Goodtimes, Breeders Classic Elims Contested; Sires Stakes Splits Ensue
By Frank and Ray Cotolo
(H) denotes Hambletonian eligible
June 11, 2016~Mohawk Racetrack gathered Hambletonian hopefuls for two eliminations of the Goodtimes Trot on Friday, June 10, while Vernon Downs collected “Oaks” eligibles for two eliminations of the Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) on June 10.
Dayson and Dia Monde claimed the Goodtimes eliminations, winning in 1:53.2 and 1:54 respectively. Dayson bested pocket-rider Bar Hopping (H-Muscle Hill), as well as Will Take Charge and Zagster. Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Our Horse Cents Stable, Jerry and Theresa Silva Stables and Rossie Smith, trained by Ron Burke, and driven by Yannick Gingras, Dayson paid $3.10.
Dia Monde, beating Blenheim (H-Yankee Glide), Tony Soprano (H-Kadabra), and Marion Marauder (H-Muscle Hill), is owned by June and Thomas Durand, and Allan Smith, trained by Thomas Durand, and driven by Randall Waples. He paid $18.30.
The two EBC elims went to Fad Finance (H-Credit Winner), finishing on top of Straight A Student and Non Stick (H-Lucky Chucky), and Earn Your Wings (H-Credit Winner), beating Swinging Royalty and Open Access (H-Credit Winner), winning off of stalking trips in 1:54.1 and 1:54.4 respectively. Fad Finance, a $22.60 winner, is owned by Purple Haze Stables, Marc Goldberg, and Rojan Stables, and is trained and driven by Trond Smedshammer. Earn Your Wings, paying $18.20 to win, is owned by Srf Stable, trained by Anette Lorentzon, and driven by Jason Bartlett.
Hambo hopefuls also engaged in three divisions of the $166,109 Pennsylvania Sires Stakes (PASS) at Pocono Downs on Sunday, June 12. Split one was taken by Love Matters (H-Explosive Matter), powering by rough-gaited pacesetter Milligan’s School (H-Yankee Glide) and holding off a bid from Taco Tuesday (H-Cantab Hall) and Desert Runner (H-Muscle Massive) in his 1:54.4 mile. Owned by Christina Takter, Brixton Medical Ab, John Fielding and Herb Liverman, trained by Jimmy Takter, and driven by Brett Miller, he paid $6.80.
Trolley (H-Donato Hanover) came from the pocket to surpass leader Cufflink Hanover and hold off Lagerfeld (H-Yankee Glide) from first over in his 1:54.4 victory in the second PASS division. He is owned by Paymaq Racing, Leland Mathias, Greg Gillis, and Louis Willinger, trained by Erv Miller, and driven by Marcus Miller. He paid $28.80 to win. Leading from after the first quarter onward, Hititoutofthepark (H-Yankee Glide) took the final PASS split in 1:54.2 over Hollywood Highway (H-Muscle Massive) and Dupree (H-Andover Hall). Owned by Give It A Shot Stable, Kurt Welling, and VIP Internet Stable, trained by John Butenschoen, and driven by Corey Callahan, he paid $33.40 to win.
