Woodbine Harness: Menary looking for good results in Niagara and Valedictory stakes

Trainer David Menary has a pair of newcomers in his barn and hopes to start them off on a winning note in a pair of stakes engagements to be held Thursday (12/12) and Friday at Woodbine.

Newly acquired Envious Hanover will begin in the Niagara Series for pacing fillies, while Americhi will contest the Valedictory on Friday for pacing colts and geldings.

Envious Hanover, a daughter of Western Ideal, will look for her third straight score when she begins in the $15,000 opening round.

The talented filly pacer will also debut new owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi Llc, Frank Baldachino and Lawrence Karr.

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Envious Hanover will begin from post six in the first dash on Thursday for regular pilot Billy Davis, Jr.

“She certainly seems like one of the better fillies in the series,” said new conditioner Dave Menary. “The Burke’s (Burke Racing Stable Llc) and horse agent Marc Reynolds put the deal together and I’m just happy to have her in the barn.”

Envious Hanover certainly has made her impact on the WEG circuit over the past few months with her best racing of the season. The bay has sported a 2-2-0 record from her last five starts.

“She’s been improving with every start and developing into a nice filly,” Menary said. “I spoke to Billy (Davis, Jr.) last week and he was really impressed with her latest win and how good she was on the front-end. She has terrific gate speed and that comes in very handy at Woodbine.”

Just a $5,500 yearling purchase in the 2011 Harrisburg Yearling Sale, Envious Hanover was developed and co-owned by William Allan McNeil of Nova Scotia, before being sent to partner Mike Brealey in Ontario.

The four-time winner has banked $31,590 in her career along with a 1:53 lifetime best taken last week.

Looking ahead to Thursday, Menary remains optimistic about his filly that has been installed as the 5/2 morning line favorite.

“She’s had a good week and certainly belong in there,” he said. “A seven-horse field never hurts our chances either. She’ll put in a good showing of herself and like I said, she continues to improve so hopefully that continues.”

The second $15,000 leg will go postward on Thursday, December 19.

The Niagara Series is for three-year-old fillies, who are non-winners of $50,000 lifetime as of October 31.

The Niagara Series will line up as follows on Thursday:

Race 1
1. Twin B Heartland
2. Hands Off Hanover
3. Lyonssweetie
4. Miss Poppycock
5. Jeremeyes Jewel
6. Envious Hanover
7. Wonderful Charm

Race 3
1. Dance Hall Girl
2. Bad Girl Vegas
3. Parade Route
4. Putmeintogo
5. Russian Kisses
6. D GS Pesquero
7. Negligent Hanover

Americhi, also owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, has shipped north to Menary to contest the opening $15,000 round of the Valedictory Series on Friday evening.

The talented five-time winner was a recent private purchase from Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Matthew Kakaley and Stable 45.

“I watched his latest race at Chester and despite finishing second that was a super impressive mile,” Menary said. “I’ve been looking forward to getting him up here for this series and he has a terrific shot not only to win this leg, but to win the series.”

With earnings of $63,271 and a 5-4-1 record from 15 career starts along with a 1:51 3/5 career triumph, Americhi certainly brings a level of consistency onto the racetrack.

“He’s made a terrific impression on me so far and this series fits him very well,” Menary said. “He’s a late bloomer and very versatile and it’s nice to see that we drew well.

“He’s got a ton of speed and settled in really nice,” Menary continued. “He was trained up well before he shipped here and he seems ready for Friday.”

Jody Jamieson will guide the son of American Ideal from post one.

The second $15,000 leg will take place on Friday, December 20.

The Valedictory Series is for three-year-old fillies, who are non-winners of $50,000 lifetime as of October 31.

The fields will line up as follows:

Race 6
1. Avatartist
2. Watersides Kipper
3. Alexas Jackpot
4. Trys Little Prince
5. Pappys Pal
6. Akoya
7. Hes A Sensation
8. Hopiesdragninthedo
9. Scarlet Chaser

Race 8
1. Americhi
2. One Stop Deal
3. White Sportscoat
4. Greystone Moe
5. Mr Why
6. J C Onthebeach
7. Shark Fantasy
8. Yucatan
9. Tauranga

Both $30,000 (Added) finals are scheduled on Boxing Day (12/26) with a special 1 p.m. post.

- Edited release (Greg Gangle for WEG)