December 13 - After a smashing 2004 racing season, Magic Swan was recognized by the NJSS Board of Trustees as the NJ 2 YO Colt Trotter of the Year. Magic Swan 2, 1:57.2; 1:59.2h ($159.016) won five of six NJSS races, including the $75,000 NJSS Final at Freehold, and finished second in the $150,000 NJSS Final at the Meadowlands. He also established a Stakes and Track Record at Freehold, and finished Season's Champion 2 YO trotting gelding for 2004. Magic Swan also won the Arden Downs S. and finished third in the $228,600 Valley Victory S. for trainer/owner Jeffrey Long and driver Cat Manzi.

November 23 - Moonlight G 4, 1:58.2f; 1:59h passed $150,000 in career earnings tonight by finishing fourth in a Yonkers $5000 Conditioned Trot for trainer/driver Jim Doherty and owner Windsong Stable. Half brother to the sensational 2004 Trotting Triple Crown champion Windsong's Legacy, Moonlight G has been a hardy and gallant performer for Windsong Stable racing mainly at Yonkers Raceway. His accomplishments are testimony to the speed and soundness that his dam, Yankee Windsong, passed on to her colts.

Photo by Nigel Soult

Windsong's Legacy Wins 2004 Trotting Triple Crown

October 9 - Windsong's Legacy capped a storybook year by winning the Kentucky Futurity in straight heats today at the Red Mile, becoming the first Trotting Triple Crown winner since Super Bowl in 1972. Facing a traffic jam from Post 11 in the second tier at the starting gate, Windsong's Legacy sat 7th by 8 lengths through a :56 half set by Cantab Hall. Weaving through traffic, Windsong's Legacy tipped four wide from the final turn to sweep by a tiring Cantab Hall and roll by the field in 1:54 to a standing ovation from an appreciative crowd. The second heat from Post 1 was even more brilliant. Windsong's Legacy got away third behind Yankee Slide, to then take command after the half, never be challenged again winning by 3 lengths in 1:53, tying his own personal best record set in winning the Stanley Dancer Trot.

Owners Fredrik Lindegaard, Ted Gewertz and Clair Chappell, and Patricia Spinelli celebrated with Windsong's Legacy and his many connections in the Winner's Circle. Hoisting the coveted Triple Crown trophy high over his head, Fredrik Lindegaard made it clear that Windsong's Legacy now belonged to the very select group of seven trotting Triple Crown winners. Trainer/driver Trond Smedshammer as always took his accolades in stride for another cool and authoritative drive, and for keeping Windsong's Legacy strong and sharp for the entire racing season. Caretaker Emma Johannsen was overwhelmed by the moment, and shared her joy with the horse she has come to love.

Windsong's Legacy has won all the major three year old Stakes races that he has entered. He has proven that he belongs with the immortal best of Standardbred trotters - Super Bowl, Lindy's Pride, Nevele Pride, Ayres, Speedy Scot, and Scott Frost - as Triple Crown winners. With nothing left to prove at the peak of his career, Windsong's Legacy will be retired from racing to enter a stallion career for the 2005 breeding season at a farm to be determined in North America.

October 5 - Resolutions were introduced by Rep. Peter Daley and Sen. Michael Waugh and passed by both Houses of the Pa. Legislature, proclaiming today "Windsong's Legacy Day" to honor his quest for the Trotting Triple Crown on Saturday in the Kentucky Futurity at The Red Mile. Rep. Daley conducted a press conference in the rotunda in the State Capitol, at which Liet. Governor Katherine Baker Knoll, Sen. Waugh, Sen. Art Hershey, Rep. Steve Nickol, Sec. of Agriculture Dennis Wolff, and members of the Pa. State Harness Racing Commission voiced their support of the horse, the Pa. equine and racing industry, and Pa. agriculture. Russell C. Williams spoke as representative of Hanover Shoe Farms, and Paul Spears representing Windsong Stable. Owner Fredrik Lindegaard of Norway attended the ceremony, accompanied by his friend and trainer Tom Magnussen.

Not in attendance was Windsong's Legacy, who is relaxing at Carter Duer's Peninsula Farm in Lexington before the race. However, we are sure that he would appreciate the support he has received from his growing legion of fans.

September 30 - Magic Swan again dominated a field of the best NJ 2 year old trotting colts at Freehold this afternoon over a muddy track as he slipped by his competitors to win the $75,000 NJSS Final. Driver Cat Manzi got Magic Swan away gingerly from the gate and was content to follow the leaders until the backstretch, when he powered Magic Swan to a lead that was never challenged before winning by 2 lengths in 1:59.4h. Magic Swan is now 8 - 7 - 1 - 0 for the year, with earnings of $129,984 for trainer/owner Jeffrey Long.

September 25 - Windsong's Legacy narrowly defeated Cantab Hall in a thrilling stretch duel in 1:53.2 to win the C$1,155,500 Canadian Trotting Classic tonight at Mohawk Raceway. Cantab Hall took early command from the rail, and set the pace to a 56.2 half. Windsong's Legacy was interfered with when Al Dente Hanover broke stride in front of him, caused by a sharp cut inside to the rail by Durgin Hanover and John Campbell at the 1/4 pole. Driver Trond Smedshammer skillfully guided Windsong's Legacy through a very tight spot, aided by Luc Ouelette's taking Al Dente Hanover inside the pylons and out of the way during the break. After the half, Windsong's Legacy came first over from fourth to engage Cantab Hall around the final turn. The two horses fought gamely in the stretch, neither giving in to the other. After a see-saw duel, Windsong's Legacy finally fought to the front to win by a long neck in 1:53.2. In 2004, Windsong's Legacy has earned $1,497,506 with a 10 - 7 - 2 - 1 record.

September 25 - Budlightning (Sierra Kosmos - Photogenic C) won the $29,000 (Div) Keystone Classic from Post 5 wire-to-wire in 1:57.1f for driver Dave Palone and trainer Troy McDougal at The Meadows. Budlightning now is 11 - 5 - 1 - 1 in 2004, and is closing in on an important milestone with $97,192 in earnings.

PBK Photowinner (Credit Winner - Photogenic C), a yearling half brother to Budlightning, was purchased today at Morrisville by Robert Blanton Jr,, the trainer of the great S J's Caviar 3, 1:53.4 - 1:54.1f - 1:56.1h ($1,288,466)

September 23 - In another stellar performance, Magic Swan (Enjoy Lavec - Swan Lake) destroyed the field in winning by 10 lengths and setting a Stakes and Track record at Freehold today in 1:59.2h for trainer Jeffrey Long and driver Cat Manzi. He is now 7 - 6 - 1 - 0 with earnings of $92,484 this year, with only light staking by his owners. He took command by the half and never looked back. We hope he can repeat this performance in the $150,000 NJSS Final to come!

September 6 - Billabong (Mr. Lavec - Kiwi) had it her way in a 4 length victory in the $15,957 ONTSS Grassroots for 3 YO trotting fillies at Quinte Exhibition Raceway. Starting from Post 4, Billabong took command by the half, and was never approached during her 2:03.3 victory for driver Ray Mclean and trainer/owner John Burns. The win brought her bankroll to $26,717 lifetime.

Billabong is the first foal of Kiwi 3, 2:02.4f ($22,326) (Balanced Image - Armbro Kewpie), herself a Stakes Winner from the immediate family of Armbro Trick 2, 1:58.3; 3, Q1:55 ($550,483), and Armbro Roseanne 2, 2:02.1f; 3, 1:57.3 ($195,894). Kiwi has a 2004 Donerail filly, Cherrio, at her side and is back in foal to Donerail.

August 31 - Magic Swan once again showed his versatility, handling the tight Freehold turns and his competition with ease in leading all the way to a 2:02 win by 2 lengths for Cat Manzi and trainer Jeffrey Long today in the $20,000 NYSS. For the year, Magic Swan is now 6 - 5 - 1 - 0 with earnings of $82,484 and 4 Stakes wins, while remaining Season's Leader for 2 YO Trotting Geldings.

Magic Swan is the first foal out of Swan Lake, an unraced former $100,000 yearling by Lindy Lane from the immediate family of Musical Victory 3, 1:55 ($502,384). Windsong Stable will sell Signet (Balanced Image - Swan Lake), a half brother to Magic Swan, with the Northwood consignment at Harrisburg.

Photo by FourFootedFotos

Two Big Wins Now In Hand: Windsong's Legacy Romps In $391,200 Yonkers Trot

August 28 - Windsong's Legacy proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is much the best of a fine group of three year old trotting colts in winning the $391,200 Yonkers Trot at Hawthorne Racecourse tonight. Starting from Post 1, Windsong's Legacy got away comfortably third behind pacesetter Tom Ridge and pocket sitter Cantab Hall through aggressive fractions of 27.4, 56.1, and 1:25.4. At the top of a very long stretch, Cantab Hall and Windsong's Legacy came out to challenge Tom Ridge. All three horses gallantly gave their very best in a thrilling stretch duel. Near the wire, Windsong's Legacy surged ahead in a 26.4 last quarter to win in hand for Trond Smedshammer in 1:53.1, eclipsing the previous Track Record for 3 year old trotters by almost 3 seconds, and setting an All-Age Track Record in the process. Owners Fredrik Lindegaard, Ted Gewertz, and Clare Chapelle were there to celebrate their horse's winning of the second leg of the Trotting Triple Crown. Windsong's Legacy will be supplemented to the Kentucky Futurity, where he will have the chance to achieve immortality by becoming the first winner of the Trotting Triple Crown since Super Bowl in 1972.

August 26 - Budlightning (Sierra Kosmos - Photogenic C) charged to the front of the competition in winning the $36,527 PASS at The Meadows in 1:56.3. Starting from post 2 and keeping snugly covered by driver Dave Palone until the top of the stretch, Budlightning broke free and trotted home in 28.4 to win by a length over favorite Durgin Hanover for trainer Troy McDougal and co-owners Gail Nigro and Rebekah McDougal.

Windsong Stable sells PBK Photowinner, a Credit Winner yearling colt out of Photogenic C, in partnership with Parks Breezy Knoll at Morrisville this September.

Windsong's Legacy In Victory
Photo by Lisa Photo

A Race For The Ages: Windsong's Legacy Dominates $1,000,000 Hambletonian

August 7 - After resounding victories in the C$322,700 Goodtimes S. and the $382,000 Stanley Dancer Trot over the best 3 YO trotting colts in North America, Windsong's Legacy surely made his mark for all time in sweeping to victory in the $1,000,000 Hambletonian Final at the Meadowlands. Starting from Post 7, trainer-driver Trond Smedshammer followed Cash Hall relentlessly in a second-over trip that never saw wood until the top of the stretch, when Windsong's Legacy drew three wide to toss aside the tiring Cash Hall and repel a futile rush by Cantab Hall to win in 1:54.1 by a very comfortable length. During his post race interview, Smedshammer said, "The only time I was worried was when John (Campbell and Cash Hall) put the pedal down before the half, but when John took off I was confident. I was never tempted to pull before the three-quarters. I know this horse was going to give me a good trip in the stretch. It turned out to be pretty easy." Owner Ann Jeanette Brannvoll of Norway was especially proud, since Windsong's Legacy is her first North American horse. Owner Ted Gewertz is well-known within the Standardbred industry for his 1991 Hambletonian winner Giant Victory. Owner Patricia Spinelli recently lost her husband to cancer. Smedshammer's father died of cancer last year. A very generous donation to the American Cancer Society was made in their memory from the earnings by the winning connections. Trond told the press that the next start for Windsong's Legacy will be in the Yonkers Trot on August 28, and that he will not race in the World Trotting Derby.

Photo by Lisa Photo

Windsong's Legacy Crushes Field In $382,000 Dancer Final In 1:53

July 16 - Windsong's Legacy proved tonight that he belongs with the very best in the sport by dominating a very fine crop of three year old trotting colts in winning the $382,000 Stanley Dancer Trot Final in 1:53, defeating the previously unbeaten Cantab Hall. From post 4, Windsong's Legacy got away fifth while Tom Ridge took early command. Tom Ridge then gave way to a rush by Cantab Hall in the backstretch. With a big first over move after the half, Windsong's Legacy matched Cantab Hall stride for stride around the long last turn at The Meadowlands, before Cantab Hall cracked under the pressure. Windsong's Legacy poured on speed in the stretch to win the race over a trailing Tom Ridge by 3 1/4 lengths in a Stakes and Season's Record 1:53. In the Winner's Circle, when asked about Windsong's Legacy's chances in the Hambletonian, trainer/driver Trond Smedshammer said,"This horse has danced every dance so far this year. He's still a green horse and still developing. So obviously, he's going to have a real good shot at it."

June 30 - Windsong Stable partners are proud to have bred three of the early 2004 Season's Leaders - quite an accomplishment for our small breeding operation. Don Boss Vita 5, 1:52.1, the Season's Leader Aged Trotting Horse, has a four race winning streak at The Meadowlands with seasonal earnings of $118,740. Windsong's Legacy 3, 1:53.3, the Season's Leader 3 YO Trotting Colt, has won his first three starts for Trond Smedshammer, including the C$322,700 Goodtimes Stake at Woodbine. Magic Swan 2, 1:59.1, the Season's Leader 2 YO Trotting Gelding, won his first parimutuel start at The Meadowlands after two dominating wins in qualifiers for trainer Jeffrey Long.

June 30 - Magic Swan (Enjoy Lavec - Swan Lake) was dominant yesterday in winning his first parimutuel start at The Meadowlands in 1:59.1 by two lengths for Cat Manzi and trainer Jeffrey Long. Spotting the field 11 lengths by the quarter pole, Magic Swan endured a difficult parked out trip to sweep past the field in a 28.2 last quarter. The win proved to be the fastest by a 2 YO trotting gelding so far in 2004.

Magic Swan is the first foal out of Swan Lake, an unraced former $100,000 yearling by Lindy Lane from the immediate family of Musical Victory 3, 1:55 ($502,384). Windsong Stable will sell Signet (Balanced Image - Swan Lake), a half brother to Magic Swan, with the Northwood consignment at Harrisburg.

June 19 - Windsong's Legacy (Conway Hall - Yankee Windsong) proves himself a major contender in the field of 3 year old trotting colts with a huge stretch drive to capture the C$322,700 Goodtimes Stake at Woodbine tonight in a Season's Record 1:53.3 for trainer/driver Trond Smedshammer. With the Hambletonian looming nearer, the question on everyone’s mind was, “Is he going to try the crown jewel?” The response from Smedshammer, “Looks like it now!”

June 12 - Windsong's Legacy (Conway Hall - Yankee Windsong) proved that the confidence his trainer/driver Trond Smedshammer has shown in him has been well-placed in his 1:54.4 win tonight at Woodbine in the C$30,000 Goodtimes Stakes Elimination over Cash Hall and last year's stars Beardmore and Uncle Vernon . Getting away from the gate and sitting sixth at the half, Windsong's Legacy came first over to third position at the top of the stretch, when he took command in a 27.4 final quarter to win dominantly over this field.

May 28 - Don Boss Vita (Donerail - Nonpareil M), steadily improving on an already stellar spring campaign, proves that he can trot with the very best in winning a $25,000 Conditioned Trot by 3 lengths in a 1:52.1 Season's Record at The Meadowlands for Ron Pierce and trainer Kevin Lare. Already 16 - 7 - 3 - 1 with earnings of $103,740 in 2004, Don Boss Vita now has a three race winning streak with times of 1:53.1, 1:52.4, and now 1:52.1. Don Boss Vita has now won $202,237 lifetime.

Windsong Stable sells Hits The Spot, a Donerail three quarter sister to Don Boss Vita, out of World Champion Nettie M TT1:57 ($125,553), full sister to Nonpareil M, with Windsong Stable sells Hits The Spot, a Donerail three quarter sister to Don Boss Vita, out of World Champion Nettie M TT1:57 ($125,553), full sister to Nonpareil M and and dam of the fine Donerail trotter P J's Nabby 1:57 ($263,665), winner of the Colonial Trot, with Northwood Bloodstock at Harrisburg.

May 16 - Standardbred trainers develop opinions about the offspring of major stallions both from their own personal experience, and from the informal "grapevine" of their peers. Some stallions initially get a warm reception that later turns cold. Some stallions are almost written off, but then have a good "comeback" year - witness the recent fortunes of Muscles Yankee and Lindy Lane.

The general take on Donerail is that he produces top race fillies, but his colts are more suspect. His top twenty money winning performers include 13 fillies - headlined by Spellbound Hanover 3, 1:54.3 ($962,395) and Filly At Bigs 3, 1:54 ($816,475) - and only 7 colts, including Chasing Tail 3, 1:53 ($794,467) and Dr. Ronerail 1:52.1 ($768,725). However, Jimmy Takter is aggressively buying well-bred Donerail colts that he thinks represent a good value, such as Bebop 3, 1:54 ($109,040).

The partners of Windsong Stable are proud to have bred some of Donerail's very best colts, well out of proportion to our numbers. Our headline performer was P J Punjab 3, 1:55.2 ($347,242), with strong support from P J's Nabby 1:57 ($253,665), P Js Niagara 1:59h ($135,542) and recent Meadowlands standout Don Boss Vita 1:53.1 ($177,237), winning his last start in a new lifetime record wire-to-wire from Post 10.

Is there any explanation for our success with Donerail breedings? Three of our successful horses came from sisters out of Noreen Hanover, by Super Bowl - including Nettie M, Narkas, and Nonpariel M. A particularly favorable genetic combination may be present with this cross. Yet our top Donerail performer, P J Punjab, was out of an unrelated mare. Looking at Donerail's top performers, many have dams out of Speedy Crown mares - therefore giving these performers 5 x 3 x 3 crosses to Speedy Crown.

Windsong Stable will continue to present yearlings by Donerail for public auction, and will try to present horses that are results of carefully considered genetic pairings. We believe he is a top sire, and that whoever buys our Donerail-sired yearlings may be well rewarded at the track.

Windsong Stable sells 5 yearlings by Donerail in 2004. Two colts will be sold at Harrisburg, including Dandy Warhol, out of Dandy Hanover 3, 2:01f ($34,591), whose dam was the immortal Descent; and Way With Words, out of a half sister to the top Donerail-sired performer Bold Dreamer 3, 1:55 ($531,258). Two fillies will be sold at Harrisburg, including Hits The Spot, a full sister to the top Donerail-sired P Js Nabby 1:57 ($253,665) out of World Champion Nettie M TT1:57 ($125,553); and Lil Wonder, first foal from Lil Gracy 4, 2:00f ($127,830). Breezy Knoll Pete, bc, out of Peggy R 3, 2:01 ($20,244), will be sold with the Parks Breezy Knoll consignment at Morrisville.

May 2 - Rotation swept to a dominating victory in Finland's biggest race today at Vermo Racetrack near Helsinki in the $200,000 (US) Finlandia-Ajo. With trainer Stig Johansson driving, Rotation easily bested the field with a 1:56.3 performance, winning by 2 lengths over Pickaflick and Classico Merett. Stig Johansson will enter Rotation in the Oslo Grand Prix, prior to the Elitlopp.

April 10 - Rotation made his first start of 2004 a great success for trainer Stig Johansson by winning the Prince Carl Philip's Jubilee Trophy race in Sweden in 1:55.4 from Post 8 by 2 1/2 lengths. Stig Johansson is the foremost trainer of aged trotters in Sweden, employing Interval Training methods to condition his horses. Rotation is being prepped for the Elitlopp in May, where he will face very stiff competition from the great French trotter Kesaco Phedo, last year's Elitlopp winner Gidde Palema, Hambletonian winner and European star Scarlet Knight, and many others. This year's Elitlopp promises to field one of the strongest group of trotters in years, and will prove to be a very exciting race.

April 20 - Billabong (Mr. Lavec - Kiwi) was third from Post 3 in the first and faster leg of the Celias Counsel Series at Mohawk for owner/trainer John Burns, won by Armbro Balandra in 1:58.2 at Mohawk Raceway. Stakes Placed and timed in 2:02.2 at 2, Billabong has won $13,821 in 7 starts in her brief racing career.

Kiwi (Balanced Image - Armbro Kewpie), the Stakes Placed dam of Billabong from the immediate family of Armbro Trick 3, Q1:55 ($550,483), foaled a filly by Donerail in 2004.