World record performance by Artistic Fella in Classic Saturday, July 26, 2008 - by Ellen Harvey, HRC, a division of the USTA

In a world record performance for a mile and a sixteenth, Artistic Fella and Tim Tetrick won the $250,000 Pacing Classic final in 1:56.1 on Saturday night at The Meadowlands by 3-1/2 lengths.  USTA Photo Artistic Fella, driver Tim Tetrick and owner Joe Alborano with the Pacing Classic trophy. Mr. Feelgood (Andy Miller) was first to hit the quarter mile mark in :26.1 with Total Truth behind him.  Tetrick had Artistic Fella out at about the three-eighths, and cleared to the lead before the :54.2 half.  Just after the half, Jody Jamison and Western Shore rushed up to challenge on the outside pacing in step to the 1:21.4 three-quarter mark.    But by the head of the stretch Artistic Fella had rebuffed Western Shore and was pacing away from the field for the win.  Won The West (Greg Grismore) was second, Western Ace (Brian Sears) was third.  Artistic Fella is trained by Steve Elliott and owned by Joe Alborano of New Egypt, NJ.  “I just wanted to save him a little bit early,” said Tetrick. “He can go a mile really fast, likes to be in control.  He’s as good as any horse I’ve ever driven and probably the best older horse.  I called on him at the top of the stretch and he responded; he was great and he’s at the top of his game, never seen him better.”   “It’s not about doing all the work [in a race],” said owner Joe Alborano.  “He [Tetrick] gave him a perfect drive tonight; it’s a real privilege to own a horse like this.”  Alborano denied a possible stallion career might be in the near future for Artistic Fella.   “He’s probably going out on the racetrack next year and we’ll see what happens, and without a doubt he’s here next week [for the US Pacing Championship].  We’ll worry about the horse first and if a record offers, that’s an addition to a good night.  I love the horse and everybody does right by him, he has the heart of a lion and I feel privileged to own him.”

Godiva Hall sweet in Classic victory Saturday, July 26, 2008 - by Ellen Harvey, HRC, a division of the USTA

Godiva Hall and driver Andy Miller were first to the finish line in 2:00.4, stakes record time, to win the 1 1/16th mile $250,000 Classic Distaff Final for trotting mares on Saturday night at The Meadowlands. Those two were first off the gate and made the quarter in :28.1 to lead the field down the backstretch, with Susie’s Magic tucked in behind her.  Upfront Hotsy (John Campbell) was up to take the lead by the :57 half and into the turn, with Godiva Hall tracking behind her and Falls For You outside of Godiva Hall.  As the field entered deep stretch, Falls For You faded a bit and gave Godiva Hall room to get off the rail and pass Upfront Hotsy for the win by a head. Susie’s Magic was third, Falls For You finished fourth.  Godiva Hall is a daughter of Like A Prayer and is trained by Trond Smedshammer for Irving Liverman of Hampstead, Quebec.  “I didn’t really want to [race on the front end],” said driver Andy Miller.  “When she cleared and opened up there last week, she kind of took herself off, so I was hoping to have some good cover. It worked out real good, she got away from the gate good and then John [Campbell] came with his mare [Upfront Hotsy] and we followed her and shook loose late.  My mare was loaded with trot, it was just a matter of getting her shook loose and getting a little race track.”

My Little Dragon fires in Distaff Pace Saturday, July 26, 2008 - by Ellen Harvey, HRC, a division of the USTA

Locked in a duel down the stretch with Enhance The Night, My Little Dragon gave driver Brian Sears his fourth winner of the night in the $250,000 Classic Series Final for pacing mares in 1:58.1 for the 1 1/16ths mile race on Saturday night at The Meadowlands. Mind Boggling was first off the gate to make a try for the lead, but it was Ideal Weather that got to the top by the quarter mile marker in :27.4 and stayed there to the :56.3 half-mile marker. At the 1:23.4 three-quarters, Ideal Weather still had a grip on the lead but was being hotly pursued by Enhance the Night (Tim Tetrick). By the top of the stretch, Enhance The Night had made the lead by a length but My Little Dragon was bearing down on the outside and wore down the leader to win by a head in 1:58.1 Noel Daley trains the 5-year-old daughter of Dragon Again for owner Adam Victor and Son Stable.  “She had a throat operation at Cornell and been good every start this year,” said Daley.  “She hasn’t had a lot of luck, but when she finds it, she can do anything now that she’s breathing properly, she’s a great old mare.” “She’s the type of mare you build a farm around, “ said Adam Victor, Jr. “That’s one of the reasons we bought her. We’re pointing her to the Breeders Crown. We’re in the game for the Breeders Crown, especially for mares.”  Victor expects she will race next year but then start a new career as a broodmare. Victor indicated that their stable’s champion older trotter Mr. Muscleman is, “Back in training.  We gave him time off, he has his issues, but we’re going to give him one more shot to race by the end of 2008, so hopefully we’ll see him in the next few months.”

Corleone Kosmos takes Classic Final in World Record Sunday, July 27, 2008 - by Ellen Harvey, HRC, a division of the USTA

(Watch a Video Replay of the race) Corleone Kosmos trotted away from the field to win the $250,000 Classic Series final for older trotters in a world record of 1:58.3 by 1-1/4 lengths on Saturday night at the Meadowlands Racetrack.  Corleone Kosmos and driver John Campbell split horses from post five to get in behind Enough Talk, who led to the quarter mile mark in :26.4.  Campbell soon had the son of SJ’s Photo out and moving down the back-stretch and took the lead by the half in :56.  He was tracked around the turn by Enough Talk and driver Ron Pierce, who tipped out coming off the turn, but thought better of it and ducked back in along the rail as the field straightened for home. Arch Madness (Brian Sears) was on the move after the leader, but he’d not be caught and was putting space between him and the field down the stretch.  Arch Madness closed stoutly but could not catch Corleone Kosmos.  Enough Talk was third and Before He Cheats (Tim Tetrick) was a fast closing fourth.  “That breather during middle part of the race [a 29.1 second quarter] certainly helped him,” said Campbell.  We tried him off the pace last week and he didn’t win, so we tried something different. I guess his horse [Enough Talk and Ron Pierce] felt good, but my horse was still trucking at the time and I felt pretty strong in the stretch. He sure had his game tonight and he was very aggressive during the half, but the breather in the middle was key.”  Speaking of the value of the Classic Series, Campbell said, “It’s certainly kept horses on the track and been a big boon for mares.  There are a lot of mares racing that, if it wasn’t for this series, would be in the broodmare band.”

 

CLASSIC SERIES FINALS AT THE MEADOWLANDS

                The $250,000 Finals of The Classic Series will go post ward at a mile and one sixteenth at The Meadowlands on Saturday evening. 
                The Pacing Classic leads off the charge in race seven. Ten of the top older horses currently racing will line up behind the gate, led by morning line choice Artistic Fella. Eagle Luck won last week’s third leg in a stakes record equaling 1:48.3 and returns for the big money. Mr. Feelgood has drawn the extreme outside starting post in his quest to win another big money final.
                Trotting mares are up next in the Classic Oaks in race ten, with Falls For You holding the favorite’s mantle in this one. She scored an impressive off the trot win in 1:52.2 in leg three, scoring by three parts of a length over stable mate and Final competitor Godiva Hall. Up Front Hotsey leads the division in points accumulated throughout the series and has drawn the rail for the Final.
                The Classic Distaff for pacing mares is next in the eleventh race. My Little Dragon has won the two legs of the Distaff leading into the Final, including her 1:50- score last week. She faces several familiar rivals, including Darlin’s Delight, Ideal Weather and Enhance The Night, all of whom were within a half-length of the winner last week.
                The best may have been saved for last, a very competitive field of eight older male trotters in the Trotting Classic. Before He Cheats swept past the field in last week’s leg and he will again face the same stout group in Saturday’s race. Arch Madness and Corleone Kosmos renew their rivalry here and two time defending champion Vivid Photo returns off a three month forced absence.
                First post on Saturday is 7:00 PM on a stellar card that features eliminations for the Hambletonian and Oaks.

Falls For You wins Classic in 1:52.2 Sunday, July 20, 2008 - by Amy Silver, publicity director, The Meadowlands

East Rutherford, NJ -- A quartet of $85,000 Classic Series events for older horses were featured on the rich Pace Night undercard at The Meadowlands Saturday night (July 19). Lisa Photos Falls For You became a millionaire with her Classic Series win. Falls For You, with Brian Sears in the sulky, trotted a quick 27.3 last quarter to claim victory in the $85,000 Trotting Oaks by three-quarters of a length in 1:52.2. Godiva Hall finished second and it was three lengths back to Bruschette in third. Trond Smedshammer trains Falls For You for the Fair Winds Farms Inc. of Cream Ridge, N.J., Theodore Gewertz of New York, N.Y. and Willow Pond LLC. Of Hewlett, N.Y. Before He Cheats came from off the pace to win the $85,000 Trotting Classic by a half-length in 1:52.1.  Enough Talk finished second and Corleone Kosmos was third.  Before He Cheats was driven by Tim Tetrick and trained by Dirk Simpson for Samuel Bowie of Lexington, Ky.   Before He Cheats' 1:52.1 Classic Series win was a lifetime best. My Little Dragon, fastest female racehorse of all time, edged out Ideal Weather at the wire by a head to capture the $85,000 Classic Distaff in 1:50.  It was a neck back to Darlin’s Delight in third.  My Little Dragon was driven by Brian Sears and trained by Noel Daley for the Adam Victor & Son stable of New York, N.Y. Eagle Luck tipped off live cover and stormed home to capture the $85,000 Pacing Classic over Won The West by a half-length in 1:48.3. Manhardt finished third. Eagle Luck was driven by John Campbell and trained by Gregg McNair for Frank Dettore of North Ridgeville, Ohio.

Arch Madness, Up Front Hotsey upset in Classic Sunday, June 01, 2008 - by Karen Briggs for Woodbine Entertainment Group Media   “No text or photographs displayed on this page, other than those produced by USTA staffers, may be copied, retransmitted, reposted, duplicated or otherwise used without the expressed, written consent of the person(s) to whom the photo or text is attributed.”

Campbellville, ON -- The betting public didn't have much faith in Breeders' Crown champion, Arch Madness, sending him off at 17-1, but trainer-driver Trond Smedshammer proved his colt was no fluke as he captured the $84,116 Trotting Classic second leg Saturday night (May 31) at Mohawk in 1:54.3.      Smedshammer sent the 4-year-old gelded son of Balanced Image sharply to the front from post 9, assisted by early leader Man About Town breaking stride for Luc Ouellette and veering wide.  3-5 favourite, Corleone Kosmos, tucked into the pocket spot with John Campbell and Claudius Augustus got buffeted into third as Smedshammer took control of the fractions, trotting the first three-quarters of a mile in 28, 57.3, and 1:26.2.        As the horses entered the stretch it became an all-out sprint, with Arch Madness holding off Corleone Kosmos by a whisker to claim the win.  San Remo Kosmos moved up for the show spot.      A judge's inquiry then revealed that in the final strides of the stretch drive, Corleone Kosmos had switched gaits from trot to pace, technically putting him in violation of the rule which requires horses on a break to continuously lose ground. The judge's decision moved Corleone Kosmos from second to third, with San Remo Kosmos being awarded the place purse.      Arch Madness is owned by Marc D Goldberg, and Willow Pond LLC, of Hewlett, N.Y., and paid $37.50, $13.50, and $4.90 for the win.      In the $84,116 Classic Oaks for trotting fillies and mares, confusion reigned at the start as four mares rolled off-stride either behind the gate or shortly thereafter. Tickets were refunded on two, Speed N The Tunnel and Wishful Me, who were ruled not to have had a fair start.          Snazzy Millie and linesman Steve Condren took quick advantage of the melee and snatched the lead, with Freeze Frame tucking into second for driver-trainer Jim Raymer as they trotted through fractions of 27.1, 56.2, and 1:25.2.  Another potential challenger, Susies Magic, also made a break in the second quarter to put herself out of the action. Thus it was a field of six, from the original 11, who headed into the stretch still in contention.      As Snazzy Millie began to flag, 22-1 shot, Up Front Hotsey, with trainer-driver Mike Vanderkemp, made a strong challenge on the outside and seized the win in 1:54.2.  Brigham Dream rushed up for second, with Lavec Dream grabbing third.      Up Front Hotsey, a 5-year-old daughter of Sjs Caviar-Dixieland Jazz, is owned by Ed Mullinax and Frank Dettore, and paid $47.10, $13.60, and $10.20 for the win.  This was her second victory in 2008.

Classic Series events held at Dover Downs Tuesday, April 08, 2008 - by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs   “No text or photographs displayed on this page, other than those produced by USTA staffers, may be copied, retransmitted, reposted, duplicated or otherwise used without the expressed, written consent of the person(s) to whom the photo or text is attributed.”

Dover, DE --- Artistic Fella won his first start of the season, My Little Dragon handed Southwind Tempo her first setback, Enough Talk pulled an upset and Buck I St Pat rolled on in $85,000 Classic Series openers on a chilly Monday, April 7, at Dover Downs.         Before the races Tim Tetrick signed autographs and met his fans while handing out Tetrick bobbleheads, and then went out and drove four winners on the power-packed racing program.   Buck I St Pat scored in a track record time of 1:53 for Tim tetrick.  Tetrick steered Buck I St Pat to an easy 1:53 track record score, just one-fifth off the world record over a five-eighths-mile oval to win the $85,000 Classic Oaks. The 5-year-old went right to the front and never was headed in scoring her fourth victory of the year for owners Howard Taylor, Ed Gold, Abe Basen and Ron Fuller.     While setting the winning fractions, Tetrick and the daughter of Jailhouse Jesse kept runner-up Snazzy Millie and John Campbell a length back, challenging on the outside from the mid-backstretch to the finish line. Speed N The Tunnel with Tony Morgan got up to finish third.     Artistic Fella was a 1:50.3 winner in his season's debut.  In the $85,000 Pacing Classic, Artistic Fella followed the cover of Manhardt and George Brennan, testing front-pacing Total Truth and Brian Sears from the clubhouse turn until turning for home before Tim Tetrick unleashed the Pacific Fella 5-year-old down the lane on the way to a 1:50.3 victory.      It was the 2007 Breeders Crown winner's first start off a 1:55 qualifying race at Spring Garden Ranch in South Florida. Counting back to last Fall, the Steve Elliott-trained Artistic Fella has now won his last four races in a row for owner Joe Alborano. Veteran Casimir Camotion rolled down the lane to finish second for Ron Pierce while Mr Feelgood and Andy Miller were the show finishers.     My Little Dragon (Brian Sears) stopped Southwind Tempo in 1:51.3.  My Little Dragon enjoyed a perfect two-hole trip, racing behind odds-on favorite Southwind Tempo in the $85,000 Classic Distaff Pace before exploding to victory.      John Campbell got Southwind Tempo away smartly and controlled the early fractions. At the top of the stretch, Brian Sears took My Little Dragon to the outside and dashed past the leader in a 1:51.3 performance. Southwind Tempo held on for second with her entrymate Benear and Cat Manzi closing for third. Adam Victor & Son own My Little Dragon, a winner of nearly $1.6 million in purses.       Fotowon photos Enough Talk and George Brennan were 1:52.2 winners in the Trotting Classic. The biggest surprise on the super-fast program came in the $85,000 Trotting Classic where 6-1 Enough Talk, a recent purchase by P Kleinhans Racing Inc., could not be caught in a 1:52.2 effort. That clocking lowered the world record for an older trotting gelding on a five-eighths-mile track, breaking the old standard of 1:53.1 held by Woody Woodrow. American Lane with Cat Manzi was the second-place finisher in front of Green Day and Tim Tetrick.      Race favorite Vivid Photo got away near the back in the 10-horse field. Roger Hammer took the former Hambletonian and Trotting Classic champion to the outside, then weakened on the backstretch and finished off the board for one of the rare times in his career.

Significant Increase in Nominations to The Classic Series

             The nominations are in for The Classic Series (TCS) and the response to the 2008 edition shows an increase of nearly 25 percent over last year’s numbers. A total of 105 horses have been paid in to the Series. Among the nominees are all four TCS Final winners from 2007.        
            Broken down by division, the Pacing Classic will feature the ageless Boulder Creek, winner of the PC Final an amazing three consecutive years on his way to nearly a half million dollars in TCS events alone. He will campaign for new connections, having been purchased by Larry Baron in the January Tattersalls mixed sale.
            Joe Alborano’s Open Breeders Crown winner Artistic Fella will return to TCS along with some of last season’s top sophomores, such as Breeders Crown champ Artist’s View and Meadowlands Pace winner Southwind Lynx.
            Moving Pictures’ Classic Distaff Final victory launched her through a sensational 2007 campaign for owners Steve Calhoun and Michael Lindley. She returns to defend her title against a stout group that includes Lou Camara’s Armbro Dancer, who last year added the Golden Girls, Artiscape and Allerage Farms to an already impressive resume, as well as a very strong 2007 sophomore class graduating into the open ranks. Artcotic (Breeders Crown) Hana Hanover (Mistletoe Shalee), Western Graduate (Jugette) and Southwind Tempo (pretty much everything else) will help to make it an interesting division.
           Owners Roger Hammer and Todd Schadel will send the iron tough Vivid Photo out in quest of his third successive Trotting Classic crown. He’ll have to tangle with his nemesis of last season, the Rudolph Stable, Arthur Rudolph and Bernard Owens’ Corleone Kosmos. Emerging starts like Arch Madness (famous for his upset in the 2008 Breeders Crown 3YO trot), 2007 Yonkers Trot winner Green Day and Quebec sensation Val Taurus will add flavor to the mix.
          The 2007 edition of the Classic Oaks produced some of the finest fields of mare trotters ever assembled and it appears as though that tradition will continue in 2008. Buck I St Pat swept through the Oaks without tasting defeat for owners Howard Taylor, Abe Basen, Ed Gold and Ron Fuller, a remarkable accomplishment considering the competition. To repeat in 2008, she will have to find a way to beat the co-fastest trotter of all time, Giant Diablo. Klaus Koch, agent for owner Stall Zenith Handelsbolag, has indicated Giant Diablo will return to the US for an extended campaign in 2008 and the Classic Oaks is on her dance card. Exotic Destination (World Trotting Derby, filly division) and Falls For You (Kentucky Filly Futurity) highlight the four year old contingent in this division.
         Supplemental entries will be accepted for TCS 2008 until March 24.
         TCS kicks off on Monday, April 7 at Dover Downs. The complete list of nominees, racing schedule, details on supplemental nomination and other pertinent information is available at www.theclassicseries.com

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 THE CLASSIC SERIES 2008 SCHEDULE 

            The 2008 edition of the $2 million Classic Series (TCS) will kick of at Dover Downs on Monday, April 7 with $85,000E divisions for all four divisions of older trotters and pacers. The second leg will be raced at Mohawk Racetrack on Saturday, May 31 and the series will wrap up at The Meadowlands with leg three on July 19 and the $250,000 Finals the following Saturday as a part of the Hambletonian elimination card at The Big M.
            The series annually provides many exciting moments and match ups among the top older horses in the sport. Last year’s Final winners included 2007 Dan Patch honorees Vivid Photo (Trotting Classic) and Moving Pictures (Classic Distaff). Boulder Creek’s Pacing Classic Final win gave him a remarkable three consecutive series championship and Buck I St Pat swept through all three legs and the Final of the Classic Oaks without tasting defeat.
            TCS offers great value to nominators, requiring a single nomination payment to gain eligibility to three $85,000E legs and a chance at making the $250,000 Final. Another interesting statistic in that over the past five seasons (2003 – 2007) the average earnings per starter in all TCS races (legs and Finals) is over $15,000, a truly remarkable return on your staking investment.
            Nominations for the 2008 Classic Series must be postmarked no later than February 15, 2008 and are handled by The Hambletonian Society.

 

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THE CLASSIC SERIES FINALS 

            Mohawk Racetrack will play host to the four $250,000 (USD) Finals on Saturday night; part of a blockbuster card that will offer purses in excess of $3.5 million. All four of the Classic races will be contested at the route distance of a mile and three-eighths.

            The Pacing Classic fields just five, but they are five of the finest Free For Aller’s on the continent. A chink in the Lis Mara armor was revealed in last week’s third Classic leg when he found himself out a long way without the benefit of cover and suffered his first loss of the season. Artistic Fella pounced upon the opportunity to score a 1:48.4 victory in leg three, his second in this year’s Pacing Classic Series. Double defending PC champ Boulder Creek got legs late and rallied for second in that race and comes into the Final super sharp. Shark Gesture weathered the Lis Mara onslaught while on the lead and held third in leg three. Stonebridge Regal beat most of these while taking his 1:48.1 record at The Meadowlands last month. 

            The Classic Oaks lived up to its advance billing last week when the third leg showcased a field of the greatest trotting mares ever. The Final returns most of last week’s competitors, led by the winner and potential “Series Sweeper” Buck I St Pat. She sat just off the lead throughout in leg three and had plenty when called upon for trot. Mystical Sunshine is the defending title holder in the Oaks and will make her bid from post eight. Passionate Glide had to sacrifice first-over last week and finds herself disadvantaged by post ten in the Final. 

            The Trotting Classic features a rematch of last week’s battle between 2006 Dan Patch Award winner for the division Sand Vic and the relentless Vivid Photo. Vivid fell just short of his rival last week after a long absence and will be sharper in his defense of the TC Final crown. 

            The Classic Distaff Final also contains last year’s winner, Marnie Hall. She won the first Distaff leg in April at Dover and has held her form throughout the current campaign. Darlin’s Delight just failed in her bid to hold off Vysoke Tatry in last week’s leg, they both return in quest of the big dollar Final. 

            The Saturday night Mohawk card shapes up to be a classic in many ways. First post is 7:20 PM, don’t miss the action.

 The Classic Series at Mohawk 

            Leg number three of The Classic Series (TCS) will be raced this Saturday over the seven-eighths mile strip at Mohawk Racetrack. Each of the four divisions will showcase the finest older horses currently in action.

            The Classic Oaks (Race 5) fields eleven terrific trotting mares in one of the deepest events of this or any season. Division stalwarts Mystical Sunshine, last year’s Oaks Final and Breeders Crown champ, and Peaceful Way (winner of the 2006 Maple Leaf Trot and the Dan Patch award for this group) will face the cream of last season’s sophomore class.

Passionate Glide graduated with honors, earning over $1 million and winning everything but the Breeders Crown last year and she made her presence felt against her elders with her first win of the new season in the $133,000 Conway Hall at Vernon Downs on Memorial Day. Susie’s Magic did win the 3YO Breeders Crown last year and was a winner in The Meadowlands leg of the Oaks. Buck I St Pat is two-for-two in the Classic Oaks this year and Queen Serene may never be discounted.

The Trotting Classic (Race 9) will be the stage for the return of Vivid Photo, winner of the 2006 Final, after a few months away from the wars. He has been prepping in Tioga Downs qualifiers, equaling the overall track record of 1:54.4 in each of his last two appearances there. Sand Vic makes his TCS seasonal debut off a convincing win in the Cutler and Man About Town will try the stars of the division after impressing versus weaker.

The Pacing Classic (Race 11) features Lis Mara, who looked like he was scoring down while taking an effortless 1:49.3 measure of the best open class horses in Canada last Saturday. Facing the tough task of tackling the division’s Goliath will be a solid group led by New Hampshire Sweepstakes winner Shark Gesture, double defending Pacing Classic champ Boulder Creek and 2006 Meadowlands Pace winner Artistic Fella. This one shapes up like a drag race.

The Classic Distaff (Race 12) fields seven including Darlin’s Delight, who has been nothing short of sensational in her 2007 starts. She paced to a new personal record of 1:49.1 after coming a long way uncovered in last week’s Lady Liberty. 2006 Distaff Final winner Marnie Hall is the main threat here in a strong field.

First post at Mohawk is 7:40 PM, don’t miss this one.

           

LIS MARA AND ARTISTIC FELLA TO MEET IN PACING CLASSIC

            The Classic Series (TCS) comes to New Jersey for leg number two at The Meadowlands on Saturday, May 5.
            Two $60,000 divisions of the Classic Oaks will kick off the card. The first features a renewal of last year’s rivalry between 2006 Classic Oaks Final and Breeders Crown winner Mystical Sunshine and Dan Patch award winner Peaceful Way. That pair will have to deal with a couple of impressive new shooters in the division. Buck I St Pat and Spare Time Rozie were both convincing winners in leg one of the Oaks at Dover last month.
            The second Oaks split will see the return of the cream of last season’s sophomore crop. Division queen Passionate Glide makes her four-year-old debut and should feel right at home as she will find two of her rivals from last year, Queen Serene and Susie’s Magic, lined up behind the starting gate as well.
            The $85,000 Pacing Classic will field just five horses but provides the stage for the first meeting of division heavyweights Lis Mara and Artistic Fella. Lis Mara has returned to the racing wars in mid-season form, following his fastest ever 1:49.1 qualifier with an effortless first-over 1:48.2 score last Saturday. While his counterpart was wowing the east coast crowd, Artistic Fella romped to an open-length 1:49.4 score in the Dan Patch at Hoosier Park.
            The $85,000 Trotting Classic offers an evenly matched field of six with Dover leg winner JM Vangogh the one to fear.
The $85,000 Classic Distaff is led by 2006 Distaff Final winner Marnie Hall, who has been ultra impressive thus far in ’07. Seven worthy rivals will offer opposition to the current queen.
            First post Saturday is 7:30 PM on a card that includes the $225,000 Berry’s Creek final.

Five Classic Series events at Dover Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - by Marv Bachrad, publicity director, Dover Downs   “No text or photographs displayed on this page, other than those produced by USTA staffers, may be copied, retransmitted, reposted, duplicated or otherwise used without the expressed, written consent of the person(s) to whom the photo or text is attributed.”

Dover, DE --- Monday, April 9 Artistic Fella, Marnie Hall, JM Vangogh, Buck I St Pat and Spare Time Rozie came away with Classic Series preliminary wins. In the $85,000 Pacing Classic, Joe Alborano's Artistic Fella picked up where he left off as a 3-year-old, powering three-wide around the final turn to take the lead and then pulling away for an impressive 1:50.3 triumph with Hall of Famer Cat Manzi in the bike. JK CU Later took second for Dave Palone with Tim Tetrick driving Lather Machine to a third place finish.   JM Vangogh was a 1:54.3 winner for Tony Morgan.  Vivid Photo was scratched with a fever, leaving the $85,000 Trotting Classic wide open. Tony Morgan responded by driving JM Vangogh to the front at the start and the Canadian-bred son of ill fated stallion Earl controlled the tempo the rest of the way, fashioning a 1:54.3 victory, his fourth of the season in seven outings for owners John Mello of Massachusetts and trainer Paul Chambers of Harrington, Del. Med Vac, a Delaware-sired son of CR Commando took second for David Miller, with Man About Town and Brian Sears finishing third. Marnie Hall, who won the $250,000 Classic Distaff title last November at Dover Downs, debuted in 2007 with a 1:51.3 triumph in the $85,000 Classic Distaff. Daniel Dube drove the 5-year-old Blissfull Hall mare for trainer Mark Silva and owners Daniel Plouffe and Jean Claude Dessureault of Ouebec. Burning Point led until they turned for home with George Brennan and held on for second. To Helen Back with John Campbell was the show horse.    Foto Won photos Buck I St Pat knocked off Mystical Sunshine in a Classic Oaks division.  Dave Palone, driving Buck I St Pat for Howard Taylor, Ed Gold, Abe Basen and Robert Fuller, stalked odds-on favorite Mystical Sunshine for more than three-quarters and then pulled to the outside and went on to a 1:54.2 victory in the $60,000 Classic Oaks first division. Mystical Sunshine with Ron Pierce was second best, with Tady Stakes Again, driven by Brian Sears, third. Tony Morgan collected his second Classic victory, driving Spare Time Rozie to a 1:55.2 score, her sixth victory in nine 2007 races for owners John Cowan and Darryl Laver. Race favorite Susie's Magic hung in for second with David Miller driving, while Three Little Words, with John Campbell in the sulky, took third money.

 

FIRST CLASSIC LEG ON MONDAY

             The first of three preliminary legs of The Classic Series (TCS) will be raced at Dover Downs on Monday, April 9^th. All four TCS 2006 Final winners will compete on Monday’s card.

            The first of two Classic Oaks divisions kicks off the action in race two, led by last year’s TCS Final and Breeders Crown winner Mystical Sunshine. The career winner of nearly $1.5 million for Alvin Jacobson and Sidney Korn leaves from post one for Ron Pierce. The Oaks also marks the return to stakes action for John Campbell, recently returned to racing after an injury. John is listed on mounts in three Classic events on Monday.

            The Trotting Classic fields six, led by Vivid Photo who annexed TCS Final in this division in 2006. He has also drawn the coveted rail for trainer/driver Roger Hammer, who shares ownership of the 2005 Hambletonian winner with Todd Schadel. Local star Elvis Cole, a supplemental nomination to the series, will contest the action for young reinsman Corey Callahan.

            Boulder Creek looks to pick up where he left off last November, when he lowered the world record for a mile and a quarter in the Pacing Classic Final over this same strip. The career winner of over $2.6 million will have to overcome a second tier start, as he has drawn post ten behind the eight horse mobile starting gate Monday for owners Cliff Siegel, John Fodera and Lee Wasserman. 2006 Meadowlands Pace winner Artistic Fella makes his first start of the season in the Classic. He comes in with a single qualifier under his belt, albeit an impressive performance of 1:52.1 at The Meadowlands.

            The second Oaks split feature last year’s sophomore Breeders Crown winner Susie’s Magic. She won her 2007 debut in a sparkling 1:54.3 for owners L&L Devisser, LLKC and W.L. Jones. Lavec Dream was second in the 2008 TCS Final and returns to the series in this event.

            The Classic Distaff has provided some of the most memorable races in the series over the past several years and appears to be stocked to continue the trend. Marnie Hall makes her 2007 debut in defense of her TCS Final in the division. She was a good second to Artistic Fella in her most recent prep for Daniel Plouffe and new partner Jean Claude Dessureault. Burning Point is back again after more Classic gold and Poppy Lustre N has been nothing short of sensational locally in 2007. Sensational enough for her connections to pay the supplemental fee to include the New Zealand bred in the Distaff.

            First post at Dover is 5:30 on Monday. More details are available at www.theclassicseries.com   

 

 NOMINATIONS ARE IN FOR THE CLASSIC SERIES

             The Classic Series (TCS) will showcase the cream of the crop for each division of older trotters and pacers when it gets underway in just over a month, with the first preliminary leg set for Dover Downs on Monday, April 9.
            The Pacing Classic pits 2006 Dan Patch older pacer of the year, Lismara, and double defending Pacing Classic champ Boulder Creek against last season’s champion three year olds, led by Total Truth, Shark Gesture and Artistic Fella.
            The Trotting Classic returns last year’s Final winner Vivid Photo and 2005 champ Mr. Muscleman to battle with 2006 Dan Patch Award winner Sand Vic.
            The Classic Distaff will feature 2005 Final winner and iron tough pacing mare Burning Point slugging it out with last year’s rival Glowing Report and 2006 Classic Distaff champ Marnie Hall. Joining the fray are last season’s top sophomore fillies, Darlin’s Delight and My Little Dragon.
            The Classic Oaks shapes up to be the deepest and most competitive division of the Series. The trotting mares are led by Peaceful Way, who took the Dan Patch Award again last year, and Mystical Sunshine, 2006 Breeders Crown and Classic Oaks champ. Graduating from the sophomore class are the 2006  Hambletonian Oaks winner and division champ Passionate Glide, her nemesis from last season Queen Serene, Canadian queen Pure Ivory and the speedy Hidden Viggorish.
            The Series moves to The Meadowlands for leg two on May 5, and then it’s off to Canada for the third leg on June 9 and the June 16 $250,000 Finals for each division, raced at a mile and three eighths, both at Mohawk Racetrack.

NO STARTING FEES IN CLASSIC SERIES FINALS 

            The Classic Series (TCS) will have an important change for the 2007 edition of the Series; there will be no starting fee for the $250,000 Finals. This represents a savings of $5,000 for the connections of those horses qualifying for and racing in the rich events. The starting fee for each of the preliminary legs shall remain at two percent of the purse in each event.
            TCS purses are composed of revenue derived from several sources. They are funded by nomination, sustaining and declaration fees paid on the nominees, with Host Tracks contributing a significant share. Yearling consignors and buyers share a charge of one percent of the final bid price of each yearling sold at TCS Sponsor Sales. Strong yearling sales in 2006 have enabled TCS to pass on this significant new benefit to the owners.
            The ability to present four $250,000 Finals with no starting fee requirement sends a positive signal that the Series is healthy. TCS recognizes that stakes payments are an added burden for the owner and welcomes the opportunity to afford some relief.
            TCS returns to a spring schedule for 2007. Dover Downs will host the first $85,000E preliminary legs on Monday, April 9^th. Leg two will be at The Meadowlands on Saturday, May 5^th. Mohawk Racetrack will host leg three on Saturday, June 9^th as well as the $250,000G Finals, raced at a mile and three-eighths, the next Saturday, June 16^th.
            Nominations for TCS 2007 will close and must be postmarked by February 15, 2007. All payments should be made payable to and sent to the Hambletonian Society.
Further information, including Series conditions, payment levels and nomination forms are available at www.theclassicseries.com. Contact Nick Salvi at (954) 871-6013 with questions.

CLASSIC SERIES ATTRACTS TOP PERFORMERS

     The 2006 edition of The Classic Series (TCS) promises more exciting competition for the best older horses the sport has to offer. Scheduled later in the season to accommodate the $250,000 Finals being hosted by Dover Downs this year, the Series outcome will be a major influence on the voting for year-end honors. 

    Among the nominees are all four Final winners from 2005. Boulder Creek will return to defend the Pacing Classic trophy against Dr No and Maltese Artist, who both won preliminary legs of TCS last season. Last year’s sophomore sensation American Ideal leads the graduating class in this division.

     The Classic Distaff has provided many of the finest moments in recent TCS history and this year’s crop should not disappoint. Burning Point won the 2005 Distaff Final in record time and will face Loyal Opposition and Glowing Report again in the Series. Cabrini Hanover, Chotat Milk and Restive Hanover move into the FFA ranks with impressive credentials from their three-year-old season.

     Mr Muscleman stormed through the Trotting Classic on his way to a remarkable season last year and he will try to duplicate those efforts against a large group of very worthy opponents.  A strong contingent of four-year-olds led by Hambletonian winner Vivid Photo and Kentucky Futurity & Yonkers Trot champ Strong Yankee will keep their elders honest.

     The Classic Oaks offers another showcase for Peaceful Way, who staged a few of the most dramatic performance of the season in the 2005 Oaks events. Housethatruthbuilt and Mystical Sunshine will be back to lead the competition.

     Woodbine Racetrack will host the first of three $85,000 ($60,000 div) preliminary legs over Breeders Crown weekend (October 27 & 28), with the other legs set for Dover Downs on November 6, The Meadowlands on November 18. The $250,000 Finals will be raced at a mile and a quarter on November 27 at Dover. Visit www.theclassicseries.com for more info.

 

 

Mr Muscleman wins eighth straight in Trotting Classic Saturday, July 23, 2005 - from Meadowlands Media Relations (Courtesy of ustrotting.com)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - July 23, 2005 - Mr Muscleman [$2.60, $2.20, $2.10] held on for his eighth straight win, ninth in 10 starts this year, with a neck victory over a fast closing Sand Vic [$3.40, $2.60] in the $85,000 Trotting Classic, the sixth race and the first of two Classic Series races for male horses, on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. In the eighth race, the $85,000 Pacing Classic, Dr No [$3.20, $2.40, $2.40] cruised to a one and a half length victory over Ponder [$3.00, $2.60] in 1:49 flat. Articulator [$4.40] was third by two and three-quarter lengths. Mr. Muscleman, driven by Ron Pierce and trained by Noel Daley, trotted the mile in 1:51.4, the fifth straight in which he was timed in 1:52 or faster. His only loss this year was by a neck in the Su Mac Lad Final on April 10. The two-time Dan Patch Award winner has 29 wins, 13 seconds and three thirds from 52 career starts for a bankroll of $2.3 million for Adam Victor & Son Stable LLC of New York City. "The hole opened up so we dropped in there," Pierce said of the first quarter. "I moved him as we straighten up down the backstretch. We got a little breather on the turn [for home] but not enough. I called on him at the head of the stretch, and he took off. Sand Vic almost got us; he was coming good. I had to reach up and give Mr Muscleman a swat to keep going. He had a right to be tired." Mr Muscleman, who won the $180,000 Cutler Final on May 21, had not raced since winning the $254,800 Titan Cup Final on July 2. Sand Vic [$3.40, $2.60] was second best, and it was a length and a quarter to Hez Striking [$4.20] in third. "The trip worked out great tonight," said David Miller, the driver of Hez Striking. "I mean Mr Muscleman is unbelievable, but I was right where I wanted to be with my horse. And he really raced well." Lisa Photo  Dr. No extended his winning streak to four with a win in the $85,000 Pacing Classic. Dr. No, the winner of the $700,000 William Haughton Memorial two starts back, extended his winning streak to four. He now has with five wins in 11 starts this year. Because this was the four-year-old son of No Nukes only start in the Classic Series, he will not be eligible for the $250,000 final next Saturday.   "I was going forward [at the start] but having Boulder Creek [who bobbled at the start] off the gate made a big difference," said Cat Manzi, who has driven Dr No in all of his Meadowlands' starts this year. "It crossed my mind [to leave Ponder parked out on the backstretch], but it was best for us to let him get in front. He's a sweetheart, not a show off. That's just the way he is." Dr No, who races for Brian Legge of Toronto, Ontario; Dr. David Legge of Ajax, Ontario and Robert Stewart of Oshawa, Ontario, pushed his career earnings to more than $750,000. He will have a week off before the United States Pacing Championship on August 6 at the Meadowlands. PEACEFUL WAY EQUALS WORLD RECORD IN OAKS; BURNING POINT WINS DISTAFF Lisa Photo  Peaceful Way equaled the world record for a four-year-old trotting mare in the $85,000 Classic Oaks. Peaceful Way equaled the world record for a four-year-old trotting mare in the $85,000 Classic Oaks and Burning Point captured the $85,000 Classic Distaff in the female divisions of the Classic Series on Saturday night at the Meadowlands.   Peaceful Way [$3.40, $2.60, $2.80] rallied from the back of the back to score a head victory over Housethatruthbuilt [$3.80, $3.80] in the second race, the Classic Oaks for trotting mares, covering the mile in 1:51.4. The clocking for Peaceful Way matched the world record set by Beat The Wheel on July 8, 1994. Windylane Hanover [$7.80] was third by three and a quarter lengths. "She is a little funny sometimes," said driver Trevor Ritchie of Peaceful Way. "She gaps sometimes and sometimes she rushes up. She's not consistent that way. I know she has pacing horse speed. I didn't know if I had too far to come, but I knew she'd give a big kick in the lane." Peaceful Way is now a perfect five-for-five this year with career earnings of nearly $1.6 million. The two-time winner of Canada's O'Brien Award races for Joe and Barbara Myers' Goin My Way Stable of Holland, Pennsylvania; Angie Stiller of Arva, Ontario and trainer David Tingley. This week Toronto businessmen Al Libfeld and Marvin Katz purchased a half of Goin My Way's interest in the trotter. "She's getting older and more mature," said Tingley. "It was a little nerve wracking tonight. Congratulations to the new partners. I'd love to go in the Nat Ray but part of the agreement [is not to]. But there's a four-week break to the Breeders Crown, and I need a race for her. I plan to bring her back at five as long as she's at the top of her game." In the Classic Distaff for pacing mares, the third race, Burning Point [$6.60, $3.40, $3.20] held off Glowing Report [$5.40, $4.20] for a neck victory in 1:50.3. Carolina Sunshine [$2.80], unable to find racing room, was third by a half-length. Burning Point, racing for the Cuzzins Stable of Delray Beach, Florida, paced the mile in 1:50.3. Lisa Photo  Burning Point held off Glowing Report for a neck victory in 1:50.3 in the Classic Distaff for pacing mares. "I kind of figured to duck into the three-hole," said Ron Pierce, the driver of Burning Point. "I moved her at the quarter pole, got to the top easily. I was hoping to keep Carolina Sunshine on my back and Glowing Report on the outside."   "She raced all right," said Steve Elliott, the trainer of Burning Point. "I thought at the quarter they would protect the rail. She was good; she's just a good horse. We just don't try to screw her up. We just let her do what she does." Burning Point, a five-year-old daughter of Camluck, now has five wins, six seconds and a third in 20 starts this year. Lifetime, she has earned nearly $1.6 million. All four $250,000 Classic Series Finals share the spotlight with the elimination races for the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks on Saturday, July 30. Post time for the special twilight card is 5 p.m.

 

CLASSIC SERIES AT THE MEADOWLANDS

    The Classic Series (TCS) rolls into The Meadowlands on Saturday for the third and last preliminary leg of the 2005 edition. Each of the four groups of TCS will go as a single division, providing several interesting match-ups.
    The Pacing Classic fields eleven led by the razor sharp Dr No, recent winner of the Haughton Memorial. Canadian Pacing Derby champ Ponder and Maltese Artist, winner of the first leg at Dover in world record time will head the competition.
   The number for the Trotting Classic is also eleven. Mr Muscleman has been unbelievable over the past couple of months and will look to expand on his successes against a solid field that includes Cash Hall, Sand Vic and Dover leg winner Chucaro Ahijuna.
   The Classic Oaks will provide perhaps the most interesting race of the evening. Peaceful Way has proven invincible on her home turf in Ontario and will travel to New Jersey in the hope of broadening her horizons. Bramasole captured last week’s Perretti matchmaker with a long uncovered bid in a personal best of 1:53.1 and returns for TCS. Housethatruthbuilt, Mystical Sunshine and Windylane Hanover are all more than worthy of consideration.
   The Classic Distaff lured just seven mares, but overflows with quality. Burning Point has been on fire lately and tests her current form against Carolina Sunshine, who scored a short nose victory over the former in last week’s Open. Loyal Opposition is racing her way back into the mix after a lengthy absence.
   The $1,000,000 Classic Series Finals will be raced at The Meadowlands next Saturday, July 30 as part of the twilight Hambletonian elimination card.

Classic Series Recap

            Woodbine Racetrack hosted the second preliminary leg of The Classic Series (TCS) on Saturday night and the older stars of the sport performed beyond expectation, providing an entire evening of speed and thrills.

The Series kicked off with a six-horse division of the Trotting Classic that featured Adam Victor & Son’s Mr Muscleman facing five worthy rivals. With Cash Hall intent on the early lead, driver Ron Pierce guided the heavily favored Mr Muscleman into the pocket and followed through rapid splits. As the field turned into the stretch, Pierce tipped his charge off the back of Cash Hall and sat motionless in the sulky as Mr Muscleman ripped through the final panel in 27.4 to the wire in 1:51.1, the fastest trotting mile in the long history of Canadian harness racing and a TCS record. Cash Hall held gamely for second and Sand Vic actually closed a bit of ground to claim the show spot.

Driver Pierce gushed on the merits of Mr Muscleman in a post race interview and felt strongly that there was more in the big horse’s tank, expressing that Tom Ridge’s all time standard of 1:50.2 may have been in jeopardy had he asked for more speed. Ron should know, he was in the sulky for that record effort last year at Du Quoin.

The second division of the Trotting Classic came next, a more evenly matched field of seven. The betting public had a difficult time separating Hellava Hush and Hez Striking in the wagering and they proved to be right on target. Dave Miller sent Hez Striking right out for the lead by the quarter in a quick 26.2 and as the field straighten up the backstretch, Steve Condren moved Hellava Hush from fourth and brushed right to the lead. After a comfortable 29.2 third panel, Hellava Hush turned on the jets, sprinting home in 27.2 to hold Hez Striking at bay, the mile in a lifetime best of 1:52.2. Elegant Man closed for third.

The winner is owned by Joseph Chnapko and although winning for just the second time in 2005, went over $100,000 in seasonal earnings.

The first division of the Classic Oaks shaped up to be a battle between three of last year’s sophomore filly stars. Silver Springs, the 2004 Hambletonian Oaks winner, and Dan Patch 3 year-old trotting filly of 2004 Housethatruthbuilt were both making the seasonal debuts in the Oaks. Mystical Sunshine had already made an impression on the open scene in 2005, having annexed a division of the first leg of the Oaks at Dover Downs in April and mowed down a co-ed field in the Woodbine Open her last start.

Trainer-driver Trond Smedshammer has repeatedly voiced his high regard for Housethatruthbuilt and had steered her to a 1:53.3 win in a Meadowlands qualifier one week ago in anticipation of Saturday’s race. Trond had the confidence in Housethatruthbuilt to drive on from the outside post eight off the wings and endure a parked out first quarter of 26.4 before clearing to the lead just past the 56.4 half. Ecstatic released the favourite for the pocket and a 30.2 breather ensued around the final turn. Mystical Sunshine followed the cover of Silver Springs and loomed boldly as the field turned into the long Woodbine stretch, but Housethatruthbuilt had plenty in reserve and trotted home in 27.1 to complete the mile in 1:54.1 under minimal urging. Ecstatic held her ground well for second with Mystical Sunshine third.

Ted Gewertz and Patricia Spinelli share ownership of the winner. Post race, Smedshammer reported that Housethatruthbuilt’s schedule included the possibility of trying the boys in the Maple Leaf Trot in September.

The second Oaks division would mark the 2005 debut of Peaceful Way, the darling of Canadian trotting mares. Peaceful Way would not only be making her first start of the year, but would be toting a new driver in Trevor Ritchie for the first time. The pair matched like beer and bacon and after a brief tuck around the first bend, Trevor put Peaceful Way where she likes to be, on the lead, and for all intents and purposes, that was that. The final time of 1:52.4 was a new stakes record and as track announcer Frank Salive reported “Trevor is sitting with his hands in his lap,” indicating there is far more to come from this lass. Bramasole held well for the place and Fox Valley Flan finished third.

Trainer David Tingley shares ownership of the winner with Angie Stiller and the Goin’ My Way Stable. These two winners may well meet in the upcoming Armbro Flight at Mohawk.

The Pacing Classic drew a dozen of the fastest sidewheelers around and although the race may not have followed the form on the program, it did serve as a showcase for local hero Escape The Wind.

Things went awry at the start, as Life Source, although drawn into the second tier with post twelve, literally refused to take a back seat and drug driver George Brennan directly into post position number two. Confusion ensued as that spot was to be reserved for Eaton Road Kill. As a result, Life Source would eventually be disqualified to last for this indiscretion.

Once underway though, driver Roger Mayotte pointed Escape The Wind toward the front and made his intentions obvious, keeping the stick up to warn any potential challengers that the lead would not be given without a fight. Favored Maltese Artist settled into the two hole before the first turn and the fast pace kept the large field lined up and even a bit strung out over the course of the mile. No rival was able to even get to the wheel of Escape The Wind and when they entered the home stretch, Maltese Artist tipped out and Escape The Wind drove off, closing out the mile in a personal best of 1:48.3, equaling the stakes record. The victory also pushed the winner’s career earnings over the $1 million (CAN) mark. Life Source did cross the wire in second, but following the placement, Ponder was moved up to second. Holborn Hanover and Maltese Artist finished in a dead-heat for fourth, placed third.

The Venture 2000 and Early Bird Stable own the winner, who clearly is finding his best form with the rich Canadian Pacing Derby on the horizon.

The final Classic event of the evening would showcase 2004 Horse of the Year, Rainbow Blue, and she would not disappoint her fans on this occasion. Sent to post as the overwhelming favourite despite a very formidable field of opponents, the strapping lass was moved to the lead after a brief respite behind Burning Point by regular pilot Ron Pierce and posted honest fractions throughout. L Dees Val swooped up to threaten the champion with a bold final turn bid, was rebuffed by Rainbow Blue’s wicked 26.4 final quarter but did hold for the place. Always Cam raced well in her first seasonal start and passed a few late for the show. The final time of 1:49.2 completed the rewriting of TCS speed records for all divisions.

A post race interview of driver Ron Pierce (who got more camera time that the Racing at Woodbine hosts on this evening) left him at a loss for any expletives that have not been applied to the great mare. Always affable trainer and part owner (along with K & R Racing) George Teague, Jr. fielded comparisons to human counterparts and Rainbow Blue has clearly earned her position among the very best.

After the first two preliminary legs, Chris Ryder has risen to the top of the standings for the $10,000 Trainer's Bonus offered by the The Classic Series.

The Classic Series visits The Meadowlands for the third preliminary leg on Saturday, July 23 with the $1 million Finals one week later at the same locale. Visit TCS website for all information Classic.

Dan Patch award winners headline round two of Classic Series Tuesday, May 31, 2005 - by Harness Racing Communications, a division of the USTA

Defending Horse of the Year Rainbow Blue will return to action Saturday night when the second legs of the Classic Series for older horses are contested at Woodbine Racetrack in Ontario. Rainbow Blue, a four-year-old pacing mare, last raced May 6 at the Meadowlands, winning by a head over Glowing Report in 1:51.4. A couple weeks earlier, she won the opening leg of the Classic Distaff for pacing mares in a world record 1:49.4 at Dover Downs. Co-owner/trainer George Teague Jr. had hoped to race Rainbow Blue last week at Woodbine, but he failed to enter her in time. "I put her in a day early to make sure she didn’t miss this week," he said with a laugh Tuesday. "That was just my mistake; I thought the entries closed on Tuesday and they close on Monday up there. It’s a good thing I don’t really have an owner I have to explain myself to. I just had to tell myself I messed up." Teague and his sister, Brenda, own Rainbow Blue with brothers Ron and Kevin Fry, all of Delaware. Rainbow Blue has won all three of her starts this year and 29 of 31 lifetime. She has earned nearly $1.4 million in her career and has won 11 consecutive races dating back to her only loss of 2004, which came in the Mistletoe Shalee on August 7 at the Meadowlands. Instead of racing at Woodbine last week, Rainbow Blue participated in a qualifier at the Meadowlands. She won by 5½ lengths over Feathery Fame in 1:51 and paced her final quarter-mile in 26.3 seconds. "She was real good," Teague said. "She sprinted home real well. I think she’s geared up and ready to go. I wish she’d had a couple races in between, but she seemed real sharp. I hope it doesn’t affect her. I train her pretty good back home, so I think she’ll be just fine. I’m looking forward to it. It’s good to get back racing." Stonebridge Kisses, who is entered in the Classic Distaff, won last week’s Fillies and Mares Open at Woodbine by 1¼ lengths over Burning Point in 1:51.4. Stonebridge Kisses has won eight of 15 races this year and earned $217,366. In addition to Stonebridge Kisses and Burning Point, the field included Distaff-bound Glowing Report, L Dees Val, She’s My Belle, and Always Cam. Carolina Sunshine, a six-year-old, has earned $972,890 in her career while Always Cam, who was making her seasonal debut last week, has banked $959,133. She won the Breeders Crown in 2004 as a five-year-old. Also headed to the Distaff is Kikikatie, who was the 2003 Dan Patch Award winner for two-year-old filly pacer. For her career, Kikikatie has won 19 of 29 races and $1.2 million. She finished second in her 2005 debut on May 22 in the Fillies and Mares Open at Balmoral, losing by a head to Madura in 1:52. Artbitration will complete the Distaff field. "There’s always a chance we’ll get beat," Teague said. "But I think [Rainbow Blue] is as fit as always and geared up, ready to go. I have no different feeling for this race, but there’s always anticipation when you’re racing the best mares around. I’d be crazy if there wasn’t. There are going to be a lot of good faces there." One of the faces that will be missing, though, is defending Pacing Mare of the Year Loyal Opposition. The Erv Miller-trainee is recovering from a foot abscess and is probably a month away from returning to action. "She’s coming back well," Miller said. "She’s been a mile in 2:10 or better. So far, things are looking up. The best-case scenario is her qualifying in three or four weeks, but it probably will be mid-July before she makes any of the big races. She just needed to spend time and get healed up. Our blacksmith out here, Tom Miller, did a phenomenal job getting her put back together. It’s just been a matter of time and some good foot work." On the trotting mare side, Windylane Hanover, Housethatruthbuilt and Peaceful Way all are entered in the Classic Oaks, which was split into two eight-horse divisions. Housethatruthbuilt was last year’s Dan Patch honoree as top three-year-old filly trotter and millionaire Windylane Hanover was the 2003 winner as best trotting mare. Peaceful Way is a two-time Canadian champ who has earned $1.3 million lifetime. Housethatruthbuilt, who won 11 of 15 starts and earned $848,109 last year, won a qualifier last week at the Meadowlands in 1:53.3. Only 10 other trotters, male or female, in races this season have gone faster than her qualifying time. She was driven by Trond Smedshammer, who was the Dan Patch winner as Trainer of the Year in 2004. "She’s doing fine," Smedshammer said. "I thought she was just about ready. It should be a good race; everybody is coming back. They’re adding more and more races for the trotting mares, and I think that’s good. We need the good horses to come back year after year. That’s what the fans want to see." The opening leg of the Oaks also was split into two divisions. One was won by Mystical Sunshine, who won last year’s Elegantimage at Woodbine, and the other by Sunday Yankee. Two-time Dan Patch Award winner Mr Muscleman will lead 13 horses into the Trotting Classic, which was split into two divisions. Mr Muscleman, who is coming off a victory in the Cutler Memorial at the Meadowlands and has won $2 million in his career, will face Super Spicy, JM Vangogh, Sand Vic, Armbro Approach and Cash Hall. The other division features millionaire HP Paque, Elegant Man, Hellava Hush, Hez Striking, Hunt M Down, Cordial Martini and Enflammatory. Fool’s Goal and Chucaro Ahijuna won the opening divisions in April at Dover Downs. Chucaro Ahijuna traveled to Sweden for the Elitlopp, but made a break before the start. The Pacing Classic will feature 12 horses, including Maltese Artist, who paced a world record 1:48.3 on a five-eighths of a mile track in winning the first leg at Dover Downs. He won by a head over Life Source, who also is entered in the second leg. Life Source is coming off a victory in the Graduate at the Meadowlands and has made $1.8 million in his career. Also in the field are defending Pacing Classic Final winner Eaton Road Kill, Meadowlands Pace victor Holborn Hanover, Messenger winner Metropolitan, Canadian Pacing Derby winner Casimir Camotion, Ponder, Escape The Wind, Santastics Pan, Quality Western, Art’s Chip and Articulator. The third round of the Classic Series will be July 23 at the Meadowlands. The finals will be a week later. A horse must compete in two of the three preliminary legs to be eligible for the finals.

Rainbow Blue sets world record in Classic Series Monday, April 18, 2005 - by Marv Bachrad, Dover Downs Publicity Director (Courtesy of ustrotting.com)

Dover, DE --- Rainbow Blue needed a world record performance to win an $85,000 preliminary in the Classic Distaff pace, the headline event at Dover Downs on Monday, April 18. Rainbow Blue and driver Ron Pierce set a world record and became the fastest filly or mare around three turns when she won a Classic Series opener at Dover on Monday With budding arch-rival Loyal Opposition scratched, sick, Ron Pierce dropped into third after the start with Rainbow Blue, and Glowing Report became her chief opposition and cut a stunning :253 opening quarter-mile for driver David Miller, and continued to lead, to the half-mile pole in :542. Pierce waited until the field reached the backstretch before calling on “Big Blue,” and she taxied alongside the leader as the three-quarters was reached in 1:22, and the two then waged a war on the final turn. Reaching the straightaway, Rainbow Blue began to edge away and posted a commanding, :272 final quarter-mile time. The 1:494 clocking easily erased the world record and track record for a 4-year-old pacing mare, and is the fastest mile ever paced by a filly or mare around three turns. The former divisional record, 1:51, was set nine years ago by She’s A Great Lady, driven by Kevin Sizer, at Pocono Downs, and was matched two years ago by a 3-year-old filly, Gordon’s Gin Ms, reined by Brian Sears, also at Pocono Downs. Dover Downs photos Maltese Artist (1) and driver Ron Pierce, also put their names in the record book on Monday at Dover Two races later, Ron Pierce again took the spotlight. The 2004 Driver of the Year and a 2005 Hall of Fame inductee put his foot on the accelerator while driving Maltese Artist. Starting from post position one in a field of 10, the Mickey Burke-conditioned 4-year-old son of Artiscape fashioned fractions of :261, :533, and 1:213, and stopped the timer at 1:483, and thus became the fastest pacer, regardless of age, over a five-eighths mile track. Maltese Artist, a gelding, bettered the former divisional record of 1:502, set in December, 2000 at Pompano Park by The Paper Wazoo and driver Bruce Ranger, and prior to Monday, Riyadh had been the fastest pacer on a five-eighths mile track, regardless of age and sex, after he raced to a 1:491 win at Dover Downs in November, 1996, under the direction of Luc Ouellette. Life Source rallied on the inside and finished second with George Brennan driving, and Casimir Comotion started from the second tier, remained on the rail, closed a bit of ground while he came home, and finished third. Maltese Artist was purchased last November at the Standardbred Horse Sale for $145,000 by George Leon, John Howard, and Jim Koran; he has won four times and posted four second place finishes in 2005, and has already earned $191,425 this year. The Trotting Classic was the first race on a giant program, and Hall of Fam driver John Campbell drove Fool’s Goal, trained by another Hall of Famer, Jim Doherty, to a 1:534, track record equaling performance by an older gelding in the first of two $60,000 Trotting Classic divisions. The victory, first of the year for the 10-year-old, altered son of Armbro Goal, also lifted Fool’s Goal to the $3 million club; he has now won $3,028,220 for owners Bruce McElven and Ron Allen. Hunt M Down closed for driver Brian Sears and finished second, just in front of Elegant Man with driver Cat Manzi aboard. Kevin Wallis drove Berry Stables’ Chucaro Ahijuna, trained by Paul Bernardo, from behind; they closed strongly in the stretch and scored a 1:541 win in the second $60,000 Trotting Classic division. War Paint came on in the stretch and finished second for John Campbell, and the David Miller-driven Al Dente Hanover finished third. The locally owned Don Boss Vita, the race favorite, got a tough, overland trip for driver Brian Sears, and had to settle for fourth, which broke a streak of six wins in a row which had spanned this year and last. John Campbell, who has won more races in the Classic Series than any other driver, eight, returned to the winner’s circle in the first of two Classic Oaks divisions when he guided Valley High Stable’s Sunday Yankee to a 1:564 victory for trainer Paul Kelley. Celebrity Demi and Pat Berry finished second, and Bliss, reined by David Miller, finished third. Sunday Yankee has now won $378,512 in her career. As anticipated, Mystical Sunshine, among the top fillies last year, proved much the best in her 1:543 $60,000 Classic Oaks win. Driver Ron Pierce waited until the field, reduced to five when Almond Joy and Three Little Words were scratched, straightened out after the start. Pierce put Mystical Sunshine into motion on the clubhouse turn and overtook the early leaders, Ecstatic and driver David Miller, by the time she had reached the backstretch. It was no contest from there, and Ecstatic closed on the inside, broke stride at the wire, but Mystical Sunshine won nonetheless.

Fields set for Classic Series Wednesday, April 13, 2005 - by Marv Bachrad, Dover Downs Publicity Director (Courtesy of ustrotting.com)

DOVER, Del. --- The prestigious Classic Series opens its 2005 season with its four divisions featuring the sport's finest four-year-old and older trotting and pacing males and females in six standout divisions. Both trots are split into two divisions each. The $85,000 Pacing Classic has 10 starters while perhaps the most interesting test, the $85,000 Classic Distaff has the fewest contenders, seven game females. Last April in Classic Series events, three world records and another track record were set at Dover Downs. The Classic Distaff boasts an almost handicap lineup. It includes two U.S. Harness Writers Association Dan Patch winners, with the pair starting from the outside. Horse of the Year Rainbow Blue (Ron Pierce), owned by Teague Inc. and R&K Racing, also the Canadian O'Brien Award winner, drew post 6 and Dan Waxman's last season Older Mare Pacer of the Year Loyal Opposition (George Brennan), already a sub-1:50 performer this season, leaves from the outside post 7. Other fast females in the lineup are Marvin Rounick's Glowing Report (David Miller), a $1-million lifetime winner, and hard hitting Carolina Sunshine (Brian Sears), owned by Shari Watchman and Let It Ride Stables, who is nearing the $1-million mark. Ten start in the Pacing Classic led by one of this seasons early stars and sub-1:50 performer Richard Banca's Life Source (George Brennan), a career winner of $1.6-million with $163,875 already this season, Maltese Artist (Ron Pierce), winner of the recent $150,000 Isle of Capri at Pompano Park, for owners George Leon, John Howard and Jim Koran, and Basil Hanover (Brian Sears), owned by George Leon and David Rahal, race as an entry while M&M Harness Racing's Ontario standout Casimir Camotion and Bendis, Castielli, Campbell and Varney's Georgia Pacific, winner of the Matron Final last November are among the starters. Don Boss Vita, owned by Alvin Beiler of Felton, Del., drew post 2 in one of two $60,000 Trotting Classic sections which are the daily double races. The six-year-old will face Berry Stable's Argentine-bred world champion Chucaro Ahijuna (Kevin Wallis) and Goldberg and the Myers' Canadian standout War Paint (John Campbell) among six starters. In the other set JM Vangogh, co-owned by Paul Chambers of Harrington, Del., former world champion Fool's Goal (John Campbell), owned by Bruce McElven and Ron Allen and Mindee B and Allister Stables' seasoned campaigner Elegant Man (Cat Manzi) head a sextet of combatants. The most wide-open event is The Classic Distaff which split into two divisions. Only three of the starters are older than four, Lisa's Laser and two that are no strangers to the fast Dover Downs ovals, Racsan Jenny and Sunday Yankee. In one $60,000 division, Alvin Jacobson and Sid Korn's Mystical Sunshine (Ron Pierce) is two-for-two racing at Dover Downs winning a Matron elim and final last November. Lisa's Laser (Doug Snyder) is the most seasoned this year with six wins and three seconds in 11 races for Dean and Denny Miller. Tanah Merah Farm's Illinois standout Fox Valley Flan (Andy Miller) won 12 of 15 races last season and $264,420 in purses. In the other Classic Oaks field, Racsan Jenny is the lone two-race winner in the field of six. The five-year-old Program Speed mare owned by Don Hawk, John Hynansky and trainer Dan Warrington will be driven by Steve Warrington. Four of other starters were six-figure earners last season, Menhammer Stuteri's In The Shell (Cat Manzi), won $181,552 of her $245,883 bankroll in 2004. Joie De Vie Farm's Bliss (David Miller) was a big player in Ontario stakes a year ago winning $116,866. The Classic Series is exclusively for four-year-olds and older trotter and pacers. Following Dover Downs' opening leg, The Classic Series then moves to Woodbine Racecourse, Rexdale, Ont. for the second leg on June 4. The third and last preliminary takes place on July 23 at the Meadowlands, N.J. Classic Series participants must start in a minimum of two of the three preliminary legs - all at a mile distance - to be eligible for $250,000 finals. The Classic Series Finals are raced at a distance of 1-1/16th mile at The Meadowlands, Saturday, July 30th. The Classic Series offers a $10,000 bonus to the trainer accumulating the highest point total through the series. Trond Smedshammer won the $10,000 bonus in 2004. The Classic Series was founded as a major event for the sport's older horses by the sport's leading yearling sales companies: Standardbred Horse Sales Co., Hanover, Pa., Kentucky Standardbred Sales Co.,Lexington, Ky., Garden State Horse Sales Co. of New Jersey, Tattersalls Sales Co., Lexington, Ky., The Adios Sale, at the Meadows, SUNY Morrisville Sale at Morrisville, N.Y., Forest City Yearling Sale, Ont. Canada - and the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown. Dr. J. Glen Brown, D.V.M. serves as Classic Series president with Nick Salvi as executive director. Along with the six Classic Series events, two $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) finals, a $35,000 Preferred, $32,500 Delaware Special, $28,000 Open are on the 15-race card with a $40,000 Claiming pace the 15th race. The Dover Downs 2004-05 live racing season comes to a close this Thursday, April 21. Tuesday through Thursday post time is 4:30 p.m. There is no charge for parking or admission. The Winner's Circle Restaurant is sold out.

Classic Series has a local flavor at Dover Downs Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - by Marv Bachrad, Dover Downs Publicity Director (Courtesy of ustrotting.com)

DOVER, Del. --- The 2005 Classic Series gets under way on Monday, April 18 at Dover Downs featuring four divisions of the sport's finest four-year-old and older trotting and pacing males and females. Last year, three world records and a track record were set at Dover Downs. With Delaware-owned horses such as 2004 Horse of the Year Rainbow Blue, Don Boss Vita, winner of last Sunday's Su Mac Lad Final and Ontario standout JM Vangogh among a number of local nominees, the first of three preliminary Classic Series legs has strong First State interest. Nominees declaring for the Classic Series first leg must be made no later than 12-Noon sharp, Wednesday, April 13, at the Dover Downs race office. The number is (302) 857-3230. The Classic Series entry fee for each division will be 2% of the purse. Checks should be made payable to The Hambletonian Society. One of the most anticipated rivalries in this year's Classic Series is a possible meeting between Rainbow Blue, the 2004 USHWA and O'Brien Award winning Horse of the Year and last season's Dan Patch Award winning Older Mare, $2-million winner Loyal Opposition. She has won her last four straight and six of eight this year including a 1:49.4 victory. The 19 nominees include $1-million winner Burning Point, Carolina Sunshine and Stonebridge Kisses. Several of last season's top sophomores are also among the possible starters led by Kikikatie, Glowing Report, L Dees Val, She's My Belle and Artbitration. Two local horses, Don Boss Vita owned in Felton, Del. and winner of last Sunday's Su Mac Lad Final and Ontario standout JM VanGogh, owned in Harrington, are among 34 eligibles for The Trotting Classic. Other nominees include Argentine-bred world champion Chucaro Ahijuna, Rotation, Armbro Approach, Approved Action, Cash Hall, Chasing Tail, Eilean Donon, Elegant Man, Fool's Goal, HP Paque, Hellava Hush, Hez Striking, Holy Guacamolie, Mac's Crown K, Mohammed Mali, Muscles Marinara, St John's Boy and War Paint. The largest number of nominees, 38, responded for The Pacing Classic. Among the new crop of four-year-olds are Timesareachanging, a $1.2-winner of the Dan Patch sophomore award, Holborn Hanover, winner of the Progress Pace, and Georgia Pacific, the Matron champ. Geartogear, Rapid Dialing, Metropolitan, Art Director and Articulator, are no strangers to Dover's fast five-eighths mile oval. A powerful group of older horses is plentiful. Luckyisasluckydoes equaled the track and world record in last year's Dover appearance. Others include Life Source, Maltese Artist, Make It Brief, Boulder Creek, Casimir Camotion, Cheyenne Rei, Dr Drew, Eaton Road Kill, Escape The Wind, Foxy Maneuver, Life Source, Make It Brief, Maltese Artist, Memory Book, Metropolitan, Mini Me, Ponder, Royal Mattjesty, Sagebrush, Santastic's Pan, Skydancer Hanover, The Globe, The One Night Pan and You Rock. The Classic Oaks list is headed by trotting mare Mystical Sunshine, a 10-race winner last season, including the $220,075 Matron Stakes last Fall at Dover Downs and the C$438,949 Elegantimage at Woodbine. She trotted a lifetime fastest 1:53.2 winning a Hambletonian Oaks elimination. Dan