Caviart Camden pleases owners with Gaitway showing

Manalapan, NJ — When harness racing horse owner Buck Chaffee watches his 2-year-olds qualify, he tries to never get too excited based on their performances.

“I always think a qualifier is one of two things, OK or bad,” Chaffee said with a laugh. “You like to see them do well, but you don’t get too high off a qualifier because it’s not racing yet. But you want them to do OK. First, second, third is fine; halfway down the track isn’t so good. That’s the bad sign.”

Chaffee and his wife Judy were at Gaitway Farm on Monday (June 21) to watch two of their 2-year-olds, Caviart Camden and Boudoir Hanover, in qualifiers.

Both were solidly OK.

Caviart Camden, a male pacer by Huntsville out of Caviart Christa, won his qualifier in 1:56.1 with Andy McCarthy driving for trainer Tony Alagna. The colt paced his last quarter in :27.1; a time surpassed by only one 2-year-old on Monday at Gaitway.

It was Caviart Camden’s second time in a qualifier. He went off stride on June 5 at The Meadowlands but was on his best behavior at Gaitway after some equipment adjustments. He won by 4-1/4 lengths.

“Except for that qualifier, he’s been very good,” Chaffee said. “He doesn’t have a lot of size, but Tony has liked him training down. He’s always looked the part. We’re hopeful. He came home really good (Monday), so we’re pleased.”

Caviart Camden is owned by the Chaffees’ Caviart Farms, which also bred the colt.

“We liked this mare (Caviart Christa),” Chaffee said. “She didn’t race a whole lot, but she showed some ability. We bred her to Huntsville, and it turned out really good. We like to have the homebreds and hopefully they do well. It’s a little bit different because you’ve brought them from the beginning.”

Boudoir Hanover, a female pacer making her debut, finished second in her qualifier for driver McCarthy and trainer Alagna. She was timed in 1:56.2, finishing 1-3/4 lengths behind Just Divine. Caviart Farms shares ownership of Boudoir Hanover (Captaintreacherous–Bedroomconfessions) with Riverview Racing, Alagna Racing, and the partnership of Daniel Plouffe and Steven Head. She was bred by Riverview Breeding and Visionary Breeders.

“So far, OK,” Chaffee said, smiling. “We’ll see how it goes.”

Just Divine was among six second-time winners in the eight qualifiers for 2-year-olds at Gaitway on Monday. Just Divine (Huntsville-Divine Caroline) was driven by Yannick Gingras for trainer Ron Burke.

Burke also had repeat winners with male pacer JM’s Finaltreasure (Sweet Lou-Worldly Treasure), female trotter Cowboy Crushn (Chapter Seven-Cowgirl Hall), and female pacers Hoffman Hanover (Somebeachsomewhere-Hug A Dragoness) and Sweet Hello (Sweet Lou-Well Hello There).

The remaining second-time winner was male trotter Secret Rule (Chapter Seven-Athena Miss), trained by Jennifer Bongiorno.

Joining Caviart Camden in earning a first victory was Alagna-trained female pacer Hamptons Babe (American Ideal-Anndrovette). The filly won in 1:56.1 for owner Crawford Farms Racing. She was bred by Crawford Farms.

For complete Gaitway Farm charts, click here.

by Ken Weingartner, for the USTA