Fox Valley Landen might have had difficulty traveling a straight path as a 2-year-old, but he got moving in the right direction last season at age 3, winning 11 of 14 races and being named Illinois’ best sophomore male pacer. That success has propelled the gelding on to the Grand Circuit this year, with the trail leading Fox Valley Landen and driver Kyle Husted to Ontario’s Woodbine Mohawk Park for Saturday’s opening round of the Graduate Series.
Tag: Ken Weingartner
Buy A Round seeks NJSS title repeat
Buy A Round will be looking to make it a double this weekend at The Meadowlands. A New Jersey Sire Stakes champion last year at age 2, the Noel Daley-trained filly will go for her second title Friday when she faces nine rivals in this season’s $240,000 final for 3-year-old female trotters. All 10 finalists are eligible to the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks on Aug. 3 at the Big M.
Bythemissal set for return in Auger
A year ago at this time, Bythemissal was sidelined by illness, leaving the future of his campaign in doubt. But after missing nearly two months — and racing only once upon his return before the calendar turned to August — the pacer put all uncertainty to rest. He won his division of the Sam McKee Memorial in a career-best 1:47.1 on Hambletonian Day at The Meadowlands, launching a season-ending march to Dan Patch Award honors.
Freehold to host Lederman Memorial Race on Saturday
Throughout his career as a track announcer, Larry Lederman was known for the wit and wordplay that punctuated his race calls. Amateur driver Anthony Verruso remembers those moments well, but that is not what stands out for him when he recalls winning races at Freehold Raceway with Lederman in the booth. Verruso will be among eight drivers participating in a Larry Lederman Memorial Race on Saturday at Freehold.
Brothers enjoying fairy-tale ‘Story’
Dave Clamme and his brother Paul hope this is just the beginning for Endofstory. The brothers, who reside in Indiana, are relative newcomers to racehorse ownership, having gotten involved in harness racing only two years ago, fulfilling a bucket-list item for Dave. On Saturday, Dave and Paul will watch Endofstory compete in the $240,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes championship for 3-year-old male pacers at The Meadowlands.
Patience has indeed been a virtue for driver Marvin Luna
Marvin Luna is enjoying a rapid rise as a driver thanks to taking it slowly. The 22-year-old Luna began driving in 2020, but never topped 48 starts in a season until breaking out with 594 last year. He won 83 times in 2023, a nearly 14-percent clip, and guided his horses to $1.11 million in purses. Now he is in position to shatter those numbers.
Seven Colors aims for redemption in Juravinski final
After watching Seven Colors take a misstep in his Charles Juravinski Memorial Cup elimination this past weekend, trainer Andrew Harris is hoping to see the 4-year-old pacer put his best foot forward in Sunday’s C$263,000 final at Flamboro Downs.
Dover In Motion is the apple of Macomber’s eye
No matter the season, Dover In Motion gives co-owner/trainer Jamie Macomber a warm feeling. An apple-eating machine in the barn, Dover In Motion has been devouring the racetrack since returning in October from a 10-month layoff because of an injury. The 5-year-old male trotter has hit the board in 13 of 15 starts, winning nine and earning $147,760.
Venerate looks to repeat in Cutler Memorial
Three horses have repeated as the winner of the Arthur J. Cutler Memorial in its 26-year history. Venerate will look to become the fourth when he meets seven rivals in Saturday’s $145,150 edition of the Grand Circuit event for older trotters at The Meadowlands.
When it’s time to go, ‘Fancy’ is all business
Kasey Bendix is never sure which version of Fancy Like That she will encounter on a day-to-day basis, but she is always certain of the one that will get behind the starting gate. Fancy Like That, a Maryland Sire Stakes champion last season at age 2, will look to add another title to her résumé Tuesday when she competes in the $87,500 MSS final for 3-year-old female pacers at Rosecroft Raceway.