Warawee Needy draws Post 4 in Monday's Gold OSS Gold Series Final

$130,000 OSS Gold Series Final — July 4 at Mohawk Racetrack

Post 1 Orse Power

Post 2 Caddy Jeff

Post 3 Thunder Steeler

Post 4 Warrawee Needy

Post 5 Machal Angelo

Post 6 Astor

Post 7 Secretsoftheknight

Post 8 Boysgotfever

Post 9 Jake Sully

Post 10 Daniel Semalu


The son of E Dees Cam and Great Memories (by Apaches Fame) is currently ranked as the fastest two-year-old in North America ( 1:51.4!!!). Warrawee Needy is trained by Princeton, ON resident Carl Jamieson for his partners Tom Kyron of Toronto, breeder Dr. Michael Wilson of Rockwood and Floyd Marshall of Jarvis, ON.

Looks like the Jamiesons have another HOT one!!!


Source: StandardbredCanada.ca

Message to Leafs' Burke: Richards, Upshall, Ward

I have a feeling Brad Richards is going to head back to Tampa to try for an encore Cup, which means Scottie Upshall and Joel Ward may be Brian Burke's free agent signings for the Maple Leafs. Look for Burkie to also swing a trade for one more forward, possibly someone overpaid with a year or two to go on their contract.

Komisarek and Gustavvsson for Semin, anyone?

History of Harness Racing online, links, photos

Many thanks to Tim Bojarski of Hoofbeats magazine for inspiring this post and for coming up with many of the great links below. Note that The Internet Archive is also a great place to find info on websites that don't exist anymore. Let's say you had a great biography on your website 5 years ago, but you let that website and domain slip away. At Archive.org, you can see what your old website looked like, and retrieve your bio for future use!



Standardbred Horse Racing History, Videos, Pictures


Rules and Regulations for Racing, Trotting and Betting 1866




1887 Catalog of Trotting Stock from Leland Stanford




1892 Turf Good Antique Racehorse Catalog




Training the Trotting Horse by Charles Marvin 1893




A Short history of the American Trotting and Pacing Horse by Henry Coates 1901




The Trotting and Pacing Horse in America by Hamilton Busbey 1904




Balancing and Shoeing Trotting and Pacing Horses by William Moore 1916




The Two Minute Horse by Millard Sanders 1922



Watch (or download and keep) the whole movie“The Great Dan Patch” 1904-1906



More Standardbred Horse Racing links:

Standardbred Racehorse information, wikipedia webpage

History of Australian Harness Racing

Greyhound - Standardbred horse racing legend

Standardbred Canada harness racing magazine

USTA Official Website UStrotting.com

Hoofbeats harness horse racing magazine

Leafs add 3 to depth charts; Liles, Biggs, Perry

With cap room available and players in play, this depth chart is likely to have a shelf life of 3 to 7 days. Look for Burkie to add a centre and a winger, and then take his time reviewing the experienced goalies on the market.

Forwards

Kessel
Kulemin
Grabovski
Lupul
Armstrong
Kadri
Bozak
Frattin
Orr


Free Agents that may come back:

Boyce
Crabb
Brent
Rosehill

(If MacArthur re-signs, he'll get 1st crack at his 2nd line spot, however, after the season he just had, other teams are likely to offer him more money and a longer term than Toronto)

On the Farm:

Joe Colborne
Tyler Brenner
Greg McKegg
Jerry D'Amigo
Tyler Biggs
Bradley Ross
Josh Nicholls
Gregg Scott
Luca Caputi




Defence

Aulie / Phaneuf
Liles / Schenn
Gunnarsson / Komisarek
Lashoff


On the farm:

Simon Gysbers
Korbinian Holzer
Jake Gardiner
Jesse Blacker
Stuart Percy




Goalies

James Reimer
Jussi Rynas
Ben Scrivens
Mark Owuya*

Most would have Mark ranked fourth, however I believe he has a shot to be Reimer's backup, if a vet doesn't come in via trade or free agency. If a veteran netminder does land, the Marls may start the year with 3 goalies.

Any of Owuya, Scrivens of Rynas could earn the backup spot in camp, but if Optimus Reim falters or gets injured, are these other guys ready to carry the Leafs into the 2nd round of the NHL playoffs? We need to go strong from October to January this year to play our way into contention in a strong division, so the situation needs to be examined closely, right from the get-go.

Horses eligible to 2011 Maple Leaf Trot at Mohawk Raceway, July 23, 2011

Top trotters to compete at Standardbred stakes event

Here is a list of harness horses eligible to the 2011 Maple Leaf Trot at Mohawk on July 23rd:

ALL CANTAB
ARCH MADNESS
BIG BIKKIES
BREAK THE BANK K
COMMANDERCROW
DEFINE THE WORLD
ENOUGH TALK
EQUITY
FOUR STARZ SPEED
HES A DEMON
HOT SHOT BLUE CHIP
IL VILLAGGIO
KASHS CAVIAR
LIKEABATOUTAHELL
LUCKY JIM
PILGRIMS CHUCKIE
PREMIERESTEED
RED LIGHT
SAN PAIL
SIR CAVIAR
SLAVE DREAM
SYENITE
TAKE MY PICTURE
TEMPLE OF DOOM
TRIUMPHANT CAVIAR
WINDSONG GEAN


I am looking forward to seeing local fave San Pail battle US invader Enough Talk!

MacArthur running out of time to sign with Maple Leafs

Kadri or Armstrong could take 2nd line winger spot

If any NHL player was aware of the perils of contract arbitration, you would think it would be Clarke MacArthur. Last year he filed for arbitration in Atlanta, and though the arbitrator ruled 2.4 million for Mac, the Thrashers walked away from the deal. Turned into a last-minute free agent, Clarke signed with the Leafs for $1.1 million.

Why would he want to go to arbitration this year, when it failed him so miserably last time?

Admittedly, after MacArthur's career season, the risk is now lessened. Even if the arbitrator awards a high number and Burkie walks away from it, other NHL teams will pony up significant dough for a 60+ point scorer. Still, Clarkie, you really clicked here so why not stay a few years?

If I were Brian Burke, this is what I would offer CM:

One year for $2.5 million

OR

Two years for $5.2 million

OR

Three years for 8.0 million



If I were MacArthur and Burke was offering more than that, I'd jump at the offer, but then again, I'm a Leafs fan. The "worst city in North American sports" is also the hockey capital of the world. The only other contenders are Moscow and Montreal, and Toronto wins hands down.

Up The Credit, Won The West, See You At Peelers all shine on NA Cup day

Won The West ties Canadian record with 1.47.2 win!!!

Won The West turned in a sizzling 1:47.2 performance equalling the fastest mile in Canadian harness racing history on Saturday’s Pepsi North America Cup undercard at Mohawk Racetrack, featuring the Elegantimage, Fan Hanover, Goodtimes Trot and Mohawk Gold Cup Invitational Pace.

Video: Won The West burns up Mohawk Raceway in 1.47.2



After going winless in four starts this year, Canada’s Older Pacing Horse of 2010 Won The West served notice to his aged pacing rivals that he is back and better than ever, turning in one of the fastest miles in Canadian harness racing history in the $100,000 Mohawk Gold Cup Invitational Pace.

Lisagain (Sylvain Filion) took control of the field off the gate from the inside post position with Silent Swing (Phil Hudon) wedging his way into the pocket spot and Alexie Mattosie (Paul MacDonell) parked out to the speedy :25.4 first quarter.

Alexie Mattosie eventually cleared the lead and reached the half in :53.2, but Won The West and driver David Miller swept up from fifth and within a blink of an eye opened up a five length lead on the field.

Won The West sprinted to the third quarter mark in 1:19.3 – the fastest three-quarters ever at Mohawk – and extended his lead in the stretch before stopping the clock in a sizzling 1:47.2, equalling Primetime Bobcat’s all-time Canadian record. Favourite Art Professor (Jody Jamieson) narrowed the winner's margin of victory to two and three-quarter lengths finishing second. Mach Dreamer (Rick Zeron) was third.

The time of the mile obliterated the 1:48.2 stakes record set by stablemate Foiled Again and the 1:48.1 all-time track record held by Well Said, Shark Gesture and Buckeye One.


See You At Peelers remains undefeated



See You At Peelers extended her undefeated win streak to 18 with a 1:50 stakes record equalling performance in the $601,000 Fan Hanover for three-year-old pacing fillies.

Idyllic (David Miller) fired to command from the outside Post 10 off the gate, but gave way to elimination winner See You At Peelers and driver Brian Sears at the :27.2 opening quarter mark.

The heavy 1-5 favourite carved out middle splits of :55.3 and 1:23.2 with Krispy Apple (Tim Tetrick) advancing from third to apply first over pressure around the final turn.

See You At Peelers refused to let her perfect record be ruined and kicked away in the stretch with a :26.3 final frame to a three length victory in 1:50 flat. The time of the mile matched Not Enough's stakes record set in 2009. Krispy Apple finished second and Idyllic was third.


Up The Credit wins 2011 North America Cup in 1.49.3

Up The Credit survived a first over journey to capture the 28th edition of the $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack in Campbellville, Ont. for the father-son team of Carl and Jody Jamieson.

Roll With Joe (Randy Waples) fired off the gate from Post 7, but settled into the pocket with Powerful Mist (David Miller) getting up on the inside for the early lead. His lead was short-lived though as elimination winner and 9-5 favourite Big Bad John (Brett Miller) rolled to command from third at the :26.2 opening quarter mark.

As the competitive field of 10 rolled down the backstretch, elimination winner Up The Credit and Mohawk’s leading driver Jody Jamieson advanced first up after getting away fourth from his chosen post position number two.

Big Bad John showed the way past fractions of :55.2 and 1:22.3, but could not withstand the pressure from Up The Credit in the stretch. The Carl Jamieson trainee struck the front and held off his rivals to score in 1:49.3, with his final quarter clocked in :26.3. Roll With Joe finished one length behind in second while Big Jim (Phil Hudon) rallied from third over to show.




Source: standardbredcanada.ca/news

Maple Leafs must re-sign own players before July 1st

Signing Luke Schenn the #1 priority; then MacArthur, then Bozak

Although there remains the possibility that deals can get done after July 1st, having the gusto to get the club's own players signed over the next two weeks will provide guidance for the free agent season, as we'll know which holes remain to be filled.

After signing James Reimer and Carl Gunnarsson over the past week, the Buds now need to buckle down and get Luke Schenn signed, followed by the balance of the RFAs, namely Clarke MacArthur, and Tyler Bozak. Even if you plan to trade some of these names, they are much more valuable when signed to prudent, medium-term deals.

Additional RFAs that should be signed to medium term deals include Matt Lashoff, Mike Brown, and Ben Scrivens.

When you get to the Unrestricted Free Agents (UFAs), things get a little trickier. Most agree that Tim Brent should get a reasonable offer, and I concur. Darryl Boyce and Joey Crabb should follow, then Jay Rosehill, and for trade purposes, Fredrik Sjostrom.

Although we will likely be outbid for his services, I would still try to sign J.S. Giguere as a backup to James Reimer, though for about 1.6 to 1.7 mil (Reimer makes 1.8 mil) rather than the 7.2 mil Jiggy made last year. If another team wants to pay him more they can try him, however if he signs here for that price, then Owuya, Scrivens and Rynass will be in a hot 3-way battle for the Toronto Marlies goaltending duties, and the AHL squad may have to start the season with 3 goalies.

Kaberle smartest man in the NHL

Mats Sundin could have learned a thing or two

Toronto Maple Leafs fans remember the agony of being far out of the NHL playoff race and finding your most trade-able commodity doesn't want to leave Toronto - hello Mats!!! Though it was a nice compliment to the city, the fact that Mats didn't care about winning a Stanley Cup was detrimental to the Leafs development, as Tomas Kaberle and Brian Burke so deftly proved this year.

Kaberle had a no-trade clause, however with his free agency approaching and the Leafs in the tank yet again, it was becoming clear (just like in Sundin's case...although it5 didn't come to fruition then) that a trade would be beneficial to both parties. The snag was that Kaberle also values quality of life above winning, but Tomas found a brilliant out. He surveyed the Boston Bruins team and decided that they could use a puck-moving defenceman to take some of the load off Zdeno Chara, and so he let Brian Burke know that he'd be willing to be traded to Boston, and Boston alone.

Many GMs may have found that constrictive, but the quick Burke actually turned it into a positive. Some have claimed that Boston overpaid for Kaberle, considering that the Leafs had no other option, but I view this trade differently. Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli was able to dig deep to get TK because he knew that Tomas really really wanted to play in Boston, and he may even have consulted Chara about the move. Then it was just a matter of meeting Burke's price, and has he had done so well (in Bruins fans eyes) on the Kessel trade, he had some wiggle room to pay up for Kaberle.

Kaberle's offence led Bruins to win over Tampa

To those who believe Kaberle did not significantly contribute to the Bruins Stanley Cup victory, check out his 11 playoff assists and his +8 rating in limited 5 on 5 minutes. Those paying attention know that Boston would not have beaten Tampa Bay without TK, as his 5 assists including game winning and game breaking goals in that series were the difference.

Add in Native Canadian Chris Kelly (brought over from Ottawa), stir vigouously until bubbles start floating to the top, then pour gently into the Cup!!!

$1 million plus carryover for Pick 6 at Belmont, Wednesday

Tomorrow's Belmont card offers a Pick 6 with a carryover of more than $1.1 million (Wednesday June 15th, 2011).

The Belmont Park Pick 6 carryover pool is currently $1,130,718, definitely worth a little lottery-style ticket or two!!! 

2011 North America Cup post positions drawn

Mohawk to host $1.5 million race on Saturday, June 18

Campbellville, July 14 - Ten of the continent's finest three-year-old pacers, headed by Up The Credit, Big Bad John and Powerful Mist, will contest Saturday's $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup at Mohawk Racetrack.

The 28th edition of the Cup is the richest pacing event in North America, with the winner earning $750,000. The Score will air a special one and one-half hour telecast nationally from 8:30 - 10:00 pm ET.

Post positions were drawn today at Mohawk, with Luke Schenn, defenceman with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League, as guest drawmaster.

The final post positions and morning line odds are listed below:

1) Big Jim (7-1)
2) Up The Credit (5-2)
3) Powerful Mist (6-1)
4) Big Bad John (2-1)
5) Shadyshark Hanover (5-1)
6) Rockabillie (15-1)
7) Roll With Joe (8-1)
8) Eighteen (25-1)
9) Dutch Richman (30-1)
10) Foreclosure N (25-1)

North America Cup Post Position Draw, today at 12.15pm

Luke Schenn of Toronto Maple Leafs is drawmaster

North America Cup live draw for post positions

Leafs ink Optimus Reim to 3 year contract!!!

King James Reimer slated to be #1 for Toronto Maple Leafs

Contract reported at three years, $5.4 million

“We are extremely pleased to have come to terms on this new deal with James and his agent Ray Petkau,” said Leafs GM Brian Burke. “He earned the opportunity to play at the NHL level this past season and he made the most of it with his outstanding play. He really grabbed the net and never looked back. We are confident that his talent and strong work habits will be contributing factors to our team’s success next season.”

Reports indicate it is worth US$5.4-million, which would equal a $1.8-million annual cap hit. Reimer, 23, was due to be an restricted free agent on July 1. Toronto now has two goaltenders under contract for the 2011-12 season. Swede Jonas Gustavsson has one year remaining on a contract that will pay him $1.4-million. Veteran J-S Giguere is an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and is unlikely to be retained by the Leafs.

In addition, if Gustavsson is moved, recent Swedish signing Mark Owuya may already be a strong backup to Reimer, as he had the best save percentage in Sweden's elite league this year. At the very least, Owuya will battle Ben Scrivner and Jurki Rynnas for the #2 position on the big club, as Gustavsson is likely to be moved (he needs a new start elsewhere) at the first reasonable offer.

Though starting 2010-2011 in the AHL, Reimer was recalled four times from the Marlies last season and he made his NHL debut in the third period and stopped all four shots December 20 versus Atlanta. He registered his first NHL shutout with 27 saves on February 3 against Carolina. He managed a win in a season-high five consecutive road games from February 8 to March 3. His strong play in March earned him the NHL’s Rookie of the Month Award with a 9-4-1 record, one shutout, a 2.87 goals against average and a .913 save percentage. The goaltender fashioned a record of 11-3-4 when making 30 or more saves in a game this past season.

Internationally, Reimer was selected to play for Team Canada at the 2011 IIHF World Championship in Slovakia where he was unbeaten in four games. He compiled a record of 3-0-0 with a 2.04 goals against average and a .920 save percentage.

Reimer is a former East Coast Hockey League playoffs MVP after appearing in eight playoff games for the Kelly Cup-winning South Carolina Stingrays in 2009. The 6-2, 220-pound native of Morweena, Manitoba was originally the Leafs’ third choice, 99th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and signed his first contract with the Maple Leafs on March 19, 2008.


Toronto Maple Leafs trade idea

Washington needs toughness and depth, so Brian Burke should consider offering Gustavsson, Komisarek and one of Tyler Bozak and Colton Orr, for Alexander Semin. Now, it's true that Semin has only a one year deal at $6.7 million, however if we can get rid of some salary in the deal, it may make sense for both teams.

Post positions for 2011 Pepsi North America Cup eliminations at Mohawk

Elimination races for 2011 North America Cup

Have a look at the 3 elims for Saturday night and I believe you'll agree that the 3rd elimination is the preferable race to be in. The first race (Race 3) is incredibly deep, while the second elim also looks tough. I have bolded the three colts I believe will perform best in each race.

Elim No. 1 (Race 3)

PP - Horse - Listed Driver

1 - Mach Of Ballykeel - Sylvain Filion
2 - Rock To Glory - David Miller
3 - Big Jim - Phil Hudon
4 - Powerful Mist - Tim Tetrick
5 - Bestofbest Hanover - Jack Moiseyev
6 - Rockabillie - Sylvain Filion
7 - Custard The Dragon - Montrell Teague



Elim No. 2 (Race 4)

PP - Horse - Listed Driver

1 - Feel Like A Fool - Brian Sears
2 - Betterthancheddar - Brett Miller
3 - Up The Credit - Jody Jamieson
4 - Grams Legacy - Brian Sears
5 - Eighteen - Paul MacDonell
6 - Lookinforadventure - Brett Miller
7 - Townslight Hanover - Scott Zeron
8 - Shadyshark Hanover - Tim Tetrick



Elim No. 3 (Race 6)

PP - Horse - Listed Driver

1 - Mystician - Jody Jamieson
2 - Roll With Joe - Randy Waples
3 - Keystone Velocity - Jody Jamieson
4 - Western Alumni - Randy Waples
5 - Dutch Richman - Tim Tetrick
6 - Wink N Atcha - Brian Sears
7 - Big Bad John - Brett Miller
8 - Foreclosure N - Sylvain Filion

Best 3 Year Old Colts eligible for North America Cup

Top 35 North America Cup contenders, Mohawk stakes races

35 Contending Colts: 2011 Pepsi North America Cup

#1 - Big Jim – 3-1
#2 - Up The Credit -- 5-1
#3 - Betterthancheddar -- 7-1
#4 - Shadyshark Hanover -- 7-1
#5 - Roll With Joe -- 10-1
#6 - Powerful Mist – 12-1
#7 - Rock To Glory – 12-1
#8 - Fashion Delight - 12-1
#9 - Feel Like A Fool -- 15-1
#10 - Custard The Dragon – 15-1


#11 - Mystician – 16-1
#12 - Prodigal Seelster -- 18-1
#13 - Big Bad John -- 18-1
#14 - Eighteen – 20-1
#15 - Watermelonwine -- 20-1
#16 - Foreclosure N – 22-1
#17 - Grams Legacy -- 25-1
#18 - Joe Palz -- 25-1
#19 - Bestofbest Hanover -- 30-1
#20 - Lookinforadventure – 30-1



#21 - Wink N Atcha -- 35-1
#22 - Prana -- 35-1
#23 - Dutch Richman -- 35-1
#24 - Dapper Denzil -- 35-1
#25 - Just Asign To Me -- 38-1
#26 - Wind Me Up -- 38-1
#27 - Arsenal -- 40-1
#28 - On The Radar -- 40-1
#29 - Reckless Ric -- 45-1
#30 - A And Gs Express -- 45-1



#31 - Drain Daddy -- 48-1
#32 - Rockabillie -- 50-1
#33 - Bettors Green -- 50-1
#34 - Ohmygosh Hanover -- 50-1
#35 - D M Bodatious – 50-1

Brad Richards, Dallas Stars part ways

Rangers, Maple Leafs in hunt for star center

Now that Brad Richards and the Dallas Stars have officially parted ways (Richards announced he won't negotiate with the Stars until they have an owner; Stars GM said no offer possible before July 1st), it's time for the Leafs to launch a full court PEI press to land Richards in Toronto.

Manhattan's bright lights, or hero of a nation?

If it boils down to the N.Y. Strangers and the T.O. Buds, our ace in the hole will have to be the PEI connection (Darryl Boyce is from PEI, as is Phaneuf's mom, who figure skated for the province). Burke must plan a trip to Charlottetown, where he and Phaneuf can schmooze Richards about the young, energetic and fast improving Leafs team. Brad Richards needs to land somewhere that will be a competitive team over the next 3 to 5 years, and the Toronto Maple Leafs have a young, talented core (Phaneuf, Schenn, Kessel, Reimer) that can help keep Brad Richards vital and winning for many years to come.

As probably 80% of PEI hockey fans are also part of Leafs Nation, the chances of Toronto landing Richards are much better than most hockey writers realize.

Somebeachsomewhere Stakes - 3 Divisions this Saturday!

My hometown is Burlington, Ontario so when I heard they were changing the name of the Burlington Stakes, traditionally the major prep race for the Pepsi North America cup at Mohawk, there was some concern. You can imagine my joy when I learned the Burlington Stakes were being renamed the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes, after my favourite horse, the fastest Standardbred of the 21st Century and the quickest 3 year old ever.

Here are the entries for the 3 divisions of the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes, to be followed next week by the eliminations for the 2011 Pepsi North America Cup:


Saturday, June 4th at Mohawk Raceway

Race 3 -- Pace, purse $100,000 (EX, P3, TR)

D-SOMEBEACHSOMEWHERE - 3 YEAR OLDS.
STARTING FEE $1,500 CDN $1,550 U.S.
Post time: 07:52 P.M. Lasix: 03:37 P.M.

1 Ohmygosh Hanover B Miller C Coleman
2 Big Jim Ph Hudon J Dean
3 Prodigal Seelster Ra Waples D Menary
4 Rock To Glory D Miller C Coleman
5 Up The Credit J Jamieson C Jamieson
6 Dreamfair Kovu Ra Waples P Fletcher
7 Powerful Mist T Tetrick M Givens
8 Big Time Rocks S Zeron R Laarman

Race 3 - Retention Barn - All horses



Race 7 -- Pace, purse $100,000 (EX, P3, TR)

D-SOMEBEACHSOMEWHERE - 3 YEAR OLDS.
STARTING FEE $1,500 CDN $1,550 U.S.
Post time: 09:16 P.M. Lasix: 05:01 P.M.

1 Lookinforadventure B Miller B Saunders
2 On The Radar J Jamieson B Burgess
3 Rockabillie S Filion Dr I Moore
4 Bestofbest Hanover J Moiseyev D Martin
5 Drain Daddy Ri Zeron M Brethour
6 Just Asign To Me T Henry G Hebert
7 Mach It Big J Jamieson C Jamieson
8 A And Gs Express D Miller C Coleman

Race 7 - Retention Barn - All horses



Race 9 -- Pace, purse $100,000 (EX, P3, P4, TR)

D-SOMEBEACHSOMEWHERE - 3 YEAR OLDS.
STARTING FEE $1,500 CDN $1,550 U.S.
Post time: 09:58 P.M. Lasix: 05:43 P.M.

1 Roll With Joe B Sears E Hart
2 Foreclosure N S Filion M Steacy
3 Mickey Hanover J Jamieson R Allard
4 Shadyshark Hanover T Tetrick E Miller
5 *Watermelonwine Ri Zeron D Menary (cog: 30-JUL-2011)
6 Eighteen S Filion Dr I Moore
7 Bettors Green M Baillargeon B Wallace
8 Betterthancheddar B Miller C Coleman

Race 9 - Retention Barn - All horses