28DEC: 2010 Dan Patch Division Winners announced

Here are the 2010 Dan Patch Divisional winners:

TWO-YEAR-OLD MALE TROTTER OF THE YEAR

Pastor Stephen (56 votes)
Cantab Hall-Gala Dream-Enjoy Lavec
Breeder: Brittany Farms.
Owners: Christina Takter, John Fielding, Brittany Farms.
Trainer: Jimmy Takter. Driver: Yannick Gingras.
Races: 11-6-4-0. Purses: $653,748. Mark: 1:56.0 at Mohawk.
Top wins: $485,000 William Wellwood Memorial; $98,489 Champlain.



TWO-YEAR-OLD-FILLY TROTTER OF THE YEAR

Crys Dream (94 votes)
Taurus Dream-Crystas Image-Balanced Image
Breeder: Reve Avec Moi Dreamwithme.
Owners: Reve Avec Moi Dreamwithme, Deo Volente Farms, TLP Stable.
Trainer: Henrik Hollsten. Drivers: Jean Dubois, Luc Ouellette.
Races: 8-7-0-0. Purses: $584,392. Mark: 1:54.3 at Woodbine.
Top wins: $502,000 Goldsmith Maid; $452,020 Peaceful Way.



THREE-YEAR-OLD-MALE TROTTER OF THE YEAR

Lucky Chucky (108 votes)
Windsongs Legacy-Aerobics-Muscles Yankee
Breeder: Perretti Farms.
Owners: SGS Partners, Perretti Racing Stable, Lindy Racing Stable
Trainer: Chuck Sylvester. Driver: John Campbell.
Races: 11-5-3-1. Purses: $1.43 million. Mark: 1:50.4 at the Red Mile.
Top wins: $970,000 Canadian Trotting Classic; $500,000 Colonial.



THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLY TROTTER OF THE YEAR

Bar Slide (69 votes)
Yankee Glide-Marla Bar-Malabar Man
Breeder: Fair Winds Farm.
Owners: Fredericka Caldwell, Bluestone Farms.
Trainer: Joe Holloway. Driver: Tim Tetrick.
Races: 14-5-2-1. Purses: $568,529. Mark: 1:52.4 at the Meadowlands.
Top wins: $750,000 Hambletonian Oaks; $70,500 Bluegrass.



OLDER MALE TROTTER OF THE YEAR

Enough Talk (73 votes)
Enjoy Lavec-Fashion Setter-Donerail
Breeder: Perretti Farms
Owners: Peter Kleinhans Racing, Jerry Silva.
Trainer: Peter Kleinhans. Driver: Ron Pierce.
Races: 17-5-4-1. Purses: 641,022. Mark: 1:51.0 at the Meadowlands.
Top wins: $600,000 Breeders Crown; $235,750 Titan Cup.



OLDER FEMALE TROTTER OF THE YEAR

Buck I St Pat (131 votes; unanimous)
Jailhouse Jesse-Name It Something-Speed In Action
Breeder: Ron Fuller.
Owners: Howard Taylor, Edwin Gold, Abraham Basen, Ron Fuller.
Trainer: Ron Burke. Driver: Tim Tetrick.
Races: 19-9-3-4. Purses: $715,135. Mark: 1:51.0 at the Meadowlands.
Top wins: $340,470 Armbro Flight; 250,000 Breeders Crown.



TWO-YEAR-OLD MALE PACER OF THE YEAR

Big Jim (120 votes)
Western Ideal-Bold Pink-Big Towner
Breeder: Hanover Shoe Farms.
Owner: Jim Carr.
Trainer: James “Friday” Dean. Driver: Phil Hudon.
Races: 10-6-1-2. Purses: $827,204. Mark: 1:49.1 at Woodbine (world record).
Top wins: $709,000 Governor’s Cup; $600,000 Breeders Crown.



TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLY PACER OF THE YEAR

See You At Peelers (99 votes)
Bettor’s Delight-West Side Glory-Western Ideal
Breeder: Christina Takter.
Owners: Christina Takter, John Fielding, Jim Fielding.
Trainer: Jimmy Takter. Driver: Jim Morrill Jr.
Races: 13-13-0-0. Purses: $581,649. Mark: 1:51.3 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.
Top wins: $600,000 Breeders Crown; $200,000 New York Sire Stakes championship.



THREE-YEAR-OLD MALE PACER OF THE YEAR

Rock N Roll Heaven (129 votes)
Rocknroll Hanover-Artistic Vision-Artsplace
Breeders: Steve Stewart, Charles “Cotton” Nash, Julie Nash, Francene Nash.
Owner: Frank Bellino.
Trainer: Bruce Saunders. Driver: Dan Dube.
Races: 21-16-2-1. Purses: $2.15 million. Mark: 1:47.3 at the Meadowlands.
Top wins: $604,100 Little Brown Jug; 604,000 Tattersalls; $500,000 Breeders Crown.



THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLY PACER OF THE YEAR

Put On A Show (118 votes)
Rocknroll Hanover-Stienams Place-Artsplace
Breeders: Green Mountain Farms, Kentuckiana Farms General Partnership.
Owners: Craig Henderson, Richard Young, Joanne Young.
Trainer: Chris Ryder. Driver: Tim Tetrick.
Races: 16-12-3-0. Purses: $1.16 million. Mark: 1:49.4 at the Red Mile.
Top wins: $500,000 Breeders Crown; $350,000 Valley Forge.



OLDER MALE PACER OF THE YEAR

Won The West (90 votes)
Western Hanover-Gabrielle-Dragons Lair
Breeder: Fair Winds Farm
Owners: Strollin Stable, William Robinson, James Koehler.
Trainer: Ron Burke. Driver: David Miller.
Races: 19-7-8-3. Purses: $1.36 million. Mark: 1:48.1 at the Meadowlands.
Top wins: $748,800 Canadian Pacing Derby; $500,000 Breeders Crown.



OLDER FEMALE PACER OF THE YEAR

Dreamfair Eternal (123 votes)
Camluck-J Cs Nathalie-Flight Of Fire
Breeders: John Lamers, Mary Lamers
Owner: John Lamers
Trainer: Patrick Fletcher. Driver: Randy Waples.
Races: 22-16-4-1. Purses: $925,575. Mark: 1:49.4 at Tioga Downs.
Top wins: $364,560 Milton; $300,000 Breeders Crown.

Mark MacDonald responds to Driver of the Year nominations

Mark MacDonald driving Western Silk



First off the gate was Mark's father Fred MacDonald, who penned an op-ed column in the Charlottetown Guardian stating the case that his son should have been nominated as Canada's harness racing Driver of the Year for 2010.

Highlights of Fred MacDonald's comments:

Fred on Waples in 2010:

Waples had a great season as well. He won the Breeders Crown with aged mare Dreamfair Eternal as she dominated the Open Mares throughout the season. He won the $600,000 Maple Leaf trot with sensational San Pail, and the $539,000 Valley Victory trot with Blue Porsche. In addition, during OSS Super Final night at Woodbine, he won two $300,000 events on the same card, including one with trot standout Text Me.

A little passive-aggressive there Freddie, but okay, Randy did have some good horses; go on...


Fred on Scott Zeron in 2010:

Zeron led all drivers in the country with 592 wins and a career-high $4.3 million in earnings. Zeron, the son of veteran driver Rick Zeron, campaigned mostly on the 'B' circuit, including Western Fair, Flamboro and Georgian Raceway. He posted 27 wins on the tough Woodbine/Mohawk Circuit. His most important win of the campaign came in the $50,000 Gold Cup and Saucer at Charlottetown with Part Shark, the youngest to ever win the event.


Alright, so Scott has yet to be tested in the big events...


Fred regarding his son Mark in 2010:

Mark’s major wins: $1.5-million North America Cup, the richest race in North America, with Sportswriter in 1:48:3; the $800,000 Fan Hanover Stakes, the richest race for three-year-old fillies with Western Silk, the $240,000 Jugette at Delaware, Ohio, with Western Silk, a rarity for an Ontario-bred; the $100,000 Senior Jug with Lucky Man p, 1:49:2 World Record, the Eternal Camnation Stakes, all three $100,000-plus legs in one night with Idyllic, Pretty Katherine and Mater Deo.


Response of Mark MacDonald (from StandardbredCanada.ca comments on Feed MacDonald's article on Mark MacDonald):

Hell hath no furry like a scorned father! LOL

This is Mark MacDonald and I am so proud of the year I had and so grateful for all the Owners & Trainers that had the confidence to let me drive some of the best horses in some of the biggest races in the world. There is no feeling like crossing the wire after winning a 1.5 Million dollar race about 20 minutes after winning a $700,000 Race. The Jugette with Silky (my girl), the Simcoe with Kyle, sweeping the Champlain on grand circuit night at moh and three Super Finals was the a cherry on top. God must love me and I really dedicate my year to all the people who were blessed with a second chance in life.

I am so happy for Scott Zeron leading driver in Canada by wins and of course our leading driver at WEG Randy Waples. They both deserved to be nominated, with out a doubt they both had amazing years. Obviously, a nomination would have been nice but I have been fortunate enough to already have won two O'Brien Awards.

I am thrilled that the public (my dad lol) think that I am deserving enough for this honor. I also think, the two people nominated are equally deserving for an O'Brien Award. Hopefully, Standardbred Canada will let me be there to announce the winner and present either nominee with their trophy.

Lastly, I hope I don't sound like a politician but I truly believe that Scott, Randy and myself among others, like Jody Jamieson, Paul MacDonell, Etc. could have been nominated. It just comes down to a vote plain and simple. The two people with the most votes are well deserving and good luck to both of them!!

Hopefully next year the votes will be in my favour. Can't wait until 2011 hope I can win some more big races and make all of P.E.I., Canada and my family proud... Especially my Mom and Dad! We LOVE "Grassroots" racing, it's essential for the success of harness racing not just in Ontario but all of Canada and the U.S.A. You can't blame dad for being my biggest fan, I'm lucky to have him......

All the best to everyone in 2011.....if you have a really good horse hopefully I can drive it for you lol....Sorry to anyone that my dad may have offended but we're grassroots through and through. Thanks to everyone who helped me have this amazing year, I'm not going to mention names (CC) because this is already to long lol.

Mark J MacDonald

December 24, 2010



Great post, Mark! You are a true gentleman (cool shout-out to Casie) and I also think you have wisely and gently planted seeds for future year votes. PEI and Canada are very proud to have watched you develop into one of the planet's premier harness racing drivers; Many Happy Returns in 2011!




Mark MacDonald driving Western Silk to victory in the Jugette (including Mark MacDonald interviews after first heat and after final heat win).

2010 Standardbred Stallions of The Year; Volomite Award

HarnessHorses.info is please to announce the winners of our Volomite Award, for top 2010 International Stallions.

Top International Pacing Stallion

Rocknroll Hanover

Special mention:

Bettors Delight, Western Hanover, Art Major, Camluck, Western Ideal, Dragon Again


Top International Trotting Stallion

Credit Winner


Special mention:


Angus Hall, Muscles Yankee, Yankee Glide, Conway Hall, Cantab Hall



Congratulations to Rocknroll Hanover and Credit Winner, and to all those fine folks who helped these stallions become what they are today.


Happy HolyDays to All!

Peace,

Joe

Harness driver Doug McNair wins 1,000 races at 20

New world record for youngest Standardbred driver to record 1,000 victories

Is Doug McNair the Wayne Gretzky of harness racing drivers? Well, it's too early to go that far, however he is the best young driver in the game and one whose technique may influence driving in ways rarely seen. The thing noticed about him recently is that he likes to get almost completely flat, becoming an aerodynamic missile the horse can pull along with ease.



Whether there is an actual physical effect on wind resistance or if it is just that the horse appreciates the athleticism of young McNair, regardless, it's a joy to watch and fascinating to ponder. Here's wishing Doug many more victories, hoping to see you on the OJC (okay, WE...) circuit more in 2011.




Guelph Mercury story on Doug McNair 1,000 race milestone, by Dave Briggs

London Free Press honours record-breaking driver Doug McNair




Harness racing driver Doug McNair (at age 18) piloting Trail Boss to victory in the Battle of Waterloo

Meadowlands harness racing to continue in January 2011

Great news out of New Jersey in that a tentative deal has been reached to continue standardbred racing at The Meadowlands in 2011, starting in January. Though New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced the deal including NJ State-backed financing through March 2011, there was no commitment for slots to go in.

Standrdabred Canada story on Meadowlands resuming harness racing

USTA US Trotting website article on Meadowlands NJ deal for 2011

Brad Auger: 2010 HPI Handicapping Champion

After agalforgordo was leading most of the day with his early win of $519.70, veteran handicapper Brad Auger hit the board in the evening with winnings of $1,001.25, and that turned out to be the biggest bankroll after everyone invested their $150 stake.




Congratulations to Brad and all of the top 5 who finished in the money! As for me, I got skunked while shooting for the moon...sound familiar anyone?

Peace 2 All,


Joe Trainor

Gambling versus entertainment, drawing the line

The past few months featured some job uncertainty for me, and I left one place of employment to begin a new opportunity at another. During the stress of this transition, I theorized (am really good at self-delusion...) that turning handicapping into a part-time job could be a benefit to myself and my family. Well, after a couple months of researching and trying different things, I have come to the conclusion that I may be too emotional to do this properly. Somebody needs to be a machine to play a system, because a good one will always be counter-intuitive, and I'm likely not that guy.

I will keep studying standardbred breeding and racing with a passion, however I am taking some time off from actually betting on the races. Before my kids were born I went several times a month, and then after that usually only a few times per year. As my kids got older over the past decade, I started going to the track with my dad more often, and all of that will continue, love going to the races with family.

The thing that has changed is the web. Before, you either had to go to the track or to a Champions, whereas with the Internet, you can play every day from home, and that can be a time and money gobbler.

Gotta take a break...

$419,000+ Pick 6 Carryover at Aqueduct TODAY FRI12NOV

In recent weeks I have been comparing various handicapping tournaments with carryover pools, and here's yet another example of how each major carryover is a no entry fee tourney for handicappers. I thought the Aqueduct pool would be won yesterday when it was over $100,000, and though I normally bet Standardbreds, these types of money-added opportunities are there for everyone to enjoy!

Now that the Aqueduct Pick 6 Carryover is $419,465, the ticket today (Friday November 12th) will have a handle approaching if not exceeding a million dollars. Here are 2 places you can play along:

Horseplayer Interactive Canadian horse racing betting website

Equibase horse racing info wagering research


Many Happy Returns!


Peace 2 All,

Joe Trainor
Publisher / Editor
Harness Horses Info

Top Standardbred Sires of 2010

There are still some races to come, yet it looks like the field is narrowing significantly. Here are the contenders for Harness Horse Info 2010 Stallion of the Year honours:

Pacing

Rocknroll Hanover
Western Hanover
Bettors Delight
Art Major
Dragon Again
Western Ideal


Trotting

Credit Winner
Muscles Yankee
Angus Hall
Yankee Glide
Conway Hall
Cantab Hall
Andover Hall
Windsongs Legacy


As Credit Winner is on top for two and three year olds and overall, it will be difficult knock him off his perch. Muscles Yankee is right there with him, while Conway Hall, Yankee Glide, Andover Hall and Cantab Hall each had spectacular seasons.

On the pacing side the remaining races may actually make a difference, as a case can be made for each of Western Hanover, Bettors Delight, and Rocknroll Hanover. Art Major may not take the top prize in 2010, yet his two and three year olds are ultra-competitive, positioning him well for next year's big money races.

Gambling; Investing at the track in the 21st Century

Lately I've been writing down a lot of numbers on scraps of paper, searching for patterns in jackpot sized Superfecta and Pick 4 winners. What I am looking for are predictably repeatable patterns that pay more than they should. For example, if a pattern that comes in once every one hundred races pays on average three hundred times the bet, on paper that would appear to be a worthwhile wager. The trick is having the patience to make that same bet over and over again, knowing that 99% of the time you will not even cash, and avoiding emotional bets (what, Mark McDonald going off at 20-1!!!), so that your stake / bankroll can be maintained to play the "system" bets.

To me, most deep fields (eg. 6 or 7 serious contenders in a 9 or 10 horse race) are entirely unpredictable, as the results will be heavily weighted by trip factors, rather than form and class. This means that it may be more lucrative to hold a variety of combinations of faves, contenders and longshots, with an overweighted position in tickets not usually held by most fans / bettors.

Re-Arranging YOUR Horses

Here is a triactor wager illustration that will help you understand this concept, and how you can utilize it in your own wagering. Take a typical Triactor Wheel ticket you may buy:

Fave with 3rd Fave with All
3rd with Fave with All

1 w 3 w All

3 w 1 with All

If you really like these two horses, consder adding:

1 w All w 3

All with 1 w 3

The latter two triactor tickets may come in less often than the first two, yet will often pay many times more.

Flipping YOUR triactor triangle:

Here's another example, again with 1 representing the favourite, 2 the 2nd fave, 3 the 3rd fave etc.

Typical ticket:

1,2 w 1,2,3,4 w 123456 = $24

Now flip this on its head:

123456 w 1234 w 12 = $24

Again, the flipped ticket will come in less often than the first one, however it will cash many larger tickets, relative to the standard version of that bet. Having the 1st and 2nd faves in the 3rd position means that some other horse MUST get into 1st or 2nd, which is how most races do finish, so the flipped ticket may cash more often than you imagine.

My research is inspired by a champion horse owner (whose name I didn't catch but if any reader knows whom I speak of, please post the story in comments section below!) who got his start in horse racing owenership by cashing exotic bets, then utilizing his winnings to invest in and grow a stakes-winning stable.

So far I have been able to identify some promising patterns, yet have not had sufficient cash or discipline to decide on a specific approach and stick with it for an extended period. Here's the rub: While larger boxes / tickets will obviously cash more frequently, the bigger layout means the urgency of cashing and the danger of slumps increases. The other approach would be to invest a small sum regularly in a ticket that should pay very well when it cashes, and then increase the daily wager size only after a bigger stake has been gained through the success of the initial plan.

Clear as mud? Stay tuned, as I will post updates when I try to turn these theories into a part-time job, adding extra income through cashing decent-sized jackpots at the racetrack. It may be a pipe-dream, yet to me it seems there are signposts that indicate an astute bettor can beat both the takeout and the herd, and the way to do it is to stray from the herd slightly, covering realistic angles that are not tipped off through the morning line.

Hit 'em where they ain't!!

Breeders Crown 2010; Winning Sires prove up Standardbred stallion lines

I am certain that ananlysis of place and show finishers would expand the stalion pool and deepen understanding of current trends, however taking a quick look at the winners shows some powerful lines continuing on and some newer branches emerging. To fully understand which sire lines top broodmare owners are leaning to, evaluate the success of two and three year olds in various sires stakes programs and in Breeders Crown events, and you will know what buyers are looking for, in terms of pedigree and top line prowess, at standardbred yearling sales like the upcoming 2010 Harrisburg Standardbred Yearling sale, November 8th to 13th.

$250,000 Breeders Crown Mare Trot - Jailhouse Jesse

Daughter Buck I St. Pat continued her dominance and making her an incredibly valuable broodmare. A Donerail son, Jailhouse Jesse is a grandson of the game-changing sire Valley Victory.


$600,000 Breeders Crown Open Trot - Enjoy Lavec

The seven year old son Enough Talk proved that his record setting miles in 2009 were no fluke. Like Chip Chip Hooray and Dream Vacation, Enjoy Lavec is a son of the formidable outcross trotting stallion (Speedster line via Arnie Almahurst and Arndon) Pine Chip.


$600,000 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Filly Trot - Conway Hall

I was in a minority position picking Martiniontherocks to win this, however her Canadian connections and her solid Garland Lobell top line helped bolster the impression she was still improving and could come up big.


$500,000 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Colt Trot - Revenue

If he can continue his winning ways, Break The Bank K may have an opportunity to become a valued outcross sire, being a son of European trotting stallion Revenue, the only non-Hambletonian line sire to have succeeded at the highest levels of trotting in recent decades (pacing is 100% Hambletonian line). Revenue wrapped up his duties at Perretti in NJ and is off to Sweden for 2011.


$600,000 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Filly Pace - Bettors Delight

See You At Peelers is just another jewel in the crown of Bettors Delight, the Cams Card Shark son who verifies nightly that Cam Fella line colts are still on the prowl and the Shark-oriented variety is indeed a bettor's delight.


$600,000 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Colt Trot - Yankee Glide

Manofmanymissions drew into the final because of a late scratch, and did his sire Yankee Glide proud. A super-successful son of Valley Victory, Yankee Glide is perhaps succeeded only by another Valley Victory son, Muscles Yankee.


$600,000 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Colt Pace - Western Ideal

Big Jim showed us that Rocknroll Hanover's sire Western Ideal can still bring it himself, and that Western Hanover line colts remain the overall dominant force in two and three year old stakes racing.









$500,000 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Filly Trot - Credit Winner

Impressive Kemp upset the favourites and improved her position in the breeding shed. As a daughter of Credit Winner, she will be in demand as a Breeders Crown winning scion of the Super Bowl - American Winner line. This line is alive and well in the form of Crazed, Herecomesherbie and the impressive Chocolatier.


$300,000 Breeders Crown Mare Pace - Camluck

Dreamfair Eternal has dominated Mohawk Raceway and her prowess continued Stateside. A daughter of the Cam Fella son and inestimable foundation sire Camluck, she will be prized as a broodmare when it's time to hang up the sulky.



$500,000 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Filly Pace - Rocknroll Hanover

Put On A Show is no fluke and continues to be one of the fastest most reliable fillies ever, illustrating again that the Rocknroll Hanover (Western Ideal, out of goddess mare Rich N Elegant, by Direct Scooter) trunk of Western Hanover's multiplicity of quality descendants is the strongest wood.







$500,000 Breeders Crown Open Pace - Western Hanover

Rather than face Rock N Roll Heaven in the Three year Old Pace, Won The West's connections decided to pit him against the older horses and the ambit paid off, with the Western Hanover son tripping the wire in 1.49 flat. From the second-last crop of Western Hanover, Won The West may race some more yet will likely find a place at stud himself sometime soon. Western Hanover is the most dominant son of the Most Happy Fella line stallion No Nukes.





$500,000 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Colt Pace - Rocknroll Hanover

Rock N Roll Heaven lived up to form and continued his winning ways in the prestigious Breeders Crown final for 3 year old colt pacers, keeping the Western Hanover-Western Ideal - Rocknroll Hanover sire line in the limelight.

The racing champion also has the top 3 pacing sires up close, Western Hanover on top and Artsplace and Cam Fella via dam Artistic Vision.






Many happy returns,


Joe Trainor
HarnessHorses.info

2010 Breeders Crown 3YO Colt Pace eliminations

Video Breeder Crown 3YO Colts and Geldings Pace 2010 elimination 1:

One More Laugh wins first Breeders Crown elim in 1:50




Video Breeder Crown 3YO Colts and Geldings Pace 2010 elimination 2:

Rocknroll Heaven takes charge in 2nd elimination, winning in 1.49.1!




This sets up an interesting duel in the final: Outcross sire McArdle's son One More Laugh against the Western Hanover grandson / Rocknroll Hanover son Rocknroll Heaven, with the latter likely to be about an even money favourite.

Breeders Crown Open Pace, Open Trot and Mare Trot PP

The fastest older pacers and trotters will be part of the $6 million Breeders Crown 12-race final program at Mohegan at Pocono Downs on Saturday Oct. 9 with a special early post time of 5:00 p.m.


Open Pace:

$500,000 Breeders Crown Open Pace

Breeders Crown Open Pace draw, with listed drivers and trainers:

1. Shark Gesture, George Brennan, Larry Remmen
2. Foiled Again, Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke
3. Bettor Sweet, Brian Sears, Tom Cancelliere
4. Hypnotic Blue Chip, Jody Jamieson, Kevin McDermott
5. Won The West, David Miller, Ron Burke
6. Lisagain, Andy Miller, Erv Miller
7. Clear Vision, Ron Pierce, Richard “Nifty” Norman
8. Blueridge Western, Daniel Dube, Kevin McDermot



Open Trot:

The Breeders Crown $600,000 Open Trot, with assigned drivers:

1. Hot Shot Blue Chip, David Miller
2. Slave Dream, John Campbell
3. Neighsay Hanover, Tim Tetrick
4. Define The World, Paul Macdonell
5. Enough Talk, Ron Pierce
6. Lucky Jim, Andy Miller
7. Triumphant Caviar, Luc Ouellette
8. All Cantab Trevor Ritchie
9. Lanson, Mike Lachance


Mare Trot:

Breeders Crown $250,000 Mare Trot:

1. Windsong Soprano, Ron Pierce
2. Elusive Desire, John Campbell
3. Yursa Hanover Daniel Dube
4. Southwind Wasabi, Yannick Gingras
5. Autumn Escapade, David Miller
6. Jersey As; George Brennan
7. Buck I St Pat, Tim Tetrick

NHL's Brad Richards donates $500,000 to Charlottetown PEI hospital

My uncle Wes "Bucko" Trainor was the first or second PEI-born NHL player, and the tradition has been carried on well by Forbes Kennedy, Erroll Thompson, Rick Vaive, Billy and Bobby Macmillan, Al McAdam, Gerard Gallant, and in recent years by Steve Ott and Stanley Cup (Tampa Bay) winner Brad Richards.

Now with the National Hockey League's Dallas Stars, Brad has announced a $500,000 donation to Charlottetown's Queen Elizabeth Hospital. He donated the money in memory of Jamie Reynolds, a cousin of Richards who died of brain cancer in Charlottetown in 1989 at age seven. Richards was nine at the time, and the two were close.

"To see your best friend pass away with such a tragic thing, he's always remembered that and he's got a big heart," Glen Richards, Brad's father, told CBC News.

The donation will be set aside as an endowment fund, and the earnings will be utilized to purchase medical equipment required for treating children with chronic or serious illnesses.

Leafs "C" Dion Phaneuf endorses PEI harness racing

In an interview with Dan Loiselle at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, the Maple Leafs new captain had nothing but praise for PEI's vibrant and growing standardbred breeding and racing industry.

Phaneuf said that he spends a good deal of his offseason on PEI, and that means time at some of the harness racing industry's most historic locations.

"I go to the races quite a bit actually there (PEI) with my grandfather when he's back on the island," explained Phaneuf, who also stated that he has attended the heralded Gold Cup and Saucer.

"It's a fun night out to see them (the horses) race. I go to both tracks there, Summerside and Charlottetown. I've been to the big races there, too. They do a great job down there. They have a good track in Charlottetown. There's good racing down there."


Link to Standardbred Canada article on Dion Phaneuf and harness racing


Prince Edward Island links:

New Glasgow PEI Lobster Suppers

CDP Horse Racing / Red Shores Casino PEI

Summerside Raceway PEI

Aiden's Deep Sea PEI Fishing Charters

Cavendish Beach PEI

Rocknroll Hanover daughter Put On A Show goes 149.4 to win Nadia Lobell

Put On A Show (Rocknroll Hanover - Steinams Place, by Artsplace) did just that at the Red Mile, stopping the Teletimer in a career-best 1.49.4! Helmed by superstar Time Tetrick, Put On A Show held off a stretch challenge from always dangerous Brian Sears and second-place finisher Dancinwiththestarz, while Panagler (Driven by the legendary John Campbell) finished third.

Watch online video of Put On A Show winning Nadia Lobell at Red Mile:



See how Put On A Show's Western Hanover and Artsplace bloodlines stack up among top pacing modern sire limes. Even if Beach's Book is full and closed, there could always be room made for a princess like this star; her pedigree begs for the top out cross stallion.

2010 Canadian Yearling Sale - Colts and Fillies under $2,000

First let's look at all the standardbred pacers and trotters that just sold for $2,000 or under at the Flamboro sale yesterday and today. In a future post we'll isolate five as possible BEST BUYS of the sale.

Here are the lesser lights of the sale, wherein some gems are sure to be found.

1. L H FANNYMAE B, f, 1, Modern Art - Fan For Life
Consigned by: Solo Farms, Agent
Purchased by: 9106 9369 Quebec Inc, Ripon, QC 2,000


9. OAKLEA UMPIRE Br, c, 1, Striking Sahbra - Oaklea Nattie
Consigned by: Oaklea Farm Inc
Purchased by: Antonio Decobellis, Saint-leonard, QC 2,000


10. ACE DEUCE B, f, 1, Armbro Deuce - One Eyed Dragon
Consigned by: Pedigree Farm, Agent
Purchased by: Bartol Jarnevic, Proton Station, ON 2,000


22. RED MIST B, c, 1, E Dees Cam - Crimson Mist
Consigned by: Winbak Farm
Purchased by: George L Robinson, Windsor, ON 2,000


25. MISTRESS Br, f, 1, Amigo Hall - Fathers Daughters
Consigned by: Pedigree Farm
Purchased by: 9106 9369 Quebec Inc, Ripon, QC 2,000


198. WESTERN DEUCE B, c, 1, Armbro Deuce - Lanai
Consigned by: Pedigree Farm
Purchased by: Claude Larose, L'ange Gardien, QC 2,000



239. LADY E B, f, 1, E Dees Cam - Jaguars Lady
Consigned by: Winbak Farm
Purchased by: Deborah Koot, Woodstock, ON 1,800



270. TWO STEP TURN B, f, 1, Armbro Deuce - Turn For The Best
Consigned by: Winbak Farm
Purchased by: Blake C Macintosh, Cambridge, ON 1,800



89. GAYLORD FORKER B, c, 1, Southfork - B Cor Raplica
Consigned by: Len & Janice Annett, Agent
Purchased by: Janice L Annett, Wyoming, ON 1,800



308. BRIGHTSIDE STORMIN B, f, 1, Tell All - Stormin Fever
Consigned by: Dr W Terry Fried
Purchased by: W Terry Fried, Bright, ON 1,700



279. ST LADS VIXEN Br, f, 1, Lis Mara - Warrawee Cammy
Consigned by: ST Lads Farm
Purchased by: Eric C Wilson, Saint John, NB 1,700



259. WRATH OF RUTHIE B, f, 1, Modern Art - Gowen Away
Consigned by: Preferred Equine Mkt Inc, Agent
Purchased by: Terry R Rideout, Agent, Campbellville, ON 1,700



145. ZOLA Ch, f, 1, Mr Lavec - R Zoe
Consigned by: ST Lads Farm
Purchased by: James P Zeron, Oxford Mills, ON 1,700



212. VICTORYDAZE WILWIN B, c, 1, Whosurboy - Jenny Get Lucky
Consigned by: Solo Farms, Agent
Purchased by: David C Willitts, Simcoe, ON 1,600



47. M G JESSIE B, f, 1, Stonebridge Regal - Dynasty G F
Consigned by: Preferred Equine Mkt Inc, Agent
Purchased by: Avni Abdulov, London, ON 1,500



54. KITTY MILLIONS B, f, 1, Million Dollar Cam - Kitty Hawk Killean
Consigned by: High Stakes Inc, Agent
Purchased by: Robert A Brown, Lindsay, ON 1,500



129. WINDSUN FIREBALL B, c, 1, Thunder Road - Windsun Borgata
Consigned by: Preferred Equine Mkt Inc, Agent
Purchased by: William J Pendleton, Orton, ON 1,500



162. SHALOMAR HOUDINI B, c, 1, P Forty Seven - Minoan Lass
Consigned by: Century Spring Farms, Agent
Purchased by: Michael Arndt, Bluevale, ON 1,200



17. M G JOLLY B, f, 1, Armbro Deuce - Velvet Art
Consigned by: Preferred Equine Mkt Inc, Agent
Purchased by: John Kennedy, Hanover, ON 1,000




297. SHALOMAR HEZAHARRY Ch, c, 1, Sir Luck - Almahurst Yankee
Consigned by: Century Spring Farms, Agent
Purchased by: Rusty C Morgan, Norwich, ON 500

Day Two: Top Ten Standardbred Yearling Sale prices, Flamboro Downs

Bidding really picked up on Day Two of the Standardbred Canada 2010 Yearling Sale at Flamboro Downs near Hamilton Ontario. While Angus Hall, Kadabra and Mach Three continued their success from Day One, on Day Two Jeremes Jet had the topper at 140k, Lis Mara had a filly go for 90, while Stonebridge Regal sired two that went for 85 and 72.

Here are the top ten for Day Two, with about a dozen horses still to go:


289. WARRAWEE NONSUCH B, c, 1, Jeremes Jet - Armbro Wisdom
Consigned by: Preferred Equine Mkt Inc, Agent
Purchased by: Colin Johnson, Le Gardeur, QC 140,000



237. WINDSONG INVINCEBL B, f, 1, Kadabra - Diamond Image
Consigned by: Windsong Acres, Agent
Purchased by: Benjamin Wallace, Milton, ON 115,000



207. COOL CREEK BREEZE B, f, 1, Angus Hall - Balanced Breeze
Consigned by: Peninsula Farm Inc, Agent
Purchased by: Benoit O Baillargeon, Rockwood, ON 97,000




153. KING OF DANCE B, c, 1, Angus Hall - Dance To Market
Consigned by: Peninsula Farm Inc, Agent
Purchased by: Benoit O Baillargeon, Rockwood, ON 95,000




194. FANCIFUL MARA B, f, 1, Lis Mara - Fanciful Western
Consigned by: Peninsula Farm Inc, Agent
Purchased by: John B Darling, Cambridge, ON 90,000




233. WESTERN TWANG Blk, c, 1, Stonebridge Regal - Western Sensation
Consigned by: Spring Haven Farm
Purchased by: Carl R Jamieson, Princeton, ON 85,000



197. WINDSONG ICON B, c, 1, Stonebridge Regal - Jasper Avenue
Consigned by: Windsong Acres, Agent
Purchased by: Geoffrey Lyons Mound, Burford, ON 72,000



238. NORTH SHORE BOY B, c, 1, Jeremes Jet - Greenwich Girl
Consigned by: Preferred Equine Mkt Inc, Agent
Purchased by: David L Menary, Cheltenham, ON 66,000



199. ST LADS MORGAN B, f, 1, Mach Three - Montana Bound
Consigned by: ST Lads Farm
Purchased by: John B Darling, Cambridge, ON 65,000



281. ASLAN B, c, 1, Mach Three - Skyview
Consigned by: Preferred Equine Mkt Inc, Agent
Purchased by: Michael A Guerriero, Moffat, ON 55,000



More notables:

213. HERBIES LAST SHOT Br, f, 1, Here Comes Herbie - Lenu
Consigned by: High Stakes Inc, Agent
Purchased by: Preferred Equine Mkt Inc, Agent, Briarcliff Manor, 50,000


234. ASTOR B, c, 1, Camluck - Ask For It
Consigned by: Spring Farm, Agent
Purchased by: Enviro Stables Ltd, Miami, FL 47,000

2010 Canadian Yearling Sale - Top Ten Day One

Leading Ontario sires Mach Three, Camluck, Angus Hall and Kadabra dominated the opening day of the 2010 Standardbred Canadian Yearling Sale at Flamboro Downs.

Hip# / Yearling / Sire - Dam

134. SHES MACHS DELIGHT Br, f, 1, Mach Three - Endless Delight
Consigned by: Preferred Equine Mkt Inc, Agent
Purchased by: Mark Steacy, Lansdowne, ON 140,000



106. NEUDORF B, f, 1, Camluck - Mystic Mistress
Consigned by: Preferred Equine Mkt Inc, Agent
Purchased by: John P Lamers, Ingersoll, ON 105,000



135. MACHMAN B, c, 1, Mach Three - F Fifteen
Consigned by: High Stakes Inc, Agent
Purchased by: Colin Johnson, Le Gardeur, QC 90,000



49. NOBLE WARRAWEE B, c, 1, Angus Hall - Warrawee Fourleaf
Consigned by: Preferred Equine Mkt Inc, Agent
Purchased by: Mark Steacy, Lansdowne, ON 57,000




146. CANADIAN PRINCESS B, f, 1, Angus Hall - Speedy Lobell
Consigned by: Peninsula Farm Inc, Agent
Purchased by: Benjamin Wallace, Milton, ON 50,000



133. DELCREST KADABRA B, c, 1, Kadabra - Delcrestclassyhall
Consigned by: Delcrest Stables
Purchased by: Fiddlers Creek Stables L, West Bloomfield, MI 45,000



77. SABINE Br, f, 1, Camluck - Loving Place
Consigned by: Preferred Equine Mkt Inc, Agent
Purchased by: Isaac S Waxman, Dundas, ON 42,000



142. MACH SOME NOISE B, c, 1, Mach Three - Marg N Jan
Consigned by: Preferred Equine Mkt Inc, Agent
Purchased by: Isaac S Waxman, Dundas, ON 40,000



128. VILLAGE BOUND B, f, 1, Jeremes Jet - Village Blush
Consigned by: Village Acres Limited, Agent
Purchased by: Michael J Keeling, Agent, Cambridge, ON 35,000



46. WARRAWEE NIFTY B, c, 1, Kadabra - Cheese Danish
Consigned by: Preferred Equine Mkt Inc, Agent
Purchased by: William H Loyens, London, ON 32,000



Other notables of the first day of the 2010 Canadian Yearling Sale:

43. WINGS N BEER B, f, 1, Kadabra - Years Gone By
Consigned by: James Massey
Purchased by: George E Gillis, Cambridge, ON 31,000


62. IWANNABATROTSTAR B, f, 1, Ken Warkentin - To B Mz America
Consigned by: Spring Haven Farm, Agent
Purchased by: Gestion Jean Yves Blais, Montreal, QC 28,000


50. OAKLEA ULTRA B, f, 1, Angus Hall - Oaklea Ginny
Consigned by: Oaklea Farm Inc
Purchased by: Common Sense Stable, Rockwood, ON 25,000

Trotting Sire Lines: Valley Victory vs Garland Lobell vs Super Bowl

There are 2 dominant top lines in Standardbred trotting plus a 3rd prominent legacy line and a wide range of successful outcross lines:

Dominant Lines:

Valley Victory - Muscles Yankee

Garland Lobell

Prominent Legacy Line:

Super Bowl



Outcross lines:

Stars Pride

/ Hickory Pride - Yankee Bambino - Photo Maker - SJS Photo: Classic Photo, SJS Caviar, Pegasus Spur

/ Nevele Pride - Madison Avenue - Meadow Road - Primrose Lane - Kadabra


Speedy Crown

/ Sir Taurus - Taurus Dream
/ Speedy Somolli - Mr Lavec - Master Lavec


Arnie Almahurst

/ Arndon - Pine Chip: Dream Vacation, Chip Chip Hooray


Noble Victory

/ Noble Gesture - Balanced Image: Amigo Hall, Duke of York

The most dominant trotting line (Valley Victory) descends from Speedster and the other two major lines (Garland Lobell, Stars Pride - Super Bowl) come from Volomite:

Speedster - Speedy Scot - Speedy Crown - Baltic Speed - Valley Victory - Muscles Yankee

Volomite - Victory Song - Noble Victory - ABC Freight - Garland Lobell

Volomite - Worthy Boy - Stars Pride - Super Bowl


All of these trotting lines descend from Hambletonian son Happy Medium:

Hambletonian - Happy Medium - Pilot Medium - Peter The Great - Peter Volo - Volomite

Hambletonian - Happy Medium - Pilot Medium - Peter The Great - Peter Scott - Scotland - Spencer Scott - Rodney - Speedster



Here are the major trotting sire lines with prominent sons and grandsons featured:

Valley Victory sons / grandsons:

Yankee Glide
/ Glidemaster
/ Ken Warkentin
/ CR Excalibur

Muscles Yankee
/ Tom Ridge
/ Muscle Hill
/ Mutineer
/ Deweycheatumnhowe

Victory Dream
/ Self Possessed - Cash Hall
// Cantab Hall - Explosive Matter

Donerail
/ Jailhouse Jesse

Valley Victor

Lindy Lane
/ Oaklea Julian

Berndt Hanover


Garland Lobell sons / grandsons:

Conway Hall
/ Windsongs Legacy

Andover Hall
/ Donato Hanover

Angus Hall
/ Cincinnati Kid

ABC Garland



Super Bowl sons / grandsons:

American Winner
/ Credit Winner: Chocolatier, Here Comes Herbie, Crazed

Supergill
/ Striking Sahbra
/ Malabar Man
/ Keep It A Secret

Royal Troubador
/ CR Commando


This post will be updated in coming weeks and months, with emerging sires being added regularly!

Western Hanover versus Artsplace versus Cam Fella

There are 3 dominant top lines in Standardbred pacing plus a solid range of prominent outcross line:

Dominant Lines:

Western Hanover
Artsplace
Cam Fella

Outcross lines:

Abercrombie
/ Dontgetinmyway
/ Life Sign - Real Desire - Tell All

Matts Scooter
/ Mach Three - Somebeachsomewhere
/ Royal Mattjesty

Tyler B
/ Dragons Lair - Dragon Again

French Chef
/ Beach Towel - Jennas beach Boy - Quik Pulse Mindale

Bret Hanover
/ Warm Breeze - Falcon Seelster - McArdle

No Nukes
/ Jate Lobell - Electric Yankee

Big Towner
/ Apaches Circle - Apaches Fame

Regarding these above, the true value and longevity of the Mach Three - Somebeachsomewhere line will not be estimable until Beach has a couple of years of offspring on the tracks. It will likely become at least the premier outcross line, and more probable would be the line's elevation to the top tier.

Let's examine the dominant pacing lines, those being Western Hanover, Artsplace and Cam Fella.

All 3 of the dominant pacing stallions descend from Hal Dale, as follows:

Hal Dale - Dale Frost - Meadow Skipper - Most Happy Fella - Oil Burner - No Nukes - Western Hanover

Hal Dale - Adios - Henry T Adios - Silent Majority - Abercrombie - Artsplace

Hal Dale - Dale Frost - Meadow Skipper - Most Happy Fella - Cam Fella

Here are each of the 3 dominant pacing sire lines with prominent sons and grandsons featured:

Western Hanover sons / grandsons:

Western Ideal
/ Rocknroll Hanover
/ Allamerican Ideal
/ Amrbro Deuce


The Panderosa
/ Panspacificflight
/ Ponder
/ Shadow Play

If I Can Dream

Well Said

Badlands Hanover

Western Terror

Allamerican Ingot

Jeremes Jet

Western Maverick



Artsplace sons / grandsons:

Art Major
/ Art Official

Modern Art

Real Artist

Artiscape
/ Yankee Cruiser

Astreos

Grinfromeartoear
/ Mister Big



Cam Fella sons / grandsons:

Cams Card Shark
/ Bettors Delight
/ Four Starzz Shark
/ Shark Gesture (gelding, but what a racehorse!)
/ Whitefish Falls

Camluck

Cambest
/ Blissful Hall
/ Lis Mara

Pacific Fella
/ No Pan Intended

Presidential Ball
/ Allamerican Native

E Dees Cam


All 3 of the dominant pacing lines continue to show strength, which means that if Somebeachsomewhere and his sons are to crack the Breeders Crown stallion rankings with significant prowess, they may possibly turn the Standardbred pacer breeding world upside down. Look for sons of Beach out of mares by Western Hanover, Artsplace and Cam Fella sons to dominate the track and the shed.

Peace 2 All,

Joe Trainor

Videos and Photos of Somebeachsomewhere weanlings

Take a look at this majestic soul; Somebeachsomewhere in his paddock at Hanover Shoe Farms:



Here are some photos and video links for Somebeachsomewhere 2010 weanlings, colts and fillies. My plan is to update this page with additional photos and videos of Somebeachsomewhere weanlings as they become available.

This first one is a filly out of the Real Desire mare Desirable Cindy, a half-sister to Jenna's Beach Boy:




Check out the cute little filly weanling that magically appeared out of Illusionist, below:





Remember Rich N Elegant?




Video of Somebeachsomewhere - Bunny Lake weanling with Andover Hall - D Train foal:







Here's a video of Whatsupcuz romping in the paddock with her Somebeachsomewhere filly weanling:




Keep an eye on this Somebeachsomewhere - Vaudeville Margie weanling bay colt, the lil fella has some spark!




UPDATE September 2010:

Somebeachsomewhere - Odds On Charmaine colt





Somebeachsomewhere - Odds On Arttoheart filly





Speedy Caroline, by Somebeachsomewhere - Loving Caroline (right)




UPDATE December 2010:

Lady Joy with her Somebeachsomewhere colt




Somebeachsomehwere colt with mare L'Oiseau De Nuit (by Christian Cullen, making the foal a Direct Scooter cross)

Camluck son Mystician fires up to win Metro

Superstar pilot Jody Jamieson helmed Mystician in a 29-1 victory in last night's million dollar Metro pace for 2 year olds at Mohawk Raceway. A full brother to Camystic, Fenman and Mystic Howard, Mystician has a full sister up for sale this weekend at the 2010 Canadian Yearling Sale in the Flamboro Downs SC Pavillion. The yearling is a filly named Neudorf, and someone with both racing and breeding ambitions will likely purchase her. Mystician went for $45,000 last year, and as that looks like an extremely good deal right now, his sister may fetch a price almost twice as high.

There are 320 yearlings in this weekends sale; best wishes to all consignors and to yearling buyers, may you own some wonderful horses!!!

Peace 2 All,

Joe

Live PEI Web Cams; Charlottetown, Confederation Bridge

After hearing that this evening's races at Charlottetown Driving Park have been cancelled due to an approaching storm, I looked online for a live PEI weather cam and here are some I found:

CBC web cam on Prince Edward Island

PEI Road Conditions / Traffic Cameras website


Let's hope this storm causes minimal damage and injury.

Peace 2 All,

Joe Trainor

Standardbred Trotting Sire Lines 101 - Speedster and Volomite

During the first decade of the 21st Century of harness horse racing, Breeders Crown-calibre stallions all descend from three 20th Century Foundation sires:

Hal Dale
Speedster
Volomite

Whereas the 3 primary standardbred pacing sire lines (Western Hanover, Artsplace, Cam Fella) all come from Hal Dale, the premier trotting line (Valley Victory) descends from Speedster and the other two dominant lines (Garland Lobell, Stars Pride - Super Bowl) are from Volomite:


Speedster - Speedy Scot - Speedy Crown - Baltic Speed - Valley Victory - Muscles Yankee

Volomite - Victory Song - Noble Victory - ABC Freight - Garland Lobell

Volomite - Worthy Boy - Stars Pride - Super Bowl


Alright, now let's take a few steps back and see how these trotting lines descend from Hambletonian son Happy Medium:

Hambletonian - Happy Medium - Pilot Medium - Peter The Great - Peter Volo - Volomite

Hambletonian - Happy Medium - Pilot Medium - Peter The Great - Peter Scott - Scotland - Spencer Scott - Rodney - Speedster

Though they descend from Star's Pride, sires like SJS Caviar and Kadabra are considered outcross sires as they have emerged from the once perceived as semi-dormant Hickory Pride and Nevele Pride lines respectively.

Trotting Outcross lines:

Stars Pride - Hickory Pride - Yankee Bambino - Photo Maker - SJS Photo - SJS Caviar

Stars Pride - Nevele Pride - Madison Avenue - Meadow Raod - Primrose Lane - Kadabra

Speedster - Arnie Almahurst - Arndon - Pine Chip - Chip Chip Hooray

Speedster - Arnie Almahurst - Florida Pro - Magna Force

Breeders looking to raise a stakes-caliber Standardbred may want to do two simple calculations when choosing between two sires:

A) Count the number of appearances of Speedster and Volomite in each stallion

B) Count the number of times Valley Victory, Garland Lobell and Stars Pride appear in each stallion

Of course it is also crucial to look at conformation and the match with your mare's own breeding, plus trends in marketability of yearlings, however the process of adding more greatness to what's already there in your mare can be magnified by focusing on the most proven names in the breeding shed.

Standardbred Pacing Sire Lines 101 - Hal Dale

In the early 21st Century years of standardbred horse racing, stakes-calibre stallions all descend from three 20th Century Foundation sires:

Hal Dale
Speedster
Volomite


The dominant pacing lines are from Hal Dale and the premier trotting line is from Speedster, whereas Volomite has sired dominant trotting lines (eg. Star's Pride - Superbowl line, Garland Lobell line) and valuable outcross pacing lines (Bye Bye Byrd line, Direct Scooter line).

Hal Dale was a decendant of Hambletonian's son Electioneer, as follows:

Hambletonian - Electioneer - Chimes - The Abbe - Abbedale - Hal Dale

As Speedster and Volomite are both descendants of Hambletonian son Happy Medium via great grandson Peter The Great, the old adage that all standardbreds are descended from five sons of Hambletonian can now be refined: Premium Standardbred sire lines now descend from just two sons of Hambletonian, Electioneer and Happy Medium. Legacy lines like George Wilkes (represented today by Sierra Kosmos) and Dictator (last big splash was Steady Star) often survive by a single thread, and these almost inevitably break at some point. The trotting world success of Kadabra does illustrate that a line can be revived as an outcross option with a chance to compete for dominance.

Back in the 1980s there was concern in the harness racing world that too many eggs were being placed in the Meadow Skipper basket, as his grandsons by Albatross, Most Happy Fella and others were dominating stakes races. This situation corrected itself in three ways:

A) The dominant Albatross - Niatross - Nihalator faded out as the daughters of this powerful line went to Most Happy Fella, Abercrombie and outcross sires.

B) Most Happy Fella emerged as the new dominant line via Cam Fella and then No Nukes / Western Hanover

C) Abercrombie's son Artsplace re-affirmed Abercrombie / Artsplace as the dominant non-Meadow Skipper line

So today we have 3 dominant lines in pacing, and all trace to Hal Dale:

No Nukes - Western Hanover

Abercrombie - Artsplace

Cam Fella

You can argue who the fourth dominant line is (I'd prefer to call it the top outcross line and would suggest Mach Three / Somebeachsomewhere may solidify this position over the next two years), however I challenge any reader to suggest a 4th pacing sire line that is as successful as the 3 above, which we will now call Western Hanover line, Artsplace line and Cam Fella line. Here's how they descend from Hal Dale:

Hal Dale - Dale Frost - Meadow Skipper - Most Happy Fella - Oil Burner - No Nukes - Western Hanover

Hal Dale - Adios - Henry T Adios - Silent Majority - Abercrombie - Artsplace

Hal Dale - Dale Frost - Meadow Skipper - Most Happy Fella - Cam Fella

When Western Hanover passed at a relatively young age, I was concerned that it could affect his legacy, however he is a bona fide sire of sires and his sons and grandsons have already proven they are the ones to beat.


Pacing outcross sire lines:

Volomite - Sampson Hanover - Sampson Direct - Direct Scooter - Matts Scooter - Mach Three - Somebeachsomewhere

Meadow Skipper - Most Happy Fella - Tyler B - Dragons Lair - Dragon Again

Meadow Skipper - French Chef - Beach Towel - Jennas Beach Boy - Quik Pulse Mindale

Adios - Bret Hanover - Warm Breeze - Falcon Seelster - McArdle


The key to predicting the future is understanding which outcross sire will benefit most from daughters of Western Hanover, Artsplace and Cam Fella line stallions, and being a Maritimes-affiliated (PEI, NB) Canadian, my heart and mind are watching the offspring of Somebeachsomewhere; Which way to the Beach!!!

Part Shark SIZZLES in 1:51 Gold Cup and Saucer victory

Four Starzzz Shark son Part Shark (out of Pop Art by Artsplace) wins PEI's premier race

Most Happy Fella cross proves up Cam Fella line yet again




Rick Zeron drove Part Shark (trained by Wayne Preszcator) to a Gold Cup and Saucer victory in a record time of 1:51!!! This was the 51st running of the Charlottetown PEI's Gold Cup and Saucer race, now sponsored by premier Maritimes grocer Sobey's.




Stonebridge Terror, driven by Scott Coulter, Placed in 1:51:1, while the Show position went to Panda Bear driven by Anthony MacDonald in 1:51:1.

Watch online video of Part Shark winning 2010 Gold Cup and Saucer, Charlottetown PEI

Family Vacation in PEI; Ready to Rock and Roll!

My family is from the Maritimes (mom from NB, dad from PEI) and we're having the Trainor Family Reunion in Charlottetown PE from August 5th to August 8th. We had 2 reunions back in 1989 and 1967 so you can see this is a fairly big event for my family!

Too bad I won't be there for the Gold Cup and Saucer, as it is one of my 2 favourite (NA Cup) races in the entire world!

Please visit my other blogs regularly and don't hesitate to support my sponsors (eg click on ads) so that we can pay for this trip!!!

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Wind Energy Companies to Watch

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Joe College Punk Politics Ecology Blog


Peace 2 All,

Joe College

Coleman-trained Sportswriter and PEI's Mark MacDonald win North America Cup 2010!

I'll admit I was fixated on the run Rock N Roll Heaven was on and missed Sportswriter rounding into form. I will also say that even though I lost $40 on that race, and my dad lost a few bones too, we were pleased to see PEI-born Mark MacDonald drive his way to his first North America Cup.

Congratulations to Sportswriter, Casie Coleman, Mark MacDonald and all of this great horse's connections here and Stateside.

Peace 2 All,

Joe T

Sportswriter wins 2010 Pepsi North America Cup, video and story

Unofficial Advance Odds 2010 Final Pepsi North America Cup at Mohawk

Here are the ten finalists for this Saturday's 2010 Pepsi NA Cup at Mohawk Racetrack, with my unofficial advance Evening Line Odds (these will be re-calculated after post positions are drawn, as the field is well matched):

Evening Line Odds - North America Cup at Mohawk

Rock N Roll Heaven 8-5

All Speed Hanover 5-2

Kyle Major 3-1

Sportswriter 7-2

We Will See 4-1

Delmarvelous 6-1

One More Laugh 8-1

Fred and Ginger 12-1

Piece of the Rock 15-1

Art Professor 20-1

AE:

Power Of A Moment 25-1

Stonebridge Tonic 30-1

Everybody have fun on Saturday night, this 3 year old crop is starting to shape up nicely!

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Mohawk Racetrack 2010 NA Cup Eliminations Morning Line Odds

This first elim is wickedly competitive, with the four outside horses and Ideal Matters all looking to be in the final. At least two of them won't make it, possibly more, so in this race you have to look for value. I believe the morning line undervalues Kyle Major, and that he and Rock N Roll Heaven will be co-faves, with Ideal Matters a quite close 3rd fave. Dr Dreamy or Sportswriter could be worth a fling at the right price.



5 -- Pace, purse $50,000 (EX, P3, SF, TR)
D-PEPSI NORTH AMERICA CUP XXVII - ELIMINATION - 3 YEAR OLDS.
STARTING FEE $8,000 CDN $8,000 U.S.
Post time: 08:54 P.M. Lasix: 04:39 P.M.
1 Rock Me Please S Condren R Mcintosh 10-1
2 Ok Commander D Mcnair R Mcnair 25-1
3 Ideal Matters D Palone M Vanderkemp 7-2
4 Power Of A Moment M Miller E Miller 12-1
5 Code Word S Filion K Oreilly 25-1
6 Allthatgltrsisgold D Magee B Brower 7-1
7 Sportswriter Ma Macdonald C Coleman 6-1
8 Kyle Major J Jamieson S Robinson 9-2
9 Rock N Roll Heaven D Dube B Saunders 5-2
10 Dr Dreamy B Sears B Teague 7-1



In Race 7 the M/L shows Pierce and Palone on the two faves, and by race-time the order may be reversed. delmarvelous is ranked third but this race may be wide open, racing luck winning in the end. Watch for an upset! MD has similar genes to Beach...

7 -- Pace, purse $50,000 (EX, P3, TR)
D-PEPSI NORTH AMERICA CUP XXVII - ELIMINATION - 3 YEAR OLDS.
STARTING FEE $8,000 CDN $8,000 U.S.
Post time: 09:36 P.M. Lasix: 05:21 P.M.
1 Mach Dreamer L Ouellette M Brethour 25-1
2 Delmarvalous(L) B Sears B Teague 7-2
3 Twin B Warrior Ra Waples J Gillis 7-1
4 Art N Charm M Saftic R Roberts 25-1
5 All Speed Hanover R Pierce M Vanderkemp 2-1
6 Four Starz Trace J Jamieson J Seekman 12-1
7 Stonebridge Tonic D Mcnair R Mcnair 15-1
8 Haul Away T Tetrick D Menary 8-1
9 Fred And Ginger D Palone R Burke 3-1
10 Triple Major S Filion W Companion 20-1
Race 7 - Retention Barn - All horses


In the 3rd and final elim, Tetrick driving One More Laugh is rated tops, with Piece of The Rock, BP Chimo and Malicious close behind. We Will See if Woodstock can can experience a late revival, or if Art Professor can challenge the leaders of the day.

8 -- Pace, purse $50,000 (EX, P3, SF, TR)
D-PEPSI NORTH AMERICA CUP XXVII - ELIMINATION - 3 YEAR OLDS.
STARTING FEE $8,000 CDN $8,000 U.S.
Post time: 09:57 P.M. Lasix: 05:42 P.M.
1 We Will See B Miller C De Pinto 8-1
2 Woodstock Y Gingras M Vanderkemp 10-1
3 Iam Bonasera D Magee E Miller 12-1
4 *Bp Chimo S Filion J Barton 6-1 (cog: 15-AUG-2010)
5 Keystone Raptor J Moiseyev J Kopas 7-1
6 Piece Of The Rock P Macdonell R Young 5-1
7 Warrawee Legend Ri Zeron C Cadieux 15-1
8 One More Laugh T Tetrick R Schnittker 2-1
9 Art Professor B Sears S Elliott 7-1
10 Malicious D Miller Dr I Moore 6-1




Gonna be at a concert so can't make the races Saturday, yet I still advise everyone to get out if you can. The finals have a deeper feeling when you saw the trip they took to get there.

Peace 2 All,

Joe

Pepsi North America Cup 2010 Eliminations, for January 19 at Mohawk Racetrack

Here are the entries and PP for this Saturday's Pepsi NA Cup elims:

First Elim (KILLER Draw)

Post Position - Horse
1 - Rock Me Please
2 - OK Commander
3 - Ideal Matters
4 - Power Of A Moment
5 - Code Word
6 - Allthatgltrsisgold
7 - Sportswriter
8 - Kyle Major
9 - Rock N Roll Heaven
10 - Dr Dreamy



Elim 2 (Race 7)
Post Position - Horse
1 - Mach Dreamer
2 - Delmarvalous
3 - Twin B Warrior
4 - Art N Charm
5 - All Speed Hanover
6 - Four Starz Trace
7 - Stonebridge Tonic
8 - Haul Away
9 - Fred And Ginger
10 - Triple Major


Easiest Division:

Elim 3 (Race 8)
Post Position - Horse
1 - We Will See
2 - Woodstock
3 - IAM Bonasera
4 - BP Chimo
5 - Keystone Raptor
6 - Piece Of The Rock
7 - Warrawee Legend
8 - One More Laugh
9 - Art Professor
10 - Malicious

Burlington UPSETS throw 2010 Pepsi NA Cup Wide Open

I had the pleasure of attending a Saturday night of unusual races at Mohawk with my father last night, and it wasn't just the fog that had bettors scratching their heads and clutching their wallets.

When superhorse Rock N Roll Heaven broke stride and went from first to last, that misfire resulted in Show payouts for the 2nd and 3rd place finishers of $138 and $120!!! Yes, for a $2 Show ticket on a stakes-calibre racehorse!!! If the fave hadn't broke stride it may have been a 2.10 payout, but that's coulda shoulda woulda talk.

After last nights ultimate manifestation of the old betting proverb "favorites are born to lose", the leading contenders for the Pepsi 2010 North America Cup have been reshuffled and I now declare the race to be officially WIDE OPEN.

2010 Pepsi NA Cup Unofficial Advance Odds

Rock N Roll Heaven - 4/1
Kyle Major - 4/1


Sportswriter - 5/1
Ideal Matters - 5/1

One More Laugh - 6/1
Dr. Dreamy - 6/1

Power Of A Moment - 7/1

All Speed Hanover - 8/1
Keystone Raptor - 8/1

Twin B Warrior - 15/1
BP Chimo - 15/1
Fred And Ginger - 15/1

Delmarvelous - 20/1
Woodstock - 20/1
Grin For Money - 20/1

I'm Gorgeous - 20/1
Malicious - 25/1

Stonebridge Tonic - 30/1
Mach Dreamer - 30/1
Art N Charm - 30/1
Triple Major - 30/1

Windfall Blue Chip - 40/1
OK Commander - 40/1
Code Word - 40/1

Red Bugler - 45/1

I am certain I have missed a few shippers coming up from the States but these are surely the main contenders. When the elims are announced I'll try and do an alternate morning line for each race, time permitting.

Peace 2 All,

Joe Trainor