by Bob Heyden

LAST WEEK, EARLY LINE, HORSE, TRAINER, OWNER, SCOOP

1, 8-5, KEN WARKENTIN, Jimmy Takter, C. Takter, Fielding, Domi, Windsor Stable. Makes 2005 debut in NJSS on Thursday at Meadowlands. “I hope he races well enough to make the final,” said Takter. “I’m very happy with his qualifiers, and he’s ready to go.”

2, 7-2, SOUTHFORK, Brett Pelling, Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld. “We’re excited about this season,” said Marvin Katz. “He’s set to qualify this week.” Katz and Libfeld won the $1 million Meadowlands Pace in 1997 with Dream Away.

3, 4-1, NEW YORK YANK, Noel Daley, Adam Victor & Son Stable. Won NJSS in 1:54.3, gets week off before NJSS Final. “This colt has a mind of his own,” said Ron Pierce. “He’s a very independent sort. If you don’t keep a careful eye on him, he’s going to try and pull something on you out there.”

4, 5-1, DIESEL DON, Chuck Sylvester, Chuck Sylvester, Neal Goldman, Having Fun Stable. Qualified in 1:56.2 on June 10 at the Meadowlands, last quarter in :28.2. “I was very happy with him,” said John Campbell. “He’ll come back again and qualify (this) week.”

5, 6-1, SELF PROFESSED, Don Swick, Royal Wire Products Inc. “I didn’t want to race in every leg,” Swick said of decision to skip NJSS last week. “I hope he’s done enough after Thursday night (NJSS third leg) to make the final.”

6, 8-1, STRONG YANKEE, Trond Smedshammer, Strong Yankee Stable. “It’s time to get him some racing,” said Smedshammer. “He’s not the easiest horse to handle. Now we’ll be able to better see what we’ve got.” Season’s debut in Thursday’s NJSS.

8, 10-1, MUSCLE MEMORY, Jimmy Takter, EC and DM Smith, E. Nojaim, C. Takter. “He’s done what we’ve asked so far,” Takter noted. “I think he’s shown to be one of the best out there so far.” Week off before June 23 NJSS Final. Won NJSS in 1:55.1 on June 9.

Not Ranked, 10-1, MUSCLE BOUND, Ron Gurfein, Brittany Farms, J. Silva, Sampson Street Stable. “He went a very good mile,” said Mike Lachance of his five and a half length NJSS win on June 9. “He’s got good natural ability.”

7, 12-1, CADILLAC HALL, Ron Gurfein, Walnut Hall, Berto, Birnam Wood. Took the week off. Entered in nw3 on June 15 at the Meadowlands. “It’s early, but I like what I see so far,” said Hall of Fame driver Mike Lachance.

10, 15-1, WORSHIP, Arild Eggen, WCB Racing Stable. “I had to back off his training a bit,” said Eggen. “Now that he’s going to be racing, I won’t be drilling him as much.” Second in a June 10 qualifier at the Meadowlands.

Date, Stakes, Site, Winner, Owner, Trainer, Driver, Second Horse, Third Horse, Time

5/14, Dexter Cup, Fhld, LINDY FIVE HUNDRED, Schnittker, Jones, et al, Ray Schnittker, George Brennan, Great George Two, CLEARAWAY, 1:59.1

5/30, NJSS – 1st leg, M, MUSCLE MEMORY, Smith, Nojaim, Takter, Jimmy Takter, Brian Sears, Muscles Serenade, LINDY’S MAESTRO, 1:56.1

5/30, NJSS – 1st leg, M, Franks ‘N Beans, Alfred Ross, Karen Garland, Stephen Smith, Corona Bluestone, Armbro Copenhagen, 1:56

5/30, NJSS – 1st leg, M, SELF PROFESSED, Royal Wire Products, Don Swick, Brian Sears, NORTHERN KID, MUSCLESEXTRODINAIR, 1:55.1

5/30, NJSS – 1st leg, M, Q FORTY FIVE, Takter, Ross, Fielding, Jimmy Takter, Ron Pierce, Grit Your Teeth, CLEARAWAY, 1:56.2

6/9, NJSS – 2nd leg, M, MUSCLE MEMORY, Smith, Jojaim, Takter, Jimmy Takter, Brian Sears, CELEBRITY MASTER, Magic Swan, 1:55.1

6/9, NJSS – 2nd leg, M, NEW YORK YANK, Adam Victor & Son, Noel Daley, Ron Pierce, Chocolate Dipped, WILLISTOWN, 1:54.3

6/9, NJSS – 2nd leg, M, MUSCLE BOUND, Brittany, Silva, Sampson St, Ron Gurfein, Mike Lachance, CLEARAWAY, Choice Sakra, 1:55.3

6/11, Goodtimes Elims, Wdb, Great George Two, Graham Grace, M&W, Bib Roberts, Jon Roberts, Ro Lo, BARE IT ALL, 1:52.1

6/11, Goodtimes Elims, Wdb, VINO CAMIELLE, L:aakonen & Iversen, Anders Wolden, Jack Moiseyev, CLASSIC PHOTO, TRAVELIN LITE, 1:54

6/11, Goodtimes Elims, Wdb, BJs King, Robert Key, Jonas Stutzman, Ron Pierce, Brancaleone, Stonebridge Diablo, 1:54.1

6/18, Goodtimes, Wdb

6/23, NJSS Final, M

7/1, Dickerson Historic, M

7/8, SF Dancer Elims, M

7/15, SF Dancer, M

7/30, Hambletonian Elims, M

Aug 6, Hambletonian, M

HAMBLETONIAN ELIGIBLES IN CAPS