Eight of the
most important developments/occurrences in the world of harness racing in North
America during 2014, in no particular order, are:
1) Sebastian K winning the $100,000 Sun
Invitational at Pocono in 1:49 at the end of June represented a major
breakthrough in the sport. This was the first time a horse had trotted three
consecutive sub-1:51 miles; it was the first sub-1:50 mile on a legitimate
track. This was the one we have speculated about year after year, always
wondering which trotter might break the 1:50 barrier, someplace other than
Colonial Downs. Trainer/driver Ake Svanstedt left from the seven post with the
eight-year-old gelding, carrying a stingy 1-5 price. The undefeated son of
Korean went the fasted four consecutive miles ever by a trotter.
2) At the end of March Premier Kathleen
Wynne, confirmed a $500 million dollar investment in horse racing by the
Ontario Government. This was one year to the day after Paul Godfrey and Dwight
Duncan had hung a March 31, 2013 date on the termination of the
fifteen-year-old SARP program which had allowed harness racing to flourish in
the province. This partial about face on the part of the Liberal Government has
had a soothing effect on the entire industry. Two years ago, when signals were
sent that the industry was about to suffer a critical blow, it had a dramatic
impact on sales in Canada and the US. This year that situation shifted nicely
as Canadians spent freely at Lexington and Harrisburg. And we certainly
wouldn’t be looking forward to the Breeders Crown being raced at Woodbine in
2015 without this five-year government funding guarantee.
3) Harness Racing Update built a fire
under the kicking issue last year and the outcry from fans and scrutiny by
racing officials seems to have accelerated during 2014. While pylon violations
and half-in half-out racing maintain vocal constituencies, kicking now trumps
all. Gingras, David Miller and Brett Miller were each fined $500 and suspended
two days for violating the kicking rule at the Delaware, Ohio Grand Circuit
meet. Gingras, Palone, Jamieson, Chris Page and Brett Miller were fined for
kicking at The Red Mile. The issue took off after David Miller was fined $750
for kicking McWicked during a winning effort in the Progress Pace December 7 at
Dover Downs. Miller was very upset about being sanctioned for his drive. This
in turn inspired the harness press as well as fans to cry foul. The bone of
contention is whether or not we’re talking about dropping the foot and allowing
the horse to hit it, or actual kicking. This one is far from settled.
4) Sydney Seelster was taken from her
owner, Sydney Weaver, in a low level claiming race at Flamboro Downs in early
February. The chances of such a story in that place at that time of year going
viral are slim and none, but that’s what happened. The fact that the tale was
so hot in social media circles was amusing in that the Simon Legree figure who claimed
Sydney Seelster, trainer Guy Gagnon, pointed out that he was not on Twitter or
Facebook and didn’t even have a computer. He simply blundered into the claim.
All was made whole when Sydney Weaver was reunited with her pacing mare two
days before Valentine’s Day. This proved to be an excellent example of the
power inherent in a marriage between the forces of social media and harness
racing.
5) The comingling of trotters,
personalities and racetrack operations in Europe and the United States seems to
have taken on new life during 2014. Swedish trainer Ake Svanstedt, along with
Sebastian K and the rest of his stable, and the media friendly connections who
back that operation, have infused much needed new blood into racing on this
side of the ocean. And while Maven and Uncle Peter were not successful in their
quest to win the Elitlopp, much positive press coverage was generated. The
Yonkers Raceway International Preview Trot, which drew Commander Crowe to the
US, and the successful export of the tracks signal for trotting races featuring
large fields and longer distances to Europe on Sunday mornings, were other
positive developments.
6) Muscle Hill has emerged as a potentially
great trotting stallion via his second crop. Mission Brief’s unpredictable
nature notwithstanding, her speed is of the game changing variety. Hambletonion
winner Trixton battled ankle problems all year, but he could be a beast when
called upon. Jolene Jolene and E L Titan are a couple of others who impressed.
The buyers at Lexington and Harrisburg certainly showed the Muscle Hills lots
of love.
7) Ron Burke and Jimmy Takter have
solidified their hold on the top tier of the sport. Together they represent 57%
of the money earned by the top ten trainers this year. To look at it another
way, the Grand Circuit employs a point system to measure success in those
races. Burke and Takter hold 79% of the points earned by the top five trainers
on the circuit this year. And as a direct result, Yannick Gingras, who has
first call for both trainers, is crushing the field in the driver’s money race.
8) This year’s cancellation of the
Battle Of Brandywine, Colonial and Valley Forge left quite a gap in the
calendar during August. The first two were raced for $500,000 while the Valley
Forge carried a $350,000 purse. And all three were accompanied by a pair of
lucrative consolations. The Battle dated back to 1960 while the Colonial was
first won by Nevele Pride in 1969. Both have experienced gaps before. When they
were cancelled Ron Battoni, executive director of the PHHA, said he was 90%
certain they’d be back in 2015. Pennsylvania is not part of the recently
announced Breeders Crown rotation, let’s hope they do bring back Super Stakes
Saturday/Sunday at Pocono or Harrah’s.
Joe FitzGerald
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