Pelling Preparing for the Meadowlands Pace Elimination On

DRF HARNESS HOME DIGITAL HARNESS EYE HARNESS PPS DRF BETS ENTRIES ARCHIVE THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020 Pelling preparing for the Meadowlands Pace elimination on Saturday, and so much more NEW PLAYERS Trainer Brett Pelling will send out Meadowlands Pace hopefuls Papi Rob Hanover and Allywag Hanover along with many others this weekend DOUBLE YOUR FIRST DEPOSIT MEADOWLANDS PACE ELIMINATION (RACE 8) UP TO $250 JAYWALKING SATURDAY, JULY 11 By Jay Bergman JOIN NOW HORSE (DRIVER) M/L ODDS @BergmanJay 1-Major Betts (D. Dunn) 9-2 2-Captain Barbossa (A. McCarthy) 5-1 3-Tall Dark Stranger (Y. Gingras) 3-1 Brett Pelling has forged a successful career 4-Manticore (J. Stratton) 15-1 as a trainer by planning ahead and leaving 5-Captain Kirk (J.Bongiorno) 10-1 no stone unturned. Pelling has entered two 6-Roll With Jr (T. Tetrick) 10-1 horses in this year’s Meadowlands Pace with 7-Mocha On The Rocks (S. Zeron) 20-1 one, Papi Rob Hanover, racing in the single 8-Catch The Fire (M. Wilder) 15-1 elimination heat this Saturday night and 9-Capt Midnight (A. McCarthy) 8-1 the other, Allywag Hanover, opting to take Inside this issue a bye and move right into the final. Allywag 10-Papi Rob Hanover (D. Miller) 7-2 Hanover instead will head to Harrah’s Phila- Derick Giwner: Morning-line odds and delphia Friday afternoon in a Pennsylvania under the radar stallions, Page 4 Sire Stakes division (race 8). more accomplished Papi Rob Hanover, is Pelling said on Monday that he had hoped that he could be a real player in in the July American Courage looks to stay NY the “Pace” would have a limited number of 18 finale. Strong in Springfield Final, Page 6 entries, giving him a chance to diversify his “I take him out and jog him at 5:00 a.m. in leading sophomore pacers at least for one the morning by himself,” said Pelling of the Kikikatie leaving her mark as a prolific more week. “I would like to give Allywag routine he’s put Allywag Hanover through. stallion producer, Page 7 Hanover a chance to get some points for the “He kind of sees everything and that can Pennsylvania Sire Stakes,” Pelling said of the throw him off.” But Pelling has been more Graduate Pace and Trot Finals featured Captaintreacherous-sired sophomore. than happy with how things have worked out Saturday at The Meadowlands, Page 9 While Papi Rob Hanover was the more at night, even though in both victories Ally- highly regarded 2-year-old for Pelling in 2019, wag Hanover appeared to lock on a line while On The Backstretch: Profile of Breeder this year he has made but one start while in the homestretch. “I’m going to try to work Joe McLead, Page 10 Allywag Hanover has won his first two races on that,” said Pelling, “It doesn’t seem to stop rather impressively at The Meadowlands. him from going forward though.” That is the Woodbine Mohawk Park mandatory “He’s a different kind of horse,” Pelling said core of Pelling as a conditioner. While many payout Jackpot Hi-5 Analysis, Page 12 of Allywag Hanover. “When I got him he was other trainers try to impose their will on a wearing all sort of equipment. We took most horse to make them behave in a particular Virtual inspections at Brittany, Page 13 everything off and I think he’s a lot happier way, Pelling tries to marry the horse’s poten- Industry Headlines, Page 14 going.” tial with a freedom that allows them to feel Translation for Pelling, who at one point comfortable and want to do it. Comments? Questions? earlier this year may have not considered Email the Editor [email protected] Allywag Hanover on equal footing with the CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Ohio Sires Stakes ~ this weekend at Northfield & Scioto!

Friday, July 10 Saturday, July 11 Northfield Park Scioto Downs

3-Year-Old Filly Trot 2-Year-Old Colt Pace 2-Year-Old Filly Pace 3-Year-Old Colt Trot

For information contact Kimberly Rinker at 614-779-0269 [email protected] For schedule & conditions go to www.racingohio.net

Sat., July 18 $400,000 Hambletonian Maturity at the Meadowlands

Sat., Aug. 8 $1,000,000 Hambletonian and the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks at the Meadowlands ELIMS FOR BOTH AUG. 1

Fri. & Sat., Oct. 30 & 31 All 12 Breeders Crown Events worth over $6-million at Harrah’s Hoosier Park

and Breeders Crown 109 South Main St • STE 18 Cranbury, NJ 08512 609-371-2211 Hambletonian.com Lisa Photo Allywag Hanover took a bye into the Meadowlands Pace final and will instead race Friday at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 group. Alexis’s Beach has won two of her first three races this year and goes Saturday afternoon in a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes division at The Allywag Hanover was an also-ran finishing seven lengths behind Meadows. Racing just five times as a juvenile, Alexis’s Beach has already Papi Rob Hanover and Tall Dark Stranger in last year’s Breeders taken a 1:50 mark in 2020. Her trainer was hoping to miss some of the Crown finale. He appears to have more than helped make up that gap heavy hitters in this division with the Mistletoe Shalee coming up. He this year off explosive 1:48 2/5 and 1:48 victories at The Meadowlands accomplished that in some fashion, with division leaders Lyons Sentinel, for catch-driver David Miller. Tim Tetrick drove him in last year’s Rocknificent and Party Girl Hill drawing into separate divisions. Crown and will be reunited with the colt on Friday and the follow- The Pelling debut of When Dovescry is scheduled for Meadow- ing Saturday night. Allywag Hanover is out of Anderosa Hanover, a lands Pace night (July 18) in the Hambletonian Maturity. Last year’s daughter of The Panderosa, one of Pelling’s four previous Meadow- Hambletonian Oaks winner won her third straight qualifier on July lands Pace winners. 3 for driver David Miller in 1:52 2/5 at The Meadowlands. “She’s just While things worked to Pelling’s plan for Allywag Hanover this a beautiful horse,” said Pelling. “She wears very little equipment and week, it’s hard to say the same is true for Papi Rob Hanover. The just glides over the ground.” When Dovescry will go head-on against Somebeachsomewhere colt couldn’t find a race for a few weeks given Gimpanzee and Chin Chin Hall, and her trainer believes she’ll fit his high earnings from a year ago and then once he did, found himself quite well in that group before eventually going on to tackle horses starting from post 10 last Saturday night against a field of mostly like Atlanta and Manchego later in the year. older horses. “It really wasn’t what I was looking for,” said Pelling, Caviart Ally’s last two races were not up to her impressive resume, who thought it only fair that 3-year-olds would be allowed to draw but Pelling understands where the gifted pacing mare is at this time. inside versus higher conditioned horses. “She’s put on a bit too much weight and we’ve got to get that off of her,” Papi Rob Hanover raced exceptionally well in his 2020 debut, finish- Pelling said. “She was all set to go before we shut down. She just needs ing a solid closing second behind Capt Midnight, a colt he’ll face again some more work.” this Saturday night. “I think David (Miller) did what he could, but Pelling’s 24-year-old son Jack has been driving in qualifying races you really don’t want to go five wide full blast through the first turn for his dad over the last month at Magical Acres and Harrah’s Phila- with a colt making his first start,” said Pelling in defense of Papi Rob’s delphia, and could find his way into pari-mutuel action sometime performance. down the road when he gets his “A” license. “He’s 6 feet tall and 135 Things may need to be a little different this Saturday as Papi Rob pounds. He’s built a lot like Dexter (Dunn),” Pelling said. “I think he Hanover again drew post 10 against a field of just sophomores. He (Jack) can make speed but he’s going to need go get experience first need only finish in the top eight to qualify for the final, though a before going out against the best drivers.” victory would give him some post preference. Pelling’s juveniles usually show up a little later in the year, but he “It’s not the way I wanted to come into the Meadowlands Pace with unveiled a nice filly last Saturday in Test Of Faith, a New York Sire him,” said Pelling bluntly about the lead-up Papi Rob Hanover has had Stakes division winner in 1:52 2/5 at Vernon Downs. “I wasn’t expect- this year. “In the past there were prep races like the New Jersey Sire ing a 26 first quarter,” said Pelling, “I told Jimmy (Marohn Jr.) she Stakes and New Jersey Classic you could use to get them set up for this was a nice filly and he drove her that way.” race. He’s basically had one start against overnight competition.” Warrawee Whynot, a full brother to Warrwee Ubeaut, won a quali- Still, given Pelling’s history, it would be quite wise to respect Papi fier at Harrah’s Philadelphia in 1:57 2/5 on Tuesday with a 27 1/5 final Rob Hanover over the next two Saturday nights. His stable as a whole quarter. The son of Sweet Lou is among a solid group of juvenile colts has come out with considerable force this year on all fronts and Papi for Pelling yet to make a pari-mutuel start. Rob Hanover did sprint a final quarter in 25 1/5 while closing into a Pelling is high on Shakespeare, a $225,000 Harrisburg yearling in sub-54 final half. 2019 that will be on stage Friday at The Meadowlands for the second Pelling’s stable has grown some over the last three months, with a qualifying act of his career. A son of Somebeachsomewhere, Shake- string of stakes horses coming his way to bolster an already powerful speare is from the immediate maternal family of Caviart Ally.

DRF Harness Weekend | 3 | July 9, 2020 Visit us online at drf.com/harness because no human has the time or knowledge to complete the task. In the majority of cases, and I stress majority because there are EDITOR’S EYE some tracks with qualified people doing as good a job as possible, we as an industry are disseminating information that at best is passable @harnesseyeguy By Derick Giwner and at worst fraudulent. Wouldn’t it be easier to just get rid of the morning-line altogether? I’m interested in your input. Feel free to email me at dgiwner@drf. com. Morning-line odds & under the radar stallions P.S. While writing this column, another clear favorite on paper that was 9-2 morning-line just went off at odds of 2-5.

There are a pair of topics that caught my eye this week, and although they have absolutely nothing to do with each other, I feel Passing of Cam’s Rocket compelled to cover both. The first involves the much-discussed issue As a person who of the morning-line odds and the second centers around the passing of spends most of his hand- pacer Cam’s Rocket, sire of world-champion trotter Googoo Gaagaa. icapping time on The With 2-year-olds starting to make their first appearances of the Meadowlands or Grand year, I’m noticing more and more races with morning-line odds that Circuit racing, it is rare simply have no logical basis for existence in the handicapping world. that I come across breed- It would be easy to provide a dozen examples of inaccuracy, but for ing outside of the elite. the sake of column length and to avoid boring you with overkill, we’ll So, when Googoo Gaagaa limit it to two. came around with his In race 3 at The Meadows on July 6, Lady Chaos was installed as pacing breeding and the 5-1 co-third choice on the morning-line. The only horse to previ- trotted in 1:50 4/5 back in ously start in a pari-mutuel race was Trend, who was the 7-2 chalk for 2012, it was certainly fun the powerful connections of trainer Per Engblom and driver Yannick to watch and cover. Gingras. While Googoo Gaagaa There was little doubt that Lady Chaos was going to be a heavy is starting to make his favorite in this race on the basis of her two qualifying efforts. At mark overseas as a stal- Magical Acres on June 16, she couldn’t have looked any better as lion, we should remem- she cruised to an easy win where she was never asked for speed. ber Cam’s Rocket, who Derick Giwner Eleven days later she was back, this time at The Meadowlands, and passed away on July 6 Owner/trainer/breeder Richard Hans my personal comment was “closed like a freight train”. Having seen at the age of 24. While with Googoo Gaagaa, the richest horse just those performances and quickly perusing the field, it was obvious virtually no one had by now deceased sire Cam’s Rocket. that the Linda Toscano trainee was going to take plenty of tote action. heard of Cam’s Rocket, Even without the “inside” knowledge of having watched the quali- who made $234,164 on the track, prior to 2011, he certainly made his fiers, Lady Chaos was coming off the fastest mile of the group and is own little dent in the industry. trained and driven by a Hall of Fame combination (Linda Toscano/ A son of Cam’s Card Shark out of Queen Of Rock, Cam’s Rocket sired David Miller). She also trotted her final quarter in 26 4/5 in her last 21 horses who earned at least $100,000, six of them on the trotting side, qualifier. including his three richest sons. He also did reasonably well on the I have no idea whether the morning-line is computerized or if some- track, winning a number of Opens and Invitationals in Ohio in 2001. one at the track makes the morning-line at The Meadows, and it really Perhaps it is best for Corey Callahan, who drove Googoo Gaagaa, to is irrelevant for this example. Simply put, Lady Chaos (1-2 off odds) have the final word on Cam’s Rocket. The driver had the following to looked best on paper and figured to be odds-on. say on Twitter: The second example occurred at Vernon Downs on July 4 in race “Sad day for Maryland Harness Racing with the passing of Cam’s 8. I’m going to come right out and assume that the line-maker was a Rocket. He sired multiple stakes winners on the trot and pace includ- computer, because I don’t believe a human would make a line where ing his best son world champion Googoo Gaagaa, who is now carrying every horse was listed between 5-1 and 8-1. Truth be told, in 30 years on his bloodlines throughout the US and Europe. Rest well old fella.” of following the sport I don’t recall ever seeing such a non-opinion The passing of Cam’s Rocket got me to thinking of other more delivered to the wagering public. Really, what’s the point of having obscure stallions that are trying to make a place for themselves in the a morning line if no determination of potential favoritism is going to Standardbred world. be provided? Have you heard of The Pepperoni Kid? Me neither. He last raced in In nearly identical fashion to the race at The Meadows, there was 2018 and grinded out a pretty nice career while earning over $300,000 a horse (Albergita Hanover) coming off an exceptional qualifier at through nine years of racing, mostly at The Meadows. He clearly The Meadowlands, with the fastest charted line in the race and the passed on the affinity for the Washington, PA track because 3-year- fastest final quarter (26 1/5), nearly a full second quicker than any of old Papa Cheez picked up his first career win in two starts over that her competitors. The daughter of Roll With Joe was incidentally also oval on July 6. From five listed foals in 2017, his first as a stallion, trained by Linda Toscano. three have raced and two are winners. In the defense of the morning-line in this case, Albergita Hanover Looking over the results from Scarborough Downs, I found a horse wasn’t the slam-dunk favorite that Lady Chaos was, but there was no by Sand Chaser that won a race on the July 3 card. A winner of about way she was going off anywhere near 7-1 and wagering closed with $200,000 on the track, Sand Chaser has fathered hundreds of foals and her as the 6-5 public choice. Interestingly, only three horses in the 11 of them have even gone on to earn over $100,000. field went off anything close to their listed morning-lines. Anyone heard of Deep Chip back in 2011? He was a 1:57 trotter who The morning line is intended to provide insight into what the made about $150,000 on the track. Almost 10 years later, he became public will do when wagering. It is impossible to be right all of the the sire of a millionaire! With a fourth-place finish at Hoosier Park time because of the numerous unknown variables (weather, streaks, on July 1, I Know My Chip, from the first crop of Deep Chip back in biases, etc.) that fluctuate over the course of the 48-to-72 hour period 2012, pushed his career earnings to $1,000,873. Deep Chip has also from when the line is formulated and the race is contested. That produced five other $100,000-plus winners from under 100 foals and said, a person with ample handicapping knowledge and the time to had a 2-year-old Ohio Sire Stakes winner in Shouldaknownbetter on research should be accurate most of the time. A computer that is July 3 at Scioto Downs. checked by a knowledgeable handicapper should also have ample Horses like Cam’s Rocket and Deep Chip are proof that you don’t success at providing strong data. have to be the best to breed a world champion or millionaire. Along The fact is that at most tracks the person making the line doesn’t with The Pepperoni Kid, Sand Chaser and countless others, they have the time to properly research every horse in every race, and provide a valuable service of filling the entry boxes across the coun- at tracks which use the computerized morning-line, it is being done try. Let’s hear it for these unknown contributors.

DRF Harness Weekend | 4 | July 9, 2020 Visit us online at drf.com/harness NY-BREDS START STRONG WITH EMPIRE BREEDERS CLASSIC VICTORIES

Hobbs Third Hypnotic Shift AM $97,750 $97,750 $207,250 3-Year Old Colt Trot 3-Year Old Colt Trot 3-Year Old Filly Trot Credit Winner-Cruella De Ville Chapter Seven-Overnight Command Chapter Seven-Daydream AM S Owner: Runthetable Stables Owner: Mellby Gard Inc & Ake Svanstedt Owner: Courant Inc Breeder: Runthetable Stables Breeder: Winbak Farm Breeder: Courant A B

The NYSS now gives you the option to receive text alerts as new racing information is released. Text NYSS to 31996/International Numbers text NYSS INT to 833-498-1158 to subscribe.

518.388.0178 www.nysirestakes.com Photos by Fotowon American Courage looks to stay NY strong in Springfield final

By Jay Bergman

Sunshine Meadows is known as the winter home of some of the sport’s biggest connections. When it is spoken of generally people look towards trainer Tony Alagna’s expensive group of yearlings and talk about seven-figure horses looking to make a splash in the coming season. Rarely is the name Travis Alexander mentioned as a potential source of pacing power. That may change abruptly as we continue to believe our eyes after watching American Courage in action the past two weeks. The son of American Ideal, a homebred, is the logical favorite for Monday’s $104,250 MGM Spring- field Stakes final at Yonkers, a race he may use to cata- pult onto the national stage. “It’s very exciting,” said Alexander on the way to Ohio to pick up a few horses. “I don’t think we’ve scratched the surface yet.” What American Courage has done is win two straight races by open lengths and do so in a manner that suggests quickness and extreme speed. Take his July 30 debut at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono for example. Driver Matt Kakaley kept him in reserve early and then began a move to the outside passing the half. “A horse came out underneath him and he actually struck the tire,” said Alexander about the incident that for a split second may have been catastrophic. “He just missed one step and then Matt stepped on the gas and got around everybody quickly.” A 1:54 1/5 debut is not earth-shattering in this era, but nonetheless it was more than enough. Last Monday (7/6), American Courage and Kakaley got more experience at Yonkers and the result was nearly as impressive as his Pocono triumph. “Matt was set to move him and then had to wait for his cover,” said Alexander. American Courage was a professional and marched to the front when asked before pacing a 56-second final half while in complete control. American Courage is a product of the $60,000 Lexing- ton Select 2015 yearling purchase Nota Fool Bluechip’s first foal. For Alexander, that was an extraordinary amount to spend, but there was enough pedigree to suggest the Art Major-sired filly would pan out. Nota Fool Bluechip is a full sister to a pair of million- aires in Feel Like A Fool ($1.2) and Fool Me Once ($1.1), as well as the 1:49 2/5 performer K Ryan Blue Chip. Injured as a 2-year-old for Alexander, she was brought back as a 3-year-old and took a 1:55 2/5 mark. Alexander recalls the how and why he became interested in Nota Fool Bluechip. “My wife was very friendly with the late-Mark Austin’s wife. He trained Fool Me Once and pushed us to look at this filly,” said Alexander.

American Courage is the first foal from the mare Alaina Alexander owned by Fiddler’s Creek Stable. “They (owners) let American Courage starts from post 4 in Monday’s $104,250 MGM Springfield me make all of the breeding decisions,” said Alexan- Stakes Final at Yonkers Raceway. der of the call to breed to American Ideal, a New York- based stallion. While American Courage is not the biggest horse on the racetrack, Alexander gave credit to veteran horseman Doug Miller, who what is unique about him as that he tends to look smaller for the way helped develop American Courage for him in Florida. “Doug’s just an he carries his head during the race. “He likes to go with his head outstanding horseman,” Alexander said. down and I think that’s great. When I was with Bob McIntosh he had While Alexander trains mostly a racehorse stable, American Cour- Western Shooter and mostly all of Bob’s horses went with their heads age is the type of horse that can make you reach for the stars. “We’ve like that,” said Alexander. nominated him to the Metro,” said Alexander of the sport’s richest juve- While the MGM Springfield managed to fit perfectly on the colt’s nile event. That’s a tall order for the most expensive yearlings and even schedule after the shutdown, races were moved, helping Alexander some homebreds, but there’s plenty in American Courage’s pedigree to set up a better schedule. “He’ll be able to go in the first leg of the New suggest he’ll belong in that class. His brother Feel Like A Fool finished York Sire Stakes on July 22 at Saratoga,” said Alexander. “I’m lucky second in the 2010 Metro final and his other brother Fool Me Once was to have Matt (Kakaley) drive the horse. He knows it’s a long season.” also a finalist in 2012, finishing behind Captaintreacherous in the mile.

DRF Harness Weekend | 6 | July 9, 2020 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Kikikatie leaving her legacy as a prolific stallion producer

on the mark By Bob Marks @BobMarks3

The brilliant but ill-fated racehorse and broodmare Kikikatie (Real Artist-Katies Lucky Lady) is starting to rival breeding shed legends Evensong and Margaret Spangler when it comes to the production of usable stallions. Neither Evensong or Margaret Spangler is credited with even a single dollar in earnings, and neither was timed below 2:10, but Kikikatie (p.3,1:50 3/5) was a major stakes winner with earnings of $1,268,463. It is recalled how Evensong produced the noted stallions Victory Song, Peter Song, Gay Song, Mighty Song and Flying Song, each of whom accounted for at least one major performer during their tenure in stud. Of those, Victory Song was by far the most successful, and through his great son Noble Victory, his line is still thriving today. In addition, Victory Song sired the exported Quick Song, who, via son Sharif D Lesolo, dominated the Italian stud book for decades. Lisa Photo Noble Victory sired Hambletonian winner Historic Freight, a not Kikikatie was a force on the track and as a broodmare. so great stallion that still produced Garland Lobell; that one, via his legendary affair with Amour Angus, is responsible for current for FFA pacing stalwart Royal Rick, while Attorney’s FFA pacing son stallions Conway Hall, Andover Hall and Angus Hall. Of those, the Speedy Pick held the track record at Yonkers for years until finally Conway Hall branch is intact through his son Windsong’s Legacy, equaled by Meadow Skipper in the 1963 Cane Pace. he in turn sire of current sensation Chapter Seven and that one’s As for Kikikatie, she had but five foals, all of them male, and other potential line-extender Walner. than the gelded Gram’s Legacy, the remaining four - Rockin Image, Andover Hall was first succeeded by Donato Hanover and later Tell It Like It Is, Rockin Amadeus and Time To Roll - are currently came Swan For All, whose produce have dominated the Hoosier producing Sire Stake winners in the Midwestern regions of Indiana, State of Indiana these past years. Ohio, and soon to be Illinois. However, in the case of Time To Roll, Angus Hall has yet to leave a successor son. that may be short-lived as given his onset of fertility problems he’s Unfortunately, Evensong’s greatest contribution, Volo Song, accounted for one foal in both 2019 and 2020. Still, we’ve seen some passed on before receiving his chance in stud. As a racehorse, Volo winning 2-year-olds from his 2018 foal crop, in addition to several Song was considered by many to be in the same breath as Grey- notable Indiana Sire Stakes horses he produced from the 2017 crop. hound in that era. Therefore, it is impossible to calculate how much Rockin Amadeus is doing fine and his son Ocean Rock set a season’s his premature passing may have meant to the breed, other than to mark of 1:50 2/5 in a Sires Stakes at Northfield this year, and his 1:51 project it would have been significant if not monumental. 1/5 clocking was a world record when made at age 2 last year. As for the others, we vividly remember Silver Song, a Roosevelt Tellitlikeitis, Kikikatie’s only son by Well Said, has no shortage International starting son of Peter Song for trainer/driver Howard of quality performers, headed by Tellmeaboutit (p,3,1:48 3/5), who Camden. Then there was Mighty Song’s Free-For-All son Mighty stepped out of the Indiana Sires Stakes to win the Circle City at Indian, a distinguished campaigner for Larry Nelson all those Hoosier last year. I can still remember Jimmy Takter telling me years. Tellitlikeitis may have been Kikikatie’s toughest offspring, even Stanley Dancer had a high-class pacer Sweet Singer by Gay Song, though his Rocknroll Hanover brothers Rockin Image and Rockin and there were those by Flying Song, like trotters Stylish Major and Amadeus, and Time To Roll, were more accomplished mark and Le Chant, and pacer Bramble Hall, who made it back to these shores earnings-wise. from their Down Under origins. Rockin Image has been perhaps the foremost pacing stallion in Margaret Spangler spent most of her life getting bred to Volomite, Indiana these past few years. Almost from inception, he signaled with whom she produced the stallions King’s Counsel, Chief Coun- his prolific intentions, as first son Freaky Feet Pete emerged as a sel, Blackstone and Attorney. nationally ranked colt and 4-year-old, testing the likes of Always B Of those, King’s Counsel sired Countess Vivian, who in turn Miki and Wiggle It Jiggleit in assorted FFA stakes. Freaky Feet Pete produced Countess Adios and the immortal breed-changer Meadow is now in stud in Indiana alongside his sire and his first foals will Skipper, to whom every modern day pacer has multiple crosses. arrive in 2021. King’s Counsel also sired Solicitor, who in turn sired Meadow Skip- In addition, lots of eyes will be on Odds On Osiris, (p,2,1:50 3/5), per’s legendary rival Overtrick. last year’s Indiana 2-year-old pacing champion by Rockin Image Chief Counsel had a good son in Thunderclap, though his daugh- and another whose aspirations, like Freaky Feet Pete, may be well ter Maggie Counsel produced star pacers Meadow Rice, Meadow beyond the Hoosier borders. Chuck and Meadowlands. Other daughters produced champions or It’s too early to accurately measure the “stallion son” contribution near-champions in Good Counsel and Adios Don. of Kikikatie, but from the looks of it, she may well be on a plateau Blackstone is responsible for Royal Blackstone, in turn responsible with Evensong and Margaret Spangler when it’s all said and done.

DRF Harness Weekend | 7 | July 9, 2020 Visit us online at drf.com/harness

Graduate Trot & Pace final featured Saturday at Meadowlands

By Ken Weingartner old male trotter as well as Trotter of the Year, but is basking in the spotlight now as he aims for a win in Saturday’s $250,000 Graduate Brian Brown is happy with what he sees from Workin Ona Series final for 4-year-old trotters. Mystery so far this season on the racetrack. He is even more A 4-year-old stallion, Gimpanzee heads to his Graduate test off pleased by what is not readily visible. The horse’s health. victories in the two preliminary rounds of the series. He won his Workin Ona Mystery is among the contenders in Saturday’s first start in gate-to-wire fashion by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:51 2/5 at Tioga $250,000 Graduate Series final for 4-year-old pacers at The Mead- Downs. Two weeks later, on June 27, he rallied from sixth at three- owlands. The event is part of a 13-race card at The Big M that also quarters to win by a half-length in 1:50 2/5 at The Meadowlands. includes the $250,000 Graduate championship for 4-year-old trot- That time is tied for fourth fastest of the season by a trotter. ters, a single elimination for the Meadowlands Pace, and Reynolds For his career, Gimpanzee has won 19 of 25 races and earned $1.77 Memorial divisions for 3-year-old trotters. Racing begins at 7:15 million. p.m. (EDT). “He trained well all winter and we were very excited to bring him Last year, Workin Ona Mystery started his campaign with three back,” trainer Marcus Melander said. “He showed me how he was consecutive wins and finished third in the finals of the North feeling all winter and he’s come back great. I couldn’t be more happy America Cup and Meadowlands Pace, where he was beaten by a with him after two starts. head. But health woes slowed the horse’s progress from there and “He was a great horse last year and he’s filled out and put on a lot he won only once in his final five starts. more muscle this year. You can really see that he’s a year older. He This year in three starts, Workin Ona Mystery has a win, a never threw in a bad race last year, and so far this year, he’s been second, and a third. He captured his opening-round race in the very good.” Graduate Series by a neck over Century Farroh in 1:50 at Tioga Gimpanzee, owned by Courant Inc. and S R F Stable, was unde- Downs on June 21 and finished second to Bettor’s Wish in last feated in nine races at age 2 and received the Dan Patch Award for week’s second round at The Meadowlands. Bettor’s Wish, who best 2-year-old male trotter. Last year, he won eight of 14 races and skipped the first round in favor of the Roll With Joe Stakes, won by earned $1.12 million but saw Dan Patch honors go to now-retired two lengths in 1:48 2/5. Greenshoe. Gimpanzee’s Grand Circuit victories in 2019 included “Right now, we’re in pretty good shape,” Brown said. “He seems the Breeders Crown (he also won the event in 2018), Yonkers Trot, pretty healthy, very alert. He seems full of himself. Every day, he’s and Matron Stakes. out there playing and jumping around. I think he’s coming into the “At 3, everyone was talking about Greenshoe because he was so race pretty good, a lot better than a lot of times last year.” extremely fast,” Melander said. “Gimpanzee didn’t have the speed or As far as how Workin Ona Mystery has changed from last year, acceleration that Greenshoe had, but he still showed a lot of speed. Brown said, “Ninety percent of it is that he’s healthy.” It was just Greenshoe was so much faster than all the other horses. “He did pack on some weight,” Brown added. “He was not a There are not too many like Greenshoe.” real big horse last year. He wasn’t short, like a small horse, but Not too many like Gimpanzee, either. he wasn’t a thick horse either. He has thickened up quite a bit, so “He’s the nicest horse to train,” Melander said. “At home, he’s he’s got more strength to him. I’m hoping that will help him stay perfect. He does exactly what I want him to do. He’s just the horse healthy.” you’re looking for. If everyone was like him it would be very easy.” Workin Ona Mystery has won 10 of 20 career races and $469,641. Following the Graduate, Gimpanzee will have one more oppor- The son of Captaintreacherous-Dragon’s Tale is owned by Diamond tunity to face trotters in his age group when the Hambletonian Creek Racing, Stambaugh Leeman Stable, Alan Keith, and Wing- Maturity is contested July 18 at The Meadowlands. Then, it will be field Brothers. Brown brought the horse back slowly in the winter into open stakes action, where the likes of Atlanta, Manchego, and and does not plan to test Workin Ona Mystery against older horses Guardian Angel AS await. on the Grand Circuit until the Dan Patch Stakes at Harrah’s “Obviously Atlanta and Manchego and those horses are really, Hoosier Park in mid-August. really good,” Melander said, “but I have a pretty good horse too.” “He’s got to race older horses this year, and that can be hard on Gimpanzee is one of three Graduate finalists for Melander, joined them, but he’s got such a great attitude,” Brown said. “He wants by mare Grand Swan and gelding Reign Of Honor. Grand Swan, to be a winner, he loves passing horses, and he’s an easy horse who arrived in Melander’s stable in mid-April after two success- to drive. He’s not the easiest horse to be around in the barn. He’s ful seasons in Indiana, won her opening race in the Graduate and ornery. But on the track, training and racing, he’s so easy to drive. finished sixth in her second, which was won by Gimpanzee. “After we struggled so much last year it’s nice to just see the real “She’s nice,” Melander said. “I was very happy with her (in her horse. And he may not be the best 4-year-old or older horse, but he first start) at Tioga, she was very good. I was maybe a little disap- will hold his own against them as long as he’s healthy.” pointed last time, but it was a fast race. She’s never been that fast, Both preliminary rounds of the Graduate Series had three divi- really. I think it was good for her to open up a bit and I expect her to sions and resulted in six different winners. Joining Workin Ona be better Saturday. Mystery as first-round winners were Dancin Lou and Hurrikane “She really likes the training. When you train her, you can see she Emperor. Joining Bettor’s Wish as second-round winners were works with her whole body. She’s a very big horse but she has a good Bllack Hole and Brassy Hanover. gait and could go around any size track. I think she will get better Bettor’s Wish was the Dan Patch Award winner for best 3-year- and better.” old male pacer of 2019. He finished third in last month’s Roll With Reign Of Honor, another newcomer to the Melander stable, started Joe, which was his seasonal debut. His 1:48 2/5 score last week in this year with a victory in a conditioned race and finished third in the Graduate was the slowest of the three divisions; Bllack Hole each of his Graduate races. won in 1:48 and Brassy Hanover in 1:48 1/5. “We had all winter training with him and we were super happy A total of nine horses in last week’s three divisions paced their with him,” Melander said. “He’s a little like Gimpanzee; he’s very final quarter-mile in less than 26 seconds. easy on himself out on the track, not grabby. He’s got a lot of speed “There are so many horses that come home fast out there,” Brown too. I’ve been very happy with his performances and I think he will said. “Anymore, time really means nothing. It’s who you beat and step up with more races and when he gets older. I think he will go how much money you made, that’s all that matters.” with the open horses in the highest division. He feels like that kind of horse.” Other finalists in the Graduate include Southwind Avenger, Gimpanzee looks for Graduate sweep who made his only preliminary-round start a winner on June 27, Gimpanzee was in the shadow of stablemate Greenshoe much and Chin Chin Hall, who finished second to Gimpanzee in his two of last season, with the latter being named the sport’s best 3-year- prelims and was fifth in the Arthur J. Cutler Memorial last week

DRF Harness Weekend | 9 | July 9, 2020 Visit us online at drf.com/harness 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.

breeder joe mclead What kind of car do you drive? Buick Enclave. Favorite dinner meal? Snack? Steak; Power bar. What is your favorite track to visit?

Meadowlands and Red Mile. I make The Meadowlands a yearly Courtesy Joe McLead trip to see the best in the sport compete. At The Red Mile, we are Joe McLead (left) and Bill Walters run Sugar Valley Farm. there for basically the entire meet because of the sales and it is a great display of the entire sport from top to bottom. college and worked for him during the summer. When I was 19 What is your favorite big event in racing? years old I decided to join the Navy and was going to be a TV weatherman when I got out of the Navy, but my dad, while I was Little Brown Jug. It’s my hometown track. I grew up there. It in boot camp, he was 44 and got a Grade 5 brain aneurysm. He was the first track I ever jogged and drove a horse. I started off owned a local insurance agency in Delaware Ohio. My life prob- as a groom there for my uncle. I was born and raised in Dela- ably would have been working as an insurance agent with my ware, Ohio. dad, but that dried up right away when that happened to him at such a young age. I went back to college for a little bit and went How often are horses or racing on your mind? to work for my uncle Billy (Walters). I wouldn’t say that I was a lost soul, but I really needed someone at the time and he really About half the day. The other half is focused on family and stepped up. He was a key person in my life. He made me into the friends. person and the horseman I am today. I never did finish school. I met my wife on a blind date during the time I was selling radia- What is your favorite thing to do outside of racing? tors and air conditioners. After we dated for about a month, we went to the Jug when No Pan Intended won and she told me Spend time with my family. my cousin has that horse. So I said, your cousin is owner Bob Glazer? She said no, Joe Thomson from Winbak Farm. When What is your favorite sport? Team? we got married, Joe asked us to come out to Winbak and about a year later I went to work for him. It is all very interesting Ohio State College Football. because if it wasn’t for my dad having an aneurysm I wouldn’t What is one thing about you most fans/bettors don’t be doing this now. know? What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten about harness My favorite rock group is Dave Matthews Band. racing? What is one word that describes harness racing for you? Be honest and surround yourself with the right people. Promise. What was your best moment in harness racing? Probably owning the fastest 3-year-old filly trotter Impinktoo. How did you get started in the Standardbred business? She set the world record at Lexington (Red Mile) of 1:49 4/5. My grandfather was a veterinarian and my uncle was a trainer and driver. You sold her pretty quickly, right? Yeah, the very next day in the Mixed Sale at Lexington. I bought Does that mean it was set in stone for you to be involved her for $27,000 and she sold for $300,000. She also made $420,000 in harness racing? or so for my partners and me in between.

No. I was a groom for my uncle through high school. I went to CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

DRF Harness Weekend | 10 | July 9, 2020 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Derick Giwner Impinktoo set a world record in 2018 for trainer Ron Burke (left), driver Yannick Gingras (center) and co-owner Joe McLead.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 Considering his pure speed, how excited are you about the first crop of Lather Up? Which is the best horse you’ve ever owned? I’m really excited, not only because of the type of mares that were bred to him, but his pure speed was second to none and if you dig Impinktoo. I haven’t owned that many racing-wise, probably no more deep, he’s got a solid pedigree. He’s by I’m Gorgeous, who is a son of than a dozen. Bettor’s Delight. His mother’s side is very solid with over a dozen horses who were very consistent and made money. Plus the dam’s What makes you decide to go in on a horse? side leaves it wide open to just about any mare you want to breed to Now that I’m a bit older, I have the financial means to get into a few. him outside of a Bettor’s Delight mare. I basically only buy fillies to add to our broodmare band eventually. Impinktoo made it so I could afford to pay off a lot of stuff at the farm What has the slot-enhanced purse money meant to Ohio? and make it so I had no debt. That’s why I sold her. One nice thing about Ohio is that we did it the right way and learned from a lot of other states. The popularity of the sport is Is it hard for Sugar Valley Farm to compete against the larger big here. We have the USTA here. We have 66 or 68 county fairs farms? that race. We’ve been able to create a little nest egg through the Ohio Harness Horseman’s Association. We had a nice rainy day Financially yes, because I can’t go out and buy the top stallion, but fund and never thought a pandemic would make us have to dig I’ve made a niche with our farm to have great relationships with into that. But I think Ohio has a nice future in front of it. There people who own the top horses coming off the track. So I’ve been are a lot of good people who have taken a lot of time and effort to able to develop my business in that manner by having relation- do the right thing in Ohio. Hopefully we’ll be able to stand on solid ships with guys like George Teague. If it wasn’t for George Teague ground for quite a while. helping me get off the ground with I’m Gorgeous and Mr Wiggles, they were part of my first group of stallions, if it wasn’t for his faith What do you think the future holds for Sugar Valley Farm? in my decision to have a farm all of a sudden, I couldn’t have gotten to where I am today. Aaron Waxman and I bought Woodstock, he I think we have a great future because we have a niche in this busi- was part of our first stallion roster. David Heffering with Pilgrims ness. We are not the biggest farm, we are not the best farm, but we Taj helped out to complete our first four stallions. Then I had work hard at it and have good solid employees. Between my uncle’s Dragon Again through a great relationship with Ed Mullinax. Jim knowledge and me out working trying to provide the best for Ohio Simpson and Dr Jablonsky at Hanover Shoe Farm have been very and also on the Grand Circuit, things are going well. We just try to helpful with Yankee Cruiser and Well Said. George Teague helped provide the right stallions at the right price so we don’t scare any- me out again with Lather Up. Also the Burkes (Ron and Mickey) body off. We try to convey that we have something of quality for you helped me out. They gave me Foreclosure for a year before he went at your price structure. to Ireland. I was also able to develop a great friendship with Adam Bowden from Diamond Creek Farm, which helped me add Downby- How concerned are you about the effect of COVID-19 on the theseaside. I think if you are an honest person and do the right job, good things will come around. That is how I can compete with a lot upcoming yearling sales this fall? of people, because I have people. You have to try to be optimistic, but that being said, one minute I’m positive and the next minute I’m shitting in my pants. How can you Do you have any mares at Sugar Valley or of your own? look at it any other way. We’ve lost some good people in our business to the pandemic, with the Fusco family and John Brennan. My uncle and I, along with a partner named Jason Melillo, own That hits close to home, not personally, because I didn’t know them about 16 or 17 broodmares. Then I have probably 25 other brood- well, but I have very good friends in this business who knew them mares on the farm as well. In this business, you have to have money very well. to have quantity, but if you are smart about it, you can have quality. And remember, the smart is often luck. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

DRF Harness Weekend | 11 | July 9, 2020 Visit us online at drf.com/harness WOODBINE MOHAWK PARK

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

When you look at the yearling sales, a lot of the higher end goes to saturday Race 11 - $250K Mandatory Payout Carryover the wealthier people. The middle market is your trainers that own a few themselves or have three owners that split a horse. Is that Hi-5 Analysis By Garnet Barnsdale market going to be there anymore? I have friends that work at the Honda of America factory a few counties over, people who make This Hi-5 field is certainly evenly-matched and there should $65,000 to $85,000 a year and they own horses. A lot of them that be a good payoff here. I’m going to concentrate on the class- were furloughed for at least a month, they didn’t even breed their droppers in the top two spots and then try to fill in a winning mares this year. They are the guys who buy 20-to-50 percent of a combination from there. yearling. Are they going to spend that money? That’s the scary (2) FANCOURT got cooked early last week, but missing a part. The top end will always be there, but the rest is what I worry check allows him to drop to his lowest class level since Febru- about. ary 1. He should be tough racing near the front. (1) JULER- ICA was very live competing in this class twice when racing If you had the power to change one thing in the sport, what resumed in June and he will be a good price here. (8) HERVEY HANOVER is always closing and if the race falls apart late, he would it be? be might be zooming by. (5) TYGA HANOVER is another drop- per who should be live here racing near the front throughout. I would make it to where we had a universal system of rules for (3) ROCKIN N TALKIN’s 26-flat kicker makes him one to use everywhere. in several slots of this Hi-5.

How do you view the future of harness racing? .20-cent Ticket: We’ve always been a resilient sport, so I think we’ll persevere 1,2,8 / 1,2,5,8 / 1,2,3,5,8 / 1,2,3,5,8 / ALL = $75.60 through this. We’ve all taken our hard knocks before. You have to be smart and work through the tough times. Hi-5 Analysis By Derick Giwner I see you had 17 driving wins in your career. What made you (2) FANCOURT hasn’t finished better than fourth in five starts, but those races were all up in class and his form really quit driving? isn’t that bad. He was too close to a hot 53 half in his last two My age. Back when I was starting off my uncle couldn’t afford to starts and in way too deep his prior pair of starts. This looks let me drive his, so I had to rely on other people to get started. It like a spot where he can shine. (1) JULERICA and (5) TYGA was back when it was the trainer/driver days and the Scioto Downs HANOVER are taking similar drops to the top pick. Either are colony was Jeff Fout, David Miller, Bill Fahy, Billy Walters, Dan capable of giving him a tough time with a top effort. For the Ater, Chip Noble. How do you get started when you have guys like third slot, I’m adding in (6) IWONTDOTHATAGAIN, who has that standing in front of you? I didn’t have it in my head that was finished second or third in this class in three straight starts, what I wanted to do. I always wanted a family, though I didn’t know and (10) REAL SURREAL, a winner in this class last Novem- when it was going to happen. If you were a trainer/driver, you lived ber, but a horse who hasn’t been seen in six months who is now like a gypsy, in Florida in the winter and who knows where during dropping in for a tag. The ticket wraps up with ALL in the final the summer. I didn’t want to do that. two slots, because if I’m right at the front of the ticket, I don’t want to lose because I eliminated one horse who lucked into a Time for the stretch drive. What’s the first thing that comes to good trip. your mind? .20-cent Ticket: 2 / 1,5 / 1,3,5,6,10 / ALL / ALL = $78.40 Best Horse Ever: Somebeachsomewhere

Best Driver: John Campbell

Best Trainer: Ron Burke and George Teague

Lasix – Yes or No?: Yes

Best place to eat in Ohio? Bun’s Restaurant in Delaware, Ohio.

Commissioner for the Sport – Yes or No?: Yes

Trotters or Pacers?: Pacers

Favorite TV Show?: Two and a Half Men

Follow Derick Giwner & Matt Rose discuss the Graduate Trot and Pace finals on Saturday at The Meadowlands.

DRF Harness Weekend | 12 | July 9, 2020 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Brittany Farm to offer virtual inspections

With the travel uncertainties caused by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic this year, Brittany Farms has announced that it will offer complete, virtual inspections of its yearlings via its website this fall. The farm stated the online inspections are meant to be used as an evaluation tool for all, and especially as a means for looking at yearlings by those unable to travel. But it stressed that the usual in-person inspections at the farm by owners, trainers or their representatives At DRF Harness we strive to provide the best handicapping would be welcomed, as always. information in the sport. Each week we’ll use this space to bring “With the situation involving COVID-19 restrictions being so fluid, you some of our handicappers’ best bets, value plays and horses to we’re making an extra effort to offer buyers a complete online inspec- watch. Use this information as one of your tools when wagering or tion of the yearlings,” said farm manager Art Zubrod. “But I hope simply click on the link above and head to DRF Bets to wager now. they can avail themselves to visiting the farm this summer or fall, as Happy Handicapping! nothing beats a personal inspection. “Every state has restrictions that seem to change on a daily basis, Thursday, july 9 and foreign travel is also a big question mark at this point in time,” Zubrod said. “With that being the case, maybe an online inspection RACE 9 is the only option for some people... so we’ll be offering that the very best we can.” (5) PEMBERTON has The roster and pedigrees of the Brittany Farms yearlings selling been outstanding so far now at the Lexington Selected Sale this October are now available on its he picks up catch-driver website, britfarms.com. Henry. A threepeat at a In addition to traditional high-definition yearling action videos, short price loom. the farm will post “walking videos” that will include conformation -Garnet Barnsdale close-ups at several different angles for each horse. All of the videos, produced by Larry Cohen, will be available in early fall. Friday, july 10 The consignment of 20 yearlings from the 2019 “Breeder of the Year” features four from the highly-anticipated first crop of Chap- RACE 9 ter Seven’s great son Walner—a World Champion, Breeders Crown Champion and Dan Patch Champion as a 2-year-old. (1) THINKBIG DREAMBIG Also selling are six outstanding first foals, plus siblings or close worked into an upper-stretch relatives to such standouts as American Jewel, Bettor’s Wish, Wolf- lead in his last at M1 before gang, Captain Ahab, Ontopofthehill (Muscle Hill full brother), Starita Somebaddude swept past to and Special Honor. just nab him. He gets another “We’ve proven year-in and year-out that champions are bred here crack at this level on arrival; and that our ‘new’ farm is absolutely ideal for raising great race- strength demonstrated in horses,” Zubrod said. “You’ll see that continue with our fall sale year- tougher races is the big selling lings.” point for him. -release (Brittany Farms) -James Witherite

RACE 13 (1) WHITTAKER N is way down in class and should demolish this weak group. -Derick Giwner Saturday, july 11

RACE 10

(3) GIMPANZEE has already proven that he is too good for this group of 4-year- olds. Key him in the Pick 4 at 1-5 and look for a bomb in another leg. -Giwner

full card analysis / past performances

Yonkers (THU) Analysis Harrah’s Philly (FRI) Analysis

Mohawk Park (THU) Analysis Mohawk Park (FRI) Analysis

Meadowlands (FRI) Analysis Meadowlands (SAT) Analysis

DHP PPs harness eye PPs trackmaster PPs free PPs

Want full-card analysis? Visit DRF.com/harness

DRF Harness Weekend | 13 | July 9, 2020 Visit us online at drf.com/harness NEWS FROM AROUND THE HARNESS INDUSTRY

Delaware horses not welcome in NY due to COVID-19 Racing, was a genuine, lovely person full of grace and class who had a sincere love of the sport and an enormous capacity to handle its ups and downs. A self-described “homemaker, mother and grandmother,” When it was announced on July 7 that individuals traveling to New Mrs. Haughton was a trustee of the Harness Racing Museum & Hall York from Delaware would be required to quarantine for 14 days, of Fame from 1982 until her passing in 2019. those restrictions were passed along to the racing industry. READ MORE Two horses trained by Delaware residents, Photo Bomber and Bo Mach, were scratched from the card at Yonkers Raceway for Friday (July 10) on request of the NY Gaming Commission. 3-year-olds on display Friday in PASS at Philadelphia The restrictions could seriously affect drivers like Corey Callahan and Tim Tetrick, who regularly compete at Harrington Raceway Allywag Hanover and Captain Groovy, both 3-year-old pacing colts in Delaware and on the Grand Circuit throughout New York, New who have already won in 1:48 in this shortened season of primetime Jersey and Pennsylvania this time of year. Callahan was listed to racing, are among five fields racing after $39,432 each in their first drive at Vernon Downs in upstate New York at 4PM on July 9 and was preliminary leg of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Friday afternoon at told by the Judges on July 8 that he could race, but after driving the Harrah’s Philadelphia. There will also be six $20,000 divisions of the majority of the nearly five-hour trip, he was told he could no longer companion Pennsylvania Stallion Series action. compete in the New York Sire Stakes races on the card. The Captaintreacherous colt Allywag Hanover did in fact enter for the elimination races for the Meadowlands Pace, which were to have been conducted this Saturday. But when only 12 colts dropped in for Roll With JR, Major Betts try to punch ‘Pace’ tickets that event, the conditions of the race called for “byes” to be offered to the top seasonal moneywinners, with two going directly to the rich They might not be standard for a pacer, but Jeff Cullipher has a July 18 event and the other 10 racing there this week, with the top good idea what his 3-year-old Roll With JR will need to wear in Satur- eight coming back for the Pace final. Allywag Hanover was second in day’s lone Meadowlands Pace elimination. seasonal earnings and opted out to come to Philly, as did Chief Mate, “I hope he can put his big-boy pants on,” Cullipher said with a laugh. who was third in 2020 earnings. Roll With JR was among a dozen 3-year-old male pacers entered READ MORE in the Meadowlands Pace. Two horses, Allywag Hanover and Chief Mate, advanced to the final courtesy of byes based on seasonal earnings. The top-eight finishers in Saturday’s $50,000 elimination at The USTA announces creation of investigative fund Meadowlands Racetrack will join them in the $631,650 final July 18. READ MORE As part of the initiative that commenced with Hanover Shoe Farms’ Executive Vice President Bridgette Jablonsky’s announce- ment in April of a $250,000 matching fund grant to promote integrity Jam-packed Ohio Sire Stakes weekend ahead in harness racing, on Monday (July 6), U.S. Trotting Association Pres- ident Russell Williams announced the establishment of the Standard- Twelve divisions of Ohio Sires Stakes will be contested this week- bred Racing Investigative Fund. end in the Buckeye State, with two $50,000 events for 3-year-old trot- The SRIF will exist as a division of the USTA but with independent, ting fillies on Friday night (July 10) at Northfield Park. As well, four third-party oversight. $40,000 OSS contests each for 2-year-old pacing colts and 2-year-old READ MORE pacing filles and two $50,000 divisions of 3-year-old trotting colts vie at Scioto Downs on Saturday (July 11). Sixteen trotting fillies will line up behind the Northfield Park Road to the Hambletonian starting gate in third-leg OSS action in races Two and Four on Friday. Guinevere Hall, the current OSS leader in her division, has won both 1-Amigo Volo (Father Patrick), Dexter Dunn, Nifty Norman, Pinske Stables, David of the previous legs handily with Peter Wrenn driving for trainer J. Miller - Freshman Breeders Crown champ + one of eight in the Top Ten Melanie Wrenn. The daughter of Cash Hall is owned by the M T Pock- that DID NOT RACE LAST WEEK, sixth [1:52 3/5] as the beaten favorite in a ets Stable and Dave McDuffey and has $174,181 in career earnings. $25,000 overnight @ Big M in his 3YO debut, post two in PA Allstars division @ READ MORE Pocono Downs on July 11. 2-Real Cool Sam (Muscle Hill), Dave Miller, Jim Campbell, Fashion Farms LLCr Hambo eligibles get important test Saturday at Pocono Dan Patch Award & Peter Haughton Memorial winner broke in his first Big M qualifier, rebounded with a second in 1:53 1/5 [:26 3/5] in a Big M qualifier, second in 1:52 4/5 [:28] in a Big M qualifier on July 3, not entered to race/ The Pennsylvania All-Stars series brings together this weekend qualify this weekend. two interesting groups of colts at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono 3-Hypnotic AM (Chapter Seven), Brian Sears, Marcus Melander, Courant Inc. - 3-year-old trotters on Saturday afternoon and 2-year-old pacers on Sunday’s twilight card. Filly was an ultra impressive 1:51 1/5 [:27 3/5] in her 3YO debut, cruised in Seventeen of the 27 trotters entered in Saturday’s thee $30,000 divi- a NYSS @ Tioga Downs in 1:54.2, romped from post nine in EBC @ Vernon sions of All-Stars races are eligible to contest the sport’s greatest prize, Downs on July 4 in 1:53 4/5 … “We’ll see. We’ll see,” said Melander. “Right The Hambletonian, on Saturday, August 8. The owners and trainers of now the main goal is to be on top for Hambo Day, and right now there is no the Hambo eligibles will be getting a good reading on their horses’ ability one among the colts that stands out.” exactly three weeks before the elimination races for the Hambletonian. 4-Third Shift (Chapter Seven), Ake Svanstedt, Mellby Gard, Inc., Ake Svanstedt READ MORE Set a stakes & Batavia Downs track record of 1:56 in the NYSS Final at two, won a NYSS division @ Vernon Downs on June 24 in 1:54 2/5, won an EBC division @ Vernon Downs on July 4 in 1:52 4/5. Golden Girls renamed Dorothy Haughton Memorial 5-Back Of The Neck (Ready Cash), Scott Zeron, Ake Svanstedt, Howard Taylor, Order By Stable, Judith Taylor - Won a Big M qualifier on June 20 in 1:53 4/5, The Meadowlands is pleased to announce that the Golden Girls set the pace & second by a nose in 1:51 2/5 [:26] in a $25,000 overnight stake for older pacing mares has been retitled to memorialize Mrs. @ Big M on June 27, DID NOT RACE LAST WEEK, post eight in Reynolds Dorothy Haughton, widow of the late WR Haughton. Memorial division @ Big M on July 11. Mrs. Haughton, long regarded as “The First Lady” of Harness -edited release (Ken Warkentin for Meadowlands)

DRF Harness Weekend | 14 | July 9, 2020 Visit us online at drf.com/harness