Highlights of the Previous Week in Racing and Gaming

In New Zealand, it was announced that the 3-year-old pacing sensation Auckland Reactor, undefeated in 11 career starts, had been sold for somewhere around $3.2 million to a group consisting of six Canadians, two Americans and an Australian.  The colt will complete his 3-year-old season in New Zealand, race at 4 in the InterDominion championships in March of 2009, and then ship to the U.S., where he could challenge the currently undefeated Somebeachsomewhere, winner of all six lifetime starts at two.  Both colts are sons of the rapidly rising super stallion Mach Three.

In Ontario, former racing official Ken Hornick, in trouble four years ago for hacking the computer of his then boss, now HTA president Hugh Mitchell, is in trouble again, deeper trouble this time.  He is charged with 13 counts of possessing and selling controlled and adulterated drugs, following a months-long investigation by the Ontario Racing Commission’s industry-funded Equine Medication Control and Drug Task Force.

In New Jersey, the state racing commission announced the first major results of its new out-of-competition testing program, where horses can be tested at training centers and elsewhere in addition to the racetrack.  The new weapon brought down trainer Ernest Adam and his major owners, veterinarian Dr. Stephen C. Slender, with six of their horses that had been racing at the Meadowlands, Harrah’s Chester, Yonkers, Freehold and Saratoga testing positive for EPO after being tested at the Winner’s International Farm in Chesterfield, NJ.

In Springfield, Massachusetts, PBS station WGBY announced that American Public Television would be showing the hour and a half, three-part documentary on Currier and Ives: Perspectives of America,” on national affiliates across the nation this summer.

In Australia, it appears that historic Harold Park, Sydney’s in-town track, will be sold for real estate development and racing moved to a new 1,400-meter track, Menangle Park.  Officials predict Harold Park could bring $150 million, and purses are expected to double at the new racing venue.

In racing, at the Meadowlands, George Leon’s Blueridge Western won the $215,000 Berry’s Creek for 3-year-old pacers in 1:50.1, driven by Brian Sears for trainer Mickey Burke.  Bullville Powerful was second, Four Star Moxie third.

Adam Victor and Son’s My Little Dragon won the $90,000 Matriarch, Sears driving for trainer Noel Daley, with a mile in 1:51.  Guesstimate was second, Street Dancer third.

At Freehold Raceway, Holiday Credit won the $185,000 Dexter Cup, Ron Pierce driving for trainer Jimmy Takter and owners Christine Takter, John Fielding, Falkbolagen AB and Order By Stable.  Firstpleasurelane was second, Oh So White third.

At Mohawk Raceway, Get Out of Dodge won the $78,000 final of the Diplomat Pacing Series for owners Springwater Stables, Noblock Racing Stable and Daniel Sarafian.  Phil Hudon drove the winner for trainer Murray Brethhour to a 1:51.2 victory over Windsun Thunder and Scottery Tickets.

Maeve Hanover, co-owned and trained by Jack Darling and his partner Dan Smith, won the$75,500 Princess Pacing Series final for 3-year-old pacing fillies for Mario Billargeon in 1:52.1. First Draw was second, Michelles Idea third.

The Cuzzins Stable’s Cuzzin Sid, another of the growing armada of Mach Three stakes winners, took the $56,800 final of the Ontario Sired Spring Series for 3-year-old pacing colts in 1:52.3, paying $54.20 in beating Amillionpennies and Card Dealer.

At The Meadows, five $42,000 divisions of the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes, contested over a sloppy track.  Winners were:

The Panderosa colt Upfronthannahsboy, owned by E. Ed Mullinax, driven by David Miller, and trained by Jim Arledge, a winner over Its That Time and Arterosa in 1:53.

The Real Artist colt Mystery Chase, owned by Arlene and Jules Siegel, driven by Dave Palone and trained by Jim Campbell, won in 1;51.3 over Arochia and Silver Dragon.

Sand Shooter, a Western Hanover colt who was second in the Juvenile Breeders Crown last year, won for owners Bill Sanders and Jerry Silva off by himself, in 1:51.1 over First Rate and Keystone Nautilus.  David Miller drove for trainer Jim Arledge Jr.

Sheer Brilliance, by Blissful Hall, won in 1:53.3 for Jeffrey and J.P. Long, beating Goddess’s Justin and Idle Hour for driver Victor Kirby and owner-trainer Jeff Long.

Truponder, a The Ponderosa colt bred and owned by Kal Liebowitz, driven by Dave Palone and trained by Dylan Davis, won the fifth division in 1:53.1 over Alastar Hanover and Lookout Hanover.

In notable qualifiers, Dan Daley’s 3-year-old Artiscape pacing colt Daley Deposit Only posted the fastest qualifying mile in Pompano Park’s 44-year history, winning in 1:51.2, driven by his owner-trainer.

Dali, winner of last year’s Woodrow Wilson at the Meadowlands, qualified in 1:52.1 at Mohawk, winning by 28 lengths on a blustery, windy morning.