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Trebles galore for winning Sandersons Christmas came early for talented Sydney harness racing young gun Ryan Sanderson who landed his first-ever treble at the weekend. It was really a bit unexpected. Some of my drives were okay, but I was up against a few nice other horses, so it was a surprise to land three, Sanderson said.Two of his winners at Saturday night s Newcastle meeting were trained by his father Shane, with his mother Naomi the winning owner.The 17-year-old won for his father with Sea Hawke (Mr Feelgood-Spirit Of Fun (McArdle) and Joice Mary (Alta Christiano-Weona (Perfect Art). He also chipped in with a victory for trainer Stephanie Lippiatt with Collina Kay Jay (Alta Christiano-Wingello Lass (Art Major).To watch the win onSea Hawke click on this linkTo watch the win onJoice Mary click on this linkTo watch the win onCollina Kay Jay click on this link Steph is stabled next to us at the training centre and it was the first time I d driven for her so that was pretty good, he said.And while Ryan was racking up the personal milestones, his dad was also making his own headlines elsewhere.Shane claimed a Menangle Group Three win just 45 minutes after Ryan wrapped up his Newcastle treble.To watch the win onWhereyabinboppin click here It certainly was a huge night for dad. He was stoked with his training treble-two at Newcastle and then the feature event at Menangle, Ryan said.Exciting four-year-old Whereyabinboppin (A Rocknroll Dance-Whereyawheeliebin (Modern Art) gave an awesome front-running display to take out the $30,600 Celebrating Harold Park Cup with Cameron Hart in the sulky. We all went out on Sunday morning for a celebration breakfast, Ryan said. Dad is planning to give his team five or six days off, so we ll all be having a break over Christmas as well, which will be great. While the treble for Ryan continued his happy association with the Newcastle circuit (he drove his first winner, Don Boston, as a 16 year old at Newcastle) it also marked his first winning meeting since a race fall injury in Victoria two months ago to the day.The teenager was catapulted into the air and a following horse was unable to avoid hitting him when he crashed to the track at a Charlton meeting. Sanderson was flown to Melbourne but escaped serious injuries.His new driving suit had to be cut from him in hospital, and he also had to buy a new vest and helmet to get back to the track. I was pretty lucky. I got a bit smashed up, but I m all healed up and back driving now - it was nice to get among some winners though, he said. Harness Racing Australia reimbursed me and that covered a fair bit of the cost of replacing my gear, which was awesome. I ve got to just make sure I stay out of trouble from now on! Terry GangeNewsAlert PR Mildura World Champion Shartin N retired and soldIt has been announced by the owners of Shartin N, the 2019 USA Dan Patch Harness Horse of the Year and the fastest pacing mare in history, has been retired from racing and has been sold.In a glittering harness racing career, the world champion mare won 46 of her 68 lifetime starts and $2,667,563 in purses- an average of $39,228 per start - and took a world record lifetime mark of 1:46.4.She clocked an amazing 20 winning miles in 1:50 or better.Bred in New Zealand, Shartin N did not race at age two and commenced her career in Australia as a three-year-old, winning seven races and $105,718 in purses including the Queensland and Tasmanian Oaks.Following her defeating Victorian Horse of the Year, Jilliby Kung Fu 1:48.4 ($529,710), at Melton in 2017, when Shartin N sat parked out the entire trip and won in a class record 1:52.5 mile rate over 1720 meters, Shartin N was bought by leading New Zealand bloodstock agent John Curtin on behalf of USA owner Richard Poillucci of South Easton, MA.Poillucci would then take on partners JoAnn Looney King of Delaware and later down the road, driver Tim Tetrick of Delaware. In my wildest dreams I never thought I would have a mare like Shartin, said owner Richard Poillucci. It does not happen very often in our industry or in a lifetime for an owner. It was a hard decision to be made, Poillucci added. We talked about it for the past few months and decided it would be in her best interest to become a broodmare. It has been so surreal having Shartin these past few years. Poillucci said. If you are into harness racing there is no greater feeling than owning a world champion like her. When she was good no one could beat her and when she was not good, she was still great. She would not have been possible for her to do all that she did if it wasn t for trainer Jim King, Jr. s tutelage and driver Tim Tetrick s patience, Poillucci said. They, along with my co-owner JoAnn King, did such a superb job with her. When she first came into their barn, she was not a well-mannered mare and they made her the world champion she is today. I can t thank my agent and friend John Curtin enough, Poillucci added. He did not just find and purchase this mare for us, but he has been one of her biggest fans too, following every start she has made in North America. He does that with every horse I get with him. Shartin N took the North American racing scene by storm in 2018 for trainer Jim King, Jr., winning 19 of her 24 appearances and earning $1,053,236 - the highest total by a pacing mare ever in one season. She was named the Dan Patch Pacer of the Year and was second in the balloting for Harness Horse of the Year.She completed almost a clean sweep of the major races for mares in 2018, including the $373,000 Blue Chip Matchmaker Final, $370,000 Roses Are Red, $270,000 Breeders Crown, $197,400 Lady Liberty, $175,000 TVG Free-for-all, $161,000 Artiscape Pace, $150,000 Betsy Ross Invitation, $102,200 Chip Noble Memorial and the $98,500 Allerage Farm Pace in a season s record 1:48.2.Shartin N put an exclamation mark on her 2019 career in August last year when she produced a jaw-dropping world record performance to win the $183,500 Lady Liberty at The Meadowlands, carving out the mile in 1:46.4 - 0.6 faster than the prior world mark. She also became the fastest Standardbred horse ever bred in New Zealand.A month later Shartin N set another world record for mares on a five-eighths track when she was clocked in 1:48 at Harrah s Philadelphia in a $30,000 Open Pace.She continued her dominance of the distaff pacing ranks throughout the year, winning the $402,600 Blue Chip Matchmaker, $330,000 Roses Are Red, $179,550 Golden Girls, $137,000 Artiscape, $100,000 Clara Barton, $100,000 Betsy Ross and the $100,000 Chip Noble and finishing second in the Breeders Crown.Shartin N won 15 of her 19 outings in 2019 for $982,177 in stakes - a season s high for her gait and sex.As the result of a remarkable season, Shartin N was named 2019 Dan Patch Harness Horse of the Year and became only the fifth female pacer and the first horse bred outside of North America to pick up the prestigious award.In the voting she defeated the champion three-year-old s Bettor s Wish 1:47.3 ($2,781,240) and Warrawee Ubeaut 1:48.3 ($1,948,175), the top Free-For-Aller and world record holder Lather Up 1:46 ($1,917,935) and McWicked 1:46.2 ($5,103,271) and world record holders and leading trotters in Manchego 1:49 ($2,857,315) and Atlanta 1:49.1 ($2,859,610) in the end-of-year balloting.Shartin N returned to the track as a seven-year-old this year, winning an additional five races including the $177,100 Lady Liberty and $129,000 Artiscape for the third time each and notching consecutive wins in the $100,000 Clara Barton. The barn will not be the same without her for sure, Said trainer Jim King, Jr. Hard to imagine this barn without her and looking forward to her next race. It s been the driving force for me these past three years. We knew this day would come so ...it s tough. On the score of bloodlines, Shartin N has a great deal in her favor. Apart from being sired by the champion NZ pacer Tintin In America, a $906,422 winning son of McArdle, she is out of a mare by the Governor s Cup winner Live Or Die, a leading sire in NZ for many years, while her grand-dam, is a daughter of the Bret Hanover foal, Save Fuel, a brother to the glamour American filly of the 1970 s, Guiding Beam.The family has produced a host of black type performers including Italian Delight (1:50.2), Donegal Delight (NZ North Island Breeders Stakes), Im Bella Jay (WA Wesbred 2YO Classic) and Kanturk (NZ Celebrity Stakes). I can t hardly tell you what it s been like to have owned and raced a world champion like Shartin, said co-owner JoAnn Looney King. She s the dream horse I longed for since I was a young girl in the horse business. She s the dream horse everyone longs for. Imagine owning a horse that North America knows by name seems unreal but it happened and to me and our team I also want people to know that the experience of meeting so many nice people and well-wishers on the road traveling has been one of the high points of owning a horse like Shartin. People have been so nice everywhere we travelled, King add. We met so many nice people that I still stay in touch with and I m so appreciative of their kindness. For the past few days now that she has been sold, King explained. When I walk by her stall and speak to her I have some sadness but I know it s best for her and for the team, but damn it s going to be hard to watch her walk out of that barn the final time. It will be emotional for me, real emotional. It s really been the best three years imaginable. A dream come true and I thank God every day. Bloodstock agent John Curtin also confirmed the sale of Shartin N for an undisclosed sum to Ola Yoder, owner of Kountry Lane Standardbreds, LLC of Indiana.Ola Yoder stunned the harness racing world with a significant investment in buying five sensational broodmares at the 2019 White Birch Farm dispersal sale held at Harrisburg. Since then, he has purchased the Breeders Crown winner Winndevie 1:53 ($863,257) and now Shartin N.Shartin N is scheduled to be bred to Captaintreacherous in 2021 and then Lazarus N in 2022.Plans for a special retirement ceremony will be announced soon.By Steve Wolf Gallant Way takes 70,000€ Prix Oscar Collard December 19, 2020 -Gallant Way (4m Ready Cash-Queen Flore-Vikings Way) captured the harness racing Gr. III Prix Oscar Collard (purse 70,000 , 2100 meters autostart) at Vincennes, timed in 1.11.7kr and off at 3.8/1 odds.Anthony Barrier teamed this Philippe Allaire trainee that was bred and is owned by the legendary journalist Jacques Pauc.Gallant Way won for eighth time in his career now for 318,200 earned and this his second straight Gr. III victory.The 9/10 favorite Rebella Matters (5f Explosive Matter-Mystical News) was a close second for Jean Michel Bazire.Third was 44/1 A Sweet Dance (5f Maharajah-Sugar Step) with Alexis Prat the pilot for trainer Anders Lindqvist.On the same card Sobel Conway (7g Conway Hall-Jasmine Broline) scored in the Prix Michel Thoury (purse 56,000 , 2100 meters autostart, European) timed in 1.11.8kr. This 3/2 odds favorite was reined by Jean Michel Bazire to his first FR victory and he raised his career earnings to 283,960 . 3.8/1 Dexter Chatho (7g Un Amour d Haufor) was second for Charles J. Bigeon and 29/1 Ce Retour d Oscar (8f Le Retour) was third for J.Ph. Monclin. $400,000 Super Night at Pompano Pompano Beach, FL...December 21...Pompano Park was the host track for a Super Night 17 race harness racing card on Sunday night (December 20) with over $400,000 up for grabs in the FSBOA sponsored Breeders Stakes.In addition, Lyons Night Hawk played the spoiler role in the Open Handicap Pace by pacing to a new lifetime mark of 1:49.4.Hurrikanekingjames, perfectly handled by Carl Garofalo, led every long stride of a 1:53.2 mile to score a handy nine length over Repeal or Replace (Wally Hennessey), carding fractions of :27.1, 56.1 and 1:24.3 with an effortless :28.3 finale sealing the deal.Prairie Valentino (Dave Ingraham) recovered from an early miscue to finish third while Goldstar Buniholly ws next. Shuldahadahunemoon picked up the minors in the field of five.Trained this night by Jim Meittinis for Jonathan Klee Racing, Kuhen Racing and George Vierno, the So Surreal colt stretched his winning streak to five during this fall stakes season in South Florida to push his seasonal bankroll to $62,734 and $164,045 lifetime on the strength of a 14-1-3 scorecard in 30 career starts.$51,500 Breeders Stake for Three Year-Old Pacing Fillies (non-wagering)Laurie Lee was awarded first money of $28,325 after Gold Star Igotdis crossed the wire first but was disqualified for interference in the stretch.The winner by DQ was driven by Wally Hennessey and was just a neck back at the wire in the mile clocked in 1:56.At the outset, Laurie Lee left with her usual alacrity but yielded at the opening marker in :29.2 to Gold Star Igotdid (CoreyBraden) with these two remaining one-two past markers of :58.4 and 1:27.3.In the lane, Gold Star Igotdis began drifting out, impeding the progress of Laurie Lee resulting in the disqualification.Molly McGator (Tyler Smith) finished third, 11 lengths away, edging out Alil Touch Of Pink, who finished fourth in this quartet.For the consistent Laurie Lee, a daughter of Royel Millennium trained by Kim Sears, who co-owns with Richard Dunmire, it was her third win in six starts with this top prize of $28,325 vaulting her 2020 bankroll to $45,903 in her six starts this semester.In repeating her Super Night of 2019, Laurie now has career earnings of $95,878 In her 15 lifetime starts.$51,000 Breeders Stake for Three Year-Old Trotting Geldings non-wagering)Prairie Romeo, with Corey Braden in his bike, took advantage of his three remaining foes making miscues during the mile and went on to score a very handy win measuring 15 lengths in a new lifetime mark of 1:59.The altered son of Shibboleth Hanover, leaving from post 4 in this quartet, smartly rushed off the wings into a quick early lead and cut the mustard all the way through fractions of :29.1, 1:00 and 1:30 before a :29 finale easily sealed the deal.Prairie Gold Mine (Wally Hennessey) recovered from a break at the beginning to finish second while Rhinestone Cowboy (Mike Micallef), in the garden spot before a miscue half-way through put a damper on his chances, was another neck back in third.YD Dream Machine, who inherited second when Rhinestone Cowboy broke, went up in the air himself nearing the final bend and would up with the minors.For Prairie Romeo, trained by Mike Deters, who co-owns with Laurie Poulin and John Spindler, it was his second career win with this one more than doubling his earnings coming in--now at $53,571 after this payday of $28,050.$49,000 Breeders Stake for Three Year-Old Trotting Fillies (non-wagering)With but a trio of sophomore trotting fillies competing, it only took good manners to claim the top prize of $26,950 and it was Brasen Bo, a daughter of Shibboleth Hanover, taking full advantage of his foes miscues while romping to a 24 length win in 2:04.2.Driven by John MacDonald for trainer Brandy Wine and owner Thomas Casey, Brasen Bo was away second as Prairie Delight went up in the air early and Callin On Sunday (Mike Simons) took the field through fractions of :28.4 and :58.2, opening up a large daylight lead of nine lengths. On the backside, Callin On Sunday lost his composure, too, enabling the sure-footed Brasen Bo to catch up after a few seconds and inherit the lead. Opening a 20 length margin at the third station in 1:31.4, it was jusr a coast home in a leisurely :33 to claim the top prize of $26,950, sending his career bankroll to $63,992.After the event, driver John MacDonald related, I am so happy for Tom Casey. He did a great job in getting this filly ready. He had a few health issues and was unable to train Bo so he really deserves the credit. He taught her manners very well and that s what counted more than anything tonight. $51,500 Breeders Stake for Two Year-Old Pacing GeldingsTheflyingrock, driven by Mike Simons, did not left his multitude of backers down as this gelded son of Rockincam justified his 3 to 5 tote-board price with a sharp 1:54.1 performance.His margin of victory measured three lengths over Mister David C (Hennessey) with Lucky Ramsey (Fern Paquet, Jr) next, 8 lengths away. Hey Don t Tell Me finished fourth while Buddha Beach picked up the nickel in this quartet.The winner pushed the wings out of the way at the start and posted panels of :28.4, :58.4 and 1:26.1 while putting more daylight between his opponents with every stride.Trained by Simons for owner Marie Marsh, Theflyingrock now has a 4-1-1 scorecard in six starts with his earnings now at $43,878 for his brief racing career which began two months ago. He paid $3.20 to win.$51,500 Breeders Stake for Two Year-Old Trotting Colts GeldingsSeeking Matthew was the only one in his quintet to mind her manners the entire mile route and went on to score an 19 length win for Alessandro Spano, who was in the bike for trainer Sergio Corona, who co-owns with Amante Standardbreds.Shulda Hada Drink (Mike Simons), the 1 to 5 favorite, recovered from a miscue after the opening panel--:29.4--to finish second while Ifnotnowwhen (Wally Hennessey) made his break while in the lead on the backside after the 1:00.1 half and finished third.Jo Jo Jet and Prairie Lazuli were next.Seeking Matthew was away in good order third, moved into second when Shulda Hada Drink made his miscue while vying for the lead, inherited the lead when Ifnotnowwhen went up in the air on the backside and coasted home after reaching the third station in 1:30.2.--his mile clocked in 2:00.4 in this his maiden win in six career starts.Ifnotmewho, driven by Wally Hennessey, edged by arch-rival Prairie Virtue (Mike Simons) to score a photo finish win in 1:58.4--the winning margin a neck. It was 16 lengths back to Prairie Trinket (Dave Ingraham) who finished third over Bob s Legacy with West Haven fifth in the sextet.Ifnotmeeho, a daughter of Credit Winner, trained by Hennessey for owner Herman Brewer, allowed Prairie Virtue to take charge after a brief tussle around the opening turn as that one put up numbers of :28.2, :58.4 and 1:28.1 before Ifnotmewho leftthe coziness of the pocket and began gnawing away, sticking a neck in front just a stride or two from the wire.The win stretched the winning streak of Ifnotmewho to four with all five meetings between these two decided by a half length or less.Ifnotmewho now has banked $71,303 and was iff at 1 to 5 on the tote-board, paying $2.60 to win.$54,500 Breeders Stake for Two Year-Old Pacing FilliesMs Rodeo Drive picked a great time to break her maiden as this daughter of Art Major upset the applecart at 32 to 1 in taking top honors in her juvenile pacing class. Handled by Dave Ingraham for trainer Tony Dinges and owner Lee Clarke, Ms Rodeo Drive sat a chilly fourth as Prairie Sweetness (Kevin Wallis) carved up panels of :27.1, :57.4 and 1:26.2 with KK s Dream Girl (Corey Braden) looming boldly alongside with Sheza Terror also rallying.But while those three were in a war, Ms Rodeo Drive was steered widest of all to collar Prairie Sweetness near the wire. Sheza Terror did finish third while Rocks Stormyd and KK s Dream Girl were next in the octet.For Ms Rodeo Drive, who came into the action with $4,852 on her resume, her maiden win vaulted her bounty to $32,201.She paid $67.80 to win and set up a Pick-5 combo of 4-2-4-1-3 good for $12,822.95 for the 50 cent ticket.Lyons Night Hawk Takes Lifetime Mark in Open Handicap Pace on 1:49.4Finally,in the $11,500 Open Handicap Pace, Lyons Night Hawk, with Kevin Wallis in the sulky, made a bold double-bubble move from fifth on the backside, swept into the lead around the final bend and went on to score in 1:49.4 win, his margin one length over the late-charging Ideal Feeling (Dave Ingraham). Bell I No (John MacDonald, known for his front-stepping ability, came from last halfway through the mile to finish third over Rebellious and Kinnder Jackson.Southwind Amazon, seeking his 100th career victory got in a war with Seeing Eye Single through panels of :26 and :53.3 but that hearty pace took its toll and these two finished at the back of the septet.For Lyons Night Hawk, a four year-old gelded son of Sweet Lou, it was his sixth win of the year in 20 starts, sending his 2020 earnings to $45,950. He s banked $277,538 lifetime to go along with his first sub-1:50 performance and new lifetime mark on this night.Off as sixth choice at 8 to 1, Lyons Night Hawk paid $18.80 to win.Racing continues Monday night with first post set for 7:20 p.m.Reported by John Berry for Pompano Park LONDON The 1st Annual Drivers Holiday Challenge, in support of Toys For Tots, hosted this evening at The Raceway at Western Fair District was an overwhelming success.The point-based challenge was contested over an 11-race card and featured top harness racing drivers from Woodbine Mohawk Park and The Raceway.The group of drivers on today s card featured Woodbine Mohawk Park s leading reinsmen Bob McClure, Doug McNair, Louis Phillippe Roy and Trevor Henry as well as top local teamster s Marc St Louis Jr., Colin Kelly, Tyler Borth and Scott Wray.The battle went right down to the wire, with both Marc St Louis and Bob McClure sharing the victory with 87 points. Colin Kelly finished third with 84 points.The real winners of the day were the children that are assisted by the Toys For Tots Charity. The drivers donated their fees for the day and The Raceway matched the drivers donation. More than $5,700 was raised to support children in need during the holiday season.The harness racing community was also out in full force with plenty of donations coming in supporting Toys For Tots.A special thanks to Shannon and Trevor Henry for organizing a toy drive to support this great initiative.The Henry s offered a $100 Keg Gift Card draw to participants who donated a new toy and selected a driver to win the competition. Well over 300 toys were donated which truly shows the kindness and generosity of the harness racing community.The winner was Katie Currie from Guelph, Ontario.The Raceway was also proud to have COSA TV, presented by CUJO Entertainment, providing live coverage of the event. The broadcast was available on the Standardbred Canada website as well as other social media platforms.Toys For Tots (Canada) is a Canadian charity based on local partnerships between Canadian Armed Forces, businesses, and concerned citizens whose sole focus as an organization is to provide toys for children who are in need. Toys For Tots works to address and prevent specific problems faced by families and their supporting charity organizations by providing toys to children who would otherwise go without during a major religious holiday and provide toys throughout the calendar year to local emergency and social agencies to distribute to children during catastrophic circumstances.Greg Gangle Central Victorian reinswoman Ellen Tormey had an unforgettable night out at the latest Mildura Harness Racing meeting, but she admits she didn t make the four-hour trek chock-full of confidence.But there s nothing like a run of luck to turn things around - and Tormey did that on Friday night, putting together a fabulous five winners for the first time in her career at the far north west Victorian track. I had an awful night at Echuca the night before and the previous week at Mildura I think I was on four favorites and they all got run down, so I didn t exactly arrive full of confidence, Tormey said. I ve driven four winners a couple of times before at Mildura but you never expect five winners, and I certainly didn t that night. But it was a great feeling! Tormey got her first winner in race one, Skippers Swan Song (Western Terror - Beejaykay (Tompkins Hanover) for Mildura trainer Scott Garraway.Watch the race replay click here!And if that didn t revive her confidence, her next drive in race three, certainly would have despatched any doubts, with Smoke My Motor (Mach Three - Celibacy (Safely Kept) being the easiest of winners, by 28 metres, for Bendigo trainer Kate Hargreaves.In race eight, Tormey partnered Mildura headline act Bernie Winkle (Rock N Roll Heaven - Dolly Mcd (Mach Three) when, in his customary barnstorming last-to-first fashion, he racked up an amazing 15th win this season on the tight Mildura circuit for trainer Julie Douglas. Tormey then went on to score in successive races: again for Douglas with Elegant Jewel (Mach Three - Hilarious Jewel (Artsplace) and Come On Elvis (Rock N Roll Heaven - Modern Girl (Modern Art) for Mildura trainer Frank Cavallaro. I was fortunate to be driving some very nice horses, and if you can put good quality horses in a good position you hope you can get the job done. But horses like Bernie Winkle just make you look good! she said.Tormey, who grew up in Charlton and cut her teeth in the pony trots, became passionate about harness racing watching the trots on TV with her dad (trainer John Tormey). I was only about 10 or 11, but at that time (former world champion) driver Kerryn Manning was winning everything and because she was a girl, I used to take notice of her, Ellen said. That s really who inspired me to want to be a driver. When I was a teenager, I worked with Kerryn in school holidays and she was a great mentor. Then when I was 16 I got my junior driver s licence. Dad has been another big influence. He always gives me pretty direct feedback when I drive for him! He actually did drive a bit himself, but I wouldn t have called him a driver. I watched him one day drive up the back of another runner in a three-horse race, so whenever he gives me a spray I do remind him about that! After completing school, Tormey moved to Bendigo to begin her back up plan , business studies at University, while continuing to pursue her harness racing ambitions.She now drives about 500 horses a year, managing over 50 winners a season in most years (her best is 77). And she continues to put in the big miles to race - in the past week for example, Tormey has had engagements on all but two days, and has travelled to every corner of the State to meet her commitments including Mildura, Shepparton, Kilmore, Echuca and Melton. There are always a lot of miles and a lot of tracks to drive at. It s pretty busy but I am so lucky to have a part time job at Garrards Horse n Hound - they have been fantastic to me in being really flexible around my driving commitments, Tormey said. Trainers at places like Mildura gave me opportunities and stuck with me and it s still one of my favorite tracks for that reason, and because it s so friendly. But I also love Bendigo, because it s only two minutes away! And Charlton because it s home, of course. Your priorities do change as you get older too, I think. I have a partner at home who I have hardly seen in the past week, and in the future I d love to do some travelling as well. But I still love it and nights like Friday night just make it all worthwhile. Terry GangeNewsAlert PR Mildura Hanna des Molles (3f Village Mystic-Ultimate Jet) took today s Criterium des 3 Ans (Gr. I, purse 170,000 , 2700 meters for three-year olds) timed in 1.13.9kr and reined by Alexandre Abrivard. This 8.9/1 odds harness racing outsider is trained by L.Cl. Abrivard as she won for the sixth time in her career that has now yielded 265,720 in lifetime earnings. The 20/1 Havanaise (3f Ricimer-Version Philo) took second for Frank Nivard ahead of 3.6/1 Hooker Berry (3m Booster Winner-Osaka Berry) and trainer/driver Jean Michel Bazire. 6.1/1 Hokkaido Jiel (3m Brillantissime-Victor Jiel) was fourth for P-Y Verva. The highly regarded Helgafell was scratched.There were several other interesting races on the program including the Prix de Briare (purse 44,000 , 2700 meters for European eligibles) and it went to 9/1 odds Eliot d Ambri (6g Ti Punch Ribver-Rivale du Relais) handled by Alexandre Abrivard. Clocked in 1.13.7kr, the Eddy Planchenault trainee scored for the ninth time in his career and boosted this life earnings to 223,540 . 5.1/1 Dorado Bello and 2.1/1 Vincent Ferm took the next two checks.Fast class performers then contested the Gr. III Prix Jean Dumouch (purse 75,000 , 2850 meters for European eligibles) and the 4/10 favorite Dorgos de Guez (7g Romcok de Guez-Lady Fromentro) raced outside the leaders until surging past in the lane for the 1.13.6kr timed verdict. Jean Michel Bazire drove his trainee for owner Ecurie Vautors to his 28th career victory now for 842,330 earned. 6.1/1 odds Anzi des Liards (10g Look de Star) stormed home for second driven by Romain Derieuz ahead of 13/1 Ble du Gers (9g Quinoa du Gers) that led into the lane for pilot Alexandre Abrivard. 15/1 Violetto Jet (6m From Above) was home fourth. DAYTON, OH. - GD Western Joe (Chris Page) was a harness racing repeat winner in the Saturday (Dec. 19) $17,800 Open Pace at Hollywood Dayton Raceway.It was the eighth seasonal victory for the five-year-old son of Real Desire as well as the fourth triumph on the program for Page.A race later, Page revisited the winner s circle to give him five wins In the first ten races.Despite being handicapped to the outside of the field, GD Western Joe was able to dictate the race to his foes by stepping to the front just an eighth of a mile into the fray and never needing to look back. It is not often nowadays that you see a quicker back half than front half at Ohio s commercial tracks, but that was the case in this featured event.Fractions were :27, :56, 1:23 and the mile was clocked in 1:51.Braley Hanover (Brady Galliers) sat the pocket throughout and tried in vein to gain on the winner in the stretch, but to no avail.Bro (John DeLong) rallied gallantly in the late going to grab the third place prize money.Page s other winners were Drawing Dragons (1:51.1, $3.20), Major Nemesis (1:52.2, $5.60), Persistent Threat A (1:53.1, $5.40) and the trotter Another Breath (1:55.2, $5).Gregg Keidel Freehold, NJ --- For more than four decades, the harness racing driving colony at Freehold Raceway has included Diamond Jim Marshall III. That era came to an end on Saturday, but not before Marshall notched one more victory.In his penultimate drive, race 10, Marshall won his 3,820th race. He put Rancousy on the lead early on, and never gave it up, holding for a half-length win. The winner is owned by Barbara Bongiorno and John Papadakis, and trained by Robert Bongiorno.Following the race, Marshall was honored with a ceremony on the track, where he was presented with a ceremonial mug. Jim s wife, Donna, a trainer, and his son, Jim IV, a driver, were present.His final drive came in the eleventh race, on Nobles Finesse, for trainer Paul Fusco. He encountered traffic trouble, and ended up fifth.Marshall won his first race in 1977, guiding Governor Duke to victory at Freehold. His more than 33,000 drives have earned more than $25 million.When not driving at Freehold, Marshall serves as the assistant starter at the Meadowlands. In February, he ll begin serving as a judge at Pocono Downs.Live racing resumes at Freehold next Saturday (December 26), starting at 12:30 PM YONKERS, N.Y. When New Zealand-bred harness racing pacers Mighty Santana and Hesa Kingslayer arrived in Mike Deters stable this summer, the former fit the mold of a typical Deters trainee: a great big, strapping, good-looking horse. Then there was the latter. Take a walk through Deters stable and he might stand out to you. Hesa Kingslayer is quite well-built, but not very big, Deters said. I was actually kind of nervous about it. I said, oh boy, we could be in trouble here. By Christian Cullen out of the Bettor s Delight mare Millwood Manhattan, Hesa Kingslayer raced for the first time as a 4-year-old, finishing third in a NZ$10,700 maiden for Greg and Nina Hope at the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club May 4, 2018. Hesa Kingslayer then won two straight races Timaru and Invcargill. He won his first Metro race Aug. 17, 2018, but never rose to the free for all ranks in New Zealand.Hesa Kingslayer went to Australia in mid-2019 and continued to improve. He won nine of 14 starts on the continent, including three wins at Gloucester Park. His final Down Under start came May 22, 2020. We bought him from an agent named Frank Rinaldi. He said this horse could be a diamond in the rough. He said he would need work, but he thought he could be helped and he might be a very good horse, Deters said. My partner, Joel Warner, and I took a shot on him. I watched a bunch of his races and he had a big motor. That s what intrigued us about him. Both Mighty Santana and Hesa Kingslayer were cleared to the United States Aug. 3, 2020. Deters gave the horses all the time they needed. We got him the first week of August and I turned him out for a few weeks and we started a slow grind to get him ready, Deters said. These are actually the first horses I ve imported myself, and the agent recommended that if you give them some time, you re far better off. And that s what we did. Before starting serious work with Hesa Kingslayer, a few kinks needed to be worked out. The gelding had bad feet that needed correcting. He had also lost significant weight on his long journey. He is a really nice horse to be around, nice horse to work around, Deters said. We were able to do some corrective shoeing on him and take care of his stomach and turn him into a really nice horse. Hesa Kingslayer qualified at Hoosier Park Oct. 7. With Trace Tetrick in the bike, Hesa Kingslayer gunned straight to the lead and peeled away by 3 3/4-lengths to win in 1:54.1 with a :27.2 final quarter. He hasn t seen the front end since, and probably won t for some time. We knew he was very, very fast, but could be a little hot. We had a game plan that leaving with this horse is probably not a good idea, Deters said. Trace Tetrick qualified him and said he was pretty warm. I train him by himself. He s fine by himself, but when he saw the starting gate, he activated. Hesa Kingslayer finished eighth in his first Stateside pari-mutuel start Oct. 17 with Peter Wrenn in the bike. Then, he finished second at 41-1 in his next start Oct. 23, pacing home with a :25.4 final quarter under Tim Tetrick s encouragement. My brother-in-law dove him his first start and he was hot, hot, hot, hot and he was able to duck him, Deters said. Then Tim Tetrick drove him the next week and he said, I wouldn t leave with this horse for a year. We ve been ducking him and he always thunders home. No matter where he s at, he s charging at the wire. That will be the game plan for a while. Hesa Kingslayer won his next two races, a $16,500 second division of the open pace at Hoosier Park Nov. 6 and the $18,000 open Nov. 13, in which he took a lifetime mark of 1:50.1. In his final Hoosier Park start in the open pace Nov. 20, Hesa Kingslayer utilized a :25.1 final quarter to come from 15 1/4 lengths behind to nab second.While the rest of Deters stable shipped to Florida for the winter following the Hoosier Park meet, Hesa Kingslayer and Mighty Santana went to Chris Freck at White Birch Farm for a Yonkers campaign. The purse money is one thing. A lot of those Australian and New Zealand horses are better in cooler weather. And I have a couple other open pacers at Pompano and you can only have so many of them at one location or it doesn t work out. I think it was potentially a good move. At least the little horse is adapting to Yonkers quite well, Deters said.Hesa Kingslayer made his Yonkers debut in the $30,000 open handicap pace Dec. 5. In that start, driver Jim Marohn, Jr. took Hesa Kingslayer back into fifth early and watched as Tookadiveoffdipper, Hot Deuce, Rock Diamonds, and Western Fame all vied for the lead. With those four still charging three-wide to the quarter and covered only 2 lengths through a :26.3 opening panel, Hesa Kingslayer bided his time.Tookadiveoffdipper parked Western Fame through a half-mile in :54.1. While San Domino slid out of sixth to join the flow third-over, Marohn stuck to the pylons with Hesa Kingslayer. Up the backstretch, San Domino tipped three-wide and confronted the pacesetters, who had dueled each other into defeat. While San Domino struck the lead with a quarter-mile to race, Hesa Kingslayer was mired in traffic and shuffled to last.Hesa Kingslayer finally had open road at the midway point of the final turn with just over a furlong left to race. He circled everyone but San Domino, who had scampered away by 4 1/2 lengths. I thought he raced tremendous, Deters said. I would have liked to see him out third-over, I think he would have had an opportunity to win, but that s a two-second call by the driver and he sat in and did what he had to do. When he finally shook free, he was pacing at the wire. I know he didn t really come a better last quarter than anybody else in the race, but he went from zero in mid-turn and he shifted three-high and was really pacing at the wire. I was very, very happy with his performance. Hesa Kingslayer drew post position four in the Saturday night (Dec. 19) open handicap pace in what will be just the 37th start in the 7-year-old s career. Marohn will drive again and the pair are 6-1 on the morning line.Their rivals include San Domino, last week s winner who will start from the outside post again, and Ostro Hanover, who will start from post seven after winning this open Dec. 5 and finishing second in the $125,000 Invitational Pace for Borgata Series Eligibles Nov. 28.The field also includes Hudson Phil, who was second to Ostro Hanover in this open Dec. 5, and Speed Man, who upset this open at 35-1 Nov. 21. Rock Diamonds, Bronx Seelster, and Raukapuka Ruler complete the lineup for the final pacing feature of the year at Yonkers. I hope there s action on the front. I don t think there will be action like there was last week because that had to surprise everybody to see them going that kind of half, Deters said. I would like to see a fast tempo and see my horse coming second- or third-over and hopefully he s charging at the wire. First post time Saturday night is 7:12 p.m. Racing continues at Yonkers Monday (Dec. 21) and Tuesday (Dec. 22), closing night. The proposed racing schedule for January 2021 would see live harness racing return Jan. 11 and continue on a Monday Wednesday schedule with first post time at 7:15 p.m. For entries to the races, click here.By Brandon Valvo for the SOA of NY EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - Some Chapter continued his impressive season by winning for the 10th time from just 14 starts in the Friday night harness racing feature at The Meadowlands, a high-end $20,000 conditioned trot.But the road to the winner s circle at the mile oval has been a circuitous one to say the least for the Anette Lorentzon trainee, who did not race last year as a 2-year-old. We always liked him, said Lorentzon. But he had some soreness last year, so we turned him out in April. We gave him some time, brought him back at the end of last year and things started out well, but he ended up locking on a line, so we gave him some time off again. He could get lame on us, but we could not find out what was wrong with him. Lorentzon would have to wait until this summer to find out what she had in the 3-year-old gelded son of Chapter Seven-Some Kinda Special. He actually had never seen a racetrack until he went to the fairs in June, said Lorentzon, whose prized pupil would win his first three outings on the Kentucky Fair circuit at Lebanon in 2:05, 2:08 and 2:02.3, respectively. He had never even been in a qualifier. We ve always babied him. He always showed talent and a great attitude. Lorentzon s patience certainly seems to be paying off. Some Chapter cleared to the top before the three-eighths with driver Dexter Dunn Friday night on the way to an easy 2 -length score over Swan In Motion in 1:54.1. McMatters was third.Owned by ACL Stuteri AB and Kjell Johansson, Some Chapter, who now has lifetime earnings of $75,345, returned $3.60 as the 4-5 public choice in taking a second straight start at The Big M. He still qualifies for non-winners of six and eight, said Lorentzon. And I believe he can go with some of the better trotters at The Meadowlands. I m hoping, at least. He s still learning. GET LEGS GOT GAME: Another trotter opening some eyes was the Julie Miller-trained, Andy Miller-driven 3-year-old colt Get Legs (Muscle Hill-Legzy), who remained unbeaten in four lifetime outings after taking a non-winners of four in 1:54.1 as the 3-5 public choice. Like Some Chapter, Get Legs was unraced at 2 and has looked superb since his debut on Nov. 13. All of his starts have come at The Big M.FAMILY MATTERS: Todd McCarthy and big-brother Andy finished 1-2 three times on the night, making exacta bettors very happy. The Brothers McCarthy exactas paid $167.60 (third race), $246.40 (fourth) and $12.40 (12th).Trainers Brett Derue and his mother-in-law Jackie Greene finished 1-2 in the fifth, with that exacta coming back $195.40.A LITTLE MORE: Todd McCarthy guided two longshots to victory lane during the sequence, leading to a single-ticket winner in the 20-cent Pick-5 that paid $43,916. ... Dunn and Todd McCarthy both won three on the card, as the top two in the Fall-Meet driver standings upped their respective win totals to 46 and 40. ... All-source wagering totaled $2,196,781. ... Racing resumes Saturday at 7:15 p.m.By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations GUELPH, ON -- Viewers of TheStable.ca Virtual Winter Open House on December 18 raised $3,000 for the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS). Donations were collected from several of the 500 people who provided an RSVP for the livestream event which featured 45 of TheStable.ca s yearlings training in eight sets.Each winter and spring, TheStable.ca hosts an in-person Open House at its homebase, Tomiko Training Centre, in Puslinch, ON. The event is always streamed online. Removing the in-person element because of the pandemic, the broadcast was enhanced to include hosts Mark McKelvie, Fred MacDonald, and Bill O Donnell reporting from their respective studios in Guelph, Charlottetown (PEI) and Milton. Anthony MacDonald co-hosted from track-level.NHL alumni (and clients of TheStable.ca) Rick Vaive and Shayne Corson also joined the broadcast. Host Jaimi MacDonald conducted remote interviews with the duo from their homes.Vaive and Corson -- along with Doug Gilmour -- own shares of the yearling colt U Gotta Be Leaf. A one percent stake in the trotter (and free expenses for one year) was the grand prize of the event and was awarded to Thomas Welsh of Clifford, ON.$100 HPI Gift Card (sponsored by Central Ontario Standardbred Association): Russell Collis of Wasaga Beach, ON$100 Amazon Gift Card (sponsored by Clinton Raceway): Kathryn Reid of Mississauga, ONBreeders Crown Swag Pack (sponsored by the Hambletonian Society): Marcia Harmelink of Perry, KS$100 Amazon Gift Card (sponsored by Ontario Racing): Karen Dallimore of Orton, ONI Love Canadian Harness Racing swag (sponsored by Standardbred Canada): Larry Clarkin of Whitby, ON$100 Amazon Gift Card (sponsored by True Nature Communications Inc.): Sarah Toll Toronto, ONHambletonian Swag Pack (sponsored by the Hambletonian Society): Kevin Schmiedebusch of Lima, OHAn archive of the four-hour livestream event is available on TheStable.ca YouTube channel.TheStable.ca extends its thanks to everyone who contributed to the Virtual Open House, donated to the fundraiser for OSAS, and tuned into the broadcast.TheStable.ca is horse racing s fastest growing fractional ownership operation and the largest harness racing stable in Canada.Between 100 - 150 Standardbred horses are part of TheStable.ca at any given time, racing in nine jurisdictions throughout North America and Australia. The horses are owned by 800+ people from 13 countries worldwide.The innovative and engaging model invites people to own a little and love it a lot. Clients can purchase as little as one percent of a horse, making the thrill of harness racing and racehorse ownership accessible and affordable.This award-winning fractional racehorse ownership operation was crafted in 2015 by Anthony and Amy MacDonald of Guelph, ON to remove the traditional barriers to racehorse ownership: cost, access and risk. Communication and customer service are the cornerstones of TheStable.ca. The operation embraces technological solutions to engage audiences, deliver consistent updates about the horses and create an ongoing entertainment experience.For more information, contact Kelly at kelly@thestable.ca Mie Ostersen can t remember a time when she wasn t entrenched in the horse world, as her parents raised her in the thriving harness racing industry in Varberg, Sweden. But she didn t really get introduced to show jumping until she was a teenager. Now, at age 23, she s one of the top grooms at Irish Olympic show jumper Cian O Connor s stable with an FEI World Equestrian Games on her resume and the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games on her to-do list. My father trained trotting horses, and my mother would help with the riding and grooming of the horses, Ostersen said. From an early age I started grooming and riding my horses at home. All my basic skills I have learned from my parents. They taught me a lot, and I m grateful for it. I can always call and talk to them. It s great to have a family that understands the sport and the time it takes to do what I do. [Harness racing] is very different from show jumping, Ostersen continued. But in the end, we want the same final result. We want happy horses that want to do the job. Mie Ostersen learned her horsemanship skills while caring for her parents harness racing horses. Photos Courtesy Of Mie OstersenGrowing up, Ostersen helped take care of her family s trotters and rode them when she could. Her father also worked as a farrier, and when she was 15, he introduced her to an Irish show jumping couple, Michael Whyte and Sarah Murphy, for whom he shod horses. I was interested in seeing a different side of the horses. I d been doing the racing thing for so long with my dad. That s when I first fell in love with the sport, Ostersen said. I would go to the stable most days after school, and on the weekends we would go to shows. I rode their horses and groomed them. They taught me a lot.It was also a different language; I got to practice my English. After Ostersen graduated from high school in 2016, she went to visit Whyte and Murphy in Ireland, where they d returned after their sojourn in Sweden. She wanted to take a year off before university and thought about traveling, but she also needed to work. Whyte and Murphy connected her with O Connor, and the job with him was a good fit. I found out that I could do that with grooming work with horses and see the world so I thought it would be a great idea, Ostersen said. I got the chance to spend the winter in Florida, and it was nice. I thought it couldn t get much better! Mie Ostersen bonds with all of the horses she cares for, but she has a special affinity for PSG Final.O Connor is based in Ireland, winters in Florida, and he travels extensively to compete. I ve been to so many countries! Ostersen said. There are times we re busy, but there are also times afterward when we make time to see things. When we were in Paris, we got to see the Eiffel Tower and see a few things around town, which was cool as I d never been to Paris before. I ve gone to Dubai as well, which is such a different culture. In Florida is when we get to see the most of an area, because we re based there for so long, three to four months. We ve gotten to travel a good bit then. Ostersen enjoys helping O Connor. Before I started, I d heard that he was hard to work for, but we get along quite well, she said. He knows I mind his horses well, and I know what he likes. We have long days, but they re usually really good days. He s a quite fair man to work for. He is very organized and always has a plan! He always puts the horses first, no matter what. When O Connor s team is in Ireland, they re based at Karlswood, a state-of-the-art facility in County Meath. The new facility here is a beautiful place to work, with absolutely everything you could think of, from water treadmill to salt room, spa and vibrating floor, said Ostersen. Our horses get to go on the water treadmill, and they all love it. They get to work out at the same time as they get to splash in the water.After jumping they get to go on the spa. On other days they would go on the vibrating floor or go in the salt room. A horse that is well-minded is also a horse that will feel good! Ostersen s primary goal is to keep her charges content. I keep my horses happy with a lot of grooming and snacks, she said. It s important to have them out in the field, and if they can t go in the field I would bring them out for grass. I keep my horses happy with a nice straw bed. We find they tend to lie down more in the straw instead of shavings. There is nothing better than a relaxed horse that can enjoy a good nap.Last but not least, it s important to reward the horses if they do something good. That s where the treats come in. Most horses are happy when they get food! Ostersen doesn t ride much in her role with O Connor, but she doesn t mind. I love just spending time with the horses, grooming them, taking them out for grass, bonding with them, she said. When you get to spend a lot of time with them, you know what the horse is like, and if there s an issue, you notice it. I love seeing the horses happy. Mie Ostersen initially started grooming as a way to earn some money and see the world before going to university, but four years later, she s still working with horses.PSG Final is one of Ostersen s favorite charges, and she s taken care of him for two years. I love the ones that are a bit special, that there s something different to them, she said. PSG Final is very much one-of-a-kind. He makes me smile every day! He loves napping; you could leave him napping for hours. A highlight of her time grooming was when a jubilant Irish team, including O Connor riding PSG Final, won the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final at Barcelona (Spain) in 2019. Not only did we win, we also qualified for the Olympic Games in Tokyo. It was our last chance to qualify! We knew what we had to do, and as a team, we secured the qualification, she recalled.Another memory she ll cherish is accompanying O Connor and Good Luck to the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina. Good Luck has always been in the stable, and he s the kind of horse that you never thought you d get to mind, but I actually got to mind him for a while and to do the World Equestrian Games with him, which was really cool for me, she said. It was a great experience. Just to be there and be able to groom that horse was a big thing for me. Ostersen originally intended to take one year off before starting university, but it s now been four years, and she doesn t have plans to change course just yet. I take one day at a time. My goal right now is to do the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2021, she said. I would like to go back to school one day. But that could be a year or two down the line. I m still young, and right now I m very happy with my life. By Molly SorgeReprinted with permission of The Chronicle of the horse Let It Ride N impressive, in taking the harness racing Preferred Pace at Dover Downs on Thursday night.Highalator left alertly from the gate and was allowed to cut the mile. The fractions were 26.4 54.4 1:21.4.The one to five race favorite, Let It Ride N settled in the fifth position at the quarter pole.At the half, driver Dexter Dunn revved up Let It Ride N. They swiftly met the pace setter Highalator at the three quarter pole. They paced the quarter in 27 seconds flat. At the top of the lane, Let It Ride N went into another gear and won, under wraps in 1:49 amid freezing temperatures.Let It Ride N ( Rock and Roll Heaven) is owned by Enzed Racing Stable Inc. and is trained by Nifty Norman. Dexter Dunn drove.After the race a beaming Nifty Norman stated He s a smart animal who doesn t hurt himself, Dexter never asked him tonight He can race on any size track Let It Ride N paced a last half in 53 seconds and a last quarter in 27.1Highalator finished 2nd for trainer Jenny Bier and driver Rick Still.Itsrockandroll A was third for trainer Dylan Davis and driver Corey Callahan.Dover Downs takes a Christmas break and returns to racing on December 28. Top horseman Greg Sugars won his second Traralgon Pacing Cup at the Warragul trots harness racing meeting last Friday afternoon.Sugars drove in five of the six races run on the day, and collected four wins.His wife, Jess Tubbs, trained two of those winners, namely Treacherous Rock in the two-year-old race, and La Puddie in the feature $10,000 Pacing Cup.The Cup event produced one of the most exciting finishes seen in the race s history. La Puddie led, and Sugars rated his horse beautifully in the lead.Several of his eight rivals launched strong attacks inside the final 400 metres, with Joonior Brown and Didnt I sweeping down the outside in the home straight.La Puddie held on to win in a three-way photo finish, by a short half head, with a similar margin separating second and third.La Puddie is a three-year-old gelding raced by the Munnerley and Jose families and was only having its thirteenth start on Friday afternoon.The horse was taking on older rivals in the Pacing Cup, and is only the third three-year-old to win the Cup after Kotare Knight in 1979 and Sahara Tiger last year.Sugars had previously won the Traralgon Pacing Cup driving Bettor Rock On in 2014, for his trainer father Ross.The Traralgon Pacing Cup trophies were sponsored this year by Brian and Pat Andjelkovic, who were heavily involved with the former Traralgon Harness Racing Club before it closed in 1995.The Pacing Cup is now staged at Warragul each year in recognition of the former Traralgon club.Warragul Harness Racing Club president Steve Austen, based at Labertouche, trained a winner at Friday s meeting when Kick It To Jack led throughout to score, while Caabello came from a 20 metre handicap to win the trotters race for Iona trainer Michael Hughes.Those two local winners were the other pair of successes for reinsman Sugars.Covid-19 restrictions kept patrons away from the racetrack on Friday, however when racing returns on Monday, February 15th next year, local officials are confident of having spectators trackside for the pacing action.by Kyle Galley Game Of Claims and the Bobby Weiss Series WILKES-BARRE PA - Horsemen should note that the conditions for two popular early-season harness racing series at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, the Game Of Claims Series and the Bobby Weiss Series, have been posted online at the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen s Association s website, www.phha.org.In February The Game Of Claims will have four segments which will feature three weeks of preliminary action for pacing horses entered at a base price of $7500, $10,000, $15,000, and $25,000, with prelim purses equal to the first-round base price, and the claiming price going up to a degree in each subsequent prelim. The top pointwinners in the three preliminary legs will go for a final (out of which there will be no claiming) of double their base claiming price, with those races to be held on Saturday, March 6 and Sunday, March 7. On Mondays in March, $15,000 claiming trotters will race in a series of the same format.Pocono s traditional showcase for developing younger horses is named by the Bobby Weiss Series, in honor of the longtime trackman who helped hone the Pocono oval into a 5/8-mile strip which earns universal praise for horsemen. The basic conditions for the races are for three-year-olds who were non-winners of two races or $30,000 lifetime as of February 1.Pacing colts will have three $17,500 preliminaries on Saturdays in April, trotting colts on Sundays (except April 4 Easter Sunday; that first leg will be moved back a day), pacing fillies on Mondays, and trotting fillies on Tuesdays. During the week of April 24-27, the top preliminary point winners in each group will follow through on its night to contest a $40,000 final, and a $17,500 consolation should there be sufficient entries.The Pacing Game Of Claims Series require nominations by January 15, so action should be taken right away. All full schedules, nominating dates and fees, and the general conditions of every series are available on the PHHA website. Further questions should be directed to Rick Kane at 570-831-2126 beginning January 10.PHHA / PoconoIt has been announced by the owners of Shartin N, the 2019 USA Dan Patch Harness Horse of the Year and the fastest pacing mare in history, has been retired from racing and has been sold.In a glittering harness racing career, the world champion mare won 46 of her 68 lifetime starts and $2,667,563 in purses- an average of $39,228 per start - and took a world record lifetime mark of 1:46.4.She clocked an amazing 20 winning miles in 1:50 or better.Bred in New Zealand, Shartin N did not race at age two and commenced her career in Australia as a three-year-old, winning seven races and $105,718 in purses including the Queensland and Tasmanian Oaks.Following her defeating Victorian Horse of the Year, Jilliby Kung Fu 1:48.4 ($529,710), at Melton in 2017, when Shartin N sat parked out the entire trip and won in a class record 1:52.5 mile rate over 1720 meters, Shartin N was bought by leading New Zealand bloodstock agent John Curtin on behalf of USA owner Richard Poillucci of South Easton, MA.Poillucci would then take on partners JoAnn Looney King of Delaware and later down the road, driver Tim Tetrick of Delaware. In my wildest dreams I never thought I would have a mare like Shartin, said owner Richard Poillucci. It does not happen very often in our industry or in a lifetime for an owner. It was a hard decision to be made, Poillucci added. We talked about it for the past few months and decided it would be in her best interest to become a broodmare. It has been so surreal having Shartin these past few years. Poillucci said. If you are into harness racing there is no greater feeling than owning a world champion like her. When she was good no one could beat her and when she was not good, she was still great. She would not have been possible for her to do all that she did if it wasn t for trainer Jim King, Jr. s tutelage and driver Tim Tetrick s patience, Poillucci said. They, along with my co-owner JoAnn King, did such a superb job with her. When she first came into their barn, she was not a well-mannered mare and they made her the world champion she is today. I can t thank my agent and friend John Curtin enough, Poillucci added. He did not just find and purchase this mare for us, but he has been one of her biggest fans too, following every start she has made in North America. He does that with every horse I get with him. Shartin N took the North American racing scene by storm in 2018 for trainer Jim King, Jr., winning 19 of her 24 appearances and earning $1,053,236 - the highest total by a pacing mare ever in one season. She was named the Dan Patch Pacer of the Year and was second in the balloting for Harness Horse of the Year.She completed almost a clean sweep of the major races for mares in 2018, including the $373,000 Blue Chip Matchmaker Final, $370,000 Roses Are Red, $270,000 Breeders Crown, $197,400 Lady Liberty, $175,000 TVG Free-for-all, $161,000 Artiscape Pace, $150,000 Betsy Ross Invitation, $102,200 Chip Noble Memorial and the $98,500 Allerage Farm Pace in a season s record 1:48.2.Shartin N put an exclamation mark on her 2019 career in August last year when she produced a jaw-dropping world record performance to win the $183,500 Lady Liberty at The Meadowlands, carving out the mile in 1:46.4 - 0.6 faster than the prior world mark. She also became the fastest Standardbred horse ever bred in New Zealand.A month later Shartin N set another world record for mares on a five-eighths track when she was clocked in 1:48 at Harrah s Philadelphia in a $30,000 Open Pace.She continued her dominance of the distaff pacing ranks throughout the year, winning the $402,600 Blue Chip Matchmaker, $330,000 Roses Are Red, $179,550 Golden Girls, $137,000 Artiscape, $100,000 Clara Barton, $100,000 Betsy Ross and the $100,000 Chip Noble and finishing second in the Breeders Crown.Shartin N won 15 of her 19 outings in 2019 for $982,177 in stakes - a season s high for her gait and sex.As the result of a remarkable season, Shartin N was named 2019 Dan Patch Harness Horse of the Year and became only the fifth female pacer and the first horse bred outside of North America to pick up the prestigious award.In the voting she defeated the champion three-year-old s Bettor s Wish 1:47.3 ($2,781,240) and Warrawee Ubeaut 1:48.3 ($1,948,175), the top Free-For-Aller and world record holder Lather Up 1:46 ($1,917,935) and McWicked 1:46.2 ($5,103,271) and world record holders and leading trotters in Manchego 1:49 ($2,857,315) and Atlanta 1:49.1 ($2,859,610) in the end-of-year balloting.Shartin N returned to the track as a seven-year-old this year, winning an additional five races including the $177,100 Lady Liberty and $129,000 Artiscape for the third time each and notching consecutive wins in the $100,000 Clara Barton. The barn will not be the same without her for sure, Said trainer Jim King, Jr. Hard to imagine this barn without her and looking forward to her next race. It s been the driving force for me these past three years. We knew this day would come so ...it s tough. On the score of bloodlines, Shartin N has a great deal in her favor. Apart from being sired by the champion NZ pacer Tintin In America, a $906,422 winning son of McArdle, she is out of a mare by the Governor s Cup winner Live Or Die, a leading sire in NZ for many years, while her grand-dam, is a daughter of the Bret Hanover foal, Save Fuel, a brother to the glamour American filly of the 1970 s, Guiding Beam.The family has produced a host of black type performers including Italian Delight (1:50.2), Donegal Delight (NZ North Island Breeders Stakes), Im Bella Jay (WA Wesbred 2YO Classic) and Kanturk (NZ Celebrity Stakes). I can t hardly tell you what it s been like to have owned and raced a world champion like Shartin, said co-owner JoAnn Looney King. She s the dream horse I longed for since I was a young girl in the horse business. She s the dream horse everyone longs for. Imagine owning a horse that North America knows by name seems unreal but it happened and to me and our team I also want people to know that the experience of meeting so many nice people and well-wishers on the road traveling has been one of the high points of owning a horse like Shartin. People have been so nice everywhere we travelled, King add. We met so many nice people that I still stay in touch with and I m so appreciative of their kindness. For the past few days now that she has been sold, King explained. When I walk by her stall and speak to her I have some sadness but I know it s best for her and for the team, but damn it s going to be hard to watch her walk out of that barn the final time. It will be emotional for me, real emotional. It s really been the best three years imaginable. A dream come true and I thank God every day. Bloodstock agent John Curtin also confirmed the sale of Shartin N for an undisclosed sum to Ola Yoder, owner of Kountry Lane Standardbreds, LLC of Indiana.Ola Yoder stunned the harness racing world with a significant investment in buying five sensational broodmares at the 2019 White Birch Farm dispersal sale held at Harrisburg. Since then, he has purchased the Breeders Crown winner Winndevie 1:53 ($863,257) and now Shartin N.Shartin N is scheduled to be bred to Captaintreacherous in 2021 and then Lazarus N in 2022.Plans for a special retirement ceremony will be announced soon.By Steve Wolf Pompano Beach, FL...December 21...Pompano Park was the host track for a Super Night 17 race harness racing card on Sunday night (December 20) with over $400,000 up for grabs in the FSBOA sponsored Breeders Stakes.In addition, Lyons Night Hawk played the spoiler role in the Open Handicap Pace by pacing to a new lifetime mark of 1:49.4.Hurrikanekingjames, perfectly handled by Carl Garofalo, led every long stride of a 1:53.2 mile to score a handy nine length over Repeal or Replace (Wally Hennessey), carding fractions of :27.1, 56.1 and 1:24.3 with an effortless :28.3 finale sealing the deal.Prairie Valentino (Dave Ingraham) recovered from an early miscue to finish third while Goldstar Buniholly ws next. Shuldahadahunemoon picked up the minors in the field of five.Trained this night by Jim Meittinis for Jonathan Klee Racing, Kuhen Racing and George Vierno, the So Surreal colt stretched his winning streak to five during this fall stakes season in South Florida to push his seasonal bankroll to $62,734 and $164,045 lifetime on the strength of a 14-1-3 scorecard in 30 career starts.$51,500 Breeders Stake for Three Year-Old Pacing Fillies (non-wagering)Laurie Lee was awarded first money of $28,325 after Gold Star Igotdis crossed the wire first but was disqualified for interference in the stretch.The winner by DQ was driven by Wally Hennessey and was just a neck back at the wire in the mile clocked in 1:56.At the outset, Laurie Lee left with her usual alacrity but yielded at the opening marker in :29.2 to Gold Star Igotdid (CoreyBraden) with these two remaining one-two past markers of :58.4 and 1:27.3.In the lane, Gold Star Igotdis began drifting out, impeding the progress of Laurie Lee resulting in the disqualification.Molly McGator (Tyler Smith) finished third, 11 lengths away, edging out Alil Touch Of Pink, who finished fourth in this quartet.For the consistent Laurie Lee, a daughter of Royel Millennium trained by Kim Sears, who co-owns with Richard Dunmire, it was her third win in six starts with this top prize of $28,325 vaulting her 2020 bankroll to $45,903 in her six starts this semester.In repeating her Super Night of 2019, Laurie now has career earnings of $95,878 In her 15 lifetime starts.$51,000 Breeders Stake for Three Year-Old Trotting Geldings non-wagering)Prairie Romeo, with Corey Braden in his bike, took advantage of his three remaining foes making miscues during the mile and went on to score a very handy win measuring 15 lengths in a new lifetime mark of 1:59.The altered son of Shibboleth Hanover, leaving from post 4 in this quartet, smartly rushed off the wings into a quick early lead and cut the mustard all the way through fractions of :29.1, 1:00 and 1:30 before a :29 finale easily sealed the deal.Prairie Gold Mine (Wally Hennessey) recovered from a break at the beginning to finish second while Rhinestone Cowboy (Mike Micallef), in the garden spot before a miscue half-way through put a damper on his chances, was another neck back in third.YD Dream Machine, who inherited second when Rhinestone Cowboy broke, went up in the air himself nearing the final bend and would up with the minors.For Prairie Romeo, trained by Mike Deters, who co-owns with Laurie Poulin and John Spindler, it was his second career win with this one more than doubling his earnings coming in--now at $53,571 after this payday of $28,050.$49,000 Breeders Stake for Three Year-Old Trotting Fillies (non-wagering)With but a trio of sophomore trotting fillies competing, it only took good manners to claim the top prize of $26,950 and it was Brasen Bo, a daughter of Shibboleth Hanover, taking full advantage of his foes miscues while romping to a 24 length win in 2:04.2.Driven by John MacDonald for trainer Brandy Wine and owner Thomas Casey, Brasen Bo was away second as Prairie Delight went up in the air early and Callin On Sunday (Mike Simons) took the field through fractions of :28.4 and :58.2, opening up a large daylight lead of nine lengths. On the backside, Callin On Sunday lost his composure, too, enabling the sure-footed Brasen Bo to catch up after a few seconds and inherit the lead. Opening a 20 length margin at the third station in 1:31.4, it was jusr a coast home in a leisurely :33 to claim the top prize of $26,950, sending his career bankroll to $63,992.After the event, driver John MacDonald related, I am so happy for Tom Casey. He did a great job in getting this filly ready. He had a few health issues and was unable to train Bo so he really deserves the credit. He taught her manners very well and that s what counted more than anything tonight. $51,500 Breeders Stake for Two Year-Old Pacing GeldingsTheflyingrock, driven by Mike Simons, did not left his multitude of backers down as this gelded son of Rockincam justified his 3 to 5 tote-board price with a sharp 1:54.1 performance.His margin of victory measured three lengths over Mister David C (Hennessey) with Lucky Ramsey (Fern Paquet, Jr) next, 8 lengths away. Hey Don t Tell Me finished fourth while Buddha Beach picked up the nickel in this quartet.The winner pushed the wings out of the way at the start and posted panels of :28.4, :58.4 and 1:26.1 while putting more daylight between his opponents with every stride.Trained by Simons for owner Marie Marsh, Theflyingrock now has a 4-1-1 scorecard in six starts with his earnings now at $43,878 for his brief racing career which began two months ago. He paid $3.20 to win.$51,500 Breeders Stake for Two Year-Old Trotting Colts GeldingsSeeking Matthew was the only one in his quintet to mind her manners the entire mile route and went on to score an 19 length win for Alessandro Spano, who was in the bike for trainer Sergio Corona, who co-owns with Amante Standardbreds.Shulda Hada Drink (Mike Simons), the 1 to 5 favorite, recovered from a miscue after the opening panel--:29.4--to finish second while Ifnotnowwhen (Wally Hennessey) made his break while in the lead on the backside after the 1:00.1 half and finished third.Jo Jo Jet and Prairie Lazuli were next.Seeking Matthew was away in good order third, moved into second when Shulda Hada Drink made his miscue while vying for the lead, inherited the lead when Ifnotnowwhen went up in the air on the backside and coasted home after reaching the third station in 1:30.2.--his mile clocked in 2:00.4 in this his maiden win in six career starts.Ifnotmewho, driven by Wally Hennessey, edged by arch-rival Prairie Virtue (Mike Simons) to score a photo finish win in 1:58.4--the winning margin a neck. It was 16 lengths back to Prairie Trinket (Dave Ingraham) who finished third over Bob s Legacy with West Haven fifth in the sextet.Ifnotmeeho, a daughter of Credit Winner, trained by Hennessey for owner Herman Brewer, allowed Prairie Virtue to take charge after a brief tussle around the opening turn as that one put up numbers of :28.2, :58.4 and 1:28.1 before Ifnotmewho leftthe coziness of the pocket and began gnawing away, sticking a neck in front just a stride or two from the wire.The win stretched the winning streak of Ifnotmewho to four with all five meetings between these two decided by a half length or less.Ifnotmewho now has banked $71,303 and was iff at 1 to 5 on the tote-board, paying $2.60 to win.$54,500 Breeders Stake for Two Year-Old Pacing FilliesMs Rodeo Drive picked a great time to break her maiden as this daughter of Art Major upset the applecart at 32 to 1 in taking top honors in her juvenile pacing class. Handled by Dave Ingraham for trainer Tony Dinges and owner Lee Clarke, Ms Rodeo Drive sat a chilly fourth as Prairie Sweetness (Kevin Wallis) carved up panels of :27.1, :57.4 and 1:26.2 with KK s Dream Girl (Corey Braden) looming boldly alongside with Sheza Terror also rallying.But while those three were in a war, Ms Rodeo Drive was steered widest of all to collar Prairie Sweetness near the wire. Sheza Terror did finish third while Rocks Stormyd and KK s Dream Girl were next in the octet.For Ms Rodeo Drive, who came into the action with $4,852 on her resume, her maiden win vaulted her bounty to $32,201.She paid $67.80 to win and set up a Pick-5 combo of 4-2-4-1-3 good for $12,822.95 for the 50 cent ticket.Lyons Night Hawk Takes Lifetime Mark in Open Handicap Pace on 1:49.4Finally,in the $11,500 Open Handicap Pace, Lyons Night Hawk, with Kevin Wallis in the sulky, made a bold double-bubble move from fifth on the backside, swept into the lead around the final bend and went on to score in 1:49.4 win, his margin one length over the late-charging Ideal Feeling (Dave Ingraham). Bell I No (John MacDonald, known for his front-stepping ability, came from last halfway through the mile to finish third over Rebellious and Kinnder Jackson.Southwind Amazon, seeking his 100th career victory got in a war with Seeing Eye Single through panels of :26 and :53.3 but that hearty pace took its toll and these two finished at the back of the septet.For Lyons Night Hawk, a four year-old gelded son of Sweet Lou, it was his sixth win of the year in 20 starts, sending his 2020 earnings to $45,950. He s banked $277,538 lifetime to go along with his first sub-1:50 performance and new lifetime mark on this night.Off as sixth choice at 8 to 1, Lyons Night Hawk paid $18.80 to win.Racing continues Monday night with first post set for 7:20 p.m.Reported by John Berry for Pompano ParkCHESTER, Pa. Western Joe ($16.40) made every call a winning one in Sunday s (Dec. 20) $14,400 top-level pacing feature at Harrah s Philadelphia.The 6-year-old Western Ideal gelding used a :26.1 first quarter to gain uncontested control of the terms from post six and, after harness racing driver Simon Allard rated a :29 second sectional, parried a stern first-over try from Bettor Memories (Yannick Gingras) to win in 1:50.3. Mac s Jackpot rode the pocket to finish second, 1-1/4 lengths behind, but was demoted to sixth after bearing out in the homestretch and causing interference to multiple horses.Vettel N (Joe Bongiorno) was elevated to second after emerging out of traffic, and Rock The Town (Tim Tetrick) circled down the grandstand side to be elevated to third.Even-money favorite Ana Afreet N was parked throughout from post eight and failed to fire off a second-over trip.Chris Choate trains 29-time winner for breeder Anthony Ruggeri, who shares ownership with Richard Tosies.Trainer Ron Burke recorded a hat trick on the 14-race card, teaming up with driver Yannick Gingras to win with Rockapelo ($4.80, 1:50.3), Dojea Gizmo ($3.00, 1:51.2) and Pyro ($2.20, 1:51.4).Racing returns to Harrah s Philadelphia on Wednesday (Dec. 23), with a $14,111.42 carryover in the fifth-race Jackpot Hi-5. Post time is 12:25 p.m. EST.by James Witherite, Harrah s Philadelphia racing media

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