Twice monthly until April, a familiar Woodbine Mohawk Park horse person will step into the spotlight to answer a handful of fun, offbeat questions, while giving readers a unique perspective into their personality on and off the racetrack.
Pandy’s Meadowlands selections for March 17
Handicapper Bob Pandolfo offers his selections for the full card at The Meadowlands on Friday night (March 17).
From grandstand to backstretch
While most follow in the footsteps of family members to become a horseman, there are some that take a more unfamiliar route to get a driver or trainer’s license — going from the grandstand to the backstretch. That’s the case with Illinois horseman Jim Molitor.
Rosecroft opportunities help drive Ahle
Prior to this past December, Johnathan Ahle had never driven at Rosecroft Raceway. This year, the Maryland oval has become something of a home away from home. Ahle, who lives in New Jersey, is third in wins among drivers at Rosecroft, where his total of 23 is two behind second-place Russell Foster. His performance at Rosecroft has helped the 26-year-old Ahle get his second full season in the sulky off to a strong start. Overall, he has posted 37 victories this year and is rapidly approaching his total of 45 wins for all of 2022.
Woodbine Mohawk Park moves qualifiers to Saturday
Woodbine Mohawk Park management would like to inform all horsepeople that this week’s qualifiers have been moved from Friday (March 17) to Saturday (March 18) due to expected rain and mild temperatures.
2023 Grand Circuit season opens Friday
Blue Chip Matchmaker and MGM Borgata Pacing series opening legs, MGM Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers, N.Y. This is the opening event of the 2023 Grand Circuit season.
Feeling Sweet posts mild upset in Dover distaff
Feeling Sweet brushed to the top and coasted to a 5-1 upset in Wednesday’s (March 15) $25,000 Mares Open Pace at Bally’s Dover.
Faithful Desire Rockets to Buffalo victory
Faithful Desire ($14.40) rocketed to the lead up the backstretch and posted a solid four-length victory in Buffalo Raceway’s $17,500 Open Pace for fillies and mares on Wednesday night (March 15).
The Mighty Hill is the latest King of the Hill in Miami Valley Open
Lebanon, OH – Despite the fact that the last four weekly winners of the Open Trot at Miami Valley were in the field, a new winner emerged on Wednesday (March 15) in the $30,000 feature race. The Mighty Hill improved on his runnerup finish a week ago and swept to his fourth seasonal victory, his second in three tries since joining the Jeff Smith Stable. Son Trevor Smith was in the sulky for the 1:54 score over Combs Hanover (Chris Page) and Triathlon AS (Brandon Bates).
Kakaley-Alexander prep sharp horses at Pocono
None Bettor A and American Courage, two free-for-all pacers entered in Monday’s first leg of the MGM Borgata Series at Yonkers, got in useful final workouts on Wednesday morning (March 15) at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, winning in 1:54 and 1:54.1, respectively.