DRF HARNESS HOME DIGITAL HARNESS EYE HARNESS PPS DRF BETS ENTRIES ARCHIVE THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 may have no equal

Whether it was on the track or through his progeny, Jay Bergman writes about the grit and determination of the Somebeachsomewhere line

Inside this issue

‘Majestic’ a major ‘Player’ in Thursday’s Charlie Hill at Scioto, Page 4 Power-packed Miss Versatility fields at Meadowlands Saturday, Page 6 Bob Marks: Once-thinning stallion lines are thickening over time, Page 8 American Courage headlines Friday’s Reynolds at Yonkers, Page 9 Nigel Soult On The Backstretch: Profile of driver Somebeachsomewhere only suffered one loss in his 21-race career. Troy Beyer, Page 11 especially when canvasing decades of races, but Hall of Fame trainer Ron Gurfein dies, By Jay Bergman it will be difficult for anyone to claim that Some- Page 13 beachsomewhere’s work on and off the track Headlines: Meadowlands adds Mohawk In my lifetime follow- hasn’t separated him from all others. ing this sport there has While there will be a small group of 2-year- stakes + new races for 3YOs, Page 14 only been one truly great olds from technically the last crop of Some- Comments? Questions? pacer that followed his beachsomewhere that make the races this impact on the racetrack year, the sophomore class of 2021 should Email the Editor [email protected] with a similar stream of have the most impact on the sport in regional success in the stallion department. The late Sire Stakes competition as well as the Grand To ensure proper delivery Somebeachsomewhere eclipsed the enormous Circuit. While new sires come and go, Some- of the newsletter via racing accomplishments of Niatross in a stel- beachsomewhere has endured not just because lar career and then went on to become an he’s had horses of championship caliber, but email, add [email protected]. unmatched stallion in my book. BHSCo.-Springcom Entries-PTA_Layout to your contact list 1 5/4/2021 9:13There AM will Page certainly 1 be differences of opinion, CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

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The Hambletonian Society | Breeders Crown • 109 South Main Street, Suite 18 • Cranbury, NJ 08512-3174 Phone: 609-371-2211 • Fax: 609-371-8890 • Web: hambletonian.com CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 speare is another by Somebeachsomewhere that showed high speed during his 2-year-old campaign yet managed to go winless while more so because he’s had notable horses that improved each year and earning $85K. After breaking his maiden at Harrah’s Philadelphia, outperformed their 2 and 3-year-old season in later life. Shakespeare finished second in an overnight at the track on April The “rugged” racehorse is celebrated by those who watch and 28, but Pelling didn’t seem concerned. “I think he’ll bounce back wager on races on a nightly basis. The hard-hitting horses that make from that effort. He’s a very fast horse,” said Pelling of Shakespeare, up overnights and featured races throughout North America are who figures to have a much better second and third act ahead. the ones that have a lasting impact. Back in the late 1970’s and early Komodo Beach finished fourth behind Pennsylvania Sire Stakes 1980’s the stallion Most Happy Fella would see his sons and daughters winners Southwind Gendry and Literl Lad Hanover at The Mead- become “weekend warriors” at major racetracks because they would owlands on April 17. He then followed that mile up with a solid pari- show up and give their all. mutuel Get a 5% REBATE on ALL WAGERSdebut behind the 4-year- While there may be some who question whether a stallion is only old Captain Barbossa and a 1:52 3/5 victory at Harrah’s Philadelphia as good as the superstars he can manufacture, in the on April 30. Komodo Beach will get his first stakes action on Saturday business it is perhaps more valuable to spread the wealth around and at Pocono in one of four $30,000 PA All-Stars races. let many owners and trainers benefit from a long-lasting campaigner that shows up and excels. Perhaps there is no more fitting example for Somebeachsomewhere of his reach when it comes to production than the 2021 MGM Borgata champion This Is The Plan. A gelding, as many of the Somebeachsomewheres that last turn out to be, This Is The Plan figuratively laughed at the degree of difficulty that six- straight week series imposes and won the rich final when his driver showed the absolute confidence in the horse. For it took more than Gingras’ courage to go four-wide in the first turn at Yonkers with big money riding, it took a horse of equal character to rise to the occasion and take the adversity and keeping going on. To me that’s the Somebeachsomewhere within This Is The Plan, a horse that doesn’t have his feelings hurt by a little rough stuff. Some horses will shy away from battle after getting their feelings bruised but most of the “Beaches” find a reserve and appear to ask for more. Trainer Brett Pelling may have been a little late to the Somebeach- somewhere party, returning to North America after the stallion had already clearly established himself. For Pelling, 2020 saw him campaign Papi Rob Hanover to early-season success and then help catapult the career of Alexa Skye late in her 3-year-old campaign. In

2021 Pelling’s stable may not have a Sombeachsomewhere with the Grace Zimmers ability of Papi Rob Hanover, but with eight sophomores sired by that Whichwaytothebeach won his first start of 2021 and takes on champion there’s certainly the ability to spread some of that wealth stakes foes in Friday’s Reynolds at Yonkers Raceway. around. Pelling’s 3-year-olds have shown up at Harrah’s Philadelphia and The Meadowlands. They will also get their stakes season roll- ing this weekend with a pair entered in the Reynolds at Yonkers on The loss of Somebeachsomewhere as a stallion himself was severe Friday and more in store Saturday afternoon at Pocono in the Penn- to the sport and while his son Captaintreacherous is already off to a sylvania All Stars. solid career at stud, and others like Huntsville and Downbytheseaside “They’re the type of horses you can swing on and they don’t get their will have their chance to shine this year, it’s going to be a tough act feelings hurt,” said Pelling collectively of the Somebeachsomewhere’s for any to follow. More than likely none will reach the plateau that he’s had the good fortune to train. “I think Staycation Hanover has a Somebeachsomewhere did during his brief but exceptional career as chance to be a very good filly. She’s got extreme speed.” a stallion. While Staycation Hanover was just caught in her last pari-mutuel “I think you just have to look back to Mach Three,” said Pelling, race at The Meadowlands on April 30, Pelling expects her to rebound reflecting on the sire of Somebeachsomewhere who was outshined in with an off-the-pace trip. the breeding business at the time by Western Hanover and Artsplace. On the male side there may not be a superstar but there is definitely “I think that’s where the toughness comes from. Just look at that an emergence of some serious power if you consider the progress horse in Ohio, Heart of Chewbacca. He’s by a full brother to Some- we’ve already seen this year from South Beach Star, the gelded full beachsomewhere (Bring On The Beach). Did you see that mile he went brother to Highalator who has won his last two starts at The Meadow- at Miami Valley?” Pelling said in regard to the James Hackett Memo- lands with last quarters of 25 3/5 and 26. He’ll stay in New Jersey this rial on April 17 where Heart Of Chewbacca took air during a 25 2/5 week and face a tougher test at The Meadowlands on Saturday night. third quarter and simply blew away the competition winning in 1:51 “I think Whichwaytothebeach is the best of them right now,” said 1/5. Pelling of the 3-year-old that came to his stable in January after With summer around the corner, let’s hope we can enjoy some great spending a 2-year-old season with trainer Roland Mallar. Shake- “Beach” days and nights.

Congratulations to these Ohio Sires Stakes Winners!

Lady Arthur Summer Touch

Conditions & schedule available at

Trained by Dr. Ian Moore www.racingohio.net Trained by Ronnie Burke

Owned by Dr. Ian Moore, the RG McGroup & Serge Savard. Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services, Slaughter Racing & Weaver Bruscemi,

DRF Harness Digest | 3 | May 6, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness ‘Majestic’ a major ‘Player’ in Scioto’s $135,000 Charlie Hill

By Derick Giwner Trained by Anette Lorentzon, the son of Archangel will be making his first start of 2021 after a pair of qualifiers, the last of which was a In the pandemic-shortened 2020 racing season which kept many of 1:56 1/5 win at Miami Valley. will drive from the furthest the top older trotters from starting even 15 times, Majestic Player A outside post in the field of seven. won that many starts. Wins have been slower to develop in 2021 for the Mission Accepted (9-5) has begun 2021 with a strong 5-3-2-0 record Australian import as he looks to get on track in Thursday’s $135,000 at The Meadowlands and Miami Valley in some of the top classes and Charlie Hill Memorial at Scioto Downs. will look to drive his winning streak to four on Thursday for trainer Ron Burke and driver Chris Page. Mission Accepted, who starts from post 1, would move within a few thousand of millionaire status with a Charlie Hill win. Burke also sends out recent Meadowlands Preferred Handicap winner It’s Academic (4-1) from post two in Thursday’s Charlie Hill. The 4-year-old, who has won half of his 30 career starts, wired the field on April 24 in 1:51 3/5 with Yannick Gingras in the bike and the two will hook up again from post 2. Pure Chance (post 3, Aaron Merriman, 12-1), Whata Swan (post 5, Trace Tetrick, 3-1) and Sky Castles (post 6, Dan Noble, 20-1) complete the field. Thursday’s 11-race card at Scioto starts at 6:15 PM and also includes a pair of $30,000 Opens. The race 6 trot is a wide-open affair while the 10th race pace features the 2021 debuts of Bllack Hole, a 1:48 winner at The Meadowlands last year, and Century Farroh, the 2020 Breeders Crown Older Pace winner at Hoosier Park. $135,000 Charlie Hill Memorial - Race 9 - Thurs. May 6 POST HORSE DRIVER MORNING-LINE Dean Gillette 1 Mission Accepted c.Page 9-5 Majestic Player A won 15 races in 2020 but is still seeking his 2 It’s Academic Y.Gingras 4-1 first win this year. 3 Pure Chance A.Merriman 12-1 4 Majestic Player A B.Miller 7-1 Majestic Player A finished second in his initial U.S. start in early 5 Whata Swan Tr.Tetrick 3-1 February 2020 before reeling off four straight wins in the Open ranks 6 Sky Castles D.Noble 20-1 at Miami Valley. While no horse could stop him, the COVID-19 racing 7 Guaradian Angel As Ti.Tetrick 9-2 shutdown placed the now 7-year-old on the sidelines for more than two months before a reappearance at Scioto Downs on May 29. The wins piled up as usual – six straight – between Scioto and Hoosier in the Open class. Unfortunately for owners Jeff Fought Racing, Brian Carsey and Casey Myers, that all came to a halt when Majestic Player A met up with stakes foes for the first time and finished ninth in the Crawford Farms Trot at Tioga Downs in August. Majestic Player A perked back up in against his usual rivals at Scioto and Hoosier, compiling a 5-3-2-0 record before another shot at Grand Circuit stakes. The results were better this time around as he picked up checks in the Allerage, Dayton Derby and Breeders Crown. “He gets really nervous. As soon as you take him out of his comfort zone he starts shaking. That is what hurts him the most,” said trainer Walter Haynes Jr. “When I went to Tioga, I went three days out and he was horrible. When you take him out of his stall and place him in a paddock and close both gates on him, that’s what he doesn’t like.” The fact that the Charlie Hill takes place at Scioto is certainly good news for Majestic Player A, the 7-1 fifth choice on the morning-line. The son of Majestic Son owns a perfect record in three starts over the Columbus oval. On Thursday he’ll reunite with driver Brett Miller IS BACK!! from post 4 after Haynes sat in the bike for Majestic Player A’s first two starts of the year. “I think he’ll be fine at Scioto because it is only three hours from $2,500 & Fractional Ownership home and they have outside stalls where he can keep his head out and look around. That’s going to help him more than anything,” said GRAND PRIZE Haynes, who explained why he drove Majestic Player A to start the year. “I didn’t think he qualified good enough. Then the next start he Monthly Cash Prizes had a jog cord in his mouth and it broke in half. He just pulled all the race out of himself that night. Free to Enter! “I put a different jog cord on him and trained him today [Monday] and he was much better. I think he is pretty sharp and I expect him to be good on Thursday.” Although some of the best in the older trotting division are on the East Coast at The Meadowlands for the Miss Versatility on Saturday, the Charlie Hill still attracted a solid group of established stakes See OHHA.com for complete details performers led by $1.4 million winner Guardian Angel As (9-2).

DRF Harness Digest | 4 | May 6, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness 5% REBATE at SCIOTO DOWNS

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Don’t miss the $135,000 Charlie Hill featuring the best older trotters in the sport

Live Racing Dates: May 4 to September 18 - Tuesday to Saturday at 6:15 PM

Featured Wagers: Players Pick 5 with 14% Takeout + Pick 6 with 15% Takeout Power-packed Miss Versatility divisions at Meadowlands

By Jay Bergman

Trainer Lucas Wallin finds himself in a solid position heading into Saturday’s first leg of the Miss Versatility at The Meadowlands. The young conditioner has the 4-year-old mare Ab’sattitudexpress prepared to tackle the best in the aged division and will face just six rivals in one of two $30,000 divisions. “I’m happy the way she’s coming into the race,” said Wallin on Wednesday. “It will be her third race in three weeks and that’s some- thing I usually don’t like to do.” On the positive side, Ab’sattitudexpress has won both of her starts in a preliminary and final of the New Jersey Maturity over the last two weeks, defeating just one horse in each contest. “I think they were both good efforts and she only had to trot the final half both times.” Tim Tetrick will guide Ab’sattitudexpress from post six in race 12 on Saturday and the daughter of Trixton appears to be getting better with age. “We got her in May of her 2-year-old season,” said Wallin of the late start that saw the filly race just three times in 2019. “She showed talent the first time we turned her.” Lisa Photo Ab’sattitudexpress starts from post 6 with Tim Tetrick in the For Wallin and Ab’sattitudexpress, the 3-year-old season saw her bike on Saturday at The Meadowlands. knock heads with some of the sport’s superstars including Hamble- tonian winner Ramona Hill. Ab’sattitudexpress surprised Ramona Hill as a 34-1 outsider in a Bluegrass division at The Red Mile last October, part of a late-season campaign that also saw her finish Meadowlands on April 24 and will start right next to that rival on third in both the Breeders Crown and Matron. Saturday with Felictyshagwell S landing post five. “It was great beating Ramona Hill,” said Wallin. “I would say it The 13-race card starts at 6:20 PM on Saturday at The Meadow- wasn’t the best day for Ramona Hill and that Ab’sattitudexpress lands and also features a pair of returning pacers looking to kick off raced her best race that day.” The result was a 1:51 4/5 career-best their 2021 season as well as a $30,000 Preferred Pace. victory for the filly who now gets a chance to show herself against In a rematch of the 2020 Progress Pace, winner Fortify will face- older foes. off with second-place finisher No Lou Zing in race 6. Then in race 9 While Wallin didn’t want to get ahead of himself with his mare Nicholas Beach, a 1:48 1/5 winner last weekend, will put his two-race facing older foes, the good news at least for the first leg of the Miss winning streak on the line versus nine top rivals. Versatility is that there is only one horse in the race older than 4 and that’s the recent Swedish import Ghostintheshell S (post 1) making her North American debut for Ake Svanstedt. Last year’s Hambletonian Oaks champion Sorella (post 4) makes her season’s debut for trainer Nancy Takter following a pair of “even” qualifying miles. The daughter of won eight times during her sophomore season. A Fancy Face, one of Ohio’s top trotting fillies a year ago, makes her Meadowlands debut for trainer Todd Luther. The seven-time winner in her lone season at the races drew post five with Scott Zeron picking up the catch drive. No Mas Drama is another 4-year-old in the field that changed hands from her 3-year-old season and the New York-bred has won all three of her starts this year for new trainer Mike Russo. No Mas Drama enters the Miss Versatility following a 1:53 3/5 career-best mile on April 29 at Harrah’s Philadelphia. David Miller will guide her from post seven. The first Miss Versatility division (race 3) appears to have a few more heavy hitters as the seven-mare field includes last year’s Breeders Crown 3-year-old champion Next Level Stuff (post 1), 2019 Hambletonian Oaks champion When Dovescry (post 3) and multiple New York Sire Stakes champion Hypnotic AM (post 6). Next Level Stuff made her 4-year-old debut in an overnight last week and finished out her mile in powerful fashion for trainer Jim Campbell and driver Tim Tetrick. The homebred by Sebastian K finished first or second in 10 of her 13 starts during a solid sopho- more campaign. Trainer Brett Pelling returns When Dovescry having taken over the conditioning of the Muscle Hill-sired mare in 2020. “I was happy with her qualifier,” Pelling said of the 1:56 4/5 victory on April 30 at The Meadowlands. “I think she’ll be fine on Saturday but she’s not as far along in her conditioning this year as she was last year at this time.” Hypnotic AM returns as a 4-year-old having finished first or second in 18 of her 22 career starts. The daughter of Chapter Seven outsprinted Felicityshagwell S to win a 1:54 4/5 qualifier at The

DRF Harness Digest | 6 | May 6, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness YEARLING PAYMENTS Due MAY 15* One list and one check keeps your yearlings eligible to these top events. *per USTA rule 12.02 all payments must be postmarked by midnight Monday, May 17 Don’t forget to stake your yearling! Trotters Arden Downs Breeders Crown® Currier & Ives Dexter Cup Hambletonian Hoosier Stake No. 86 Horseman No. 114 Ralph Wilfong No. 85*** Foals of 2020 MGM Yonkers Trot *** no separate filly division

Pacers Adios Arden Downs Breeders Crown® Cane Pace Fox Stake No. 96*** Hoosier Stake No. 86 Horseman No. 114 MGM Grand Messenger Progress Pace*** *** no separate filly division

Make checks payable and send all entries to: The Hambletonian Society®

Be sure to check our website for complete conditions, race dates & payment forms! Chris Tully Trot.com Cranbury Gates Office Park • 109 South Main Street, Suite 18 • Cranbury, NJ 08512-3174 Phone: 609-371-2211 • Fax: 609-371-8890 • Web: hambletonian.com Once-thinning stallion lines are thickening over time

Direct Scooter became quite good and has left two distinct lines via Matt’s Scooter and In The Pocket. The latter sired the outstand- on the mark ing Southern Hemisphere stallion Christian Cullen, the dam’s sire of Lazarus N amongst others. By Bob Marks @BobMarks3 Matt’s Scooter, formerly the world’s fastest harness horse, was a successful though not super sire in his own right. His best son, the currently successful though not quite super Mach Three, has some- how totally thickened the thread via his superstar son Somebeach- Back when I started in the early 1960’s there were established somewhere. leading pacing stallions. Adios was the undisputed King of the Hill While Somebeachsomewhere succumbed early to cancer, he has followed by Tar Heel, Good Time, Knight Dream, Poplar Byrd, Gene proven a siring revelation with his own super-sons Captaintreach- Abbe and Sampson Hanover, in whatever order you’d like to put them. erous, Sunshine Beach, So Surreal, Downbytheseaside, Huntsville Of those, only Adios and Sampson Hanover have direct male line and Papi Rob Hanover. Of those, Captaintreacherous has been bril- extensions that exist in today’s racing climate. The rest were buried liant and is likely to extend his branch from “The Beach” via son under the Meadow Skipper avalanche that swept the pacing breed Captain Crunch while the others will all get their opportunities. in the 1970’s. It’s impossible to find a direct male line extension Suddenly a sire line hanging on by a thread has exploded into the from Tar Heel, Good Time, Knight Dream and Poplar Byrd in 2021 hottest sire line since the Meadow Skipper avalanche in the 1970’s. , although it’s possible, however remote, that there’s It remains to be seen if Somebeachsomewhere will eventually rival a Gene Abbe extension via Big Towner somewhere in the South- Meadow Skipper as far as long-term breed dominance, though he’s ern hemisphere. It’s also possible, but again remote, that there’s a off to an impressive start. It should be remembered that Meadow Knight Dream link via his son Lumber Dream in the Down Under Skipper begot Most Happy Fella in his initial crop. Most Happy Fella regions as he was a successful sire there. expanded the link into three distinct branches still prominent today The paths taken by the Adios and Sampson Hanover lines border on via sons Cam Fella and Tyler B, and grandson No Nukes (Oil Burner). the unlikely, as each was hanging on by the proverbial thread, though Meanwhile “The Beach” provided Captaintreacherous in his first those threads are currently thickening as the breed goes forward. crop. The Captain, as said above, has been positively brilliant thus Adios left many potential “super-siring sons” like Bret Hanover, far and may well prove for Somebeachsomewhere what Most Happy Adios Butler, Adios Harry, Adios Boy, Bullet Hanover, Dancer Fella proved for Meadow Skipper. Waiting in the wings will be Papi Hanover, Adios Don, Henry T Adios, etc. Each tended to concen- Rob Hanover and the sky is the limit for him. trate their best siring efforts in the early crops. Bret Hanover did Suddenly a sire line hanging on by the proverbial thread is threat- get Storm Damage in a later crop in what was his first mating with ening to have a long-term impact on the current breed. super-broodmare Breath O Spring, who had previously produced I doubt that I’ll be around to see how it eventually plays out but I’m Good Time’s outstanding son Race Time. not so sure I would wager against it happening. The Adios sons eventually fell by the wayside except for Bret Yes those threads are indeed getting thicker. Hanover and Henry T Adios. The latter was not a successful stal- lion, although his first crop did contain Silent Majority, a top colt though an equally unsuccessful sire, except for one son named Abercrombie. That one floundered a bit early on until he started to see Meadow Skipper line mares, in particular those by Albatross. From the Albatross mares Miss Elvira and Three Diamonds, Aber- crombie produced two outstanding sons in Artsplace and Life Sign. Of those, Life Sign is still marginally evident via son Real Desire and barely successful grandson Tell All. Again, that link is hanging NEW PLAYERS by the proverbial thread. Artsplace, via sons Art Major, Artiscape and Sportswriter, is thriving. Artiscape, via son Yankee Cruiser, is responsible for current sensation Sweet Lou, while Sportswriter, via son Jimmy Freight, will have his chance in Canada. DOUBLE YOUR Art Major’s son JK Endofanera proved a first-crop sensation in Indiana last year and is likely to keep that line alive awhile, espe- cially in the Midwest. FIRST DEPOSIT Bret Hanover’s sons petered out save for the marginally success- ful Warm Breeze, who managed one son named Falcon Seelster. That one sired McArdle, responsible for McWicked, who will certainly have his opportunity in Canada. Falcon Seelster also produced the UP TO Down Under sire Tintin In America, now immortalized via daugh- ter Shartin N who is among the all-time greatest imports. Sampson Hanover, true to his Volomite heritage, was basically a double-gaited sire in the 1960’s, although he did have a stakes-cali- $250 ber pacing son in Sampson Direct from the Billy Direct mare Dottie Rosecroft. Sampson Direct was a marginal sire at best, although he Join Now: promos.drf.com/offer too did have one good pacing son named Direct Scooter from a trot- ting-bred Noble Victory mare Noble Claire.

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DRF Harness Digest | 8 | May 6, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness American Courage headlines Friday’s Reynolds Series at Yonkers

With many Sire Stakes programs yet to commence and little on late in the mile. the Grand Circuit schedule for 3-year-old pacers during the month of “We always liked May, Yonkers Raceway attracted four divisions of the Reynolds series him but he didn’t for the age group on the pace. Carded as races four through seven on do as much as we the Friday 10-race program, the Reynolds are split evenly, with two thought he should,” races for fillies and a pair for colts and geldings. said Ryder. “We There is no shortage of talent among the 30 entered, but the two trained him back splits for the boys came up especially deep. Perhaps at the top of the free-legged and heap off 2020 performance is American Courage. The Travis Alexan- I always thought der trainee won seven of eight starts in his rookie year of racing and we’d put the hobbles returns to the races off a strong second-place finish in a qualifier at back on when he The Downs at Pocono. He sat third in that mile, before moving into qualified, but he second on the final turn and sprinting home in 27 1/5. was terrific with- “Matt [Kakaley] just put him on Bronx Seelster’s back. He had tons out them so we of horse left,” said Alexander about the qualifier. qualified and raced A three-time winner at Yonkers last year, including the $104,250 him free-legged. Springfield stake, American Courage is right at home over the I thought he was surface, which will serve him well from post 6 in the $23,750 seventh- going to win the race division. Weiss before that “I’ll leave that to Matt,” said Alexander about how to work out a trip break, so it is a from the outside post. “We are ready and looking forward to getting lesson learned and the year started.” we put the hobbles The inside is typically the best place to be on any half-mile track back on. and that honor belongs to Shakespeare. The altered son of Some- “I’m pretty sure beachsomewhere has done good work thus far in 2021 with a win and he can get around a second from two starts and trainer Brett Pelling felt the 3-year- the half and he old’s natural speed would serve him well on the smaller track. Todd deserves a chance Derick Giwner McCarthy drives Shakespeare. to be in there,” American Courage makes his first start of I’ll Drink To That also brings a 2-1-1-0 current-year record to continued Ryder. 2021 in Friday’s Reynolds series at Yonkers Yonkers after two solid performances at The Meadowlands. Dexter Whichwaytothe- Raceway. Dunn will steer from post 4 for trainer Chris Ryder, who has a horse beach only has one entered in all four Reynolds divisions. start thus far for trainer Brett Pelling this year but is highly regarded “I wouldn’t make the statement that he’s as good as American Cour- after a strong rookie campaign where he finished off the board just age, but he’s not that far away. He’s certainly sounder this year,” said once in eight starts. His résumé has earned him 9-5 morning-line Ryder about the 5-2 morning-line choice. “Last year we sat a two-hole favorite status. behind American Courage. My horse was no good that night and we Crystal Beach’s win on May 1 was the first of his career. The son of only got beat by a half-length.” Art Major was a regular on the New York circuit in 2020 and should What About Bob (post 2, Jim Marohn, Jr) and Town Gossip (post be right at home on the half-mile Yonkers surface. 8, Joe Bongiorno) both enter the second division of the Reynolds off He’s A Snob (post 2, Mark MacDonald), third in the Weiss final wins while King James Express (post 3, Jason Bartlett) and Bettor Of recently, Mullinax (post 4, Scott Zeron), a Massachusetts Sire Stakes The West (post 7, Scott Zeron) make their first starts of 2021 on Friday. champion in 2020, Imaginary Line (post 6, McCarthy), second in his Carrythetorchman rounds out the field from post 5 with Marcus last two tries, and Major Makover (post 7, Bartlett), a Weiss consola- Miller in the bike. tion runner-up, complete the field of seven. The $23,250 fourth race first division of the Reynolds includes a trio Races five and six highlight the fillies. Heart Of Mine starts as of horses coming into the race off wins – Crystal Beach (post 1, Miller), the 9-5 program favorite with Scott Zeron driving for trainer Linda Whichwaytothebeach (post 3, McCarthy) and Coalition Hanover (post Toscano in the first $28,500 division while Podium Girl offers the 5, Dunn). same morning-line in the $29,000 second split with Dexter Dunn in Coalition Hanover is the most accomplished of the group in 2021 with the bike behind the Chris Ryder trainee. three wins and two seconds from six starts. The Ryder trainee’s lone First-race post time is 7:15 PM at Yonkers on Friday and racing defeat came in the $40,000 Weiss final at Pocono when he made a break continues on a Monday to Friday basis weekly.

DRF Harness Digest | 9 | May 6, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Yearlings of 2021 by these Breeders Crown nominated stallions have a May 15 payment due for continued eligibility to the championship series. STALLION NOMINATIONS TO BREEDERS CROWN NO. 36 THE BREEDING SEASON OF 2019  FOR FOALS OF 2020 Opened January 15, 2019  Nominated as of November 1, 2019

A ROCKNROLL DANCE CREATINE LIS MARA ROCKIN IMAGE ALARM DETECTOR CREDIT WINNER LONG TOM ROLL WITH JOE ALL BETS OFF DEVIOUS MAN LOOKSLIKEACHPNDALE ROYAL MATTJESTY ALWAYS A VIRGIN DEWEYCHEATUMNHOWE LOST FOR WORDS ROYALTY FOR LIFE DOMETHATAGAIN LUCK BE WITHYOU SANTA FE BEACHBOY AMERICAN IDEAL DONATO HANOVER LYONS SOMEWHERE SEBASTIAN K ANDOVER HALL DOVER DAN MAHARAJAH (Sweden) SHADOW PLAY ANDOVERSURE DOWNBYTHESEASIDE MANNINGLY SO SURREAL ANGUS HALL DUDE’S THE MAN MCARDLE SOUTHWIND FRANK ARACACHE HANOVER E L ROCKET MET’S HALL SPORTSWRITER ARCHANGEL E L TITAN MR WEB PAGE STATE TREASURER ART DIRECTOR ENCORE ENCORE MR WIGGLES STAY HUNGRY ARTISCAPE ENTERPRISE MUSCLE HILL STRAIGHT SHOOTING ARTSPEAK EXPLOSIVE MATTER MUSCLE MASS SUNSHINE BEACH BAR HOPPING FATHER PATRICK MUSCLE MASSIVE SWAN FOR ALL BETTERTHANCHEDDAR FEAR THE DRAGON MUSCLES YANKEE SWAN IN A MILLION BETTING LINE FOURTH DIMENSION MUSICAL RHYTHM SWEET LOU BETTOR'S DELIGHT GLIDEMASTER MY MVP TACTICAL LANDING BIG JIM HE'S WATCHING NOTHING BY CLASS TELLITLIKEITIS BOLT THE DUER HELPISONTHEWAY NUNCIO (Sweden) THINKING OUT LOUD BOSTON RED ROCKS HESTON BLUE CHIP NUTCRACKER SWEET THIRD STRAIGHT BREAK THE BANK K HOLIDAY ROAD ODDS ON EQUULEUS TRIUMPHANT CAVIAR BRING ON THE BEACH HUNTSVILLE PACIFIC RENEGADE TRIXTON CANTAB HALL IF I CAN DREAM PANTHER HANOVER UNCLE PETER CAPTAINTREACHEROUS IN THE ARSENAL PET ROCK WALNER CASH HALL INTERNATIONAL MONI POSSESS THE WILL WELL SAID CENTURION ATM JK ENDOFANERA PRESTIDIGITATOR WESTERN VINTAGE CHAPTER SEVEN JUSTICE HALL RACING HILL WHAT THE HILL CHECK SIX KADABRA READLY EXPRESS (Sweden) WHATAWORKOUT CLASS INCLUDED KEYSTONE VELOCITY REAL DESIRE WHEELING N DEALIN CONTROL THE MOMENT LAZARUS N RESOLVE YANKEE CRUISER CONWAY HALL LIONHUNTER ROCKIN AMADEUS YOU KNOW YOU DO

The above list is subject to omissions and corrections

128 stallions as of November 1, 2019 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 Troy Beyer What kind of car do you drive? 2020 Ford Ranger.

Vicki Wright Photo Favorite dinner meal? Snack? Troy Beyer is closing in on 100 career wins as a driver. Filet Mignon; I’m not much of a snacker. Jill was the outrider at The Red Mile and she had taken care of some What is your favorite track to race at? Why? horses for the Takters. They got ahold of Nancy [Takter] and she needed some help. A week later I was on my way out there. Yonkers. It just seems like I’ve done well there. I like the style of racing there and like racing on a half-mile track. It’s funny because Was there ever a chance that you wouldn’t be involved in I grew up at Balmoral Park, which is a mile track. I was always on a mile track unless I went over to Maywood. harness racing? I wanted to be an architect for a long time, all the way up until high What is your favorite big event in racing? school. I always liked math and designing homes. But once you get the harness racing bug it sticks with you forever. The Hambletonian. There are so many good races on that card. Even if you miss a few races because you are still busy working in the morning, you can turn it on later and there is a good race on. I guess You run a stable with your wife Katie. How many horses do you can say the same for the Breeders Crown also. you have? How often is racing on your mind? Six. It is my life – 24/7. You used to train as well as drive but now Katie has taken over that aspect. Is she a better trainer than you? What is your favorite thing to do outside of racing? Probably. She does an amazing job. I work with Noel Daley in the Golfing or playing video games with friends. morning. I might jog or train one before I go to work with Noel if she needs an opinion, but she does all the rest. She does a great job and What is your favorite sport to watch? Team? all of the horses look amazing. I can’t say enough good things about her. She has transitioned over from working for Ron Burke and Outside of harness racing, basketball. I’m from Chicago and have Bruce Saunders as we’ve gotten more horses. been a Bulls fan my whole life. Speaking of Katie, how did you two meet? What is one thing about you most fans/bettors don’t know? She’s from Canada and I’m from Illinois. Before Noel went back to I shoe a lot of my own horses. Australia I was working for him up in Canada. He usually sends his horses to Michael Vanderkemp who used to work with him. Katie What is one word that describes harness racing for you? was working for Mike at the time. We talked off and on and the rest Action. is history. How did you get started in the sport? Is it hard to balance the stable with your wife and working for Noel? My dad was a first-generation trainer. I just got into it from being around him. The older I got the more I loved it. The only tough part is finding time. We don’t have much down time, especially now as we start to get into the busy season. Luckily I have How did you end up on the East Coast? Katie and she does a ton to make it easier. If I was trying to do it on my own, I don’t think it would be possible with this many horses. I was working for Mike Arnold in Chicago and the racing was get- ting cheap and not going in the right direction. He said to me that if I wanted to be in it for the long term, because it looked like racing might shut down all together out there, I needed to go east. His wife CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

DRF Harness Digest | 11 | May 6, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 I really liked him a lot. He was such a classy horse. You could do whatever you wanted with him. I’ve also had some $4,000 claimers What has Daley meant to your career? in Illinois that were my favorites. One was Come N Bet It. I love that horse. He was probably one of the first my dad and I claimed to- He’s meant a lot. I like the style of training he has and have mod- gether. He was the type of horse that really took care of a young guy. eled most of my own after him. I think he gets a lot out of his horses At Balmoral he could just smoke home a quarter in 26 or 27 every without having to work them too hard. You learn a lot from Noel. week. You would just sit in with him until the head of the stretch and Obviously he’s had a lot of great horses. He’s taught me that there is he would do the work for you. more than one way to train a horse. If something isn’t working you can try things a completely different way. What’s the one race that you most want to win in your career? You recently won three races on one card at Harrah’s The Breeders Crown or Hambletonian, but both are very hard to do. If I had to choose I’d go with the Hambo. Philadelphia. How cool was that for you? If you could choose any horse in history to train or drive, It was very cool. I hadn’t had a triple at Chester before. Even bet- ter was that two were for Noel. Usually I go to Freehold on Friday which horse would it be and why? to race my wife’s horses, but since we only had one at Freehold, I Nuncio. He was a great horse in both the U.S. and Europe. He looked decided to go to Chester that day. We ended up racing two at Freehold like a fun horse and classy horse. It would be pretty special to have a and one of them got a win. Then we had some at the Meadowlands at horse like him. got some checks, so it was a pretty good day. If you weren’t involved in harness racing, what would you be doing? No idea. I probably would’ve gotten my college degree and maybe become an architect. If you had the power to change one thing in the sport, what would it be? It would be with social media. I’m not great at it but I think it could be a huge help to expose more young people to the sport. I think that is where a lot of trainers and the business itself are running into a lot of problems. It is hard now to find help and there isn’t a lot of young blood in the sport. We need to find ways to get more young people interested.

Lisa Photo Troy Beyer helps his wife Katie Gangell-Beyer with a barn of six. As a young person in the sport (26 years old), do you have any tips on how harness racing can reach the younger generation? With 19 wins already in 2021 you are on pace to easily The Harness Horse Youth Foundation is a good idea. Doing more eclipse your career-best yearly total. Have you improved as a things like that at the track would be great. We need to get people driver or are you just getting better horses? more hands-on at the track. At Balmoral they used to put an older racehorse in the grandstand so people could get close to it and pet it. I think it is a little bit of both. The more you can drive and the more I think The Meadowlands does a good job with the interviews after you do drive, the more you learn. Plus when you can drive the same the races with drivers. Getting reaction of what happens after races horses often you learn them and have a better chance to succeed. is good for the sport. You also learn about the other horses in the race from going against them, and that helps too. How do you view the future of harness racing? Are you a better trainer or driver? If they make some changes and get more young people in it, I think it could be really good. A lot also depends on legislation. Stuff like I’d like to think I’m good at both, though I’m not saying I’m great at decoupling could really hurt the sport. either. I’d like to think I can help horses training by trying different things and training different ways. What are your long-term aspirations in the sport? What is the best advice you’ve gotten about harness racing? I’d like to be a full-time catch-driver and follow the Grand Circuit while having some horses on the side. I’m sure my wife isn’t opposed If you think you know everything about harness racing you should to having a big barn one day, either. quit. You can never stop learning. Time for the stretch drive: What was your favorite moment in harness racing? Best Horse You Ever Saw: Always B Miki – He was just a freak, not Probably winning my first stakes race with 2-year-old trotting filly just when he went 1:46 but earlier. Even looking at his Meadowlands Setntheworldonfire [8/13/2017] at Tioga a few years back. It was Pace, he went an unbelievable mile that night. pretty special and it was nice to do it for Noel. Best Race you ever saw: in the Little Brown Jug.

Which is the best horse you’ve ever driven? Lasix – Yes or No?: Yes. I know a lot of places it isn’t so big but there really is no reason to ban it. It really helps a lot of horses. Some end I’ve driven quite a few. Probably Anoka Hanover. I drove her to her up racing until they are 14 and would have no chance of doing that first pari-mutuel win at Chester. It was her second or third start. She’s without Lasix. It prevents harm to horses. a very nice filly with lots of power. She’s classy and very nice to drive. Favorite TV Show?: Letterkenny on Hulu. Which horse is/was your favorite that you’ve driven? Trotters or Pacers?: Trotters. There is nothing better than a good I drove Top Flight Angel for Andy and Julie [Miller] a few times. trotter.

DRF Harness Digest | 12 | May 6, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Hall of Fame trainer Ron Gurfein, 80, dies

Hall of Fame trainer Ron Gurfein, 80, died May 5, 2021. At DRF Harness we strive to provide the best handicapping The following message was posted on Mr. Gurfein’s Facebook page information in the sport. Each week we’ll use this space to bring this afternoon by his children, Lauren and Blake. you some of our handicappers’ best bets, value plays and horses to “It is with profound sadness that we share that our dad, Ronnie watch. Use this information as one of your tools when wagering or Gurfein (a.k.a. “the Guru”), passed away earlier today. His was a long simply click on the link above and head to DRF Bets to wager now. life filled with many joys, successes, and love. His wit was second to none and he had us laughing till his final moments. Thursday, MAY 6 “Per his wishes, there will be a small family-only ceremony. We know he will be missed by many, so please stay tuned for information RACE 5 about a future celebration of his life and career. “In lieu of flowers or cards, we would appreciate donations in his (4) SANDY’S BEACH gets name to Caring Across Generations -- an organization dedicated to both post and class relief changing the way we care for older adults: https://go.caringacross. tonight, and Jordan Stratton org/a/give.” and Peter Tritton teamed up Mr. Gurfein was for several wins together on one of the top condi- Monday night’s (May 3) card tioners of trotters here at Yonkers. and a 2006 inductee -Greg Reinhart into the Hall of Fame in Goshen, N.Y. friday, MAY 7 He opened up his stable in 1965, RACE 5 moved to Monticello in 1967 and spent the (1) JK ALWAYSBALADY better part of the was one of the top 2-year-old next two decades at pacing fillies in the game the Mighty M. He last year and she seems to toiled in relative have found a cozy spot for her obscurity through return. that time even -Derick Giwner though he won the 1982 Adios Stakes RACE 2 with Higher Power and also condi- (3) PEMBROKE JOEY has USTA Photo tioned the likes of been much-improved off the Ron Gurfein trained three Hambletonian Hardesty ($367,426) Ruiz claim and he lands the winners and six Breeders Crown winners and the world cham- best post of those entered for in his career. pion mare Franco- the higher tag which makes nia ($527,151). him the one to beat. Mr. Gurfein moved to The Meadowlands in 1987 and five years later -Matt Rose came up with an imposing trio of Imperfection, Baltic Striker, and Lady Starlet. He hit the pinnacle of the sport later that decade with Saturday, MAY 8 horses such as Victory Dream and Beat The Wheel. The best horse of his career was the outstanding trotting filly RACE 5 Continentalvictory, who captured the Yonkers Trot and Hambleton- ian in 1996 on her way to earning Horse of the Year honors. (6) BEYOND WORDS N Other top horses for Mr. Gurfein included 1999 Dan Patch Award raced well at an underlay divisional champion Self Possessed and 2003 Trotter of the Year price considering she was Cantab Hall. coming off a scratch line last Mr. Gurfein won the 1999 Glen Garnsey Trainer of the Year Award weekend. She seems to be in from the United States Harness Writers’ Association. cheaper this week. I’m all-in! -courtesy USTA Communications -Giwner full card analysis / past performances

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DRF Harness Digest | 13 | May 6, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness NEWS FROM AROUND THE HARNESS INDUSTRY

Meadowlands adds races for 3yos, stakes from mohawk Waterstone joins USTA; Ross becomes Social Media Manager

The Meadowlands will pick up the Graduate Series leg and Miss Former Associate Editor of The Horseman And Fair World, Gordon Versatility leg that were previously scheduled to be raced at Wood- Waterstone, has been hired as a freelance Editorial Specialist to assist bine Mohawk Park. the U.S. Trotting Association with editorial contributions to Hoof Beats Also, in concert with the SBOA of NJ, The Meadowlands will add and Youth Beats magazines, the newsroom on www.ustrotting.com, races for 3 year-olds to the Championship Meet schedule to accom- content for www.HarnessRacingFanZone.com, social media and other modate horses left with reduced racing opportunities due to stakes projects. schedule changes at Mohawk Park. READ MORE READ MORE Scioto to broadcast in HD Handle surges on opening night at Scioto Eldorado Scioto Downs is now set to broadcast the signal to all The weather for opening night was a bit turbulent but fans showed outlets, including TVG, RTN and ADWs, in high definition (HD). up for live racing at Eldorado Scioto Downs and the wagering menu “We upgraded our cameras late last year and internally we’ve been was full of opportunities for Tuesday (May 4). With moderately heavy showing the signal in HD,” said Eldorado Scioto Downs Director of rain in the early afternoon, the Scioto track crew and track consul- Racing Jason Roth. “This is something our patrons have been asking tant Dan Coon worked diligently to keep the track tight. By race three for and we wanted to improve our product for our off-track supporters the rain reappeared and downgraded the track to ‘good’ until race 11. and fans.” Undeterred by the somewhat sloppy racing conditions, handicap- Live racing is held at Eldorado Scioto Downs each Tuesday-Satur- pers more than tripled the opening night handle ($637,641) compared day through Saturday, September 18. Special cards will be held on to 2019 ($210,799). Memorial Day and the 4th of July. READ MORE -release (Scioto) Hickfromfrenchlick returns with sharp qualifier Deslandes wins 1,000th career race

The return of the fast-class pacer Hickfromfrenchlick, plus sharp With the win by Millwood Faith N in the seventh race at Bangor outings from Casie Coleman-Herlihy 3-year-olds, were the highlights Raceway on Wednesday, 28-year-old driver Dan Deslandes won his on a Wednesday morning qualifying session at The Downs at Mohe- 1,000th lifetime harness race. The Clifton, Maine resident guided the gan Sun Pocono conducted over a “sloppy” oval. 11-year-old mare to her third win in four starts this year in a time of Hickfromfrenchlick, a son of So Surreal named after the NBA all- 1:59 3/5. timer Larry Bird, was a good 2-year-old who went on to win over half- Deslandes, who won his first race at Saratoga Raceway in 2010, also a-million dollars at 3, taking his mark of 1:48 4/5 in the Empire Breed- won the 10th race on the card with Love Love Me Do. He is currently ers Classic final. second in the Bangor Raceway leading driver standings with 13 wins READ MORE in 2021, just two behind leader Bruce Ranger. -edited release (Bangor) Live racing returns to Trois Rivieres Friday McKelvie to retire from Woodbine in 2022 When Hippodrome 3R (H3R) kicks-off its 2021 harness racing season on Friday (May 7), it will be the only racetrack in Canada that After 40 years of dedication and critical contributions, Racing will be open for racing . Secretary Scott McKelvie has announced that he will retire from With a special post time of 5:30 pm, H3R will feature a 10-race Woodbine Entertainment on March 31, 2022. program with full fields of eight starters in all races, including three Scott joined the then named Ontario Jockey Club in 1981, working Preferred Class events. his way up to take leadership of the Race Office and has served as the READ MORE long-time Racing Secretary of Greenwood, Woodbine and Woodbine Mohawk Park since 1992. Anoka Hanover, Southwind Ozzi post qualifying wins READ MORE

Last season’s 2-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year, Anoka Hanover, Low takeout wagers for Cumberland’s debut and 2019 Little Brown Jug champion Southwind Ozzi were impressive winners during Tuesday morning qualifiers at Harrah’s Philadelphia. First Tracks Investments LLC, operator of Cumberland, is proud to In her first competitive start since winning the Goldsmith Maid last introduce a pair of daily low takeout wagers. November, Anoka Hanover pounced from the pocket and won hand- Both the Pick-5 and Pick-4 wagers will have a 16% reduced takeout. ily in 1:55 3/5 over a “good” track. A 10-time winner as a baby, the The Pick-5 is contested on races 1 through 5 and the Pick-4 races 6 daughter of Donato Hanover looked ready to start another successful through 9. Both wagers are available for a $0.50 denomination. campaign, with Todd McCarthy driving for trainer Noel Daley, the Cumberland is now available throughout North America and on latter co-owner with Caviart Farms, Crawford Farms Racing, and L. most account wagering platforms. Racing is conducted Tuesday and A. Express Stable LLC. Saturday at 4:15 p.m., with a special upcoming Wednesday program READ MORE May 12th. -edited release (Chris Tully for First Tracks Cumberland) Yonkers nets highest nighttime handle in 10 years Derby weekend a boon to Big M handle Yonkers Raceway’s ten-race program on Monday night (May 3) was lively from start to finish on the wagering front, and when the dust Saturday (May 1) night’s handle at The Meadowlands was a sensa- settled, the handle checked in at a new high for 2021 of $1,254,745. That tional $4,451,363, to come within $100,000 of the track’s biggest night total also represents the most wagered on a nighttime card at Yonkers of action during 2021. since April 28, 2012, when $1.33 million was bet on a 12-race program, “We had a $100,000 win pool and a $150,000 exacta pool Saturday, meaning tonight’s average of $125,474 bettered that as well. which is simply extraordinary,” said COO and GM Jason Settlemoir. READ MORE READ MORE

DRF Harness Digest | 14 | May 6, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness