Ontario Lockdown Impact Still Trickling Down

DRF HARNESS HOME DIGITAL HARNESS EYE HARNESS PPS DRF BETS ENTRIES ARCHIVE THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021 Ontario lockdown impact still trickling down

While drivers, trainers and horses are in the process of shipping from NEW PLAYERS Canada to the U.S., a firm stakes schedule remains in doubt

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Inside this issue

Jay Bergman: Changing the amount of racing to reflect the current climate, Page 4 Keith Gisser: The issue of freeze branding vs. microchipping, Page 6 New Image Media Pocono: One Eight Hundred, Top Me Off Horses haven’t raced at Woodbine Mohawk Park since Friday, April 2. seek Weiss Series perfection, Page 7 Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson was clearly Award winners top Hambletonian, By Derick Giwner at his wits’ end with the situation and also Oaks eligibles, Page 8 addressed the possibility of postponing certain The question of when Woodbine Mohawk stakes races if the racing shutdown continued On The Backstretch: Profile of driver/ Park and a large portion of Canada in general beyond early May. trainer Joe Chindano Jr, Page 9 will be able to return to its normal daily “I can confirm (to put it gently!) that this routine remains very much in doubt. The is highly frustrating for us and our Ontario Best Bets & Analysis, Page 11 most recent Ontario lockdown is scheduled horse racing community; however, we are Headlines: Star-filled quas at Big M; to last until at least May 20, which certainly all working diligently and together to get live leads to questions as to how the Mohawk racing going in Ontario as soon as possible,” Dexter Cup elim at Freehold, Page 12 stakes schedule will be affected. said Lawson. “A potential postponement of Comments? Questions? In addition to a number of Ontario-sired the Pepsi North America Cup is something races scheduled for May, the Grand Circuit we are monitoring closely. We are currently Email the Editor [email protected] is slated to roll into town for the Graduate focused on our discussions with Government Series and divisions of the Somebeachsome- in hopes that we are permitted to resume To ensure proper delivery where on June 5 followed by a big weekend of racing at Mohawk as soon as possible. If we of the newsletter via stakes eliminations on June 12 and of course are not able to resume racing by May 8, then the C$1,000,000 North America Cup final on a we will have to consider postponing the NA email, add [email protected]. huge stakes card planned for June 19. com to your contact list When reached this week via email, Woodbine CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

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Cup until later in the season.” Friday # of Horses Saturday # of Horses The situation with the North America Cup and many of the other Freehold 2 Northfield 3 stakes scheduled at Woodbine Mohawk Park in May and June goes The Meadows 1 Meadowlands 7 beyond when racing is permitted to resume in Ontario. Horses need “real life” competition and conditioning to be prepared for these major Plainridge 1 Hoosier 4 stakes and even if racing was to resume the day after the lockdown Miami Valley 1 Sunday # of Horses ends on May 21, would there even be enough time for those stabled north of the border to be at 100 percent? There is also the concern as Meadowlands 6 Pocono 1 to how many trainers will travel from the U.S. to Canada just weeks Hoosier 4 Northfield 8 after the lockdown has ended. Yonkers 1 Philadelphia 2 “I would not want to speculate on when the race would take place if it is postponed,” said Lawson on the North America Cup. “While it Only horses that made last pari-mutuel start in Canada considered. is challenging, we faced this situation last year and we were able to reschedule and it ended up being a great night with the highest wager- and the Ontario Sires Stakes program. We are maintaining our track ing handle in the 57-year history of racing at Mohawk - our strong surface daily and we are prepared to welcome racing back immediately preference is to resume racing as soon as possible and keep the NA upon being given the green light; however, we do understand that clar- Cup as scheduled. Maintaining our schedule as best we can is ideal for ity on the resumption of racing is fair, necessary and will help everyone the SB community who plan for our successful relaunch. are well into planning “Our owners, trainers and drivers have invested a lot into the their summer stakes industry and throughout the past year, they took all of the safety circuit. We certainly protocols we implemented very seriously. We operated more than appreciate that the 2,600 races since we resumed racing last June and didn’t have a industry deserves clar- single case of on-site transmission of COVID-19. We fully appreciate ity on when we will be the challenges that Government faces and we are very supportive of allowed to resume and doing our part. we are doing every- “I have shared with Government that if we are not provided some thing we can to keep reassurances that we can return to racing soon, irreparable damage people up to date on our will be caused to this industry. We don’t want to see our regular progress.” owners, trainers and drivers leave Woodbine Mohawk Park. Together, Mohawk isn’t the we have built our racetrack into the top harness racing destination Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the only track affected by in North America and we will do everything we can to ensure that Camluck Classic at Western Fair the lockdown in terms continues to be the case.” Raceway has been canceled for the of stakes racing. Flam- While Lawson and the horse racing industry in Canada continue second straight year. boro Downs already to fight the good fight, it is clear that the government isn’t listen- cancelled the Confed- ing despite a strong history of proper procedures when it comes to eration Cup scheduled for May 23 and it was confirmed Thursday COVID-19 safety. The future remains unknown and that is torture for afternoon (4/22) that the Camluck Classic, slated for May 28 at West- trainers preparing stakes horses, no less the people of Canada who ern Fair Raceway, has also suffered the same fate. Neither race was are somewhat shuttered at home. contested in 2020 due to the pandemic. Another issue facing racing in Canada will come once the lockdown has been lifted by the government. A number of horsemen and horsewomen have crossed the border in search of work. Drivers Doug McNair and Bob McClure have set up shop on the East Coast at tracks like The Meadowlands, Harrah’s Philadelphia and Pocono. Each have drives this weekend, with McNair listed on seven horses on Friday at The Meadowlands alone. Jody Jamieson is expected to compete at Tioga in May while Louis Philippe Roy and Travis Henry have found a tempo- rary home in Indi- ana at Hoosier Park. Many owners have moved their horses to U.S.-based barns and a large group of trainers have brought their stock south on their own. Canadian-based trainers like Robert Fellows, Amanda Ed Keys Photo Fine, Luc Blais and Woodbine Mohawk Park regular Doug Mark Steacy have McNair has seven drives Friday night at all begun racing in The Meadowlands. the United States. They are expected to return, but will that happen the moment the lockdown ends in Canada? “With respect to the horse people and horses that have recently departed Ontario, we appreciate the position our trainers and drivers find themselves in and understand the need to race,” said Lawson. “At the same time, I am confident and hopeful they will return for our industry-leading stakes program, competitive overnight purses

DRF Harness Digest | 3 | April 22, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Changing the amount of racing to reflect the current climate

jaywalking By Jay Bergman BergmanJay

Trainer Noel Daley may be old school in terms of the sports’ conditioners. In speaking with him last week about his returning 3-year-old trotting filly Anoka Hanover’s schedule, Daley said, “I’m going to qualify her at Harrah’s Philadelphia. I’m not sending her to The Meadowlands to qualify in 1:51-1:52. That’s just crazy.” While some of the larger stables appear more eager to send their returning stars to The Meadowlands to get closer to race speed, Daley goes back to a time when qualifiers required passing a timed test that assured the Judges and the racing public that the horse could go fast enough in a pari-mutuel race. The message I got from Daley was not whether he believed his horse could go fast enough, but the opinion that when money wasn’t on the line, “What’s the point?” While Daley was concerned about the longevity of his horse and not putting too many hard miles in when Vicki Wright Anoka Hanover and trainer Noel Daley are preparing for a run at the money wasn’t riding, it raised the overall question as to Hambletonian Oaks in 2021. what many trainers are actually doing in pari-mutuel races these days. Take a quick look at Monday’s (4/19) finals of the MGM Borgata and Blue Chip Matchmaker as a case in pull drivers around in wooden sulkies. as opposed to today’s more point for what happens when the big money is down comparatively aerodynamic bikes. On the other hand, one has to wonder whether it speaking to what occurred in a large majority of the series’ five would be in the horsemens and horseplayers best interest if horses preliminary legs. didn’t race as often, or for that matter only raced for wagering Just the picture of the first turn in the Borgata is all the evidence purposes when they were ready to compete at 100 percent. any racing fan would need to understand what a “contested” pace To me the basic question becomes: Does this industry as a whole looks like in contrast to legs that were more reminiscent of quali- want to do best for all parties involved each and every day or is it just fiers, with horses getting easy leads and tucks abounding. something we have reserved for major stakes racing? Give credit where it is due as drivers Yannick Gingras, Tim If it’s clear that our horses are no longer capable of racing at these Tetrick and Dexter Dunn, arguably the best of the best, had their speeds competitively on a week-to-week basis, why do we stubbornly horses firing into the first turn. Dunn, who is rarely seen using the card the same races week-in-week-out? whip before the stretch drive, was desperately calling on Western It’s hard to blame the multiple drivers I spoke with prior to the Joe to keep his position into the bend under assault from Tetrick Borgata preliminaries from suggesting they were trying to win with Backstretch Shadow and Gingras, who put eventual race- races when clearly post and competition would force them to inten- winner This Is The Plan into an all-or-nothing four-wide march. tionally be compromised. I’ve been around long enough to under- What the early action proved to me is just how good our horses are stand no one wants to be quoted saying “I’m going to take it easy and how impressive our drivers can be when everything is on the with him this week and race from behind.” From a perspective of line. The preliminaries were examples of what racing has become integrity, it’s comical that the industry as a whole can justify what it when trainers, drivers and owners recognize the opportunity to is essentially sanctioning as normal behavior. earn money while not pushing horses to their limits. If ever there was a time to reflect upon the quality of racing we As someone that routinely watched qualifiers back in the 1970’s expect people to bet on, it should be now. The horses have changed and 1980’s hoping to find a diamond in the rough only going 2:06 and it’s imperative that we do everything in our power to limit when capable of pacing in 2:02, today’s trials have a completely their starts and treat them more like thoroughbreds. Just look at different feel. What’s surprising as an industry is that our horses the times in thoroughbred racing over the last 50 years and look at are going as much as 15 seconds faster in a mile just to qualify, and ours. It hasn’t become obvious how the dynamics of our races have that somehow we still expect them to race weekly and at 100 percent shifted yet we continue to stay with the same conditions and same every single time. Clearly the connection between the horses’ well- formats that no longer yield the same outcomes for those watching being, the trainers’ well-being and the publics’ well-being has been and wagering. severed. Our horses must go faster to win and that requires maxi- In the Northeast it’s perhaps time for The Meadowlands, Pocono, mum efficiency every time out. That wasn’t the case back in the Yonkers and Harrah’s Philadelphia to create a “single” condition 1970’s and 1980’s where a slower mile naturally gave more horses a sheet where there is no overlap for individual classes. Let each track chance to win. card as many claiming races as they can but when it comes to condi- It was not a shock that trainers like Daley and many drivers tend tioned events, limiting options may be the motivational tool that to be far more cautious when racing horses in overnight events inspires horsemen to only enter a horse that is ready to win. with an interest on preserving them for a longer season. In this In the end it’s not necessarily about having fewer races or less sense trainers want to maximize earning power. Drivers want to opportunity. It’s about maximizing the talents of our horses while maintain the connections to top trainers. Left out in this equation assuring the betting public that 100 percent of the field is not just are horseplayers, whose only interest is to get a decent run for their saying they are trying to win but actually is. money even when blindly unaware of the motives of both trainer To make it work the number of races carded for specific classes and driver. should be reduced each month and purses in each should be dramati- Some have suggested slowing down the races as an answer that cally increased. Money has to be the motivating factor, but it can’t be might make each individual race more competitive. It’s hard to used just to benefit owners, trainers, drivers and breeders. Bettors imagine any positive benefit to our horses should they be forced to must benefit in the end.

DRF Harness Digest | 4 | April 22, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness First-Crop 3YOs in 2021 include: FLAWLESS COUNTRY (pictured) PASS Champion (1:53.0, $430,423)

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

THE BEST SON OF MUSCLE HILL AT STUD

BY MUSCLE HILL OUT OF FLAWLESS LINDY | 2021 PRIVATE FEE The issue of freeze branding versus microchipping

often in tight quarters and it is hard to tell which horse of a group might be chipped. Freeze branded horses are safely and easily identi- CONFESSIONS fied from a distance. With these horses in such close quarters, tied to whatever is available or even running loose in pens, a rescuer with By Keith Gisser a chip reader is in danger of being struck or kicked, and even if they can get a positive reading, there is no guarantee they have the proper horse. The same is not the case with a freeze brand, which can easily Technology has changed the way we enjoy harness racing. Whether be read and confirmed. it is the complex algorithms that allow us to wager from our phone or The USTA’s Mike Tanner has responded to some of the concerns computer, or something simple like computer-generated photo finish about microchipping generically in a letter to Full Circle participants. results – how many of you remember breathlessly waiting for a still The USTA is providing free microchip readers to “legitimate rescue damp 8x10 glossy of a close finish under an actual wire to be posted organizations.” They have budgeted $10,000 for this project for up to on a bulletin board? But is it possible that for some Standardbreds, 200 scanners. But there are fewer than a handful of “legitimate rescue technology will be the kiss of death? organizations” recognized by the Standardbred Transition Alliance The simple answer is yes, although the overall argument is much (STA). Where will the others come from? What is “legitimate?” The more complex. As the United States Trotting Association (USTA) USTA sells these readers to its general membership at retail. Freeze promotes the spread of horse identification through microchipping, brands can be read for free, although a Pathway subscription would rather than freeze branding, many retired Standardbreds may be needed to confirm a horse’s identity. languish unidentified in kill pens and elsewhere. Tanner’s letter further states, “Microchip insertion causes less Nobody doubts the USTA’s commitment to saving retired horses. discomfort to a horse than a freeze brand does,” although, as Harvey Its Full Circle program, adapted from a successful Quarter Horse points out, Texas A&M’s Extension Service disputes this saying, program, has been around for over a decade, and while it is designed “freeze branding is extremely popular because it is safe, economical for a horse’s previous owner to make arrangements directly with a and simple to do . . . and can be done on horses of any age. It appears current owner, it really does not help as much once a horse is dumped to be relatively painless. The brand is legible, permanent and difficult and is slated for shipment to Mexico or elsewhere as a final destination. to alter. It can be seen from a distance all year long.” The USTA has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars promot- Tanner’s letter also claims that a freeze brand can fade with time, ing Standardbreds for off-the-track use. A Facebook Standardbred although Texas A&M provides instruction in proper branding tech- Retraining group has over 4,300 members and other social media nique which minimize that risk. The USTA has freeze branded tens groups number in the thousands, too. So why make it harder for of thousands of Standardbreds and I have not heard of or read about a people to identify these retired Standardbreds? single issue with pain or discomfort, any more than sticking a needle It used to be that horses in these dire straits were easily identi- into a horse would cause. fied from a distance by their freeze brands, and while grade sales, so On the other hand, Lane pointed out that the USTA has received called because the grade or breed of horses sold is often unknown, accolades from many segments of the Standardbred aftermarket for discourage photos and videos, enough manes have been flipped to removing the freeze brand requirement, which interferes with the save hundreds, if not thousands of Standardbreds at sales like New look of the horse – a negative in some retraining venues. Holland and Sugar Creek, based on the freeze brand. This is not a cut and dried issue and Harvey even suggests a compro- Freeze brands make it easy to visually identify horses, and while mise. “A (unique) breed brand with a microchip under it would be the USTA has not banned them, the organization has made it more acceptable to an awful lot of people, I think. The brand tells you that difficult to get them, according to Ellen Harvey, a former USTA publi- this horse is a Standardbred -- scan here for more information. It would cist who was instrumental in the formative days of the Standardbred take a massive amount of awareness building, but it could be done.” Transition Alliance. She says some technicians refuse or limit freeze The USTA’s Lane added that if this proposal were brought to the branding when visiting a farm. USTA’s registration committee and board, it could be considered, Currently, Standardbred foal registration is $150. That includes although the logistics would need to be worked out. Furthermore, he DNA testing, a microchip and a technician’s visit to implant the chip. said that the USTA would absolutely entertain an additional form of In many cases, the technician inserts the microchip. In others, the equine identification. Any rule change proposals would need to be farm Veterinarian does it. A freeze brand is $75 extra. submitted by September 1. [COLUMN ASIDE: In my research and despite my personal experi- It is also important to note that microchips do provide some advan- ence, I found the issue of microchipping policy and technique to be tages to a freeze brand. A basic chip reader can detect a horse’s tempera- far too complex to be part of this column. My hope is to address that ture and an advanced reader allows for the addition of medical records, in the future.] healthy certificates and more. The app also has a GPS function and can Harvey is at the forefront of the movement to keep freeze brands. Her be linked to all the horse’s information in the USTA’s Pathway system. argument remains, “How much can it cost for five digits (numbers) of I’ll be honest, I’m having problems with the concept of moving away liquid nitrogen?” from freeze branding. Why would the USTA de-emphasize freeze According to the Trusted Informer website, “It’s assumed that the branding when it has proven to be dependable and a great tool for cost should not be as much as some bottle of water. For example, it equine rescuers? Especially when the organization has put so many might be cheaper, like $1/L and the expensive one could be $7/L.” resources into its off-the-track retired racehorse programs. I appreci- When contacted, T.C. Lane, Director of Registry and Member ate T.C. Lane taking the time to explain some of the USTA thinking, Services for the USTA, pointed out that if the chip and freeze brand although I respectfully disagree with the USTA’s position on several are done at the same time, the cost of the freeze brand is only $35. aspects of this issue. He also said that any owner who wants a freeze brand can get one, That’s it for this column. Now go cash. Hopefully on a horse with a and that last year about 1,700 horses were freeze branded out of about freeze brand. See you next month. 8,000 registered. While microchips work exceptionally well in close quarters for single animals – for instance, a horse in a stall in the paddock, they are not infallible. I have been microchipping animals (not horses, Follow but using the same equipment) since 2003. There have been several false reads, and as an Ohio Department of Agriculture inspector told me recently, “It is hard to identify chipped animals when there are multiple animals in an enclosure unless you get very close to them.” The above situation is analogous to a graded sale where horses are

DRF Harness Digest | 6 | April 22, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness One Eight Hundred, Top Me Off try to continue Weiss perfection

By Jay Bergman

A solid group of 3-year-olds will be in action this weekend at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono with the $40,000 finals for the Bobby Weiss Series for male pacers and male trotters featured on Saturday afternoon and Sunday evening, respectively. Driver Josert Fonseca couldn’t be happier with the likely favorite for Saturday’s Weiss final, the $800,000 yearling known as One Eight Hundred “I trained him this morning (Wednesday),” Fonseca said. “I was very happy with the way he finished.” For Fonseca the job of handling the expensive yearling this year has been a treat. Cast off in some ways after just one victory in five starts as a juvenile, One Eight Hundred needed some time off to get his act together. “He got a bit grabby at The Red Mile last year,” said Fonseca, obviously referring to a performance in the Bluegrass that saw an out of control colt click off first- half fractions of 26 and 52 4/5 before coming to a near walk in the last eighth of a mile. Curtis Salonick Photos “We spent a lot of time over the winter racing him One Eight Hundred (above) and Top Me Off (5, below) are undefeated in the behind other horses and he’s calmed down a lot,” said Weiss series at Pocono this year. Fonseca. In the Weiss opening leg, One Eight Hundred, a son of the late Somebeachsomewhere, powered off in a 1:50 2/5 clocking that still stands as the fastest of the series as well as a lifetime mark for the colt. “He’s a big horse and it really didn’t feel as if we were going that fast,” said Fonseca, who guided the colt to a second series score two weeks later (April 17) in a 1:52 time. While it’s still early in the season, Fonseca has quite high expectations for the colt he has sat behind regu- larly for trainer Nancy Takter. “He’s turned into a horse you can drive with two fingers now,” said Fonseca. One Eight Hundred landed post six in the nine-horse final and will undoubtedly be a short-priced favorite. Trainer Ray Schnittker qualified a pair for the final, with Stop Staring (post 2) and He’s A Snob (post 5) having position edges over the favorite. Stop Staring was third behind One Eight Hundred in his last start. He’s A Snob got in the win column for the first time this year scoring in 1:53 2/5 to break his maiden last Saturday. Trevor’s Ace (post 3) was no threat chasing One Eight Hundred last Schadel didn’t know how good Top Me Off was until late last season. week but posted the second-fastest series mile when he scored in 1:51 “He was hitting his knees,” said Schadel. “We got that worked out for driver Jason Bartlett on April 10. and in his last start [Simpson] at Harrah’s [Philadelphia] he was a Sunday’s feature finds Top Me Off looking for a sweep of the Weiss really good second behind Nifty’s [Norman] horse Jack Fire.” for sophomore trotting colts and geldings. The son of Bar Hopping has The October race last year was the 16th of the season but given that returned as a sophomore in razor-sharp condition for trainer Todd Top Me Off needed five starts on the Pennsylvania Fair circuit to be Schadel, who has driven the ridgling in all four of his victories this eligible to the final, the number was quite reasonable. season. On Sunday Andy Miller gets the assignment with Top Me Off Top Me Off’s 1:54 2/5 mile last week was a career best and the fast- starting from the extreme outside post nine. est of any preliminary leg in the Weiss series. “I think he can shave a “Andy drove him in the Pennsylvania Fair final for me last year,” second off of that,” said Schadel with ultimate confidence in his catch- said Schadel. “I think he’s 2 or 3 seconds better than me.” driver. Top Me Off has won on the front end as well as coming from out of Despite his perfect record, Top Me Off was only made the 3-1 second the pocket. “You can do whatever you want with him,” said Schadel. choice on the morning-line behind the Marcus Melander-trained Pilot “The night I raced him in the pocket [April 11] he was just waiting to Hanover. The colt by Southwind Frank was second in his first Weiss go past that horse.” start and picked up a 1:55 3/5 win last Sunday. Mattias Melander will Top Me Off is a homebred of Rick and Regina Beinhauer and drive from post 4. Schadel has partnered with the pair on this horse as well as about a Ceffyl Dwr (post 1), Hoolie N Hector (post 3) and Tricky Dick (post 5) half-dozen other 2-year-olds in his stable. Thus far Top Me Off is the all have at least one Weiss leg victory to their credit. best of the lot. The Weiss finals on both cards are scheduled as race 10. Saturday’s “We’ve got him staked to everything in Pennsylvania,” Schadel action starts at 12:30 PM while Sunday’s card kicks off at 5 PM. The said, hoping to follow up a solid performance this Saturday night series also offers a pair of filly finals, with the pacers in the spotlight with the first leg of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes on May 15 at The Monday and the trotters on Tuesday. Meadows.

DRF Harness Digest | 7 | April 22, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Award winners lead Hambletonian, Hambletonian Oaks eligibles

By Ken Weingartner

Award winners On A Streak and Venerate lead a group of 82 colts and geldings eligible to August’s Hambletonian Stakes, harness racing’s premier race for 3-year-old trotters, at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, N.J. The Hambletonian Oaks, the event’s filly-restricted companion race, attracted 90 eligibles, with award recipients Anoka Hanover and Donna Soprano at the top of the list. Fillies have the option of competing in the Hambletonian rather than the Oaks. A filly has won two of the three most recent editions of the Hambletonian, with Ramona Hill accomplishing the feat last year and Atlanta in 2018. A total of 15 fillies have won the Hambletonian, which began in 1926. The $1 million final of the 96th Hambletonian and $500,000 final of the 51st Hambletonian Oaks will be Aug. 7 at the Meadowlands. Elim- inations for each race, if necessary, will be July 31. Amanda Stephens Venerate was last season’s top earner among 2-year-old trotters, Venerate is considered one of the leading contenders for the banking $772,914, and received the Dan Patch Award for best 2-year- $1 million Hambletonian. old male trotter. Venerate had five wins and three thirds in 10 starts, with his victories including the inaugural Mohawk Million and the Kentucky Sire Stakes championship. Farms Racing, and L.A. Express Stable. Julie Miller trains Venerate, by Love You out of Peaceful Kemp, for “She looks good and I’m very happy with her demeanor,” said Daley, owners Pinske Stables and Andy Miller Stable. Venerate is ranked who won the 2011 Hambletonian with Broad Bahn. “She’s got a good No. 1 in Meadowlands announcer/analyst Ken Warkentin’s Hamble- attitude, which is always good. She wasn’t perfect gaited last year, but tonian winter book Top 10. she knew how to win. The fact she ended last year on such a good note “I really think toward the end of last year he showed a lot of matu- gives me confidence she will come back good.” rity,” Julie Miller said. “To do what he did, with the travel, I think Among the remaining colts and geldings eligible to the Hambleto- he really developed a professional attitude. He handled every circum- nian is Southwind Tyrion, who won in 1:51 1/5 last year to become stance pretty well. history’s fastest 2-year-old male trotter. He is trained by Ake Svanst- “I’m looking forward to getting him ready. Hopefully, he decides to edt, who won the 2017 Hambletonian by disqualification with Perfect really sparkle that first week in August. He’s full of himself. He knows Spirit. that he’s special, that’s for sure. He’s definitely got that personality.” “Southwind Tyrion is a real racehorse,” Svanstedt said. “He has On A Streak was the O’Brien Award winner in Canada for best the whole package. He has a big heart, the speed, and he is a strong 2-year-old male trotter. His wins included the Breeders Crown and horse.” William Wellwood Memorial and he ranked second to Venerate in Svanstedt’s stable also includes Hambletonian-eligible colts earnings, with $740,947. Luc Blais trains On A Streak, by Cantab Hall Captain Corey and Delayed Hanover, who both were winners on the out of Habit’s Best, for owner Determination. Grand Circuit last year. “I’m very happy with how he has come back,” Blais said. “He’s a Other Grand Circuit winning males eligible to the Hambleton- very laidback horse, not tough on himself, and I think that’s his best ian include Peter Haughton Memorial champ Zenith Stride, Valley quality.” Victory winner Bee Forever, and Matron Stakes winner Type A, as Determination and Blais also team up with Hambletonian Oaks well as Arnold N Dicky, Cuatro De Julio, Dancinginthedark M, Lucky eligible Donna Soprano. A daughter of Donato Hanover out of Wind- Rascal, and Take All Comers. song Soprano, she was the O’Brien Award winner for best 2-year-old Other Grand Circuit winning fillies eligible to the Hambletonian filly trotter and counted the Peaceful Way among her five wins last Oaks include Breeders Crown champion Lady Chaos, Jim Doherty season. She challenged the boys in the Mohawk Million, finishing Memorial winner Darlene Hanover, and Matron Stakes winner Illu- second to Venerate. minata, as well as Beautiful Game, Dicentra, Flawless Country, Hello “She is feeling good,” Blais said. “She’s a special character, but she’s I Love You, Insta Glam, Iteration, Presto, Pub Crawl, and Shirley got a lot of speed and talent.” Goodness. Blais and Determination, who also have Grand Circuit winning colt The Hambletonian is the second leg in this year’s Trotting Triple Macho Martini among their Hambletonian hopefuls, won the 2019 Crown, following the Yonkers Trot on July 2 and preceding the Hambletonian with Forbidden Trade. Kentucky Futurity on Oct. 10. Dan Patch Award winner Anoka Hanover was last season’s richest This season’s first Grand Circuit event for 3-year-old trotters is the 2-year-old filly trotter, with $587,758 in purses, and the fastest, with Dexter Cup. The elimination will be Saturday (April 24) at Freehold a mark of 1:52 3/5. Her 10-win campaign included a seven-race win Raceway with the final on May 1. One eight-horse field was drawn and streak to end the season and her multiple triumphs on the Grand two horses received byes into the final. Circuit included the Goldsmith Maid. For the complete list of Hambletonian/Hambletonian Oaks eligible Noel Daley trains Anoka Hanover, a daughter of Donato Hanover horses, click here. Last year, 79 colts and geldings were eligible to the out of Aunt Mel, and shares ownership with Caviart Farms, Crawford Hambletonian and 99 fillies were eligible to the Hambletonian Oaks.

DRF Harness Digest | 8 | April 22, 2021 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 land- scape each week to profile a new personality from the sport.

Driver/trainer joe chindano jr What kind of car do you drive? Ford 250 Lariat Pickup Truck. Favorite dinner meal? Snack? Tetrick Racing Facebook Pizza; Buffalo wings. Joe Chindano Jr won his first race in a Goshen Historic Track matinee race at age 12 and is now two shy of 200 “official” wins. What is your favorite track to race at? Why? Pompano Park because it is in South Florida, which is kind of like a Your first purse drive came the day after you turned 16 at vacation spot. We’ve done well here. It is a five-eighths track, which I the Malone Fair in New York. Five years later, does that win like. I also like the people down here. behind Steuben Cindy seem long ago? What is your favorite big event in racing? It’s been a while, though I guess it really isn’t that long ago. There have certainly been a few horses between now and then. That was a Little Brown Jug – I always thought it would be cool to win that race. significant and cool win. I do remember crossing the wire but I don’t remember the race itself. How often is racing on your mind? You are like a throwback in that you train and drive. Why did All the time; it’s all we do. you choose that route? What is your favorite thing to do outside of racing? I just like being able to know what I have to deal with when I’m get- Hang out with family. ting into the bike. I’ve done quite a bit of catch-driving down here [Pompano]. When you get behind other people’s horses, you just get What is your favorite sport to watch? Team? to listen to the trainer’s instructions, you don’t get to spend time with them the whole week. They know the horses better than you Football – I don’t have a team. I just jump back and forth. do and you are just kind of going on a whim unless you have driven them before. With my horses, I know them and work with them ev- What is one thing about you most fans/bettors don’t know? ery week. I know what they are capable of doing and I interact with them. It’s also more rewarding when you win with your own horse. Probably that I’m only 21. Are you a better trainer or driver? What is one word that describes harness racing for you? I’d like to think I’m halfway decent at both. I guess in more time Lifestyle. we’ll figure that out. So far this year has gone pretty good, I think we are batting .400 or .500 [UDRS/UTRS] trainer and driving other How did you get started in the sport? people’s horses we are batting like .250 or .300. I guess I’m probably better at training judging by that. My family has participated since I was a little kid. My father showed me what it was all about and I got the bug. I won my first matinee As a regular at Pompano Park this year you’ve already set race when I was 12. career highs in wins (55), starts (391) and purse money won Was there ever a chance that you wouldn’t be involved in ($344,056). Is this your breakout year? harness racing? I guess you could say that. So far it is a pretty good year. I won in Probably not. I thought about college and maybe getting a real job, (1:)49 with one of my own horses [Skip To My Lou]. That was a career but I kind of didn’t have a choice with the horses always around. goal of mine, to win in 1:48 or 1:49. Someone had to take care of them. I just got hooked and I couldn’t get away from them. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

DRF Harness Digest | 9 | April 22, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

Your driving style seems to be very versatile and you aren’t afraid to make big moves. Has it been a work-in-progress to get you to this point? I’ve always been aggressive. Patience is something I still need to work on a bit. Instead of bum-rushing out of the gate or pulling first- up immediately, I guess I could sit the wood sometimes, come up the inside and hope at the top of the stretch something opens up. It all takes time. Practice makes perfect. Pompano closes on May 2. What is next for you? My owner [Garret Doyle] has a farm in New Paltz [New York], so I’ll go back up there. I’ll race my own horses at Yonkers, Pocono and a little at Saratoga, maybe at Tioga Downs on the weekends. Was it a plan for you coming into this year to commit to driving more often? Skip To My Lou gave Joe Chindano Jr his fastest (1:49) career win.

It just worked out well. I had some decent horses and when you do, Certainly something with my hands because I’m not much of a desk you finish one-two-three, which makes you look halfway decent. So I person. guess I caught on a little bit and it all worked out. If you had the power to change one thing in the sport, what What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten about harness would it be? racing? I’d like to make the sport last for my lifetime. Be humble. When you get off the bike, say thank you and be appre- ciative of the drives you’ve gotten. Do you say that because Pompano is expected to close a year What was your favorite moment in harness racing? from now? Winning in 1:49 with Skip To My Lou at Pompano. Yeah, I wish it would keep going. I like New York in the summer and being able to race at different tracks then coming down to Which is the best horse you’ve ever driven? Florida during the winter and being able to stable right at the track. It is kind of like a working vacation. Otherwise I’ll have to stay up Skip To My Lou. He was second last night (4/19) in the Open. north in the wintertime where it can be a little cold. It is also a little rougher on the horses. Which horse is/was your favorite? How do you view the future of harness racing? Neptune – He’s an old stud horse of mine that I’ve had since he was 3. He’s 12 now. He’s been a family pet. He was the best horse we had I hope it keeps going and tracks can stay open. before Skip To My Lou. As a young person in the sport (21 years old), do you have What’s the one race that you most want to win in your career? any tips on how harness racing can reach the younger Probably the Little Brown Jug or Hambletonian. generation? I’m not much into social media. I guess interact with the younger At 21, are you viewing winning one of those races as a crowd that way and try to work with them. realistic goal? Do you ever bring your friends to the track? It’s something I’d like to do. I don’t know if anything will come of it at this point. Yeah, a couple of friends of mine have gotten interested and bought a few horses. I try to bring as much attention to it as I can. How many horses do you have in the barn? Thinking long term, do you have aspirations of moving to a Nine. bigger circuit down the road? What was it like driving against Hall of Famers at Pompano? I’d like to race in New York at Yonkers, and Pocono. If something It was kind of cool. You definitely learn a thing or two from them. ever happened out east, I’d like to try the Midwest, maybe Ohio. Ohio Having David Miller and Wally Hennessey. There are also some good seems to have a few tracks that are rolling all the time and there is trainer/driver guys like Rick Plano, he has a few thousand wins, plenty of opportunity to race. many with his own horses. Time for the stretch drive: If you could choose any horse in history to train or drive, Best Horse You Ever Saw: Always B Miki. which horse would it be and why? Lasix – Yes or No?: It seems to help some horses. I try to avoid it as Always B Miki. He was so gutsy and training the horse with the all- much as I can but it really depends on the horse. They are all indi- time fastest record would be cool. viduals. Some need it and some don’t. If you weren’t involved in harness racing, what would you be Favorite TV Show?: Two and a Half Men. doing? Trotters or Pacers?: It doesn’t matter to me, but probably pacers. Probably something in construction. My family was in the business.

DRF Harness Digest | 10 | April 22, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Brennan Series final to Get Legs

Get Legs rallied after working out a second-over trip and got up through the lane to win the $69,000 final of the John Brennan Trotting Series on Wednesday (April 21) at Yonkers Raceway as the 1-9 favorite. Starting from post six, Get Legs (Andy Miller) didn’t have the quickest of beginnings, landing in sixth, but he was able to improve one spot to fifth as Look In My Eyes (Jordan Stratton) miscued on the At DRF Harness we strive to provide the best handicapping opening turn. Meanwhile, Lady Jeter (Yannick Gingras) did have a information in the sport. Each week we’ll use this space to bring fast start, as she blasted out from post six and established command you some of our handicappers’ best bets, value plays and horses to well before the 28 4/5 opening quarter. watch. Use this information as one of your tools when wagering or Guilty Desire (Nick Clegg), who made a brief break just prior to the simply click on the link above and head to DRF Bets to wager now. start, was able to get back on-stride quickly and then began a first- over move out of fourth on the second turn, giving Get Legs cover. Thursday, april 22 Guilty Desire advanced into second as Lady Jeter tripped the half- mile point at 59 3/5, and remained in that position to the 1:28 4/5 three- RACE 5 quarters as Lady Jeter continued on the front-end and gave her two- wide challenger the cold shoulder. (4) ANGEL’S PRIDE gets On the far turn Gingras asked Lady Jeter to accelerate as Get Legs further class relief in this spot tipped out three-wide, and Lady Jeter responded as she had a couple of after finishing third when lengths on Get Legs turning into the lane. It was not enough, though, favored against NW10000L5’s as despite drifting out, Get Legs was hand-driven home by Miller and a week ago. I’m not expecting surged by Lady Jeter en route to a 1 3/4 length decision in 1:58 3/5. Tad value, but she looks like she Krazy Hanover (Scott Zeron) was third, followed by Guilty Desire and should be pretty formidable. Windsong Pioneer (Brent Holland). -Greg Reinhart Trained by Julie Miller, Get Legs is a 4-year-old son of Muscle Hill owned by Andy Miller Stable and Michael Anderson. Get Legs has friday, april 23 compiled a record of 11-0-2 from 13 starts, and he has now pocketed $120,510. He returned $2.10 to win. RACE 10 In the $30,000 consolation event of the series, Halo Its Me (Gingras) sailed to the lead from post seven and reached the opening quarter in (5) EMMA TOWN BUD 28 2/5 before yielding to Stinglike A B K (Tyler Buter). Stinglike A B improved nicely in his K then made a break prior to the 58 4/5 half, leaving Halo Its Me back second start of the year and on the point as Blue And Bold (Holland) briefly vacated the cones to go should be 3-5 in this spot and first-over before he went back to the inside on the third turn. win easily Halo Its Me got some separation on the others going towards three- -Derick Giwner quarters, which she posted in 1:28, but 3-2 favorite Hunting AS (Todd McCarthy) was making steady progress after tipping out first-up once RACE 4 Blue And Bold elected to drop back down to the pylons and joined Halo Its Me on the last turn. Hunting AS was able to forge his way into the (2) CINNABAR DRAGON lead in the stretch and then held off a determined bid by Bazillionaire raced very well last week to (George Brennan), who surged from second-over, to win by a nose in be second best considering he 1:59 2/5. Blue And Bold wound up third. was drawn outside and had Hunting AS is a 4-year-old Lionhunter gelding trained by Jenny missed a bit of time; Ken Koch Melander for owners Melander Racing Inc., Clark Stables LLC., and trainee looks to be in a control- Robert Bernaski. Hunting AS picked up his seventh career win, and ling spot tonight. he has now earned $96,956. Hunting AS paid $5.00 to win and led a -Matt Rose $116.50 exacta and a $452.00 trifecta. Stakes racing at Yonkers Raceway will resume on Friday, May 7 Saturday, april 24 when the track plays host to the Reynolds Stakes, a Grand Circuit event for 3-year-old pacers of both sexes. RACE 1 -release (Yonkers Raceway Media) (4) FOREVERNALWAYS drops in for a claiming tag this week and I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t bring a huge effort. -Giwner Entries & Results full card analysis / past performances Yonkers (THU) Analysis Meadowlands (SAT) Analysis DRF Harness has Analysis entries and results for Meadowlands (FRI) all U.S. tracks and Yonkers (FRI) Analysis live odds for all North American tracks DHP PPs harness eye PPs trackmaster PPs free PPs

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DRF Harness Digest | 11 | April 22, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness NEWS FROM AROUND THE HARNESS INDUSTRY

and is scheduled as the third race on the card with a post time of about Stars to come out in the morning at The Meadowlands 1:10 PM. Ron Burke sends out a pair in here, including Hot as Hill, the winner of two legs of the Kindergarten series last fall at the Meadow- With 16 qualifiers kicking off at 9 AM Saturday morning at The lands. She qualified at Freehold last week, trotting the mile in 1:59 Meadowlands, there will be no shortage of Standardbred talent on 1/5. Her uncoupled stablemate The Queen B finished third last week display. in a conditioned trot at Freehold and was sixth in the Kindergarten TROTTERS TO WATCH: Breeders Crown runner-up In Range final last year. makes his first appearance of 2021 versus Haughton winner Zenith READ MORE Stride in race 3. Million-dollar yearling Maverick will make his way to the track for the first time since September in race 4. Millionair- Fields drawn for Friday’s Scarlet & Gray Invitationals ess Hypnotic Am takes on Breeders Crown winners Manchego/ Next Level Stuff and Hambletonian Oaks winner Sorella in race 6. The lineups are set for the first two $50,000 Scarlet & Gray Invi- Double millionaire Crystal Fashion and 4-year-old Beads compete tationals at Miami Valley on Friday (April 23). The best Ohio-sired in race 7. 3-year-old fillies will go postward, trotters in the ninth race and PACERS TO WATCH: Standout 2-year-old pacing fillies Blue pacers in the 11th, and their male counterparts will contest another Diamond Eyes and JK Alwaysbalady both make their sophomore pair of $50,000 Scarlet & Gray Invitationals on Saturday (April 24). debuts in race 8. The now 4-year-old Rocnificent takes on multiple READ MORE six-figure-earning 3-year-olds Notorious Pink, Hot Mess Express, Continualou and Scarlet Hanover in race 9. Breeders Crown Jamieson to be a Tioga regular in May winner Summa Cum Laude makes his second qualifier of the year in race 11 while the horse he dead-heated with in that race, the unde- Due to the shutdown of Ontario racing one of the top Canadian feated Perfect Sting goes out in race 12 for the first time in 2021. harness driving stars, Jody Jamieson, will spend his weekends at Southwind Gendry was a head behind that pair in the Crown and Tioga Downs this May. he faces off with Always A Miki in race 14. Multiple stakes winner Jamieson, 44, has won over 8,000 races in his illustrious career. He No Lou Zing was second in his first qualifier and he’ll go at it this captured the World Championship for Canada in 2001. In 2007 and week versus the speedy Shake That House and Allywag Hanover 2009 he won the O’brien Award as Canada’s Driver of the Year. He also in race 15. Finally, race 16 showcases Progress Pace winner Fortify, won the North American dash crown with 796 wins in 2009. Bluegrass winner Warrawee Vital and 4-year-old hopefuls Save Me Jamieson will get to trade blows with Hall of Famer Wally A Dance/Elver Hanover. Hennessey. Hennessey is the two-time defending Tioga Downs dash champion. Tioga fans will get the opportunity to witness two of the Dexter Cup elimination at Freehold Saturday all-time greats of the sport go at it. Tioga Downs opens for the 2021 season on May 1st. The signature race at Freehold Raceway, and the beginning of the -edited release (Tioga) road to the Hambletonian, the Dexter Cup, is coming up next Satur- day (May 1). This Saturday (April 24), Freehold will host the Dexter Hall’s Wednesday five-bagger includes two series finals elimination, as eight 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters look to earn a spot in next week’s final. Filly Speaks pulled the pocket down the backside after a slowish READ MORE first half, an alert move that carried her to victory - and a series sweep - in Wednesday’s $22,250 championship of the Ruby Cook Memorial McNair to join Harrah’s Philadelphia driving colony Pace for 3-year-old fillies at The Meadows. READ MORE With racing in Ontario on hold for the foreseeable future, a number of top stables and drivers have made the decision to venture to the United Best In Show streaks to 1:52 3/5 qua win at Pocono States to compete in preparation for the upcoming stakes season. One such driver, Doug McNair, is hoping to make an impact at Harrah’s Best In Show, the 2019 Meadowlands Pace winner, certainly showed Philadelphia, where he will begin driving this Friday (April 23). he is ready to go for his 5-year-old campaign, roaring to a 1:52 3/5 READ MORE victory in a Wednesday morning qualifier at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. Changes to Pocono Sire Stakes schedule in May The royally-bred Best In Show (by Bettor’s Delight out of the $2.4M-winning world champion Put On A Show) was sent right to the Management at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, in conjunction top by driver Scott Zeron and made short work of his field, coming with the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association, is announcing home in 26 3/5 to win by 17 lengths. Trainer Linda Toscano and the movement of two May Pennsylvania Sire Stakes / Stallion Series owners Richard and Joanne Young will undoubtedly be testing this events to the following day, to relieve possible conflicts for horsemen. one in against the Grand Circuit fast-class pacers shortly. The second leg of the Sire Stakes / Stallion Series for 3-year-old -edited release (Pocono/PHHA) pacing colts, the sport’s “glamour division,” was originally scheduled for Pocono on Saturday, May 15; that event will now be held on Blooded Horse Sale still taking supplemental entries Sunday, May 16. This brings clearance from The Meadows’ first leg for sophomore trotting colts that day, and avoids the handlers of top Supplemental entries will be taken for the Blooded Horse Spring horses having to hustle to The Meadowlands for the Cutler Memorial Sale until Monday May 3, at 5:00 p.m. The sale will take place on Tues, Trot and a leg of the Graduate Pace. May 11, at the Champions Center in Springfield, Ohio. READ MORE Nice consignments from Burke Racing Stable, Emerald Highlands Farm, and Spring Haven Farm have already been received. Lady Suffolk Prep, Preferred Trot highlight Freehold Friday “Racehorses are a hot commodity and will exceed expectations,” said sale manager Jerry Haws. “Actually, horses in every category The 11-race card at Freehold Raceway on Friday (April 23) features are going to sell really well. It’s a terrific market and sellers are going both the stars of yesterday and of today. The program includes a prep to be happy.” for next week’s Lady Suffolk trot as well as a stacked renewal of the Visit www.bloodedhorse.com to enter the supplement or order a Preferred Handicap trot. catalogue. The Lady Suffolk Prep drew a field of six 3-year-old trotting fillies -release (Blooded Horse Sale)

DRF Harness Digest | 12 | April 22, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness