new grandstand opens november 23sboanj.com/pictures/pacenov2013.pdfdriven by eric abbatiello and...

PACESETTER SBOANJ.COM 1 November/December 2013

The Official Newsletter of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey Vol. 38, No. 6

Representing owners, breeders, drivers, trainers & caretakers

NEW GRANDSTAND OPENS NOVEMBER 23 The doors are scheduled to open on the new Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment grandstand on November

23, 2013.

The project will span more than 180,000 square feet across three floors plus an outdoor space that holds up to 10,000 people, according

to the Meadowlands.

There will be a sports bar that doubles as a nightclub, indoor and out-door restaurants, corporate and private event spaces, as well as family

-friendly activities.

Free WiFi access will allow wagering from personal mobile devices over a secure network. For novice bettors,

there will be special betting windows, instructional kiosks and classes.

On live racing days, the Broadcast Center will host interviews with horsemen and offer commentary.

On November 30, Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment will feature a stakes-filled card — the Fall Final Four —

with purses worth more than $2 million.

“I’ve had a long-time passion for horses and racing; it’s in my blood,” said managing partner Jeffrey Gural. “I wanted to create a 365-day racing, dining and entertainment complex that race enthusiasts, handicappers and family members alike could enjoy. By partnering with Ark Restaurants and Michael Sinensky of Funbars.com, Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment will bring a top quality food and entertainment experience to the cus-

tomer while honoring the longstanding traditions of the Meadowlands.”

The facilities include the Victory Sports Bar & Club for watching a game with eleven 12x20 foot TVs and two over-sized chandeliers, each holding three

60-inch flat screens.

On the second floor, The Lounge of-fers a walk up bar and views of the racetrack and homestretch action. An extension of The Lounge is The Gallery, which can hold up to 200 people for private events, corporate

functions and happy hours.

The East Deck and West Deck are

areas to enjoy live racing and throw outdoor private parties, with views of the Manhattan skyline.

The Food Court offers fast food outlets — burgers, tacos and pizza — while The Café offers features favorites like

sandwiches and draft beer.

Pink, a tiered, prix-fixe dining room, will be open on race days. Pink will offer tableside food and cocktail service.

VIP options include six Skybox suites overlooking the racetrack, ranging in capacity from 10-150 people, each

equipped with bar and buffet.

There will also be the members-only club, Trotters, with a lounge, restaurant and stadium seating.

In April 2014, the rooftop Victory Terrace dining room and The Outfield will open. The Outfield is a 2 ½-acre out-side dining and entertaining space, consisting of seasonal restaurants House of Que [barbeque] and Little Town

NJ [food inspired by the Garden State] and three private party tents.

At the end of The Outfield lies The Playscape, an area for families and outdoor activities with beer garden style

food, bocce ball, ping pong, and other activities.


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

As we enter the season of celebration,

please make sure to put November 23, 2013

on your calendar. That is opening night of

the new Meadowlands grandstand.

Whether you were at opening night of the

original grandstand on September 1, 1976 –

or just claim you were there – you have an-

other chance to experience a special event

that hopefully will mark an era of rebirth of

our industry in New Jersey.

Turn off your flat screen and make an ap-

pearance in person at the grand opening to

support New Jersey harness racing.

As reported in this issue of the Pacesetter,

the 12 Breeders Crown stakes will return to

the Meadowlands in 2014. This was accom-

plished through SBOANJ negotiations with

the Hambletonian Society and the Meadow-

lands.

Contrary to rumors, the agreement to host

the Breeders Crown did not involve taking

funds from the New Jersey Sire Stakes. It did

include finding a home for the Fall Final Four

stakes, which will move to Woodbine, and

restructuring the undersubscribed spring late

closers program to free up resources.

The Breeders Crown needed a home in

2014, and we could think of no better place

than the Meadowlands, harness racing’s flag-

ship racetrack.

On the legislative front, we are hoping that

the session after Election Day, November 5,

will yield some positive action on legislation

for Historic [aka Instant] Racing. This is a

game involving video archives of races that

track patrons can wager on – and from

which we hope to yield dollars to supplement

purses.

We thank those who attended the annual

membership meeting and USTA District 12

meeting on October 11 at Freehold Raceway.

We will hold our Board of Directors reorgani-

zation meeting this month. We thank you for

your support of the current slate of directors

and officers.

Happy holidays to all. We have much for

which to be thankful.


DANCERS, SMITHS & BABICS AT FREEHOLD

Gold Rocks—Lou Babic Ideal Helen—Lou Babic Filly

Silver Credit—Helen Smith

Muscle On In—Harold Dancer Chocolate Crisp—Marion Dancer

Super Classic—Charles Smith

Muscle On In, a son of Muscle Hill, annexed the $66,500 Harold Dancer Trot for two-year-olds by a length and a quarter on

September 27, 2013 at Freehold, trotting the mile in 2:00.1. Daniel Dube drove the Chris Ryder trainee, who races for the

partnership of Ryder, Robert Mondillo and Max Wernick.

In the filly event for two-year-old trotters, the $45,535 Marion Dancer, Chocolate Crisp by Chocolatier was a four and a half

length winner on September 6, 2013. Chocolate Crisp, driven by Tim Tetrick and trained by Linda Toscano, trotted the mile in

two minutes flat. The Enviro Stables LTD owns Chocolate Crisp.

A pair of three-year-olds by Muscles Yankee won the $38,500 Charles I. Smith and the $40,000 Helen Smith at Freehold.

Silver Credit scored a length and three-quarters victory in the filly trot division, the Helen Smith, setting a stakes record 1:56.2,

on September 6, 2013. Driven by Cat Manzi and trained by Randy Beeckman, Silver Credit is owned by Miller’s Stable Inc.

Super Classic captured the Charles I. Smith Trot on September 20, 2013 by six and a quarter lengths. The Jim Doherty trainee,

driven by Eric Abbatiello and owned by William Augustine, trotted the mile in 2:00.2.

Gold Rocks and Ideal Helen were both easy winners in their respective divisions of the Lou Babic Memorial for two-year-old

pacers on September 7, 2013 at Freehold.

Gold Rocks captured the $96,200 Babic Open in 1:54.4. Ideal Helen won the $61,900 Babic Filly in a stakes record 1:54.3.

Gold Rocks, a son of Rocknroll Hanover, was driven to victory by George Brennan for trainer Tony Alagna. He races for Eagle

Soar Partners, Alan Alber, Joe Sbrocco and Mystical Marker Farms.

Ideal Helen overcame a restart to win the Babic Filly by three-quarters of a length. The daughter of Western Ideal was driven by

Marcus Miller and trained by Erv Miller. She races for owner-breeder DR Van Witzenburg.


NJSS — GREEN ACRES CHAMPIONS FOR 2013 AT FREEHOLD

.

2YO COLT PACE—Oct. 19 Nubble Light by Rocknroll Hanover Time: 1:57.4 Driver: Steve Smith Trainer: Nifty Norman Breeder: David McDuffee Owners: David McDuffee

2YO FILLY PACE—Oct. 19 Ideal Helen by Western Ideal Time: 1:57.1 Driver: Andy Miller Trainer: Erv Miller Breeder: DR Van Witzenberg Owners: DR Van Witzenberg

3YO FILLY TROT—Oct. 17 Vida De Vie by Muscles Yankee Time: 1:59.3 Driver: Daniel Dube Trainer: Chris Ryder Breeder: Joie De Vie Farm Owners: Joie De Vie Farm

2YO FILLY TROT—Oct. 4 Shelikescandy by Chocolatier Time: 2:01.2 Driver: Steve Smith Trainer: Nifty Norman Breeder: Stephen P. Dey Owners: Enzed Racing Stable

2YO COLT TROT—Sept. 20 Choco Sun by Chocolatier Time: 1:59.3 Driver: Jim Meittinis Trainer: Orian Torstensson Breeder: Al Libfeld Owners: Eirik Djuve

3YO COLT TROT—Oct. 25 Power Wheel by Muscles Yankee Time: 2:00.1 Driver: Steve Smith Trainer: Gary Cameron II Breeder: John & Sarah Swart Owners: John & Sarah Swart

3YO COLT PACE—Oct. 5 Rockaholic by Rocknroll Hanover Time: 1:54.1 Driver: Eric Abbatiello Trainer: Newton “Yogi” Sheridan Breeder: Birnam Wood & Concord Stud Owners: Joseph Zicchino

3YO FILLY PACE—Sept. 26 Certified Ideal by Western Ideal Time: 1:56.3 Driver: Jim Pantaleano Trainer: Ross Croghan Breeder: A Rudolph & B Owen Owners: A Rudolph & B Owen

All Finals Worth $25,000

Freehold finish shots in this issue by Helene Gregory for World Wide Racing Photos


NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS

November 18 Board Meeting December 9 Board Meeting

November 26 Insurance Meeting Happy Holidays!

The SBOANJ office will be closed for holidays on Nov 28 & 29, Dec 25 and Jan 1; Half days on Dec 24 & Dec 31

MEADOWLANDS TO HOST BREEDERS CROWN IN 2014 The Meadowlands, which last hosted the Breeders Crown open events in 2009, will stage all 12 champion-

ship races in November of 2014.

The announcement was made on October 17, 2013.

“The mile track is the true test of a champion, and having the Breeders Crown at the Meadowlands shows the harness racing world that The Big M is back,” said Meadowlands Chairman Jeff Gural. “It has been a long road, but on the heels of a remarkably successful 2013 season, and with the grand opening of our new facility nearly upon us, harness racing fans should take this as a statement that the future is looking brighter and brighter at the Meadowlands. This is something that when we took over operations, I would never have imagined could be possible so quickly. It is a testament to the hard work and effort that the entire Meadowlands

team put forth. So many people played a role in making this possible.

“Most of all, we would like to thank the horsemen of New Jersey, who have shown unwavering support for our racetrack, for showing this commitment to showcase

the best standardbreds in the world in the Garden State at the racetrack that is the center of the harness racing universe,” added Gural. “I personally would like to thank Tom Luchento, Leo McNamara and all the horsemen of New Jersey for supporting this venture. It is something they can all be proud of and will all be

a part of.”

“The Meadowlands Racetrack has been a perfect staging ground for so many of our top races over the years,” said Tom Charters, president of the Hambletonian Society, which owns and administers the Breed-ers Crown. “We look forward to the return of the Breeders Crown under Jeff Gural's management and espe-cially look forward to the new facility. We are indebted to the New Jersey horsemen for their support and

cooperation in this partnership and for their appreciation of championship racing.”

Assemblyman Ronald Dancer and Secretary of Agriculture Doug Fisher joined SBOANJ President Tom Lu-chento [above left] at the SBOANJ hospitality tent on the Freehold Raceway apron on Open Space Pace Day, September 21, 2013. Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande was welcomed by SBOANJ directors Mark Mullen, Anthony Perretti and Al Ochsner [above right] at the second annual Open Space Pace Festival.

OPEN SPACE PACE II IS IN THE BOOKS


NIGHTTIME QUALIFIERS WILL TEST NEW MEADOWLANDS FACILITY

MEADOWLANDS FALL 2013 STAKES SCHEDULE

FLU SHOTS AVAILABLE DECEMBER 6

Two qualifying programs will be test runs of the new Meadowlands grandstand prior

to the November 23, 2013 grand opening.

Post time for qualifiers will be 7:15 p.m. on November 14 and 6 p.m. on November 21. Both are Thursday evenings. An an-nouncer will be calling the qualifying races

both nights.

The entry box will close for both dates at 10 a.m. on the Wednesday prior to each

program.

The new tiered dining room, Pink, will have a “dry run” on Thursday night, November 21 with a limited crowd of 250 owners, trainers and drivers invited to preview the new facility. Details for the complimentary

dinner will follow, according to the Meadowlands press release.

Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment General Manager/CEO Jason Settlemoir says this is a vital part of

the process of opening a new facility.

“We have done this at all our other properties, Tioga, Vernon and Winners [Bayonne], which hosted a press conference for the Meadowlands Pace,” said Settlemoir. “We owe it to our customers to make sure that

everything is flawless when we open the doors to the public, and this will help accomplish that goal.”

The new grandstand’s winner’s circle is under construction in this photo from October 22, 2013 by Michael Lisa, Lisa Photo Inc. Met Life Sta-

dium and the original grandstand are in the background.

11/23 2 yr. old fillies Trot GOLDSMITH MAID ELIM EC $20,000 G

11/23 2 yr. old open Pace GOVERNOR'S CUP ELIM EC $20,000 G

11/23 2 yr. old fillies Pace THREE DIAMONDS ELIM EC $20,000 G

11/23 2 yr. old open Trot VALLEY VICTORY ELIM EC $20,000 G

11/23 open Pace TVG MEADOWLANDS FFA CHAMPIONSHIP PACE DIV $50,000 G

11/23 open Trot TVG MEADOWLANDS FFA CHAMPIONSHIP TROT DIV $50,000 G

11/30 3 yr. old fillies Trot MONI MAKER FINAL EC $200,000 E

11/30 3 yr. old fillies Pace NADIA LOBELL FINAL EC $200,000 E

11/30 2 yr. old fillies Trot GOLDSMITH MAID FINAL EC $365,000 E

11/30 2 yr. old open Pace GOVERNOR'S CUP FINAL EC $510,000 E

11/30 2 yr. old fillies Pace THREE DIAMONDS FINAL EC $380,000 E

11/30 2 yr. old open Trot VALLEY VICTORY FINAL EC $410,000 E

11/30 3 yr. olds & up Pace TVG MEADOWLANDS FFA CHAMPIONSHIP PACE FINAL EC $500,000 G

11/30 3 yr. olds & up Trot TVG MEADOWLANDS FFA CHAMPIONSHIP TROT FINAL EC $500,000 G

12/7 3 yr. old fillies Pace REYNOLDS - LETA LONG DIV $50,000 E

12/7 3 yr. old c & g Pace REYNOLDS - TAR HEEL DIV $58,000 E

{All dates are Saturdays]

Flu shots for horsemen will be available in the Meadowlands Paddock on December 6, 2013.

They will be dispensed from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

If you cannot make the December 6 session, contact Dr. Chris Samaha of the Backstretch Com-

munity Assistance Program who will arrange for alternate times, if needed. Call his cell number --

732-740-5376 -- to make those arrangements.


2013 NEW JERSEY FUTURITY WINNERS

Peter T. Roselle of Tinton Falls, NJ, has joined Anthony Abbatiello as the standardbred industry’s representatives on the New Jersey

Racing Commission.

Roselle was welcomed to the NJRC at its August meeting.

The NJRC board also includes Manny Aponte, Michael Arnone, An-thony DePaola, Francis Keegan Jr., Anthony Caputo, Pamela Clyne

and Peter Cofrancesco III.

MISS NEW JERSEY NOMS

ROSELLE JOINS NJRC BOARD

Racing Commissioner Peter Roselle with his daughter, Valentina [with painted face!], at the Open Space Pace Festival on September 21 at Freehold Raceway.

Chocolate Delight—3yo Trot

Ideal Helen—2yo Pace

Muscle On In —2yo Trot

Chocolate Day—2yo Trot

Word Power—3yo Pace

New Jersey Futurity winners were crowned this fall at Freehold Raceway.

Ideal Helen by Western Ideal captured the $42,100 two-year-old pace on September 14, posting a 1:57.2 mile for driver Andy

Miller and trainer Erv Miller. She races for owner-breeder DR Van Witzenburg.

In the $20,000 three-year-old trot on October 3, Chocolate Delight by Chocolatier won in 1:59.3 for driver Jim Meittinis.

He is trained by Oyvind Hegdal for owner Camilla Hegdal.

There were two divisions of the two-year-old trot on October 10: Chocolate Day by Chocolatier in 2:02.2 [$18,000 purse] for driver Marcus Johansson, trainer Julie Miller and owners Andy Miller and Arden Homestead, and Muscle On In by Muscle Hill in 2:00.2 [$17,500] for driver Daniel Dube,

trainer Chris Ryder and owners Ryder, Robert Mondillo and Max Wernick.

Bradley Grant’s Word Power, George Brennan driving and Larry Remmen

training, won the $41,125 three-year-old pace in 1:53 flat on October 12.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 ISSUE OF THE PACESETTER

Please do not forget TrotPAC in your end-of-year giving! We still need your support for New Jer-sey harness racing’s political action commit-tee. Send your donations made out to TrotPAC

to: 64 Business Route 33, Manalapan, NJ 07726.

Market Share [#1, left] and I Luv The Nitelife [below] along with Luck Be Withyou were the New Jersey-sired winners at the 2013 Breeders Crown Championship night on October 19 at Mohe-

gan Sun at Pocono Downs.

Market Share by Revenue won the $600,000 Breeders Crown Open Trot. I Luv The Nitelife by Rocknroll Hanover captured the $500,000 Breeders Crown for three-year-old pacing fillies. Luck Be Withyou by Western Ideal scored in the $500,000

Breeders Crown for two-year-old pacing colts.

Breeders Crown photos courtesy of racehorsephoto.com

new grandstand opens november 23sboanj.com/pictures/pacenov2013.pdfdriven by eric abbatiello and...

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