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. 

Sunshine Beach Heads “The Captain” in Brandywine Upset

WILKES-BARRE, PA— In a battle similar to that of the Colonial moments ago, Sunshine Beach had the inside edge on Captaintreacherous and won the $500,000 Battle of the Brandywine by a bob in 1:47.4.

Lonewolf Currier gunned for the lead, with Sunshine Beach getting away in second and Mach It So in third. Lonewolf Currier sped to the quarter in :25.3. Sunshine Beach pulled the pocket into the stretch and cleared the lead at three-eighths. Captaintreacherous made his move from fourth and he progressed first over to challenge Sunshine Beach. The two hooked up at the half in :53.3 (:28).

The battle was a gruesome test of speed and endurance entering the backstretch. Sunshine Beach at the cones, Captaintreacherous first over and trying to take the lead. They were on equal terms as they drew away from the field passing three-quarters in 1:20.3 (:27).

Sunshine Beach nosing Captaintreacherous in 1:47.4
(Ken Weingartner Photo)

The distance between the battle and the rest increased at the head of the lane. Speed was the main attribute to the final quarter, as Captaintreacherous got his nose in front, but Sunshine Beach fought back and retook the lead. Captaintreacherous came back with one final lunge, but the wire came just in time for Sunshine Beach to pull off a monumental upset over Captaintreacherous. Twilight Bonfire finished third and Wake Up Peter was fourth.

Sunshine Beach ($12.20) is a three-year-old colt by Somebeachsomewhere, out of the mare Light Up by Artsplace. He is owned by Hudson Standardbred Inc., Conrad Leber and Diane Bertrand, trained by Mark Steacy and Brian Sears picked up the drive, guiding Sunshine Beach to equal the world record set by Bolt The Duer of 1:47.4. 

Spider Blue Chip Rides Through the Speed Storm to Emerge Victorious in Colonial

WILKES-BARRE, PA— Driver Ron Pierce mapped out a perfect trip for Spider Blue Chip, stalking the speed battle between Smilin Eli and Royalty For Life to then come up the passing lane and pull off a minor upset in the Colonial, winning in 1:52.2.

Smilin Eli left for the lead, with Spider Blue Chip getting away second and Corky was third. Royalty For Life didn’t launch off the gate and ended up parked at the quarter in :26.3. Royalty For Life trotted his way towards Smilin Eli to try and take the lead, but Tim Tetrick was stubborn to give Brian Sears the advantage. Smilin Eli and Royalty For Life trotted to the half on equal terms in :54.1 (:27.3).

The two continued their war down the backstretch. Corky began to edge to the outside and make a bid, while Spider Blue Chip remained patient in the pocket. The tempo was gradually slowing as Smilin Eli had defeated Royalty For Life at three-quarters in 1:23.1 (:29).

Royalty For Life was fading fast at the top of the stretch. Smilin Eli still had a stampede to hold off after his battle. Spider Blue Chip had room up the passing lane to slip through, while Corky was flying down the center of the track, as was Aperfectyankee from the back. At the line, Spider Blue Chip got up to win over Smilin Eli, Corky was third and Aperfectyankee finished fourth in 1:52.2.

Spider Blue Chip ($10.20) is a three-year-old gelding by Andover Hall, out of the mare Southwind Caitlin by Muscles Yankee. He is owned by David Mc Duffee and Melvin Hartman, trained by Chuck Sylvester and Ron Pierce steered Spider Blue Chip to a world record 1:52.2.

“I thought I had a shot against Royalty For Life,” driver Ron Pierce said. “I just wanted to get on Smilin Eli’s back and see from there. I knew Timmy wouldn’t let Brian cross over and I’d get a trip.”

“Well we knew we were in tough, but if we got luck and the two battle it out we’d have a shot,” trainer Chuck Sylvester said. 

I Luv The Nitelife Continues to Awe Spectators in Valley Forge

WILKES-BARRE, PA— I Luv The Nitelife sat back through a fast quarter and swept to the front at three-eighths, emerging to flight into the stretch to win the $350,000 Valley Forge final in 1:48.4.

Shebestingin broke before the start and never recovered. Somwherovrarainbow blasted to the lead, with Charisma Hanover pacing fast to get positioning and I Luv The Nitelife was in third. Somwherovrarainbow led by the quarter in :25.2. I Luv The Nitelife made her move passed the stands and brushed to the lead at three-eighths. Somwherovrarainbow sat the pocket and Charisma Hanover was racing third. Novascotia Hanover came first over, supplying cover to Love Canal and Belle Boyd. I Luv The Nitelife went by the half in :53.2 (:28).

Novascotia Hanover attempted to march with I Luv The Nitelife down the backstretch, but remained a length off of her presence. Somewherovrarainbow rode the pocket and was ready to pace at three-quarters in 1:21 (:27.3).

Tim Tetrick showed the whip to I Luv The Nitelife at the head of the stretch and she exploded. She flew down the clay stretch and was a clear winner over Somwherovrarainbow, Novascotia Hanover was third and Belle Boyd was fourth in a world record 1:48.4, breaking the 1:49 time held by Economy Terror and set by Shebestingin last week.

I Luv The Nitelife ($2.80) is a three-year-old filly pacer by Rocknroll Hanover, out of the mare Lisjune by Camluck. She is owned by Richard and Joanne Young, trained by Chris Ryder and Tim Tetrick steered the division leader to a world record 1:48.4.

“I sat until the dust settled [on the lead], I moved her right to the front and she raced her butt off,” driver Tim Tetrick said. “My mare felt awesome, I was worried about Montrell’s [Somwherovrarainbow], but I was pretty confident. She’s tough, Chris said she’s a big grinder on the lead.”

“I’m just lucky enough to get the nice, tremendous fillies,” trainer Chris Ryder said. “She’s got everything except Kentucky up next, going to the Juggette, Simcoe, Breeders Crown and a few in Cleveland. She’ll race at four, if she’s able to race, she’ll be racing. I was not surprised she went 1:48, she’d been improving.” 

Ultimate Beachboy Equals World Record in Battle of Brandywine Consolation

WILKES-BARRE, PA— Scratching out of the Adios due to lameness, the improving Ultimate Beachboy crushed his fellow glamour boy pacers to provide the public with another victory in the Battle of Brandywine, scoring in 1:48.3.

Good Day Mate got the lead, with Rocnrolwilneverdie getting into the mix, as well as Sir Richard Z Tam, parked three wide heading to the quarter. Ultimate Beachboy followed Sir Richard Z Tam once he entered the two wide path on his way to command at the quarter in :26. Sir Richard Z Tam cleared the lead shortly after the quarter, soon having to brace the challenge of Ultimate Beachboy, who cleared the lead with ease at three-eighths. Rocnrolwilneverdie was sent to the outside to take his shot at the half in :53.4 (:27.4).

Rocnrolwilneverdie made a huge brush to challenge Ultimate Beachboy down the backstretch, but could not clear the lead. Near inches away from getting the lead, Ultimate Beachboy gave him the cold shoulder and Rocnrolwilneverdie began his retreat. Sir Richard Z Tam was moving up the inside in third and Good Day Mate was passing tiring horses. Ultimate Beachboy began to isolate himself at three-quarters in 1:20.4 (:27).

Ultimate Beachboy began opening his lead at the top of the stretch. Sir Richard Z Tam inherited second, but soon lost it to the closing group. Net Ten Eom paced into second and Normandy Invasion got up for third with Good Day Mate fourth, but the battle for minor honors was far from Ultimate Beachboy, striding home to a world record-equaling 1:48.3 performance.

Ultimate Beachboy ($2.80) is a three-year-old gelding pacer by Somebeachsomewhere, out of the mare Ultimate Bet by Bettor’s Delight. He is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, M1 Stables and Jack Piatt III, trained by Ron Burke and Dave Palone was the pilot to the track and world record-equaling mile, as well as a lifetime mark for Ultimate Beachboy. 

Saying Goodbye to a Year of Records

As we enter the final hours of 2012, I look back at a historic year in both harness racing and my career. What I know is 2012 proved to be an eventful year in both harness racing and my profession. 

Captaintreacherous winning the Woodrow Wilson Final

On record sides, we had a monster pacer by the name of Captaintreacherous, who became the first two-year-old pacer since Artsplace to win the coveted Dan Patch Pacer of the Year honors. The most memorable mile coming from the Alagna trainee was when he turned for home in the Woodrow Wilson and destroyed the field in 1:49.3, increasing his lead by 7 lengths within an eighth of a mile. 

The Ron Burke stable’s famed Foiled Again also set history this year in the Canadian Pacing Derby final. Gallo Blue Chip had held the record for racing earnings in a career for 12 years as Foiled Again surpassed him in a fairy tale way, upsetting Betterthancheddar in the Canadian Pacing Derby. 

On the training side, Linda Toscano broke the gender boundaries with her prized trotter Market Share. A Hambletonian victory for Market Share made Linda Toscano the first woman to win the Hambletonian in the 87 years of the event. She also trained top open trotter Chapter Seven, who equaled Lucky Jim and Muscle Hill’s all-time World Record of 1:50.1 in the Nat Ray invitational at the Meadowlands. 

Driver Tim Tetrick in the Meadowlands
Paddock

Tim Tetrick re-wrote the record books again. A stellar stakes season aboard Captaintreacherous, Heston Blue Chip, American Jewel, Market Share, Check Me Out, Chapter Seven and Anndrovette made him the first driver to have driven seven Dan Patch winners in a season. Tetrick also led in seasonal earnings, topping the list with $18,529,676. He also won the USHWA driver of the year title and was the first driver to win four Breeders Crown events in the same year. 

The fabulous filly Check Me Out started out the 2012 summer with two world record performances, one in the Del Miller at the Big M, and the other in the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes Championship. 

With many more records to list, I also close out a fabulous year. I became the host of the Blog Talk Radio program North American Harness Update, I also continued another year at the Hambletonian Society and TwinSpires. Most importantly, I got my first taste of true journalism this summer at The Red Mile, where I did the press releases for the two weeks of Grand Circuit action. 

I especially want to thank the following; Nick Salvi, Jason Settlemoir, Darin Zoccali, Jeremey Day, Garnet Barnsdale, Frank Cotolo, Moira Fanning, Derek Simon, Robert ‘Hollywood’ Heyden and Chris Tully, all mentioned had some involvement in making this a fabulous 2012. I thank you all and I thank all the readers of The Racing Inquirer.

See you in 2013!