Jeff Thomson’s 2-year-old grandson Griffin is too young to understand racing but old enough to know his name. So, when Griffin was shown a replay of 2-year-old male trotter Griff winning a race earlier this season, he was enthralled. The next cool moment for Griffin, Griff, and the horse’s connections arrives Saturday. Griff, bred by Thomson and his wife, Lori, will compete in the Mohawk Million for 2-year-old trotters at Woodbine Mohawk Park after receiving a spot in the buy-in race courtesy of Anders Strom’s Courant Inc.
Tag: Ken Weingartner
Owner hopes Seven Colors is brightest in Jug
Bill Pollock enjoys the thrill of winning races and a victory in Thursday’s Little Brown Jug would rank up there with the biggest of thrills. Pollock is among the owners of Seven Colors, one of the 18 hopefuls in the 78th edition of the classic event for 3-year-old pacers at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in central Ohio. Seven Colors will start his elimination from post six with driver Dexter Dunn and is 7-2 on the morning line.
Hey Hey Mama aims to bring it on home in Jugette
Hey Hey Mama will get the opportunity to rock and roll in Wednesday’s $305,000 Jugette for 3-year-old filly pacers, and if she does, it would be only fitting. Named with a nod toward the opening line of Led Zeppelin’s song “Black Dog,” as well as sired by the Zeppelin-inspired Downbytheseaside, the co-fastest female pacer ever on a half-mile track is 4-1 on the morning line in the second of two $25,000 Jugette eliminations at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in central Ohio.
Enjoying the ride with Mars Hill
Patience is a virtue in the breeding business, which Richard Arnold fully appreciates. Arnold spent more than a decade building a successful cattle farm in Tennessee, and decades later, added a Standardbred breeding operation at his Willow Oak Ranch. Tonight, his Mars Hill face nine rivals in the $420,000 Peter Haughton Memorial at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.
Karl aims to make more noise in KYSS final
If actions speak louder than words, Karl’s performances to begin his career virtually shout. The 2-year-old male trotter has won all three of his races, by a total of 15-1/4 lengths, and his 1:52.1 triumph last month at Lexington’s Red Mile is the fastest of the season for freshman trotters. On Sunday, Karl will look to continue his winning ways when he meets nine rivals in the $400,000 Kentucky Sire Stakes Championship Series final for 2-year-old male trotters at the Red Mile.
Ponda Title set for Doherty test
Among the many admirable qualities possessed by Ponda Title, perhaps the most valuable is the one not readily visible: The desire to win. Ponda Title has five victories in seven races this season (with a second and third in her two setbacks) and $138,670 in purses, a total that ranks among her division’s best. All her starts have come at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, where on Friday she will make her Grand Circuit debut against nine rivals in the $400,000 Jim Doherty Memorial for 2-year-old female trotters.
International Trot Notebook
Dunn hopes nine is fine with Jiggy Jog S; Melander remembers first International win, looks for a second; Roy and ‘Frenzie’ ready to represent.
Daley duo look to add New Jersey Classic titles to resumes
Noel Daley liked Buy A Round from the moment he began training the female trotter, particularly because she reminded him of past stable star Cedar Dove. The 2-year-old filly has done little to change Daley’s opinion since the beginning of her campaign, winning three of four races, including the New Jersey Sire Stakes championship a month ago. On Friday at The Meadowlands, Buy A Round will be one of four NJSS champs looking to add a New Jersey Classic final to their list of accomplishments. Daley also trains one of the other three, 2-year-old male trotter Sig Sauer.
Alford returns to America to drive Aldebaran Zeus in International Trot
Seven years ago, Chris Alford had the opportunity to participate in several races during Little Brown Jug Week at the Delaware County Fairgrounds while in the U.S. on holiday. The renowned Australian driver’s return to the States this week is all business. Alford, who is approaching 8,000 lifetime victories and is the winningest driver in Australian history, will get in the sulky behind Aussie-bred Aldebaran Zeus in Saturday’s $1 million MGM Yonkers International Trot at MGM Yonkers Raceway.
Kildare King looks to reign in Hill
Foot issues hindered Kildare King as a young horse, but since turning age 4 last year, the trotter’s performances have been predominantly majestic. The winner of two of 22 races at ages 2 and 3, Kildare King has hit the board 25 times in his past 31 starts, with 16 victories and seven second-place finishes. He also has been a track-record performer at Eldorado Scioto Downs, where on Saturday he will face nine rivals in the $250,000 Charlie Hill Memorial for older trotters.