Lil Sweet Ties Bee A Magician's 1:53.4 Record in $300,000 Superfinal
October 12 - Lil Sweet (Green Manalishi - Sweetspellosuccess) wore down race favorite Monalishi with a relentless late stretch drive to win the $300,000 Ontario SS Gold Superfinal for 2YO trotting fillies tonight at Mohawk. Her 1:53.4 win time tied the Stakes record set by the immortal Bee A Magician. Leaving from post 6 for driver Doug McNair, Lil Sweet angled to an early lead in a 27.3 first quarter before slowing the pace to a 57.3 half. 1/5 favorite Monalishi came first over to assume the lead shortly thereafter. Lil Sweet followed Monalishi through a 1:25.3 clocking at the 3/4 pole, and by the top of the stretch Monalishi had a two length lead. Lil Sweet closed the gap and with 1/8 to go tipped out and slowly gained ground for a thrilling victory at the wire by a neck. The win was the second of the year for Lil Sweet, increasing her lifetime earnings to $182,509 (USD) for owner Eric Good and trainer Dave Menary. Driver Doug McNair was interviewed after the race, as quoted in Harness Racing Update: "She drew the rail all season long and I said to Dave if she ever gets in the middle of the gate where we can kind of get her off the gate and sit her up close, I think she'll kick home good for us. We got the right helmet there just past the half or five eighths, and she did the rest from there." The race video can be viewed here. Standardbredcanada coverage can be viewed here.
Windsong Stable sells Sweetness N Light, a Swan For All half sister to Lil Sweet out of the 100% producing mare Sweetspellosuccess 2, Q1:58.4 ($206,024) whose dam is the great Spellbound Hanover 3, 1:54.3 ($962,395), as hip 673 in the Concord consignment at Harrisburg.
Love Those Legs A Strong Third in $300,000 Superfinal at Mohawk
October 12 - Fresh from a strong performance in winning the $75,000 Ontario SS Grassroots Final in her last start, Love Those Legs (Kadabra - Legzy) advanced well in the stretch through traffic to take the third spot in the 3yo filly $300,000 Ontario SS Gold Superfinal tonight at Mohawk. Leaving from post 3, Love Those Legs got away sixth in a hot 27.1 first quarter. Driver Louis - Phillipe Roy was content to leave Love Those Legs in that position until the stretch, where he encountered considerable traffic before Love Those Legs was able to advance in a second-best 27.3 final quarter to finish an uncontested third behind winner Willys Home Run and P L Rainbow Dash, timed in 1:54.1. Her share of the purse raised her lifetime earnings to $105,887 (USD) for owner Determination Inc. and trainer Luc Blais. Video of the race can be viewed here.
Windsong Stable sells hip 335 Great Legs, a Greenshoe 1/2 sister to Love Those Legs; multiple ONSS-GL, Casual Breeze, and Simcoe winner Climb The Pole 3, 1:52.2 ($220,009); Get Legs 3, 1:53.4; 4, 1:52.1 ($205,000); Shake A Leg 3, 1:57.3h; 4, 1:54.4h ($85,054), etc. in the Concord consignment at Harrisburg.
Lil Sweet A Strong Closing Second In $140,000 ONSS-GF at Mohawk
September 30 - Lil Sweet (Green Manalishi - Sweetspellosuccess) fell just short by a head to
Monalishi after a furious stretch drive tonight in the $140,000 2TF Ontario Sire Stakes Gold Final
at Mohawk. Starting from post 1, driver Doug McNair glued Lil Sweet to the tail of heavy
favorite Monalishi from post two. The twosome settled into the early flow in 6 th and 5 th
positions respectively before moving up before the half to replace the breaking Supergirl Molly.
Monalishi then tipped out first over and gained the lead by the Ύ pole, with Lil Sweet two
lengths behind her. In the late stretch, Lil Sweet found yet another gear but was a head short of
victory behind Monalishi. Both were timed in 1:54.3. Lil Sweet is now 9 - 1 - 3 - 2 lifetime for
$73,009 in earnings for owner Eric Good and trainer Dave Menary.
Windsong Stable sells Sweetness N Light, a Swan For All half sister to Lil Sweet and out of the
100% producing mare Sweetspellosuccess 3, Q1:58.4 ($206,024), whose dam is the great
Spellbound Hanover 3, 1:54.3 ($962,395), in the Concord consignment at Harrisburg.
Love Those Legs Wins $75,000 ONSS Grassroots Final
September 28 - Love Those Legs (Kadabra - Legzy) overcame a horrible trip with a courageous 1:55.3 victory in the $75,000 Ontario Sire Stakes Grassroots Final at Mohawk tonight. Starting from post 8, Love Those Legs and driver Louis-Philippe Roy found themselves stranded four wide in ninth position coming out of the first turn with no hope of finding shelter at the rail. With nowhere else to go but forward, Love Those Legs surged first over to take the lead just before the 58.2 half. Love Those Legs held that lead through a determined stretch drive for a 1 3/4 length victory. Her fourth victory raised her lifetime earnings to $81,184 for owner Determination Inc. and trainer Luc Blais. Full coverage and video of this race and other Grassroots Finals can be viewed here.
Windsong Stable sells hip 335 Great Legs, a Greenshoe 1/2 sister to Love Those Legs; multiple ONSS-GL, Casual Breeze, and Simcoe winner Climb The Pole 3, 1:52.2 ($220,009); Get Legs 3, 1:53.4; 4, 1:52.1 ($205,000); Shake A Leg 3, 1:57.3h; 4, 1:54.4h ($85,054), etc. in the Concord consignment at Harrisburg.
"Windsong Grandson" Lil Runner Wins $225,000 3YO Kriterium In Finland
September 27 - Lil Runner, the winner of the prestigious 2024 $225,000 3YO Kriterium in Finland, has a connection with Windsong Stable. Lil Runner's second dam is Lil Wonder, a Windsong Stable-bred Donerail daughter of the Royal Strength mare Lil Gracy. Though she herself was unraced, Lil Wonder has been a very productive broodmare, producing the fast Finnish trotting stars Bosses Lily 1.11.5 (278,262 Euros) and Bosses Lady 1.11.5 (231,110 Euros). Lil Runner is the first foal of Bosses Lily, and is by the Coktail Jet stallion So Perfect. Starting from Post 1 in the 2600m race, Lil Runner found himself locked in third position inside behind the leader and race favorite Arctic Emerald. The race looked over in the stretch after Arctic Emerald established a five length lead, only to vanish when Lil Runner shook free to the outside and caught him at the wire in a furious stretch drive. The race can be viewed here.
Go Boom Shows Some Pop In $34,050 Reynolds Memorial
September 20 - Go Boom (Muscle Hill - Ilia) re-discovered the Winner's Circle today with a solid 1:57.3f victory today at Tioga Downs. Starting from post 6, Go Boom quickly got to the lead for driver Mattias Melander before allowing Gimlet Hanover to take over before the half. In the stretch, Go Boom outkicked Gimlet Hanover for a one length victory, last quarter in 28.1. With tonight's second Stakes win in six lifetime starts, Go Boom increased his lifetime earnings to $57,775 for owners AMG Stable, Mantorp LLC, Heights Stable, Fredrik Nielsen, and trainer Marcus Melander.
Love Those Legs Wins Her Second $20,000 ONSS-GR Leg At Mohawk
September 10 - Love Those Legs (Kadabra - Legzy) was a determined winner tonight in a $20,000 leg of the Ontario Sire Stakes - Grassroots at Mohawk. Starting from post 7, driver Louis-Philippe Roy floated Love Those Legs away from the gate to establish fourth position along the rail. At the half, Love Those Legs was flushed first over as the outside flow began to develop behind her. Her only path was forward and uncovered. By the 3/4 pole, Love Those Legs edged slightly ahead of leader Mass Money. A stretch battle ensued with Mass Money, won by Love Those Legs by one length. The 1:55.2 win time established a new lifetime mark for Love Those Legs, raising her lifetime earnings to $52,768 for owner Determination Inc. and trainer Luc Blais.
Windsong Stable sells hip 335 Great Legs, a Greenshoe 1/2 sister to Love Those Legs; multiple ONSS-GL, Casual Breeze, and Simcoe winner Climb The Pole 3, 1:52.2 ($220,009); Get Legs 3, 1:53.4; 4, 1:52.1 ($205,000); Shake A Leg 3, 1:57.3h; 4, 1:54.4h ($85,054), etc. in the Concord consignment at Harrisburg.
Jamaica Turbo FR Joins Windsong Stable
September 4 - Jamaica Turbo FR 3, 1.11.8 (204,700€) was purchased by Windsong Stable at the Auctav mixed sale in France today with the assistance of Agent Christian LeBarbey of ITS (International Trot Services), Jamaica Turbo FR is in foal to the well-regarded stallion Boccador de Simm, last bred 4/22/24. Jamaica Turbo FR is a five time winner. At 2, she won the G2 Prix Une De Mai. At 3, she won the G2 Criterium 3 Ans Q1 (Prix Reine du Corta), and the G2 Criterium 3 Ans Q3 (Prix Annick Dreux), both at Vincennes. She was also second in G3 Prix de Chatillon at Vincennes and third in G3 Prix Henri Cravoisier at Enghien. An extremely fast and accomplished race filly, Jamaica Turbo FR will join two other Windsong Stable French broodmares, Is A Pearl FR and Kelle Evidence FR, at Concord Stud Farm in New Jersey. Her dominant wire-to-wire victory in the G2 Criterium 3 Ans Q3 (Prix Annick Dreux) can be viewed here.
Video Grab of Jamaica Turbo from Auctav auction video
All-Time Great Windsong Mare Swan Lake Passes At Hanover Shoe Farms
July 31 - Swan Lake (Lindy Lane - Concert Goer - Baltic Speed) was humanely euthanized today at Hanover Shoe Farms after a long period of enjoyable retirement. Swan Lake did not herself race, but made her mark as an outstanding broodmare who was successful with a wide range of sires. Her Andover Hall son Swan For All 2, 1:54.3; 3, 1:54.1f ($309,986) has been the leading Indiana sire for many years, and was the #7 all age trotting sire nationally in 2023. Among many others, Swan For All is the sire of World Champion Hannelore Hanover 4, 1:51; 1:49.2 ($3,069,857), Hambletonian Maturity winner M-M's Dream 4, 1:50 ($1,589,052), and Breeders Crown winner Fiftydallarbill 4, 1:50.2 ($1,056,238). Her Balanced Image son Swan Image 4, 1:51.4 ($628,952) was Season's Champion at 4 and a multiple Open winner. Her Enjoy Lavec son Magic Swan 2, 1:57.2; 3, 1:56.3h ($450,047) was NJSS Champion at both 2 and 3. A full brother to Swan For All, Swan In A Million 2, 1:57f; 3, 1:55.2; 4, 1:53; 1:52.4f ($350,404) won the Earl Rowe Memorial in Canada, and has become a successful regional sire in Indiana. Her SJs Caviar son Swanderful 2, 1:58; 3, 1:56.2f; 4, 1:54.3 ($150,391) was a PASS winner. Windsong Stable is most grateful to honor her accomplishments. Swan Lake's Walner granddaughter Exile 2, 1:57.4 ($16,500) will continue her bloodline with Windsong Stable, and is already dam of a 2024 Muscle Hill colt, Rebellion.
Suits Me Takes $15,000 Featured Trot at Pocono
July 29 - Suits Me (Explosive Matter - Polyester Hanover) has been a consistent performer but only today entered the winner's circle for the first time in 2024, winning the $15,000 featured trot at Pocono. Starting from post 4 for driver Jim Pantaleano, Suits Me left the gate quickly to reach the lead in a quick 27.4 first quarter, only to yield to Socando and Sainthood before the half. Sitting third in the stretch, Suits Me ducked inside to prevail by a neck in a new lifetime mark of 1:55.1f. Suits Me 's 12th win raised his lifetime earnings to $90,029 for trainer / owner Austin Brubaker. USTA coverage of this race can be found here.
Morning Angel In Wire-To-Wire Victory in $20,000 NY Excelsior A
July 26 - Morning Angel (Chapter Seven - SMS Princess) dominated her $20,000 NY Excelsior A division with a wire-to-wire victory today at Vernon Downs. Leaving from post 7, Morning Angel was quickly sent to the lead by driver Scott Zeron in a 28.0 second first quarter. Morning Angel held her position through subsequent 58.3 and 1:28.4 fractions. In the stretch, Morning Angel held off a challenge by Shonda to win by a length in 1:58.1 for trainer Marcus Melander and owner Courant Inc. Morning Angel is now 3 - 1 - 0 - 1 lifetime with earnings of $18,940.
Windsong Stable will sell Meme Queen, a Propulsion 1/2 sister to Morning Angel, in the Concord Stud Farm consignment at Harrisburg.
Go Boom Explodes To Victory in $25,000 NJSS
May 19 - Go Boom (Muscle Hill - Ilia) demonstrated that he is a top contender in the 2yo trotting colt NJSS by winning his division tonight in 1:54.1 at the Meadowlands. Leaving from post 9 against Burke Stable's undefeated $600,000 Hidalgo in post 3, Dexter Dunn left the gate smartly with Go Boom to sit second in a moderate 28.3 first quarter. Hidalgo sat comfortably in fifth position. Midway through the final turn, Dunn popped Go Boom from the pocket in front of the advancing Hidalgo, and took the lead early in the stretch. Hidalgo was unable to advance on Go Boom, and broke stride. Go Boom cruised to a two length victory over Yannick G Kemp in 1:54.1. USTA covered the race here.
Go Boom is trained by Marcus Melander for owners AMG Stable, Mantorp LLC, Heights Stable, and Fredrik Nielsen.
Go Boom is a full brother to prominent Ohio stallion Long Tom 3, 1:52.1 ($410,513), three quarter brother to Ohio stallion In Range 3, 1:51.4 ($797,037), and half brother to Dover track record holder Tight Lines 1:51.2 ($625,074). Windsong Stable will retain She's A Rainbow, a yearling full sister to Go Boom and Long Tom, for racing and breeding.
Ester Degli Dei Rushes To A Dramatic Victory in Gr 2 Delicious at Solvalla
May 26 - On Elitloppet day at Solvalla (SE), Ester Degli Dei stunned the crowd by storming relentlessly from a seemingly hopeless position in deep stretch to win the 950,000 SEK Grade 2 Fyaaringseliten Ston - Delicious race today. Starting from the very disadvantageous post 7 for driver Robin Bakker, Ester Degli Dei found herself quickly blocked by traffic from a breaking horse, and shuffled to the rear on the outside. By the time the confusion resolved, Ester was 7th, and fourth in line in the outside flow about 8 lengths behind the early leader Karaboudjan. Still blocked entering the final turn with only 325 m remaining, Bakker angled Ester 5 wide to the far outside. In the stretch with only 150 m to go and with a horse still directly in front of her, Ester Degli Dei ignited her afterburners in an all-out effort to pass the field for a 1/2 length victory over Reijo Liljendahl-trained Eteria (IT). Her winning time was an amazing 1.09.5 (1:51.4f mile rate) for the 1640 m. event, and a new lifetime mark. Ester Degli Dei has surely confirmed her status as a world class 4yo mare with this victory. Ester Degli Dei is now 12 - 11 - 1 - 0 lifetime with earnings of 3,454,502 SEK ($323,754) for trainer Paul Hagoort, owner L.C.J. Schalkoort, and breeder Tomasso Cavalli of Az. Agr. Degli Dei SAS of Italy.
Harness Racing Update covered the 2024 Elitloppet and this race here (scroll down to the header "HAGOORT AND BAKKER RARELY LEAVE SOLVALLA EMPTY-HANDED"). The race can be viewed on YouTube here.
Windsong Stable owns and Julie Miller trains 2yo Raggedy Ann, a Cantab Hall half-sister to the dam of Ester Degli Dei. Windsong Stable owns and has booked Polyester Hanover, the granddam of Ester Degli Dei, to Maharajah in 2024.
Ester Degli Dei Dominates 4YO Elite Mares at Charlottenlund
May 12 - Ester Degli Dei (Maharajah - Twill Be Done) demonstrated her immense talent with a decisive victory in the 2000 m. 4YO Elite race today at Charlottenlund (Denmark). Send off at odds of 1/4, she nevertheless faced two stiff challenges during the race. But Ester Degli Dei did not disappoint her bettors as she delivered a decisive 3/4 length victory in 1.12.5 (1:56.3 mile rate for the 2000 m. race) for driver Robin Bakker, trainer Paul Hagoort, and owner L.C.J. Schalkoort of the Netherlands. Her 100,000 DKK share of the purse increased her lifetime earnings to 2,954,502 SEK. Ester Degli Dei is now 11 - 10 - 1 - 0 lifetime, her only loss a 3YO Open at Wolvega (NE) last year. The race replay can be viewed here.
Ester Degli Dei's dam Twill Be Done 2, 1:56.1f; 3, 1:55.3 ($131,210) was bred by Windsong Stable. At 2, Twill Be Done earned victories in the $60,000 PASS Consolation and the PA AllStars; was second in the Liberty Bell S.; and was third in two PASS. At 3, Twill Be Done was second in a PA Stallion Series, and third in the Keystone Classic. After her 3YO racing season, Twill Be Done was purchased at Harrisburg by Tomasso Cavalli. Ester Degli Dei is therefore Italian bred, Swedish sired, and Dutch owned. Her connections have announced their intentions to race the mare at Solvalla during the Elitloppet celebration.
Windsong - Bred 3YO Fillies Shine In Early Season Racing
May 12 - Windsong Stable bred 3YO fillies are making an impression in early season action, setting themselves up for successful future competition.
Leading the list is Wish List (Bar Hopping - A List Lindy), already a winner of a $20,000 division of the PA Stallion Series at The Meadows in 1:55.4f for trainer / owner Bob Baggitt. Wish List previously won a NW1 in 1:55.3f at Pocono, proving that her Stallion Series victory was no fluke.
Yesterday Rock Em Rosie (Chapter Seven - Monroe County) had a thoroughly impressive win in 1:57.0 in a NW1 at Vernon Downs for trainer/driver Claude Huckabone and owner James Crawford. After missing the gate by several lengths, Rock Em Rosie nevertheless charged forward on the outside to assume command by the quarter pole. Rosie remained in command until early stretch, as everything came up Rosie when she pulled away from the group to win by 7 lengths.
Love Those Legs (Kadabra - Legzy) broke her maiden in a NW1 at Mohawk on April 18 in 1:59.0 for trainer Luc Blais and owner Determination Inc. She followed up that performance with an excellent second place to 2023 2YO star Willy's Home Run in the SBOA Elimination on May 3 at Mohawk, timed in 1:56.2 with a LQ 28.0.
Greenspring (Greenshoe - Ilia) demonstrated some of the talent that made her a $500,000 yearling purchase for Determination Inc. breaking her maiden in a NW1 in the pouring rain in 1:58.3 at Mohawk on April 11.
And finally, Readly Success (Readly Success - Sweetspellosuccess) cruised to a wire-to-wire victory in a NW1 in 1:59.4f at Oak Grove on April 29th. Readly Success previously had two second place finishes at Oak Grove already this year, and has been timed in 1:56.4f. Trained by Julie Miller and retained by Windsong Stable, Readly Success has raised her lifetime earnings to $20,400 with the win.
Wish List Wins $20,000 PA Stallion Series at The Meadows
May 10 - Wish List (Bar Hopping - A List Lindy) made her owner's wishes come true in winning her division of the $20,000 3TF PA Stallion Series at The Meadows today. Driver David Miller was content to give Wish List a perfect pocket trip behind pacesetter Lexi B, only to tip out in the stretch and rush to an easy 1:55.4f victory for trainer/owner Bob Baggitt. Previously a winner this year in 1:55.3f at Pocono, Wish List increased her lifetime earnings to $32,690 with the victory.
Windsong Stable will sell Glitterati, a KY and NJSDF eligible yearling filly by Swedish champion and Menhammar stallion Readly Express, in the Concord Stud Farm consignment at Harrisburg.
Greenspring Starts Racing Career With A Win
April 11 - Greenspring (Greenshoe - Ilia) started her racing career tonight at Mohawk in the driving rain and a very sloppy track, but nothing was stopping her from making a great initial impression with a 2 length victory in 1:58.3 in a 5YO & Under NW1 for $17,000. A $500,000 yearling owned by Determination Inc., Greenspring did not race at two. But tonight, despite the terrible conditions and the unfavorable post 7, Greenspring showed the kind of talent implied by her high yearling price. Driven by Louis-Phillipe Roy for trainer Luc Blais, Greenspring got away safely if cautiously in fifth position in a 28.1 first quarter. Just before a 59.1 half, Greenspring pulled out first over and quickly bore down on the leaders, taking the lead by the 3/4 pole in 1:30.2. From there it was all Greenspring, who came smartly home in 28.1 to score a two length victory in 1:58.3 over Myfriendjose. The race can be viewed on YouTube by following this link.
Windsong Stable will retain 2024 yearling filly She's A Rainbow, a 1/2 sister to Greenspring and a full sister to prominent Ohio stallion Long Tom 3, 1:52.1 ($410,513). Greenspring is also 1/2 sister to Ohio stallion In Range 3, 1:51.4 ($793,037), and Tight Lines 1:51.2 ($625,074)
