Leonidas brings a newfound dimension into Borgata final - Harness ...
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Sunday, April 24, 2022
Leonidas brings a newfound
dimension into Borgata final
Breaking down Monday’s $549,000 final at Yonkers.
by Brett Sturman
the misfortune of landing an outward post in the series final.
There is a key difference this time around, though. Leonidas is
no longer a one-run closer like he was regarded as such this
time last year.
Of Leonidas’ seven wins this year, all at Yonkers, four of them
have come on the front end. It’s a turnaround from nearly all his
time since coming to North America in 2020 when he had been
raced almost exclusively off the pace, including his signature
win when he came from last to beat Bettor’s Wish in the 2020
Potomac Pace. In winning his first three open handicap’s this
year, he led at every call in every race. That third consecutive
Heading into Monday’s $549,000 Borgata Pacing Series final, win was a wire-to-wire job from post 8, and he nearly lasted
free-for-all pacer Leonidas A must have a sense of déjà vu. again from post 8 in the open handicap start after that one. In
Owned by Jesmeral Stable and trained by Sheena Cohen, the the second of his four Borgata preliminary wins this year, he
7-year-old Mach Three gelding has seen this story before. two-moved from the starting post 5 to the lead past an opening
Leonidas enters the Borgata final having won all four preliminary quarter in :26.2 and ended up winning the race comfortably.
legs of the series, exactly as he did last year. In fact, Leonidas Describing the evolution of Leonidas, Cohen said, “We’re off to
has never lost a preliminary leg ever since the renaming of the a little better of a start this year, and we continue to know him
FFA series to the Borgata. And, just like last year, Leonidas has a little better. Last year everybody kind of knew him as a closer.
Harness Racing Update | Page 1 | April 24, 2022
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Harness Racing Update
In last year’s Borgata final,
In last year’s Borgata final, Leonidas had post 7 and there Leonidas had post 7 and there
was little doubt that he was
was little doubt that he was going to be relegated to going to be relegated to racing
from last. This year, from a
racing from last. This year, from a slightly improved post slightly improved post 6, but
more so his form, things are
6, but more so his form, things are different. different.
He mostly raced off the pace and that was his thing. As we’ve “Last year drawing the seven-hole was a huge bummer for us,
been able to experiment with him more this year, starting and we had This Is The Plan on our outside and we knew he
could leave, so we figured that we would take back and hope
with the opens earlier in the year, he’s raced off the gate, he’s
that the fractions worked out for us,” said Cohen. “Being able
raced on the front, he’s raced from behind, so we’ve seen that
to race off the pace the way that he does, we thought we’d still
he can be more versatile than we first thought. He’s definitely have a shot if things had gone right, but the fractions just didn’t
gotten used to the style of racing here, and he’s been here work out. This year now even though he still has the six-hole,
now long enough that we have a better feel.” maybe we can try a different approach with him and not have to
IN TODAY'S HRU
Hackett Preview: Loy is off to a great 2022 start thanks in part to Toes In The Water page 8
Hollywood Hits: Remembering Stan Bergstein’s powerful and prophetic first thoughts about simulcasting page 13
Tales from The Curmudgeon: Anthony Perretti on carrying on his father’s legacy in his own style page 16
The Art of Breeding: Back to basics page 19
Superstar Females: Emily Pursell — Farm manager of Diamond Creek Farm (PA) page 20
Breaking Stride: Ah, ha, ha, ha, staying alive in a new gambling world page 22
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Harness Racing Update
rely solely on him racing off the pace. Maybe we
can try to leave with him a little bit, but Austin
(Siegelman) knows him really well and I trust
his opinion to see what he thinks he’ll do. Tattoo
Artist has the rail so that’s going to be tough (to
make the front), but we’re going to hope to get
away in a better spot than last year.”
In sharp form, Leonidas follows others from
Cohen’s barn that is in the midst of a good
streak. Just this week, Cohen has won three of
four starts at Yonkers, including winners at 19-1
and at 20-1.
“We were thinking of possibly leaving Leonidas out Georgia Panagi
for his last leg since he already had enough points, Leonidas A (Austin Siegelman) winning the third leg of the Borgata
but he’s just so good right now and we wanted to Series at Yonkers.
keep him fresh for the final,” said Cohen.
“He’s definitely feeling a lot better than this time last year. Last tough to get a read on this time around. He’s won twice in the
year he did pop a gravel shortly before the final, so that was series but was beaten by a big longshot a few back and then
a little bit of bad luck and so he wasn’t at the top of his game last week it didn’t look like he ever had any intention of getting
that night, so hopefully the next couple of days go well and close; I think I’d be surprised if he won now.
he’ll be in good shape.”
Jack’s Legend (7-2) has also won twice in the series and two
After having gone off at odds of 1.00, 0.40, 0.30, 0.10 in his back gave super-game chase to Leonidas in a fast 1:50.4 mile.
Borgata preliminary legs (all as the race favorite, obviously), Semi Tough (20-1) got the worst of a ridiculous speed duel last
Leonidas is listed at programmed odds of 9-2 for Monday’s week. He’s a longshot though he did beat Leonidas here back in
final. I’d have to think he’ll get bet down somewhat from that February. Funatthebeach (12-1) has made a good account for
number, but there’s no question that race favoritism will belong himself in the series and can rally for a share. Nandolo (15-1)
to Tattoo Artist.
hasn’t been worse than second throughout the series, and those
Tattoo Artist (7-5) was the one I pegged before the series as losses came by a neck and a nose. He’s capable of leaving, but
the favorite to win it all, and he’s found his better gear after I’m sure Leonidas will be protecting position immediately to
having not won a leg until two weeks ago. That he’s trained by his inside. Pat Stanley (20-1) is in an improbable spot though
Chris Ryder and driven by Dexter Dunn, his status as the one he does get Todd McCarthy for a return call.
to beat was solidified when he drew the rail. A 1:47.1 winner
at the Meadowlands last year, he crushed weaker Borgata foes Picks: Leonidas, Jack’s Legend, Tattoo Artist
last week in a statement win.
Perhaps the biggest wild card in the race is the defending
Borgata champion, This Is The Plan (5-1). He surprised last year
with a masterful drive by Gingras from post 8, but he’s been
Harness Racing Update | Page 6 | April 24, 2022
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Harness Racing Update
Brad Conrad
Toes In The Water (#8, Trace Tetrick) looks to turn the tables on Gabby’s C Note (#11, Aaron Merriman) in Monday’s
$50,000 James K. Hackett Memorial Final at Miami Valley Raceway.
Loy’s 2022 season has been turned around in part by Toes
In The Water, a 3-year-old filly trotter that overcame some
soreness issues at 2 and has been tapped as the 5-2 second
choice in the $50,000 James K. Hackett Memorial Final on
Monday (April 25)n at Miami Valley Raceway.
Loy is off to a great
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2022 start thanks in part
to Toes In The Water
The sophomore trotting filly is the 5-2
second choice in the $50,000 James K.
Hackett Memorial Final on Monday (April
25) at Miami Valley Raceway.
by Jay Wolf
Trainer Tye Loy has been in fixture at MGM Northfield Park since
the mid-1980s, but the last few months of 2021 was a period of CHULO 2, 1:57.f; 3,Q1:55-’22 ($106,310)
time that the 66-year-old conditioner wanted to forget. 2YO winner of $150,000 Next Generation and Ohio Sire
Loy, who was enshrined into the Northfield Park Wall of Fame Stakes; just won qualifier at Meadowlands in 1:55/:27.2
in 2011, has a blunt assessment of his late year performance.
“The stuff I was trying to race last winter was junk. I now have
better stock,” he said.
April 25 Mixed
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Harness Racing Update | Page 8 | April 24, 2022
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She was a May 28th foal
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She’s getting away well now.
~ Tye Loy STANDS 1ST SEASON IN 2022!
Toes In The Water is not the most royally-bred filly. Her SPORTS COLUMN
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Long Tom. Toes In The Water was bred by Jonas Schlaback
of Apple Creek, OH and was hammered down for $12,000 • Winner of 19 races
at the November Blooded Horse Sale to Loy and co-owner • At 2, Winner of Battle of Waterloo Final
Roger Morlock. • Winner of multiple ON Sires Stakes Gold at 2 & 3
“She looked good and she had a really good (yearling) video. • Stakes contender against North America’s best
She was athletic and long-legged,” said Loy. “I looked at a lot Standing at Winbak Farm of Delaware for $2,500!
of horses that day and she stood out.”
As a freshman, Toes In The Water raced mostly in the second-
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the Champaign County Fair in Urbana.
Despite their early success, Loy kept his filly away from Ohio
Sire Stakes company for much of the year – trying just one
OHSS leg at their hometown Northfield Park (a third-place
finish in 1:56.3) in late August.
“She was a May 28th foal and that is a good way to have
problems with them when they’re born that late,” said Loy. STANDS 1ST SEASON IN 2022!
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Harness Racing Update | Page 10 | April 24, 2022Harness Racing Update
“That mile was deceiving – she was in and out and all over the $50,000 James Hackett Memorial Final (3YOFT)
place. She was 12 lengths back at the half,” said Loy. — Monday (April 25) - Race 9
In her $20,000 Hackett elimination last week, driver Trace 1. Hill Of A Diamond (Kayne Kauffman/Jim Arledge, Jr.) 20-1
Tetrick used some of Toes In The Water’s recently found gate 2. Toes In The Water (Trace Tetrick/Brett Miller) 5-2
speed – leaving from post #8, taking the lead at the quarter 3. Gabbys C Note (Aaron Merriman/Chris Beaver) 2-1
4. I’ll Annie Up (Chris Page/Ron Burke) 5-1
and sat patiently behind a dueling Chris Beaver trainees, last
5. Reichers Caviar (Dan Noble/Chris Beaver) 9-2
season’s OHSS champion, Gabby’s C Note (Aaron Merriman) 6. Toast The Host (Tony Hall/Kayne Kauffman) 6-1
and Stephanie Hill (Jeremy Smith). 7. Jamaica Jann (Mitchell Cushing/Eric Nesselroad) 20-1
Tetrick and ‘Toes’ went toe-to-toe with the divisional champ 8. Stephanie Hill (Jeremy Smith/Chris Beaver) 20-1
down the lane, but came up a half-length short in 1:57.
$50,000 James Hackett Memorial Final (3YOFP)
The post draw for the $50,000 Hackett Final was much kinder — Tuesday (April 26) - Race 9
to Loy and Toe In The Water. She will once again have the
1. Start Takin It Off (Trace Tetrick/Brett Miller)
services of Trace Tetrick and will leave from post #2, just inside 2. When You Kiss Me (Tyler Smith/Jeff Smith)
of the elimination winner. 3. Cold Hearted Gypsy (Trace Tetrick/Herman Hagerman)
The Hackett filly trot kicks off four straight days of $50,000 4. Coastal (Josh Sutton/Ron Burke)
5. Dragons Revenge (Dan Noble/Christi Noble)
finals. The sophomore filly pace will be Tuesday, the colt
6. Allnight Micki (Mike Wilder/Tim Twaddle)
trotters will be contested on Wednesday and the 3-year-old 7. Twenty (Ronnie Wrenn, Jr./Ron Burke)
colt pacers will wrap up the rich Ohio bred finals on Thursday. 8. Spitting Image (TBD / Ron Burke)
The James K. Hackett Memorial events, which traditionally 9. Cape Cod Hanover (Chris Page/Ron Burke)
kick-off the Ohio-bred stakes season, honor the late driver/
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Hackett died in 1970, moments after finishing a race at Latonia
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Harness Racing Update
night before in a dry-run, for the introduction of the betting
phenomenon known as simulcasting. Grant City Mall on Hylan
Boulevard and 2795 Richmond Avenue in New Springfield —
both on Staten Island.”
Stan then wondered about the effect this would have on
racetracks.
“If people can gather in their own neighborhoods at well-
lighted, pleasant, policed surroundings with full amenities, how
many of them will do so — and how many of them will go back
to the track? The ones that do gather, will they be the same ones
who formerly went to the track, or will they be new fans? If they
Remembering Stan are new fans, how many will be there and will that make up for
Bergstein’s powerful and those no longer going to the track? And most important of all:
how much of the money that they wager will go back to the
prophetic first thoughts track, and thus to the horsemen who race their horses there?”
about simulcasting OH, WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN
by Bob Heyden What could have been if all these horses had lived longer.
It was about 40 years ago, sometime around 1981, when multi- All were either stars or big race winners lost way too early:
Hall of Famer Stan Bergstein uttered the word simulcasting for • Legend Hanover. The 1979 Hambletonian winner, a son of
the very first time. At least through my rather informal check. Super Bowl, died at age 6 in 1982 of intestinal issue.
This is what he had to say then about it: • Windsongs Legacy. The 2004 Triple Crown winner died at age
“Last Thursday hundreds of horse players converged on two 7. He sired Chapter Seven so that is his legacy, but what if he
locations — just as the VIPs and the media had done the had lived on?
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Harness Racing Update | Page 13 | April 24, 2022Harness Racing Update
• Armbro Elvis. The early-season star of 1985 died at 2. TOP DAVES
• Whamo. He was favored over Niatross twice — in the Woodrow Let’s look at some numbers of note for the two Daves — Miller
Wilson elimination and final in 1979 —but was ill-fated for
and Palone. The all-time active money-leading driver and the
Charlie Clark.
all-time leading dash winner. Miller has earnings of $261 million
• Armbro Fling. The Breeders Crown winner lived just four short and Palone has 19,924 wins.
years from 1984-1988.
They both got their start winning for the first time in 1981-1982.
• Panty Raid. The 1981 Trotter of the Year only made it to age But who were the top two Daves when Miller and Palone were
six for Stanley Dancer. just getting started?
• Western Shooter. The Breeders Crown and Governor’s Cup The 1981 leaders were Dave Magee at $1,632,765 (15th in the
winner in 2000 was a track record setter at the Meadowlands nation and 280 wins good for 16th). Dave Wall was second with
in 1:50 flat, the first freshman to ever do that. He did not make $698,486 and Dave Rankin next at $682,447.
it back in 2001 for Bob McIntosh and John Campbell and
On the all-time list going into the 1982 season was Dave
may have been the one with the most potential to do further
Pinkney at #37 with 2,290 wins followed by David Howard at
damage on this list.
2,069. Magee was 67th all time as the leading Dave earner
with $5,892,057 with Dave Wall another dozen spots back at
WILL THIS EVER HAPPEN AGAIN? $4,426,895.
Three trotting females who either were or would be Horse
of the Year raced in 1996. C R Kay Suzie was the defending PALONE VS. RUSSELL BAZE
HOY and she made it to the races twice, winning the Breeders
Crown against the boys to go out in style. Continentalvictory Speaking of Palone, he is at 77,056 starts, 19,924 wins with
was that year’s HOY, her dominance on display in her two-heat $151.8 million in earnings in his 40-year career. Now 60. Palone
world record Hambletonian versus the boys and an open length is fourth all time in starts behind Cat Manzi (95,690), Tony Morgan
Yonkers Trot win. And, Moni Maker, who was also 3-, dominating (84,899) and Herve Filion (82,336). That means Palone is going to
the Oaks and winning 19 in a row until bumping into Personal reach 20,000 wins before 80,000 career drives — he has clicked
Banner in the Breeders Crown. She was the 1998-1999 HOY at more than 25 per cent.
to be. Compare Palone to jockey Russell Baze, who was the kingpin
at Golden Gate
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES SWEET KAREN Baze retired in 2016 with a career slate of 53,578,, 12,842 wins
9600 seconds and 7,855 thirds and earnings of $199,334,219.
The Harness Horse Youth Foundation lost Sweet Karen this past He won over 25 per cent in his final season too 449 118-104-67
week at age 25. She had been at Diamond Creek Farm the past $1,809,778 in 2016. He had ridden 43 years.
few years and received great care and attention there after her
HHYF touring days came to a close.
Karen was born to be the center of attention. She was, with her ALL-TIME DRIVERS’ START LIST
flowing mane and a touch of diva on display 24/7. She was also
The top 10 drivers by career starts:
plucky. One look at her and the other “Miss Photogenic” ladies
decided grazing was a better option. Cat Manzi —95,690
Sweet Karen had her own Facebook page. It’s not easy for a Tony Morgan — 84,899
Trottingbred to be both a matriarch and a den mother. She Herve Filion — 82,336
managed to pull off that daily double. Yes, the years were Dave Palone — 77,028
adding up. Aaron Merriman — 73,624
Thanks, from the kids especially, for the quarter century you Dave Magee — 70,919
gave us. You truly were born to your eventual fate. Dave Miller — 69,236
Harness Racing Update | Page 14 | April 24, 2022Harness Racing Update
George Brennan — 67,772
Mike Lachance — 67,247
Ron Pierce — 67,034
Other driving notes: Bruce Ranger is 310 wins shy of 10,000,
Andy Miller 180 away from that same milestone.
As of this writing, Morgan was on the doorstep, just one win
away from 17,000 career victories.
TWO JOHNS — CAMPBELL AND VELAZQUEZ
John Campbell retired in 2017 at $299.6 million — easily #1
all time.
Jockey John Velazquez is still active and just topped $450 million
in his career — far out in front. He’s at 35,223 rides, 6,399 wins
5,151 seconds and 4,632 thirds with an astounding $12,804 per
ride lifetime and a win rate of 18 per cent.
TRACK CLOSINGS
Pompano Park — 2022
Garden State Park — 2000
Brandywine — 1989
Roosevelt Raceway — 1988
Liberty Bell — 1985
THIS WEEK’S FINES AND SUSPENSIONS
HRU is providing links to publicly-available fines and
suspension lists for convenience.
Readers are reminded that because a person’s name appears
on the list does not necessarily mean they are guilty of an
offense. Many times, cases are not finalized and many of
the accused are still entitled to due process.
Also, please note, for context, the first link is to the
Association of Racing Commissioners International’s
classification system of drug penalties to give readers a
sense of the difference between a Class 1 and a Class 4
positive.
>> ARCI classification system
>> USTA’s fines and suspensions for this week
>> S
tandardbred Canada’s fines and suspensions
for this week
Harness Racing Update | Page 15 | April 24, 2022Harness Racing Update
world’s foremost standardbred nurseries. He had planned to
invest in other areas including, but not limited to car dealerships
and restaurants.
Anthony had worked for his father in various automobile
dealerships from 1982 to 1993.
As he was sometimes prone to do, by the time Anthony returned
to New Jersey, his father had changed his mind. He had decided
to remain in the horse business.
When Bill decided once and for all to get out of the automobile
business, he brought Anthony to his farm in Cream Ridge NJ to
groom him to become, in effect, his farm manager.
Anthony Perretti on The senior Perretti had gone through many farm managers. For
carrying on his father’s one reason or another, he found them wanting in what he desired.
He would groom his son to manage the farm. He would then
legacy in his own style have someone he felt he could trust.
It was at this point in Anthony’s career that this discussion begins.
by Murray Brown
When on hears the name
Perretti, one’s thoughts would
almost always go to the late
Perhaps I am a bit prejudiced, but I believe the SBOA of
Wild Bill, the colorful founder
and owner of the famous
NJ to be the finest harness horsemen’s association in all of
Perretti Farms.
North America. It is somewhat unique in that it represents all
This story will sometimes
reference the senior Perretti, segments of the sport and all its directors are involved and are
but will focus more on his
youngest son, Anthony, who contributors to the betterment of harness racing in New Jersey.
in his own way is making a
mark in harness racing. I repeat everyone is involved and everyone contributes. It is a
Anthony Perretti was born in
Bethpage, Long Island, but truly democratic group where all have a say and are heard.
has spent most of his life
in New Jersey, with some ~ Anthony Perretti
intermediate stops in sunny
California and Florida.
Anthony’s career in harness racing was not continuous. It began Q. Here you are with no farm experience,
when he was 18 years old and his dad sent him off to work for
relatively little history with horses and you
John Campbell as a groom for his first lessons in the sport that
was to become an important segment of his life. are placed in charge — with the exception of
“I suppose at the time I wasn’t ready for the day-to-day work your father — of one of the major standardbred
that was involved with working with horses,” Anthony said. breeding farms in the world. What did you do?
At that time, Anthony had stars in his head — of the Hollywood “I believe there were three large components of any success
type. He wanted to be involved in the entertainment industry. I had with working at the farm: 1. I think that one of the key
He moved to California where he enrolled in and graduated prerequisites of success in any venture is in not only knowing
from the American Film Institute with a master’s degree in in what you know, but also perhaps more importantly, in knowing
their producing program. Thereafter, he produced independent what you do not know. In my case that was quite easy. I didn’t
films in Los Angeles. know very much about the inner workings of a standardbred
In 2001, he received a phone call from his father. Bill Perretti had breeding farm. But I was eager to learn — make that anxious
decided that he was going to get out of the harness racing business. to learn.
He was going to disperse his horse holdings, including the “2. I had great teachers, chief among them were Bob Marks,
beautiful farm that he had built and established as one of the Dr. Peter Boyce and Dr. Beryl Taylor. Bob Marks was with my
Harness Racing Update | Page 16 | April 24, 2022Harness Racing Update
Claus Andersen
Anthony Perretti (left) with
his late father Bill Perretti.
dad from the very beginning of the farm. It’s my belief that up and become more successful. He would strive for success
without Bob’s knowledge the farms might not have achieved the and sometimes by the sheer force of his will, he would rise to
success that it did — certainly not to the degree of success that the top again.”
it attained. Dr. Boyce was an expert, the best that I’ve known in
both equine reproduction and in judging the conformation of a Q. You worked for Perretti Farms from 2002
horse. Bob, Dr. Boyce and Dr. Taylor were very willing to share through 2014, when your father passed away
their knowledge with this neophyte. I think that knowledge is
much more easily attained when one learns from the best. I was
and Perretti Farms was put on the market. What
privileged to have been in that situation. transpired then?
“3. Perhaps most importantly, I knew Bill Perretti. I could get “I purchased a 74-acre parcel of land contiguous with the farm
along with him. I could roll with the punches if there were any from the William J. Perretti estate. My goal at the time was
to be received. I felt I knew how to approach him and get along to use this to establish a boutique farm where I would breed
with him.” and raise a small group of yearlings that I would offer for sale
each year. However, fate intervened. In 2019, a 64-acre farm
that had belonged to the late Michael Parisi became available.
Its location presented an ideal opportunity. It presented the
Q. Tell us a little about your dad. possibility of perhaps down the road establishing a stallion
“First and foremost, he was a brilliant man. He had the ability to station there. Anthony Perretti Farms LLC sold the farm adjacent
discern opportunity. When it presented itself, he wasn’t afraid to to the former Perretti Farm and bought Michael’s farm which is
just opposite to White Birch farm.
pick up the ball and run with it. Maybe, contrary to the opinion
of some, he would place great trust in those that he had working “The farm is a work in progress. I do just about everything
for him. He believed strongly in the best of everything — from associated with it, including but certainly not limited to building
the physical appearance of the farm itself, to the people that he fence, mowing and all the day-to-day chores associated with
had working for him and especially to the horses that inhabited running a farm. I am very hands on in the operation. I and my
the farm. He demanded excellence and would settle for nothing wife Gloria do just about everything associated with it. It is now
less. He never gave in to adversity. I think the most important known as Anthony Perretti Farms LLC.
thing I learned from him was to never give up. There were times “I partnered up with Joe Davino, Brad Shackman and the trainer
where he was down because of business adversity only to get Nik Drennan in owning horses.”
Harness Racing Update | Page 17 | April 24, 2022Harness Racing Update
Q. Please describe your interest with your horses “TrotPac is the political arm of the SBOA of NJ. I am its chairman.
I view my responsibility as first and foremost to bring attention
and with your partners. to all facets of the business in the state to our legislators. They
“It is somewhat involved. My partners and I now own 10 include but are not limited to speaking before political groups
broodmares, five yearlings and are anticipating eight foals of and keeping in touch with these people upon which our fate lies.
2022. In addition, we own five horses in training. They consist of I have found that their two greatest concerns are the number of
three 2-year-olds and two 4-year-old mares. All of the horses in people directly or indirectly involved(AKA votes) and the number
training are destined to become broodmares. They are trained of jobs it represents. I hope that I am well suited to the position.
by one of the partners, Nik Drennan. I think I speak well and perhaps most importantly generally
“I’m pretty proud of the young mares being trained by speaking, I get along with people.
Nik. They include Mikala, a 4-year-old Always B Miki half- “I’ve been a board member of the Hambletonian Society since
sister to Captaintreacherous, Star Captain, a 4-year-old 2010. I view a big part of my presence there as being able to
Captaintreacherous half-sister to Bettors Wish and Mimis Lily, address the needs and achievements of breeders everywhere,
a sister to Papi Rob Hanover. with particular emphasis on New Jersey. New Jersey is noteworthy,
“Joe Davino owns an 80-acre farm where the mares and their since the Hambletonian and the Hambletonian Oaks, the two
foals are domiciled. When the foals are weaned, they are moved most important stakes owned by the Society take place at The
to my farm where we raise them. When they are ready for sale, Meadowlands, harness racing’s premier track.
we move them to Fair Winds Farm, where they are prepped till
sale time. Our yearlings this year will be sold at Harrisburg with
Diamond Creek acting as agent in our behalf. Q. You’ve mentioned your affinity to show
“In addition I personally own stallion shares in Always B Miki business. Are you still involved?
and Papi Rob Hanover. The group owns a share in Lazarus.
“I’m involved mostly in the breeding end of things, whereas my “I view show business as somewhat like harness racing, in that
partners are mostly involved with racing.” once you get it in your blood, you cannot get it out. I miss
Hollywood. I am still involved in a minor manner working on
some projects.”
Q. You also have what would be described as a
day job.
Q. How do you view the future of harness racing
“Yes, thank goodness for that. My wife Gloria and myself are both in general and New Jersey in particular?
licensed real estate agents here in New Jersey. The real estate
market is now booming. We are glad for that.” “I’m not going to be a Pollyanna and say that all is rosy and
perfect. We undoubtedly have our problems. In particular to me is
the low attendance at live racing venues and the diminishment
Q. There are several areas related to harness of race days. The lessening number of registrations is a concern
racing with which you have a significant as well.
involvement. “I do see an upswing in New Jersey. Purse money is up. New
Jersey-sired horses are going for more money and have greater
“I am chairman of TrotPac New Jersey, a board member of the opportunity. Two of the world’s greatest trotting sires Muscle
Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey Hill and Walner call the Garden State their home. I’ll go back to
and have been a board member of the Hambletonian Society.”
what my father preached and lived by ‘Never Give Up.’”
Q. Could you please describe your duties with Have a question or comment for
each of these entities?
The Curmudgeon? Reach him by
“Perhaps I am a bit prejudiced, but I believe the SBOA of NJ to be email at: hofmurray@aol.com
the finest harness horsemen’s association in all of North America.
It is somewhat unique in that it represents all segments of the
sport and all its directors are involved and are contributors to
the betterment of harness racing in New Jersey. I repeat everyone
is involved and everyone contributes. It is a truly democratic
group where all have a say and are heard.
Harness Racing Update | Page 18 | April 24, 2022Harness Racing Update
that he could walk out in any field where his mares and foals
were turned out and catch any foal he wanted to catch. Carter
is one of the best horsemen I’ve ever known, and that is just
one example of his skill.
Weaning time can come any time after the foal is three months
old, and I like to stick pretty close to that. I realize that some
farms can’t wean until they bring their yearlings in to start
sales prep, because they use the same fields for each crop.
If you possibly can, it pays to give your fields a rest between
each crop. If you do, the field should be chain harrowed to
break up the manure lying in it. That way it can be absorbed
Back to basics by the land, and thereby enriched.
Here, a factual correction. When a pregnant mare loses her
by Alan Leavitt pregnancy through a process that doesn’t involve abortion, the
mare has “resorbed” the pregnancy, not “absorbed” it.
Now is as good a time as any to go over some basics that are
essential for good horsemanship. Here a general rule regarding turn-outs, whether mares,
yearlings, or horses in general. Horses should always be turned
Since it’s the foaling season, all foals should be “socialized” before out in even numbers. Horses are buddy animals, and if there
they stand up for the first time. This means putting hands on them, is an uneven number of horses in a field, they will always be
picking up feet, rubbing their ears and face, and rubbing them all a “lonely only.” Which means some poor horse who is picked
over. Also called “imprinting,” this early handling will make the on by everybody else, who gets last crack at the feed, whose
foal much easier to handle for the rest of its life. life is unnecessarily unpleasant.
Then, the first morning of its life, the foal should be haltered. Somehow the plight of the single horse in this situation
From that early moment on, wherever the dam is led, the foal reminds me of the lonely guy who stays up all night playing
should be led also. For the first few times mom and son or solitaire with a deck of 51. On request, I’ll sing it for you.
daughter are turned out, a butt rope is helpful in getting the As for weaning itself, it should be the least traumatic as you can
foal broke to lead. make it. Assuming you’re dealing with a field of nursing mares,
It only takes one person to lead both mare and foal. The foal every few days you remove one mare. Eventually, you are down
goes in front, and gets most of the attention, the mare brings to one mare and a bunch of foals, now weanlings. At this point
up the rear, usually just tagging along on a slack lead. you move everybody to the field where the yearlings will be
raised, and after a few weeks you can
quietly take out the one remaining
It only takes one person to lead both mare and foal. mare, and all her foster kids will hardly
realize she is gone.
The foal goes in front, and gets most of the attention, The next important stage is yearling
the mare brings up the rear, usually just tagging sales prep. In addition to all the usual
grooming tools, a vacuum cleaner is
along on a slack lead. very useful. As for feed, a high level of
corn oil does wonders for a horse’s coat.
There are so many ways a foal running loose can get into I like a mane pulled. It’s easy to do with a mane comb. If an
trouble, plus breaking them to lead early on makes them so occasional yearling doesn’t want to stand, a blanket clip on
much easier to handle for the rest of their lives. his or her nose will solve the problem. I was taught early on
to pull the mane the length of a dollar bill, and I still do today.
Doing things this way also makes them easy to catch because
whenever mom and kid are being brought in, the foal has to be Videos are essential in yearling marketing. Music is just a
caught so the lead can be snapped onto the halter ring. Some distraction as far as this kid is concerned, but others love it.
years ago I spent some time with Carter Duer as he showed If you must use music, at least use good taste. I’d recommend
me his teasing methods. In passing, he happened to mention Dire Straits’ Walk of Life.
Harness Racing Update | Page 19 | April 24, 2022Harness Racing Update
Finally, an interesting message from
I shoe all my yearlings, trotters and pacers, with 5/8’s my dear friend, Moira Fanning. She
sent me a report on the leading
half rounds. I also put bright, white rubber bell boots sires in Europe in 2021. The
major trotting countries, France,
on in the front. The boots accentuate the yearling’s Italy, Sweden, and Norway were
dominated by familiar names like
action, and I’ve never grasped why everyone doesn’t Love You, Maharajah, Ready Cash,
use them. The little weight they add will also help to and Varenne.
But working your way down the
keep the yearling on the trot the whole way. list of European countries where
trotters are bred, one comes to
I shoe all my yearlings, trotters and pacers, with 5/8’s half Estonia, Lithuania, and Hungary. Lo and behold, the champion
rounds. I also put bright, white rubber bell boots on in the sires in all three of those booming standardbred breeding hot
front. The boots accentuate the yearling’s action, and I’ve never beds are sons of Conway Hall!
grasped why everyone doesn’t use them. The little weight they So I walked down to his paddock, where he lives in glorious
add will also help to keep the yearling on the trot the whole retirement, and fed him a handful of Mrs. Pasture’s Cookies For
way. Horses. And as he rested his beautiful head in my shoulder, I
This means videoing both trotters and pacers on the trot. From whispered, “Szép Munka” in his ear. Which as every well educated
all the years I spent with Howard Beissinger, I’m confident I citizen of the world knows means “Well done” in Hungarian,
could get my pacers to pace in their videos, but it never has thanks to Google.
seemed worth the trouble. If anyone wants to try it, start by
leaving the yearling barefoot in front and shod with a side-
weighted shoe behind. But again, the pacers will bring just as
much money with a good trotting video as they would if they
paced, so why bother?
Harness Racing Update | Page 20 | April 24, 2022Harness Racing Update
What does Pursell enjoy most about working with some of
harness racing’s four-legged stars?
“My favorite part of my everyday routine is getting to work with
the stallions and learning all their different personalities and
quirks.
“Horses are just like people, for they each have their own
personality and disposition. Such as: Captain Crunch – He is
the athlete of the bunch. He’s always on his toes, whether it be
in the stallion shed or getting some exercise in his paddock. He
lets one and all know who he is.
Emily Pursell — Farm “Father Patrick — He is the ‘wisest’ of them all. He never misses
a beat and expects the same from you.
manager of Diamond “Bettors Wish — is the playful one. He has the best temperament
and can make friends with anyone or any horse.
Creek Farm (PA) “Always B Miki – Here at the farm we call him, ‘The Gentle Giant.’
by Victoria Howard He is 16’3 hands and as big a beast as he is, Miki has the kindest
eye and the utmost respect for his handlers.
Working hard and having patience does pay off. Just ask Emily “Sweet Lou – is the ‘handsome one,’ for as anyone who owns or
Pursell. knows his offspring, they mostly all have the legendary white
Pursell has a dream job, working as the farm manager at blaze. Thus, his kids that are on the farm are the most colorful.
Diamond Creek farm in Pennsylvania. Every day she gets to This stallion catches your eye, as does his offspring, and you
mingle with some of harness racing’s top stallions, such as can find them easily with some variation of daddy’s white blaze.
Captain Crunch, Father Patrick, Bettors Wish, Sweet Lou, Always Lou is also the businessman for he is always ‘on point’ in the
B Miki and Heston Blue Chip. breeding shed.
Caroline Vazquez
Diamond Creek farm
manager Emily Pursell.
Harness Racing Update | Page 21 | April 24, 2022Harness Racing Update
“And then, last but not least, is Heston Blue Chip, who by far is “Diamond Creek is a great place to work at because of the
the most level-headed. He knows when it is time to go to work, environment and people there. We offer the opportunity to learn
but he’s also very laid back and an all-around happy horse.” just about anything from the basics of horses to the details of
As far as the ladies: producing a champion racehorse.
“I currently have most of the maiden mares for Diamond Creek “Hard work, consistency, progress, and a positive attitude are all
Farms here with me. This year fresh off the track ready for their the things we pride ourselves on having. Striving to reach the
new career as a mama is: Altar, Blood Oath and Heart Of Mine.” high standards of being ‘a cut above’ is just a little part of what
keeps everyone who works at Diamond Creek so close.
Many yearlings have been bred, raised and sold from Diamond
Creek Farm. The latest and most talked about is the filly Exile “Leaving your horse in the care of Diamond Creek is a wise
who was sold in 2021 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale choice, for each horse is cared for equally — but are also tended
for a whopping $800,000. to its individual needs.
“Exile is now a 2-year-old in training and we are excited and looking “Routine maintenance of each horse is kept up on and the clients
forward to seeing what she can do on the track,” Pursell said. are updated weekly on the horses’ status and how they are
Born in Tiffin, OH, Pursell came from a small roots farm family, doing — whether they are here to be bred, foal out, or prepped
who were not involved in the standardbred industry. for a sale.”
“I grew up competing with my own horses and always knew I As far as Pursell owning a horse, she said, “I do own a part in
wanted to make a career in the equine industry, but I first had one of our mares here — Catamaran Fashion. She is a 4-year-old
to finish college. mare by Always B Miki out of Galliebythebeach. She is presently
“After graduating from Ohio State University, I began interning in foal to Tall Dark Stranger.
at Diamond Creek Farm in 2018. I worked hard and worked my “I’m super-excited, yet a bit anxious. This is a new chapter in my
way up to farm manager. life and I couldn’t be happier.”
“My duties as a farm manager here at Diamond Creek (PA) are
managing the breeding shed and overseeing the stallions and
mares.”
“Currently 40 horses reside here so there is always something
going on and needing done.
Harness Racing Update | Page 22 | April 24, 2022Harness Racing Update
At that time, I knew (vaguely) that my competition in that horse
race came from the people on the racetrack premises, folks who
used paper programs to wager paper money on other horses in
that race. I also knew that the racetrack took a cut, a takeout,
for putting on the show. A horse wager was like a hand in a
poker game where we played against each other, and the host
took a piece of the action. Horseracing gamblers enjoyed this
arrangement.
Today, my horse gamble is different. I am no longer sure what
happens to the $20 I wager on a trotter or what happens to
the money returned on a winning wager. I’m not sure who my
Ah, ha, ha, ha, staying alive competition is, but I have suspicions that my foe is no longer
a guy in a cheap suit smoking a cigar or a factory worker out
in a new gambling world for a night at the track. A barrage of questions without answers
makes me feel like a sap. Even ex-disco dancers do not want
by Trey Nosrac to feel foolish.
Are we gambling against a person or a computer program?
In 1865, Frenchman Pierre Oller invented pari-mutuel wagering.
His concept was a system of placing bets where winning players Are we betting against a syndicate?
divide the total amount of each bet in proportion to their wagers Are we gambling against a computer-robotic wagering platform?
minus management expenses. In 1908, pari-mutuel betting
Do high-volume wagers and wagerers get a rebate, a better deal
became the standard for horse race wagering when used at
on the takeout than average Joe’s and Jane’s?
the Kentucky Derby. It became the most popular betting method
on horse races, the foundation of horse racing. What is the best Advanced Wagering Platform?
Our foundation is cracking. The engine that keeps our game Will fixed-odds wagering level the field?
afloat is losing steam. We are reluctant to admit that our Can robots or bots sneak in wagers at the last megasecond to
business model, which worked perfectly well in the last century, skew the odds?
will not work much longer, at least not for mortals.
How many gamblers on horse races use metadata from machines
I present myself as exhibit A. that crunch numbers?
My first harness wager occurred near the merciful end of the Are there shady offshore gambling sites that steal the horse racing
disco era. After an evening channeling John Travolta, I danced product?
beneath the mirrored spinning ball in the Stardust Lounge of
the Holiday Inn in Naperville, IL. The next afternoon, I visited a Can any human brain using a paper racing program consistently
nearby harness racetrack where I plopped $20 on a racehorse. turn a profit gambling on horse racing?
I believe the name of the racehorse was Fading Fast. Why would we play a game with a 20% takeout when other sports
Astonishingly, Fading Fast won the race, and I won some money. gambles are much lower?
The payoff sealed my fate. What will the next decade bring to our beloved sport?
Harness Racing Update | Page 23 | April 24, 2022Harness Racing Update
Do you know the answers to these questions? I don’t. Noodling
around the Internet, I stumbled across a think tank on the
business of gambling in racing. Here is a snippet of often
indecipherable information:
“Most of the play from the HVBS (high-volume betting shops) or
SPMOs (secondary pari-mutuel organizations) do not count in
the ADW figures. Customers like those place their bets directly
into the pools, bypassing an ADW intermediary. There are also
smaller CRW’s (computerized robotic wagering groups) which
DO process bets through ADWs, entities betting tens of millions
annually. Their total handle is unknown to the wider industry
because it is commingled with ADW betting. Bettors may not
understand how the big HVBS/SPMO groups operate and
precisely what they are betting, but they can readily observe
their impact on the game.”
This jibberish leads one to believe that some serious-minded
players are in the food chain between money wagered
and returned on a horse race. Money often leads to rough
neighborhoods. And the sports gambling neighborhoods are
about to get much larger and more cutthroat.
Many of you will not be troubled by issues of this ilk because you
have had your harness racing fun and may not be around. Others
will carefully cover your heads and wait for the tooth fairy to
solve all problems. For those who care and have influence, the
fork in the road for harness racing would seem to be one of
the following:
A. Fix the broken engine of our sport, pari-mutuel wagering,
and make a horse wager palatable for all players.
B. Concoct new wagering methods on racing harness horses
that do not require our traditional engine. This retooling will
certainly involve fixed-odds wagers and gambling plays that
are more luck than skill for new players. Most new players will
be searching more for entertainment and less for intellectual
stimulation.
Option A does not look promising. Technology will continue to
squeeze money out of every dollar, competition for gambling
dollars will expand, and the presentation of our product will
remain static to most eyes. Horse racing will be a poor wager
for both loyal and casual fans. We will be a hard sell for new
participants.
Option B may not thrill you but is the most promising.
A shift to fixed-odds wagering for veteran handicappers and
entertaining random plays for new gamblers on horse races
may offer our best hope for - Ah, ha, ha ha staying alive.
Harness Racing Update | Page 24 | April 24, 2022Harness Racing Update
An unbreakable bond
by Ken Weingartner / USTA media relations manager
It is not uncommon for a caretaker to develop a bond
with a horse. Sometimes, the bond is strong. Other times,
it is unbreakable. This is one of those times.
Stefanie Seaman is Perfect Bet’s best friend forever. A
10-year-old male pacer, Perfect Bet entered Seaman’s
life around March 2014, several months before he made
his debut at age 2. Since then, caretaker and horse
have remained together through the ups-and-downs
of racing, and several barn changes.
Ken Weingartner / USTA
Perfect Bet, a son of Bettor’s Delight—Perfectionist, has
Perfect Bet and Stefanie Seaman.
overcome numerous obstacles during his career, both
in terms of illnesses and injuries. Despite the setbacks, he “You put it in front of him, he will eat it,” Seaman said. “He likes
has won 25 races and $370,830 lifetime. He’s competed on the peppermints, and he really loves apple-and-oat treats, but he
Grand Circuit, won on the state-bred stakes level, and beaten will eat anything. Donuts, candy bars, crackers. As you can tell,
millionaires. he’s not skinny.”
But his most-enduring accomplishment is winning Seaman’s Perfect Bet and Seaman have shared many winning moments.
heart, which in good part has to do with the heart of Perfect All have been special. One recent triumph, at Freehold Raceway
Bet himself. in December of last year, was particularly satisfying.
“He tries every week,” Seaman said. “He goes out there and “I really thought, he hadn’t been himself in a while; I thought
he gives everything he’s got. That’s why he is my favorite. I do he was getting to the end of his career,” Seaman said. “It was a
everything I can to help him, and in return he does everything cheap class, but he went out there and won, and I thought, oh,
he can for me. wow, he really does still have it in him.
“He might not be a world champion, but he deserves to be.” “Every year, he comes back.”
Seaman’s attachment to Perfect Bet, though, started to form So far this year, Perfect Bet has a win, a second, and a third in
before the horse ever competed in a race. eight starts. Owned by Aimee Scheid, the gelding has been in
“Since I first got him as a 2-year-old, we’ve just always had a the New Jersey-based barn of trainer Travis Kolaczynski, who is
bond,” Seaman said. “He was just the coolest horse. He always Seaman’s boyfriend, since March 2018. No matter where Perfect
had his head out, looking for attention, wanting somebody to Bet was stabled previously, Seaman was with him.
do something to him. I just loved his personality.” “If they were ever to sell him, I’d ask for a job wherever he
Not much has changed in eight years. went,” Seaman said. “I wouldn’t be doing this if it weren’t for
“You would hate him if you walked into the barn because he’s him. I’ve been doing this since I was a kid. I’m about ready to
a spoiled brat,” Seaman said with a laugh. “He stands at the do something else. I want to move to Florida and get a real job,
gate and paws all day long hoping somebody will give him have days off, vacation days.”
something. Most of the time, he gets what he wants.” And what about Perfect Bet?
As for what he wants, Perfect Bet isn’t fussy, especially when “One day I will own him,” Seaman said with a smile, “and he will
it comes to food. live in Florida with me.”
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