Quick Brush Has A Merry Christmas

December 26 - Quick Brush (Conway Hall - Noreen Hanover) brought some holiday cheer to owner Barry Klages, trainer Gary Mahon, and driver Scott Coulter by winning the $36,894 Yuletide LC Series Final by 2 lengths at Flamboro in 1:59.2h. Quick Brush had won both legs of the Series during the past two weeks. Quick Brush had virtually no racing for two years after a sparkling 3 year old season, but then returned in 2006 to go 13 - 7 - 2 - 1 for seasonal earnings of $45,895 and winning his last 4 races of the year. Quick Brush now has lifetime earnings of $94,123.

Swanderful Second in $147,000 American National at Balmoral

November 11 - Although he was the most inexperienced 2YO trotter in the field with only 3 previous pari-mutuel starts, Swanderful (SJs Caviar - Swan Lake) announced that he will be a force to be reckoned with in 2007 by finishing a very strong second in the $147,000 American National at Balmoral tonight. Leaving from Post 4, Swanderful quickly found himself shuffled back, fifth and 12 lengths behind at the quarter pole, because of the break by polesitter Kabir. Veteran driver Charlie Norris bided his time till the 3/4 pole when he sent Swanderful second over to daylight on the outside at the top of the stretch. Swanderful trotted strongly with the fastest last quarter of 28.1 to finish second by three lengths, timed in 1:57.3, behind Prayer I Am. Randy Beeckman trains Swanderful for owner Miller's Stable (FL). Swanderful is now 4 - 1 - 1 - 1 with earnings of $42,170 in 2006. Could he be pointed to the Valley Victory? Certainly his rapid improvement would make him a contender.

Swan of a Kind, a Credit Winner half brother to Swanderful, was sold to Lindy Racing Stable for $160,000 at Harrisburg. Their dam Swan Lake is a 100% producer, and is also dam of Magic Swan 2, 1:57.2; 3, 1:56.2f, 1:56.3h; 4, 1:55.1f ($369,148) and Swan Image 2, Q2:02.2; 3, 1:55.2 ($111,262). Swan Lake is dam of a 2006 Andover Hall colt, Swan For All.

Magic Swan Dominates the Army-Navy LC Series at Pocono

November 3 - Magic Swan again displayed the form that made him 2004 and 2005 NJ Colt Trotter of the Year in toying with the field during the Army-Navy LC Series at Pocono. He easily won his opening leg of the series on October 27 in 1:55.3f from Post 6. Today, from Post 5 Magic Swan was on top at the half in 57.1 before leaviing the field in his wake to win by 3 lengths in a new lifetime mark of 1:55.1f for driver Mike Simons and trainer-owner Jeff Long. This was the 15th lifetime win for Magic Swan, who raised his lifetime earnings to $369,148.

Windsong Stable will sell Swan of a Kind, a Credit Winner half brother to Swan Image and Magic Swan, at Harrisburg this fall. His dam Swan Lake is a half sister to Clareen 2, 1:59; 3, 1:57.3 ($116,199), winner of the 2005 PA Sire Stakes Final and the 2006 Currier & Ives Trot, and to the dam of 2006 World Champion and Breeders Crown winner Possess The Magic 2, 1:54.2 ($697,540).

Swan Image Overpowers Field in ONTSS Gold Elimination

September 30 - Despite the dual handicaps of Post 7 and facing the challenge of last year's champion Was It A Dream, Swan Image (Balanced Image - Swan Lake) bided his time before sweeping by the field to win by 2 lengths in a lifetime best 1:55.2 for driver Mike Saftic, trainer Suzanne Kerwood, and owner Cliff Siegel. Swan Image drew Post 5 for next week's Final.

Windsong Stable will sell Swan of a Kind, a Credit Winner half brother to Swan Image and Magic Swan, at Harrisburg this fall. His dam Swan Lake is a half sister to Clareen 2, 1:59; 3, 1:57.3 ($116,199), winner of the 2005 PA Sire Stakes Final and the 2006 Currier & Ives Trot.

Swan Image Third in $130,000 ONTSS Gold Final

October 6 - After a slow start that shuffled him back to 8th by 11 lengths at the half, Swan Image finally got rolling to close for third (timed in 1:55.1) in the ONTSS Gold Final at Mohawk won by Majestic Son. Swan Image is fourth in points and qualifies for the $300,000 ONTSS Superfinal for owner Cliff Siegel and trainer Suzanne Kerwood.

Two World Records at Lexington for Windsong Families

October 6 - Two Windsong Stable mares were proud of their relations at Lexington this week. Possess The Magic, whose dam Chorine Hanover is a half sister to the Windsong mare Swan Lake, set a new World Record of 1:54.2 for 2 YO trotting fillies on October 4 in winning the $73,200 International Stallion Stakes for owner Brittany Farms, trainer Ron Gurfein, and driver Mike Lachance. Queen Serene, half sister to Windsong mare Queen Victorian, astounded the crowd by beating Passionate Glide in a World Record 1:52 for 3 YO trotting fillies on October 6 in the $115,500 second heat of the Kentucky Filly Futurity for owner Timo H Li Panula and trainer/driver Trond Smedshammer.

Swanderful Is Wonderful at the Red Mile

August 26 - In the world of harness racing, the real blue collar heros are horses that start week after week, rain or shine, summer or winter, to bring home checks that help keep food on the table for their hard working trainers. No one writes about them, and except for their backstretch companions few know of their labors. One such horse is Handy Dandy, a 5 year old Mr Lavec gelding who gives his best every week in Flamboro Downs claimers for whatever trainer who takes a chance on him. As a four year old in 2005, Handy Dandy made 41 starts, but only found the winner's circle once. This year, Handy Dandy responded well to a change of stables, and is now trained by Sandra Houghton. He has made only eight starts for her, and has won his last seven races for driver Chris Christoforou, while steadily improving his times and winning in a much improved lifetime mark of 1:57.4h. Handy Dandy has given a fine workman-like effort in 2006, as he is 22 - 9 - 3 - 2 with seasonal earnings of $32,185, and has lowered his lifetime mark by 3 4/5 seconds.

Windsong Stable will sell Swan of a Kind, a Credit Winner half brother to multiple stakes winners Magic Swan and Swan Image, and to Swanderful,at Harrisburg this fall. His dam Swan Lake is a half sister to Clareen 2, 1:59; 3, 1:57.3 ($116,199), winner of the 2005 PA Sire Stakes Final and the 2006 Currier & Ives Trot, and to the dam of World Champion Possess The Magic 2, 1:54.2 ($391.290).

Marvellous Is Second in $85,000 NJSS Final

September 27 - Marvellous (Donerail - Poetry) finished a strong second in the $85,000 NJSS Final at Freehold today for driver Jeff Gregory. Leading at the top of the stretch, Marvellous finished second, with her mile in 2:01.1h. Marvellous had won two ealier legs of the NJSS at Freehold, and finished third in a NJSS at the Meadowlands this spring while timed in 1:58.1. Her earnings for 2006 are now $56,562.

P J Punjab Sets Track Record in Finland

September 13 - An aged trotter bred and campaigned by Windsong Stable partners, P J Punjab, recently set a track record of 1:54f at Vermo, the major track at Helsinki, Finland. He has beaten Classico Merett, acknowledged as the best trotter in Finland.

P J Punjab was sold to Finnish interests at the 2002 Harrisburg sale, and at that time had taken his record of 1:55.2 in winning the Townsend Ackerman Trot at the Meadowlands. He had won $347,242 at 2 and 3, including a win in the Simcoe and Arden Downs S.; second in the Matron at 2; third in the valley Victory at 2 and the Yonkers Trot at 3.

P J Punjab stood at stud briefly and sired 24 foals before returning to the races. He has won 11 races so far in Finland.

Handy Dandy Wins Seven in a Row at Flamboro

August 26 - In the world of harness racing, the real blue collar heros are horses that start week after week, rain or shine, summer or winter, to bring home checks that help keep food on the table for their hard working trainers. No one writes about them, and except for their backstretch companions few know of their labors. One such horse is Handy Dandy, a 5 year old Mr Lavec gelding who gives his best every week in Flamboro Downs claimers for whatever trainer who takes a chance on him. As a four year old in 2005, Handy Dandy made 41 starts, but only found the winner's circle once. This year, Handy Dandy responded well to a change of stables, and is now trained by Sandra Houghton. He has made only eight starts for her, and has won his last seven races for driver Chris Christoforou, while steadily improving his times and winning in a much improved lifetime mark of 1:57.4h. Handy Dandy has given a fine workman-like effort in 2006, as he is 22 - 9 - 3 - 2 with seasonal earnings of $32,185, and has lowered his lifetime mark by 3 4/5 seconds.

English Cut, a Kadabra half brother to Handy Dandy, sells in the Concord Stud Farm consignment at Harrisburg. Their dam Dandy Hanover is a full sister to the great champions Desdemona Hanover 2, 1:58.3; 3, 1:57.2 ($377,618), Davidia Hanover 2, 1:58.1; 3, 1:57.1 ($1,108,252), Ditka Hanover 2, 1:57.3 ($585,388), and Demilo Hanover 2, 1:57; 3, 1:55.1 ($395,042), as well to the dam of the 2006 Dexter Cup winner A Rod 3, 1:57.2f ($153,435).

Another Marvellous Win in NJSS at Freehold

August 22 - Marvellous (Donerail - Poetry) posted another win as the odds-on favorite in a leg of the NJSS at Freehold today in 2:00.3h for driver Jeff Gregory and owner/trainer Kevin McDermott. Leaving from Post 1, Marvellous held ground in a quick 29.2 first quarter, yielding the lead to a hard-used Ironmaid Volo just before the quarter pole. However, Marvellous soon resumed command, and held the lead all the way to the finish line to win by a comfortable length over CC's Casey's Dream.

Poetry 3, 1:58.2 (Armbro Goal - Another Choice) has a Kadabra colt at her side in 2006. She is a half sister to Aruba 3, 1:57.2; 1:55.3 ($190,441), Blue Cookie 2, 1:59.3; 3, 1:59.2h ($118,100) and Dustin N Cleanin 1:57 ($67,384).

Marvellous is Marvelous in NJSS

August 15 - Marvellous (Donerail - Poetry) showed that her 1:58.1 mile this spring to finish third in the NJSS at the Meadowlands was no fluke, as she outclassed a field of 2YO trotting fillies to win the $20,500 NJSS at Freehold today. Leaving from Post 5, driver Jeff Gregory eased Marvellous out of the gate to follow Short Vacation past the quarter pole, when he tipped his filly to take command well before the half in 59.2. Marvellous was never headed for the rest of the race, winning by a comfortable length in 2:01.4h. Kevin McDermott trains and owns the filly with Joseph Zicchino.

Poetry 3, 1:58.2 (Armbro Goal - Another Choice) has a Kadabra colt at her side in 2006. She is a half sister to Aruba 3, 1:57.2; 1:55.3 ($190,441), Blue Cookie 2, 1:59.3; 3, 1:59.2h ($118,100) and Dustin N Cleanin 1:57 ($67,384)

Idle Hands Devils The Field In Reynolds Stake

July 14 - Idle Hands (S Js Caviar - Infinites Uprising) came from fifth in a four wide stretch move to collar Instant Photo by a neck to win the $18,507 Reynolds Stake at Pocono today in 1:57.1f, a new lifetime mark. Driven by Cat Manzi, Idle Hands never got to the gate and was immediately well behind the field. Still gapped fifth at the 3/4 pole, Idle Hands drew behind the wall of the leading four horses until tipping four wide to chase down Instant Photo in deep stretch for owner George Bullikan (MA) and trainer Donna Marshall.

Forever Sunrise, an Andover Hall half sister to Idle Hands, will sell at Harrisburg in the Concord Stud Farm consignment for Windsong Stable.

An Unforgettable Win In Italy

June 29 - Unforgettable (Diamond Way - Pine Spirit) was hard to forget in Italy last night when he won the $400,000 Gran Premio Tino Triossi in a mile rate of 1:58.4f for the 1 5/16 miles. The German champion 4 year old son of Diamond Way now has 10 wins and career earnings of $541,247 USD.

Yankee Spirit's 2005 foal is The Babe, bf by Donerail. Yankee Spirit 3, 1:57.4 ($251,633) is a half-sister to Sunday Yankee 3, 1:55.1 ($378,512), Savage Yankee 4, 2:00.1h ($125,083), and Sonic Yankee 1:55.4 ($96,902).

Swan Image Goes Wire-To-Wire In $49,000 ONTSS Gold Elimination

June 26 – Swan Image (Balanced Image – Swan Lake) took early command from Post 2 and cut fractions of :29, :58.3, 1:28.1 before coming home in a lifetime mark of 1:57.2 to win the $49,000 Ontario Sire Stakes Gold elimination at Rideau Carleton, beating last year’s champion Was It A Dream and Campbell Hall for the top spot. Trevor Ritchie drove Swan Image for owner Cliff Siegel and trainer Suzanne Kerwood. Swan Image is a half brother to 2004-2005 NJSS Champion and 2005 $135,000 Galt Trot winner Magic Swan 2, 1:57.2; 3, 1:56.2 ($329,428).

Windsong Stable will sell Swan of a Kind, a Credit Winner half brother to Swan Image and Magic Swan, at Harrisburg this fall. His dam Swan Lake is a half sister to Clareen 2, 1:59; 3, 1:57.3 ($116,199), winner of the 2005 PA Sire Stakes Final and the 2006 Currier & Ives Trot.

Another Unforgettable Performance In Germany

June 6 – After last year’s near miss of the German Trotting Triple Crown, Unforgettable (Diamond Way – Pine Spirit) won the $70,000 German Breeders Crown in Berlin in 1:59.4. Unforgettable now has 9 wins in 23 lifetime starts with earnings of $341,247. He is a son of Pine Spirit, who in turn is a daughter of Windsong Stable’s Yankee Spirit 3, 1:57.4 ($251,633).

Yankee Spirit's 2005 foal is The Babe, bf by Donerail. Yankee Spirit 3, 1:57.4 ($251,633) is a half-sister to Sunday Yankee 3, 1:55.1 ($378,512), Savage Yankee 4, 2:00.1h ($125,083), and Sonic Yankee 1:55.4 ($96,902).

Magic Swan Repeats SBOA Honors In 2005

January 7 - Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey has announced that Magic Swan (Enjoy Lavec - Swan Lake) has been named co-winner of the 3 Year Old NJ Colt Trotter of the Year in recognition of his fine racing season in 2005. Showing his abilities to navigate a half mile track, Magic Swan finished first and second in legs of the NJSS before winning the $85,000 NJSS Final at Freehold. He also won the prestigious $135,000 Galt Trot at Maywood, was second in the $72,500 Hanover S., and third in the Arden Downs S. Magic Swan has a lifetime record of 3, 1:56.2f - 1:56.3h with earnings of $323,917.

Swan of a Kind, a Credit Winner half-brother to Magic Swan, will be sold at Harrisburg this November.