Bar Hopping Defeats Southwind Frank In ‘Beal’ Elims

By Frank and Ray Cotolo
 
(H) denotes Hambletonian eligible
 
Jimmy Takter-trainee Bar Hopping (H-Muscle Hill) handed Southwind Frank (H-Muscle Hill) his first loss on Saturday, June 25, winning the latter of two Earl Beal Jr. Memorial eliminations in 1:52.1 by a neck. Trolley (H-Donato Hanover), Dice Man (H-SJ’s Caviar) and Love Matters (H-Explosive Matters) also qualified for the final.
 
Bar Hopping, returning $24.60 to win, is owned by Christina Takter, Hatfield Stables, Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld, and was driven by Tim Tetrick.
 
After setting the pace for most of the mile, Brooklyn Hill (H-Muscle Hill) was surpassed by Dayson, who launched through the stretch to nab the earlier Beal elimination by a nose in 1:52.3. Truemass Volo, Reigning Moni (H-Donato Hanover), and Hollywood Highway (H-Muscle Massive) also qualified for the final.
 
Dayson, owned by Burke Racing Stables, Our Horse Cents Stables, Jerry & Theresa Silva Stables, and Rossie Smith, trained by Ron Burke, and driven by Jim Morrill Jr., paid $3.80.
 
The Hambletonian Trail also crossed through Buffalo Raceway with two divisions of the $121,500 New York Sires Stakes on Sunday, June 26. The Royal Harry (H-RC Royalty) Smalltownthrowdown won their respective divisions going wire to wire in 1:59.4 and 1:56.2.

The Royal Harry, trained and driven by Ake Svanstedt, is owned by Michael and William Pozefsky. He paid $3.50.
 
Smalltownthrowdown, paying $8.90, is owned by Ann-Mari Daley, James Crawford IV, Donald Brenner, and Richard Lombardo. He is trained and driven by Dan Daley.