Final 2YO qualifiers held at Gaitway Farm

Manalapan, NJ — Gaitway Farm held 10 harness racing qualifiers for 2-year-olds on Monday (June 26) as its June events for the rookies came to an end. Trainer Ron Burke had four winners while Jennifer Bongiorno, Julie Miller and Symon Spicer each had two. Burke-trained colt Dancin Champion, a 1:55 winner, had the day’s fastest pacing time over the one-mile oval while Spicer-trained Shiv took trotting honors with a 1:58.2 clocking.

Here is a look at all the winners, in qualifier order:

Cantabs Big Bang (Cantab Hall-Dynamite Dame) won in 2:00.3 with Yannick Gingras driving for trainer Symon Spicer. The trotting filly is owned by George Beck and was bred by Melvin Hartman. She was purchased for $20,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. She is a half-sister to Esplosione, who was a winner on the Ontario stakes circuit.

Ready To Shine (Huntsville-Yellow Diamond) won in 1:56.3 for driver Andy Miller and trainer Julie Miller. The pacing gelding is owned by Andy Miller Stable, Jean Goehlen, Daniel Plouffe, and Steven Arnold. He was bred by Steve Jones and Fair Winds Farm and sold for $195,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. His dam was a Dan Patch Award winner and his half-brother Fine Diamond has earned more than $775,000.

Craigieburn (Tactical Landing-Crann Tara) won in 1:59 for Gingras and trainer Ron Burke. The trotting colt also was a winner at Gaitway on June 12. He is owned by breeder Bill Donovan and his dam was a winner on the Grand Circuit and Pennsylvania stakes circuit.

Solar Solution (Sweet Lou-Solar Sister) won in 1:55.1 for driver Joe Bongiorno and trainer Jennifer Bongiorno. The pacing colt is owned by Country Club Acres, Joe Sbrocco, Howard Taylor, and Acadia Farms & JAF Racing. He was bred by David Willmot and Clay Horner and purchased for $150,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale. His dam, grandam and great-grandam (Solar Sister, Cabrini Hanover, Cathedra) all were O’Brien and/or Dan Patch award winners.

Stay Lucky (Stay Hungry-Alexa’s Luck) won in 1:57.2 for Gingras and Burke. The filly pacer is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Brad Grant, Phil Collura, and J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby. She was bred by Jeff Snyder and sold for $70,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale. Her second dam, Hall of Fame broodmare Michelle’s Jackpot, produced Canadian Horse of the Year Michael’s Power and O’Brien Award winner Michelle’s Power.

Monsoon (Captaintreacherous-Typhoon) won in 1:55.3 for Gingras and Burke. The filly pacer is owned by breeder Bill Donovan. She also won on June 12. Her third dam is multiple Dan Patch Award-recipient Galleria, who is the mother of Grand Circuit winners Gallie Bythe Beach, Sandbetweenmytoes, and Western Gallie.

Dancin Champion (Sweet Lou-Dancewiththebest) won in 1:55 for Gingras and Burke. The colt pacer is owned by Burke Racing, Knox Services, Weaver Bruscemi, and J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby. He also won on June 12. The colt was bred by Anvil And Lace Farm and sold for $90,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. He’s a full brother to Breeders Crown winner Dancin Lou and a three-quarter brother to $2 million-earner Dancin Yankee.

Shiv (Conway Hall-Minky Hanover), who went off stride in two previous qualifiers at Gaitway, won in 1:58.2 for driver David Miller and trainer Spicer. The filly trotter is owned by J Elmer Esh and was bred by Salt Hill Farm. She was purchased for $18,000 at the Goshen Yearling Sale.

Show Me (Chapter Seven-Strawberry Hanover) won in 1:59.3 in his debut for Team Miller, driver Andy and trainer Julie. The trotting colt is owned by Andy Miller Stable, Daniel Plouffe, Jean Plouffe, and One Legend Stable. He was bred by Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld and sold for $300,000 at the Lexington Selected Sale. His family includes Grand Circuit winner Superstar Hanover and Trotter of the Year Marion Marauder.

Rocket Man Hill (Muscle Hill-Drinking Class) won in 1:59 for Team Bongiorno, driver Joe and trainer Jennifer. The trotting colt is owned by Nicole DiCostanzo and was bred by Southwind Farms. He was purchased for $23,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. His family includes Dan Patch and O’Brien awards winner Classic Martine and Hambletonian Oaks champion Bar Slide.

The First Mile presents live coverage of 2-year-old qualifying races at Gaitway Farm and Magical Acres to harness racing participants and enthusiasts and will conclude its third season on Wednesday at Magical Acres. All streams are accessible in high definition — both live and on demand — at the 412 Communications YouTube page here.

For complete qualifier results, click here.

by Ken Weingartner, for the USTA