FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2019

©2019 HORSEMAN PUBLISHING CO., LEXINGTON, KY USA • FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION CALL (859) 276-4026 Maine Owner Hartt Stepping Up With Matchmaker, Levy Starters NOW ACCEPTING ENTRIES Ron Burke tops all trainers and/or owners with starters in this weekend’s opening round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy Memorial Series at Yonkers Race- way, but there are several other people with a significant number of entries in the events. Among those with several entries is owner William Hartt of Maine. Hartt has two mares scheduled to com- pete in the Blue Chip Matchmaker and four entries in the MAY 14, 2019 Levy Series. Racehorses, racing prospects, Hartt’s entries are Write Me A Song and Betterb Chevron N broodmares, foals, yearlings & more! in the Matchmaker and Micky Gee N, Military Master A, Lockton Luck A and Christen Me N in the Levy. The 2018 sale was the strongest Hartt has been involved with since his teens. Spring Sale in its 55-year history, following “I had a couple of horses and took care of them after record-breaking sales in 2017, 2016 and 2015! work when I was younger. I’m second generation in the ENTER ONLINE NOW AT horse business,” said Hartt. www.bloodedhorse.com “She came up sick “Then I took over the family and we had to business and didn’t have turn her out for time for that.” Entries will three months. close around Hartt is the CEO of Hartt April 13 That’s tough to do Transportation of Bangor, when you’ve spent Maine, a hauling company “There’s No Substitute for Experience” good money.” founded in 1948 by his late fa- JERRY HAWS • P.O. Box 187 • Wilmore, Kentucky 40390 –William Hartt ther, Delmont. Phone: (859) 858-4415 • Fax: (859) 858-8498 about Write Me A Song “I took over when I was 35 and we had 50 trucks when I started and now, 20-plus years later, we’re at 600,” said WHAT’S INSIDE . . . Hartt. “I have a lot of good people who work for me, and Tim Tetrick now co-owner of Shartin N—pg. 4 that gives me time (for the horses) that I didn’t have a Jacobs starts Somebaddude in Levy—pg. 5 few years ago when our business was growing.” Medusa ready for Matchmaker—pg. 6 Lance Hudson trains all of Hartt’s Matchmaker and Levy High hopes for —pg. 7 contenders. 3YO Keystone Concrete dies—pg. 8 “Lance is from Maine and we’ve had our horses with him in New York,” said Hartt. “I’ve had Maine (bred) babies and Breeding Banter—pg. 9 you can have a lot of fun racing in Maine, but it’s tough to make money. As I’ve gotten older and my business grew, I’ve bought some better horses. We started out with $15- $20,000 claimers.” One of Hartt’s recent purchases was his Matchmaker starter Write Me A Song. The daughter of Sportswriter was acquired from Ontario horseman Jack Darling last October, after she finished fourth in an Ontario Sires Stakes Gold final. Write Me A Song had banked $182,893 and won eight of 15 starts. But Hartt quickly had some bad luck with Write Me A Song. Continues on page 2 Write Me A Song

›››› New Image Media Photo HarnessRacing Weekend Preview, 2 of 11 March 15, 2019 www.harnessracing.com

FREE THIS WEEKEND’S Program Pages FEATURED RACES

All times listed are local. Friday, March 15 8:10p YR5 Matchmaker Pace div. Trackmaster PPs 8:30p YR6 Matchmaker Pace div. Trackmaster PPs 8:50p YR7 Matchmaker Pace div. Trackmaster PPs 9:10p YR8 Matchmaker Pace div. Trackmaster PPs 9:30p YR9 Matchmaker Pace div. Trackmaster PPs Click here to download all Friday PPs Saturday, March 16 7:50p YR4 Levy Mem. Pace div. Trackmaster PPs 8:10p YR5 Levy Mem. Pace div. Trackmaster PPs 8:30p YR6 Levy Mem. Pace div. Trackmaster PPs 8:50p YR7 Levy Mem. Pace div. Trackmaster PPs 9:10p YR8 Levy Mem. Pace div. Trackmaster PPs 9:30p YR9 Levy Mem. Pace div. Trackmaster PPs 10:10p YR11 Open Trot Trackmaster PPs Click here to download all Saturday PPs

Visit www.trackmaster.com and subscribe to download full cards from your favorite tracks!

Post Position Wins at Yonkers Raceway “She came up sick and we had to turn her out for three PP 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 months. That’s tough to do when you’ve spent good starts 496 496 496 496 496 491 471 336 win 93 70 87 84 92 39 24 8 money,” he shared, acknowledging that the filly was a “six- place 90 94 75 89 76 32 28 11 figure” purchase. show 82 88 81 76 57 55 40 18 Percent in Money Write Me A Song appears to have bounced back from her win 18.8 14.1 17.5 16.9 18.5 7.9 5.1 2.4 illness. She won the $44,000 Open for fillies and mares at place 36.9 33.1 32.7 34.9 33.9 14.5 11.1 5.7 Yonkers on March 8. She’ll be starting from post 1 in the show 53.4 50.8 49.0 50.2 45.4 25.7 19.6 11.0 first Matchmaker division (Race 5) on Friday night. HarnessRacing Weekend Preview In addition to having a group of older horses so strong they merit nominations to the Matchmaker and Levy, Kathy Parker Heather Kemper [email protected] [email protected] Hartt also owns the 3-year-old So Awesome p,2, 1:53.3h Editor/ General Manager Production Manager ($232,440), the runner-up in last year’s New York Sires Lynne Myers Hannah Reynolds Stakes 2-Year-Old Filly Pace final, and has five 2 year olds [email protected] [email protected] in training. Advertising Manager Editorial Production Gordon Waterstone Vanessa Flannery “I bought So Awesome last year after she qualified at [email protected] [email protected] Saratoga. She was beaten just a nose in the final,” said Associate Editor Accounting & Circulation Hartt. For mail sent via U.S. Postal Service, Hartt said with his business obligations, having twin 17- either P.O. Box 8480, Lexington, KY 40533, or 1910 Harrodsburg Rd., Suite 200, Lexington, KY 40503. (859) 276-4026 year-old sons, and the distance from his home to Yonkers © Copyright Horseman Publishing Company. (430 miles), he mostly watches his horses race via stream- A product of Horseman Publishing Company, publishers of the website ing on a TV or computer. www.harnessracing.com and The Horseman And Fair World magazine. “From what I see, other than Shartin, there are a lot of This newspaper may not be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior written permission. good horses in both (Matchmaker and Levy), but not great,” Hartt noted. “Shartin’s really tough, but these races have To sign up for the Weekend Preview please visit been the graveyard of some very good horses. I’ve got www.harnessracing.com/members_sign_up.php some shots.”—By Kathy Parker ford Oxfo

Dave

Credit:

AStA Sttatte That Producees Photo Credit: Dave Oxfo In 2018: • NY-Br- red trotters swept theD an Patch Awards for 2 and 3YOs • NY-BreBreeds won the Hambletoniannn, Yonkerrs Trot and Kentucky Futturity — a NY Trotting Triple Crown — and the Meeadowlands Pace, LBJ and two Breedeers Crowns. • A quarrter of Finalists were bred in New York • 26 horrses earned more than $100,000 in NYSS purses alone, the top banking $288,5583 • Breede ers were returned nearly 20% of 1 Broaadway Center Schenectady, New Yorko 12305 a 2YO’ss earnings and more than 15% of 518-388- 0178 a 3YO’ss earnings in Breeders Awards [email protected] • L argesst BreedersAs Award for a ssingle www.nyssirestakes.com horse was $40,846; largest check to a breedeer was $165,587

Seleect from more thhan 40 sttaallionssres registered in N New Yorkork. Requestt a copy of the 2019 Stallion Directory or visit www.nyysirestakes.com to downlooad a copy todayay.y. HarnessRacing Weekend Preview, 4 of 11 March 15, 2019 www.harnessracing.com Shartin N Now Driven By Conrad Photo Co-owner Tim Tetrick Tim Tetrick was behind Shartin N in all 24 of her starts on her way to honors as the 2018 Dan Patch Older Pacing Mare of the Year, and he’ll be in the sulky on Friday night when the 6 year old makes her seasonal debut in the last of five $40,000 divisions of the opening round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series at Yonkers Raceway. But instead of being driver Tetrick on Friday night, the 37 year old will be on the track as driver and co-owner of Shartin N. Tetrick recently purchased a small interest in the New Zealand-bred daughter of Tintin In America from own- ers Richard Poillucci and Jo Ann Looney-King, the wife of trainer Jim King Jr. “They let me be part of her, just a small piece, and I think Shartin N just so (Poillucci) made sure I drove her,” Tetrick explained with a laugh. she was really nice. I don’t know if she’s as good as Shartin, In addition to Shartin N, Tetrick also purchased a small in- but she has a lot of qualities I like.” terest from Poillucci and Jo Ann Looney-King in new New Bettor Joy N will start from post 2 in the second Match- Zealand import Bettor Joy N, and having already been a co- maker division (Race 6). owner of Newborn Sassy since last fall, he has a trio of Tetrick said there is no comparison in personalities be- strong contenders in the Matchmaker Series. tween Shartin N and Bettor Joy N. “I bought the owner out on Newborn Sassy and when “(Bettor Joy) is different than Shartin,” he said. “Shartin is (Poillucci) saw that she was in the Matchmaker, he asked a handful and this mare drives like a kitten so far.” if I had to pick her over Shartin,” added Tetrick. “I said yes, Tetrick co-owns Newborn Sassy with Jo Ann Looney- unless you want to sell me a piece of Shartin and (Bettor King, and the 6-year-old mare will start from post 6 in the Joy N). So he sold me a small piece. I’m a small owner, first Matchmaker split (Race 5). The $1 million-winning but I’m an owner now.” daughter of Western Ideal romped to a 10-length, 1:54.3 Shartin N, who became the first pacing mare to surpass qualifying win on Feb. 21 at Dover Downs after a two- the $1-million mark in seasonal earnings when she racked month layoff, and then finished sixth in a dead heat in her up $1,053,236 in 2018, will start from post 2 in the last seasonal pari-mutuel debut on Matchmaker split (Race 9). The defending Matchmaker “Right now, she’s March 1 at Yonkers after start- champ comes into the race off a pair of qualifying victories still the best in ing from post 8. at Dover Downs, the latter in 1:52/:26.4 on Feb. 21. the country, and “We gave her a small layoff A 19-time winner last year, Shartin N is riding a five-race until somebody and qualified her once, and she win streak that began last Sept. 23 at The Downs at Mohe- beats her, she’s raced last week out of the eight gan Sun Pocono. Tetrick admits he’s been impressed with going to stay that hole,” said Tetrick. “She’s not as Shartin thus far in 2019. way in my eye.” good as the other two mares, “She’s super. She qualified great and has trained great,” –Tim Tetrick but she’s pretty nice. And she he said. “Right now, she’s still the best in the country, about Shartin N likes Yonkers.” and until somebody beats her, she’s going to stay that While Tetrick will be able to way in my eye. avoid having to make a driving decision in the Matchmaker “It’s going to be hard to match what she did last year, but preliminaries, he won’t have to pick between the three she’s come back great. She feels like a million dollars training.” mares in the April 20 final if they all make the cut. Condi- Tetrick has also been impressed with Bettor Joy N, a tions provide that a stable is limited to a maximum of two Down Under-winner of more than $200,000 before arriving starters in the final. in Jim King Jr.’s barn late last year. The 5-year-old daughter Also, the winner of the Matchmaker Series final has the of Bettor’s Delight won a qualifier in 1:57.2 on Jan. 23 at first choice of one breeding to the following Blue Chip Dover Downs, where she then finished fourth in her pari- Farms stallions: American Ideal, Bettor’s Delight, Roll With mutuel debut on Jan. 30. Returning nearly a month later Joe, Shadow Play or Sunshine Beach. The second-place fin- on Feb. 27, Bettor Joy N rallied from seventh at the half to isher will have the choice of a breeding to one of the re- post a 1:51.3 victory. maining stallions. The breedings awarded must be used “I qualified her and she qualified OK; I only went a mile in with the mares during the 2020, 2021 or 2022 breeding sea- (1):57 with a big back half,” said Tetrick. “I told Jimmy (King) sons.—By Gordon Waterstone HarnessRacing Weekend Preview, 5 of 11 March 15, 2019 www.harnessracing.com Jacobs Has Levy Starter In Somebaddude the winter. I wanted to have something racing in the winter because it’s a long wait for (the 2 year olds). This gives me Ken Jacobs bought Somebaddude in January for two pur- something to get excited about.” poses—to shake from the winter doldrums while waiting for Whether Or Not, a 5-year-old gelding by Cantab Hall, has stakes season to arrive and to have a horse to race in the won four of five races this season, all at Yonkers. Somebad- George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series at Yonkers dude is a son of out of New Album Raceway. Jacobs has never had a horse in the Levy, but the and his full brother The Wall also is competing in the Levy. “Dude” will change that Saturday. For his career, Somebaddude has won seven of 36 races Somebaddude, trained by Linda Toscano, is one of only and earned $119,505. He was a two-time runner-up in the four 4 year olds in the first leg. He will start from post 2 in Kindergarten Classic Series at age 2 and has found his best the second of six $50,000 divisions. form in the past several months. His 1:53.2 win at Harrah’s Jacobs, a longtime leading owner in New York with scores of Philadelphia on Dec. 16 caught Jacobs’ eye and the gelding Grand Circuit and state-bred stakes wins to his credit, bought followed it with a 1:50.4 victory at the Meadowlands on Somebaddude for $90,000 at the Tattersalls January Select Dec. 29, his final start prior to the Tattersalls sale. Mixed Sale at the Meadowlands. The gelding has won one of “I thought I could get him fairly cheap because he hadn’t five races this year and finished second twice, including a done a heck of a lot,” Jacobs said. “But I knew they had just runner-up finish in a conditioned race at Yonkers last month. (gelded) him and he did a turnaround. “In January I was getting claustrophobic with all the snow “When he raced at the Meadowlands in December I was and I bought two horses,” Jacobs said, laughing. “I also hoping he would come in second; unfortunately he won,” bought a trotter from Finland, Whether Or Not. I bought he continued, adding with a laugh, “That cost me probably Dude to put in the Levy. I don’t know if he can beat the Levy around $20,000, but I bought him anyway. He’s a 4 year old type, but I figured I could have some fun and I’ve never had going against aged horses. There are a lot of good horses in one in the Levy. It was kind of my goal to get one in there. there. We’re going to see if we can get a couple checks and “I’m having fun with both horses, I really am. It’s nice to see where we end up. He just tries all the time. He’s a nice have something going that you can be proud of racing in little horse.” (Ken Weingartner)

ATTENTION STALLION OWNERS IN MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, IOWA, WISCONSIN AND ALBERTA

Legislative changes in California have made offspring by stallions in Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Alberta, Canada eligible to the revamped California Sires Stakes program (for pacers only). To be eligible for the 2019 breeding season, stallions must be nominated to the California Sires Stakes program by the extended date of April 1, 2019. Inquiries to: California Sires Stakes 916-919-7469 [email protected] PACING STALLIONS Nomination forms can also be obtained at: chhaonline.com ONLY HarnessRacing Weekend Preview, 6 of 11 March 15, 2019 www.harnessracing.com Medusa Ready For Blue Chip Matchmaker Series Medusa is revved up and ready to go. The 8-year-old pac- ing mare is set for her fourth appearance in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series at Yonkers and will look to continue her good fortune in the event, which included a second-place finish in the 2017 final. “You always wonder, especially with a mare at her age, that when you shut her down the engine might not start back up,” said trainer Randy Bendis, who co-owns Medusa with Pollack Racing. “But she really came back great. She’s fresh and ready to go.” For her career, Medusa has won 37 of 132 races and earned $881,743. She has spent much of her career com- peting at The Meadows and Yonkers, with nearly half of her career appearances coming at The Hilltop. Medusa has won 10 of 61 races at “She’s got near Yonkers, hit the board a world-class ability, total of 32 times, and especially on a half.” earned a paycheck in 55. –Randy Bendis “She’s got near world- class ability, especially on a half,” Bendis said. “Her ability to get around four turns is what will keep her a factor this year. She is just a great half-miler. Shartin is just better than everybody, but she fits with the rest of them. On a half, a lot of it is the draw. If you get a good string drawing you can make a lot of money real quick.” Pollack and Bendis, who is based in western Pennsyl- vania, bought Medusa at the beginning of her 5-year-old season in January 2016. Since then, she has produced three consecutive seasons with earnings between $206,444 and $246,691. “She’s a warhorse now,” said New York-based trainer Ed Hart, who conditions Medusa for Bendis when the mare is racing at Yonkers. “She’s just a big, strong, good-looking mare. She’s been doing it for many years. You can leave, you can take her off; she’s just a versatile mare. You wish you had a barn full of them. Take care of her and she’ll do the rest.” Medusa is a daughter of Bettor’s Delight out of Mythical. She was bred by White Birch Farm. There are no secrets be- hind her success. “She’s easy on herself, a sound mare, a happy mare; that’s a good combination,” Bendis said. “She likes her field time. In the winter it’s tough to give them quality field time, but we just try to keep her as happy as we can. We train her up a little bit, but figure out what she needs week to week. She normally responds well. “She’s in great shape. She’s never trained a bad trip in her life for me. She’s just that kind of mare. I’ll shed a real tear the day we pull the harness off her for the last time because not too many come around like her.” (Ken Weingartner/USTA) HarnessRacing Weekend Preview, 7 of 11 March 15, 2019 www.harnessracing.com Teague’s “Fingers Crossed” million in 2016. “But he’s never had any other full-blown For Wiggle It Jiggleit injuries.” Teague noted with a chuckle that when he looks at Wiggle It’s been nearly 29 months since Wiggle It Jiggleit last It Jiggleit, it’s like looking in a mirror. raced, but owner George Teague Jr. said his “fingers are still “I have to get his weight off him, he’s as fat as I am,” Teague crossed” the 2015 Horse of the Year can make a comeback. said with a laugh. “He’s built like me so he has to lose the Teague said he and trainer Clyde Francis have been jogging weight. He looks great, except for being overweight.” Wiggle It Jiggleit on their farm in Harrington, Del., in the Teague admits Wiggle It Jiggle has a long way to go be- hopes the 7-year-old son of Mr. Wiggles can fore getting behind the starting car again. return to the races by late summer. “…It’s been 2 ½ years “I have no serious plans. I have to put “If we have a little bit of luck he’ll be back and my expectations in a great foundation as we’re starting all in late July or August at the earliest,” Teague aren’t there, I’m just over again,” he said. “To be off this long said on Wednesday, March 13. “My fingers hoping he does come he’ll be lucky to get back. I’d rather take it are still crossed, but you know what, it’s back and does what easy on him. I always said I wouldn’t do been 2 ½ years and my expectations aren’t he’s capable of doing.” anything to destroy his reputation. I there, I’m just hoping he does come back –George Teague Jr. wouldn’t do that to him.” and does what he’s capable of doing. I still Teague added that the 2018 North Amer- think it’s a possibility.” ica Cup champ Lather Up is being pointed toward the open- A winner of 38 of 51 career starts and $3.9 million in purse ing leg of the Graduate Series for 4-year-old pacers on May earnings, Wiggle It Jiggleit has not raced since finishing 4 at the Meadowlands. The son of I’m Gorgeous won 11 of second to in the $421,000 Breeders Crown 18 starts last year, including a career-best 1:48.1 in captur- final on Oct. 28, 2016. Chronic back problems have kept the ing the NA Cup, and enters 2019 less than $33,000 from star pacer on the sidelines ever since. joining the millionaire club. “He had other problems pop up from that, but it’s al- “Lather Up will qualify in about three weeks,” said Teague. ways been an issue with back problems,” said Teague of “I’m really excited about him coming back. He’s staked to the standout who earned $2.1 million in 2015 and $1.7 everything and the Graduate is first.”—By Gordon Waterstone HarnessRacing Weekend Preview, 8 of 11 March 15, 2019 www.harnessracing.com 3YO Keystone Concrete, First-time Directors Talk Ontario Super Final Winner, Dies About USTA Meetings Keystone Concrete, the 2018 Ontario Sires Stakes Super The gathering of the U.S. Final 2-Year-Old Colt Pace winner, has died. Trotting Association’s The 3-year-old Bettor’s Delight colt collapsed on the Wood- (USTA) board of directors bine Mohawk Park racetrack Saturday morning (March 9) in Columbus, Ohio on following a training mile. March 8-11 included some “He just pulled up and collapsed,” said trainer Rob Fel- first-timers. At the meet- lows. “An autopsy is being done and we do not yet have the ings were leading Illinois- report but the suspicion is that it was a rupture in the heart. based driver Casey That is generally what occurs with a sudden death like that. Leonard, Plainridge Park (left to right) Chris Antonacci, Casey “This is two days later and it all is still surreal for me,” racing services manager Leonard and Lenny Calderone added Fellows. and announcer Lenny Last season the youngster banked $214,850 (C) with an ad- Calderone, Red Mile and mirable 5-2-0 standing in his seven starts. The $225,000 Tattersalls Sales Company official Chris Antonacci, and The Super Final victory at Woodbine Mohawk Park came at the Meadows’ racing secretary Tom Leasure. expense of the province’s best juveniles, including the HarnessRacing Weekend Preview’s Gordon Waterstone at- $669,000 earner Stag Victory. tended the meetings and caught up with Leonard, Bred by the Estate of George F. Hempt of Pennsylvania, the Calderone and Antonacci afterward for comments on the colt sold for $18,000 in the 2017 Harrisburg yearling sale. weekend. “He was hip number 252 but I liked hip number 254 bet- Casey Leonard: “There’s just a lot to learn. There are a lot ter— both were by Bettor’s Delight and that is what we of rules and regulations that they cover. I can see where the wanted. But he came first and fit our budget. We buy importance of the USTA is a balancing act with each state. I pieces of most of what we train and getting him meant we think my biggest goal is for the USTA rules being imple- were out on 254, who ended up selling for $80,000, so it mented by the Illinois Racing Board. It’s an honor for me was meant to be”, says Fellows. and big shoes to fill for (retired director) Doc (Ken) Walker.” “Keystone Concrete was easily the best horse I’ve ever Lenny Calderone: “I thought this was very enlightening. had. Just look at the Super Final win when he got shuf- Being a director gives me a great opportunity to work with fled and chased down all the ones who were the leaders some of the best minds in the business. It really gives me a at the head of the stretch. That said a lot— he was a sto- chance to see the inner workings and what goes on at the rybook horse. USTA. Some of the misconceptions out there about the “The plan was to make him eligible to the North America USTA not doing what they are supposed to, being on the in- Cup and Breeders Crown because it is up here this fall,” Fel- side gives me insight to what they are doing and everybody lows continued. “Now we’ll never know how good he was is working real hard to make things work and advance the supposed to be. It certainly takes the wind out of one’s sails sport in a positive direction.” to lose a horse like him. Listen, we all know people where Chris Antonacci: “I’m replacing (my father Frank) and they this sort of thing has happened, but you never think it will are big shoes to fill. He’s passed the baton and I’m really ex- happen to you.” cited working with the USTA this year and for years to The estimated market value for Keystone Concrete was es- come. I think there is a lot of work that they are doing and timated to be in the $350,000 range. The horse was not in- will continue to do that will improve the sport. Generally, I sured. Arpad Szabo of Bradford, Ont., Blair Corbeil of think the industry is on an upward trajectory, which is a nice Alberta, and Fellows’ wife, Yolanda, shared ownership of thing to see, and I think the leadership at the USTA is em- the colt.—By Harold Howe bracing that and trying to build on that momentum.” HarnessRacing Weekend Preview, 9 of 11 March 15, 2019 www.harnessracing.com The foaling season is well un- “Of course, you can’t wait to breed all of your mares in derway, but U.S. Trotting Associ- April,” said Stewart. ation records have shown that And a late foal and a missed year will certainly prompt a the peak time for foals to be breeder to breed his mare earlier rather than later. That was born are the months of April and the case with Bob Key’s million-dollar earner Win Missy B. May. So as Steve Stewart of After failing to get in foal in 2017, she was bred on two heat Hunterton Farm says, “The dam cycles in February 2018 and pronounced in foal from the has not broken yet, but it’s get- Feb. 28 breeding. She delivered a colt by Muscle Hill on Feb. ting close!” 23. Key also had the maiden mare Terrortina p, 3, 1:53f bred As of Thursday morning (March last February and she delivered a filly on Feb. 3 of this year. 14), Stewart had about 150 mares By the way, Win Missy B was born on May 26, Terrortina left to foal this breeding season. on March 17, and Key’s Hambletonian champ American Win- That included the overdue baby ner was a March 28 foal. of the champion mare Mission A foaling report isn’t complete without the news that Brief (due March 6). The $2 mil- Adam Bowden of Diamond Creek Farm is now the father of lion winner Put On A Show was a boy. Bowden’s wife, Lindsay, gave birth to the couple’s overdue when she delivered a colt by Sweet Lou on third child, and first son, on Friday, March 8. Named Roman Wednesday night (March 13). Brooks, he weighed 8 pounds, 6 ounces and joins sisters Stewart, who is always quick with a quip, delivered the Finley and Grace. news of his overdue mares with the following: “A watched In other news from Diamond Creek, the farm’s maiden pot doesn’t boil!” mares Pure Country and LA Delight will be bred later this Stewart is not a fan of early foals, meaning January and month, with Pure Country being mated with Sweet Lou and early February. In fact, he’s done his own study to see at LA Delight booked to A Rocknroll Dance.—By Kathy Parker what time of the year champion horses have been born. And while his study is by no means thorough and exten- sive, he found plenty of evidence that many, many champi- ons have been born in March, April and May. The list is impressive: —(March 2), Sweet Lou (March 4), Always A Virgin (March 6), Rainbow Blue (March 8), McWicked (March 10), Tactical Landing (March 20), Kikikatie (March 21), Ariana G (March 25), Jenna’s Beach Boy (April 3), Walner (April 12), Captain Crunch (April 12), No Nukes (April 24), Gimpanzee (April 24), Sportswriter (April 24), Youaremycandygirl (April 25), Beach Towel (April 26), Donato Hanover (May 3), Bettor’s Delight (May 4), Resolve (May 6), (May 8), Plunge Blue Chip (May 10), Always B Miki (May 10), Kadabra (May 10), Maven (May 11), Valley Victory (May 13), Cam Fella (May 14), Manchego (May 17), Woodside Charm (May 22) and Somebeachsomewhere (May 25). Years ago, many horsemen preferred foals to be born as early as possible in the foaling year for two reasons: 1, the baby has more time to mature and will be advanced over those born later in his/her generation; 2, the mare has more time to get back in foal. While Stewart agrees that later foals can put a breeder in a tough position to get a mare back in foal, he much prefers having a foal born in March, April or May, when the ground is softer and the temperatures are warmer and foals can safely be outside with their moms. With that said, he’s preparing for lots of interrupted sleep and long days and nights in the coming weeks. Stewart admits that sometimes a particular mare needs to be bred early in case she has to be bred on more than one heat cycle to get in foal. HarnessRacing Weekend Preview, 10 of 11 March 15, 2019 www.harnessracing.com

Hambletonian Future Wager opens Friday mus was officially made Monday night. That’s because the The 94th Hambletonian Future Wager at the Meadowlands popular voice of the New York Racing Association and the will open its first pool Friday, March 15 at 11 a.m. in conjunc- Triple Crown stopped by Yonkers Raceway to see how the tion with the final payments taken on trotters for the $1 mil- other half lives. more lion Hambletonian and $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks. more Springtime in bloom at Meadowlands Gimpanzee leads 101 Hambo eligibles As the weather warms and perennials reappear, hope springs The $1 million Hambletonian and filly companion stake, eternal, and nowhere in is that more evident the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks, will be raced on Saturday than at the mecca of the sport, the Meadowlands. The Big M is afternoon, Aug. 3, at the , East closing out winter on a roll and hopes to continue that momen- Rutherford, New Jersey. The Meadowlands has held Amer- tum with spring due to arrive Wednesday, March 20. more ica’s Trotting Classic for a record 38 years, the longest run of any host track. The 94th edition of the Open event will fea- Meadowlands-Mohawk teaming up ture eliminations and final on the same afternoon. more A pair of harness racing giants – the Meadowlands and Woodbine Entertainment – are joining forces to create a Last chance WHHC qualifier Saturday at Big M wager certain to titillate the palate of any punter when the On Saturday, March 16, the Meadowlands hosts its Last “Can-Am Pick-4” makes its debut on Friday, March 22. more Chance WHHC Qualifier. Two spots are up for grabs in the $200 Qualifier ($100 entry plus a $100 real-money USTA annual board meeting concludes bankroll). The format requires players to make $10 win, The USTA Board of Directors annual meeting concluded place, show or any combination WPS bets on 10 Meadow- Monday with approval of the 2019 budget that includes lands races of their choice. Players can wager more than funding for the Standardbred Transition Alliance, two bylaw $10 a race if they desire. Players can register on-site until changes regarding board governance, and approval of new 7:15 pm on March 16. more rules as recommended by the Rules Committee. more Pocono kicks off ’19 season on Saturday Summary of USTA rule changes The 2019 harness racing season at The Downs at Mohegan Numerous rules and bylaw changes aimed at providing Sun Pocono begins this Saturday night as the first of 134 cards protection for the wagering public, expediting the appeal planned for the northeast Pennsylvania five-eighths mile oval process for fines and suspensions, and the governance of contains 14 races, with a scheduled first post of 7 p.m. more the U.S. Trotting Association Board of Directors were ap- proved at the 2019 annual meeting held March 8-11 in Cory Stratton enjoying ride with own stable Columbus, Ohio. All rules and bylaw changes will become Cory Stratton will be in the sulky Saturday at Meadow- effective on May 1 of this year. more lands Racetrack, but it is a seat he plans to take less often as he focuses on building his own training stable. The 26-year- Ohio horseman Kirk Sparks, 47, dies old Stratton, the younger brother of driver Jordan Stratton, Ohio horseman Kirk A. Sparks, 47, died March 11. He was started his barn in 2018 after spending several years helping born Jan. 31, 1972, to the late Oakley L. and Virgie M. (Coff- manage other stables and working for other trainers. more man) Sparks. more NYRA announcer Collmus calls Yonkers race Illinois horseman Bill Braden, 87, dies He’s called a pair of historic thoroughbred champions Harry W. “Bill” Braden, 87, of Morton, Ill., formerly of Las and countless Breeders’ Cups, but the career of Larry Coll- Vegas, Nev., died March 11 at his home. more FREE searchable sale & racing reports at harnessracing.com HarnessRacing Weekend Preview, 11 of 11 March 15, 2019 www.harnessracing.com

Harness Racing Leaders Leading Breeders Compiled by the USTA—through March 13, 2019 Breeder Starters Winners Wins Earnings Leading North American-Based Money-Winning Horses Hanover Shoe Farms Inc. 466 178 252 $2,779,163 Winbak Farm 434 175 265 2,410,665 Sts. W P S Earnings Brittany Farms LLC 115 54 86 931,965 Smalltownthrowdown (6tg) 6 2 3 1 $82,280 Robert J. Key 89 38 57 533,318 Don Domingo N (7pg) 8 5 1 1 77,550 Robert McIntosh Stables Inc. 72 31 51 514,265 Delightfulmemphisn (6pm) 7 4 2 0 72,250 Seelster Farms Inc. 102 34 57 506,351 Melady’s Monet (10tg) 6 2 3 1 72,020 Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc. 101 35 64 506,258 Double A Mint (4pm) 9 5 2 1 70,386 Midland Acres Inc. 76 33 54 459,432 Itty Bitty (5pm) 8 2 2 1 64,655 Bulletproof Enterprises 65 27 40 412,924 Fan Of Terror (7pg) 7 5 1 1 63,350 Steve Stewart 81 25 36 383,649 Bags To Riches (5ph) 6 3 2 1 60,120 Diamond Creek Farm LLC 60 33 44 372,197 All Champy (5tg) 8 4 2 1 57,675 Spring Haven Farm 67 27 38 368,659 Blazing Bobby Sox (8pg) 9 2 2 1 57,468 Frederick Hertrich III 65 20 30 364,201 Dapper Dude (10ph) 9 5 3 0 57,400 Perretti Farms 62 25 40 353,373 Southwind Amazon (9pg) 7 6 1 0 57,000 White Birch Farm 72 25 37 348,601 Betterb Chevron N (6pm) 6 3 0 1 56,800 Sintra (6pg) 5 5 0 0 56,795 Shneonucrzydiamnd A (6pg) 6 3 1 0 55,540 Leading Money-Winning Sires USTA statistics through March 13, 2019 Leading Money-Winning Drivers 3YO Pacers Sts. W-P-S UDR Earnings (wk. diff) Jason Bartlett 439 84-88-61 .349 $1,569,475 ($172,175) Sire Name Foals Starters Earnings CAPTAINTREACHEROUS ...... 113 ...... 15 ...... $100,935 George Brennan 417 86-63-48 .329 1,394,823 (163,783) SHADOW PLAY ...... 94 ...... 20 ...... 84,837 Jordan Stratton 451 74-57-71 .287 1,341,980 (146,620) SPORTSWRITER ...... 166 ...... 40 ...... 83,924 Tim Tetrick 511 136-88-63 .403 1,260,983 (141,725) BETTOR'S DELIGHT ...... 122 ...... 26 ...... 75,563 Aaron Merriman 793 159-121-116 .334 1,189,743 (115,412) BETTERTHANCHEDDAR ...... 85 ...... 18 ...... 74,721 Matt Kakaley 421 45-67-64 .246 1,084,840 (111,908) WELL SAID ...... 71 ...... 21 ...... 73,292 Brett Miller 575 95-103-63 .301 988,152 (97,915) SUNSHINE BEACH ...... 101 ...... 12 ...... 57,051 Yannick Gingras 406 92-51-43 .332 969,039 (151,045) SOMEBEACHSOMEWHERE ...... 114 ...... 17 ...... 50,614 Corey Callahan 595 73-84-79 .245 962,535 (110,955) DALI ...... 34 ...... 8 ...... 49,079 Trace Tetrick 477 110-54-55 .332 959,576 (87,250) MACH THREE ...... 72 ...... 18 ...... 43,363 Ronnie Wrenn Jr. 664 129-99-85 .320 956,612 (101,781) BIG JIM ...... 61 ...... 9 ...... 43,283 Dan Noble 507 79-74-75 .286 911,952 (109,025) AMERICAN IDEAL ...... 89 ...... 20 ...... 38,024 Jim Marohn Jr. 468 58-54-54 .226 909,259 (92,157) SWEET LOU ...... 97 ...... 22 ...... 34,403 Dexter Dunn 472 67-66-61 .263 895,567 (118,400) A ROCKNROLL DANCE ...... 79 ...... 12 ...... 32,186 Chris Page 495 77-58-63 .263 830,371 (94,865) UP THE CREDIT ...... 45 ...... 10 ...... 31,145 Leading Money-Winning Trainers 3YO Trotters Sts. W-P-S UTR Earnings (wk. diff) Sire Name Foals Starters Earnings Ron Burke 436 119-79-54 .415 $1,336,874 ($260,183) DONATO HANOVER ...... 78 ...... 14 ...... $59,284 Rene Allard 230 45-42-33 .345 752,639 (95,145) MUSCLE MASSIVE ...... 96 ...... 19 ...... 45,749 Scott Di Domenico 211 51-23-28 .346 641,913 (94,220) EXPLOSIVE MATTER ...... 79 ...... 13 ...... 42,115 Carmen Auciello 335 35-60-55 .259 608,029 (55,203) WINNING MISTER ...... 17 ...... 7 ...... 31,937 Nick Surick 349 84-56-41 .369 558,531 (78,756) UNCLE PETER ...... 85 ...... 8 ...... 25,339 Richard Moreau 301 52-47-42 .306 552,693 (68,649) KADABRA ...... 63 ...... 6 ...... 22,765 Richard Banca 158 25-29-20 .302 514,692 (101,045) CANTAB HALL ...... 96 ...... 13 ...... 22,585 Joseph Columbo 196 36-28-26 .307 406,010 (75,487) ENCORE ENCORE ...... 13 ...... 3 ...... 21,510 Jose Godinez 166 27-26-27 .304 400,906 (30,497) ROYALTY FOR LIFE ...... 56 ...... 6 ...... 14,066 Jennifer Bongiorno 121 32-19-17 .399 363,697 (93,440) CREDIT WINNER ...... 76 ...... 5 ...... 13,681 Michael Hall 140 21-27-14 .290 347,408 (15,641) MUSCLE HILL ...... 102 ...... 6 ...... 13,125 Andrew Harris 118 18-20-11 .278 343,137 (19,890) ARCHANGEL ...... 65 ...... 8 ...... 12,753 Wayne Givens 112 18-23-20 .334 339,953 (44,346) WISHING STONE ...... 31 ...... 6 ...... 12,400 Lance Hudson 62 18-9-9 .419 337,255 (35,740) MANOFMANYMISSIONS ...... 50 ...... 4 ...... 11,643 Virgil Morgan Jr. 160 27-20-19 .278 327,192 (28,600) E L TITAN ...... 33 ...... 3 ...... 10,045