Gaitway qualifiers see repeat winners

Qualifying was just as good the second time around for five of Monday’s (Jun. 19) 2-year-olds in harness racing action at Gaitway Farm as Blue Pacific (Sweet Lou-Miss Jones), Sweet Gal (Sweet Lou-Beach Gal), Rochester Flash (Stay Hungry-Double Creme), Swifty Lazar (Sweet Lou-Cam Swifty) and T C I (Cantab Hall-Nicole’s Promise) repeated as winners in their second tries around the training center’s one-mile oval.

Sweet Gal, Rochester Flash, Swifty Lazar and T C I were among eight rookie winners for trainer Ron Burke. They were joined by Lou Lou (Sweet Lou-Sassa Hanover), Bettor Stay Hungry (Stay Hungry-Venus Delight), Norma Pearl (Father Patrick-Celebrity Obsesion) and Crowbar Girl (Chapter Seven-Miss Trixton).

The morning’s remaining 2-year-old winners were the aforementioned Blue Pacific, trained by Joe Holloway, $475,000 yearling purchase Valentina Richie (Tactical Landing-Solveig) for trainer Julie Miller, and Stockholm Hanover (International Moni-Summers Windsong) for trainer Karen Garland. Valentina Richie and Stockholm Hanover were the only first-time starters among today’s winners.

Sweet Gal, a female pacer who won in 1:57.1 on June 5 at Gaitway, was the fastest performer among the 2-year-olds, winning by 12-1/2 lengths in 1:54.4 with Yannick Gingras in the sulky. Gingras drove six of Burke’s winners.

Owned by Bill Donovan and Mark Mullen, Sweet Gal was bred by Sergent Stables and sold for $125,000 at the Lexington Selected Sale. She is a full sister to 2022 Breeders Crown colt champion Ammo as well as a half-sister to Grand Circuit-winner Always A Miki.

Blue Pacific was second fastest among the filly pacers, winning in 1:55.3 with David Miller driving for Holloway. She was a 1:56.1 winner on June 5. Owned by Val D’Or Farms, Blue Pacific was purchased under the name Sweet And Lou for $53,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale. She was bred by Fair Winds Farm.

Lou Lou, who was a second-place finisher behind Blue Pacific on June 5, won by seven lengths in 1:59.4. Lou Lou is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Phil Collura, Larry Karr, and Frank Baldachino. She was bred by Burke Racing, The Panhellenic Stable Corp., Weaver Bruscemi, and Karr. Her dam was a multiple Grand Circuit winner and million-dollar earner for her breeders.

Male pacers Swifty Lazar and Bettor Stay Hungry both won in 1:55.3 while Rochester Flash was just one-fifth of a second slower.

Swifty Lazar, who won in 1:57.3 on June 5, is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Frank Baldachino, Phil Collura, and J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby. He was bred by Concord Stud Farm, Birnam Wood Farms, and Julie Meirs and purchased for $45,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale. He is a half-brother to Grand Circuit-winner Naughtytiltheend.

Bettor Stay Hungry was a third-place finisher two weeks ago. He is owned by breeder Brad Grant. His dam was a Dan Patch Award winner and his full sister, My Hungry Girl, has picked up wins on the Pennsylvania stakes circuit. His family also includes Dan Patch Award-recipient Keystone Velocity.

Rochester Flash won his Q debut on June 5 in 1:59.3. He is owned by Burke Racing, Knox Services Inc., J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby, and Grant. He was bred by Stephen Dey III and purchased under the name Last Supper for $80,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale. His siblings include stakes-winners OK Commander, Double A Mint, and OK Boromir.

Valentina Richie was the fastest winner in the three qualifiers for freshman female trotters, stopping the timer in 1:58.4 with driver Andy Miller.

She was purchased under the name Linnea G for $475,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale and is owned by Jason Allen, Patrick Hoopes, and Julie Meirs. She was bred by Christina Takter and Solveig’s Breeders. Her dam was a Dan Patch Award winner on the track and inducted into the Hall of Fame as a broodmare. She is a half-sister to 2014 Trotter of the Year Shake It Cerry.

Crowbar Girl won in 1:59.3 after finishing third on June 5. She is owned by Burke Racing, William Switala, James Martin, and Weaver Bruscemi. She was bred by Order By Stable AB and purchased for $70,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale. Her family includes millionaire Possess The Magic and Grand Circuit winner Secret Magic, the dam of multiple Dan Patch Award winner Manchego.

Second on June 5, Norma Pearl won today in 2:00.3 for owners Burke Racing, Knox Services, Karr, and J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby. She was bred by Timber Ridge Stable and Midland Acres. She was purchased for $85,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale and her siblings include Grand Circuit winner Celebrity Ruth. Her family also includes Dan Patch Award winners Housethatruthbuilt and Master Lavec.

T C I won in 1:59 on June 5 and returned to win in 2:00.2 on Monday. T C I is owned by Burke Racing, Hatfield Stables, Knox Services Inc., and Weaver Bruscemi. Bred by Concord Stud Farm, the colt was purchased under the name Cantabile for $150,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale. His full brother Global Pandemic and half-sister Livininthefastlane were Grand Circuit winners.

Stockholm Hanover, driven by Steve Smith, was second-placed-first after Smarter Than You went off stride nearing the finish line. Stockholm Hanover is owned by George Bullukian and was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms. He was purchased for $34,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale.

For complete qualifier results, click here.

by Ken Weingartner, for the USTA