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Expired Property Listing
This property is disabled.
My Blue Heaven! Gulfview 6BD Elevator Pier in Gulf Shores
- bedrooms 6
- baths 3
- sleeps 16
- pool no
- hot tub no
- pets allowed no
- type House
- community Lagoon Pass
rates (USD)
/ week
$ 1,795 - $ 2,495 / month
vacation rental description
"My Blue Heaven"--You will wonder if you have found heaven at this beautiful beach house!
Just across the street from the Gulf, you'll enjoy spectacular views from the many windows and porches. This luxurious private home features amenities including an elevator, a third floor crow's nest with panoramic views and boat access from our shared pier and boat launch. You also have a beautiful pier and gazebo we share with our neighbors on Little Lagoon, and a boat launch. Little Lagoon is great for fishing/crabbing, small boating or just enjoying the heron and sunsets. A local company will bring you a pontoon boat for a day, or kayaks for a day or week. You can also bring your own small boat or jet skis and dock at our pier for the week.
Five bedrooms plus a crow's nest with a daybed and trundle and an upstairs family room area with a queen sleeper accomodate up to 16 guests.
The first floor features a two story great room with a beautiful kitchen that includes two sinks, granite counters, stainless appliances, a separate ice maker, and more. There is a large dining area opening to the comfortable living room with a huge television and a wall of windows looking to the Gulf. The living room opens to a screened porch and a porch, both overlooking the Gulf.
Also on the first floor, you will find a queen bedroom opening onto the screened porch and a king bedroom that opens to a large porch with wonderful views of Little Lagoon and the sunset.
The second floor has a large Gulf-view family room area with a wet bar, table and chairs perfect for games or puzzles, and a sleeper sofa. There is a large king bedroom, a queen bedroom that opens to a Gulf-side porch, and a third bedroom with two queen beds.
The third floor crow's nest has panoramic views of the Gulf and Little Lagoon. A daybed and trundle are great for curling up to visit or read or for sleeping space for two people.
My Blue Heaven is located in West Beach just west of Lagoon Pass where the Gulf feeds Little Lagoon. This area is still close to town (3.0 miles west of Hwy 59) but far enough away to have uncrowded beaches and a neighborhood feeling. We share a pier and boat launch with our neighbors so you can bring a small boat or jet skis or fish and crab from our pier.
Welcome to My Blue Heaven!
house rental amenities
Directly across from beach in quiet residential area of West Beach (no condos, no crowds!).
The best of the beach and Little Lagoon plus a gorgeous house.
Kitchen complete with second prep sink, undercounter icemaker and more. Second Floor has a wet bar and wine refrigerator and sitting area with great Gulf views. Wi-fi, Air Conditioning, Satellite TV, VCR/DVD Players, Full Kitchen, Microwave, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Ice Maker, Cooking Utensils Provided, Linens Provided, Washer & Dryer, Covered Parking, Grill, Beach Chairs and Cart plus a few fishing poles and a crab trap! No Smoking, No Pets.
activities and attractions in Gulf Shores Alabama
Beach across street, Pier with boat slip we share with our neighbors, Boat launch a few houses away, Fishing on-site. Nine signature Golf courses nearby plus a Fitness Center, Miniature Golf, Amusement Parks, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing, Shopping, Restaurants, Cinemas, Sightseeing, Swimming, Boating, Surfing, Shelling.
For history and military buffs, you'll find two historic forts, the USS Alabama Battleship Museum (there is also a submarine), and the National Naval Air Museum and home of the Blue Angels at the Pensacola Naval Air Station.
In addition to local boutiques at The Wharf, San Roc Cay, and in charming nearby Fairhope, you'll find a major outlet center with Ralph Lauren, Tommy Bahama, Juicy Couture, Coach and more about 8 miles north in Foley.
vacation rental rates
Please see our Vrbo #174350 for 2014 rates
$239 Cleaning, $45 Processing, $39 Accidental Damage Fee, 11% Lodging Tax
Subject to errors and to change until reservation is booked.


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The British Library is working hard to ensure that its services and collections are fully accessible to all Readers.
The Disability Support Officer will provide advice and guidance to Readers who need assistance with our Reading Room services.
Issuing a Reader Pass for a helper
Reader Passes are issued to a helper or friend assisting a Reader with disabilities to carry out their research. Helpers or friends should come to Reader Registration on the Upper Ground Floor at St Pancras, to complete a PC-based application form. They will need to bring identification and proof of address.
Getting to the Reading Rooms
The Reading Rooms are on floors 1, 2 and 3 of the main building. There are signs showing the entrances to the Reading Rooms and access is gained by pushing the doors. If the doors are likely to prove a problem to you, please advise staff at the Information Desk in the Entrance Hall, or contact the Disability Support Officer in advance of your visit.
You may not take bags, outer coats or personal computer holders into the Reader areas. These must be left in the cloakroom or lockers situated on the lower ground floor. The temperature in the Reading Room is cool so please wear sufficient indoor clothing for your comfort. If this is likely to be a cause for concern, please contact the Disability Support Officer in advance of your visit.
You may not take food or drink into the Reading Rooms, unless required for medical reasons; please contact the Disability Support Officer if applicable.
Using the Reading Rooms
The Reading Room Reference Enquiries (for subject enquiries) and the Delivery Enquiries Desks have custom-made lowered sections to enable wheelchair users to access the various services offered. Readers who need help carrying items to and from their desks should tell staff at the Issue Desk.
Equipment which assists Readers' access to our collections is available in our Reading Rooms.
One carrel (booth) is provided in each Reading Room (except the Business & IP Centre), for Readers with special needs, e.g. for use by a blind or visually impaired Reader who needs assistance from a helper. Carrels are locked and need to be booked for use; please ask Reading Room staff.
As part of our photocopy service we offer discounts for enlarging; A3 copies for the price of an A4 copy. This service is provided as part of our Assisted Copy Service and can take 24 hours.
If your needs cannot be met by the facilities we provide, contact the Disability Support Officer who will be pleased to help you.
Advance ordering
Readers can order books through our remote Reader Enquiry. Normally this service is limited to four items, but more items can be ordered for Readers with disabilities on request.
- Tel: +44 (0)20 7412 7676
- Textphone: +44 (0)20 7387 0649
- Fax: +44 (0)20 7412 7789
- Email: email@example.com
Information in our reader leaflets describes the services the Library can provide. Large print copies of leaflets are available from the Disability Support Officer.
Emergency procedures in the Reading Rooms
Readers who consider themselves frail or have difficulty walking are asked to make themselves known to the security staff at the entrance to Reading Rooms on their arrival. These Readers will be assisted to assemble in the safety stairwells. Security staff will then evacuate readers by Fireman's lift or by Evacuchair.
Disability Support Officer
The British Library
St Pancras
96 Euston Road
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1937 546060
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


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Expired Property Listing
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A World Away Dream Vacation By The Beach! in Virginia Beach
- bedrooms 6
- baths 4
- sleeps 16
- pool yes
- hot tub no
- pets allowed no
- type House
- community Sandbridge Beach
rates (USD)
/ week
vacation rental description
WOW! Is what you'll say when you see the bay views from A World Away! Once on the west facing deck, you will feel a world away from all life's little worries. Spectacular sunsets will delight you every afternoon, with the local wildlife putting on a daily show. Sitting at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, this home features an inground pool sitting on a point with nothing behind you but Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Enjoy the bay in one of two kayaks for your use, and explore the many inlets and canals and the beautiful homes in the neighborhood. Multiple seating areas located on all sides and levels of the home, including one with curtains for napping and quiet time. Gorgeous kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances, opening to the dining area and living room. Additional seating and dining area is offered in the glass enclosed sun porch, located off the kitchen. The first floor game room has a pool table and convenient kitchenette, as well as a TV and comfortable furniture. Beautifully decorated master suite and large master bath with steam shower. You won't even have to leave the house to go to the gym, as A World Away offers an Exercise/Fitness room complete with a universal gym. Getting to the beach is just minutes away, with easy access to one of the widest parts of Sandbridge Beach!
house rental amenities
central air conditioning. multiple TVs including flat screens and large screens, inground pool, wireless internet access, gas grill, dock and two kayaks, enclosed porch, game room with pool table.
activities and attractions in Virginia Beach Virginia
THis exclusive vacation rental is located in Sandbridge Beach, in the southern part of Virginia Beach. A Water Lover's Paradise, you have the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Back Bay to the west. Walk to the beach in minutes for an unforgettable day in the sun. Dolphins and pelicans will entertain you all day. Nearby attractions (within 15 minutes) include Kayak and Canoe Tours, Hiking and Biking Trails, National Wildlife Refuge, Recreational Centers, Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, Motor World, Ocean Breeze Water Park, and the world famous Virginia Beach Board Walk. Restaurants, Night Life, Shopping, Fresh Seafood, Deep Sea Fishing...the options are endless!
vacation rental rates
05/25/13 - 06/07/13 $3,890
06/08/13 - 06/14/13 $5,240
06/15/13 - 07/05/13 $6,980
07/06/13 - 08/09/13 $7,195
08/10/13 - 08/16/13 $6,980
08/17/13 - 08/23/13 $5,240
08/24/13 - 08/30/13 $3,890


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Benefit fraud couple found guilty
An anonymous tip-off led to a Clanfield couple being found guilty of defrauding more than £69,500 in Benefit over an eight year period.
Elizabeth Austin and Peter Brown were found guilty of 13 fraud offences between them and will be sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court in August.
The couple had claimed that between 2002 and 2010 they were living in the same property as tenant and resident landlord, allowing Austin to claim benefits as a single parent.
In fact they were living together as a couple with shared outgoings and Brown was in full time employment.


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Dabe Alan
Teleportation makes you sick: Tips to train your body and mind for virtual reality
I brought my Oculus Rift, along with a Razer Blade laptop on loan from Razer, to PAX Australia so I could show the hardware to my co-workers at Penny Arcade and a few developers and educators who have yet to see it. A good time was had by all, and I was able to give a series of demos to a variety of people; it was fascinating to see their reactions and test how well they held up in the virtual environments I threw at them.
This is the story about how I made a bunch of people sick, and how we're going to try to avoid that situation in the future.
Teleportation makes you sick
Your brain has plenty of time to get used to the shift from one real-world environment to the next. You'll likely change your clothes if you're going to go underwater, and then get on a boat, put on equipment, and jump over the side before going on your dive. There are stages to the experience, and it flows in one long, continuous, linear path with many smooth transitions.
The same goes for something like skydiving; the time you spend putting on your equipment, talking to the pilot or instructor, getting in the plane, and flying to where your jump will take place is a narrative. Your brain deals with these things one step at a time. These experiences may make you nervous, but they won't often make you ill.
You have no such luxury in virtual reality. I can put you in the Rift, and you close your eyes in the physical space we share and open them underwater. Or in the air. Or flying a space ship, or riding a rollercoaster, or any number of other experiences. The time between these experiences can be measured in seconds.
Your brain, to put it bluntly, tends to take a giant dump all over itself to compensate. Many people become ill.
"The disorientation upon leaving the projected space is some real shit. At least, it was for our test crew," Jerry wrote about the experience. "Being in VR is something that you can get good at, presumably - another 'environment' you can acclimate to. But going between radically distinct spaces still requires a kind of consciousness 'tax' you can feel as you switch. It felt like coming up from a dive."
You get used to it. I've spent literal hours inside certain virtual worlds, and I can switch between worlds and experiences nearly on the fly without feeling sick to my stomach, but this takes practice; you need to earn your sea legs. There is a reason that characters in science fiction often throw up after teleportation, and those scenes now seem prescient. We're simply not equipped to deal with instant transitions between very different realities.
Many people feel the effect most strongly when you place the headphones over their ears. Suddenly they're not just looking around a virtual world, talking to someone in the room so they stay anchored in the "real" world, but they're in the game, completely cut off from the reality they were in just a few seconds ago. I've had people tell me it feels like their gut rolls over, or there is a brief sensation of falling.
Dabe Alan, PAR's photographer, nearly fell over when he first tried the Rift while wearing a good set of headphones.
It's easy to mess with someone who is in virtual reality, although doing so is borderline cruel. Anything that increases the dissonance between what the person inside is seeing and hearing from the game and the stimulus from the "real" world will be distracting, and in many cases disturbing.
If your brain thinks it's in an underwater ship, why can you hear people faintly talking? You look behind yourself, but you see only the back of your vessel, although that's where you hear the voices. Being touched is nearly intolerable for some people after they've settled into a virtual world; it is incredibly difficult to feel someone's hands on your body when you look around and see no one around you.
In short, we're just not built for this, and in many ways you're spending time with half your senses tuned to one world and the others paying attention to the other.
There are certain things you can do to minimize these effects.
How to not lose your shit in virtual reality
The trick is to take your time, and manage your transitions between worlds. If I'm guiding someone through a demo, I like to tell them to keep their eyes shut as I'm putting on the headset and the headphones, and to only open them once the graphics are loaded, the view is adjusted appropriately, and they're ready to begin.
The instinct is to keep your eyes open through the whole experience, but that only increases the discomfort, not to mention the fact that the Rift shows a distorted desktop and menus until the VR-ready game or demo is launched. Trying to make sense of the broken image is a short trip to a crushing headache.
Take a minute and enjoy a few deep, slow breaths before opening your eyes. Explain to yourself what's going to happen. Think about what it's going to be like to be in space, or underwater; allow your brain a bit of time to get used to the idea that you're going to open your eyes and think you're in a new location, although you haven't physically moved. This is a very strange, new thing you're trying, and it's very likely you're going to feel weird the first few times it happens.
You don't need to reach for the controller the moment you open your eyes, and it's worth taking a few moments to look around. Check out the ceiling, the floor, and look behind you. Try to minimize the sounds that aren't coming from the game so you the only stimuli you're experiencing is coming from the Rift and headphones. Get comfortable. Breathe.
It's easier to move with a wired controller, rather than the mouse and keyboard, but make sure no one else touches the controller. There is nothing more immediately disconcerting than feeling like someone has virtually grabbed your head and is causing your view to shift. If someone has to take control of the game for you, close your eyes while they move your avatar, and ask when they're ready for you to open them again.
Removing the headphones and closing your eyes has the same effect as removing the headset, and once again if you decide to leave the virtual environment it's a good idea to keep your eyes closed for a bit and breathe deeply. Picture your real environment before you open your eyes. Get used to the idea that you're going back to reality. If you simply rip the helmet off and begin to look around the real world with no transition, you'll likely feel it in your gut.
These steps may seem unnecessarily, but they help, and they'll remove the majority of the vertigo new users feel when trying the Rift. After a few trips in and out your brain begins to get used to things, and the effect of shifting between realities won't be so pronounced.
Some people have no problems at all from the jump; Penny Arcade's Mike Fehlauer happily floated around a space station for around 15 minutes and jumped right into a puzzle game he enjoyed for close to half an hour during his first session, but that instant level of comfort is rare. He thought he was only playing for a few minutes, and apologized when he realized he had been inside the games for around an hour. I had simply made myself a cup of tea and read some Game of Thrones.
I felt like a character in a science fiction novel as I sat on the balcony of my rented Melbourne apartment, sipping a cup of tea, and looking in to make sure my friend's body wasn't in danger while his mind was so far away.
Learning from experience
Showing so many people the hardware taught me a good amount about what not to do when it came time to give people demos. Taking more time to transition in and out of each game was very helpful, as was minimizing the background noise of the room. It helps to have someone who knows what they're doing to walk you through this stuff, but with a little practice you get good at being your own guide.
Your brain catches up after a few sessions and you'll no longer need to spend quite as much time preparing yourself for what you're about to see and do, but spending a significant amount of time in virtual reality is a learned skill, and it may not come naturally to all people. Good, high quality virtual reality has only been available for a very limited time via the Oculus Rift, and we're still taking baby steps into the virtual world. It's best to go slow; no one wants to get sick.


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NICHOLS, NY - When nine of North America's top harness racing drivers compete at Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs later this month in the 8th Annual All-Star Drivers Championship, they'll be racing for more than just prize money and bragging rights. They'll also be raising money for the charity of their choice. All nine drivers will donate their 5% driving commission to charity. The amount will be matched by Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs plus the tracks' owner, Jeffrey Gural. Last year, more than $9,000 was donated. "This event is the premier driving tournament in the country with a first place prize of $25,000," said Jason Settlemoir, Vice President of Racing and Simulcast at Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs. "Anytime we can use this big stage to raise awareness and money for some great organizations, we're happy to do it." Defending champion Jimmy Marohn, Jr. will be donating his earnings to the Standardbred Retirement Foundation. Two-time champion Yannick Gingras and first-time participant Matt Kakaley will also support the SRF. Tim Tetrick and Scott Zeron will be competing on behalf of New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program. Corey Callahan has selected the Harness Horse Youth Foundation. Canadian representative Jody Jamieson will be donating to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society. Vernon Downs representative Chris Lems will be competing for locally based Sunshine Horses and David Miller has chosen to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Round 1 of the All-Star Drivers Championship takes place on August 29 at Vernon Downs and the final round moves to Tioga Downs on September 1. Both days will also feature a Jimmy Marohn, Jr. bobblehead giveaway, commemorative t-shirt giveaway and other fan-friendly promotions and contests. by Justin Horowitz, for Tioga & Vernon Downs
The field for the 2014 Tioga / Vernon Drivers' Championship is taking form, with 2013 champion Jim Marohn, Jr. poised to defend his title against some of the top harness racing drivers across North America. "We are excited to unveil a new format for this annual event," said Jason Settlemoir, Regional Vice President of Racing at Tioga and Vernon Downs. "With top drivers from circuits across North America taking part, we're truly showcasing some of the best drivers in the world." In addition to Marohn, top Meadowlands drivers Yannick Gingras, David Miller, and Tim Tetrick return to the Drivers' Championship. Jody Jamieson, the winner of this event in 2011 as well as the 2011 World Driving Championship, will represent the Woodbine Entertainment Group circuit. The aforementioned quintet will be joined by newcomers Chris Lems (Vernon Downs), Scott Zeron (top driver aged 25 or younger), and Matt Kakaley (Harrah's Philadelphia/Pocono Downs). Corey Callahan, who represented the USA in the 2011 World Driving Championship en route to a second-place finish, has been named the sponsor's exemption, and will complete the field of nine. The Championship kicks off on Friday, August 29 at Vernon Downs, sharing the spotlight with the Zweig Memorial and Crawford Farms trotting events. The second round is slated for Monday, September 1 at Tioga Downs, as part of the Cane Pace program. As in past years, the overall winner will take home a $25,000 check, and the leader after the first round will win $10,000. Second place overall earns a driver $5,000, while third place $4,000. No driver will leave with less than $1,500 in the two-day Championship. All nine drivers will also be competing for a charity of their choice, with their 5% commission from their Championship drives going directly to charity. Tioga and Vernon Downs will match each driver's charity commission, as will Jeff Gural. The Drivers' Championship is made possible thanks to the following sponsors: Allerage Farms, the Binghamton Mets, the Binghamton Senators, Bow River Jewelry, Bud Light, Cameo Hills, Ltd., Capital OTB, LP Ciminelli, Climans Green Liang Architects, Inc., Community Press, Coon & Sons, L. V. Harkness & Co., Ferris, Finn Tack, Global Graphics, The Horseman and Fair World, HUB International, Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, the Little Brown Jug, Maine Source Food & Party Warehouse, McCullagh Coffee Roasters, Roberts Communications Network, the Southern Tier Harness Horseman's Association, Tioga Downs, Tioga State Bank, V.I.P. Structures, Vernon Downs, and Winner's Choice Racing Programs. by James Witherite, Tioga Downs Racing Media
Former world champion Perfect Alliance, who was victorious in her first 11 races this year before suffering back-to-back setbacks, will try to get another win streak started when she faces five harness racing foes in Friday's $20,000 first round of the Ima Lula Series for 4-year-old female trotters at Meadowlands Racetrack. Perfect Alliance finished seventh in the third round of the Miss Versatility Series on July 12 at the Meadowlands. The race was won by Bee A Magician in a world-record 1:51.1, with Perfect Alliance 4-1/4 lengths back. Afterward, Perfect Alliance was found to have bled, in addition to scoping sick, and will compete with Lasix on Friday. In her previous start on June 14, Perfect Alliance finished second to Classic Martine in the Armbro Flight Stakes at Mohawk Racetrack in Ontario. Perfect Alliance starts Friday's Ima Lula from post six, with Corey Callahan driving for trainer Julie Miller, and is the 8-5 morning line favorite. The remainder of the field is Ma Chere Hall, Mistery Woman, Handover Belle, Rockin With Dewey, and NF Happenstance. "I was pretty surprised because she had a layoff and trained good during the week," Miller said about Perfect Alliance's performance last week. "This time of year, we do have a little bit of sickness in the barn with the young horses. She still went in (1):52 with a last quarter in :27, it's still an impressive mile, but I didn't like how she did it. "After scoping her and pulling the bloodwork, we elected to put her on Lasix and treat her for being sick. She seems really good. We took the necessary steps to get her better for this week. I'm just hoping for a nice bounce-back race. I'll let Corey decide behind the gate what he wants to do, if he wants to leave or race from behind. I just want to see her finish strong at the wire." Perfect Alliance -- owned by Jeff Gural's Little E LLC, Jason Settlemoir, David Stolz, and Arthur Geiger -- won the Singer Memorial Series and the Bobby Weiss Series during the winter and equaled the then-fastest mile ever by a 4-year-old female trotter when she won a division of the Miss Versatility in 1:51.2 at Woodbine Racetrack. She also set a track record at Mohawk, winning in 1:51.4. "You always want more, and we're the same way," Miller said. "She started luckily in good spots [earlier in the year] where she seemed to be the prohibitive favorite all the time, to where she did prove herself in those races in Canada. "You're going to have a clunker every now and then. They're living animals; they're going to have an off day. You just need to listen to your horse and let them decide their schedule. I'm still proud to train her and I'm sure the owners are still proud to own her." The second round of the Ima Lula is July 25 and the $55,000 estimated final is Hambletonian Day, Aug. 2, at the Meadowlands. Reynolds Memorial Stakes divisions for 3-year-old trotters are on Saturday's Meadowlands card. Only four fillies entered, so that race will be a non-betting event prior to the regular 7:15 p.m. post time for the night's first race. One of those fillies is Julie Miller-trainee Take The Money, who is auditioning for the chance to race in the upcoming Hambletonian Oaks. Eliminations for the Oaks are July 26 and the $500,000 final is Aug. 2 at the Big M. Take The Money, owned by Barry Guariglia's Black Horse Racing, has won six of 10 races this year, primarily in Pennsylvania. She has twice finished second to top Hambletonian Oaks contender Shake It Cerry. She will be driven Saturday by Marcus Miller and faces Bikini So Teeny, Silent Opera K, and Mity's Winner. "She's been a nice [Pennsylvania] Sire Stakes horse, in my opinion," Miller said. "We're using this race to decide whether if we're a Hambletonian Oaks contender or not. She's had a little bit of a layoff, but I want to see a nice race, finishing with trot. With a four-horse field, it's usually just a race home. That's what I want to do. "If Marcus hops off the bike and says 'She was vicious, she was super,' then you go in the Oaks. If he says she didn't seem strong, then we have to have a discussion. She trained really good. I know by program she seems to be the best, but that's why they still race. I'm just hoping for a strong race." On the boys' side, there are two 11-horse divisions worth $32,207 each. Jimmy Taker-trained Nuncio, who has won four of six races this year and twice finished second to nemesis, and stablemate, Father Patrick, is part of the 3-5 favored entry with Amped Up Hanover in the first division. Nuncio and Amped Up Hanover are eligible to the $1.2 million Hambletonian on Aug. 2. The rest of the field is Uva Hanover, Another Deposition, Sarcastic Man, Southwind Poseidon, Revrac Harbour, Resolve, Home Front, Dony Andreas, and Montalbano Bi. All are eligible to the Hambletonian except Another Deposition, Dony Andreas, and Montalbano Bi. Takter's Trixton is the 3-5 choice in the second division. The split also includes Mister B's Way, Skates N Plates, Another Transcript, Truxton, Well Built, Speak The Truth, Scacco Matto, Lightning Force, Muscle Midas, and Datsyuk. All are eligible to the Hambletonian. * * * The Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for 2-year-old female trotters on Friday visits Harrah's Philadelphia, where several horses with famous siblings will go behind the gate. Kolachke (Donato Hanover-La Riviera Lindy) is a half-sister to 2012 Horse of the Year Chapter Seven and Sistas (Andover Hall-Honorable Mother) is a half-sister to Honorable Daughter, the 2008 Dan Patch Award winner for best 2-year-old female trotter. Inch By Inch (Yankee Glide-Armbro Niagara) is a full sister to millionaire Falls For You, Lilu Hanover (Andover Hall-Lady Luck Hanover) is a full sister to stakes-winner Luckycharm Hanover, and Gatka Hanover (Muscle Massive-Girlie Tough) is a three-quarter-sister to 2014 New Jersey Sire Stakes champion Heaven's Door. Ken Weingartner Harness Racing Communications
The weather could not have been nicer for Breakfast With The Babies this morning with sunny skies and gusty winds, the consensus temperature was 77 degrees. The star of the show wasn't a two year old at the start of their career but a Hambletonain candidate at the very peak of his powers, the remarkable Trixton. Out for a little leg stretching in a qualifier, Trixton went right to the front for trainer/driver Jimmy Takter and waltzed around the oval in 1:53.3, last quarter in 28 flat into a significant wind. He's looks ready to battle Father Patrick for the crown in the Stanley Dancer Memorial next Saturday. Perfect Alliance also got some work in this morning, touring the oval in 1:53.3 in preparation for the Miss Versatility leg here next week. She looked sharp with Yannick Gingras aboard for trainer Julie Miller and owners Little E LLC, Jason Settlemoir, Dave Stolz and Art Geiger. Baby trotters led off the card and a couple of fillies impressed with identical 1:58.1 miles. The pretty $140,000 Credit Winner Lexington filly Crazy Beautiful took by the 59.4 half then closed with a 28.4 final stanza to hold sway against the closing bid of Nunkeri. Scott Zeron drove, Tony Alagna trains for the Willow Oak Ranch of Tennessee. Lilu Hanover made a bold move around the final bend and drew clear in a 29 flat final quarter to win for Takter and Gingras in her third qualifier. Owned by Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld, she was a $130,000 Harrisburg purchase. Takter later drove the Cantab Hanover x Muscaloosa colt Walter White to a 1:59.4. He was a $57,000 Harrisburg purchase for the interest of Christina Takter, RAW Equine and John & Jim Fielding. Takter pacing pupil Bet You won his Third Straight non-betting race, this one in 1:57 for Yannick. He's by Bettors Delight out of Armbro Amoretto purchased inn Lexington $75,000 for Christina, the Fieldings and Mc Clelland. Trond Smedshammer won a couple, taking the second race with Finish Line a Yankee Glide gelding from Calchips Finisher in 2:00. He was a $50,000 Lexington purchase by Trond's American Viking Stable, Diane Giuliano and Purple Haze Stable. Trond won with Crazshana in 2:01.4 a few races later. This one is a Crazed gelding that Purple Haze gave $47,000 at Harrisburg last fall. Jonas Czernyson sent out a pair of winners, taking the fourth with Alderbaran Eagle in 2:00.3 with Corey Callahan aboard. He's a $70,000 Muscle Hill from Letsjustalkaboutme that the Alderbaran Stable bought at Harrisburg. Dave Miller drove the Muscle Hill filly Jolene Jolene to a 2:01 victory for Jonas and owner Bill Donovan. She's out of Celebrity Speedie and was an $87,000 Harrisburg baby. The pacers started off with the speedy Sportswriter filly Yellow Mustang dragging Dave Miller through fast middle splits then holding on in 1:57. Joe Holloway trains the daughter of Best Tussle, a $23,000 Harrisburg yearling buy, for Ted Gewertz and Val D'Or Farms. The cleverly named She's A Hot Mess redeemed herself after last week's miscue by beating a field of colts in 1:58 with a good 29.1 close into a gusting wind for Scott Zeron. She's an American Ideal homebred from Sure Fun Tryin trained by Tony Alagna who owns her in partnership with Stephanie & Myron Bell's Riverview Farms and John Fodera. Tony sent out a nice pair of colts in the fourteenth and Dream's Beachboy impressed, winning at first asking for Zeron in 1:56.2 / 29- off a nice pocket trip. He's a $150,000 Harrisburg Somebeachsomewhere colt from Dream-A-While owned by Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz and Stillwater Partners, a Myron Bell production. The Cancelliere brothers unveiled a sharp Rock N Roll Heaven colt named Raylan Givens in this heat, closing to be second and Official Prince (Art Official) from the Alagna barn was a good third. The next group also contained some pretty impressive looking colts. The winner was Major War, Shannon DePinto and Kovach Stables $60,000 Harrisburg purchase by American Ideal from Cantor's Daughter. He made a big move on the final turn to get clear and closed out a 1:55.4 mile in 27.4. Dave Miller drove for trainer Sam De Pinto. Somekindaparty, Shane Adam and Mohegan Blue Chip all flashed good pace down the stretch into the wind. Tonight is one of the big ones, Meadowlands Pace elim night. The inaugural Hambletonian Maturity fields fourteen of trotting's finest four year olds racing for $484,500 and a spectacular fireworks show after the races. Post time is 6:30. by Nick Salvi, for the Meadowlands
This Fourth of July holiday weekend will be one that a very special young lady will never forget, thanks to the generosity of the staff and management at the Meadowlands Racetrack. Sydney Weaver, the "little darling" of North American harness racing, and her parents, Lisa and Don Weaver, are driving down from their home in Ontario to the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The racetrack making this holiday weekend an unofficial "Sydney Weaver Guest of Honor" at the Meadowlands. "Over the winter, Darin (Zoccali) approached me about bringing Sydney Weaver and her family down for their first visit to the Meadowlands," said M'lands GM Jason Settlemoir. "After everything that happened with Sydney's horse, I thought it was a great idea. Sydney is very popular within our sport and it seems there is a lot of buzz about her trip here." Sydney Weaver is a phenomenal 14-year-old young woman, who just graduated eighth grade. She got her groom's license at age 10, has won major youth writing awards and her stories are always about harness racing. She was given half of a racehorse, who coincidentally is named Sydney Seelster and the two have lived through the trials and tribulations of having the horse she loves claimed from her and then get her back. Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, Sydney is always at the races, watching from the rail no matter what the weather conditions are. She roots for the horses, cheers and congratulates the drivers and trainers and has become a household name in harness racing because of her honest enthusiasm for the sport. Her true passion for harness racing is why some call her the "Shirley Temple" of the Standardbred industry. She is now a monthly columnist for the international harness racing website Harnesslink.com and is the youngest member ever of the United States Harness Writers Association. And throughout this all, Sydney battles daily with Cerebral Palsy and is usually confined to her wheelchair, but that has never stopped her from achieving whatever goals she has set before her. This includes jogging horses on the racetrack as she is working hard to try and get her trainers license. The Meadowlands is rolling out the red carpet in honor of Sydney's visit. The family is driving down on Thursday. Then Friday morning they will head out to visit trainer Tony Alagna and Julie Miller to see their stables and great horses and tour the training farms in the Freehold area. Then back to the Meadowlands for dinner at Trotters, visiting the race paddock and a night of racing. There will even be a race named in honor of Sydney's visit Friday night. Then Saturday morning it's Breakfast with the Babies and at night dinner at the track at, of course, "Pink" which is Sydney's racing colors. Sydney will be honored by being one of the co-presenters of the trophy to the winner of the $484,000 Hambletonian Matturity Trot for four-year-olds. After the races, Sydney and family will drive to Goshen, NY and then Sunday morning head over to the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, one of Sydney's favorite places to visit. Then an afternoon at Goshen's Historic Track for the Grand Circuit races followed by the Hall of Fame induction dinner under the tent at the museum. Monday is visiting Tioga Downs for some live racing, visiting the local breeding farms and then back home to Ontario. And it's the Meadowlands who is making this all happen for the Weaver's and it's the Meadowlands who is paying for everything, from hotel's to dinners, transportation and Hall of Fame dinner tickets. "Jeff Gural and I try to do things like this for people whenever we can and it usually doesn't attract this much media attention," Said Jason Settlemoir, "We typically don't like to publicize it. But, I understand why so many people have taken an interest in this fabulous young woman. That said, this weekend is all about Sydney and her family and we are just lucky to have them here." And what does Sydney Weaver think about all of this? "Shortly after Pinky got claimed I heard from Darin Zoccali at the Meadowlands," Sydney said. "It was a few days after she got claimed and I was still in shock over it and Mr. Zoccali said that they wanted to invite me to come and see the new Meadowlands. I've always wanted to come and see the new Meadowlands. It was such a great surprise. "This is going to be so fantastic," Sydney gushed with excitement. "I have read all about the track and watched the races and seen pictures and now I am going to see it in real life. It's just too cool. "So many of my friends on Facebook has told me they are coming either Friday or Saturday to the Meadowlands to meet me," Sydney said. "They want to get my autograph so I now have to bring some Sharpie pens with me. I can't believe people want my autograph. It's amazing all the people I will get to meet. I'm just a small time Canadian girl and this is so overwhelming and exciting." And what is the most exciting part of the trip for a 14-year-old harness racing lover? Well for Sydney Weaver its pink racing equipment. "I can't wait to visit some of the tack shops," Sydney said. "It's hard up here to get equipment in pink but the tack shops around the Meadowlands area they have lot of pink tack and I plan on getting some cool stuff for Pinky to bring back." What Darin Zoccali and the Meadowlands is doing for Sydney Weaver and her family is way over the top and their generosity is very touching, especially to a deserving young lady who has made such an impact on the Standardbred industry despite her claiming of only being a small time Canadian girl. By Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink.com
Perfect Alliance all but destroyed a field of six rivals at Mohawk Raceway Friday, romping by six and one-half lengths in winning her $35,000 division of the Armbro Flight harness racing eliminations while Bee A Magician tasted defeat for the second time this year, losing to 54-1 long shot D'Orsay by a half length in her division. Now undefeated in 11 starts this year, Perfect Alliance lived up her name once again as driver Yannick Gingras had little trouble once he got his mare to the lead. He was parked out from post seven by Ma Chere Hall (Corey Callahan) and was unable to clear to the lead until after the opening quarter mile in :27. But once on top Perfect Alliance settled in and led the field to the half mile in :55.3 and then by the three-quarter pole in 1:23.4, Ma Chere Hall made a break in the two-hole as Perfect Alliance scooted away from the field, leading by four and one-half lengths before coasting home to win in 1:51.4. Rockin With Dewey (Mario Baillargeon) was second with Bax Of Life (Chris Christoforou) third. The time of the race was the track record at Mohawk for trotting mares. Also making it to next week's $266,000 final were Upfrontluckycarol (Stephen Condren) in fourth and Lady Laker (Trevor Ritchie) in fifth place. To watch Perfect Alliance win click here. Trained by Julie Miller, Perfect Alliance is sired by Credit Winner and is owned by Little E, LLC, Jason Settlemoir, David Stolz and Arthur Geiger. She paid $2.30 to win. Mohawk Raceway's tote board had to use all five digits when D'Orsay did the unthinkable and defeated last year's Dan Patch Harness Horse of the Year, Bee A Magician, and she did it at odds of 54-1 and paid $111.30 to win. The five-year-old mare by Yankee Glide was driven by Sylvain Filion and used a :26.2 last quarter mile kick to collar Bee A Magician (Brian Sears) in late stretch and then win by a half length in 1:52.1. Classy Martine (Tim Tetrick) was third. It was Classy Martine that went right to the early lead and gave Bee A Magician what seemed to be the perfect two-hole trip through fractions of :27.1, :56.4 and 1:25 and all the while D'Orsay and Filion sat in third place following the action until the top of the stretch. Sears came out with Bee A Magician and started after Classy Martine and had them collared but Sears was not pushing Bee A Magician so when Filion fanned out with D'Orsay they may have caught Sears napping a bit as they charged down the stretch to pull off the upset. Charmed Life (Jody Jamieson) was fourth with Angie's Lucky Star (James MacDonald) fifth to complete the final for next week. For D'Orsay, it was her first win in three starts this year for trainer Jonas Czernyson and the Consus Racing Stable of Hamilton, NJ. To watch D'Orsay win click here. The field for the final will line up as follows per post positions: 1) Lady Laker 2) Bax Of Life 3) Dorsay* 4) Perfect Alliance* 5) Classic Martine 6) Upfrontluckycarol 7) Rockin With Dewey 8) Charmed Life 9) Bee A Magician 10) Angies Lucky Star AE) Ma Chere Hall By Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink.com
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - May 2014 - Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment is pleased to announce that on Saturday May 31st, Victor Espinoza, jockey of California Chrome will be making an appearance at The Meadowlands. Espinoza will be at The Meadowlands beginning at 7:00 P.M. on Saturday and will be signing autographs of special California Chrome posters. He will also make an appearance on The Meadowlands television show and make a winner's circle presentation. The Espinoza meet & greet event is made possible through the sponsorship of "Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program, Purple Haze Center." Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment has partnered up with Exposure North Jersey and the North Jersey Media Group to host the 3rd annual Jerseyfest on Saturday, May 31st. Jerseyfest will take place from 5-11pm with free admission, showcasing the best food trucks in the area, along with New Jersey artisans, vendors and crafters. Other highlights include games and entertainment and special guests. The wide selection of Jersey-centric food trucks includes Bacon on Wheels, Gorilla Cheese NYC, Lechon de Negron, The Thai Elephant, Dark Side of the Moo, Luke's Lobster, Kona Ice, Wrap Star, Waffle de Lys, Empanada Guy, Incrediballs, Polkadot Cupcake, Sweet Spot Ice Cream, and The French Quarter. Guests can enjoy live musical performances from American Country duo, Brothers Osborne as well as children's singer, songwriter and entertainer Kimmy Shwimmy. Sports Authority will host a Sports Zone with outdoor games, a bouncy house and entertainment for kids. Former NFL linebacker, Quentin Coryatt, will be presenting live demos from his one of a kind invention The Perfect Jumper, a unique training aid for the serious basketball player. His invention has been endorsed by NBA greats such as Carmelo Anthony, Steve Nash and Bob Night. Coryatt will be donating a percentage of all proceeds from the sales of The Perfect Jumper at Jerseyfest to The Max Cure Foundation, Meadowlands "Charity of the Month" for July and August. Charity partners for Jerseyfest include Center for Food Action and Max Cure Foundation. Both organizations will be on-site collecting donations with Center for Food Action collecting non-perishable food and Max Cure Foundation collecting used sneakers and athletic shoes. On the racetrack, the Garden State's finest horsepower will be showcased in the New Jersey Sire Stakes Finals worth $400,000. Post Time is 7:15 pm "Our new $100 Million entertainment complex is the perfect location to celebrate all the great food, crafts, entertainment and live racing that the Garden State has to offer," stated Jason Settlemoir, General Manager & CEO of Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment. "Last year's Jerseyfest was a tremendous success and with all the new additions, this year's event will be even better." Jerseyfest will be held rain or shine. For up-to-date event information: http://www.meadowlandsracetrack.com/event_detail.aspx?id=7543. by Rachel Ryan, for the Meadowlands
We are visiting today with harness racing trainer Julie Miller. Julie Miller is one of harness racing's racing leading trainers. She is currently ranked sixth in trainer earnings for the year with close to a million dollar in earnings, $975,100. Her stable of trotters is one of harness racing's best, if not the best. She has an amazing UTRS rating of 0.404. Julie could be on her way to her best year of training ever. Perfect Alliance trained by Julie Miller, set a world record trotting a mile at Woodbine in 151.2 last week. Perfect Alliance is now the fastest older mare in harness racing history. She defeated last year's Horse Of The Year, Bee A Magician, who tasted defeat for the first time in more than a year. Perfect Alliance is currently unbeaten in ten starts and is ranked second in the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll. Miller has a stable of outstanding stakes trotters in Cee Bee Yes, Take The Money, Designed To Be, Bambino Glide, Green Hornet, and Sevruga. Her distinguished filly pacer, Katie Said, recently won a division of the Historic Series-Ladyship Stakes at Pocono Downs in 151.2. One-On-One is done exclusively for Harnesslink.com by Brian McEvoy HLINK: You have an outstanding stable of horses this year. Is this your best crop of horses ever? JM: Everything is going great so far. I am really please by the ones who came back from two to three. Designed To Be won a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes. Servuga was third in the Cutler Stakes to Sebastian K. I thought that was excellent by him. He has had his aches and pains. I am really proud of him. HLINK: Let's start with new world record holder Perfect Alliance. How did she come out of the race? What did you think of her world record performance? JM: She came out of the race really well. She is home all tucked away in her stall. We are tickled to death. What else can you expect from a horse. She had a first quarter in 26.3 and came home in 27. You can't ask anymore from a trotter. It was her first step up to the big ranks. She responded incredibly. Hlink: Your next race is the Armbro Flight at Mohawk. She will be facing a tough task in facing Maven, Bee A Magician and Classic Martine. JM: It always surprises me that when I am interviewed that they mention only one horse I will be facing. There are five or six outstanding horses in these races. It is going to be in the draw or the trip who wins. It is going to be an outstanding race for the fans. She might get a qualifier before the Armbro Flight or just go up there to race. Hlink: What are the plans for the rest of the year with Perfect Alliance? JM: I don't plan that far ahead. I race from race to race. I just look at the next target. I don't put the cart before the horse. Hlink: You have a full stable of outstanding trotters this year. I am going to name them and maybe you can tell me a little about each one. The first one is Cee Bee Yes. JM: She was in a short field of horses in her last start. She had the five hole and there was a horrible wind up the backside. She was at the mercy of a thirty two second quarter. She was gapped out turning for home but came home in 26.4. It is a full field this week. I hope we get good positioning. I have high hope for her. She won in the New Jersey Sire Stakes last year. Hlink: Let's talk about Take The Money. She finished second to Shake It Cerry in her last start. JM: She was super with a great effort. There was some slow fractions. We sprinted home and we couldn't get the momentum. Shake It Cerry is the number one horse that everyone is talking about. Finishing second to her says it all. Hlink: What about Designed To Be? JM: She is awesome. She has her own world record from last year. She is healthy and i am pointing her toward her next start in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes at Pocono Downs. Hlink: Tell us about Bambino Glide. JM: He is coming off a great second in the SOA Final at Yonkers. He is in this Friday at Yonkers. He needs a race. I could have qualified him but decided to put him in. He is a nice four year trotter and I expect big things from him. Hlink: What is happening with the lightly raced trotter Green Hornut? JM: He is what Andy and I call our project horse. He was sent to me because he was not minding his manners. He is still on the fence.I hope I got him straightend out. He had a good qualifier. His last race was in the rain and it got congested. He made a break. I hope I have him on his way to success in the New York Sire Stakes. Hlink: Sevruga was nice third to Sebastian K in the Cutler. JM: How can you complain when you are third to Sebastian K and Modern Family. He is just a nice war horse. How can you complain about a horse who trots in 1:51 and a piece. Hlink: I know you also have pacers in your stable, but you seem to specialize in training trotters. What do you attribute that to? JM: I don't think I specialize in trotters. We just had Katie Said who paced in 151.2 at Pocono. It is just that my clientele want trotters. I get what they want. If someone comes along and says they wanted me to buy a pacer I would do that too (laughter). It just that I am stocked up on trotters now. Hlink: Let's talk about Katie Said. I had talked to Andy about Katie Said about a month ago. He said that she had some issues. Marcus said he drove her like a trotter the other night. What is the story about Katie Said? JM: Andy knows my horses inside and out. This is a new challenge for me and my stable. I have to rely 100% on catch drivers. It's hard getting your message across on how you want your horse driven. Marcus was able to qualifier her and get a feel for her. He did what I exactly said in driving her like she is a trotter. She responded and it worked out. She might race next in non-winners of three and then go in the next Pennsylvania Sire Stakes race. She is staked pretty good this year. Hlink: The trotters this year are going at incredible fast times. Records are dropping left and right. What do you attribute these amazing fast times to? JM: The Standardbred is getting better all the time. The conformation, breeding and pedigree is better. Our training methods are better. I am just so proud that our sport is evolving. The other breeds are pretty stagnant, Quarter horses and Thoroughbreds. It is nice that we are getting better all the time. Hlink: How fast do you think the trotters will go this year? JM: I don't like that kind of question. I just want to go fast enough to win. I don't care if it is 1:49 or 1:52. I just want to be in the hunt and be successful. Hlink: Ake Svanstedt has burst upon the training scene from Sweden. He seems to have some unique training methods. What do you think of this? JM: I am not really familiar with him yet. I have not met him. I do not know his training methods. I really don't have a comment about that. His horse Sebastian K was brilliant the other night. I don't know his background. I guess he has a private farm out here and stays pretty secluded. It is great for racing as we have more competition and more races. Hlink: Can you tell us about the unfortunate accident that Andy had? Where were you and how did you find out about it? JM: I was actually on spring break with my two kids. I was out at dinner with the kids. I said to my son that Bambino Glide is about to race and would you put it on the ipad so we can watch it. I saw a ton of messages on my phone. I knew something happened as there were a ton of messages from people at Yonkers. I immediately called and that is how I found out. I got a flight the next morning and was on my way back home. Hlink: I am sure you are being asked a million times, but how is he doing now? JM: it is just a long road to recovery. We are lucky he was 100% healthy and athletic before the accident. On May 28th, he goes for his next appointment. We are hoping for good news. It is a six month process. His mental state has just been amazing. He had to go from going 100 miles an hour to just laying in bed to stabilize his back. I am very proud of him. The other great thing is he comes out and watches the horse train and gives me suggestions. He is still right here helping me do everything. I am really lucky. Hlink: How are your two-year-olds coming along in their training so far? What can we look forward to this year? JM: I like to keep my cards close to my vest. There are some I have high hopes for. When you are training out here all by yourself they all look amazing. We will know more when they go to the first qualifiers and face competition. I am very optimistic. Hlink: I am sure there are a couple that look like they will be very good. I am sure one has caught a twinkle in you eye. Can you give me a couple of names. JM: No I can't (laughter). I am going to keep everything under wraps. We will have them in the baby races soon at Gaitway. You will have to come out and see them. Hlink: Was Lucky Jim the best horse you ever had? JM: Yes he was. We had him for two seasons, 2009 and 2010. He won 1.5 million and every major stake race except the Maple Leaf Trot. Hlink: How is it training for Jason Settlemoir and Jeff Gural? JM: Oh my gosh, they are amazing. They pay their bills on time. I call and text them a couple times a month. They let me do my job. This is why they are so successful. Hlink: Your racing is all based around New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and their sire stakes programs. With the expansion of slots in Ohio is there any chance you will pick up some Ohio bred horses? JM: I like being based in New Jersey. My kids are still in school. I have got plenty to do here. It is great for our Standardbred economy. I don't have any plans for Ohio or Indiana bred horses. HLINK: Drugs are always a hot topic in the harness racing business. What can harness racing do better. How can we make the bettor feel safer when betting on the horses? JM: It is disappointing that this is one of the major things talked about in our sport. People have to have integrity and do the right thing. We need regulations and guidelines. Trainers need to be aware of what is black and white and is allowed and what is not. There is always one bad apple. People generally do the right thing. I think most trainers medicate their horses right and follow the guidelines. It is unfortunate that the one eyesore gets the headlines. The racing commissions have to do the right thing and govern the sport. By Brian McEvoy for Harnesslink.com
This Week: Historic Series, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; TVG FFA Pace, Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, N.J.; Art Rooney and Lismore eliminations, Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers, N.Y.; and Betsy Ross and Maxie Lee Memorial, Harrah's Philadelphia, Chester, Pa. Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit will take place at four locations this week. Action begins on Tuesday (May 20) at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs with two $34,712 divisions in the Historic-Ladyship for 3-year-old pacing fillies. The Wednesday (May 21) Pocono card features a pair of divisions in the $73,774 Historic-Dickerson Cup for 3-year-old male trotters. Pocono will also host Grand Circuit events on the weekend, with the $46,000 (est.) Historic-Pocono Cup for 3-year-old male pacers set for Saturday (May 24) and the $55,000 (est.) Historic-Coaching Club Oaks for 3-year-old filly trotters on the Sunday (May 25) program. Meadowlands Racetrack will host some of the top free for all pacers in the sport on Saturday (May 24) in a $50,000 leg of the TVG FFA Pace, while on that same night Yonkers Raceway will hold $40,000 eliminations in the Art Rooney Pace for 3-year-old males and $20,000 eliminations in the Lismore for 3-year-old filly pacers. On Sunday afternoon (May 25), Harrah's Philadelphia will host the $250,000 (est.) Betsy Ross for older female pacers and the $250,000 (est.) Maxie Lee Memorial for older trotters. Complete entries for the races can be found by clicking on this link. Last time: Swedish champion Sebastian K added to his lore with another convincing win, this one the $175,000 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial final at The Meadowlands on May 17 in 1:50.2. Sebastian K was a 1:50.2 winner in the Cutler Memorial final. The Cutler was the first major test of the season for the Free For All trotters, promising a battle royal between last week's elimination winners Sebastian K and Market Share and record speed possibilities. However, that went awry when Market Share made an uncharacteristic break in the first turn. As the race began Modern Family was put into play early by David Miller, using his keen gate speed to clear to the front before the turn with Sebastian K protecting the rail for Ake Svanstedt and securing the pocket through the :27.1 opener. With Market Share out of contention, there was little movement as the field passed the half in :55.2. Approaching the final bend Sebastian K was flushed out, trotting alongside Modern Family and they raced as a team past the 1:22.4 three-quarters. By mid-stretch Sebastian K was edging by that rival on his way to a 1-1/2 length win in a stakes record 1:50.2. Modern Family held well to be second while Sevruga followed up close throughout and was third. The winner is raced by Swedish interests, trained by his driver Ake Svanstedt and owned by Knutsson Trotting. The Woodbine winter/spring meet came to an end on Monday evening (May 19), but not before the Toronto oval hosted the Miss Versatility Series for the continent's top older trotting mares. Perfect Alliance established a new world record for a 4-year-old mare as she got under the wire first in 1:51.2. Perfect Alliance, driven by Yannick Gingras, established a new world record for a 4-year-old mare as the trotting miss got under the wire first in 1:51.2. In doing so, the daughter of Credit Winner also set a new Canadian and track record in the process. Sent off as the 6-5 second choice, Gingras and Perfect Alliance led from start to finish through panels of :26.3, :55.1 and 1:23.4 en route to victory. Bee A Magician (Brian Sears), Horse of the Year in Canada and the U.S. last season, finished second as the 2-5 favorite. After going undefeated in 17 starts last season, the daughter of Kadabra tasted defeat for the first time since Oct. 12, 2012. D'Orsay (Sylvain Filion) finished third. Owned by Little E LLC, Jason Settlemoir, David Stolz and Arthur Geiger, Perfect Alliance increased her career earnings to $178,801. She remains a perfect 10-for-10 this season. Fresh off her world record performance at Pocono, 3-5 favorite Classic Martine and Tim Tetrick found the wire first in 1:52.2 in the other division. Tetrick guided the daughter of Classic Photo to command well before the opening station in :27.1. Heading towards the half, second-choice Charmed Life (Jody Jamieson) brushed to the front to lead past the midway point in :57 and three-quarters in 1:25. Turning for home, Charmed Life began to tire as Classic Martine angled to the outside and exploded to the lead en route to a comfortable score. Rockin With Dewey came on for second, over Upfrontluckycarol. Chris Oakes trains the 4-year-old old lass for his wife, Susan, along with co-owners Edwin Gold, Hauser Bros Racing Entertainment LLC and Conrad Zurich. Classic Martine remains a perfect three-for-three this season and has banked $580,024 in career earnings. Complete recaps of the weekend races are available at the Grand Circuit website. Grand Circuit Standings: In 2014, the Grand Circuit leaders in three categories (driver, trainer and owner) will once again be tracked on a points system (20-10-5 for the top three finishers in divisions/finals and 10-5-2 for the top three finishers in eliminations/legs). Winbak Farms is the sponsor for the 2014 Grand Circuit awards. Here are the leaders following the past weekend. Drivers: 1. Yannick Gingras - 246; 2. Tim Tetrick - 155; 3. George Brennan - 129.5; 4. Brian Sears - 87; 5. Jason Bartlett - 79. Trainers: 1. Ron Burke - 340.5; 2. PJ Fraley - 135; 3. Joe Holloway - 92; 4. Rene Allard - 70; 5. Jimmy Takter - 40. Owners: 1. Bamond Racing - 118.5; 2t. Burke Racing - 86.4; 2t. Weaver Bruscemi - 86.4; 4. Ted Gewertz - 34.75; 5. Brad Grant - 34.5. Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will again take place at four different racetracks next weekend. The Raceway at Western Fair District will host the Molson Pace on Friday (May 30); Yonkers Raceway offers the Art Rooney and Lismore finals on Saturday (May 31); Mohawk Racetrack hosts the Somebeachsomewhere for 3-year-old male pacers on Saturday (May 31); and Tioga Downs will offer the Roll With Joe for open pacers on Sunday (June 1). by Paul Ramlow, for the Grand Circuit
What would it take for a horse to put an end to world champion Bee A Magician's 18-race winning streak? Why a world record performance of course and that is what Perfect Alliance trotted in to beat Bee A Magician Monday night at Woodbine Racecourse in a $30,000 opening round division of the Miss Versatility Series for older mares. The race began with Frau Blucher (Tim Tetrick) shooting like she was on fire out to the lead from post seven and following her was Perfect Alliance and driver Yannick Gingras, who was able to take the lead away by the opening quarter mile in a speedy :26.3. They raced Indian-style to the half mile in :55.1 with Bee A Magician and Brian Sears staking the leaders until the three-quarter mile marker in 1:23.4. Sears than had Bee A Magician on the move on the outside but it looked to be a little too late at that point. Coming down the stretch Gingras had Perfect Alliance in full stride and no one was going to catch her tonight. Sears was able to weave his way around Frau Blucher and closed well in her first start back this year, but was no match for Perfect Alliance, who won by one and one-quarter lengths in world record time of 1:51.2. D'Orsay (Sylvain Filion) was third. Unbeaten in 2014 with her tenth straight win, Perfect Alliance is trained by Julie Miller. The four-year-old mare by Credit Winner is co-owned by Little E, LLC, Jason Settlemoir, David Stotz and Arthur Geiger. She paid $4.70 to win as the second choice in the race. Bee A Magician was the fan favorite at 3/5. Perfect Alliance set the world records with her 1:51.2 victory. She is now the fastest older mare in harness racing history, surpassing the previous mark of 1:51.4 that was co-held by Beat The Wheel (1994); Peaceful Way (2005), Queen Serene (2007) and D'Orsay (2013). The only record left that she could beat now is that of 1:51 that was set last year by none other than Bee A Magician. In the third race $30,000 first preliminary division, Classic Martine and driver Tim Tetrick did not disappoint anyone as they were recipients of a golden two-hole trip and responded with an easy four length triumph in a speedy 1:52.2. Tetrick left out of the gate from the rail with Classic Martine and got to the lead with ease. Charmed Life and driver Jody Jamieson came right at them after the opening quarter mile in :27 and was parked out past the half mile marker in :57 before they finally cleared. Charmed Life then led to the three-quarters in 1:25. Then with no one able to mount any sort of a challenge on the outside, Tetrick waited with Classic Martine until the stretch and then blew right by Charmed Life for the easy win. Rockin with Dewey (Mario Baillargeon) was second with Upfrontluckycarol (Stephen Condren) third Currently undefeated in 2014 with her third straight win, Classic Martine is trained by Chris Oakes. The four-year-old daughter of Classic Photo is owned by Hauser Brothers Racing, Susan Oakes and Edwin Gold. She paid $3.20 to win. By Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink.com
DERBY DAY – On the first Saturday in May, the entire country cares about horse racing. No matter who you are or where you live, it is difficult to escape the anticipation and excitement leading up to the Run for the Roses. Traffic was already backed up to the railroad overpass on Racetrack Road by 10 a.m., waiting to get into the New Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment. By the time I arrived in the paddock for the morning qualifiers, the first and second races had already been contested, as an earlier start was planned to accommodate the anticipated crowd. My first stop was to see the older trotters in race 7. Shelly Grieco, caretaker for Market Share was less anxious this week as Team Toscano had less than half of the eleven horses they had in-to-go last week. Markie was his protective self, pinning his ears if I got too close to Shelly. Otherwise, he was content to nibble on his dog chain, which is hooked with a carabiner and dangling from the left cross chain snap. Two stalls down was Dan Patch Horse of the Year, Bee A Magician, who was making her 2014 debut sans the trotting hopples. She looked as alert and ready as could be, and her caretaker Stephanie Petherick, was happy to pose for the obligatory photo. I thought that if this was not a qualifier the paparazzi would be everywhere! As I dashed over to the track apron, fans and players were milling around. They picked their spots while watching live early races from Churchill Downs on the infield teletron. Richard Gutnick, co-owner of Market Share was taking in all the action from his usual Saturday morning perch in the grandstand. At that stage, plans for the Elitloppet had not been finalized, citing several pros and cons. Rumor has it that a decision will be made on Tuesday. The USTA's Ken Weingartner and DRF's Derick Giwner were in their respective positions, ready to capture all the highlights. M1 CEO Jason Settlemoir stopped by to say hello with Marianne Rotella the assistant general manager. Marianne has been at The Meadowlands as long as I can remember, most recently running Guest Services. She is a great lady who is right at home managing big events. The main attraction was the 4-year-old and older trot, which was all Market Share. Not only did he draw off by over eight lengths, winning in 1:52.4, he trotted his last half all alone in :54.4. For the "Queen Bee" this appeared more like an official Derby Day workout. Bee settled in fourth and was allowed to trot home at will, timed in 1:56. She looked great and went clean and comfortable without the hopples. Following that race I went up to the Super Box to see Nick Salvi. I was impressed by the "super" view of the races from that vantage point. We discussed several social media initiatives while keeping an eye on the last few races. Hanover's Murray Brown brought a bag of NY bagels over from Manhattan while several top owners discussed the sights and sounds of the day. When the races were over, security shuffled us out to make room for a Derby party. Myron Bell invited me to lunch after qualifiers. I had to respectfully decline as I had already made plans. Nick reminded me that they 'do lunch' every Saturday so I was could catch them next time. I most certainly will! Back on the apron, I could not help but notice what an AMAZING TRANSFORMATION occurred in the "Back Yard," the New Meadowlands equivalent to the old Paddock Park. Although not complete yet, it had come a long way from the disassembled and dusty construction site it looked like last week. On my self-guided tour children were playing on the freshly rolled sod, and workers were inflating kid-friendly bounce houses. While peeking inside the new Back Yard Teller stand I ran into John "Red" Fazekas. He is also a "lifer" at the Meadowlands, starting as a labor foreman in 1977 under John Chevalier. Now he is the Supervisor of Properties and knows every inch of the front side and the backstretch like the back of his hand. During the Garden State Sales era, Red could always be counted on to come through in a pinch. Bitten by the racehorse bug, he even owned and trained a few horses along the way. One of the hardest working people around that facility is Rachel Ryan, Director of Marketing. She and the incredibly talented graphic artist Kathie Estes were handing out M1 T-shirts that read "Keep Calm and Derby On." I have witnessed Rachel do everything from shoot T-shirts from a cannon to carry 6 foot tables over her shoulder. She always smiles and forges ahead. Team Gural is indeed fortunate to have Rachel's enthusiasm and dedication at their facility. During my tour I also ran into Administrative Assistant Jenn Bongiorno. I told her that I was going to Freehold next, and she said one word, "Sumatra." I should listen to her more often! By this time Ken Weingartner was finished uploading all of his shots from the day, so we headed over to Tick Tock, the relatively famous NJ diner on Route 3 in Clifton. After we ordered the waitress noticed pictures of horses on my iPhone and on my shirt. The waitress inquired, "Is the Derby over at the Meadowlands today?" Doing my very best to maintain my composure I explained that the Derby was being held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky but the Meadowlands was having a public Derby Day party—hence all the traffic. There was also a Bar Mitzvah at MetLife Stadium, but that's another story. "Oh, right, KENTUCKY Derby" she said. She was very pleasant and took good care of Ken and I after that. We broke bread and shared a few laughs, and discussed the best alternate route to Freehold. With all the NJ Turnpike construction around exit 8A, I was advised to exit early and take the back road down to Route 33. Just as were about to leave the Tick Tock, a middle-aged couple approached our table and stated, "We could not help but overhearing, but what is happening with the Derby today?" Ken and I did our best to be good ambassadors of horse racing and gave them as much information as they could handle. I guess anyone affiliated with horse racing is a celebrity on Derby Day! If nothing else, a good source of insight. Out and Southbound, Mr. Weingartner was correct--traffic was backed up at exit 8A. But tie-ups are not uncommon on the NJ Turnpike, just ask anyone who ships from Showplace or Gaitway! When I finally arrived at Freehold, the parking lot and the grandstand were jammed packed. The Dexter Cup at the Afternoon Delight is the first stop on the road to the $1.2 million Hambletonian. The event drew several representatives of the Hambletonian Society, as well as Rob Key, who was rooting for his dad's horse Sarcastic Man. Members of the Takter family were also on the partly sunny but breezy apron. Brian Sears driving Sumatra from the rail was the prohibitive betting favorite at 30 cents on the dollar. Not one to disappoint, the White Knight led gate to wire for an elated Tom Fanning, the Hambo hopeful's trainer. The early-season powerhouse Ray Schnittker stable picked up the 2, 3 & 4 spots, with elim. winner Sarcastic Man (post 8) grabbing the final check. It was rumored that "The Manager" president of the Yonkers-based Brian Sears fan club, was going to make a surprise appearance at Freehold for the Dexter, however, that never materialized—leaving this scribe with nothing to do but head back North to the Meadowlands to catch the Derby. Upon my ascent to the 4th floor Victory Terrace, amidst the handicappers and the humongous hats, it was clear that the Derby Day event was a success. 8,000 T-shirts had been given out before 3 pm, and it was standing room only on the track level. The press box was the perfect place to spread out my laptop, camera and program to watch the NBC telecast. Nick Salvi shared some of his home-made pulled pork, and the party began. Peter Koch joined us with about 20 minutes to post, and we bantered about chalk vs. long-shots. As horse people, we always enjoy the stories associated with the Derby. As a former horse auction company executive, the fact that California Chrome was the product of an $8,000 mare and $2,000 stud fee was especially satisfying. I am sure that my father, who often reminded would-be sellers that 'money does not go lame in the bank,' would have been aghast over these cowboys turning down $6m for half the horse. But, hey, I guess he is worth more now that he won the Derby...and is eyeing a shot at the Triple Crown. All eyes will be upon Pimlico in Baltimore on May 17 for the Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown. Fans of harness racing will want to be at The Meadowlands that day as they host the Roosevelt Raceway Legacy Night, with a dozen stars from that iconic era on hand to sign autographs. Roosevelt memorabilia will also be on display courtesy of the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame. Following his T'bred TVG duties, Director of Racing Darin Zoccali joined us in the press box. He was very pleased with the M1 on-track Churchill handle, which exceeded $1.6m. In addition, about 12,000 people came to the facility. All-in-all, it was a good day for horse racing, harness or otherwise. The crowd lingered on the Victory Terrace for some time after the Derby, until a brief thunder storm sent them running for cover. The rain came and went and the crowd returned to the apron for a great night of harness racing. The brief thunder-boomer did not slow things down, as five races went faster than 1:50. 3 Brothers Stable's JK Endofanera won the Simpson and Rockin Amadeaus outlasted Frankies Dragon in the B1/A2 Handicap. The increasingly powerful Alagna Racing had three wins on the Saturday night card, following 12 in the qualifiers. With an impressive new webpage and dynamic social media feed, Tony gets it. He is leading by example in a digital environment that helps inform owners and fans of his stable's progress, as well as promoting the sport. It would be difficult to think of a big race at The Meadowlands where long-time track photographer Michael Lisa has not captured an iconic image. For fun, I took his picture along with his brother and fellow photographer Jim, and Paul Capozzi the master of ceremonies for winners circle presentations. These guys work hard behind the lens and behind the scenes to make sure that the winning connections have everlasting memories of their special night. To cap off the evening, David Miller, who will be inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in July, captured career win 11,000. It truly was a great day for horse racing! By Chris Tully, for Harnesslink.com
The Meadowlands has set up a special account for industry participants and racing fans who have pledged support for the television broadcasts of the 2014 Little Brown Jug and the Meadowlands Pace which will air on CBS Sports Net. "Ontario trainer Jack Darling first mentioned the idea of industry support for this project on his Standardbred Canada blog and the response to his challenge has been overwhelming," said Jeff Gural, Chairman of New Meadowlands Racetrack. "We'd like to thank everyone for helping to make this happen. We intend to pursue other avenues to secure sponsorship, both within and outside of the industry, with the idea of being able to televise one of the Breeders Crown nights in addition to the Jug, Hambletonian and the Meadowlands Pace." "We realize TV is just part of the equation in the effort to promote and grow our sport," said Meadowlands CEO and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. "This is an opportunity for harness racing to work hand in hand with other companies and organizations to develop a synergy of social media efforts, television, and other strategies to benefit everyone involved and we are looking forward to this joint effort." Checks can be made out to and mailed to: Meadowlands Racetrack TV Fund 1 Racetrack Drive East Rutherford, NJ 07073 by Darrin Zoccali, for the Meadowlands
Final preparations are under way for the ninth season of harness racing at Tioga Downs, with the first of 61 programs set for Saturday, May 3. Fans taking in Opening Night at Tioga Downs will receive a 2014 race date T-shirt and schedule magnet (while supplies last) and will be treated to a fireworks display following the last race. New for this year, one lucky fan will win a $1000 wager on the Kentucky Derby, with the winnings theirs to keep. While opening night post time will be 5:00 p.m. and Sunday afternoon cards will typically maintain their 1:30 p.m. start times, evening cards have a new earlier post time for 2014. Friday and Saturday night programs will begin at 6:15 p.m., as will the handful of non-holiday Monday and Thursday cards scheduled for the upcoming meet. "We are looking forward to our ninth season at Tioga Downs, kicking off with the biggest Kentucky Derby party in the Southern Tier and continuing with quality harness racing all summer with full, competitive fields," said Jason Settlemoir, Regional Vice President of Racing at Tioga. "To continue our commitment to fans and horseplayers, we've lowered our trifecta, Pick 3, and Pick 4 wagers to a 50¢ minimum, and our takeout, the lowest by statute in the State of New York for harness racing, remains among the lowest in harness racing across North America." Live and simulcast players alike will benefit from the new Handicapping Resources section of the Tioga Downs website, with detailed race analysis and trip notes available for all Tioga race programs. In addition to being available in the Tioga Downs on-track program, simulcast fans can access the resources at http://www.tiogadowns.com/racing/handicapping.php. Players can cover more combinations without exhausting their bankroll, as trifectas, Pick 3s, and Pick 4s are all now 50¢ base wagers. Once again, the Cane Pace and Roll With Joe Pace headline the racing season, with top three-year-olds vying for the first leg of pacing's Triple Crown on Monday, September 1 and older pacers contesting a $200,000 (est.) purse on Sunday, June 1. Horsemen are advised that the Opening Weekend condition sheet is available at http://tiogadowns.com/media/racing/condsheet.pdf. Additionally, pre-meet qualifiers are scheduled for the morning of Friday, April 25 and the evening of Tuesday, April 29 in conjunction with the annual pre-meet Press Night. by James Witherite, for Tioga Downs
East Rutherford, NJ - The 2014 Championship Meet at The Meadowlands will offer over $9 Million in harness racing purses for its stakes races, headlined by the $1.2 Million Hambletonian on Saturday August 2nd. Carrying a $1.2 Million total purse, The Hambletonian is the richest Standardbred race in North America and will be the first jewel of the trotting triple crown in 2014. Hambletonian Day will also include a wide array of other stakes races, with total purses for the day being approximately $3.5 Million, the richest day of racing in the state of New Jersey. The Hambletonian program will also include The Hambletonian Oaks, John Cashman Memorial, U.S. Pacing Championship, Peter Haughton Memorial, Merrie Annabelle, Lady Liberty and more. "Hambletonian Day is always the greatest day of racing for our sport each year and we are thrilled to be the home of such a historic event," said Director of Racing Operations Darin Zoccali. "It is an event like the Super Bowl for us, where as soon as Hambletonian Day is over, we begin working on the next one." This year's Hambletonian will be the first in the new $100 Million Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment facility. "We are excited to give The Hambletonian a brand new, state of the art facility to call home," said General Manager Jason Settlemoir. "The experience for our customers will be better than ever, with more activities and a wide array of options for our customers to enjoy the day how they want, from fine dining, a gorgeous sports bar, skyboxes, a rooftop terrace and The Backyard which will be an enhanced version of the old paddock park. In addition, the day is sure to have a more intimate connection to the racing than ever before, as we have been feeling that energy all season long here at The Meadowlands." Post time for The Hambletonian Day program is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. The Meadowlands signature event, The Meadowlands Pace will take place on Saturday July 12th. Thanks to proactive changes made to the payment structure of the race, The Meadowlands Pace is showing promising growth through the sustaining payments and will carry a purse of an estimated $750,000 for the 2014 edition. "We worked very hard on improving The Meadowlands Pace," said Zoccali. "We implemented an altered payment structure which will continue to evolve going forward and we are already seeing the results through the sustaining payments. This year's Meadowlands Pace is trending toward a substantial increase in the purse for the Final over 2013." The Meadowlands Pace program will also offer a huge card of racing, including such races as The Mistletoe Shalee, Stanley Dancer Memorial, Del Miller Memorial, William Haughton Memorial, The Golden Girls, The New Jersey Sire Stakes Championships for two year olds and more, producing a near $3 Million night of stakes action. Meadowlands Pace Night will feature a special start time of 6:30 P.M. New to the 2014 Stakes Calendar is The $400,000 Hambletonian Maturity for four year old trotters, to be contested at 1 1/8th Miles on Saturday July 5th which is Meadowlands Pace Elimination night. A maximum of 16 horses will be on the gate for the $400,000 event. "This is a unique event," added Zoccali. "It would be great to see upwards of 12 or 13 horses entered as the race would have a European-style feel to it and I think is something we will all enjoy. It also provides a major race for the four year old trotters to target as their stakes season kicks off." Other major events are the Arthur J. Cutler Memorial, to take place on Saturday May 17th and will coincide with Roosevelt Raceway Legacy Night. The New Jersey Sire Stakes Championships for three year olds will be on Saturday May 31st and The Meadowlands Maturity Pace on Friday June 13th, which is likely to mark the 2014 debut of Captaintreacherous, the 2013 Pacer of the Year. While not a part of the summer Championship Meet, The Breeders Crown makes its return to The Meadowlands in the fall, with the Finals taking place over two championship nights of racing, Friday November 21st and Saturday November 22nd. The standardbred stakes season will end the following Saturday night, November 29th, with the second annual $1 Million TVG Free For All Championships. The 2014 Meadowlands stakes program will offer an estimated $16 Million in purses and the full stakes schedule can be found at http://meadowlandsracetrack.com/uploadedfiles/2014_Meadowlands_Stakes_Schedule.pdf. by Rachel Ryan, for the Meadowlands
Life is different these days for the wife-and-husband team of trainer Julie Miller and driver Andy Miller, but their passion for harness racing remains unchanged. As Julie Miller prepares undefeated Perfect Alliance for Wednesday's $30,000 Bobby Weiss Series final for 3- and 4-year-old female trotters at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, she talked about the bond that keeps Team Miller moving forward as Andy Miller recovers from an accident April 15 at Yonkers Raceway. Andy Miller, who had vertebrae surgery at New York's Columbia Presbyterian Hospital last week, hopes to be released by sometime Tuesday but could be sidelined for six months. "We have a passion for the sport and we love racing, so I think that's what is keeping us going more than anything," Julie Miller said Monday morning. "We're going over the horses, going over the training, going over who is in and who raced and evaluating performances. It's kind of a nice positive diversion from worrying about the rest and recovery that's going to be Andy's journey ahead. "I could do this job without him, and he could do this job without me, but we don't want to. We want to do it together. It's been nice because we can still bounce ideas off each other." Many staff members at the Millers' stable have worked there for a number of years, some more than a decade, which has helped keep the operation moving smoothly. "I'm really fortunate," Julie Miller said. "First thing when I got back to the barn, they said we're a hundred percent behind you and Andy. We know it's going to be a little extra, but we understand. I have a phenomenal staff. Everything is still going like clockwork because everybody is still going 110 percent." Miller said she was grateful for the outpouring of support from the harness racing community, as well as from neighbors that are not involved in the sport. "People have been wonderful, sending us notes and texts and well wishes," she said. "Everyone has been so helpful, even preparing meals for the family and helping with the kids. I can't thank people enough." Andy Miller has won 8,054 races in his driving career and nearly $101 million in purses, with both totals ranking among the top 25 in North American harness racing history. Julie Miller has won 1,156 lifetime races as a trainer and nearly $20 million in purses. She has earned $557,730 this season, good for seventh place among all trainers in North America. We spoke with Andy's doctor (Monday) morning and he said that all of his test results and X-rays and ultrasounds and scans are coming back with flying colors," Julie Miller said. "Now it's just a paperwork issue of trying to get out of the hospital. We're looking forward to it being Monday afternoon or at the latest Tuesday. "He's walking already. The other day when I was at the hospital he'd already made the turn around the nurses' station and was turning for home and I said, 'I can't even get your bed remade and you're already coming back.' He was in such healthy condition that it's really going to help him to recover." The Millers are thankful that Andy's back injury wasn't more severe. "Every time we want to feel sorry for ourselves, I think that I wasn't in the conference room being told he was paralyzed or couldn't walk," Julie Miller said. "We're blessed because it could have been worse. Andy is a very upbeat, positive person. People that know him know that he loves to work and he's always positive. He's keeping that momentum even with this challenging road ahead." The Millers hope to have some more winning performances to evaluate in the near future, particularly with Perfect Alliance heading into Wednesday's Weiss final a perfect 8-for-8 this season. The 4-year-old mare, who will be driven for the second week in a row by Yannick Gingras, is the 2-1 morning line favorite in a field of seven. She starts from post No. 6. Perfect Alliance is owned by New Meadowlands Racing Chairman Jeff Gural, Meadowlands General Manager Jason Settlemoir, David Stolz and Arthur Geiger. She competed in three of the four preliminary Weiss rounds, notching her three victories by a combined total of 14 lengths. Series division winners Clementine Dream, who is 3-1, and Dough Dough, who is 7-2, are the next choices on the morning line. "(Perfect Alliance) is a clear-cut choice, but it's still a horse race," Julie Miller said. "Luckily, Yannick has elected to go over there and drive her again for me; I appreciate that on his part. I think she's a push-button horse, and Yannick agreed the other day. Having a new catch driver on her made me a little apprehensive, but he said she was super and got along good with her. As long as she has no obstacles, I think she should be excellent in that race." by Ken Weingartner, for Harness Racing Communications
Mark MacDonald, winner of over 5,000 races will be driving at The Meadowlands on Friday nights through the end of The Championship Meet. MacDonald is hoping this will be a launching point to him becoming a Meadowlands mainstay going forward. "I want to start driving there on Friday nights. It's tough to jump into any place in the middle of a meet, let alone The Meadowlands, but I want to start with Friday's and I think when The Meadowlands opens up again in the fall I will go there full time." The Meadowlands recently announced a purse increase, but that was not the driving force behind MacDonald's decision. "The Meadowlands will give me more exposure compared to what I am doing now. In addition the better stakes horses, especially the younger ones come through The Meadowlands. I don't want to just drive overnight horses all year. I look forward to getting some drives in big stakes races and in order to do that, I need to drive at The Meadowlands." MacDonald is committed to driving as many horses as he can going forward. "I'll be at qualifiers driving all the horses that I can. Hopefully I will pick up more and more work as the meet goes on." So far MacDonald is off to a good start as he is 1 for 1 with the mare he co-owns, Up Front Elizabeth. General Manager Jason Settlemoir is thrilled about MacDonald's addition to the driving colony. "I am very pleased to have Mark driving with us going forward, not only for his on the track ability but because he understands this business and conducts himself in a professional manner off the track. He is a great addition to a driving colony that is filled with youth, energy and talent." by Darin Zoccali, for the Meadowlands


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Andover, MA — Edwin Goonyep of Andover, MA, died peacefully in his longtime home on Foster's Pond, Sunday evening July 29, 2012, in the company of his wife of 45 years, Judy.
Ed was born in Lynn, MA, and graduated from Lynn English HS class of 1952. He attended Franklin Tech and worked in the electronics and semiconductor industry for most of his career, except for the ten years he ran his own marine electronics business in Marblehead.
Ed had many hobbies and was active in several organizations. He held his amateur radio license (Ham) for almost 60 years, call sign W1CUO, and was president of the North Shore Repeater Association, as well as the communications officer for the Andover Civil Defense. Photography was another love, the one that brought Judy and him together, and they competed in print competitions at the Greater Lynn Camera Club. In the early 1960s he ran several rallies with the Touring Club of New England, driving different types of sports cars. Ed was also a life member and range safety officer of the Andover Sportsmen's Club.
The many household dogs will miss their "Uncle Ed," and his beloved dog Kenna will especially miss her "Dad." Judy will sorely miss all his help and support.
In addition to his wife, Ed is survived by his brother-in-law Bob Davis of Seminole, FL, and six nieces and nephews.
ARRANGEMENTS: At Ed's request, there will be no services. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).
ARRL Foundation, Spectrum Defense Fund, c/o Mary Hobart, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111.


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世界 : Europe : Netherlands
Fountain in garden
摄影师 Jan Mulder
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全景摄影师 Jan Mulder 日期和时间 13:42, 25/07/2010 - Views
Fountain in garden
世界 > Europe > Netherlands
Fountain in the garden of palace Paleis het Loo. Photo's taken on July 25, 2010
Photo's taken on July 25, 2010
Paleis Het Loo, Apeldoorn, Garden
View from under the garden gallery of Paleis Het Loo. Photo's taken on July 25, 2010
View over the garden of Paleis Het Loo. Photo's taken on July 25, 2010.
Photo's taken on July 25, 2010.
Paleis Het Loo, Apeldoorn, Terrace
Photo's taken on July 25, 2010
Photo's taken on July 25, 2010
The Dutch baroque garden of Het Loo Palace was designed by Claude Desgotz and restored in 1970 (ref. ...
Paleis Het Loo, Apeldoorn, Courtyard
Europe is generally agreed to be the birthplace of western culture, including such legendary innovations as the democratic nation-state, football and tomato sauce.
The word Europe comes from the Greek goddess Europa, who was kidnapped by Zeus and plunked down on the island of Crete. Europa gradually changed from referring to mainland Greece until it extended finally to include Norway and Russia.
Don't be confused that Europe is called a continent without looking like an island, the way the other continents do. It's okay. The Ural mountains have steadily been there to divide Europe from Asia for the last 250 million years. Russia technically inhabits "Eurasia".
Europe is presently uniting into one political and economic zone with a common currency called the Euro. The European Union originated in 1993 and is now composed of 27 member states. Its headquarters is in Brussels, Belgium.
Do not confuse the EU with the Council of Europe, which has 47 member states and dates to 1949. These two bodies share the same flag, national anthem, and mission of integrating Europe. The headquarters of the Council are located in Strasbourg, France, and it is most famous for its European Court of Human Rights.
In spite of these two bodies, there is still no single Constitution or set of laws applying to all the countries of Europe. Debate rages over the role of the EU in regards to national sovereignty. As of January 2009, the Lisbon Treaty is the closest thing to a European Constitution, yet it has not been approved by all the EU states.
Text by Steve Smith.