The Meadowlands' $500K New Jersey Classic Winner Rocknroll Hanover

The Meadowlands' $500K New Jersey Classic

By TOM CANAVAN, AP Sports WriterMay 28, 2005

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Rocknroll Hanover swung wide entering the stretch and cruised to a 3 3/4 -length victory over Jo Pa's Shark in the $500,000 SBOA New Jersey Classic at the Meadowlands Racetrack on Saturday night.

Rocknroll Hanover paced the mile in 1:51 in winning for the third time in three starts this year. The Brian Sears-driven 3-year-old son of Western Ideal returned $4.60, $3.80 and $3 in pushing his earnings this year to $280,975.

Jo Pa's Shark held off Load The Dice for second and returned $9.20 and $5.60. Load The Dice, who won one of the two eliminations for this final last week along with Rocknroll Hanover, paid $4.40 to show.

``He's learning how to come off the pace, and he's real handy now,'' Sears said.

George At Bigs finished fourth and was followed by Cam's Fool, Village Jolt, Strong Player, Dr Zip, South Park Hanover and You Tell Gordy.

Breaking from the No. 9 post position, Rocknroll Hanover moved quickly from the outside and settled into sixth place for the first-half mile during which Village Jolt, last year's 2-year-old champion, and Jo Pa's Shark battled for the lead.

As the field entered the final turn, Rocknroll Hanover followed Cam's Fool and swung to the outside, then wore down the field in giving trainer Brett Pelling his third victory in this race. He also won with Art's Conquest in 1999 and Shady Character in 1998.

``He's doing it all on natural ability, which is good for us,'' Pelling said. ``His last three starts, he's been on cruise control. He's a very special horse.''

Earlier on the card, another Western Ideal offspring scored a big win with Ideal News winning the $200,000 SBOA Miss New Jersey Final for 3-year-old fillies by a neck over Freezer Cash.
Ideal News paced the mile in 1:53.3 in winning for the sixth time in eight starts this year. The David Miller-driven son of Western Ideal paid $2.60, $2.10 and $2.10 as part of a betting entry with Copywriter.

Freezer Cash returned $3.60 and $2.10, while Savannah Sky finished third and paid $2.10.
``If you don't use her early she had a good kick to her in the end,'' Miller said.

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2005 Hambletonian at Meadowlands Harness Racetrack

9-5, KEN WARKENTIN, Jimmy Takter, C Takter, Fielding, Domi, Windsor Stb., Divisional champ at two. "He trained last Wednesday at the Meadowlands in 2:00 with a good last quarter," said Takter. "I will qualify him this Friday at the Meadowlands. He's coming along well, right on schedule."

3-1, SOUTHFORK, Brett Pelling, Marvin Katz & Al Libfeld, "Last year I thought he was the only one in the fall who could give Ken Warkentin a serious go of it," said Ron Pierce. "Then he hurt his shoulder. I expect big things from him."

4-1, SELF PROFESSED, Don Swick, Royal Wire Products Inc., Q'd twice, last in 1:57 on May 20 at Meadowlands. "He goes in the NJSS opening round on May 30," said Swick. "Our goal is to get four or five starts in him before the Hambletonian."

5-1, DIESEL DON, Chuck Sylvester, Chuck Sylvester, Neal Goldman, Having Fun Stb, The Valley Victory winner is "a couple of weeks away from qualifying," according to John Campbell. Won 5 of 8 at 2.

6-1, NEW YORK YANK, Noel Daley, Adam Victor & Son Stb, "He qualified easy here last week [finishing 4th, timed in 2:00 on May 20]," said Adam Victor. "We're looking to get him in a 3yo open." Won Peter Haughton at 2.

8-1, STRONG YANKEE, Trond Smedshammer, Strong Yankee Stable, "He trained at the Meadowlands on Friday in 2:01," said Smedshammer. "I plan to qualify him on Friday. He's not the handiest horse out there."

10-1, LINDY FIVE HUNDRED, Ray Schnittker, Jones for Pres Stb, EG Pachuta, KR Breeding, Won Dexter Cup on May 14. "He goes to the Meadows this weekend for the PA Sire Stakes," said Schnittker. "He's doing well but you never know how it goes from May until August."

10-1, MED VAC, Noel Daley, Adam Victor & Son Stb, Won 7 of 14 at 2. Q'd for second time on May 20, finished 2nd, timed in 1:59. "We're looking to get him into a 3yo open," said Victor.

12-1, MAGIC SWAN, Jeff Long, J Paul Long, Jeff Long, James Harris, "He will not go in the first leg of the NJSS," said Long. "He just didn't get comfortable last week in the qualifier [breaking stride]. I will start him in the NJSS, just not the first leg."

15-1, CLEARAWAY, Ray Schnittker, SW Demeter, Ray Schnittker, PJ Baldassare, 3rd in Dexter, first or second in 6 of 7 starts this year. "He's a big, good-looking horse," said Schnittker. "I've had some success with Yankee Glides. He'll go in the first round of the NJSS on Monday."

2005 Hambletonian Race is on Saturday, August 6.

The Road to the 2005 Hambletonian is compiled by Bob Heyden.

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Life Source wins $225,000 Graduate at Meadowlands Harness Race track

May 21, 2005

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Life Source earned his 40th career victory Saturday night, holding off two challengers in the $225,000 Graduate Final at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
The 8-year-old pacer, driven by George Brennan, beat Boulder Creek by a neck and atoned for a last-place finish in last year's race.

Life Source covered the mile in 1:50.4 and paid $5.00, $2.60 and $2.60.

Boulder Creek returned $3.40 and $2.80, and Metropolitan paid $4.80.

``The horse has great speed,'' Brennan said. ``There was only one other leaving so I thought I'd take a shot at the front. I don't put him on the front often, but when I do, he responds well. There was big money on the line so I took a chance, and he didn't let us down.''

Trained by Richard J. Banca, Life Source has six wins in 16 starts this year. The winner's share of $112,500 raised his earnings this year to $328,325.

In the co-feature, Mr. Muscleman rallied to catch Sand Vic at the wire in the $180,000 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial. Mr. Muscleman trotted the mile in 1:54.3 on sloppy track.

Mr. Muscleman, a 5-year-old gelding driven by Ron Pierce and trained by Noel Daley, won by a neck and paid $2.80, $2.60 and $2.20. Sand Vic returned $4.60 and $3.20 and Hellava Hush paid $3.00.

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Standardbred, Meadowlands, Hambletonian, Standardbred, Horse Racing Picks, Horse Racing Tips, Harness Racing Result