Sunday, December 31, 2017 The 15 biggest stories of 2017 by Dave Briggs

In today?s HRU Commissioner Bailey: ?In 2018, It will be a (more) wonderful sport? page 5 In breeding, everything old is new again page 7 The incredible book on The Pacing Machine page 9 Betty Holt, Michael Carter and Wild West Show to be honored by USHWA page 11 What The Hill to Hickory Lane page 13 Canada?s media award finalists announced page 14

New Image Media chugging at age 55. On July 12, he recorded his jaw-dropping Dr J Hanover and driver Doug M cNair after setting a Canadian 18,000th career win. Palone won 421 races on the year and record of 1:46.4 at M ohaw k in early June. now sits at 18,193 lifetime. Counting down my list for the 15 biggest harness racing 14. Dr. J Hanover in 1:46.4 stories of 2017: Few people saw this coming when the 4-year-old son of 15. Palone pushes past 18,000 Somebeachsomewhere equalled his sire?s world record in a Remember when many of us thought Herve Filion?s 15,183 Graduate leg on June 3 at Mohawk with Doug McNair at the lifetime driving wins was an unbreakable record? Dave reins for trainer Tony Alagna. It was an all-time Canadian Palone is more than 3,000 wins past that now, and still record.

Harness Racing Update | Page 1 | December 31, 2017 Harness Racing Update

13. Hail to the female trotters 8. Record-breaking Lexington sale Older trotting mare Hannelore Hanover, three-year-old Few people figured the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale trotting filly Ariana G and two-year-old trotting filly could surpass its record-breaking 2016 auction, but the 2017 Manchego were the top three horses in the sport in a year of sale smashed records in all categories ? gross ($36,410,000), female empowerment. average ($58,537), median ($42,000) and number of 12. What The Hill beats older horses yearlings that sold for $100,000 or more (103). On Nov. 25 in the TVG Open Trot at the Meadowlands, The $480,000 sale topper ? a filly purchased What The Hill became the first 3-year-old trotter in 10 years by Swedish agent Robert Lindstrom ? came on the second to defeat older horses in an event with a purse of $100,000 night, not the first and was the highest-priced yearling ever or more. sold by either the filly?s breeder, Jeff Gural, or the consignor, 11. Hanover Shoe Farms sets earnings record Bob Boni?s Northwood Bloodstock. After being the leading breeder for 69 straight years ? ever 7. 250th anniversary of horse racing in Canada since breeding records have been kept ? it?s sometimes easy Canada celebrated the 250th anniversary of the first to overlook the incredible output and consistent excellence recorded horse race in the country by playing host to the of Hanover Shoe Farms, which broke its own record for World Trotting Conference and World Driving Championship. earnings in a single year by exceeding $31.4 million. Fittingly, James MacDonald won the WDC for the host 10. Twister Bi dominates nation in his hometown of Charlottetown where the Italy?s Twister Bi was so impressive while winning the $1 conference was held during OId Home Week that concluded million Yonkers International Trot on Oct. 14 in a 2:22.1 with the magical Gold Cup and Saucer. world record for 1 1/ 4 miles, the Jerry Riordan trainee even 6. Aaron Merriman's 1,000+ wins cracked the North American-dominated Hambletonian Society / Top 10 poll for a brief time. Aaron Merriman became just the fourth driver to exceed 1,000 victories in a year when he piloted Official Kisser to 9. Herve Filion dies Harness racing lost a legend and larger-than-life figure on June 22 when former world driving king Herve Filion died due to complications from respiratory distress at age 77.

Herve Filion w ith Hot Hitter after w inning the 1979 Little Brow n Jug. The former dash champion w ith more than 15,000 w ins to his credit, died this year at age 77.

Harness Racing Update | Page 2 | December 31, 2017 Harness Racing Update victory on Dec. 2 at Northfield Park and Park stole the sport?s spotlight and joined Tim Tetrick, Walter Case, Jr. and won many new admirers for a great job Tony Morgan in the history books. as Crown host. Through Friday, Dec. 29, Merriman had 3. Hail to Hannelore 1,091 wins on the year. Hannelore Hanover not only beat the 5. Tetrick youngest to 10,000 boys in the $486,260 Maple Leaf Trot career victories and the $526,250 Breeders Crown Two weeks before turning 36, Tim open trot, she also recorded the fastest Tetrick became the youngest man to mile by a female trotter in the history record 10,000 career driving victories of the sport while beating her male when he drove Earl Variera to victory rivals (again) when she won the on Nov. 3 at Harrah?s Philadelphia. The $136,000 Allerage Farms open trot on previous youngest to 10,000 wins was Oct. 7 at Red Mile in 1:49.2. 40-year-old Walter Case, Jr. 2. Hambletonian won by DQ 4. Indiana in the spotlight It certainly wasn?t a good story when Beckhams Z Tam?s mild upset in the Perfect Spirit and Ake Svanstedt won $527,500 Breeders Crown for the 92nd Hambletonian on Aug. 5 at the Meadowlands by disqualification, sophomore pacing colts on his Courtesy Standardbred Canada but it was still one of the biggest of hometown track was the highlight Canada not only celebrated the 250th anniversary of horse racing in the country, it the year. Three-year-old trotting colt of victory for the wife-and-husband capped a successful World Trotting Conference tandem of trainer Jamie Macomber and w ith James M acDonald's hometow n w in in the the year What The Hill and David World Driving Championship in Charlottetow n. driver Rick Macomber, Jr. as Hoosier Miller crossed the wire first, but were

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Harness Racing Update

Dave Landry John Campbell retired from driving - and gave a heartfelt address to the crow d - on Legends Day at Clinton Racew ay. set back to ninth for interference in the stretch in a race also marred when International Moni was interfered with in the first turn. 1. John Campbell retires at Clinton takes reins of Hambletonian Society John Campbell, the sport?s most decorated driver and career earnings leader with $299 million, officially retired from the sulky with a massive farewell party at Clinton Raceway on Legends Day on July 30 that drew more people than the town?s population of 3,000, raised $57,000 for the Clinton Public Hospital Foundation and ended with a classy goodbye speech from Campbell to the crowd just down the road from where he grew up. That it came a month after he became chief executive officer of the Hambletonian Society made him the newsmaker of the year.

Dave Landry A t age 35, Tim Tetrick became the youngest driver to w in 10,000 career races.

Harness Racing Update | Page 4 | December 31, 2017 Harness Racing Update

Commissioner Bailey: ?In 2018, It w ill be a (more) w onderful sport? by Dean Towers Here at Harness Racing Update we?ve landed some major scoops over the years, but if I do say so myself this might be the best scoop ever: We?ve been granted an interview with the newly elected Commissioner of Harness Racing, George Bailey. Below the new Commissioner will share what will be implemented in 2018, and detail his grand plan for harness racing?s revitalization. HRU: Thanks for granting us this interview Commissioner Bailey. What?s first and foremost on your list to fix in 2018? CB: A new directive we?re most excited about is a Any track which does not comply with our directive will 12-month plan for revitalization of our on-track product. lose their harness racing licence and be unable to race. We?re We believe John Campbell?s rules committee will have to very much looking forward to the modernization of the be fast tracked, and in six months uniform rules will be harness racing product. enacted across North America. No longer will trainers, HRU: What about bettors, Mr. Commissioner? Is there owners, drivers and fans be in the dark on how many pylons anything new for them in 2018? is a violation or not based on what track they?re at, or CB: You bet. watching. Whip rules will be the same everywhere. Post parades will be uniform. If you?re watching a race in Ohio or It?s well known that when takeout is lowered a horseplayer Ontario, you?ll be watching the same exact race, with the gets her wings, so on Jan. 1 we?ve arranged takeout at all same exact rules. tracks be set at 8 per cent win, place, show with all other exotics 12 per cent. We?ve assembled a crack staff of analysts In addition to this, we?ve created a Harness Racing Control to monitor the results, and we?ll be able to slide this number Room. Any and all inquiries will now go to this central office up or down for various bets as needed. for adjudication. Fans and horsepeople will be assured infractions are called in a uniform fashion. And inquiries will Revenue will be down early on, so we?re using slot money be dealt with quickly, because time is money, and making from our new slot money slush fund to make up the short fans sit around waiting is not wise business. fall. This is a five-year plan, so gamblers worldwide will have certainty it will not change. We?ve also allowed tracks only one jackpot bet per meet, so money is not taken out of circulation. Any new bets or betting menu changes will have to pass our betting committee (which is comprised of gamblers) by a 60 per cent supermajority. HRU: Anything else? CB: Yes. We?ve passed a rule that outlaws post drags. Tracks believe handle will fall when we implement this and they?re probably right ? if the NFL made people sit around 10 extra

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minutes after every touchdown, concession stand revenue is drawn and stored. Our investigative team will monitor the would be higher, too. But it?s bad business. Angering fans and bloodwork, and our big data team will cross reference this bettors is no way forward. information by trainer. When we see patterns we will act Being vigilant of post dragging is also important for our forcefully. new scheduling initiative. We plan to schedule races, off Second, beard training is a pox on harness racing?s house. If times and race dates from the central office. This will be a and when a trainer gets a positive, only accredited trainers godsend to fans who play more than one track. Each night, who have passed due diligence will be acceptable for no matter how many tracks are racing, there will be no transfer of racing stock. If the owner does not like the listed overlap in post times. trainers, he or she will not be allowed to race. HRU: Is there anything new for fans? Third, through funding from the slots slush fund, an out of CB: We?ve finally settled on a Triple Crown (with a bonus competition testing team will go barn to barn, testing horses, for the winning connections and all owners who race in all and learning more and more about any new potential drug three legs). The races comprising the Crown will be the that?s being used on backstretches. North America Cup, and Little Brown Jug. We believe all three planks will help make harness racing We?ve also created a 4-year-old Crown with the Haughton, better, and attract dollars that have sat on the sidelines Canadian Pacing Derby and Breeders Crown Classic as the because of some who?ve made a mockery of our fine sport. three jewels. We?ve devised a marketing plan for both. HRU: Any parting thoughts Mr. Commissioner? Bonuses for race participation, and Triple Crown wins, will CB: I?d like to thank everyone who voted for me in my be paid out from the slot fund. We believe fans will love both landslide win, and in turn have allowed this office to have series of races. such tremendous power. We?re going to fix this sport, brick by We?ve also implemented a directive for the Yonkers brick. Your continued support is appreciated. International-Breeders? Crown Open Trot double. One of the There you have it folks ? the new commissioner George great complaints from fans is that the horses sent for the Bailey. And as I?m sure you?ve figured out by now, this was International in October don?t stay around later for the completely tongue in cheek (even if you and I may agree Crown. This year, we?ve got incentives to make that happen. with most of it). HRU: Integrity issues have plagued the sport for some time. Happy New Year and all the best in 2018. Is there anything new on this front? CB: We?ve got a few initiatives planned in this area. First, we?ve created a blood passport and accompanying database for every horse in North America. When horses change hands at sales or through the claim box, their blood

Harness Racing Update | Page 6 | December 31, 2017 Standing His First Season in 2018!

ODDS ON EQUULEUS Art Major-Latte Lady-Jenna’s Beach Boy 2, 1:50m; 3, Q1:50.1m; 1:47.3m ($935,816) One of Art Major’s fastest sons

Odds On Equuleus comes to Indiana for the 2018 breeding season after a distinguished racing career. The third fastest son of Art Major brings a solid record of production and desirable bloodlines to the Hoosier State. On the track, Odds On Equuleus battled the best on the Grand Circuit over multiple seasons. Some of his highlights include:

Won his $87,550 International Stallion Stake division in a time of 1:50

Finished a neck behind Captaintreacherous in the $1,000,000 Metro Final

Raced second in the $635,750 Meadowlands Pace with a 1:48.4 effort

Paced second in the $100,000 Meadowlands Maturity in a time of 1:49.3

At two, Odds On Equuleus banked over $400,000 in earnings and hit the board in eight of nine seasonal starts, registering five wins. He captured his $109,206 division of the Nassagaweya at Mohawk in 1:52.3, his fourth career start, before claiming a Metro elimination and racing a close second to Captaintreacherous in the final. The colt finished his freshman campaign with a victory at The Red Mile in the International Stallion Stake.

As a sophomore, Odds On Equuleus finished second five times in some of the sport’s biggest races. He was second in a North America Cup elimination, runner-up in the Meadowlands Pace, and second in a Little Brown Jug heat, clocking a 1:50.3 mile before pacing in 1:51.2 later that afternoon in the Jug final. Odds On Equuleus finished in the money in the Empire Breeders Classic, Stake and American National.

Competing in the open ranks for four seasons, Odds On Equuleus continued to reach the winner’s circle and log fast miles. He took his 1:47.3 mark at age five and paced in 1:48.4 as a seven year old in 2017, turning in miles in 1:51 or lower six times in his final season of racing. Breed to one of the sport’s top bloodlines at a low introductory price!

Premier Acres 2018 Fee: 12559 CR 30, Middlebury, IN 46540 $3,000 574-312-4685 [email protected] Harness Racing Update

In breeding, everything old is new again by Dean A. Hoffman The stallions that led all trotting sires and all pacing sires in North America in 2016 are also going to come out on top again when the final 2017 sire stats are tallied. They are Muscle Hill and Somebeachsomewhere. Are you surprised? Of course not. Unless you?ve been living under a rock for the past few years or have a stubborn case of amnesia, you surely know how these two champs on the racetrack have matured into champs in the stallion ranks. Not only do Muscle Hill and Somebeachsomehwere have locks on their respective crowns, but their roster of challengers is unchanged. The top four stallions on both Dave Landry gaits are the same in 2017 as they were in 2016. It w as no surprise that M uscle Hill w as the leading trotting stallion in 2017. Finishing well behind Muscle Hill is second place is Cantab Hall while Kadabra and Donato Hanover rank third and Swan For All, of course, got a boost from Hannelore fourth, respective, just as they did in 2016. Hanover, the fastest trotting mare of all time and a winner of On the pacing list, Bettor?s Delight has been runner-up more than $1 million in 2017 for the second consecutive both years while Mach Three and American Ideal round out year. Swan For All also was lifted by the freshman trotting the top four. star Fiftydallarbill, champ in the $600,000 Breeders Crown. Muscle Mass elbowed his way into fifth place among The rise of Chapter Seven into the top 10 list should not trotting stallions in 2017 while Dragon Again joined the top be overlooked. It?s ironic that he could achieve this with only five among pacers. Both of these stallions had hit the Top 10 155 foals racing and his star son Walner sidelined after an in 2016 but climbed even higher this year. abortive sophomore season. Take note of Chapter Seven?s success. His son Fourth Dimension won the late season Muscle Mass was helped by such stars as Plunge Blue Chip, Valley Victory after being the beaten odds-on favorite in t he a winner of nine of 10 starts including the late season Breeders Crown. Chapter Seven bred 123 mares this past Goldsmith Maid. She banked more than $400,000 in 2017. season, his largest book ever, and I think you?re going to read Dragon Again, the sire of the indefatigable Foiled Again, more about the exploits of his offspring. also got a boost this year from the relentless Fear The Somebeachsomewhere was the undisputed king of the hill Dragon, whose seasonal bankroll exceeded $1.35 million. again and he reigned over the same challengers in 2017 as Among trotting stallions, those ranking 6-10 in 2017 were he did in 2016. After the top five came Rocknroll Hanover, Art Credit Winner, Swan For All, Andover Hall, Chapter Seven, and Major, Western Terror, Western Ideal, and Well Said. Those Explosive Matter. Compare that to 2106 when the stallions were the same stallions as 2016 but only in a slightly ranked 6-10 were Andover Hall, Yankee Glide, Muscle Mass, different order. Explosive Matter, and Conway Hall.

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Average Earnings Per Foal The USTA Sire Statistics offer an invaluable insight on the sires of younger horses by providing rankings on average earnings per foal. After all, if you look at the raw numbers and see a first-crop stallion such as Wishing Stone with only $395,012, you might not be impressed. But if you realized that Wishing Stone had only 16 foals in 2015, it would make a difference. The average earnings per foals shows that Wishing Stone ranks higher than many established stallions. The leading trotting stallion is average earnings of 2-year-olds in 2017 is Chapter Seven, who edged out Muscle Hill and Cantab Hall. If you look at average earnings of sophomore trotters this past sesason, you see the Muscle Hill predictably comes out on top but I?ll bet you?d be surprised who ranks second. It is Archangel, the well-bred black son of Credit Winner that served a small book of mares in New York in his first season at age 4 before returning to the races as a 5-year-old. He then located to Canada and has bred about 250 over the last three seasons. Is the success of his first crop an omen for the future? We?ll see. Again, it?s no surprise that Somebeachsomewhere is the top-ranked pacing stallion on average earnings of freshman pacers in 2017, but there?s a new boy in second place and he?s making noise like he wants to play in this league, too. Claus Andersen His name is A Rocknroll Dance and 51 of the 69 foals in his It w as equally unsurprising that Somebeachsomew here led all pacing stallions. first crop raced in 2017 and they averaged almost $24,000 in earnings. I was a great admirer of this colt as he went one The Reigning Kings tough mile after another over three seasons. Like the Timex Muscle Hill and Somebeachsomewhere stand watches of the past, he took a licking and kept on ticking. So unchallenged at the top. Muscle Hill achieved his dominance his success should not be surprising and it?s altogether despite having only half as many foals as Cantab Hall and fitting and proper---to borrow a quote from Abe Kadabra, who rank directly behind him. Lincoln----that his best son Lost In Time was developed by Jim Mulinix, who also brought out A Rocknroll Dance. It?s clear that if you want to win the big prizes in harness racing, you should go shopping among the yearlings sold by Breeders and yearling buyers are well advised to check out Muscle Hill and Somebeachsomewhere. (But take lots of the average earnings per foal section on the USTA Sire Stats money.) to get an objective appraisal of a stallion?s accomplishments. I?ve always been startled by the similarities in their Breeders and yearling buyers are also well advised to go racetrack resumes: after Muscle Hill and Somebeachsomewhere whenever possible. They?re the truly the Twin Kings of the Hill. Muscle Hill won 20 times in 21 starts and was second once. He earned $3,273,342. Somebeachsomewhere also won 20 times in 21 starts and was second once. He earned $3,221,299. Both were Horse of the Year in their sophomore season. Both wasted no time in making their impact felt in the stud.

Harness Racing Update | Page 8 | December 31, 2017 A Half-Brother to World Champion MUSCLE NETWORK!

Muscles Yankee - India Hall - Garland Lobell 3, 1:54.2s; 1:54.1s ($553,239) If you’re looking for a stallion with a top pedigree and proven speed, durability and versatility on the racetrack, look no further than Mr Web Page. By Muscles Yankee, an incredible sire of sires, Mr Web Page is a half-brother to World Champion Muscle Network 2, 1:53.2m ($335,894), sired by the red-hot Muscles Yankee stallion Muscle Hill. Over seven seasons, Mr Web Page registered 32 trips to the winner’s circle. Known as a perfect-gaited trotter, he only made one break in his career. His racing highlights include: Winning the $231,500 Oliver Trotting Classic at Indiana Downs Finishing second to Manofmanymissions in a Breeders Crown elimination Capturing the Galt Stake at Maywood Park Finishing third in the $205,500 Pride In Progress at age four A winner over 15 different racing surfaces Race Timed in 1:55.3 and trotted a :27.1 last quarter at two Mr Web Page has the credentials breeders look for in a stallion. Tap into Muscles Yankee and his tremen- dous bloodlines through this talented trotter. Book your mare today!

Standing at: 12559 CR 30, Middlebury, IN 46540 Premier Acres Phone: 574-312-4685 Stallion Service Center Inquiries attention: Dennis Bontrager Harness Racing Update

Cam Fella and Pat Crow e w inning at Roosevelt.

In 1983, he raced every month from February through December. 1983 - 36 30-4-2, $1,144,056 1982 - 33 28-2-0, $879,723 In 1983 he won the HOY vote 183-90 over Triple Crown winner Ralph Hanover. Cam Fella started his 3YO season with 11 straight wins and ended his 4YO season with 28 straight wins. The incredible book on His 58 wins and 69 starts over two years are both, by far, the most of any repeat HOY. The Pacing M achine Cam Fella is also the last sire to have two different by Bob Heyden progeny named HOY ? Precious Bunny in 1991 and Cams The last pacer to repeat as Horse of the Year was Cam Fella Card Shark in 1994. ?The Pacing Machine? in 1982 and 1983. Now, for the best Cam stat of the day: In 1982, when he He stands as the HOY with the most wins (30) and most was HOY, he took his 1:54.4 race mark in a $1,500 starts (36) in a year. Both were set in 1983. invitational on Oct. 8 at the Red Mile. The runnerup in the HOY balloting, Genghis Khan, took his Mark of 1:51.4 ? a He won the 1982 HOY race 164-48 over Genghis Khan. world record ? in a $1,000 non-betting, but official race. He In 1982, Cam Fella raced every month from January won over Strike Le Ru and Major Knight at 7:30 before the through November.

Harness Racing Update | Page 9 | December 31, 2017 Harness Racing Update betting card began at the Meadowlands. So, the top two came across this: finishers in the Horse of the Year balloting of 1982 took their On October 28, 1976 at the Meadowlands, just eight weeks respective race marks in two races carrying a combined after the track opened, the driver standings through October purse of $2,500. 26, 1976 were: 1. Buddy Gilmour 345 54-38-38, 2. Greg Double Triple Crown winners Wright 238 43-26-29 and 3. Ben Webster 217 31-22-22 In 1968, there were two Triple Crown winners. Naturally, But get a load of the track record section: Nevele Pride and Rum Customer would finish 1-2 in the end 2 YO Pacing Colt ? Tremor 1:58.2 BEN WEBSTER of the year ballot for Horse of the Year, right? Right, but 2 YO Pacing Filly ? Mistral Sam 2:01.2 BEN WEBSTER barely. 3 YO Pacing Colt ? Oil Burner 1:55.1 BEN WEBSTER Nevele Pride had 171.5 votes, Rum Customer had 8 votes 3 YO Pacing Filly ? Keystone Model 1:58 BEN WEBSTER for second place, but Laverne Hanover earned 7.5 votes, while Cardigan Bay had 7 votes. 4 YO Horse ? Nero 1:55.2 BEN WEBSTER The curious case of Miss Morristown 4 YOG ? Seatrain 1:56 BEN WEBSTER (Gilmour had one ? 2YOTC ABC Freight 2:00.2 and Greg Also in 1968, Nevele Pride totally dominated the balloting Wright also had one 3YOPG Coaches Dream 1:58.4 ) for HOY ? with 171.5 of the 202 votes cast going his way after winning the Triple Crown and setting a world record, It?s not always earnings too (1:56.3). But, he did not win his division unanimously. The 2017 HOY is likely not going to be the highest earner Then the 3YO trotters were all lumped together. So the final ? Downbytheseaside ($1.602 million). That will make it the 3YOT tally looked like this: sixth time in the last seven years that the top earner was not 200 votes for Nevele Pride named the HOY. 1 vote for Miss Morristown The year 1986 illustrates this phenomenon best. HOY 1 NON-vote Forrest Skipper earned $637,675, Jate Lobell earned $585,804 and both combined for a 31-for-31 perfect record. How did Miss Morristown get a vote? Of the top 10 3YO But, that same year, Redskin made $1,407,263 ? a record for trotting earners, she was not on there and #10 had $52,000 any freshman that has stood for 31 years! That is $183,784 and change. A look through the stakes winners from the more than the top pair combined. Trotting & Pacing Guide for the season showed no victories at all. What gives? New Meadowlands records Big-name USHWAns On Friday, Dec. 22, 2017, 102 different trainers appeared on the Big M card, 77 of those with a lone entrant. Sticking with 1968, that year the harness racing writers that cast the 202 ballots included: Thirty-six of the 140 horses entered are conditioned by a female trainer. Marv Bachrad of the Delaware chapter Nineteen-year-old Mitchell Cushing has four drives on the Roger Huston from the Pompano Florida chapter card. That?s the most of any teen for a single race card. Ed Sullivan from Matapan, MA. Yes THAT Ed Sullivan (He brought Cardigan Bay on stage the next to last Sunday of September that year right after Cardigan Bay became the first ever $1 million winner for Stanley Dancer) Lou Boudreau From Chicago. Yes, the baseball player and announcer Allen Finkelson from Monticello Murray Brown ? AT LARGE from Hanover, PA Ben Webster?s early dominance Perusing through Meadowlands race programs from 1976 I

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Betty Holt, M ichael Carter and is owned by Ray Wild West Show to be honored Schnittker of Middletown/Goshen by USHWA after his partner Three entities that Charles Iannazzo gained a large measure passed away earlier this of harness racing year, certainly had an success while outstanding 2017. connected to ?Upstate Huntsville, the 2016 New York,? have been two-year-old pacing named Dan Patch colt of the year, came award winners in back in 2017 for voting by the U. S. Schnittker and earned Harness Writers over a million dollars Association (USHWA). while engaging with Two of them are still his two Brian JJ Zamaiko Photography Inc. Brown-trained archrivals, M ichael Carter has been named very much part of the USHWA 'S Break through A w ard Betty Holt has been named USHWA 's Downbytheseaside and w inner for 2017. Unsung Hero for 2017. upper New York scene ? Betty Holt, winner of Fear The Dragon, in the Unsung Hero award, and the team of Pacing Broodmare many an important stakes contest. His full brother Wild Bill of the Year Wild West Show and owner Ray Schnittker ? scored in 1:52.3f in an abbreviated freshman campaign and while the other ? Michael Carter, winner of the Breakthrough offered promise for the coming year?s big-money stakes. Award for an up-and-coming non-horseperson, has furthered Carter, a native of Virginia, worked at his home state?s his profile elsewhere after gaining valuable early training in tracks of Colonial Downs and the Shenandoah County Fair, his craft while in the area. then got his big break by being named the primary track Holt is the executive director of the Harness Horse announcer at Buffalo Raceway in 2013, establishing himself Breeders of New York State, an association based in Latham as an accurate, interesting and entertaining man behind the NY (just north of Albany), which, as one could expect from its microphone while also assisting in mutuels and name, furthers the cause of the breeders of in simulcasting. From there Carter went on to his current the Empire State. The tireless Holt monitors all New position at Northfield Park, where he is the deputy York-restricted harness activity in the state, from the Sire announcer, also working in mutuels and the Ohio track?s Stakes to sales to industry meetings, to promotion of the social media efforts. sport and ownership seminars. Holt is also the prime force Carter has extended his ?footprint? to the national level of behind a program that provides a ?safety net? for at-risk New the sport by joining with Mike Bozich of Harrah?s York-bred trotters and pacers, eventually hoping to land Philadelphia as half of the ?Post Time With Mike And Mike? them on a restructuring and rehoming path, an activity Internet podcast. During its three years, the show has drawn funded by consignments to the Morrisville yearling sale. If a progressively larger audience with its news reporting, there is a gathering, event, or movement that furthers the extensive interviewing of the newsmaking horsepeople and development of the breed and its shareholders in New York track executives, live remotes from the sites of big races, and State, Holt likely has a prominent role somewhere along the the annual ?Mike And Mike Awards.? path to the winner?s circle. Holt, Wild West Show and Schnittker, and Michael Carter will Wild West Show?s victory was referred to as a ?shootout? all be honored at the upcoming Dan Patch Awards Banquet, above because she was involved in the closest contest in the to be held on Sunday, Feb. 25 at the Rosen Shingle Creek voting, beating out rival Western Montana by a single vote. Resort in Orlando FL. But as is said in racing, you don?t ask ?how much?? ? you just ? USHWA praise the winner, and the offspring of Wild West Show, who

Harness Racing Update | Page 11 | December 31, 2017 Harness Racing Update

Voting Totals Dan Ater - 32 Karen Fagliarone - 26 The following are the voting totals for the 2017 Dan Patch abstain - 2 human and broodmare awards: Unsung Hero: Owner of the Year: BETTY HOLT - 34 EMERALD HIGHLANDS FARM/BRUCE TROGDON - 71 Chris Gooden - 32 Diamond Creek - 34 Jennifer Daniels - 29 Christina Takter - 17 Don Daniels - 23 Trainer of the Year: abstain - 4 BRIAN BROWN - 88 Trotting Broodmare: Ron Burke - 33 HIGH SOBRIETY - 70 abstain - 1 Secret Magic - 50 Driver of the Year abstain - 2 YANNICK GINGRAS - 79 Pacing Broodmare: Aaron Merriman - 31 WILD WEST SHOW - 60 Jason Bartlett ? 11 Western Montana - 59 abstain - 1 abstain - 3 Breeder of the Year: HANOVER SHOE FARMS - 64 Libfeld / Katz 22, (tie) Brittany Farms and Blue Chip Farms Partnership - 11 each Perretti/Emerald Highlands Farm - 8 About Harness Racing Update abstain ? 6 Harness Racing Update is owned by HRU Publications of Millwood, NY and Bergstein / Proximity Award: will publish Fridays and Sundays November through April. HRU will add Saturday editions in late-May through October, publishing 3 days per week, HOOSIER PARK - 47 and of course will add editions throughout the year as major news breaks. Joe Faraldo - 37 Editor: Dave Briggs Standardbred Canada / World Driving Championship - 13 Production: Brian Fuller Graphic Design, Ads & Placement: Lisa Bihuniak abstain - 1 Advertising Sales: Wilma Van Vaerenbergh | contact for ad sales/questions Rising Star: Results & Stats Editor: Lisa Duong Founder: Bill Finley TRACE TETRICK - 66 Contributors: Claus Andersen, Karen Briggs, Jerry Connors, The Louis Philippe Roy - 33 Curmudgeon, Paul Delean, Bill Finley, Joe FitzGerald, Dean Gillette, Ron Gurfein, Bob Heyden, Dean Hoffman, Dave Landry, Lauren Lee, Dave Little, Andrew McCarthy - 22 Chris Lomon, David Mattia, Trey Nosrac, Tom Pedulla, James Platz, Bob abstain - 1 Roberts, Sandra Snyder, Brett Sturman, Dean Towers, Jay Wolf Breakthrough: Get in touch with HRU MICHAEL CARTER - 47 PO Box 230 | Millwood, NY | 10546 | Telephone: (226) 374-9999 Ryan Macedonio - 40 Editor/News Stories: [email protected] Advertising: [email protected] Ray Cotolo - 28 Customer Service: [email protected] abstain - 7 Advertising info & rates: Good Guy: If you are interested in advertising with us please contact Wilma BRIAN BROWN - 62

Harness Racing Update | Page 12 | December 31, 2017 Breedings Needed For New Vocations Stallion Auction February 6-8

After They Race, Give Them A Place

FMI [email protected] (937)947-4020 [email protected] (734) 320-7918 View breedings at NewVocations.org after Jan. 15 Harness Racing Update

What The Hill to Hick ory Lane Fear The Dragon's book is full Hickory Lane Farm in Findlay, OH has partnered with Taylor and closed Made Stallions, Inc., Lexington, KY, and Steve Stewart of Midland Acres has announced that the inaugural book of Hunterton Farm, Lexington, KY, to purchase the 2017 Dan 2017 North American Cup champion Fear The Dragon is now Patch award winning Three Year Old Colt Trotter of the Year, full and closed. What The Hill 2,1:54.4, 3,1:51.4 ($1,263,864) (Muscle Hill? KT The multiple Grand Circuit wining son of Dragon Again Cha Cha? Angus Hall), who will stand the 2018 breeding posted marks of 1:50.3f at two and 1:48.4 at three, amassing season in Ohio at Hickory Lane Farm. career earnings of $1,578,547. His other major victories this "We are thrilled to have the privilege of partnering with year at three included the $500,000 Hempt Memorial Taylor Made and Hunterton Farm, two of the most (elimination and final), the 400,000 Adios (elimination and well-known and respected names in the horse racing final), the $206,000 Tattersalls Pace and the first heat of the industry," said R. Kevin Greenfield, president, Hickory Lane $500,000 Little Brown Jug. Farm. A syndicate compromised of his original owner, Emerald Trained by Ron Burke throughout his career and driven by Highlands Farm, syndicate manager Midland Acres and David Miller for his previous owners Burke Racing Stable, breeders across North America now owns Fear The Dragon. LLC, Our Horse Cents Stables, J&T Silva Stables, LLC, and Deo Bruce Trogdon's Emerald Highlands Farm is retaining a Volente Farms, LLC, What The Hill was the top-performing majority interest in the stallion. three-year-old colt trotter this year winning numerous prestigious races including the $527,500 elimination and "I want to thank everyone that has joined me in supporting final Breeders Crown; the $684,000 (Can.) Canadian Trotting Fear the Dragon, either by buying shares or booking their Classic in stakes record time, 1:51.4; an elimination heat of mare," said Trogdon. "I will be breeding the majority of my the ; and the $350,000 TVG Series broodmares to the stallion, including Dan Patch Horses of Championship defeating aged trotters in 1:51.4. The Year Color's A Virgin, Jerseylicious and the newly crowned Blazin Britches." At two, he won the New Jersey Sire Stakes Championship and the $294,450.00 Peter Haughton Memorial Final. In a ? Bruce Trogdon dramatic twist of fate this year, What The Hill crossed the finish line first in the $1 million final of the Hambletonian Nominations needed for only to be disqualified by a judges decision that is presently under appeal. Caretak er of the Year What The Hill is being syndicated and shares are now Nominations are now being accepted for the 2017 available for purchase under very attractive terms. He will Caretaker of the Year. The award, in its third year of stand at a service fee of $7,000 and it is expected that his sponsorship by Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park (HRRNP), book will fill quickly. in conjunction with the United States Harness Writers For more information regarding purchase of shares or Association (USHWA), recognizes the unsung heroes of the bookings contact Hickory Lane Farm c/o Ashley Stickel, Office sport ? the caretakers who maintain the health and welfare Manager or Brad Wallace, Farm Manager at of the horses on a daily basis. [email protected] ph: 419-422-3004; fax: Initially titled Groom of the Year Award when first 419-425-2999; website: www.hickorylanefarm.com. presented in 1982, the honor was instituted as a result of a ? Hickory Lane Farm, Taylor Made Stallions, Inc., and Steve suggestion made by Delvin Miller at the annual Harness Stewart of Hunterton Farm. Tracks of America meeting when he received HTA?s Stanley F. Bergstein Messenger Award. Previously sponsored annually by HTA and Hanover Shoe Farms, the tradition lapsed in 2014 but was re-established in 2015 by HRRNP and USHWA. The HRRNP Caretaker of the Year will receive a cash prize of $500, a trophy, and transportation costs to the USHWA

Harness Racing Update | Page 13 | December 31, 2017 Harness Racing Update

Dan Patch Awards banquet in Orlando, FL on Sunday evening, North America and established his lifetime mark of 1:50.4 in Feb. 25, 2018, where he or she will be recognized. The his Kentucky Futurity triumph. winner will also enjoy a two-night stay at Rosen Shingle No service fee has been announced, yet. Creek, host hotel for the USHWA activities, as well as two ? Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Senior Newsroom Correspondent complimentary dinner tickets. "It is so important that we recognize the people who are hands-on every day with all our great horses because they Standardbred Canada?s media are the ones the animals most closely relate to and are aw ard finalists announced responsible for the care that keeps them sound and competitive week to week," said Tim Bojarski, president of Standardbred Canada is pleased to announce the finalists USHWA. "I along with all the members of USHWA could not for the 2017 Media Excellence Awards, which are sponsored be more proud to co-sponsor this award and take the time to by Ontario Racing for the second consecutive year. appreciate and thank not only the winner, but all the The Media Excellence Awards program is aimed at honoring nominees as well." those who have, through one piece of exceptional work, Any caretaker working for any stable in North America is covered Canadian harness racing in a manner that is eligible. All that is need to nominate is a letter or email, 200 extraordinary and of broad national appeal. This year marks words minimum, from an individual or group detailing the the 10th year for this program. skills and special qualities of the caretaker. The finalists in the Outstanding Written Work category are The winner will be chosen by a seven-person selection HRU?s Dave Briggs for his story, End of an Era and Steve committee comprised of USHWA members, all of whom are Buffery for his article Real Horseman. former caretakers: Tim Bojarski (chair), Tom Charters, Moira End of an Era is about Hall of Famer John Campbell?s Fanning, Dean Hoffman, Rob Pennington, Kim Rinker and retirement, and recounts the start, finish and highlights of his Shawn Wiles. illustrious career, which ended with his last race on Legends All nomination letters and emails must be received and/or Day at Clinton Raceway on July 30, 2017. The article was postmarked by Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, and sent to chairman published in the October issue of Hoof Beats magazine. Bojarski at [email protected] or mailed to Tim Bojarski, Briggs has won this award twice before in 2008 and 2014. 7523 Maple Road, Akron, NY 14001. Real Horseman, written by Toronto Sun sports writer Steve Buffery, tells the story of groom Pauly Suksiri, his battle with cancer, and the people in the harness racing industry who Nuncio to stand at M enhammer supported him during his final days. Stud in Sw eden In the Outstanding Broadcast category, the video feature Nuncio, who captured the $435,000 Kentucky Futurity in Ralph Klein & Lady Luck, produced by Horse Racing Alberta 2014 as well as that year's $500,000 Yonkers Trot, has raced (HRA) and Hope and Resilience, produced by Woodbine for the last time and will stand at Menhammar Stud in Entertainment Group (WEG), are the finalists. Horse Racing Sweden. Alberta won this award in 2008 and 2009 and WEG is a six-time winner of the award, with its most recent accolades On Saturday, owner/trainer Stefan Melander revealed to in 2016. the Swedish trade press, that he has sold a share in Nuncio, the 2016 Elitloppet victor, to Margareta Wallenius-Kleberg, The video feature Ralph Klein & Lady Luck appeared on who owns the famous Swedish stud farm, Menhammar, and Horse Racing Alberta?s website and social media platforms that Nuncio will stand there as a stallion. on Aug. 2, 2017. Produced in co-operation with Mike Little of Shine Light Entertainment, the piece sets the stage for a Nuncio, bred by Russell Williams, is a son of Andover classic battle in the Ralph Klein and Lady Luck Stakes on Hall? Nicole Isabella that was conditioned by Jimmy Takter Aug. 7, 2017 at Century Downs by profiling the horses, and steered by John Campbell during his 2-and 3-year-old trainers, drivers and the people behind the top contenders. campaigns in the United States. The stallion collected $1.9 million in purse money from a record of 26 16-10-1 while in Hope and Resilience aired across Canada during the Pepsi North America Cup broadcast on TSN3 and TSN5 television

Harness Racing Update | Page 14 | December 31, 2017 Harness Racing Update networks on Saturday, June 17, 2017 from 10:00 to 11:00 p.m. The submissions for the Outstanding Photography category (EST). The feature tells the story of how the trainers that were scored by Skip Dickstein, a past Eclipse Award winner were stabled in Barn 1 at Classy Lane Training Centre are and staff photographer at the Albany Times Union; Brandon coping a year after the tragic barn fire, thanks to the Hall, executive assistant with the Ontario Equine Federation; outpouring of support from the horse racing community. and Barbara Sheridan, an award-winning freelance writer The Outstanding Photography category finalists are Kyle and photographer and former associate editor of Horse Care Burton?s photo ?Dusty Lane Appearance? and Clive Cohen?s Magazine. shot ?Going To The Gate.? A list of past winners of the Media Excellence Awards. Kyle Burton?s photo of His Boy Elroy was taken on Dec. 11, The winners will be announced at the O?Brien Awards Gala 2016, as the horse was coming back to the winner?s circle on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 at the Hilton Mississauga / after his victory. The track conditioner just went flying by His Meadowvale Hotel in Mississauga, Ontario. Boy Elroy, who turned and went directly through the kick up ? Standardbred Canada of dust on his way to the winner?s circle, where Burton was standing and hence the title, ?Dusty Lane Appearance.? The photo was first published on Truro Raceway?s Twitter feed in October, 2017. Burton has been the regular track photographer at Truro Raceway for eight seasons. Clive Cohen?s photo of horses heading to the gate for a Pepsi North America Cup elimination was taken on June 10, 2017. The photo was published on the same day on the Woodbine Entertainment Group?s Facebook and Instagram pages. Cohen, who is the resident track photographer for Standardbred racing at Woodbine and Mohawk Racetracks, has won three Media Excellence Awards in this category. The six finalists were the top two point earners in their respective categories, scored by a panel of esteemed judges. Standardbred Canada would like to extend its thanks and appreciation to everyone that submitted entries for the Media Awards and to all of the judges. Judges in the Outstanding Written Work category included Dave Perkins, author of ?Fun And Games: My 40 Years Writing Sports? and a longtime sports columnist who retired in 2013 from the Toronto Star; Michelle Staples, author, horse safety specialist, and an instructor at Equine Guelph; and Bernard Tobin, field editor for realagriculture.com, a North American agriculture news website, past contributor to both TROT and The Canadian Sportsman, and a co-host for the ?Hooked On Harness? podcast. The judges for the Broadcast category were veteran broadcaster Al Craig, sports information officer at Mohawk College and past colour commentator for the Hamilton Bulldogs; Brad Diamond, of Bradford Productions, producer of numerous award-winning programs, including ?Motoring,? a weekly national half-hour magazine-style television program on TSN (The Sports Network); and Toronto sportscaster Claude Feig.

Harness Racing Update | Page 15 | December 31, 2017 RA CE RESULTS

3-Get Around Town (g, 7, Jereme's Jet--Bunny Town, by Precious Bunny), $17,000 2011 FOREST O-Larrywaderacingofohiollc. B-Tara Hills Stud LTD, CA. T-Kayne Kauffman. D-Kayne Kauffman, $1,800 Calls: 5H, 1H, Q, HD, NK - Finish Order: Dash Point Hanover, Stormy West, Kolt Power, Keystone Real Deal, Have A Parodi, Winna Winna To watch the race replay click here

M EA DOWLA NDS report DA YTON report Saturday's Results: Meadowlands had not made any of the results Friday's Results: from last night final via USTA at publication time 12, Dtn, $18,500, P, FILLIES & MARES OPEN HANDICAP PP`s 1-3 DRAWN, 4-8 DRAWN, 9 ASSIGNED, M, 27.1, 56.4, 1:25.2, 1:54.3, SN 1-Juslikeaqueen (f, 3, Palone Ranger--Queen Caroline, by Kingston) THE M EA DOWS report O-Antonia G Storer. B-Karl Dean Miller. T-Daniel Maier. D-Jeremy Smith, $9,250, Lifetime Record: 35-11-5-3, $102,320 Saturday's Results: 2-Jerseylicious (m, 7, Western Ideal--Jet Lag N, by Direct Flight) 8, Mea, $18,000, T, **W/O $10,000 LIFE/PREFERRED HANDICAP** O-Emerald Highlands Farm. B-Brian Nixon. T-Timothy Lane. D-Tyler P.P.1-3 DRAWN; 4-6 DRAWN, 28.1, 57.4, 1:26.1, 1:55.0, GD Smith, $4,625 1-Classicality (g, 7, Classic Photo--Penn Worthy Lane, by Lindy Lane) 3-Diamondtequilashot (m, 4, Palone Ranger--Straitequilanite, by O-Lisa A Dunn. B-Dunn Stable. T-Lisa Dunn. D-Brian Zendt, $9,000, Lease On Life) O-Diamond D P Standardbreds. B-Steven E Peterink Lifetime Record: 147-43-31-26, $538,492 & Randy Dickerhoof. T-Bill Webb. D-John De Long, $2,220 2-Wind Of The North (g, 7, Cantab Hall--Talk To The Wind, by Pine Calls: H, 1, 2, 1, H - Finish Order: Amazing Arya, Firstup, Safe From Chip), $5,000 2011 SHS-HBG O-William T Bercury. B-Quantum Terror, Elliesjet N, Tataria Farms Corp. T-William Bercury. D-Aaron Merriman, $4,500 To watch the race replay click here 3-Lady's Dude (g, 6, Victory Sam--Lady's Star, by Hi Noon Star) O-Burke Racing Stable LLC & Weaver Bruscemi LLC & Johnny E Satuday's Results: Yoder. B-Duane M Lowe. T-Ron Burke. D-Dave Palone, $2,160 7, Dtn, $18,500, P, HORSES & GELDINGS OPEN HANDICAP (N/W Calls: 3, 1H, 2, 2, 2H - Finish Order: Crosbys Clam Bake, True Blue $10,000 IN LAST 4 DREW PP`s 1-3), 27.1, 56.0, 1:23.4, 1:52.3, FT Stride, Dont Rush 1-Manhattan Beach (g, 4, Somebeachsomewhere--Benear, by To watch the race replay click here Badlands Hanover), $100,000 2014 SHS-HBG O-John E Mcgill & Brian K Carsey. B-Gregory J Martin, CA. T-Walter Haynes Jr. D-Trace Tetrick, $9,250, Lifetime Record: 60-12-6-10, $680,119 2-Enoch (g, 4, Panspacificflight--Kieanna's Angel, by Personal Power) O-Burke Racing Stable LLC & Weaver Bruscemi LLC & Phillip Collura & Frank D Baldachino. B-Alvin E Walther. T-Ron Burke. D-Chris Page, $4,625 3-Starlite Kid (g, 7, Badlands Hanover--Pulse Seelster, by Art Major) O-Perry W Smith. B-Ray A Bunn, CA & Lisa K Steward, CA & James C Kelly, CA. T-Perry Smith. D-Trevor Smith, $2,220 Calls: H, 1H, 1, 1, 1 - Finish Order: My Hero Ron, Supreme Mach N, Secret Threat, Ideal Rocky, Prince Bayard, Stuckey Dote, Stamkos To watch the race replay click here

12, Dtn, $15,000, P, HORSES & GELDINGS CLAIMING $30,000 W/ALLOWANCES, 27.2, 56.2, 1:25.0, 1:54.4, FT 1-Friskie Cruiser (g, 4, Feelin Friskie--Corner Cruiser, by Yankee Cruiser) O-Sam Mignano. B-Stephen H Sexton. T-Sam Mignano. D-Trace Tetrick, $7,500, Lifetime Record: 58-13-12-5, $269,190 2-Er Rock My World (g, 5, World Of Rocknroll--Miss Violet, by Incredible Finale) O-Tatham Racing Stable LLC & Betsy D Pierce. B-Eash Racing Stable Inc. T-John Tatham. D-Tyler Smith, $3,750

Harness Racing Update | Results - Page 1 | December 31, 2017