Thankful for Iowa Graduates
Tara Spach — IaHHA
As we start our coverage of Thanksgiving week, we want to say how thankful we are for all of our Iowa horses, racing throughout the country!
On Tuesday (11/24) at The Meadows, Heavy Handed Hanna (Aaron Merriman) left from the four-hole in race three. Sitting pretty in the pocket, Heavy Handed Hanna got the perfect trip. Waiting until the lane, Heavy Handed Hanna paced her last quarter in 29.3 to cross the line first, her mile in 1:56.2.
Three Iowa grads were put in the box in race six. Brianna’s Shadow with post position three, Glorynhonorforever drew the seven-hole and Supreme Dumpling the nine-hole. As the gate folded, Glorynhonorforever (Aaron Merriman) was sent to the front. Parked to the quarter in 27.3, he settled in behind the leader, Little Mary (Jim Pantaleano). As these two battled around the track, Brianna’s Shadow (Brady Brown) made a move on the outside, capturing the lead as they turned for home. In a burst of speed, Supreme Dumpling flew from ninth to first as they crossed the wire, picking up the win for trainer Brady Jenson, mile in 1:56.2. Glorynhonorforever held on for third, his mile in 1:56.4 for owners Royal and Barbara Roland.
Over at Saratoga Harness, Jumping Jillybean (Jim Devaux) left briskly to take the lead from the four-hole in race four. Cutting the mile in 29.0, 59.0, and 1:28.3, Jumping Jillybean hit the board for show, her mile in 1:59.2, beaten by a couple of lengths.
Wednesday (11/25) SVF Cash Deposit took to the track in race seven at Harrah’s Philadelphia. Drawing the five-hole, SVF Cash Deposit (Dexter Dunn) followed the leaders from fourth until the half. Pulling to the outside, SVF Cash Deposit picked off horses to take the lead at the top of the stretch. Trotting home in 29.4, SVF Cash Deposit lit up the board as he finished first. Paying $11.60 to win, $10.00 to place and $9.40 to show, SVF Cash Deposit was the horse to play to pick up the cash!
At The Meadows, several Iowa horses competed on Wednesday. Starting out in the opener, CR Valentine (Brady Brown) was driven hard out of the gate. Parked third at the quarter and still parked at the half, CR Valentine stuck a head in front to take the lead. Leading horses down the lane, CR Valentine was beaten at the wire by a head, taking third in 1:57.4.
In race two, Passion In Paris (Aaron Merriman) trotted out to third from post position five. Maintaining her position the majority of the mile, Passion In Paris held on to show, trotting her mile in 1:58 flat.
Prince Banker (Chris Shaw) competed in race five. Leaving from the four-hole, Prince Banker took the lead as they raced to the quarter-pole. Maintaining position on the rail, Prince Banker let BV’s Chip (Dave Palone) go as they trotted to the half. With a battle on the outside for the lead, Prince Banker stayed on the rail. Trotting home in 30.3, Prince Banker finished third, his mile in 1:59.3
In race seven, Lone Star Tap (Jim Pantaleano) drew the four-hole. As the race started, Lone Star Tap trotted out behind Sinister Hanover (Tony Hall). Not satisfied with a pocket trip, Lone Star Tap took over at the half. Trotting strong as they raced around the track, Lone Star Tap was up by a length as they turned for home. As The Funk (Spencer Kahrig) drew up alongside, Lone Star Tap fought for the wire. A nose in front, Lone Star Tap was victorious for owner Brady Jenson, trotting in 1:57 flat.
All Taylor Made (Dan Rawlings) had the rail in race ten. Getting away third, All Taylor Made sat third until the rounded the last turn. Following the leader Werner Hanover (Brady Brown), All Taylor Made placed second, trotting in 1:57.4.
Cal-Expo was the featured track for Friday (11/27). Leading off in race six, Marc Mellow Man (Nick Roland) left from the four-hole to sit third. With a breaker and interference in the race, Marc Mellow Man managed to stay out of trouble to finish third but was placed second, pacing in 1:56.4 for owners Duane and Connie Roland.
Trainer Nick Roland put James Kennedy down for the drive on Flash Me Baby in race nine. As the race got underway, Flash Me Baby was at the back of the pack at the quarter. Fighting through the field, Flash Me Baby paced from ninth to third as they reached the stretch. Last quarter in 28.2, Flash Me Baby finished second in 1:56.1, beaten by a length for owners Rick Huffman and Larry Mather.
In the closer, Dance Traveler (Tony Succarotte) had a rough trip. Getting away seventh, Dance Traveler had to travel up the field on the outside. Making up ground before the three-quarter pole, Dance Traveler finished a solid second, pacing in 1:57.3.
The big race of the week featured Snobbytown, competing in the Blue Chip Matchmaker at Yonkers Raceway on Saturday (11/28). Racing for a $100,000 purse, Snobbytown was into race against the nation’s top mares; Caviart Ally, Robyn Camden, Major Occasion A, Imprincessgemma A, Seaswift Joy N, Shartin N and Lady Dela Renta A. With the two-hole, Snobbytown (George Brennan) left the gate to settle into third behind Caviart Ally (Andrew McCarthy). As Shartin N (Tim Tetrick) set the pace, Snobbytown tracked behind Caviart Ally. Lady Dela Renta A made a move on the outside, briefly parked third as they paced to the three-quarters. Holding position, Snobbytown paced a big mile in 1:53.1 to place third, as Caviart Ally picked up the win by a neck over Shartin N.
Across the country, Bertha Vanation raced at Cal-Expo in race six. Parked third at the quarter, Bertha Vanation (Nick Roland) finally found the rail, in third, as they reached the half. Roland made the move, pulling Bertha Vanation out to challenge the leader. Parked second at the three-quarters, Bertha Vanation was head and head with Brighten Your Life (Jacob Cutting) as horses hit the stretch. Fighting hard for the wire, Bertha Vanation finished third, mile in 1:54.3.
Category: NEWS
