HORSEPLOP.COM
General Category => Harness Racing => Topic started by: Arrive7100 on March 19, 2025, 02:03:54 PM
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The draw was made today to see who would get one of the 10 slots for the Mohawk Million. 37 people or partnerships put in to purchase a slot. One of the 10 slots went to Casie Coleman which is interesting in itself. There's an article on harnessracing.com with more details.
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I liked this idea from day one. What's even more interesting is the the trading that goes on for slots, horses, etc. A slot is a commodity. Might not be the most highly sought after, but it's still a commodity. I'd like to see this race grow, and if the industry can right the ship, there's opportunity for it to grow.
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I'm sure you're familiar with Gino Toscani. He purchased slots in the previous Mohawk Millions even though he didn't have a horse, it was basically done as an investment to possibly sell the slot to someone for a profit later on.
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It's not only to sell, but also gives the opportunity to partner with someone who does have a horse and no slot, LOL.
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Just like when you sell anything, if the demand isn't there you may end up selling your slot at a loss.
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not surprising there was 37 entries
the investment angle of the race changed last year when they dropped the fee for $100k to $50k
the first few years they barely had enough to fill 10 slots and that was with a few duplicates
also note there are some connections, there are 2 northovers,
also bill pollack has one as does casie coleman, did casie just put in so pollack could have a extra shot , guess that will be interesting
any of the 10 are unlikely to not cut a good deal as there will be more horses interested than spots available
also you have some major barns who did not get a slot
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Pollock not Pollack
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I'm sure you're familiar with Gino Toscani. He purchased slots in the previous Mohawk Millions even though he didn't have a horse, it was basically done as an investment to possibly sell the slot to someone for a profit later on.
Gino utilized his spots and was a supporter from the get go as was Determination, now neither have spots
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Gino didn't have horses for the race so he bought his slot to sell for profit. Determination always has several horses good enough for the race. When they lowered the price for slots from $100,000 to $50,000 more people got involved so if you want one, you may have to pay a premium to someone for it.
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https://harnesslink.com/canada/mohawk-million-slot-draw-completed/
Bud Hatfield
Diane Bertrand
Bill Pollock
Brad Grant
Allister Stable
Bruce Northover
Kyle Northover
Hunterton Farms & Partners
Casie Coleman
Kemppi Stable Inc.
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Plenty of those people have got strong connections if they don't have the horse. Kimmo and Peter have got stronger Scandinavian connections than anyone, and they do a lot of work with the big Swedes; and Hunterdon, Brad Grant, Casie, and a few others are well liked, well respected, connected, etc.---if they don't have a horse, they can find one to partner with. LOL.
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maybe Brad Grant will have a good one this year
He could use the money
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Maybe Grant and Heimbecker can patch things up and get an entry... ngc3
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There's a few people on this list that threw their name in hoping they wouldn't get drawn. Publicity seeking at its finest.
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Gino utilized his spots and was a supporter from the get go as was Determination, now neither have spots
Gino had 15 2yr olds in training last year with Holland and Mernor. What are you talking about?
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Anyone know who the Northover’s are? I didn’t recognize that name
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The Northover's are owners/partners of Murray Brethour.
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From Andrew Cohen's column, in the Paulick Report:
"Good for the Standardbred community for stepping up for a chance at a slot in the 2025 Mohawk Million race. The winning bidders earn a place in the big Ontario harness race and can race their own horse or trade their slots with someone who wants in on the action. There were 37 applicants this year – an astonishing figure given where the race stood just a few years ago. It’s a good example of an innovation in harness racing that has worked well. The Mohawk Million is a trotting race. Someone in the U.S. should do the pacing equivalent – someone like Keeping Pace sponsor Jeff Gural and The Meadowlands Racetrack. I will keep you posted."
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I don't think the Meadowlands, or Woodbine/Mohawk publishes their live attendance figures on the website. Regardless, this idea has worked IMO. The first year they had to hustle spots. Now they get 37 people for 10 slots. All things considered, not bad at all. This is a good idea-----get sponsorship, create some interested, and get some big owners to buy into the concept-----and ready for this, why not try it for 3yo's and up, or 4yo's and up? Maybe, eventually, you might get both.
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The reason for the increased interest is that they changed the format. Spots are now $50k, not $100k.
The track is actually contributing to the purse now.
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I don't think the Meadowlands, or Woodbine/Mohawk publishes their live attendance figures on the website. Regardless, this idea has worked IMO. The first year they had to hustle spots. Now they get 37 people for 10 slots. All things considered, not bad at all. This is a good idea-----get sponsorship, create some interested, and get some big owners to buy into the concept-----and ready for this, why not try it for 3yo's and up, or 4yo's and up? Maybe, eventually, you might get both.
It would be impossible to get an accurate attendance for Meadowlands because of the sportsbook. As for having the concept for 3-year-olds, I doubt it would happen since there are already several big stake races for them. As for 4 year olds, most of the better 3-year-olds are retiring after their 3-year-old season so you probably wouldn't get that strong of a field, but who knows?