In these days of managing our champion racehorses instead of letting them race, it is time to issue an official 'View From the Racetrack Grandstand' Kudos to the connections of Well Said. Well Said, fresh of his impressive victory in the Meadowlands Pace is heading out to Pittsburgh to race this Saturday in the eliminations of the Adios stakes. Assuming he qualifies (it is a horse race after all), one would expect him to race the following week in the Adios Final. After that, he heads to back to the Meadowlands for the Oliver Wendell Holmes. That makes it four races in four weeks. In addition, one of the owners, Jeff Snyder has indicated that while it is too early to commit, they have the Little Brown Jug circled on their calendar. That means we will see Well Said on all size tracks and if he goes in the Jug, racing heats.
Wow, a horse taking on all comers. What a concept. It is refreshing.
I am very happy for Greg Peck, trainer of Muscle Hill, and owner Jerry Silva. Jerry Silva is the original owner of Muscle Hill. Last year before Muscle Hill was syndicated, there were offers to buy a significant interest in Muscle Hill but those offers were turned down as the potential owners wanted the horse transferred to a 'name' trainer. Jerry Silva could have jettisoned the trainer in a pursuit of a big deal as is often done but he remained loyal to the trainer that brought him to the dance. When Muscle Hill was eventually syndicated, part of the deal was Hill would remain with Greg Peck during his racing career. It is nice to see loyalty be rewarded.
Lastly, there is plenty of great racing occurring all through out the country. Yes, their stake races may not be the level of the Meadowlands Pace or the Hambletonian but to their fans, these stakes races are still special. Let me offer an invitation to publicity people at these tracks. If you have a special race coming up at your track, let me know. I'll be happy to post a guest blog entry regarding your race so it may be brought to the attention of others.
Showing posts with label Muscle Hill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Muscle Hill. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Grand Circuit Weekend Action
I love Grand Circuit racing; especially the Historic stakes at the Meadowlands. Granted, there are many 2yo stakes during Historic week which make handicapping challenging but it is nice to take a look at some of our future champions early in their career. But in addition to the 2yos, many of the top 3yos make their return to the open stakes. Will they return to their two year old form or will new champions make their appearance?
Here is a brief recap of Historic Series races this weekend at the Meadowlands.
Friday Night
Coaching Club Trotting Oaks (3yo fillies) - 1st Division - Look for MARGARITA MOMMA to continue her march to the Hambo Oaks. ONE TOUCH GIRL seems to be rounding into form and tries open company for the first time since last year's Breeders Crown races.
Coaching Club Trotting Oaks (3yo fillies) - 2nd Division - TIMELESSWINNER TWO is the obvious standout in this race having won the Currier & Ives and a PASS at the Meadows. BROADWAY SCHOONER seems to be back in form after her 1:54.3 PASS effort at the Meadows and Dave Palone comes in to take the drive. She showed some ability in the Bluegrass Stakes at Lexington last year before she quit in the stretch. DANCING FILLY is clearly not as talented as the top picks but this shipper for Hoosier Park does show some money on her card from last year's grand circuit campaign so she may wake up.
Dickerson Cup Trot (3yo C&G) - 1st Division - This is the race I have been waiting for. I am looking to see if RUSSELL HILL is truly a Hambo colt. After winning the final of the Empire Breeders Championship at Vernon Downs, he has reeled of three easy wins in the NYSS. HOT SHOT BLUE CHIP will also be tested for class. I see a possible upset chance for NEIGHSAY HANOVER (15-1) as this is the easiest field he has meet this year (having been beat by some horses named Muscle Hill, Duded Up and Federal Flex).
Dickerson Cup Trot (3yo C&G) - 2nd Division - This is an interesting race. EXPLOSIVE MATTER makes his third start of the year in this race. After winning a PASS race at Pocono Downs, he got beat after a tough trip in a high conditioned race at the Meadowlands. This winner of five out of six last year can show he is a serious contender to Muscle Hill in the Hambo (Muscle Hill was not eligible to the Dickerson). CITATION LINDY looks to regroup after some moderate early season success. If he stays flat he may be a threat. SYMPHONIC HANOVER is stepping up into stakes company for the first time this year.
Ladyship Stakes Pace (3yo fillies) - INDULGE ME is my choice. Having finished 3rd to Not Enough in the Lismore Final, she won her division of the NYSS at Monticello in 1:54,3. PRECIOUS STONE and ARBEEDO complete my selections for this race.
There is also a Preferred Mares Pace on the card worthy of note. BUCK I ST PAT makes her first start after her disappointing ninth place finish in the Matchmaker. Now tighter, she should make a better show of her self. If BUCK is not ready, FALLS FOR YOU may be pick up the peices with STAGE SHOW and SPICE QUEEN competing for the show place.
Saturday
Jersey Cup Pace (3yo C&G) - PASSMASTER HANOVER looks to regroup after last week's disappointing eighth place finish at Mohawk. DRINK UP and AMAZIN ART lead a three horse entry competing against Passmaster.
Titan Cup Trot (FFA) - LUCKY JIM goes for his fourteenth straight win. This week he is challenged by CORLEONE KOSMOS. This may be the week Lucky Jim's streak gets snapped. ARCH MADNESS and IN FOCUS will likely compete for minor spoils.
Since there were not enough entries, there are no eliminations for the William Haughton Memorial so the FFAs have a $35,000 prep race to get ready for next week's $500,000 final. These types of races show the reason there should be no eliminations; horses should be seeded by money earnings to these races. How hard is someone going to try to win $17,500 when next week the win will be worth $250,000? This should be a non-wagering event. That being said, this should be a good race to watch as Mister Big makes his third start of the year against horses like Dali, Art Official and Palone Ranger.
Enjoy the racing and have a great weekend.
Here is a brief recap of Historic Series races this weekend at the Meadowlands.
Friday Night
Coaching Club Trotting Oaks (3yo fillies) - 1st Division - Look for MARGARITA MOMMA to continue her march to the Hambo Oaks. ONE TOUCH GIRL seems to be rounding into form and tries open company for the first time since last year's Breeders Crown races.
Coaching Club Trotting Oaks (3yo fillies) - 2nd Division - TIMELESSWINNER TWO is the obvious standout in this race having won the Currier & Ives and a PASS at the Meadows. BROADWAY SCHOONER seems to be back in form after her 1:54.3 PASS effort at the Meadows and Dave Palone comes in to take the drive. She showed some ability in the Bluegrass Stakes at Lexington last year before she quit in the stretch. DANCING FILLY is clearly not as talented as the top picks but this shipper for Hoosier Park does show some money on her card from last year's grand circuit campaign so she may wake up.
Dickerson Cup Trot (3yo C&G) - 1st Division - This is the race I have been waiting for. I am looking to see if RUSSELL HILL is truly a Hambo colt. After winning the final of the Empire Breeders Championship at Vernon Downs, he has reeled of three easy wins in the NYSS. HOT SHOT BLUE CHIP will also be tested for class. I see a possible upset chance for NEIGHSAY HANOVER (15-1) as this is the easiest field he has meet this year (having been beat by some horses named Muscle Hill, Duded Up and Federal Flex).
Dickerson Cup Trot (3yo C&G) - 2nd Division - This is an interesting race. EXPLOSIVE MATTER makes his third start of the year in this race. After winning a PASS race at Pocono Downs, he got beat after a tough trip in a high conditioned race at the Meadowlands. This winner of five out of six last year can show he is a serious contender to Muscle Hill in the Hambo (Muscle Hill was not eligible to the Dickerson). CITATION LINDY looks to regroup after some moderate early season success. If he stays flat he may be a threat. SYMPHONIC HANOVER is stepping up into stakes company for the first time this year.
Ladyship Stakes Pace (3yo fillies) - INDULGE ME is my choice. Having finished 3rd to Not Enough in the Lismore Final, she won her division of the NYSS at Monticello in 1:54,3. PRECIOUS STONE and ARBEEDO complete my selections for this race.
There is also a Preferred Mares Pace on the card worthy of note. BUCK I ST PAT makes her first start after her disappointing ninth place finish in the Matchmaker. Now tighter, she should make a better show of her self. If BUCK is not ready, FALLS FOR YOU may be pick up the peices with STAGE SHOW and SPICE QUEEN competing for the show place.
Saturday
Jersey Cup Pace (3yo C&G) - PASSMASTER HANOVER looks to regroup after last week's disappointing eighth place finish at Mohawk. DRINK UP and AMAZIN ART lead a three horse entry competing against Passmaster.
Titan Cup Trot (FFA) - LUCKY JIM goes for his fourteenth straight win. This week he is challenged by CORLEONE KOSMOS. This may be the week Lucky Jim's streak gets snapped. ARCH MADNESS and IN FOCUS will likely compete for minor spoils.
Since there were not enough entries, there are no eliminations for the William Haughton Memorial so the FFAs have a $35,000 prep race to get ready for next week's $500,000 final. These types of races show the reason there should be no eliminations; horses should be seeded by money earnings to these races. How hard is someone going to try to win $17,500 when next week the win will be worth $250,000? This should be a non-wagering event. That being said, this should be a good race to watch as Mister Big makes his third start of the year against horses like Dali, Art Official and Palone Ranger.
Enjoy the racing and have a great weekend.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
The Hills and Historic Week
At Yonkers last night, Russell Hill (a horse we previously discussed) won his division of the NYSS for 3yo trotting colts in 1:59.4 on an off track in a wire-to-wire effort. While I thought Russell Hill and Donttellmywife might be dueling each other in the NYSS this year, it has become apparent that Russell Hill has become the dominant 3yo trotting colt in NY and one has to wonder when he will step out of the comfort of the sire stakes program to take on open company. I know Russell Hill is eligible for the Hambo, but even though he has previously won over the Meadowlands oval, he has to step up to show he is the caliber of a Hambo winner.
Muscle Hill qualified on Thursday in 1:55.1 to win by over eighteen lengths. His next pari-mutuel start is on July 17 in the Stanley Dancer Trot. Muscle Hill is certainly a talented horse but qualifiers are not the same as a regular race (see what happened to Buck I St Pat last week at the Meadowlands). While trainer Greg Peck is doing all he can to have Muscle Hill ready, you have to wonder with only one more purse start on the schedule before the Hambletonian eliminations, if this is the year where the Donato Hanover-Deweycheatemnhowe road to the Hambo will be derailed.
Next week the Grand Circuit is making two stops. First, Grand Circuit racing at the Meadowlands will consist of the Historic Series, races which used to be held at Historic Track in Goshen when there used to be a short pari-mutuel meet. While there will be a lot of two year old races during Historic week, it is always an enjoyable week of top flight racing.
The Grand Circuit is also stopping at Historic Track. If you happen to be in town for Historic Week at the Meadowlands, take a short trip (just over an hour) up to Historic Track for some competetive racing, albeit it non wagering. There will be more than enough time to get back to the Meadowlands for the evening card.
Just checked the schedule of TVG for tonight. While the entire Mohawk card is not being broadcast the stakes events are well represented on their TV schedule. Check the races out if you can, our year end champions may be racing tonight.
Muscle Hill qualified on Thursday in 1:55.1 to win by over eighteen lengths. His next pari-mutuel start is on July 17 in the Stanley Dancer Trot. Muscle Hill is certainly a talented horse but qualifiers are not the same as a regular race (see what happened to Buck I St Pat last week at the Meadowlands). While trainer Greg Peck is doing all he can to have Muscle Hill ready, you have to wonder with only one more purse start on the schedule before the Hambletonian eliminations, if this is the year where the Donato Hanover-Deweycheatemnhowe road to the Hambo will be derailed.
Next week the Grand Circuit is making two stops. First, Grand Circuit racing at the Meadowlands will consist of the Historic Series, races which used to be held at Historic Track in Goshen when there used to be a short pari-mutuel meet. While there will be a lot of two year old races during Historic week, it is always an enjoyable week of top flight racing.
The Grand Circuit is also stopping at Historic Track. If you happen to be in town for Historic Week at the Meadowlands, take a short trip (just over an hour) up to Historic Track for some competetive racing, albeit it non wagering. There will be more than enough time to get back to the Meadowlands for the evening card.
Just checked the schedule of TVG for tonight. While the entire Mohawk card is not being broadcast the stakes events are well represented on their TV schedule. Check the races out if you can, our year end champions may be racing tonight.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
The March to the Hambo/Hambo Oaks - NJ Edition, Yonkers Stakes Highlights
Well, the NJSS finals at the Meadowlands for 3yo trotters have concluded.
In the NJSS Final for 3yo filly trotters, Margarita Momma outfinished Gabby's Dream to win by a neck in 1:55.3 on a good track. For me Gabby's Dream was more impressive being hard used and parked to the half. That being said, from what I have seen thus far this season, Margarita Momma seems to get all the luck; should the luck go her way, Gabby's Dream could be there on August 8th. Of course, this race was against state breds; it will be interesting to see the both of them against open company.
In the NJSS Final for 3yo colt trotters what can you say? The march of Muscle Hill continues. Muscle Hill easily dominated the field to win handily in 1:53.3 over the same off track. The horse that interested me, Vesuvio AS finished 4th six lengths back. I would be disappointed in Vesuvio AS's finish except he was parked half of the mile, three wide at the 3/4s. I need to see another race from Vesuvio to see if he is still a legitimate contender.
Interesting is the fact that Muscle Hill was part of a five horse entry due to common ownership. The entry took the first three positions and four of the top five. There were two entries in this race so out of the ten horses there were only five betting interests. The Meadowlands was wise to cancel place and show wagering. One needs to wonder if it would have made sense to card this race as a non-wagering event instead of having a non-bettable race for gamblers.
In other action, Showherthemoney pleased the crowd by winning the Miss New Jersey Pace for 3yo filly pacers in 1:50.4. Personal favorite McGibson got jammed in and got loose late. Whether or not McGibson would have caught Showherthemoney is hard to say. What I can say, why McGibson may not be Linda Toscano's first team, McGibson will be heard from often this year.
In the NJ Classic for 3yo pacing colts, Passmaster Havover won a thrilling stretch duel against Dial or Nodial who finished third. Three times Passmaster Hanover passed Dial or Nodial and twice Dial or Nodial came back, but the third time was the charm for Passmaster. Dial or Nodial threw in a couple of bad steps at the end, but that is understandable considering the pressure. The time for the mile was 1:50.2.
These were four great races celebrating the strength of the NJ sired horse. With a lot of the stallions and broodmares having left the state for greener (slot) pastures, you have to wonder if this may have been the last year a leading Hambo contender will be prepping in NJSS races and whether NJ sired horses will be as relevant in the future.
Over at Yonkers Raceway, Not Enough makes it five for five this year winning the $293,000 Lismore Final for 3yo pacing fillies easily in 1:53.4 (good track). Once Not Enough got to the lead it was all over. In the $421,000 Art Rooney Final for 3yo pacing colts, If I Can Dream won the race in 1:55.3. Hypnotic Blue Chip for the second time this year jumped off stride in the big money race (last time the Berrys Creek). Hypnotic Blue Chip was leading into the final turn when he jumped and went inside the pylons. Barber Pole, one of the preseason favorites was disappointing again.
In the NJSS Final for 3yo filly trotters, Margarita Momma outfinished Gabby's Dream to win by a neck in 1:55.3 on a good track. For me Gabby's Dream was more impressive being hard used and parked to the half. That being said, from what I have seen thus far this season, Margarita Momma seems to get all the luck; should the luck go her way, Gabby's Dream could be there on August 8th. Of course, this race was against state breds; it will be interesting to see the both of them against open company.
In the NJSS Final for 3yo colt trotters what can you say? The march of Muscle Hill continues. Muscle Hill easily dominated the field to win handily in 1:53.3 over the same off track. The horse that interested me, Vesuvio AS finished 4th six lengths back. I would be disappointed in Vesuvio AS's finish except he was parked half of the mile, three wide at the 3/4s. I need to see another race from Vesuvio to see if he is still a legitimate contender.
Interesting is the fact that Muscle Hill was part of a five horse entry due to common ownership. The entry took the first three positions and four of the top five. There were two entries in this race so out of the ten horses there were only five betting interests. The Meadowlands was wise to cancel place and show wagering. One needs to wonder if it would have made sense to card this race as a non-wagering event instead of having a non-bettable race for gamblers.
In other action, Showherthemoney pleased the crowd by winning the Miss New Jersey Pace for 3yo filly pacers in 1:50.4. Personal favorite McGibson got jammed in and got loose late. Whether or not McGibson would have caught Showherthemoney is hard to say. What I can say, why McGibson may not be Linda Toscano's first team, McGibson will be heard from often this year.
In the NJ Classic for 3yo pacing colts, Passmaster Havover won a thrilling stretch duel against Dial or Nodial who finished third. Three times Passmaster Hanover passed Dial or Nodial and twice Dial or Nodial came back, but the third time was the charm for Passmaster. Dial or Nodial threw in a couple of bad steps at the end, but that is understandable considering the pressure. The time for the mile was 1:50.2.
These were four great races celebrating the strength of the NJ sired horse. With a lot of the stallions and broodmares having left the state for greener (slot) pastures, you have to wonder if this may have been the last year a leading Hambo contender will be prepping in NJSS races and whether NJ sired horses will be as relevant in the future.
Over at Yonkers Raceway, Not Enough makes it five for five this year winning the $293,000 Lismore Final for 3yo pacing fillies easily in 1:53.4 (good track). Once Not Enough got to the lead it was all over. In the $421,000 Art Rooney Final for 3yo pacing colts, If I Can Dream won the race in 1:55.3. Hypnotic Blue Chip for the second time this year jumped off stride in the big money race (last time the Berrys Creek). Hypnotic Blue Chip was leading into the final turn when he jumped and went inside the pylons. Barber Pole, one of the preseason favorites was disappointing again.
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