Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Notes from Bob "Hollywood" Heyden

February 26, 2005

Mike Lachance made his first appearance of the year Sunday afternoon, driving two horses for his son, Patrick at The Meadowlands. Lachance, 54, had not driven in a race since November 15, 2004.

The Hall of Famer, with 9,655 career wins and $162 million in purses won, opted to take some time off this winter.

"I'm very happy," he said. "I went to Florida last week and was at Pompano and in France recently. I'm doing this for Patrick. He's going to Aruba for a few days and asked me if I would drive for him. I am looking forward to getting back at the end of April, and driving a lot of the younger horses."

Lachance finished fourth with Taylorlane Ace in the sixth race and was placed ninth with Hidden Past in the 12th race.

Noel Daley wins 5 on Friday ....."I had eight in tonight, and coming to work I said I thought all eight had a chance," Daley noted. "But sometimes you say that and you win nothing. Everything just kind of fell into place tonight. Horses wound up in the right spots. Some dropped to a winning level-Aqua Gold-he is really a $40-50,000 claimer-and he behaved himself tonight. Things just fell right. It was good timing too-the last two weekends I couldn't do anything right." Noel was Brett Pellings' assistant in April 1996 when they set the still existing mark of six winners on one card. Noel won five once here last year during his torrid start, doing so in Februrary.

All American Theory Retired.... All American Theory is now done racing. Des Tackoor reports that the now five-year-old son of Jennas Beach Boy will stand stud somewhere in Indiana, though the location is not yet finalized. That leaves Holborn Hanover and Gallo Blue Chip as the two Meadowlands Pace winners (2000) still competing.

Pat Berry....It is sinking in now. Three straight $60 or better horses, on one card, for a pick-3 for over $12,000. SAME driver. Patrick Berry did that in the 3rd 4th and 5th races last Sunday, and spoke of it last night. "I needed that. It was awesome. I didn't have the greatest weekend going into Sunday," Pat said. "Things kind of fell into place.Some of the horses going into the card I thought had a good chance. I feel the Meadowlands gives me the best opportunity. I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon. My family is coming in next week to stay for 10 days." Last Sunday at the Big M here's how they won for Pat: 3rd Race-Mysteries Of Light 47-1: 4th Race-The Lead N 30-1; 5th Race-Abra 33-1.

Rainbow Blue....She is the FIRST EVER female to be both the USA and the Canadian Horse Of The Year. Fifth overall: 1991-Precious Bunny; 1992-Artsplace; 1993-Staying Together; 2002-Real Desire and
2004-Rainbow Blue

Etcetera....Mr Muscleman has accepted a invitation to compete in this years Elittlop...Direct Scooter is on the doorstep of $100 million as a sire. Not bad for a horse who didn't race at two, and who was not staked at three, but still managed an incredible $800,000+ for his career in 1979-1980-1981...When Gallo Blue Chip finished 5th last week it was his first check of 2005. It is even more amazing when you remember that---in all of harness racing in 2004---who was the winningest horse for the month of January in earnings??? Gallo Blue Chip with $70,000.