Bob Marks Trotlines

CANDLE IN THE WIND

Triple Crown champion Windsong’s Legacy may be gone but like the proverbial candle in the wind, his legacy endures.

Already he’s accounted for some impressive first croppers like Ray Schnittker’s Tad The Stud the 9th foal from the well bred but thus far moderately productive Chocolate Layered. Tad The Stud opened managed a rather eyecatching season’s record 1:59.4 in a Meadowlands baby race and may be much faster than that by now.

Other impressive first crop “Legacy’s” include Rapsong (Rap Girl), Stunning Delight (Armbro Stunning), Meyer Winsky (Myolin)

There are two full crops by Windsong’s Legacy remaining available at the yearling sales this fall and in 2009.

NOTICEABLES
Saw what might be a noticeable Red River Hanover colt named Redneck Riviera (Cape Matteras) winning the Hanover at Balmoral in 1:54…. Notice too that the Revenue colts and fillies are “showing up” tempering skepticism about not having early speed…

DÉJÀ VU?

On Wednesday September 1, 1976, Yonkers Raceway offered it’s customary Wednesday night program consisting of assorted B3 trots, $18,000 claimers and some C2 pacing events.

Precisely the same menu offered at the Hilltop for countless Wednesdays prior to this particular Wednesday.

That same evening the track across the Hudson made its long awaited and long heralded debut with a power packed program featuring a FFA pace for Rambling Willie and friends and a strong undercard comprising many of the top standardbreds active at that time.

Basically, the Tri-state metropolitan harness fan had a choice and we all know where he chose to be.

Fast forward to Sunday June 15th, 2008, Harrahs Chester presented the Franklin Memorial for Artistic Fella, Mr Big, Mr Feelgood and company in addition to it’s now traditional strong Sunday afternoon undercard featuring many of the better standardbreds active on the Eastern seaboard.

That same day The Meadowlands countered with a Fathers Day presentation comprised of cheap claimers and pedestrian conditionals in which several trainers actually were forced into driving their own stock as the bulk of the driving colony were occupied across the river- The Delaware river.

Basically the remnants of what used to be a huge reservoir of harness fans once again had a choice.

Déjà vu?

MR. COMMISSIONER

Have no idea who this proposed commissioner person should actually be but do suspect he or she had better come equipped with the wisdom of Solomon in order to navigate the ever widening conflicting interest gaps between those putting on the show and those needed to finance and participate in what has eroded to a spectator less sport.

This commissioner must thoroughly comprehend that racing cannot be marketed like other sports. Unlike the other sports, the actual athletes, the equine athletes are for sale and must be purchased by a diminishing segment of the population known as owners.

Commensurately comes the second part of this complex equation. Why would anyone seek to own a racehorse unless they were fans of horse racing?

Sounds like a huge and possibly thankless task indeed!

POSTED RESULTS

Looked in the Friday Post for the Thursday Meadowlands results and couldn’t find them.

The sad part is that they probably weren’t deluged with a torrent of calls complaining about this inadvertent or apathetically advertent omission.

A MEDIA LESSON

Those vocally clamoring for media coverage might take note of what can happen when it occurs as what we consider important suddenly becomes open to interpretation to those who may not see things as we do.

The following graced the sports pages of perhaps the most widely circulated metropolitan daily under a bold 10point column subhead entitled LAUGHABLE

“Why does harness racing allow things to happen that are embarrassing? And they never change.

The writer goes on to document how one of the Rooney eliminations was reduced to four horses due to the late scratch of Atochia-tardy to the paddock for his lasix administration.

Consequently no horse would be eliminated from this Rooney elimination.

ACHILLES CONQUERS BALMORAL

Named him Achilles Heel as bone cysts on both knees rendered him unacceptable for the yearling sales and a marginal racing prospect at best.

In addition his conformation was far from being the greatest but then his mother Anklet Hanover is not exactly perfect and what a warrior she was.

Above the knees he was impressive with the size and stature of many of the good Muscles Yankees but given the medical prognosis, he was one that the lookers would just shake their heads at.

Still in the field he could trot some and actually didn’t put them down all that bad but holding up to the rigors of training seemed precarious.

Gary Baker actually tried him a little as a late 2-year-old but stopped before it got serious.

Greg Peck tried him a little bit at three and other than once telling us Wellington wanted no part of him on the straight track indicated those knees would not hold up when the going got tough.

We sold him as is in the Blooded Horse Sale.

He didn’t bring much.

About a year the phone rings and there’s this gentleman inquiring about this great looking Muscles Yankee horse he noticed pulling an Amish wagon in Illinois. We put him in touch with Greg Peck and they talked trainer to trainer.

Some months thereafter, noticed the name Achilles Heel in to qualify at Balmoral and he actually won his qualifier in 59.3.

Noticed the other day that Achilles Heel won a race in 1:59.1

Bob Marks

WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU??

Overlooked in the Eight Belles tragedy is the absolutely tantalizing confrontation between Big Brown and Curlin in this fall’s Breeders Cup Classic assuming what is remains operative between now and then.

Imagine if Big Brown is indeed the real deal and sweeps the Triple Crown and the other stuff, the stage will be set for the confrontation with Curlin in what could be as intriguing a match up as when 3-year-old Secretariat trounced 4-year-old Riva Ridge in the inaugural Marlboro Cup.

Imagine if we had a similar forum for Somebeachsomewhere if he proves to be what the qualifier suggests he might be!

THE MESSAGE

PART TWO

As testimony to the ‘gold in them thar hills” discussion in last week’s trotlines, herewith is the following for your inspection.

Chester Downs, Sunday April 20th offered 13 races with cumulative purses approximating $360,000. The Monday April 21st card offered 13 races with cumulative purses of $263,000.

On Saturday April 19th, there were 13 races staged at The Meadowlands for cumulative purses of $380,000. Woodbine carded 12 races with total purses of $267,000. Yonkers offered 11 races with purses totaling $247,000. During the afternoon, Pocono Downs featured 14 races with total purses of $167,000. It should be noted that in the case of Pocono, several races were for modest claimers in which the purse was fairly close to the claiming value.

Isn’t there anyway to get this message out to the general public? After all, they are potential customers though most are blissfully oblivious to current realities that there really is gold in them thar hills especially at the slots fueled Racinos.

Even if this prosperity is but temporary as Andy Cohen’s alarmingly illustrative wire to wire piece in the April 30th Horseman implies, it is worth shouting about loud clear and often! In other words, we should make hay while the sun shines bright.

LADIES DAY

Looks like Monday has become Ladies Day at Chester Downs given the preponderance of races offered for the faster class distaff set.

On Monday May 4th, Ball Gown A nipped Darlin’s Delight in the $40,000 mares open. Commensurately there was a $35,000 for the mare’s winners over class, a $30,000 event for non winners of $27,000 last six and a $27,000 event for non winners of $22,000 last six. Thus there was a total of $132,000 exclusively available for fast class fillies and mares on the table at Chester.

TRACEABLES

Received a program from Sweden entitled OLYMPIATRAVET-the official program for the Olympic Trot and other notable races. On the under card noticed Hall Of Face, an Enjoy Lavec from Toss Out who apparently has earned a kronor or two on that side of the pond.

The problem here is that unless you were privy to this Swedish race program you’d never know it as there’s no data base in this country from which to obtain this information.

Conversely a horse named NICOLE IN ONE (Dream Vacation-Hornby Nicole) was named horse of the month in Norway. A check of the dam’s breeding history discloses that Nicole In One earned $10,000 while in this country having last raced in 2005.

Obviously he’s earned substantially more to warrant horse of the month honors.

Gotta be a way of integrating these data banks so that this information is easily accessible.

IT’S GOOD AND IT’S BAD

It is certainly wonderful when Open trotters have an opportunity to race for $40,000 as did Buckeye St Pat and Vivid Photo on a recent Thursday. It’s not so wonderful when horses of that caliber get raced at 3:30 in the afternoon on a weekday to the tumultuous applause and viewing pleasure of a very limited audience.

BACK BURNING
Couldn’t help but notice the dialogue in Kentucky pertaining to “in-breeding” which turned out to be a testimonial to the upcoming implementation of the stallion limitation rule scheduled for 2009.

With all due respect, this back burning issue of where the breed might be in 50 years seems somewhat dwarfed by the immediate issue of just who is going to buy the animals we’re producing in the next five to ten years.

YOU SAID IT EYDIE

At the risk of showing the years, can still hear the jazzy strains of Eydie Gorme’s signature classic What Did I Have, I Don’t Have Now? Which might have been from Mame but nevertheless is a passionate and self- indicting lament at what used to be.

You look at those Derby Day betting numbers especially those accrued at what are ostensibly harness tracks that have never been as lopsided as they are now and you have to seriously wonder just what it was we did have that we so obviously do not have at this point in time.

Bob Marks

By Bob Marks

THE MESSAGE

As inexplicable as it may seem given the current economic climate, it’s actually a good time to own a standard bred racehorse. Especially if you’re within shouting distance of those slots fueled racinos where overnight purses are actually at all time highs.

Look at any program-especially the Monday program from Dover Downs and digest just how much money some of the regulars actually earn per annum in the “first” State. Understand, these are not necessarily free-for-allers but fast class overnight types like our alumni Art Director (Artiscape-Silky Satin) still going strong at age seven and exceeding the $100,000 level for this season. Art Director has earned over $725,000 lifetime much of which occurred in overnights within the state of Delaware.

Check the overnights at Pocono. The Open goes for $22,500, a non winners of $11,500 last five for $18,000 and Commissioner Scotty Tickets has his $20,000 claimer Eternal Revenue in a series exclusively for horses at that level with purses of $16,000 per leg leading to a $40,000 final.

The purses at The Meadowlands have stabilized and remain strong.. Chester will be offering excellent money and nice horses can earn big at Yonkers.

Seems like a message worth inundating the general population with as loud and as often as possible.

TRAILERS

As an addendum to Evan Pattak’s column concerning “trailers”, in the April hoof beats, was not exactly in favor of them to them back in my professional handicapping days.

Can still remember Town Drunk a notoriously poor leaver getting parked the mile from post two at Roosevelt as his normal tuck behind the fast leaving post one was negated by the trailing nine horse who now occupied the pocket spot.

Having a trailer often mandated a desirable inside post draw (especially post two) as precarious impacting the normal flow of the field into the first turn. That alone made position handicapping more difficult as one could no longer project just who might be where approaching the quarter pole, essential to successful half mile track handicapping.

OLD TIMERS

Found copies of the old Trotter Magazine dating back from 1964. While nostalgic in at setting perhaps, it’s impossible not to marvel at the authoritative manner in which harness racing was presented from both the participants and spectators perspectives. Moreover, it remains unfathomable that stellar journalists from that era like Wally Rottkamp, Warrren Pack, Bruce Gordon, Woody Lawlis, Gordon Forbes and so many others are not included in the communicator’s hall of fame.

BONEHEAD DRIVE MARS CANE

Can still remember the cub reporter in the Yonkers Press Box chastised for using that headline when filing his story by a venerable sage indignantly admonishing ”How can you say that? This guy is a hall of famer”.

Yeah but this hall of famer bulled off the rail approaching the half when visually boxed in and almost caused a major accident in the process.

But that’s the way it was. Anyone that even remotely veered from the party line was immediately ostracized to the grandstand unless of course it was an all-powerful columnist from a major daily- the kind that used to cover harness racing on a regular basis.

Oh yes, the back page of the bulldog edition of a just delivered major tabloid featured the following headline in at least 72 point type “BONEHEAD PLAY COST VICTORY” referring to some future hall of famer’s errant throw to the wrong base that allowed the winning run to score.

Good thing nobody stopped Woodward and Bernstein!

ARTRIVERDERCI

Every so often you notice a colt that falls into the category of unfulfilled destiny that who for a variety of physical ailments never reaches the elusive potential though for that brief shining moment reveals what might well have been.

Artriverderci (Western Ideal-Roman Art) was such a colt. Harold Howe’s Harness Edge Magazine did an exemplary job in documenting just what plagued this colt throughout his brief career.

Our sympathies extend to his owners and trainer Rene Laarman.

Artriverderci’s Rocknroll Hanover brother ROCKIN ROMO will sell at Harrisburg in November.

CURIOSITIES

Was there a differential in handle and attendance at Dover Downs on Classic series night?

There are those that wonder if a good card can actually still draw the people.

How come some of these “official” websites post inaccurate data more than just infrequently regardless of whether it’s point of origin may be a hastily written press release.

Sorry but a race for cheap claimers does not qualify as an open race given the significance of the open terminology.

Fascinating that Running Acres could use the ABC system in almost invisible fashion as unless one checked the overnight sheet, they’d never know it.

By Bob Marks

THE CONFERENCE

Fascinating to see what actually comes out of that Standardbred Wagering Conference slated for the end of April in Montreal though one has to suspect that any conclusions reached will not be flattering to the industry overall.

Scheduled to be addressed is the alarming decline on standardbred wagering in Canada which at last look was down by some 40% since 2002, Undoubtedly comparisons will be made with related thoroughbred wagering trends. In addition, coverage will also include a myriad of related topics some of which may illustrate why the betting handle dwindles as time goes on,

Not sure how the Canadian numbers correlate with those down here but it’s likely they’re in reasonably close proximity. Did notice some published figures that overall horse betting on New Jersey racing declined by some 25% from 1999 to 2006, though the numbers weren’t isolated by individual breed,

Since the purpose is to ascertain just why and where the handle has gone, it is advisable to encourage any players in attendance to testify with total candor. Or don’t even bother. We may or may not be able to specifically address all the dialogue expressed but at least we’ll have some idea where we stand in the grandstand.

Of course there will be a tendency to dismiss much of the banter as mere rhetoric from disgruntled and/or degenerate gamblers. But that would be like the prevailing ostriches pompously dismissing colloquialisms as not credible when offered by acknowledged racketeers in a mob trial.

It’s possible the ultimate conclusion for the wagering lethargy will focus upon the basic disparity of interests between those putting on the show and the betting public who finance it via pari-mutuel handle. It could be that this gap will appear so vast as to render it insurmountable since the very nature of contemporary harness racing mandates it as a risky wagering proposition at best and that’s even before the so-called substance abuse issues are considered.

In all likelihood, there won’t be major revelations-especially to those fluent in the nuances of gambling, but the rest of us just might learn a thing or two. Whether we are capable of actually implementing what may be necessary to reverse the trend could be a whole ‘NUTHER story.

WHO WAS THAT MASKED MAN?

Could have said the auctioneer to the bid spotter inquiring about the gent who just spent $90,000 to land the McArdle-Miss Easy filly at the New Jersey Classic last September.

Don’t get the wrong idea now, it was a totally legitimate sale with a very noticeable under bidder though months later it seems there are some rather fascinating questions left unanswered.

First and foremost is what possessed this new buyer to anoint that filly as a “had to have” for he wasn’t even remotely intimidated by one of the known deep pocket bidders who generally gets what he’s bidding on.

Secondly how come we didn’t see this gentleman buying other horses at either Lexington or Harrisburg?

C’mon scribes, there’s a story here!

ADDENDUM DEANO.

Always great to read the erudite offerings of Hall Of Fame communicator Dean Hoffman whose piece on elite broodmares was a breath of fresh air.

Dean’s formula for citing elite broodmares is indeed impeccable though on an individual basis there are always things that stand out.

Margaret Spangler may never have had a $250,000 winner but yet she produced four individuals that qualified as sires in Kings Counsel, Chief Counsel, Blackstone and Attorney.

Evensong’s great son Victory Song is the paternal grandsire of Garland Lobell who with Amour Angus has accounted for contemporary stallion sons in Conway Hall, Angus Hall and Andover Hall. Evensong also contributed stallion sons Peter Song, Gay Song, Mighty Song and Flying Song and a daughter Scotch Song who provided Lusty Song. Lest we forget Evensong’s milestone contribution Volo Song, considered an all time great.

Romola Hanover had a quartet of $250,000 winners though three of them qualified as legitimate age group champions in Romeo Hanover, Romulus Hanover and Romalie Hanover. A fourth Nevele Romeo was the founding and namesake stallion for New Zealand’s Nevele R Stud, while a fifth Romaine Hanover produced Rodine Hanover from whence sprang Real Artist, Art Major and Worldly Beauty.

Tarport Cheer produced great fillies in Tarport Hap and Cheery Hello a leading stallion in Tyler B and another whose name appears in many pedigrees in Jamuga.

Then there was Leta Long who had two outstanding racing sons in Tar Heel and Keystoner although the Hal Dale latter was somewhat less than his Billy Direct brother in the stud ranks. An Adios son Meadow Pace may not have been as prominent as the other two on the racetrack though he became an accomplished sire.

Brenna Hanover produced a champion colt in Bret Hanover and superstar filly in Bonjour Hanover. She also had another son in Baron Hanover who himself earned far short of the coveted quarter million level but sired many who surpassed that total.

Thanks Dean!

Bob Marks

Not much to add about the tragic passing of Windsong’s Legacy that hasn’t been posted on the major websites already though at least he’ll have three full crops and the remnants of what he was able to breed this year, which should positively reflect the stallion he was meant to be.Undoubtedly, if the old adage concerning the prematurely departed holds true, his passing will probably be more lamented as time goes on.

Interestingly enough saw the one Windsong colt in a set of three, down at Southern Oaks and while he may have been the least impressive at the start of the mile, you couldn’t help but notice the colt suddenly get into gear while three wide on the final bend and roar past the other two in the stretch much like Windsong did with Cantab and Tom Ridge so many times.

If the Windsongs Legacy offspring inherit his desire and homestretch aptitude, they’ll be just fine.

CASINO POWERED

Once again the New Jersey racing program will be “Casino Powered” as the understanding regarding the subsidy is intact which will sustain and enhance the purses for the next few years.

While it may keep the machines out of the Meadowlands during this time period, there is now growing groundswell support amongst State legislators for the ultimate installment of the VLTs at the racetracks that would enable New Jersey to match or surpass the neighboring states of New York and Pennsylvania.

This means your New Jersey bred will be eligible to not only the New Jersey Sires Stakes with it’s increased finals but other State classics like the New Jersey Classic, Miss New Jersey, Charles Smith, Lou Babics etc.

Moreover, there’s that preference for NJOS (New Jersey owned or sired) written into many overnight events and the added monies for the mega stakes derived from the purse accounts will remain intact.

MORE THAN TECHNOLOGY NEEDED

Noticed the following quote emanating from those HTA sessions that “people have lost interest in our game and that racing must use technology to bring passion back to racing”
Sounds good on the surface but as NBC and the WWE so evidently illustrated with the now defunct XFL, all the technology in the world couldn’t overcome a sub par football product.

Perhaps a think tank type examination of the racing product as it has evolved, in association with erudite recommendations for it’s modernization and consumer acceptance should precede mere technological advancements to the incumbent presentation.

RUDY REDNOSE

Is Rudy Rednose faster than a speeding reindeer? So far it seems that way as the 3-year-old son of Red River Hanover-Armbro Althea has reeled off a trio of impressive victories at The Meadowlands and might just be the first of many 2008 success stories credited to his sire Red River Hanover.

Last year the full brother to established sires Rustler Hanover and Richess Hanover accounted for not one but two 1:51.3 2-year-old fillies in Miss Scarlett (Odds On JP) and Red In The Face (Pretty Daring) the latter attracting all of a bid of $8,000 at the 06 Harrisburg auction.

One might note that Rudy Rednose clocked an individual final quarter of :26.1 coming from 8th at the half in his latest 1:52.3 tally on a winter’s evening.

AUTHENTIC SALES REPORTS

Thought I noticed the down under magazines have added an extra column to their auction reports incorporating those actually sold with the number consigned and of course the prices and averages.

While it may take a little more deductive diligence to actually obtain this information, the end result is a more accurate reflection of what actually transpired at the sale.

Too often lumped in buy back numbers inaccurately impact stallion averages, which makes it too easy to formulate false conclusions.

LOCATION LOCATION

Hopefully no one will judge the ultimate potential of Meadowlands located slots or VLT’s by what’s happening at Yonkers for even though both plants are part of the great Tri-state megalopolis region, they’re distinctly different as far as geographical proximity.

Yonkers is located on Central Avenue, North in between The Bronx and upper crust Westchester county two twains that are not exactly on the same page.

Moreover, it’s a significant schlep from Manhattan and the other boros especially during rush hour-which on the Major Deegan happens like 24-7. In addition, once the machines are installed at Aqueduct, it will eliminate any thought of going up there from Long Island of which Brooklyn and Queens actually inhabit..

The Meadowlands meanwhile is a stone’s throw from Mid Manhattan smack dab in the most populated areas of Northern, New Jersey and adjacent to the always sold out Giants stadium. Once completed, the under construction train station will eliminate the need for those hated bridges and tunnels.

Consequently it would seem that sooner or later someone with vision and clout is liable to conclude that somewhere within the confines or the Sports Authority lies more than just a pipedream location for a full fledged Hotel-Casino.


For the second year in a row, Offshore Dreams won the coveted Prix d’Amerique significant in that he like our own REVENUE is a son of former International winner Rev d’Udon from 100% prime American maternal family.Revenue traces right back to Scotch Love, dam of the great Speedy Scot, while Offshore Dream’s 3rd dam is Seascape Lobell a full sister to Speedy Somolli.

In short, both Revenue and Offshore Dream are by the same French international champion stallion and both are from superior American maternal families.

The Revenue’s are training rather well according to numerous reports.

CONGRATULATIONS RANGER
Our own Messenger and $900,000 plus winner Palone Ranger congratulates The real PALONE RANGER –namesake Dave Palone on winning his 12,000th race with the Perretti bred raised and sold Maltese Artist in the opening leg of the Isle Of Capri series at Pompano.

Palone Ranger’s dam Mercy Mercy Mercy will consign a Rocknroll Hanover filly DONTKNOCKTHEOCK to the Fall sales later this year.

RAMIFICATIONS
OF PURSE CUTS
Don’t know how many have thought of it this way but any potential purse cut at the Meadowlands has much deeper implications than just being a “New Jersey” problem.

After all, the track adds considerable monies to the lucrative finals in its major stake programs that could well be impacted by slashes in purses considering those funds do come from the purse account.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
When questioned about the inconsistency of the cuisine the master chef explained how the clientele was unappreciative of his gourmet talents therefore the menu was toned down and tailored to what the traffic demanded-that being simple but well prepared items of generous portions.

Considering the establishment was always jam packed, it seemed a logical business model.

But he added, every so often the truly discerning palate calls for a table. This inspires me to concoct the proverbial meal for a king but unfortunately these inspiration opportunities are so few and far between. It’s not that I can’t operate a five star restaurant, there’s just no calling for it.

That said, one constantly hears how the racetrack has fallen so far from its previously lofty pedestal and no wonder why attendance is so sparse as evidenced by the dwindling handle.

Or have they dropped from this pedestal BECAUSE the level of customer attendance has so dwindled as to render the previous standard of excellence as unnecessary for an indifferent audience that no longer requires special treatment.

THE WAY WE WERE
Courtesy of the Horseman And Fair World, I received a blown up archive of results from Yonkers Raceway on November 7th, 1964.

There were 35,000 people on hand that night and collectively they bet over $2.5 million- all on track as there was no simulcasting or OTBs back then. While there were the obligatory neighborhood bookmakers or turf accountants if you will- their “handle” remains in the realm of unannounced, unreported and unremembered.

Through the good offices of The Blood Horse’s news editor and prominent harness writer Tom LaMarra, I learned that day Aqueduct hosted some 49,000 attendees who collectively wagered a little over $5 million.

Those handle figures given today’s inflation would be equivalent to 10 or 15 times that number which makes it even more astonishing. Basically it meant that within the confines of Metropolitan New York, 85,000 people were on trackside to witness what was just a normal Saturday of racing on the fateful seventh day of November in 1964.

Tom also mentioned that some 80 miles southwest in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, 34,000+ fans wagered about $3 million at Garden State Park on that same day..

My best recollection is that temperature was in the 30’s at Yonkers that night, thus, we’ll tack on a few degrees for the afternoon events.

Interestingly enough, the Yonkers card featured a pair of Invitational events in which some major 3-year-olds went against their elders. In the first invite, the soon to be crowned sophomore divisional champ Race Time- as the 4-5 favorite- defeated a field that included noted FFA & JFFA types Cold Front, Adios Ronnie, Irvin Paul. Vicki’s Jet and Irish Napoleon. Another top five 3-year-old Vicar Hanover finished third in that event.

In the other invite, 4-year-old mare Harry’s Laura prevailed over star 3-year-olds Ripping Good and Lyss Hanover in a field that also included Chapel Chief, Sly Yankee, Rex Pick and Queen’s Mohigan neither of whom was a stranger to those elite FFA-JFFA levels.

Bob Marks

Reports continue to circulate regarding what seems to be an impressive initial showing for the first crop of the imported Revenue. In fact so much so that it’s necessary to keep a lid on the expectations level as some signs suggest that what was hoped for with his importation could be on the verge of happening.

Of course it’s still very early and nobody is going those :27 quarters but it does appear that many Revenues are uniformly good gaited and willing which is all you could ask at this stage.

In short, they seem to be doing hitched up what it looked like they could do on the promotional yearling videos.

While Revenue is French sired by an International champion named Rev D’Udon, his maternal side is pure American stemming from Scotch Love one of the few mares to ever produce TWO Hambletonian champions in all time great Speedy Scot and his brother Speedy Streak. Speedy Scot of course is the sire of Speedy Crown and Arnie Almahurst who dominated things for quite a spell.

Interestingly Revenue is not the only performer from his Sugarcane Hanover dam Helen Sund (Nevele Pride-Rare Chance). In addition to Revenue, Helen Sund has Face The Enemy 1:57.2 by Viking Kronos, Glee Face 1:57.4 by Enjoy Lavec and Face The Freak (Pine Chip) 1:58.2 all European records from last year and probably further updated further by now.

BY THE NUMBERS
Let me get this straight. A slot machine is programmed to pay off at 92% presumably within each 24hour period. That being the case, than if one were to commandeer the same machine for 24 hours, then the most one can lose is 8% of the bankroll assuming a consistency of play within that period.

Try playing the same pari-mutuel machine for 24 hours and see what happens.

Toss in a few free drinks, a nice ambiance and it’s not hard to understand the lure of the slots.

HOLD EM TEXAS
There’s a watering hole in Spring Lake Heights where TEXAS HOLD EM is played on screen via a what’s called a buzz time playmaker. Generally there’s a half dozen or so regular players active about the same time each night with the generational breakdown being as follows.

Two guys appear to be in their mid 50’s. One guy looks past 60. At least of two of the players and sometimes three seem well below 40 and probably closer to 30. And from time to time a comely young lady who can’t possibly be above 40 will sit in.

Don’t know what to make of it but it’s about the same generational complexion of the crowds I remember from Roosevelt and Yonkers in the 60’s.

RAILING ON
Read somewhere that a track was able to reduce the post one dominance via allocation of that slot to the lesser endowed.

Well yeah, but one wonders how the percentages held up when horses that figured drew the coveted starting spot..

Noticed that 85% of those polled thought racetracks should be compelled to release attendance and handle figures.

With all due respect just as most product manufacturers need input from the sales outlet, the same applies us manufacturers of the racehorse product.

QUESTIONS
If the Meadowlands is “losing money” why is it referred to as “The World’s Greatest Marketplace”?

Why is that owners line still omitted from sales company past performance booklets? It’s not like the information is not readily accessible via USTA pathway.

What’s the rationale for the excess time between races at a major track these nights?
Surely there can’t be that much congestion at the mutual windows.

Isn’t the real question regarding the cannibalization issue in racinos, whether or not the track handle would be declining at a similar rate without the slots?

Why aren’t guys like Wally Rottkamp, Bruce Gordon, Barry Meadow. Warren Pack, Jack Kiser, Woody Lawlis and others not in the “COMMUNICATOR’S HALL OF FAME?

Bob Marks

At least that’s the implication in a recently posted release documenting just how much money several enterprising drivers were able to accumulate racing at the “Racino” emporiums. Which while wonderful for them doesn’t do the industry a whole lot of good unless its accompanied by massive marketing thrusts illustrating how much money individual horses might accumulate with the underlying suggestion being that horse ownership at those places is not only sensible but profitable.

Which according to Commissioner Scotty Tickets is something we should be SHOUTING at anyone within earshot-as there is real money to be made racing overnight horses at least in some jurisdictions. .

Have you noticed what more than just some of these Dover Downs dynamos actually earn during the course of a season? Especially those horses considered Delaware Select class carded each Monday night for a purse of $32,000. Under the old letter class system most of those horses would probably be classified somewhere between A3 and B1 but after spending time in the first state, their lifetime earnings tend to approximate what free-for-allers used to make.

In fact, one of our ex-alumni Art Director, an Artiscape 6-year-old has banked over $615,000 of which over $380,000 has been amassed at ages 4, 5 and 6 in which he’s campaigned almost exclusively at Dover Downs.

Undoubtedly, there are many other Art Directors making impressive though anonymous livings at assorted slots fueled racetracks the mere knowledge of which might just entice some would be fence sitters to get into the game.

Of course in order for that to happen, WORD would have to get around.

HAMMER FALLS.
Still not so sure we understand this furor regarding the belated suspension for Smedshammer for moving over in the 2006 Hambletonian.

Over the years it seems we can remember a lot worse in which nothing was done including an incident when a legendary driver was rather obvious failing to pass a tiring “house” horse at a particular racetrack.

Then there was a Meadowlands Pace incident in which a Hall of Famer almost scattered the outer tier hastily vacating the pocket behind his leading and prohibitively favored entry mate who may or may not have needed any assistance although the accompanying explanation suggested the move was to avoid getting trapped in case the leader tired.

Then there was the situation in which a stone closer got used as a rabbit in a record attempt although it didn’t come out until later that the driver of the rabbit had purchased an interest in this newest world champion.

The point here is that just because race commissions, racetracks, and/or stakes sponsors in their infinite wisdom may DECRY that the magnitude of a specific purse negates any potential conflict of stable interest- that is not necessarily the case.

Given the ultimate amenities allocated to trainers such as breeding gratuities to developed stallions, in addition to significant stable replenishment, it is totally unrealistic to expect them not to favor one part of a stable entry over another.

Therefore, stable entries must be carded as betting entries regardless of the ownership involved.

SOUNDS OMINOUS
The Meadows will not be racing Saturdays anymore. Without lights and heavy ONLINE competition along with larger RACINO crowds, the track has decided to abandon Saturday racing for the foreseeable future in 2008.

Lots of conclusions can be drawn from this announcement not all of them positive.

A DUBIOUS DISTINCTION
The Meadowlands, our number one Harness Track was just accorded the Readers Choice award from the Thoroughbred Times as the nation’s best simulcast facility.

No not the new Favorites Simulcast Parlor over in Woodbridge, but the actual racetrack in East Rutherford.

Whereas it may be a recognition of accomplishment for the facility involved, one has to wonder if it’s something Harness Racing in general should be celebrating and/or publicizing .

Bob Marks