MISSION BRIEF NAMED NJ STANDARDBRED OF THE YEAR IN 2015

The Official Newsletter of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey Vol. 41, No. 1 Representing owners, breeders, drivers, trainers & caretakers MISSION BRIEF NAMED NJ STANDARDBRED OF THE YEAR IN 2015 MISSION BRIEF [Lisa Photo] Trotting filly Mission Brief has been named the winner of the Secretary of Agriculture s Trophy as New Jersey Standardbred of the Year for 2015. Also selected New Jersey Sire Stakes Horse of the Year, Mission Brief will be honored on January 24, 2016 at the 59th Annual New Jersey Breeders Awards Luncheon at 1 p.m. at O Connor s Restaurant [formerly Charley s Other Brother] in Eastampton, NJ. Voted the nation s Two-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year in 2014, she also won the Dan Patch Award as Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year in 2015. The daughter of Muscle Hill Southwind Serena wrapped up her three-year-old campaign with 10 wins and three seconds in 14 starts, banking more than $1 million toward a career total of $1,599,587 for the ownership of the Burke Racing Stable, Our Horse Cents Stables, J&T Silva Stables and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. The Ron Burke trainee was regularly driven by Yannick Gingras. Undefeated in her New Jersey Sires Stakes competition, including the $100,000 final at the Meadowlands, she also won the $307,040 Elegant Image at Mohawk Raceway, the $185,000 Zweig at Vernon Downs, the $187,400 Matron at Dover Downs, the $144,000 Continentalvictory at the Meadowlands and the $174,000 Money Maker at The Meadows. She made a bid to best the boys in the $1 million Hambletonian at the Meadowlands, winning her elimination, but finishing second to Pinkman in the $1 million final on August 8. Bred by Steve H. Stewart, Black Creek Farm and Andrea Lea Racing Stables Inc., she sold for $150,000 at the Lexington Selected Sale. At two, she won both the Merrie Annabelle and Breeders Crown, for nine wins in 13 starts and earnings just shy of $600,000. She collected 150 of 156 votes for freshman honors in 2014, and 118 of 136 votes for 2015 divisional honors. Her 1:50.3 mark still stands as the fastest mile by a two-year-old trotter, male or female, and she lowered her personal best to 1:50.2 on November 12, 2015 on the five-eighths mile track at Dover Downs in the Matron Final. Her sire, Muscle Hill was the 2009 New Jersey Standardbred of the Year. LINDA LISTENS Linda Goss the horseman s representative will be back on site for your convenience. She will be at both Freehold Raceway and The Meadowlands Racetracks to listen to our members. She will be available to address any problems or concerns with track conditions, race office issues or complaints, as well as answer any questions with regards to insurance. Her main objective is to listen and relay all areas of concern and or any suggestions to the Board of Directors. She will also be available to take membership and insurance payments, and assist with sulky claims. Feel free to stop by and see Linda. She is ready and willing to listen. NEWS FLASH Meadowlands January 8 February 27 NEW POST TIME 6:35 p.m. Freehold Live Racing will be held on Monday January 18, 2016 Martin Luther King Day Pacesetter sboanj.com 1 January/February 2016

GINSBURG & FUSCO TAKE MEET HONORS AT FREEHOLD Freehold General Manager Howard Bruno and Director of Racing Karen Fagliarone present end of meet award to Vincent Ginsburg and Vincent Fusco It was all in the family when Vincent Ginsburg captured top driver honors and Vincent Fusco Jr. was the leading trainer when the 109-date Freehold Raceway meet concluded on Saturday, December 12, 2015. Ginsburg is the nephew of Fusco. Freehold General Manager Howard Bruno and Director of Racing Karen Fagliarone presented end of meet awards to leading driver Vincent Ginsburg and leading trainer Vincent Fusco Jr. In the driver standings, Ginsburg posted 154 wins from 875 starters for earnings of $573,914. Finishing second was Eric Abbatiello with 148 wins and $586,070 while Stephen Smith topped earnings with $632,072, with 133 wins for third place. Rounding out the Top 5 are James Marshall III with 123 wins and Joseph Bongiorno with 78. Fusco led the way in the trainer standings with 72 wins and $223,271 in earnings. The Top 5 also included Nick Surick with 49 wins, John Urbanski with 40, Kelvin Harrison with 26 and Robert Bongiorno with 25. MISSION BRIEF & STAYIN STRONG SELECTED NJSS HORSES OF THE YEAR December 1, 2015 -- Mission Brief, who trotted the fastest mile in New Jersey Sire Stakes history, has been selected as the Premier Division Horse of the Year for 2015 while Stayin Strong was named the Green Acres Horse of the Year. The awards, which are voted annually by the New Jersey Sire Stakes Board of Trustees, are based solely on performances in races for New Jersey-sired horses, including New Jersey Sire Stakes races and other major stakes for New Jersey-sired horses. Mission Brief Mission Brief was undefeated in New Jersey Sire Stakes competition, winning a preliminary leg of the Premier Division and the $100,000 final at the Meadowlands. Her regular driver, Yannick Gingras, handled her in both victories for trainer Ron Burke. After her NJSS campaign, Mission Brief went on to win the Elegant Image at Mohawk Raceway and the Continentalvictory at the Meadowlands. The three-year-old daughter of Muscle Hill won 10 of 14 starts overall during the season, earning $1,008,517 this year for her owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Our Horse Cents Stables, J&T Silva LLC, and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. The filly was bred by Steve H. Stewart, Black Creek Farm and Andrea Lea Racing Stables Inc.. Staying Strong Stayin Strong was undefeated in four New Jersey Sire Stakes Green Acres starts at Freehold, including the $25,000 championship final for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings. The son of Muscles Yankee earned $39,964 from 11 starts this season with $23,700 of it coming in the Green Acres series. Stayin Strong was trained by Julie Miller for co-owners Jason E. Allen and Douglas W. Allen of Vincentown, NJ and was bred by Lauren and Robert Tucker of Glen Gardner, NJ. Photos on page courtesy of Helene Gregory, WWRP and Lisa Photo Pacesetter sboanj.com 2 January/February 2016

Mike Klau Syndicate Manager SOUTHWIND FARMS NAMED 2015 BREEDER OF THE YEAR Southwind Farms in Pennington has been selected as the New Jersey Breeder of the Year for 2015, it was announced by the Breeders Committee of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey on December 11, 2015. Among the Southwind standouts of 2015 was Southwind Frank, the likely divisional champion among the two-year-old trotting colts and geldings. Southwind Farms will receive the presentation on January 24, 2016 at the 59th Annual New Jersey Breeders Awards Luncheon at 1 p.m. at O Connor s Restaurant [formerly Charley s Other Brother] in Eastampton, NJ. Southwind Frank, a son of Muscle Hill Flawless Lindy, won 11 of 12 starts in 2015, earning $786,419 for the partnership of Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Our Horse Cents Stables and J&T Silva Stables LLC. A $100,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale purchase, he was trained by Ron Burke and driven in most of his starts by Yannick Gingras. Beginning with the $100,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Final on July 17 at the Meadowlands, he strung together 10 straight victories, including the $349,850 Peter Haughton Memorial at the Meadowlands, the $283,480 William Wellwood Final at Mohawk and the $600,000 Breeders Crown Final at Woodbine. His record of 1:52.2 was taken on October 8, winning an International Stallion Stakes at Lexington s Red Mile. Receiving this award is bittersweet, said Laura Young, Southwind s general manager. It is wonderful we are being recognized as the top breeder in New Jersey, but on the other hand there are not many of us left. At Southwind Farms, we choose to fly under the radar. Sometimes being silent is louder than loud. We have always produced top quality racehorses from our facility. We average 75 percent two-year-old starter and 85 percent three-year-old starter stats, which is pretty impressive for any breeding farm. This does not go unrecognized by owners and trainers. There are many things that sets Southwind Farms apart from other breeding facilities in New Jersey she added Many of these things have assured our survival through tough times. We continue to keep everything we possibly can in-house. We make our own hay and straw, and we outsource very little on the facility. Southwind has also found many other ways to ensure revenue flow to keep us going, such as managing stallions [Muscle Hill, Sportswriter and El Titan] from afar. Our clients want security, Young noted. We offer that at every level here at Southwind. From our yearlings to the stallions we manage, our clients feel very secure when they do business with us. That's a rare incentive to offer in today's world. We work tirelessly to make Southwind Farms the best it can be, and we will continue to do so for many years to come. This is the second Breeders Award for Southwind Farms. Founded by Connie & Allen Skolnick in 1986, the farm features 235 acres near the Village of Pennington, NJ. Both Skolnicks passed away in 2013, and the farm is currently owned by their son, Barry. Previous New Jersey Breeder of the Year winners include three-time winner White Birch Farm, two-time winner Perretti Farms, Deo Volente Farms, Valley High Stables, Kentuckiana Farms, Fair Winds Farm, Walnridge Farm and Heritage Hill Farms. All Photos on page courtesy of Southwind Farms Pacesetter sboanj.com 3 January/February 2016

NEWS FROM THE NEW JERSEY SIRE STAKES The deadline is approaching to register mares for the New Jersey Standardbred Development Fund. Owners of mares in foal that are based in New Jersey are reminded that the deadline to register a mare for the Standardbred Development Fund is January 31. The registration fee is $100 and the mare registration forms are available on the New Jersey Sire Stakes website www.newjerseysirestakes.com. All checks should be made payable to the New Jersey Sire Stakes and mailed to New Jersey Sire Stakes, P.O. Box 330, Trenton, NJ 08625. Registered mail is encouraged to be certain that the envelope is postmarked no later than February 1. Any questions or requests for further information can be directed to Chris Castens, NJSS Executive Director at 609-292-8830 or to agmcast@ag.state.nj.us. 2016 NEW JERSEY SIRE STAKES PREMIER DATES 2016 NEW JERSEY SIRE STAKES GREEN ACRES DATES PACERS 2YO COLT PACE Meadowlands: (2 Legs & Final) Fri. July 1; Fri. July 8; Fri. July 15 - Final 2YO FILLY PACE Meadowlands (2 Legs & Final) Fri. July 1; Fri. July 8; Fri. July 15 - Final 3YO COLT PACE Meadowlands (2 Legs & Final) Sat. May 21; Sat. May 28; Sat. June 4 - Final 3YO FILLY PACE Meadowlands: (2 Legs & Final) Sat. May 21; Sat. May 28; Sat. June 4 - Final TROTTERS 2YO COLT TROT Meadowlands: (2 Legs & Final) Fri. July 1; Fri. July 8; Fri. July 15 - Final 2YO FILLY TROT Meadowlands (2 Legs & Final) Fri. July 1; Fri. July 8; Fri. July 15 - Final 3YO COLT TROT Meadowlands (2 Legs & Final) Sat. May 20; Sat. May 27; Sat. June 4 - Final 3YO FILLY TROT Meadowlands: (2 Legs & Final) Sat. May 20; Sat. May 27; Sat. June 4 - Final PACERS 3YO COLT PACE Freehold Raceway (3 Legs & Final) Sat. Aug. 27; Sat. Sept. 3; Sat. Sept. 17 Saturday October 1 - Final 3YO FILLY PACE Freehold Raceway (3 Legs & Final) Sat. Sept. 10; Thurs. Sept. 22; Thurs. Sept. 29 Thursday October 6 - Final TROTTERS 3YO COLT TROT Freehold Raceway (3 Legs & Final) Fri. Aug. 26; Fri. Sept. 2, Fri. Sept. 23 Friday September 30 - Final 3YO FILLY TROT Freehold Raceway: (3 Legs & Final) Mon. Sept. 5; Fri. Sept. 16; Fri. Sept 23 Friday September 30 - Final Pacesetter sboanj.com 4 January/February 2016

STAFFORD APPOINTED AS PUBLICITY CONSULTANT The Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey is proud to welcome Courtney Stafford as our newest publicity consultant. Courtney Stafford joins the SBOANJ with many years of experience working in the field of advertising and marketing. Stafford graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor s degree in Art. After graduation she worked for various marketing firms as a graphic designer. The Illinois native relocated to New Jersey in 2011 where she became even more actively involved in the horse industry than she had previously. I was attracted to the association s mission to preserve the future of New Jersey Racing, Stafford said. I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with such a talented team in an industry that is very close to my heart. We are pleased to have Mrs. Stafford on board, and look forward to a prosperous future with her, said President Mark Ford. SBOANJ OFFERS GUARANTEE ON HORSEMENS BEHALF The Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey has been in talks with the NJRC about the recent hold on all purse checks. The NJRC is unable to release any purse checks until all post race testing have been completed and cleared. This can be a lengthy process at times; as a result horsemen have to wait weeks on end to receive their purse checks. The SBOANJ is stepping up to provide a solution by guaranteeing the repayment of any checks that need to be returned as a result of a positive test, if the NJRC is willing to release all purse checks prior to the completion of testing. The association is willing to put themselves on the line for the benefit of the members. This proposal is still in the works, however once the NJRC has accepted the terms the SBOANJ will notify all the horsemen. For the latest news from the SBOANJ be sure to Like us on Facebook! Pacesetter sboanj.com 5 January/February 2016

BOSTON RED ROCKS 2015 DAN PATCH AWARD WINNER Boston Red Rocks received 82 votes to win the honor of 2 year old male pacer in Dan Patch Award voting announced by the U.S. Harness Writers Association. 2015 DAN PATCH AWARD WINNERS Boston Red Rocks the Rocknroll Hanover - McGibson colt never finished off the board in nine races this year, winning four times. His victories included the Breeders Crown for 2-year-old male pacers and Governor s Cup. The colt, trained by Steve Elliott, is owned by Peter Blood and Rick Berks. Boston Red Rocks earned $579,205 this year, the top figure for a 2-year-old male pacer. The 2 year old colt pacer has a life time mark of 1:50.3. 2-YEAR-OLD FEMALE PACER Pure Country (124 votes) Somebeachsomewhere---Western Montana---Western Hanover Breeder: Diamond Creek Farm Owner: Diamond Creek Racing Trainer: Jimmy Takter Driver: Brett Miller 3-YEAR-OLD MALE PACER Wiggle It Jiggleit (132 votes) Mr Wiggles---Mozzi Hanover---Jenna s Beach Boy Breeders: James Bernstein, Theresa Bantle, Eric Felter, Vincent Tancredi Owner: George Teague Jr. Inc. Trainer: Clyde Francis Driver: Montrell Teague 3-YEAR-OLD FEMALE PACER Divine Caroline (113 votes) Rock N Roll Heaven---Loving Caroline---Art MajorBreeder: Diamond Creek Farm Owners: Val D Or Farms, Ted Gewertz, Rojan Stables, Michael Ouriel Trainer: Joe Holloway Driver: David Miller OLDER MALE PACER State Treasurer (108 votes) Real Desire---Ideal Treasure---Western IdealBreeder: Brittany Farms Owners: Sally MacDonald, Paul MacDonald Trainer: Ian Moore Drivers: David Miller, Randy Waples, Chris Christoforou OLDER FEMALE PACER Venus Delight (105 votes) Bettor s Delight---Venus Killean---Run The Table Breeder: Estate of George Hempt Trust Owner: Bamond Racing Trainer: Jeff Bamond Drivers: Jason Bartlett, Tim Tetrick, James MacDonald 2-YEAR-OLD MALE TROTTER Southwind Frank (135 votes) Muscle Hill -Flawless Lindy -Cantab Hall Breeder: Southwind Farm Owner: Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Our Horse Cents Stables, J&T Silva Stables Trainer: Ron Burke Driver: Yannick Gingras 2-YEAR-OLD-FEMALE TROTTER Broadway Donna (112 votes) Donato Hanover -Broadway Schooner - Broadway Hall Breeder: Fashion Farms Owner:: Fashion Farms Trainer: Jim Campbell Driver: David Miller 3-YEAR-OLD MALE TROTTER Pinkman (132 votes) Explosive Matter -Margie Seelster -Angus Hall Breeder: O Narutac Equine Nursery Owners: Christina Takter, John and Jim Fielding, Joyce McClelland, Herb Liverman Trainer: Jimmy Takter Driver: Yannick Gingras, Brian Sears 3 YEAR-OLD FEMALE TROTTER Mission Brief (118 votes) Muscle Hill -Southwind Serena -Varenne Breeders: Steve Stewart, Black Creek Farm, Andrea Lea Racing Stables Owners: Burke Racing Stable, Our Horse Cents Stables, J&T Silva Stables, Weaver Bruscemi LLC Trainer: Ron Burke Driver: Yannick Gingras OLDER MALE TROTTER JL Cruze (118 votes) Crazed -Topcat Hall -Conway Hall Breeders: Joanne Morrison, Glengate Farms Owners: Ken Wood, Bill Dittmar Jr., Stephen Iaquinta Trainer: Eric Ell Driver: John Campbell OLDER FEMAL E TROTTER Bee A Magician (119 Votes) Kadabra -Beehive -Balanced Image Breeder: White Birch Farm Owners: Mel Hartman, Herb Liverman, David McDuffee Trainer: Richard Nifty Norman Driver: Brian Sears, David Miller Pacesetter sboanj.com 6 January/February 2016

HARNESS DATES ANNOUNCED FOR 2016 New Jersey s two harness tracks the Meadowlands and Freehold Raceway have been awarded a combined 200 racing dates for 2016. The dates were approved at the New Jersey Racing Commission, meeting on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 in Trenton, NJ. Mark Ford, attending his first Commission meeting as president of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey, advised the Commission that the SBOANJ was reluctantly accepting the Meadowlands dates as an experiment for 2016. We are concerned about losing dates in January and February and replacing them with September and October dates, Ford said. The Meadowlands requested 90 dates, Fridays and Saturdays only [plus Sunday, May 8], from January 2 through August 6 and from September 9 through December 31 [dark on Saturday, December 24]. Post time is 7 p.m. Freehold received 110 dates, racing January 1 through May 21 plus August 26 and 27, and September 2 through December 10. Racing days will be Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays plus three holiday Mondays January 18, February 15 and September 5. Dark days are September 1 and November 24. Post time is 12:30 p.m. 90 HARNESS RACING DATE Fridays & Saturdays January 2 - August 6 Plus May 8 Fridays & Saturdays September 9 - December 24 [Dark: December 24] 110 HARNESS RACING DATE Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays January 1 - May 21 Plus January 18, February 15 Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays September 2 - December 10 Plus September 5 [Dark: November 24] Support New Jersey racing with donations to TrotPac Pacesetter sboanj.com 7 January/February 2016

From the Desk of President Mark Ford I am happy to be writing my first letter to the members as the newly elected President of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey. This year has already brought many changes to the SBOANJ as well as a new energy. The 15 directors of the board have heard your voice in 2015 and have hit the ground running. We look forward to listening to your thoughts and suggestions as we move into 2016. The SBOANJ has met with the management at both Freehold and the Meadowlands to discuss issues and open up communication lines between the organizations. We will continue to have an open dialog with both tracks to address all matters of concern to you. It has been brought to our attention that purse checks are not being released in a timely manner. We have proposed to the NJRC that, if they are willing to authorize purse payments prior to the completion of the testing requirements, we will guarantee any repayments of purse money that need to be redistributed as a result of a positive test. This is a risk we as an association are willing to take on OFFICERS Mark Ford President Mark Mullen First Vice President Robert Boni Second Vice President Christopher Ryder Third Vice President Alfred Ochsner Jr. Treasurer Anthony Romano Secretary Leo McNamara Executive Administrator DIRECTORS Stephen P. Dey III VMD Michael J. Gulotta Jacqueline Ingrassia Dennis Lane Thomas F. Luchento Richard Meirs VMD Anthony Perretti Thomas Pontone Paul Wojtowicz your behalf, and in doing so, we will insure that the NJRC will release purse money shortly after the horses have crossed the finishing line. We will notify all members once this proposal has been approved by the NJRC. Another matter we have addressed was regarding the SBOA health insurance plan. We have revamped our qualification requirements for trainers and drivers, as well as lowered the rates for grooms. We understand that there are a limited number of racing dates making it difficult for many trainers to get the necessary starts to qualify. We are here to ensure that our members have the best opportunity to receive all the benefits we offer. We here at the SBOANJ work closely with TrotPac, the horsemen s political action committee. Through TrotPac we have intensified our involvement in Trenton with time and manpower. Though it is difficult to predict what 2016 may bring, we are prepared to fight to preserve the future of breeding and racing in New Jersey. I want to express that we are here to listen to any and all concerns, complaints and most of all suggestions. Please contact the main office to have your voice be heard. We wish you all a happy and healthy new year! STANDARDBRED BREEDERS & OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY 64 Business Route 33, Manalapan, NJ 07726 Phone: 732-462-2357 Fax: 732-409-0741 Email: info@sboanj.com Website: www.sboanj.com RACETRACK REP Linda Goss Meadowlands 201-842- 5075 Freehold 732-252-2323 Ext 4365 LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL AJ Sabath LEGAL COUNSEL Dennis Dowd PUBLICITY CONSULTANT Courtney Stafford IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS New Jersey Sire Stakes 609-292-8830 Harness Horsemen International 609-747-1000 License/Fingerprint NJ Racing Commission Trenton 609-292-0613 Freehold 732-462-3800 Meadowlands 201-460- 4137 NJ Trailer Ban NJTP 800-336-5875