Trainer Linda Toscano Is Playing the Waiting Game Along with Everyone Else

DRF HARNESS HOME DIGITAL HARNESS EYE HARNESS PPS DRF BETS ENTRIES ARCHIVE THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 Trainer Linda Toscano is playing the waiting game along with everyone else

NEW PLAYERS With 26 2-year-olds in her barn, trainer Linda Toscano can afford to be patient, but there were some risky decisions at play as well DOUBLE YOUR FIRST DEPOSIT UP TO $250 JAYWALKING By Jay Bergman JOIN NOW @BergmanJay

For the most part, all of those who partici- pate in harness racing are risk managers. From those who breed horses annually, not knowing first whether a mare will get in foal, to waiting nearly a year for a live one,

predictability and percentages guide them. Derick Giwner There is known gain and known loss in the The team of Linda Toscano (right) and equation from years of analysis. driver Tim Tetrick hope to be smiling in Inside this issue Then we have the purchasers of yearlings; the winner’s circle again soon. unproven, untested and untrained horses with pedigrees intended to make for race- of New Jersey, she is in the midst of trying Papi Rob Hanover ruling the virtual horses. Yet, year after year, despite those to come to terms with a risk factor that no world in Catch Driver/Breeders Crown pedigrees, many never get so far as to see horseman or horsemen’s organization could Challenge, Page 4 a starting gate throughout their careers. have fathomed. Here, too, buyers understand the risks, the “We have races cancelled and we have Jay Bergman: Moving the focus away timing and the overall value of what stands no idea of the funding going forward,” said from the numbers, Page 5 in front of them upon winning an auction Toscano in a somber tone. The core elements bid. that drive almost all who work within this Darin Zoccali: In Standardbred Racing, Then there are trainers who must put industry have been shattered over the last there are no comparisons, Page 6 these horses to work in hopes that they can six weeks. This has left Toscano and others bring out the best at the exact time neces- of the sport’s leaders not just in unknown Derick Giwner: Finding a spot for the sary to maximize potential and earning territory, but still playing a waiting game North America Cup in 2020, Page 7 power. Trainers operate with full recogni- before they can provide critical guid- tion of the risks and cultivate schedules ance. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” On The Backstretch: Profile of trainer designed to coordinate peak performance Toscano said bluntly about the prolonged Jonas Czernyson, Page 8 with financial opportunity. shutdown of live racing and its unknown Trainer Linda Toscano has been witness future at this time. Industry News, Page 10 to all facets of this industry throughout an Putting on her hat as a trainer of mostly illustrious career. Now sitting as a director young horses in a stable of roughly 40-head, Comments? Questions? on the prestigious Hambletonian Society, Toscano like many is in a holding pattern. Email the Editor [email protected] as well as an integral member of the Stan- dardbred Breeders and Owners Association CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

We are all in this together~stay healthy & safe!

The Ohio Sires Stakes for 3-year-old trotting & pacing colts & fillies have been postponed & will be rescheduled for a later date.

Kimberly Rinker Ohio Standardbred Development Fund 614-779-0269 Updates will be posted [email protected] WWW.RACINGOHIO.NET

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The absence of live racing has not limited the training progress of Toscano’s top-rated 3-year-old trotting filly Senorita Rita. “I would say she’s the least impacted by this,” said Toscano of last year’s Goldsmith Maid champion. “We had planned to get her ready for August.” On the other side of the fence are returning 3-year-olds that showed promise last year but didn’t get the experience necessary for Toscano and ownership to pursue extensive staking. For those youngsters, a few races in March and early April would be key towards making critical April 15 stakes payments with at least some knowledge. “We had six or seven that were ready to qualify and we were hoping to get one or two races into them just to see where they were going,” said Toscano. “We just had to make staking decisions on those horses blindly.” Perhaps going forward those same horses will be found in diffi- cult positions of playing catch-up when races actually begin and those with far more experience have a distinct advantage. Yet Toscano also saw a bit of a silver lining in the timing of the shutdown. “At least I didn’t qualify them and was able to back off with them,” said Toscano. Thus there’s a chance to preserve their long- term viability. Toscano recognizes that the 3-year-old stakes season is likely to have a lot of different looks to it with the spring schedule already decimated. “I think we can go longer into the year,” Toscano said, indicating that some of the races that have needed to be postponed could be re-spotted and thus we might see some significant stakes races in November or even December of this season. A pair of 3-year-old pacing fillies enjoyed plenty of success last year and both Rocknificent and Baby Your the Best are coming back quite nicely. “Rocknificent is more mature and easier to handle,” said Toscano of the Captaintreacherous-sired filly that closed out her juvenile campaign with an impressive second-place finish in the Three Diamonds from post 10. Rocknificent was just a neck shy of J K First Lady in the 1:49 2/5 mile in November at The Meadowlands. The placing pushed her seasonal bankroll to $281K Derick Giwner in 13 starts, all of which came in stakes races. Rocknificent put together a strong 13-5-2-4 record while earning Toscano noted that last year’s Meadowlands Pace upset winner $281,506 in 2019 as a rookie pacing filly. Best In Show was returning on schedule before the schedule changed. “We had him right at 2:00 when racing stopped,” said There are 26 2-year-olds in training right now for Toscano. Toscano. “He’ll be ready.” “We’re in the low (2:) 20s with them. I’ve got some really nice trot- Best In Show, a homebred son of Bettor’s Delight from the $2.4 ting fillies and some really nice pacing fillies,” Toscano said. million winning Put On A Show, stunned the racing world when Toscano noted that like all trainers, nothing has changed for he captured the Meadowlands Pace last July in a personal-best her when it comes to the care and conditioning of her horses every 1:48, taking the measure of divisional champion Bettor’s Wish and day. Like most, she has done a masterful job over time, manag- favored Captain Crunch in the process. ing horses and the risks that come with them. It’s that experience On the trotting side of the equation, Toscano could have a poten- that’s likely to see her and most of this industry better equipped to tial star in the New Jersey-bred Play Trix On Me. Is he a Grand handle whatever the next phase turns out to be. Circuit horse? “I think he is,” Toscano said. A New Jersey Sire Stakes champion prior to joining forces with Toscano last summer, Play Trix On Me started but six times during a freshman campaign while Follow showing extreme speed and potential, with a 1:53 2/5 qualifier at The Red Mile in October. He’s a son of Hambletonian champion Trixton. With the limited experience last year, Toscano had hoped to have Play Trix On Me racing at this time. “He’s all dressed up with nowhere to go,” said Toscano.

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DRF Harness Weekend | 3 | April 23, 2020 Visit us online at drf.com/harness ‘Papi Rob’ ruling the virtual world in Breeders Crown Challenge

By Derick Giwner An amazing 733 drivers raced in the Saturday leg of the series, which was contested 690 times. Despite my best attempts, the stamina of Chris- The results are in for the first round of the inaugural Catch topher Sammacicci as he raced well past 4 AM E.D.T., was too much for Driver/Breeders Crown virtual 3-year-old pacing challenge, and it me to handle. I had a three-win lead when I went to bed and woke up was a clean sweep. Papi Rob Hanover won more races in the digi- where I finished, losing 30 wins to 27 for another second-place finish. tal editions of the North America Cup, Max Hempt Memorial and Paul Hailes picked up the fastest win in the Hempt when he steered Meadowlands Pace when played out over the Catch Driver gaming Papi Rob Hanover to victory in 1:48 1/5 from post 1, which along with platform. post 2 tied for the best spot to start at 14.51%. Following are the final stats for the Hempt:

Horse Name Wins Win % avg. Post Papi Rob Hanover 213 30.91% 4.89 Major Betts 165 23.95% 5.10 Elver Hanover 115 16.69% 4.97 Tall Dark Stranger 91 13.21% 4.95 Capt Midnight 47 6.82% 5.06 Force N Fury 26 3.77% 5.01 Catch The Fire 14 2.03% 4.97 Freedom Warrior 11 1.60% 5.11 Father Nuno 7 1.02% 4.89

The “big boys” dominated the virtual Meadowlands Pace, with Papi Rob Hanover and Tall Dark Stranger accounting for almost 64% of the wins. With the shorter run into the first turn, horses in post 1 won most often of the three races (16.5%), as they often gunned to the front The battle lines were established last week when fields for each of to secure position. Outside horses struggled, with post 10 checking in the stakes races were formed and virtual drivers were asked to pilot at a three-race low of 4.37%. some of the best 3-year-old pacing colts in the sport. The Friday stake Papi Rob Hanover (3 times) and Tall Dark Stranger (2) finished with was the North America Cup and Papi Rob Hanover won 33% of the the fastest clocking (1:49 4/5). Obviously, The Meadowlands plays a time, winning 96 of the 292 races run during a 24-hour period. Elver bit slower in the virtual world than reality. Fabio Martinez (24 wins) Hanover was second with 61 wins and Tall Dark Stranger finished bested Stefano Martinez (19) to capture the title of champion. Tired third at 55 victories. from my hectic racing schedule on Friday and Saturday, I only raced Statistically, here is how it played out for 292 races: 34 times while picking up eight wins, good for 10th in the standings. The Meadowlands Pace was contested 504 times with the following Horse Name Wins Win % avg. Post results: Papi Rob Hanover 96 32.99% 5.49 Elver Hanover 61 20.96% 5.60 Horse Name Wins Win % avg. Post Tall Dark Stranger 55 18.90% 5.48 Papi Rob Hanover 173 34.39% 5.37 Captain Nemo 26 8.93% 5.04 Tall Dark Stranger 147 29.22% 5.58 Capt Midnight 22 7.56% 5.60 Capt Midnight 73 14.51% 5.40 Odds On Osiris 17 5.84% 5.23 Captain Nemo 54 10.74% 5.53 Catch The Fire 8 2.75% 5.38 Force N Fury 23 4.57% 5.69 Freedom Warrior 6 2.06% 5.70 Catch The Fire 21 4.17% 5.47 Captain Barbossa 0 0.00% 5.78 Father Nuno 6 1.19% 5.60 Cattlewash 0 0.00% 5.67 Captain Barbossa 4 0.80% 5.46 Manticore 2 0.40% 5.41 Tall Dark Stranger won the Cattlewash 0 0.00% 5.44 North America Cup in the fastest time when Fabio Martinez The action continues this drove him to a 1:47 2/5 win from weekend with three more Virtual Messenger post 3. Ty Rose won the race for stakes. On Friday (April 25), the most races, with 27 wins from we have the Cane Pace at The Captain Barbossa 127 starts, soundly besting my Meadowlands with a very 20 wins in second. Post-position similar field to the Meadow- Captain Nemo analysis resulted in a fairly even lands Pace. The only change split among winners, with posts 1 is Freedom Warrior replaces Catch The Fire and 5 coming in at 14.09% at the Manticore. Papi Rob Hanover top end and post 9 (far outside) is again the favorite to lead in ather uno checking in at just 5.8% the win column. F N Moving on to the Max Hempt, The MGM Messenger at some new shooters were intro- Yonkers Raceway goes on Force N Fury duced into the race and while that Saturday with the big three of didn’t lower Papi Rob Hanover’s Papi Rob Hanover, Tall Dark Groovy Joe win percentage by much, it did Stranger and Elver Hanover cause others to take a substantial sitting it out. Considering the Major Betts hit. Another factor at play was the race is also contested over a five-eighths track, which seemed half-mile track, the results Manticore to favor horses that were closer to should be interesting. Major the pace. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

DRF Harness Weekend | 4 | April 23, 2020 Visit us online at drf.com/harness CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

Betts is the heavy early Virtual Tattersalls Pace favorite to dominate. jaywalking Players get a new twist on Capt Midnight Sunday in the Tattersalls By Jay Bergman BergmanJay from the Red Mile. Fields of Captain Barbossa 12 will compete with posts 11 and 12 starting from Captain Nemo the second tier. It will be Moving the focus away from the numbers interesting to see whether Catch The Fire the bulky fields change the luck of some of the top dogs As a just-turned teenager growing up during the Vietnam throughout the series. War, I recall nightly national news broadcasts quite vividly still Elver Hanover All races start at 10 AM to this day. There was a scorecard of sorts that was announced E.D.T. on the scheduled with each day, and that was of the number of dead soldiers. These Father Nuno dates and run for 24 hours. were just numbers to me and all that stuck out at the time was Once again, the overall that the higher number belonged to the North Vietnamese side, Force N Fury winner from each stakes and therefore in a simple equation conveyed the message that our event is eligible to get a side was winning. Freedom Warrior DRF Harness hat. Those numbers are now haunting to me, as the count of people After the results are tabu- from this country passing on from COVID-19 grows with each Major Betts lated, the top nine winning passing day. Yet, I still get that haunting feeling that numbers horses from the six races become trivialized when put into different context. Earlier this will return for the Breed- week, I saw many people putting decimal points in front of these Odds On Osiris ers Crown at the virtual same numbers in a way of breaking down the fractional account Hoosier Park on May 1. of the dead. If you make it a small enough fraction, it almost Papi Rob Hanover While the horses will be appears as if nothing has changed in this country. competing to be crowned Vietnam changed a lot of the views of government in the United Tall Dark Stranger champion, players will have States, but what it clearly hasn’t done some 50 years later is do extra incentive to play, with more to unite us. I find it daunting that the same people who care a choice of a DRF Harness or so deeply about horses and cry when they die needlessly, are the McWicked hat, swag courtesy of the Breeders Crown, plus an expanded same people examining the human toll of this COVID-19 virus horseshoe (game currency) prize fund and more up for grabs. and carrying out the decimal points into the millionths. Those wanting to join in the fun can download the Catch Driver app While the virus has not spread equally among the states, some on iPhone or Android. They can also check out other games from The have taken the opportunity to believe what can happen in New Farm, including Off And Pacing and Turf Dynasty. York is not capable of happening elsewhere. The shocking reality See you at the virtual races! is that before it arrived and ravaged New York it was also pretty quiet here. It would have been catastrophic to say that since we had no cases in January we would have none by April, yet that’s the impression one gets when listening to those still unaffected by this virus, proclaiming with certitude and percentages that they are safe. In life, we all play the odds to some degree. We look at races and past performances and percentages. Drivers and trainers have universal ratings, which is a weighted view of how often horses are responsible for finishing in the top-three positions. Some- times these numbers help us pick winners and sometimes they do not. At the end of the analysis, people just have more or less money. Life and death is a vastly different equation and can and should not be trivialized by percentages that have been known to change. Horses that are mistreated and pass away don’t deserve to die. To me, living during these times, no matter how people try to couch it with phrases like “they were on their way out anyway,” the true impact of these deaths is still in some ways being marginalized. Forget politics for a second if we can and just look at all of those people who risk their lives to save others. Then look at all of those healthy people who won’t get a second chance like those of us who are living and can go back to doing the things we love. It’s heartbreaking to witness what a pandemic actually looks like and it’s even more shattering when it happens in a country many of us believe is the greatest on earth. The Harness Racing industry was one of the first hit directly by this virus as it suddenly swept away horsemen young enough to have 20 good years left. That’s a tragedy that no amount of numbers to the right of a decimal point can ever attempt to diminish or hide from view. The consequences of human behavior going forward will determine what happens next. We want to live. We want to work and we also want to be free to do anything we’d like to do. What we don’t want to do is lose track of the value of each life we touch and many we never get close to.

DRF Harness Weekend | 5 | April 23, 2020 Visit us online at drf.com/harness In the Standardbred Racing game, there are no comparisons

at the track By Darin Zoccali AtTheTrack7

There has been a great deal of discussion lately regarding who would win a fantasy race, who is the greatest pacer, greatest trotter, or even the greatest horse of all-time. It’s always a fascinating topic, one that brings forth many different opinions, and is typically one of the more civil discussions seen on social media. I am a student of both Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing. I recognize myself as a student because I know I will always have more to learn and can learn from others that have more experience or are Nigel Soult (above) / Derick Giwner (below) just more intelligent than I am. Snow White (above) was the fastest of her generation while When it comes to debates regarding the caliber of certain horses, Mission Brief broke records in the same division seven years admittedly, I have an easier time when it comes to thoroughbreds later. than standardbreds. That isn’t because I know more about one breed than the other. I believe I am fairly close to equally versed in the two. But, the breeds are very different from a historical standpoint. Harness Racing is speed-crazed. When comparing horses, refer- ring to a single race in which they broke a world record is common. It is also one of the first details about a horse that is referenced when comparing horses of different years or even generations. “He trotted 1:49; he’s better!” Not too long ago, a post about being the “O.G.” of social distancing appeared on Twitter pertaining to Mission Brief’s romp at The Red Mile. I posted a screenshot of Snow White winning by a pole, hoping people would keep finding older races of horses winning by many lengths and posting them. Instead, you would have thought I walked up to Mission Brief and literally spit on her. Immediately references made to how fast she was, albeit seven years removed from Snow White, appeared. How dare I even broach the subject of anyone being better than Mission Brief (which was not at all what I was doing)! The differences between Standardbred racing and Thoroughbred racing begins with speed. Over the last 40 years, standardbreds have Derby in under two minutes. Before Monarchos in 2001, nobody had gotten significantly faster for a variety of reasons. Thoroughbreds done it since Secretariat. By the way, nobody has done it since. In fact, have not. Standardbreds are literally 30 to 40 lengths faster on aver- since Secretariat’s 1:59 2/5 performance in the Derby, only two horses age than they were in 1980. Thoroughbreds are not. have run a Kentucky Derby faster than 2:01 – Monarchos (1:59.97) and Take a look at the current world records for pacers and trotters. The Spend A Buck (2:00.2). Spend A Buck won the Derby in 1985. oldest record for a pacer is from 2006, as Holborn Hanover still holds So when I state that I believe Secretariat was the greatest thorough- the mark for an aged gelding (a narrow parameter). Think about how bred of all time, nobody challenges me with, “Yeah, but Discreet Cat long it took to lower Jenna’s Beach Boy’s mark that was set in 1996 and won the Cigar Mile in 1:32.46 under wraps in 2006; he was faster.” how many sub 1:47 3/5 miles we have seen in the last 15 years. I can’t Imagine a Harness Racing world where, right now, Nihilator’s 1:49 even come up with all of them. 3/5 performance is still the fastest race-mile of all time and only one The trotting side is just as wild. There are only five world records horse has ever paced 1:49 4/5 since Nihilator. That’s Secretariat. Nihi- on a mile track that exist today for trotters that are above the 1:50 lator would be viewed as the greatest and nobody would really argue mark, and three of those are 2-year-olds. There may be 100-200 trot- it. Same could be said for Mack Lobell if his 1:52 1/5 mark still stood ting miles that are faster than the 1:51 4/5 “fastest ever” mark set by and only one other horse had gone sub-1:53. Beat The Wheel in 1994 at The Meadowlands. I have seen condition Are the pacers and trotters today really that much more talented trotting events on a warm night faster than that. than those of the 1970’s and 1980’s? Are they the beneficiaries of Who would have ever thought we would have seen a 1:48 4/5 trot- changes that have made the breed faster? I don’t know. But, I cannot ting mile? Does that make Homicide Hunter the greatest trotter of all say with the same confidence that I have in Secretariat, that Mack time? Of course not, but this shows why it is so different to compare Lobell was the greatest. But, I also don’t believe that we can rely on standardbred horses over the years. Mack Lobell’s world record was time as the end-all be-all in an argument. just 1:52 1/5. I believe he is, to this day, the greatest trotter of all time. Is it possible, maybe even probable, that Mission Brief is the great- Is Mission Brief better because she trotted nearly two seconds faster est 2-year-old filly trotter we have ever seen? Sure. But, if you take as a 2-year-old some 30 years later? Continentalvictory out of 1995 and make her a 2-year-old the year Thoroughbred racing is much simpler. On very few occasions are Mission Brief was 2, can Continentalvicotry beat her? Maybe. The times brought into the argument when talking about who was the great- same can be said for others. est. But when they are, it is because those records have stood the test The Standardbred breed has changed, the dynamics of Harness of time. Secretariat ran the fastest Kentucky Derby, Preakness (despite Racing has changed. The equipment has changed. The drivers are the tele-timer controversy) and Belmont Stakes that we have ever seen. better athletes. That’s just not the case in Thoroughbred Racing. (Eddie) Nearly 50 years later, that statement still holds true. In fact, nobody has Arcaro, (Angel) Cordero and (Laffit) Pincay were every bit as good as gotten within 10 lengths of his Belmont Performance. It stands the test of anyone riding today. time. Typically, modern Harness Racing records do not. It makes for fascinating arguments, but taking emotion out of it and Even crazier, over the last 20 years of the Belmont Stakes, 16 just using logic, I think it is virtually impossible to make any defini- editions of the race have been 20-plus lengths slower than Secretar- tive statement when comparing a standardbred from 2020 to one from iat’s Belmont. It took 28 years for another horse to run a Kentucky 1985. In Thoroughbred Racing I can.

DRF Harness Weekend | 6 | April 23, 2020 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Moving a Mountain: Finding a spot for the North America Cup in 2020

EDITOR’S EYE By Derick Giwner @DRFHarness

We learned last week that the C$1 million North America Cup would not be contested on June 20 at Woodbine Mohawk Park as expected. With that cold hard reality now on the table, we are left to ponder: What is a good spot on the crowded stakes calendar for this marquee race for 3-year-old pacers? Starting with the assumption that track officials have no interest in a late November or December event when on-track attendance (assuming fans are permitted) could struggle, I combed the stakes landscape looking for the best possible date for the 2020 NA Cup. It was no easy task trying to find a date that made sense while also not conflicting with too many other races. Then it hit me – August 29. First off, yes, the connections of horses are going to have to make some decisions in 2020 and having eliminations for the NA Cup on August 22 with a final on the 29th will only emphasize that fact. That said, almost none of the potential eligible horses will have to miss New Image Media Could an August 29 date with fans on the Mohawk track apron work? a major Grand Circuit race to compete in the NA Cup. Looking at the calendar for elimination weekend, the conflicts in date as well since there are no conflicts in the older mare pacing the division include a round of Sire Stakes races in Pennsylvania division at that time. and Ohio, along with the final of the Empire Breeders Classic on Some of the other stakes originally scheduled either on June August 23. While the EBC goes for a healthy purse in the $200,000 20 or during that month will need to be placed elsewhere, while to $300,000 range, as a New York-bred race, most of the NA Cup others probably should be canceled for 2020 altogether. The Some- eligible horses wouldn’t be able to compete anyway. beachsomewhere works nicely as a prep for the NA Cup in June. On the weekend of the proposed new date for the NA Cup final, the It really has no good home with the race charted for later in the two conflicts include a leg of the Kentucky Sire Stakes on Septem- year. The Mohawk Gold Cup for older pacers seems like a nice fit ber 1 and the eliminations for the MGM Messenger at Yonkers on the August 22 NA Cup elim card. It will fill a void left by the Prix Raceway on August 29. Obviously going head-to-head with a Triple d’ete (Aug. 23) for 4-year-olds which was already canceled by Trois Crown race isn’t ideal, but when you consider that expected top Rivieres. 3-year-olds Elver Hanover and Papi Rob Hanover are not even eligi- I’m not sure where to place the Goodtimes for 3-year-old trotters ble to the Messenger and there are 33 others who can race in the NA or the Fan Hanover for 3-year-old filly pacers. Those might be best Cup but not the Messenger, the schedule clash seems less of a big placed at the start of December as one final chance for the 3-year- deal. Additionally, only 10 horses can compete in the NA Cup final. olds to earn before winter vacation. Every other horse which got eliminated on August 22 can certainly Finally, the Armbro Flight for older mare trotters also needs a race in the Messenger elims on August 29. home and perhaps the best fit is for The Meadowlands to swap the The NA Cup placement on August 22/29 is also perfect because fourth leg of the Miss Versatility series on August 28 for the 1st it creates a circuit of races depending on the size track each horse leg scheduled on May 29 at Woodbine Mohawk Park (assuming The prefers. If you like a big track, there is the Cane Pace on August 8 Meadowlands is open by then). Then the fourth leg of the series at The Meadowlands followed by the NA Cup on August 22/29. If could be cancelled and the Armbro Flight could go with elimina- your horse is more of a half-mile performer, there is the Milstein at tions on August 22 and a final on the 29th to fall in line with the Northfield Park on August 15 followed by the Messenger at Yonkers North America Cup. on the 29th and September 5. Admittedly, I have no input in the decision-making process, but Another prime reason for the August 29 final date is Mohawk’s that is my plan . . . unless COVID-19 and the associated closures current schedule. The track typically ramps up its stakes sched- run well into June and July. In that case, it will be back to the ule during the third week of August. The North America Cup final drawing board. Maybe that scenario will result in stakes season would automatically join two solid races for 2-year-olds in the Eter- running through the winter and ending in 2021. It wasn’t the plan, nal Camnation (fillies) and Nassagaweya (open) on the card. Offi- but it would be interesting! cials could easily move the Roses R Red final from June 20 to that

DRF Harness Weekend | 7 | April 23, 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.

Jonas Czernyson Facebook TRAINER jonas czernyson Trainer Jonas Czernyson has won 531 career races and seen What kind of car do you drive? his horses win over $20 million. Nissan Rogue. You were on top of the Harness world for years but have Favorite dinner meal? Snack? fallen on harder times lately. What happened? BBQ; Cheez Doodles. I had a few bad years where the horses and I were not getting along as we should. I hope that we have it turned around and we What is your favorite track to race at? are on our way back up again. Red Mile. I just like the atmosphere. Do you think it will be harder to climb the ladder to the What is your favorite big event in racing? top the second time? Hambletonian. I hope that one day I can win it. It should be a little easier because you know what you have to do and can learn from your mistakes the first time. Do you have any prospects that can win it in 2020? Is it as simple as finding that one good horse that gets I’m not sure yet. Mister Walker is training good right now, so I’m hoping he fooled me a bit as a 2-year-old. He has the pedi- your name in the spotlight again? gree. He’s a Muscle Hill out of D’orsay. I would say pretty much it is. You have to have that one horse that puts you back on the map again. It is better for your owners How often is racing on your mind? to have many horses that make money, but for you to get back on top, you need that one horse that everybody sees. 24/7. What is your favorite thing to do outside of racing? Have many of your owners from when you were on top stayed with you? Grilling. I think that I own three-to-four types of barbeques. I have a big smoker. Ask anyone that spent the winter in Florida Some have moved on and some are still with me. It’s been about at Vero Beach about my smoked chicken wings. 50/50. What is your favorite sport to watch? How is your confidence level right now as a trainer? Harness Racing. I’m pretty confident right now, actually. I’d say my confidence is pretty high up there. If you start second-guessing yourself it is What is one thing about you most fans/bettors don’t time to get out. You have to do what your gut tells you to do. know? What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten about harness I’m pretty quiet. racing? What is one word that describes harness racing for you? Always be honest. Adrenaline. What was your favorite moment in harness racing? How did you get started in the sport? Setting the world record with Maven in the Miss Versatility final (Delaware County Fair). When I’m having a bad day, I go I drove my first pony race when I was 7 and drove them until I back and watch that race, actually. was 15 or 16. I finished High School and came here (to U.S.) when I was 18. CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

DRF Harness Weekend | 8 | April 23, 2020 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Derick Giwner Maven set the North American record for trotters on a half-mile track when she won in 1:51 4/5 in 2013 at the Delaware County Fair.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 Since you train younger horses, it really hasn’t affected you much at all? Which is the best horse you’ve ever trained? We would not be racing yet. We would’ve started to qualify right I guess Maven. She was tough. about now. I’ve backed off a little with them. What was it like to go back to your homeland for the Elitloppet I saw you with a cane during the sales. What is the deal there? with Maven in 2014 after being in the U.S. for so long? That’s my measuring cane for horses. I measure height and length. It was an incredible feeling. My parents came up from south Sweden. Inside the cane is a leveler that folds out to get the height of the withers. I think I’m one of the only ones that still measures horses. How many horses do you have in your barn? Most horses you can see with the naked eye if they are longer than tall, but some you have to guess. With the stick, you can get a more 16. accurate reading. What is the highest number of horses you’ve ever had? If you had the power to change one thing in the sport, what The most is 55. That was just one year, then we were back down to 35 would it be? or 40. Licensing. When you have overseas owners, it is a pain to get finger- prints and stuff done. With 16 horses, can you have a breakout season? Yes, because you just need to find that one. Hopefully that one is in How do you view the future of harness racing? the barn right now. I think the sport is going to have to come together a little to make a better product for the public. Maybe put in some distance races; Where are you stabled? mixing it up a little. Also not dragging out races so much. If you bring somebody new to the races, they don’t want to sit for six hours I’m in Florida right now and was going to come up on April 10, but to watch races when there is nothing going for 20 minutes between it didn’t make any sense with what is going on. I stable at Harry every race. Landy’s Congress Hill Farm in New Jersey. It’s a nice quiet spot. Who are the one or two horses you are most looking forward Time for the stretch drive: to racing in 2020? Best Horse You Ever Saw: Mack Lobell I have a Cantab Hall 3-year-old filly and two Muscle Hill 2-year-olds, Best Driver Ever: Johnny Takter, because he can drive in any coun- a filly and colt, that I’m excited about racing. try and fits right in. How has COVID-19 affected your life and business? Lasix – Yes or No?: Yes, but maybe not for 2-year-olds. If horses need it, they need it, but I think there should be stricter rules for getting It has not affected my business other than my two grooms who went horses on Lasix. back to Finland to get their work papers and they got stuck over there. Personally, other than that I can’t go out to eat dinner, it hasn’t Best Race You Ever Saw: Wiggleit Jiggle It winning the Little Brown affected me at all. I like to cook, but right now I’d like to sit down in Jug. When he was beat and came back to win it. a restaurant, order a beer and have someone bring me food to the Favorite TV Show?: NCIS from any city. I watch them all. table.

DRF Harness Weekend | 9 | April 23, 2020 Visit us online at drf.com/harness NEWS FROM AROUND THE HARNESS INDUSTRY

EquineX Championship Series coming in 2022 at Red Mile SBOANJ Rebate Programs remain intact

EquineX North America Corp announced details for the inaugu- The Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey ral EquineX Championship Racing Series for 4-year-old trotters and will again offer a resident mare rebate as well as pacing stallion pacers to be hosted by The Red Mile in the fall of 2022. The announce- incentive program in 2020. ment coincides with the official launch of their website www.equinex. RESIDENT MARE com and its easy-to-use and comprehensive equine management soft- The 2020 resident mare rebate program will pay up to $500 ($100,000 ware platform. cap) to the owner of a mare bred in 2020. In order to qualify, the mare The EquineX series will consist of four divisions: 1) mare trot, 2) need not be bred to a New Jersey stallion but must reside in the state mare pace 3) horse/gelding trot and 4) horse/gelding pace. Each divi- for 150 days up to and including foaling. Breeders should turn in your sion will have a purse of $200,000 and there will be no stakes payments application when the mare is pronounced in foal. The deadline is or supplementary entries. October 31, 2020. Proof of foaling in New Jersey via USTA registration In order to be eligible, each horse must be registered by May 10, 2020 is required. The deadline is October 31, 2021. with either an EquineX GOLD subscription on a month-by-month basis STALLION REBATE continuously for 30 months or with a prepaid GOLD subscription for The 2020 pacing stallion incentive program will rebate 15% of the the entire period. Subscription pricing information can be found here. advertised stud fee, up to $1,500 ($150,000 cap). This rebate will be paid The GOLD subscription includes a free trainer App and a free veteri- to the breeder of record at the time of foaling as per USTA registra- narian App, which will be made available in May and June, respectively. tion. Eligible stallions must produce at least five live foals in order to ABOUT EQUINEX: EquineX is a comprehensive software plat- be eligible for the rebate. Private treaties will receive a $250 rebate. form that puts each horse at the center of the universe and has been Breeders should turn in applications when the mare is pronounced designed to meet the unmet needs of the equine industry through the in foal. The deadline is October 31, 2020. Rebate checks will be issued development of a suite of easy-to-use tools for trainers, veterinarians, after proof of a live foal. The deadline is October 31, 2021. farriers, horse managers and owners. The platform captures and All forms are available on the SBOANJ website. Applicant must be records a horse’s current and ongoing medical procedures as well as a current member of the SBOANJ. all communications among professionals associated with each horse. Application is not a guarantee of rebate. The SBOANJ has the right The cornerstone of the EquineX software platform is accountability to void any application it deems fraudulent or does not provide proper to all equine industry stakeholders through transparency and provides documentation. No late applications will be accepted. Applications a secure system for veterinary records. It also provides real-time can be found on our website. communications among owners, trainers, veterinarians and staff. A current W-9 form must be on file with the SBOANJ in order to For further information, contact: EquineX Chairman Paul receive payment. Simmonds at [email protected] or 416-476-8745. For general Important update: The SBOANJ will make every effort to honor inquiries, the email is [email protected]. these programs. However, due to the impact of the Coronavirus on our -release (EquineX) horse industry, these programs may be modified or suspended in the event the money may be needed to support our horsemen and women. Lexington Selected Sale to offer online bidding -edited release (SBOANJ)

Lexington Selected Yearling Sales Company announced today Hambletonian Society update on payments & cancellations (April 23) that it will offer live, online bidding at its annual Selected Yearling Sale, scheduled for October 6-10 at the Fasig-Tipton sales Following is information provided by the Hambletonian Society on grounds in Lexington, Ky. April 22 for stakes to be raced in the future or canceled events. UPdates The company’s full statement follows: and reminders include the Breeders Crown, Madison County, Dexter As we navigate through this fluid COVID-19 environment, our Cup, Lady Suffolk and Reynolds stakes. management team continues to assess the overall situation. With the READ MORE addition of state-of-the-art online bidding to our live auction format, we continue our vision to create the best marketplace in our industry for our buyers and sellers in 2020 and beyond. Empire Breeders Classic postponed The company is also making additional plans to increase capac- ity to its current phone bidding service that will allow pre-approved Governor Cuomo’s extension of the NYS on PAUSE order until May customers to bid through a member of the auction staff for prospec- 15 will cause the postponement of the Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) tive buyers who are not able to attend the on-site auction. trots at Vernon Downs from the scheduled eliminations on May 15 We will carefully evaluate and monitor the health conditions and final on May 25 until a date as yet to be determined. throughout the United States and Canada, as the current stay-at- That extension will also affect the opening of the Tioga and Vernon home orders and travel restrictions in place have delayed our physical casinos, thus delaying the start of the live racing at both properties inspection appointments. However, as soon as it is safe and practical, until the order is lifted. we will be reaching out our consignors/breeders to set up appoint- READ MORE ments for our inspection teams to resume the important inspection process for the class of 2020. We understand these are trying times and the management of Lexington Selected is committed to remaining flexible while working with its consignors and will attempt to make any adjustments needed DOUBLE YOUR to properly preserve “The Lexington Experience.” This is an unprecedented situation for everyone, and it is important FIRST DEPOSIT for our industry to work together. Above all, it is our hope that you, your family and your staff are staying safe and healthy through all of this. NEW PLAYERS UP TO $250 As always, please feel free to contact Randy Manges, David Reid or any member of the Lexington Selected staff as we look forward to work- JOIN NOW ing with our loyal consignors and buyers during the coming months. -release (Lexington Selected Yearling Sales Co.)

DRF Harness Weekend | 10 | April 23, 2020 Visit us online at drf.com/harness