Pocono's Undercard Invitationals Result to be World’s Best

WILKES-BARRE, PA— Filling in on the undercard of Super Stakes Saturday at Pocono Downs were three Invitationals, each going for $50,000. An Invitational was contested for the Mare Pacers, Open Trotters and Open Pacers. All three Invitationals resulted in World Record performances.

Drop The Ball crushed her division again, off of a win in the Lady Liberty, coasting around the Pocono oval to win her Invitational in 1:48.2, breaking the mark held by Southwind Tempo and Camille.

Fashion Mystery secured the lead from the rail, with Camille getting away in second and Hula’s Z Tam in third. Krispy Apple was pacing in fourth and Drop The Ball was parked in fifth looking for a spot. Fashion Mystery led by the quarter in :26.2. Drop The Ball was unable to find a pocket and was forced to move towards the front. Camille pulled out of the pocket and supplied her cover at three-eighths. Camille cleared the lead but Drop The Ball was close to dictating the terms at the half in :54.1 (:27.4).

Drop The Ball cleared the lead as they entered the backstretch. Camille sat in second while Krispy Apple progressed first over into third. Feeling You was tracking her cover, but began to gap at three-quarters in 1:21.2 (:27.1).

Drop The Ball began to get separation at the top of the stretch. Camille was giving chase in second, Fashion Mystery was pacing into third and Krispy Apple was trying to hold onto fourth. Drop The Ball was a clear winner in the midst of the stretch and she went on to stop the clock in 1:48.2, setting a world record for mare pacers. Camille was second, Fashion Mystery was third and Krispy Apple finished fourth.

Drop The Ball ($2.60) is a five-year-old mare pacer by Western Terror, out of the mare Mattcheck Girl by Matt’s Scooter. She is owned by Let It Ride Stables, Dana Parham and Robert Cooper Stables, trained by Ross Croghan and Corey Callahan guided the mare to a 1:48.2 world record effort.

Wishing Stone continued the World Record-streak, rating the middle part of the mile and keeping all closers at bay to win the Open Trot Invitational in 1:51.2.

Wishing Stone took the lead, with Sevruga sitting in the pocket and Uncle Peter getting away third. Market Share was trotting in fourth at the quarter in :26.4. Heading to the clubhouse turn, Market Share was the first one to make a move, going first over after Wishing Stone. Yannick Gingras rated the half, giving Wishing Stone a breather in :56.2 (:29.3).

Market Share inched his way toward Wishing Stone down the backstretch. Arch Madness took to the outside to track his cover. Sevruga remained in the pocket behind leader Wishing Stone at three-quarters in 1:23.3 (:27.1).

Wishing Stone turned away his challengers at the top of the stretch, drawing away by 2 lengths. Sevruga moved into second and Market Share was trotting in third, but Wishing Stone was home free to pull off an upset. Sevruga finished second, Market Share was third and Uncle Peter held on for fourth.

Wishing Stone ($18.60) is a six-year-old horse by Conway Hall, out of the mare Meadowbranch Magic by Valley Victory. He is owned by Cowboyland Aalborg, T L P Stable, Jerry and Theresa Silva Stables and Deo Volente Farms, trained by Ron Burke and Yannick Gingras was the pilot to a world record of 1:51.2, beating Varenne’s 1:51.3 mark set in Finland.

A Rocknroll Dance who, courtesy of fractions set by Hurrikane Kingcole, swept by his competition to score in a world record-equaling 1:47.4 in the final of the three Invitationals.

Hurrikane Kingcole dashed to the front, with Dynamic Youth moving with him in second and Abelard Hanover was in third. Dynamic Youth went off stride as Hurrikane Kingcole passed by the quarter pole in :25.2. Golden Receiver made an attempt to challenge Hurrikane Kingcole to the half, otherwise there was no change in order. Hurrikane Kingcole kept his speed consistent at the half in :53.1 (:27.4).

Golden Receiver retreated from his bid entering the backstretch. Hurrikane Kingcole was left alone on the lead heading to three-quarters. Pet Rock was flushed first over by A Rocknroll Dance from fourth. Sweet Lou ended up third over in that flow while Hurrikane Kingcole paced by three-quarters in 1:20.3 (:27.2).

Hurrikane Kingcole was enveloped by the closers at the head of the lane. Pet Rock swept by him to take a short lead. A Rocknroll Dance was making his move down the center of the course, as was Sweet Lou. A Rocknroll Dance was flying by and got up by three-quarters of a length to win in 1:47.4. Pet Rock was second, Sweet Lou was third and Abelard Hanover settled for fourth.

A Rocknroll Dance ($10.00) is a four-year-old horse by Rocknroll Hanover, out of the mare Wichita Hanover by Cam’s Card Shark. He is owned by A Rocknroll Dance Stable, trained by Jim Mulinix and Tim Tetrick was the pilot, steering A Rocknroll Dance to a lifetime mark of 1:47.4. 

A Rocknroll Dance Sat Behind “Battle” to Romp in Lake Erie Final

NORTHFIELD,OH— A Rocknroll Dance got away in the pocket behind race leader Aracache Hanover while he battled with State Treasurer through unheard-of fractions, eventually pulling the pocket and striding away from everyone to win the $120,500 Battle of Lake Erie final in a world record 1:49.1.

Aracache Hanover left the gate and got the front, while A Rocknroll Dance tucked into second and Foiled Again in third. State Treasurer was wide into the turn and, with nowhere to settle, was sent for the front. Aracache Hanover parked him out by the quarter in :26.1. State Treasurer nearly cleared the lead in the front straightaway, but Aracache Hanover was game to holding dictation. The two continued the war passed the half in :53 (:26.4).

A Rocknroll Dance strides home in a world record 1:49.1
(JJ Zamaiko Photo)

A Rocknroll Dance was in the pocket behind the battlers entering the backstretch. Foiled Again began tracking the cover of State Treasurer heading to three-quarters, with Thinking Out Loud pacing third over. Thinking Out Loud fanned three wide and Clear Vision followed him from the cones. Aracache Hanover had won the fight with State Treasurer at three-quarters in 1:21 (:28). State Treasurer soon went off-stride around the turn, interfering with Foiled Again.

A Rocknroll Dance had open road at the head of the stretch and, thanks to the speed-duel on the lead, cleared the lead with ease. Rockin Finish rode the pylons and took over second, with Clear Vision flying down the center of the track into third, but A Rocknroll Dance was 4 lengths clear of the lot at the wire, stopping the clock in a track and world record of 1:49.1 (:28.1).  

A Rocknroll Dance ($9.80) is owned by A Rocknroll Dance Stables, trained by Jim Mulinix and was driven by Kayne Kauffman. The son of Rocknroll Hanover has surpassed the $2-million plateau in his second win of the season.  

Entry Takes Artiscape; Pet Rock Shocks in Roll With Joe

NICHOLS, NY— Mare and Horse pacers met at Tioga Downs on Sunday afternoon to compete in the $158,000 Artiscape Mare Pace and the $184,000 Roll With Joe Horse Pace.

One mare from the five-horse entry crossed the finish line in the winning position, though not one that was expected. Economy Terror scratched out of the race, so it left the Burke quartet to square off against the other five mares. Of the entry, Camille took first with her stable mate, Rocklamation, finishing second.

As expected, a fast pace was set in the early stages of the mile. Big Mcdeal showed a jolt of speed off the gate and Anndrovette chased her down around the turn to clear the lead, but paced the first quarter in :25.1. Heading into the second turn, Feeling You edged out of fourth and began a charge towards the leader; Camille and Drop The Ball were on her tail following her every move. Anndrovette had no breather and went the half in :52.3 (:27.2).

Camille closing on the field to win the Artiscape

Feeling You was hung due to the tremendous speed being used by Anndrovette. Big Mcdeal sat the pocket for most of the mile and had room to tip out of the pocket and she stuck her nose infront of Anndrovette at three-quarters in a wicked 1:19.4 (:27.1). The backfield began flying after the leaders heading into the stretch. Camille was widest of all challengers, closing with Rocklamation alongside. Drop The Ball was too coming into contention late and Anndrovette was digging in for minor honors. Camille had more than Rocklamation and won the Artiscape in 1:48.3, equaling the all-age mare pacing world record. Anndrovette was third and Drop The Ball was fourth.

Camille returned $4.40 to win. She is owned by trainer Ron Burke’s Burke Racing Stables, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, M1 Stables LLC and Jack Piatt III and was driven by Matt Kakaley.

Arguably one of the hardest races to develop a scenario for was the Roll With Joe, taken by Pet Rock in 1:48.1, versus our Sweet Lou, Betterthancheddar and A Rocknroll Dance exotic.

Golden Receiver set the pace, with Betterthancheddar in second and Sweet Lou wide in an attempt to take the lead, versus racing off the pace like in his past races. Sweet Lou cleared the top from Golden Receiver after a :26 quarter. Pet Rock immediately made his move and edged out of the pocket, in desperate need of cover. Brennan was the one to provide Pet Rock that cover, as he brought Betterthancheddar to the outside to challenge Sweet Lou for the lead passing the half in :53.2 (:27.2).

Pet Rock strolling to victory in the Roll With Joe

Pet Rock sat second over, watching the fireworks unfold in front of him in the form of a duel. Sweet Lou was a game foe to Betterthancheddar and still held command at three-quarters in 1:20.1 (:26.4). Pet Rock fanned wide turning for home, as did other trackers Rockincam and Foiled Again. Pet Rock took the lead from the tiring Betterthancheddar and Sweet Lou. Foiled Again was closing fast, with Rockincam moving along with him. Pet Rock had just enough and won by a length in 1:48.1 (:28). Foiled Again was second, Rockincam was third and Betterthancheddar held on for fourth.

Pet Rock went off the fourth choice on the tote-board and returned $13.80 for the victory. He is owned by Frank Bellino, trained by Virgil Morgan Jr. and David Miller was in the bike. 

Top Aged Pacers Square Off in Tioga Afternoon Action

Tioga Downs puts up the big bucks as they attracted the top free for all mare and horse pacers in their featured races this afternoon. On the card filled with Sires’ Stakes competition are the $158,000 Artiscape Mares Pace and the $184,000 Roll With Joe Open Pace.

First up of the two is the Artiscape. Ron Burke has four of his top mares entered in the contest, while Chris Oakes’s star mare Economy Terror is a part of the five-horse entry of Bettor B Lucky, Ginger And Fred, Rocklamation and Camille. This appears to be a good race to go bargain hunting, with the five-horse entry having a tremendous resume to attract the attention of bettors. Two horses raise questions in this dectet, Drop The Ball and Royal Cee Cee N, coincidently the two morning line long shots.

Drop The Ball winning the 2012 Allerage Pace
(Red Mile Photo)

Drop The Ball was caught in a bad shuffle in the Golden Girls last week and was able to shake loose and get third. That was her first start on lasix and she showed improvement off of the speed she showed in the Betsy Ross, where she eventually quit. She has the post to get away in a stalking position, which has always been her forte, but Callahan has to be aggressive with her and not wait for the stretch. If she can get a second over trip, perfect, third over, questionable. She just cannot be on the lead or first over, it will be practically forfeiting her chances.

Royal Cee Cee N catches my eye as she drew post 8, a post that requires (usually) a horse to race from off the pace. Her last start can be put into the garbage, as Royal Cee Cee N is not the kind of horse that can race on the lead, especially against some of these horses like Anndrovette, who likes to be on top. She showed a good closing effort the last time she was on a three turn oval at Harrah’s Philadelphia in the Betsy Ross, where she was shuffled and did not have room until late to finish third. Pierce will have to be aggressive with his mare, too and give her a good trip and opportunity to show what she’s got.

Overall, this race does have a speed factor similar to what occurred in the Betsy Ross. Feeling You drew the rail and it is very likely that she will leave to get a pocket trip, which brings Camille into the race from the second tier; Tetrick will likely challenge for the lead aboard Anndrovette, while Big Mcdeal raises questions. She [Big Mcdeal] showed that she can race well on the lead throughout her sophomore campaign, but has appeared to been experimenting with racing styles in her last few starts. She is a possibility to throw off the pace scenario. Theoretically, we will see a quarter around :26 and change and a half in :54-:53, as the leader will attempt to rate. The tempo will quicken and most horses on the lead may be finished.

The five-horse entry has two horses that raise question marks, Economy Terror and Rocklamation. Rocklamation has the racing tendency that of the horses we like in this event, while Economy Terror is questionable on how she will race from the far outside. Of our two contenders, Drop The Ball has the best shot, but I’d still advise to put Royal Cee Cee N in any exotics as she could be a spoiler.

It’s hard to tell how the betting will be distributed in the Roll With Joe. Betterthancheddar looks to be the value of the race at his 5-1 morning line, but all the buzz around him could make him the post time favorite. Pet Rock gets the second tier and will likely take money after that phenomenal trip he went in the Open last week.

Considering Betterthancheddar will perhaps be the favorite, he is the horse to beat. He was shuffling in the stretch to try and find a seam in the Molson and did not get one until late. Brennan will likely give him the perfect trip or attempt to get the lead, a near impossible task based on the paper.

A Rocknroll Dance winning the 2012 Battle of Brandywine
(USTA Photo)

A Rocknroll Dance also has a shot. This horse has been cursed with several bad draws this year and should be aggressive since he has a few starts in his belt. He won the Meadowlands Pace on the rail and he drew the rail again. Though that has no significance, rather the way he races on the rail. Exempt his first start of the year when he started from post 1, since he was coming off a layoff. He will leave and try to get a pocket trip, which would be perfect with the open stretch at Tioga. He has been improving with every start and could be sharp at the right time.

A fast pace looks to be the expected scenario in this race. Golden Receiver will go for the top and with A Rocknroll Dance trying to leave, Pet Rock will get a pocket and likely try to sit third. Betterthancheddar will eventually challenge or await cover to ride. Speed is also likely from Aracache Hanover, Sapphire City, Warrawee Needy and perhaps Rockincam. With the likelihood that Brennan could get parked with Betterthancheddar, he may not be the value we may think he is today. Of course, there is a huge possibility that Sweet Lou sits off the pace and gets a perfect trip to win this race. But what appears likely is that Betterthancheddar and A Rocknroll Dance will finish in the top four, so they are ones to consider in exotics and perhaps in the win column. It will be your call.

First race post at Tioga is 1:30P.M. eastern. 

World Record Shattered in Big M Open

On Saturday’s card at the Meadowlands, twelve horses entered in the $50,000 Open Pace. It was scratched down to a field of ten approaching post time and Golden Receiver was going to be sent off the gate as the 3/2 favorite.

Golden Receiver launched off the gate and was put to the pylons before entering the first turn, while Fred And Ginger sneaked up the cones to park out Pet Rock as he tried to tuck into the pocket. Pet Rock challenged Golden Receiver for the lead and the duelers went by the quarter in :25.3. Pet Rock did not leave Golden Receiver’s side heading down the backstretch. Sweet Lou was sent three wide to take the first over position heading to the half, while Modern Legend tracked his move. The half went in :52.3 (:27).

Fred And Ginger splitting horses to win the $50,000 Open

Heading to three-quarters, Sweet Lou took the lead from Golden Receiver. Modern Legend was second over and Dynamic Youth was circling rivals. Three-quarters went in 1:20 (:27.2). Modern Legend swung wide to attempt to pass Sweet Lou, while Dynamic Youth was closing well on the far outside, with Pet Rock alongside him coming with another bid. Fred And Ginger began weaving through horses and split Golden Receiver and Sweet Lou within the sixteenth pole to clear the lead. Sweet Lou fought on, but had to settle for second, Modern Legend was third and Dynamic Youth was fourth. The mile went in 1:47.3 (:27.3).

Fred And Ginger ($8.20) is a five-year-old pacer by Real Artist, out of the mare Graceful Motion by Beach Towel. He is owned by Jerry and Theresa Silva, Howard Taylor, Ed Gold and Robert Feldman, trained by Ron Burke and Ron Pierce was in behind, guiding his stallion to a world-record effort for five-year-old and up stallion pacers of 1:47.3.  

Older Pacers Highlight Weekend on East Coast

The Free for All pacing division for both the open ranks and the mares were featured this weekend, with the $150,000 Molson Pace final going off on closing night at Western Fair and the $183,400 Golden Girls Stakes being contested at the Meadowlands. The Molson Pace was for the males, going post ward on Friday night and the Golden Girls was contested Saturday.

Foiled Again and Betterthancheddar headlined the Molson field and went off the two public choices at post time. The third choice, State Treasurer, was steered to a perfect trip by Randy Waples to win the Molson in 1:51.1.

Foiled Again got the lead and Betterthancheddar was in the pocket and Aracache Hanover was wide around the turn in third. Foiled Again led the field by the quarter in :26.4. Aracache Hanover inched into second as the field prepared for the second circuit. State Treasurer began to follow Aracache Hanover passing the half, Keystone Velocity joined the flow third over and A Rocknroll Dance had cover to follow in the back. Foiled Again had the lead at the half in :55.1 (:28.2).

State Treasurer flying down the center of the
course to win the Molson (Iron Horse Photo)

Aracache Hanover began to falter entering the backstretch. State Treasurer circled his tiring cover and took over second from Betterthancheddar. State Treasurer was applying pressure to Foiled Again at three-quarters in 1:23.1 (:28). State Treasurer took the lead into the stretch. Betterthancheddar was anxious behind Foiled Again trying to find racing room and Keystone Velocity was flying down the far outside. State Treasurer took the lead from Foiled Again and Betterthancheddar split horses to take second. Foiled Again held on for third and Keystone Velocity was fourth.

State Treasurer ($11.40) is a four-year-old horse by Real Desire, out of the mare Ideal Treasure by Western Ideal. He is owned by Sally and Sophie MacDonald, trained by Dr. Ian Moore and Randy Waples was in the bike

Two divisions of the Golden Girls were carded for Saturday night at the Meadowlands.

Feeling You taking the photo with Anndrovette
in 1:48.4 (Lisa Photo)

Feeling You rode a pocket trip behind Anndrovette to win the first division in 1:48.4. Anndrovette had no trouble clearing the lead and took the field by the quarter in :26.3. She had no challengers, so Tetrick rated her on the lead and went by the half in :54.4 (:28.1). She was left unchallenged at three-quarters and paced it in 1:22 (:27.1). Feeling You tipped out of the pocket and began to chase down Anndrovette at the head of the stretch. Ginger And Fred and Bettor B Lucky battled for third as Feeling You got her nose in front of Anndrovette at the wire to win in 1:48.4.

Feeling You ($6.40) is owned by Stephen Oldford, Oldford Farms and Tyler Buter, trained by Amber Buter and Andy Miller did the driving. The daughter of Cambest paced the mile in a lifetime-best of 1:48.4.

Rocklamation was the one to beat according to bettors in the second division, going off the 2-1 favorite. She got away last, while Royal Cee Cee N fought for the lead and Camille sat the pocket. The quarter was timed in :27. Economy Terror led those following her approaching the half, as she began to pace after the leader since there was no spot at the pylons for her to occupy. Rocklamtion tracked her second over as the half was paced in :55.3 (:28.3).

Economy Terror began flying towards Royal Cee Cee N heading to three-quarters. Rocklamation kept up with her cover and Krispy Apple was locked at the cones for most of the mile, but was able to tip to the outside behind Rocklamation. Royal Cee Cee N had a nose on Economy Terror at three-quarters in 1:23.1 (:27.3).

Rocklamation closes to win in 1:49.3 (Lisa Photo)

Economy Terror powered to the lead into the stretch. Royal Cee Cee N began her retreat from the lead and Rocklamation fanned off cover to chase the leader. Krispy Apple went deeper on the track to come with her late bid. Rocklamation took over command from Economy Terror and Krispy Apple was closing late as Rocklamation had a length and a quarter advantage on the field, winning in 1:49.3 (:26.2). Krispy Apple was second, Drop The Ball closed to finish third and Economy Terror was fourth.   

Rocklamation ($6.20) is a five-year-old mare by Rocknroll Hanover, out of the mare Art Sale by Artsplace. She’s owned by Jerry and Theresa Silva Stables, Stable 45 and Our Horse Cents Stables, trained by Ron Burke and Yannick Gingras was in the bike.