Marcus Melander will get his stable’s 2025 season underway Friday (April 11) at The Meadowlands, and he will do it with two horses that were competing overseas in recent years. Melander, who last year set career highs with 104 wins and $6.59 million in purses, will send out Aetos Kronos S and S I P in Friday’s featured $17,500 conditioned trot at The Big M.
Tag: Ken Weingartner
Game on for Its A Me Mario
Its A Me Mario is capable of bringing grins because of his name, but he also can do it with his performances. A stakes-winning 5-year-old son of American Ideal-NF Salsa, Its A Me Mario heads to Monday’s (April 7) second round of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series at MGM Yonkers Raceway as the 7-5 morning-line favorite in the first of five $50,000 divisions for the older male pacers.
Having a blast with Rocket Deo
Brian Gordon and Matt Morrison have thought highly of Rocket Deo since the day she was born, and their admiration for the pacing mare has only increased over time. Rocket Deo — a 4-year-old who is competing in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series, an event won by her mother, Rocklamation, in 2012 — has captured 11 of 23 career races and earned $513,089 for owners Gordon and Morrison (as Morrison Racing Stables) and John Fielding.
Stratton pair favored in Borgata opener
When it comes to consistency, Cory Stratton has a formidable one-two punch in MGM Borgata Pacing Series hopefuls For Once Inmy Life and Chase H Hanover. The two horses have combined for 21 starts for the trainer and hit the board every time.
Ciavardini in his ‘happy place’ with horses
Bob Ciavardini was in his mid-30s when he stepped away from harness racing to focus on a new career and raise a family. Never in the ensuing years did he ever really think about returning, but upon retiring, it didn’t take long for him to reconsider. And now, more than three decades since he left, Ciavardini is relishing every opportunity to take the stage for his second act in the sport.
Dilloian duo set for Matchmaker
Lydeo is a relative newcomer in trainer Doug Dilloian Jr.’s stable, but the 6-year-old female pacer has made a favorable impression in a short period of time. “She’s just one of those horses that never has a bad day,” Dilloian said. “And if I’m having a bad day, she makes my day better.”
College Tuition pays dividends for Foster
Eric Foster might not be able to say where College Tuition rates among his best horses, but he knows where the 7-year-old male trotter ranks otherwise.
From Rising Star to Stars and Stripes
Brett Beckwith’s penchant for winning races has already put him among the leading drivers in North America. Later this year, he will take aim at triumphing abroad. Beckwith, the 2024 Dan Patch Rising Star Award winner, has been selected by the U.S. Trotting Association to wear the Stars and Stripes and represent America in November’s World Driving Championship in New Zealand.
Luna looks to keep moving up
Marvin Luna knows what it’s like to sit at the top of the driver standings at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. At least for a while. The 23-year-old Luna led the way at Hoosier as late as the first week of June last season before perennial track champion Trace Tetrick reclaimed the No. 1 spot on his way to his 13th title at the Anderson, Ind., oval.
Rose Run Vision an endearing sight
Whether winning races on the track, or winning hearts around the barn, Rose Run Vision is something to behold. An 8-year-old female pacer, Rose Run Vision has posted 41 victories in her career and banked nearly $600,000 in purses for owner Eash Racing Stable.