DRF HARNESS HOME DIGITAL HARNESS EYE HARNESS PPS DRF BETS ENTRIES ARCHIVE THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2021 It’s “go time” for the Melander stable in 2021

After four months of preparation, former Trainer of the Year Marcus Melander is ready to unveil his 2021 equine crew

Crown,” said Melander. “I think every horse in the barn was sick at some point during EDITOR’S EYE November. It was disappointing because Hypnotic Am was scratched from the Matron By Derick Giwner and another 2-year-old was scratched from @DRFHarness the Kindergarten Classic, but we had been very lucky without sickness for the previous couple of years.” When Reign Of Honor marched down the Unlike in 2019 and 2020 when Melander’s road at The Meadowlands on March 27 to win stable was the talk of the town due to the an overnight race it was the first start of 2021 presence of eventual Trotters of the Year for trainer Marcus Melander and ironically Greenshoe and Gimpanzee, respectively, the Inside this issue his first horse to race in exactly four months 28-year-old could be flying a bit under the when that same horse used similar tactics to radar this year. That said, his barn remains prove victorious. loaded with trotting talent and it would be Jay Bergman: Racing one of many While four months might seem like forever foolish to discount them. benefactors of COVID-19, Page 5 for some stables to be inactive on the track, for the Melander Stable, it is all part of the plan. Pompano’s worst set to battle in “Honestly it was pretty nice,” said Melander, #Senditin Invitationals, Page 5 who ramped things up on March 30 by qualify- ing five more horses. “We do so much racing, Darin Zoccali: Will the Meadowlands normally from May to November but last year Task Force have an impact?, Page 7 from June to November because of the virus, that it is nice to have a couple of months for the Dunn maintains confidence in Let It horses and people to take vacation and refresh Ride N for Monday’s Borgata, Page 8 their batteries for the new season. “It is so relaxing to go to the barn in the On The Backstretch: Profile of Hall of afternoon and go over horses. Not racing Famer Tom Charters, Page 10 during the winter gives me more time to go over the horses and prepare them for the Best Bets & Analysis, Page 12 Derick Giwner season. You have to do so much preparation Gimpanzee won his third straight Industry Headlines: Pocono to lower during the winter so when we start racing in trophy for trainer Marcus Melander in 2020 at Hoosier Park. takeout rates; Live racing starts Friday May or June the horses can race all year in the big races.” at Harrah’s Philadelphia, Page 12 While Melander had a strong year in 2020, Reign Of Honor was a very impressive Comments? Questions? seeing his barn finish sixth in earnings 1:52 1/5 winner at The Meadowlands and is ($3,823,805), everything went downhill after staked pretty heavily according to Melander. Email the Editor [email protected] Gimpanzee won his third straight Breeders While his first goal is the A.J. Cutler Memo- Crown on October 31 at Harrah’s Hoosier rial on May 15 at The Meadowlands, the To ensure proper delivery Park. Five of the nine horses he entered in $440K-winning 5-year-old will prepare every of the newsletter via November last year had to be scratched, two weeks or so in overnights as he seeks to including three from stakes races. hit his peak form. email, add [email protected]. “The stable caught a bad bug and we were com to your contact list just lucky it didn’t hit until after the Breeders CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

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© 2021 Daily Racing Form, LLC - 10 Grand Central, 3rd Floor, NY, NY 10017 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.

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The highest profile horse in the barn for 2021 is 4-year-old trotting mare Hypnotic Am. The winner of almost $1.2 million will be back at it versus winner Sorella and Hambletonian winner Ramona Hill in 2021 as well as facing the previous two Dan Patch winners for top older trotting mares in Atlanta and Manchego. “Even if she’s never won every big race she’s been in, she’s never thrown in a bad race either. The first time she ever missed the board was in the Breeders Crown final when she was fourth. It is hard to think that she isn’t as good as [Manchego, Atalnta, Ramona Hill and Sorella]. They are great horses but I think she can go with them. It will be exciting to see how she does,” said Melander, who said now that the seasons are changing Hypnotic Am is starting to feel good. “She doesn’t like the cold. Now with the heat she has lost her winter hair and looks great. We’ll take her to The Meadowlands on Saturday (April 3) to train and qualify in mid-April.” Hypnotic Am has the typical stakes schedule for her division. The Courant Inc.-owned daughter of Chapter Seven is looking at the Graduate series and Hambletonian Maturity versus 4-year-olds early Amanda Stephens before taking on older mares as the year goes on. Her only assignment Dancinginthedark M displayed high speed as a 2-year-old and versus the boys, should she feel up to the task, is in the Maple Leaf has matured over the winter according to Marcus Melander. Trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park during the fall. Certainly all eyes in the Standard- Melander about In Range, who can’t race at The Meadowlands outside bred world are on of the Hambletonian because of the rule which bans sons and daugh- the Hambleton- ters of sires which did not race as a 4-year-olds. ian trail each year As one of only two yearlings to ever sell for at least $1 million at and Melander has auction, Damien will once again be in the spotlight in 2021. The son of a number of them -Danae didn’t start last year as a 2-year-old and Melander where that trotting is hoping that his patience will pay off in his sophomore season. classic is the ulti- “He trained at The Meadowlands last Saturday (March 27) and mate goal. Perhaps he’ll go back one more time to go a bit more of a mile next time before at the top of a list that qualifying,” said Melander. “We were very happy with how he felt and includes In Range, behaved in his first time there. At this point he feels like a good horse, Iznogoud Am, but he was immature as a 2-year-old and didn’t race, so it will take Damien, Sonofam- him more time. We have to start him from the bottom, Non-winners- istery and others, is of-1, and work his way up. The others have more experience than him, Dancinginthedark which is why he is qualifying a bit earlier.” M, who displayed The aforementioned Iznogoud Am was well-thought-of enough to raw speed winning make the trip to Woodbine Mohawk Park in 2020 to race in the inau- in 1:52 2/5 as a gural Mohawk Million. After finishing a well-beaten ninth, Melander 2-year-old but lacked put the son of Muscle Hill away and now projects him as perhaps a

Fotowon maturity. sleeper to look out for on the colt side. Caretaker Mikaela Melander and driver “We worked a lot “Iznogoud started out really good but he got a little sore on us. He are part of the team behind with him behind raced in the million-dollar race in Canada but wasn’t sound that day now 4-year-old mare Hypnotic Am. horses this winter and we turned him out. He’s come back really good,” said Melander and I like the way Two more to watch are Sonofamistery and Gimme Shelter. The he’s developed. He feels like he’s really matured,” said Melander. former was always fast according to Melander but just not mentally “He’s filled out nicely and I am really excited about him coming back.” there yet while the latter, a filly, is new to the barn. Gimme Shelter As a son of Readly Express, Dancinginthedark M is only eligible to won a couple of PA Sire Stakes legs last year under the care of Mike the Kentucky Sire Stakes program, which doesn’t get underway until Palone and Melander is happy with what he has seen so far. late in the summer. That means a later start to his season with an Melander also has a barn full of 2-year-olds learning the ropes and emphasis on stakes and whatever overnights work into the plan. He like most trainers in early April, he’s mostly satisfied. “Yeah, I’m has the Goodtimes at Woodbine Mohawk Park on June 19 and perhaps happy, but a lot of people are happy right now when they are going showing the trainer’s true faith in his horse’s mental growth over the about 2:20. We’ll see where they are in a couple of months. I think we winter, is eligible to the MGM with eliminations and have some stars in the group.” final the following two weeks at the New York half-mile track. Living up to his success in recent years will be no easy feat for In Range is the most accomplished of Melander’s colts and his path Melander. Afterall, he was Trainer of the Year in 2019 and condi- will be much different. The Pennsylvania Sire Stakes runner-up from tioned a Trotter of the Year in 2020. Yet the award winner is confident 2020 will get started for a May return to compete in that series. The in his methods and feeling hopeful that more good things are on the son of Bar Hopping seems to be coming back nicely, but the trainer horizon. admits that it is hard to tell. “Those other years we really had the power. This year we have “He’s filled out and grown a lot. He feels great, but he’s very lazy some really nice horses and I’m excited about them,” concluded so you really don’t know until you get the race bike on him,” said Melander.

DRF Harness Digest | 3 | April 1, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness BY YANKEE CRUISER OUT OF SWEET FUTURE 2021 FEE: $12,500 Racing clearly one of the many benefactors of COVID-19

the “new” accounts in greater detail. What’s paramount to this quest is that it requires quick action on jaywalking our part. As this pandemic hopefully comes to an end in the near term, there’s a great chance money will begin to move in different By Jay Bergman BergmanJay directions as people seek to reunite with old friends and older habits. There may be a good many people who learned about racing over the last year without benefit of ever visiting a racetrack or seeing a race- In the short term we are all experts, yet history shows us that the horse up close. It’s to the industry’s benefit if we can identify as many only true analysis of success can be documented over time. potential fans as possible and provide the tools necessary to get them In the course of the last year, a frame of time that will surely be to a track even just once. noted as the COVID-19 Era, experts have arisen and prospered. It has Maybe it is wishful thinking but I kind of wonder whether a COVID- been a period where new interests have come to many, and profits, if Free-Money promotion may be worth pursuing that would incentiv- you’ve chosen the right paths, have been rich. ize those with proof of being vaccinated with money to wager. How The stock market’s meteoric rise over the last year can be boggling about $19 in free money? Or tracks offering the betting voucher and a to those who haven’t witnessed it historically. Of course, there can be free program in exchange for contact information (email-cell phone) no historical perspective when trying to quantify what would happen to better touch base with the new audience. during a pandemic. However, in just a small sample, we can see how The vaccine could prove a shot in the arm for our industry as well interest in the market may have been inspired by “a lack of action” if promoted well. available to those who daily liked to speculate on sporting events. Action is something most people were cut off from over the last year whether it be daily interaction with others or the lack of games to gamble on. In steps the stock market, and people start talking about Track’s worst battle Thursday in the same time others start speculating. To me it was no different than Pompano’s #Senditin invitationals walking into an OTB and a guy offering a “hot tip.” If the tip came in it would be hard to deny just how easy it is to make money at this game. As for the stock market’s ebbs and flows, professionals know how By Derick Giwner to profit from them. Newbies, on the other hand, may get battered by the movements if the sudden pressure from losses forces them out of The stats don’t lie, at least not when it comes to a pair of $10,000 the game. Invitationals on Thursday evening at Pompano Park highlighting The last year also brought about various numbers of stimulus some of the bottom-level pacers and trotters which put it all out on packages that put money into the public’s hands. There’s one thing the line week-in and week-out at the south Florida track. about free money, as we’ve seen time and again in casinos and sports The 20 entrants in the pair of #Senditin Invitationals, 10 each in books, it is generally spent freely by some almost immediately after it the third-race trot and tenth-race pace, have combined for just five reaches the hand. wins and 31 on-the-board finishes in 2021 from 192 starts. The last year also produced a wide array of interest in perceived The brainchild of Caesar’s Director of Racing Gabe Prewitt, assets of value. To anyone that’s spent time away from a racetrack who also serves as track announcer at Pompano Park, the idea and witnessed other forms of “investing,” the 2020-21 years will be was to give back to the horses which have competed throughout noted for the incredible escalation in value in the used car market. the meet but were unable to win as often as others. Before this era, it was nearly impossible to find an automobile that “All of the other Caesar’s properties are having #Senditin Invites wouldn’t lose value each month, but over the last year there were for really good horses (Scioto for FFA horses, Hoosier for $100K countless brands that saw escalation in prices. I own a 2015 “sports claimers, Indiana Grand for stakes horses), none of which were my car” that I would hardly classify as a “collectors” model, yet my car’s idea,” said Prewitt. “I decided that the “Pomp” being the original value on the open market rose 20 percent from August to March. home of the #Senditin wagering “army” should have a race as well. The stock market’s rise or improvement in the used car markets are The problem is we have little money for stakes and no access to top- just two examples of a change in focus in the investment or gambling flight horses. So we decided to do it “Pomp” style and work with what market. It would be smart to conclude that some money set aside for we do have, hard-knocking horses that try hard every week.” stimulus found its way into exacta and Pick-4 pools along the way. Given the public had far fewer choices when it came to taking vaca- tions or visiting a restaurant, it’s conceivable that extra money found its way churning through the pari-mutuel machines. In the first three months of 2021 money wagered on harness races in the United States was up an astounding 25 percent. Barbara Livingston Photo You don’t have to be an expert to recognize that those who first got The fourth race trot is a real brain-teaser for handicappers, with involved in the stock market in 2020, or those who began speculating only two of the horses in the field showing a top-three finish in their in other assets during that year, may have come away with the eupho- last three starts. The 13-year-old Guiltywithanexcuse, who has virtu- ria gained from winning that first bet. They may actually believe that ally made as much in his career as the rest of the field combined, is they now “know” how to play these games and can do the same thing the 3-1 morning line favorite with Tyler Shehan driving from post 3. over and over again. He is one of three horses, along with Fist Fighter (post 8) and First Here is where the short term and long term collide. There’s a more You Dream (post 9), to have found the winner’s circle in 2021. realistic chance over the course of the next few years that some form When the pacers hit the track in race 10, eight of the horses of correction will take place. It’s inevitable in marketplaces and most will be seeking their first wins of the year. Morning-line favorite assuredly if the sudden influx of “new money” disappears over time, Queen Me Again (post 9) is one of the two with a win along with it will have a negative impact on demand. Blurred Lines (post 3). Ira Chief is the veteran of the group as a Just as other markets are sure to lose players, so too will racing, 12-year-old with $484,000 earned in his career. but that’s where experts must come from within and try to hold on to The division for pacers will also feature a mandatory payout in whatever gains we have made by whatever means possible. the track’s Jackpot Hi-5. A carryover of $130,623 awaits handicap- Now I am not an expert in the field of locating the new players pers and those successful in selecting the first five finishers will who either discovered racing accidently or were lured to us by other share in the final pool, which should climb to at least $300,000 and means over the last year. That’s a job description that requires the perhaps much higher. ability to weave through all of the available racing hubs and explore

DRF Harness Digest | 5 | April 1, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Breed to a magnificently-bred stallion by a Hambletonian winner out of a Hambletonian Oaks winner

PROPULSION MUSCLE HILL – DANAE

· Finished 1st 2020 · 34 Million Swedish Krona ($3.9 Million U.S.) · 1:49.3f (Europe) lifetime mark

Standing at Deo Volente Farms - 2021 Stud Fee: $9,500

www.deovolentefarms.com | 908-782-4848, Fax 908-782-4870 487 Quakertown Road, Flemington, NJ 08822 Will the new Meadowlands Task Force have an impact?

has been happening more than I remember in the past. Again, this is perception. If a driver feels his horse is all done, it can appear like he at the track is getting out of the way of the horse behind him. Sitting the pocket throughout knowing that you will find room toward the pylons in the By Darin Zoccali AtTheTrack7 stretch is not just a huge advantage, but it also results in a deteriora- tion of the racing product. I believe the purpose of all of this is that the management from The Meadowlands wants it to come from someone other than them- The Meadowlands continues to implement ideas that it seems most selves when critiquing the racing product. If Jeff Gural and Jason other tracks haven’t thought of, which speaks to track management’s Settlemoir take a stance on these matters as a reflection of their innovation. The latest is a task force to study and report on the racing opinion, it can lead to points of contention, as it did with Brian Sears product. Included in the task force are horseplayers, members of the a decade ago. But, if other people, especially bettors, customers and media, drivers, trainers and more. members of the media come together with items they feel need to First, those on the task force committee will be observing the be addressed, it gives the management at The Meadowlands stron- horses while on the racetrack. Initially, they will be looking at the ger footing and it will be very interesting to see what comes out appearances of post parades and whether the drivers are speaking on of the committee, if there will be published reports citing specific the racetrack. examples and what action will be taken to limit these trends on the Admittedly, I have never really cared about drivers speaking on the racetrack. racetrack. There is a driver’s room in the paddock where they can This is not the first time The Meadowlands has asked for feedback converse between races. Many of the drivers are good friends. But, I from people outside employees of the racetrack. During my time at understand this is a perception issue and it’s not a good look to some the Big M, there were often polls conducted regarding issues related that drivers who are about to compete against one another are talking to the racing product and the wagering format. In addition, there before the race. were focus groups at both The Meadowlands and Winners Bayonne Two items that they will be monitoring is what is known as “cour- that included customers giving their feedback and opinions on things tesy tucks” on the first turn, or “giving a hole to another horse/ that were done well and more importantly, things that could be done driver,” along with the half-in and half-out style of racing. They won’t better. have to look too far, because this happens in just about every race. Admittedly, unless there are huge fines that are levied for certain I know it is a thorn in the side of Jeff Gural and it has been since he things that happen on the racetrack, I really don’t see things chang- took over the operations at The Meadowlands. It was a point of conten- ing that much, especially in the biggest races. In The Meadowlands tion for Brian Sears, who resented being told how to drive. His stance Pace, if a driver has his horse mid-pack and he begins to slide off the was that he has made a successful career driving a certain way and it pylons, I’ll be shocked if that driver simply guns his horse first-over would be detrimental to his career if he could no longer drive how he as opposed to just sitting there while trying to flush out cover. Driv- spent the last 20-plus years driving. ers are not going to sacrifice high six-figure or million-dollar purses Of course, Gural’s biggest concern was the quality of the racing and because of what a task force committee says. I think we are too far he cited that the racing was never better at The Meadowlands than past the point where drivers are going to change their style of driving when no holes were given and if you were on the outside, the driver because a group of people say they should. simply drove on. He’s certainly right about that and that was the orig- In addition, the drivers have another ace in the hole that they can inal vision of Joe DeFrank when The Meadowlands opened in 1976. It play whenever they want. Handle at The Meadowlands has been soar- will be interesting to see what comes out of this particular topic and ing. We are seeing $3 million handle nights routinely, with some $4 how the drivers take it. My guess is they take it better now consider- million nights too. The Meadowlands is handling more money than ing the purses are about 50% higher than they were in 2012 at the one the majority of thoroughbred racetracks, so clearly the bettors are mile oval. not turned off by the racing product. I would argue that The Mead- A less obvious trend that the committee will be keeping its eyes on owlands could be doing even better if the style of racing changed, but will be horses drifting off the pylons while racing on the lead when again, I will be surprised if it gets to that point. Regardless, how this they enter the stretch. This is something that we are seeing quite a committee produces its findings and what action stems from those bit and while many horses do drift after cutting the mile, I admit, it findings will be interesting to follow.

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DRF Harness Digest | 7 | April 1, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness Dunn maintains confidence in Let It Ride N in Monday’s Borgata

By Jay Bergman

By all accounts, driver Dexter Dunn has lost no faith in Let It Ride N despite a “sub- par” performance in the second leg of the MGM Borgata Series at Yonkers Raceway. “He had post eight and it was an impos- sible trip,” said Dunn of the sixth-place finish in the March 22 event. “The Judges at Yonkers got very strict about drivers giving holes. From post eight if I had left with him, I would have been parked at least two turns.” Thus, Dunn took the alternative and took back to last from post eight, and then befell a victim to a slow first half as well as a stalled outer flow. “The Judges weren’t even going to accept allowing a favorite to tuck in front for cover,” said Dunn, who intimated that the hard policy against drivers is being relaxed. Chris Brokate For Let It Ride N, Monday’s fourth round A bad trip got the best of Let It Ride N in his last start after winning leg one of the $40,000 division (race 4) will represent Borgata Series at Yonkers. his penultimate opportunity to make an impact and gain enough points to reach the final. A win in the first leg Dunn will have to start from the outside with Western Joe in was significant, but missing a week and finishing off the board in one Monday’s second $40,000 Borgata division, but that’s not likely to leg makes Monday’s race, as well as the last leg, crucial if the impres- impact the veteran son of Western Ideal. sive import is to reach the rich final. “That was an impressive last 100 yards he paced last week,” said “I expect he’ll be good this week after having a week off,” Dunn Dunn, somewhat gushing over the come-from-behind rally that gave said with confidence that conditioner “Nifty” Norman will have his Western Joe his first series win to go along with a second and fourth charge ready as he takes on five rivals in one of three divisions on in the earlier rounds. Monday. “He didn’t come off the second to last turn that well,” said Dunn of Dunn has been careful not to take Let It Ride N to the front, and Western Joe, who appeared to be lagging cover as the field headed up up until his last race that strategy was flawless, as the son of Rock the backstretch the final time. The driver had witnessed Western Joe’s N Roll Heaven had captured all of his North American starts. The issues on turns at The Meadowlands as a spectator. “If you watched driver wasn’t about to tip his hand towards strategy for this Monday him at the Meadowlands there were races where he seemed to be done but seemed to hold confidence that Let It Ride N would be able to on the final turn and then when they turned into the stretch he’d pick handle the consequences, whether put on the lead or raced from up the bit and fight on. He’s a warrior.” behind. Western Joe faces six rivals including two-leg winner Rockapelo In Monday’s short field there are two horses directly inside Let It (post 4) in Monday’s sixth race. Ride N (post 5) that have shown plenty of early speed over the half- The streaking Leonidas A looks for his third Borgata Series leg win miler in the past. One time Borgata (Levy) champion Western Fame in the third (race 7) division on Monday. Leonidas A drew post four in (post 3) and This Is The Plan (post 4) had been assertive in the early a field that includes first round winner Lyons Steel (post 2). stages throughout their careers. Right now This Is The Plan is the Fans of Dexter Dunn will find him quite active at multiple tracks sharper of the two, having finished second in all three of his prelim- in the coming weeks. With Harrah’s Philadelphia re-opening, Dunn inary legs of the Borgata. Trained by Ron Burke, This Is The Plan plans to be a regular while also spending time at Yonkers, The Mead- put in a Herculean mile last week racing parked the distance from owlands and Pocono, where he’ll have some high-quality mounts in post seven and yet still managed to go forward in the stretch, a solid the Weiss Series. runner-up to three-leg winner Hesa Kingslayer N.

DRF Harness Digest | 8 | April 1, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness PAYMENTS DUE APRIL 15 One list and one check keeps your horses eligible to these top events.

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The Hambletonian Society | Breeders Crown • 109 South Main Street, Suite 18 • Cranbury, NJ 08512-3174 Phone: 609-371-2211 • Fax: 609-371-8890 • Web: hambletonian.com 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.

Hall of famer tom charters What kind of car do you drive? 2012 Lincoln MKZ. Favorite dinner meal? Snack? Some would be disappointed I don’t say ‘Fried Mush’ but I have to say a small filet with garlic mash, sauté spinach, Caesar salad, and a Pinot Noir, or any dinner meal I’ve had in . For snack, Dr. Sue’s trail mix with an eight oz. diet Coke in a glass bottle. What is your favorite all-time track to visit? Why? I’ve been lucky enough to visit racetracks all over the world but I don’t think anything equals a sunny afternoon in The Red Mile grandstand with friends. What is your favorite big event in racing? Why? The Hambletonian of course. It’s the greatest day in the sport. Hambletonian Society Tom Charters was elected to the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in What is your favorite thing to do outside of the racing world? 2019. Travel and watch classic movies on TCM, or better yet on the big screen. I’ve also accumulated a wonderful racing library, which I thought it was the coolest thing ever. enjoy browsing. You spent some time working for Delvin Miller. What was What is your favorite sport to watch? Team? that like? College football - Kentucky Wildcats and Ohio State Buckeyes, in Delvin is the greatest man I’ve met my life — given the number of that order. people he positively impacted. He was not only an extraordinary horseman and ambassador for the sport, but the most intellectu- What is one thing about you most fans/bettors don’t know? ally curious person I ever met. So many dimensions. He loved the history, the legacy and the international scope of the sport. More I started as a groom and thought I was a pretty good one at that. I than once I would stop by Meadow Lands Farm when Delvin was up like to think I retired as the caretaker for the Hambletonian and the from Florida during the winter and he was in his library reading Breeders Crown. sometimes turn of the century trade magazines and he wanted to share. His grandfather was a client of Edward ‘Pop’ Geers. Delvin What is one word that describes harness racing for you? was well-read and familiar with horses and horsemen of the era up to the modern times, in that many came by Grandpa Miller’s farm Dynamic. Things change week-to-week, season-to-season. in Avella, Pa. I’m proud to say that I have his library now. His was What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten about harness a relatively small operation (compared to earlier years) by the time I worked for him so he was also not afraid to give a young person racing? responsibility and then help them along when opportunity for them to advance presented itself. Many of his former grooms and trainers Judge Russell once told me that when a procedure becomes routine moved on to succeed as trainers on their own, farm managers and you have to be extra careful to avoid mistakes . . . and never do some- executives. thing that can’t be undone if necessary. Fifty-three years ago I wrote him a letter when I was in college and I How did harness racing enter your life? haven’t had to send out a job application since. Going to the Madison County fair in London, Ohio I saw a friend Rick Hackett taking care of the family horse Barbara Hudson and CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

DRF Harness Digest | 10 | April 1, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness been very attentive in keeping me up-to-date on what’s going on and discussing precedent and the history of various current issues. I’m still a director of the Society and a part-time employee with the title of Executive Vice President. I’m also a director of the Little Brown Jug Society. I look forward to the end of the COVID lock-down and to get back to the races. You’ve been known to wear some colorful clothes to big events. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 How did that begin? Or were you always just a snazzy dresser? Some 40 years ago you worked as a Racing Secretary. Do I don’t know about colorful or snazzy. My father managed a men’s fine clothing store and I guess I picked it up there. I grew up in the you think the challenges of that job are more difficult now? era of “a coat & tie” and always tried to dress appropriately whether It’s probably more challenging given the technology, fewer track I was in the paddock or going to the winner’s circle (especially barn areas and the fluidity of the horse supply, the competition for when representing the Society). I rarely wear a tie to the track now horses given the overall increase in purses at competing tracks because invariably a customer will mistake me for management and across the industry, and the marathon programs of 12+ race cards want to explain some dissatisfaction or disappointment. I notice even common these days. network news anchors and sideline basketball coaches have forsaken ties lately. As for my hat, one Hambletonian day I was in the front What was it like in the early years of the Breeders Crown? paddock and Mike Kimelman took pity on my sunburned forehead and gave me his straw Panama and I loved it; reminded me of my Exciting and challenging in that we built the events from the ground dad. I have a fine collection of hats. up. However it couldn’t fail no matter how many missteps we made with the extraordinary support of the industry breeders and stallion What was your favorite moment in harness racing? owners, horse owners and horsemen and the enthusiasm of the host tracks. We were willing to fine tune it and did so on several occa- Delmonica Hanover’s first Roosevelt International. I was working at sions and probably will in the future. Meadow Lands Farm at the end of the summer. When she got in the field, I and another groom at the farm, a young Frenchman named Did you think almost 40 years later the Breeders Crown would Phillippe Boudreau, decided to drive up. When Delvin found out, he invited us to sit with him in the clubhouse, the Cloud Casino “on the still be going strong? glass.” When she won we rushed with him to winner’s circle and later we went to the after-party at the Island Inn. It was a magical I hoped so but there’s a lot of industry initiatives that have come and night! Other favorites: the night she got her mark the last start of gone in those four decades. I think it’s a compliment to all involved her life at Hollywood Park. And there are many Hambletonians and that the Breeders Crown is still strong. Breeders Crowns that could be categorized as favorites. One is tough You became President and CEO of the Hambletonian Society over 50 years. in 1998. Would you call your run successful? Which is your favorite horse from your time in the sport? I think it was. Of course I had the advantage of some great mentors, Delmonica Hanover, an immortal of the Hall of Fame, who looked such as: Max Hempt; Andy Grant; Norman Woolworth; Charlie after me pretty well. Keller; John Cashman; Jim Simpson and Ebby Gerry — really an extraordinary roster of wisdom and experience. The whole board in You were nominated into the Hall of Fame in 2019 and will fact was tremendously supportive. We expanded the number of races the Society services to 130 thereabouts, standardized conditions, be inducted this year. Will that be an emotional day for you? maintained and enhanced the Hambletonian, promoted hands-on Very emotional! I’ve had almost two years to get my arms around the Hambletonian and the Breeders Crown and resurrected the it and I’m still not sure of it. Many of those already enshrined there Hambletonian Maturity, as well as enhanced partnerships with The are giants - the heroes of my youth people - whose accomplishments Meadowlands and our other host tracks. We also tackled issues such really mattered to our sport. A long list of thank you’s for those that as television and new media, international racing including simul- got me there to that podium. casting, whipping and illegal medication. We did all that without ever losing a dime of horsemen’s money. And I’m proud to say John If you had the power to change one thing in the sport, what (Campbell) and Moira (Fanning) as well as the present Board have continued those initiatives. would it be? Coordinated post times and eliminate the drag . . . sorry that’s two! Was there anything you wish you could’ve accomplished during that time but that just wasn’t possible? How do you view the future of harness racing? Uniform rules. Positive. I refuse to believe the best times are all behind us. I think there’s great horses and horsemen ahead and I look forward to great How about your staff over the years at the Hambletonian racing and I hope I have great friends to share it with. Society. Can you talk a minute about their contribution? Time for the stretch drive: I was so fortunate to have great staff who were hard working and as passionate about the sport as I am. The four individuals (Moira Fan- Best Horse You Ever Saw?: , at any age over 2, any dis- ning, Judy Davis-Wilson, Callie Davies-Gooch and the late Mary Lou tance, any venue/country. Dondarski), who were with me the longest, all had racetrack, espe- Best Driver Ever?: John Campbell, enough said. cially backstretch experience, and each brought their own particu- lar skills that furthered and enhanced the Hambletonian Society’s Best Trainer Ever?: Ron Burke (and his dad Mickey) has the most mission. They made me look good and I learned a lot from them over complete management skill set and record. the years. I’m pleased to say we are still friends. Favorite TV Show?: American Experience. You retired a few years back. How much time are you still Trotters or Pacers?: Trotters. spending thinking about racing? Everyday! The office is just down the road and John and Moira have

DRF Harness Digest | 11 | April 1, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness INDUSTRY NEWS

pocono implements lower takeout rates

The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono has announced major changes to their takeout rates, all of which are firmly in favor of the bettor. At DRF Harness we strive to provide the best handicapping Pocono’s Director of Racing & Sportsbook Operations Mike Zullinger information in the sport. Each week we’ll use this space to bring confirmed the changes, which will go into effect on April 1. you some of our handicappers’ best bets, value plays and horses to READ MORE 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. Live racing kicks off Friday at Harrah’s Philadelphia Thursday, april 1 A 12-race card has been drawn for Friday’s opening program of the 2021 racing season at Harrah’s Philadelphia, which begins at 12:25 p.m. RACE 8 Father Nuno, fastest qualifier during the inaugural qualifying session here last Friday at 1:53 3/5, will be looking to make up for lost (1) TYMAL RIGGS was a time as he starts from post four for driver George Napolitano Jr. and good 2nd last week despite the brother team of trainer Tom and owner John Cancelliere. finishing with broken equip- READ MORE ment and he looks best here facing a few of the horses that Ontario racing facing another shutdown finished behind him then. -Garnet Barnsdale According to a post by the Ontario government on Wednesday evening (3/31), horse racing will be one of a number of activities to friday, april 2 cease as a result of another shutdown of activities in the province. The mandate allows for training but no racing. RACE 11 On Thursday a post on Canada confirmed that racing would be halted at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Western Fair and Rideau (5) CECIL CASANOVA effective Saturday, April 3. moves into the Silva barn and he is a master at resur- Upsets aplenty in 1st leg of John Brennan series at Yonkers recting horses who have fallen on hard times but used Hunting AS was the only favorite to prevail as the John Brennan to be good. Trotting Series began with four $20,000 divisions on Wednesday night -Derick Giwner (March 31) at a soggy and sloppy Yonkers Raceway. READ MORE RACE 9 Machnhope looks to resume Matchmaker success friday (5) MELADY’S MONET dominated similar last week After watching Machnhope win her first two starts in the Blue at odds-on and he pretty Chip Matchmaker Series for older female pacers, trainer Noel Daley much gets a free ride tonight; held the mare out of last week’s action. As she prepares to return for another short price looming Friday’s fourth round, Daley is happy with the decision. on this ultra-classy trotter. Machnhope is the 8-5 morning-line favorite in the second of two -Matt Rose $35,000 divisions of the Matchmaker at Yonkers Raceway. Ten mares were entered this week, with three of the top-seven in points includ- Saturday, april 3 ing unbeaten Alexa Skye sitting out. Blue Ivy, who has a win and two seconds in the series, is the 9-5 favorite in the first division. RACE 2 READ MORE (2) GOOD ROCKIN gets a PA LAWMAKERS EXPERIENCE RACING’S ECONOMIC IMPACT better post to work with this week. Yeah, he’s burned us Harness racing organizations frequently remind Pennsylvania recently, but this is a great state legislators how vital the sport is to the economy of the Common- spot and he really has no wealth. On March 30, a large delegation of Pennsylvania lawmakers excuses for failure. got a chance to experience that impact first hand. -Giwner A group of 25 PA state legislators and their staff participated in “Legislative Day” at Washington County’s Amulet Equine Rehab and Conditioning Center, a session planned and co-hosted by the Mead- full card analysis / past performances ows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA). The informative session came at a key time, as the legislature soon Mohawk Park (THU) Analysis Meadowlands (FRI) Analysis may consider PA Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2021 budget proposal, which calls for the reallocation of $200 million from the PA Race Horse Develop- Yonkers (THU) Analysis Mohawk Park (FRI) Analysis ment Fund. If enacted, that budget grab could be the death knell for racing — and those 20,000 jobs — in Pennsylvania. Yonkers (FRI) Analysis Meadowlands (SAT) Analysis “It was a wonderful turnout for a wonderful day, and we’re so appreciative that so many legislators could join us,” said Rich Gillock, MSOA president. “We can talk about racing’s impact all we want, but DHP PPs harness eye PPs trackmaster PPs free PPs once our legislators see that impact ‘up close and personal,’ they have a much better feel for the economic havoc and hardships the loss of racing would cause.” Want full-card analysis? Visit DRF.com/harness -edited release (Evan Pattak for MSOA) DRF Harness Digest | 12 | April 1, 2021 Visit us online at drf.com/harness