by Ron Gurfein

If you missed the last edition of HRU with Fred Hertrich III regarding the Breeders Crown, the Breeders’ Cup and the future of harness racing please do yourself a favor and read it (full story here).

With all the negativity that follows racing on a daily basis, his outlook is exciting and refreshing to say the least. It was truly a pleasure to read the thoughts of an intelligent man that were so positive about our sport’s future.

I apologize for not attending the Sunshine Meadows qualifiers as I had promised, but after reviewing the entries, the selection of prospects to write about was very thin. I heard this morning that a first time starter, a McArdle colt trained by Melanie Wrenn and driven by husband Peter was very impressive. Shamma Lamma, out of Shabalabadingdong, a Western Ideal mare, ran off by 45 lengths in 1:55.2, last quarter in 28 seconds.

The attendance on a beautiful Saturday morning at Sunshine Meadows was very disappointing, but since it usually contains Alagna’s Army and Tony had no trainers today, it could well explain the weak attendance.

Very good news, Matt Krueger was a visitor and with the exception of an arm sling, he looked fine.

The first heat of the day was a good one from Webster/ Croghan. Odds On Daytona (c American Ideal—Odds On Moinet), came from out of the clouds to best Das Deo (c Captaintreacherous—Lisjune) and Baydis (c, Artspeak—Quick Babe).

I saw two nice Fred Grand fillies for the first time, Desert Pepper (Cantab Hall—Psychoble) and Figure (Andover Hall—Decolletage) go a good mile in 2:34.

From Team Zeron, Kiss Me Blue Chip came from last to first beating General Jackson and Briarwood Belle — time disallowed as my watch stopped. Recoil (f Rockin Image—Shot To Go Blue Chip) won over Gucciriffic (f, Roll With Joe—Nikites) and Pick Me Upper (c Trixton—Pick Me Up) in a nice mile for Webster/Croghan.

A beautifully-gated filly named Hot Springs Volo by Explosive Matter from the good mare Silver Springs went a keen mile in 2:20 a few lengths better than the Explosive Matter colt from Bruschette named Higher Call for Jan Johnson and just before Jan went a big mile with a Father Patrick colt Context from Glide Power besting An Ocean Away (f Yankee Glide—Oasis Dream) in 2:21.

For Domenico Cecere, the wonderful Kings County showed he is about ready for the wars with a 2:09 romp over Lindys Crazy Hall, Throw Out The Tab and Signore Cardin. They were flying at the wire.

Nova Scotia Beach (c, Somebeachsomewhere—Hawaiian Classic) went a nice solo for the Fred Grant Stable.

In the most exciting mile of the day, the fine looking Somebeachsomewhere filly Carousel 3f, from Emily Car beat Heisman Player (3c, Sportswriter—Simply Irresistible) in 2:02, last half in :56, last quarter in :27, reporting in for Team Zeron.

Another quick group from Webster/Croghan was Odds On Sarasota (f Rock N Roll Heaven—Odds On Charmaine) winning over Odds On Vero Beach (f Bettors Delight—Odds On Jan).

From Lindy Farm came Eurobond looking the best I have ever seen him nosing out Lindy The Great in 2:25. Also from Lindy came two nice 3-year-olds Refi and Lindys Crazy Hall. They must have gone a good clip as I caught the back half in 1:02.

Peter Wrenn had his $260,000 Trixton filly, Queentrix on display/ The magnificent lady from the Ice Queen won both heats of the double header in 2:30 over Rockin April (f Tellitlikeitis—Miss Liz) and O She’s Magic (f Always A Virgin—Sand Pleasure).

Team Zeron had another 2:02 mile with some 3-year-olds that included Tennessee Whiskey, General Jackson and Brairwood Belle.

Again from Webster/Croghan: Sweet Beachtime (f Somebeachsomewhere—Sweet Paprika) finished on top of Booty Call (f Somebeachsomewhere—Love Canal) and Middleton (f Somebeachsomewhere—Jolting Katie). From the same outfit came a very quick pair R Hana Bluechip (f Roll With Joe—Frame Worthy) and Puzzling (c Somebeachsomewhere—Suduko) pacing their mile in a brilliant 2:20.

For those of you visiting south Florida this week, weather permitting the Tony Alagna Barn will have Andrew McCarthy and Dexter Dunn as visiting trainers on Thursday morning for the final quick works for the 3-year-olds going north at the beginning of April. It will be a fabulous show. Have a wonderful week.