Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Notes From Hollywood

March 2, 2007

Bob "Hollywood" Heyden, that is...
For the first time in 2007--the second time for trainer Gregory Peck--and the first time since he won the Messenger November 25 at Yonkers. Palone Ranger is back, and he's making his 4 Year Old debut at the Meadowlands in the 10th Race Saturday night from post #3.

Ron Pierce, who qualified him all three times, is listed to drive the 4 Year Old son of Western Ideal-Mercy Mercy Mercy for the Four Friends Racing Stable and Perretti Racing Stable NJ.

Palone Ranger began his career for Chris Ryder, and was the favorite in the 2 Year Old Breeders Crown held at the Meadowlands in 2005. He switched barns early last fall and wound up making his lone start for trainer Peck in the $546,830 Messenger November 25.

"We're into the stakes horses pretty much now. Palone Ranger is 4, and it's tough to go up against the best in the division when you're 4. I feel he'll be very competitive against his own age, but I'm not sure if he's going to be able to go with the divisions best," Greg said.

When Greg did capture the Messenger, it marked the first time in 15 YEARS that a trainer had won a Triple Crown race in his very first start with the horse. Brett Pelling did it last in 1991 in the Cane Pace with Silky Stallone.

"This Saturday will be the toughest competition that he's faced so far. But until you've done it in the metropolitan area, you haven't really done it at all. THIS area is the place to be."

What is the best quality that Palone Ranger has-the thing he does best? Greg, "He gives his all every time-100%. He also doesn't know that he's small. He loves to go after it-and has that killer instinct."

Palone Ranger figures to be busier at 4 than he was as a 3 Year Old. His ONLY win on the season came in the Messenger (9 1-4-1 $336,333) and lifetime he's at $722,090). Greg Peck used to train such notables as Playwithafulldeck, Fly Like An Eagle, Mystical Cam and Corys Big Guy. From here--Palone Ranger heads to the Levy Series at Yonkers-"THE track where he won the Messenger" Greg reminds us.

Atomic Deal--6th race #5 Saturday night-debuts for Team Burke--This horse was scratched from his scheduled start February 24 listed in the Anthony Montini barn

March 1 this year marked the 60th anniversary of the birth of Lew Williams, and the 87th anniversary of the birthday of Eddie Cobb. Whata Baron and Genghis Khan--You've said a mouthful when you've mentioned that pair--and each was the man behind both, respectively.