Snyder hopes he has a gem

Reigning Owner of the Year Jeffrey Snyder has a pair of 3-year-old colt pacers entered in Saturday’s opening round of the New Jersey Sire Stakes at the Meadowlands, including Michelles Gemstone, a homebred son of Western Ideal out of the mare Michelle’s Jewel. The colt is named for Snyder’s daughter, Michelle.

“He’s a horse which I bred myself, out of a sister to Mystical Shark who finished second to The Panderosa in the (1999) Meadowlands Pace and is now standing in Australia,” Snyder told harnessracing.com Wednesday morning from his Etna Products office in New York City. “He’s also a half brother to Rare Jewel, who we also bred and sold and is in the Graduate (also on Saturday night at the Meadowlands).

Michelles Gemstone had just one qualifier last July before being turned out by trainer Ed Hart. With Brian Sears in the sulky in 2006, Michelles Gemstone has a win, second and a third in three starts. He won his latest outing on May 4 at the Big M, drawing clear to a 3 3/4-length decision in 1:51.4 in a $12,500 conditioned event.

Michelles Gemstone drew the rail in the opening $37,850 Sire Stakes split. Snyder’s other entry, Poker Dice, drew post four in the second $38,450 division.

« Back