Burke Well Represented on Stakes-Packed Saturday Woodbine Mohawk Park Card

DRF HARNESS HOME DIGITAL HARNESS EYE HARNESS PPS DRF BETS ENTRIES ARCHIVE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 Burke well represented on stakes-packed Saturday Woodbine Mohawk Park card

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Lisa Photo Perfect records on the line during Ohio Manchego (6) and Atlanta (4) resume their rivalry in Saturday’s Maple Leaf Trot. Super Night, Page 5

Jay Bergman: Creatine colt Jujubee By Jay Bergman That’s the positive news for the Burke-trained rising to the top in Pennsylvania, Page 7 gelding. The negative is the competition in the The sport’s leading trainer Ron Burke has seven-horse field, with Ontario’s best, Bulldog Darin Zoccali: Loopholes in the law lead reached the pinnacle of success from taking Hanover (post 3), and Meadowlands Pace and to interesting ethical dilemna, Page 9 the bumps in stride. Hempt winner Lawless Shadow (post 4), in the Frosh PASS finals take Friday spotlight “I don’t look at two and three week peri- mix. Add Rockyroad Hanover (post 6), a Cane ods,” Burke said. “I judge them by the entire Pace winner on August 7 at The Meadowlands at The Meadows, Page 10 season.” That’s the reason Burke remains and Southwind Gendry will need to be at his Road to the Mohawk Million - Week 3, cautiously optimistic heading into Satur- best to qualify for the September 11 final. days’ two North America Cup qualifiers with Despite his lack of wins, Southwind Gendry Page 11 a pair of sophomores that enjoyed brilliant has in fact had a productive season thus far On The Backstretch: Profile of trainer campaigns in 2020 but have yet to display for Burke. The same can’t be said for last Jack Darling, Page 12 similar dominance in 2021. year’s Breeders Crown winner Summa Cum “We’re skipping the Pennsylvania Sire Laude. Mohawk Analysis & Best Bets, Page 14 Stakes final with Southwind Gendry,” Burke “He’s been a sh** show,” said Burke, clearly said, indicating there’s confidence the son of referring to the numerous hurdles the Some- Industry Headlines, Page 15 Always B Miki is on the verge of something beachsomewhere-sired colt has been unable big. “I think the big track will do him good. He to avoid this year. Comments? Questions? seems to be turning the corner.” “I was happy with the last few starts and Email the Editor [email protected] Southwind Gendry won 10 of his 13 starts as thought he was getting back to himself,” said a 2-year-old, yet has found the winner’s circle Burke. “We had him entered in last week’s To ensure proper delivery more elusive this year with just three trips in Somebeachsomewhere and when we were of the newsletter via nine starts. He landed the pole position in the ready to ship, he spiked a 102 fever, so we had email, add [email protected]. first of two C$50,000 eliminations (race 6) on to scratch.” the Woodbine Mohawk Park Saturday night com to your contact list program with Yannick Gingras in the bike. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

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Learn More CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 10), with This Is The Plan (post 1) and Cattlewash (post 6) entering the race in great form. Though winless in seven starts this year, Summa Cum Laude “The rail is a good spot for him,” said Burke. “He can get out of the could find his way back into the winner’s circle soon. On Satur- gate fast and get position.” day he landed post seven but has found a field that has struggled to This Is The Plan is in the midst of the best year of his illustrious live up to expectations this year as well. A less than perfect Perfect career, with a dozen first-second finishes this year in but 16 starts. Sting remains a formidable threat nonetheless in this group, having Yannick Gingras guides the son of Somebeachsomewhere. finished first or second in seven of his eight starts in 2021. Perfect Cattlewash enters the Canadian Pacing Derby after a less than Sting landed post 6 for trainer Joe Holloway. The field also includes impressive victory at Vernon Downs last Saturday night. stakes winners Abuckabett Hanover (post 3) and Whichwaytothe- “We’re going to have to change tactics with him,” Burke said. “I beach (post 8). think those 25 first quarters are starting to take a toll on him. He’s a While Burke’s sophomore pacers haven’t shown the consistency special horse.” yet at the top level, the same cannot be said for his older performers, The Burke pair won’t be alone in the Canadian Pacing Derby with specifically Atlanta. a host of Ontario-based and U.S. invaders making the contest a wide- “I don’t think she’s ever been better than she has in her last two open affair. Allywag Hanover (post 7) has been hitting on all cylin- starts,” said Burke of the victories in an Invitational on August 21 ders for trainer Brett Pelling and the 4-year-old gelding enters the at Pocono and a huge mile in the Steele on Hambletonian Day at The Pacing Derby following a record-setting 1:47 2/5 score at Pocono on Meadowlands. “The win at The Meadowlands, she blew right by When August 21. Dovescry and she’s been pretty good all year.” Catch The Fire (post 8) has captured seven of his 11 starts this year Atlanta seeks her second straight Maple Leaf Trot score on Satur- for trainer Todd Luther. His recent success includes victories in the day. The C$536,000 event goes as race eight with Atlanta starting from Dan Patch at Hoosier Park (August 13) and a Sam McKee Memorial post 3. “That’s a good spot for her,” said Burke. division at The Meadowlands on August 7. Atlanta meets a solid group that includes longtime rival Manchego Trainer Dr. Ian Moore has a solid pair that drew perfectly for the (post 7) as well as 2019 Hambletonian champion Forbidden Trade Pacing Derby, Tattoo Artist (post 2) and Century Farroh (post 4). (post 5). Beads (post 2) has been a powerhouse this year for trainer Century Farroh finished third in the 2020 edition of the race behind Per Engblom and the 4-year-old finally gets post consideration in the the Burke-trained Dorsoduro Hanover. Maple Leaf starting from post 2. The stakes-filled 13-race Woodbine Mohawk Park Saturday Burke sends out two in the C$590,000 Canadian Pacing Derby (race program has a first post of 7:00 p.m. Bax hopes Duly Resolved a Wellwood success at Mohawk

By Ken Weingartner He’s not hyper or stressed out; he’s pretty laidback. “I think that’s one of the things that makes him stand out to me. John Bax knows Duly Resolved will face difficult tests in his He’s just out there strolling and acting like an old horse. He’ll go upcoming races, but the trainer is happy with the way his 2-year- when you ask him, you don’t have to go. You can drive him whatever old trotter has prepped for the challenges ahead. way you want. He’s not one dimensional, so that’s nice.” Duly Resolved is a neck from being undefeated in five races this The winner of the Wellwood Memorial gets an automatic berth in season and heads to Thursday’s first of three William Wellwood the Mohawk Million for 2-year-old trotters, which is Sept. 25. The race’s Memorial eliminations at Woodbine Mohawk Park as the 2-1 morn- other nine starting spots were purchased for C$100,000. Bax hopes the ing-line favorite for Bax and driver Paul MacDonell. The gelding second-year event becomes part of Duly Resolved’s schedule. will start from post three in a seven-horse field. “In a perfect world, he wins the Wellwood and I get a free ticket The top-three finishers from each elim and one fourth-place into a million-dollar race,” Bax said with a laugh. “(Otherwise), I finisher selected by lot will advance to the final. think he has one sire stakes race left and then the Super Final. He’s Mohawk also hosts two eliminations for the Peaceful Way, for eligible to the Breeders Crown. We’ll see how he is at that point, 2-year-old female trotters, on Thursday. The top-five finishers from whether we want to try that or not. If he’s healthy and keeps looking each elim will advance to the final. competitive, that would be on the docket.” The finals of the Wellwood Memorial and Peaceful Way will be Letsdoit S is the 5-2 second choice in the first Wellwood elimina- Sept. 11 at Mohawk. The connections of elimination winners will tion. The Swedish-bred son of Nuncio-Bacio won a Champlain divi- choose their post position for the finals. sion last week for trainer Marcus Melander and driver Doug McNair. Duly Resolved began his career with four consecutive wins, three King Of The North, the undefeated Peter Haughton Memorial in the Ontario Sire Stakes, before a second-place finish behind winner, is the 6-5 morning-line favorite in the second Wellwood elim- Temporal Hanover in a division of the Champlain Stakes last week ination and lightly raced Safe Conduct is the 5-2 choice in the third. at Mohawk. Duly Resolved was trapped on the inside before finding Ray Schnittker-trained King Of The North is 5-for-5 and also room late in the stretch to miss by a neck. counts the New Jersey Sire Stakes championship among his victo- “He finished second last week, but he doesn’t know that,” Bax said. ries. Mark MacDonald will drive the son of Walner out of Check Me “He certainly was well within himself and came out of it pretty good. Out from post one in an eight-horse field. I’m happy with the way he looks right now. In the next week or so he’s Twin B Archie, a Champlain winner last week, is the 3-1 second going to run into a little tougher competition, and it’ll be interesting choice for trainer Scott McEneny and driver James MacDonald. to see how he stacks up. So far, he doesn’t look out of place.” The son of Archangel-Affair Hall has been no worse than second in Bax Stable owns Duly Resolved with David Hudson, Don Allensen, five races, winning two. and Gaelic Stable. The gelding is a son of Resolve out of Motown Safe Conduct has a win in two starts this year, with his victory Muscle and was purchased for $30,000 at the Lexington Selected coming Aug. 19 in the Ontario Sire Stakes. The son of Archangel- Sale. He has earned $115,074. Safekeeping is trained by Camilla Christoforou and driven by Chris “Everybody needs one of these,” Bax said. “In a year like this Christoforou. He will start from post one in a seven-horse field. year, the timing was great. They don’t come along every year, so Champlain division winner Temporal Hanover is the 3-1 second we’re going to enjoy it.” choice for trainer Melander and driver McNair. The colt, a son of Duly Resolved won each of his first four races by a minimum of Walner-Think Twice, has finished worse than second only once in 1-1/4 lengths. His best win time, 1:56, came July 29 in an Ontario six races, winning three. Sire Stakes division at Mohawk. The Peaceful Way attracted 13 fillies, which were divided into two “We’ve been pretty easy on him, just trying to let him grow into eliminations. The top-five finishers from each elim will advance to himself,” Bax said. “He’s still growing a lot. You’re trying to baby the final. Venerable is the 4-5 morning-line favorite in the first elim- him, but you’re still trying to get all the money you can. Sometimes ination and Adare Castle is the 5-2 favorite in the second. those two don’t add up, but so far he’s been pretty easy on himself. Racing begins at 7 p.m. (EDT) Thursday at Mohawk.

DRF Harness Digest | 3 | September 2, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness $2.4 Million Ohio Super Night Northﬁeld Park Sunday, Sept. 5 | Post Time 6:00 P.M. EDT

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JJ Zamaiko Photo Winning Ticket puts his unblemished 9-for-9 record on the line Sunday in the $300,000 3YO Colt and Gelding Trot at Northfield Park.

By Derick Giwner to even more prominent races for the 13-time career winner. “He’s been as dominant in this group as any horse I’ve trained,” The richest Sire Stakes finals in North America take place in Ohio said Beaver. “After the final, I’m hoping to try the Grand Circuit with at Northfield Park on Sunday evening (9/5) when eight $300,000 Buck- him, so we’ll see how he stacks up with top horses. He’s pretty much eye State championship races will be contested for 2- and 3-year-olds skated through the Sire Stakes.” of both sexes and gaits. Before Beaver starts rooting for Winning Ticket to stay unbeaten, While there will be eight Ohio champions crowned, a quartet of he’ll be hoping his 2-year-old trotting filly Caviar Roxie Due (post horses – Gulf Shores, Caviar Roxie Due, Sea Silk and Winning Ticket 5) continues her run of success in her $300,000 final (race 7). For the – will be going for the series sweep and three of those look to continue same ownership as Winning Ticket, with the exception of VIP Inter- an undefeated 2021 season. net Stable subbing in for Jim Burnett, the daughter of Triumphant Putting the most impressive streak on the line Sunday is Winning Caviar actually owns a loss in 2021 but has been perfect in three Ohio Ticket. At 9-for-9 this year, the son of Triumphant Caviar, just a $4,000 Sire Stakes starts. purchase at the November 2019 Blooded Horse Sale, has certainly “I’ve had to protect her a little bit. She hasn’t been the soundest filly. produced a healthy profit for the ownership group of trainer Chris I skipped the last [Sire Stakes] leg with her, but she has been training Beaver, Steven Zeehandelar, Tim Homan and Jim Burnett. well. She should be alright,” said Beaver about the filly with a some- “He had no video and a beat-up back leg, but I could tell it was what peculiar name. “We bought her at the Select Sale. I don’t really alright,” recalled Beaver. “I don’t usually like to buy a horse with no understand the name either.” video, but I liked everything else about him, especially the way the Brett Miller takes over in the bike behind Caviar Roxie Due as regu- dam lined up with Triumphant Caviar; the crosses were all good. lar driver Aaron Merriman moves to fellow Beaver trainee Gabbys C “I trained Triumphant Caviar and still own part of him. I breed Note (post 1), a three-time Sire Stakes winner in 2021. some mares to him. I’ve always supported the horse from the start “She’s probably the favorite in there,” said Beaver about Gabbys C and he’s been really good to me over the years. I have lots of $100,000 Note. “She’s been the fastest of any of the fillies. She’s gritty, deter- winners by him. He’s a good sire and it doesn’t matter who they bring mined and has been the most professional.” into the state. He just rises up to the competition.” Beaver also has a bit of a stranglehold on the 2-year-old Colt and Racing exclusively in Ohio this year, Winning Ticket has earned Gelding Trot (race 9) with a trio of two-time Sire Stakes winners in $189,500 and set a lifetime mark of 1:53 1/5. The gelding starts from the field. Caviar Gold goes from the cones, The Mighty Hill post 4 and post 6 in the 12th race 3-year-old Colt and Gelding Trot with regular Gabbys Bit Coin post 7. driver Aaron Merriman at the helm. “All three of them have been really good. I don’t think I could even “He’s given me good reason to be confident,” said Beaver on his pick the best one from the group. They all have about the same shot,” mindset going into the final. “I’m always a little nervous going into said Beaver. “Gabbys Bit Coin is probably the fastest, but the post kind these finals; anything can happen. More what I’m concerned about is of worked out to even out the odds a bit between them.” that something crazy could happen, and crazy things seem to happen The richest 2-year-old filly pacer of 2021 and owner of an unblem- in the Ohio Sire Stakes finals. At Northfield it is even worse because ished 6-for-6 career record, Sea Silk goes to post in the 8th race a lot of people want to get off the gate and get into position. I’m just $300,000 final for her age group and sex. hoping for a clean journey and let him do his best.” Should everything go smoothly on Sunday, Beaver is looking ahead CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

DRF Harness Digest | 5 | September 2, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness JJ Zamaiko Photos The filly Sea Silk (left) and colt Gulf Shores (right) are both undefeated progeny from the first crop of Downbytheseaside.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 Shores is likely the horse to beat with Ronnie Wrenn Jr in the bike, “She’s special. She does everything you ask,” said trainer Ron but fellow Downbytheseaside colt Sling Shock (Dan Noble) to his Burke, who co-owns the filly with Weaver Bruscemi, Knox Services outside in post 6 has a solid time of 1:52 and multiple Sire Stakes wins and Hatfield Stables. to his credit as well. From the first crop of Downbytheseaside, currently the leading “I think he stacks up really well. He’s undefeated in the Sire Stakes, money-winning stallion of 2-year-olds this year, Sea Silk has an aver- so he’s pretty much beaten most of them. He’s not head and shoulders age margin of victory just shy of three lengths and should still be the above the rest, though. Dan Noble has a really nice colt, Steve Carter’s favorite despite facing a quality field from post 8 that includes stable- horse [Tre Cruz] has gotten really good, and I’m sure I’m missing a mate Cape Cod Hanover (post 1), a five-time winner in six career starts. horse or two,” said Brown. “It usually comes down to trip in any big “There are some good fillies in there. Post 8 it won’t be easy. They race. I don’t think my horse has to have the perfect trip. He can win on make you work [at Northfield],” said Burke, who also has Dragon the front or from the back on the outside.” Lady in the field from post 4. Brown, who also trained 2017 Pacer of the Year Downbythe- When Gulf Shores puts his 4-for-4 record on the line in the $300,000 seaside, couldn’t be happier with how his first crop has excelled 2-year-old colt and gelding pace (race 4), he’ll have a huge rooting on the track. crowd outside of just his listed ownership group of Country Club “I’m thrilled with him,” said Brown about Downbytheseaside, who Acres, Diamond Creek Racing and Wingfield Brothers. Gulf Shores is sired six of the finalists in the colt final and five in the filly division. part of Diamond Creek Farms’ Crossover Racing and has given that “They aren’t all great ones, but for a first crop, he’s going to have like fractional ownership group plenty to get excited about as he seeks a five in the filly final. Ronnie Burke has three or four who are amazing. sweep of the series. I have two, one of them didn’t even make the final. She’s a really nice “The whole worry of going to Northfield is post position,” said filly, just not as good as Ronnie’s. He’s going to be well-represented. trainer Brian Brown before finding out his colt drew post 5, “but this You couldn’t have asked for a better first year.” horse gets around the track good and he doesn’t even wear ear plugs. The $2.4 million Ohio Super Night card, which includes 16 races and He’s such a nice horse to drive and be around.” gets underway at 6:00 P.M., also features a $20,000 All-Stakes Guaran- As the fastest horse in the field with a 1:51 3/5 lifetime mark, Gulf teed Pick 5 in race 6 and $10,000 Pick 4 in race 11.

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DRF Harness Digest | 6 | September 2, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Creatine colt Jujubee rising to the top in Pennsylvania

JAYWALKING By Jay Bergman @BergmanJay

Trainer Greg Wright Jr. has three horses in his stable. Counterpart Ake Svanstedt has three horses in Saturday’s $253,000 Pennsyl- vania Sire Stakes. For Wright, the fact that his Jujubee is the likely favorite at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono and that Svanstedt’s fourth horse and certainly his best – Hamble- tonian winner Captain Corey – must race in the consolation, having failed to qualify for the rich final, is perfect. Saturday’s contest will be the largest purse Jujubee, a homebred son of Creatine, will race for up until this point. While Captain Corey Nikki Sherman was the star of Hambletonian Day, Wright’s Jujubee starts from post 4 in Saturday’s 3YO Sire Stakes final for trotters at Pocono. charge was in fact the fastest trotter that after- noon when he scored in 1:49 4/5 in a division of the Muscle Hill. colors, instantly becoming a colt to reckon with in the rich state “We’d been racing over the five-eighths mile tracks in Pennsylva- program. nia,” said Wright, “I was really looking forward to getting him on the Since that May second-place finish, Jujubee has won five of his next big track at The Meadowlands. I kind of thought he could trot in 1:50 six starts including two Sire Stakes wins, one being at Pocono in 1:54 and change.” 4/5. Still, the colt from the first crop of Creatine was the most unlikely Saturday’s Sire Stakes final may be missing Captain Corey but the candidate for stardom on the first Saturday in August given a pedi- three Svanstedt-trained entrants include Hambletonian elimina- gree that likely wouldn’t have commanded much of a price tag had he tion winner Delayed Hanover (post 8), a colt that defeated Jujubee gone to auction. at Harrah’s Philadelphia on June 23 when he had the pole position. “My dad trained the dam,” said Wright. La Cantera, a daughter of Svanstedt’s Yonkers Trot winner Johan Palema drew post 6 for the Cantab Hall, was a Pennsylvania Stallion series winner as a 3-year- final and he enters the contest following a solid second-place finish in old in 2011 for the senior Wright. “She raced for a few years then they the $300,000 Beal Memorial last Saturday. decided to breed her.” La Cantera took a 1:57 1/5 mark and raced a few Wright was a bit frustrated that he couldn’t find a start for Jujubee more years before becoming a broodmare. following his performance on Hambletonian Day. Her broodmare career didn’t exactly get off to a flying start or even “He was feeling really good right after that race, but we only had a successful one as her first three foals lacked one victory. In 2017 she him staked in Pennsylvania and there was no place we could race was bred to the first-year stallion Creatine, who earned a reputation him,” said Wright. “I qualified him last Tuesday here [The Meadows] on the racetrack as an extremely tough horse, but when it came time and he was very sharp.” for stallion duty had trouble finding applicant mares. La Cantera’s The 1:54 4/5 mile should have Jujubee primed and ready for the past failures were quickly forgotten when Jujubee came along. biggest race of his season. “Last year dad trained him down, but he had some sickness issues,” Saturday’s Sire Stakes final will be the first time Andrew McCar- said Wright. “I kind of got him a bit late in the season. He’d been in thy will be sitting behind Jujubee but Wright isn’t worried about the 2:20 and I just wanted to race him a little bit to see what we had.” lack of familiarity. Jujubee raced five times at Wright’s home track – The Meadows – in “I think he’s an easy horse to get behind and I don’t see Andrew 2020 and was on the board in all of those efforts, winning twice and having any issues,” said Wright. finishing second twice. In a crop of trotters that produced two seven-figure yearlings in “He definitely showed me that he had some talent, so we stopped 2019, it’s refreshing that a horse like Jujubee, a colt by Creatine whose with him and turned him out,” said Wright. first crop features an abundance of geldings, can rise to the top of the While some high-profile horses go south for the winter, Jujubee’s class in Pennsylvania where some of the sport’s leading stallions tend turnout was a bit short and in Pennsylvania. “It was only six weeks to dominate. and I had to get him ready for the late closer,” said Wright. Wright didn’t hesitate when asked the age-old question: Is he the “When I drove him and won in 1:56 4/5 in his first start, I knew I best horse you’ve ever trained? had something good,” said Wright of the start in early March at The “He’s the best horse I ever trained, and he could be better than some Meadows. Still with but six starts at that point Wright wasn’t taking others have trained too,” said Wright. chances with the shoeing. “I had bar shoes on him.” In putting McCarthy in the bike, Wright may not just be thinking Tony Hall would become his regular driver and he guided him to about the Sire Stakes but looking ahead to some races Jujubee can victory in the late closer final on April 21 at The Meadows. On a chilly supplement to. While he was keeping his options open, Jujubee will be evening with the track labeled “off,” Jujubee trotted in 1:56 defeating making just his 14th start of the season on Saturday and could have the favored Whiskey Blu, a sophomore from the huge Ron Burke stable. some big paydays ahead given the fractious nature of a sophomore The victory gave Wright the confidence to give Jujubee a chance to division that historically loses members as the season winds down. race in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes, shunning the “Stallion” series With 10 wins in 13 starts this year, owner-breeder Jon Erdner has his dam had captured. The May 15 first leg at The Meadows saw Jujubee already seen Jujubee surpass expectations. up against the highly-rated In Range from the Marcus Melander stable. “I was able to switch to aluminum shoes and that’s when we started “He really showed me something in that mile,” said Wright. “He trotted seeing those 26 quarters,” said Wright. While yearling prices are a 26 third quarter and just got caught late by In Range.” the numbers some pay attention to, clearly the 1:49 4/5 mile speaks It was a test of speed and class and Jujubee passed both with flying volumes for Jujubee’s ability and potential.

DRF Harness Digest | 7 | September 2, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness WE’RE BACK! NORTHSTANDARDBRED AMERICA’S #1 RACING 5 NIGHTS A WEEK Post Time: 7pm (ET)

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but what is transpiring right now is why I abandoned my at the track pursuit of the law as a career. I cannot separate the law and By Darin Zoccali AtTheTrack7 passion. I cannot be satisfied that a group of owners who are acting under a blanket of protection of bail conditions A little more than fifteen years ago I attended law school at the Elis- are simply doing what the abeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. My goal was to combine law allows them to do. This my two passions and formulate them into a career, those being horse is not the system working in racing and the law. I thought I could help make a difference within the my view and I am sure that is racing industry while doing something I love. how Jeff Gural feels as well. That didn’t last very long. I quickly learned in law school that Is it really too much to unfortunately truth and justice often take a backseat to other less- ask of a horse owner that desirable traits. While I won’t bore you with the details, it was clear when your trainer is under to me that working in the legal profession was not what I thought it federal indictment pertain- was going to be. ing to horse doping that you Fifteen years later, there have been occurrences in horse racing not keep horses with the time and time again that have solidified my perspective. trainer regardless of what Derick Giwner More than most, I understand that the law is free from passion. I just the bail conditions say? I Meadowlands Operator Jeff don’t always think that is a good thing. Case in point, this past week it am not asking for a press Gural is fighting a lawsuit from a was announced that a lawsuit was filed against Jeff Gural, The Mead- release citing your disbe- number of Harness Racing owners. owlands, Tioga and Vernon Downs, et al., pertaining to owners that lief, concern for the horses were affiliated with trainer Rene Allard. The lawsuit accuses Gural or a condemnation of your of excluding their horses in an attempt to gain a “competitive advan- trainer’s actions if proven true. I am simply asking that you not take tage” at his three racetracks and labeled his actions as a “conspiracy.” advantage of a legal loophole that allows you to keep your horses To say that line made me laugh would be an understatement. These with that trainer and wait for a decision to be handed down before are owners who had horses with Rene Allard, who has been included in considering the trainer as a viable option. That is one loophole that an indictment linking him to the usage of illegal performance-enhanc- if I owned a racetrack, I would take great pride in closing myself and ing drugs. So racehorse owners who had horses with a trainer that is I applaud Jeff Gural for doing so. under federal indictment for his alleged involvement in the doping of We also need to be clear, the allegations in the indictment (which racehorses, are filing a lawsuit because they claim someone is gaining can be found here) are not Bob Baffert-type slight overages of a a competitive advantage against them. You can’t make this stuff up. substance found in a skin cream. The details within the indictment, Beyond that rather hysterical aspect of this lawsuit, even worse is which demonstrate the disregard for the horse’s well-being, are hard these owners in their claim admit that they have an interest in horses to excuse. There is a recorded phone conversation that includes stabled with Allard in Florida over the winter of 2020-2021. Allard another former harness racing trainer citing “the number of horses was added to this indictment on December 3, which means that the Navarro killed and broke down that I made disappear.” owners kept their horses with Allard, citing a clause within the bail This is not an indictment for the weak of heart. It’s a horse doping ring, conditions that allowed Allard to train these horses over the winter, period, and Rene Allard was included in a superseding indictment to the and are now suing because they are not being permitted to race their original indictment, the details of which are nearly identical. horses at Gural’s tracks. You can say what you want about Jeff Gural and you can certainly I will leave the legal details of the potential success or failure of the disagree with some of his operational decisions, but the stand he has lawsuit to those who have more than just a law school understanding taken here is not for the betterment of Jeff Gural, The Meadowlands of these matters. But does anyone else feel like they are living in the or any of the other parties named in this lawsuit. This stand is for the twilight zone? Do you really get to stand up and demand justice when betterment of harness racing. you have knowingly kept your horses with a trainer that is under Harness racing does not need trainers named in federal horse federal indictment pertaining to horse doping allegations? Are we doping indictments and harness racing does not need owners who supposed to feel sorry for these owners? keep horses with that trainer because a technicality says they can. I am no boy scout. 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DRF Harness Digest | 9 | September 2, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness PASS frosh finals take Friday spotlight at The Meadows

Friday’s Pennsylvania Sires Stake championships for 2-year-olds at ones beat each other up so she can pick up the pieces. But she likes The Meadows not only features some of harness racing’s finest fresh- what she’s doing, and she’s trying all the time.” men, but they also anchor a rich card offering more than $1.26 million Gregory, who’ll pilot the filly from the rail, owns her with Martin in purses. Garey, George Romanoff and William Richardson. Each of the four championships goes for $253,000, and each division Mon Cheval is one of the horses that has defeated A Perfect Helen on also sports a $50,000 consolation. First post for the 13-race program multiple occasions and the daughter of Father Patrick has been installed is 12:45 PM. as the 3-2 morning-line favorite for the team of Nancy Takter and driver Here are some of the most intriguing horses and angles in each of Dexter Dunn from post 3. The other two-leg Sire Stakes winner in the the championships: field is Dreamonhigh for the brother-sister team of driver Joe and trainer Jenn Bongiorno. That filly, by Andover Hall, will start from post 2. Colt & Gelding Pace (Race 11) All else being equal, one might look no further than I Did It Myway Colt & Gelding Trot (Race 10) in the glamor division. He swept all three PASS legs that he contested This one’s a wide-open affair matching regally bred, talented young- and added victories in the Kentucky Championship Series and the sters. Both S I P (post 4, Yannick Gingras) and Global Pandemic (post Tompkins-Geers to launch his career with five straight victories for 9, Joe Bongiorno) — each from the stable of Run Burke — captured trainer Tony Alagna and owners Country Club Acres, Joe Sbrocco, their last two PASS splits. Don Latore and Alagna and Fodera Racing. S I P, a Bar Hopping colt, took a detour on the PA Turnpike and raced In Harness Racing, all else isn’t equal, as the son of Captaintreach- his last four starts in the Haughton at The Meadowlands and Kentucky erous-Flyme To The Moon and regular driver Todd McCarthy must Sire Stakes. Global Pandemic also made a trip to the Haughton but has leave from post 9. stayed local and won his previous two races in the Keystone State. “He’s exciting,” said McCarthy. “Post nine certainly doesn’t help Another Bar Hopping colt, Keg Stand is actually the morning-line us, that’s going to make things very tough for him. It’s so hard when favorite at 2-1 from post 5. Also from the powerful team of Dunn/ you get an outside post like that. He’s just going to need a little luck Takter, the 2-year-old has won Sire Stakes legs on Pennsylvania and and a few things to go his way, and I think he can be right there in Kentucky this year. that one too. He’s got a lot of bottom to him. He’s a good-sized horse, so strength is one thing that he’s got. You keep asking him and he keeps giving for you. When you get a post like that and know it’s going to be Filly Pace (Race 9) a bit of a task, that’s the sort of horse you want.” There is no doubt Who might benefit if I Did It Myway can’t overcome the tough about the favorite in the assignment? 2-year-old Filly Pace. Pay attention to True Blue Lindy, a star in Canada who made a That would be Captain terrific US debut in last week’s PASS leg at The Meadows when he Cowgirl (Captaint- triumphed in 1:51 3/5 for trainer Jeff Cullipher, who owns the Always reacherous-Ridein- B Miki-Think Pink gelding with Pollack Racing LLC. tothesunset), who is Chris Gooden only a length from Captain Cowgirl will be the heavy being undefeated in her favorite in the 2YO Filly Pace. Filly Trot (Race 8) five career outings. She Speaking of perfect, consider A Perfect Helen, who’s been perfect won the Aug. 20 PASS leg at The Meadows in a sparkling 1:51. — sort of — with five place finishes in as many starts. But the $60,000 Tim Tetrick, who owns her with Jo Ann Looney-King and Kenneth yearling acquisition, a daughter of Father Patrick-Asixpakfromper- Frieder, will steer Captain Cowgirl from post 4. She’s coupled in the fect, has banked more than $83,000, so she’ll get no complaints from wagering with Im No April Fool, another Jim King, Jr. trainee. driver/trainer Jeff Gregory, who’s realistic about her chances Friday. If a horse is to challenge Captain Cowgirl it could be the speedy Hit “Pennsylvania is a tough state; a lot of the better horses in the coun- Me Up. The Always B Miki-sired filly has been first or second in all try come out of Pennsylvania,” Gregory said. “I don’t think anything six career starts and only lost to the favorite by a nose in their last is going terribly wrong. It’s not like we’re losing by a nose. She’s meeting. Joe Bongiono drives from post 5 for trainer Jenn Bongiorno. getting beat by better horses. She’d need to have a couple of the better -edited release (Evan Pattak-MSOA)

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DRF Harness Digest | 10 | September 2, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness ROAD TO THE MOHAWK MILLION The Mohawk Million for 2-year-old trotters is scheduled for September 25 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Nine owners paid C$100,000 each to own slots for the C$1,000,000 race. Each slot-holder may enter their own horse in the Mohawk Million or make arrangements with another owner to use the entry. In addition, a tenth spot in the million-dollar race will be awarded to the winner of the William Wellwood Memorial on September 11 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Below are the Top 10 horses on the Road to the Mohawk Million (Week 3 - September 2) as rated by DRF Harness Editor Derick Giwner along with his comments.

Horse Sex Sire Record/Best Win Time Trainer Last Start 1-KING OF THE NORTH C Walner 5-5-0-0 (1:52 4/5 - Med) Ray Schnittker Won Peter Haughton at Meadowlands on 8/7 Owner(s): Schnittker-Ward, Arden Homestead Stable, Nolamaura Racing & Steve Arnold Giwner: Will make his first appearance since impressively winning the William Haughton Memorial when he lines up behind the gate on Thursday (Race 3-Post 1) in an elimination for the William Wellwood Memorial at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Will four weeks on the sidelines affecthim? Remember, a win in the Wellwood final on September 11 would mean an automatic berth into the Mohawk Million.

2-VENERABLE F Walner 5-5-0-0 (1:52 - Med) Nifty Norman Won KY Sire Stakes at Red Mile on 8/15 Owner(s): David McDuffee, Melvin Hartman, Paul Bordogna & Steven Arnold Giwner: Unlike the top one, she got a start in at The Red Mile on August 15, so her layoff ahead of Thursday’s Peaceful Way eliminations (Race 2-Post 5) at Woodbine Mohawk Park is just under three weeks. Nifty Norman trainee is clearly the best filly and perhaps the best 2-year-old trotter.

3-DULY RESOLVED G Resolve 5-4-1-0 (1:56 - Wdsb) John Bax 2nd in Champlain at Mohawk on 8/26 Owner(s): Bax Stable, David Hudson, Don Allensen & Gaelic Stable Giwner: Suffered his first career defeat in the Champlain last week but can’t be faulted even a little. Driver Paul MacDonell had him locked in the pocket and the duo didn’t find room until it was too late. He’ll get another chance to shine on Thursday in the first of three Wellwood eliminations (Race 1-Post 3).

4-GLOBAL PANDEMIC C Cantab Hall 8-4-2-1 (1:54 4/5 - Mw) Ron Burke Won PA Sire Stakes at Pocono on 8/22 Owner(s): Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables & Weaver Bruscemi Giwner: Got away with soft fractions on a sloppy track and cruised to an easy win at Pocono last time. While he is Wellwood eligible, the colt is skipping that event for the $253,000 PA Sire Stakes final at The Meadows on Friday (Race 10) and got unlucky with post 9.

5-SELFIE QUEEN F Muscle Hill 6-3-1-0 (1:51 2/5 – Lex) Nancy Takter Won KY Sire Stakes at The Red Mile on 8/23 Owner(s): Robert Leblanc, David Anderson and John Fielding Giwner: This gal has some serious raw ability and when she minds her manners, which has been a 50/50 proposition, she’s as fast as or faster than any 2-year-old trotter out there. Her 1:51 2/5 win last time certainly proves that point. As a lock for the KYSS final on September 19, she’s iffy to head north for the Million right now, but maybe it is worth the risk.

6-DOUBLE DECEIVER G Cantab Hall 5-3-2-0 (1:52 4/5 – Lex) Carter Pinske Won KY Sire Stakes at The Red Mile on 8/23 Owner(s): Pinske Stables & Makenna Pinske He’s never been worse than second and you had to be ultra-impressed with the way he charged home in 26 2/5 to blow away his competition in 1:52 4/5 last time. Co-owned by the Pinske Stables, and they raced in the KYSS final in 2020 with Venerate and still brought him north for the Million (and won) six days later.

7-DOVER IN MOTION G Dover Dan 4-4-0-0 (1:54 1/5 - HoP) Jamie Macomber Won IN Sire Stakes at Hoosier Park on 8/25 Owner(s): M&M Racing & Norbert Joseph Maza Giwner: Now perfect in four starts in Indiana and his average margin of victory is more than five lengths. He’s not Wellwood eligible and you have to won- der if making a deal to get a Million slot is even on the table. Expect his next start in leg four of the Sire Stakes on September 8. After that, who knows?

8-S I P C Bar Hopping 8-3-1-0 (1:53 4/5 - Lex) Ron Burke 6th in KY Sire Stakes at The Red Mile on 8/23 Owner(s): Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Brixton Medical Inc. & Weaver Bruscemi Giwner: Comes off a disappointing effort but has to be given some slack considering he had post 9. Set a lifetime mark at The Red Mile on August 15. Like #9 on this list, he’s well-spotted with post 4 in Friday’s PASS final at The Meadows.

9-KEG STAND C Bar Hopping 7-3-1-2 (1:53 3/5 - Lex) Nancy Takter 3rd in KY Sire Stakes at The Red Mile on 8/23 Owner(s): Black Horse Racing, Christina Takter & John Fielding Giwner: I’d call his most recent effort a step backwards as despite the good final time he really didn’t seem to be stressed on the lead. That now makes two straight losses. He’s perfectly drawn in post 5 for Friday’s $253,000 PA Sire Stakes final. As the poker players say, show ‘em if you got ‘em!

10-ADARE CASTLE F Muscle Mass 4-4-0-0 (1:55 3/5 - Wdsb) Mark Etsell Won Champlain at Mohawk on 8/26 Owner(s): Mark Etsell, Robert Newton, Graham Hopkins & Peter Porter Giwner: Joins the list after picking up her first Grand Circuit win and improving her record to a perfect 4-for-4 in 2021. The waters get deeper this week in the Peaceful Way elimination, but continued success could have this Canadian lass on track for a Million appearance.

ON THE BUBBLE: Ponda Adventure, Mon Cheval, Delilah Hanover, Temporal Hanover, World At War Deo, Lilbitalexis, Date Night

DRF Harness Digest | 11 | September 2, 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.

trainer jack darling What kind of car do you drive? Ford Explorer. Favorite dinner meal? Snack? Seafood; Potato Chips. What is your favorite track to race at? Why? The Red Mile. I just love Lexington, the track and the experience. New Image Media Jack Darling has won over 1,100 races as a trainer since 1991. What is your favorite big event in racing? Little Brown Jug. I love the hype and the fans. When you are racing, You also have over 500 wins as a driver but stopped in the to have that many fans watching is special. mid-1980s. Why did you stop driving? How often is racing on your mind? I was just ready to retire from driving. I did well, but it was starting to become the era of catch-drivers so I started using them. Some of Every day I’m afraid. those guys were better than me and it made sense to use them. I was in my mid-30s at the time. I really enjoyed driving up until then, but What is your favorite thing to do outside of racing? it was time to stop. My wife and I like to travel during the winter; we take the winters You’ve averaged about 160 starters a year for the last three off. We travel south, like Arizona. When we go the weather is perfect – not too hot and not too cold. decades. Was that number by design? I’ve always tried to keep the numbers down. If I have a good horse What is your favorite sport to watch? Team? and I can get a good price on them I’ll sell. My main goal when I Golf – Phil Mickelson. started as far as making money was to buy a horse and sell them at a profit. Racing was just a part of it. The purse money wasn’t the What is one thing about you most fans/bettors don’t know? main goal. It was just to turn a profit on each horse. Even now, I sell everything by the end of their 3-year-old year. I like reggae music. So are you exclusively 2- and 3-year-olds now? What is one word that describes harness racing for you? Yes, and it’s been that way for quite a few years now. I just buy Horses. I have more a love for the horses than the racing part. yearlings and try to get stake horses at 2 and 3, then sell them at the end of it. Sometimes as they go along, if they aren’t going to be stake How did you get started in the sport? horses I’ll sell them. If they are good and I can get a good price, I’ll sell them. As a kid my family had riding and show horses. A friend of mine started going to the harness track in London, Ontario [Western Fair]. I was What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten about harness intrigued that you could make money doing something you liked. racing? How old were you when you started training and driving? I can tell you the best advice I could give is that people should try to always treat it as a business. If you do that you can stay in the busi- I was right around 19. ness your whole life, otherwise it is a very dangerous business. You have more than 1,100 wins since 1991 but started your What was your favorite moment in harness racing? career almost 20 year before that. Any idea how many wins you actually have? Winning the Metro with Gothic Dream in 1996. It was a big thrill. I really don’t. Back then I wasn’t into the yearlings and just focused on racehorses and drove them myself. It would have to be close to 2,000. CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

DRF Harness Digest | 12 | September 2, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

Which is the best horse you’ve ever trained? Bulldog Hanover. I’ve had some good ones but he has everything you could ever want in a horse. How impressed were you with Bulldog Hanover’s 1:48 2/5 Somebeachsomewhere victory? I was very impressed. It was just what we were hoping for; he won easily and was pacing right through the wire. What is your confidence level going into the North America Cup? New Image Media I’m confident in the horse, but I know a thousand things can go Jack Darling’s Bulldog Hanover is expected to be one of the wrong, so I sure won’t be counting my chickens. I know we have a favorites to win the 2021 North America Cup. really good chance at it if everything goes according to plan. Bulldog Hanover makes a very good appearance on the track. If you weren’t involved in harness racing, what would you be Does he have any weaknesses? doing? No, I couldn’t name a weakness. He’s a beautiful horse that has a Some kind of business buying and selling something. little more of everything you could want. He’s a bit bigger, nice big shoulders, great legs to him. From what I can tell your given name is John. How did you end up as Jack? Since you brought up selling horses at a profit, would you consider selling Bulldog Hanover? I think a lot of people whose name is John years ago were called Jack. I’m not really sure how it came about. I’ve always been Jack I sold half of him to Brad Grant a couple of months ago. I don’t know until Standardbred Canada came out with a new computer and I what Brad would want to do. He doesn’t need the money like I do became John. [said chuckling]. If you had the power to change one thing in the sport, what Which horse is/was your favorite? would it be? Twin B Champ. He won an elimination for the NA Cup and a favorite To somehow have the grandstand full of fans. in the final. He tore a suspensory which ended his career. He was a special horse that could never show everything he had. Is it possible to get the fans back? Is there one race that you still want to win in your career? It’s a very slim possibility of happening, but we can do a better job at it. The days of the big crowds are over I’m afraid. I’d like to win the Little Brown Jug. I won an elimination once. Now I’m just buying Ontario-sired yearlings, so I don’t pay into it as often. How do you view the future of harness racing? So Bulldog Hanover is not eligible to the Jug? It is definitely going to shrink. I see a day with very few tracks and the bottom line is we just don’t need that many tracks. People can No, he’s not. I think if he wins the North America Cup we can supple- watch on TV. They just don’t go out to these smaller tracks. People ment. I would certainly look at it but I’m not sure how it fits into his that are in the business love it, so it will always be around, but with- schedule. out a lot of fans it has to shrink. How many horses are in your barn? Time for the stretch drive: Six. I’m always around 12 but I’m at the point in my career where Best Horse You Ever Saw: Niatross. six is all I need to keep me happy. I’m sure I’ll add some with the yearling sales coming up. Best Driver Ever: John Campbell. If you could choose any horse in history to train, which horse Lasix – Yes or No?: No. would it be and why? Favorite TV Show?: CNN or CNBC. Niatross. He was a real superstar in his era. Trotters or Pacers?: Pacers – trotters never excited me.

DRF Harness Digest | 13 | September 2, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness WOODBINE MOHAWK PARK

At DRF Harness we strive to provide the best handicapping information in the sport. Each week we’ll use this space to bring you some of our handicappers’ best bets, value plays and horses to watch. Use this information as one of your tools when wagering or simply click on the link above and head to DRF Bets to wager now. Thursday, SEPTEMBER 2

RACE 2 By Garnet Barnsdale Who can touch (5) Woodbine Mohawk Park will present a stakes-filled card on VENERABLE in this field? Saturday, September 4 with plenty of great wagering possibili- Nobody if she stays flat, but ties. Below is a look at my ticket for the $100,000 Guaranteed Pick you are likely looking at a 1 5 which kicks off in race 1. to 9 shot here. -Garnet Barnsdale Race 1: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES GOLD friday, SEPTEMBER 3 (4) STONEBRIDGE HELIOS produced the kind of late rush you don’t often see to get up from a near-impossible spot last time RACE 6 and he will be hard to hold off here if he gets a reasonable trip. (6) BOB LOBLAW keeps improving and he is a Grand Circuit (7) WHEN DOVESCRY winner now. His good tactical speed makes him a threat right gets away from Atlanta and back; using. (1) KOLBY TWO STEP took the fastest mark of any of Manchego as they’re both in these last time when he tripped-out. He has done nothing wrong Canada, and I expect her to so far and he is another in with a shot here. step to the front and win. -Greg Reinhart Race 2: ONTARIO SIRES STAKES GOLD RACE 11 (2) BETTERHAVEMYMONEY raced too good to lose last week. A slightly easier trip will make him very tough to beat here. (1) SETTN A PRECE- DENT paced down the lane Race 3: GOODTIMES ELIMINATION 3YO like she was shot out of a rocket launcher last week, (6) FASHION FRENZIE is in peak form and he is one that I’ll now she draws better; call use on top due to the risk involved with the likely favorite (2) to repeat. DANCINGINTHEDARK M. The latter is obviously the fastest -Barnsdale colt in here, but his recent gait issues are worrisome for a horse that will likely be odds-on at post time. (1) ON A STREAK, last Saturday, SEPTEMBER 4 year’s Breeders Crown winner, is good enough to win this and his trainer excels on getting his stock ready for big races. I might RACE 1 be more interested in him next week, though. (2) HEZA REAL DIAMOND Race 4: GOODTIMES ELIMINATION 3YO got a good tightener in at Freehold after taking a few (2) SONOFAMISTERY should improve sharply here getting weeks off. He’s way below his away from Hambo winner Captain Corey and he gets top billing normal Big M class level and vs. these. (7) LOCATELLI is similarly in an easier spot and he should win for fun. should pose a challenge if he stays flat this time; using. -Derick Giwner Race 5: ROSES ARE RED FINAL

(1) LYONS SENTINEL has only one loss in her past five starts and that race might have been the best one of the five with her full card analysis / past performances finishing 3rd in the Haughton after getting an impossible trip from post 10. She looks imposing here. Mohawk Park (THU) Analysis Mohawk Park (FRI) Analysis

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DRF Harness Digest | 14 | September 2, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness NEWS FROM AROUND THE HARNESS INDUSTRY

Fall meet kicks off Fridat at The Meadowlands USTA Executive Committee to maintain 2022 microchip deadline

Live racing returns to The Meadowlands after a three-week post- On a conference call Friday (Aug. 27), the U.S. Trotting Associa- Hambletonian break with 12-race programs that begin at 6:20 p.m. tion’s Board of Directors’ Executive Committee voted to maintain the this Friday (Sept. 3) and Saturday (Sept. 4). deadline for all horses to be microchipped by Jan. 1, 2022. The Fall Meeting will consist of 29 programs that will be contested “It is important for horsemen to know that all horses must be micro- on Fridays and Saturdays, with two exceptions. The Big M has added chipped in order for them to be eligible to race in 2022,” emphasized a pair of Thursday nights to the live menu, one on Dec. 2 and the other USTA COO and Registrar TC Lane. “Our USTA I.D. technicians are on Dec. 9. continuing to observe stringent safety protocols and are available to There will be racing throughout September before the track takes assist any horseman who has horses that need to be microchipped. another three-week hiatus. After that, live action will resume on Oct. READ MORE 22 and continue straight through until the end of the year, except for Christmas Week, when there is no racing on Dec. 24 and 25. Kindergarten leg added next weekend at The Meadowlands The Fall Meeting has plenty of dates worthy of calendar circling. To begin with, the Breeders Crown will make its return to the Reacting to a very short box for the weekend of September 3 & 4, mile oval after a five-year absence. A total of $6 million will be to the point where the Reynolds Memorial 2YO stakes were moved doled out as the Crown will -- as usual -- go a long way towards from Tioga Downs to The Meadowlands to avert the cancellation of determining divisional champions, as well as harness racing’s a racing day, The Meadowlands will add a previously unscheduled Horse of the Year. Kindergarten leg on Friday, September 10. READ MORE This added leg is available to all horses that are paid into the Kindergarten, the purse will remain at $20,000 per division, declara- 83rd annual yearling sale preview available tion fee $250 and the points earned in these races will count toward eligibility for the final. All subsequent Kindergarten legs will raced Standardbred Horse Sales Company has announced that its 83rd as scheduled, including the following two Fridays, September 17 & 24. Annual Yearling Sale Preview is now posted on its website, www. This added leg will be on the next condition sheet for The Meadow- theblackbook.com. Yearling video links will be posted closer to the lands when it is posted on Friday. Sale. -release (Meadowlands) Yearling Sale dates are Monday, November 8 through Wednes- day, November 10, featuring 808 fabulous yearlings (341 trotters, USTA, HISA executives meet in Baltimore 467 pacers). The sale will be held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA. On Tuesday (Aug. 24), United States Trotting Association (USTA) READ MORE president Russell Williams and Mike Tanner, the Association’s chief executive officer, met in Baltimore with Charles Scheeler, Chairman New start times for Lexington Selected Yearling Sale of the Board of the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Authority (HISA), and Hank Zeitlin, HISA’s interim executive director. One of the most anticipated weeks of the year is now but a month The mutually arranged session lasted 75 minutes and covered a away, and a positive change is in store for those who take part in range of topics related to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, what’s come to be known as “The Lexington Experience.” which was signed into law in December 2020. The USTA is among Management of the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale announced those parties challenging the Act’s constitutionality. that while dates for the upcoming sale are the same as previously “We all saw this as a means to establish a foundation of communica- scheduled - Tuesday, Oct. 5 through Saturday, Oct. 9 - starting times tion,” explained Williams. “The conversation was open and cordial.” for the auction will be different than in years past. -release (USTA Communications) READ MORE Post time and schedule change at Plainridge Park Consignors weigh in on upcoming Goshen Yearling Sale Participating horsepeople and fans should take note that starting on The 2021 Goshen Yearling Sale will be held at noon on Monday Thursday (Sept. 2) post time at Plainridge Park will move to 2 p.m. for all (Sept. 13) and the 127 yearlings being offered this year are currently race days through October 31. Plainridge will also be going to four live being examined by many interested parties in person, on video and in days of racing each week by adding Sunday for September and October. the catalog. However no one has observed these horses closer than the So the track will now present live harness racing on a Sunday-Monday- respective managers of each farm. Thursday-Friday schedule with all cards getting underway at 2 p.m. READ MORE -release (Plainridge) Allan Davis picks up career victory 3,000 at Harrington NY Sire Stakes to Live Stream “Night of Champions” Draw

Driver Allan Davis achieved his 3,000th win Tuesday at Harrington The New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) will be livestreaming the post Raceway aboard Ronald Short’s Deedee Didit ($3.60). position draw for the $1.6 million New York Night of Champions via Davis had four wins on the card, also guiding Tsimis ($10.20), Facebook on Monday, Sept. 6. The finals for New York State’s premier Always Flashing A ($2.40), and Blue Carats ($3.20) to victory. harness racing program for 2- and 3-year-olds is set to take place on READ MORE Friday, Sept. 10 at Yonkers Raceway. Monday’s draw will begin at 5:00 p.m. and can be accessed through Favorites downed in Indiana Sires Stakes races the NYSS Facebook page and the Yonkers Raceway Facebook page. “This has been an exciting racing season filled with outstanding Indiana Sires Stakes action pressed on at Harrah’s Hoosier Park performances and we are pleased to allow owners, horsemen and fans Racing & Casino on Wednesday, September 1, as the 3-year-old trot- to watch the draw live for the Night of Champions,” said Kelly Young, ting fillies squared off in the sixth round of their eight round series. Executive Director of the Fund. “We encourage families and friends The evening’s 14-race card was highlighted by two divisions, both of to attend the event virtually on Monday evening in preparation for which saw upset winners. the most anticipated night of racing in New York.” READ MORE -release (New York Sire Stakes)

DRF Harness Digest | 15 | September 2, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness