FUTURE 2021 FEE: $12,500 Harris brings two handfuls to race at The Meadowlands

By Jay Bergman “I was expecting more from her but she’s only able to come home in 28,” Harris said. The outside post won’t help her chances this week. Trainer Andrew Harris has 10 horses from his stable entered at On Saturday night, Harris is quite optimistic that Our Max Phactor The Meadowlands this weekend. Harris’ star his risen in the condi- N may once again show some of that talent that had him racing and tioning ranks with his stable growing from overnight horses into a winning against Open company in the Northeast. mix of stakes horses of both gaits. Currently Harris is focused on his “It’s been tough on him recently. He had a quarter crack and sore primary goal, and that is simply to get his horses raced anywhere feet, and racing him over the hard track at Yonkers really didn’t help he can. Just look at Friday’s sixth race at The Meadowlands for an that,” said Harris. “His feet are better now and I was very happy with example of the conditions a trainer has to accept, otherwise leave his last week’s acclimating mile for him back on the big track.” horse out of action. Our Max Phactor N, a 1:49 3/5 winner at The Meadowlands in 2019, “The non-winners of five races didn’t fill,” said Harris on Wednes- drew the rail in Saturday’s third race and Harris said “He should jog.” day. “It was either let them go in this class or not race them at all.” Trip will play a key role in Saturday’s fourth race for Harris’ Deltasun The “them” Harris is speaking of is Sky Castles (post 1) and Magical A. “He’s at his best when on the front end,” said Harris of the import. Winner K (post 3) in the $19,000 conditioned event that was expanded so Deltasun A owns a 1:52 2/5 win this year at Dover Downs and will far as to allow 12-time winner Some Chapter (post 8) and the impressive be dropping a notch after a third-place finish in last week’s Meadow- once-beaten 4-year-old Get Legs (post 7) into the same field. lands featured trot. Nevertheless, Harris was somewhat optimistic that at least one of Tulhurstsantanna A has won three of his last four for Harris at The his horses in this race may be able to compete. “I thought Sky Castles Meadowlands and will once again be moving up in class on Saturday was good for what he needed to do last week,” said Harris of the night (race 6), but Harris is more than confident the 8-year-old will 4-year-old son of Conway Hall that was making his first competitive handle it. start in nearly three months. “I think with Yannick (Gingras) on him “He really impressed me last week,” said Harris. “He was used he’ll be good this week.” three times and still was able to finish out his mile.” Both horses are owned by the late Robert Key. Tulhurstsantanna A (post 4) meets Springsteen (post 7) and West- “I loved training for him,” said Harris. “It was about 6 years ago ern Joe (post 8), a pair that have won at this level in their last starts. that he sent me Waitlifter K to train. I think at the time he was looking Tin Roof Raider A (post 7, race 9) ships to The Meadowlands after for a younger trainer.” racing on Monday night at Yonkers. Harris will continue to train nearly 30 horses for the late owner. “I “That was a training trip for him,” said Harris of the sixth-place hope we can come up with a champion that he can look down upon finish racing off the pace from post seven. “He’s a very talented horse and smile,” said Harris. and I think he may be better than Tulhurstsantanna A.” Cue Hall (post 2) looks to turn it around for Harris in Friday’s tenth Tin Roof Raider A, a son of Mach Three, showed that class finishing race after a disappointing last-place finish a week ago. third in an Open at Yonkers this past December. “He thumped on us,” said Harris, explaining the effort. “Thankfully Kimani N (post 10, race 13) rounds out Harris’ Saturday night but is we’re able to treat him for that and he should be much better on Friday.” likely up against it with the unfavorable draw. Postmodernism drew post eight for Harris in Friday’s 13th race, a Post time for The Meadowlands is 6:00 PM each night, with 13 races conditioned event for pacing fillies and mares. on Friday and 15 on Saturday.

DRF Harness Digest | 11 | February 11, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness PAYMENTS DUE FEBRUARY 15* One list and one check keeps your horses eligible to these top events. *per USTA rule 12.02 all payments must be postmarked by midnight Wednesday, February 17

3-year-old Trotters Arden Downs Earl Beal Memorial Breeders Crown Carl Erskine Circle City Crossroads of America (Filly) Currier & Ives Delmonica Hanover (Filly) 3-year-old Pacers Dexter Cup The Adios Hambletonian Breeders Crown The Horseman Keystone Classics Circle City Landmark Stake E.C. Courageous Lady (Filly) Phil Langley Mem. Max Hempt Memorial Liberty Bell The Horseman Matron Series Jenna’s Beach Boy PA All-Stars Keystone Classics Pegasus Series Landmark Stake E.C. W. N. Reynolds Mem. E.C. Liberty Bell John Simpson Mem. E.C. James Lynch Mem. (Filly) Star Destroyer Series Matron Series Thanksgiving Classic Series MGM Grand Tompkins-Geers E.C. Monument Circle MGM PA All-Stars Pegasus Series Progress Pace W. N. Reynolds Mem. E.C. Open Events John Simpson Mem. E.C. Breeders Crown Star Destroyer Series Caesar’s Trotting Classic Thanksgiving Classic Series Clara Barton Distaff Pace Tompkins-Geers E.C. Dan Patch USS Indianapolis Mem. (Filly) m co t. Dayton Trotting & Pacing Derbies ro T ly l Dayton Distaff Pacing Derby u T

s i r Hambletonian Maturity (4yo only) h C 2-year-old Events Hoosier Park Pacing Derby Spirit of Massachusetts Trot Breeders Crown Kentuckiana Stallion Mgt. Pace Kentuckiana Stallion Mgt. Trot

Be sure to check our website for complete conditions, race dates

and payment forms! AT THE MEADOWLANDS 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 DEADLINES APPROACHING FOR NORTH AMERICAN STAKES

Yonkers nominations close February 16 Nassagaweya (2-Year-Old Pace) - $220,000 Peaceful Way (2-Year-Old Filly Trot) - $400,000 Following forced cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Roses Are Red (Filly & Mare Pace) - $330,000 2020, MGM Yonkers Raceway is back this year with a full slate of Shes A Great Lady (2-Year-Old Filly Pace) - $540,000 stakes races for pacers and trotters of all ages. Nominations for three Somebeachsomewhere (3-Year-Old Pace) - $190,000 of the stakes for 2021 close on February 16 and interested parties are William Wellwood Memorial (2-Year-Old Trot) - $610,000 encouraged to submit payments promptly to ensure a chance to race Note: The winner of the William Wellwood Memorial receives a slot for more than $2 million in purse money. in the Mohawk Million. The Borgata Pacing Series (formerly George Morton Levy Memo- To download the 2021 Woodbine Standardbred Stakes Booklet, click rial) highlights the best older pacers in the sport. In 2019, Western here. Fame captured the $663,260 Borgata final. The series commences on Woodbine Entertainment also handles the administration of stakes March 15 this year with the first of five preliminary legs. Each round races contested at various tracks across Ontario. Nominations close of the Borgata will now take place on Monday, the featured night of February 15 for the following events: the week at Yonkers Raceway, replacing Saturday. A $5,000 nomina- Grand River Raceway tion fee must arrive by February 16 for horses to be eligible. Battle of Waterloo (Ontario Sired 2-Year-Old Pace) - $240,000 The mare companion race for the Borgata is the Blue Chip Match- Battle of the Belles (Ontario Sired 2-Year-Old Filly Pace) - $160,000 maker. Using it as a springboard to her Horse of the Year campaign, Flamboro Downs Shartin N took the $402,060 final of the Matchmaker in 2019. Inter- Confederation Cup (4-Year-Old Pace) - $185,000 ested pacing mares must submit a $4,000 nomination fee to be eligible Hanover Raceway for the opening leg on Friday, March 12. Balanced Image (Ontario Sired 2-Year-Old Trot) - $40,000 The Borgata and Blue Chip Matchmaker finals are scheduled for Dream Of Glory (Ontario Sired 3-Year-Old Trot) - $50,000 Monday, April 19. Clinton Raceway Nomination blanks for both races can be found on the Yonkers Kin Pace (Ontario Sired 3-Year-Old Filly Pace) - $50,000 Raceway website. Sustaining payments are also due February 15 for the following Stakes season officially kicks off on March 2 at Yonkers Raceway events at Woodbine Mohawk Park: with the M Life Rewards series for 3- & 4-year-olds of both sexes who 2021 Simcoe Filly Stakes (Foals of 2018) are Non-winners of 4 races and/or $50,000 lifetime through December 2021 Simcoe Open Stakes (Foals of 2018) 1, 2020. Those paying the $200 nomination fee by February 16 will be 2021 SBOA (Ontario Sired 3-Year-Old Filly Pace and Trot) eligible to either the male or female finals guaranteed to offer a purse Full information for all stakes and other racing related items can of at least $50,000. be found by visiting www.Woodbine.com/Mohawk/Horsepeople/. Yonkers would also like to remind owners and trainers of top Woodbine Entertainment encourages all horsepeople to submit 3-year-old trotters and pacers that the Hambletonian Society is payments online by visiting www.Woodbine.com/SBPayments. accepting sustaining and supplemental payments for the $300K (gtd.) If sending nominations by mail, envelopes must be clearly post- MGM Yonkers Trot, $300K (gtd.) MGM Grand Messenger, $125K (est.) marked no later than February 15, 2021 or payment will not be New York New York Mile and $125K (est.) Park MGM Pace. Elimina- accepted. Registered mail is recommended. tions for all four races are slated for June 25. The finals take place on -release (Woodbine) July 2. Click here for more information. Yonkers Raceway will offer more than $3 million in stakes purse Grand Circuit sustaining payments for due Feb. 15 money and is scheduled to offer more live racing dates than any other Standardbred track in North America in 2021. Sustaining payments for the sophomore classics Little Brown Jug Live racing at Yonkers continues on a Monday to Friday schedule (3-year-old colt pace), Jugette (3-year-old filly pace), Old Oaken Bucket with a first-race post-time of 7:15 PM. (3-year-old open trot) and the Buckette (3-year-old filly trot) are due -release (Yonkers Media) February 15. These payments are for foals of 2018. The sustaining payments are as follows: Little Brown Jug ($750), February 15 deadline for Woodbine stakes Jugette ($500), Old Oaken Bucket ($500) and Buckette ($400). The Little Brown Jug and Old Oaken Bucket will be raced Thurs- Less than a week remains to submit nominations for Woodbine day, September 23 and the Jugette and Buckette on Wednesday, Entertainment’s 2021 Standardbred stakes program at Woodbine September 22. Mohawk Park. The 2021 Delaware Grand Circuit meet will continue to feature Nominations close Monday, February 15, 2021 for all major events at five days of racing (Sunday, September 19 through Thursday, Woodbine Mohawk Park and stakes at various tracks across Ontario. September 23). The Sunday through Tuesday cards willl go post- The February 15 date is also the deadline to purchase a slot in the ward at 1:00 PM. The Jugette and Jug cards will retain a 12:00 PM Mohawk Million. start time. All events closing on February 15 are listed below. All purses are For payment forms, please visit www.littlebrownjug.com. estimates (in Canadian dollars), except for the $1 million guaranteed Make checks payable and send all entries to: The Delaware County purses for the Pepsi North America Cup and Mohawk Million. Fair, Tom Wright, P.O. Box 1560, Powell, OH 43065. Pepsi North America Cup (3-Year-Old Pace) - $1 Million -release (Delaware County Fair) Mohawk Million (2-Year-Old Trot) - $1 Million Armbro Flight (Filly & Mare Trot) - $250,000 Large stakes lineup at The Meadowlands in 2021 Canadian Pacing Derby (Open Pace) - $600,000 Canadian Trotting Classic (3-Year-Old Trot) - $600,000 The Meadowlands invites horsepersons to view and consider the Casual Breeze (3-Year-Old Filly Trot) - $180,000 impressive slate of Grand Circuit stakes that will be conducted over Elegantimage (3-Year-Old Filly Trot) - $375,000 the New Jersey oval for the upcoming season. Eternal Camnation (2-Year-Old Filly Pace) - $240,000 More than $20 million in stakes purses will be offered over the Fan Hanover (3-Year-Old Filly Pace) - $450,000 course of 2021 at The Meadowlands, where champions make their Goodtimes (3-Year-Old Trot) - $250,000 mark on the industry. Maple Leaf Trot (Open Trot) - $600,000 All pertinent info may be found on the track website. Metro Pace (2-Year-Old Pace) - $850,000 -edited release (Meadowlands) Milton (Filly & Mare Pace) - $250,000

DRF Harness Digest | 13 | February 11, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness First-Crop 3YOs in 2021 include: FLAWLESS COUNTRY (pictured) PASS Champion (1:53.0, $430,423)

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

THE BEST SON OF MUSCLE HILL AT STUD

BY MUSCLE HILL OUT OF FLAWLESS LINDY | 2021 PRIVATE FEE 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.

hall of fame communicator gordon waterstone What kind of car do you drive? 2018 Black Nissan Altima. Favorite dinner meal? Snack? Stone crabs, but since that’s only for special occasions, marinated flank steak. My cheating snacks are potato chips and chocolate chip cookies. What is your favorite all-time track to visit? Why? Since The Red Mile is now considered my “home track,” it’s The Meadowlands. I actually had never been there before I started work- ing at The Horseman in 1998, and it’s always exciting to be there. You do some handicapping. How often do you play the races? I love to handicap and when I give out horizontal plays, like Pick 4s, I usually back my picks with my dollars. As for straight wagering, I Devan Miller do it every so often if I’m watching races and see a horse at odds that Gordon Waterstone played a big part in bringing the great Foiled I believe are too high. Again to the Dan Patch awards a few years ago. What is your favorite big event in racing? Why? What is one word that describes harness racing for you? The Hambletonian. What a great race to be the centerpiece of a great Passion. I wasn’t born into the sport, I came into by being a fan and day of racing. The Breeders Crown and day com- being in the right place at the right time. A couple of times. plete the trifecta. How did harness racing enter your life? What is your favorite sport to watch? Team? My father would take my brother and I on occasion to the Thorough- Since I’m named after Gordie Howe I’ve always been a huge hockey bred races at Hazel Park and on Michigan Mile day at Detroit Race fan, although in Kentucky hockey news and scores are usually Course. That was my first exposure to horse racing. When I got into buried. Although I left my Detroit roots in 1998, I am still a huge fan high school some older friends talked me into going to the harness of all the teams. Right now my only wish is that the Lions reach the races at night, and I was hooked my first trip. It got to the point Super Bowl once in my lifetime, although now I think I should just where my high school locker didn’t have room for any books as it was settle for winning a playoff game. filled with racing programs, and I started skipping classes so I could go to qualifiers. What is one thing about you most fans/bettors don’t know? When you started in the late 1970s and early 1980s, what I think that I have shared ownership in three horses over the years, although none recently. Win Alma D, a pretty good trotter who was it like working at Hazel Park? had terrible luck in the Michigan Sires Stakes final when he got I thought I hit the jackpot. I was there every night anyways as a fan caught first-over and missed a check. Hey Diddle Diddle, who we and bettor, and now I was getting paid to be there. When I started gave chances to on the trot and as a pacer, and a few trainers trying in 1979 we still had huge crowds, with betting topping $1 million on to straighten him out. And Right Please, a free-legged pacing mare Friday and Saturday nights when the place was filled with people, my long-ago high school friend Gary Katz and I claimed for $12,500, and nearly $1 million on Mondays. And that was when it was just 10 and was able to step up into the open class. She set a track record at races a night and no simulcasting. Northville Downs just a couple starts after we claimed her. Great job by trainer Dave Robertson. CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

DRF Harness Digest | 15 | February 11, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness www.DiamondCreekFarm.com NEW IN 2021 [email protected] • 717-638-7100 Diamond Creek Farm BY CHAPTER SEVEN OUT OF STEAMY WINDOWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 What was your favorite moment covering harness racing? There’s so many great racing moments I You often talk of “crazy times” at Hazel. What’s the craziest don’t think I can single out just one. But thing you can recall? to me the greatest moment was when we were able to sneak Foiled Again After thinking about this, I think maybe the craziest thing was into the hotel in Orlando and surprise when the money room was robbed during a race night of more than more than 300 people when he came $200,000. I happened to be in the director’s room when the phone out to accept his Bergstein/Proximity rang and track owner Don MacFarlane answered it and I heard him Award. To have only a handful of people say, ‘What do you mean, we’ve been hit?” While no charges were involved and to be able to pull that off ever filed, everybody in that room I believe was fired, including the without the secret being blown, I still get security guard who just happened to forget to bring his gun that goosebumps thinking about it. I thought night. When that massive grandstand was knocked down for the new it would be a nice moment, but I never grandstand, I always hoped that the money would appear after being expected it to be such a huge thing and hidden in the bowels of the building for all those years. But it wasn’t. I’m thankful to caretaker Devan Miller for all her help in sneaking the horse Gordon Waterstone was How did you land at The Horseman and Fair World? in to where we needed him to be, and elected to the Hall of trainer Ron Burke and co-owner Mark Moira Fanning at The Hambletonian Society convinced me to attend Fame in 2016. Weaver for their help. They didn’t tell the USHWA’s annual awards banquet at Dover Downs in April of their wives what we had in store for 1998. It was there that I ran into The Horseman’s editor Kathy Parker. them, that’s how much they wanted to She and I go back many years before that (she and her husband, Dan make it a special moment. Coon, were married in Detroit and I attended). Kathy told me she was looking for an associate editor, and I asked “What about me?” She was surprised I was interested, but she called a few weeks later and we Which is your favorite horse from your time in the sport? made the deal. June 15, 1998, was my first day in the office. Niatross. In later years it certainly was Foiled Again as well as . You’ve written at The Horseman and Fair World for over 20 years. What did you learn in your time covering the sport? What is the best advice you’ve gotten about harness racing? I learned this early on from all the horsemen in Michigan and it’s Here’s an answer you probably aren’t expecting: When I first started carried through to my time at The Horseman and talking to some of at Hazel Park in 1979, one of the first days I was there I was invited the biggest names in the sport, that virtually everybody loves what to go to lunch with general manager Harold Duris, comptroller they do and care not only for the horses, but also for their peers. Barbara Seel, and a couple others. Everybody ordered cocktails and People step up for others who may be in need. I declined, saying I wasn’t an afternoon drinker and I had to be back in the office. Barbara then said to me, “Order a drink. If you’re going The decision to cease operations at The Horseman and Fair to be in this business you’re going to have to learn to drink in the World came within hours of when you were asked to do this afternoon.” Boy, was she right! interview. Did you ever consider passing on it? If you had just one interview left in harness racing, who Yes. Only because I didn’t want it to appear you were doing this out would it be with and why? of the goodness of your heart and feeling sorry for me. We both knew it was in the works though. If you remember, when you first sent the That’s a tough question. I do know that when I got word that The Horse- questions I told you that you’d probably have a few more by the end of man was closing down after the Jan. 28 HarnessRacing Weekend Pre- the week. Now you know the reason. I know you would have understood view email newsletter was sent, I told Kathy Parker that I still wanted to had I passed, but I told you that I’d do it and I wanted to honor my word. do one final race story with . If I had to bet, I’d say that I called Yannick more than anybody over the years and he ALWAYS What will you miss most about your time at The Horseman answered or called back. So he was the one who I wanted to do that final story with, although he didn’t know the reason at the time. and Fair World? Working with people you like is a bonus and I had that with Kathy You’re a former President and a very active member of the Parker, advertising director Lynne Myers and production manager United States Harness Writers Association. How much of Heather Kemper. It was a small staff but it worked to put together your free time each year do you donate to USHWA? a stellar magazine as well as the weekly HarnessRacing Weekend Preview, which was like a weekly magazine in itself, and the website. Let’s just say that if I received an hourly wage for all that time, I And making it all work this past year with pandemic and people wouldn’t have needed any other job. Just kidding. I don’t know the working from home, that shows how dedicated everybody was to put answer to that because it seems USHWA things are always coming out a great product. I also already miss talking to people for stories. up, and I like being involved. It’s been strange not looking at program pages to find stories. I’m sure I will get rejuvenated at some point. It’ll take some time. I think You mention above your role in getting Foiled Again to the though that the sport will miss The Horseman and Fair World even Dan Patch banquet in 2019. If we can’t bring the people to more. It’s been around long before any of our lifetimes and people have continued to tell me that they grew up a reader and that their the horses, is it feasible to bring the horses to the people to parents were readers and their grandparents were readers. increase the sport’s exposure? What response have you heard since the news got out about That was a great moment. My only disappointment in that whole night was that despite getting help from the hotel’s PR person, we the company’s fate? couldn’t get any local press to come out. To them I guess it was just a It was overwhelming. To have some of the biggest names in the sport horse walking into a banquet room. I think they missed something take the time to call, that means so much to me. One of the first texts very special, just seeing all the people who converged on Foiled I received was from a trainer who I did a story with a couple months Again as he stood like the champion he is for several minutes. I guar- ago, but have never met. Texts like that also mean the world to me. antee you he knew exactly what was happening, and I wish he could And people I’ve never met reaching out to tell me they’ve been a loyal have given his own speech. reader through all these years. CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

DRF Harness Digest | 17 | February 11, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness INTRODUCING TO KENTUCKY IN 2021

World Champion at 2

Multiple stakes-winning son of CRAZED ($1,063,059) out of the stakes-winning mare NO PAN NO GAIN ($415,630)

22-time winner and earner of $2,532,143

Out-cross pedigree; matches with mares from a wide variety of sire lines.

First yearlings this year

CRAZED x NO PAN NO GAIN | 2021 FEE: $3,000

MULTIPLE MARE DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

What was the moment like when you found out about your election to the Communicators wing of the Hall of Fame? At DRF Harness we strive to provide the best handicapping information in the sport. Each week we’ll use this space to bring I was so thankful and overwhelmed. I had just missed going on the you some of our handicappers’ best bets, value plays and horses to ballot the year before as a result of a tiebreaking vote that I came up on watch. Use this information as one of your tools when wagering or the short end, so I was hopeful that I wouldn’t have to relive that disap- simply click on the link above and head to DRF Bets to wager now. pointment again. But my initial disappointment wasn’t for me, but for my mother, who was in failing health and I wanted her to still be here Thursday, february 11 when that moment came when I was elected. While her health preclud- ed her from going to Goshen for the induction dinner, it meant the world ACE that I was able to tell her the news. My brother didn’t attend because he R 8 stayed with her and they were able to watch the ceremony online. (3) LISPATTY didn’t really have her type of trip two Perhaps your most popular column over the years is weeks ago as she had to race “Backstretch with Gordon” during the Red Mile’s Grand off-the-pace from post eight. Circuit meet. Why do you think it is so well received? I expect her to be on the engine tonight and to wire You got me. When “Boss Kathy” came up with the idea in 2003 for me this bunch. to roam the backstretch and write about my travels, I never expected -Greg Reinhart such positive response. My one fear was that when I went out at night and horsemen saw me, that they’d stay away for fear I’d give friday, february 12 away some secrets. That never happened as everybody seems to love getting a mention. As I said in my Hall of Fame induction speech, the RACE 2 one thing I had to learn early on was to not spend so much time with Nick Salvi as those escapades could usually never be chronicled. (3) HIPSTER K has demol- ished these types in consecu- You always mention gas prices in the column. Do you have tive starts and seems to be an obsession with gas? past his early issues from years past. He’d have to make Not even close. That started years ago when gas prices started to hit a mistake to lose this race. the roof. I can’t even remember how it started except for noting once -Derick Giwner how much cheaper gas was at one of the stations near The Red Mile. I thought about retiring the prices last year, especially with fewer RACE 9 people in town due to the pandemic, but when I asked people their thoughts they told me no way, to leave the prices in. (5) SWANSEA was aggres- sively handled facing better Is there a track or race that you haven’t covered that remains in his in his second start off on your bucket list? the bench and he looked good entering the stretch but he fell The Elitlopp in Sweden and Prix d’Amerique in France. apart late; figures to be tighter tonight. If you had the power to change one thing in the sport, what -Matt Rose would it be? Saturday, febraury 13 Uniform rules across the continent so everybody is on the same page. That’s been noted ad nauseum by a lot of people over the years, RACE 5 so hopefully someday something can happen. (9) NUTCRACKER SWEET How do you view the future of harness racing? found some of his old back- class to trounce a field of This might not be the best question for me to answer right now. For- NW2500L5’s on 1-29. He get the sadness that I feel and Kathy, Lynne Myers, Heather Kemper moves up here, but I think and Vanessa Flannery feel about no longer having their jobs, it’s sad this is another beatable for all those who worked in those offices for more than a century. group. And sad for the sport as it’s the demise of an iconic publication. -Reinhart Time for the stretch drive: full card analysis / past performances Best Horse You Ever Saw?: Niatross Yonkers (THU) Analysis Yonkers (FRI) Analysis Best Driver Ever?: John Campbell Meadowlands (FRI) Analysis Meadowlands (SAT) Analysis Best Trainer Ever?: Favorite TV Show?: Survivor and General Hospital are 1 and 1A DHP PPs harness eye PPs trackmaster PPs free PPs Trotters or Pacers?: Nothing better than an absolutely flawless, great trotter. Want full-card analysis? Visit DRF.com/harness

DRF Harness Digest | 19 | February 11, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness NEWS FROM AROUND THE HARNESS INDUSTRY

Matterlei tops Blooded Horse Winter Sale Bruce Aldrich Jr. joins 8,000 win club

The Blooded Horse Winter Sale was held Tue. Feb. 9 at the Champi- On Monday, February 8, Bruce Aldrich Jr. reached a career mile- ons Center in Springfield, Ohio. In spite of snow and tough conditions, stone by achieving his 8,000th win at Monticello Raceway. owners, trainers and breeders flooded the pavilion to restock stables The win came with a wire-to-wire effort from the Christopher and acquire broodmares. Petrelli-trained After The Lovin in 1:57 2/5. It was the third win in “Horsemen are undaunted by the weather! They love coming to a four seasonal starts for the 5-year-old mare by Carnivore, who is sale to actually see and touch the horses they want to buy,” said sales owned by David A. Del Pozza. Roll With Mimi (Jim DeVaux) finished manager Jerry Haws. “It may take a bit more time and resources, but second, followed by Cruisin Camnation (Cory Stratton). the dividends far outweigh the cost. Bringing horses to a venue of It would be only fitting for Aldrich to achieve the milestone at eager buyers is a tremendous marketing tool. Consignors seemed to Monticello Raceway, where he has scored more than half of his wins be pleased as there were substantially less RNAs.” in his career. Aldrich is a six-time leading dash winner over the years The ultra-consistent, upper level conditioned trotter, Matterlei, at the Mighty M. topped the Burke Racing Stable consignment and the sale at $38,000. Aldrich has won purses in excess of $31,946,762 during his long Purchased by Herman and Morgan Hagerman of Ohio, the daugh- career. ter of Explosive Matter will continue to race in Pennsylvania and -edited release (Monticello) Ohio. Also from the Burke consignment, Yacht Week, fresh off strong performances at Miami Valley, and Alloy, racing competitively in My Ruebe Star N loves America and Yonkers NW2 at The Meadows, were sold respectively to Chad Slone for $22,000 and Bob Troyer for $20,000. Shane Tritton never had any doubts that My Ruebe Star N could The beautiful roan trotting mare Global Inspiration topped the succeed in America after coming from Australia. But even the opti- strong broodmare market. In-foal to Tactical Landing, the 8-year- mistic trainer has his limits. old daughter of Andover Hall was consigned by Spring Haven Farm READ MORE (agent) and purchased by Mahantongo Farms of Ohio for $28,000. Bidding was also spirited for the 7-year-old American Ideal mare Big M bettors love high society life The Signature, in-foal to Lazarus N. Consigned by Boxwood Farm, the half-sister to Vegas Vacation was purchased by Robert McKim of In the 1998 movie “Rounders”, which provides a look into the world Virginia for $25,000. of high-stakes poker, main character Mike McDermott (played by Short yearlings were topped by a stunning daughter of Kadabra, Matt Damon) heads for Las Vegas in the final scene after making a Shes A Dahbra at $15,000. Consigned by Spring Haven Farm (agent), big score. He settles some big debts but still has $30,000 in his pocket, William D. Miller of Ohio signed the ticket. or, as he puts it, “three stacks of high society”, poker lexicon for indi- For complete sale results visit bloodedhorse.com. The next sale is vidual $10,000 stacks of chips at a poker table. May 11 and it’s an exceptionally strong market for racehorses. Entries Last weekend at The Meadowlands, players walked away with two close April 20. stacks of high society. Friday’s five-figure payout went to one sharp player -edited release (Blooded Horse Sale) wagering into the hub. That bettor had the only winning ticket in the 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 and walked away with $10,886. McDermott reaches 1,600 training wins But that was merely High Society Stack No. 1. After three longshots finished among the top five in the 10-cent Hi-5/ A New Jersey training veteran achieved a milestone on Saturday at Pentafecta on Friday night, a carryover of $21,961 led to track manage- , as Kevin McDermott won his 1,600th career race. ment guaranteeing the pool at $60,000 for Saturday’s card, which McDermott sent out Century Endeavor, who went off at 2/1 in a created another opportunity for a big payoff. When the bell rung at the non-winners of $6,000 last five pace. Driver Pat Lachance put him on start of the 15th race, a total of $79,254 was in the pool, and when the a comfortable early lead, and he never looked back, crossing the wire field hit the wire, 16-1 shot Western Redhot topped a Hi-5 that returned 1 3/4 lengths in front. a handsome $10,094. There were seven winning tickets sold. McDermott started his training career in 1991, and won his first Saturday’s Pick-7 may not have reached the level of high society, race that same year. Perhaps his best year as a trainer came in 2009, but it certainly was not low. Despite four favorites scoring during the when he won 118 races and earned more than $2 million. sequence, those with winning tickets cashed in for $5,983, which repre- The next year, McDermott won the U.S. Pacing Championship sented one of the one dozen four-figure payouts during the weekend. and the Battle of Lake Erie with his best horse, Hypnotic Blue Chip. “The Meadowlands certainly has built up a lot of momentum in He also finished second in the Canadian Pacing Derby and William 2021,” said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Haughton Memorial that year. In his career, Hypnotic Blue Chip Settlemoir. “The little bettor can make scores and the bigger players earned more than $1.7 million. have enormous pools to wager into that are much larger than last Two years later, he sent Major Look to victory in the Mistletoe year. Full fields, low takeouts, a great wagering menu on a mile track Shalee and the Adios Volo. She earned more than $519,000 in her and an incredible on-track and social media presentation are just career. some of the reasons new players have made The Meadowlands their Century Endeavor’s win was McDermott’s first of the 2021 season. wagering destination every Friday and Saturday night.” It also pushed his career earnings to just $75,000 shy of the $25 million Speaking of momentum, The Big M’s big January kept rolling into mark. February, as the $7-million barrier was busted for a second consecu- -release (Freehold) tive weekend. During all of 2020 – except for Meadowlands Pace and Hambletonian weekends – that plateau was reached only once, and Walner’s book full and closed for 2021 that weekend (June 19-20) needed 36 races to bet $7.5 million. Wagering last weekend over the corresponding two programs from Syndicate manager David Reid has announced that the 2021 book 2020 was up $1,691,263. January 5th was the first Friday in 2021 that of World Champion and leading first-crop yearling sire Walner is full saw betting top the $3-million mark, while the $3.966 million put in and closed. play on Saturday fell less than $35,000 short of becoming the third “Walner has a powerful syndicate behind him that is comprised of $4-million card of the year. a strong group of breeders from the U.S., Canada and Scandinavia,” Comparing the last four programs of this year against the corre- Reid said, “and they continue to support him in a big way.” sponding ones from 2020, wagering is up $773,650 per card. READ MORE -edited release (Meadowlands)

DRF Harness Digest | 20 | February 11, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness