O'BRIEN WINNER TO START
 

While JM Vangogh, who won the 2005 O'Brien Award as Canada's best older trotter, isn't a regular around Rockingham Park, his owner certainly is. That's what makes the third running of the $50,000 Joseph Carney Memorial Trot on Saturday (September 2) pretty special for John Mello.

Mello, who lives in Georgetown, Ma., purchased his first standardbreds and thoroughbreds in 1968 and began driving harness horses at Rockingham a year later. He liked the horse business and the track so much that he successfully bid for the disposal contract and has been hauling the horse manure away since 1972.

"It means an awful lot to me to be able to bring the best horse I've ever had for this race," said Mello, who currently has two other trotters in training north of the border. "I knew Joe Carney pretty well, and I always liked Joe. I'm an employee of the track, so I hope my horse gives a good account of himself."

Rockingham's most prestigious race for trotters is named in honor of Joe Carney, the track's late president who revived racing in New Hampshire after a devastating 1980 fire shuttered the track for four years.

JM Vangogh, a six-year-old who has earned over a million dollars in his career, has been installed as the 7-2 second choice in the talented field of trotters invited for the free-for-all.

"Everyone at the track here knows him," said Mello, who has always kept the Rockingham regulars updated on his horse's triumphs in Canada and elsewhere. "There are very few million-dollar earners who come here to race, so I think people will be excited to see him."

JM Vangogh will have the services of David Ingraham, who on Friday received the Silver Bullet Cup as the Coors Light Driver of the Year at Rockingham for the second consecutive season, when he breaks from post position five.

"I like my chances and I like my driver," said Mello. "David certainly knows his way around this racetrack."

Post time on Saturday is 1:05 p.m. Live racing continues throughout the Labor Day holiday weekend and the 2006 live meet will conclude on Monday. In addition to the Carney on Saturday, Miller Lite will send one lucky fan home with a barbecue grill and accessory package. On Monday, everyone at the races can register to win an Ipod from Coca-Cola.

Lynne Snierson