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Saturday, April 4, 2015
Polak A, The Wonder From Down Under,
Touches An Emotional Chord in Horsemen in
Australia And America
By Perry Lefko
Polak A, the Australian-bred horse that has come to the
United States and beaten some of the best aged pacers in
the first two legs of the Levy Series at Yonkers Raceway,
has a lot of people asking about his name. The answer
might just move you to tears.
The A represents
Australia, which
designates the horse's
origin now that he is
racing in the U.S., and
Polak refers to his
namesake, Richard
Polak, a onetime
promising, young
Aussie horseman
whose career came to a
sudden end more than
seven years ago in a
freak training accident.
It left him paralyzed in
all of his limbs and
unable to speak, but in
a way his namesake is
Richard Polak gets a nuzzle from helping to tell Richard's
story. It has already
an equine friend
touched an emotional
chord among his family, friends and the Australia harness
racing community, and now it's expanded to the U.S.
It has had a profound effect on Frank Bellino and his two
sons, Frank and Joe, who bought the horse a couple
months ago with no knowledge about the origin of the
gelding's name. W hen contacted last week by Kody
Charles, a longtime close friend of Richard Polak, and told
the story behind the horse's name, Joe Bellino developed
an even deeper appreciation for the Aussie-bred beyond
just what he has done on the racetrack against some of
America's saltiest pacers.
"It hit home for me after speaking to Kody and finding out
the story behind this horse's name," Joe Bellino says.
"Kody told me the horse is just like Richard - a true fighter.
Amazing. W hen I told my wife about the horse's
background, she started to cry. Everyone you speak to
says the horse is a pleasure to be around. His manners are
great. It's an honor for me to have this horse that was
named after Richard Polak in my stable."
Richard grew up with a love for horses, nurtured by his
father, Franc, who frequented the races. By age nine,
Richard was working as a stablehand for Rod Chambers, a
leading trainer in the 1990s in W estern Australia. Richard
developed as a driver and pursued that as a career. It
began on May 24, 2003 at York, when the 17-year-old
steered Oscar The Crouch to victory. At that point, Polak
was considered a driver with a bright future.
"He had such a natural talent with horses and he could
get them to win when no one else could," his sister Laura
says. "He didn't drive in many flashy races, but was
renowned for his ability as a driver and horseman and his
tricky maneuvers on the track to secure a win."
In 2005, Richard and longtime friend Ryan Bell, a fellow
driver, pooled together $5,000 and bought a yearling by
Pacific Fella out of The Million To One mare Capture a
Million that had gone unsold in a sale. They named the
horse Schinzig Buller after Schinzig Buller Road in the town
where Bell was raised. The horse was gelded and debuted
as a two-year-old at Harvey on January 26, 2007. He broke
his maiden in that race with Bell driving. Two starts later,
the horse won a $72,900 Group 2 race at Gloucester. After
12 starts, including four in 31 days, it was decided Schinzig
Buller would be given a couple months off and that Richard
would drive him.
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• 4/4/15 PAGE 2 of 10
But fate had another plan.
On September 26, 10 days after Richard's 22nd birthday,
he suffered the accident that would forever change his life.
It happened at York, where he was jogging a horse, Dads
Zephyr, and had two other horses attached to the side of
his cart. It is uncertain exactly what happened next
because no one saw it, but something caused Dads Zephyr
to run wildly with one of Richard's legs caught up in the
cart. It's believed Richard was dragged some 500 metres
on the rocky surface and lost consciousness. As if they
somehow had an intuition of the tragedy, the horses
returned to the stable by themselves and stood still without
being tied up while Richard's partner, trainer Maryann
White, attended to Richard. An ambulance was called and
Richard was airlifted by helicopter to Royal Perth Hospital,
where it was determined he suffered severe head injuries
from being thrown off the cart and dragged.
He was in a coma for six months before he regained
consciousness, but had been rendered a paraplegic and
unable to communicate. He would never race again,
finishing his abbreviated career with 85 wins in 994 starts
and earnings of $493,999. His last win happened on
August 31, 2007 at Golden Mile with Truckers Jonnyreb,
trained by Maryann.
The harness racing community rallied to support the
Polak family with a fundraiser that drew a crowd of more
than 500. Some $70,000 was raised and was used to help
pay for various things needed to care for Richard.
"It really helped us get through this tough time," Laura
says.
He returned home, where he has been looked after by his
family and Maryann, who has remained steadfast by his
side.
"There is no one stronger than her," Bell told the
assembled crowd at the fundraiser. "I don't know how she
does it. We want Richie back to normal. He's got our hearts
with him."
Schinzig Buller returned
to the races on December
31 ending the layoff that
had gone longer than
originally planned due to
the accident.
"Everyone was
struggling because of it
all," Laura says. "Rich
Polak A has thrived in the Levy was also meant to start
series at Yonkers (Lizzi photo) driving him. It was sad to
have him start without
Rich, but then it became something we all looked forward
to. It was always bittersweet, but overall it lifted everyone's
spirits."
In November, 14 months after Richard's accident,
Schinzig Buller raced at Gloucester Park and registered the
biggest victory of his career, prevailing in the Group 1,
$175,000 Gold Nugget Stakes.
"I remember after the race someone said to me 'I don't
think there is a dry eye here,'" Laura recalls. "Lots of
people, even those in the race, wished for us to win if their
own horse didn't of course because of Rich - as if like a
blessing for Rich to get better.
"I think it was divine intervention."
The following November in a Group 3 event at Narrogin,
where he had never raced before, Schinzig Buller scored
an upset victory in course-record time. Richard was in
attendance for the race for the first time.
"W e were all cheering for Schinzig and then we looked
around and Richard had a huge, beaming smile," his sister
recalls. "It was the first time I saw him smile in context. So
we know he knows what is going on."
"It's like he can hear you and responds with a smile or a
little giggle, but he can't physically talk to you," Charles
says.
Schinzig raced four more times that year, winning twice,
including one week before Christmas. But two months later,
in the biggest race of the season, the Group 1 $400,000
W estern Australia Pacing Cup, Schindler Buller broke a
coffin bone. It took a year and half before the horse
returned to the races, but it was never the same, failing to
win in 16 starts before he was retired last year. He finished
with 11 wins in 55 starts and earned more than $290,000.
He now resides on the farm of Bell's sister.
"I cannot explain just how much Schinzig helped us all
get through a difficult time," Laura says. "He lifted the
spirits of all of us. He was considered more than a horse."
On October 15, 2008 with her fifth foal, Capture a Million
produced a full-brother to Schinzig Buller. Polak was
purchased by former Bunbury Trotting Club Secretary Max
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• 4/4/15 PAGE 3 of 10
Wimbridge at the 2010 Gloucester Standardbreds Yearling
Sale for $15,000. He asked the Polak family for permission
to name the horse after Richard.
"It was such an honor," Laura says.
Polak debuted at Gloucester Park on February 5, 2011
and just like his brother he won first time out. Richard was
in attendance for the historic win.
"W e wheeled Rich out in his chair to get the winning
photo of him (and the horse), which the owners were
thrilled about, too," Laura says.
Newspaper accounts of the horse's wins included the
story of his namesake, which created a following for the
gelding, who won five of 11 starts in his first year of racing
and was a runner-up in Group 1 race. Overall, he raced 75
times, won 17, finished in the money 39 times and earned
$221,700.
He last raced in Australia on January 9, 2015 and was
offered for sale to the Bellino family. Together with trainer
Tony O'Sullivan, a native of New Zealand who trains many
of the family's horses, Joe Bellino looked at the race tapes.
O'Sullivan was particularly impressed with a race last year
in which Polak finished second to Im Themightyquinn (NZ),
a winner of more than $4.5 million in his career, and
considered the Australian equivalent of Foiled Again,
harness racing's all-time money-winning pacer with almost
$7 million banked. O'Sullivan also liked the way Polak
handled the turns at Gloucester Park, which is a tight,
half-mile oval, without any problem.
W ith the price for racehorses in North America rising
beyond reason because demand far exceeded supply, the
Bellinos bought Polak. Joe Bellino decided to take a shot
and nominate Polak, who was renamed Polak A for
purposes of racing in the U.S., in the Levy Series. He did it
before telling O'Sullivan, who was taken aback thinking it
was a bit ambitious. O'Sullivan put Polak A on the diuretic
Lasix, which is not allowed in races Down Under, feeling it
would help his performance. He had been told the horse
might have bled in some of his races.
He placed third by 1¼ lengths in a qualifier that was won
by Clear Vision, a winner of more than $2 million in his
career, and stablemate Bettor's Edge, a winner of more
than $1.4 million. Considering he hadn't raced in two
months, the shipping, trying a new surface and competition
he hadn't faced before, he did well.
"He did it really comfortably," O'Sullivan says.
Polak was entered into the Levy series, and he drew the
rail in a field of seven and was bet down to second choice
at 8-5. Driven by Yannick Gingras, Polak A was gunned to
the front and was never headed, winning by a neck in a
lifetime best 1:52. It was a pleasant surprise for the
Bellinos, even more so for family and friends of Richard
Polak, who had started following news about the horse on
the Internet.
O'Sullivan said he and everyone connected with the
horse were pleasantly surprised by the win because even
though Polak A trained well and "acted likes he's a nice
horse," he still had to prove it in the race.
In his second start, Polak A drew the rail in a field of eight
that included the formidable Foiled Again lining up beside
him. Michael's Power, the 2012 Little Brown Jug winner
who had won the week before in his division and had more
than $1.7 million in his earnings, had the five hole.
W arrawee Needy, who co-holds the record for the fastest
race mile in harness racing history and won his division the
previous week, had the seven hole. Of the four $50,000
divisions, this one shaped up as the toughest of all.
Polak A would have to prove his mettle, and this time with
a new driver. O'Sullivan enlisted the services of Brian
Sears after Gingras stuck with
Foiled Again. Polak A grabbed the
lead after the opening quarter mile
from early pacesetter Michael's
Power, and then was battled on the
outside by Foiled Again, who tried
persistently but could not overtake
the Aussie. Polak A gave up the
passing lane in the stretch and
Michael's Power, who still had
plenty left, took advantage of the
opening. But in the end, Polak A
prevailed by a neck over Michael's
Power, followed closely by Foiled
Again on the outside. O'Sullivan
won three races that night, all for
the Bellinos, with Sears driving, but
it was Polak A's result that was the
Before his accident, a
most pleasing, in particular
smiling Richie Polak
because of who he defeated and
the way he did it.
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• 4/4/15 PAGE 4 of 10
"The fact he held off Foiled Again shows he has the will
to win," O'Sullivan says. "That's a huge asset for all of us.
It's pretty fair to say we have a good horse that could do a
really good job racing at Yonkers against the top level of
pacers. All things being equal he's going to be competitive
with anything he's going to race against at the moment.
"It's special for me because I've never brought over a
horse from Australia or New Zealand," he adds. "The fact
he looks like he's going to be a really nice horse for us is
great. It's cool. It's a challenge. I've never done it. A horse
is a horse. You hear that some New Zealand or Australian
horses don't acclimatize well, but so far everything's gone
really good."
"It's funny, Schinzig and Polak are full brothers and look
similar to each other, but they have different attitudes," Bell
says. "As good as the races Schinzig won, he was
somewhat of a horse that never gave it 100 percent. His
natural ability got him over the line more than his will to win.
As for Polak A, I don't think I have ever seen a little horse
try as hard as he did. He always looked like he was so
determined even on a bad night."
The horse has truly turned a tragedy into a source of
pride in many different ways. He has come to be known as
the W onder From Down Under.
"Polak is a fine example of the Western Australian-bred
horse and the emotion surrounding his naming means that
his career in the USA will be followed more closely than
most," says Alan Parker, the Assistant Manager for Racing
And W agering for W estern Australia. "While he continues
to race, those of us who know Richie are always reminded
of him and his infectious smile and attitude to life."
"Everyone in (W estern Australia) is so excited Polak is
doing well and that Richard is still being remembered,"
says Laura. "Maryann continues to care for him hoping he
will one day improve. He cannot walk or talk or respond to
commands, but he knows what is going on and laughs
when he hears old friends talk to him."
"From the Schinzig Buller story to the Polak story, it truly
has been a wonderful, emotional ride - if only Richie could
have experienced like we all have," Bell says.
Charles sums it up best: "It's a big story. Just for the
name it's an emotional story, especially for someone like
myself. I follow Polak with great interest. The horse means
a lot to a lot of people. That horse has touched a lot of
people's hearts. To see what he has done, he's amazing."
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Visit us on the web at www.harnessracingupdate.com.
High 5 Mania Hits Woodbine
On paper, it’s just another race, a $35,000 overnight for
pacers. But tonight's 11th race at
W oodbine figures to be one of the
most talked about, heavily bet
races in the history of Canadian
standardbred racing. The reason?
The Jackpot Hi 5 carryover.
It is the final weekend at
W oodbine, which means there is a
mandatory payout on the wager, which requires bettors to
pick the first five across the wire in exact order of finish. On
a normal night, the entire pool is only paid out if there is
one winning ticket sold on the bet. The jackpot has been
building since the last time it was hit, Dec. 8.
The current pool of $847,458.26 is the largest carryover
into a mandatory payout in track history. The last time there
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HarnessRacingUpdate.com
• 4/4/15 PAGE 5 of 10
was a mandatary payout night with a large jackpot pool was
Aug. 30, 2014, the night of the Canadian Pacing Derby and
Metro Pace at Mohawk. The Jackpot Hi-5 carryover was
$647,331 and an additional $2,026,548 was wagered into
the Jackpot Hi-5 that night to bring the total pool for the
mandatory payout to $2,673,879. The Jackpot Hi-5 helped
propel the handle for that August evening to a new Mohawk
Racetrack record of $5,006,896.
The bet is sold in 20-cent increments. W ith the large
carryover and a strong marketing push by W EG, tonight's
pool could easily top $3 million.
The W oodbine racing department has done its part by
putting together a head-scratcher of a race that includes 12
horses. The 3-1 morning line favorite is Camaes Fellow,
who will be driven by Jonathan Drury and drew the four
post.
There is at least one way to definitely hit the bet: A
12-horse box costs $19,008.
How to Hit the Woodbine Hi 5 Jackpot
By Brett Sturman
Race 11, N/W $12,000 L5 Pace
BILBO HANOVER closed last week with a :26:3 final
quarter at 30/1 odds and that was over two full seconds
faster than the likely favorite in this race, #4. I don’t know if
that race was a complete anomaly but he does get Hudon
back and moves almost all the way to the inside; sure to be
moving forward late with any decent cover flow in this
massive 12 horse field. REGAL SON makes his first start
back since January and I’d love him if he already had at
least one start under his belt. He sprinted away from
Piston Broke in that recent Q and that one is a Preferred
type when right; impossible to know what trip he’ll get from
one of the two trailing spots but he’s certainly good enough
to be included high on the ticket. COUGAR HALL drops for
Gillis and Jackie Mo and didn’t have the easiest go of it two
back when he was last seen at this level as the beaten
favorite. He wasn’t able to close last week off hot fractions
so the pilot might be thinking about leaving early in this
one; it worked six races back in a similar spot. The class
master of $930,000 lifetime earnings CAMAES FELLOW
was dropped to this level last week from the Preferred’s
and tired on the front after quarter moving with no real
excuse; may land the role of favorite again by default but is
far from a cinch. J M JET SET returns after six races in
New Jersey where he was unable to win a single race; this
doesn’t look any easier although on paper those
Meadowlands lines are actually the fastest of anyone.
JOSHUA MY BOY was used hard into a :26:1 opening
quarter last out and now makes his third start for Vic
Puddy; the barn alone warrants consideration. LUCKY
KING is more notably a small track horse and will need to
go much faster; seemingly overmatched but it’s not
impossible to land 5th starting from the rail. THE REV
steps up despite faltering last week against lesser; there
really isn’t much on view to be excited about and will need
some McNair magic to contend. HE’S A SENSATION
takes a step up of about three classes but he can tow along
from this spot; he did win here last year in 1:49:2.
$38.40 ticket ($0.20 base): 2-8 / 2-8-12 / 2-4-8-12 /
2-4-7-8-11-12 / ALL
For TrackMaster pps for the Woodbine Jackpot Hi 5
click here. For all other pps go to
www.trackmaster.com
Levy, Round Three, Top Yonkers Card
The Levy series will feature four divisions tonight at
Yonkers, and it looks like
the same horses that have
been winning in earlier
weeks will do more of the
same tonight.
P H Supercam, who won
the Levy final last year for
the Bamond Stable, looks
very tough to beat in the
P H Supercam will go for his
first division as he has
third straight win in the Levy
drawn the two post and
series tonight at Yonkers
lands in one of the weaker
(Lizzi photo)
legs on the night. He's won
a Levy leg each of the last two weeks.
The Ron Burke-trained Bettor's Edge figures to be a huge
favorite in the second division after winning last week and
having drawn post three. The best race of the night is
definitely the 8th, the third division. Polak A, who has been
the story of the series so far after coming in from Australia
and winning two straight weeks, will likely be favored over
the might veteran Foiled Again and 2012 Little Brown Jug
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• 4/4/15 PAGE 6 of 10
winner Michael's Power.
The last division, which goes as Race 10, is topped by
Beach Memories, another who has won two straight in the
series. But he has moved barns since last week as Ron
Burke, knowing he can only start two horses in the Levy
final, advised his owners to move the
Somebeachsomewhere gelding to the barn of Scott Di
Domenico. Dan Dube has replaced Yannick Gingras as this
one's driver. Among the horses he has to beat is Take It
Back Terry, who remains in the Burke stable.
For TrackMaster pps for the Levy races click here. For
all other pps go to www.trackmaster.com
Court Ruling Could be a Blow to Pena
Apparently, Lou Pena's battle with the New York Gaming
Commission is far from over.
The Gaming Commission, which
alleged that Pena illegally drugged
horses on more than 1,700
occasions, charges Pena has
denied and fought in court, won an
important legal round yesterday.
A New York State Appellate court
reversed two trial court decisions
that had gone in Pena's favor with
a lower court. Previously, Pena's
lawyers had successfully argued
that since the Gaming
Commission's hearing officer had
Trouble could be
taken an inordinately long time in
brewing for Lou Pena rendering a decision after hearing
Pena's case that his rights to due process had been
violated and ordered that the charges be dropped. The
appellate court ruled that a passage of time does not
constitute substantial prejudice warranting dismissal of the
agency proceeding.
The Gaming Commission is expected to take up the
case at its next meeting on April 27 and issue a final
agency ruling. At that time, Pena will likely be hit with a
lengthy suspension and a huge fine, a ruling he will no
doubt continue to fight in the court system.
Neither the Meadowlands nor Yonkers allows Pena to
race, so he has been competing primarily at Pocono
Downs. Should the New York authorities suspend him he
would not be allowed to race in any jurisdiction.
Pinkman, Mission Brief Headline List of 118
Eligibles to 2015 Hambletonian;
The $1 million Hambletonian and filly companion stake,
the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks, will be raced on
Saturday afternoon, August 8, at the Meadowlands
Racetrack, East Rutherford, New Jersey. The 90th edition
of the classic event will feature eliminations and the final on
the same day.
Eliminations for the Hambletonian Oaks, if necessary, will
be raced the prior week, Saturday, August 1. The number
of total eligible trotters to the two races remained the same
as last year with 193 paid in, but an additional ten more
colts made the payment this year, while the Oaks eligibles
dropped by an identical ten fillies.
The powerful barns of
Jimmy Takter and Ron Burke
house both freshmen trotter
Dan Patch honorees:
Pinkman, a winner of
$566,960 and the filly Mission
Brief, who banked $591,070 in
Pinkman is among the top her brilliant freshman
campaign. Between the two
names nominated to the
conditioners they harnessed
Hambletonian
seven of the top ten
money-winning 2-year-old trotters in 2014.
Pinkman, a gelded son of Explosive Matter, made his
presence felt in September of last year, winning the
Standardbred Stakes at Delaware, Ohio. He followed up
with wins in the International Stallion Stakes at Lexington
and the Valley Victory at Mohawk in Canada, then used the
Breeders Crown at the Meadowlands to sew up divisional
honors.
Takter, who has won three editions of the Hambletonian –
Malabar Man in 1997, Muscle Massive in 2010 and Trixton
last year – has a loaded sophomore roster to try for a fourth
title. In the 2015 Hoof Beats Comprehensive Predictive
Rankings for Trotters, Takter trains four of the top 10 voted
“most likely to succeed” this year.
Yet it’s two lightly raced colts that Takter feels may
represent his best shot at repeat Hambletonian glory.
“W hom Shall I Fear, who is a full brother to Father
Patrick, didn’t race many starts last year. He was second in
the International Stallion Stakes (behind Aldebaran Eagle).
But he was big and growthy and we just stopped with him.”
“He is going to qualify next week at The Meadowlands
and so will Canepa Hanover. Last year I thought those two
would be my two best colts. They are both a little green so
need to get some racing under their belts before the big
stakes.” said Takter.
Mission Brief, the first filly to top the colts in the
experimental rankings in years, may look to also be the first
filly winner of the Hambletonian since Continentalvictory in
1996.
“She should be back to the races about mid-May,” said
Burke about his trainee, dubbed a “freak” after a freshman
year that wowed the harness racing world.
“W e’ll let her tell us when she is ready,” he continued.
“Maybe a NJ Sire Stake is on the schedule first. Last year,
she was so big and strong it just took her a while to figure
things out. She has shown a lot of improvement and the
Hambletonian is definitely something we would like to try to
win. My Dad is 79 and winning the [Little Brown] Jug for us
as a team and as a family was so special…I would like to
try the Hambletonian.”
The 2014 Peter Haughton winner Centurion ATM, trained
and driven by Ake Svanstedt, is also among the top
sophomores eligible, and a Hambletonian win would make
him just the third colt to win both elite races, joining Donato
Hanover (07) and Muscle Hill (09).
The Hambletonian has been hosted by the Meadowlands
HarnessRacingUpdate.com
• 4/4/15 PAGE 7 of 10
Racetrack since 1981 and is the longest nationally
televised event in harness racing. A 90-minute live
broadcast will air on CBS Sports Network from 4-5:30 p.m.
[EDT].
There are no supplemental entries permitted in the
Hambletonian and Oaks, nor are participants in those
events or the Hambletonian Maturity permitted the use of
Lasix or Butazolidin. All entrants are subject to the
out-of-competition testing rules described in the conditions.
The Hambletonian Society and the Meadowlands sponsor
the only events in North American horse racing that prohibit
the use of any race day medication.
Dube, Allard Sweep Round 3 Matchmakers with
“Carol” and “Yagonnakissme”
By Frank Drucker
Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY - Friday, April 3, 2015 - Yonkers
Raceway Friday night hosted the third round of the Blue
Chip Matchmaker of Open Pacing Mares. A pair of
small-but-select fields of five were subsected into $40,000
divisions.
Carolsideal (Dan Dube, $4.30), no one trick pony she,
rallied from second-over after going down-the-road in her
first two series starts
Starting outside her four foes, “Carol” watched as 11-10
favorite Anndrovette (Tim Tetrick), getting some early
encouragement from her escort, left and pocketed Medusa
(George Brennan).
After early intervals of :27.3 and :56.3, For the Ladies N
(Brian Sears) offered a fair amount of first-up pressure in
and out of the 1:24.4 three-quarters.
Anndrovette maintained a short lead into the lane, but
company was coming. Carolsideal vaulted wide off her tow,
then went by to win going away. The margin, over 19-1
outsider Fancy Desire (Matt Kakaley), was a
length-and-a-half in 1:53.1. Anndrovette, snapped for
second, settled for third.
For second choice Carolsideal, a 6-year-old daughter of
Western Ideal trained by Rene Allard for co-owners himself
(as Allard Racing), Yves Sarazin and Kapildeo Singh, it
was her eighth win in nine seasonal starts. The exacta paid
$57, with the triple not offered to the abbreviated
assemblage.
The second Matchmaker event was barely more than a
public workout for 4-5 fave Yagonnakissmeornot (Dube,
$3.70).
In play from post position No. 2, she easily went around
pole-sitting longhsot Strings (Eric Carlson), them had no
issues whatsoever. Pedestrian fractions of :28.3 and :58.2
were going to make “Yagonnakissme” very tough to catch,
and a :55.1 back half (1:26.1, 1:53.3) made it impossible.
A season’s-best effort whipped first-up Venus Delight
(Jason Bartlett) by a comfortable length-and-a-half, with
Strings third.
For Yagonnakissmeornot, a 6-year-old daughter of The
Panderosa trained by Allard for co-owners himself (as
Allard Racing), Yves Sarazin and Kapildeo Singh—the
same contingent behind Carolsideal—she’s now 2-for-4 this
season. The exacta paid $15.40, with again no triple
wagering due to the quintet.
Series standings, through three of five prelims
legs…1-Carolsideal (225 points), 2-Yagonnakissmeornot
(158), 3t-Camille (125), 3t-Venus Delight (125), 5-Monkey
on My Wheel (120), 6-Fancy Desire (113), 7-Anndrovette
(111), 8-Krispy Apple (105).
Special Friday props to Luminosity (Brennan, $6.20),
whose 1:55, open-length romp in the $21,500 second race
was fastest local trot mile of the season.
Friday’s Pick 5 wager, vitamin-enriched by a $4,667
carryover, attracted $12,602 of fresh money. The formful
combo of 2/1/5/2/2 (all wagering favorites) returned
$111.87 for every correct half-a-buck wager.
The Raceway’s live season continues Saturday night
(post time 7:10 PM), with the third round (four, $50,000
divisions) of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing
Series. After that, it’s Monday (7:10 PM), Tuesday (1 PM),
then Thursday through Saturday (all at 7:10 PM). Note
Sunday matinees are done until November. Evening
simulcasting accompanies all night programs, with
afternoon simulcasting available daily (save for Easter
Sunday).
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HarnessRacingUpdate.com
• 4/4/15 PAGE 8 of 10
An Optimistic Thumbs Up
Race 8, N/W $6,000 L5 Pace
DULL ROAR is right back in for Ford after just racing earlier
this week and he owns a pretty solid history here. He didn’t
have a realistic chance in the off going last out at Pocono in
a race won by Burke’s Southwestern Dream but he can
probably go with these; worth a swing at a price. JJ
SHARK is Dave Miller’s pick of a handful just as he was
last week and seeks to rebound after he took all of the tote
action last week; needs an easier trip. HOT RODDY goes
from Bongiorno to Marohn and that may attract attention;
on the other hand the barn is yet to finish even second in
16 starts this meet. Former classy horse JOHNNY Z is
struggling at age 9; won here in 1:50 last year while
banking over $100K. W e keep waiting for signs of life from
the POKESTER but they haven’t been coming.
Race 9, N/W 2 Pace
COLORFUL SPEECH has shown speed in his first two
starts here this year and kept up well last week in a field
that was arguably a touch better than this one. He’s
moving in the right direction and is likely to get a new driver
as Andy Miller is committed to #1. CHUCARO ACERO BC
hasn’t measured up to the hype since arriving from
Argentina but at least that recent qualifier was much better
than anything he’s shown us to date; I wouldn’t be too
quick to dismiss. RODEO ROMEO closed in :26:2 two
back and was a good runner-up to W iggle It Jiggle It three
back; he’ll likely wind up as the favorite. DEVILS CUT
makes his three-year-old debut for Chiodo and isn’t without
a chance; OK GERONIMO returns off a confidence building
win at Philly.
In the stall at Showplace Farms in Millstone, New Jersey,
Emily Leamon, daughter of Steve Elliott's Assistant Trainer
Jake Leamon and Anki Wernis, is all smiles after Rockeyed
just won the Clyde Hirt Final at The Meadowlands.
Race 7, Claiming $10K Final
You have to hand it to trainer Mike Russo who is 5 out of 9
in the win column this meet between his mare
Inittowinafortune and this latest acquisition, STEADY
PULSE. This one cut a quick clip in the barn debut two
back before tiring but zipped right down the road last week;
sharp horse. CHILLI NZ popped to the tune of 38/1 last out
in his first start since the December layoff; won’t be as easy
now with the cat out of the bag. JIN DANDY had good
pace last week following a shuffle and fires in almost every
start; versatile type will offer a price from the outside post.
YOU BET YOUR GLASS folded last week as the 2/5
favorite following a crushing 1:51 win the week prior; goes
first start off the claim tonight for Bresnahan. TRIPLE
MAJOR always seems to be around for a share and
WESTERN TSUNAMI may suddenly go largely overlooked.
Race 10, N/W $6,000 L5 Pace
SEEK THE DRAGON is looking like a nice Elliott claim as
this one’s been actively involved in a couple fast recent
miles. He was used hard through a :54 half last out and
now finally gets away from the raging Diamond Said; looks
best. NF DRUM ROLL has found his better form since
moving to Tara Hynes and fended them all off last week
except for the odds-on fave; figures for a share. MIGHTY
YOUNG JOE always warrants a look at this level although
he doesn’t win as often as he should and Chiodo is 1 for
28. SPORTS SINNER goes second start for trainer Gill
who sports a gaudy record this season.
The Plays:
$8 ticket ($0.50 base): 3-7 / 3-4 / 1-4-5-6 / 2
$27 ticket ($0.50 base): 3-7-8 / 3-4-5 / 4-5-6 / 2-5
For Trackmaster pps for the Meadowlands Pick 4 click
here. For all other pps go to www.trackmaster.com
© Copyright Harness Racing Update.
This newspaper may not be reproduced in any form or by
any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior written
permission of the copyright owner, MB Publishing Inc.
Information as to the races, race results and earnings was
obtained from results charts published by the United States
Trotting Association and utilized here with the permission of
the copyright owner.
HarnessRacingUpdate.com
• 4/4/15 PAGE 9 of 10
10, Phl, $22,000, P, Fillies & Mares NW $26,101 in Last 5
Starts AE: NW 9 Ext. PM Races or $90,000 Lifetime, 27.4,
56.4, 1:24.2, 1:53.2, SY
1-Ooh Bad Shark (m, 7, Cam's Card Shark--Ooh Bad
Girl, by Badlands Hanover) O-Donna M Fedorak &
William M W iggins. B-Donna M Fedorak & W illiam M
Wiggins. T-W illiam W iggins. D-Allan Davis, $11,000,
Lifetime Record: 86-24-14-11, $373,015
To watch the race replay click here
11, HoP, $21,000, P, Fillies and Mares Invitational
Handicap, 26.3, 57.0, 1:27.0, 1:55.2, SY
1-Pertty Music (m, 5, Jereme's Jet--My Metallica, by
Party At Artsplace) O-Ed F Hensley. B-Ciara Stable. T-Ed
Hensley. D-Ed Hensley, $10,500, Lifetime Record:
71-19-10-13, $258,982
To watch the race replay click here
6, M, $27,500, P, Fillies & Mares Open Handicap, 26.4,
56.3, 1:24.2, 1:50.0, FT
1-Radar Contact (m, 7, Dontgetinmyway--Topville
Cyberwave, by Electric Yankee), $10,000 2009
HOOSIER O-Charles Stillings & Dean E Ehrgott. B-Merle E
Yoder. T-Noel Daley. D-John Campbell, $13,750, Lifetime
Record: 92-28-17-15, $760,131
To watch the race replay click here
7, M, $25,000, T, DASH FOR THE "G" NOTES - FINAL
Highest Earners From 3/27/2015, 28.0, 57.2, 1:26.3,
1:54.2, FT
1-Sweet Justice (g, 5, Justice Hall--Sugar, by Sir
Taurus), $30,000 2011 IN-PREM O-M & M Harness
Racing LLC. B-Midland Acres Inc. T-Bruce Saunders.
D-David Miller, $12,500, Lifetime Record: 85-20-10-10, $317,162
To watch the race replay click here
11, M, $20,000, T, N/W $15,500 in Last 5 Starts AE: N/W
$100,000 in 2014/15, 27.4, 56.3, 1:25.2, 1:53.0, FT
1-Tirade Hanover (g, 5, Crazed--Teagarden Hanover, by
Royal Strength), $10,000 2011 SHS-HBG O-Leigh A
Raymer & Stephen M Moss & Harold & Helane R Solomon.
B-Hanover Shoe Farms Inc. T-Leigh Raymer. D-Corey
Callahan, $10,000, Lifetime Record: 61-23-12-7, $650,890
To watch the race replay click here
4, Mea, $20,000, P, *F&M NOT LISTED/PREFERRED
HANDICAP* P.P.1-4 DRAW N; 5-8 DRAW N, 27.0, 56.4,
1:24.4, 1:52.4, GD
1-Macharoundtheclock (m, 5, Mach Three--Summers
Soul, by Artsplace), $50,000 2011 FOREST O-Birnam
W ood Farms. B-Birnam W ood Farms. T-Tim Twaddle.
D-Eric Ledford, $10,000, Lifetime Record: 66-18-10-10, $436,503
To watch the race replay click here
3, Wdb, $30,000, P, FILLIES & MARES PREFERRED.
27.4, 58, 1:27.4, 1:55.2
1-D Gs Pesquero (b,m,5 - Mach Three-Dg S El Nina Western Hanover) O-Robert O W atson, Armando
Cappuccitti, Mike D Bartram, Stephen Klunowski B-Daniel
Suprenant T-Carmen Auciello D-Jonathan Drury $15,000
Lifetime Record: 97-18-22-19 $288,507
To watch the race replay click here
2, YR, $21,500, T, NON-W INNERS OF $18,000 IN LAST 6
STARTS, 27.3, 58.0, 1:26.2, 1:55.0, FT
1-Luminosity (g, 5, Cash Hall--Brighten My Way, by
Conway Hall) O-Burke Racing Stable LLC & W eaver
Bruscemi LLC. B-Antonia H Poklembo. T-Ron Burke.
D-George Brennan, $10,750, Lifetime Record:
73-20-11-12, $142,521
To watch the race replay click here
5, YR, $31,000, P, F&M PREFERRED HANDICAP POST
POSITIONS 1-4 ASSIGNED POST POSITIONS 5-7
DRAW N POST POSITION 8 ASSIGNED, 28.2, 58.0,
1:26.2, 1:54.2, FT
1-Palm Patrol (m, 6, Mach Three--Top Time Patrol, by
Shore Patrol) O-Robert W Burgess, CA. B-Glenview
Livestock LTD, CA. T-Carmen Auciello. D-Mark Macdonald,
$15,500, Lifetime Record: 126-26-15-16, $396,650
2-Delightful Dragon (m, 4, Bettor's Delight--Little Miss
Dragon, by Dragon Again) O-Noel M Daley & W illiam B
W eaver III. B-Adam Victor & Son Stble LLC. T-Noel Daley.
D-Brian Sears, $7,750
3-Marathon Day (m, 4, Well Said--Sandlark Hanover, by
Big Towner), $32,000 2012 SHS-HBG O-Gilberto
Garcia-Herrera. B-Hanover Shoe Farms Inc. T-Gilbert
Garcia-Herrera. D-Eric Carlson, $3,720
Calls: 2, 2, 1H, 1H, H - Finish Order: Krispy Apple, Riviera,
Cherry Bliss, Rd Iou, Dune In Red
To watch the race replay click here
HarnessRacingUpdate.com
• 4/4/15 PAGE 10 of 10
6, YR, $40,000, P, BLUECHIP MATCHMAKER SERIES
MARE FREE FOR ALL 3RD LEG 1ST DIVISION, 27.3,
56.3, 1:24.4, 1:53.1, FT
1-Carolsideal (m, 6, Western Ideal--Camcarol, by Cam's
Card Shark) O-Allard Racing Inc, CA & Yves Sarrazin, CA
& Kapildeo Singh. B-Saddle Rock Stables. T-Rene Allard.
D-Daniel Dube, $20,000, Lifetime Record: 86-28-12-11,
$321,701
2-Fancy Desire (m, 4, Real Desire--Fancy Creek Memory,
by Sportsmaster) O-Robert O Di Nozzi. B-Kenneth D
Spurlock. T-Daniel Renaud. D-Matt Kakaley, $10,000
3-Anndrovette (m, 8, Riverboat King--Easy Miss, by Big
Towner) O-Bamond Racing LLC & Joseph Davino.
B-Golden Touch Stable. T-Jeffrey Bamond Jr.. D-Tim
Tetrick, $4,800
Calls: 6T, 7H, 2Q, 2Q, 1H - Finish Order: For The Ladies N,
Medusa
To watch the race replay click here
7, YR, $40,000, P, BLUECHIP MATCHMAKER SERIES
MARE FREE FOR ALL 3RD LEG 2ND DIVISION, 28.3,
58.2, 1:26.1, 1:53.3, FT
1-Yagonnakissmeornot (m, 6, The
Panderosa--Artstopper, by Artsplace), $23,000 2010
SHS-HBG O-Allard Racing Inc, CA & Yves Sarrazin, CA &
Kapildeo Singh. B-Roll The Dice Stable. T-Rene Allard.
D-Daniel Dube, $20,000, Lifetime Record: 98-30-22-8,
$850,416
2-Venus Delight (m, 5, Bettor's Delight--Venus Killean, by
Run The Table), $13,000 2011 LEX-SEL O-Bamond
Racing LLC. B-Estate Of George F Hempt Trust. T-Jeffrey
Bamond Jr.. D-Jason Bartlett, $10,000
3-Strings (m, 5, Hi Ho Silverheel's--Sharps N Flats, by No
Nukes) O-Little Bapa, LLC. B-Wayne E & Rodney W
Knittel. T-Jennifer Sabot. D-Eric Carlson, $4,800
Calls: 1T, 2, 2, 2H, 1H - Finish Order: Monkey On My
Wheel, Charisma Hanover
To watch the race replay click here
9, YR, $25,000, P, F&M NON-W INNERS OF $25,000 IN
LAST 6 STARTS, 27.1, 56.2, 1:24.4, 1:53.1, FT
1-Jonsie Jones (m, 8, Tulane--Happensallthetime, by
Dangarvon), $2,800 2008 GRLAKES O-Lrl Racing LLC.
B-Craig R Hurley. T-Amber Buter. D-Tyler Buter, $12,500,
Lifetime Record: 140-26-22-22, $244,019
To watch the race replay click here
10, YR, $21,500, P, F&M NON-W INNERS OF $18,000 IN
LAST 6 STARTS, 28.3, 58.3, 1:26.3, 1:54.2, FT
1-Keystone Wanda (m, 5, Somebeachsomewhere--I
Will, by Western Hanover), $30,000 2011 SHS-HBG
O-Centaur Stable & Jordon M Sklut. B-Todd M Schadel &
George F Hempt. T-Paul Blumenfeld. D-Jason Bartlett,
$10,750, Lifetime Record: 95-19-19-14, $256,081
To watch the race replay click here
11, YR, $21,500, P, NON-W INNERS OF $18,000 IN LAST
6 STARTS, 28.2, 57.1, 1:25.4, 1:53.1, FT
1-Source Of Pride (h, 5, American Ideal--Trim Hanover,
by Camluck), $280,000 2011 LEX-SEL O-Howard A
Taylor. B-Brittany Farms. T-Tracy Brainard. D-Jason
Bartlett, $10,750, Lifetime Record: 63-17-2-7, $261,749
To watch the race replay click here
12, YR, $21,500, P, NON-W INNERS OF $18,000 IN LAST
6 STARTS, 28.2, 58.0, 1:26.0, 1:53.2, FT
1-Smooth Criminal (g, 6, Blue Burner--Gunslingin Gal,
by Cam's Card Shark) O-Little Bapa, LLC. B-Robert D &
Debbie A Morris, CA. T-Jennifer Sabot. D-Brian Sears,
$10,750, Lifetime Record: 82-25-12-12, $314,285
To watch the race replay click here
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