Winbak News

NEWS AND INSIGHT ON WINBAK FARM

Read below for the latest on Winbak Achievements and graduates.
Stories are from the leading industry news sources.

g>Vernon, NY --- Rick Plano, who became the first driver to win four races on a Vernon Downs program this season, guided Rock Man to the fastest divisional victory in Saturday night’s new Anthony J. Farina Memorial Pacing Series.

 

After initial first-leg Farina Series scores by Eternal Terror (1:56.1, with trainer Roman Lopez driving for the Tanah Merah Farms) and Red Rock (1:54.2, with trainer and part-owner Ray Schnittker steering for his partner Dr. John Egloff) in Saturday’s second and fifth races, respectfully, Plano went out and hustled Rock Man to a 1:53.4 triumph in the eighth event for trainer Howard Okusko Sr. and owner Linda Manzi of Oneida, N.Y.

 

Rock Man’s time in the final Farina mile was a career-best effort for the 4-year-old son of Art Major--Gone Dancing, and only his second trip to the winner’s circle.

 

Plano, who is tied with Roman Lopez at nine for most Vernon victories after four current racing nights, also finished first with the pacers Ideally Magic (1:56.1), Iza Believer (1:54.1) and Where’s Waldo (1:55.3). He is the track’s defending driving and training champion.

 

Schnittker secured a double during the program by teaming the pacer Thirty-Two Red to a 1:53.3, lifetime-best victory in the sixth race that proved to be the fastest of 13 Saturday scores. The quick-footed 3-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight--Sakura Hanover is shared in ownership by trainer Schnittker, Theodore Gewertz, Steve Arnold and Mal and Janet Burroughs.

 

Other multiple winners during Saturday’s slate were Lopez and driver Chris Lems, each with three tallies.

 

The Meadows

 

Paulette Revere stalked Unefoisdansmavie from the pocket, then edged by her in the lane to capture Saturday’s $20,000 Fillies and Mares Preferred Handicap trot at The Meadows. Mike Wilder hustled Paulette Revere to the lead before yielding to the pocket behind Unefoisdansmavie, who was hampered by post eight. In the stretch, Paulette Revere took advantage of the good trip to down Unefoisdansmavie by a nose, in 1:55.1, with Malibu Breeze third in the Lightning Lane. Mike Palone trains Paulette Revere, a 5-year-old daughter of Victory Sam--Hopeful Joy who triumphed for the 17th time in 2012-2013, for Brian Gillespie. Brett Miller and Dave Palone each drove three winners on the 12-race card.

 

Buffalo Raceway

Adelia’s Prince, a 7-year-old Allamerican Native gelding, won the $11,000 Open pace in a lifetime best 1:55.1 for owner Russell Trumbo Russell, of Harrisburg, Pa. at Buffalo Raceway on Saturday night (April 20). It was the third win in eight attempts this year for Adelia’s Prince ($12.80), who had been assigned the rail by the race secretary and was driven by Jim McNeight. The winner settled into second as eventual second place finisher and last week’s Open winner Goodnite Goodluck (Kevin Cummings) cut all the fractions in the race, :28.4, :58, and 1:26.4. As the field hit the top of the stretch, McNeight swung Adelia’s Prince to the inside passing lane, and with a :28.1 last quarter-mile won by just a neck. King OTRA (Shawn McDonough) came in third. Trained by Brenda Ohol, the $5,500 winner’s share of the purse put Adelia’s Prince’s season’s earnings at $14,162 and at $77,133, lifetime. Driver Ray Fisher Jr., led all drivers with five wins on the card.

 

Saratoga
Ethan Hanover continued his recent dominance at Saratoga on Saturday night as the 4-year-old pacer won his first local Open. Ethan Hanover (Dragon Again) put his four race win streak on the line as in what was also his first $20,000 local Open pace. Driver Greg Merton fired the speedy pacer out to the early lead and they followed up a first half in :56.4 with a sizzling :56.1 final half, en route to a 1:53 victory. The Scott Blackler-trained pacer had only recorded six lifetime wins before starting his incredible win streak on March 16 at the Spa. Saturday’s victory came at odds of 5-2 as he bested runner-up Bet On Roulette (Brian Cross) and Pan From Nantucket (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) who earned the show spot. Live racing will continue on Sunday afternoon at 12:45p.m., ET.