Yonkers and Meadowlands offer Saturday night cards
One week before it is set to offer a stellar card filled with lucrative stakes, the Meadowlands offered a bevy of elimination races and several overnight events with horses gearing up for stakes action while Yonkers Raceway presented a bevy of solid overnight events.
In the opening race on the Meadowlands card, Trix And Stones (Scott Zeron) gained command in a modest 28.2 opener, got a breather to the half in 58.4, met token pressure from favored Hudson River (Brian Sears) down the backside and through the far turn, shook loose from that one then held safe the late bid of Southwind Avenger (David Miller) to prevail by a length in 1:55.1 in the $20,000 Valley Victory eliminations for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings.
A juvenile son of Trixton owned and trained by Jody Jamieson, Trix And Stones now sports a 2-3-2 slate and $114,000 banked from 13 career outings. Hudson River faded after a long first over bid as the odds-on choice but has every right to rebound next weekend.
One race later in the $20,000 Preferred, McWicked (Sears) easily lived up to his role as the 1-5 favorite when he overcame an extended first over journey and wore down Dealt A Winner (David Miller) in the lane and cruised home three lengths clear in 1:47.3. A seven-year-old McArdle stallion trained by Casie Coleman, McWicked tuned up for next week's $400,000 TVG Final for older pacers and appears well on his way to champion aged pacer, pacer of the year and possibly horse of the year.
McWicked owns 11 wins and $1.4 million banked from 18 seasonal outings. In 92 career tries, McWicked now sports a solid 33-23-13 slate and $3.725 million bankroll. The Coleman trainee has already opted to bypass the upcoming $100,000 Potomac Pace at Rosecroft Raceway on December 2, but runner-up Filibuster Hanover, third place finisher Western Fame and pacesetter Dealt A Winner are all pointed for the yearly feature at the Maryland five-eighths mile oval.
Two races later in the second $20,000 Valley Victory elim for two-year-old trotting colts, Chin Chin Hall (Peter Wrenn) gained command just past a dull 29 opener, got a breather by the half in 58 flat, met token pressure from even-money choice Seven Hills (Corey Callahan) through the far turn, and held sway through the lane to score in 1:54.4. A juvenile son of Cash Hall trained by Melanie Wrenn, Chin Chin Hall notched his second win from six starts and pushed his earnings to nearly $100,000 heading into next week's final.
Then two races later in a non-winners of $15,000 last five starts class for pacers, All Bets Off (Matt Kakaley) lived up to his billing as the 3-5 choice when he brushed to command past the half in 53.4, met token pressure from stablemate Rockin Motion (Yannick Gingras) through the far turn, shook loose from that one and drew clear to a three-length score in 1:48.4.
A seven-year-old Bettor's Delight stallion trained by Ron Burke, All Bets Off notched his third win from 19 starts this year and now sports a 30-23-17 slate and nearly $3.1 million banked from 122 career outings. All Bets Off won the inaugural edition of the Potomac Pace at Rosecroft in 1:48.2 then was second in the latest renewal last fall when Keystone Velocity prevailed in 1:47.3. Burke will likely send Filibuster Hanover for the Potomac next month, but All Bets Off has enjoyed a stellar career for his connections.
Then one race later in the $20,000 Governor's Cup elimination for two-year-old pacing colts, Mangogh (Corey Callahan) overcame an extended first over journey to wear down 6-5 choice and Breeders Crown champion Captain Crunch (Scott Zeron) through the far turn and through the lane and edged the pocket-sitting Escapetothebeach (Tim Tetrick) for a nose score in 1:51.3.
A juvenile son of Western Ideal trained by Bruce Saunders, Mangogh notched his fifth win and pushed his earnings past $137,000 and joined Sugar Factory, Semi Tough and Blood Money who accepted byes into the $470,000 final. Captain Crunch perhaps has every rights to make amends next weekend for trainer Nancy Johansson.
One race later in a non-winners of $8,500 last five starts class for older pacers, Geez Joe (Marcus Miller) lived up to his role as the 2-1 favorite when he benefited from a pocket trip and drew off in the lane to a five-length score in 1:48.1. A Maryland-bred four-year-old son of Roll With Joe trained by Erv Miller, Geez Joe now owns a 6-1-3 slate and banked $45,000 from 21 seasonal outings.
That same evening at Yonkers, McSpidey (Jordan Stratton) lived up to his role as the 3-2 favorite when he rallied third over to capture a non-winners of $20,000 last five starts class. A four-year-old McArdle gelding owned and trained by William Adamcyck, McSpidey now sports a 7-3-4 slate and banked over $95,000 from 32 starts this year and boasts 19 wins and over $200,000 from 66 career tries.
Two races later in another non-winners of $20,000 last five starts class for older pacers, Blatantly Best (Bartlett) overcame an extended first over bid to wear down Sporty Spook A (Brent Holland) through the far turn then just held safe the late bid of 4-5 choice Catcha Lefty A (Stratton) for a head victory in 1:53. An eight-year-old Cambest gelding trained by Richard Banca, Blatantly Best now sports a 4-6-2 slate and earned nearly $90,000 from 26 seasonal outings.
Then one race later in the $44,000 Open Handicap for older pacers, Gokudo Hanover (Daniel Dube) gained command before a sharp 26.2 opener, got a breather by the half in 55.1, met token pressure from Mach It So (Joe Bongiorno) by three-quarters in 1:23 then shook loose from that one and held safe Techtor Hanover (Stratton) for a length score in 1:52. A six-year-old Cam's Card Shark gelding trained by Scott DiDominico, Gokuda Hanover notched his second straight tally and now owns a 7-3-1 slate and $125,000 banked from 19 seasonal outings.
One race later in a non-winners of $30,000 last five starts class for older pacers, Rodeo Rock (Sears) rallied third over and widest of all late to overhaul Havefaithinme N (Stratton) in the lane for a two-length score in 1:53. A five-year-old Rock N Roll Heaven gelding trained by Robert Cleary, Rodeo Rock forged a 10-1 upset by posting his sixth win from 37 seasonal outings and pushed his yearly earnings toward $115,000 with the sharp score while pacing his back half in 55 flat.
Then one race later in the $35,000 Preferred, Always At My Place (George Brennan) lived up to his role as the 3-5 favorite when he gained command in a 27.3 opener, got a breather to the half in 56.4, met token pressure from Christen Me N (Brent Holland) now owns an 8-5-1 slate and $260,000 banked from 27 seasonal outings and now owns 45 wins and over $1.03 million banked from 135 career outings for Burke and appears destined for the George Morton Levy Series here next spring.
One race later in another non-winners of $20,000 last five starts class for older pacers, Dr J Hanover (Stratton) easily lived up to his billing as the 4-5 favorite from the coveted rail when he gained command in a 27.2 opener, got a breather by the half in 57 flat, met token pressure from Aberdeen Hanover (Shaun Vallee) down the backside and by three-quarters in 1:25.3 then shook loose from that one and edged clear from Imarocnrollegend N (Brennan) to a two-length score in 1:53.4.
A five-yer-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding trained by Tony Alagna, Dr J Hanover ended a prolonged drought and notched his sixth win from 22 starts this year and pushed his seasonal earnings toward $210,000. Owner of the fastest mile in Canadian harness racing history with a 1:46.4 score last year at Mohawk, Dr J Hanover has won 19 times in 64 career tries and boasts earnings of over $700,000.
Then one race later in the finale, Starznheaven (Sears) and Sir Pugsley (Brennan) battled to the wire to a 1:54 dead-heat in a non-winners of $30,000 last five starts class. Starznheaven notched his third straight victory and now owns 14 wins and $140,000 banked from 29 starts this year. Sir Pugsley ended a brief skid and now owns a 7-3-11 slate and sports 17 wins and $235,000 banked from 58 lifetime outings.
Also on Saturday evening at Mohawk Raceway in Canada, Easy Lover Hanover (Doug McNair) easily lived up to his role as the 1-2 choice when he benefited from a second over journey and rallied late to score in 1:50. A five-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding trained by Ben Wallace, Easy Lover Hanover notched his second straight win and owns a 6-5-4 slate and $180,000 banked from 24 starts this year and pushed his career earnings past $750,000 and likely earned an invite to the Potomac Pace.
In the opening race on the Meadowlands card, Trix And Stones (Scott Zeron) gained command in a modest 28.2 opener, got a breather to the half in 58.4, met token pressure from favored Hudson River (Brian Sears) down the backside and through the far turn, shook loose from that one then held safe the late bid of Southwind Avenger (David Miller) to prevail by a length in 1:55.1 in the $20,000 Valley Victory eliminations for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings.
A juvenile son of Trixton owned and trained by Jody Jamieson, Trix And Stones now sports a 2-3-2 slate and $114,000 banked from 13 career outings. Hudson River faded after a long first over bid as the odds-on choice but has every right to rebound next weekend.
One race later in the $20,000 Preferred, McWicked (Sears) easily lived up to his role as the 1-5 favorite when he overcame an extended first over journey and wore down Dealt A Winner (David Miller) in the lane and cruised home three lengths clear in 1:47.3. A seven-year-old McArdle stallion trained by Casie Coleman, McWicked tuned up for next week's $400,000 TVG Final for older pacers and appears well on his way to champion aged pacer, pacer of the year and possibly horse of the year.
McWicked owns 11 wins and $1.4 million banked from 18 seasonal outings. In 92 career tries, McWicked now sports a solid 33-23-13 slate and $3.725 million bankroll. The Coleman trainee has already opted to bypass the upcoming $100,000 Potomac Pace at Rosecroft Raceway on December 2, but runner-up Filibuster Hanover, third place finisher Western Fame and pacesetter Dealt A Winner are all pointed for the yearly feature at the Maryland five-eighths mile oval.
Two races later in the second $20,000 Valley Victory elim for two-year-old trotting colts, Chin Chin Hall (Peter Wrenn) gained command just past a dull 29 opener, got a breather by the half in 58 flat, met token pressure from even-money choice Seven Hills (Corey Callahan) through the far turn, and held sway through the lane to score in 1:54.4. A juvenile son of Cash Hall trained by Melanie Wrenn, Chin Chin Hall notched his second win from six starts and pushed his earnings to nearly $100,000 heading into next week's final.
Then two races later in a non-winners of $15,000 last five starts class for pacers, All Bets Off (Matt Kakaley) lived up to his billing as the 3-5 choice when he brushed to command past the half in 53.4, met token pressure from stablemate Rockin Motion (Yannick Gingras) through the far turn, shook loose from that one and drew clear to a three-length score in 1:48.4.
A seven-year-old Bettor's Delight stallion trained by Ron Burke, All Bets Off notched his third win from 19 starts this year and now sports a 30-23-17 slate and nearly $3.1 million banked from 122 career outings. All Bets Off won the inaugural edition of the Potomac Pace at Rosecroft in 1:48.2 then was second in the latest renewal last fall when Keystone Velocity prevailed in 1:47.3. Burke will likely send Filibuster Hanover for the Potomac next month, but All Bets Off has enjoyed a stellar career for his connections.
Then one race later in the $20,000 Governor's Cup elimination for two-year-old pacing colts, Mangogh (Corey Callahan) overcame an extended first over journey to wear down 6-5 choice and Breeders Crown champion Captain Crunch (Scott Zeron) through the far turn and through the lane and edged the pocket-sitting Escapetothebeach (Tim Tetrick) for a nose score in 1:51.3.
A juvenile son of Western Ideal trained by Bruce Saunders, Mangogh notched his fifth win and pushed his earnings past $137,000 and joined Sugar Factory, Semi Tough and Blood Money who accepted byes into the $470,000 final. Captain Crunch perhaps has every rights to make amends next weekend for trainer Nancy Johansson.
One race later in a non-winners of $8,500 last five starts class for older pacers, Geez Joe (Marcus Miller) lived up to his role as the 2-1 favorite when he benefited from a pocket trip and drew off in the lane to a five-length score in 1:48.1. A Maryland-bred four-year-old son of Roll With Joe trained by Erv Miller, Geez Joe now owns a 6-1-3 slate and banked $45,000 from 21 seasonal outings.
That same evening at Yonkers, McSpidey (Jordan Stratton) lived up to his role as the 3-2 favorite when he rallied third over to capture a non-winners of $20,000 last five starts class. A four-year-old McArdle gelding owned and trained by William Adamcyck, McSpidey now sports a 7-3-4 slate and banked over $95,000 from 32 starts this year and boasts 19 wins and over $200,000 from 66 career tries.
Two races later in another non-winners of $20,000 last five starts class for older pacers, Blatantly Best (Bartlett) overcame an extended first over bid to wear down Sporty Spook A (Brent Holland) through the far turn then just held safe the late bid of 4-5 choice Catcha Lefty A (Stratton) for a head victory in 1:53. An eight-year-old Cambest gelding trained by Richard Banca, Blatantly Best now sports a 4-6-2 slate and earned nearly $90,000 from 26 seasonal outings.
Then one race later in the $44,000 Open Handicap for older pacers, Gokudo Hanover (Daniel Dube) gained command before a sharp 26.2 opener, got a breather by the half in 55.1, met token pressure from Mach It So (Joe Bongiorno) by three-quarters in 1:23 then shook loose from that one and held safe Techtor Hanover (Stratton) for a length score in 1:52. A six-year-old Cam's Card Shark gelding trained by Scott DiDominico, Gokuda Hanover notched his second straight tally and now owns a 7-3-1 slate and $125,000 banked from 19 seasonal outings.
One race later in a non-winners of $30,000 last five starts class for older pacers, Rodeo Rock (Sears) rallied third over and widest of all late to overhaul Havefaithinme N (Stratton) in the lane for a two-length score in 1:53. A five-year-old Rock N Roll Heaven gelding trained by Robert Cleary, Rodeo Rock forged a 10-1 upset by posting his sixth win from 37 seasonal outings and pushed his yearly earnings toward $115,000 with the sharp score while pacing his back half in 55 flat.
Then one race later in the $35,000 Preferred, Always At My Place (George Brennan) lived up to his role as the 3-5 favorite when he gained command in a 27.3 opener, got a breather to the half in 56.4, met token pressure from Christen Me N (Brent Holland) now owns an 8-5-1 slate and $260,000 banked from 27 seasonal outings and now owns 45 wins and over $1.03 million banked from 135 career outings for Burke and appears destined for the George Morton Levy Series here next spring.
One race later in another non-winners of $20,000 last five starts class for older pacers, Dr J Hanover (Stratton) easily lived up to his billing as the 4-5 favorite from the coveted rail when he gained command in a 27.2 opener, got a breather by the half in 57 flat, met token pressure from Aberdeen Hanover (Shaun Vallee) down the backside and by three-quarters in 1:25.3 then shook loose from that one and edged clear from Imarocnrollegend N (Brennan) to a two-length score in 1:53.4.
A five-yer-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding trained by Tony Alagna, Dr J Hanover ended a prolonged drought and notched his sixth win from 22 starts this year and pushed his seasonal earnings toward $210,000. Owner of the fastest mile in Canadian harness racing history with a 1:46.4 score last year at Mohawk, Dr J Hanover has won 19 times in 64 career tries and boasts earnings of over $700,000.
Then one race later in the finale, Starznheaven (Sears) and Sir Pugsley (Brennan) battled to the wire to a 1:54 dead-heat in a non-winners of $30,000 last five starts class. Starznheaven notched his third straight victory and now owns 14 wins and $140,000 banked from 29 starts this year. Sir Pugsley ended a brief skid and now owns a 7-3-11 slate and sports 17 wins and $235,000 banked from 58 lifetime outings.
Also on Saturday evening at Mohawk Raceway in Canada, Easy Lover Hanover (Doug McNair) easily lived up to his role as the 1-2 choice when he benefited from a second over journey and rallied late to score in 1:50. A five-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding trained by Ben Wallace, Easy Lover Hanover notched his second straight win and owns a 6-5-4 slate and $180,000 banked from 24 starts this year and pushed his career earnings past $750,000 and likely earned an invite to the Potomac Pace.
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