A Little Bit of Handicapping

Tonight there are three Grand Circuit races at The Meadows as the Currier & Ives for 3yo filly trotters are to be contested.  Here is a brief look at the races.

1st Race - The Meadows
2 - Big Barb (Hall,6-1) - Made two moves last week and finished a beaten third.  A perfect trip gets this filly into the winners circle.
1 - Smokinmombo (Merriman, 5-2)  Speedster figures to try to go  the whole way on the engine.  If goes unchallenged, it may be over but figures to be overbet.
3 - By And By Hanover (Wilder, 7-2) - Lightly raced horse seems to be racing well; suspect he can  handle this hike and grab third,        


2nd Race - The Meadows
3 - Smexi (Palone, 5-2) - Takter trainee appears to outclass this field.  Despite the likely low odds, is my pick,
5 - Sky Hanover (Miller, 7-2) - Winner of 4 out of 5 starts this year.  Looks to be on the bottom end of a chalky exacta.
1 - She Wore Red (Kakaley, 9-2) - Winner of 3 of 4 raes this year; winning last two races.  Loves Pocono; have to see how she handles the switch over
4- Classical Annie (Merriman, 6-1) - Arledge trainee tries stakes company.  Can fill out superfecta.


4th Race - The Meadows
7 - Blue Muse (Palone, 8-1) - Svanstedt trainee won season debut.  Moves up in class but gets Palone.  Attractive proposition at 8-1.
4 - Matter Hatter (Wilder, 5-2) - Two win race streak came to an end in sires stakes; looks to rebound.  .
8 - Onda Di Mare (Merriman, 7-2) -  Winner of two conditioned races deserves chance here.  Draws the worst of it but was able to overcome last time.  Don't leave out of triples.

Thursday Briefs

A couple of legislators have racing's back.  In response to the proposal for allowing three casinos in Northern New Jersey, State Senators Jennifer Beck and Declan O'Scanlan said 'no way' unless a portion of the revenue is dedicated to horse racing and written into the amendment.  As State Senators, they have seen how money 'dedicated' to one cause is easily moved to another cause in Trenton to cover shortfalls and the like.

Any revenue for horse racing needs to be written in stone (the state constitution), otherwise, whether or not racing gets a share of the profits will be up to the legislature each budget year.  By having it enshrined in a constitutional amendment, any dedicated revenue will be off-limits to the Governor and the legislature.

The Hard Rock Casino plan calls for two phases with the first phase renovating part of the existing racetrack facility.  If this plan comes to fruition, it is going to be a tight squeeze for horseplayers.


Yes, all the news this week is about the Belmont Stakes.  While perhaps not the stature of the Belmont, Saturday night has eight Grand Circuit contests going at the Meadowlands (4 races), The Meadows (1), Mohawk (2), and Scioto Downs (1).  Wouldn't it be great if there was a waager tied to the Grand Circuit which would payoff to those who had the most winners from all the races on a given day?  This would be something for the Grand Circuit and the USTA to discuss, perhaps having a Internet show around the wager.


Speaking of the Belmont, I came across an article about the post position draw for the final race in the Triple Crown.  So what you may ask?  Click on the link and see.  I fail to see the Jockey Club of Canada discussing any harness racing.  Until the JCC runs articles about harness racing, I suggest Standardbred Canada promote harness racing and leave the thoroughbred stories to the runners.


This week, I see a lot of articles referring to thoroughbred aftercare.  Isn't it a shame there is no standardbred aftercare program in existence?  Yes, things are tight in harness racing circles, but to have no program in effect reflects poorly on the industry.


Have a great Thursday everyone.

The Nail in the Coffin; RUS Roadblock

Earlier this week, the web was abuzz with the demolition of the grandstand of Hollywood Park.  While I am sure the web won't be abuzz about it, Windsor Raceway officially joins the roster of 'lost' tracks as demolition of the grandstand has begun this week.  With the demolition, any fantasy of racing returning is now dead.


Some may be wondering why the RUS schedule in the United States is not as robust as the schedule in Ontario where a decent sixteen pari-mutuel race season has been put together.  Besides the previously mentioned issue of having to deal with different racing commissions, the fact is commissions tend to plod along in making rule changes.

Complicating matters throughout the country are thoroughbred horsemen who don't wish to see RUS at harness tracks objecting to anything which may strengthen standardbred racing, claiming since riders (jockeys) are racing the horses instead of drivers in a sulky, it doesn't qualify as harness racing; it belongs in the realm of thoroughbred racing.  This of course is a fallacy, for if this was the case, Arabian, Quarter horse, and mule racing would also be controlled by thoroughbred interests.

In many states, the definition of harness racing is giving the thoroughbred interests a check point to keep RUS from becoming a wagering event.  A few states such as Kentucky defines harness racing as  a contest on the pace or trot by standardbreds, but other states add the use of a sulky as a requirement.  In order to get RUS on the wagering calendar, commissions which have members from thoroughbred backgrounds will be required to  change or interpret the rules favorably for standardbred interests.  Of course, that assumes the standardbred interest is looking to have RUS (PA has shown no interest in it).

In the meanwhile, enjoy RUS racing in its non-wagering format at various locations.

A Look At The Upcoming North America Cup

The 32^nd edition of the North America Cup is just around the corner. Last year JK Endofanera, who still stands in the shadow of his little sister, 2014 Horse of the Year JK She’salady, gave Art Major his first Cup winner. After the checks were counted for the final payment there were 47 colts still eligible. The list is topped by seven each from Rocknroll Hanover and Somebeachsomewhere, both of whom won the race. No son of Rocknroll has repeated his dad’s feat, but SBSW’s son Captaintreacherous outdid the rest in the final stages of the 2013 race. However, none of the 14 are what would be considered top tier contenders for the prize.

American Ideal, who was no factor in the 2005 Cup, which was won in dominant fashion by Rocknroll, has four still eligible, including In The Arsenal. That one edged out entry-mate Betting Exchange—also a Cup eligible—in the Rooney on Saturday. He did not outshine the opposition to the degree that Artspeak and Wiggle It Jiggleit did in their races, but he’s perfect on the year and has two-time winner, Brian Sears, sitting behind him. 

Bettor’s Delight, Cam’s Card Shark, Well Said and Dragon Again each have three eligible; all but the latter won the race. Dragon Again, who is known more for his long-lasting aged stars, and has never had a Cup or Pace winner, sends forth Wakizashi Hanover, a hometown favorite in the Maritimes.

It’s somewhat surprising that, in his first shot at the Cup, Sportswriter only has two staked to it: Casie Coleman’s Reverend Hanover, who won his division in the OSS last year, and Monty Gelrod’s Maxdaddy Blue Chip, who has only started twice, winning big in the lower condition ranks in Pennsylvania on both occasions. The Reverend won all four 2014 starts, including the OSS Super Final, but he’s winless in two condition races this year.  

Western Ideal, who was an outstanding freshman, but got hurt, is the sire of Cup winner Rocknroll. He only has two still staked to the race, but quality wins the day. Artspeak, who buried the opposition in Saturday’s $100,000 NJSS final, is still considered the favorite, while Traceur Hanover won the Breeders Crown in 2014. Western Ideal’s pair could beat just about anything on the table. The former is skipping the SBSW, while Traceur is entered.

And then there was one—Wiggle It Jiggleit. The son of Mr Wiggles, who is 10 for 10 after scoring easily in 1:49.3 over a very wet tack at Hoosier Park Saturday night, is the favorite in the eyes of many. Still, some counter that he has yet to beat a field with any heft to it. He will sit out the SBSW, as will In The Arsenal.

Mr Wiggles won an elimination for the 2009 Cup, where Well Said set a track and Canadian record for Ron Pierce in the final. To say the son of Badlands Hanover has been shunned by breeders would be understating it by half: he bred 17 mares in Indiana in 2011, 20 in Ohio the following year, and three and six the last two years in Delaware. No need to enforce the pacing stallion limit.

JK End’s win last year was the first one for an Adios line colt since 2010, when Sportswriter won. That line has only accounted for seven of the thirty-one winners which, due to the dominance of Meadow Skipper, is standard for all the major pacing stakes. Twenty Cup winners trace back to the potent son of Dale Frost. Captaintreacherous, his sire, Somebeachsomewhere, and the 1990 winner Apache Fame, who runs through Big Towner to Gene Abbe, are the three exceptions.

Twenty-four of the sires of mares that produced Cup winners go back to Hal Dale; 14 of those run through Meadow Skipper; seven go back to Adios. One, Presidential Ball’s dam I Marilyn, who is by Mountain Skipper, bypasses Meadow Skipper and goes directly to Dale Frost. Two, by Race Time, pass through Good Time to Hal Dale. The exceptions are a trio that pass through Sampson Direct on the way to Volomite; three that go to Gene Abbe and one to Tar Heel/Billy Direct.

There are some interesting crosses manifested by the Cup winners. Sunshine Beach, Sandbetweenurtoes and Southwind Roulette are all, like 2013 winner Captain T, by SBSW and out of Artsplace mares.

2009 winner Well Said, who is by Western Hanover and out of an Artsplace mare, carries the same cross as Fancy Filly, Big Bad John, If I Can Dream, Clear Vision, Thong, Strike An Attitude and Activator.

2007 winner Tell All is interesting because his dam Have No Secrets, who was 17 when he was born, was one of the last foals by Albatross. She was foaled when he was 29. Super Bird passed a few months later.

There was a similar situation in 2004, when Mantacular won. He’s by Western Hanover and out of a Bret Hanover mare. Twenty-seven years elapsed between those two sires. Ain’t No Stoppin Him, Hawaiian Cowboy and Jasmine Hanover, the dam of Little Miss Dragon and granddam of Dragon Eddy, are others.

Red River Hanover, who won in 2002, is by Western Hanover and out of a Direct Scooter mare. His full brother, Rustler Hanover, won the Confederation Cup and Burlington. Third Straight also carries this cross. And 2001 winner Bettor’s Delight is full to this year’s first look stallion, Roll With Joe.

Abercrombie and French Chef were only three years apart, but there was no connection in either direction, except for 1996 Cup winner, Arizona Jack.

The Cam Fella—BGs Bunny cross worked for 1994 winner Cam’s Card Shark and 1991 winner Precious Bunny. Armbro Romance, Armbro Operative and Cammies Lady are a few more examples.

1992 winner Safely Kept, one of three not to earn a million dollars, was by Jate Lobell and out of an Abercrombie mare. Best Of Memories, the dam of Jug winner Fake Left and Remember When, are others with that cross.

Joe FitzGerald

Proposed Constitutional Amendment - Good for Meadowlands? Possibly; Horsemen? Less Sure

A proposal for a constitutional amendment to allow casino gambling in North Jersey has been submitted according to John Brennan of NorthJersey.com .  The proposal, which already has people in South Jersey foaming from their mouths would allow for one casino in each of three North Jersey counties, including Bergen County, the home of the Meadowlands Racetrack.

Would this bill be good for Jeff Gural and the Meadowlands assuming it gets through the legislature and approved by voters in November?    On the plus side, the bill would allow one casino each in the counties which are home to Jersey City and Newark, likely competitors if there would be only one casino license in Northern New Jersey, thus taking these two cities out of the equation.  As for Bergen County?  Realistically, the Meadowlands is the only area which makes sense to have a casino.

Of course on the downside, there would be three casinos instead of one which would make any Meadowlands casino less profitable as the pie would be split three ways.  The other negative is a section of the resolution which states: "The Legislature would be required to give priority to a proposed casino that will create, compared to another proposed casino, more permanent jobs and construction jobs.”  

One would assume another group will vie for the license, perhaps the group building American Dream.   Remember when Tioga Downs lost out on a bid for a gaming license, the selection committee discounted the capital expenditures already made at Tioga.  Hence, any proposal by Hard Rock and the Meadowlands would need to blow away any proposal made by a potential competitor, otherwise the Meadowlands may find themselves empty-handed.  Are the pockets deep enough to come up with a winning proposal?   Of course, there is always a possibility of a partnership which would eliminate competition, keeping costs intact for all parties.

What about the horsemen?  Assuming the racetrack gets their hands on the license, it would initially be good for the horsemen.  Down the road, less sure.  In the resolution, you will see the following: "The State’s share of taxes from these casinos would be used for programs that help senior citizens and people with disabilities and for non-gaming development in Atlantic City".  Nothing about dedicating any funds from anyone to horsemen.

While I have no doubt Jeff Gural would cut horsemen in on the profits (remembering an agreement with the NJTHA requires a share to go to the thoroughbred horsemen), the question is would it be enough?  A trial balloon previously proposed by Gural got a resounding thumbs down from horsemen.  Will enabling legislation require a Bergen County casino to negotiate with horsemen the percentage they will get?  Will it require only a Meadowlands-operated casino to contribute and allow Essex and Hudson County casinos not to, putting a Meadowlands casino at a competitive disadvantage?  

Even more disturbing is the absence of a requirement in the proposed amendment to dedicate a portion of the revenue to horse racing.  It is possible the horsemen may be 'Christied' once again, left out of the equation, or as the state has done in the past with other programs, take any funding dedicated to horse racing and put it in the general fund where it can be used by the state for anything else it deems a priority?  If horsemen are to be protected, it is important any referendum specifies a percentage to be dedicated to horse racing, otherwise it is a matter of when the state starts diverting a portion or completely eliminates the share which may go to horsemen.

While track operators and horsemen desperately need casino gaming in Northern New Jersey, I don't think this is the proposal; certainly not for the horsemen.