by Bob Heyden

East Rutherford, NJ — After rolling to victory in the Empire Breeders Classic, Kenneth J is getting ready for this weekend’s North America Cup elims at Woodbine.

Sutter Hanover was sensational in winning his Burlington division, dominating in 1:50.1 at Woodbine last Saturday.

“Sutter Hanover gives 100 percent every time,” driver David Miller said of the colt. “He does have a tendency to get a touch lazy when on the lead. He loves chasing horses. I wouldn’t trade places right now with anyone else.”

Yankee Skyscaper just missed in the New Jersey Classic, a head back of Fresh Deck. The New Jersey Classic runner-up has gone on to win the Meadowlands Pace twice before, in 1991 (Precious Bunny) and 1992 (Carlsbad Cam).

Home Bed Advantage finished third in the $1 million Rooney, despite a tough journey, last week at Yonkers.

The Quiet Mon was ultra-impressive in a qualifier on May 31, winning by 17-1/2 lengths in 1:51.2, with a :26.2 final quarter.

Southwind Lynx won the $1 million Rooney last Saturday at Yonkers, giving trainer George Teague, Jr. his second seven-figure win and 25-year-old driver Tim Tetrick his first.

“I knew he was a strong closer,” Teague said of Southwind Lynx. “He still doesn’t handle the turns exactly the way I’d like, but he kicked in strong to get up.”

Always A Virgin might have put on the best performance in the New Jersey Classic, beaten only by a neck after going the long, uncovered route.

Mr Apples is behind schedule due to a temperature, which is a major concern at this point of the sophomore season. However, he showed major talent at 2 and still has to be counted in the running — at least for another week.

Glass Pack fell only a half-length shy of the win in his Rooney elimination. Son of Cole Muffler (like Home Bed Advantage) showed high speed at 2, pacing in 1:50.4 at Springfield.

Artriverderci was boxed in with pace but nowhere to go in the New Jersey Classic. He’s green, but mean.

This week, last week, early line, horse, trainer, owner
1, 1, 9-5, Kenneth J, Linda Toscano, Ken Jacobs
2, 2, 2-1, Sutter Hanover, Mark Harder, Sampson Street, Deena Frost, Fox Hollow Farm
3, 3, 4-1, Yankee Skyscaper, Chris Ryder, Yankee Skyscaper Partners
4, 6, 6-1, Home Bed Advantage, Patrick Lachance, MJGB Racing And David McCaffrey
5, 5, 6-1, The Quiet Mon, John Butenschoen, Baron, Bardowski, Butenschoen, Zilli
6, 4, 8-1, Southwind Lynx, George Teague, K & R Racing Llc, Teague, Inc.
7, 7, 10-1, Always A Virgin, Joe Holloway, Bluewood Stable, Roll The Dice Stable
8, 9, 15-1, Mr Apples, George Teague, George Teague, Jr., Rodney Mitchell
9, Not Ranked, 15-1, Glass Pack, Rich Banca, R. Peter Heffering, Jerry Silva
10, Not Ranked, 20-1, Artriverderci, Bruce Saunders, Glenview Livestock, Ltd.

Top 10 meet in amateur driving finale on Wednesday

Their day jobs include university dean, IT operations, photographer and human resources manager, but on Wednesday night, June 6, 10 members of the American Harness Drivers Club will don their driving colors to compete in their $5,000 Spring Pacing Series Final at the Meadowlands.

The one mile pace will take place before the racing card at 7:00 p.m. and is a non-wagering event.

Series leader Carmen Ciccone, a sales manager for Primedia Business of Stamford, Conn., will steer Chips Tresaure in the spring finale.

Defending 2006 Fall Series champion Bob Hechkoff, of New York City, will drive Whitsunday Beach. Heckhoff is the owner and president of Hechkoff Executive Search, Inc.

Dr. Karyn Malinowski is director of the Equine Science Center at the Cook College division of Rutgers University and will be driving BJ’s Zephyr in the competition. John Regina of Bedminster, N.J., who will drive his own horse, Brookletshappyhour, is senior vice president of human resources for Robert Wood University Hospital. Equine photographer Monica Thors of Robbinsville, N.J., will steer According To Hoyle. Phil Winkler of Lyndhurst, N.J., a financial representative for Met Life’s New England Financial Group, will drive Cambar. Brad Rathbone, an IT operations manager for Chase Bank in Wilmington, Del., will drive Princess Nikki. Neil Goldstein, a resident of East Brunswick, N.J., and principal in a business consulting firm will pilot Sand D’Laney. American Harness Drivers Club president Bernie Boland will compete in the final with Ashcott El N. Boland regularly commutes between his home in Middletown, N.J. and his position at Scioto Downs racetrack in Ohio. Rounding out the field of finalists is Anthony Verruso of Whitestone, N.Y., who will drive State Affair.

American Harness Drivers Club Spring Pacing Final
PP, Horse, Driver, Trainer
1, Cambar, Phil Winkler, Jim Doherty, Jr.
2, Sand D’laney, Neil Goldstein, Kerin Warner
3, Chips Treasure, Carmin Ciccone, Dave Elliott
4, State Affair, Anthony Verruso, Liz Carotenuto
5, Brookletshappyhour, John Regina, Eric Abbatiello
6, Ashcott El N, Bernie Boland, Joe Kowalski
7, BJ’s Zephyr, Karyn Malinowski, Earle Gale
8, Raider’s Revenge, Brad Rathbone, George Simmons
9, According To Hoyle, Monice Thors, Monica Thors
10, Whitsunday Beach, Robert Hechkoff, Jim Doherty, Jr.