Trotter Bob said...

A 3yo trotter collapsed and died on the track today in one of the Reynolds Stakes at Pocono. Pembroke Lane slowed at the 3/4 pole, then fell to the track just past the finish line. The Randy Bendis trained gelding had earned more than $84-thousand this year.

From Andrew: That's so sad. Thanks for letting us know.

posted at 9:49 PM on Jul 7th 2008

Ken Middleton said...

Andy,

Most stakes that I'm aware have owners pay the starting fee for the elim, but nothing for the final. But in the case of the Rooney, a $10,000 starting fee is required for the elim and then another $10,000 for the final.

Their 8% payday more than covered it - so let them rejoice.

Here's a link to the details:
http://www.ustrotting.com/trackside/stakes_futurities/pdf/Art%20Rooney%202008.pdf

From Andrew: Thanks, Ken. I agree. In the end a good investment!

posted at 9:51 PM on Jul 6th 2008

Dean said...

Hey Andrew,

I expected your boy to fire nicely off cover, so I would think the allergy or whatever is a sound excuse for the effort. I dont know much, but I know he is a much better horse than he showed. Good luck this week and I hope everything clears up.

As for the SBSW hype, I would guess it is simply because nothing is happening. He clearly races well fresh, as evidenced by his 54 middle half (which is brutally fast at Mohawk) and hand ride victory against Santanna in the Burlington. I would not worry about him being tight. But time will tell I guess. With the Meadowlands track so hard and fast we might see a 47 and change mile I believe.

From Andrew: I expected STD to have a faster final quarter, too, Dean, but he did pace two full seconds faster than his last start even though he scoped sick. Hopefully he can get better this week and be competitive in the weeks ahead.

posted at 9:31 PM on Jul 6th 2008

steve titus said...

If I may I am going to attempt to do the job of the pro media people today. First let me establish my credentials. I am stabled at the same training center as Brent, and therefore have had the pleasure of getting to know him and his family. This morning the Beach was shipped into Mohawk for a training mile. It was slated for 9:00 AM and Paul was in the bike. The final time was a mile in 1:55, off of a half in 1:02, Paul was a passanger as they whizzed past the 3/4 pole in about 1:30 and paced stong through to the wire. Afterward Brent was beaming and obviously pleased.

Paul's comment was that "the horse trains miles that huge like normal horses train 2:00 miles." I was shocked that there was not a single member of the media present, in fact we teased that the few of us that witnessed the effort would have to suffice. Little did I know I would really be attempting to make a report.

Hope this clears up some questions and adds fuel to any shed row arguments about what the "Beach" is up to.

On another note we up here had hoped to see a send off beach style party at Mohawk last Saturday night. Sadly it did not happen. I really don't know what else regular people can do. We make suggestions and the connections are willing but the folks that could make it happen don't. Saddens me greatly.

posted at 7:32 PM on Jul 6th 2008

Mark Miller said...

George Brodey is absolutely right! Carlo Polesino was absolutely thrashing away at Proper Respect in the first race at the Big M.

No amount of whipping was going to get him into the money, and the horse was already giving his all. Someone should hold the driver accountable.

posted at 6:02 PM on Jul 6th 2008

Allan said...

"The Pocono and Yonkers races were not available on TV or
live video streaming. Why does harness racing insists on hiding or charging money for its CUSTOMERS to view the races?"

I can't speak for Pocono Downs but in NY, the NYSRWB pulled the plug on live video streaming; they require a delay in showing the races.

From Andrew: Good point, Allen. But Yonkers could do what Tioga and Vernon do, which is to show the races just a few minutes after they are completed.

posted at 5:35 PM on Jul 6th 2008

Paul Siegel said...

Separate starting or declaration fees for eliminations and finals is in vogue these days. Both the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks now have them. It's a way to collect more money to fatten the purse for the final without discouraging entries into the eliminations.

posted at 5:07 PM on Jul 6th 2008

Ken Middleton said...

The $10,000 penalty was the starting fee. If they had bowed out of the race before scratch time they shouldn't have been "penalized".

But since they didn't, the $10,000 starting fee had to be honoured.

From Andrew: Thanks, Ken. Unusual, though, wasn't it, to require a starting fee for both the elimination and the final? In any event, they earned their penalty back and more with a nice fourth-place finish.

posted at 2:10 PM on Jul 6th 2008

tim mansfield said...

Andrew-

It probably goes without asking, but could you keep us all in the loop with regards to your status and decision making with STD. When is the declaration fee due? How are the connections feeling about his chances? Who is part of the decision making team? A mini "week in the life" so to speak.

If you could indulge the rest of us here it would be much appreciated...

From Andrew: Sure, Tim. Right now we are going to wait and see how he feels and acts tomorrow. Declarations are Tuesday morning (a $6,000 fee). My mother has offered to make him chicken soup but I don't think horses like chicken soup.

posted at 2:05 PM on Jul 6th 2008

tim mansfield said...

Missed a good chunk of the racing last night due to a prior commitment but was able to see both Haughton elims.

The two Mister's looked tought, especially Big. It's been a while since I've seen him wire the field and he looked pretty effortless doing it. I'll be interested to see what PP they select-given their preference on racing him from behind.

Happy for you Andrew and STD. Stayed flat and cashed a check in sub .50-got yourself a real racehorse on your hands.

From Andrew: Like I said, he scoped sick which made us feel a little better about his closing quarter. Hopefully he will be well enough for us to take a shot next week. Stay tuned. And thanks.

posted at 1:26 PM on Jul 6th 2008

Paul Siegel said...

Speaking of the top horses, why have we heard absolutely nothing about Somebeachsomewhere since the NA cup win? Has either the Canadian press corps or the horse gone into hiding? The Meadowlands Pace eliminations are Saturday. Has SBSW even trained since the Cup? Will he be racing totally "cold" off a 28 day layoff? Is the horse lame again with the connections not wanting to publicize it?

From Andrew: The Big M intereviewed Paul MacDonnell Saturday night before the races and of course the talk was mostly about SBSW, who is training well, blah, blah, blah. But I do find it interesting that all the Canadian hype has faded away a bit now that the next big race is NOT up in Canada.

posted at 12:39 PM on Jul 6th 2008

Paul Siegel said...

Andrew, if I owned a horse that could pace in 49.3 with a 27 last quarter when sick, I'd still be rather pleased, even though disappointed in the night's result.

If my trainer and vet thought the horse would be healthy enough to race Saturday in the Pace eliminations, I'd have no choice but to reach into my pocket for the $6,000 declaration fee.

Of course, that's easy for me to say!

Best of luck.

By the way, Standardbred Canada has the Lismore replay on its site as part of the Rooney Final story.

I'm not sure what you mean by Legacy 'N Diamonds being penalized if he didn't race in the final. There is normally a penalty if you drop into a race and then don't honor the declaration without a valid reason (the horse being sick, lame, etc.).

From Andrew: Thanks, Paul. I had read that LND wanted to skip the Rooney finals and race at the Meadowlands but that he would have had to pay a penalty to do so. I guess once you enter the elimination you are committed to racing in the final? Weird, I think.

posted at 12:30 PM on Jul 6th 2008

George S. Brodey said...

EXCESSIVE WHIPPING!

Saturday night at The Meadowlands, FIRST RACE! One driver started wacking his horse around the 5/8 marker, and I mean wacking as hard as he could possibly swing the whip for at least 20+ times until just before the finish line. Probaby the worst extended example that I have witnessed in the thirty five years of being involved in the Standardbred business. Thank GOD he was not a top driver/ trainer as they know when their horse has given its all and has no more to give.

I wonder if the judges saw the same thing and what reaction they will have?

From Andrew: Who was the driver, George? Our horse was in that race so I was only watching him. Incidentally, I saw an example of what I thought was excessive whipping at Yonkers on Friday night. Eric Abbatiello.

posted at 12:20 PM on Jul 6th 2008