Gaitway Farm held 10 qualifiers for two-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 honours 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, a multiple Ontario Sires Stakes Gold winner.
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 $830,000.
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-Alexas 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, U.S. Hall of Fame broodmare Michelles Jackpot, produced Horse of the Year Michaels Power and millionaire Michelles 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 O'Brien and 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 stakes winner Superstar Hanover and O'Brien and Dan Patch Award winner 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 Award winner Classic Martine and Hambletonian Oaks champion Bar Slide.
For complete charts, click here.
A replay of The First Mile's live broadcast of Gaitway Farm qualifiers is available below. The First Mile presents live coverage of two-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.
(With files from USTA; Photo of Dancin Champion on June 15 at Gaitway Farm)