Weekly Update
Weekly Stable Update
Peter Petrify:
After coming off a strong third place effort
at Saratoga Harness, Peter Petrify had a bit of a tough trip at Plainridge this past week. Starting from the 7 post, he was unable to really get involved in the race and finished off the board. Peter now returns to a softer spot back at Saratoga Harness this Saturday in a $9,000 event, where he drew the 3 post with Mitch Cushing listed to drive.
Beef N Cheddar:
After a very strong third place finish in his previous start, Beef was unable to make much of an impact this week from the 6 post. Racing against a tougher group, he was not much of a factor this time out. Beef will enjoy a week off, and we will wait to see where trainer Amanda Kelley decides to enter him next.
Manhattan Artist:
Manhattan Artist turned in his strongest effort yet for the stable this week from the rail. Driver Irvin Crews sent him right to the front and did not let anyone by early. Manhattan Artist put up some very sharp early fractions and battled gamely on the lead throughout the mile. Unfortunately, he was passed at the wire by a longshot who worked out a dream trip, but we were extremely pleased with his effort as he finished a strong second. He is right back in his usual class this Saturday at Saratoga Harness, where he drew the 3 post. We look for him to be aggressive early from the inside and once again be strong on the front end.
Beat Bobby Bayou:
Bobby took advantage of his inside post position and got out to the early lead at Tioga Downs this week. Unfortunately, he was unable to maintain that lead and eventually tired as the race went on, but he continued to fight on and still managed to pick up a fourth-place check. He returns this Saturday night at Tioga Downs in the same class and from the same 3 post. We look for an improved effort this time around.
Cruzin America:
Cruzin was able to clear to the lead despite leaving from the 6 post at Tioga Downs this week. He looked strong on the front end early before eventually getting worn down late and fading out to finish off the board. We will wait to see where trainer Tee enters him next and hope for a stronger effort in his upcoming start.
Phantom Tom:
Coming off his first win of the season last week, Tommy Boy faced a much tougher assignment as he stepped up into a $9,000 class. Despite the class hike and sloppy track conditions, he still put in a respectable effort and managed to pick up a fourth place check for the stable. He is back in to go in the same class at Saratoga Harness and unfortunately drew the 7 post but we hope that he is still able to put in a strong effort from the outside.
Dance Machine:
Coming off a solid third place finish, Dance Machine put together another strong effort at Buffalo Raceway this week from the rail, finishing a close fourth. He did not miss by much and continues to show that he can handle the step up in class and compete very well at this $12,800 level. He is back in to go this Saturday at Buffalo Raceway with another good draw from the 3 post.
Wonka Bar:
Despite missing two weeks of racing through no fault of his own, Wonka Bar put in another very strong effort this week at Saratoga Harness from the 4 post. He fired off the gate and secured a nice pocket trip in second. Turning for home, he angled out in an attempt to run down the leader but was unable to get by, settling for another strong second-place finish. Wonka has now finished second in back-to-back starts and continues to improve while earning strong checks in this NW class. He is back in to go and unfortunately drew the 8 post this time out but he definitely appears to be creeping closer and closer to breaking through for a win at this level.
Yamaka:
Coming off a game second-place finish from the 6 post, Yamaka turned in another excellent effort from the rail this week. He surged up the passing lane late and looked like he had the race won, only to be very narrowly defeated in a thrilling photo finish. That gives the old boy two seconds and a win in his last three starts. Yamaka continues to thrive in Maine under the care of trainer Chris Dubois and remains one of the most consistent and reliable horses in the stable.
RobinTheCradle:
After just barely missing in his stable debut with a strong second-place finish, Robin made his second start for the LLC a winning one, giving us our first ever Ohio victory in just two starts. Robin went wire to wire in dominant fashion against a solid group of pacers at the Circleville Fair this past week. He never really had an anxious moment and was strong on the lead the entire mile, winning pretty easily.
We look for him to repeat this week as he steps up into the $20,000 Buckeye Stallion Series Race at Scioto Downs. Robin drew the 2 post and we are excited to see how he handles the step up in competition this Saturday.
DiscoveringTheHunt:
Our new Huntsville mare, DiscoveringTheHunt, made her debut for the stable at Yonkers Raceway this past week with one of the leading trainers in the country, Jared Bako. Despite drawing the difficult 7 post, driver Yannick Gingras blasted her off the gate and secured the early lead, showing plenty of early speed. As the field approached the halfway point, she began to fade and ultimately finished off the board. It was only her first start for the stable following a few weeks off and a barn change, so we remain optimistic moving forward.
Besta Blue Chip:
Our Chapter Seven yearling, Besta Blue Chip, turned in an excellent qualifier Saturday morning. He finished second by just a neck without ever really being asked for too much. The young trotter looked extremely professional, and Hall of Fame driver Wally Hennessy had very positive things to say afterward. Besta has now officially qualified and is expected to make the first start of his career in the coming weeks at Buffalo Raceway. We cannot wait to get this colt’s racing career underway.
Top Notch Treasure:
Our other yearling, Top Notch Treasure, trained by Chris Dubois, also qualified for the first time this week. Similar to Besta, Top Notch put in an impressive first time performance. Chris has continued to speak highly of this 2 year old, and as long as he stays sound, we expect to have a very exciting summer campaign in Maine with him. He is also expected to make his career debut within the next few weeks.
