With more and more tracks reopening off the Covid 19 pandemic, the sport of Standardbred Racing continues to gather momentum. For this weekend’s top races, we go to Hawthorne Park in Cicero, Illinois, the Meadowlands in New Jersey and Northfield Park in Northfield, Ohio.
Hawthorne Park will feature a plethora of Stakes races on Saturday including Race: 2, The Dave McGee Pace which will be led by Synra, who won her only start this year in a field best 1:57.2.
Race: 3 is the Peachy Plum, Castielle, the only two time winner in 2020 in this field, will square off against Sleazy Gal, who is 1 for 1 this year and paced a 1:56 flat mile that day.
Race: 5 is the Robert F. Carey Memorial. A field of 10 has been assembled and, on paper, it looks to be a wide open affair. The standout appears to be He`zzz A Wise Sky, who paced a strong 1:53.2 last time out.
Skipping up to Race: 7 is the Bob Larry Pace. Toxic Rock, who is 4 for 4 this year, will most likely be your post time favorite.
My Uptowne Girl, a three time winner in 2020, and Nightgirl, a five time winner this year, will square off in the The Walter Paisley Pace.
The second leg of the Bob Larry Pace will finish up the Stakes action on the card as Race: 10. Fox Larry Lincoln, the only two time 2020 winner in the field, appears to be the one to beat.
Over at the Northfield, the talented Yanks Dugout, who is 6 for 6 this year, will kick off the night in the first race, first division of The Ohio Sire Stakes.
The second division is race: 3. Action Uncle, who won his only start this year in a strong 1:53.4, appears the one to beat in that one.
The series continues in race: 5 where Haggard, who is 3 for 4 this year and draws the rail, will be tough to down. The series concludes in race: 9, where 9 will line up on the gate is a contentious field.
Moving over to New Jersey, the Meadowlands has a 13 race card on tap. Race: 10, a preferred pace, shows two strong win candidates in Tookadiveoffdipper, who is 4 for 8 this year, and Backstreet Shadow, who paced a 1:48.1 mile recently.
Around the ovals
**** Hoosier Park is officially set to begin their 27th season of live harness racing on Tuesday June 16. Entries for the season opener were drawn on Thursday, June 11.
The 2020 live racing season at Harrah’s Hoosier Park will feature a reduced number of live racing programs with 111 racing days and follow a Tuesday through Saturday schedule throughout the season. With a daily post time of 6:30 p.m., live racing will be conducted through November 21 and held in a spectator free manner until further notice.
“I want to again thank Governor Eric Holcomb, the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, the Indiana Standardbred Association and Caesars Entertainment for all the hard work and collaboration that went into making the start of horse racing in Indiana possible,”said Rick Moore, Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s Vice President and General Manager of Racing. “We share a full commitment to the success of the racing program and look forward to presenting a racing season that all stakeholders will be proud of.”
**** P L Jill was a dominant winner in Tuesday’s June 9 $26,640 Preferred Trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The now 7 year old mare P L Jill cruised home by 7 ½ lengths while recording her fifth win of the season.
Driven by Mario Baillargeon, P L Jill got away fifth but medodically moved up inclduign coming home in :28.1 for the open-lengths score in 1:52. On The Ropes held for second, while R First Class.
P L Jill is now five for 10 this season with $69,721 earned. The victory increases her career totals to 29 wins and $416,124 earned for owners Prince Lee Acres, Jill Coleman and Alan Christensen.
**** Harrington Raceway will run qualifiers on Monday June 15, the same date live racing will commence without spectators.
Qualifiers will start at 9 a.m.
The first live racing program on the 2020 Harrington season will kick off Monday evening with a 4:30 p.m. post time. A nine-race program is carded as Harrington kicks off its 74th season.
Two-time defending leading trainer Joe Columbo will have a busy night with five trainees entered and leading driver Art Stafford Jr. is expected to be back in action to defend his title.
The featured race is the fifth, a $10,000 Open Pace that features 2019 Horse of the Meet, Slick Tony. Owned by George Leager, the 5-year-old is on pace for another $100,000 season, after a 4-year-old season in which he made $231,449. He drew post six in a deep field that features Wichita Lineman, JJ Flynn, Glengarry Knight N, Sicily, Rollinlikethunder, Bad Boy Brad A and Proper One.
