Michael “Mickey” Burke Sr., the 2006 Trainer of the Year and first trainer in history to surpass $10 million in purses in a single season, passed away Monday morning at the age of 87.
Tag: Ken Weingartner
Call Me Goo to make Big M debut in Miss Versatility
Call Me Goo spent her formative years racing in the Maryland Sire Stakes, but after winning five times last year on the Grand Circuit and opening this season by erasing a 21-year-old track record at Rosecroft Raceway, it is easy to see why her connections are excited about discovering the 4-year-old female trotter’s full potential. On Saturday, Call Me Goo will visit The Meadowlands for the first time in her career to compete in the first round of the Miss Versatility Series for trotting mares.
Fresh off honors, Moore and Stockade Seelster set to begin again
After being named Canada’s Trainer of the Year in February and a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Class of 2024 a week ago, Dr. Ian Moore is set to kick off a new season this weekend with a slate of races that include millionaire Stockade Seelster visiting Miami Valley Raceway for Saturday’s $100,000 Pacey “The Wizard” Mindlin Memorial.
Another round of stars set for Q debuts at Big M
Dan Patch Award winners Captain Albano and Jiggy Jog S, O’Brien Award winner T C I, and Breeders Crown champs Southwind Tyrion and My Girl EJ will make their first appearances of the year when The Meadowlands hosts 15 qualifiers beginning at 9 a.m. (EDT) Friday.
Sir Pinocchio ready to put nose on the gate in Dexter
Stakes success at Freehold Raceway is a bit of a tradition for the family of Sir Pinocchio, who will look to leave his own mark at the central New Jersey half-mile oval when he competes in Saturday’s (May 4) $134,900 Dexter Cup for 3-year-old male trotters.
Bost watches ‘Daisy’ continue to grow
Emily Bost was in college and knew nothing about harness racing when she answered a newspaper help-wanted ad for a racehorse caretaker at Pocono Downs. Bost, who had previous experience with horses thanks to her years as a competitive rider, fell in love with the Standardbreds. Two decades later, Bost is in her sixth year as a trainer and will head to Mohegan Pennsylvania’s Pocono Downs on Saturday seeking the most lucrative win of her career when she sends Big City Daisy behind the gate in the $50,000 Bobby Weiss Series final for 3-year-old female pacers. Bost took care of the filly’s mom, Big City Betty, in the three years prior to getting her trainer’s license, making the moment even more significant.
Karl set to qualify at Big M
Dan Patch Award winner Karl, the No. 1-ranked horse in Meadowlands announcer/analyst Ken Warkentin’s Hambletonian Winter Book Top 10, will be among the stars making their first appearances of 2024 when The Meadowlands hosts 18 qualifiers Saturday morning.
Thinker Monkey leads eight into Dexter Cup
Eight horses were entered Wednesday for the Dexter Cup, the first Grand Circuit event of the season for 3-year-old male trotters, making eliminations unnecessary Saturday at Freehold Raceway. All eight horses advance directly to the Dexter Cup final, which will go for a purse of $134,900 on May 4 at the half-mile track in central New Jersey. Headlining the octet is Thinker Monkey, who was purchased for $500,000 at the 2022 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale and is a full brother to 2020 Trotter of the Year Gimpanzee.
Coaches Corner, Whats Stanley Got A aim to surge in Borgata final
Four horses will enter Monday’s $457,000 MGM Borgata Pacing Series final for older male pacers having been no worse than second in any of the preliminary action at MGM Yonkers Raceway. Desperate Man, who was a perfect 4-for-4 in the prelims, and Linedrive Hanover, whose only setback in his four starts was a second-place finish to Desperate Man, are the headliners. Then there are Coaches Corner and Whats Stanley Got A.
Like Old Man River, JL Cruze just keeps rollin’ along
JL Cruze might be 13 years old, but he still acts like a youngster on a daily basis. JL Cruze, the 2015 Dan Patch Award winner for best older male trotter, is still winning races nine years after receiving that honor. He has two victories this season, upping his career total to 65 in 223 starts. He has banked $31,650 this year, pushing his lifetime earnings to $1.92 million.