Anderson, IN – Apex and driver Dexter Dunn proved to be top dogs in the $368,950 Grade 1 Peter Haughton Memorial, for 2-year-old male trotters, at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday (Sept. 12). The “Win and You’re In” event for the Breeders Crown highlighted a 15-race card with nearly $1.5 million in purses and also featured the $464,400 Grade 1 Jim Doherty Memorial, for freshman female trotters, won by Atlantic Summer by the narrowest of margins on the stakes-filled night. Apex was made the 2-5 favorite by the bettors, leaving from post two in a scratched-down field of nine rookie male trotters. Dunn landed Apex in the third position on the first turn while Magic Punk (Ake Svanstedt) hustled off the wings to grab command with Mr Big Spender (Mike Wilder) in the pocket through a quarter of :27.2. The tempo slowed on the backstretch with Magic Punk left alone to a half of :57.1 when Dunn had seen enough and tipped his Marcus Melander trainee off the cones. Apex moved into second on the final turn, racing at the leader’s wheel as Magic Punk got to three-quarters first in 1:26.1. The sprint was on, with Magic Punk briefly getting away from Apex at the top of the stretch, allowing Apex to tuck back into the pocket briefly before looking to slingshot by late. Motoring home in :27.1, a refreshed Apex took aim late and surged in front of Magic Punk in the final stages by a half-length to score in 1:53.3. Mr Big Spender held for the show position, with Hawt Yoga (Ricky Macomber Jr.) rounding out the super at 99-1. “He really couldn’t have done it any easier,” Dunn said in the winner’s circle. “He just keeps getting better and better through experiences like this. He got out of the gate really well, took a helmet, moved out, was able to tuck back in, and then he finishes the miles so impressively.” A winner now in five of seven lifetime races, Apex has yet to miss the board in his career while banking $456,575 for owners Jeffrey Snyder, S R F Stable, and Steve Stewart. The royally bred colt by Walner out of the world champion mare Mission Brief was bred by Mission Brief Stable and sold for $525,000 at last fall’s Standardbred Horse Sale. The victory was the second consecutive for Dunn and Melander in the Peter Haughton Memorial, having teamed up with Maryland to take the 2024 edition. 

East Rutherford, NJ – Hunterton Sold Yo Tillie dug in through the stretch and overtook a game Champagne Problems in the final strides to extend her winning streak to 11 by capturing Friday’s (Sept. 5) $250,000 New Jersey Classic for 3-year-old female trotters by a neck in 1:50.2 at The Meadowlands. Walspea finished third and Conversano was fourth. The winning time was a career best for Yo Tillie, who is 8-for-8 this season for trainer Andrew Harris after finishing her 2-year-old campaign with three consecutive victories for then owner-trainer-driver Verlin Yoder. “I think she would exceed almost anybody’s expectations,” said Harris, who joined with Bill Pollock and Bruce Areman to buy Yo Tillie in mid-November. “You don’t ever expect a filly to go out there and do what she’s doing. “She just does it, she just wants to win. When you get about 10 feet from the wire, she’s trying to put her nose out in front. That’s all class. You can’t teach that, you just have it, or you don’t.” Yo Tillie and driver Todd McCarthy found themselves in third as Walspea, with Yannick Gingras in the sulky, led to the opening quarter in :26.3 while keeping Champagne Problems and driver Dexter Dunn a parked-out second until past that marker. Champagne Problems got the lead on her way to the half in :55.3, then faced a first-over challenge from Yo Tillie as they raced to three-quarters in 1:23.3. Champagne Problems and Yo Tillie matched strides for much of the stretch drive, with Yo Tillie’s race-best :26.3 last quarter proving decisive at the wire. “I know all these horses are getting better, and every horse is good right now,” Harris said. “I respect every horse. The second you don’t respect one of them, they’re going to come up and beat you. They’re all super athletes. “That was the fastest mile of (Yo Tillie’s) life, so she’s not running out of steam, horses are getting better. Kudos to (trainer) Nancy Takter. She’s got Champagne Problems 10 times better than what she was, and she was really impressive tonight. It’s just kudos to the competition she’s racing, and I think it says more about Yo Tillie that she’s actually beating these guys when these guys are all trotting in (1):50.” Yo Tillie has won 16 of 20 career races and increased her earnings to more than $700,000. The daughter of Tactical Landing -Consolidator was bred by GBW Breeding Farms and Black Creek Farm. She is the No. 3-ranked horse in North America in this week’s Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll. “It’s unbelievable,” co-owner Pollock said. “This is what everybody dreams of, having a horse that wins pretty much week after week.” Yo Tillie paid $2.20 as the 1-9 favorite.

East Rutherford, NJ – Apex took full advantage of a pocket trip behind rival Diabolic Hill before lifting in mid-stretch en route to a dominant 1:52.2 score — his fourth in a row in New Jersey — in the $250,000 New Jersey Classic for 2-year-old male trotters on Friday (Sept. 5) at the Meadowlands. Dexter Dunn kept Apex out of trouble on the first turn as both Maga Hill (driven by Yannick Gingras) and Practical Man (Todd McCarthy) broke stride in pursuit of the early lead. Captain Jordan (Tim Tetrick) inherited that lead from the pole nearing the completion of a :29 first quarter before yielding to Apex, who in turn yielded control to Diabolic Hill (Andy McCarthy) upon reaching the backstretch. “We had enough room on the first turn when they both made the breaks to handle it,” said Dunn of Apex, who had floated just behind the front flight in the race’s initial stages. “To the horse’s credit, he handled it like a professional.” After ceding the lead to Diabolic Hill, who was unopposed for the entire middle half, Apex drafted through splits of :56.4 and 1:25.2 before angling off the pegs turning for home. And while McCarthy had to ask Diabolic Hill for his best stretch effort, Apex’s mind was already on business, and the Walner -Mission Brief colt rolled to the lead with 150 yards to go and drew clear handily by 5-3/4 lengths while also shaving a full second off his previous lifetime best. Captain Jordan and Southwind Alamo (Johnathan Ahle) overtook a breaking Diabolic Hill in deep stretch and rallied to finish second and third, respectively. “He felt super tonight; he traveled terrific throughout the mile,” continued Dunn. “When I moved him at the top of the straight, he was doing it easy at the end. He seems to be learning all the time; I couldn’t be more pleased with how he’s progressing.” As the 2-5 favorite, Apex returned $2.80 to win. Marcus Melander trains the four-time winner, who has earned $272,100 for the partnership of Jeffrey Snyder, SRF Stable and Steve Stewart. The $250,000 New Jersey Classic for 3-year-old male trotters proved markedly more eventful: Second choice The Rogue Prince broke behind the gate, 1-2 favorite Onajetplane stalled turning for home after a long first-over grind, and first-place finisher Mountcastle switched to a pacing gait four strides before the winning post, all leading to unofficial runner-up Camera Man being elevated to a 21-1 upset. Jason Bartlett spotted Camera Man in seventh early as 50-1 pacesetter Go Boom (Dunn) controlled early splits of :27.1 and :55.3. As Onajetplane and Andy McCarthy began their first-over ascent out of fifth midway up the backstretch, Mountcastle (Scott Zeron) angled second-over and Bartlett landed Camera Man third-over into a live tow that picked up considerably through the far turn. Onajetplane worked forward steadily to offer mild pressure to Go Boom past three-quarters in 1:23.2 but stalled upon cornering for home, prompting Zeron to slingshot Mountcastle three-deep in the final furlong. But as Mountcastle struck the front and picked up speed nearing the winning post, he switched into a pace, resulting in his demotion to second behind Camera Man, who slipstreamed his bold mid-stretch move and finished two lengths in arrears before being promoted to victory. Go Ahead Makemyday (Gingras) emerged from traffic to save third over an engulfed Go Boom. Onajetplane faded to finish ninth in the 10-horse field. Camera Man, a Six Pack -Cameron Hill colt with five career wins and $201,927 in total purses earned, is trained by Bruce Saunders for Randy Zane. He paid $44 to win, and his race time of 1:51.2 knocked over two seconds off his previous lifetime mark. “We got multiple breaks in there,” admitted Saunders. “We were lucky two times, and you’ve got to be lucky in this game. He got a very good trip tonight. The flow was perfect, and Jason did a great job with him.  “He’s improved each start. He’s a happy horse; we couldn’t be any happier for him. Great owner, great caretaker — that’s what’s necessary to be successful in this game.”

Batavia, NY — Batavia Downs hosted the $2.4 million New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions on Saturday (Sept. 6) with eight divisions vying for $300,000 each. The competition was solid across the board, but two stars rose above the rest when the dust settled. Per Engblom’s Hunterton's Bred, Born & Sold Fragment turned a lot of heads when he scorched the Batavia oval in 1:52.1 for driver Jason Bartlett and shattered the track record for 2-year-old pacing colts by 1-2/5 seconds. And it was only one of four wins for Bartlett, who also had one second and one third in his seven NYSS drives. Here is a recap of all the night’s action. 2-year-old Colt and Gelding Pace sponsored by the Agriculture & NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund Champion – Fragment (Hunstville-The Show Returns) 1:52.1 (Track Record) – $2.42 Driver – Jason Bartlett Trainer – Per Engblom Owner – Engblom Stable and Douglas Sipple Breeders – Steve Stewart, Black Creek Farm, Michael Robinson and South Mountain Stables Knoxville (Mark MacDonald) was first to the front as the heavily favored Fragment was content to take the trip. The pace was good with quarters of :27.1 and :56, and the top two horses began to separate heading to three-quarters. Knoxville still had the lead, but Fragment pulled and just blew right by, opening up a three-length advantage entering the stretch. From there, Bartlett sat chilly as Fragment tugged him to the line on top by 6-3/4 lengths in 1:52.1, which was also just one-fifth of a second off his lifetime mark. “He’s so quick when he gets a trip like that. He’s a real professional off a half like that. I was feeling pretty confident when I saw the half time come up and the other ones were kind of struggling to keep up, it was our race to win. I knew he was fast enough and he did it with plugs in, so we had a little bit left,” said trainer Per Engblom. It was the sixth win in eight starts this year for Fragment, who has now earned $336,475 this year.

Lexington, KY – On another beautiful evening for Sunday Night Lights sponsored by Crawford Farms, Hunterton Sold Topville Lucky secured the victory in a lifetime best 1:50.2 in the $80,000 fourth round leg of the Kentucky Championship Series at The Red Mile for freshman pacing fillies. The 12-race card included two $30,000 fourth round divisions of the Kentucky Commonwealth Series, three $15,000 fourth round legs of the Kentucky Golden Rod Series and two $10,000 fourth round divisions of the Kentucky Wildcat Series for 2-year-old female pacers. Topville Lucky comes out on top in Championship Series Atlee Bender made the most of his inside draw to guide second choice Topville Lucky home in front of favored Gala (Todd McCarthy) in the field of eight after the scratch of Beautiful Memory. Caviart Daisy (Andrew McCarthy) closed for third but was nearly a full second behind the top pair. Leaving from post position one, Topville Lucky allowed 72-1 shot She’s A Rich Girl (David Miller) to cut out the first split of :28.1. Dexter Dunn, however, decided Seaside Shuffle needed to be involved in the early action and steered his filly to the half in :56.2. But Bender decided it was time to move from second position and placed Topville Lucky on the lead through three quarters in 1:24.2. It was a lead she would not relinquish despite the concerted effort of Gala, who had the outermost post, to record her third win in four starts. The top two fillies came home in :26. A daughter of Sweet Lou and Warrawee Winx, Topville Lucky is trained by Erv Miller. The only blemish on her record is when she broke stride in the second leg of this series after breaking her maiden in the first leg of the Commonwealth Series. The filly was bred by Jeremy Yoder and went through the ring at last year’s Standardbred Horse Sale for $27,000 to her trainer Douglas Overhiser, Michael Ternisky and Scott Leaf. Topville Lucky has now amassed $95,000 from four starts. She paid $7.24 to win to her supporters.

Lexington, KY – On Wednesday (Aug. 27) Hunterton's Bred, Born & Sold Endurance made it look effortless as he stopped the clock in a lifetime best 1:52.3 in the $80,000 fourth round leg of the Kentucky Championship Series at The Red Mile for his fifth consecutive victory. The 13-race card also included two $30,000 divisions of the Kentucky Commonwealth Series, three $15,000 divisions of the Kentucky Golden Rod Series and two $10,000 divisions of the Kentucky Wildcat Series for freshman male trotters. Endurance makes quick work of his foes in Championship Series Assigned post position six, Andrew McCarthy and Endurance left the gate in second position in the field of seven and that is where they remained for the majority of the mile. It Could Be Worse (Scott Zeron) took command at the outset and set splits of :28.4, :56.4 and 1:25.3 with the favored Endurance content to follow. By the three-quarter pole, Endurance was only behind the leader by a nose and from there on it was really witnessing a talented colt come home in :27. Silverstein (David Miller) closed from fourth with a last quarter panel in :26.4, but Endurance refused to be denied. Neighver Punt (Dexter Dunn) was overtaken by Silverstein in the lane but held for third. Trained by Chris Beaver, Endurance is a son of Captain Corey -Love Session. He has banked $193,200 with his only loss in six starts a fourth-place finish in his debut at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel in June. The colt was bred by Steve Stewart and Marti S Ala Seppala. He is the third foal out of his dam, a half sibling to world champions Triumphant Caviar and Centurion ATM , and by far her most prolific, which is ironic considering his price tag. Super Endurance Stable, Bill Manes, Leo Fleming and Mark Moger signed the check at last year’s Standardbred Horse Sale for $14,000 and sent him to Beaver, who also trained Triumphant Caviar . Endurance paid $4.15 to those that wagered on him as the public’s top selection.

Nichols, NY — Tioga Downs played host to the Empire Breeders Classic (EBC) for sophomore pacers on Sunday (Aug. 24). Unreasonable (Marcus Miller) charged late to capture the $200,650 EBC for 3-year-old pacing fillies. Shes A Streaker (Tyler Buter) was first to the quarter in :26.2. She slowed things down with a :29.2 second quarter and led to the half in :55.4. The Last Martini (Jason Bartlett) came first-up to challenge as they headed for the final turn. Shes A Streaker was first to three-quarters in 1:22.4.  As they made the turn for home, second-place finisher The Last Martini took over the lead. Then Unreasonable ($3.00) made her move heading down the stretch. The Last Martini dug in, but Unreasonable kept coming and got by just in time to win in 1:50.2. Shes A Streaker finished third. Unreasonable is a 3-year-old filly by Huntsville . She is owned by David Miller and trainer Erv Miller. It was he sixth win this year. She now has nine career victories.

Lexington, KY — As the heat in the Midwest continued on Tuesday (Aug. 19), so did the competition of beautifully-bred individuals at the Red Mile. Topville Lucky rebounded in a big way in the $80,000 third-round leg of the Kentucky Championship Series for freshman filly pacers in a new mark of 1:50.2 while Gala paced a big mile of her own. The 15-race card also included two $35,000 second-round Kentucky Sire Stakes legs for older trotters, two $30,000 third-round legs of the Kentucky Commonwealth Series, three $15,000 third-round divisions of the Kentucky Golden Rod Series, and two $10,000 third-round legs of the Kentucky Wildcat Series. The last three series were exclusive to 2-year-old filly pacers. Topville Lucky demonstrates her class in Kentucky Championship Series Slightly overlooked at odds of 8-1, Topville Lucky and driver Atlee Bender finished best to win for the second time in three starts for trainer Erv Miller. Favored Bahama Momma (Scott Zeron) was second with Seaside Shuffle (Dexter Dunn) rounding out the trifecta. The daughter of Sweet Lou -Warrawee Winx drew the rail in the contentious field of eight and settled in fifth through the first quarter while first-leg winner Beautiful Memory (Marvin Luna) established the first split of :27.4. That is when Andy McCarthy and second choice Caviart Daisy went to the top to set fractions of :55.4 and 1:23.3. As Caviart Daisy lost her head of steam, Topville Lucky and Seaside Shuffle were advancing to make their final bids to the wire and were a nose apart going into the homestretch with the latter in charge. Bahama Momma, however, was launching her own bid from fourth. Bahama Momma was valiant in defeat after overcoming post position eight and pacing her final quarter mile in :26.4. On this day, though, it just was not good enough to catch Topville Lucky, who uncorked her own :26.2 last panel. Bred by Jeremy Yoder, Topville Lucky broke her maiden in her first attempt in the first leg of the Kentucky Commonwealth Series on July 29. Her connections were pleased enough with that effort, in which she came home in :25.3, to move her up in class to the Championship Series on Aug. 10. The filly was last after drawing outside and breaking prior to the half-mile marker. She was a different animal today with an inside assignment. Topville Lucky is the first foal out of her unraced dam and was selected for $27,000 at last year’s Standardbred Horse Sale by her trainer in partnership with Douglas Overhiser, Michael Ternisky and Scott Leaf. The filly paid $19.18 to win. She has earned $55,000.

Dexter Dunn pulled Miki And Minnie out of the pocket in the stretch and overtook pacesetter Chantilly nearing the finish line to capture Saturday’s (June 16) $250,000 Grade 1 James M. Lynch Memorial, for 3-year-old female pacers, by three-quarters of a length in 1:49.1. Rodeo Drive Deo was third. It was the long-awaiting first meeting between Miki And Minnie, the 2024 Dan Patch Award winner for best 2-year-old filly pacer, and Chantilly, Canada’s 2024 Horse of the Year. They were supposed to meet in the Fan Hanover Stakes at Ontario’s Woodbine Mohawk Park in June, but Chantilly was scratched due to sickness. On Saturday, Chantilly and driver James MacDonald left quickly from post six and rolled to a :25.4 opening quarter on the lead. Miki And Minnie, who started from post two, took up the pocket position behind Chantilly, followed by Rodeo Drive Deo. The order remained unchanged as Chantilly reached the half in :55 and three-quarters in 1:22.1. Dunn tipped Miki And Minnie to the outside momentarily on the last turn but then returned to the pocket until the head of the stretch. Once Dunn asked Miki And Minnie to go from there, she worked her way to the front as part of a :26.4 last quarter to earn her eighth victory in nine races this season. “Yes, I was a little nervous,” Miki And Minnie’s trainer, Chris Ryder, said about the matchup. “I figured she might beat us out of the gate, and what would happen after that was up to Dexter. But (Miki And Minnie) got out of the gate well enough to get a good spot, and she’s just got a lot of heart. “I think I know my filly fairly well; she’s a grinder. She’s not the fastest filly, maybe, for actual quick speed, but she can hold whatever speed she’s got. She just keeps it going. She’s got a big heart and a great set of lungs, and she always finds the wire. She’s fantastic. It’s just a great result. It’s a real thrill.” Miki And Minnie has hit the board in all 20 of her career races, with 14 wins and $1.35 million in earnings. The daughter of Always B Miki -That’s The Ticket is owned by breeders Craig Henderson, Robert Mondillo, and Lawrence Minowitz. Ranked No. 1 in the current Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll, Miki And Minnie has won nine of her past 10 starts dating back to her Breeders Crown triumph in October. Her only defeat was by a head in June. Chantilly, who was unbeaten in nine races last season, has won 13 of 15 lifetime. “Chantilly went a great race,” Ryder said. “It was a matchup we were looking for, I believe. Let’s do it again.” Miki And Minnie, the 1-2 favorite, paid $3 to win.