DRF HARNESS HOME DIGITAL HARNESS EYE HARNESS PPS DRF BETS ENTRIES ARCHIVE THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 Chris Choate’s Western Joe seeks second signature win in $514,000 Borgata final

Inside this issue

Machnhope, Blue Ivy seek mild upset in Blue Chip Matchmaker, Page 4 Derick Giwner: Amazing nine-race Chris Brokate claiming streak continues on Western Joe has picked up two wins and two seconds in five Borgata Series starts. 14-year-old Dream Out Loud N, Page 6

Darin Zoccali: Navigating the social horses. Choate has two of his horses on the media minefield, Page 8 Monday card, with the veteran Western Joe JAYWALKING set to tackle Burke’s threesome as well as four Stakes horses on display at Saturday other solid contenders in the Borgata. Big M qualifiers, Page 8 By Jay Bergman “I was happy with the way he came out of last week’s race,” said Choate before the final On The Backstretch: Profile of driver @BergmanJay was drawn. “Post position is the most impor- Stephane Bouchard, Page 10 tant factor at Yonkers.” The trainer, who saw his horse draw Best Bets & Analysis, Page 12 If ever there was a David vs Goliath tale outside more than the average during five legs Headlines: Stakes payments due; 2021 for harness racing all one would need to do of the series, was unaware that Western Joe is look at Monday’s $514K final of the MGM would land mid-pack (post 5) inside two of the HOF class for Canada revealed, Page 13 Borgata series at Yonkers Raceway to find it. three Burke-trained contenders (Backstreet Comments? Questions? Qualifying for the final spots we find peren- Shadow in post 6 and This Is The Plan in post nial leading trainer Ron Burke with three of 8) and also Leonidas A (post 7), who won all Email the Editor [email protected] the eight in the field. Burke routinely enters four of the preliminary legs he raced in. the most horses and races the most top-rated The 7-year-old Western Joe had raced To ensure proper delivery aged pacers in North America, so his contend- periodically at Yonkers throughout his of the newsletter via ers have earned their places. On the other side $791K-winning career but hadn’t had much is trainer Chris Choate, who thanks to some luck. For 2021 Choate had discussed a game email, add [email protected]. tough luck at the claim box over the last week com to your contact list has now seen his stable reduced to but three CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

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BLUE CHIP MATCHMAKER FINAL

Please play responsibly. Concerns about gambling? Help is available. Call the 24-hour toll-free helpline at 1.877.8HopeNY. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 plan to change things up a bit and the MGM Borgata was added to his schedule. “We staked him heav- ily last year,” said Choate. “In the end, with all of the traveling and entry fees, the owners kind of broke even. So, when we got together to plan his schedule, we decided to stay close to home and stake him much less.” Thus far the move has worked rather well for Choate as Western Joe has started exclusively at The Meadowlands and Yonkers this year and has nearly reached his entire earnings from 2020 with the big money riding this Monday. “Other than this race (Borgata) we’ve only staked Chris Brokate him to the Haughton (Mead- Leonidas A was undefeated in four Borgata starts but got unlucky at the Final draw with post 7. owlands) and the Breeders Crown because it’s at our home track this year.” “Dexter (Dunn) told me that Let It Ride N wouldn’t be back at Choate isn’t looking down the road just yet, but he’s more than Yonkers,” Choate said as to how he was able to land the back-to-back happy with his decision to race Western Joe in each leg, as last week’s Driver of the Year award winner. Unbeknownst to Choate was the fact fifth round netted the altered son of Western Ideal a sizeable ($10,000) that the pre-MGM Borgata favorite will in fact be present at Yonkers second-place check, far better than what may have been had he on Monday night but for the $100,000 consolation and not the rich skipped the week and trained up to the final. final. “He’s not an easy horse to train hard,” said Choate. “I just figured While some of the others in Monday’s field appear headed for major it would be better to race him and work him lightly during the week.” stakes events following the MGM Borgata, Choate will be taking a It’s that kind of schedule that has kept Western Joe in top form and different road. no doubt the added attention the horse gets from Choate has paid off “We’ll give him a few weeks off,” Choate said. “Then we’ll likely go for quite some time. back to race at The Meadowlands. It’s a track he loves, and the purses While Western Joe enters the MGM Borgata final with two wins are solid.” and two seconds in the five legs and will have the services of top There are many tough horses in the MGM Borgata final, with Rock- driver Dexter Dunn, it’s hard to know just how well the horse will apelo (post 1), Hesa Kingslayer N (post 2) and Lyons Steel (post 4) handle the turns in the final. inside of Western Joe. Just how the race will unfold is anyone’s guess, “I have no idea,” said Choate, bewildered in some way but accepting of but expect Western Joe to be giving it his all in the stretch. the consequences given just how resilient Western Joe has been despite his issues around the turns. “He does it at the Meadowlands too.” Yonkers - $514,000 MGM Borgata final - Race 8 What Western Joe has done is slow down and generally it happens Post Horse Driver Morning Line on the final turn. “I really can’t explain it,” said Choate. “Maybe he’s cheating on us.” 1 rockapelo George Brennan 9-2 The reference would imply that the veteran will only give what he 2 Hesa Kingslayer N Jim Marohn Jr 6-1 wants and becomes his own boss on the final turn. “I don’t know how 3 Mach N Cheese Joe Bongiorno 8-1 else to explain it. It doesn’t happen on the first turn. We’ve seen him 4 Lyons Steel Corey Callahan 20-1 leave in 25 and change at The Meadowlands,” Choate said. 5 Western Joe Dexter Dunn 3-1 What Western Joe has lacked on the turns somehow leaves his 6 Backstreet Shadow tim Tetrick 4-1 mind into the stretch, as the gelding has finished powerfully in his 7 Leonidas A Austin Siegelman 6-1 last three Yonkers races including a March 29 blow by of the 1-2 8 this Is The Plan yannick Gingras 5-1 Burke-trained Backstreet Shadow in a 1:51 4/5 victory. In last week’s final prelim Dunn essentially conceded the front to Backstreet Shadow and Western Joe attempted a first-over bid that stalled dramatically on the final turn. While thought to be going backwards at the time, Western Joe came to life in the stretch and again finished his mile going faster than at any time during the race. “Sure, he’s lost a step,” said Choate. “Most horses his age will.” As a 4-year-old in 2018, Western Joe had his signature win beating the aged champion McWicked in the mile-and-one-eighth Sam McKee Memorial. It was the biggest victory of his career in a year he would win 10 of 25 starts. On Monday Western Joe has the opportunity to become a million- aire if he can defeat seven rivals including a former stablemate. Mach N Cheese had spent the last two years alongside Western Joe in the Follow small but select Choate stable. The owners elected to move the horse this year to trainer Edwin Quevedo and Mach N Cheese found his way into the final with a timely win in last week’s final round. Choate was happy his former trainee made the final but perhaps happier that another horse didn’t.

DRF Harness Digest | 3 | April 15, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Blue Ivy, Machnhope look to upset ‘Alexa’ in Matchmaker

By Jay Bergman

The $232,800 final of the Blue Chip Matchmaker at Yonkers Raceway this Monday could provide harness fans with the showdown between the streaking Alexa Skye and the resilient Blue Ivy, or perhaps an outsider or two can sneak into the picture if those two lock horns. The post draw set the field in an order that handicaps Alexa Skye (post 6) and benefits multi-leg winners Blue Ivy (post 3) and the Noel Daley- trained Machnhope (post 1). “It’s the draw I was dreaming about,” said Daley, elated that his rugged 6-year-old will go for the big money with the best draw. “Other than the mares that drew outside (post seven and eight) everyone is going to be pressing forward early.” Daley acquired Machnope in June of last year when racing in Ontario was put on hold. She’s been a consistent money-maker since then for Daley and his partners. “We bought her in June and the owners had their money back by years end,” said Daley, who shares ownership with Deo Volente Chris Brokate Farms, Tom Pontone and L A Express Stables. Blue Ivy has started in all five Matchmaker legs and compiled Machnope had two wins and a second in the series prior to last three wins and two seconds. week’s third-place finish behind Blue Ivy. “She wasn’t as sharp last week but she’ll be ready for the final,” when you get after her.” said Daley. Alexa Skye, a daughter of Somebeachsomewhere, is the lone 4-year- old in the eight-horse field. She enters the final with seven wins in nine starts this season including a 1:51 2/5 victory at Yonkers on March 12 that stands as the fastest of all the elimination legs. Alexa Skye’s last loss came at Yonkers when she was caught at the wire in an Open on February 25 by another of Monday night’s finalists Siesta Beach. Trainer Nick Devita sends out Siesta Beach (post 2) as well as Caviart Cherie (post 7) in the final. Siesta Beach has been in impres- sive form this year at Yonkers with her 2021 bankroll already eclips- ing her entire earnings from 2020 in just half the starts. Siesta Beach scored her lone Blue Chip Matchmaker victory of 1:54 3/5 in a fourth- round division on April 2. Matt Kakaley will guide the 5-year-old by American Ideal. While trainer Ron Burke was fortunate to qualify three horses for Chris Brokate Monday’s companion feature the MGM Borgata final, he’ll send out Machnhope has won two legs of the Matchmaker series and but one in the Blue Chip Matchmaker with Snobbytown (post 5) look- starts from post 1 in the final. ing for the upset. George Brennan has guided the 5-year-old by Nob Hill High to three straight on-the-board finishes in the series. Snob- Blue Ivy was in fact quite sharp. While facing a minimal number of bytown took the final preliminary leg off and should be fresh and foes, driver Tyler Buter sped away alertly from the pole position and ready for a big effort. never looked back on his way to an impressive 1:52 3/5 victory. Rounding out the field for the Matchmaker, which will be race “I wanted to get away from Machnope,” said Buter, who was ecstatic seven of 10 on the Yonkers program, is Monica Gallagher (post 4) with with Blue Ivy’s mile and her snappy 27 2/5 final quarter. Jason Bartlett and My Ruebe Star N (post 8) with Jordan Stratton in “She’s as sharp as ever,” said Buter of Blue Ivy, who has competed the sulky. in all five preliminary legs and hasn’t thrown in a bad race yet. “It should be a good race between her and Alexa Skye.” yonkers - $232,800 Blue Chip Matchmaker Final - Race 7 The two mares have met just once during the preliminary legs and Post Horse Driver Morning Line Alexa Skye was a safe wire-to-wire winner while Blue Ivy sat off a 1 Machnhope Andrew McCarthy 4-1 slow pace and finished well for minor honors. With the six-figure purse riding on Monday night it’s doubtful that 2 siesta Beach Matt Kakaley 5-1 anyone will get away with soft fractions. Alexa Skye and driver Todd 3 Blue Ivy Tyler Buter 2-1 McCarthy are certainly coming into this race in great shape, sweep- 4 Monica Gallagher Jason Bartlett 20-1 ing all four of the preliminary legs they competed in for trainer Jeff 5 snobbytown George Brennan 7-1 Cullipher. 6 alexa Skye Todd McCarthy 5-2 “She was just an average 3-year-old,” said Daley of his rival on 7 caviart Cherie austin Siegelman 20-1 Monday. “She’s come a long way first for Brett (Pelling) and now for 8 My Reube Star N Jordan Stratton 20-1 Cullipher. I think Todd (McCarthy) has seen that she responds well

DRF Harness Digest | 4 | April 15, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness BY YANKEE CRUISER OUT OF SWEET FUTURE 2021 FEE: $12,500 14-year-old equine nomad owns a nine-race claiming streak

EDITOR’S EYE By Derick Giwner @harnesseyeguy

Dream Out Loud N is a harness racing anomaly in many ways. He’s a Down Under import that has earned over $1 million in his career racing almost exclusively outside the realm of stakes. The gelding also owns the odd distinction of being claimed nine straight starts as a 14-year-old. While 14-year-olds do get claimed despite the fact that they must retire on their 15th birthday on January 1 of the following year, seeing any horse claimed nine straight times is somewhat rare. So what is so special about Dream Out Loud N? “He’s just the best $10,000 claimer out there,” said trainer Brandon Presto, who has had the horse in his barn twice in 2021. “He’s the size of a tank. He has some old injuries but he tries hard and overcomes them. When I’ve had him, he’s been the soundest horse in my barn.” Presto was the most recent trainer to send Dream Out Loud N to the track and the aged wonder delivered with a wire-to-wire 1:52 3/5 victory on April 8 at The Meadows. It was the horse’s second win for Presto in two starts as three starts back on March 25 he won in 1:52 over the same surface. The above victories were sandwiched by another win, this time for trainer Marcus Marashian in 1:53 1/5. “He tries really hard and he’s really easy to get along with,” said Marashian, who has had Dream Out Loud N in his barn three times this year. “He leaves the gate well and is hard to beat when they leave him alone on the lead. He’s just an old classy racehorse” said trainer Scott Davidson, who claimed Dream Out Loud N from his most recent start for owner Ameer Najor. This will be the fourth time in Davidson’s stable since December. Dream Out Loud N is a 56-time career winner (including interna- tional wins) and has won $982,952 of his earnings since being brought to the U.S. by the late owner Joe Muscara in 2013. Other than a pair of third-place finishes in the 2016 Levy series at Yonkers Raceway, Courtesy Scott Davidson the son of Bettor’s Delight made all of his money racing in overnight Dream Out Loud N has been claimed for $10,000 nine straight races. Dream Out Loud N fell into the claiming ranks in 2019 at the times in 2021 and raced for five different barns. $25,000 level and only dropped to the current $10,000 claiming condi- tion in November 2020. Through his nine-race claiming streak, Dream Out Loud N has won While retirement looms a bit more than eight months from now six times, all with another harness racing veteran Dave Palone in the for Dream Out Loud N, none of the trainers were even the least bit bike. In addition to Presto, Marashian and Davidson, the 14-year-old concerned and felt if the horse kept his form he could be claimed has visited the barns of Brady Jenson and Mark Goldberg during the many more times through even November. run of claims that began on February 5. “I’m not worried. He seems to be in good health, good shape and Often such a long string of claiming occurs because owners and good form,” said Marashian, who added that he would “without a trainers have decided to keep a horse entered in a lower claiming doubt” claim the horse back if entered for $10,000 again. price in order to have a better chance at winning races. With Dream “I’ll put another claim in on him when we get back racing if he’s Out Loud N, age was a factor in not moving him up in class, but back in for $10,000,” said Presto, who admitted that at some point the not because the thought of trying the $12,500 claiming level hadn’t good run will end and the reality of retirement will set in. “To be entered the minds of his connections. honest, whoever gets the last straw, hopefully they make their money “If they wouldn’t have claimed him last time, because of how easily back and retire him properly.” he won, I probably would’ve bumped him up. I think he can beat the Finding a home for 14-year-olds is always a major concern and $12,500 claimers,” said Presto. Davidson was one who was hopeful that the millionaire is treated Davidson admits that he isn’t sure whether he’ll enter Dream Out with the proper respect when that moment arrives. Loud N in a higher class when racing resumes at The Meadows on “I don’t have a lot of money, but if something happens that he is done April 21, but he was happy about the break in action at the Pennsylva- racing, I hope he finds a nice home because he is a really good horse. nia track as it relates to the horse. As long as I have him, he won’t end up in a bad spot, but sometimes “I’m just going to give him a break because he’s been racing so that does happen and I’d hate to see that happen to him. I’ll keep track hard. He hasn’t had a break in six weeks,” said Davidson, who added of him,” said Davidson. that he believes horses that get claimed should be forced to race in For Dream Out Loud N, the racing journey will likely continue on higher classes. “They should make these horses move up like they Thursday, April 22 when The Meadows cards its next set of races for used to. There used to be a rule that if you claimed a horse you had male pacers. Considering that that the race for $12,500 claimers is a to move it up for 12 days or two starts, but they did away with that in handicap that includes even tougher $15,000 claimers, logic would state Pennsylvania. That keeps the same horses floating around the same that Dream Out Loud N will be entered for $10,000 again. That almost class. It becomes like a rent-a-horse and some people don’t take care of certainly guarantees the claiming streak will reach 10 and Dream Out the horses because they know they will get claimed next week.” Loud N will call a new barn his home . . . for at least another week.

DRF Harness Digest | 6 | April 15, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness The Best Trotting Colt of his Generation

GREENSHOE KY Futurity Champion, Sub 1:50 trotter, Millionaire

AMIGO VOLO 2x Breeders Crown Champion, World-Record Holder

Other top earners include Crucial, Sister Sledge, Panem, etc.

BY CANTAB HALL OUT OF GALA DREAM REDUCED 2021 FEE: $17,500 ticket. It wasn’t a direct attack on the individual, but certain people took exception to my view and referred to me as “attention seeking,” at the track where I was just pointing out an example of what I had been talking AtTheTrack7 about for the last six weeks. By Darin Zoccali I thought about this quite a bit, because the reaction came from a person I know and I thought was a bit over the top, and I real- ized it is all a part of this toxicity that exists within social media. Not that this person is a part of that environment. It’s just become Navigating the social media minefield the way Twitter is and we all overreact at times. Every comment or opinion is taken personally, even the ones that are anything but and are presented intellectually. People have become so used to the Social Media was designed to be a channel to send news around awful rhetoric that we see on Twitter, that sometimes a reaction or the world at a faster rate, allow people to network both personally a response to a legitimate opinion can be over the top, because it is and professionally, and bring forth positive discussion and debate. what social media has become. While the items I mentioned above do take place, unfortunately, But, there are people on Twitter who are attention seeking. They social media has another side to it, one that for some reason seems to hurl slanderous comments at you, they say offensive things. I’m rear its ugly head quite a bit in the world of horse racing and harness nobody and I’ve received comments about my wife and my chil- racing especially. dren. One person who thought I was Jewish sent me anti-Semitic I am a very active member of social media. The vast majority of comments. When he found out I was an Italian Catholic, he sent me my posts are horse racing related, with some other topics thrown in comments about that as well. as well. But the goal of my activity is centered on promoting horse I am doing my absolute best in limiting my Twitter posts to opin- racing and improving a bettor’s approach. There isn’t anything that ions that come from an intellectual thought process. I mute or block I say that I don’t sign my name to and I effort to never accuse anyone the responses that are offensive. I hope this trend stops, but I don’t of anything. The reason I never raise an accusation is because I think it will. We can all always do better, myself included, and I hope would never have proof. It would be pure speculation and that bene- that those of you reading this feel the same and we can make our fits no one. social media experience better for all of racing. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case for the rest of social media. There are many twitter accounts in which the individual behind the account has concealed his or her identity and takes to twitter to simply hurl accusations or insults relentlessly. When challenged on putting a Big names set to qualify Saturday at Big M name to what they are saying, they simply refuse, which is an act of cowardice in my opinion. It really leaves just one of two options. Either The truest sign of spring in harness racing is the return of the the individual is a jealous person who tries to cut down the people in equine stars from previous years. Last weekend Manchego was racing that he or she is envious of or the individual is a prominent the headline attraction qualifying at The Meadowlands and this person in racing who knows that if their identity were revealed, there Saturday morning at 10 a.m. the floodgates open with a number would be consequences to some of their comments. of 2021 hopefuls. I deal with it on some level, but it seems the horsemen bear the Looking to follow in her stablemate Manchego’s footsteps as a brunt of this harassment, and I feel for them. If you look at certain top older trotting mare is Sorella. The Hambletonian Oaks winner accounts on twitter (I won’t give them the publicity of mentioning starts in the fifth qualifier from post six for driver Yannick Gingras their twitter handle), every trainer that wins a good share of races and trainer Nancy Takter. The now 4-year-old mare will be tested is cheating somehow. There is never any proof given that is not versus the likes of multi-millionaire Crystal Fashion, Breeders circumstantial, but because the identity of that person is concealed, Crown 3-year-old colt trot runner-up Play Trix On Me, Kentucky they have no issue in hurling these accusations at a feverish pace, Sire Stakes champion Beads, and top trotter Warrawee Roo trying which is really unfortunate. When horsemen engage these people, to come back from more than two years on the sidelines. there is no winning. There is absolutely nothing a trainer could say Takter will also send out three top pacing ladies including last that would stop the insults and accusations from coming. One thing year’s Breeders Crown-winning 3-year-old filly Peaky Sneaky, I have learned is the mute and/or block option on twitter is your $734,343 career-winning pacing mare JK First lady and She’s A friend. Great Lady runner-up Caviart Audrey. In total the trainer has 11 When it comes to my opinions, I am a very objective person. I horses in-to-go. don’t have any loyalty to anyone where I do nothing but praise Perennial leading trainer Ron Burke also has one short of a dozen them with no criticism. That would be having a bias or an agenda. entered for Saturday morning. Topping the list are a pair of 3-year- I simply call it like I see it. An example of this was last year where old pacers. Breeders Crown winner Summa Cum Laude looks like within a one week period I was both critical and complimentary of he has a new driver as Dexter Dunn is listed to steer in race 9. Mean- Joe Bongiorno. There was a drive that in my view was not good that while, Yannick Gingras is once again listed to drive Pennsylvania I pointed out and then one week later I put forth my opinion that Sire Stakes champion Southwind Gendry one race earlier. Bongiorno’s drive on Captain Barbossa in the Little Brown Jug was Always a factor with older horses, the Burke Brigade will send one of the best drives we had seen that year. out four older pacers led by Filibuster Hanover. This will be I don’t recall what race I was critical of his drive, but I didn’t mention the second qualifier of the year for the 7-year-old who is about it because I don’t like Joe Bongiorno or I think he’s a poor driver. In $140,000 away from two million in career earnings. fact, I was speaking highly of him as a driver long before many others. Last year’s Little Brown Jug winner Captain Barbossa and It just wasn’t his best drive, whereas the Little Brown Jug showed the 1:48-winning Allywag Hanover meet up in race 11 as they try to kind of ability I know he has. That’s just being objective. acclimate to life as older horses in their 4-year-old season. Joe Lately I have been focused on the betting aspect of racing. I have Bongiorno is listed to drive Captain Barbossa for trainer Tony been trying to focus on getting players to maximize their bankrolls Alagna and David Miller has the drive for trainer Brett Pelling by eliminating poor betting combinations, especially in multi-race on Allywag Hanover. exotic wagers. A part of this focus has been on what is, in my opin- A pair of stakes-winning Hambletonian eligibles hook up in ion, a flawed process of television talent in racing post tickets. This race three when Valley Victory winner Bee Forever tackles Peter is because of production requirements, low ticket budgets and what Haughton champion Zenith Stride in the third race on the morn- the overall goal of the published ticket actually is. I raised an issue ing card. The former is driven by Vic Kirby for trainer Nifty last week where an on-air talent gushed about a strong favorite in Norman while Brian Sears steers the latter for Mark Harder. a race and justifiably so. He referred to her class as “standing out Other trotters of note are 3-year-old filly Insta Glam and from the rest of the field,” which it did. But then when he posted 3-year-old colt Type A. his Pick 4 ticket, he used “all” in that same race. I raised this as The entire card can be watched live on the Meadowlands an example of the flaws of television talent and their tickets. There website. was no logic and no connection between his opinion and his Pick 4

DRF Harness Digest | 8 | April 15, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness New tactics helped turn things around for Manchego

By Ken Weingartner in November just prior to the TVG Series championship. Takter revealed in early January that Manchego would be back. When it comes to learning a new trick, Manchego might be able Manchego made her first racetrack appearance of 2021 this past to provide lessons to old dogs. Already the fastest female trotter in Saturday in a qualifier at The Meadowlands, where she finished third history, the mare adapted quickly to a change in racing tactics toward behind Back Of The Neck and Lindy The Great. Manchego, with regu- the end of last season that rejuvenated her campaign and ultimately lar driver Dexter Dunn, was timed in 1:52 3/5. She was fifth until the extended her career. stretch and trotted a 25 3/5 final quarter-mile. None of the 49 other Manchego was mired in a five-race slump last October when trainer horses to qualify that day came home faster. Nancy Takter made several equipment changes in the hopes of “Watching her, I was euphoric,” Takter said. “She was so relaxed getting the then 5-year-old mare to relax on the track. Manchego had and so quiet. She just let Dexter do what he needed to do, and when raced on the front for more than a year -- she led at the half-mile point he asked her to go -- and he didn’t really super ask her to go -- she just 15 times in a 17-race span -- and Takter said, “We decided that going sprinted home. down the road wasn’t working for us anymore.” “She looked absolutely amazing. She’s always had a good gait, but Among the changes were the addition of an ear hood and the she really looked like she was stretching out nice. I was really happy removal of blinkers in favor of an open bridle. The result was, Takter with her qualifier.” said, “a whole new Manchego.” Takter plans to qualify Manchego one more time ahead of her In her first start following the alterations, Manchego came from sixth season opener in the first round of the Miss Versatility Series on May at the half to finish second to Gimpanzee in a prep for the Breeders 8 at The Meadowlands. Crown. She trotted her final quarter-mile in 25 1/5. Then came wins in Manchego, a daughter of Muscle Hill out of Secret Magic, has won 33 the Breeders Crown Mare Trot and TVG Series Open Trot champion- of 56 career races and earned $2.72 million. Her victories include the ship to close the season. Manchego was fourth at the half in both races. 2018 Hambletonian Oaks and Breeders Crown titles at ages 2, 4, and 5. “She’s become multi-dimensional,” Takter said. “It makes her a She is the fastest female trotter ever thanks to her 1:49 victory in the different horse. It’s hard to do all the work in all the races all the time. 2019 Allerage Farms Mare Trot at Red Mile and also the fastest female If you’re getting pushed to the half every week, eventually you are trotter in history on a five-eighths-mile track, with a time of 1:49 3/5 in going to get tired. It’s nice to finish the miles strong and not always be last year’s Spirit of Massachusetts at Plainridge Park. teetering on ‘E’ all the time. Manchego is the only female trotter to win with a sub-1:50 mile in “I think she liked having a target because it was different for her. It multiple years. She has been the sport’s fastest trotter in 2019 and was probably fun for her to pass horses rather than have all the pres- 2020. sure on her all the time.” “If there are horses that have one season like her season, we’re like, Manchego’s turnaround helped propel her to the Dan Patch Award oh what a great horse,” Takter said. “But she’s done it so many years for best older female trotter, the second divisional trophy of her now it’s just amazing. She’s one of the greatest that’s ever lived, that’s career. She also was a Dan Patch Award honoree at the age of 2 in for sure. 2017, when she went undefeated in 12 races. “She genuinely loves to be a racehorse. She’s miserable when she’s Her renaissance also resulted in owner Barry Guariglia decid- off. She likes to be out on the track and do her work.” ing to postpone Manchego’s retirement, which had been announced Work she will continue to do, thanks to adapting to change.

Foget said. “When I got the opportunity to work with Per, it was a Foget embraces U.S. opportunity big opportunity. I had no idea I was going to drive in races. Every- thing just turned out really nice.” Kasper Foget has enjoyed success in Europe and now the 27-year- Foget enjoys driving but at this point is in no rush to make it the old native of Denmark is hoping to do the same in North America. focus of his career. He is off to a good start. “I really like driving races Foget is working as second trainer for Per Engblom in New and if I could be a big catch Jersey and also picking up drives behind some of the stable’s driver, why not,” Foget said. horses. He has driven in 31 races since making his U.S. debut in “But I also really like work- 2019, winning seven and hitting the board on nine other occasions. ing with the horses and train- Last year, Foget’s victories included a Grand Circuit score behind ing them. I like to watch them Sermon in the Circle City Stakes for 3-year-old male trotters at develop. That’s what I fell in Harrah’s Hoosier Park. The tandem also captured the Kentucky love with. For now, that’s what Commonwealth Series final at Red Mile. I’m practicing more. I think “He’s a great hand in my barn that’s passionate about the busi- we’ve got some nice horses and Ken Weingartner ness,” Engblom said. “As a driver, he’s patient and knows where want to do good with them. Kasper Foget won the the finish line is. He reads up well before the races and makes very European Championship for “Of course, if Per can use few mistakes.” apprentices in 2018. me (as a driver) with the right Foget made a name for himself as a top young driver in Europe horses, maybe they need my prior to arriving in the States. His family owned racehorses and point of view with the horse, then maybe he can use me. If anybody as Foget got older he began driving and working in a stable as a else asked me to drive, I’m not going to say no, but my job with Per second trainer. is my first priority.” In 2018, Foget won the European Championship for Appren- Foget’s top moments so far in the U.S. have come with Sermon. In tices (under the age of 25) one year after finishing second in the addition to winning the Circle City and Kentucky Commonwealth competition. Series final, they were third in the Pegasus and a division of the “That was a thrill,” Foget said. “And it was in Russia, so it was a Bluegrass stakes. They also were fourth in the Carl Erskine Trot. new and exciting experience.” “From only driving a couple of races to going to the (Grand A vacation several years ago to Florida, where he spent time Circuit) with all those good horses, that was a nice experience,” with trainer Paul Kelley, led to Foget beginning his new chapter at Foget said. “That was exciting, for sure. When you are sitting Engblom’s 35-horse stable. behind amazing racehorses, I really like that. “At first it was just seeing the United States, and seeing how “But,” he concluded, “I enjoy it all.” people do things over here, especially with the young horses,” -Ken Weingartner (USTA Communications)

DRF Harness Digest | 9 | April 15, 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 Stephane Bouchard What kind of car do you drive? Ford Pickup 250 and Subaru Forester. Favorite dinner meal? Snack? A good steak; chips. What was your favorite track to race at? Why? Yonkers, because I won so many races there. When you win you like it.

What is your favorite big event in racing? Stock Photo Stephane Bouchard accumulated 8,589 driving wins from 1989 to The [Little Brown] Jug. The atmosphere is great with the crowd close 2017 with his best year coming in 2007 when he won 814 races. to the track. I like that aspect and that the race is two heats. What is your favorite sport to watch? Team? Do you still miss it? Yes. I’ve made my peace over it and I’m not crying over it, but I miss Football – New York Giants. Hockey used to be first for me but I lost it. Training horses is a much harder job than driving. When you my team when the Quebec Nordiques became the [Colorado] Ava- drive you look at the horse for two minutes and you hand off the lines lanche. They broke my heart. and don’t have to see that horse for the next week. With training you are with the horse every day and have to deal with the problems. It is How did you get started in the sport? fun too, but there is so much money and time that goes into it. A friend of mine worked in the business and I ended up quitting High School to work with him at Blue Bonnets as a groom. Then I became Do you watch other drivers compete with your horses and a trainer and eventually a driver. I was completely new to the busi- critique their performance? ness and didn’t know anything about it until I was 17 or 18 years old. My parents were never involved. I just worked hard and made my Yes, a lot, but I don’t say it out loud. I’m learning that part and get- way up. I met the right people, good trainers who gave me a chance. ting better at it. When I was giving the lines away a couple of years ago to the drivers I was so nervous, my heart was beating fast as I You suffered a career-ending injury when you broke your C-1 was watching the races. Now I’m getting better at it. vertebra in your neck on June 22, 2017 at Saratoga. What What is one thing about you most fans/bettors don’t know? have you been doing since? I was a very good skier before the accident. I love music and play the Right now I work for the USTA as an ID Technician for microchips guitar a little. I’m not very good at it, but I enjoy it. in New York State and New England. I also train 15 horses with my wife Eve Bergeron. What is one word that describes harness racing for you? Is there any hope (or desire) to return to the bike? Dream – You have to dream to be in this business, otherwise you are done. No, I can’t. I can’t turn my head left or right. I lost 90% of my motion left and right. I would like to drive a trotter to victory one more time What is your favorite thing to do outside of racing? and then retire. I train on the track but my head can’t turn and if I fall out of the bike again I might be paralyzed. I have a hard time with that now. I used to go skiing. I went to Swit- zerland and broke my neck two months after. That is what I miss You mentioned dreaming about getting one more win, but the most. Right now, the only thing I really can do is work. I used to would you ever consider it? swim three times a week and run, but I can’t anymore. It is sad but it could be worse. Yeah, I’m thinking about it. Hopefully I could win the first time, but if not, I would keep on trying. I’m definitely thinking about it. CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

DRF Harness Digest | 10 | April 15, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

You are originally from Montreal. When did you come to the U.S. to drive? July 1999. What were your original expectations when you arrived? To try to make a living. It is hard to move to a new place since you don’t know what to expect. I guess it more than reached my expectations. Looking back on your career, with

8,589 wins and over $75 million Yonkers Raceway Photo in earnings from horses you drove, Stephane Bouchard won the 2008 Yonkers Trot with Napoleon. wouldn’t many people just dream of If you had the power to change one thing in the sport, what that type of success? would it be? I would say that anyone who achieved those numbers had a good career, but I thought I still had many years in front of me. I’m proud To mix up the racing distances. I wish all of the races didn’t look the of what I did. I worked hard and it paid off. I look back now and say it same all the time. was a good career, but sometimes I watch some races and miss [driv- ing] so much. Along those lines, do you think drivers just go through the motions at times? What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten about harness racing? There are a lot of things that happen during a race. I’m not saying that races don’t look the same all the time. For us, we are in the race Something I’ve learned and my advice to drivers is to respect the and know they don’t look the same, but it’s like my wife said, some- trainers and owners. Respect in a sense of how much work and body outside of the box looks at a few races and think they look alike. money these people put into their horses. When you drive a lot you I’m not talking about strategy but more about the whole picture. tend to focus on yourself and forget about the work that happens be- There is not enough variety in the sport. fore they give you the lines. Of course it is about the driver, too, but it is mostly on the owner and the trainer. Who do you think is the best driver right now? What was your favorite moment in harness racing? It is so hard to answer. You need to have the timing, have good ac- counts and good horses to win races. If you put David Miller on the When I went back to Montreal I won the Prix d’Ete with On The best horse, he is going to win. If you put Yannick [Gingras] or Dexter Attack for Mark Ford. Also the Yonkers Trot in 2008 with Napoleon. [Dunn] on the same horse, they are going to win. I was actually in the Yonkers Trot in 1986 as a groom for On The Take for trainer Jean Paul Gauthier when I was like 19 or 20 years How do you view the future of harness racing? old. To go back some 20 years later with my same colors and win was The future looks ok, but we have to work at it all the time. We have special. to work harder at making things better. The future won’t come to us. Which is the best horse you’ve ever driven? That is why I’m for change. I drove Gallo Blue Chip a couple of times and got beat with him. Then Time for the stretch drive: I drove against him at Yonkers and beat him. I also drove Western Best Trainer Ever: Ron Burke. Dreamer. Best Race you ever saw: The Hambletonian match-race dead- If you could choose any horse in history to drive, which horse heat [1989 – Park Avenue Joe and Probe]. I like the heat racing would it be and why? but I understand some don’t because they feel it is tough on the horses. Bettor’s Delight, but I could name a bunch. It is a hard question. He’s the first name that comes to mind. He was a great horse that had Lasix – Yes or No?: No. We raced in Quebec for years without great speed. I raced a little against him. Lasix and I think they still do. You have to ship the horse four hours out and then the horse sits in the paddock for four hours. I What was your favorite horse to drive during your career? don’t like it. Carlspur. I raced him in the Open for what seemed like 10 years and Favorite TV Show?: Breaking Bad. he made almost a million. He was a tough, iron horse. Trotters or Pacers?: Trotters.

DRF Harness Digest | 11 | April 15, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Get Legs dominates again in Brennan Series at Yonkers

Betting favorites Get Legs and Timon AS won for the second straight week, and Tad Krazy Hanover pulled a 25-1 upset in the three $20,000 divisions of the third and final leg of the John Bren- At DRF Harness we strive to provide the best handicapping nan Trotting Series on Wednesday night (April 14) at Yonkers information in the sport. Each week we’ll use this space to bring Raceway. you some of our handicappers’ best bets, value plays and horses to Get Legs (Andy Miller), dispatched at odds of 1-9, started from watch. Use this information as one of your tools when wagering or post one in the second flight, and he raced in fourth to the 28 2/5 simply click on the link above and head to DRF Bets to wager now. opening quarter before Miller brought him to the outside late on the second turn. Get Legs moved up into second as Lady Jeter Thursday, APRIL 15 (Yannick Gingras) reached the half in 58 seconds, then took over command past that marker. Get Legs cruised over to three-quar- RACE 7 ters in 1:26 3/5, negotiated the final turn without incident, and kicked away in the lane to prevail by 4 1/2 lengths in 1:55 3/5. Lady (1) ANNABETH tallied Jeter held second over Mcmatters (Mark MacDonald), who raced in three back in this class but the first-over position after Get Legs hit the front. has had little chance to shine Julie Miller trains Get Legs, a 4-year-old son of Muscle Hill, for since then as she’s been stuck owners Andy Miller Stable Inc. and Michael Anderson. Get Legs outside. She returns to the has earned $86,010 to go with his 10-0-2 record from 12 starts, and pole position here and is worth he paid $2.10 to win, place, and show. The exacta returned $4.30 and a shot at what could be a price. the trifecta was worth $13.20. -Greg Reinhart Timon AS (Tyler Buter) went off as the even-money choice in the third split and after leaving quickly from post three, he would be friday, APRIL 16 overtaken and put in the pocket by Grinder (Greg Merton) before the 29 second opening quarter. Grinder then proceeded to give a RACE 4 parking ticket to a two-wide Look In My Eyes (Jordan Stratton), who had fired out from post eight, through the 58 4/5 half and the (4) KENZIESKY HANOVER 1:28 three-quarters. drops three classes for a barn It looked like Timon AS was in big trouble at three-quarters and that tends to have them ready on to the last turn as he was stuck on the pylons and Look In My in these class-dropping situa- Eyes was hanging around enough to keep him pinned in. Then, tions; short price. Lifetime Royalty (Dan Dube) moved out three-wide from second- -Derick Giwner over, giving Timon AS even more traffic to deal with. Fortunately for Timon AS, his connections, and his backers at the windows, RACE 1 Grinder drifted out in the lane and couldn’t keep the inside closed, giving Timon AS a seam to shoot through. Once he had the space, (2) WAVES OF FIRE A Timon AS had the trot to go with it, getting up to tally by half a hasn’t won a race in well over length over Grinder in a final time of 1:57. Lifetime Royalty could a year but he’s definitely been only finish evenly and had to settle for third. knocking on the door of late A 5-year-old Lionhunter gelding, Timon AS is trained by Mela- and he lands in a very soft nie Wrenn for owner Michael Guest. Timon AS picked up his 21st spot tonight. career victory, and he has put away $121,280. Timon AS returned -Matt Rose $5.10 to win and was atop a $13.40 exacta and a $33.60 trifecta. Back in the opening section, 4-5 favorite Windsong Pioneer Saturday, APRIL 17 (Brent Holland) figured to be tough after he put up comfortable fractions of 28 3/5, 58 1/5, and 1:27, but driver Scott Zeron moved RACE 3 Tad Krazy Hanover out three-wide late on the far turn after follow- ing Kasha V (Jason Bartlett) from second-over, and Tad Krazy (6) STONE HANOVER gets Hanover kicked home strongly to chase down and defeat Windsong a key condition shift here Pioneer by a head in a 1:56 mile. P L Notsonice (Renaldo Morales off a race where he had no III) tracked Tad Krazy Hanover’s cover and finished well for third. shot and still paced home in Tad Krazy Hanover, a 5-year-old Donato Hanover mare, is owned 25 4/5. Five-year-old should by Barbara Terranova. Tad Krazy Hanover is now an eight-time take care of business tonight. winner in her career, and she has pocketed $76,262. Tad Krazy -Giwner Hanover paid $52.00 to win and keyed a $151.00 exacta and a $539.00 trifecta. The John Brennan Trotting Series will wrap up next Wednesday full card analysis / past performances (April 21) with a $69,000 final and a $30,000 consolation. Nobody had six-of-six in Wednesday’s Pick 6 sequence at Yonkers, Yonkers (THU) Analysis Meadowlands (SAT) Analysis so when action resumes on Thursday (April 15), there will be a $2,355.38 carryover in that wager. The Pick 6 will begin in the third Meadowlands (FRI) Analysis race. Stakes action picks back up at Yonkers Raceway on Monday Yonkers (FRI) Analysis (April 19) with the $514,000 MGM Borgata Pacing Series final and the $232,800 Blue Chip Matchmaker Series final. There are also consolation events for both series, with the MGM Borgata consola- DHP PPs harness eye PPs trackmaster PPs free PPs tion carrying a purse of $100,000 and the Blue Chip Matchmaker consolation going for $60,000. -release (Yonkers Raceway Media) Want full-card analysis? Visit DRF.com/harness

DRF Harness Digest | 12 | April 15, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness NEWS FROM AROUND THE HARNESS INDUSTRY

Woodbine Mohawk Park stakes payments due

Woodbine Mohawk Park would like to issue a reminder to all owners, trainers and horse people of Thursday’s (April 15) stakes payment deadline for the 2021 season. Sustaining payments are due for all of Woodbine’s 2021 major stakes, including the C$1 million Pepsi North America Cup. Earlier this week, Flamboro Downs announced the cancellation of the 2021 Confederation Cup. Woodbine Entertainment will be issu- ing refunds for all nomination and sustaining fees submitted for the Confederation Cup. READ MORE Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame announces 2021 class

The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame is pleased to name three people and three horses to be inducted as the Hall’s Class of 2021. As previously announced, the Board of Directors agreed to reduce the number of inductees for the Class of 2021 to three per breed. This will allow for the 2020 and 2021 inductees to be properly recognized Kentuckiana Farms together, once a gala event may be hosted. The popular White Bliss produced an equally white colt with Bon Mot at Kentuckiana Farms for owner Knutsson Trotting. The Hall determined additional inductees will be added in 2022 and 2023 to offset the smaller class of 2021. The Standardbred Election Committee inductee selections for 2021 New Vocations seeking unbred mares for 2021 include Builder Jim Bullock, Driver Randy Waples, and Female Horse Great Memories. New Vocations has a nice selection of 2021 breedings available with READ MORE all proceeds going to rehab, retrain, and rehome retired Standard- breds. These include breedings to Lazarus N, Well Said, Sunshine CR Commando passes at age 25 Beach, Lookslikeachpndale, Boston Red Rocks, Time To Roll, Crazy Wow, and more. Winbak Farm of Delaware is sad to announce the passing of CR “We are ever grateful to the stallion owners for this huge show of Commando. support,” said Executive Director Dot Morgan. “Now we need mare CR Commando passed away at the age of 25 on April 9th. He owners to utilize them.” succumbed to complications from colic. If you have a mare to breed that is not currently booked, please “CR Commando helped make Winbak Farm of Delaware successful email [email protected] or call 937-205-4667 for a complete list and he will truly be missed,” said Garrett Bell, General Manager. “He and prices or visit newvocations.org. stood his last year this season and will hopefully have a few foals in -edited release (New Vocations) 2022.” READ MORE Graduate Pace leg added at The Meadowlands

Meadowlands Task Force meets to discuss on-track decisions The Meadowlands is announcing that a previously unscheduled leg will be added to the Graduate Series for pacers to be raced on Saturday, The Meadowlands’ newly formed task force, a mix of horsemen May 15 in response to the cancellation of the Confederation Cup for 2021. and horseplayers blended with a few racetrack management types, Horses that are fully paid up and eligible for the Graduate will be convened for the first time on Wednesday morning (4/14) via confer- eligible to race in the added leg and it will be considered for points ence call to address issues on the racetrack. toward the final just as the scheduled legs. READ MORE READ MORE Entries close Friday for Blooded Horse Spring Sale Live racing returns to Vernon on Saturday

The Blooded Horse Sale is currently taking entries for its Spring Vernon Downs is set to begin its 68th year of racing on Saturday Sale scheduled for May 11 in Springfield, OH. (April 17). Racehorses and breeding stock are in high demand and this sale is Vernon Downs will feature The Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) with one of the few remaining opportunities to utilize a live venue. With separate races for both 3-year-old filly trotters and 3-year-old trotting buyers coming from 27 states and Canada, it’s obvious that they crave colts on June 18. The track will also play host to the Zweig Memorial the chance to see a variety of horses in person. races featuring the 3-year-old Open Trot and the 3-year-old Fillies Trot Those interested may enter online at bloodedhorse.com. Entries on August 28. On September 11 Vernon will present the New York State close Friday, April 16. Excelsior Finals for 2 and 3-year-old filly and colt trotters and pacers. -release (Blooded Horse Sale) READ MORE First Tracks Cumberland launches digital platforms May payments due for SBOANJ stakes

With the 153rd season of harness racing at the iconic Cumberland Yearling nominations and sustaining payments for SBOANJ spon- Fairgrounds kicking off Saturday, May 8th the Cumberland, Maine sored stakes are due May 15, 2021. harness track has launched a new website and social media page on Garden State Trot #4 and Home Grown Pace #4 sustaining Facebook. payments for 2YO along with Garden State Trot #5 and Home Grown First Tracks Cumberland has secured 56 racing dates for 2021 with Pace #5 yearling nomination payments are due on May 15, 2021. the Spring/Summer cards set for a post time of 4:15 pm (EDT). Visit sboanj.com for payment forms, schedules, and eligibilities list. READ MORE -release (SBOANJ)

DRF Harness Digest | 13 | April 15, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness