Three-year-old trotter Heres Johnny, winner of the second leg of the Survivor Series at the Meadowlands Racetrack on Friday evening, was the second half of a very unusual multi-breed parlay.
On Friday afternoon at Churchill Downs, a two-year-old thoroughbred by the exact same name, Here's Johnny, was a winner in his first career start at five furlongs over the turf course. As if that wasn't unlikely enough, the runner Here's Johnny is trained by Wesley Ward for the Ice Wine Stable, which lists among its principals several standardbred horsemen, including Preferred Equine's Dave Reid, Lindy Farms' Frank and Gerry Antonacci and Ray Schnittker.
The standardbred Heres Johnny also broke maiden with his win, though it came in his 12th try for trainer Ross Croghan and owners Let It Ride Stable, Robert Cooper, Dana Parham and Jerry and Theresa Silva. Dave Miller gave him a gem of a trip, just in behind the lead and the Deweycheatumnhowe colt kicked on by late to score by a half length in 1:56. Of course, the standardbred Heres Johnny’s sire was trained by Ray Scnittker, who is one of the owners of the thoroughbred Here’s Johnny.
The nearly unbelievable trend in the month of June at the Meadowlands Racetrack continued on Friday night. Despite being up against one of the most successful attendance days of the meet at the racetrack in 2012, the Meadowlands once again posted massive gains. When all was said and done, the $2,501,699 wagered Friday marked a 53 per cent increase of $870,780 over the same Friday in 2012. The racetrack is on pace to have its most successful month of June in many years.
Racing returns on Saturday, featuring a Free-For-All Handicap including the Dan Patch Invitational winner Bolt The Duer. First post time is 7:15 p.m. Also, another edition of breakfast with the babies begins at 10:00 a.m. with 19 baby races on tap.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Meadowlands Racetrack.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)