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July 21, 2014 9:19 AM
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Maine Sires Stakes activity returned to Scarborough Downs on Sunday as the 2-year-old pacing colt divisions split out into two dashes contested for purses of $10,153 apiece. Sailor Jerry steamed full speed ahead as he continued his undefeated streak by scoring his fifth career victory. The Maine-bred son of Cheyenne Hollywood has answered every call this season while being deftly handled by driver Andy Harrington for owner/trainer Mike Graffam. Sailor Jerry sat second in the early going but reclaimed the lead with little trouble at the quarter and from that point on, the race became a mere formality as the freshman colt was never seriously threatened, completing the mile timed in a leisurely 2:00.4. Apollo's Chariot (Ron Cushing) was second; Cruzin Maverick (David Ingraham) rallied for third.
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July 17, 2014 1:48 PM
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A winners-over $25,000 lifetime trot was the featured event on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon at Harrah's Philadelphia. The heavy favorite was the classy Arch Madness, who has won over $4 million in his career. As the gate swung open, it was Money On My Mind leaving quickly for the lead, but was collared by Arch Madness just shy of the quarter. The 10-year-old by Balanced Image faced mild pressure from Opening Night near three-quarters, but sprinted away to win by a wrapped-up three lengths in 1:52.2. Money On My Mind finished second, while Traverse Seelster rallied for show.
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July 16, 2014 9:57 AM
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Strategic Alliance atoned for a break in his career debut by sailing through the slop to notch a front-end victory in Monday’s (July 14) $80,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series stake at The Meadows.
Explosive Drama, Wimborne Hanover and Explosiveday also took $20,000 splits in the event for freshman colt and gelding trotters. Driver Mike Simons, trainer John Butenschoen and owners Give It A Shot Stable and VIP Internet Stable teamed for a stakes double with Strategic Alliance and Explosive Drama.
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July 16, 2014 9:40 AM
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The first two-day meet at Gratz, Pa., the fifth stop on the Pennsylvania Fair harness racing circuit for 2014, featured some $95,000 of Sire Stakes action, with five of the eight “PA Fair Season’s Leaders” emerging from the session, including the quickest miles on both the trot and the pace.
Actually, the local season’s record in the 3-year-old colt trot category was lowered three times in Sunday’s three divisions within 30 minutes total, and Steve Schoeffel, top North American UDR driver (300-499 starts) in 2013 and again atop the local circuit’s driving colony, handled all three.
First came Millertown Road, winning in 2:03-:29.2 and sending announcer/trainer Jim McGettigan down from his booth to the winner's circle, and then two trained by Bill Daugherty Jr. for owner Susan Dougherty. First was Fly Past Hanover, reclaiming the distinction with which he entered the day with a 2:02.3-1:00.1-:30 triumph to run his fair scorecard to five-for-five, and then Broadway Charm, running his fair tab to four-for-five after a 2:01.3 tally, also the new quickest trot mile locally in ‘14.
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July 16, 2014 9:38 AM
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The Wolverine Futurity, featuring Michigan's premier 2- and 3-year-old trotters and pacers, began in 1942 and has been a mainstay in Holland at the Ottawa County Fair since 1980. Though racing has fallen on hard times in Michigan, the tradition and spirit of this proud sport with fast horses, close-up competition and colorful drivers will continue as long as its feasible, according to director of racing Dale Zahn. "No other sport offers the fans a chance to get up close and personal with the horses, their drivers, trainers and grooms; it's a wonderful thing,” Zahn said. The racing action starts this year on Tuesday, July 22, at 7 p.m. at the Fairgrounds on Ottawa Beach Road, one of the finest fairgrounds and half-mile racetracks in Michigan, something residents can truly be proud of. While the stars of the show are the horses and drivers, Zahn pointed out that "It's entertainment. It's a show, and that means more than just the races themselves.”
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July 8, 2014 12:00 PM
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Streaming, whose two victories in as many starts as a 2-year-old included the Hollywood Starlet Stakes (gr. I), has been retired due to a hind limb injury.
The 3-year-old daughter of Smart Strike bred and raced by Hill 'n' Dale Farms and Edward McGhee won or placed in three of four career starts and earned $349,000. In addition to her Starlet victory over a field that included eventual Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Untapable and Central Bank Ashland Stakes (gr. I) winner Rosalind, Streaming finished second in this year's Las Virgenes Stakes (gr. I) to multiple grade I winnerFashion Plate.
Streaming is out of the winning Storm Cat mare Teeming, a half sister to 3-year-old filly champion and classic winner Rags to Riches, Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Jazil , grade II winner Casino Drive, and Breeders' Cup Marathon winner Man of Iron. In addition to Streaming, Teeming is the dam of stakes winner Cascading and stakes-placed Distracting and Gifting.
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July 8, 2014 10:37 AM
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Under brilliant blue Finland skies that do not darken at night, 12 countries started the first three races of the nine race series for the World Cup of Amateur Racing.
The races were held at the Riihimaki summer race course, about 60 miles north of Helsinki. It reminded me of summer fair racing of old as families spread out around the track with their children, picnics, and blankets to enjoy the day's racing. The grandstand was full of enthusiastic spectators who were able to wager on the races which include Standardbred and Coldblood breeds.
The World Cup drivers were presented to the cheering crowd prior to the first race. The flags of each of the 12 countries waved proudly in the summer breeze. Three World Cup races will be contested this day.
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July 8, 2014 10:36 AM
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Melmerby Beach turned in a career-best performance of 1:50.1 to win the $50,800 final of the Summertime Series Monday night at Mohawk. Carrying the same connections as his sire, the great Somebeachsomewhere, Melmerby Beach snagged his first trophy for the mantle by defeating six other rivals in the Summertime final. Melmerby Beach was raced on the front end in leg one and suffered a disappointing fourth place finishing. The following week, driver Paul MacDonell elected to come from off the pace, leading to a hard closing second-place finish.
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July 8, 2014 10:33 AM
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Monday's (July 7) edition of Racing Roundup features results stories from Northfield Park and Tioga Downs.
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July 8, 2014 10:33 AM
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Royaltyhasarrived converted a relentless uncovered move to victory in 1:55.4, fastest split of Monday’s (July 7) $100,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series stake for freshman colt and gelding pacers at The Meadows.
The event was contested over five divisions, with Sammy Said, Hall Of Terror, Smiling Terror and Cartel taking the other splits. Dave Palone, who piloted six winners on the 16-race card, enjoyed a stakes double behind Sammy Said and Cartel.
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July 8, 2014 10:23 AM
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July 7, 2014 3:02 PM
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The much anticipated RUS New York 2014 Fair Series kicked off this past Thursday (July 3) with a successful race at Goshen Historic Track on their Fair Day of racing.
Despite the heat and humidity, there was a great turnout with six starters going into the first leg of the series. Every rider received gift bags from sponsors Draper Therapies and Horse Quencher, to show their thanks for supporting this new and exciting sport and race series.
The race went in a time of 2:05.2, won by Karen Isbell on her own Truth In Action. Second went to Admiral Hanover, ridden by Vanessa Karlewicz and trained by Janice Connor and third went to Michelle Miller on Kash Now, trained by Michael Miller.
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July 7, 2014 10:46 AM
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If Walter Parkinson is somewhat conflicted as to which colt to cheer for in Monday night’s (July 7) sixth race at Mohawk, it’s perfectly understandable.
As the assistant farm manager of Seelster Farms in Lucan, Ontario, he’ll be watching York Seelster closely, but he’ll also be rooting for Sportsmanship, a colt he and his family bred and still co-own. Both colts have drawn into the second of three C$70,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold divisions for 2-year-old pacing colts.
“Sportsmanship is the second foal of Lady D M which my family raised and raced. She’s definitely the best horse we’ve had,” notes Parkinson of the winner of $538,406 in her career.
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July 17, 2014 2:04 PM
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Mister Herbie, a two-time O'Brien Award winner, will make his third appearance in the Maple Leaf Trot this Saturday night (July 19) at Mohawk Racetrack.
Owned and trained by Jeff Gillis, the 6-year-old millionaire son of Here Comes Herbie is overlooked on the morning line at odds of 15-1 with favored Sebastian K a decisive 2-5 mutuel favorite, capturing most of the attention.
However, it was only two years ago that Mister Herbie, sent to post at 8-1, upset the heavily-favored Chapter Seven to win the Maple Leaf Trot with a strong stretch run in a stakes and track record clocking of 1:50.4.
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July 16, 2014 9:58 AM
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Driver Jim Morrill Jr. won both of Yonkers Raceway’s $225,000 New York Sire Stakes Mike Cipriani trots on Monday night (July 14).
Morrill won the $111,500 first very wet event for 3-year-old fillies with defending statebred champ Market Rally ($2.20). The odds-on favorite had to work first-up to dispose of pace-setting Lady With Credit (Trond Smedshammer) before opening up down the backside.
Market Rally opened five lengths into the lane before whipping Glowngold (Brian Sears) by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:59.4. Third went to 59-1 outsider Cutup Hanover (Jeff Gregory).
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July 16, 2014 9:54 AM
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Prized, winner of the 1989 Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) and sire of grade I winnerBrass Hat, was euthanized at age 28 July 13 at Old Friends retirement facility in Georgetown, Ky., due to infirmities of old age.
The son of Kris S. had been receiving care from Dr. Bryan Waldridge because of deteriorating mobility.
"We brought Prized up every afternoon from his paddock for a cool shower, extra carrots and the adulation of his fans," said Michael Blowen of Old Friends. "He loved it. It's always very, very sad when we lose a retiree, especially one as accomplished and adored as Prized."
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July 16, 2014 9:39 AM
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The Meadowlands has been a proud host to The Hambletonian for the past 34 years as America's Trotting Classic has been calling East Rutherford, New Jersey home since 1981. This year delivers a new and exciting aspect to The Hambletonian as it will be the first to be raced out of the brand new $100 Million facility which opened November 2013.
Hambletonian week begins on Saturday, July 26, with the eliminations for the Hambletonian Oaks, John Cashman Memorial, U.S. Pacing Championship and Lady Liberty. The evening will be centered around the theme of "Ladies Night,” including a concert in the Backyard by Lisa Matassa, Macy's Gift Card and Ladies Handbag drawings as well as a special Ladies' Night cocktail. Reserved seats and packages for Hambletonian Day, Saturday, Aug. 2, will be on sale all week at a price of $10.00 for an outdoor seat. Indoor grandstand seating is already sold out. Please call (201) 460-4079 for tickets.
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July 16, 2014 9:37 AM
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Kentucky Oaks winner Untapable will make her next start versus the boys in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.
The racetrack sent a tweet Monday that the leading 3-year-old filly will go in the 1 1/8-mile stakes on Sunday, July 27.
"The filly is coming to the #Haskell! #Untapable will take on the boys w/ Rosie Napravnik in the irons. Is Untapable #uncatchable?" the tweet read.
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July 8, 2014 10:37 AM
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There's another bull's-eye on a Buffalo Raceway track record on Wednesday night (July 9) when the New York Sire Stakes for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters take dead aim at the 2:01.2 mark set by Timothy Patrick (2012) and The Lindy Treaty (2013).
With this classification's time either broke or tied the past two seasons, a new mark could easily be established. There's been a total of five standards either tied or broken at Buffalo Raceway this season. There's a total of 30 talented freshman trotters that are entered in the four $27,250 divisions, all ready to take their best shot. For most, this will be their first 'real' start.
Lucky Chucky has sired eight of the entrants while Conway Hall is next with seven, RC Royalty-six, Crazed-five, Credit Winner- three and Cash Hall-one.
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July 8, 2014 10:36 AM
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Twenty-two rookies battled in the first OSS Gold Series event of the season during Monday's 11-race card at Mohawk Racetrack, and sons of Sportswriter put on a clinic. Rollwiththepunches was awarded the victory in a controversial opening division. The son of Sportswriter-Terroronthebeach was the second youngster under the finish line, but was later placed first when the ORC judges placed Manny In Sports from first to sixth for gaining an unfair advantage when he went inside a pylon in the stretch. Rollwiththepunches earned a 1:54 speed badge in the maiden-breaking effort. He defeated Windsong Lightning and Colonys Best. James MacDonald, the driver of the placed horse, Manny In Sports, took to his Twitter account to show his frustration with regards to the ORC Judges' decision to place his horse. MacDonald @Jamesomac26 stated, "Worst call I have ever been involved with!! Absolutely ridiculous, no idea what they could have been looking at!! #hiwayrobbery.”
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July 8, 2014 10:34 AM
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Fireyourguns ($4.20) returned to his winning ways on Monday evening, taking charge with a circuit to go and holding off a late challenge from JK Panache in the featured $14,000 Open Handicap Pace at Tioga Downs. The 5-year-old American Ideal gelding settled just off the pacesetting pair of JK Panache (Brandon Simpson) and Golden Gun (Corey Braden) before Aaron Byron brushed him to the fore after a :26.4 initial quarter. Upon making the front, Fireyourguns kept at a solid pace through a half mile of :55.1 before accelerating up the backstretch in a :27.1 third quarter.
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July 8, 2014 10:33 AM
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Trot Insider has learned that O'Brien Award winning driverTrevor Ritchie, one of the most respected and accomplished drivers in Canadian harness racing, is handing over the reins and retiring from active competition.
Ritchie, who cut his teeth driving at Western Fair before moving to the Ontario Jockey Club, has won both the prestigious North America Cup (Quite A Sensation, 1986) and Hambletonian (Yankee Paco, 2000) in his long and illustrious driving career.
"Driving horses gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of wonderful people and go to a lot of places that I would not have otherwise visited and I consider myself lucky," Ritchie told Trot Insider on Monday. "I have been very fortunate in my career to have driven some great horses and I would like to thank all the trainers and owners that trusted me to drive for them. I would also like to thank all the caretakers who as we all know were a very important part in any success I've had."
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July 8, 2014 10:31 AM
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The Epsom Derby (Eng-I) could be moved to Saturday evenings in the future in an effort to stem declining television viewership. Viewership dramatically dropped since the English classic was moved to Channel 4 from the BBC last year, and Epsom officials are seeking ways to recapture their audience. Viewers for the 2014 Derby peaked at 1.55 million on Channel 4, less than half the figure from when the race was last aired by the BBC in 2012. The BBC gave up all its live televised interest in racing because of reported budgetary cuts.
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July 7, 2014 3:47 PM
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An all-expense-paid, 48-hour trip to the Travers Stakes (gr. I) and Pacific Classic (gr. I) is up for grabs in America's Best Racing's "Ultimate 48 Sweepstakes". The contest winner and three friends will travel to the Travers in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Aug. 23, and then the Pacific Classic in Del Mar, Calif., the following afternoon, Aug. 24. Qualified participants can enter here. The winner and friends will be shuttled coast-to-coastfor summer racing's two biggest days. The prize package includes airfare and limousine transportation to the two events, clubhouse seating, luxury hotel accommodations, new clothes, and $1,000 for gambling.
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July 7, 2014 3:01 PM
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Jenni King won her 100th career race at the Cannon Valley (MN) Fair on July 4.
King, who is a Wisconsin native, started her career in harness racing 10 years ago on the Wisconsin fair circuit. Since then she has raced all over the Midwest and beginning in 2008 made her home in Minnesota every summer racing at Running Aces.
This talented horsewoman not only drives and trains but does her own shoeing and shipping and owns most of the horses that she conditions. Her specialty seems to be young trotters and she has had much success in that area.
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