Division Stars Rolling Tough Into November

By Frank & Ray Cotolo 

(BC) denotes Breeders Crown eligible. 

Nearly every division of standardbred competed on the weekend of Oct. 24. Dayton Raceway hosted the inaugural editions of the Dayton Pacing Derby and Dayton Trotting Derby on Friday, Oct. 24. On Saturday, Oct. 25, Yonkers hosted the Yonkers Trot, Hudson Filly Trot, Messenger, Lady Maud, and International Trot Preview. Also on Saturday were the Fall Final Four at Woodbine Racetrack. 

Clear Vision (BC-Western Hanover) necked out his stable-mate Foiled Again (BC-Dragon Again) in the $122,000 Dayton Pacing Derby in 1:49f. Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, The Panhellenic Stable, and James Koran, trained by Ron Burke, and driven by Tim Tetrick, he paid $4.60 to win. 

Market Share (BC-Revenue S) circled around his rivals to win by nearly four lengths in the $162,000 Dayton Trotting Derby in 1:52.4f. Owned by Richard Gutnick, T L P Stable, and William Augustine, trained by Linda Toscano, and driven by Tim Tetrick, he returned $7.80 to win. 

Nuncio (BC-Andover Hall) traveled wire to wire in the $500,000 Yonkers Trot, winning in 1:56h. Owned by Stable TZ Inc, trained by Jimmy Takter, and driven by John Campbell, he paid $2.10 to win. 

All Bets Off was a gate-to-wire winner in the $500,000 Messenger Pace, finishing over elimination winner Luck Be Withyou (BC_Western Ideal) in 1:51.1h. Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Frank Baldachino, The Panhellenic Stable, and Rosemary Shelswell, trained by Ron Burke, and driven by Matt Kakaley, he paid $11.80 to win. 

Highest Peak gained control from Market Rally (BC-Cash Hall) in the stretch to win the $124,590 Hudson Filly Trot in 1:58.2h. Owned, trained, and driven by Ake Svanstedt, she paid $18.00 to win. Forced to make up 9 lengths after a break at the start, 1/5-favorite Market Rally faded to fifth, resulting in Highest Peak’s place payoff of $70 on a $2 bet. 

Act Now (BC-Western Ideal) was a 6-length winner over Fancy Desire in 1:53. Sent off the favorite, she paid $2.40 to win. She is owned by Joseph Davino and Patrick O’Brien, trained by Nikolas Drennan, and driven by George Brennan. 

Natural Herbie bested foreign-superstar Commander Crowe (BC-accepted foreign invitee)in the $250,000 International Trot Preview in 2:24.4h. Owned, trained, and driven by Verlin Yoder, he paid $21.60 to win in the 1 ¼-mile affair. With the breaks of Mission Brief (BC-Muscle Hill), Gatka Hanover (BC-Muscle Massive), Danielle Hall (BC-Deweycheatumnhowe), and Jolene Jolene (BC-Muscle Hill), 

Smexi

Smexi (BC-Explosive Matter) pulled off a 78-1 upset in the $464,000 Goldsmith Maid final in 1:54.4. Owned by Christina Takter, John and Jim Fielding, and Herb Liverman, trained by Jimmy Takter, and driven by Corey Callahan, she paid $159.30 to win on a $2 bet. 

Pinkman

Pinkman (BC-Explosive Matter) swept by late-race-leader Uncle Lasse (BC-Donato Hanover) to win the $521,000 Valley Victory final in 1:55.4. Owned by Christina Takter, John and Jim Fielding, Joyce McClelland, and Herb Liverman, trained by Jimmy Takter, and driven by Sylvain Filion, he returned $16.60 to win. 

Artspeak

Artspeak (BC-Western Ideal) effortlessly paced by Pierce Hanover (BC-Cams Card Shark) and held off Go Daddy Go (BC-Ponder) to win the $565,000 Governor’s Cup in 1:50.4. Owned by Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz, Joe Sbrocco, and In The Gym Partners, trained by Tony Alagna, and driven by Scott Zeron, he paid $3.50 to win. 

JK She'salady

JK She’salady (BC-Art Major) continues her undefeated career, extending her streak to ten victories in the $424,000 Three Diamonds; she won in 1:52.1. Owned by 3 Brothers Stable, trained by Nancy Johansson, and driven by Yannick Gingras, she paid $2.50 to win.