Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Notes from Around the Ovals

Friday, March 10, 2006

Morgan Continues His Dominance
North America’s leading driver by wins, Tony Morgan, added another six to his totals at Dover Downs Thursday. On Wednesday Morgan equaled the track record of eight wins on one program set by Luc Ouellette in 1999 and tied by Brad Hanners earlier this season. Morgan now has 342 winning drives this meet at Dover. Every win enhances his on-going track record season which began on November 1. So far in 2006, Morgan leads all drivers in the sport with 213 wins.

Lady Dillinger Debuts
Lady Dillinger, Canada’s 2005 Three Year Old Pacing Filly of the Year, made a successful return to the races today in the featured Fillies and Mares Preferred at Flamboro Downs. Mike Saftic had the four-year-old D M Dilinger miss on top by the :28.1 opening quarter, was at the half in :57.3, repelled a challege from Poker Mom at the 1:26.4 three-quarters and was home with more than three lengths to spare in 1:56.2 over the track rated Good. Shami Cami was second with Poker Mom third. A winner of more than a million in her first two seasons of racing for trainer/owner/breeder Gaetan Hebert of Waterdown, Ont., Lady Dillinger was making her first start since dominating in the $300,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final in mid November at Woodbine. She ended the year riding an eight race winning streak.

Sophomore Sold
Western Search, a runner-up in his 2005 Metro elimination, has been sold, reports Robbie Siegelman, trainer and co-owner of the three-year-old Western Hanover colt. “It was tough to turn it down,” he said. “That's a lot of money -- $300,000. John Grant [owner of Bettor’s Delight] bought him, and Mark Ford will train. This colt might be the best horse I ever trained, but it was too good an offer for me to say no to. I owned a third of him with Mr. Richard Julich."
Sub-1:50 Pacer Gets A Break
Casimir Camotion will get a break, according to trainer Bruce Saunders. “He's earned a rest,” said Saunders. “I won't be racing him now until mid-April or so. He's very sharp, and the owners couldn't be happier with how things have gone of far.” Casimir Camotion has earned $53,000 in five starts since Saunders started training him this winter. “This year, there's not going to be a standout type of horse in the free for all ranks,” noted Saunders. Casimir Camotion’s 1:49.3 win last week marked his eighth sub-1:50 mile. He has paced under that in all of the last four years.

Mr Muscleman Off to Europe
Owner Adam Victor is eying a European tour for his trotting star Mr Muscleman. "I want to race him in Europe at some point,” he said. “Last year was too busy a year for him. But this year, in the fall, the plans now are to go to Europe. He's eligible to the Breeders Crown, but I'm not sure he'll be ready by then. His schedule will include less races, the Maple Leaf Trot and a few others. But he's doing fine. He'll tell us when he's ready."

Gingras Tops at The Big M
Driver Yannick Gingras is only 26 but is already establishing himself as a Top Five driver at the Meadowlands this year, trailing only Brian Sears, Eric Ledford and Ron Pierce. "I set my goal at the beginning of the year at seventh,” said Gingras. “Now that I'm fourth in the standings, I'm thrilled. It's tough when you have guys like George Brennan and Cat Manzi looking over your shoulder. Everywhere you look at this track, you see a top driver."