| Today's Date: January 27, 2012 |
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2011 Spartan Futurity by Genevieve M. Luce | |
| Another great day of racing at the Spartan Futurity in Midland on Friday, August 12th. The two and three year olds of 2011 are definitely a great turn out. They have made this summer fun for all. For only nine races, there was still a pretty decent crowd. The weather was perfect, and the horses did terrific. In the first race, Jeff Sweeney and HEARTSAREGONNAROLL remained undefeated after winning her third futurity going wire-to-wire for the fifth time. From the starting gate, HEARTSAREGONNAROLL shot to the front. She trotted a smooth mile, not letting anyone pass her by until JACKIE NO challenged her for the lead in the second half. No worries though, HEARTSAREGONNAROLL rolled right on, kicking into her next gear. HEARTSAREGONNAROLL finish the mile in 2:06.1. GIRLS JUST WANA grabbed her first lifetime win today in 2:04.4! This two year old trotting filly took a commanding lead and led the field by two lengths. At the ¾ pole, THE FLYING TOMATO made an attempt but GIRLS JUST WANA wasn’t having it. It was quite an upset and an impressive win by GIRLS JUST WANA in this division when back-to-back futurity winner, THE FLYING TOMATO, didn’t have enough juice to catch her. Going wire-to-wire, Kody Massey made GIRLS JUST WANA a Spartan Futurity star. Nice job Kody! NATURAL FORCES brought the “natural forces” with him when crossing the finish line! The Spartan Futurity banner came tumbling down with a gust of wind as NATURAL FORCES stormed across the wire. After making a break caused by STIMINATOR, NATURAL FORCES came back strong to take the lead from BLUE’S INTHEKEYOFC, who had led the field for the majority of the mile. NATURAL FORCES went a monster of a mile and came three wide on the outside to win it all. Skip DeMull drove NATURAL FORCES to victory in 2:06.3. The outlander from Ontario, MY GAL MATTIE, set up shop on top from the starting gate in race four. Like a rocket, she went wire to wire in 1:58.4 with Peter Core in the sulky, and won by eight lengths, with TROPICAL BREEZE coming in second. Such a nice filly, MY GAL MATTIE is definitely one to keep your eye on. Third futurity win in a row for Skip and SCUTTLE in race five! This grey fury of a colt has made a reputation for himself that makes the fans crazy! After CHEYENNE REIDER led the mile, SCUTTLE blasted to the front and shook him off at the ¾ pole. BIG JER came to challenge SCUTTLE in the home stretch, but SCUTTLE dug in for the win. SCUTTLE went the mile in 2:00.4. As usual, LADY DEDA D charged to the front in the sixth race. She went coast to coast, as Brett Boyd would say, in 2:01.0. At the half VEGAS SECRET challenged full of power, but LADY DEDA D put the pedal to the medal and held on to the lead. The Putnams have definitely done an amazing job with this three year old trotting filly. MAGGLIO took his fourth win of the year at the Spartan in race seven, and he made it look easy. MAGGLIO took the early lead, and trotted a smooth mile. RAMBLIN RICK kept a close second, and tried to challenge him at the half, but MAGGLIO pulled away with a grand slam of a last quarter and took it all. He won in only 3/5 of a second off of the track record. Eric Carlson drove him to victory in a whopping 2:00.3. Race eight was a HUGE upset! Skip DeMull drove long shot REIDIO STAR to his second lifetime victory, practically stealing the win from ITSTIMEFORMETOFLY in the home stretch. From the starting gate, ITSTIMEFORMETOFLY took the early lead, which in seconds was taken from her by DO ME HONOR. ITSTIMEFORMETOFLY flew like a rocket in the second half though to take back the lead. Next came REI OF SUNSHINE strong as ever in the trying to catch ITSTIMEFORMETOFLY, but ended up settling for third whereas REIDIO STAR said, “Nope, it’s MY time to fly!” as she flew to the front taking the win out from under everyone’s nose. Skip drove this happy filly to victory in 2:00.3. Great job Skip, way to keep us all on edge! The final race of the day was the fastest of all. Going wire-to-wire, coast to coast, from start to finish, WHATAGAMBLE took the final Spartan Futurity victory of 2011 in the magnificent time of 1:56.0! BESTINTHEBUSINESS stayed a tight second throughout the mile, but never managed to make it to the front. Jeff Sweeney and WHATAGAMBLE have made a fantastic team this summer. The last race always leaves you wanting more, and the Spartan Futurity was pretty short this year, but the races within it were all very exciting. Horses such as REIDIO STAR and GIRLS JUST WANA had the time of their lives making lifetime memories, and horses such as HEARTSAREGONNAROLL and SCUTTLE are just leaving memorable hoof prints in the beginning of their careers. Michigan harness racing this year has been full of fun and surprises, and it all continues next weekend in Hazel Park at the Sires Stakes. Good luck horseman, and fans, you should be there to support your favorite horse and driver! |
2011 Breeders Futurity ~ Weekend Wrap-up by Genevieve M. Luce | |
| Friday, August 5th, 2011 –
It was an absolutely gorgeous day for harness racing at Hazel Park Raceway. The track was as fast as can be, and the horses looked magnificent. The crowd was roaring with excitement. Everyone was ready for the starting gate to roll, leading the first field of horses into race one! Victory went to THE FLYING TOMATO in the first race. This young filly brought home her second futurity win, and she brought it with pride. After LADY JUBILEE led the entire first half, THE FLYING TOMATO came from a few horses back in the final turn and in a sudden burst of speed flew past the pack. She trotted the final quarter in :32 and won in 2:05.1. Congratulations to Jason Merriman for bringing in the first win at the 2011 Breeders Futurity. THE FLYING TOMATO is by Lockkeeper out of Ok’s Noble Asset, bred and owned by Darwin and Ann Shaver, and trained by Kelly Goodwin. Back to back futurity wins for Jeff Sweeney and HEARTSAREGONNAROLL! Like déjà vu, in the second race, HEARTSAREGONNAROLL once again led the entire mile, and once again earned a new lifetime record going from 2:06.4 at Holland to 2:02.1 at Hazel Park. HEARTSAREGONNAROLL is by Hard Rock N Roll out of Primrose Hanover, bred and owned by Francis Kayden and Patrick Sweeney, and trained by Mike Sweeney. The Sweeney’s have definitely done an amazing job with this undefeated two year old trotting filly! Watch out for this filly, she’s on fire! In her time to fly, three year old filly pacer ITSTIMEFORMETOFLY made her way through REI OF SUNSHINE, DO ME HONOR, and KAPTAIN KELLI to achieve her Breeders’ Futurity win of 2011. KAPTAIN KELLI led the first three quarters and in the final turn got shuffled back behind REI OF SUNSHINE and DO ME HONOR. Then out of nowhere in the home stretch, with Darrell Wright in the sulky, ITSTIMESFORMETOFLY came on stronger than ever and took the win in 1:55.2. ITSTIMEFORMETOFLY is by Cheyenne Rei out of Its Scooter Time, bred by William and Marie Roberts, owned by Marie Roberts, and trained by Krista Williams. The sixth race, the most exciting race of the night in this girl’s opinion, featured Wolverine Futurity rivals and dead heat winners, BESTINTHEBUSINESS and WHATAGAMBLE. From start to finish, WHATAGAMBLE led the mile with a couple horses fighting for first without success. On the tail end of the home stretch though, BESTINTHEBUSINESS blasted to the front, almost catching WHATAGAMBLE. BESTINTHEBUSINESS just didn’t have enough horse power to catch the almighty WHATAGAMBLE, and in third behind these two magnificent colts was FORTY FOUR MAGNUM who raced a very good mile. Not only did WHATAGAMBLE take complete control of race six, he set a new lifetime record of 1:53.3. Good driving Sweeney! WHATAGAMBLE is by Whatanartist out of Get Beached, bred and owned by Donna Moore, and trained by Russ Sutherland. In the final race of the day, big, strong TOUGH MAC took it all. In the beginning TWO AND A TEN was on top, but just shy of the first quarter NATURAL FORCES took over. When they came to the half, TOUGH MAC came on strong on the outside and didn’t back down from then on. He broke away from the rest and made it look like a piece of cake. Eric Carlson led him to his Breeders Futurity victory where he earned a new lifetime mark of 1:59.2. TOUGH MAC is by Lockkeeper out of Traditional Lady, bred and owned by David and Carol Vanderhyde, and trained by Al Tomlinson. Friday’s race seven brought day one to a close. On to day two... Saturday, August 6th, 2011 – Even after being under a constant rain cloud all day, the second day of racing at the Breeders Futurity ended up having a great turn out. Luckily it stopped raining about an hour before post time, so the track was all set and ready to go. People young and old came to see these young standardbreds race their hearts out. Sometimes it got a little bit crazy with people cheering on their favorite. It’s so wonderful to be part of the harness racing atmosphere. In the first three year old colt trot elimination race, LUCKY ROLL had a spot of luck that rolled him right into the winner’s circle. At the start, KEY TO A STAR took the lead after two horses went off stride at the first quarter pole. KEY TO A STAR kept a steady lead until the final turn, where Carl Putnam, trainer and part owner, took LUCKY ROLL flying by KEY TO A STAR on the outside in the home stretch. Carl drove LUCKY ROLL to victory in a final time of 2:02.2. LUCKY ROLL is by Hard Rock N Roll out of Nordic Moon, bred and co-owned by Amy and Stewart Oldford. In the second three year old colt trot elimination race, David Lake’s WHAT DO YOU WANT broke free from the pack to take the early lead, but in the second half Skip DeMull came with THUNOR to challenge him for the number one spot. In the final turn, WHAT DO YOU WANT started to get tired, whereas THUNOR had a whole lot of horse left and went on to take the win. He also earned a new lifetime mark of 1:59.4. THUNOR is by Keystone Nordic out of Stellar Chip, trained by Donna Cotton, bred by Camaza Farm and owned by Cotton Standardbreds. The horses from each three year old colt trot elimination heats that went on to compete in the final were as follows: LUCKY ROLL, THUNOR, KEY TO A STAR, BENN’S HICKTOWN, SKY KEEPER, MAGGLIO, LT’s CAPTAIN, and WHAT DO YOU WANT. Once again KEY TO A STAR shot to the front expecting to maintain the lead, but at the half Eric Carlson and MAGGLIO took over and won the race easy. MAGGLIO is by Coventry out of Ok’s Noble Asset, bred and owned by Darwin and Ann Shaver, and trained by Kelly Goodwin. Carlson drove MAGGLIO to victory and earned a new lifetime record of 1:58.0. The first three year old filly trot elimination race gave VEGAS SECRET her second Futurity win in a row! LADY DEDA D shot to the front as expected and went the first quarter in :26.4, which came back to haunt her in the end. At the half, R OBSESSION came up to challenge LADY DEDA D on the outside, but was unsuccessful. Then, finally in the third quarter VEGAS SECRET came on strong and left LADY DEDA D worn out and falling back. Driver and trainer Bart Stimer drove VEGAS SECRET to victory in 1:59.1. She is by Thunderous out of Housebuster, bred by Ingram Inc. and owned by George Petredean. The second three year old filly trot elimination race was full of strange twists. First off, RANGEY GIRL and David Lake led up until the homestretch, which is where everything got crazy. In the final turn, RANGEY GIRL started spitting the bit, and GIRLY GIRL and BB TINKERBELLE took the spotlight. Just when it looked like GIRLY GIRL was going to take the win, LIGHTNING LADY who had been locked in the entire mile, broke free and weaved her way through BB TINKERBELLE and GIRLY GIRL to steal the win in just a few short seconds. Definitely an exciting race finish. Eric Carlson drove LIGHTNING LADY to victory in 2:00.3. LIGHTNING LADY is by Lockkeeper out of Hyercast, bred and owned by Carol and David Vanderhyde. Next came the three year old filly trot final. The filly participants were LIGHTNING LADY, VEGAS SECRET, GIRLY GIRL, LULA’S LIL SWEETIE, BB TINKERBELLE, LADY DEDA D, ONEMOREITCH who was scratched, and RANGEY GIRL. LADY DEDA D once again shot straight to the front, but this time she fought hard to keep it. GIRLY GIRL fought hard to get there after being boxed in, but finished third. LIGHTNING LADY had a bad break in the beginning which was quite unexpected and finished last, and VEGAS SECRET made a photo finish possible, but it was LADY DEDA D who crossed the finish line first and received the win. She definitely made up for her loss in the elimination round. She also earned a new lifetime mark of 1:58.4. LADY DEDA D is by Pride Speed out of Lily Putt, bred by Jeanne Boudot, owned and trained by John Putnam, and driven to victory by Carl Putnam Jr. The next one up to the winner’s circle was IDIDITMYREI. SPIRIT HO took the lead at the start. Going to the half, IDIDITMYREI tipped out and battled to the front. Once there, IDIDITMYREI pulled away from the pack winning it by three lengths. By Cheyenne Rei out of Hoot N Dasher, this undefeated two year old colt pacer grabbed a new lifetime mark of 1:57.3 as he crossed the finish line. Keith Crawford bred, owns, and trains IDIDITMYREI, and drove him to his fifth victory. Congratulations Keith, looks like you have yourself a magnificent colt! Cheyenne Rei made a huge impact on the following race. Four of six two year old filly pacers were Cheyenne Rei’s offspring. However, it was a Hawaiian Cowboy baby, COWGIRLS ROCK, who took the win. After REISIN IN THE SUN and ROYAL REI battled throughout the mile, COWGIRLS ROCK inched her way past them in the home stretch and won by a nose earning a new lifetime mark of 2:01.1. COWGIRLS ROCK is by Hawaiian Cowboy out of Mother’sday Dream, bred by Starwin Farm, owned and trained by Joe Berry, and driven to victory by Kody Massey. Another field of Cheyenne Rei’s took over the next group of two year old fillies. When it looked clear that KAITLYN RAE was going to win, REI TO GO who had been trapped the entire mile behind KAITLYN RAE, HAVE A PURPOSE, and TROPICAL BREEZE, broke free and flew in the blink of an eye weaseling her way to the finish line to accept her win. She paced the last quarter in :30.2 and earned a new lifetime mark of 1:58.4. REI TO GO is by the ever so popular Cheyenne Rei out of Nicallister, bred by Bonley Farm, co-owned by Jack Cooper and Linda Main, who is also her trainer, and driven to victory by Jason Merriman. Skip and SCUTTLE win again! Both wins SCUTTLE has received have been futurity wins with Skip DeMull in the sulky. A roan beauty in the field of bays and browns, SCUTTLE sat quietly in the 2-hole cleverly waiting for the right time to strike. At the top of the stretch, he took a commanding lead on the inside and didn’t look back winning by three lengths and earning a new lifetime mark of 1:57.1. SCUTTLE is by Admirals Galley out of Makeacomotion, bred and owned by Richard Johnson, and trained by Linda Main. All in all, the two and three year olds that participated in the Breeders’ Futurity of 2011 made Michigan proud this weekend. It was clear to see that the attitude in the crowd proved that harness racing is coming back strong. People young and old enjoyed themselves; the old had the sparkle of reminiscence in their eyes with memories of racing over the years, whereas the young were fascinated and full of excitement at the fun in this sport, whether in the barn or the grandstands. Every year there is a new batch of two year olds following the starting gate, and it’s that right there that keeps the sport going. You never know who is going to be the next top driver, trainer, breeder, or even multi-million dollar winner. Every race brings something new to the table. Let’s keep the fun going at the Spartan Futurity in Midland next weekend! Hope to see the grandstands packed full of all the harness racing fans. Photos and video courtesy of Tredonox Consulting Click here to view the race results and RACE REPLAYS from the Breeders Futurity! |
Wolverine Futurity - Take Two by Genevieve M. Luce | |
            | Such a beautiful day for racing, clear skies and all, the Wolverine Futurity was a hit the second time around. After getting rained out on Thursday, July 28th, the races were rescheduled for Sunday, July 31st and what a great turn out it was. Harness racing really has kept a strong hold on its fans, through thick and thin. Especially with Brett Boyd announcing, as excited as he gets with each race; the crowd mimics his reaction and it just makes for a fun and happy atmosphere at the races. The talent of the horses, as well as the drivers, trainers, grooms and people around them make watching harness racing exciting and worthwhile. Days like the Wolverine Futurity of 2011 just go to show that Michigan isn’t spitting the bit, and refuses to, no matter the struggle it takes to stay alive. In the first field of horses came the two year old trotting filly, THE FLYING TOMATO, who made salsa out of the rest of the field. Four of the other horses made breaks throughout the race, but The Flying Tomato pulled through and remained strong throughout the mile, and left the rest in the dust in the homestretch. Brad Kramer drove her to victory in 2:07.3. Race two brought us the first wire-to-wire winner, HEARTSAREGONNAROLL. Charging to the front from the very beginning, HEARTSAREGONNAROLL trotted a smooth, easy mile. Three starts, three wins – can’t beat that! This two year old trotter is going to be one to keep your eye on. Jeff Sweeney started his winning streak by driving this filly to victory in 2:06.4. Barreling through race three was two year old trotting colt NATURAL FORCES. Sitting quiet the entire mile, NATURAL FORCES followed the big burly colt TOUGH MAC throughout the race, which in the end looked as though he would win it. Thundering up on the outside in the final turn, NATURAL FORCES grabbed his first lifetime win, in the hands of Skip DeMull, with a winning time of 2:05.1. Without looking back, CORWIN’S LAVEC earned his first lifetime win by taking charge in the fourth race finishing the mile in 2:08.2. He trotted an easy mile with Kent Hess driving, and managed to earn more winnings from the Wolverine Futurity than any race in his career thus far. The smoothness of his gait makes him a future contender. First pacer of the day to win herself a pair of wooden shoes was KAITLYN RAE. She raced a good mile, taking it easy until she turned the turbo on and blasted her way past REISIN IN THE SUN in the final turn. KAITLYN RAE finished strong and proud with Carl Putnam Jr. driving her to victory in 2:03.1. Then came Skip and SCUTTLE! Skip DeMull drove two year old pacing colt SCUTTLE to victory in 2:01.2. Throughout the race, SCUTTLE stayed in the middle of the pack, but when it came down to the finish line, Skip brought him four-wide for his first lifetime win. A very exciting race it was, Skip and SCUTTLE made a good team for the Wolverine Futurity. In race seven, three year old filly trotter VEGAS SECRET took the win. She weaseled her way to the front in the second half, taking the lead from DAYZEE RUSH, who had been leading the entire mile. Shortly after VEGAS SECRET had the lead, DAYZEE RUSH went off stride, but LIGHTNING LADY decided to charge up and challenge for the win, only to realize she couldn’t catch her. Bart Stimer drove VEGAS SECRET to victory in 2:04.3. Jeff Sweeney and Henry Wilson fought hard for victory in race eight. From beginning to end, GIRLY GIRL and BEAUTIFUL BABE were back and forth with the lead, neck and neck. The final turn determined the winner between these two magnificent three year old trotting fillies, when BEAUTIFUL BABE made a break and watched Jeff Sweeney drive GIRLY GIRL to the finish line in 2:04.1. Three year old colt trotter RAMBLIN RICK refused to let anyone pass him in the ninth race. He took the win, leading the entire way while fighting off continuous challenger LUCKY ROLL. RAMBLIN RICK has been a force to be reckoned with so far this season. He trotted the mile in 2:04.0 with Eric Carlson in the driver’s seat. MAGGLIO – a tiger or a horse? On the day of the futurity, Magglio Ordonez hit a home run for the Detroit Tigers and it seemed to be a good omen to the three year old colt trotter MAGGLIO, driven to victory by Brad Kramer. Trotting in the lead from start to finish, MAGGLIO captured the fastest trotting mile of the day, winning in 2:01.2. With a rocket of a finish, KAPTAIN KELLI conquered all in race eleven’s three year old filly pace. Fighting for first throughout the entire second half with ITSTIMEFORMETOFLY, KAPTAIN KELLI finished the mile on top, going the second half in a blazing, :57.4, while ITSTIMEFORMETOFLY dropped back opening the second position up to REI OF SUNSHINE. Larry Smith drove KAPTAIN KELLI to victory in the final time of 1:59.4. Finally the finale! As rare as it is, especially in a futurity, race twelve concluded the Wolverine Futurity with a DEAD HEAT. WHATAGAMBLE, driven by Jeff Sweeney, and BESTINTHEBUSINESS, driven by Darrell Wright, called for a photo finish after racing their hearts out, only to realize it was a tie. GRET led the field until the start of the last turn, with BESTINTHEBUSINESS urging on the outside from the half. WHATAGAMBLE settled in second throughout the entire first half, coming out to play three-wide in the final turn. GRET tried to fight off BESTINTHEBUSINESS and WHATAGAMBLE in the homestretch, but couldn’t hang on to the lead, where WHATAGAMBLE and BESTINTHEBUSINESS came on strong to share the win. The entire field was bunched up at the finish with GRET and BOLD DECISION finishing a close 3rd and 4th behind the leaders. Being the fastest, most intense race of the day, in 1:58.4, Brett Boyd himself said that it had been the hardest race he ever called. It was probably also the longest wait he had ever had for the results of a race, considering he owns and trains BESTINTHEBUSINESS. Definitely a nail-biter finish! What a way to end the 2011 Wolverine Futurity. Days like that prove that no matter what happens economically, harness racing will live on. For some people it’s just something entertaining to watch at the fair once a year. But for others, it’s their entire life. Michigan harness racing has had its ups and downs, mostly downs, in recent years, but with a day like this, it’s hard to believe it will ever come to an end. It’s the breeders, the owners, the trainers, the drivers, the grooms, the fans, the horses themselves and the shared love of the sport that will keep Michigan harness racing alive. Photos and video courtesy of Tredonox Consulting Click here to view the race results and RACE REPLAYS from the Wolverine Futurity! |
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