GREEN ACRES FILLY PACERS HEAD FREEHOLD CARD

Freehold Raceway Notes
Wednesday, August 11, 2004

FREEHOLD, NJ - The New Jersey Sire Stakes Green Acres series get underway with four $10,000 races for NJ-sired pacing fillies at Freehold Raceway on Thursday.

In the first division for two-year-olds, Don Queen's Treasure Cam has been made the 8-5 favorite in the morning line. The Cam's Card Shark filly has won two of her three lifetime starts and turned in an impressive qualifying win at Freehold on Friday in preparation for her local bow.

Treasure Cam will start from the outside post six. Queen, who also serves as trainer for Treasure Cam, has chosen Jeff Gregory to drive.

Slipper Hanover, Dylans Girlfriend, Nonoiwont, Make Me Money and No More Nookie complete the field.

The second division for freshman fillies is headed by Dijo Racing Stable and Steven Held's Wedded Bliss. In her most recent start at Pocono Downs on August 1, the daughter of Cam's Card Shark weakened late and finished sixth as the 3-2 favorite in a $2,700 conditioned pace. Prior that that outing, however, Wedded Bliss had finished second in a $15,753 division of the Reynolds at Pocono, and a return to that form figures to make her the one to beat on Thursday.
Gregory will handle Wedded Bliss for trainer Joe Pavia, Jr. The duo will leave the gate from the outside post seven as the 2-1 choice in the early line.

Rounding out the field are Squeakmunn, Fastalkin Hanover, Smile Is Near, How Great Thou Art, Coupon and Shake It Sugaree.

The 7-5 morning line favorite in the first division for three-year-old fillies is 3 Brothers Stables' JK Mazel. The Artsplace filly has been outstanding when able to stay flat - she has won half of her six starts this season when able to do so - and should be very hard to beat if she paces the entire mile on Thursday.

JK Mazel has drawn post one. Trainer Linda Toscano has named Hall of Famer Cat Manzi to drive.

Sugar N Sakra, Hawaiian Dreamer, Ms Denise, I'm All Speed, Screamin Eagle, AB Seascape and Dream Sail comprise the remainder of the field.

Majestic Eagle will open on the board as the 8-5 favorite in the second division for sophomore pacing fillies, which features a nine-horse field. The daughter of Artiscape sports a 6-1-0 across the board record in 10 starts this year - including a sweep of the Swing Back series at Freehold this spring - and rates favoritism despite finishing out of the money in her two most recent starts at the Meadowlands in June.

Majestic Eagle will start from post two. Jim Marshall, III will be in the sulky for owner/trainer Joe Spoto.

Artoonist, Chippie Gabby, No Pie, Set To Star, Longshot Linda, Pacific Lady, Virtual Dream and See Life complete the field.

First post for Freehold's 10 race Thursday slate has been set at 12:30 p.m.

ADIOS SAYS HELLO TO 27 COLTS

A record 27 three-year-old pacing colts & geldings have entered in the 38th edition of the Coors Delvin Miller Adios, to be contested at The Meadows on Saturday, August 14. The Adios, worth a record-tying $500,500, is held during the day with a 12:40 p.m post time. There are three eliminations, with the top three from each advancing to the final. The 27 entered in the "Pace for the Orchids" is a record, up from the previous high 24 entrants in 2002. The total purse, at $500,500 for the 2004 edition, surpasses the half million paid out in 1998 and 2002.

This year's Adios returns to the original conditions of the race, with finalists earning post positions. Elim winners draw for posts one-three, second-place finishers for posts four-six and third-place finishers get post seven, eight or nine. The purse split also has changed, with money decreased in the eliminations and boosted in the final.

All three winners of last Saturday's Oliver Wendell Holmes at the Meadowlands are in the Adios, including local standout Georgia Pacific, who posted a lifetime best 1:49.1 in the fastest Holmes division on Hambletonian Day, August 7. Georgia Pacific is the morning line favorite in the first of the three Adios elims at odds of 2-1, in spite of drawing post seven. "That was the fastest race of the day at the Meadowlands," said trainer/co-owner Randy Bendis of the Western Hanover gelding. "I knew he was good going in, but it was cool and windy. I didn't know he was going to take a half on the lead into the wind like that. He's tough, and he can do whatever you want, however you want," he said. "He does like the lead when he can get it. We're in a tough spot here."

Post positions and drivers, from the rail out are: First Elim Race 9: You Rock, Brian Zendt 12-1, Mypanmar, Luc Ouellette 3-1, Marchand, Dave Palone 4-1, Driven To Win, David Miller 6-1,Western Terror, Ron Pierce 12-1, Jacob's Western, Mike Wilder 20-1, Georgia Pacific, Brian Sears 2-1, Peyote, Dave Palone 10-1, Hawaiian Fury, Richard Stillings 20-1.

Second Elim Race 10: Sand Sax, Dave Palone 6-1, Spirit of a Shark, George Brennan 3-1, Esty Hanover, Dan Ross 15-1, Geartogea, Ron Pierce 5-2, Basil Hanover, Mike Wilder 12-1, Art Director, John Campbell 12-1, Pansonance, Brett Miller 6-1, Jersey Mate, Luc Ouellette 15-1, Mantacular, Cat Manzi 5-1.

Third Elim Race 11 Timesareachanging, Ron Pierce 5-2, Harry Hornet, David Miller 15-1, The Preacher Pan, Luc Ouellette 12-1,Mauro Hanover, Brian Sears 15-1, Camelot Hall, George Brennan 5-1, Santastic's Pan, Mike Wilder 6-1, Metropolitan John Campbell 3-1, Modern Art Dave Palone 6-1, Maltese Artist Dave Palone 12-1.

PINK RIBBONS RACING FOR VICTORY

Nancy Greenfield, of Perrysburg, Ohio and her friend June White, of Monroe, Michigan, will have no trouble picking out their two-year-old trotting filly, Pink Ribbons, in a division of the $14,124 Arden Downs Stake at The Meadows on August 10. Bedecked with pink ribbons in her mane and a pink harness by her caretaker, Andrea Miller, the filly wears the color to reflect her name, the symbol for breast cancer awareness.

The daughter of Ohio Sires Stakes champion DJ Babe and sire Mr. Vic, Pink Ribbons was purchased in 2002 by Greenfield's husband Kevin when she was an unnamed foal at her mother's side. The mare and foal were purchased from Jim Arledge, who had trained DJ Babe, with the agreement that Arledge would also train her daughter and first foal.

By the end of 2002, both Nancy Greenfield and June White were fighting breast cancer and trying to get through each day. "I've had four surgeries and one more to go, plus chemotherapy," recalls Mrs. Greenfield. "I had been at a new job [she is a nurse in a surgical center] for only a year when I was diagnosed and I needed a lot of time off. I had to go back to work while I was doing chemo, once a week for twelve weeks. It took me a long time to recuperate...I am still not myself, not able to do the work I used to do, to work all day long. I was a workaholic," she notes.

The Greenfields and Whites have been friends for over ten years, linked by Mike White and Kevin Greenfield's involvement in harness racing. White is general manager of Raceway Park in Toledo and Greenfield owns Hickory Lane Farm in Findlay, Ohio. It was Kevin Greenfield's idea to give the filly to their wives. "Mike and I were just talking and wondering what could we do to help take our wives while they were going through this ordeal," says Greenfield. We got the idea to give them this filly and designate part of their earnings to a breast cancer charity."

Both women look forward to Pink Ribbons' career and generating donations for the Victory Center in Toledo, where Greenfield was a client. The center, which charges no fees and relies strictly on donations, provides support groups, education, reflexology and massage to people in treatment for cancer of any kind. "They ere so supportive," said Greenfield. "The massage helps with the lymphadema and reflexology with nausea. They were just very kind and caring complete strangers that helped you get through this phase of your life. The Victory Center popped up as an idea [to designate a share of Pink Ribbons' earnings] because they rely on donations only, it's such a small center."

So far, the Victory Center has received $877 from Pink Ribbons' lone start, a win worth $8,775 in the Tompkins-Geers Stake at Scioto Downs, her home base. "When you're going through chemo," says Nancy Greenfield, "you find other people doing things for you and this is a way we can give back to help others with what we went through."

HAMBO LEARNING LAB FOR JOURNALISM STUDENTS

The 79th Hambletonian served as a classroom for 11 college students, who participated in the second annual Hirt Memorial College Journalism Workshop. The workshop educates and introduces future sportswriters, editors and producers to harness racing at its highest level.
Speakers included Debbie Little, New York Post racing writer; Neal Baker, NBA-TV producer; Rich Fisher, Princeton ([NJ] Packet sports editor; Mark Hall, U.S. Trotting Association and Associated Press photographer; Tom Cosentino, sports publicist, Dan Graziano, Yankees beat writer for the Newark Star-Ledger; Gary Seibel and Caton Bredar, CBS sports commentators, Steve Nagler and Chris Svendsen, CBS Sports producer/directors, and Mark Moffa, Princeton Packet managing editor.

Students toured Giants Stadium, Continental Airlines Arena and the CBS production truck. More than half wrote by-line stories for daily newspapers in their hometowns, including the Philadelphia Inquirer, Lousiville Courier-Journal, Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Syracuse Post Standard, Truro [Nova Scotia] Daily News and Lexington Herald-Leader or took photos that appeared on trade web sites. Others assisted with the CBS national telecast and worked in public relations on Hambletonian day, putting skills learned in the classroom to use.
The workshop was sponsored by the U.S. Harness Writers Association, (national and New York City Chapters), the US Trotting Association, Harness Horse Youth Foundation and the Meadowlands Racetrack. For information on the 2005 workshop, contact Anne Doolin at dabighorse2@aol.com or Ken Weingartner at hrcnews1@ustrotting.com.

UPCOMING RACES:

August 14 Adios elims & final 3yo open pace $500,500 The Meadows

August 15 Zweig Memorial divisions 3yo open trot $250,000 Syracuse Fairgrounds

WINDSONG’S LEGACY CAPTURES $1 MILLION HAMBLETONIAN; OAKS TO SILVER SPRINGS

Windsong’s Legacy tipped off cover at the top of the stretch and took the lead at the eighth pole, drawing off to a one-length victory in the $1 million Hambletonian before a crowd of 30,117 on Saturday afternoon at the Meadowlands.

In our harness racing tip sheet for Meadowlands Windsong was our 4th choice, Cantab Hall our 3rd choice finished 2nd and Cash Hall our top choice finished 3rd. In the process, we delivered the $58.60 exacta and the $172 trifecta.

Owned by Ted Gewertz of New York City, Patricia Spinelli of Oyster Bay Cove, New York and Ann Jeanette Brannvoll of Suedsmo, Norway, Windsong’s Legacy was driven to victory by his trainer, 37-year-old Norwegian-born Trond Smedshammer.

Windsong’s Legacy [$11.00, $5.60, $4.00] trotted the eighth-race mile in 1:54.1.

After one of the favorites, Eilean Donon, driven by David Miller, made a break at the start. Tom Ridge, with Ron Pierce in the sulky, took the lead at the quarter pole, cutting fractions of 28.2, 57.2, and 1:26.3. Cash Hall and driver John Campbell came first-over on the backstretch to pressure Tom Ridge, with Windsong’s Legacy sitting comfortably in the second-over position until he tipped clear in the lane for a brush to the front..

Cantab Hall [$4.60, $3.40], with Mike Lachance driving, raced sat second for much of the mile, covered by Tom Ridge, and was able to finish second. Cash Hall [$3.00], who tired in his battle with the early leader, faded and finished third, just ahead of Coventry, driven by Doug R. Ackerman.

Favorite Tom Ridge finished eighth and Eilean Donon completed the course and finished 10th and last.

While catch-drivers have dominated the sport, Trond Smedshammer became the first driver-trainer to win the Hambletonian since Stefan Melander won with Scarlet Knight in 2001.

“It means everything to me,” Norwegian-born Smedshammer said. “It hasn’t sunk in as of yet. I was actually considering getting around Cash Hall to avoid excess cover, but when one horse [Lantern’s Law] made a break I decided to stay inside.”

Smedshammer got a measure of satisfaction since he failed with last year’s post time favorite, Power To Charm.

Earlier this week, Smedshammer and the owners had pledged to donate five percent of whatever the trotter won in the Hambletonian to the American Cancer Society. That would come to $25,000 of the winner’s share of $500,000. Both Smedshammer’s father, Lars, and Spinelli’s husband, Ronald, lost their lives to lung cancer.

Windsong’s Legacy, who was an orphan foal at birth, was bred in Pennsylvania by Windsong Stable. His win was his fifth in seven starts this year, and he has now earned $876,324, lifetime.
The exacta paid $58.60 and the trifecta returned $172.80.

“This is the biggest win of my career,” said Smedshammer. “You can’t beat this. I was actually considering going into the race getting around Cash Hall. When the one horse made a break on the inside and just one horse left from the outside, I decided just to stay behind John [Campbell, with Cash Hall]. The only time I was worried was when John put the pedal down just before the half before I knew exactly what Ronnie [Pierce with Tom Ridge] was going to do.

“I was never tempted to pull before he came off the three-quarters, so I knew this horse in the stretch was going to give me a good run so I was just waiting until it straightened out,” Smedshammer said. “I did pop the earplugs. It was easy but you don’t want to take a chance in a race like this. But it turned out to be pretty easy. This is even bigger than last year. Both trainer and driver, you can’t top that.”

A race earlier, Jorgen Jahre’s Silver Springs [$37.00, $12.40, $6.00] and driver George Brennan made a move to the lead on the final turn and sprinted to victory in the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks Final for three-year-old trotting fillies.

After a knot of horses raced three-wide to the quarter pole in 27.4, driver John Campbell brought Peaceful Way to the lead on the backstretch, and they set the next two fractions of 56 and 1:25.1, before Silver Springs worked her way to the front, drawing off in a mile in 1:53.3.
Housethatruthbuilt [Brian Sears], who had found cover behind the winner, finished strongly and was second at the wire, edging out Self Indulgent [David Miller], who passed tired horses and finished third.

Silver Springs [Yankee Glide--Simply Hanover, by Prakas] won her second race of the year, and gave trainer Jan Johnson his sixth victory in the Hambletonian Oaks, more than any other trainer. Her $250,000 first place check pushed her lifetime earnings to $431,420.

“She has always been there from her first stakes race to the last,” Johnson said. “I though she was going to get into the flow, and when you keep after her she keeps digging. She’s going to go in the [filly division of the] World Trotting Derby.”

Brennan drove the filly for the first time on Saturday.

“I didn’t know much about her, but knew she went a good mile last week,” he said. “I was following John [Campbell with favorite Peaceful Way], and he looked like he would clear, and it was pointless to race him [just after the quarter pole.]

“I appreciate getting the mount,” Brennan said. “She was strong all the way.”

Peaceful Way, the early leader, finished seventh, but broke stride at the wire, and was placed 10th and last by the judges for a lapped-on break at the wire.

The exacta paid $167.20 and the trifecta returned $1,502.40.

Tom Ridge favored in $1 million Hambletonian at Meadowlands

By TOM CANAVAN, AP Sports WriterAugust 3, 2004

AP - Aug 3

Groom Nancy Takter attempts to brush Hambletonian favorite Tom Ridge after morning workouts at Millennium Farm in East Windsor, N.J, Tuesday, Aug. 3 2004. Tom Ridge who is trained by Takter's father Jimmy, is 5-2 in the morning line and will be driven by Ron Pierce from post 6 in the $1,000,000 Hambletonian on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004 at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J.

Tom Ridge, the trotter named in honor of the former Pennsylvania governor and current Homeland Security Secretary, races Saturday in harness racing's most prestigious race.

The 3-year-old colt drew the No. 6 post position on Tuesday and was made the 5-2 morning line favorite for the $1 million Hambletonian at the Meadowlands.

``This horse is a real special deal,'' trainer Jimmy Takter said.

Tom Ridge, who has won eight of 12 races, was impressive in winning his elimination heat in 1:52.3, the fastest elimination in Hambletonian history.

The colt, who will have Meadowlands' leading driver Ron Pierce in the sulky, reached the finish line last Saturday almost two lengths in front of Cash Hall.

The time was almost two seconds faster than the one posted by Eilean Donon, who won the other elimination in 1:54.2.

The top five horses in each elimination advanced to the final.

Tom Ridge was originally named Sixty One. Kenneth Ross, a car dealer and developer in the Pittsburgh area, renamed the colt after buying it.

Cantab Hall, last year's 2-year-old champion trotter, was made the 7-2 second choice after drawing the advantageous No. 1 post position. Mike Lachance will drive the colt, who lost his last two races after winning his first 12.

Cash Hall got the No. 5 post and was made the 4-1 third choice in the wagering. Driver John Campbell, who opted to drive Cash Hall instead of Eilean Donon, will be looking for an unprecedented sixth Hambletonian win.

Dave Miller will drive Eilean Donon, the 9-2 fourth choice.

``I think with the draw it really helps Cantab Hall,'' Miller said. ``Tom Ridge and Cash Hall, they are the three you have to beat.''

After Cantab Hall, here is the entire field in post position order with horse, driver and odds:
Castle of Fortune, no driver listed, 40-1;

Eilean Donon, Miller, 9-2;
Justice Hall, Jim Morrill Jr., 15-1;
Cash Hall, Campbell, 4-1;
Tom Ridge, Pierce, 5-2;
Windsong's Legacy, Trond Smedshammer, 5-1;
American Mike, no driver listed, 40-1;
Lantern's Law, Trevor Ritchie, 12-1;
Coventry, Doug R. Ackerman, 15-1

Charlie Norris, who trains both American Mike and Castle of Fortune, said that Luc Ouellette would drive one of his horses.

The Hambletonian will be televised by CBS-TV, starting around 2:42 p.m. EDT
The race will be preceded by the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks for 3-year-old fillies.
Peaceful Way, whose owners seriously considered entering her in the Hambletonian against the colts and geldings, was made the 8-5 morning line favorite for the Oaks.
Peaceful Way has won three of four starts this year and eight of 10 in her career. The filly, also driven by Campbell, drew the No. 3 post position.

Housethatruthbuilt, who finished third to Peaceful Way in a three-horse photo finish, was made the 7-2 second choice for driver Brian Sears.

Here's the rest of the field for the Oaks in post position order with filly, driver and odds.

Have You Ever, Pierce, 8-1;
Self Indulgent, Miller, 10-1;
Peaceful Way, Campbell, 8-5;
Silver Springs, George Brennan, 12-1;
Ivy Swinger, Stephane Bouchard, 12-1;
Housethatruthbuilt, Sears, 7-2;
Ladylind, Cat Manzi, 20-1;
Mystical Sunshine, Lachance, 9-2;
Funny Malentine, Ritchie, 15-1;
Tag A Victory, Stephen Smith, 15-1

Pierce guides Boulder Creek at Breeders Crown

July 31, 2004

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) - Hall of Fame candidate Ron Pierce posted a pair of upset victories Saturday night, capturing the open pace and mare trot divisions of the $1.9 million Breeders Crown at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

Four Starzzz Shark was the overwhelming favorite in the Breeders Crown Open Pace, going off at 1-9. But Pierce guided Boulder Creek to a 2 1/4-length victory.

Peruvian Hanover and Royal Mattjesty deadheated for second.

"We weren't racing for a check; we were racing to win," Pierce said. "We were in a real sweet spot (following Royal Mattjesty) and the horse felt real good. I was kind of licking my chop, but I wasn't sure what Mike (Lachance with Four Starzzz Shark) was up to back there, and I turned for home, we had some room. The horse had plenty of pace."

Pierce was back in the winner's circle for the ninth race, the $250,000 Breeders Crown Mare Trot, with Armbro Affair, which held on for a neck victory over Lost Lady One. It was 1 1/2 lengths to Gypsy Balance, which was third.

Stroke Play, the winner of six straight, was sent off at 1-5 and finished fifth.

"I had a lot of confidence in her," Pierce said. "I raced her at Lexington and a couple other times last year and I really liked her. She beat the best of them a couple times. So I was kind of high on her coming into this race."

Upsets continued in the 10th race, the $300,000 Breeders Crown Mare Pace, which went to 20-1 Always Cam, driven by David Miller. Bunny Lake was second and it was 2 3/4 lengths to Loyal Opposition.

"She really hasn't been the luckiest horse, for me anyway," Miller said. "She's gotten a lot stronger, matured a lot. I figured with the big field, I'd be out the whole way and I ended up being a lot closer."

The $800,000 Breeders Crown Open Trot saw HP Paque win by one length over Legendary Lover K. It was 2 3/4 lengths back to Bebop in third.

"He's a really handy horse," winning driver Brian Sears said. "He's got high speed on both ends of it. I just stepped him out of there. We got a good trip; it just worked out."

Notes:
Race 8: Boulder Creek was our 4th choice at 10/1 morning line odds won the Breeders Crown Open Pace-Final. We also had Royal Majesty in the mix for the $155 exacta.

6 Boulder Creek R Pierce 43.60 147.80 0.00
5 Peruvian Hanover J Morrill Jr 52.00 0.00 2
Royal Mattjesty J Campbell 36.20 0.00

Race 12: HP Paque our top choice paid $10 to win the $800K Breeders Crown Open TROT Final.