new classification system set for meadowlands

PACESETTER SBOANJ.COM 1 November/December 2012

The Official Newsletter of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey Vol. 37, No. 6

Representing owners, breeders, drivers, trainers & caretakers

NEW CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM SET FOR MEADOWLANDS OPENING

The Meadowlands will introduce ABC Racing when the track re-opens on December 28, 2012.

ABC Racing categorizes horses into A, B and C rankings, replacing conditions determined by money earnings. This permits the racing secretary to create races in which the entrants are most

competitive and equal in ability.

After a meeting of Meadowlands Chairman Jeff Gural, Standard-bred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey President Tom Luchento and Hall of Fame driver John Campbell, it was

agreed to move forward with the new format.

“We think the best racing can be accomplished by classifying horses by their ability and not their money earnings,” Luchento said. “The goal is to have full fields and competitive fields. We think

ABC Racing will facilitate both objectives.”

“We are going to experiment with classified racing [ABC] versus conditioned racing as a way to classify horses,” said Meadowlands Director of Racing and Racing Secretary Peter Koch. “We are hopeful this method will yield even more competitive racing for our fans. We will still have non-winners of 2 races lifetime as well as non-winners of 3 races lifetime for the younger

horses and claiming races at every level.

“Classified racing has horses evaluated by the racing secretary and moved up and down in class based upon performance,” Koch noted. “We look forward to bringing the public the great racing product the Meadowlands has always

had.”

The Meadowlands resumes live racing on De-

cember 28 and 29.

On November 14, the New Jersey Racing Com-mission awarded the Meadowlands 82 dates in 2013: January 3 to August 3 plus November 23

to December 28.

2013 MEADOWLANDS RACING CALENDAR


OFFICERS Thomas F. Luchento

President

Ed Razzetti First Vice President

Alfred Ochsner Jr. Second Vice President

Mark Ford Third Vice President

Dennis Lane Treasurer

Anthony Romano Secretary

Leo McNamara Executive Administrator

DIRECTORS Robert Baggitt Sr.

Robert Boni

Stephen P. Dey III VMD

Kelvin Harrison

Jacqueline Ingrassia

Richard Meirs VMD

Mark Mullen

Anthony Perretti

Paul Wojtowicz

RACETRACK REP Linda Goss

Meadowlands 201-842-5075 Freehold 732-252-2323

Ext 4365

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL AJ Sabath

LEGAL COUNSEL Dennis Dowd

PACESETTER EDITOR Carol Hodes

[email protected]

Printed By

NEWPORT GRAPHICS John DiSomma

212-924-2600 Ext 305

IMPORTANT

PHONE NUMBERS

New Jersey Sire Stakes 609-292-8830

Harness Horsemen International 609-747-1000

License/Fingerprint NJ Racing Commission

Trenton—609-292-0613 Freehold — 732-462-3800

Meadowlands—201-460-4137

NJ Trailer Ban—NJTP 800-336-5875

STANDARDBRED BREEDERS & OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY 64 Business Route 33, Manalapan, NJ 07726 Phone: 732-462-2357 Fax: 732-409-0741

Email: [email protected] Website: www.sboanj.com

If you are still cleaning up from Superstorm Sandy and Nor’easter Athena that hit a week later, please

know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.

We know a lot of trees were lost, fences damaged and roofs under repair, but at least -- to the best of our

knowledge -- we did not lose any members or horses.

If nothing else, we have learned that we have our weaknesses when it comes to extreme weather, and there are ways to be better prepared, in some in-

stances.

All of us learn from experience and one way in which we as New Jersey horsemen have learned is that there were not enough racing days at Freehold in 2012. While we tried to accommodate Freehold’s financial concerns, we know we need to find a satis-factory balance that offers Freehold-based trainers with sufficient starts to keep their horses competitive

and their eligibility for health insurance viable.

Freehold applied for 90 days in 2013, February 28 through December 21, with a three-day a week sched-ule. The track essentially would be dark in January,

February, June, July and August.

The SBOANJ found this unacceptable, feeling it places an unfair burden on our membership when the ap-proach should be one of shared sacrifice. We coun-tered with a 120-date schedule that includes winter

racing in January and February.

As for the Meadowlands, 82 dates, as agreed to in the current contract, was approved by the New Jersey Racing Commission at its November 14 meeting. That calendar is posted on the first page of the Pace-

setter.

The Racing Commission withheld license approvals for Freehold and asked the track to try to find a solu-tion through further negotiations with the SBOANJ

and to report back by November 28.

Please check our website, www.sboanj.com, for up-

dates on this matter.

We also worked with the Meadowlands to convert to ABC Racing. Our feeling was that this would create the opportunity for more competitive racing and a better betting product. This will go into effect when

the track reopens on December 28.

While we still have many open issues with Freehold, we were pleased to see the management accept our request for more races to benefit our New Jersey rac-ing program. The track will now write 40 percent of its races for New Jersey-sired or New Jersey-owned horses. Of course, they can accept other entries if those races do not fill. So we look to our membership

to make sure those races are well-supported.

We wish all of our members and friends the very best

for a happy and healthy holiday season.

http://www.sboanj.com


KING MUSCLES TAKES HAROLD DANCER; MARION DANCER SPLIT

King Muscles by Muscles Yankee coasted to a length and a quarter victory in the $36,500 Harold Dancer Trot for New Jersey-sired two-year-old trotting colts and geldings, contested as a non-

wagering event on Thursday, September 20, 2012 at Freehold Raceway.

Only three colts went to post. Chocolate Delight [by Chocolatier] broke early and was never a fac-

tor.

Driver Jeff Gregory sent Marion Mayday [Chocolatier] to the lead off the gate and repelled a first half challenge from King Muscles, who settled

into second until tipped out in the stretch.

King Muscles, with Cat Manzi driving, flew past Marion Mayday, crossing the wire first in 2:04

flat. Chocolate Delight was a distant third.

King Muscles, bred by Herb Liverman, picked up his first career win in the Harold Dancer. The Aaron Lambert trainee, a $22,000 Harrisburg Sale purchase, is owned by J&T Silva Stables

LLC [Jerry and Teresa Silva] of Long Beach, NY.

Time To Kill and Southwind Cocoa were a pair of easy winners in the divided Marion Dancer Stakes for two-year-old New Jersey-sired trotting fillies

on September 6, 2012.

John Campbell sent Time To Kill off cover in the final turn and drew off to win the first divi-sion, the $30,750 fifth race, by four and a half-lengths over Connie Keeper. The first two fin-ishers are both daughters of Muscles Yankee. It was five and a half lengths to Find The

Magic by Chocolatier in third.

Even-money favorite Time To Kill, trained by Ross Croghan, trotted the mile in 1:59.3, three-fifths of a second off the stakes record. It was the filly’s first win in six career starts along

with a trio of second-place finishes. She is owned by the Let It Ride Stables and Robert Cooper Stables, both of Boca Raton, FL and

was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms.

Southwind Cocoa, a daughter of Chocolatier, coasted to a two-length victory over Southwind Sauna while Muscles Secret was three and three-quarter lengths back in third in the $29,250 eighth race. The second and third-

place fillies are by Muscles Yankee.

The odds-on favorite, Southwind Cocoa was driven to victory by Jeff Gregory for trainer Linda Toscano and is owned by Richard Gutnick of Blue

Bell, PA. Her breeder was Southwind Farms.

The Harold and Marion Dancers are sponsored by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Associa-

tion of New Jersey.

Photos by Helene Gregory for World Wide Racing Photos

Southwind Cocoa

King Muscles

Time To Kill


MUSCLES YANKEE OFFSPRING SWEEP CHARLES & HELEN SMITHS Muscolo, looking for his first win of the year, nipped Kingstone for a nose victory in the $80,000 Charles

Smith Trot for three-year-olds on September 14, 2012 at Freehold Raceway.

A $205,000 Harrisburg yearling sale purchase, the son of Muscles Yankee races in the name of the Guida Racing Stable of Jupiter, FL and TLP Stable of Kearny, NJ own the trotter. Mike Lachance was the driver of the Ray Schnittker trainee, who was bred by Perretti

Farms.

Kingstone by Revenue, who cut the mile, was second best in the 1:57.4 mile. It was a length and three-

quarters to World Cup by Yankee Glide in third.

A week earlier on September 7, Chilitodayhotamale, driven by George Brennan, was a 16-length winner in the $50,000 Helen Smith for three-year-old fillies. The daughter of Muscles Yankee equaled the stakes

record of 1:56.3, set by Muscle Shirt in 2008.

The Trond Smedshammer trainee is owned by her

breeder, Michael D. Andrew of Gorham, ME.

Chocolatta De Vie by Chocolatier was second. It was 19 ¼ lengths back to Champagne Magic by Yankee

Glide in third.

Both stakes are sponsored by the SBOANJ.

Governor Chris Christie re-nominated Anthony Abbatiello of Colts Neck and nominated Peter T. Roselle of Tinton Falls to represent the standard-bred industry on the New Jersey Racing Commis-

sion.

The other nominees are thoroughbred reps Fran-cis X. Keegan Jr. of Spring Lake and Michael Ar-one of Red Bank. Also named were Peter J. Cofrancesco III of Sparta and Anthony DePaola of

Toms River.

Appointments are subject to approval by the

State Senate.

***

Emilio Estevez has revealed plans to film a movie named “Johnny Longshot” which has a harness

racing theme.

Most of the scenes will be shot in Ohio. Estevez is the writer, director and star of the family-friendly film in which his character, a retired jockey, finds

a second career as a harness driver.

***

The Meadowlands Race Office has announced a

new texting service for horsemen.

Called Sumotext, it will permit the Race Office to provide instant updates through mass text mes-saging of such information as upcoming dead-lines, overnights, stakes, classes short of entries,

postponements and cancellations.

The texting is one way. Horsemen will still have to phone the Race Office to communicate with

the staff.

For the service, use your browser to sign up:

www.84700.mobi/?MEADOWLANDS

***

Open enrollment for the SBOANJ health insur-ance program for drivers, trainers and grooms will take place in the month of December. Be

sure to enroll to qualify for 2013 coverage.

***

The Meadowlands has announced its Winter Series schedule and new additions to the late closer program. Visit www.sboanj.com or

www.meadowlandsracetrack.com for details.


THIS & THAT

Muscolo [inside]

Chilitodayhotamale


NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012 SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS

Nov 19 Board of Directors Meeting Dec 10 Board of Directors Meeting

Nov 27 Insurance Meeting Nov 22, Dec 24, 25, 31, Jan 1

Full or Half Day Office Closings for Holidays

NEW JERSEY FUTURITIES CONTESTED AT FREEHOLD Aunt Mel extended her winning streak to three with a victory in the $45,000 New Jersey Futurity for three-year-old trotters on Friday,

October 5, 2012 at Freehold Raceway.

The daughter of Yankee Glide-Kimmie Hall posted her eighth win of the year in 18 starts and 10th in 31 career outings.

Aunt Mel, driven by Steve Smith and trained by Erv Miller, trotted the mile in 1:57.3 and finished a length and three-quarters ahead of Chocolatta De Vie by Chocolatier. The pacesetter, Flower Bouquet by Muscles Yankee, held on for

third, two lengths back.

Aunt Mel, a daughter of Yankee Glide, is owned by Mary Jane Anderson of Long

Grove, IL. She was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms.

Time To Kill rolled to a length and three-quarters victory in the $30,000 New Jersey Futu-rity for two-year-old trotters on

October 12, 2012.

Time To Kill covered the mile in 2:03.1 with John Campbell in the sulky.

The daughter of Muscles Yankee-Are Your Ready, trained by Ross Croghan, held off Partys On [Chocolatier]. It was two and a half lengths to Connie Keeper

[Muscles Yankee] in third.

Time To Kill, bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, races for Let It Ride Stables and Robert

Cooper Stables, both of Boca Raton, FL, and J&T Silva Stables of Long Beach, NY.

Verdad edged out stablemate Mortal Zin for a neck victory in the $50,000 New Jersey

Futurity for three-year-old pacers on Saturday, October 13, 2012

The duo, both trained by Ron Burke, caught the pacesetter Little Michael B before

dueling to the wire. The mile was clocked in 1:54.3.

Verdad, by Western Ideal, was driven to victory by David Miller. Mortal Zin [Rocknroll

Hanover] was second and it was a length and a half to Divulge [Tell All] in third.

Verdad is owned and bred by Howard and Judith Taylor of Philadelphia, PA.

Two $25,125 divisions of the New Jersey Futurity for two-year-old pacers were con-

tested on Friday, September 14, 2012.

In the two-year-old pacing filly division, Panera Hanover by Rocknroll Hanover

was the length winner in 1:56.3.

Driven by Andy Miller for trainer Julie Miller, odds-on favorite Panera Hanover,

bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, races for the Pinske Stable of Plato, MN.

The runner-up was Certi-fied Ideal, a daughter of Western Ideal. And it was eight and a quarter lengths to Get The Look by Cam’s Card Shark in

third.

In a non-wagering division for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings, All Day Ray by Tell All, driven by Eric Abbatiello for trainer Ron Burke, was the two and three-quarter length winner in 1:56.4. A pair of sons of Rocknroll Hanover finished second and third with Rockaholic edging out Public Enemy. All Day Ray picked up his

first win in six tries for Ringer LLC and Michael Ringer, both of Washington, PA. He was bred by Kentuckiana Farms.

All the New Jersey Futurity stakes are restricted to New Jersey-sired horses and are sponsored by the SBOANJ.

Time To Kill

Verdad [#1A]

Aunt Mel

Panera Hanover

All Day Ray



$25,000 NJ SIRE STAKES—GREEN ACRES FINALS AT FREEHOLD

TWO-YEAR-OLD PACERS NOMINAL HANOVER Filly, Western Ideal, 1:59.1, Oct. 18 Driver: Dan Dube Trainer: Abe Stoltzfus Owner: Ernest Hartman Breeder: 2 Titans Racing Stable

THREE-YEAR-OLD PACERS

ALL DAY RAY Gelding, Tell All, 1:58, Oct. 20 Driver: Eric Abbatiello Trainer: Ron Burke Owners: Ringer LLC & Michael Ringer Breeder: Kentuckiana Farms

CHILD’S PLAY Filly, Cam’s Card Shark], 1:56.1, Sept. 29 Driver: Eric Abbatiello Trainer: Ed Hart Owner: WJ Donovan Breeder: Winbak Farm

VERDAD Colt, Western Ideal, 1:54.2, Oct. 6 Driver: Eric Abbatiello Trainer: Ron Burke Owners/Breeders: Howard & Judith Taylor

TWO-YEAR-OLD TROTTERS

THREE-YEAR-OLD TROTTERS

VIDA DE VIE Filly, Muscles Yankee, 2:02, Oct. 5 Driver: Daniel Dube Trainer: Chris Ryder Owner/Breeder: Joie De Vie Farm LLC

POWER WHEEL Colt, Muscles Yankee, 2:03.4, Oct. 4 Driver: James Marshall III Trainer: Gary Cameron II Owners/Breeders: John Jr. & Sarah Swart

AUNT MEL Filly, Yankee Glide, 1:58.3, Oct. 11 Driver: Steve Smith Trainer: Erv Miller Owner: Mary Jane Anderson Breeder: Hanover Shoe Farms

MELADY’S MONET Gelding, Revenue, 1:57.3, Oct. 26 Driver: Cat Manzi Trainer: Taylor Gower Owner/Breeder: Luca Balenzano

Photos by Helene Gregory for World Wide Racing Photos PHOTO FOOTNOTE Fillies on the left, colts on the right


FREEHOLD TO OFFER MORE RACES FOR NJ-OWNED/SIRED

Freehold Raceway was the site of the inaugural Open Space Pace & Festival of Horses on Saturday, September

29, 2012.

The Open Space Pace Event, which began with a Parade of Horses down Main Street in Freehold, featured bands, vendors and exhibits, celebrity races, petting zoo, a racing under sad-dle competition, 12 pari-mutuel races and a concert by Southside Johnny and

the Asbury Jukes.

The Open Space Pace program drew a crowd of 2,855 and wagering of $101,460. The attendance was the highest since 3,842 turned out for Ken-

tucky Derby Day festivities on the first Saturday in May.

“The festive, congenial atmosphere [of the Open Space Pace] was punctu-ated by the important reason for the event’s creation — fighting to keep horse breeding and racing viable in New Jersey, where horse-related operations account for some 13,000 jobs,” said Monmouth County Freeholder Lillian G. Burry. “About 42,000 horses reside here … many in the racing industry. More than 176,000 acres of land sup-

port more than 70 equine facilities statewide — acreage that could be lost to development.

“There is no doubt that equine pursuits in New Jersey provide immeasurable recreational, social, cultural and economic benefits,” Burry noted. “Horse-related operations in New Jersey need strong, ongoing support from the state, and they need it now if racing is to remain viable here. Too much of the Garden State’s once-thriving equine industry, including its majestic horses, have already been lured to other states by larger purses and more welcoming policies and practices. New Jersey’s economy as well as its agricultural traditions will suffer if we

allow this to continue.”

OPEN SPACE PACE FESTIVAL DRAWS CROWD TO FREEHOLD

New Meadowlands Racetrack LLC Chairman Jeff Gural has named Jason M. Settlemoir as General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Meadowlands Race-

track, effective No-

vember 6, 2012.

Settlemoir has run Gural’s two New York racetracks, Tioga and Vernon Downs, since operations began in 2006 and will remain Vice President of Rac-ing and Sponsorships for both of those properties. The 2006 Lew Barasch Break-through Award win-ner, he is the current

USHWA Chairman of the Board, a USTA and HTA Direc-tor and the Simulcast Director/second Race An-

nouncer for The Little Brown Jug.

“Our focus is on improving the racing experience for the fans, with emphasis on customer service and strict attention to detail,” Settlemoir said. “Jeff’s desire is to return the Meadowlands to its rightful position as the greatest harness track in the world, and I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to help him realize that goal. I have the support of a strong staff we have assembled at Tioga and Vernon and look forward to working with the existing Meadowlands employees and New Jersey horsemen. After seven seasons, I know Jeff’s priorities and how he wants things done at

his racetracks.”

“I’m confident in Jason’s ability to execute my vision for the new Meadowlands,” said Gural. “We share a passion for racing, realize that the status quo isn’t working and remain convinced that new ideas and promotions are vital to racing’s survival. The success that Jason has enjoyed at Tioga and Vernon along with the experience he has gained and people skills he has developed while in that position have prepared him well for this next step in his racetrack management

career.”

SETTLEMOIR NAMED NEW MEADOWLANDS GM & CEO

Jason Settlemoir [left] and Jeff Gural

The Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey and Freehold Raceway reached an agreement November 13, 2012 to offer 40 percent of all races at Freehold with a preference for New Jersey-owned or New

Jersey-sired horses.

The SBOANJ’s Tom Luchento and Leo McNamara negotiated the increase with Freehold General Manager How-

ard Bruno and Director of Racing Karen Fagliarone.

“The preference will be given to New Jersey-owned or New Jersey-sired horses in those races, regardless of when the horses last raced,” SBOANJ President Luchento explained. “Of course, if the class does not fill, it will be

opened to other horses. This should be reflected in the next condition sheet.”

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012 ISSUE OF THE PACESETTER

The slate of officers, headed by President Tom Luchento, are back at the helm of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Asso-ciation of New Jersey for

2012-2013.

The SBOANJ held its an-nual membership meeting on Friday, October 19, 2012 at Freehold Race-way and followed the pub-lic session with the reor-

ganization of officers.

The Board of Directors voted for Tom Luchento to remain as president along

with his slate of officers: Ed Razzetti as first vice president, Alfred Ochsner Jr. as second vice president, Mark Ford as

third vice president, Dennis Lane as treasurer and Anthony Romano as secretary.

Also remaining on the Board as directors are Robert Baggitt Sr., Robert Boni, Dr. Stephen P. Dey III, Kelvin Harrison,

Jacqueline Ingrassia, Dr. Richard Meirs, Mark Mullen, Anthony Perretti and Paul Wojtowicz.

The SBOANJ held its annual membership meeting on October 19, 2012 at Freehold, re-electing Tom Luchento and his slate of officers. Those attending the meeting included [left to right, front row] Bob Boni, Tom Luchento, Leo McNamara, Ed Razzetti; [back row] Bob Baggitt, Kelvin Harrison, Anthony Perretti, Dennis Lane, Jacqueline Ingrassia and Al Ochsner. [Photo by Carol Hodes]

new classification system set for meadowlands

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