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Sunday,
Day, Month
February
00, 27,
20212022
OHHA initiative aims to
drive Jug purse to $1 million
The Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association will pay the yearling nomination fee to the Grand Circuit races
at the Delaware County Fair for all Ohio-sired foals registered.
by Jay Wolf
Since 2019, the OHHA has been a financial supporter of the
Little Brown Jug and Bateson and Little Brown Jug society pres-
ident Tom Wright were looking for a way to gain extra benefits
for Ohio breeders and, in turn, possibly increase the Jug purse
to $1 million.
“Steve and I have been talking about this opportunity for a
At last month’s Ohio Harness Horseman’s Association’s (OHHA) couple of years,” Wright said. “We are so grateful for the OHHA’s
annual banquet, board president Steve Bateson used his time at support and we thought this would be a benefit that wouldn’t
the podium to not only look back at the previous year’s success, cost them additional money. The Jug Society would just receive
he also looked forward to the future by announcing that the a portion of their sponsorship money two years earlier.”
OHHA and the Little Brown Jug Society had entered into a new The goal of the program is simple, if all Ohio yearlings are eli-
initiative to promote Ohio foals. gible it would be expected that more owners would make the
The OHHA will be paying the yearling nomination fee for all 2- and 3-year-old payments. More sustaining payments equal
Ohio-sired foals registered by Dec. 31, 2022 to the Grand Circuit more money for the purses.
races – the Little Brown Jug, the Jugette, the Old Oaken Bucket Over the past three years, an average of 150 Ohio breds were
and the Buckette — at the Delaware County Fair. nominated to the Little Brown Jug. With an estimated additional
Harness Racing Update | Page 1 | February 27, 2022
Harness Racing Update
“The OHHA has been relentless in their promotion of our indus-
IN TODAY'S HRU try and the horsemen and horsewomen of the state of Ohio,”
said Wright. “This is another example of their dedication to keep
Feds charge that PED case involves 30 harness tracks page 03 Ohio in the forefront.”
Why I believe International Moni will be the hot 2-year-old sire of 2022 page 05 The past few years, a couple of Ohio’s top sophomores were not
eligible for the Delaware Grand Circuit events due to a missed
How 21st century marketing works page 08
yearling nomination, most notably last year’s top Ohio pacers
A rare in-depth look at harness racing’s Mr. Everything Jerry Glantz page 12 Charlie May and Heart Of Chewbacca.
“We always want to have the best horses eligible and to com-
pete in our events,” said Wright. “Ohio-breds are making noise
300 yearling colt pacers eligible, and based on past sustaining
on a national level.”
percentages, the LBJ Society hopes for 100 additional 2-year-
old payments ($500 each) and 33 3-year-old payments ($750 In the 2021 Breeders Crown events, Ohio-breds were led by
each) and five additional starters ($7,000 each) – an estimated Ocean Rock (winner of the older pace), Gulf Shores (second by
$127,000 towards the LBJ purse. a nose in the 2-year-old colt pace), Charlie May (beaten by a
Similar percentages could increase the purses for the filly com- length in the 3-year-old colt pace), Sea Silk (third in the 2-year-
panion Jugette and the Old Oaken Bucket and Buckette trots old filly pace) and Pebble Beach (third by a 1 ¼ lengths in the
by a combined $150,000. freshman colt pace).
“A couple of years ago we revised our supplemental require- The last Ohio-bred to win the Little Brown Jug was the 1988
ments for the Jug and Jugette,” said Wright. “Our ultimate goal champ, B J Scoot.
would be to get the Jug purse to that million-dollar mark. We “I can’t wait for the next Ohio-bred Little Brown Jug champion,”
still have some work to do, but this new Ohio-bred program is Wright said.
a great start.”
The yearling payment program is another ‘outside the box’ initi-
ative by the OHHA. The past few years have seen the association
televise races at all 65 Ohio county fairs, promote their ‘Racing
with the Stars’ tents and host several Charity Nights to name
a few.
Now
Taking
Bids
February 28 Mixed Sale
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Jay Wolf POISED TO BECOME THE NO. 1 SOURCE
Little Brown Jug society president Tom Wright. OF SUCCESSFUL ONLINE SALES
Harness Racing Update | Page 2 | February 27, 2022
Harness Racing Update
The Bill of Particulars charges that in order to avoid detection
of their administration of PEDs, the defendants had to defraud
and mislead government agencies, including racing regulators,
racetracks, pharmacies, border officials and the betting public,
which made all of the above victims of their conspiracy.
The alleged doping was apparently so widespread that it took
place at nearly every harness racetrack in North America. Top
tracks such as the Meadowlands, Yonkers, Woodbine Mohawk, the
Red Mile and Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack made the
list as did numerous smaller tracks such as Charlottetown Driving
Park, Hiawatha Horse Park, Ocean Downs and Batavia Downs.
The victims also include numerous state and provincial agencies
such as the New Jersey State Racing Commission and the New
York State Gaming Commission. It also includes agencies in
Feds charge that PED case states where there is no harness racing, such as the Iowa Racing
and Gaming Commission and the Texas Racing Commission.
involves 30 harness tracks The government said that the defendants manufactured, purchased,
sold, shipped, delivered, received and administered “at least thou-
by Bill Finley sands of units of PEDs...” According to the Bill of Particulars, Poliseno,
Grasso and Allard allegedly placed orders for prescription drugs at
In a document known as a Bill of Particulars, the government numerous pharmacies. In a show of the extent they would go to
has compiled a long list of what it says are victims in the matter acquire the drugs, Poliseno, Grasso and Allard allegedly used 40
different pharmacies, including ones in Alabama, Idaho and Texas.
involving the alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs in
harness racing by five individuals currently under indictment. The Still, other victims include the Food and Drug Administration, the
list includes 30 harness tracks where defendants Richard Banca, Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection,
Rene Allard and Thomas Guido III raced and, allegedly, used PEDs. Canada Border Services Agency, and the United States Trotting
Association and additional government agencies such as state veter-
When denying a motion from the defendants’ lawyers to throw out inary boards, state pharmacy boards and state departments of health.
the indictment, U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel ordered prosecu-
In other developments involving the on-going doping scandal
tors to provide the defense counsel a Bill of Particulars. A bill of that has rocked thoroughbred and standardbred racing, harness
particulars is a written document in which a party has to explain trainer Rick Dane Jr. has changed his plea to not guilty and
the allegations in his/her complaint, or petition, in more detail. awaits sentencing. He was charged with one count of conspiracy
The indictment covering Guido, Banca and Allard also includes to commit drug adulteration and misbranding and one count
Louis Grasso and Donato Poliseno, both of whom the govern- of conspiracy to defraud the United States.
ment charges were distributing illegal drugs. Poliseno was the Trainer Chris Oakes, who had close ties to convicted thoroughbred
owner of a Delaware-based veterinary supply company and trainer Jorge Navarro, will be sentenced Friday. Oakes, 57, pled
Grasso is a veterinarian. guilty to one count of misbranding and drug adulteration with
intent to defraud or deceive and faces up to three years in prison.
The five have been charged with one count of drug adultera-
tion and misbranding conspiracy and face up to five years in a
federal prison.
This particular indictment does not include anyone associated
with the thoroughbred game, which is why the list of victims
includes only harness tracks.
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Harness Racing Update | Page 3 | February 27, 2022
Harness Racing Update
Why I believe International
Moni will be the hot 2-year-
old sire of 2022
Also, if I’m coming back as a horse…
by Alan Leavitt
As a rule, I follow the maxim that even a fish wouldn’t get into
trouble if he only kept his mouth shut. But here this fish is
going to open his mouth and predict that International Moni
is going to be the hot sire of 2-year-old trotters this year. I’m
going partly by what I’ve heard from two top trainers, Jimmy
Takter and Randy Jerrell, partly from intuition. by leading U.S. stallions, and they were, at best, ordinary. Only
when she was mated with Love You did she strike gold. For my
International Moni is a Lindy homebred, by Love You and out
part, a lot of the gold she struck in International Moni is owed
of the immortal Moni Maker. Until she was bred to Love you,
to Love You. He has proven over and over again that his genetic
Moni Maker was the trotting world’s best example of the total
deck only has high cards when it comes to the speed gene.
disparity between her phenotype and her genotype.
There’s also something else at work here, which I readily admit
Moni’s phenotype was the living great mare that could win over
I don’t understand. To produce an International Moni, both the
$6 million on tracks all over the world. We’ve never seen a better
sire and the dam have to come up with high speed gene genetic
race filly and race mare, and we may never see her likes again.
cards. There is something indefinable that gives a certain stal-
But her genotype, her genetic profile, bore no resemblance to lion the ability to cause a certain mare to match his high speed
her greatness on the racetrack. She had a number of foals, all gene with one of her own.
Love You crossed on Moni Maker is one example of this. Bred to
a raft of other stallions, Moni Maker failed to contribute anything
that would produce a top horse. That only happened with Love You.
Another example of the same kind of synergy occurred with
Amour Angus and Garland Lobell. We know Garland was a high
card horse who improved every mare he was bred to. But he
also had an indefinable ability to make a mare like Amour Angus
match his high card speed gene with one of her own. Hence,
Andover Hall, Angus Hall, and Conway Hall.
In my youth, I saw the same thing with Dancer Hanover and Romola
Hanover. As a sire of racehorses, Dancer Hanover’s only top horses
were the three that he got with Romola Hanover. On the other hand,
she was a good producer, but she only produced greatness when she
and Dancer engaged in hanky-panky. When they did, the results were
Dave Landry
named Romeo Hanover, Romulus Hanover, and Romalie Hanover. All
International Moni (Scott Zeron) in 2017 at the Red Mile. three of them were the best of their respective generations.
Harness Racing Update | Page 5 | February 27, 2022
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Back to International Moni, he was a top colt at 2, my year for is anonymous, at least to me, but at the least Baffert needs to
defining future sire success, and if he hadn’t been run into in impress on him the need to read the ingredients of anything
the final, he would have won the Hambletonian. he decides to rub on a horse’s backside.
The Antonaccis, consummate sportsmen, brought International I also remember another one of Baffert’s horses flipping over
Moni back at 4, where he totally disproved Jeff Gural’s premise in the paddock before his stablemate won the big dance. It’s
that no horse should be retired at the end of his 3-year-old year. amazing that this doesn’t happen more often. A horse’s mouth
Paying the steep physical price that any high-powered cam- and gums are sensitive, and any pain there will cause them to
paigns at 2 and 3 will exact, International Moni was just another flip. When you put a chain over the gums when a horse is bri-
racehorse at 4. By my estimate, racing the horse at 4 cost Lindy dled, there needs to be a very light hand on the lead shank. If
Farms between half a million and a million dollars in breeding I’m coming back as a horse, please, Lord, not as a thoroughbred.
fees and sales of syndicate shares.
What was true of International Moni will be true of virtually The origin of Camptown Races
any colt who competes successfully in the big stakes at 2 and
3. My dear friend, the great Canadian vet Dr. Melissa McKee, has Finally, a long overdue explanation of that great American folk
told me in detail of the physical damage hard racing does to a song, Camptown Races. Camptown was the original name of
young horse. Gural has done many great things for our sport. Freehold, NJ. It has got to be the home of one of the oldest
He would do one more if he got rid of his rule regarding the trotting tracks in North America, since it was flourishing in 1850,
progeny of horses that went into the stud at 4. when Stephen Foster wrote the song.
For the record, the “Bob tailed nag” the singer bet his money
on was the great trotting mare Flora Temple. She set all kinds
Baffert’s just desserts of world’s records, at all kinds of tracks for Hiram Woodruff and
James McCann, and she had a bobbed tail. And the next time I’m
On a totally different subject, Bob Baffert finally got his just desserts, in New Jersey, I’ll invite Bruce to go to the track with me, and
or at least what passes for them in Kentucky. Meaning that Medina we’ll bet with both hands on the first bob tailed mare we see.
Spirit was taken down as the Derby winner, Baffert got some days,
and he was fined all of $7,500 for doing his bit to destroy the pristine
image of the biggest thoroughbred race in the world.
Although Baffert was the trainer of record, all the actual, day-
to-day training was done by one of his second trainers. The guy
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Harness Racing Update
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RACING
Harness Racing Update
“I haven’t seen one of those before,” he says. What’s perhaps even more interesting about this medium is
Later that day he decides to go for a drive; the weather is great that our friend who ended up going to the track can be tar-
and he’s bored. He looks down, and seeing he’s close to empty, geted again, anytime the weather is nice and he’s near the
he stops for gas. While pumping his $4 a gallon liquid gold, he Meadowlands (or any other racetrack for that matter). And, our
hears a voice and glances over to see another harness racing machine can analyze our targeted user and based on his char-
commercial on the pump’s video screen. acteristics and behavior, target new users who are just like him.
“That’s odd, I just saw one of those”, he says. The world has certainly changed, and marketing has along with it.
A newspaper ad in 1990 was served to everyone; a TV ad during
After filling up he notices an ice cream shop across the street, the Nightly News hopefully reached someone you wanted.
and since it’s such a great day he decides to indulge in a double
scoop of rocky road. While enjoying his treat he surfs the New Now marketers can serve ads to you whether it’s rainy or sunny
York Times website to catch up on the news, and lo and behold or snowy with a weather API; to people around stores, stadiums
he gets served another harness racing ad. This static banner – or racetracks with geo-fencing. And they can target audiences
like ones you and I have seen a million times — lets him know that are more likely to visit their store, or buy their product, or
the first post at the Meadowlands is in one hour. visit their event with incredible behavior-based accuracy.
“That’s only a mile away, and I haven’t been there in years. Why It might sound like science fiction, and maybe it’s a bit creepy.
not go?” he thinks. But it’s easier than ever to find potential harness racing fans
and bettors and market to them. The old marketing mediums
If this sounds like a Philip K. Dick novel, it’s not. This marketing is and tactics are on the cusp of becoming ancient history.
happening right now. A person is targeted via an audience based
on their behavior, he or she is shown an ad via their targeted
location, and then from that IP address they can be targeted
again through remarketing on their mobile phone where ever
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dollars to win and four dollars to place. He would take me to
Yonkers Raceway to watch the horses train in the morning.
Mornings were the only times I could go, because at that time
kids were not allowed to go to the racetrack at night. It was
literally love at first sight. I loved everything about it, especially
the horses. My earliest recollection of being involved was when
my dad took me with him to this place called Goshen, New York.
He was going to buy a horse in partnership with a man by the
name of Joe Potash. Mr. Potash was a fairly prominent owner at
the time and a real character. His greatest claim to fame was as
the owner of a true junior free-for-aller in the Billy Haughton
stable by the name of Grand R. Volo. Together with Potash, dad
A rare in-depth look at bought half of a horse by the name of Harry M for the grand
price of $500. Harry M did pretty well. As I recall, he won five
harness racing’s Mr. of the 16 races that he raced in for them.
“From that time forward, dad always owned small parts of
Everything Jerry Glantz mostly nondescript horses. The last person I remember training
for him was Buddy Kummer.
by Murray Brown
“I became more involved. My dad fancied himself a decent hand-
I have been after my friend Jerry Glantz for well over a year icapper and he was. However, within a short period of time, I
trying to get him to agree to let me profile him. It took until became a better one. Dad put out a tip sheet at Yonkers, but I
a time when he was almost at death’s door before he agreed. did the handicapping for it. He’d regularly take me to Monticello
where he was friends with Phil Tully. Phil would hide me out in
“Jer,” I would plead without success, “You’ve done just about the program department where I could follow the races.
everything there is to do in the sport other than training and
driving the horses themselves. You began as a fan — however “I was always a pretty big kid. By the age of 13, I could pass for
not just an ordinary fan, but a fan possessing the greatest 18 and became a regular attendee at Yonkers and Roosevelt.
enthusiasm. You’ve also been a race secretary, a handicapper, Most people would find it hard to believe knowing how big a
an announcer, an owner, a breeder, a horse agent, a racing man-
ager, the head of an USHWA Chapter, involved with a horseman’s
group and likely other capacities that do not immediately come Millionaire Son Of The Great
to mind. You are part of the history of the sport, especially where Somebeachsomewhere
CHECK SIX
it concerns the greater New York area, inclusive in addition to
Monticello and Florida.”
The answer that I always received were words to the effect,
that he has always been a private guy, one who was adverse
to the spotlight.
Imagine the surprise to this scribe when he received an unso-
licited email from his friend saying that he was now ready to
talk about the career that has consumed his entire working life.
Little did I know then that my friend was facing open heart
surgery with an uncertain outlook regarding his future on the p,2,1:52.3f; 3,1:50f; 4,1:48.1 ($1,654,084)
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It has now been a few weeks since the surgery and Jerry is well $252,000 PA Sire Stakes Final, $200,000 Monument Circle, Bluegrass Stakes,
on his way to a full recovery. Breeders Crown elim (3rd in the final) and Progress Pace elim (2nd in the final).
Winner of $416,000 at four! With victories in the Dan Patch
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You are a true lifer in the sport. Where, how and when
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Harness Racing Update | Page 12 | February 27, 2022Harness Racing Update
guy I am now, but I had a picture of Del Insko driving Henry T every racing secretary in North America looking for a job in a
Adios with me sitting on Del’s lap. race office. I received only one response. That came from Ralph
“As I previously mentioned, my dad was in the car business and Swalsky, then the secretary at Monticello. He interviewed me.
sold cars to many of the horsemen. I soon became acquainted He wanted me to continue my schooling, but he instructed me
with many of them.” to report for work on the first Monday after the school year was
over. I was to be paid $90 a week. I lived in a bungalow colony
near the racetrack. In addition to working in the race office, I
You have great love and respect for Adios Butler. How wanted to soak up everything about the racetrack I could pos-
did that come about? sibly absorb. Max Brewer was the race caller and I hung round
him and tried to learn all about his craft. Max also ran a harness
“Probably because Paige West who owned half of him would buy racing school where the basics of horsemanship were taught.
his cars from my father. Anybody who saw Adios Butler race in I enrolled in it and learned all that I could about the physical
his heyday would realize that he was thought of and performed contact with a horse. How they were rigged, shod, equipped,
in the same mode as horses like Albatross, Niatross, Nihilator just about everything that I could possibly absorb. Even though
and Somebeachsomewhere are thought of today. He was beyond as a child I needed speech therapy, I wanted to become a race
special. Not only did I follow him fervently throughout his racing announcer. I patterned myself after Max who I considered to
career, I followed just about every foal he ever sired and often be the best I’d ever heard. I still look upon Max as being one of
their foals as well. He is maybe the only horse from that era who the best race announcers ever.”
I think for a given distance might have possessed the incredible
speed that some of our best today have.” So you completed a season in the race office at
Monticello. What came next?
Were you in school while all this was going on?
“Swalsky was in a difficult position. Leon Greenberg, who was
“At the age of 16 I was attending the Brooklyn campus of Long in charge of Monticello, was the worst excuse for a decent
Island University. I managed to get along there. But I wasn’t human being that I’ve encountered in all my time on this earth.
interested in school. I wanted to become involved in harness On second thought, he might have been 1A with David Brooks
who I had the misfortune to work for, for a very short period of
racing as a full-time vocation. In 1973 or ‘74, I wrote just about
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in 2019 and he was the leading money-winning 3-year-old colt pacer in the
2019 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes.
By the great Somebeachsomewhere and from Southwind Solara p,3,1:53,
he is a full or half-brother to SOUTHWIND SILENCE p,2,1:52.2f ($504,496-
dam of OFF THE RECORD p,3,1:51-’21-$135,563), SOUTHWIND YUKON
p,3,1:52.1f ($167,291) and DRAGON RIDGE p,3,1:52.1f ($116,970).
He stands his first season at stud in 2022 in New Jersey - Fee $4,000
All foals eligible to the rich New Jersey Sire Stakes Program!
ADIOS WINNER!
Email: walnridgefarm@aol.com • www.walnridgefarm.com
Harness Racing Update | Page 14 | February 27, 2022THE 2022
REGISTERED ONTARIO
STANDARDBRED
Dave Landry Photo
STALLIONS
A Royal Hit NEW Caprino Hanover McWicked
Alarm Detector Cattlewash NEW Mister Bianco
All Bets Off Century Farroh NEW Muscle Mass
Archangel Control The Moment My MVP
Artspeak Cornaro Dasolo Panther Hanover
Astronomical Dali Pedro Hanover
Beautiful Soul Dancin Lou Perfect Union
Believeinbruiser Evening Job Resolve
Bestofbest Hanover Forbidden Trade NEW Rockin In Heaven
Betterthancheddar Green Manalishi S Run Director
Betting Line NEW Holiday Road Shadow Play
Bettors Delight Hooray Francke Sportswriter
Big Bad John Il Sogno Dream Stag Party
Big Jim Jimmy Freight State Treasurer
Born To Move Johnny William Sunfire Blue Chip
BP Chimo NEW Leafs and Wings Sunshine Beach
Brolic Lookslikeachpndale Trixton
Bulldog Hanover NEW Lyonssomewhere Wheeling N Dealin
*As of February 2, 2022. Late registered stallions may be added at a later date.
For more information on Ontario’s Standardbred Improvement Program,
please contact:
ONTARIO RACING
Standardbred Improvement Program
c/o Woodbine Mohawk Park
PO Box 160, Campbellville, ON L0P 1B0
Phone: 905-854-7808
The Standardbred Improvement Program
oss.ontarioracing.com is administered by Ontario Racing.Harness Racing Update
time later on in my career. It seems that Greenberg thought that Then what happened?
Ralph should be able to do all the race office work by himself
and save the $90 a week that they were paying me. Although “I struggled. I brokered some horse deals and made enough
Ralph didn’t actually fire me, he strongly suggested that I look money to just get by. Four months later, I got a phone call from
for something else to do. I found myself without work. Allen. He said, ‘Get your sorry ass down here right now! Roger
“Shortly thereafter, I received a call offering me the job as the Huston (then the race caller at Pompano) is going to work at The
race announcer at Monticello. ‘What happened to Max Brewer?’ Meadows. I want you down here to audition for his job.’ I don’t
I asked. ‘He died,’ I was told. Max Brewer, my idol, had passed know how long it took me to get there, but it was quick. I got
away at the terribly young age of 39 from a heart attack. to Pompano. They put me in a room above the track kitchen. I
guess I auditioned for the job, but I really don’t remember doing
“On the one hand, I was heartbroken and terribly sad to lose my so. The job was mine. I was in heaven. I’d spend my mornings
mentor. On the other, I was being offered the job of my dreams. watching all the great stables — Haughton, Dancer, Miller, Sholty,
Of course I took the job. Castleton — pretty much every major Grand Circuit Stable and
a raft of Hall of Famers, humans and equines. I could not have
“I worked as the race caller at Monticello Raceway for the season
been happier, nor could I be living a happier existence.
of 1975.
“I was their race caller for seven years. I had the great thrill of
“During my tenure there, Allen Finkleson — if not the finest calling Niatross’ last race there. We had 19,000 people to see it.
human being ever, was certainly one in the ranking, and one of Two of my best friends, Jimmy Rankin and Nick Salvi, had horses
the greatest PR people in the history of our sport — had enough in the race to go against him. In the off season, Pompano had a
working for Leon Greenberg and was offered a better position in quarter horse meet whose races I called until they gave up on
just about every possible respect to become the public relations quarter horses. In the fall, I became the Time Trial Director at
director at Pompano Park. He accepted the post. Greenberg told the Red Mile. I was also the president of the Florida Chapter of
him if he left Monticello, he would get even with Allen. How USHWA for one of the years I was in Pompano.”
would he get even with Finkleson? He knew that Allen and I
were very close. Allen had taken me under his wing and become Then?
somewhat of a father figure to me. Because Greenberg knew, it
would hurt Allen, he fired me. He not only fired me, but he also “Ed Gorman was leaving The Meadowlands. I was invited to audi-
told me that was the reason why. I know it sounds crazy, but tion for the job. I was told it came down to Tom Durkin and me.
that is exactly what happened.” Tom deservedly got the job. I was once again unemployed. They
Royally-Bred Grand Circuit Winner Standing in Indiana!
Best In Show, a winner at two, three, four and five, has
retired from racing and stands at Premier Acres in 2022.
The royally-bred stallion is a son of leading sire Bettor’s
Delight out of the brilliant World Champion and Dan Patch
Award winner Put On A Show p, 5, 1:47.3m ($2,406,628).
Stakes placed in two of three freshman starts, Best In Show
hit the board in 13 of 16 sophomore attempts while battling
on the Grand Circuit and in Ontario. The colt scored three
times, capturing the $682,650 Meadowlands Pace, defeat-
ing favorite Captain Crunch and Bettor’s Wish in 1:48.
Vicki Wright Photography
Trained by Linda Toscano, Best In Show finished second in
some of the sport’s top events including a division of the
Simcoe, Somebeachsomewhere, Simpson and Breeders
Crown elimination. At ages four and five Best In Show
continued to display his speed and collect wins, taking
BEST IN SHOW seasonal marks of 1:49.1 and 1:49. Best In Show is a great
cross to many Indiana-sired broodmares, and his foals will
Bettor’s Delight-Put On A Show-Rocknroll Hanover be Breeders Crown eligible.
p, 2, 1:54.1s; 3, 1:48m ($672,240)
Standing his first season in 2022!
Premier Acres
12559 CR 30, Middlebury, IN 46540
574-312-4685
A Great Value at $3,500! premieracres@gmail.com
PremierAcresIndiana.com
Harness Racing Update | Page 16 | February 27, 2022Ohio’s son of Chapter Seven
Enterprise
2,1:58.1f; 3,1:52 ($423,121)*
Chapter Seven - Shes Gone Again - SJ’s Caviar
2022 STUD FEE • $4,500
By the red hot sire Chapter Seven, Enterprise was a multiple stakes winner at 3, including an elim. of the Hambletonian.
He is from the top producing dam SHES GONE AGAIN whose first three foals all trotted in 1:52.4 or faster, (including LIVE LAUGH LOVE, BT1:50.2).
His dam is also a half-sister to Breeders Crown champion POOF SHE’S GONE 3,1:53.1 ($1,312,093, dam of CHESTNUT HILL 3,1:53.1 ($622,189).
Ask about loyalty, multiple mare and proven producer discounts.
The early training reports for the first crop of ENTERPRISE have been very positive.
We look forward to your success on the racetrack in 2022.
His book is filling rapidly...be sure to book your mare soon!
The first crop of ENTERPRISE was very well received at the 2021 yearling sales.
His foals averaged FIVE TIMES his advertised stud fee!
Dublin Valley Farms.com
3968 Township Road 606 • Fredericksburg, OH 44627
Phone: (330) 473-5863 or (330) 231-6209
Fax: (855) 420-6751 • Email: info@dublinvalleyfarms.com
*Earnings include American and European figures utilizing daily currency conversion rates, USTA listed earnings may differ. Chris Tully Trot.comHarness Racing Update
say the more things change, the more, they remain the same. Lew homebred named Themysteryisover that I bought a piece of. He
Krongold had been the announcer at Monticello. He quit. Leon turned out okay, but just okay. The following year, his dam Mystery
Greenberg was gone. Leo Doobin was now the general manager. Game had a Captaintreacherous half-sister that Myron said was a
Thanks to Allen Finkleson, I was offered the job. I was back where beauty. He offered me 10 per cent and I bought in, sight unseen.
I started. I was calling races and selling horses in whatever spare When she got down to Florida, I saw her and fell in love. I asked
time I had. I was there from 1978 through 1984 with no increase Myron if I could buy another 10 per cent. He generously acquiesced.
in salary. I went to Doobin and in effect asked for a raise. I was told Her name is Don’t Fence Me in. She may not have been the best
that was the salary for that job. The wage was not flexible. There 2-year-old pacing filly last year, but she was undoubtedly the best
would be no raises forthcoming. Since there was no foreseeable horse I have ever owned. She took a record of 1.50.2 and earned
future, I left Monticello and started buying and selling horses full slightly shy of $350,000 last year. She was worth too much for an
average guy like me to own, so I sold her for what I thought was a
time to keep me going. I had pretty good success. I bought Bo
good price. I wish her new owner every possible success with her.”
Scot’s Blue Chip who at the time was a C3 pacer for big money
from Jimmy Rankin. Jimmy had told me that he thought he had the
makings of a very good horse. I liked what I saw and bought him Let’s get to the homestretch. Who are the five best
for a client. He became a top horse. I did well with a few others.
horsemen you’ve known?
“In 1985, I got a call from Barry Lefkowitz. He told me the
Roosevelt Raceway announcer’s job was available. Did I want it?
Do dreams come true? Of course I wanted it. I interviewed with “1. Billy Haughton. 2. Steve Elliott. 3. Stanley Dancer. 4. Delvin
Barry Goldstein and Bill Hopkins. To my everlasting regret, my Miller. 5. Tony Alagna.”
father passed away shortly before I became the race caller at
Roosevelt Raceway. I was still brokering horses and decided to Your five favorite pacers?
set up an agency just adjacent to Roosevelt Raceway. I invested
pretty much all the money I had in setting it up. No sooner was
I open for business than without any notice given Roosevelt “1. Adios Butler. 2. Keemosabe. 3. Tropic Song. 4. Bo Scots Blue
Raceway was shut down. There was no notice given, nor were any Chip. 5. Don’t Fence Me In.”
of the employees given any compensation. I had to begin anew.
“I was broke. Tony Mannino, a friend, had a wealthy client who Your five favorite trotters?
bought a beautiful farm in Ocala. We went into business together.
Tony had bonded with Nick Sodano who was a very hot trainer at
“1. Ulysses Mac. 2. Duke Rodney. 3. Air Record. 4. Darn Safe. 5.
the time. Tony prepared all of Nick’s babies until they were ready
to begin racing. We bought relatively cheap horses and developed Tie Silk.”
them. We did that for several years and did well enough. Among
them was Haifalator who I bought for Fred Schwartz. He won the Your five best race callers?
Niatross and we sold him to Frank Popfinger for a lot of money.
“I made a few bucks, invested my funds wisely, took up golf and “1. Tom Durkin. 2. Sam McKee. 3. Max Brewer. 4. Marty Glickman.
continued to buy and sell horses. 5. Frank Salive.”
“Eventually, the horse bug bit me again. Tom Audley offered
me a great-looking Florida bred who I fell in love with and Have a question or comment for The Curmudgeon?
bought for $5,000. His name is Keemosabe. He made me a lot Reach him by email at: hofmurray@aol.com.
of money, but more than that, the thrills I had with him were
beyond description. I absolutely love that horse. He has a forever
home in Maine now. I still keep regular tabs on him.
“I’m a regular attendee in the mornings at Sunshine Meadows. A
few years ago, my long-time friend Myron Bell had an Artspeak
Harness Racing Update | Page 18 | February 27, 2022to subscribe or sign up to test-drive on Free Play Days
Harness Racing Update
Brad Ferguson relishing
opportunity to continue
training for Don and Rosie
Eash from new base at Ferguson was first introduced to racing at the age of 18 when
Hoosier Park family friends invited him to come and work with a few horses.
He began cleaning stalls, and that early experience led to a job
by James Platz
grooming five horses for trainer Roger Cullipher. Ferguson has
worked for several Indiana-based stables, but caught on with
Last winter, Brad Ferguson regularly shipped to Miami Valley
Eash Racing Stable six or seven years ago.
Raceway from Don and Rosie Eash’s Greenfield, IN farm.
Circumstances have changed, as Eash and his wife sold their “I really enjoy working for Don and Rosie. Don has given me
property and moved to Gilcrest Training Center in Bell, FL. Now plenty of opportunities to grow in this business. He gives me
Ferguson is stabled at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, managing a string opportunities to drive and train a lot and be around a lot of
of five racehorses and a 3-year-old in training for Eash Racing horses and learn quite a bit,” he said.
Stable. The 36-year-old is relishing the opportunity before him. Case in point is the arrangement this winter. With Eash and
“It’s a lot of work. It really is. But I’m not afraid to work, so that’s his wife transitioning to their new home at Gilcrest, and with
okay,” Ferguson said recently. “I’m just glad that Don has given Hoosier Park offering winter training for the first time, Ferguson
me the opportunity and has enough trust in me to run the remained in the Hoosier State to continue racing. Eash enters
operation. We’re doing well and the horses are doing well. It’s the horses while Ferguson schedules the training and racing
a lot some days, trying to get everything done and get them from his home base at Hoosier Park.
shipped over and race, but it seems to be paying off.”
Brad Conrad
Rose Run Vision (Trevor Smith) winning at Miami Valley on Feb 22.
Harness Racing Update | Page 20 | February 27, 2022Harness Racing Update
“He left me with five racehorses and a 3-year-old filly that I’m
getting ready. They took the rest of the 3-year-olds and babies
to Gilcrest to focus on getting them ready,” said Ferguson. “It’s
just a little different operation this year.”
This week’s fines and suspensions
So far, the arrangement has worked well. Pacing mare Rose Run
Vision has proven the standout for the stable, winning four of six HRU is providing links to publicly-available fines and suspen-
seasonal starts. In back-to-back weeks the Time To Roll—A And sion lists for convenience.
Gs Finest 5-year-old has captured the $30,000 filly and mare Readers are reminded that because a person’s name appears
open at Miami Valley. She wired the field to win by a length- on the list does not necessarily mean they are guilty of an
and-a-half on Feb. 15, tripping the timer in 1:53.1. In her most offense. Many times, cases are not finalized and many of the
recent start (Feb. 22), Rose Run Vision and Trevor Smith scored accused are still entitled to due process.
by a length in 1:51.1 after receiving every call. Also, please note, for context, the first link is to the Association
of Racing Commissioners International’s classification system
“She’s a pleasure to be around. She really likes her job, you
of drug penalties to give readers a sense of the difference
know. Just a nice mare. She does everything you ask her to do. between a Class 1 and a Class 4 positive.
She’s gotten really sharp here this winter,” the conditioner said.
ARCI classification system.
Rose Run Vision began her career on the Indiana fair circuit as
USTA’s fines and suspensions for this week.
a freshman. Four of her five wins that season came at the fairs.
Standardbred Canada’s fines and suspensions for this week.
At 3, the filly captured seven of 22 attempts, and as a 4-year-old
she blossomed. Starting 35 times in Indiana and Ohio, the pacer
collected seven wins and hit the board 22 times in total. Bred by
Rose Run Farm, she took a mark of 1:50 and banked $128,720
in 2021. This year, she has amassed $65,000 in six trips behind two runner-up performances in the Buckeye State.
the starting gate, and her career earnings are now $254,792.
“I’ve had her since she was a yearling. She was kind of tough.
“Over time it seems like she’s really come into herself and devel- She was tough to get along with, but she’s developed into a
oped to be a nice mare. I think it took her a little time to grow very, very nice trotting mare,” Ferguson explained. “I get to drive
and figure it all out,” Ferguson said. “She takes care of herself her every week. Don lets me drive her. I’ve always been the one
really well. When you jog her and train her, she never picks up to train her and groom her. I’ve always been around her, and
the lines. She just does everything with ease.” she’s just grown on me.”
Rose Run Vision is on an impressive streak, but she is not Ferguson steered ER Kim to two of her six victories last season,
Ferguson’s favorite in the barn. That honor goes to trotter ER and he was again in the bike Jan. 12 when she collected her
Kim. The Encore Encore mare is a homebred that turned 6 in 15th career trip to the winner’s circle. The mare is closing in on
January. In four seasonal starts, ER Kim has picked up a win and $200,000 in career earnings.
“Once I went to work for Don, he gave me the opportunity to
drive and I get to sit behind a lot of different horses and get a
feel for it,” the horseman added.
Someday Ferguson would like to operate a stable of his own.
Today, however, he is content to work for Don and Rosie Eash
and make the most of the opportunities he is given.
“They’re just great people to work for. Easy to get along with.
They trust you and let you do your job,” he said. “Don gives you
opportunities to grow. I’ve just grown into this business; it’s
something I’ve come to love.”
Brad Conrad
ER Kim (Brad Ferguson) winning on Jan. 12 at Miami
Valley.
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www.harnessracingupdate.comHarness Racing Update
My favorite subject to write about is the unsung heroes in our
sport — the grooms.
The dedicated, loving, and committed people who care for the
horses and spend more time with them than owners, drivers
and, most of the time, the trainers.
A groom / aka caretaker is like an au pair for they step into the
role of a parent, while the parent cannot be there.
Caretaker Danielle (Dani) Copeland works at the Melanie/Pete
Wrenn Stable.
Born and raised in Michigan, Copeland, a fourth generation
horsewoman — on her dad’s side — started going to the barn
Danielle Copeland — at an early age.
“I got my first license to groom in Michigan when I was 14,
Unsung hero but attended the fairs and paddocked before then,” she said.
“I’ve worked for my parents, Vinny and Teri Copeland; trainers
by Victoria Howard Jeff Cullipher and Trent Stohler, and for the past few years I’ve
worked for Pete and Melanie Wrenn.
Courtesy Danielle Copeland
Danielle Copeland.
Harness Racing Update | Page 23 | February 27, 2022Harness Racing Update
“I’ve been very lucky to have taken care of several champion “I prefer trotters who seem to be a little more difficult to get
horses, such as Chin Chin Hall (at age 2), Guinevere Hall and along with, for I usually have more luck with them. I like the
Swingforthefences. ones who have their own unique personality or require a little
“Among the major highlights is when Chin Chin made it to the more attention.
Breeders Crown. He was the first horse I had cared for that “As far as mares or geldings, I really don’t have a preference.
made the Grand Circuit. He didn’t finish top three, but I was so Currently, I’m caring for three studs/geldings and three mares
proud of him. — only one being a pacer.
“I’ve loved them all, but I guess you could say my favorite is “The only thing about trotters is, of course, they make me more
Guinevere Hall or Swingforthefences. Guinevere was a monster: nervous to watch.
winning eight-for-eight, an Ohio Triple Crown winner, and she “The scariest time I had with one of mine is when a horse I was
established a new world record (on a half-mile track) of 1:53 taking care of went down with driver Jason Dillander at Hoosier
in the Ohio Sires Stakes at Northfield Park. Park. The horse in front jumped over something on the track
“Swingforthefences won the Super Final for 3-year-old trotting and she fell, and my horse went over top of her. I hate when
colts and geldings at Hoosier Park in 1:53.1; my first horse to things like that happen and most people don’t realize that at
go over half-a-million in earnings in a year, and was named any moment an accident can occur for these animals are going
Trotter of the Year at Hoosier. extremely fast.”
“All of these horses were unbelievable and I couldn’t have been A usual day in the life of a groom is pretty much the same for
prouder if I had owned them myself. all, although some trainers prefer to do things different.
“When they leave the barn, for they either are sold, claimed “I usually get to the barn a little before seven a.m. and begin
or being bred, I am sad for I get very attached. It’s hard not to getting my horses ready – depending on the schedule (if it’s a
when you are with them every day. I try to keep track of where training or jogging day.)
they go or keep in touch with whoever is taking care of them “When they train I always watch them, and I’m usually done
at the time and try to see them when it’s possible. by noon.
“In fact, I recently went to visit Guinevere at Hunterton Farm “And of course I have some scars to show, as I’ve been kicked
where she is living her new career as a mama. She is due with like most grooms, but my worst time was with a horse named
her first foal in the spring and when I saw her she was as big Twointhebucket. He kicked me in the knee and I had to get
as a house. stitches, but otherwise, I’ve been pretty lucky.”
“As much of a bitch as she could be in the barn, with me, we Copeland personally owns one horse – a retired racehorse
had a deep bond. When I went to Hunterton I called her name named Itchy who she’s owned his entire life.
and she came running to me.
“He’s more of a pasture puff than anything, but he was a good
“There is nothing more gratifying and heart-warming than this.” racehorse in his day.”
Copeland has worked with trotters and pacers, but prefers A groom is pretty much married to the business and to the
trotters. horse, of course, which is why many grooms are single. It is so
hard to maintain a healthy relationship with someone with
two legs, for you spend most of the day (and night) with your
four-legged companion, but Copeland seems to balance it out
with her boyfriend, driver, Matt Krueger.
“Matt and I met at Hoosier Park six years ago. I first saw him
during qualifiers, but I’m not sure exactly the day we met. We’ve
been together five years now and so far so good.
“I think the way we make it work is he’s a horseman and knows
that longs hours is part of the deal.”
Harness Racing Update | Page 24 | February 27, 2022Harness Racing Update
Bettor’s Wish filly out of
Backstreet Rhythm arrives
at Kentuckiana
by Chris Ryder
The Bettor’s Wish Syndicate is pleased to announce the first
foal of 2022 by Bettor’s Wish. The filly born at Kentuckiana
Farms is owned by Big Als Stables of Woodbridge, ON. Her dam,
Backstreet Rhythm, is a Badlands Hanover sister to Speed Again
1.48.1, $1,070,390.
Harness Racing Update | Page 25 | February 27, 2022Harness Racing Update
Connections reflect on and nieces, nephews, they just go crazy watching her race. The
one thing I regret is that my mother and father are not here to
Horse of the Year Test Of watch her race and enjoy her. They loved horse racing. Hopefully,
they’re watching down.”
Faith’s career to date Test Of Faith’s victories last year for trainer Brett Pelling and
driver David Miller included the Breeders Crown, Empire
by Ken Weingartner / USTA media relations manager
Breeders Classic, Glen Garnsey Memorial, New York Sire Stakes
Test Of Faith has taken Mel Segal on a memorable journey the final, Park MGM Pace, Bluegrass, Matron, and Courageous Lady.
past two years, but what Segal has most enjoyed is bringing In the Breeders Crown, Test Of Faith started from post eight and
others along for the trip. was a parked-out sixth through the first half of the contest. She
This past Sunday (Feb. 20) in Orlando, FL, Test Of Faith was closed with a :26.1 final quarter-mile to rally from fourth and
named 2021 Horse of the Year by the U.S. Harness Writers win by a length in 1:49.4.
Association. Last season, she won 14 of 16 starts, finished second “I thought she went a monster mile at the Breeders Crown,”
in her two remaining races, and earned $1.06 million on her Segal said. “What she did being parked out the whole mile and
way to becoming only the fourth 3-year-old female pacer ever then having punch at the end was outstanding. I don’t think
to receive the Horse of the Year award. too many horses could have done that. I was shocked when she
For her career, the Frederick Hertrich III-bred daughter of Art still had gas left.”
Major—Cannae Cammie has won 22 of 25 starts and $1.56 It reminded Segal of Test Of Faith’s first career start, when she
million. was parked out to get the lead in a :26 opening quarter on
Segal purchased Test Of Faith for $92,000 at the 2019 her way to a win in a division of the New York Sire Stakes at
Standardbred Horse Sale. Then he got his friends involved, with Vernon Downs.
Bob Brady and Ken Jackson of Kentuckiana Farms joining Segal “Not too many 2-year-olds do that their first race,” Segal said.
in partnership on the filly. Just prior to Test Of Faith’s first start “We thought she was a nice filly, but not that nice. I don’t think
at age 2, they brought aboard University of Kentucky football you ever do at the beginning.
coach Eddie Gran, who is now special assistant to head coach
“That opened my eyes, and then she kept getting better and
Mark Stoops.
better.”
“What a time we’ve had the last two years,” Segal said. “It’s been
Following is a compilation of comments from many of Test Of
really great for our families to all enjoy this, enjoy watching her.
Faith’s connections — Becky Brady, Gran, and Jackson as well
It might sound strange, but I enjoy it more having partners than
as trainer Pelling, his son Jack, who often worked with the filly
I would owning her by myself. I’m not a greedy person. Maybe
at Hot Lead Stables in central New Jersey, and caretaker Agata
somebody would regret selling half of her, but I don’t. I’m glad
Hejnik — as they reflected upon their involvement with the
to have them as partners.
horse and her career to date. Test Of Faith is preparing for her
“I’ve never had the thrill of something like this. I’ve had some return as a 4-year-old this spring.
nice horses, but nothing like this. My brother and my sister
Ken Jackson: “The last two years have been such a fun run for
the farm and our friendships. We’re in a unique part of the world
(in Lexington) where horses are everything, and all of a sudden,
you’ve got this harness horse that all the thoroughbred buddies
are following. It’s also brought a bunch of new people to the
game. Eddie has done a great job. He’s our lucky charm. He’s
had five harness horses now, and they’ve all been incredible.
It’s been a ton of fun. As hard as we work, and the job that Bob
does at the farm with breeding, all the stuff you do to make
one, just to own one is incredible.”
Becky Brady: “If names matter, hers is perfect. In this business,
we are tested every day. If we didn’t have faith, we wouldn’t keep
doing it. Following Test Of Faith the last two years has brought
incredible joy to our family, our partners, and friends. We wish
everyone could experience this opportunity and this thrill.”
Eddie Gran: “It’s pretty awesome that an old football coach of 38
years comes to Kentucky, and I meet Ken Jackson and Bob Brady,
and they get me involved in harness racing. I’ve been in every
Ken Weingartner / USTA SEC school there is in the country, two national championships,
Test Of Faith and her caretaker Agata Hejnik. but when you’re there and you’re watching your horse win, it’s
Harness Racing Update | Page 26 | February 27, 2022You can also read
