FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2019 ©2019 HORSEMAN PUBLISHING CO., LEXINGTON, KY USA • FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION CALL (859) 276-4026 Can Southwind Chrome Polish Off Preferred From Post 10? Can you recall a horse being assigned post 10? It’s obvi- ously a rare occurrence, but Southwind Chrome now can claim the distinction. Following two straight wins at the Meadowlands, but neither by any crushing margins, he was assigned post 10 for Friday’s $30,000 Preferred Trot at the Meadowlands. Dexter Dunn will drive. “It is what it is,” said Southwind Chrome’s trainer, Jeff Cul- lipher. “I don’t like it, of course, but he’s been on the front the last two starts and it really wouldn’t hurt my feelings if he races off the pace this time. “But I’m leaving that to Dexter “…he’s been on (Dunn). There’s no one hotter than the front the Dexter right now.” last two starts Prior to teaming up with Dunn, and it really Southwind Chrome broke stride wouldn’t hurt in a Meadowlands Preferred back my feelings if he on Nov. 29. Cullipher said his races off the horse “needs to be handled with pace this time.” finesse. He just got jammed up in —Jeff Cullipher that race and he has a sensitive mouth.” Cullipher is racing 12 horses at the Meadowlands this weekend from his 30-horse New Jersey operation at Gaitway Farm. He recently moved to Gaitway from White Birch. Cullipher and Tom Pollack took the Meadowlands leading Among the horses with Cullipher in Indiana is the Hoosier owner title for the January-August Meadowlands meet and 2-year-old trotting colt champion TJ’s Top Pick. A winner of with Southwind Chrome and others in their stable, they are $302,871, Cullipher and Pollack naturally have high hopes poised for another strong showing. for him in 2020. “Having that meet went above and beyond what we ex- “We’re definitely hoping for the Breeders Crown with him pected,” said Cullipher, a 48-year-old native of Kentucky. since it’s at Hoosier Park next year,” said Cullipher. “We “We never thought we’d have that much success. We haven’t really talked about anything else outside of Indiana took 10 up there this time last year and now we’ve got yet. We’ll do that when we start staking.” 30 there.” Friday’s Preferred Trot is just one of 14 races on the card. Cullipher stays in Indiana, where he has 30 in training at Saturday night’s card also has 14 races, highlighted by a Pacesetter Farm. He makes a trip or two to New Jersey each Preferred Pace. Cullipher will start Potomac Pace champ En- month and veteran horseman Enrico Robinson handles the deavor and Saying Grace N in that $30,000 contest. Post day-to-day of Cullipher’s New Jersey stable. time both nights is 7:15 p.m.—By Kathy Parker WHAT’S INSIDE . O’Brien award finalists announced —pg. 2 Hawthorne’s Tom Carey dies—pg. 10 Manverick is one tough horse—pg. 4 Holiday racing schedule—pg. 11 Tetrick talks about driving in Finland—pg. 5 Sorello to sponsor Jimmy Freight race—pg. 12 New 2YO stakes at Scioto in 2020—pg. 7 First Over with Gordon Waterstone—pg. 13 Changes to Red Mile 2020 schedule—pg. 8 Niatross packs Pompano in final race—pg. 14 HarnessRacing Weekend Preview, 2 of 16 December 20, 2019 www.harnessracing.com Canada’s O’Brien Award FREE Finalists Announced Program THIS WEEKEND’S The ballots have been tabulated and on Wednesday, Dec. Pages FEATURED RACES 18, Standardbred Canada announced the finalists for the All times listed are local. 2019 O’Brien Awards, which honor Canada’s best in harness Friday, December 20 racing over the past season. 10:30p M10 Preferred Trot Trackmaster PPs There are two finalists in each of the categories which in- Click here to download all Friday PPs cludes 12 divisional horse categories and five people Saturday, December 21 awards. Horse of the Year will be one of the divisional champions. 7:30p Wbsb2 Preferred Pace Trackmaster PPs The winners will be announced at the annual O’Brien 9:25p M7 Cond. Pace Trackmaster PPs Awards Black Tie Gala on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, at the 10:30p M10 Preferred Pace Trackmaster PPs Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale hotel in Mississauga, Ont. Click here to download all Saturday PPs This will mark the 31st edition of the O’Brien Awards, named in honor of the late Joe O’Brien, an outstanding Visit www.trackmaster.com horseman and member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall and subscribe to download of Fame. full cards from your favorite tracks! 2019 O’Brien Award Finalists 2FP. Alicorn/Reflect With Me HarnessRacing Weekend Preview 2CP . Capt Midnight/Tall Dark Stranger Kathy Parker Heather Kemper 3FP . Boadicea/Sunny Dee [email protected] [email protected] Editor/ General Manager Production Manager 3CP . Captain Crunch/Century Farroh Lynne Myers Hannah Reynolds OMP . Caviart Ally/Double A Mint [email protected] [email protected] OHP . Lather Up/McWicked Advertising Manager Editorial Production Gordon Waterstone Vanessa Flannery 2FT . Dip Me Hanover/Wine Rack Hanover [email protected] [email protected] 2CT . HP Royal Theo/Port Perry Associate Editor Accounting & Circulation 3FT . 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Luc Blais/Richard Moreau Place your order now for THE HORSEMAN’s BREEDERS BOOK STALLION DIRECTORY Single copies (including postage & handling) are available U.S. $30.00 • Canada $45.00 • Foreign $50.00 Or subscribe today! 1 YEAR TION: SUBSCRIP Click here to $58.00 (U.S.) - Includes the Breeders Book order now! Stallion Directory U.S. FUNDS ONLY The Breeder Crown returns to Harrah’s Hoosier Park in 2020 with ll 12 Championship Events to be held O ober 30 and 31! Hambletonian Society/Br e e s Crown , - The Hambletonian at The Meadowlands (609) 371-2211 • Fax (609) 371-8890 August 8, 2020 www.hambletonian.com HarnessRacing Weekend Preview, 4 of 16 December 20, 2019 www.harnessracing.com Manverick: The Horse Is One Tough Trooper Thank you There are tough horses and then there is Manverick. After to the owners and trainers starting his career on a high note as a 2 year old in 2017 with for your support in 2019. five wins in eight starts, Manverick raced only once last year Wishes really do come true! as he underwent three surgeries for three different ailments. In the barn of trainer Jessica Okusko and her husband, Happy Holidays Howie, Manverick returned as a 4 year old in 2019 as if To All nothing had ever happened. In 15 starts this year, Manver- ick has posted nine wins, three seconds and a third, with $47,883 in earnings. Dexter On Saturday night, Manverick will make his first-ever start at the Meadowlands, lining up in post 4 with driver Dexter Dunn Dunn in a $20,000 conditioned pace (Race 7). Manverick’s health problems began early last year when he suffered a bout of sand colic “I feel bad for him while wintering at the Okusko’s because he’s been winter base at Spring Garden through so much, Ranch in Florida. After recover- but he handled it ing from colic surgery, Manver- like a trooper.” ick finished fifth in a New York –Jessica Okusko Sires Stakes event at Tioga Downs in early June, but then Happy a twisted testicle led to a second operation and another layoff. Holidays While he was turned out to recover, Manverick was kicked in the hock. The kick caused a chip the size of a quarter, and Special thanks to the owners, trainers & caretakers that after consulting with Dr. Patty Hogan, Manverick underwent made 2019 magical. a third surgery. “He is just a sweetheart to be around,” said Okusko. “I We wish you all the best for 2020! 2019 Matron Stakes winner Tall Drink Hanover can’t say enough good things about him. He’s a special boy. Finn, Olly, Katrina & Andy McCARTHY I feel bad for him because he’s been through so much, but he handled it like a trooper. He’s really shown that he still wants to do it.” talked to Doug (Paul) and he said to give it a shot. He said Manverick was a $15,000 yearling purchase by Doug and Ros- the horse had a rough enough go as it is, so let’s try to alind Paul’s M And L of Delaware, James Giannuzzi and David make him sound and comfortable. Smith. A son of American Ideal, Manverick’s dam is Desirable “He was such a good patient and took care of himself. Cindy, a half-sister to the 2008 Horse of the Year Jenna’s Beach We brought him back up home and didn’t qualify him Boy.