by Lynne Snierson, publicity director, Rockingham Park

Salem, NH — Armbro Barrister, who set a new track record for older stallions, and Enough Talk upset two heavy favorites in winning their eliminations for the Joseph Carney Memorial Trot at Rockingham Park on Sunday, August 26, while earning the right to advance to next Sunday’s $50,000 final.

In the first of the two $15,000 eliminations, Armbro Barrister, who was driven by Michael Eaton and trained by Raymond Schnittker, trotted the mile in 1:55.2 on a fast track to eclipse the old mark for older stallions of 1:55.4 set by Foreign Authority in July. The 6-year-old son of Malabar Man, who was dispatched at 7-1 odds in the field of seven, returned $17.40, while 6-1 choice Rickie was second and 16-1 shot Mister Lucky Vec took third.

Earl’s Charm K, the New England and Rockingham record holder for trotters of all ages, who was driven by Jonathan Roberts, never fired and disappointed the backers who made him the 2-5 favorite and had hoped to see him race again in next week’s final.

In the second $15,000 elimination, 3-1 second-choice Enough Talk proved the best of six with Matthew Butcher, Jr. in the bike as the Paul Kelley-trainee came home in 1:56.2 to nail down his place in the Carney Final. Budlightning and Foreign Authority, the 10-1 and 25-1 choices, respectively, completed the trifecta.

Swan Image, the 1-5 favorite who was also driven by Roberts, finished last in the field while beaten more than 22 lengths due to a troubled trip. After encountering traffic problems and getting shuffled back, he broke stride in the stretch and ended all chances to advance to next Sunday’s final.

The top four finishers from each elimination, plus the fifth place horse from the fastest of the two races, will contest the $50,000 Joseph Carney Memorial Trot on Labor Day weekend.

The nine-horse field will be comprised of Armbro Barrister, Enough Talk, Rickie, Mister Lucky Vec, Kiwi Demand, Budlightning, Foreign Authority, Los Barvos, and Slim Down. Post positions for Sunday’s event will be drawn on Thursday, August 30.

The race is named in honor of Joe Carney, the late president of Rockingham, who passed away in 2003.

Due to the Labor Day holiday schedule change, there will be no live racing this week on Wednesday. Live racing resumes on Friday (August 31) and continues throughout the four-day holiday weekend with post time of 1:05 p.m. Friday through Monday.