Matches for "Bettors Delight"

Out of 31 races last week, a grand total of three were won in coast-to-coast fashion, and one of those was turned in by China King and harness racing pilot Chip Lackey while capturing the Open Pace at juicy 19-1 odds. The East Coast invader, who races for Gary and Jennifer Sabot and trainer Gene Vallandingham, had suffered brutal beats at the hands of the streaking St Lads Lotto in his previous two efforts, but was able to turn the tables last weekend with his 1:52 1/5 tour. To be honest, I didnt go into that race with the same confidence I had the previous two starts when he was just nipped, Lackey explained. Hed missed a couple of starts, it looked like there was plenty of other speed in there and after a night and a half of racing to that point, there hadnt been a horse win on the front end. On top of that, Id been having some pretty bad luck with my drives. That said, I always try to be optimistic when I go out there and I will say that Jen (Sabot) and Gene were pretty confident about China Kings chances and did a terrific job to have him ready. Lackey was able to buzz the pacer right to the front and cut out fractions of :27 2/5, :54 4/5 and 1:22 3/5 en route to the three-quarters of a length upset over the 1-2 St Lads Lotto, who had his seven-race win streak snapped in the process. This is a very nice one, Chip noted. There are a lot of horses who like to roll away from there and then you have to wrestle with them, but hell pretty much do anything you want and is very ratable. Everything considered, I thought they might want me to take back with him last week, but they said to let him fire out and thats what we did. It was a tremendous effort when you remember he hadnt raced in three weeks, and it also did a lot to raise my spirits after some tough luck. High Bet Hanover eyes another snapshot Sundays distaff pacing feature goes in two divisions, with High Bet Hanover and Js Littlerockstar heading their respective races. A 10-race card is set with first post at 4:50 p.m. High Bet Hanover comes into her contest having posed for pictures following four of her last five starts, with her only setback coming two weeks ago when she took on some very tough male rivals. The Bettors Delight mare, who races for Kc C Carvalho, is conditioned by Tim Brown and will have Luke Plano guiding, rattled off three straight victories here between December 22 and January 2, then had her work cut out versus the likes of A Real Miracle at next asking. Returning to face fillies and mares last week, High Bet Hanover was hammered down to 1-2 and did not disappoint her many supporters. Plano left into a tracking trip with his charge, took aim on the leaders in the stretch and swept by when it counted for a length and a half score. Js Littlerockstar has been a gem of consistency and will be well backed in the co-feature. James Kennedy owns, trains, drives and bred the Little Steven mare, who has multiple Sire Stakes trophies on her mantle. The bay miss has accounted for the last two stakes engagements for her division, getting the January 4 score after the disqualification of arch-rival Brewski, then hung a head decision on that foe in last weeks Sire Stakes clash in another big mile. Next week will find the trotters and pacers in action under the Watch and Wager LLC banner on Friday and Saturday nights, with no racing on Super Bowl Sunday, February 1. By Mark Ratzky, publicty Cal Expo Harness                                          

Brian West has been preparing horses for the harness racing yearling sales longer than he would care to admit and knows that there are so many variables that can affect the result on the day. A lot of those variables are outside of his control so Brian just concentrates on presenting his stock in the best condition possible on the day. Mother nature plays her part with regards to the makeup of his draft and in that regard this year, Brian couldn't be happier. " This would be one of the nicest groups of yearlings I have had to sell for quite a while. "I couldn't be happier with them a month out and I am going into the sales with a fair bit of confidence," Brian said. It is never easy to get the preparers involved in the sales prep to agree on the "best " one in their draft but the Studholme team agreed on a top three from their prospective. Lot 462 - Undercurrent A son of Somebeachsomewhere, Undercurrent is the third foal from Under The Odds, a Bettors Delight daughter of champion racemare Under Cover Lover 1:51.8 ($864,925). The first foal from Under The Odds is the smart Australian three year old The Odd Lover 1:56.1 ($43,720) who has won five from nine to date and looks to be a major player in the three year old classics in Western Australia this season. Brian has been really taken with the colt. " I just love his attitude when you dealing with him." "He is one of those horses that is with you 100%." "It doesn't hurt that he is such a great looking/moving horse as well," Brian said. Lot 267 - On The Rantan A son of Bettors Delight, On The Rantan is the fifth foal from the In The Pocket mare Funontherun 1:58.3 who already has the runs on the board. Funontherun has left three winners to date including On The Razzle 1:53.1 ($137,478) Ohoka Cooper 1:56.7 ($44,674) and last weeks super impressive debutant at Addington On The Town 1:57 All three winners are by Bettors Delight so On The Rantan has plenty to live up to. " This boy is different to Undercurrent in that he will boss you if you let him. " He is all colt and is fiercely determined." " He is a lovely bodied horse and the more you do with him the more you like him," Brian said. Lot 336 - Saint Laurent  A son of Bettors Delight, Saint Laurent is the second foal and first colt from the former brilliant racemare Lancome 1:54.9 ($461,278) who from a two year old to a four year old raced and won at the highest level in New Zealand. A descendant of the "Guest" family with which the late Jack Smolenski had so much success with especially at age group level, Saint Laurent is an out and out "Blue Blood" " I think this one does know who his parents are." " He has got that bit of arrogance about him that the good horses have." " He is a really athlectic individual to boot," Brian said.   All vendors with large drafts have a "sleeper" in their group which due to any number of factors are unlikely to make the money they should. It could be due to the sire being out of "fashion" or the mare having yet to leave a black type winner or a combination of reasons. Brian has no doubts which horse is his "sleeper" this year Lot 239 - He's Official A son of Art Official, He's Official is the first foal from the Bettors Delight mare Delightful Lover. Delightful Lover is a half sister to the smart filly Castellina Lover 1:55.3 while the grand-dam is Delizioso 1:56.6 who is a full sister to Under Cover Lover 1:51.8 ($864,925) Brian has noticed the response to the colt from the many trainers and owners previewing his draft at his Coes Ford property. " Being an Art Official means he probably wont be on the top of any buying lists but any one who has seen him parade has gone and had a second look after the parade. "He has a real presense about him and is a lovely type." " If he was a Bettors Delight or Art Major he would fetch big money on his looks," Brian said. With fifteen yearlings entered this year Brian and his staff have had their hands full keeping everything on track but going by the appearance of the yearlings when we visited yesterday, the Studholme Park crew are in for a very successful sale. Harnesslink Media 

Well-bred youngster Lookofalegend could be given the opportunity to reach some of the grand harness racing heights of his famous sibling. Making a successful Australian debut at Globe Derby last Saturday night, Lookofalegend is on target for an interstate trip at the end of the month. Should the three-year-old perform as expected this weekend, trainer Luke O’Neill will head to Melton for the Victoria Derby heats. Lookofalegend’s brother, Bit Of A Legend, finished fourth in the 2013 edition of Australia’s oldest classic. By Bettors Delight from Sokys Legend, Bit Of A Legend’s Aussie record includes victories in the 2012 and ’13 Breeders’ Crown Finals. “I had him entered for Globe Derby again this week, but the race didn’t stand up,” O’Neill said. “As such, he will go around at Victor Harbor on Sunday. “It is very frustrating as you spend good money on buying a horse like Lookofalegend and then struggle to find the right races. “He’s gone from having the chance to run in an $8000 race at Globe Derby to competing at Victor Harbor for $3000. “If he goes well enough then I will look at the Victoria Derby heats with him as I think he can be competitive.” Driven by premier reinsman David Harding last weekend, Lookofalegend outstayed his rivals to score from Wotplanetrufrom and Ace To Play. “He went well first-up and will improve for the run,” O’Neill said. “He was actually bought with our Derby in mind, but he missed it because of a problem with paper work. “I’m not saying he would have won it, but he would’ve made his presence known. “I’ve got no doubt he will do a good job over here and hopefully we will have a lot of fun along the way.” PAUL COURTS

When Cran Dalgety entered his harness racing superstar Christen Me for the Bendigo Cup he expected to be facing Australia's best in the form of the champion Beautide but as we all know that contest never came to pass. Beautide had an elevated temperature and was withdrawn as a precautionary measure with all the big races over the next few weeks and his absense let Christen Me have a much easier run than would otherwise have been the case. Cran Dalgety was philosophical as always with regards to Beautides late defection "It did look like we would have a showdown with Beautide but when you leave town you just never know what will eventuate." "Sometimes horses have setbacks or get sick as in this case but thankfully ours are all ok," Cran said. With no Beautide to worry about, driver Dexter Dunn was able to work his way to the lead in his own good time and then set up a steady but not electric pace before scooting home in 54.1 to leave the competition struggling to keep up. It was the perfect hitout for the son of Christian Cullen as he heads into some serious assignments in the next few weeks and should see him cherry ripe for the Victoria Cup on January 31st. Beautide's connections are confident that their champ will be there on the 31st but it is far from an ideal preparation for the son of Bettor's Delight. Cran on the other hand couldn't be happier with how Christen Me has come through his Bendigo Cup run and one senses a degree of optimism in his comments. " He looks really good in the coat and everything is good with him," Cran said. Throw in Guaranteed, Philadelphia Man, Restrepo and Terror To Love with Beautide and Christen Me and you have one hell of a race on the 31st. Harnesslink Media  

Having taken a break as he relocated properties, astute trainer Tony Peacock is ready to rebuild his harness racing operation. In 2014 Peacock moved from Kilmore to Moama, which saw him scale his team right back. Settled into his new stable – complete with a mile fast work track – Peacock is ready to increase his crew “to around 20”. “We’ve had a bit of a break and now it’s time to get cranking again,” Peacock said. “The new place is coming along well. “I’ve got a mile fast work track, 1200-metre sand track, pool and there’s treadmill on the way. “Everything is coming along well, including a few winners off the bat.” Peacock has cut a regular path to the winners’ circle during the past few weeks, including a double at Cobram yesterday. Racing in sensational form, Jay Dee Zed completed a hat-trick when scored with Damian Wilson in the cart. Given time to settle from his second row draw, Jay Dee Zed was sent forward three-wide during the middle stages to find the lead in what proved a winning move. Digging deep along the home straight, the son of Metropolitan staved off a late charge from Call Me Spartacus, with Barney Fella third. “He’s coming along well and is unbeaten from three starts this time in,” Peacock said. “He’s no superstar, but he’s going to get through the grades. “I can’t see any reason why he can’t string a few more together.” Peacock and Wilson also combined for victory with promising pacer Barimah. Named after former world champion boxer Azumah Nelson, Barimah extended his unbeaten record to three. First-up since last August, the son of Bettors Delight completed a four-and-a-half metre win from Calcavado, with Ess Prefontaine six-and-a-half metres away third. “He is still very dumb and green, but he’s a nice horse,” Peacock said. “He’s taking his time to understand what’s going on, but will get better with experience and maturity. “I really like him and think he will be a big improver as he goes along.” PAUL COURTS

DOVER, Del. --- Mach A Wish, who earlier this meet had a four-race win streak, got back to the winner's circle disposing of six foes in 1:53.2 to take the Dr. M.L. King Jr. $18,000 Mare Open/Handicap, Monday, Jan. 19, at Dover Downs. It was the third win on the harness racing card for meet leading driver Corey Callahan. Starting from the outside in a field of seven distaffs, Mach A Wish followed race-favorite front-pacing Handsoffmycookie (Trace Tetrick) who took her challengers until the final turn before they converged on the leader in the stretch. Mach A Wish was fastest down the lane to score her first win of 2015. She had two seconds preceded by two thirds in her previous four starts. Fox Valley Hermia, came on to finish second for Marcus Miller while Flick A Fly with Allan Davis was the show horse. CTC Stable and trainer Doug Lewis own Mach A Wish, a six-year-old daughter of Mach Three-Belinda Hanover. The win, her 20th lifetime lifted career earnings to $534,685. It was Lewis second training win. Marcus Miller piloted Twin B Heartland to victory in the $14,500 female sub-feature for 4&5-year-old winners-over pacers. McArma (Ross Wolfenden) was runner-up. Romanascape (Jim Morand) was third. Harvey Eisman, Bert Hochprung and Ervin Miller Stable own the Bettor's Delight-Twin B Intimate five -year-old winner. Callahan and Ross Wolfenden had three wins each. Allan Davis won two. Touchdown Mindale and Thisdeuceiswild, fresh from wins last week, meet in the $20,000-$25,000 Claiming pace on Tuesday at Dover Downs. Monday through Thursday racing starts at 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday are "dark days.' Sunday post time is 5:30 p.m. Simulcasting of harness and thoroughbred racing is available daily from 12 Noon until 12 Midnight. There is no charge for parking and admission. Reservations are suggested for the Winner's Circle Restaurant and for those planning to stay at Dover Downs Hotel. Call 302-674-4600. Marv Bachrad

As reliable as ‘death and taxes’, Breckon Farms is once again set to create plenty of interest during next month’s harness racing yearling sale. To be more precise, Breckon Farms has an impressive line-up ready to enter the ring at the Australasian Classic Yearling Sale at Karaka in Auckland on Monday, February 16. While a ‘sale topper’ is always unpredictable, the opening entrant of the day is destined to attract more than his share of bids. Lot 1 is a son of boom sire, Bettors Delight, from Group One winner, Veste.               Veste winning the Nevele R Stud Caduceus Club Classic His dam’s first foal (Lot 1) – VOLTAIRE – comes from a family littered with top-shelf winners, including his grand-dam, Coburg, who won the Group 1 $100,000 Mach Three NZ Standardbred Breeders Stakes.  Voltaire Coburg is a half-sister to A G Hunter Cup winner, Stunin Cullen, who won four Group Ones on his way to earning $1,493,716. $425,000 A G Hunter Cup winner, Stunin Cullen Voltaire’s clan also includes dual New Zealand Cup winner, Il Vicolo ($1,253,807), Auckland Cup star Gotta Go Cullen ($1,173,343), Lauraella ($649,946), Smooth Falcon and  Reba Lord. Harnesslink Media

When Have Faith In Me won the 3 year old Sires Stakes Final on Cup day a lot of harness racing scribes thought he had been a touch lucky and that while a worthy winner, he had things go his way. When he finished fifth of six in the Alabar Classic and had trouble getting around the last bend at Alexandra Park, the same scribes were quick to discount his chances in todays $200,000 Sales Series pace over 2200 metres. But yet again Have Faith In Me showed that he was well named as those that stuck with the ship were well rewarded when he ran out a decisive winner this afternoon. Eased off the gate by driver Tim Williams, Have Faith In Me settled in the one by one early as stablemate Hug The Wind grabbed an early lead before handing up to Mighty Flying Major who immediately handed up to Express Stride after 600 metres. That was the end of the lead changes as Express Stride kept up a steady tempo in front. As they turned for home Tim peeled out the one by one and quickly grabbed the leader Express Stride and kicked away for a comfortable victory by a length while stablemate Hug The Wind flashed home late when he got clear to grab second off a game Express Stride. Hug The Wind paced the 2200 metres in a new New Zealand record of 2:37.6, a mile rate of 1:55.2 with closing sectionals of 56.3 and 27.1. Tim Williams was quick to credit the horse with all the praise straight after the race. " The horse deserves all the credit for todays win" "Its only his first trip away but he has taken it all in his stride. "We put a pole on today and he got round the last bend no trouble at all" "Coming to the corner he was travelling beautifully and I knew he would be hard to beat," Tim said. Tim was also quick to thank the owners, the Dunford brothers for leaving him on the now high profile horse. " After he won the Sires Stakes I thought they may look for a more senior driver so I am very thankful to them for leaving me on, " Tim said. Having won the two big early 3 year old features, Have Faith In Me will now be set for the Derbies in the Autumn. Harnesslink Media    

DOVER, Del. --- Just Bettor enjoyed a perfect trip racing second, then turned it on the way to a 1:52.4 victory in the $20,000-$25,000 3,4&5-Year-Old Claiming pace on Tuesday, Dec. 30 at Dover Downs where there is no live racing on Wednesday, New Year's Eve. Racing resumes on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. First post is 4:30 p.m. While Alexis Style (Corey Callahan) cut out the pace, Vic Kirby sat second with Just Bettor waiting until the field turned for home. The Bettor's Delight-Just Great four-year-old gelding the picked up speed in the lane to pull off for his fourth win of 2014. He has won $49,078 this season. Ken Wood and Minisink Farms own the winner of $151,086 lifetime. Alexis Style finished second with Bettor And Bold (Trace Tetrick) third. Trace Tetrick led all drivers making the winner's circle three times. Vic Kirby had a double. With Wednesday a dark day, the New Year-s day card is a big one headlined by the $25,000 Delaware Special and $18,000 Open trot on the 15-race program. by Marv Bachrad, for Dover Downs

Delight Me has all the makings of a top-line harness racing filly. A royally-bred three-year-old, Delight Me is by top sire Bettors Delight from quality mare Cornsilk. A top youngster, Cornsilk won 43 races, including the Two and Four-Year-Old Vicbred Super Series Finals and Breeders Crown. As for Delight Me, she has won three of her four starts for co-trainers Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin, including Melton last Friday. Despite her second row draw, Delight Me is the one to beat in Saturday night’s Silver Chalice at the same venue. Stewart and Tonkin also have Lovelist engaged in the feature. Another well-bred youngster, Lovelist will begin from barrier five. “Delight Me is the better chance of our two,” Stewart said. “Her form is good and she keeps on improving. She won impressively last start.” “Lovelist is probably a run short for this grade.” HRV Media

Brilliant pacer Bettors Fire is one of the most versatile performers in Western Australia, which has harness racing trainer Kyle Harper bubbling with confidence ahead of Friday night’s Fred Doy Memorial at Gloucester Park. Bettors Fire can switch from stand to mobile and from staying events to sprints without turning a hair and that’s why Harper believes the son of Bettors Delight can win despite awkwardly in barrier five. Bettors Fire’s clash with dashing sprinter David Hercules promises to be the highlight of the 10-event program, with Bettors Fire gaining an early advantage by drawing inside of David Hercules, which will start from six at his first appearance for three-and-a-half months. Bettors Fire won stands over 2503 metres in October and November and then mustered tremendous early speed before setting the pace and winning the Group Three Parliamentarians Cup over 2536 metre at Gloucester Park and the Group Two Bunbury Cup over 2569 metres at Donaldson Park last Saturday night. “I thought I could zap them in the Bunbury Cup and I did and he had a pretty happy trip in front,” Harper said. “In Friday night’s race there is a fair bit of speed inside him, but I’d say they would all would want to be taking a sit. However, you never know. “My plan is to go forward at the start and I’ll be moving forward beneath David Hercules. Hopefully, Bettors Fire will be able to find the front and he should take some beating. But you can never discredit David Hercules, who is a very good horse. “After the race Bettors Fire will have a couple of weeks off before he starts in the Village Kid Sprint over 1730 metres. Then he will contest the Fremantle Cup (2536 metres) and WA Pacing Cup (2936 metres). “It’s hard to say whether he is a better stayer or sprinter because he does everything so well. I think he’s a better stayer, but there’s not many at the moment who can run as quick a mile as he can.” Harper has nominated Bettors Fire for the Inter Dominion, with the Final to be run at Menangle on March 1. “Whether we go to Sydney will depend on how he performs in the Cups,” Harper said. “I don’t like to get too far ahead of myself. “I would have to say that Bettors Fire is the best horse I have driven. I have been fortunate to have driven some very nice horses like Has The Answers and Mysta Magical Mach and I think he is better than those two, which is a big call. “I rarely hopple Bettors Fire and he’s had just one hoppled run in this preparation. The rest has been gallop work on the beach and at home in the heavy sand. He also does plenty of wading at the beach.” Bettors Fire has raced superbly in Western Australia where his 21 starts have produced 13 wins and three placings. He won at 11 of his 30 starts in New Zealand and has earned $336,252 in prizemoney. KEN CASELLAS

Outstanding pacer Beautide will miss one of harness racing’s most popular events – Saturday night’s Ballarat Cup. Although the reigning Inter Dominion champion was among the nominations for the Group One, trainer James Rattray opted to bypass the feature after Beautide’s blood results “weren’t the best”. With the gelding’s long term plans remaining Rattray’s priority, the horseman will give Beautide a light week before aiming the son of Bettors Delight at next month’s Bendigo Cup. The January 17 assignment will be followed by the Victoria Cup a fortnight later. Beautide will then contest an Inter Dominion heat before embarking on his title defence at Tabcorp Park Menangle on March 1. In Beautide’s absence, exciting local, Guaranteed, has been installed the $2.20 on TAB Fixed Odds ahead of last weekend’s Cranbourne Cup hero, Terror To Love on $3. PAUL COURTS