Friday, January 11, 2013

Brian Sears, the White Knight ofYonkers

Sears Picks Yonkers Over MeadowlandsBy Bill Finley Brian Sears will be driving at Yonkers tonight, choosingthat track, its big purses and its abundance of racing oppor-tunities over the Meadowlands, the track at which he be-came a star. Since Sears failed to drive at the Meadowlands the lasttwo weekends his decision was hardly a surprise. But to-night's races are the first of 2013 when the two New Yorkarea tracks go head to head. Tonight’s Yonkers card willfeature Sears in 10 of the 12 races.

Sears said hehopes to return to theMeadowlands in thespring but admitted"that is not set instone." "I enjoy going to thesame place to workevery night," Searssaid. "It's not that I'mlooking to not race atthe Meadowlands. I'dloved to race at theMeadowlands in the

spring, but for right now I am going to race at Yonkers forthe wintertime. That will give me a chance to take a littlemore time off and not be as involved as I had to be whenracing at three tracks, which I did last year." Along with George Brennan, Sears is the second promi-nent driver to leave the Meadowlands for a spot in the Yon-kers colony. Sears said the fact that Yonkers races numerous legs ofthe Levy and Matchmaker early in the calendar year alsoentered into his decision. When asked if it will be strange for him to not at the Mead-owlands tonight, he replied: "It will, but I have been racing atYonkers a lot the last couple of years and I was also therelast year on the nights of the Levy and Matchmaker legs,and I was going to be there for them anyway. It's just easierto do it this way."

Track Race PurseMeadowlands 1st, Clyde Hirt $16,000 ppsMeadowlands 2nd, Clyde Hirt $16,000 pps Meadowlands 3rd, Clyde Hirt $16,000 ppsMeadowlands 5th, Clyde Hirt $16,000 ppspp’s courtesy of TrackMaster

Not surprisingly, Meadowlands owner Jeff Gural was notpleased by Sears' decision. Gural has asked drivers, own-ers and trainers to support him in his efforts to rebuild theMeadowlands and is never afraid to voice his disappoint-ment when prominent figures leave. "I guess he thinks he will make more money (at Yonkers)because the competition is a little easier and the pursesare good, but I hoped he would stay because he made aname for himself at the Meadowlands," Gural said. "Youwould think that people like Sears and others would wantto help keep us going since we do not have slots but itseems most people just do what they think is in their bestinterest. All I know is the project is about $3 million overbudget and under my agreement I have had to come upwith another 3 million dollars personally, so when I seesomeone like Sears and others simply doing what is bestfor them and not the industry and I feel like a fool. I wishhim well." "I support Jeff and what he's doing and I'd love to comeback over there in the spring when the younger horsesstart racing again," Sears said. "I don't want there to beany bad blood. I talked to Jeff about this.” (Cont. P. 2)

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“He told me what he wanted me to do." Sears became a Meadowlands regular in 2003. In 2005,he became the first driver to hit the $15 million mark inseasonal earnings. He has six January-August driving titlesto his credit [2005-2009 and 2011] and holds the record forconsecutive cards with at least one victory [48 set in 2006]. He slipped to fourth in the Meadowlands standings in 2012with 102 winners. He was third in the standings at Yonkerslast year with 248 winners.

Daniel Dube To Miss Six WeeksBy Bill Finley and Bill “Cheesecake” Saffian Driver Daniel Dube was scheduled to be operated on thismorning to fix problems he is having with a sciatic nerve inhis back. The driver expects to be out about six weeks. “It's the cold months, the winter, so it's not the biggestdeal,” he said. “You never want this to happen, but the goodnews is I will be back by the spring when they have thebigger races.” Dube has won one winner from 40 drives at the currentMeadowlands meet, but his winner was a long shot specialthat paid $240.80 on opening night.

Alex Dadoyan Selected as SOA of NY Executive

Directorfrom the Standardbred Owners Association of New York Yonkers, NY --- The Standardbred Owners Association ofNew York is pleased to announce that Alex Dadoyan, mostrecently The New Meadowlands Racetrack's Director ofRacing Operations, has accepted the position of ExecutiveDirector of the SOA, effective February 1. “We are fortunate to have someone with Alex’s abilitiesand background join us at the SOA,” said Peter Venaglia,SOA First Vice-President and Chairman of the PersonnelCommittee. “Alex has worked in various roles at The Mead-owlands in his professional career, and his experience in allfacets of racetrack operations will greatly benefit the SOAmembership.” During his tenure at The Meadowlands, Dadoyan playedextensive roles in the television, simulcasting and off-trackwagering aspects of The Meadowlands’ operations, servingas Director of Simulcasting from 2004-2007. Since 2008, hehas also served as a director of the United States TrottingAssociation.

http://www.hickorylanefarm.com

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Alex Dadoyan(USTA/Mark Hall photo)

He received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvaniaand his law degree from Fordham University. Dadoyanserved and helped develop and grow The Meadowlands forwell over a decade. “I'm really excited about the opportunity to join the SOA ofNY team,” stated Dadoyan. “They are working on countlessprojects to preserve and improve the racing industry in New

York and the harness racing industryoverall. I am confident that the manyyears of experience I gained on theracetrack management side in NewJersey will prove to be very benefi-cial to the organization going for-ward.” Joe Faraldo, President of theSOA, thanked George Casale, theSOA’s outgoing Executive Director,for his years of service to the SOA. “I am confident that Alex will pickup right where George left off. Inaddition, Alex’s unique experiencewill allow the SOA to continue to ag-gressively pursue opportunities such

as international simulcasting as we partner with YonkersRaceway in continuing to produce the best year round har-ness racing product in the country.” “The addition of such a highly regarded and qualifiedindividual as Alex Dadoyan makes me confident that we can

achieve much more with the quality product that we havein New York,” added Venaglia. “Alex has experience inseveral different areas, including publicity, television pro-duction, simulcasting and off-track wagering. He will be anasset in racing development and distribution at Yonkersand we at the SOA of NY are excited about the opportunityto put all of his talents to work here in New York.”

Construction on Northfield Casino Has Begun Northfield Park management has unveiled renderings onits soon-to-be-built casino and announced that the initialstages of construction have begun. Northfield Park ispartnering with Hard Rock International on the project,which is expected to cost between $250 and $300 million.For more details, click here for coverage from the AkronBeacon Journal.

Amigo Hall Relocates to Ohio Still another stallion has left Ontario. Syndicate manager Robert Burgess has announced thatAmigo Hall has been relocated to Marvin Raber Farm inOhio for the 2013 breeding season. He will stand for$2,500 with multiple breedings available at $2,000. The 2003 Hambletonian winner, he is the sire of FriendlyAmigo, who has made $557,907 in her career

By Brett SturmanRace 7, A-2/B-1 Handicap QUEEN OF ROYALTY makes her first start in a little overa month and she followed right behind #10 in that mostrecent qualifier. This one went first over in the YonkersOpen before being freshened up and two back racedagainst Krispy Apple; I’d expect a good showing from her. MYSTICAL VICTRESS invades for Erv Miller with sonMarcus in to drive for the night. If I had to guess I’d sayshe’ll be conservatively handled; still might be goodenough though. MJ’S BID was parked the mile upon herreturn here on opening weekend and didn’t tire that badly;fits well with these. CHIEF KAREN hasn’t done anythingwrong yet and ARGUMENT HANOVER is a short pricedcontender for Burke. I’ll pass on CUZ SHE CAN; failed tobeat weaker than this many times here last year.

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Race 8, Fillies & Mares B-1 Near her best, SYNERGY SEELSTER is more than capableof going with this group and she closed steadily enoughfrom far back when last seen here two weeks ago. Secondfinisher from that race has already come back to win. Stillplayable despite Tetrick opting to #2. GO ON BB was onethat I expected more of on opening weekend; she wasclearly short upon arrival from Balmoral. More could becoming tonight. ONE NIGHT gets Pierce; barn alwayscapable of surprising. DELIGHTFUL DIVA qualified easily;tough mare. REILLY’S DAUGHTER put together a string ofgood races here last year; qualified well behind of nearFFA’er Special T Rocks. Might need one with Miller.

Race 9, B-1 I’m not overly familiar with the training connection, TSMLILORPHAN ANDY has beaten better than these at Chesterlast year and has been over this track in the past. Thatrecent stands out on a paper and that’s a pretty good pacingmare this one qualified against a few back at Yonkers. Whynot? PROUD MOMENT was used hard in his last from post10; now makes second start off the layoff and knows how tofind the winner’s circle here. REV IT NOW has been welltraveled of late; was involved in a fast mile in his last. MOHEGAN HANOVER goes for a dangerous barn; SPICEIT UP LINDY took a :52 and change mark at Pocono lastyear; Meittinis actually not bad with trotters.

Race 10, Claiming $20,000IMAGE OF DAWN has been rejuvenated entering his finalracing season at age 14 since transferring into ConorFlynn’s barn since the beginning of December; current formsays he’s good enough to beat these and keep the barnunbeaten streak intact. Flynn and Bongiorno alreadyteamed up to upset a week ago. STORMIN RUSTLERsteps up off a 1:52 win and he’s proven himself over thepast couple years to be a consistent player at this level. The probable one to beat. WESTERN TSUNAMI was bur-ied last week in a race won by a horse long gone and muchbetter than these. A must have if alive in the final leg of thepick 4. BETTERTHANLYNX invades for Pellegrino whoalready has a couple wins here this meet; DREAMZZZ RFOR U upset in his last upon arrival.The Plays$10 ticket ($1 base): 9 /1-9 / 2-4-6-7-8 / 1$24 ticket ($1 base): 5-9 / 1-9 / 2-4-7-8 / 1-2

Monday’s Results10, DD, $23,000, Pace, FILLIES/MARES Open HandicapPost Positions 7 & 8 Assigned, 26.1, 56.0, 1:24.2, 1:52.0,FTJeremes Sweetheart (m, 4, Jereme's Jet--Fox ValleyEvanna, by Incredible Finale), $92,000 2010 LEX-SELO-Wm Kenneth Wood & William J Dittmar Jr & Stephen JIaquinta. B-Jeff S Jones. T-Eric Ell. D-Ron Pierce,$11,500, Lifetime Record: 24-9-5-4, $172,077

Wednesday’s Results10, DD, $23,000, Trot, Open, 27.1, 57.1, 1:25.1, 1:53.2,FTSevruga (g, 5, SJ's Caviar--Stunning Lindsey, by Mala-bar Man), $18,000 2009 SHS-HBGO-Kdm Stables Corp.. B-White Birch Farm. T-Julie Miller.D-Pat Berry, $11,500, Lifetime Record: 40-18-7-4,$402,991

Thursday’s Results8, DD, $23,000, Pace, Open, 27.1, 55.2, 1:23.0, 1:50.3, FTMcclelland (g, 7, Cam's Card Shark--Enduring Dream, byDream Away), $3,000 2007 LEX-SEL O-Kenneth R Tucci.B-Dunroven Stud. T-Aaron Lambert. D-Corey Callahan,$11,500, Lifetime Record: 123-26-12-13, $339,516To view replay click here

10, DD, $30,000, Pace, DELAWARE Special, 26.4, 54.1,1:21.4, 1:50.4, FT1-Rusty's All In (h, 7, Western Hanover--AllamericanNadia, by Dragon's Lair), $70,000 2007 SHS-HBGO-Claim To Fame LLC & Carter Racing Stable LLC.B-Hanover Shoe Farms Inc. T-Michael Hall. D-CoreyCallahan, $15,000, Lifetime Record: 125-19-24-24,$425,4392-Mustang Art (g, 6, Artiscape--Paula Seelster, byCamluck) O-Max R Walton & Gregory H Papaleo.B-Almost Doesnt Count Stb, CA. T-James Mc Guire.D-Ron Pierce, $7,5003-Nova Artist (h, 6, Real Artist--Avon Lady, by ElegantOsborne), $35,000 2008 SHS-HBG O-Howard Edward &Kathleen Davis. B-Arlene L & Jules J Siegel. T-MartinDavis. D-Allan Davis, $3,600Calls: 6Q, 2T, 2T, 1Q, HDFinish Order: Fancyfreeshark, Restless Native, SunshineSupermanTo view replay click hereRusty’s All In won for the second straight time at this level,just getting the nod over 6-5 favorite Mustang Art. Drivenby Corey Callahan, he was second over in the compactfield of six, moved three wide on the turn and got up intime.

Tonight’s number: 4,790(subscribers, that is.)

Harness Racing Update continues to grow every day!

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© Copyright Harness Racing Update.This newspaper may not be reproduced in any form or byany means, electronic or mechanical, without prior writtenpermission of the copyright owner, MB Publishing Inc.Information as to the races, race results and earnings wasobtained from results charts published by the United

States Trotting Association and utilized here with thepermission of the copyright owner.

11, DD, $35,000, Pace, Preferred, M, 27.0, 55.3, 1:22.4,1:50.1, FT1-Versado (g, 6, Dragon Again--Beach Jenny, by BeachTowel) O-Kdm Stables Corp.. B-Joseph C & Nancy LVander Heyden. T-Nick Surick. D-Matt Kakaley, $17,500,Lifetime Record: 99-29-14-10, $788,9982-Stolen Car (h, 5, Mach Three--Ashlee's Luck, byCamluck) O-Joseph V Muscara. B-Nurko N Sokolovic, CA &Craig A Barss, CA. T-Jeffery Clark. D-Ron Pierce, $8,7503-Woodstock Hanover (g, 7, Bettor's Delight--WesternDuel, by Western Hanover), $65,000 2007 SHS-HBGO-Kenneth R Tucci. B-Moni Market Breeders Ii. T-AaronLambert. D-Ross Wolfenden, $4,200Calls: 2, 1H, 1H, 1H, 1Finish Order: Hypnotic Blue Chip, Cam B Zipper, DancinYankee, Southwestern DreamTo view replay click here

Monday’s Results8, Mea, $22,500, Pace, F&M NOT LISTEDPREF/PREFERRED HANDICAP P.P.1-4 DRAWN; 5-8DRAWN, 27.1, 56.2, 1:24.0, 1:52.3, FTDo Me Honor (m, 5, Cheyenne Rei--Do Me Right, byKeystone Raider), $1,600 2009 GRLAKES O-William TBercury. B-Engle Equine LLC. T-William Bercury. D-AaronMerriman, $11,250, Lifetime Record: 72-15-18-8, $233,338

Tuesday’s Results4, Mea, $22,500, Trot, **PREFERRED HANDICAP**P.P.1-2 DRAWN; 3-8 DRAWN, 27.0, 55.3, 1:24.0, 1:53.4,FTCantab Lindy (g, 5, Cantab Hall--Lindy N Caviar, by SJ'sCaviar) O-Brent M Davis. B-K R Breeding LLC. T-R MacDavis. D-Greg Grismore, $11,250, Lifetime Record:30-10-6-1, $102,874

Wednesday’s Results8, Mea, $20,000, Pace, **PREFERRED HANDICAP** P.P.1ASSIGNED; 2-6 DRAWN, 28.0, 57.1, 1:24.3, 1:53.0, FTShadows Dream (g, 7, Dream Away--Dream Supreme, byDirect Scooter) O-Classico Stables LLC. B-Barbara SNatelson. T-Eric Mollor. D-Eric Ledford, $10,000, LifetimeRecord: 103-15-12-15, $205,352

Monday’s Results3, Wdb. $38,000, Trot. Preferred. 26.4, 56.4, 1:25.3,1:39.3, 1:54.1 FTDefine The World (g,8 - Duke Of York-Venice Holi-day-American Winner) O/B-Al J Libfeld. T-John Bax. D-Paul MacDonell, $19,000. Lifetime Record: 108-37-19-10,$1,612,040

Indiana Gaming Commission approves Centaur

Indiana Grand purchaseby Grant Scharton, director of public relations, CentaurHoldings, LLC Indianapolis, IN --- Indianapolis-based Centaur Holdings,LLC received the Indiana Gaming Commission’s condi-tional approval today of its agreement to purchase IndianaGrand Casino and Downs in Shelbyville, Ind. The state commission’s unanimous decision, the secondof two state-level regulatory approvals needed, comesafter last month’s Indiana Horse Racing Commission en-dorsement. A final review by the Chairman of the IndianaHorse Racing Commission and several financing andfederal regulatory and legal approvals will complete thepurchase. “Both the Indiana Gaming and Horse Racing Commis-sions’ unanimous approvals place the purchase of IndianaGrand Casino and Downs near completion, with severalregulators still needing to fully review the finalized agree-ment,” said Rod Ratcliff, Centaur Holdings, LLC chairmanand chief executive officer. “Centaur is ready to expand ourIndiana roots, investment, and positive community relation-ships through the successful completion of this acquisi-tion.” Centaur, founded in 1993, is a privately owned company,managed by Hoosiers and headquartered in Indianapolis. “The commissions’ concurrence is a sign of confidence inthe Centaur management team’s experience and knowl-edge in creating quality entertainment experiences for ourcustomers,” added Ratcliff. The addition of Indiana Grand Casino and Downs toCentaur’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson, Ind.,will nearly double the company’s total workforce to approxi-mately 2,000 Indiana residents. “Centaur places the highest possible value on employ-ees, customers, and community and hopes to continue tobuild on the overall enhancements made by the currentIndiana Grand Casino and Downs management team,”said Jim Brown, Centaur and Hoosier Park’s president andchief operating officer. “Whether it is the quality of the em-ployees’ work environment, the products and servicesprovided to guests, or the support provided to the localcommunity, Centaur is dedicated to its promise of opera-tional excellence.”