When 3-year-old male pacer Boston Rocks finished fourth in his career debut last season at Tioga Downs, trainer Mike Deters wasn’t discouraged. He was impressed. Boston Rocks got away near the rear of the eight-horse field and was 10-1/4 lengths behind the leader at the race’s midpoint, but paced his second half in :55, came three-wide around the last turn, and was still gaining ground at the finish as he missed by two lengths. Boston Rocks has done nothing since that day to alter Deters’ opinion. The homebred colt has hit the board in 16 of 18 career races, winning six and earning $426,022 for owners Rick Berks and Peter Blood.
Tag: Ken Weingartner
Andy McCarthy wins six in 2-year-old races at Magical Acres
Andy McCarthy sat behind six winners Wednesday (June 26) as Magical Acres held 14 qualifiers for 2-year-old pacers and trotters. McCarthy’s victories included the day’s fastest mile, a 1:56.3 score with Linda Toscano-trained female pacer Allegra Hanover.
Tetrick has rail advantage in Triple Crown races at Yonkers
Tim Tetrick will enter Friday’s two Triple Crown events for 3-year-olds at MGM Yonkers Raceway driving horses starting as No. 1. He hopes to see that number again, connected to their finishing positions, when the races are completed. Security Protected and Tetrick will leave from post No. 1 in the $300,000 MGM Yonkers Trot, the first jewel in the Trotting Triple Crown. One race earlier, Armada Hanover and Tetrick will leave from post one in the $225,000 MGM Grand Messenger Stakes, the first jewel in the Pacing Triple Crown.
Miller pleased with French Riviera after Gaitway qualifiers
Julie Miller has enjoyed success with the family of 2-year-old female trotter French Riviera, and after she watched the rookie make her qualifying debut Thursday (June 20) at Gaitway Farm, she had more reason to smile.
The ‘Duke’ hopes to rule in Yonkers Trot elimination
Duke Of Walner will head to Friday’s lone MGM Yonkers Trot elimination looking for his first win of the season, and trainer/co-owner Lucas Wallin hopes the trip to MGM Yonkers Raceway coupled with several equipment changes can help the colt get the job done.
Breeder Avritt eyes more NA Cup success
Captain’s Quarters and Total Stranger might have been different when they were growing up together as young horses, but on Saturday (June 15) the 3-year-old colt pacers will find themselves in the same place, competing in the C$1 million Pepsi North America Cup final at Woodbine Mohawk Park, with the chance to bring home a third trophy for their family.
Daley captures four in 2-year-old races at Magical Acres
Noel Daley led the way among trainers as Magical Acres hosted its first round of qualifiers for 2-year-olds on Wednesday (June 12), picking up four wins in the 10 events for the freshmen, including a 1:58 score with male pacer P A Piper.
Burke wins seven of eight Gaitway 2-year-old races
Shes A Streaker was the swiftest of all in Monday’s opening round of qualifiers for 2-year-olds at Gaitway Farm, where the female pacer posted a 1:57.1 win for trainer Ron Burke and driver Jordan Stratton. Burke sent out 25 horses in the eight qualifiers for the rookies and came away with seven winners.
Page hopes for more ‘Missal’ magic
Chris Page fulfilled a childhood dream in 2022 when he won the Little Brown Jug with Bythemissal. On Saturday, Page will be reunited with the horse for the first time since that season and aim to capture another race he attended regularly as a youngster. Bythemissal and Page will look to win Saturday’s $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie, an invitational for older pacers, at MGM Northfield Park.
Taggart reflects on 6,000 win milestone
Jim Taggart Jr. remains driven. Taggart, who got started as a harness racing driver by competing in amateur races in the late 1980s, added to his list of career accomplishments last week when he notched win 6,000 at Tioga Downs.