Stonebridge Bravo placing second by a nostril. However, the winner was placed second due to a pylon violation. Bravo wins and a win is a win!

Tyler Borth piloted victors in both Harvest Series finals for Ontario-sired two-year-old colts and geldings on Thursday, Nov. 9 at Woodbine Mohawk Park as Stonebridge Thrill won the $49,900 final for male pacers, while Goober Smack won the $46,000 final for male trotters. Stonebridge Thrill had no easy feat in his Harvest Series final score as the Meg Crone trainee never found the pylons throughout the mile. Borth and Stonebridge Thrill were locked on the outside in sixth through the :26.2 opening panel and :55.1 half before moving into fourth on the outside at the three-quarters in 1:25.1. With no other choice, Stonebridge Thrill just kept plugging along and made it to the top to face Trophy Taker (Jody Jamieson) in the final turn. The pair of horses duelled in the stretch before Stonebridge Thrill took home the gold by a neck in 1:55.2. Trophy Taker had to settle for second and Max Patrick (Sylvain Filion) grabbed third. The son by Bettors Delight out of the Somebeachsomewhere mare Inverse Hanover is owned by Mac & Carol Nichol. He has won two races in eight on-track appearances to go along with $54,126 in earnings. He returned $2.60 to win. Goober Smack also faced a challenge as the Susie Kerwood student had to move from the back of the pack before moving three-wide after the half. Borth took back to seventh through panels in :28 and :57.1 before he tipped three-wide en route to the three-quarters in 1:27.1. With a far wide tactic, Goober Smack landed in third in the final turn and kept going to a half-length score in 1:58.2. P L Robert G (James MacDonald) took second while LMC Mr Squishy (Pat Hudon) rounded out the top three. S&r Racing Stable Inc. owns the son of Flanagan Memory and the Muscle Mass mare Bluestone Muscles. He moved his career tally to 3-1-0 in four starts as he swept the Harvest Series from start to finish. He moved his earnings to $44,250. Goober Smack paid $2.90 to win.  To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park .

In the wake of seven wins in ten races at The Raceway at the Western Fair District, Tyler Borth kept up the momentum at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Thursday (Nov. 2) evening after he piloted two to victory in the Harvest Series. Of his double, Borth posted the fastest time of the evening in the series with a 1:52.3 triumph in the division for the freshman males aboard Stonebridge Thrill. Borth and the Meg Crone student took to the track in race six, the final $17,000 Harvest Series division for Ontario-sired freshmen of the night. The race started steady for the duo as Stonebridge Thrill took back to fifth through the opening panel in :27 and half in :55.4. Borth tugged his right line en route to the three-quarters in 1:24.2 and sent the freshman colt second over behind the cover of Wicked Prince (Louis-Philippe Roy). Wicked Prince cleared the lead in the final turn and Stonebridge Thrill continued to follow his lead. Down the stretch, Stonebridge Thrill achieved the lead and went on to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:52.3. Wicked Prince took second and Be Right There (James MacDonald) rounded out the top three. Mac & Carol Nichol of Burlington, Ont. own the son of Bettors Delight and the Somebeachsomewhere mare Inverse Hanover. He earned his first career tally in the feature race. Stonebridge Thrill paid $3.50 to win as the favourite in his class of eight. Borth doubled up in Harvest Series triumphs with a win in the second male division on the card, in the card opener. Goober Smack went to the gate as the bettors' choice in his field of six and Borth sent him to the top early. P L Robert G (MacDonald) was the first to clear the lead and hit the opening panel in :29.2. His efforts were followed by Pay The Price (Jody Jamieson) and Goober Smack back in third. Borth wasted little time and sent the Susie Kerwood pupil first over to the top. Goober Smack was the first to the :59.1 half on the outside before he cleared the lead. After posting the three-quarters in a 1:28.1 clocking, Goober Smack continued on to the win by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:56.4. P L Robert G took second and Devils Kiss (Roy) was third. The two-year-old son of Flanagan Memory and the Muscle Mass mare Bluestone Muscles is owned by S&r Racing Stable Inc. of Acton, Ont. as he earned his second win in three career starts. A back-to-back triumph in the series, Goober Smack posted a new best time with the victory. He paid $2.40 to win. Jody Jamieson and trainer Jack Darling teamed up to send Trophy Taker to the track to claim the winner's share of the $17,000 in the third edition of the Harvest Series for the young men. As Magical Alone (MacDonald) and Max Patrick (Sylvain Filion) battled for the early lead, Trophy Taker landed in fourth en route to the :27.3 first station. After that split, Jamieson sent the Darling protege first over and they were the first to the half in :57.3 from the outside. After posting the three-quarters in 1:25.3, they continued on to take the win by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:53.4. Magical Alone followed the pocket trip to second and Max Patrick finished third. Trophy Taker (All Bets Off - Sauble Claire) is owned by Jack Darling Stables Ltd of Cambridge, Ont. for his second victory in five starts. He returned $2.30 to his backers. Lmc Mr Squishy capped off the evening's Harvest Series action with a 1:56.2 victory. With trainer Patrick Hudon aboard, Lmc Mr Squishy sat fourth through the opening split in :28. Hudon sent him first over to stop the timer in :58 first at the half before taking command. After one more panel clocked in 1:26.4, Lmc Mr Squishy battled the favoured Lockdown Romeo (Bruce Richardson) down the lane to a photo finish. At the wire, the Hudon trainee prevailed by a head over Lockdown Rodeo. Sid The Kid (Bob McClure) completed the triactor. Breeder Loredana Cirillo of Kleinburg, Ont. owns the son of Archangel and the Muscle Mass mare Massive Qutie. The gelding earned his third victory in his 11th career outing. Lmc Mr Squishy paid $5.40 to win.  Dollydaydream notched her fifth victory in a row in the fillies and mares claiming pace with Kyle Fellows as her conditioner. The five-year-old Sunshine Beach mare grabbed her eighth seasonal tally and 13th career victory, pushing her lifetime bankroll to $102,129. To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park .

Stonebridge Alien topped the opening day of the second annual London Classic Yearling Sale on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at the Western Fair District Agriplex in London, Ont. Selling as Hip 46, Stonebridge Alien brought a final bid of $165,000 to top the 144 yearlings sold during the first of two sale sessions. Mark Steacy of Lansdowne, Ont. purchased the Shadow Play colt out of the Bettors Delight mare, Ken Doll J, from the Stonebridge Farm consignment. Stonebridge Alien is a half-brother to Grand Circuit stakes winner Stonebridge Helios ($731,380 - 1:47). The 144 yearlings sold on Tuesday grossed $3,984,000 and produced an average price of $27,667, down from last year's inaugural opening day average of $39,840 from 94 yearlings grossing $3,745,000. The sale continues on Wednesday at 12 noon featuring the remaining Hips 161-312.

Stonebridge Comedy had no serious threats in the Autumn Series opener for young trotters on Friday evening, Oct. 6 at The Raceway at Western Fair District. The opening leg of the series was comprised of a pair of $8,500 divisions with My Buddy Sam taking the other split. Driven by Paul MacKenzie, Stonebridge Comedy ($5.40) overcame an outside post before the first turn and led by as much as eight lengths as he dominated his competition in a 2:01.4 mile. Paul Megens trains the Muscle Mass gelding, who earned his second win in 16 starts, for Saltwater Stable. Favoured Irish Dreamer finished half a dozen lengths behind in second and two-year-old Teasin rounded out the top three. My Buddy Sam ($4.50) prevailed off a pocket trip through the passing lane in 2:03.2 for his third win in eight starts, with the two-year-old Livingitlarge grinding first-over to edge out pacesetter Sollwitt for the runner-up honours 1-1/4 lengths behind in the popular winner. The Archangel gelding is trained by Jennifer Pinkerton, who also shares ownership with breeder Patricia Bailey. Garrett Rooney was the winning reinsman. The series is for Ontario-sired two and three-year-old trotting colts and geldings that were non-winners of $10,000 lifetime. To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Western Fair Raceway . (Photo of Stonebridge Comedy winning on Aug. 23 at Grand River Raceway)

The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono featured a quartet of $15,000 contests for up-and-coming horses on its Tuesday afternoon card, with a strong stretch headwind reflected in many of the races’ fractions and racing styles. An event for male pacers saw the Sweet Lou sophomore gelding Stonebridge Karis win for the third time in his last four starts, here in 1:52.4. Driven by Jim Pantaleano, the day’s top sulky sitter with three victories, Stonebridge Karis took command in a :27.3 quarter, backed off the half to :57.4, then went the third quarter, wind-aided, in :26.4, hitting the three-quarters in 1:24.2 to hold off a spirited challenge from the outer tier, and then finishing 1-3/4 lengths clear for trainer Darren Taneyhill and owner Eric Prevost. The other pace for males went to Lenda Hand Man, an American Ideal altered three-year-old, who won in a new mark of 1:53.4 for trainer Jennifer Bongiorno and owner Robert Weinstein. George Napolitano, Jr., coming off eight successes while driving at Philly the day before, secured the pocket early with Lenda Hand Man, backed him out behind State Senator as that uncovered challenger took the lead on the far turn, and then out-finished the new leader by a length. The Betting Line mare Paulas Bet Hanover, after racing most of the mile in the pocket, proved more photogenic late than pacesetter Bette Tina, who came up a neck shy in the 1:55.3 mile. Michael Whelan drove the winner of $214,214 for trainer Walter Whelan and owner Christopher Nicol. The fourth feature was held on the trot, and it was won by the Father Patrick sophomore gelding Torronein 1:56.2. The front-end style that had brought George Napolitano Jr. six of his eight wins Sunday at Philly served him and his horse well again here, with By A Hoff Hanover rallying but still coming up short by three-quarters of a length. The long-united backing team of trainer Tom Fanning and owner Joseph Smith saw their three-year-old push his earnings to $110,822. Pocono finishes out the week’s racing schedule on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. Pennsylvania’s own Bret Michaels, famous musician as a single act and as the front man for the band Poison, will appear in concert at Pocono on Friday night, and to allow for proper cleanup after the event, the card on Saturday at the mountain oval will begin at 3 p.m.

Hambletonian Day launched with a strong 1:47.4 performance by Open pacer Stonebridge Helios on Saturday afternoon (Aug. 5) at The Meadowlands. Back in action after winning the Graduate Series final four weeks ago for trainer Ake Svanstedt, Stonebridge Helios headlined a field of seven as the 4-5 favourite in a $40,000 Open Handicap Pace . Driver Dexter Dunn had the four-year-old son of Sunshine Beach rolling off the gate from post six and tracking recent Gerrity upset winner Idealsomemagic A (George Brennan) on the outside through a :26.1 opening quarter before clearing that rival when he touched down on top as they entered the backstretch. Stonebridge Helios led the way from there, reeling off middle splits of :53.1 and 1:20.2. With rivals starting to make their moves turning for home, Stonebridge Helios was unfazed and opened up a pair of lengths to win easily in 1:47.4. Casual Cool (Brian Sears) rallied late to grab the runner-up honours while Idealsomemagic A edged South Beach Star (David Miller) in a photo for show. Stonebridge Helios went over the $700,000 earnings mark with his 13th career win for breeder Angie Stiller of Arva, Ont. and co-owner John Fleischman of Ottawa, Ont. Picking his third win in five seasonal starts, he returned $3.30 to his backers at the betting windows. Kilmister was never better than he was on Hambletonian Day, but his connections certainly would have rather entered the sophomore trotting colt in the Hambletonian as opposed to the undercard $50,000 Muscle Hill Stakes . Sent off as the 3-5 choice, Kilmister made the top early for driver Brian Sears, yielded briefly to Little Expensive (Andy Miller) through a :26.4 opener and then looped back to the lead. After middle panels of :54.3 and 1:23.1, Sears kicked out the plugs at the head of the lane and Kilmister turned up the volume on his rivals. He sprinted home in :27.4 to trip the timer in a career best 1:51 up by four on Little Expensive with Herodotus (David Miller) airborne from the back of the pack to complete the triactor. Kilmister (Chapter Seven - Treviso) picked up his second win of the season and seventh lifetime. The 2022 Peter Haughton Memorial winner, trained by Marcus Melander, now boasts a lifetime bankroll in excess of $580,000 for owner Courant Inc. of Delray Beach, Fl. He returned $3.00 on a $2 win ticket. Scott Zeron had 23-1 shot Tactical Mounds perfectly positioned turning for home, and the three-year-old trotting filly delivered for her fractional ownership group in the $33,500 Continentalvictory Stakes . Situated second from last in the first turn, Tactical Mounds never saw the rail during her Saturday stakes test but had cover for the first three-quarters of the race. Stacked up fourth over at the :27.1 opening quarter, Zeron bided his time with Tactical Mounds as the outer flow continued to advance. By the :55.2 half, Tactical Mounds made it into second over striking position. After the 1:23.2 third station, Zeron flipped the switch and angled Tactical Mounds into the three path. The filly responded willingly and stormed home to hit the wire in a career best 1:52.1. Blonde Bombshell (David Miller) was a length back in second with favoured Quick Stop (Tim Tetrick) finding room late to rally for the show spot. Owned by Thestable Tactical Mounds of Guelph, Ont., Tactical Mounds (Tactical Landing - Mounds) now 4-3-6 in 19 starts with $82,965 in the bank. Megan Scran trains the filly, who paid $48.40 to win.

The return of Stonebridge Farm yearlings to the London Classic Yearling Sale is a welcome sight for many as the final preparation months now lay ahead with the LCYS taking place on October 17-18 at the Western Fair District Agriplex. “The name Stonebridge has always been associated with quality,” noted Sale Manager Greg Blanchard. “We’re lucky to have some of the best commercial breeding farms in North America right here in our own back yard and Stonebridge Farm is certainly one of them.” Eight yearlings (4 trotters and 4 pacers) have been offered by the Arva, Ontario farm, owned and operated by Angie and Cal Stiller, since 1995. “They’re the farm that gave us triple-millionaire Peaceful Way,” says Blanchard. “Having them back with us this year bolsters our line-up in what we believe is a very strong sale.” Last week Stonebridge Farm’s Whitney Steeves and Nelson Apolinario were kind enough to offer a fabulous tour of Stonebridge Farm to our racing team. “It was the perfect day for a visit to this beautiful farm,” mentioned Manager of Equine Programming Amy O’Toole. “Our team really enjoyed getting up close to the broodmares, yearlings and babies.” When asked if any of the yearlings left a special impression O’Toole was quick to respond. “Stonebridge Queen caught my attention right away… She was super friendly and offered up a nice greeting and then followed us to the paddock. I can’t wait to see her in our sales ring this October!” Stonebridge Farm yearlings entered into the London Classic Yearling Sale this Fall include: STONEBRIDGE ALIEN (Shadow Play - Ken Doll J - Bettors Delight) a half-brother to STONEBRIDGE HELIOS ($585,000, P 1:47 M at 4). This is the third foal from a $221,000 winner - STONEBRIDGE HALO is now 2. STONEBRIDGE IMPISH (Mcwicked - Glacier Express - Artsplace) a half-brother to STONEBRIDGE TONIC ($955,000, P 1:50.1 M at 4), STONEBRIDGE ON ICE ($530,000, P 1:49.4S at 6) and STONEBRIDGE QUEST ($240,000, P 1:51.1S at 3). Dam is a full-sister to ELECTRICAL ART ($1M, P 1:51 M at 3) and JUST PLUG IT IN ($307,000, P 1:51.3 F at 5). STONEBRIDGE SONG (All Bets Off - Aria J - Art Major) a roan sibling to LARJON LEAH ($164,000, P 1:51.5 M at 6) from a 100% producing mare. STONEBRIDGE WIZARD (Dancin Lou - Odds On Magic - Rocknroll Hanover) a half-brother to STONEBRIDGE NIKE ($34,000, P 1:54.1 H at 3). Fourth foal from a full-sister to LINE OFFICER ($400,000 P 1:53.4 H at 5) and half-sister to MAGIC FORCES ($381,000, P 1:51.4 H at 3). STONEBRIDGE POETRY (Resolve - Stonebridge Epic - Donato Hanover) a full-sister to STONEBRIDGE ZEUS ($80,000, T 1:56.4 F at 3) from a 100% producing mare. Dam is a half-sister to PEACEFUL WAY ($3.2M, T 1:51.4 M at 4). STONEBRIDGE PRAISE (Green Manalishi S - Stonebridge Encore - Angus Hall) a half-brother to TITO ($290,000, T 1:56 M at 2), STONEBRIDGE PEACE ($115,000, T 1:54.2 S at 4), MASSIVE VODKA ($114,000, T 1:56.2 H at 4) and THE BOSS MAN ($80,000, T 1:56.3 F at 4). Dam is a full-sister PEACEFUL WAY ($3.2M, T 1:51.4 M at 4). STONEBRIDGE QUEEN (Trixton - Stonebridge Cream - Credit Winner) fourth foal from a half-sister to CREAMY MIMI ($929,000, T 1:53.4 M at 3). STONEBRIDGE VOLENT (Muscle Mass - Stonebridge Glider - Yankee Glide) a half-brother to CHAPERIDGE ($60,000, T 1:58.4 H at 4) and STONEBRIDGE BOMBER ($50,000, T 1:57.3 S at 2). Dam is a full-sister to MANOFMANYMISSIONS ($1.2M, t 1:52.1M at 3). Stonebridge Farm was started in 1995 as a ‘boutique’ standardbred breeding farm by Angie Stiller, the President of the operation, and her husband Cal Stiller. The farm is located in Arva, Ontario on a picturesque property cut into the rolling hills of southwestern Ontario on the site of a previous Egyptian-Arabian breeding farm.

East Rutherford, NJ — One race after Jiggy Jog S strolled to victory in the final for the Graduate Series Trot, the tandem of driver Dexter Dunn and trainer Ake Svanstedt united on another odds-on promise in Stonebridge Helios and secured the spoils in the $240,000 Graduate Series Pace – for pacing 4-year-olds – on Saturday night (July 8) at The Meadowlands. Dunn floated Stonebridge Helios forward in a first-turn skirmish led by I Did It Myway (Andrew McCarthy) to a :26 first quarter. Dreamfair Arnie B (Todd McCarthy) edged off the pylons to the backstretch sweeping to the lead before Stonebridge Helios seized control just before a :53.4 half. Mad Max Hanover (Tim Tetrick), the 3-1 second choice, followed the flow but then raced uncovered and pressed Stonebridge Helios to the final turn. Though Mad Max Hanover only challenged briefly, and he began backtracking midway through the final turn. Stonebridge Helios meanwhile attempted to scoot clear through three-quarters in 1:21.2, but grew leg weary in the last eighth. Dunn held the 4-year-old stallion by Sunshine Beach together through the lane as he strolled three-quarters of a length in front at the finish of a 1:48.1 mile. Dreamfair Arnie B vacated the pocket and held second from a headstrong Trendy Teen (Jason Bartlett) charging for third with I Did It Myway back in fourth. “I wanted to try and get him on the front – he was so good winning in [1:]47 on the front,” Dexter Dunn said after the race. “I had Timmy [Tetrick and Mad Max Hanover] inside of me that can go out with fast speed, too. But once we got out of the gate quicker than him, the plan was to keep going forward, get him on the front and get him churning on the bit. It worked out. “Coming off the last turn, he was travelling pretty good, but I could still hear horses on my back – Toddy [McCarthy and Dreamfair Arnie B] was still travelling pretty good behind me. I just let him roll. He’s a big strong boy and he fought on really good.” Ake Svanstedt trains Stonebridge Helios, who moved into their barn at the start of his 4-year-old season. He competes for owners John Fleischman and breeder Angie Stiller, and has now won 12 times from 21 outings while accruing $583,605 in earnings. He paid $3.40 to win. View Stonebridge Helios’ victory in the Graduate Final by clicking here.