by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway
Monticello, NY — Recently at Monticello Raceway, there has been a rash of claiming being done, with horses that have had long winning streaks each finding new homes. Some even change barns weekly.
Two horses have changed hands frequently are Tom Riddle, with four wins in a row in $5,000 and $7,500 claimers before winning again Tuesday (July 30) in $12,500 company and Stoman, whose five race win skein in $12,500 claimers was stopped on Tuesday when he was beaten in the final strides in a $20,000 claiming event.
After a wire-to-wire triumph in $7,500 claiming company for driver Jimmy Marohn, Jr. on July 17, Tom Riddle was claimed by owner-trainer Andy Adamcyzk. Back in for the same tag the following week, this time with Jimmy Devaux in the sulky, Tom Riddle continued to defeat his competition when he scored by eight lengths in a 1:55 clocking. Then on Tuesday, in for the first time with a $12,500 tag, Tom Riddle defeated Danny Gill’s 19-time winner Haroun Hanover, again with Jimmy Devaux driving in a 1:54.1 clocking.
Despite the $5,000 raise in price, Tom Riddle, a 6-year-old Cammibest stallion, was claimed by trainer Ron Ingrassia for new owner Anthony Crescio.
Oddly, and perhaps interestingly, Tom Riddle, who did most of his winning for trainer Gill before being taken by Adamczky, turned back Gill’s stalwart pacer Haroun Hanover and earned a new lifetime mark in doing so.
Gill won a later race on the card with Lockettejasper in 1:56 and when he came to the winner’s circle for a photo he was asked about his former pacer, Tom Riddle, beating Haroun Hanover, to which he quickly replied philosophically, “They’re both good horses and race their hearts out every time they’re on the track.”
Stoman’s situation was somewhat similar, but he changed hands three consecutive weeks although on Tuesday he remained in trainer David Russo’s barn after owner Barry Charles took him the previous week (July 23) for $12,500.
On July 9 Stoman was claimed by Barry Franklin for $12,500 from Dominick Rafanelli. The following week, in for the same price, Rafanelli claimed Stoman back. Then one week later, on July 23, Russo’s client Barry Charles plunked down $12,500 and he became Stoman’s third owner in three consecutive weeks.
Stoman’s claiming game was stopped on Tuesday afternoon when trainer Russo put the 7-year-old Market Report gelding in a $20,000 claiming pace. After leading all the way Stoman succumbed to Tiny’s Million and driver Jimmy Taggart, Jr. in a 1:55.4 clocking.
And even though Stoman had changed barns weekly, each trainer had Jimmy Devaux handle the driving chores.
Currently, Tom Riddle has won nine times in 23 starts and Stoman has eight victories in 22 starts. Next week may bring yet more claiming action for the principles involved. However, only time will tell.