Let It Ride N Looms Large in the Open Pacing Landscape After Retirement Defections NEW PLAYERS but Norman Has Been Around Too Long to Get Excited About Final Times

DRF HARNESS HOME DIGITAL HARNESS EYE HARNESS PPS DRF BETS ENTRIES ARCHIVE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2021 Let It Ride N looms large in the Open Pacing landscape after retirement defections NEW PLAYERS but Norman has been around too long to get excited about final times. JAYWALKING “They do an absolutely great job with the DOUBLE YOUR track surface at The Meadowlands,“ said FIRST DEPOSIT By Jay Bergman Norman. “It doesn’t seem to matter whether @BergmanJay we’re in the middle of winter or the summer UP TO $250 with the kind of miles we’re seeing.” With a late November start to his North American campaign, Let It Ride N won all JOIN NOW Perhaps one of the best aspects of this sport is how things change from year to year. In four races in the month, covering Harrah’s 2021 there will be a brand new older pacing Philadelphia, Dover Downs and The Meadow- division that may have some familiar faces lands in his progression up the class ladder, but likely will provide a much different look and each time exhibiting a vicious closing than 2020’s edition. kick at the end of rather quick miles. While Inside this issue Gone from the landscape is the brilliant Norman refuses to take much, if any, of the Bettor’s Wish. Not added to the division credit for simply adding Lasix and letting Let are the retired Horse of the Year Tall Dark It Ride N do the rest, the trainer still needs to Derick Giwner: Walking through the Stranger or the ill-fated Papi Rob Hanover, send a sound horse to the races. major stakes for 3-year-olds, Page 5 both spending the rest of their active careers at Hanover Shoe Farms. With the Borgata Tim Tetrick talks 12,000 wins and (nee Levy) Pacing Series nominations dead- more, Page 7 line of February 15 behind us, racing fans will get a chance shortly to see what looks differ- Darin Zoccali: Track announcer ent in 2021 in just four short weeks. becoming an unappreciated job, Page 9 When the dust settled in November following the TVG Finals at The Meadowlands, Team Tritton has overcome obstacles to there was a sense who the players would succeed in U.S., Page 11 become in March at Yonkers, but there was a seismic shift to the landscape in the months On The Backstretch: Profile of owner/ that followed, as Let It Ride N, an imported breeder Judy Chaffee, Page 13 son of Rock N Roll Heaven, started making the rounds. His trainer Richard “Nifty” Norman $100,000 GTD Early Pick 5 Analysis for didn’t know what to expect at first. Sat. Feb. 20 at Mohawk Park, Page 18 “He was a top-class horse but had a pretty Industry: Game of Claims continues at rough last two years,” said Norman. “We Derick Giwner knew he was bleeding, but you never know Trainer “Nifty” Norman said that Let It Pocono; Scenes from “The Deck”, Page 19 what the difference will be with Lasix.” Ride N is staked to “everything” in 2021. Comments? Questions? Let It Ride N has been good from the start since arriving in North America. “His feet were a bit sore, but we worked on Email the Editor [email protected] “I was hoping to have a good non-winners that and he’s better now,” said Norman. $15,000 to non-winners of $20,000 type,” said Let It Ride N caught the attention of many To ensure proper delivery Norman. Well, that’s where Let It Ride N owners looking to add quality to their collec- of the newsletter via would start out, but by the end of 2020 he was tion and Norman was able to strike a deal making a beeline towards Open company. A with William Hartt. email, add [email protected]. 1:48 1/5 off-the-pace win at The Meadowlands com to your contact list in January is extraordinary to say the least, CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

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*Only foals sired by a stallion registered with the Ohio State Racing Commission are eligible to the Ohio Sires Stakes* Ohio Sires Stakes conditions, schedule & nomination forms available at Kim Rinker, OSDF Administrator www.racingohio.net 614-779-0269 [email protected]

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

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“It was a deal I had to make,” said Norman of the sale that gave 80 percent of the ownership to Hartt. It’s the first horse Norman will train for Hartt, but the partnership is likely much of the reason Norman can now view 2021’s racing season entirely differently than he might have. “We’ve staked him to everything this year,” Norman said on Monday (2/15), clearly suggest- ing that Hartt’s entry paved the way for a potentially epic campaign. Following a brilliant 1:48 1/5 win on January 2 at The Meadowlands, Norman needed to find out a bit more about his exiting protégé. “He had never raced on a half-mile track,” said Norman, checking back on the history of the horse Down Under. “I knew if we wanted to nominate him for the Borgata, we’d have to try him.” Lisa Photo The test flight took place on January 11 at Yonkers Let It Ride N owns the fastest mile of 2021 at 1:48 1/5 set at The Meadowlands. and needless to say Let It Ride N passed with flying colors. Having been assigned post eight, driver Dexter Dunn was forced to navigate the four turns that guaran- the pace. More importantly, going down the road this stakes season, if teed he’d be spending much time in the two-path. While able to get he’s to compete and win at the highest level he’s likely going to have to away sixth, Let It Ride N was not advancing while the half mile race four quarters at top speed. was a tepid 56 3/5. While the pace accelerated some on the back- Looking ahead Norman at least likes the optics of a horse that won’t stretch, Dunn simply allowed Let It Ride N to race behind cover, a be in the group. strategy that would likely doom most horses at Yonkers. Let It Ride “With Chris’ (Ryder, Bettor’s Wish) horse retired I think it opens N proved to be unlike most as he rallied late in the short stretch at it up a bit,” said Norman. What is yet unknown is how many of last Yonkers posting a 26 4/5 final quarter at the end of a 1:52 1/5 mile. year’s 3-year-olds will be able to join this group, with horses like No With the Yonkers win Norman was confident he could move forward Lou Zing, Cattlewash and Breeders Crown champion Sandbetween- and at the same time mapped out plans for the rest of the season. mytoes facing older foes for the first time. “He’s doing fine now,” said Norman. “I’m going to race him in the For all racing fans it exciting to see what new faces will add to the first leg of the Borgata (March 15). I won’t race him before that.” weekly drama to the open pacing class of 2021. With a long plan towards the major stakes, Norman is pulling from his experience and hoping to capitalize in the short term while not risking future success. “It’s a very tricky series,” Norman said of the Borgata. “It’s generally all about getting into the final. I just don’t want to make the mistake of over-racing him.” What concerns Norman is the potential to have too many demanding starts in the preliminaries just to reach the final. He knows the perils of a couple of outside draws and what they can take out of a horse, especially if a win is needed to qualify for the final. “Right now, I’m happy the way he’s been raced since arriving,” said Norman. “A lot of people when they bring over these horses, I believe make a mistake and put them on the front end immediately. They are not used to that type of early speed.” It’s a cautionary tale that Norman understands and it’s much of the reason we have only seen Let it Ride N race from off the pace in all of his North American starts. What’s interesting of course is what eventually will happen once New Image Media Photo horses with this type of resume are put on the front end. It’s likely that Training resumed last week and live racing returns Feb. 18 over the course of the series at Yonkers we’re going to see if Let It Ride at Woodbine Mohawk Park. N is just as vicious leading a field as he is in devouring them from off

DRF Harness Digest | 3 | February 18, 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 Walking through the major stakes schedule for 3-year-olds

September 23 – Little Brown Jug at Delaware EDITOR’S EYE County Fair: Race once again falls in a By Derick Giwner @harnesseyeguy tough spot sandwiched between the $250K Kentucky Sire Stakes finals on Sept. 19 and For owners in North America, there is no going back now. The first the $150K Jenna’s stakes payments of 2021 have been made and only time will tell if the Beach Boy on Sept. 24. money spent this week will fund a star, a blue-collar earner or a bust. Everyone wants to win The only certainty that comes with the February payments for the Jug, but it will be races like the Hambletonian, Meadowlands Pace, North America Cup interesting to see how and countless others is that, as the 2- and 3-year-olds continue to train many show up. down, stakes season is now on the radar. Yes, it is a very small blip in October 10 – Tattersalls at The Red Mile: Falls nicely two weeks the distant future, but it is there and owners, trainers and drivers can prior to the Breeders Crown eliminations and should attract all the start to dream of winning a marquee race. big guns in the division. There was quite a bit of shuffling and cancellations in the stakes October 30 – Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands: The year-end world in 2020 due to the pandemic and while only the Prix d’Ete has championships return to New Jersey for the first time since 2016. gotten the axe in 2021, a number of races have found new homes on November 5 – Monument Circle at Hoosier Park: No changes on the the calendar. Below we take a look at the major races in the glam- schedule here, but coming just six days after the Breeders Crown, our open divisions for 3-year-old pacers and trotters to see how each which takes place 700 miles away, some of the top horses may elect shapes up. Then we’ll cover a few other changes on the calendar for to sit out. this year. November 11 – Matron at Dover Downs: With the Breeders Crown on the east coast this race could be well-attended. November 24 – Progress Pace at Dover Downs: Eliminations take 3-YEAR-OLD PACERS place the prior Wednesday. June 19 – North America Cup at Woodbine Mohawk Park: Back in June after an appearance in August last year, this race will be preceded by eliminations the week prior and the Somebeachsome- 3-YEAR-OLD TROTTERS where prep on June 5. The only question surrounding the race is what May 1 – Dexter Cup at Freehold Raceway: Always the leadoff hitter travel restrictions due to the pandemic will remain in place. Hope- in the division, the Dexter Cup comes as early as possible this year. We fully none. rarely see a Hambletonian winner in the race anymore, but perhaps a July 2 – MGM Grand Messenger at Yonkers Raceway: Canceled in Yonkers Trot winner will be in the field. 2020, the Messenger is back with a new slot on the calendar, moving June 19 – Goodtimes at Woodbine Mohawk Park: Back in June this from late August/early September to early July. With a purse drop year with eliminations the week before. Without the Beal following it from $500,000 to $300,000, and as a half-mile race stacked between on the calendar, could this race lure more Hambletonian contenders the “big track” races, it will be interesting to see who nominates and than in recent years? shows up. Eliminations occur on June 25. July 2 – MGM Yonkers Trot at Yonkers Raceway: Like the Messen- July 17 – Meadow- ger this race gets a haircut from $500K to $300K and a date switch lands Pace at The from the end of August. Coming before the Hambletonian this year, it Meadowlands: No seems possible that the top contenders could sit it out. changes from previ- July 17 – Stanley Dancer at The Meadowlands: Without the Beal ous years other than preceding it, and considering the Hambletonian will now have elimi- the race could attract nations the week before, you can expect just about every Hambleton- some horses that would ian contender to show up this year. normally have gone to August 7 – Hambletonian at Pocono after the NA Cup The Meadowlands: As stated since the Max Hempt is above, this is no longer a two- now in August. There is heat event and eliminations will already $429,000 in the occur the previous week. It is the pool for the final before any payments this year. race EVERYONE wants to win! July 31 – Adios at The Meadows: Nothing changes here as the race August 21 – Earl Beal Jr Memo- falls in its usual spot. Eliminations take place the week prior. rial at The Downs at Pocono: Like August 7 – Cane Pace at The Meadowlands: The usual Hambleton- the Hempt, this race moves from ian Day stake for sophomore pacers. early July and switches from elim- August 14 – Carl Milstein Memorial at Northfield Park: Purse inations to three divisions split by bumps back up from $250,000 last money earned. With a two-week year to $300,000 in 2021. gap between the Hambletonian August 21 – Max Hempt at The and the Beal, expect attendance Downs at Pocono: This is the biggest here to be huge. change on the schedule, with the August 28 – Zweig Memorial at race moving from early July to a Vernon Downs: The Hambletonian, Beal and Zweig all conflict with much better location where it could the Kentucky Sire Stakes, so it will be interesting to see which horses get major participation. The race stay in open company and which go to Kentucky. This race goes as a also goes in divisions now instead of top-dollar event and has a consolation. eliminations, with $300,000 for the September 18 – Canadian Trotting Classic at Woodbine Mohawk top split, $200,000 for the next group Park: Another top money-earners event that figures to draw all of and $100,000 for the bottom-money qualifiers. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

DRF Harness Digest | 5 | February 18, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness New to Ontario for 2021, Hambletonian Champion... TRIXTON (Muscle Hill - Emilie Cas El) • 2,1:54.4s; 3,1:50.3 ($968,696)

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deovolentefarms.com • 908 782 4848 winbakfarm.com • 905 838 2145 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 There are some other notable changes on the schedule and we’ll highlight them by track below: the division leaders if COVID-19 travel restrictions allow. It is worth The Downs at Pocono mentioning that it falls the day before the Kentucky Sire Stakes James Lynch moves to late August and becomes a top money-earner championships. three-division race. October 10 – Kentucky Futurity at The Red Mile: One of the major Ben Franklin for older pacers is replaced by the Delmonica Hanover races on the calendar for top money-earners, we should see the elite for 3-year-old trotting fillies. Like the other stakes on the August 21 in the division in attendance. card, it will be a split division event for the top money-earners. October 30 – Breeders Crown Two $75,000 Invitationals, the Always B Miki Pace and Sebastian K at The Meadowlands: Elimina- Trot join the August 21 stakes card. tion take place the week prior. The Meadowlands Winner earns a potential spot The Roll With Joe Open Pace, Artiscape Mare Pace, Crawford in the TVG final to take on Farms Open Trot and Joie De Vie Mare Trot move to The Meadow- older and have had success in lands on July 3 this year. the race. Scioto Downs November 5 – Carl Erskine Charlie Hill for older trotters moves to May 6 and will be raced on a at Hoosier Park: As stated with Thursday to highlight the start of the meet. the Monument Circle, this race $100,000 #SENDITIN Invitational Pace stays on the calendar for could be hurt a bit by the Breed- 2021 and lands on August 28. ers Crown being on the east Yonkers Raceway coast, though it could also mean The $1 million Yonkers International Trot and the accompanying better opportunity for Midwest- $250,000 Invitationals, which were listed in 2020 but got canceled due erners who skip the Crown in to the pandemic, are not on the 2021 calendar. favor of a hometown stake. We are still three weeks away from the Blue Chip Matchmaker and November 11 – Matron at Dover Downs: Again, as mentioned with Borgata Pacing series at Yonkers Raceway and well over two months the pacing division, with the Breeders Crown on the east coast this from the “official” start to the stakes season in May, but it’s never too race could be well-attended. early to start getting excited for Grand Circuit harness racing.

Tim Tetrick talks about his 12,000 career wins and more

By Derick Giwner

Driver Tim Tetrick, who currently sits seventh on the all-time leaderboard for driving wins in North America, reached another milestone on Tuesday evening at Dover Downs. The 39-year-old steered the Jason Skinner-trained Manone to victory notching the 12,000th win of his Hall of Fame career. “It is still hard to fathom,” said Tetrick, who was happy he got it at one of his home tracks. “When I started I just wanted to reach 1,000 wins like my dad. For a 39-year-old to get to 12,000, I think that is pretty special.” Tetrick reached the milestone in just 60,561 starts. That equates to an impressive win rate just shy of 20 percent. He trails Dave Palone (19,459), Anthony Morgan (16,785), the deceased Herve Filion (15,183), the retired Cat Manzi (14,812), David Miller (13,212) and Aaron Merriman (12,794) in career wins. Perhaps more important than wins in the world of harness racing

is earnings, and Tetrick sits third in that category, having driven Fotowon horses to over $228 million in winnings during his career. He trails Tim Tetrick picked up win No. 12,000 in the third race at retired Hall of Famer John Campbell ($299,892,141) at the head of Dover Downs on February 16. the list, and Tetrick could reach that lofty number in about seven years at his current pace. quality horses, and it is fun for me. “That’s the bigger feat in my eyes, a number that Mr. Campbell “Everyone says ‘Why aren’t you at The Meadowlands?’ It is a two- put out there and no one thought anyone would touch,” said Tetrick hour drive for me, and from April through December 1, including on potentially reaching $300 million. “For people to already be talk- qualifiers, I’m going almost six days-a-week. It’s hard to do that all ing about it, and the fact that maybe I have a chance to beat one of year.” the G.O.A.T.’s records is pretty amazing.” As someone who has driven over 4,000 starts in a year twice, Tetrick won the Rising Star award from the United States Harness Tetrick admits that the schedule of a driver can be daunting. Writers in 2007 and has gone on to win the Driver of the Year Award “It is not easy. It is very stressful. The driving the horses part is from the same organization four times (2007, 2008, 2012, and 2013). easy, but it has always been hard for me to turn the page, and I wear He also owns the single-season record for most wins (1,189 in 2007), it on my sleeve a lot,” said Tetrick. “On the ride home I think about and each of the top three spots in most earnings in a year (2007, the drives a lot. Like if I would’ve pulled, or if I wouldn’t have let Dex 2008, and 2012) and eight of the top 10 in that category. (Dunn) out on the final turn, I would’ve won the race. There is a lot An Illinois native, Tetrick, who lives in southern New Jersey and of Monday morning quarterbacking with me.” is driving exclusively at Dover Downs during the winter months, With 12,000 wins now in his rearview mirror, Tetrick, who admits has averaged 2,800 starts per year over the last five years. he has been very lucky to avoid major injuries, could potentially “I like my schedule right now,” said Tetrick. “I get the weekends reach 20,000 wins or more for his career, but he’s more focused on off during the winter. Dover is just an hour from my house. I don’t go the here and now. to Florida, but the weather is pretty good down here in south Jersey. “I just want to make money, have fun, and look for my next Hambo I enjoy Dover. I’m done by 9:00 P.M. There is no pressure, they have winner,” said Tetrick.

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week that consisted of going to Tioga Downs for Friday and Satur- day, driving to Parx to call the races Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, at the track before heading to Ocean Downs for Wednesday and Thursday and then heading back to Tioga for Friday and Saturday. Crazy, right? By Darin Zoccali AtTheTrack7 Needless to say, I wasn’t exactly making a lot of money and my expenses between accommodations, gas and tolls was around 40 percent of what I was actually earning. But, that is to be expected, I was like a minor league baseball player, paying his dues. At the As children or teenagers, we all have dreams of what we want to time, I was so ecstatic to be doing what I loved, I didn’t even pay be and where we want to go. For many of us those dreams are unre- attention to any of that. alistic. The best athletes that most of us knew in high school would Eventually The Meadowlands would become home and it came be lucky to be a back-up or reserve player at a division one school. time to put the announcing in my back pocket, because it was In order to make a career out of the sports we spent a lifetime play- becoming exhausting and just wasn’t paying the bills. I figured it ing you would need to be in the top 0.01% of athletes in that sport. was just me, a 20-something year old kid just trying to make it. In other words, you need to be in the top one percent of the top one Unfortunately, that’s just not the case. Much like the professional percent. It is almost impossible. athlete, you need to be in the top one percent of the top one percent I played basketball and baseball and I wasn’t bad, but surely a as a track announcer. career as a professional athlete wasn’t in my future and I knew Sure, you can announce races as a part of your career, but unless that. My other passion was the sport of horse racing. Beginning you are Trevor Denman or Larry Collmus, you can no longer be at 13 years old, off a grainy video replay on a slow internet connec- “just a track announcer.” Track announcers today typically have tion, I would begin calling horse races into a tape recorder. Then, multiple titles attached to their name at the racetrack where they I would play back the replay with my call over the race. It was a work. Case in point, my mentor Sam McKee, who was one of the frustrating process because the internet was so slow back then, it greatest track announcers of all-time. At the end of my time at would take at least five attempts to call the race without the video The Meadowlands, Sam was a track announcer, the Director of freezing and another five attempts to play it back without inter- Simulcasting and the Director of Television. John Imbriale, who ruption. But when you love something and you are committed, you is currently the track announcer for the New York Racing Asso- spend hours doing it. I knew at an early age, this is what I wanted ciation, also works in the Television department on a management to do. level. Keith Jones, who just retired at Parx, was also the public- Back when I was a kid, the racetrack announcer was larger than ity director. There are plenty others who need to work outside the life. Dave Johnson was practically a celebrity. Tom Durkin was racing industry to help make ends meet. less than a God but more than a man. Being able to visit announc- It seems as though some racetracks have made the decision ers in the booth was an almost outer-body experience. Announc- that in order to be a track announcer, you need to possess some ers everywhere were earning a living doing what they love in a other skill to warrant adequate compensation. Being “just a track demanding profession that requires a unique skill. announcer” is no longer good enough. My message is this; try call- In 2021, things just aren’t the same. Somewhere along the way, ing a horse race some time and get back to me. the track announcers are not viewed by the racetracks that employ Calling a horse race is a specialized skill and should be rewarded them the same way and for the life of me, I will never understand as such. Tony Romo is getting paid millions upon millions of why. dollars to be the color-commentator for around 18 to 20 NFL games From 1997 until 2007 I kept calling those races off the computer per year. I know it’s the NFL, but I have done both and I can tell you screen, which got easier as technology improved. That elevated to that calling a horse race is a greater skill than talking about some- calling races into a recorder from the clubhouse level of The Mead- one who just broke a 30 yard run on a football field. The racetrack owlands each night. Those cassette tapes of race calls would turn announcer is the voice of your racetrack. He is the representative in to CD’s and Sam McKee was kind enough to take an interest of your racetrack. When a racetrack is brought up in conversation, in my passion, listening to the calls and giving me much-needed the announcer is one of, if not the first thing that comes to mind. advice on how to help improve as a race caller. Racetrack announcers should be regarded as elite talents who In the summer of 2008, my big break came as I would work at both are brilliant in a specialized skill that only a select few people can Tioga Downs and Ocean Downs throughout the summer as one of handle. Maybe there are 100 race callers in this entire country? the announcers at the two racetracks. To say it was a grind would They should be borderline celebrities again. They shouldn’t be be an understatement. Overnight drives from Ocean Pines, Mary- working for $250 per race card, as they are in some places. They land to the Best Western in Sayre, Pennsylvania were common. should be compensated for the unique talent they possess. If they That would continue for three years with some work as the back- aren’t, the talented race callers will looks elsewhere to establish up announcer at Parx Racing also mixed in. I’ll never forget one careers and the racetracks will, as they say, get what they pay for.

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MULTIPLE MARE DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE Team Tritton overcoming the obstacles in the United States

By Jay Bergman Gods Spirit N (post 9) has been lightly raced For most trainers navigating the winter in the northeast is but since arriving on these a routine. Though 2021 has produced perhaps a bit more snow and shores but clearly has colder temperatures, those that condition standardbreds have dealt a big engine. “I think with the elements and moved on. Trainer Shane Tritton, who along he may have been the with his wife Lauren arrived with their stable in 2020, are not just fastest horse I brought new to the country but to New York winters as well. here,” said Tritton. “The coldest it gets in Australia is around 32 Fahrenheit,” Shane “I thought he would Tritton said. “I don’t know how trainers do it.” be the kind of horse The “it” Tritton was referring to was training and traveling to and that might go in (1):47 from racetracks in the area, something that has hardly been routine and change. He’s had for him. trouble getting accli- “Getting back from the track the other night we were going like 8 mated.” miles an hour over black ice,” Tritton said. “I stopped to fill up and fell.” After posting a 1:50 Fortunately for Tritton and his stable, obstacles have come quite 1/5 mile last June at regularly since their arrival, with COVID initially suspending racing The Meadowlands, and keeping horses sidelined and now winter settling in. Neither has Gods Spirit N either dampened their spirits as they have five horses ready for action this drew poorly or was weekend at The Meadowlands and a host of others pointing towards scratched due to sick- the lucrative Blue Chip Matchmaker and Borgata Pacing Series races ness. He races on at Yonkers in March. Saturday following a On Friday it will be a late night for the stable at The Meadowlands huge 26-second final with Sporty Spook A (post 8) going in the 13th and final race for Tritton. quarter and a third-

“I claimed him because he was a really nice horse Down Under place finish at the Team Tritton Facebook and I thought he would do,” said Tritton. Sporty Spook A has only same level he’ll face Shane and Lauren Tritton are having raced once since the January 16 claim for $12,500 and he’s entered for in Saturday’s eighth success in the United States despite a $7,500 tag on Friday. “Dexter (Dunn) drove him and suggested we race. facing some environmental obstacles. make a few changes. I think with the drop in class and some changes While the Trittons he’ll be better,” said Tritton. arrived with just their own stock last year, many owners have seen The stable’s fortune should improve markedly on Saturday with what they can do and supported them. four in the box. Unfortunately for Tritton, two of his horses landed “I’d say we’ve got about 15 right now,” said Tritton of the stock he’s in the same race, with Western Fame (post 5) and Flaming Flutter N been given locally. “It’s been a mixed bag, some have worked in our (post 7) facing seven others in the Non-winners of $11,500 class carded program and others haven’t.” as race six. One horse that Tritton believes is on the verge of improvement is “Over the last month Western Fame has really gotten a lot better,” Cool Clifford, a 5-year-old that had been making breaks. Cool Clifford said Tritton. “I’d been telling the drivers to put him on the front end was wearing trotting hopples when he arrived in Tritton’s stable in but they would leave and then give up the lead. I gave Jordan (Strat- January, but they are gone now. ton) marching orders to go down the road last week.” “I kind of kept the same equipment on him at the beginning but Those orders played out perfectly as the $1.8 million winner showed decided to make a few changes,” said Tritton. The changes appear to some of that vintage form he had displayed just a few years back with be helping as Cool Clifford showed trot at both ends of his mile last a wire-to-wire 1:51 1/5 mile at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. week, impressing pilot Andrew McCarthy according to the trainer. Western Fame returns to the big track but still remains at a comfort- Cool Clifford, a son of Kadabra, starts from post three in Saturday’s able class level. $12,500 twelfth race conditioned event for trotters. Flaming Flutter N is a 12-year-old stable favorite that posted a 1:49 Tritton has nominated a solid group for the coming Blue Chip 1/5 record at The Meadowlands last year and returns to the track for Matchmaker and Borgata Pacing Series. On the mares side Lady Dela the first time in 2021. Renta A, My Ruebe Star N and Maczaffair N are being pointed for the “He’s a little better on the big track but it was a case of trying to get Matchmaker. Tritton put four in the Borgata (nee Levy) including the him into a class,” said Tritton, who suggested that others in his stable 2018 final winner Western Fame who will be joined by Bronx Seelster, fit the same class at Yonkers. Pat Stanley N and Yayas Hot Spot N.

DRF Harness Digest | 11 | February 18, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness BY YANKEE CRUISER OUT OF SWEET FUTURE 2021 FEE: $12,500 Did you ever want to know more about the people involved in the harness industry? Editor Derick Giwner combs the harness landscape each week to profile a new personality from the sport.

owner/breeder judy chaffee What kind of car do you drive? A bright and shiny red Jeep. Favorite dinner meal? Snack? Since I was born and raised in mid-coast Maine, it will likely surprise no one that my favorite meal is Maine lobster – piping hot lobster with melted butter! When I was a kid growing up, my parents could buy them right at the wharf from lobstermen when they came back from New Image Media hauling their traps. My mom’s secret was to boil the lobsters in heav- Judy and Buck Chaffee got their hands on the 2019 North ily salted water, more salt than people would typically expect. Nothing America Cup trophy with Captain Crunch and won the race again in 2020 with Tall Dark Stranger. tastes better. For snacks, I really like caramel cream candies.

What is your favorite track to visit? Why? What is your favorite sport to watch? Team? My very first time at The Red Mile, I fell in love with that track. I There are two. Most kids growing up in Maine are almost auto- love sitting in the section adjoining the track where you can feel so matically Red Sox fans – and I was no exception. I still remember close to the horses. You can watch their muscles flex and hear, and rushing home from school to watch the Red Sox play their greatest almost feel, the thunder as they pass by on their way to the finish rival, the NY Yankees – and to this day I am a Red Sox fan. I also line. That is so exciting! Also, I think that The Red Mile is one of the like hockey – the Washington Capitals. For my college internship, most beautiful tracks in North America – and appreciate that it is a I did a media analysis for the Capitals that they shared with other mile track since the larger tracks seem fairer to the outside horses teams in the league, this aimed at increasing the amount of media than the smaller tracks. coverage and also creating a more positive image of the sport. It was through regular meetings with the Capitals that I became a What is your favorite big event in racing? Why? fan. Whether watching as a fan or dreaming of winning, the Breeders Crown has always been my favorite. Just perusing the names of the What is the one thing about you that most fans/bettors don’t past winners is mind-boggling – names like Nihilator, Mack Lobell, know? Varenne, Muscle Hill, Peace Corps, Passionate Glide, Town Pro and My Little Dragon. I love the history and the inclusiveness of the race, I doubt that many people know that before getting in the Stan- all ages, trotters and pacers. Plus it now feels so incredible that our dardbred industry, I was a reporter/photographer for a large daily Tall Dark Stranger, Captain Crunch and Caviart Ally are on that newspaper, wrote for a national recreational boating magazine and elite list. That is a dream come true. worked for a U.S. Senator on Capitol Hill. How often are horses or racing on your mind? What is the one word that describes harness racing for you? That would be a whole lot of the time every single day. Electrifying. What is your favorite thing to do outside of harness racing? How did you get started in harness racing? There is nothing that I enjoy more than spending time with our fam- After a couple of years of frequently attending races at Rosecroft ily. Before the pandemic, every Sunday the local kids and grandkids and Freestate, Maryland tracks, Buck (husband) and I decided to go came to our house to spend the afternoon and to have dinner. For to the Harrisburg yearling sale “just to look.” Of course, watching alternating Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, our entire fam- the yearlings sell only whetted our appetite for becoming owners, so ily – all seven of our kids and 16 grandkids – always gathered at our when Buck turned to me and asked, “Which do you want, our money house to celebrate. Unfortunately, since the pandemic we have only toward a house or to buy a horse?” – I chose the horse! The rest is had outdoor family picnics, and the big holiday celebrations have history. We have been owners ever since, and, yes, we did eventually not happened at all. I will be glad when life can get back to normal. get the house. Otherwise, I love walking on our farm, watching the horses in the fields and paddocks and photographing them. CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

DRF Harness Digest | 13 | February 18, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness 2021 Fee: $3,000 BY MUSCLE HILL OUT OF ORDER BY WISH

Defeated GREENSHOE in the $500,000 Earl Beal Memorial Standing at Sugar Valley Farm NEW IN OHIO Out of a sister to CASH HALL

www.DiamondCreekFarm.com Full brother to 2019 Peter Haughton [email protected] • 717-638-7100 and Breeders Crown runner-up Ownership interest available Diamond Creek Farm ROME PAYS OFF ($411,200, 1:52 3/5) CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 How many horses do you and Buck own by yourselves or in partnership with others? What got you and your husband Buck into the breeding game Right now we have 79 horses, the majority owned solely by Caviart as Caviart Farms? Farms. However, in just the last handful of years we have entered When our first filly, Good Tal (the same filly noted above), retired into some partnerships and have found that we really enjoy that too. from racing, Buck and I wanted to keep her so decided to breed her. It was lucky that our first partnership was a real home run, Captain After that we continued to buy fillies to be broodmares, and then in Crunch, and honestly we all had such a grand time with him that the 2007 we bought a 235-acre farm in Paris, Kentucky so that we could old gang is back together again. Last fall we bought Crunch’s half- become even more involved in the sport. This year we are adding brother – by Huntsville and now named Crunchville. Just like with Caviart Ally, who is being bred to Captain Crunch, and I can hardly Captain Crunch, Nancy Takter is training, and our partners are 3 wait to see that baby! Brothers Stable, Rojan Stable and Christina Takter. Why the name Caviart Farms? What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten about harness racing? As a young mom staying home to raise our children, I enjoyed watching the daytime television show, “Lifestyles of the Rich and I think that this is probably pretty common advice, but I will never Famous.” Host Robin Leach always ended each show with his forget visiting Charlie Keller at Yankeeland Farms where he told famous line, “Champagne wishes and caviar dreams.” Caviar us to relish the good times. He said to relish them because in this Dreams struck me as a terrific name for a horse. However, when I business there will always be a mix of good times and times that will suggested the name to Buck, he said that he actually liked the ap- simply tear your heart out. That seems pretty solid advice, and just pearance of the word caviar better with the letter “t” added. Hence, like probably everyone else, we have experienced both. Caviart! We did actually name a colt Caviart Dreams and when we bought our farm it was a given that it would be called Caviart What was your best moment in harness racing? Farms. It is impossible to choose just one because several have felt like the The farm is located in Kentucky. Where do you and Buck live? best, but in very different ways. When Caviart Sierra and Caviart Sydney won stakes races, my mom, who has since passed away, Buck and I live in Vienna, Virginia – a lovely small town that is went into the winner’s circle with us – and every time in my heart it a suburb of Washington, D.C., actually about 17 miles outside of felt like a “best” moment. Before every race she used to search the the city. It is a perfect location for Buck’s consulting business, ground, looking for a lucky penny so that we would have good luck and with that typical small-town kind of atmosphere, it was ideal in our race, and when our horses won she was as excited as we were. for raising our large family. So Vienna has all along been our Nothing can top that – ever! However, another sentimental “best” home, but we also love the farm and go there as often as we can. moment came when Caviart Ally pulled ahead of the field, includ- Fortunately our son Terry and his wife relocated to Kentucky ing Shartin N, to win the Breeders Crown. It was a race that I had to operate the farm, and Terry does an absolutely superb job as wanted for her for so long. Farm Manager/COO. Which is the best horse you’ve ever owned? What are your duties Tall Dark Stranger. As a yearling, I thought that Tall Dark Stranger in the operation of was the most perfect horse that I had ever seen. On the racetrack, Caviart Farms? he accomplished what few others have. I believe that he is the only horse in history to win the Metro Pace and Breeders Crown at 2, Buck, Terry, Laurie and then the Meadowlands Pace and North America Cup at 3. I also and I talk every single believe that he and Somebeachsomewhere are the only two horses day and work together. in the past 35 years to be named a Dan Patch 2-Year-Old Pacing Colt However, my role is se- of the Year and then at 3 become Horse of the Year. He astounds me lecting stallions for our -- his speed, his strength and what I think is his unrivaled biggest broodmares, booking heart in the sport for his fight to win. mares to stallions and maintaining records of You breed horses to sell at auction but also race quite a few which mares are in foal and their breeding and and have been partners in a number of top stallions lately. due dates. I also keep Does having an interest in stallions make it an easy decision tabs on horses in train- on who to breed to? ing and their stakes, study the yearling sale Absolutely it does. Both Tall Dark Stranger and Captain Crunch have catalogs and then sit incredible records, great conformation and tremendously strong pedi- Judy Chaffee Facebook down with Buck and grees. They are the complete package of what we look for in a stallion, Judy Chaffee with the Terry to decide which of so it is a no-brainer to breed the majority of our pacing mares to them. Captaintreacherous / those yearlings on my Fortunately, too, one is a son of Bettor’s Delight and the other a son of Bedroomconfessions filly list seem right for us – Captaintreacherous, so generally if a mare does not cross with one of Boudoir Hanover. that sort of thing. them, she most often will cross nicely with the other. What keeps you involved in the sport as an owner and Are you at all surprised by your great run of success in recent breeder? years with Tall Dark Stranger, Captain Crunch, Caviart Ally The horses and sport are so emotionally important to me that I can- and others? not imagine being as happy without them. These last few years have wildly exceeded our expectations, even our hopes and dreams. I still think back to the early days when our How many broodmares do you have on the farm? big hope was for a horse good enough to race at The Meadowlands. Currently the farm has 25 broodmares, and as a private farm where Now we not only have had horses racing there, but we have actually we train and race the majority of the foals born on the farm, this stood with them in the track’s winner’s circle! That feels huge. seems like about the right number. CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

DRF Harness Digest | 15 | February 18, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness

the race at the draw. Also, trailers seem especially egregious in stakes races where owners have already paid for their horse to participate. When a lot of horses are entered, racing in divisions seems fairest. How do you view the future of harness racing? I wholeheartedly believe that the future is up to us. If we sit back and do nothing, how can we expect growth, a healthier and more vibrant industry? If, on the other hand, we will roll up shirtsleeves, share CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 ideas and work to implement the best of those, I believe that the future can be bright. We have a compelling product – some of the most How excited are you to once again watch Dan Patch winner talented and beautiful athletes in the world. The horses and sport Anoka Hanover and older pacer No Lou Zing compete in 2021? captivated each of us – think about that. I believe that it is incumbent on us to tighten our message and spread tentacles to reach those who I am super eager to watch both. If Anoka comes back strong, she could be equally captivated, and clearly invite them in. might race in the Hambletonian Oaks. How exciting that would be! At the same time, I have heard that No Lou Zing (“Louie”) is training Just as a few quick thoughts . . . We have talented writers who pro- really well, looking terrific. So indeed I am feeling very excited. duce story after story. Distribute those outside our industry. Larger publications may not be interested, but smaller ones might. For special events, give the media, state and local political leaders and the public a compelling reason to come – give them a part in the event. If they are involved actively and have fun, they likely will spread the word about the fun that they had. Also, we have owners who run their own or work for successful businesses and large corporations. Why not create an advisory panel, a sort of mentoring relationship whereby they can take what they learned from their own business experiences and apply those lessons to our own industry?

If we actually think and are about “action, action, action”, it seems that the future can be very bright. How would you rate yourself as an owner? Are you laid back or more hands-on? Honestly, our trainers are all great. They do a terrific job. Most have had our horses for years, and in some cases for many years, so I am Amanda Stephens Anoka Hanover winning at The Red Mile. very comfortable to have them just going about doing their jobs. At the same time, I will say that they stay in touch with us so that if something needs to be discussed, it is discussed. I never feel very far You narrowly lost Owner of the Year to Pinske Stables. Were removed from what is happening at the barns. you upset at all by the loss? Time for the stretch drive: Oh, my goodness, no, of course not. Buck and I were excited and deeply Best horse you ever saw: Best trotter, Mack Lobell. Best pacer, honored to be nominated. Plus it was such a great reflection on our Tall Dark Stranger team, a recognition of their hard work and success. We are very grate- ful to the sponsor of the awards, the U.S. Harness Writers Association, Best driver: We have an enormously talented group of drivers right and especially to the voters and the Keystone and New York Chapters now so that I would not feel comfortable in trying to choose one. In look- that nominated us. The Keystone Chapter submitted a really lovely ing at drivers in the recent past, I really liked Ron Pierce a whole lot. nomination write-up. I do not know who wrote it, or whether it was a collaborative effort, but it was very flattering, very nice. Best trainer: All of our trainers would qualify. I would not disagree with anyone who named any one of them. If you had the power to change one thing in the sport, what Lasix – Yes or No? Yes, definitely. would it be? Favorite TV show: I like nearly all of the mystery shows along the That would be to eliminate trailers in races, especially in stakes races. lines of Father Brown, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Shetland, Every effort should be made for races to be as fair as possible for all and Midsomer Murders. horses, to try to keep as much of a level playing field as possible. It is tough enough to draw an outside post, but once there are trailers in a Trotters or pacers? Both, although we have well more pacers than race the horses in some post positions can almost be said to have lost trotters.

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DRF Harness Digest | 17 | February 18, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness WOODBINE MOHAWK PARK

At DRF Harness we strive to provide the best handicapping information in the sport. Each week we’ll use this space to bring you some of our handicappers’ best bets, value plays and horses to watch. Use this information as one of your tools when wagering or simply click on the link above and head to DRF Bets to wager now. $100,000 GTD Early Pick 5 - Sat. February 20 Thursday, february 18 By Garnet Barnsdale RACE 8 Race 1: CLAIMING HDCP $25,000 to $30,000 This looks like a soft spot (3) CHOREOGRAPHER paced many big miles on the front end for quirky (6) P L IDAHO. If last year and he will likely benefit from the break. He should be the he is on his best behaviour, he one to catch firing fresh here. (5) MILITARY SECRET will likely should be tough to beat. take big action dropping into claimers and he is the one to fear. (4) -Garnet Barnsdale MACH IMPACT was going well for driver McClure before racing was stopped and he is in with an upset chance in this field. (7) JEWELS friday, february 19 DRAGON is always passing horses but he is likely to be last early here and a small share might be his ceiling in his first start back. RACE 3

Race 2: F&M NW $20,000 L5 or $28,000 L10 or NW $110,000 LT (5) RECORD YEAR moves to the Garcia-Herrera barn (1) BETTER BE DONNA N seems well-spotted here to get a via claim and goes for three favorable trip near the front and I’ll give her the nod. (7) MAJOR straight overall; he’s entered LEAGUE N should be blasting for the front leaving the gate and for the higher tag in this she is a threat to go all the way in this first start back; using. (5) handicap race but does end KENDALL SEELSTER is always in the mix at this level and she is up with a reasonable draw. another in with a shot in a race that will likely be settled by trip. -Matt Rose (2) TWIN B TIPSTER goes for a barn that has been sending them ready at The Raceway at Western Fair; consider for the exotics. RACE 4 Race 3: NW $12,000 L5 or $24,000 L10 AE: OPT CLAIMING $35,000 (6) ELYSIUM LINDY got jammed up in the pocket on (2) GRANDMA HEIDI takes a big class plunge here and you the final turn when last seen know McNair will have her on the engine. She should prove tough at 2-5 and then broke stride to catch tonight. (1) MUSICAL RHYTHM is the other dropper in when trying to squeeze out. here and his chances will improve immediately if he can leave fast He drops to the bottom level enough to land in the choice’s pocket. (8) VILLEFRANCHE AS tonight. should be revved up late for Roy and she can pass some of these to -Reinhart make it into the Tri. (4) DERF HANOVER will likely sit a nice trip racing close to the leader and stick around to take a share. Saturday, february 20

Race 4: NW $8,000 L5 or $17,500 L10 RACE 4

This should be an easy spot for (7) TRACEUR HANOVER and (8) FOCUS POCUS scored Roy will no doubt be looking to send him right down the road. convincingly over NW4 foes He’s my single. (4) P L JACKSON has enough early zip to get at Pocono a week ago, and if position early and he should be an Exacta factor in this spot. anything, this is a drop from (6) AINTNONEBETTOR A is worth a look for the exotics on the that class here. barn change. I’ll use him in the 3-4 slots. (1) BETTOR BE GOING -Reinhart is frequently a fringe player. I see him using a following trip to take a share this week.

Race 5: NW $16,000 L5 or $26,000 L10 or NW $120,000 LT full card analysis / past performances

(9) POINTS NORTH should be sharp coming back from New Yonkers (THU) Analysis Meadowlands (FRI) Analysis Jersey where he took a win and drawing widest will help keep his price viable; top call. (5) EVENWOOD SONOFAGUN drops and Mohawk Park (THU) Analysis Mohawk Park (FRI) Analysis he is clearly capable of beating these if he brings something close to his best race; using. (7) FOOT SOLDIER is an interesting price Yonkers (FRI) Analysis play here as he has blown the tote board up in the past and his barn can have one ready to fire; using. (2) ROYAL RENEGADE is frequently vaulting past rivals down the lane but it’s often too DHP PPs harness eye PPs trackmaster PPs free PPs late. I’ll use him underneath tonight. 20-Cent Pick 5 ticket: 3,4,5,7/1,5,7/1,2/7/2,5,7,9 = $19.20 Want full-card analysis? Visit DRF.com/harness

DRF Harness Digest | 18 | February 18, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness NEWS FROM AROUND THE HARNESS INDUSTRY

First foal from Bettor’s Wish scenes from “the deck” at sunshine meadows

The first-ever foal by Bettor’s Wish was born Valentine’s Day evening at Concord Stud Farm in Cream Ridge, New Jersey. The foal, a colt, is from Rock Me Baby (1:50 4/5f, $379,048). Alert and energetic, he posed for a photo (taken by Julie Meirs) when only a few hours old.

Delia du Pommereux upsets ‘Bourbon’ in Prix de France

Prix d’Amérique champion Face Time Bourbon looked home free turning into the stretch in Sunday’s (2/14) Gr. 1 Prix de France at Vincennes Racecourse in Paris, but he couldn’t polish off the victory as Delia du Pommereux rallied strongly from off-the-pace to win the 2,100 meter race in 1’09”8 (mile rate 1:52 1/5), tying the stakes record. The complexion of the race changed after the start when Prix d’Amérique runner-up and defending Prix de France champion Davidson du Pont (Jean-Michel Bazire) broke stride. With his main rival out of contention, driver Björn Goop moved Face Time Bour- bon into the top spot around early leader Billie de Montfort (Gabriele Gelormini). Face Time Bourbon would be challenged by a two-wide Bahia Quesnot (Junior Guelpa) after taking the lead, but had little Derick Giwner Photos issue keeping her on the outside. Maverick, wearing a special piece of equipment to keep him from READ MORE biting off his bandages, has matured and trained well according to trainer Tony Alagna. (below) A select group showed up at “The Game of Claims returns at Pocono this weekend Deck” to watch a selection of 2-year-olds train on Feb. 17.

The Game Of Claims Pacing Series will again be featured this racing week at The Downs at Mohegan Sun, with 58 of the amazing 60 horses claimed during opening weekend (for $1,001,500) returning for second preliminary round action for their new connections. There is a slight “bump-up” in claiming price each prelim week of the Game Of Claims, so this Saturday afternoon seven $25,000 divisions will feature horses with a baseline tag of $27,500. Only the thir- teenth race, the last prelim at this level, features a matchup of two winners from opening week -- one who was not claimed, I Get That, who paid $83.20 in winning for trainer Mark Akins and draws post four here; and one who was taken, American Rebel, who will begin from post six. READ MORE slots filled for 2021 mohawk million

Woodbine Entertainment today (2/18) announced that all slots for the 2021 Mohawk Million have officially been sold and the $1 million (CAD) race for 2-year-old trotters will be contested on Saturday, all-time record handle at pompano September 25 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The deadline to purchase one of nine slots in the Mohawk Million Handle on the 13-race February 15 card at Pompano Park was was February 15 and Woodbine has received purchase contracts to $1,608,440, an all-time record since the track opened in 1964 and the fill all slots. A $50,000 (CAD) payment was required by the February 14th million-dollar handle night this season. 15 deadline and all the slot purchasers will now have until June 1 to Handle has exceeded or approached the million-dollar mark on submit the remaining $50,000 (CAD) of the $100,000 slot fee. almost every card during the 2021 racing season at the south Florida READ MORE track. Versatile Demeter N is off to solid start for Harris Racing Live racing canceled at East Coast tracks

It might be a bit uncommon for a trainer to feel little apprehension Due to a winter storm that began hitting the region in the early about discovering their horse’s post position, particularly on a half- morning hours on Thursday (12/18) a number of tracks on the East mile track, where outside starting spots are typically unfavorable. So Coast have canceled live racing. far, though, 6-year-old female pacer Demeter N has afforded Andrew Monticello Raceway, which also canned live racing on Wednesday Harris that luxury. due to track thawing, was the first to shutter on Thursday. Next Dover Demeter N has won five of eight races since arriving from Australia Downs announced that its card had suffered the same fate. Finally, last year, including five of six at half-mile Yonkers Raceway. She is 2-for-2 Yonkers Raceway followed suit late Thursday morning. this season at The Hilltop, with victories from post six and post eight. Yonkers is scheduled to return to action on Friday. Monticello and READ MORE Dover resume racing Monday.