DRF HARNESS HOME DIGITAL HARNESS EYE HARNESS PPS DRF BETS ENTRIES ARCHIVE THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 2021 While the big girls are away, Wallin hopes his fillies will play in Delmonica Hanover

Lucas Wallin talks about his pair of trotting fillies entered in Saturday’s Sun Stakes at Pocono, his 2-year-old prospects and Hambletonian drive

contested without Lasix. Was the absence of the drug an issue in the Oaks? JAYWALKING “I don’t think the Lasix made a difference, honestly,” said Wallin. “She got into traffic By Jay Bergman and I think that was why she didn’t make the final.” @BergmanJay Both Wallin fillies could have an advantage over the smaller ovals. “I think both of my fillies are good getting around the turns and Inside this issue Trainer Lucas Wallin has a pair of sopho- don’t have to be nursed,” said Wallin, hoping more trotting fillies entered in the inaugural that gives an edge, especially over the speed- favoring Pocono surface. Darin Zoccali: Time for a new later post Delmonica Hanover stakes this Saturday at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. Never- time on Hambletonian Day?, Page 4 theless, the conditioner appeared more inter- Hempt the highlight of an action-packed ested in who wasn’t in the field for the $250,000 event. Sun Stakes Pocono card, Page 6 “The two top fillies from the Hambletonian Hambletonian champ Captain Corey Oaks are missing,” Wallin said, noting that returns in Earl Beal Memorial, Page 8 Bella Bellini, a terror over the five-eighths mile Pocono strip, was ineligible to the event HISA in the spotlight at Saratoga and that Oaks runner-up Iteration side- Conferences, Page 10 stepped the event and took on New York Sire Stakes foes midweek instead. Road to the Mohawk Million - Week 1, That’s likely why Wallin is happy where Page 11 he stands with his pair of fillies among the Lisa Photo nine horses entered in the main event of May Karp won her last start on August 6 On The Backstretch: Profile of Pocono two Delmonica Hanover races on the card. at The Meadowlands but loses driver Tim Director of Racing Rick Kane, Page 13 Mazzarati, a $250K winner as a 2-year-old, Tetrick to stablemate Mazzarati. drew post three with scheduled Gold Cup & Saucer analysis; to drive while stablemate May Karp landed As for May Karp, she enters the Delmon- Scioto hoping to reopen Friday, Page 15 post seven in the field. ica Hanover following a career-best 1:52 2/5 “Dexter Dunn will drive May Karp,” Wallin score in the Continentalvictory where she Industry Headlines, Page 17 said, adding, “He drove her last year and got trotted out in 27 2/5 and then posted a 27 along with here fine.” 3/5 final quarter for her second win of the Comments? Questions? Of the two, Mazzarati has the position edge season. Her stakes resume shows a 1:55 4/5 Email the Editor [email protected] and perhaps the talent to handle the five- victory last year at Pocono and this year she eighths miler and get her second win of the was just a length off in third in a division of To ensure proper delivery of the season. A recent runner-up to May Karp in the Del Miller at The Meadowlands to Donna a division of the Continentalvictory at The Soprano, a top-rated filly that also will be newsletter via email, add Meadowlands, Mazzarati barely missed qual- [email protected]. comPTA-2_Layout to your contact 1 8/17/2021 list 1:30ifying PM forPage the 1 , a race she CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 PLAN TO ATTEND 344 Entries! 164 Black Type Yearlings! Online Catalog at www.bloodedhorse.com

JERRY HAWS P.O. Box 187 Wilmore, Kentucky 40390 Phone: (859) 858-4415 ONE DAY! AUGUST 24, 2021 Fax: (859) 858-8498 “There’s No Substitute for Experience” © 2021 Daily Racing Form, LLC - 10 Grand Central, 3rd Floor, NY, NY 10017 $2 Million Sun Stakes Saturday The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono Saturday, August 21 | Post Time 12:30 P.M. EDT Harness Eye PPs & Get Free Watch it LIVE! FEATURED RACES $250,000 James Lynch Memorial (Race 9) $250,000 Delmonica Hanover (Race 10) $300,000 Max Hempt Memorial (Race 11) $300,000 Earl Beal Jr. Memorial (Race 12) $75,000 Sebastian K & Always B Miki (Races 8 & 14)

Get PPs Derick Giwner Lucas Wallin fired out from post 10 with Cuatro De Julio but was unable to clear the lead in the Hambletonian.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Circuit at The Red Mile,” said Wallin. “There’s no or Goldsmith Maid.” passing on the Delmonica Hanover despite being eligible. Wallabee had captured a qualifier at The Meadowlands in just 1:59 While the missing fillies may diminish the star power in the initial 3/5 before her first career start and Wallin pointed the filly right to offering of this stakes event, it will likely inspire a host of the contend- the top in her Red Mile debut, setting fractions of 29 3/5 58 and 1:26 2/5 ers to put forth a maximum effort. You Ato Dream (post 1) is one likely before giving way to the more experienced Date Night. Wallabee trot- beneficiary having drawn post six or further out in her last four ted her mile in 1:55 2/5, giving her trainer-driver hope for the future. starts. The Jeff Gregory-trained lass is one of three Hambletonian “I think she’ll be much better following horses,” said Wallin. Oaks finalists entered in the field and can be excused for a sixth-place Wallin also reflected on his driving performance in the Hambleton- finish after racing from well off the pace. You Ato Dream has won four ian behind Cuatro De Julio. of her nine races this year. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime race for the horse and his connections,” Darlene Hanover was prominent setting the pace in the Oaks and Wallin said. “I thought if I take him back to last from post 10 there then faded to fourth in the field at the finish. The Chapter Seven-sired wasn’t going to be any chance of winning.” filly landed post 5 in the Delmonica Hanover and that could set her up Cuatro De Julio was involved in a blistering 26 opening quarter nicely to either leave or find a good cover trip. as he vied for command with eventual race-winner Captain Corey. Flawless Country (post 4) was no worse than second in nine starts “They changed the bridle for the race and it made him more aggres- for trainer Ake Svanstedt as a 2-year-old, but this year the daughter sive,” said Wallin, indicating he was somewhat a passenger through of Southwind Frank has gone winless in seven tries. Still, those that the vicious opening quarter. “When I tried to take a hold of him and have followed Svanstedt’s stable have to respect his horses whenever set him in the two-hole, Ake (Svanstedt behind Captain Corey) also they are entered in stakes competition. Flawless Country finished took a hold of his horse, shutting me out of the hole.” fifth in the Hambletonian Oaks. Needless to say, Wallin fought on and pushed Captain Corey with While Wallin is excited about his chances on Saturday at Pocono, his charge as hard as he could, making this year’s Hambletonian he’s looking forward to racing a few more of his 2-year-olds in the more memorable than it might have been had Captain Corey and coming weeks. The Walner-sired Wallabee is a filly he acquired a few stablemate Delayed Hanover controlled a much slower pace. months ago and she made her stakes debut this past Sunday (August While Wallin will earn no bonus points for the drive, and some may 15) at The Red Mile. suggest it was a suicide mission, it would be wise to point out that “I think I might have overdriven her,” said Wallin in regard to many drivers mail in their response after post positions are drawn. Wallabee’s second-place finish in a Kentucky Sire Stakes Common- “My horse was entering the race in great form,” said Wallin, indicat- wealth division. ing he wanted to win the race regardless of the post or competition. The back story on Wallabee, a filly from the immediate family of Had Captain Corey not come up as brilliant as he did, perhaps champion Bee A Magician, is that she was hurt in a training accident Cuatro De Julio’s performance would have been a winning one, as and missed a lot of time recovering. With the missing time Wallabee clearly those not contesting the lead in this race were mostly flat in was left out of major stakes races that obviously seemed well out of the homestretch. reach for her 2-year-old season. Cuatro De Julio is back in Kentucky now and perhaps he and Wallin “She’s eligible to the Sire Stakes and then two weeks of the Grand will get a chance at redemption in the coming weeks.

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DRF Harness Digest | 3 | August 19, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Time for a new later post time on Hambletonian Day?

The opposing viewpoint is that at the track Saratoga is thor- oughbred racing and By Darin Zoccali AtTheTrack7 doesn’t impact stan- dardbred racing at The Meadowlands. Another Hambletonian Day has come and gone and the industry I don’t believe that should be quite pleased with the overall success of the day. There to be true. I believe were plenty of exciting races, sensational performances, strong there are many handle figures and exposure to a national audience. people, like myself, Each year the vested interests analyze the day and make deter- who wager on both minations as to what changes, if any, could or should be made as products, and having the event moves forward. I always do the same and while there to bounce back and isn’t much I would change about the day, it may be time to at least forth between both consider one significant change, a later post time. cards all afternoon is First and foremost, it was always written into the contract of the an annoyance. Hambletonian that the race must be contested under daylight, which I also think it is is why the Hambletonian Day card remains the only day of after- important to point noon racing at The Meadowlands each year. Obviously this clause is out that the Hamble- within a contract between the Hambletonian Society and The Mead- tonian Day concept was created at a time before there was simulcast owlands and could be changed if both parties agreed. wagering and certainly before you could sit in your own home and To be clear, I am not advocating for a 7:00 P.M. start time for the wager on your phone or other mobile device. It was a day that was racing program. But I think the time has come to explore the poten- created for those at the racetrack. If those in control of this event tial of a twilight start time to the event. In years past, this would believe that remains the most important aspect of Hambletonian have been a non-starter due to the prospects of commingling pools Day, then I respect that belief. But there is a business aspect to this with European interests for the event as well as the handle that is day in 2021 that did not exist in 1931 or 1981. I think the time has produced in European separate-pool wagering. But it seems that come to explore the possibility that a later start time could result in European interest, at least from a betting standpoint, has waned more handle and more revenue. somewhat. In 1981, the first year The Hambletonian was held at The Meadow- The commingling into the Meadowlands pools has been faced lands, the wagering for the day totaled $3.3 million, all of which took with a series of challenges over the years. In addition, the European place on-track. As recently as 1997, of the $6.1 Million wagered, 50 wagering through French PMU, LeTrot and the Scandinavian coun- percent of that money was sent through the windows at The Mead- tries that reached a peak of $2.88 Million in 2011 has dropped nearly owlands. Total handle reached an all-time high in 2005 of just over $9 75% to just over $750,000 in 2020 (the 2021 figures are not available million, with $3.4 million being wagered at The Meadowlands itself. yet). A once promising and innovative concept seems to be strug- But the last eight editions of the historic event have taken place in gling. That’s not to say that $750,000 is a small amount of money, but the new and downsized Meadowlands grandstand. On-track handle when you factor in how much that is worth to The Meadowlands and is now just $1 million and in 2019 (the last year the event took place the Hambletonian Society, including the fact that European handle with no COVID impact), that on-track handle accounted for just 14% on the event has dropped 75% from its peak and 50% since 2017, I am of the total handle. not sure it’s enough of a reason to keep the event during the daytime. While I certainly appreciate the rich history and tradition of this What is the other drawback of contesting these races in the great day and also recognize that Hambletonian Day is not some- daytime? They are up against the most wagered-upon thoroughbred thing that is broken and needs to be fixed, I do believe that the time meet based on average daily handle in the form of Saratoga Race has come that this conversation can take place. It’s possible there is Course. Even worse, it is their second-highest handling day of the an avenue to make the greatest day in even greater. year, Whitney Day. Nobody is smart enough to know exactly how much Saratoga impacts The Meadowlands as they go head to head, being they are two different breeds. But, there are plenty of bettors, like myself, who wager on both products. While it is true that Del Mar would become the competition if Hambletonian Day post time were later in the day, this year Sara- toga’s Whitney Day card produced a handle of $36.9 million. In addi- tion, Gulfstream Park produced $7.9 million in handle. That is $44.8 million in betting dollars not available to The Meadow- lands. Del Mar’s handle was $16.6 Million. There’s no comparison. Also, Southern California thoroughbred racing has been struggling 62nd Gold Cup & Saucer the past two years and while Del Mar has traditionally been immune Red Shores at Charlottetown Driving Park to those struggles, its meet is down to a four-card-per-week schedule and field size has also been impacted. Saturday, August 21 | Post Time 6:00 P.M. EDT I think exploring the prospect of a start time somewhere in the 5:00 PM hour is worth at least a discussion for Hambletonian Day. The competition from Saratoga becomes four races instead of 12. Get Free Harness Eye PPs & Watch it LIVE! In addition, The Hambletonian Oaks and Hambletonian Final are contested long after Saratoga concludes, whereas now, they were both contested within 30 minutes of the Whitney Stakes itself. While it did provide exposure to a national audience during Saratoga’s televised broadcast on Fox Sports, I am not certain those watching downloaded the Hambletonian Day past performances and wagered Get PPs Now just because the race was shown as part of the Saratoga presenta- tion.

DRF Harness Digest | 4 | August 19, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness

Hempt the highlight of action-packed Sun Stakes program

Chris Gooden Hellabalou pulled off the minor upset in the Adios and he’ll look to parlay that success on Saturday afternoon at Pocono.

By Jay Bergman at The Meadowlands and drew well, landing post 4 in the eight-horse field. The newly renovated $300,000 Max Hempt Memorial is part of a Cane Pace champion Rockyroad Hanover is one of two Tony Alagna stakes-filled card at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono on Saturday trainees in the Hempt and with post 6, was the best drawing as stable- afternoon and trainer Eddie Dennis is hopeful that his colt is ready mate Abuckabett Hanover landed post 8. Rockyroad Hanover was for a big mile. lightly raced as a 2-year-old but has blossomed nicely this year and Hellabalou returns to the races for the first time since capturing most recently was a solid second behind Hellabalou in the Adios and the Adios on July 31 at The Meadows. then a 1:48 1/5 winner on Hambletonian Day in the Cane Pace at The “I trained him a trip on Friday [August 13] in 1:55,” said Dennis of Meadowlands. Hellabalou, who drew post 6 but will start from post 5 with the scratch Rounding out the field for the Hempt is Southwind Gendry (post 2), of American Courage due to sickness in the now eight-horse Hempt on Chase H Hanover (post 3) and I’ll Drink To That (post 7). Saturday. “With back-to-back 1:49 miles, he needed to be refreshed. The Sun Stakes card at Pocono gets underway at 12:30 PM and You don’t have to do very much to keep them tight.” offers just over $2 million in purse money. Free past performances, Hellabalou has graduated from longshot to top contender over video and full-card analysis, as well as live video for the entire event the course of the last month, catching the public’s eye with his can be found here. 81-1 elimination victory on July 10. Even after taking an Adios elimination handily, the Sweet Lou-sired colt was a generous 6-1 in the final that he captured in a career-best 1:48 4/5 clocking. American Courage out of Hempt “I’m happy being a longshot,” said Dennis, clearly enjoying the run Hellabalou has put him on this year. “He had a breathing issue as a 2-year-old that we got cleared up. That’s the major difference this According to trainer Travis Alexander, American Courage, year.” scheduled to start from post 5 in Saturday’s $300,000 Max Hempt With health issues resolved, Hellabalou has won three of his last main event at The Downs at Pocono, will be scratched sick. four starts this year and banked $308K on the season for owner Eric “He trained good the other day, but his blood is just not right Good. His tactical early speed has been a bonus throughout his recent and he’s just not 100%,” said Alexander. “He’s better than he’s success, but Dennis believes his colt can win in other ways too. shown his last two starts and we want to give him a chance to “I think if they cut the pace like they did in the Milstein the other prove that down the road in races like the North America Cup, night [August 14] he could come off the pace and win like Charlie Little Brown Jug and Breeders Crown. We don’t want to chase in May,” said Dennis. “I also think if he gets the opportunity, he can cut a fast mile when he isn’t right.” one out and win on the front end.” American Courage did cruise to victory in the Messenger The Hempt has three divisions with the leading money winners Stakes at Yonkers on July 2 but has since fallen on hard times, this year going for the $300,000 prize in race 11 of 14 on Saturday after- finishing sixth while interferred with in the Meadowlands Pace noon. The field is stacked with Meadowlands Pace winner Lawless and seventh in the Cane Pace when his trainer said he was diag- Shadow (post 1) returning from Canada following a pair of tough nosed with “thumps” after the race. The condition is an abnormal trips in Ontario Gold action. The Shadow Play-sired colt has Mark spasming of the diaphragm. He then rebounded with a New York MacDonald back for the driving assignment. Sire Stakes victory at Yonkers on August 13. Last year’s champion Perfect Sting has not exactly had an ideal Alexander hopes to have the current virus in the rearview season to date, yet there’s no reason to believe he couldn’t get a major mirror in the coming days. victory in the Hempt. Perfect Sting was most recently second in the

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By Ken Weingartner finalists Spy Booth, who finished second, Delayed Hanover, Take All Comers, Sonofamistery, and Locatelli. In its previous nine editions, the Earl Beal Jr. Memorial for 3-year- Delayed Hanover, owned by Mellby Gard and Ake Svanstedt Inc., old trotters was a precursor to the Hambletonian. finished fourth in the Hambletonian. Svanstedt also trains Beal This year, thanks to a later date on the Grand Circuit schedule, the contender Johan Palema, who is 3-1 on the morning line. Johan race features the Hambletonian champ. Palema, owned by Bender Sweden Inc., won the in July Captain Corey, who won the $1 million on but missed the Hambletonian after finishing seventh in his elimina- Aug. 7, headlines a nine-horse field in Saturday’s $300,000 Beal Memo- tion. rial at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. The colt, trained and Johan Palema, who will be driven by , has four driven by Ake Svanstedt, is the 2-1 morning-line favorite as a coupled wins and a second in six starts this year while Delayed Hanover, who entry with stablemate Delayed Hanover. will be driven by Dexter Dunn, has three wins and a second in six The Beal Memorial is part of Pocono’s stakes-filled Sun Stakes races. They will join Captain Corey in going barefoot in the Beal. Saturday card, which also includes the $250,000 Delmonica Hanover “Johan Palema raced so good earlier this year, every race was good for 3-year-old female trotters, $300,000 Max C. Hempt Memorial for for him,” Svanstedt said. “And then the important race, the Hamble- 3-year-old pacers, and $250,000 James M. Lynch Memorial for 3-year- tonian elimination, he was bad. He got tired. Maybe he just had a bad old female pacers. Racing begins at 12:30 p.m. (EDT). day. We couldn’t find anything specific wrong. After that, he trained Captain Corey is undefeated in three previous appearances at good, and everything seems normal. I hope he can do a good race.” Pocono, including a stakes-record 1:53 3/5 triumph in last season’s Svanstedt won the 2019 Beal Memorial with Marseille, who upset Pennsylvania Sire Stakes championship for 2-year-old male trotters. favorite Greenshoe at odds of 57-1. For his career, Captain Corey has won eight of 12 starts and $915,333 Two races prior to the Beal, Svanstedt will send out Flawless Coun- for owners S R F Stable, Knutsson Trotting Inc., Midnight Sun Part- try and Wet My Whistle in the $250,000 Delmonica Hanover. Svanst- ners Inc., and Ake Svanstedt Inc. edt shares ownership of both fillies, who will race as a coupled entry In the Hambletonian, Captain Corey was pressed to a 26 opening in the wagering. The entry is the 5-2 morning-line favorite. quarter, the fastest first quarter in the final’s history, and remained Flawless Country finished no worse than second in nine races last under pressure until coming out of the last turn. From there, he year, winning five, including the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes final for pulled away from the field, and won by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:51. 2-year-old filly trotters at Pocono. This year, she is winless in seven “A lot of people were talking that if they gave Captain Corey some starts. pressure, he would stop,” Svanstedt said. “But he is tougher than “Maybe we are a little spoiled because she was so good last year,” people understand. Now they know he is a tough horse. He’s very nice Svanstedt said. “She’s raced OK, but maybe the competition is tougher and friendly, but he’s a tough horse.” this year. They must move forward from (age) 2 to 3. Maybe she has Captain Corey raced without shoes in the Hambletonian and will go not moved forward as much as the other horses.” barefoot again in the Beal. Svanstedt will drive Flawless Country while Gingras will drive “He was very light and smooth gaited,” Svanstedt said. “The Wet My Whistle, who has won four of 19 career starts. time (in the Hambletonian) was (1):51, but I think he can go faster. “She has talent, she always trains good, but she must be in a good Normally, they get faster. But that was a different race because they mood to race good,” Svanstedt said about Wet My Whistle. “She has a went so fast the first half.” temper. We can’t find out why she is like that. I hope she is in a better Captain Corey’s sire, Googoo Gaagaa, won the 2012 Beal Memorial mood so that she can race better. She has a bad post (nine). We’ll see in a then-world-record 1:50 4/5. what she can do.” In addition to Captain Corey, Saturday’s Beal includes Hambletonian -courtesy USTA Communications

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“The Supreme Court is looking for an opportunity to review this Scheeler: HISA may present draft rules on safety, integrity in fall issue,” Liebman said. “And if it does, we are in for a very long and The principals seeking to implement the Horseracing Integrity difficult amount of litigation. . . . This should be a major concern for and Safety Authority expect to submit draft rules and regulations to the industry and for the proponents of HISA.” the Federal Trade Commission by the end of this year after several Liebman’s comments came during the conference’s second session months of deliberation among industry constituencies, the chairman of the morning examining HISA and its legal implications – and of the authority said Sunday in prerecorded comments broadcast as exactly 24 hours after The Jockey Club, which played a major role in part of The Jockey Table Round Table Conference on Matters Pertain- crafting the legislation creating it, used its Round Table Conference ing to Racing. on Sunday to urge the racing industry to support the implementation Charles Scheeler, the former legal counsel to former Sen. George of the authority. Mitchell (D-Maine) who was appointed chair of HISA in May, said that a While a wide-ranging collection of racing groups supported passage draft of the rules should be ready to be distributed and discussed among of the legislation, the bill also has been challenged by a handful of racing constituencies in “the fall,” in advance of the year-end submis- racetracks, racing commissions, horsemen’s groups, and breed orga- sion to the FTC. HISA is committing to that timetable to ensure that the nizations, on the grounds that the legislation violates several non- rules can meet the public-comment requirements necessary to obtain delegation clauses of the Constitution. formal approval by the effective start date of the authority, July 1, 2022. Supporters of the legislation have said that it was modeled after Scheeler’s comments on the timetable were part of a broad presenta- bills allowing for self-regulation of the financial-services industry tion on the goals of the authority, which was established by a federal bill through a federally sanctioned body. Those regulatory agencies have passed late in 2020. The bill was supported by a wide coalition of indus- survived challenges on constitutional grounds in the past, but Lieb- try groups, including The Jockey Club, as a way to replace the current man warned that recent changes on the political landscape and on the system of state-by-state regulation in racing with a national structure. makeup of the federal judiciary have made the issue ripe for review. Work on the draft rules and regulations has already begun, “There is hardly a better case than this one for someone who is Scheeler said, but he cautioned that the effort “isn’t easy” as he called worried about the issue,” Liebman said. on industry groups to throw their support behind the cause. Chris Kannady, an Oklahoma state legislator and attorney who is “It’s going to be a heavy lift,” Scheeler said. “But we can do it if the representing the state racing commission, Oklahoma horsemen, and entire industry unites behind this effort.” several state racetracks in their challenge of the federal bill, said that The cautionary comments were an allusion to a lawsuit supported regulation of horse racing should remain in the hands of state racing by a number of racetracks, racing commissions, national and state commissions, and he said federal regulation would ignore impacts on horsemen’s organizations, and associations representing Quarter local economies. Horse and interests that is seeking to invalidate the “This is really about us, as individuals, taking care of our industry, federal legislation. The suit contends that the structure and powers of to make sure our industry isn’t wrecked,” Kannady said. He added HISA violate several constitutional doctrines regarding delegation of that he believed the costs of implementation of the authority would powers, among other objections. “decimate the industry in a lot of states.” Scheeler also said that HISA is preparing to deliver the estimated READ MORE costs of its programs to individual state racing commissions by “late fall and winter.” Under HISA, states will be required to raise the funds necessary FTC attorneys ask court to dismiss challenge to HISA to implement HISA’s regulatory and drug-testing programs, and the Government attorneys representing the Federal Trade Commis- authority has been guarded so far about the amount of those costs. sion have filed a motion asking a federal court in Kentucky to dismiss During his presentation, Scheeler warned that states should be a lawsuit filed by three states that seeks to invalidate the Horseracing prepared to raise “more money than the industry has traditionally Integrity and Safety Act. allocated” to regulatory efforts. The attorneys argue in the brief that the creation and structure of “These program costs should not be looked at as expenses,” Scheeler the regulatory body – known as the Horseracing Integrity and Safety said. “They should be looked at as investments in strengthening the Authority – created by the act does not violate doctrines in the federal industry and ensuring its future. … It costs money to ensure that the constitution regarding the delegation of powers by Congress to a rules are fairly and evenly and effectively applied.” private entity, as the plaintiffs in the initial lawsuit contended. The Scheeler closed by urging doubters in the industry to embrace suit is being heard in the U.S. District Court for Kentucky. HISA. HISA was created by legislation passed last year as part of an omni- “The program that we are planning will yield a stronger sport, but bus coronavirus relief bill. Under the legislation, HISA would set stan- this will only work if the industry is prepared to invest in its future,” dards for medication and safety practices at racetracks and enforce he said. “I submit to you that the upside is staggering and worth the lift. those standards through state racing commissions. Its rules and regu- … The big winners in all of this will be all of you who love the sport.” lations would need to be reviewed and approved by the Federal Trade READ MORE Commission. Its effective start date in the bill is July 1, 2022. The motion to dismiss also argues that the plaintiffs, which include the states of Louisiana, Oklahoma, and West Virginia, plus their Racing-law expert predicts long legal fight over HISA racing commissions, do not have standing to challenge HISA because A prominent and well-respected racing-law expert predicted it is still in its formative stages. Monday that federal courts are ready to revisit doctrines regarding “Adjudicating the merits of plaintiffs’ legal claims now would require the delegation of government powers to private companies, a develop- the court to evaluate HISA’s framework in the abstract, unaided by any ment that could lead to a drawn-out legal battle over a new national concrete facts or interpretative rules from the agency that regulatory authority for horse racing. Congress charged with the statute’s implementation,” the motion The expert, Bennett Liebman, a former member of the New York states. “There is no justification for the court treading this path under State Racing and Wagering Board, told attendees of the Racing and any circumstances, and it is doubly improper in a constitutional chal- Gaming Conference on Monday that while the Supreme Court has not lenge.” made a prominent ruling on delegation powers since 1936, the pres- The arguments in the brief are similar to those made by attorneys for ent make-up of the court includes several new justices who have indi- the members of the nominating committee of HISA, who were targeted cated that they may want to revisit the issue. If that were the case, in a suit filed in April by the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and it would jeopardize the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, Protective Association and a number of its state affiliates. That suit a private horse racing regulatory body created by federal legislation was filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. passed late in 2020. -articles by Matt Hegarty

DRF Harness Digest | 10 | August 19, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness ROAD TO THE MOHAWK MILLION The Mohawk Million for 2-year-old trotters is scheduled for September 25 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Nine owners paid C$100,000 each to own slots for the C$1,000,000 race. Each slot-holder may enter their own horse in the Mohawk Million or make arrangements with another owner to use the entry. In addition, a tenth spot in the million-dollar race will be awarded to the winner of the William Wellwood Memorial on September 11 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Below are the Top 10 horses on the Road to the Mohawk Million (Week 1 - August 19) as rated by DRF Harness Editor Derick Giwner along with his comments.

Horse Sex Sire Record/Best Win Time Trainer Last Start 1-KING OF THE NORTH C Walner 5-5-0-0 (1:52 4/5 - Med) Won Peter Haughton at Meadowlands on 8/7 Owner(s): Schnittker-Ward, Arden Homestead Stable, Nolamaura Racing & Steve Arnold Giwner: Certainly impressed firing off less than perfect cover and storming home for the Haughton win. Walner colt has done whatever regular driver Mark MacDonald has asked and has won from on or off the pace. Being eligible to the Wellwood, which provides the winner a spot in the Mohawk Million, this seems like the most logical path.

2-VENERABLE F Walner 5-5-0-0 (1:52 - Med) Nifty Norman Won KY Sire Stakes at Red Mile on 8/15 Owner(s): David McDuffee, Melvin Hartman, Paul Bordogna & Steven Arnold Giwner: She was spectacular winning the Doherty on Hambletonian Day and didn’t miss a beat with a 1:54 1/5 win at The Red Mile on Sunday. Her appearance in that Kentucky Sire Stakes makes it less likely that she’ll race in the Mohawk Million since the KYSS final is six days before the Million, though last year’s winner Venerate did it.

3-DULY RESOLVED G Resolve 3-3-0-0 (1:56 - Wdsb) John Bax Won Ontario Sire Stakes Gold at Mohawk on 7/29 Owner(s): Bax Stable, David Hudson, Don Allensen & Gaelic Stable Giwner: He owns a perfect record and powered away from the competition in his last start after a few light taps of the Paul MacDonell whip. The fact that he is stabled in Canada makes the commute to the Mohawk Million much shorter and him a much more likely participant than a U.S.- based horse. He’s entered in Thursday’s 3rd leg of the Gold series at Mohawk (race 2).

4-GLOBAL PANDEMIC C Cantab Hall 7-3-2-1 (1:54 4/5 - Mw) Ron Burke Won in PA Sire Stakes at The Meadows on 8/13 Owner(s): Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables & Weaver Bruscemi Giwner: Beat #6 on this list last week after getting away with comfortable fractions. He admittedly has something left to prove in terms of raw speed but he’s Wellwood eligible and as a PA Sire Stakes horse, won’t have any conflicts with the Mohawk Million date; in-to-go 8/22 at Pocono (race 10).

5-S I P C Bar Hopping 7-3-1-0 (1:53 4/5 - Med) Ron Burke Won KY Sire Stakes at The Red Mile on 8/15 Owner(s): Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Brixton Medical Inc. & Weaver Bruscemi Giwner: Set a lifetime mark at The Red Mile on Sunday and that track doesn’t seem quite as fast now as it was a week ago. The fact that he is highly likely to make the Kentucky Sire Stakes final and isn’t eligible to the Wellwood could mean we don’t see him north of the border.

6-KEG STAND C Bar Hopping 6-3-1-1 (1:53 3/5 - Lex) Nancy Takter 2nd in PA Sire Stakes at The Meadows on 8/13 Owner(s): Black Horse Racing, Christina Takter & John Fielding Giwner: Comes off a loss at The Meadows, but was done in by the pace and did gain ground on the leader. He’s been double-dipping between PA and KY Sire Stakes, so he might be too worn out by the time the Mohawk Million comes around to take the trip, though he’s skipping Sunday’s PASS leg.

7-DOVER IN MOTION G Dover Dan 2-2-0-0 (1:54 1/5 - HoP) Jamie Macomber Won IN Sire Stakes at Hoosier Park on 7/30 Owner(s): M&M Racing & Norbert Joseph Maza Giwner: Spotted the field 20 lengths and blew past in the stretch with a 27 1/5 final quarter in his first career start and followed it up with an eight- plus-length romp last time out. Granted Indiana is a long way from the Grand Circuit but this guy looks like the real deal. Next start is August 18 in race 7 at Hoosier.

8-PINK GYPSY F Father Patrick 6-1-2-1 (1:55 3/5 - Phl) Ron Burke 3rd in KY Sire Stakes at The Red Mile on 8/15 Owner(s): Crawford Farms Racing Giwner: She could be the best 2-year-old trotter for Crawford Farms Racing and they own a spot in the race. She was a good third behind Vener- able on Sunday and looked very good winning her previous start.

9-CLASSIC HILL C 5-0-3-1 (none) Marcus Melander 2nd in Haughton at The Meadowlands on 8/7 Owner(s): John Schmucker Giwner: Split horses with good trot and can’t be faulted for losing to King Of The Hill in the Peter Haughton last time. Colt seems to still be devel- oping into a serious horse and could very well be there by September 25; Wellwood eligible.

10-TEMPORAL HANOVER C Walner 5-2-2-0 (1:54 1/5 - Med) Marcus Melander 9th in Haughton at The Meadowlands on 8/7 Owner(s): AMG Stable Inc., Kenneth Kjellgren, Rick Wahlstedt & Heights Stable Giwner: Was used in a 26 3/5 quarter in the Haughton from a bad post, so we can’t hold that against him. Prior to that he had never been worse than second. He’s Wellwood eligible and has a chance to win his way into the Million.

DRF Harness Digest | 11 | August 19, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness HB_HamboSoc-CKeller_Template 8/19/2021 9:51 AM Page 1

In Memory Of CHARLIE KELLER III 1939 - 2021 Courtesy Rick Kane Rick Kane, currently the Director of Racing at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, has been involved in the sport for five decades.

You worked as Racing Secretary or in the racing department at Did you ever want to know more about the people involved in the about 10 tracks. Are there major differences from track to track? harness industry? Editor Derick Giwner combs the harness land- scape each week to profile a new personality from the sport. Actually, I’ve worked at 17 tracks, mostly on the East Coast from Bangor, Maine to Pompano Beach, Florida. I did a 4-year stint out west (or sort of out west) at Raceway Park in Toledo, Ohio. Every track is different in its own way. The obvious way is the race/purse structure that each track has to offer. A number of the tracks you used to work out, like Rockingham Park, Brandywine Raceway and Scarborough Director of Racing Rick Kane Downs, no longer exist. Is that a bit surreal for you? It absolutely is. The one that sticks in my mind the most is where I What kind of car do you drive? worked 50 years ago. That being Hinsdale Raceway in New Hamp- 2021 Volkswagen Jetta. shire. In the late 1960’s my family moved from Pennsylvania to New Hampshire. I called [charted] Hinsdale for many years. Favorite dinner meal? Snack? You’ve been Director of Racing/Racing Secretary at Pocono Swordfish; Veggies. for over a decade now. Has it been a smooth ride? What is your favorite all-time track to visit? Why? Ah, define smooth ride? There are always “bumps” on a smooth ride, even on the best highways. Ocean Downs – I worked there two summers over 20 years ago. I love the area, but I miss the old grandstand. Do you find it harder to card full fields now than when you What is your favorite big event in racing? started at Pocono? Sun Stakes Saturday, of course, but I enjoy them all, everywhere. Sure. The purses determine everything. People follow the money. That’s just the nature of the game; always has been. There are two How did you get started in harness racing? main factors that have been making it harder this season: Nearby tracks have been able to increase purses to make themselves more I come from a racing family. My parents bought a couple of horses in the early 1960’s and we were off and racing. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

DRF Harness Digest | 13 | August 19, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness What’s the strangest thing to happen to you in harness racing? In 1983, I went up to Scarborough Downs in Maine as a Paddock Judge. Three weeks into the meet, I get a phone call after the races on a Saturday night for a meeting with the track owner. He tells me I am now the race secretary. That was my first job as a race secretary.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 Sun Stakes featuring many of the top horses in the sport is this weekend at Pocono. Does the track have anything than competitive for the limited horse supply in the area and in special planned? regards to our overnight purses, we had to cut back due to the shutdown that was a result of the pandemic. Hopefully in the not-to- There will be some giveaways. There will also be a corn hole tourna- distant future we will be able to increase them. ment on the track apron, extra food options and a special menu in the clubhouse where there will be limited seating. What is your favorite sport to watch? Team? Do you view marque racing cards like Sun Stakes as Football – Patriots. Even without Tom what’s-his-name. important to Pocono and the sport? What is one thing about you most fans/bettors don’t know? Sure do. Without them that would be like baseball not having the I think there’s a line in Forrest Gump that goes, “Life is what hap- World Series. pens while making other plans.” I never really planned on a career in harness racing. The first two years I worked as an Assistant Race Is it difficult putting on an event like Sun Stakes? Secretary was to just make money for college. I was a Television/ I suppose, but again the money will draw the best for it. Film major. But here I am 50 years later. Racing’s been very good to me. I hope I’ve been good to harness racing. If you had the power to change one thing in the sport, what What is one word that describes harness racing for you? would it be? Family. As I’ve said, my family got into racing a long time ago. My I would definitely want to see more uniform rules between the states. late brother, Bobby, was a leading driver in New England. He had an untimely accident in April 1973. That summer I helped my father How do you view the future of harness racing? with the stable. In the fall, I started working in race offices and kept Harness racing is going to be around for a while. It’s an American on traveling. sport. Do you have a favorite horse from your time in the sport? Time for the stretch drive: I would have to say Rambling Willie. He was just a tough campaigner Best Horse you’ve seen?: . I was actually in the paddock with from very humble beginnings. When I worked at Monticello, he was him when he came from standing in Kentucky to Pine Hollow Stud on his book tour. He raced in a special invitational there out of the in New York State. 8-hole and went a monster mile to win it. Favorite TV Show?: Game of Thrones. What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten about harness racing? Trotters or Pacers?: Pacers. Initially, early on, the one piece of advice I remember was to know your barn area to know what you have for horses to race. But that has become a lost art in that the majority of tracks today simply do not have barn areas anymore. It’s because of that that, as a race Follow secretary, you really don’t know what you’ll have in a class from one week to the next. What was your favorite moment in harness racing? When I used to spend the winters in Pompano.

DRF Harness Digest | 14 | August 19, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness By Derick Giwner At DRF Harness we strive to provide the best handicapping information in the sport. Each week we’ll use this space to bring The 62nd Guardian Gold Cup & Saucer is the highlight of the you some of our handicappers’ best bets, value plays and horses to meet at Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at Charlottetown Driving watch. Use this information as one of your tools when wagering or Park. The $60,000 final features a full field of nine and as always simply click on the link above and head to DRF Bets to wager now. should prove to be an exciting event. Thursday, august 19 charlottetown Race 13 - $60,000 gold cup & saucer RACE 4 (1) SOMEWHERE FANCY posted the fastest elimination victory in 1:50 4/5, a time that fell only three-fifths off the track record, (3) LUCKY ARTIST A has and wouldn’t have been defeated if they went around the track been facing way better than three more times. Classy 10-year-old who was second in this race these out of town and should in 2019, has the post edge and hails from a barn that owns a 34% be tough. win rate over the last three years. It’s hard to look past him in this -Greg Reinhart spot. (7) IDEAL PERCEPTION fired out hard in his elimination and friday, august 20 simply bottomed out the competition as they were all gassed at the end of the mile. American Ideal-sired 4-year-old has now won two RACE 11 straight and figures to be firing off the gate for four-time winner Gilles Barrieau. I’m unclear as to whether he’ll make the front but (5) AFTER ALL PAUL had the price should be reasonable. solid late trot last week to (2) LEGION SEELSTER chased home behind the top pick last be second best to the odds- week in a decent showing. He draws well here and should find a on winner; Lance Hudson cozy close-up position to help him hit the ticket. trainee seems long-overdue. (5) SMOOTH LOU finished second between #’s 1 and 2 last week -Matt Rose in the elimination. While he’s the fastest horse in this field in 2021 and in his career, he’ll likely have to work out a trip and hope for RACE 11 some pace help. (4) ROCK LIGHTS raced well to be second in his elimination (5) BETTOR SUN was part behind Ideal Perception and he’s a sub 1:50 winner at The Mead- of a wicked early pace in the owlands this year. How many can say that? None! Like #1, he hails Milstein at Northfield Park from the high percentage Chris Mackay barn. on Saturday then he got stuck behind a stopping leader. He wasn’t going to touch the winner but he could have been closer if he had clear sailing. Following forced closure, signs pointing to He should rebound and take these Grassroots foes coast-to- resumption of Scioto live racing Friday coast. -Garnet Barnsdale

After being forced to cancel live racing from Tuesday (8/17) to Saturday, AUGUST 21 Thursday (8/19) when Columbus city officials deemed the build- ing that houses the Judges, announcer and other vital person- RACE 13 nel unfit, all signs are now pointing towards racing resuming on Friday (8/20) according to a release by the Ohio Harness Horse- (5) NO LOU ZING gets the men’s Association. class relief he needs and Modifications are underway for Friday’s live racing to go should take this field to task. forward. Eldorado management is optimistic that the modifica- -Derick Giwner tions will be completed in time for Friday’s races. Any difficulties in completing the modifications by post-time may result in the cancel- lation of Friday’s card. If cancelled, the Ohio Sires Stakes races scheduled for Friday will be contested at 4:15 p.m. as non-betting full card analysis / past performances races prior to the Saturday live racing card. OHHA Executive Director Renee Mancino said that she is Mohawk Park (THU) Analysis Mohawk Park (FRI) Analysis optimistic that racing “will continue to the end of the regularly scheduled live meet without any more disruption,” but added Yonkers (THU) Analysis Mohawk Park (SAT) Analysis that things in Ohio can change in a hurry. According to sources with Scioto, plans are in place to build a Yonkers (FRI) Analysis Pocono (SAT) Analysis new grandstand that could be ready as early as 2022. Scioto Downs is scheduled to race weekly from Tuesday to Saturday through September 4 and then drop Tuesdays until DHP PPs harness eye PPs trackmaster PPs free PPs closing night on September 18. Post time each night is 6:15 P.M. EDT. Want full-card analysis? Visit DRF.com/harness

DRF Harness Digest | 15 | August 19, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Homewood Retirement Centers, Hood College, Frederick Memorial Hospi- tal, the Frederick Rotary Club and Christ Reformed Church in Middle- Charles Ernest Keller III, 82, dies town. He was gratified to be instrumental in the development and fruition of the Frederick Campus of the Homewood Retirement Community. Charles Ernest Keller III, 82, of Frederick, Md., and New Smyrna In 1998, Mr. Keller retired from the accounting profession and Beach, Fla., died peacefully on Aug. 13, 2021. became more active in the family business, known as Yankeeland He was born on Aug. 4, 1939, in Frederick to Charles E. Keller Jr. and Farms. The farm was established by his father in 1955 after his major Martha Williamson Keller. Along with two younger siblings, Donald league baseball career ended and — along with Donald — grew the and Jeanie, he spent his childhood with their many neighborhood farm into a nationally recognized horse breeding operation that was friends playing baseball, basketball and other sports in the parks, routinely positioned among the sport’s leading breeders. YMCA and Little League diamonds around town. Mr. Keller greatly enjoyed these years and was an integral part of He attended Frederick High School and graduated in 1957. He was the farm’s continued success. He also became active in several presti- especially proud to be part of the winning state championship basket- gious horsemen’s organizations and rose to hold prominent offices in ball team that year under Coach Homer Brooks. all of them. Even though the farm closed its doors in 2007, for a vari- Mr. Keller attended the University of Maryland and played on both ety of reasons, he always remained active with the horses and indus- the freshman baseball and basketball teams. In 1959, he left College try organizations. He served five terms as a District 11 director for the Park and, along with his brother Donald, signed with the New York U.S. Trotting Association (USTA) from 1999-2014 and was active on the Yankees. It was also in 1959 that he married his high school sweet- finance committee. He became a director of the Hambletonian Society heart, Connie Jean Butler of Buckeystown. They have been lovingly in 2000, later serving on the executive committee of the society and was together ever since. the executive chairman from 2013 to 2015. Mr. Keller played three years in the Yankees farm system for teams By utilizing a practicality learned during his tenure in the account- in Texas, North Dakota, Virginia and New York, earning many acco- ing field he was able to help initiate practices to invigorate the sport lades and awards. In 1961, while playing for the Binghamton (N.Y.) and put it on solid footing for the future. His accomplishments and good Triplets, he led the Eastern League with a .349 batting average. He character were acknowledged by the industry by his induction into the was also first in slugging percentage, on base percentage, total bases, harness racing Hall of Fame in 2016. doubles and triples as well as second in RBIs and third in home runs. “We have a financial calculation at the USTA that we call the Char- His performance propelled him to the 1961 Eastern League All-Star lie Keller line,” said USTA president Russell Williams. “Back when team, a “Maryland Future Star” award from the Maryland Profes- he was a director, Charlie taught us that a membership association sional Baseball Players Association and second place in voting for The running on members’ money must maintain specific reserves against Sporting News’ Minor League Player of the Year. Later, in 2007, he was expenses. Thanks to Charlie we are a stronger organization for our inducted into the Binghamton Triplets’ Hall of Fame. members. Charlie did a lot of good that people don’t know about, and After his stellar season with the Triplets, in 1962 he was called up to this is just one example.” the “Bigs,” reporting to spring training with the Yankees in St. Peters- After his retirement from the accounting profession, Charlie and burg, Fla., where he hoped to follow in his father’s footsteps. Unfor- Connie moved to New Smyrna Beach, Fla. Many trainers bring their tunately, persistent back injuries forced him to retire just before the horses south to winter in Florida and escape the harsh winter weather. regular season began. Locally, in 1989, he was inducted into the Alvin Mr. Keller would often visit the nearby training centers to watch the G. Quinn Sports Hall of Fame. progress and catch up with his many horsemen friends. Charlie and After his baseball career, Mr. Keller attended Baltimore College of Connie also enjoyed golf, the beach and many special friends during Commerce and earned his accounting degree. As a Certified Public their golden years in Florida. Accountant, through diligence and innovation in accounting prac- Mr. Keller is survived by his wife of 62 years, Connie; son, Charles E. tice management, he ascended to Managing Partner in several firms IV (Chaz), daughter-in-law, Emy Jo and daughter, Gabrielle. His grand- practicing within the MD-VA-DC region. Throughout the years he was children are Charles E. V (Chase) and wife, Lauren, and Maxann (fiancé equally proud of the lifelong friendships he developed as well as the fine Joseph Lockard). His great-grandchildren are Charles E. VI (Chance) reputation he garnered in his industry. and Grant Alexander. He is also survived by his brother, Donald, and He performed as an office holder, committee member, or Board Member his sister, Jeanie Reeder, as well as their very special families. in many professional clubs and organizations, such as the Maryland Asso- Contributions in his memory can be made to the Harness Racing ciation of CPA’s (MACPA), The American Group of CPA Firms (TAG) and Museum and Hall of Fame in Goshen, N.Y., to the Frederick County, the governing body of the accounting profession, the American Institute Md., YMCA, or to the Hospice of Frederick County. His family would of CPA’s (AICPA). He was delighted to be included in the inaugural class of like to express their gratitude to the hospital and hospice workers who inductees into the AICPA’s Accounting Hall of Fame. were so supportive while he was in their care. Mr. Keller also served on many local boards including the YMCA, -edited release (USTA Communications)

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DRF Harness Digest | 16 | August 19, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness NEWS FROM AROUND THE HARNESS INDUSTRY

The Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, 240 Main Street, Somewhere Fancy draws rail in 62nd Gold Cup Goshen, New York is open Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 4-12. Current Trial three winner Somewhere Fancy will leave from the coveted Museum and USTA members free. All visitors in the Museum must rail in the 62nd edition of The Guardian Gold Cup and Saucer after wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. the official post draw held Tuesday evening (8/17) at Red Shores Race- -release (Harness Hall of Fame & Museum) track and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park. The Chris MacKay-trained pacer cruised in trial three Monday Big favorites score in Indiana Sire Stakes night in 1:50 4/5 for owner John Mehlenbacher of Oakville, Ont. The complete draw was held Tuesday evening during the race program Indiana Sires Stakes action returned to Harrah’s Hoosier Park at Red Shores Charlottetown, with a special draw held beforehand to Racing & Casino on Wednesday, August 18 as the 3-year-old trotting decide which fourth-place finisher will replace the scratched Even- fillies squared off in two $48,000 Indiana Sires Stakes divisions in the wood Sonofagun, who finished third in Trial one. fifth round of their eight round series. National Debt won the draw and will leave from post 6 in Saturday’s READ MORE finale of Gold Cup Week 2021. Official Draw For Gold Cup and Saucer 62 Millar Farms fillies continue to amaze at Mohawk Park Post - Horse - Trainer 1 - Somewhere Fancy - Chris MacKay Driver James MacDonald, trainer Nick Gallucci, and owner- 2 - Legion Seelster - Victor Puddy breeder Millar Farms swept the third leg of the 2-year-old pacing filly 3 - Racemup - Victor Puddy Gold Series at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Tuesday (Aug. 17) as Silver 4 - Rock Lights - Chris MacKay Label and Prohibition Legal turned in impressive performances. 5 - Smooth Lou - Patrick Shepherd READ MORE 6 - National Debt - Colin Johnson 7 - Ideal Perception - Anthony Beaton Really Fast, Empressive Hill rebound in Kentucky Sires Stakes 8 - Time To Dance - Marc Campbell 9 - Day Delight - Victor Puddy After making a break and finishing ninth in the $1,000,000 Hamble- -edited release (Nicholas Oakes for Red Shores) tonian, Nancy Takter trainee Really Fast promptly rebounded with a forceful 1:52 3/5 performance to take the $40,000 second-round divi- New Policy On Racing Horses Barefoot at The Meadowlands sion of the Kentucky Championship Series for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings on Tuesday (Aug. 17) at The Red Mile. By now, it’s common knowledge that trainer/driver Ake Svanstedt READ MORE pulled all four shoes on Hambletonian winner Captain Corey just before the race and commented afterward that he felt that racing the USTA adds STA donation to membership renewal applications horse barefooted played a significant role in the win. What did not happen as successfully was the passing of that infor- The U.S. Trotting Association announced Monday (Aug. 16) that mation along to our wagering customers in time for them to include it online applications for membership renewals will include an option in their handicapping. to make a donation to the Standardbred Transition Alliance. It can be The knowledge that a horse will be racing barefoot would be infor- made as either a part of the membership renewal application or as a mation just as important to a horseplayer as a shoeing change, bridle stand-alone donation. A similar donation option will be added to new change or hopple lengthening. membership applications shortly. As a result, when live racing returns on Friday, September 3, The READ MORE Meadowlands will require trainers to report their intent to remove a horse’s shoes to the judges or paddock judge no later than 90 minutes $3,991 Pick 5 carryover in the offing Saturday at Northfield before post time for the first race for each racing card. This will allow time for the change to be reported to the public by MGM Northfield Park has announced the addition of a $15,000 the TV talent in advance of any horizontal wagers and be discussed by Pick-5 total pool guarantee for Saturday (August 21). them as they provide their analysis. Beginning in race six, the $15,000 Pick-5 guaranteed total pool The horse must race as reported, with the possible exception of a includes a carryover of $3,991. significant change in track condition due to weather. In that case the This wager is being offered as part of the Strategic Wagering trainer must report to the paddock judge that the shoes will remain Program through the United States Trotting Association. on the horse. The evening’s eighth race starts the 50¢ (non-jackpot) Pick 6 with a It shall be the responsibility of the trainer to report any such $3,183 carryover. changes. The failure to do so or to race the horse as reported without Northfield’s Pick-5, Pick-4s, Pick-3s, 50¢ (non-jackpot) Pick 6 and 20¢ the permission of the judges may result in penalty. Super High Five offer a reduced takeout rate of just 14%. -release (Meadowlands) Saturday’s post time is 6 PM. -release (Northfield) Celebrate a Great Summer of Harness Racing at the museum Captain Cowgirl looks to cement berth in PASS final Visit the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame’s latest exhibi- tion, “Driven to Abstraction” - modern paintings of harness driv- Friday’s $161,744 Pennsylvania Sires Stake at The Meadows for ers and horses capture the sport’s action and excitement through freshman filly pacers is the final preliminary leg, yet none of the energetic brushstrokes, color and collage. “Driven to Abstraction” youngsters has seized control of the division. Of the 13 fillies who’’ll includes Salvador Dali’s “American Trotting Horses, No. 1,” “Sara- compete in Friday’s two splits (races 8 and 10), not one has captured toga” and “Cadillac Hambletonian” by LeRoy Nieman, and “County two PASS wins, three have a single victory and most of the others Fair” and “Labor Day Trot” by Arthur K. D. Healy. could add enough points Friday to make the championship. On Sunday, September 5, Goshen Historic Track will be hosting Captain Cowgirl, one of those three PASS winners, will try to the New York County Fair harness races. Make it a day with a visit cement her finals berth for driver Tim Tetrick, trainer Jim King, Jr. to Museum (doors open at 10 a.m. and free admission), a crafts fair, and owners Jo Ann Looney-King and Kenneth Frieder. She’ll leave face painting and great food at the track beginning at 11:00, and live from post 4 in race 10. harness racing at 1:00. READ MORE

DRF Harness Digest | 17 | August 19, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness