 |
 |
      |
|
Odds On News
North American News
International News
Harness Happenings
Odds On Entries
Entries and Results
Stakes Schedule
Race Dates
Winner's Circle
Behind the Scenes
Trainer of the Month
Legend Horse of the
Month Horse of the Month Driver of the Month Personality of the Month
 |
 |
NORTH AMERICAN ARCHIVES: November 2011 November 29, 2011 The Horse Racing Industry Just Doesn't Get It That's pretty well understood by all retailers nowadays but for some reason it hasn't clicked in with the horse racing industry. In fact, the horse racing industry almost appears to be taking a totally contradictory approach. Horse racing attendance ... Racing Industry Silent About Slaughtered Thoroughbreds This post is the first in a series on Thoroughbreds, racing and the state of the horse industry. How did a five-year-old racehorse named Princess Madeline end up in a feedlot on July 13, priced for slaughter? Ask a horse trainer, and they'll probably ... Remember teeth stuck in the starting gate? In fact most folks wouldn't know that Docdor Chaser is a horse...and a trotter at that. Over the years the 8 year old altered son of Sand Chaser more than paid his way earning nearly $160000 in a career that began as a harness racing 2 year old on the ... Veitch reportedly dismissed without cause The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission on Monday dismissed chief steward John Veitch without cause, effective immediately, according to published reports. Veitch was at the center of the Life At Ten controversy from the 2010 Breeders' Cup World ... Deputies raid horse racing, gambling operation Deputies broke up an elaborate horse racing operation that featured gambling, liquor and professional equipment at a location in northeastern Meriwether County, official said. Authorities who raided the site on Sunday said they found up to 300 people ... Harness racing hobble THE arrest of a Marulan-based trainer during a police crackdown on corruption in harness racing industry dampened what was an otherwise red letter day for the industry in Goulburn. Dean Atkinson, 47, was arrested on Friday and charged ... Dark cloud hangs over trots HARNESS racing legend Brian Hancock enjoyed Miracle Mile night as a spectator but like many who ventured to Menangle he was left wondering, who's next? This quandary has little to do with finding next year's winner of the great race or who will be ... Harness industry clean-out not before time, says frustrated owner The time had come to leave again and this time harness racing would have to be left behind for good. "I was going out and paying for the best yearlings in Australia, New Zealand and the US and then someone would bring something with no form from New ... Who is Stouffville trainer Carmen Auciello? Carmen Auciello says one of the major reasons his Stouffville (Ontario)-based harness racing stable is doing so well in 2011 is because his business is a family-orientated one which is prepared to travel five to six days a week in order to make a ... November 26, 2011 Bernard captures the driver's championship Harness racing driver Shane Bernard was crowned the winner of the annual driver's championship and the EF Acorn Memorial trophy Sunday afternoon at Red Shores Racetrack & Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park. Bernard had a career day in the bike ... MEGA-9 wager started Saturday at Pompano The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park rolled out it's new MEGA-9 wager for the first time to the public on the Saturday, November 26 harness racing program, offering patrons the chance to win a minimum $5000 guaranteed pool for a base .10 cent wager. ... Luc Ouellette captures five at Woodbine Harness racing driver Luc Ouellette made five trips to the winner's circle Saturday evening during the eleven race programme at Woodbine Racetrack. Ouellette, who sits sixth on Woodbine Entertainment Group's (WEG) driver standings, kicked off the night ... Live A Little ends Shamderocks win streak Shamderock had never lost a Sires Stakes race in ten races over two years, but Live A Little proved that all good things must come to an end. Harness racing sophomore colts & geldings were spotlighted at Cal Expo in a pair of $15000 California Sires ... Moffett spearheads two charity drives Heather Moffett, the popular host of two Middle-Atlantic area harness racing television programs, Post Time (in Delaware) and PA Harness Week (seen in Eastern Pennsylvania), is working on a campaign to raise money for two charities, and, ... November 25, 2011 Promises to keep But the state racing and casino commissions can at least hold the track and casino owner to its promises. The deals struck by Ohio voters to allow casino gambling and Gov. John Kasich to outfit horse tracks with thousands of electronic slot machines ... Horse racing notebook: Fair Grounds has quirky history In a 1908 fling with propriety, Louisiana banned horse racing. The track was closed for seven years before voters tossed out the law. A 1940 sale put the track in a wrecking ball's path. Enterprising owners planned to ... November 24, 2011 Noble & Brennan Battle for Title Dan Noble would rather not be thinking about the North American driver standings, but with a little more than five weeks remaining until the end of the year, he cannot help himself. “I really don’t want to have it on my mind, but it’s on my mind now,” said Noble, who entered Wednesday ranked No. 1 in North America in wins, with 706, and led second-place George Brennan by two. “For the longest time, I wasn’t paying much attention; I would kind of glance at (the standings) once a month. “Some other guys would look every night and I’d tell them I really didn’t want to see it,” he said, adding with a laugh, “Now I look every night to see how close we are. “It’s getting down to a pretty good battle. It’s going to be close.” Brennan and Noble, who are both seeking their first titles, have gone back and forth in the top spot in recent weeks and are on pace for one of the closest finishes in history. In 1981, Eddie Davis edged Herve Filion, 404-403, although Filion subsequently was awarded another win so the record book now reflects a tie. The next closest finish was in 1975, when Daryl Busse claimed the honor, 360-358, over Walter Paisley. There have been three occasions since 1946 when the margin was three victories. Brennan this year rose to the top of the standings in May and battled Tim Tetrick, who is currently third with 679 victories, through the summer. Tetrick held the edge in September, but Noble won 96 times during the month to thrust himself into the race. Noble’s September included winning 16 starts at the Delaware County Fair in central Ohio as part of Little Brown Jug week. He was one victory shy of tying the record for most wins during the week, set by David Miller in 1997 and equaled by Brett Miller in 2006. “I didn’t know it would be such a good week, but it was a very good week,” said Noble, the 28-year-old son of Ohio Hall of Fame horseman Chip Noble. “Things really took off after that. “It’s been pretty exciting. I would’ve never expected a year like this. It’s been good to me. I’m getting a lot of work and it’s making a lot of things a lot easier knowing that I have that work.” Noble is the leading driver at Northfield Park, near Cleveland, and at Lebanon Raceway. He also was the top driver in wins at Scioto Downs and at Lexington’s Red Mile. “It’s been a lot of traveling and meeting a lot of new people,” said Noble, who is attempting to become the first Ohio-based driver to win the title since Walter Case, Jr. in 2002. “I’ve spent a lot of time away from my family, so it’s been tough on them.” The 44-year-old Brennan is the leading driver at Yonkers Raceway in New York, where he has picked up 647 wins. Brennan’s biggest wins, though, came across the Hudson River in New Jersey in August when he won the Hambletonian with Broad Bahn and Hambletonian Oaks with Bold And Fresh. Brennan joined Brian Sears as the only drivers to win the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks on the same day. Last year, Brennan won 622 races, good for fourth in North America, and earned $12.61 million, which was second behind Tetrick. He was voted Driver of the Year by the U.S. Harness Writers Association. In addition to already surpassing last season’s victory total, Brennan has earned a career-high $13.90 million this year. He is second, again, to Tetrick in the standings. “Just consistency, I guess,” Brennan said about the key to his success. “I’m driving for good owners and good trainers. That’s the key right there, having live horses to drive. “Being able to stay healthy and work every day, I’m just glad to do that.” Brennan is hopeful of winning the title, but believes the schedule favors Noble. Brennan will miss four days in December because of an annual trip to Florida, plus Yonkers has only 21 racing days remaining to Northfield’s 26. “It’s not that I don’t want to win the title, but it will be tough,” Brennan said. “Danny wins a lot of races and I think he may have a few more days left than I do. It would be great if it ever happened, but I don’t see it happening.” Noble, who has earned a career-best $2.19 million this year, might add some drives at The Meadows, if possible, while continuing to drive at Northfield, where he has won 375 races this season. “Right now, since I’ve come so far, it would mean so much to me,” said Noble, who won 313 races last year. “It’s a lot of work, but I’d like to give it the best shot I can. It’s been fun.” November 23, 2011 Jockeys' Guild Asks Governor, Legislature to 'Save Horse Racing in Illinois' The Jockeys' Guild has sent letters to Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and all state legislators, asking them to "save horse racing in Illinois." In the letter, Jockeys' Guild National Manager Terry ... Horse Racing Insider: Ohio race tracks getting ready to make some moves Ohio's seven horse racing tracks have state approval to move to greener pastures, but none of the owners are eager to make a formal application to the Ohio State Racing Commission until they know how much it will cost. ... New rule aims to keep star horses racing longer Though, in fairness, if a horse continues to dominate against older competition, his value as a stallion would increase. For the fans and the bettors, keeping the best horses racing and competing against each other is a no-brainer. ... Indiana equine industry accounts for over $2-billion A study released by Purdue University concluded that horse racing makes up the bulk of the revenue in Indiana's $2-billion equine industry. The study, conducted in spring 2011, reviewed the state's equine industry in 2010, ... Smoken Up back for Miracle Mile Menangle Park will host one of the biggest nights in Australian harness racing on Saturday. The evening will feature the Miracle Mile, the biggest harness racing event in Australia, with prizemoney of $500000. A battle is on for North American dash crown Harness racing driver Dan Noble would rather not be thinking about the North American driver standings, but with a little more than five weeks remaining until the end of the year, he cannot help himself. "I really don't want to have it on my mind, ... Field is set for Metamucil Mile at Monticello Harness racing drivers over the age of 65 that is. “We've had real good response for our race for older drivers,” noted Eric Warner, the track's director of racing. “Two gentlemen will be coming in from the midwest and while two others are native New ... Pompano To Introduce New Initiatives From the input of some focus groups and local customers we wanted to respond to their concern that there can be a high number of favorites winning on some harness racing programs as compared to other breeds. So, we thought we'd try to break new ground ... Instant racing revenue up 56% in October Instant racing, in which gamblers bet on old horse races, continues to attract new money. In October, total handle on historical wagering, as the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission calls it, jumped 56 percent ... Track in Valley gets opposition Luther Heckman, an adviser with Prestige Management and Cleveland's Northfield Park, sat before the Ohio State Racing Commission Monday and Ohio's Assistant Attorney General Vivian Tate, asking for clarification on rules and benefits on the move that ... Rapid Redux wins 20th straight race Rapid Redux romped to his 20th straight win on Monday, breaking the modern North American record for most consecutive victories held by reigning Horse of the Year Zenyatta and Peppers Pride. The 5-year-old gelding won the $5000 starter-allowance race ... Ohio tracks, horsemen agree on 2012 calendar - PaulickReport.com Ohio Thoroughbred tracks have agreed to a deal with horsemen for the ... Horse Racing,thoroughbred,thoroughbred racing,Thistledown,beulah park,River ... November 21, 2011 Blooded Horse Fall Sale is strongest in years Buyers from 25 states, several Canadian provinces, and Europe rolled into Delaware, Ohio, for the 64th annual fall harness racing sale. The 1226 horse catalogue featured a wide variety of green prospects, young racehorses, seasoned campaigners, ... Massachusetts horse racing subsidy reduced in bill The approved Massachusetts gambling bill will see subsidy reduced to horse racing, Bloodhorse reported. In the most recent version of the bill the horse racing industry will see subsidy to the tune of $17.5 million, the report said. ... Firestorm brewing over future of Florida horse racing Creek Entertainment Gretna plans to begin live barrel racing Dec. 1 under a pari-mutuel permit issued for quarter horse racing. The Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association and the Florida Quarter Horse Owners and Breeders Association, however, ... Hollywood Casino taking shape But now slot machines at horse-racing tracks, still in the process of being implemented by the Ohio Lottery Commission, are expected to draw some gamblers away from the Las Vegas-style casinos. The commission now expects its revenue stream to be ... Inspector gen'l suggests cut to horse racing fund AP Indiana's Inspector General recommends the state consider cutting its annual subsidy to the horse racing industry by more than half. The Indianapolis Business Journal reported Wednesday (http://bit.ly/vntfua ) that Inspector General David Thomas ... One of a kind: Barrel racing betting set to open Creek Entertainment Gretna plans to begin live racing Dec. 1 under a pari-mutuel permit issued for quarter horse racing. The Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association, however, is asking the state to void the permit, saying it wasn't intended for barrel ... Gambling bill getting second look over horse-race funding According to a draft obtained by the News Service of an amendment being prepared by House and Senate negotiators, lawmakers are considering reducing the percentage from the Gaming Revenue Fund to the Race Horse Development Fund from 5 percent to 2.5 ... Final approval on casinos may come today Critics also questioned why House and Senate negotiators who crafted the final bill behind closed doors added a provision late Monday night that increased the amount of casino revenue devoted to “the horse racing development fund. ... Florida Thoroughbred Racing at a Crossroads Given the success of the Florida horse racing program, from its breeding industry, to the world class sport at Gulfstream Park, to the sustenance provided horsemen by the year-round Calder operation, to the history of ... NY OTBs seek to reduce payments to tracks According to a Courthouse News Service report, New York's off-track betting corporations have filed a petition seeking to reduce payments harness racing tracks receive to protect their night racing revenue against simulcast competition, now that many ... Zornow Awarded Hamilton Memorial Medal At age 19, Zornow was the youngest person to attend a 1957 meeting in Syracuse of the most influential track executives and breeders in New York harness racing and is now the only one remaining. That gathering included Zornow's father, Ted J., ... November 16, 2011 Hollywood Casino taking shape But now slot machines at horse-racing tracks, still in the process of being implemented by the Ohio Lottery Commission, are expected to draw some gamblers away from the Las Vegas-style casinos. The commission now expects its revenue stream to be ... Inspector gen'l suggests cut to horse racing fund AP Indiana's Inspector General recommends the state consider cutting its annual subsidy to the horse racing industry by more than half. The Indianapolis Business Journal reported Wednesday (http://bit.ly/vntfua ) that Inspector General David Thomas ... One of a kind: Barrel racing betting set to open Creek Entertainment Gretna plans to begin live racing Dec. 1 under a pari-mutuel permit issued for quarter horse racing. The Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association, however, is asking the state to void the permit, saying it wasn't intended for barrel ... Gambling bill getting second look over horse-race funding According to a draft obtained by the News Service of an amendment being prepared by House and Senate negotiators, lawmakers are considering reducing the percentage from the Gaming Revenue Fund to the Race Horse Development Fund from 5 percent to 2.5 ... Final approval on casinos may come today Critics also questioned why House and Senate negotiators who crafted the final bill behind closed doors added a provision late Monday night that increased the amount of casino revenue devoted to “the horse racing development fund. ... Florida Thoroughbred Racing at a Crossroads Given the success of the Florida horse racing program, from its breeding industry, to the world class sport at Gulfstream Park, to the sustenance provided horsemen by the year-round Calder operation, to the history of ... NY OTBs seek to reduce payments to tracks According to a Courthouse News Service report, New York's off-track betting corporations have filed a petition seeking to reduce payments harness racing tracks receive to protect their night racing revenue against simulcast competition, now that many ... Zornow Awarded Hamilton Memorial Medal At age 19, Zornow was the youngest person to attend a 1957 meeting in Syracuse of the most influential track executives and breeders in New York harness racing and is now the only one remaining. That gathering included Zornow's father, Ted J., ... November 15, 2011 Seventy years of racing history may make way for new lab From 2009 to 2010 the total amount dropped by $486 million, according to figures from the California Horse Racing Board. Stronach Group, which owns Golden Gate Fields and other tracks around the country, has said several times that if the track is ... Meeting Shows Deep Divide Over Salix Use in Thoroughbreds During a fact-finding meeting of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) Race Day Medication Committee, formed to deal with furosemide and related adjunct bleeder medications, there were some unsubstantiated claims and discussion of research into ... Horse panel hears several comments on use of anti-bleeding medication at races A Kentucky Horse Racing Commission panel has heard testimony from industry groups and others about whether an anti-bleeding Medication should be banned on race days. Panel chairman Tracy Farmer said the issue is the most divisive he has seen, ... The life and busy times of Jason Settlemoir Jason Settlemoir still doesn't know who was the more excited when the late Ohio harness racing driver/trainer Terry Holton moved across the road from him in August 1989. Holton relocated to his neighborhood when Settlemoir was 13. ... Monticello Metamucil Mile is gaining interest According to Eric Warner, Monticello Raceway's Director of Harness Racing, he is getting quite a few inquiries about participating in the track's Metamucil Mile, a race for drivers 65 years and older. Last week we heard from Larry Coleman, ... Top Race Caller To Buffalo Rosenfeld has been employed as assistant race secretary, program director, and charter at Batavia Downs since 2002. “Ginny brings with her a world of experience in harness racing and I am excited about adding her to the race office at Buffalo Raceway," ... OTBs Fight Subsidy to Racetracks Only since 2003 have the OTBs been allowed to conduct simulcasts of nighttime thoroughbred races. That was also when "the harness racing industry was able to secure the passage of the 'maintenance of effort' provision ... designed to protect regional ... November 13, 2011 Shanklin: American horse racing in 2031 Bill Shanklin, in Horse Racing Business, takes a rather stark view of the future with a possible scenario for American horse racing 20 years from now. It is a scenario wherein half of American racetracks ...  Betterthancheddar & driver George Brennan Betterthancheddar dominated last 'National' Hugadragon finished second, Mystic Desire was third and Something For Doc finished fourth in the harness racing vent.. Hugadragon, Betterthancheddar and Big Bad John all left the gate with speed heading into the first turn. Mystic Desire came from the ... Princess Cruiser impresses in $86000 pace Princess Cruiser was untouched and went on to win harness racing's $86800 American National two-year-old filly pace at Balmoral Park on Saturday, November 12. Starlana finished second, Podges Lady was third and Kendyl finished fourth. ...  Roll With Joe & driver Ron Pierce Roll With Joe wins Yonkers Raceway's Messenger Stakes in final race of career Roll With Joe, harness racing's richest horse this season, ended his career Saturday night with an easy victory in Yonkers Raceway's $401000 Messenger Stakes. Driven by Ron Pierce, the 3-year-old colt widened out by eight lengths in a ...  Check me Out & driver Ron Pierce Check Me Out blows away field in Matron Check Me Out overcame a big harness racing miscue in the first turn to win the $129050 Matron at Dover Downs on Saturday, November 12. Voluptuous Ronda finished second, Exercise To Go was third and D'orsay finished fourth. D'orsay, Paris Kentucky and ... Finding Ways to Promote Horses Could Save Horse Racing In the past few years, horse racing has been in the spotlight with Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra, Uncle Mo and others. But with other “popular” horses retiring this year, it's time for racing to be proactive in finding a new heir to the public opinion ... November 11, 2011 Big Bad John looking for redemption Big Bad John will leave from post position 3 and is the 7-2 second choice on the morning line for the 10-horse race. The 3-1 favorite is Betterthancheddar, winner of the Breeders Crown race and also the first leg of the pacing Triple Crown, ... Indiana inspector general calls for drastic reduction of racing subsidies In what started as a review of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, the state's Inspector General is looking at the overall industry and is now seeking a 51.7% reduction in the slot machine subsidy paid to state horsemen. ... Owners enjoying the ride with Foiled Again Someday, harness racing owner Mark Weaver hopes to find another horse like Foiled Again. He knows the odds are not in his favor. 'It's like saying you want to find the next Michael Jordan,' Weaver said. 'It's sort of unreasonable. ... Unconventional Intro To Racing Everyone in harness racing has a story on how they became involved in the business. Some involve family, some involve friends, some involve the love of the animal. A commercial real estate broker by trade, Trot Canada National Handicapping Championship ... Nichol reveling in filly's Breeders Crown win With the reality of her Breeders Crown victory still replaying through owner MacNichol's dreams, sophomore pacing filly Monkey On My Wheel returns to Woodbine Racetrack this Saturday hoping to seal her outstanding harness racing season with a Super ... The 79th career victory for a veteran trotter The veteran harness racing trotter Scorpion Moon earned his 79th career victory with a 2:00 triumph in Friday night's $8000 featured eighth race at Vernon Downs. Claude Huckabone, III did the teaming for trainer Tracy Brainard as the favorite Scorpion ... The 79th career victory for a veteran trotter The veteran harness racing trotter Scorpion Moon earned his 79th career victory with a 2:00 triumph in Friday night's $8000 featured eighth race at Vernon Downs. Claude Huckabone, III did the teaming for trainer Tracy Brainard as the favorite Scorpion ... Race-Day Drugs Focus of KHRC Meeting A Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) committee will hold what could be a six- to seven-hour meeting on race-day medication Nov. 14 in Frankfort, the state capital. The Race Day Medication Committee is looking into the question of whether ... Horse Racing Supporters Hint Major Event Could Come to Atlanta, if Pari-Mutuel ... Supporters of the drive to legalize pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing in Georgia are now raising the stakes, so to speak. With less than 2 months before the Legislature reconvenes, they are holding out the ... It's Politics: Picking a winner in potential horse race between Portantino and ... Quick analysis: if the race happens it will shape up as a battle between casinos and horse racing interests. AT issue? Perhaps there's a move afoot to expand gambling at the tracks to include slot machines. It's something the casino tribes have opposed ... Commission OKs system letting Iowa gamblers bet on horse races by phone, online A new system unanimously approved Thursday by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission will allow state gamblers to bet on horse races by phone or online. On a 5-0 vote Thursday at a meeting in Johnston, the commission approved rules ... November 10, 2011 Group gets harness racing license for long delayed $400 million racetrack ... The Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission has granted a license for a long-delayed $400 million racetrack and casino about 50 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. Tuesday's decision means American Harness Tracks can now apply for a license from the state ... Harness racing is much more exciting when there's a female streaker Apparently, in New Zealand, women run on the track during harness races and pop their top. God bless those Kiwis–well, everyone except Stevie Williams. By the way, that horse she almost crashed into–yea, it's name was 'Smoken Up', and it was the ... After the Breeders' Cup, Fitting Finales Many horses come off the track after their racing careers not sound enough to become versatile riding horses like Chief or Mywifenoseeverything, or to carry a rider at all. For them, finding suitable retirement homes becomes the imperative. ... Stan Bergstein, 1924-2011 "The things Stan was good at he was great at," said Phil Langley, president of the United States Trotting Association and director of racing at Balmoral Park and Maywood Park. "His contributions to harness racing will never be duplicated. ... FULL BROTHER TO DONATO HANOVER BRINGS $825000 John and Tom Cancelliere came to the Standardbred Horse Sale hoping to buy two horses. It cost them $1.25 million, but they accomplished their goal. The Cancellieres spent a record ... Illinois Legislative Update: Nov. 9 Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - 2:30 pm. We are expecting a vote on the gaming bill very soon (the next few hours) in the House. We need 60 votes to pass the bill and 71 to pass the bill with a veto proof majority. If you haven't called your Rep, please do so ASAP. Sometimes when we talk to Reps. and Senators, they tell us that it would be nice to hear from people in their districts. Crunch time is now. If it passes the House, then it goes to the Senate most likely tomorrow Our new bill (SB 1849) sailed through the House Executive Committee by a vote of 8-2. Please take a minute to call your representative today. Tell them you need their support on SB1849. If you need your reps phone number check the IHHA website (legislative) or call the office 1-630-323-0808. Thanks ~IHHA President Dave McCaffrey The question is not whether the people of Illinois will gamble. Of course they will. The question is how to get the tax revenue and benefits from Illinois gamblers to go to the 12 million people in Illinois instead of the residents of bordering states. By making it possible to go to a casino or racino conveniently in Illinois, our residents who like to gamble would be more likely to do just that without crossing our borders. If we could make that happen, it would help Illinois dig out of this massive deficit and get many Illinois residents back to work and help turn this state around. The truth of the pending legislation is that the vast majority of Illinois residents that will benefit from this legislation do not gamble. But without raising the taxes on the citizens of this state, the legislature will take a giant step to improve the lives of many Illinois residents who desperately need help . I ask every Illinois citizen and every Illinois legislator this question. How can anyone that truly has the best interests of the state of Illinois be against this? ~Michael Antoniades, Lifetime Illinois resident November 8, 2011 SUPPORT SB 1849 (Link /Lang) NEW GAMING REVENUES TO FUND EDUCATION AND CAPITAL PROGRAMS AND TO CREATE AND SAVE JOBS BACKGROUND Last spring, the General Assembly passed major gaming legislation that the Governor has criticized. SB1849 incorporates changes recommended by the Governor. The Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability in its 2010 report on “Wagering in Illinois” indicates that the “most prominent ideas for improving state revenues include establishing new riverboats near Chicago, increasing the maximum number of gaming positions, and allowing slot machines at racetracks”. SB 1849 implements this plan. PLAN~New Gaming Positions •Provides for 1 Chicago land-based casino [4,000 gaming positions]. •Provides for 4 new riverboats (land-based optional): Danville (Vermillion Co.), Park City (Lake Co.), South Suburban Cook County (Cook Co.) and Rockford (Winnebago Co.) [1,200 gaming positions per facility]. •Current law authorizes 12,000 gaming positions (1,200 at each of the 10 riverboats). This bill increases the number of gaming positions at the existing and new riverboats to 1,600. •All riverboats may become land-based. New Electronic Gaming (“Racino”) •Grants gaming positions to the State’s 6 racetracks (“racinos”) Each Cook County track (Arlington, Hawthorne, and Maywood) is authorized up to 1,200 positions. Each track outside Cook County is authorized up to 900 positions (Balmoral, Quad City Downs, and Fairmount). Quad City Downs may implement 350 positions initially but may group to 900 at a later date. Requires additional dollars to be spent on backstretch workers, university research, State & county fairs, and retired or injured thoroughbred horses, increasespurses by $60 to$80 million per year. •Provides that racetracks must operate live racing opportunities for horsemen. •Eliminates the casino impact fee; eliminates purse recapture; and eliminates the 10th license subsidy to racing. REVENUES TO THE STATE •The Education Assistance Fund is estimated to receive an additional$536M-$785M annually between CY13-CY18. Note: The Education Assistance Fund received $445M in CY08 and $382M in CY09. •The Capital Projects Fund is estimated to receive $68M-$105Mannually between CY13-CY18. •The State’s total annual privilege tax revenues from all facilities (existing and future) are estimated to be between $750M-$969M in CY13-18. •The State is estimated to receive the following up-front licensing and initial fees ($440M for State debt pay down). •The State is estimated to receive the following reconciliation payments within 5-7 years after gaming positions become operational ($970M for State debt pay down). •Creates Future of Agriculture Fund for new funding of county fairs, 4-H and FFA programs, soil and water conservation, forestry and parks. $25M will be spent annually for these agribusiness programs from taxes from electronic gaming. •Authorizes funds to rebuild Illinois State fairgrounds. JOBS The proposal would create an estimated 1,200 to 1,500 new permanent jobs at the racetracks and an estimated $200 million to $400 million capital investment at these tracks, which would supporthundreds of trade organization jobs to construct new facilities or remodel the racetracks to operate electronic gaming. In addition, new casinos will serve as an economic development engine for Illinois, expand our tourism and hospitality industries, and provide 1,000’s of new jobs for Illinois. The proposal would support the state’s historic horse racing industry and stem the loss of racing jobs to other states. November 6, 2011 Ron Pierce piloted the 8,000th winner of his career on Sunday night (Nov. 6) at Dover Downs when Fouralarmfire won the 12th race, an $8,000 conditioned pace for fillies and mares. With the victory, Pierce became the 20th driver in the history of harness racing in North America to reach 8,000 wins. Pierce won his first race in 1976 at the age of 20. Since moving to New Jersey in the late 1980s, he has consistently been among the driving leaders there and his overall numbers have ranked him with the best in the sport. In 2004 he finished first in the North American earnings standings with a bankroll of $12,329,238 and was named Driver of the Year by the United States Harness Writers’ Association. In 2006, he won his second money title with a new career high of $14,433,337. Pierce set a career high in wins in 2006 with 456, a number he could eclipse before the end of 2011. He currently has 428 victories this year, which ranks him tenth among all drivers in North America. Pierce was inducted into the Living Hall of Fame in Goshen in 2005. Jim Marshall III, 53, got career win No. 3,000 on October 27 when he drove Big Sky Thunder to victory in the seventh race at Freehold Raceway. Marshall is among the leading drivers at the New Jersey oval. Mark Lancaster needed two wins to reach 3,000. Charles Taylor needed two wins to reach 2,000. November 5, 2011 CASINO SCENE: Another weekend of horse racing to shine Many experts believe the main reason interest in horse racing has declined is the 17 to 25 percent wagering "take–out" on bets horse players must pay, compared to about five percent for sports betting. The take out has to be higher in horse race ... 'Conditional' tag lifted; American Harness Tracks can apply for casino license “We've taken a very big step forward,” said Lawrence County Commissioner Dan Vogler, in response to the announcement Friday that the state Harness Racing Commission removed the “conditional” tag from the harness-racing license belonging to ... With gambling question,the jobs count the most In Maine, there is a strong tradition of harness racing that is a way of life for many, both as a job and as a spectator sport. We have a chance this week to preserve that sport, to help it grow and continue to be part of a tradition that makes us ... Cracker Coffee Earns $100000 Bonus; Sweet Homecoming For Sears Eight championship finals for the state-bred two and three- year-old trotters and pacers were held on Saturday, November 5 in the Breeders Stakes with individual race purses ranging from $62700 to $64500. Florida harness racing's richest annual night ... Racing approved for Valley View Downs project Lawrence County's proposed Valley View Downs racino project now has aa lock on a racing license. The Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission gave its final approval for a racing license for the project on Friday. The final approval comes as ... Schnittker likes what he sees in Check Me Out Three years after Dewey became the first unbeaten winner of the Hambletonian, the harness racing world is buzzing over the Schnittker-trained Check Me Out. Just last weekend she set a new stakes record of 1:54.4 to win the $602340 Breeders Crown ... November 4, 2011 'I owe everything to my Dad' - Tyler Smith “I was always in the barn and I think my parents could tell from an early age that harness racing was all that I was interested in,” Smith told Harnesslink. Smith started driving at Ohio Fairs when he was 16 and has been a horse fanatic long before he ... Racino decision at hand What they are less certain about is the fate of the harness racing industry and a proposal to create racinos they say could revive the sport they love. The Du Bois family, which trains 14 horses at Scarbrough Downs, supports a plan to ... Horse racing bets on exchange wagering In this all-Internet model, bettors can wager directly against each other on anything race-related. "Hopefully, it will help save horse racing," said Jim Waldman, a Florida legislator. "It's a new form of gaming that allows you to bet on almost ... Much to see at the 2011 Breeders' Cup Hundreds of storylines develop at the Breeders' Cup World Championships, horse racing's season finale. Here, $26 million in purses and 15 stakes races draw the best Thoroughbreds from around the globe. Sprinters and stayers, dirt and turf runners, ... November 3, 2011 Quinns picks for Illinois Racing Board mum on slots at tracks Pat Quinn's five new appointees to the state's Racing Board will reveal an opinion about whether Illinois' horse racing tracks should be allowed to have slot machines. In interviews with the Post-Dispatch this week, all five appointees said they either ... Stanley Bergstein, Harness Racing Hall of Famer, Dies at 87 Stanley Bergstein, a member of the Harness Racing Hall of Fame and the longtime leader of Harness Tracks of America, died on Wednesday at his home in Tucson. He was 87. The cause was heart failure, said Ken Weingartner, ... Breeders' Cup: Bettors should take advantage of favorites' vulnerabilities If these doubts about Uncle Mo are well-founded, the Classic could boil down to a two-horse race between Flat Out and Havre de Grace. Havre de Grace is bidding to become America's third straight female horse of the year. She never runs a bad race and ... OH Casino Referendum Drives Jackpot Hype in Cincinnati In Ohio, this means a tangible way to crack the state's 9.1 percent unemployment rate. By 2013 when the four Ohio casinos will open, along with a possible horse-racing track in Dayton, the state will have gone from no gambling locations to five in one ... Brett Miller $38.8m - 5634 wins & counting “They helped me and gave me many great opportunities and it was through Virgil I got to drive Mister Big when he was racing against horses like Maltese Artist. He was a powerful pacer.” In fact Maltese Artist provided Miller with one of his best ... Brandon Bragg adds youth to owner ranks At the age of 17, Brandon Bragg has to be one of the youngest, not to mention enthusiastic, harness racing owners at Cal Expo and in the country. The Sacramento native currently has three horses in partnership with KC Carvalho, who happens to be his ... Winbak Delight scores in Monticello feature One of the bigger harness racing stories around Monticello Raceway in recent months has been the emergence of Real Mystical, a 1:51.1 record pacer five years ago who has been the talk of the town of late. Claimed for $5000 by James Schreisbeis on Sept. ... Groups spend nearly $4.5 million pushing positions on gambling in Maine MacColl said Biddeford Downs would make the region the capital of harness racing in New England. Putting Maine to Work is focused solely on Question 2, Canney said, and does not take a stance on Question 3, which would bring a casino to Lewiston. ... County Set to Vote on Florida Barrel Racing The two Thoroughbred groups were joined in that opposition by the Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association. All three associations maintain that pari-mutuel barrel racing is not authorized under the state's laws. Those three groups also expressed ... When is a bet not a bet? A day at the Iran races "All forms of gambling are haram (forbidden by Islam) except for horse racing, camel racing and archery," said Mohsen Mahmoudi, a cleric at a north Tehran mosque, adding that those manly, warrior sports were all encouraged by the Prophet Mohammad. ... November 1, 2011~Breeders Crown 2011 Now History Bettor Sweet wins Breeders Crown $501,905 Open Pace In the fastest race of the night, Bettor Sweet and driver John Campbell took in the $501,950 Breeders Crown Open Pace final by a head on Saturday night at Woodbine Racetrack. “I wanted to get off the gate and into position," Campbell said. "He doesn’t mind coming first up. He will race horses, he will race his heart out. Even though he was first up at the head of the stretch, he still felt strong and I knew he would be tough to beat.” In a 1:48.4 performance, the Thomas Cancelliere trainee notched his eighth victory of the year in 23 starts. The six-year-old bay gelding sat behind fractions of :25.4, :53.3 and 1:21.4, taking command just steps before the wire. Foiled Again (Dave Palone) finished second and the even money favourite, We Will See (Ron Pierce), was third. “ We got him just at the end. He was a pretty good acquisition,” said owner Thomas Cancelliere. “That’s the great part. We have had an on and off route with a few of there horses in here. They’re some great animals” Just the way he drove him is the way he likes it. He’s really good, he’s something special.” The son of Bettors Delight-Sweet Future has a lifetime record of 22-15-11 in 73 starts and now boasts career earnings of $2,216,907 for John Cancelliere of Clark, New Jersey. Bettor Sweet paid $18.90 to win. Betterthancheddar triumphs in $501,950 BC 3-Year-Old Colt Pace Betterthancheddar, steered remarkably by Mark MacDonald, knifed his way through on the inside in late stretch to nail favored Roll With Joe on the wire, taking the $501,950 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Colt Pace. Appearing hopelessly blocked in mid-stretch, Betterthancheddar and MacDonald somehow found a seam in traffic and furiously paced through on the inside to edge Meadowlands Pace winner Roll With Joe by a nose in 1:49.2, with Alsace Hanover just a half-length back in third in a blanket finish. Up The Credit, the Pepsi North America Cup winner in June, closed for fourth, only a length away from the winner. "I was trying to get sylvan in the hole so I could follow him," said MacDonald. "I figured Roll With Joe and Big Jim were going to keep coming. They were the two I thought I had to beat and then around the last turn it didn’t look like Big John was the one to beat he was getting a bit tired and I’m pretty sure that Casie would be cursing me out if I didn’t find a way to get him out somewhere so I got lucky and got up the rail. I just slipped out there late." Little Brown Jug winner Big Bad John had cut out most of the mile, getting to the half in :53.4, then the three-quarters in 1:21.2. But he was inhaled in early stretch, eventually finishing last. Trained by Casie Coleman, Betterthancheddar, unraced at two, was winning his eighth of 16 starts this year, including the Cane Pace in September at Pocono Downs. He didn’t make me look as much of a fool with my foot in my mouth tonight," Coleman laughed. "I have touted this horse since he was a 2 year old. He’s just been a freak ever since day 1. He had a lot of health issues but everything is good now. He is on his game and Mark did an awesome job stick handling him and getting him up the outside, although, it didn’t look so good halfway up the lane but he got through “He has never had any soreness issues, knock on wood, but I couldn’t get this horse healthy, now that hes healthy hes wicked, wicked fast and ready to rock and roll," she added. MacDonald, who has successfully teamed with Coleman in past, with horses like Sportswriter, inherited the drive when George Brennan was stranded in New Jersey after bad weather made it impossible for him to make it to Toronto. Owned by Steve Calhoun of Chatham, Ontario and West Wins Stable of Cambridge, Ontario, Betterthancheddar, a son of 2000 Breeders Crown winner Bettors Delight-Lady Ashlee Ann, had won the fastest of two elims last week in 1:49.1, but still went postward the 9-2 third choice. This is unbelievable," said the colt's co-owner Ross Warriner. "I’ve been in racing for 40 years and to win a Breeders Crown with the wonderful people I have around me is unbelievable. I’m flying high. "I wasn’t a believer (in Betterthancheddar) at first," Calhoun admitted." Casie overcame many problems she encountered along the way. The horse started to come together in the last month. We’re seeing how good she thought he was. We saw it tonight. We were at the Cane and he ran a good race. We’ve seen steady improvement. He’s been feeling better." Betterthancheddar paid $11 to win. Cedar Dove wins $501,9501 BC 3-Year-Old Filly Trot Cedar Dove didn't disappoint in the $501,950 Breeders Crown Filly Trot final scoring the victory in a stakes equalling effort. The Noel Daley pupil matched the stakes record of 1:53.3 that was set in 2004 by Housethatruthbuilt. The bay also captured her sixth victory of the season in 15 outings. Driver Ron Pierce took Cedar Dove to the front after a :27.1 opening panel. The pair remained the leader thought splits of :57 and 1:25.3 before scoring the three and three quarter length triumph. Crys Dream (Luc Ouellette) finished second and Oh Sweet Baby (Mario Baillargeon) was third. “Last week went pretty smooth,” Pierce noted.“Tonight was a piece of cake. She was a little faster than the other fillies and when she floated out of there she was nice and relaxed, just followed them around, down the back, then I tipped her out, she pretty much did it all by herself.” “It’s very important to keep her relaxed," he continued. She is a little insecure and unsure of herself and everything going on all around her so you just have to keep her relaxed.” “It has been going on for 10 years now. We have joined up with Ronnie now and then. We have had a lot of luck in the Breeders Crown for the victors and Ronnie and Noel,” said Mike Vand Der Kemp, Noel Daley's assistant trainer.“She has had an easy week. She towed a couple of days, trained an easy trip, just make sure she eats and she can do the rest.” She likes to go out in the paddock and her care taker, Marie, does a great job with her.” The daughter of Andover Hall-Pine For Her, who also won her elim, now has a lifetime record of 7-5-2 in 21 starts and career earnings of $688,840 for owners Adam Victor And Son Stable of New York and John Fielding of Toronto. Cedar Dove paid $3.30 to win. Chapter Seven wins $612,379 BC 3-Year-Old Colt Trot Favored Chapter Seven, driven by Jeff Gregory, stormed past the leaders in early stretch to post an overpowering seven length score over Broad Bahn and Daylon Magician in the $612,379 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Colt Trot. Trained by Linda Toscano, Chapter Seven, who comfortably won his elim last week in 1:53.12, was even better in the final, stopping the teletimer in 1:53. "The last thing I said to Jeff was that he has been primed and he's been prepped and he's ready for this race and he's coming into this race as good as a horse can come,' Toscana noted. Gregory picked up the catch drive since regular driver Tim Tetrick could not make it to Toronto after a freak snowstorm delayed flights earlier in the day out of Newark, New Jersey. Gregory, through, had been Chapter Seven's regular pilot last year. "It worked out quite well," said Gregory. "I got to start him out as a two year old and its looking like I will get to finish him off as a three year old, maybe. The trip worked out great, I didn't have to use him at all, he was still fresh at the head of the stretch, I never even pulled the ear plugs on him. He was great." Manofmanymissions reached the half in:56.4 and three-quarters in 1:24.3 before being challenged by Daylon Magician turning for home. At that point, Manofmanymissions suddenly made a break, but in a blink of an eye, Chapter Seven, who had been placed in fourth, had swallowed the leaders and was on his way to an easy triumph. Owned by New York and New Jersey interests, Chapter Seven won his fourth in only eight starts this year, after being plagued with sickness and lameness for much of the season. Last year, the son of Windsongs Legacy-La Riviera Lindy was almost perfect, taking seven of eight starts, with one third. As the 7-5 choice, Chapter Seven returned $4.90 to win. Monkey On My Wheel wins $501,950 BC 3-Year-Old Filly Pace In a stakes record clocking of 1:49.3, three-year-old filly Monkey On My Wheel pulled off a 5-1 upset in the $501,950 Breeders Crown Filly Pace final. Driven to victory by Jody Jamison, the Travis Umphrey trainee scored her seventh victory of the season in 17 starts, while also taking a new lifetime mark. "I was worried about my pocket trip at the half, in 53.2 and I told Trav on the way back that we might have been a little too close to the pace, when I did move her out of the hole, it was more of an instinct thing, rather than knowing what I was doing, because the mare felt great," said winning driver Jamieson. "When I popped out and she dug in I thought it was the right move, and now we just have to hold off the rest. She's just an awesome mare, she's been tough all, year, she got beat a couple starts ago, no fault of her own, probably more of the driver and I think that we redeemed ourselves tonight. She's just an amazing filly. She keeps on rocking." Monkey On My Wheel sat in the pocket behind flashy fractions of :25.4 and :53.2 before being flushed out and taken to the front ahead of the three quarter pole in 1:21.1. The Ontario Sires Stakes divisional leader dug in to win by half a length over the hard closing 1-2 favourite, Drop The Ball (Luc Ouellette). Foxy Lady (Sylvain Filion) finished third. " We got in on her when she was just turning two," said trainer Travis Umphrey. "Mac bought her back as a yearling so I can't really take any credit for that. She trained down great right form the get go, it was just really fortunate that Mac let us in on her. We have just had so much fun with her this year. " I thought she raced great last week. But I didn't think that we could beat Drop the Ball and we were going to be happy with second tonight. She raced poor a couple starts ago but we were happy with her last week and ecstatic with her tonight." The homebred daughter of Mach Three-Legislation has a lifetime record of 10-10-1 in 24 starts and boasts career earnings of $956,034 for Umphrey who owns a piece of the bay with Mac Nichol of Burlington. Monkey On My Wheel paid $12.90 to win. San Pail cruises in Breeders Crown $602,340 BC Trot The immensely popular San Pail, with Randy Waples, staked his claim as Horse of the Year in Canada, the United States and the rest of the world with a neck victory in 1:51.4 over Rapide Lebel in the $602,340 Breeders Crown Open Trot. Sent postward the 3-5 choice, San Pail took over after an opening quarter in :26.2, then led the rest of the way, through a half in :54.4 and three-quarters in 1:23.1. "Well good horses make you look good. He's just an unbelievable horse," Waples said. "But I have to give full credit to Rod, his crew, the Hughses' and Mr. Van Camp. Rod does so much good by this horse. Seems like he has him at his very best when it counts and he's just an unbelievable horse." Turning for home, the seven-year-old gelded son of San Pellegrino-Village Beauty opened several lengths on his pursuers, then had enough left to fend off a game Rapide Lebel, the French challenger who was parked, incredibly, for the entire mile. Another European, Sweden's Commander Crowe, wound up third. "l was moving into the first turn and I was more than willing to sit third, I settled with him before but when I saw Rapide Lebel starting to come I changed my mind and kept him 3 wide as long as I could. I just didn't want to give up the position," Waples offered. "At this track it is so important to have position, you have got to be up near the front. I honestly think that if I had stayed where I was and the other horse had gotten to the front I don't think I would have beat him, they both raced unbelievable, they are truly champion horses, that French and Swedish horse. They are just unbelievable, it was a great experience to race against them. I'm glad that I beat them but they didn't lose any races tonight. They just raced unbelievable. What a rush. "Yes that's it but there are so many things that add up to a great horse. He's got all of them, he's got heart, he's got stamina, he's got everything going for him. But I honestly, and I'm getting choked up saying this, but I'm so thankful for all you people that come out and support this horse, it means so much to hear you guys cheering and everyone that loves this horse as much as we do, I just love this horse to death." Co-owned by his breeder, Glenn Van Camp of Port Perry, Ontario and his trainer Rod Hughes of Dunsford, Ontario, San Pail was notching his 14th win (with two seconds) in 16 starts this year, after taking 13 of 15 outings last year. "I'm going to say thank you to Randy Waples right here, moved before the quarter and it probably proved to be an exceptional drive, thank you Randy," Hughes noted. "That's what this sport needs right now a horse like this to stick around and race and show what type of crowd we can bring out once they have been here a while." He's won Canada's premier race for older trotters, the Maple Leaf Trot, three years in a row and has been an O'Brien Award winner as Canada's top older trotter the last two years. Now, Horse of the Year honours await, certainly in Canada and possibly south of the border as well. "It's wonderful to have a good horse and he's just been superb," said co-owner Glenn Van Camp. "He just keeps right on going. This is spectacular. You can tell by the crowd where the support was. You always wonder; it's a horse race. Anything can happen. The two European horses turned out to be really good. Once he got in front he's pretty tough to catch. They were coming, but he was still motoring on at the last there." San Pail, who earned $301,170 for the victory to push his career earnings to over $2.9 million, paid $3.20 to win. Anndrovette wins $301,170 Breeders Crown Mare Pace Fresh off of winning her elimination, heavy favorite Anndrovette delivered in the $301,170 Breeders Crown Open Mare Pace final. The Mark Kesmodel trainee took a new lifetime mark of 1:49.2 while notching her 11th victory of the season in 19 outings. "We purchased her at the Meadowlands Mixed Sale and she won the new York sire stakes races and she just keeps getting better and better," Kesmodel noted. "It's my first trip to the Breeders Crown and I couldn't be happier. I have done this for quite some time but never had anything like this. She's a dream come true. It couldn't be better." Anndrovette was in the pocket past the opening panel of :26.1 when catch driver Luc Ouellette took her to the front. The four-year-old mare held the lead through splits of :54.2 and 1:21.3, scoring the Crown final by four and a half lengths. Kesmodel's other starter, Chancey Lady (Dave Palone), finished second with Blissful Smile (Jack Moiseyev) rounding out the triactor. "If you're going catch a catch drive at the last second this is the one you want," said Ouellette. It was pretty easy, I just point her forward and she just did it on her own. If I could have I would have put Sylvan in behind me but we might have wasted a little time trying to do that, so I figured just let him go and come back." The daughter of Riverboat King-Easy Miss now has a lifetime record of 21-3-6 in 43 starts and boasts career earnings of $1,324,598 for New Jersey's Jeffrey Bamond and Joseph Davino. "She's flying under the radar. I don't think she gets the respect she deserves. I don't think she's thrown in a bad race all year," said co-owner Jeff Bramond, who runs several NJ-based car dealerships. "She shows up every week and tries her heart out. She's been first or second for about the past 10 races. I can't ask for a nicer horse and she's just a pleasure to be around. This is my first horse in the Breeders Crown. Boy, it's a dream come true. One for one; I guess it can't get any better, but I hope it does." Anndrovette paid $3.30 to win. Uncle Peter wins $602,340 BC 2-Year-Old Colt Trot Uncle Peter, with Dave Palone in the bike, sprang an upset in the $602,340 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Colt Trot, collaring the even money choice Possess The Will in mid-stretch, before going on to a two and a quarter length victory in 1:55. Jimmy Takter, his trainer and driver, though, was unable to make it to Woodbine Saturday night, having been stranded in Newark, New Jersey because of a snowstorm earlier in the day. Takter was aboard last week when Uncle Peter won his elim in 1:57. Thus, Palone was named to drive the son of Cantab Hall-Victory Treasure, who was named after the late brother of two of the owners, John and Jim Fielding of Toronto. Palone had the favourite measured down the lane, after a pocket trip through a half in :56.4 and three-quarters in 1.25.2. Longshot Delano came on for third. " This is what keeps us playing this crazy game," said co-owner John Fielding. "Training down he was always a special horse we had high expectations of him, he showed a lot of speed and has really come to hand at the right time. Dave Palone drove a fantastic race and Jimmy Takter, the best in the business, has this horse completely ready to go which was terrific." The lightly-raced Uncle Peter, a $60,000 Lexington Select yearling purchase, won his fourth outing in only six trips to the post this year and in the process earned $301,170. Uncle Peter paid $11.40 to win as the 9-2 third choice, behind Possess The Will and 7-2 Magic Tonight. Sweet Lou takes $652,535 Breeders Crown 2-Year-Old Colt Pace Sweet Lou is the world*s fastest two-year-old after setting a new world record of 1:49 in the $652,535 Breeders Crown Colt Pace. "He's just super intelligent, he just loves to do his work he doesn't act like a baby at all," said winning driver Dave Palone. "He was so much the best in the sire stakes,that I just wasn't taking any chances I think that he turned the corner in Lexington and Ronny will probably agree. We got him down there and got him to work over the big track and got him settled to race from behind he came into the elimination from racing off the helmet. So I just thought I had the strongest horse going in. The race actually set up perfect I could never have dreamt of a better set up really. He got away pretty alert randy conceded with A RocknRoll Dance which put me in a great spot, I thought I could either wait for Luc or move him back to the front when the breaks come. It actually worked out." Taking command before the three quarters in 1:21.4, the Ron Burke-trained Sweet Lou sat behind fractions of :26.1 and :54.3. With driver Dave Palone in the bike, the 6-5 favourite extended his lead in the stretch to capture the Crown final by seven and a half lengths. A Rocknroll Dance (Randy Waples) finished second and Hurrikane Kingcole (Luc Ouellette) was third. "We raced against his brother all the time (Bettor Sweet) and got beat so we respect the family," said winning trainer Ronnie Burke. "We loved Yankee Cruiser when he was in Ohio so we wanted to take a shot with one when he came to. It works out good sometimes." The son Yankee Cruiser-Sweet Future, who won his elimination, now has a lifetime record of 10-2-0 in 12 starts and career earnings of $688,117 for Pennsylvania*s Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and New Jersey*s Lawrence Karr and Phillip Collura. "We've been high on this colt all year," said co-owner Mark Weaver." To say (1):49, no, but it's pretty special. I'm usually a claiming guy; $10,000, $20,000 claimers. I always said winning that was just as good as winning a stakes race, but after this I think I was wrong. I was just looking at the timer and hoping he could put a good mark on. I just wanted him to get to the wire. This is my first Breeders Crown. It's as big as it gets." "This is why you're in harness racing,' said co-owner Larry Karr. "This is the pinnacle. We've had a lot of nice horses before, but never a colt like this. This is really our dream. I haven't slept for about a week leading up to this race. I was thinking about it every night, even though I have no impact on the race. We love Yankee Cruiser as a sire. We looked at every single Yankee Cruiser in the sale. This was by far the best bred horse by Yankee Cruiser and Ron loved him physically. He's more than fulfilled our expectations." "We've been looking for a horse like this since we've been buying horses," said co-owner Phil Collura. "When we saw him in Harrisburg, Ron said he thought he was the best Yankee Cruiser colt that we'd seen and we were buying him. It's a dream come true. This is my fifth year with Ron and Mickey. You can't be with better people. It's been great. I'm retired. I worked for 30 years for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. Sweet Lou paid $4.50 to win. Economy Terror notches $602,340 BC 2-Year-Old Filly Pace Prohibitive favourite Economy Terror and driver Brian Sears roared down the stretch to post a convincing one and one-quarter length win over Handsoffmycookie in the $602,340 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Filly Pace, Saturday at Woodbine Racetrack. It was the seventh win in 10 starts for the daughter of Western Terror-Mattatonic, who paced the mile in a track record-equalling 1:51. Pirouette Hanover finished third, with Shelliscape fourth. "She's got good speed and I figured we would be able to use it,' said Sears. "She's got a real good kick closing. She's a real nice horse I felt pretty confident from the spot I was in. She has seemed to be getting bigger and stronger, she's a good feeling mare and there's nothing like a sharp filly going behind the gate." Trained by Chris Oakes for Pennsylvania owners Chuck Pompey, Howard Taylor and Edwin Gold, Economy Terror pushed her career bankroll to over $734,000 with the victory. "She's been a great filly from day one," noted trainer Chris Oakes." I was lucky to get her I'm really thankful to my owners Chuck Pompey and Howard Taylor and Edwin Gold. She's been a real handful, but we have been really patient and taken our time. This shows that good things happen to the patient ones." "It was unbelievable. I thought she would be good, but you never know," said co-owner Chuck Pompey. "It was unbelievable. I'm at a loss for words. Everything we've asked her to do, she's done. This exceeds anything I could ever imagine. Down the stretch, I was just thinking, keep on coming." "It was awesome. It was everything I could hope for, and then some. It's a bittersweet because (Buck I St Pat) is not here, my favorite horse ever," said co-owner Howard Taylor. "But (Economy Terror) is getting to be a close second. She's just been a dream come true. Come down the stretch, Brian looked confident so I was confident. She did it and she looked like she did it easy. She's got a wicked brush." A full sister to 2009 Breeders Crown champion Yellow Diamond, Economy Terror has not finished worse than second in a sparkling juvenile campaign, the runner-up on three occasions, including a second place finish in the rich Shes A Great Lady Stakes on September 3 at Mohawk Racetrack. Economy Terror returned $3.50 to win. Check Me Out wins Breeders Crown 2-Year-Old Filly Trot Check Me Out lowered the Breeders Crown stakes record in the two-year-old filly trot with a 1:54.4 performance. The 2-5 favourite, who picked up driver Ron Pierce, sat behind a :28 opening panel before taking command before the half in :57.1. The pair held the lead past the three quarters in 1:26.4. "I'm a pretty lucky guy; it was pretty easy," Pierce noted. "I let Sears cross over in front of me, knowing he would give me good cover, raced to the top easy enough. This filly is a very good filly. I didn't have to ask her to go, she did all the work." Check Me Out, who won last week*s elimination, opened up in the stretch to score victory by one and three quarter lengths over Win Missy B (Brian Sears) with For A Dancer (Jeff Gregory) finishing third. The daughter of Donato Hanover-Illusion Bi has a lifetime record of 12-2-0 in 14 starts and career earnings of $824,731 for trainer Ray Schnittker who owns a piece of the bay with Charles Iannazzo of Tappan, NY. "When I heard Ron Pierce was driving, I knew we would be ok he's a great driver," said co-owner Iannazzo. "I'm just ecstatic, it's just wonderful. It was a great race at a great racetrack." Check Me Out paid $2.90 to win. Frenchfrysnvinegar wins $301,170 Breeders Crown Mare Trot The Breeders Crown got underway Saturday at Woodbine Racetrack with a stirring half-length victory by Frenchfrysnvinegar and driver Jody Jamieson, who nailed pacesetter Action Broadway on the wire in 1:53.3 in the $301,170 Open Mare Trot. "I spoke with Jeff (trainer Gills) a couple days ago about just leaving her in the middle of the track, as opposed to trying to find a hole and that it worked out to get the second over trip...the rest is history," said Jamieson. "She has always been a great mare but she really proved it tonight." It was the eighth win in 25 starts this year for Frenchfrysnvinegar, a six-year-old daughter of Angus Hall, who was supplemented to the race by owner David Smith of Rockwood, Ontario, for $31,250. "We supplemented this mare thinking there would only be eight in the race," said winning tranier Jeff Gills. "So we took a chance and it worked out. Halfway around the last turn I didn't think we had a chance to win but then part way down the lane I started to think she had a chance." "This is amazing. I'm so happy to pick up his trophy for him," said Chris Tymon, nephew of owner Dave Smith. "Jody gave an excellent drive and played it out perfectly.She just came on strong at the end." After Autumn Escapade had taken the field to the half in :56.4, driver Mark MacDonald and Action Broadway took over, getting to the three-quarters in 1:24.4. The leader appeared to be in charge in mid-stretch, before a last second rally on the outside by the winner, who left from the unenviable 10-hole and had come first-over to challenge turning for home. Autumn Escapade faded to third, two lengths back. Meanwhile, the 9-5 favourite, Jersey As, with Ron Pierce substituting for George Brennan, was never in it, eventually finishing ninth. The breaking news prior to the start of the 12 championship finals was the absence of drivers Tim Tetrick, George Brennan, Yannick Gingras and Dave Miller, along with trainers Jimmy Takter and Trond Smedshammer, who were unable to fly out of Newark, New Jersey, because of a snowstorm in the northeastern U.S. Trained by Jeff Gillis, Frenchfrysnvinegar, earned $150,585 for the victory. November 1, 2011~Breeders Crown Notes & Quotes.... Pierce Scores Crown Sweep with Fillies Driver Ron Pierce completed a sweep of the two and three-year-old trotting filly divisions on Saturday night when Cedar Dove captured the $500,000 Breeders Crown. Earlier in the card Pierce was called upon to drive Check Me Out in the $600,000 and he converted that opportunity into an easy score. “Check Me Out was unbelievable. I let her trot on her own and only touched her late in the mile. She’s something special,” said Pierce about the daughter of the colt he made famous Donato Hanover. Check Me Out, who scored for the 12th time in 14 starts this year may not be done yet with her brilliant juvenile campaign. Trainer Ray Schnittker suggested following the 1:54.4 mile that there could be another stakes event around the corner. “I think we’ll supplement her to the Matron (Dover Downs) he said. Cedar Dove’s trip was pretty similar to Check Me Out’s as Pierce allowed the Schnittker-trained and driven Jezzy get the top before him and then was able to hustle his favored filly to the front In a soft :57 opening half. From that point on the Noel Daley-trained filly just cruised to the wire posting a 1:25.3 three quarter clocking followed by a :28 second sprint finishing well clear of Crys Dream in the 1:53.3 mile. A hard-luck story early in the season when she refused to relax, Cedar Dove has now scored two major divisional triumphs in a row. Prior to her victory in the Crown the Andover Hall-sired lass set a track record in her Crown elimination and scored a straight heat victory in the Kentucky Futurity filly division at The Red Mile. Palone Flying High in Consecutive Crowns Dave Palone had some live mounts entering Saturday’s 12-race Breeders Crown program but good fortune put him in the bike on a few more than expected and he made good on the opportunity. First Sweet Lou, the favorite in the $650,000 two-year-old colt pace put Palone on the board in a big way. The strapping son of Yankee Cruiser made a big move down the backstretch to secure the lead and never looked back posting a 1:49 world record mile while cruising away from runner-up A Rocknroll Dance across the wire. When asked to compare Sweet Lou to some of the other greats Palone has driven he deferred momentarily. “I’ve driven horses like Artsplace and The Panderosa. It’s a little early to start comparing him to them but the truth is they were all very intelligent horses.” Sweet Lou pushed his record to 10 wins in 12 starts on the season with both losses in narrow photos with the colt cutting the pace. “You know I just think he’s a much better horse coming from off a helmet. In those two races I honestly don’t think he was tired at the wire.” Palone found himself named to drive Uncle Peter in the very next Crown event, for juvenile colt trotters. With little time to study the program or for that matter get driving instructions Palone showed his natural flair putting the Cantab Hall-sired colt on the front before yielding the lead to race favorite Possess The Will before the half. Palone was poised off the hot fractions and when he turned the Jimmy Takter-trained colt loose he quickly disposed of the favorite and proved a very handy winner. The 1:55 mile was a few ticks shy of the colt’s speed mark. “I’d never sat behind him before but he drove real nice. I let Possess The Will go and when I pulled at the head of the stretch he just took off,” said an elated Palone. While Dave had never driven the colt before he knew that trainer Takter was very high on the colt’s potential. “Jimmy told me he was very good early but then got sick and was just coming back to himself,” said Palone. A consecutive hat trick eluded Palone when longshot Chancey Lady rallied from out of the clouds to complete a one-two Mark Kesmodel-trained finish in the $300,000 Breeders Crown mare pace. Anndrovette blew the field out on the front end scoring in 1:49.2, but Chancey Lady was absolutely flying in the stretch closing from eighth to second through the stretch. For Palone who has started 61 times prior to this year in the Breeders Crown, the back-to-back victories were just his second and third Crown victories. His lone score prior to this year’s championships came in 2008 when In Focus scored the upset also for trainer Jimmy Takter. ~by Jay Bergman for the Breeders Crown |
|
|
|
About Us |
Racing News |
Bettor's Corner |
About Harness Racing |
Fan Gear |
Odd N' Ends Odd On RacingTM Homepage Copyright © 2012 Odds On RacingTM |
||
|
