John Berry's Mane Attraction: Just some tid "bits"

FIRST TID ”BIT”

This is a most exciting time of year for our industry as our two-year-olds begin their respective harness racing careers with their qualifying and baby races.

I remember very well some of those great events of yesteryear when future champions like Oh Well, just about a year ago, won his first qualifier in 1:59.2—last quarter :27…or, even, Test Of Faith, finishing fourth and last in her inauspicious first start at Magical Acres, timed in 2:00.

There were also events years ago for the youngsters for purses of $250, $500 and even $1,000 —baby races, they called ‘em—to kick off their careers.

This year, the kickoff was in Kentucky—no qualifiers there.

The youngsters stepped up on the diving board and dove right into the water.

Lebanon, Kentucky hosted 19 “Kentucky Pride” events for two and three-year-olds—the first eight for juveniles. Purses averaged $9,000 for the babies!

Kentucky is a hot spot these days with a whole slew of rich stakes going several divisions and several “layers” deep.

Some very noteworthy sires had progeny In these events featuring three on the pace and five on the trot.

A son of Freaky Feet Pete had the fastest pacing performance with the Verlin Yoder trainee Designated Freak a 2:01.3—:29.1 winner for owner James Trnka, the colt impressively coming from 10 lengths out of it halfway through to roll by late.

The fillies Ninja (Sweet Lou) and Ballard Edith Ann (Dancing Yankee) took their respective divisions on the pacing side of the ledger.

Ninja, recovered from a bobble in the beginning to score in 2:06.1—her last quarter in :28.3—for James Stiltner II, in the bike for trainer James Avritt, Sr and owner John Smoot.

Ballard Edith Ann led gate-to-wire and capped her 2:05.4 mile for driver-trainer S. Bernard Demers with a last half in 1:00.1 and final quarter in :29.2.

On the trotting side of the ledger, My Rory (Creatine), House Of Love (Trixton) and Hall Of Ghosts (Father Patrick) were filly winners while the colts Spanish Room and Mon Saint Michel (both by Cantab Hall) also broke their maidens.

My Rory led at every pole to score in 2:11.3 for Tyler Shehan, in the bike for owner-trainer Burlin Brewer.

House Of Love took charge after the opening marker and repelled a challenge around the final bend to score in 2:13.4 with owner Louis Baudron in her sulky—this filly trained by Nicolas Roussel.

Hall Of Ghosts had an easy time in a 2:06.3 win for “hot” driver Wyatt Avenatti, who handled the lines for trainer Bill Cottongim and owner Derek Harmon.

Spanish Room managed to set aside a bit of “greenness” in his maiden win, clocked in 2:14.2, surviving a “rough” mile (and 25 yards) for trainer Trey Brinson and owners Terry Montgomery, Steve McDaniel, Jr. and Valerie Barber.

In a post race interview, Brinson related, “Yes, he’s not only green, he’s BRIGHT GREEN. That was the first time he went behind the gate and he raced green the whole way but he never gets tired.

“That’s the beauty of the Kentucky program…the smaller owners and trainers and drivers, too, can benefit and, you know, I had a winner in the three-year-old events, too.

“It’s great money while these youngsters are learning the trade.”

Mont Saint Michel showed speed off the wings, was outbrushed on the backside and showed a strong :29.4 closing kick to win in 2:05.2 for Mark Herschberger with trainer Cottongim gaining a training double.

With $72,000 in purses for these two-year-olds to kick off their careers, the beauty of the Kentucky program is evident as many names highlighted here are not household names in the sport, proving this rich Bluegrass stakes program can benefit a wide variety of trainers, drivers and owners.

SECOND TID ”BIT”

I have been asked about commenting on the DiCostanzo-Bongiorno hullabaloo at The Meadowlands.

So, here goes.

When any journalist gets a “scoop” on any incident, they are obliged to write about it.

Some journalists do…some don’t.

The Harnesslink story printed the facts of the situation—not professing any innocence or guilt but, rather, on information confirmed by a member of the Meadowlands staff and collaborated by several others in the industry.

The story referred to the fact that, pending an investigation, a final determination would be made.

First, the situation arose when there were complaints from the betting public about a “short” daily double payoff of $21.20 when the winner paid $31.00.

Those that had the daily double thought that the payoff was low but, in reality, the payoff was right on target as the winner, Lyons Pride, had recently won in 1:50.4.

Now the winner in the first half of the double this night was off at 1 to 10 odds.

The track posted the probable daily double payoffs several minutes before post time, so bettors knew, without question, what the payoff was to be—$21.20.

I have heard no complaints from ticket holders on the winner who got a luxurious $31.00 payoff…on the same horse that won a couple of starts prior and paid $4.80!!!

Sometimes—many times—bettors bet drivers, not horses. The Meadowlands features the top class of drivers in the sport and those drivers, without a “name,” are largely ignored at the mutuel windows.

Some drivers are OVERBET…some are UNDERBET.

I am sure there were many “wheels” in the first half of the daily double.

Last season, Nicole DiCostanzo won just about 15% of her starts. This semester, she is over 20%—six for 27 that a batting average of .288—a very respectable number.

Oh, and about Joe Bongiorno and JK Standingovation in that same race…the horse has three wins on the year—ALL FROM OFF THE PACE!

Horses are athletes—equine athletes—and sometimes they have it…and sometimes they don’t! That’s the long and the short of it!

End of story.

One other thing…Back on November 27, 1999, Tim Tetrick won his first pari-mutuel race at Fairmont Park with Hollys Hot Idea…paying $62.80 to win. He hasn’t been UNDERBET since!

THIRD TID “BIT”

There are several amateur driving clubs gracing our racetracks where the members of these clubs are classified as “amateurs” only because they donate 100% of their driving fees back to their clubs for charitable purposes.

Many “amateurs” have well over 100 wins and one has over 500 wins, including some overseas—Dein Spriggs. Steve Oldford, Anthony Verruso, Joe Faraldo, Matt Zuccarello, Larry Ferraro, Yogi Sheridan, Joe Burke, Tony Beltrami, Mike Kimelman, Joseph Lee and Bob Davis are a few of the veterans with Adarryl Gates, Denarius Dortch and Carson Conrad among the young whippersnappers carrying the torch of the future.

These clubs have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to worthy causes benefitting standardbred retirement facilities, equine therapeutical services for children “of all ages,” horse rescue organizations and, stretching a “bit” beyond,” Make-A-Wish, Tomorrow’s Rainbow and, recently, Steele Magnolia Sanctuary.

So, what’s the big deal?

Amateur races are popular with the betting public.

Recently at Oak Grove Racing, the two Amateur events were the highest wagered races on the 12 race program.

At The Big M last week, four Amateur races were carded accounting for about $710,000 of total handle, including $310,000—highest race handle of the night—on the last race, which included the final leg of the guaranteed Pick-4.

Other support on the events at various tracks was strong, as well, as these races are competitive…not for the dollar…but for the bragging rights!

FINAL TID “BITS”

Two final aid”bits” crossed the desk this week.

First, the pacer Machness was in a “5” claimer at Buffalo Raceway and, indeed, was claimed. Chart says he went off at $326.50 to 1, which may be the longest odds of any horse ever claimed!

Second—and I didn’t notice this until now—Doc’s Boo Boo has been very successful in his racing career, winning 9 of 15 and $89,720 last semester as a two-year-old with $35,250 in his five starts so far this year in Ohio.

So, again, what’s the big deal?

Doc’s Boo Boo is a son of Downbytheseaside who has well over 200 record performers including Pebble Beach, Bythemissal and Sea Silk—all million-dollar winners.

But of all his offspring, only ONE is a trotter—Doc’s Boo Boo.

May the horse be with you!

by John Berry, for Harnesslink