Welcome to the Battle of Lake Erie Website

Welcome to the Battle of Lake Erie Website

The 2008 Battle of Lake Erie is set for Saturday, April19, 2008
This space will update you on possible contenders and all the events surrounding our premier annual event from sources across the continent!

Took Hanover, Bono Bests and Palone Ranger win at Yonkers
April 06, 2008

Took Hanover, Bono Bests and Palone Rangers posted impressive victories in Saturday night's second preliminary leg of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series at Yonkers Raceway.

Took Hanover, who took it to the house in last week's opening round, served further notice that he's far from a one-trick pacer with a solid 1:51.1 effort in the first $50,000 division. With Greg Merton again driving form trainer Noel Daley, Took Hanover--leaving from post position two steppped arond pole-sitter Rare Jewel (Stephane Bouchard) before stepping lively through a :27 opening quarter. Defending series champ Maltese Artist (Greg Grismore), even-money this evening, settled in third.

Took Hanover rolled along, getting a :55.1 intermission before Maltese Artist offered his second move. A 1:22.4 three quarters, however, kept that one at bay and gave "Took" a couple of lengths to tinker with turning for home.

He finished what he started, whipping Rare Jewel by a 1 1/2 lengths in a season's-best sojourn (for both horse and venue). Home Run Hudson (Jason Bartlett) rounded out the ticket, with Maltese Artist and King Cat Anvil N (Jordan Stratton) completing the cashers.

Took Hanover, a 5-year-old son of The Panderosa, is trained by Noel Daley for co-owners Adam Victor & Son and John Fielding. He paid $5.20 (second choice) for his third consecutive win in six seasonal starts, with the exacta paying $18.40 and the triple good for $46.40.

"He's as good a horse as I've ever sat behind," Merton said. "With the draw, I thought Rare Jewel and Maltese Artist might mix it up. and I'd be in the three hole. Even with those fractions, he was grabbing into me pretty good."

The second Levy event saw Bono Bests (Pat Berry), in his series debut, make up for lost time. Sitting chilly early from post four, he watched as timid 6-5 fave Gold Dust Beach (Catello Manzi) led through fractions of :27.1, :56.3 and 1:24.3. Bono Bests advanced first-over, going right on by the leader in early stretch. He widened to prevail by a 1 3/4 legnths in 1:52.3. Gold Dust Beach held second, with Looselipssinkships (Jim Pantaleano), Radar Installed N (Bouchard) and Tarver Hanover (Larry Stalbaum) also making money.

For Bono Bests, a 5-year-old Pro Bono Best gelding, he returned $4.40 (though the 6-5 second cboice) for his fifth victory in ninth '08 tries. Ross Croghan traines the winner for co-owners Steven Demeter and Herbert Burns III. The exacta paid $6.40, while the triple was worth $18.60.

"He's just a real gentleman to drive," Berry said, "He was sort of screwing around in the post parade, but when he saw the gate, he was all business. I wanted to stay out of it early and let things settle. I was hoping to come first-over, because I didn't want to move him two- or three-wide. He went on by a horse (Gold Dust Beach) who's not easy to pass."

The final Levy grouping found '06 Messenger winner Palone Ranger (Manzi) grind pace-setting 11-10 favorite Special Report (Stalbaum) into submission in 1:52.2.

Imitating Bono Bests, Palone Ranger, leaving from post five, watched as Special Report led through fractions of :26.3, :55.4 and 1:23.4. Palone Ranger then went up and over the tiring leader, defeating 78-1 Psilvuheartbreaker (Jim Meittinis) by a 1 1/4 lengths. Mypanmar (Bouchard) was third, with Special Report and KF St. Patrick (Stratton) rounding out the payees. Panaramic Art, who saw his two-season, 20-race win streak end last week, was a non-factor (eighth, placed seventh) this night.

For Palone Ranger, a 5-year-old son of Western Hsnover, he returned $21.80 for his first win in eight seasonal starts. Greg Peck traines for co-owners Four Friends Racing Stable and Perretti Racing Stable. The exacta payed $569 and the triple was worth $4,452.

"He's a small horse who sometimes swells up and turns in this type of effort," Manzi said. "I had to come first-up to give him a chance, and I saw (Special Report) get tired. (Palone Ranger) was just alright last week (third to Took Hanover), but he was very good tonight." (Yonkers Raceway)

Tigerama sweeps the Spring Championship Series
Saturday, April 5, 2008 - by Greg Blanchard, for the Woodbine Entertainment Group

Rexdale, ON --- Tigerama absolutely crushed the competition on Saturday night, in completing a sweep of the Spring Pacing Championship Series at Woodbine Racetrack.

Woodbine Entertainment

Tigerama scored a popular and impressive victory in the Spring Championship Series Final

The 8-year-old son of Village Jiffy left from post seven in the C$91,000 final for driver Mark MacDonald, and flashed his patented early speed before yielding briefly to Rustler Steve just past a sizzling first fraction of :25.4.

MacDonald wasted no time in sending Tigerama back to the front in the second quarter, and took the field past the half in a sharp :54.4. At that point, Zooka moved up to challenge the pacesetter and prompted Tigerama through three-quarters, in 1:22.4, with Booze Cruzin stalking in a second-over position.

As the field turned for home, MacDonald stomped on the accelerator, and Tigerama hit another gear, pacing away from his rivals powerfully with a :26.4 final frame to stop the clock in 1:49.3. Rustler Steve was more than five lengths back, in second, with the 91-1 shot Fox Valley Tribal finishing third.

Tigerama returned a popular $3.80 for the win.

The victory was the fifth in a row for Tigerama, who is trained by Bill Elliott for owner-breeder Robert Hamather of Exeter, Ont.

Pompano Beach, FL --- No Nonsense Yankee retained his position atop the older pacing division at Pompano Park on Saturday, withstanding a late challenge from I Can Only Imagine to take the featured $10,000 winners-over pace, by a nose, in 1:50.3.

Lap Time Photo

No Nonsense Yankee (7), driven by Peter Wrenn, holds off I Can Only Imagine (3) and Wally Hennessey to take the featured $10,000 winners-over pace at Pompano Park on Saturday, in 1:50.3

Driven from post seven by Peter Wrenn, No Nonsense Yankee settled briefly in third place during the early stages of the Saturday feature, as I Can Only Imagine (Wally Hennessey) took the field through an opening quarter-mile in :26.2.

As the pacers made their first trip past the grandstand, Wrenn was no longer content to track the leader from third and moved No Nonsense Yankee off the pylons to make an aggressive bid towards the front, claiming the top spot through middle fractions of :55.1 and 1:23.3.

No Nonsense Yankee entered the stretch with a 1-½ length advantage over I Can Only Imagine, and was all-out through the final yards to hold-off a late charge by that determined rival, digging in gamely to score the narrowest of triumphs.

No Nonsense Yankee returned $3.00, $2.20 and $2.10 for the victory. I Can Only Imagine brought in $4.60 and $2.80 for second, while My Boy David (David Ingraham) paid $2.40 for third.

Owned by Despina Powell and trainer Mike Deters, No Nonsense Yankee has visited the winner’s circle in six of 10 starts this season, including three successive scores. Dating back to Sept. 22, 2007, the son of Jenna’s Beach Boy has hit the board in 21 of his last 22 outings, with 12 victories during that span.

Three divisions for round two of Levy Series
April 02, 2008

It's round two of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series Saturday night at Yonkers Raceway, with two of last week's three opening-leg winners back for more. Post time for the 12-race card is 7:40 p.m., with the trio of $50,000 Levy events going as races seven, eight and nine.

The opening grouping includes Took Hanover (Greg Merton, post 2), who held off defending series champ Maltese Artist (Greg Grismore, post 4) a week ago in a snappy 1:52.1, the fastest first-round effort. "Took,"a 5-year-old son of The Panderosa, has won his last two (local) tries. Noel Daley trains for co-owner Adam Victor & Son and John Fielding.

Maltese Artist becomes a double-millionaire with a win Saturday. The 7-year-old Artiscape gelding, trained by Mickey Burke for co-owners Syvlia Burke and James Koran, enjoys some serious post relief after an eight-hole here a week ago and post No. 10 at the Meadowlands in his previous try.

Rare Jewel (Stephane Bouchard, post 1) was a blanket third to Special Report a week ago.

The just-mentioned Special Report (Larry Stalbaum, post 4) gutted out a wire-to-wire (1:54) win in his opening Levy go-round and landed in this week's final division. The 6-year-old Keystone Raider gelding, owned by Hugo Iodice and trained by Kim Asher, has missed the ticket just once in 10 seasonal starts (4 wins, 4 seconds, 1 third).

Panaramic Art (Grismore, post 7), a credible first-up second to Mr. Feelgood last week, saw his two-season win streak end at 20. The 4-year-old Hot Pans gelding, co-owned by Sqawk Box Stable & Keep the Dream Going and trained by Al Meyer, has won six of his seven '08 tries.

The second Levy grouping includes Gold Dust Beach (Catello Manzi, post 2), who found his best stride late to just miss against Special Report a week ago.

Bono Bests (Driver TBA, post 4) joins the fray after an 11-1 upset across thr river in his most recent effort, while Looselipssinkships (Driver TBA, post 1) was a winner in his latest Jersey try in mid-March.

Mr. Feelgood, who won his Levy division a week ago, skips this week to race in Monday's Classic Series at Dover. (Yonkers Raceway)

No Nonsense Yankee prevails again at Pompano
Sunday, March 30, 2008 - by Michael Costanzo, Public Relations Coordinator, Isle Pompano Park

“No text or photographs displayed on this page, other than those produced by USTA staffers, may be copied, retransmitted, reposted, duplicated or otherwise used without the expressed, written consent of the person(s) to whom the photo or text is attributed.”

POMPANO BEACH, Fla --- No Nonsense Yankee once again asserted himself as the leader of the older pacing division at Pompano Park on Saturday when visiting the winner’s circle for the second straight time following a victory in the evening’s featured $10,000 winners over pace in 1:51.2.

Lap Time Photo – Skip Smith

NO NONSENSE YANKEE, driven by Wally Hennessey, scores for the second straight time on Saturday taking the featured $10,000 winners over pace at Pompano Park in 1:51.2.

Driven from post six by Wally Hennessey, No Nonsense Yankee was not content to settle through the early stages of the race, powering his way to the front on the first turn to claim the top spot with a brisk opening quarter mile that went in :27.2.

As the field made its initial journey by the grandstand, No Nonsense Yankee was engaged by an aggressively handled Miracle Believer (George Napolitano Jr.), who attacked first over but could not clear, leaving the duo to pace in tandem through middle fractions of :53.4 and 1:22.2.

No Nonsense Yankee sprinted clear of a weakening Miracle Believer on the final turn and entered the stretch with a two-length advantage, and was determined down the lane when holding on gamely to prevail by three-quarters of a length over the late-charging Hesadoozy (Dan Clements).

No Nonsense Yankee returned $4.40, $2.60, and $2.10 for the victory. Hesadoozy paid $4.20 and $2.80 for second, while I Can Only Imagine (Bruce Ranger) brought in $2.20 for third.

Owned by Despina Powell and trainer Mike Deters, No Nonsense Yankee has gotten his picture taken in each of his last two outings, and owns a seasonal record of five wins from nine starts, including a victory in 1:50 to take a second-leg division of the Isle of Capri Pacing Series. The son of Jenna’s Beach Boy has hit the board in 20 of his last 21 appearances.

Bono Bests the competition at the Meadowlands
Sunday, March 30, 2008 - from Meadowlands Media Relations

East Rutherford, NJ --- Bono Bests narrowly eclipsed the competition to win the $42,000 conditioned pace on Saturday night at the Meadowlands.

Lisa Photo

Driven by David Miller Bono Bests (8) rallied in the stretch and edged out Manhardt at the wire to win by a head in 1:50.2.

Driven by David Miller and trained by Ross Croghan, Bono Bests rallied in the stretch and edged out Manhardt at the wire to win by a head in 1:50.2. It was 2-3/4 lengths back to South Park Hanover in third. Bono Best paid $25.20 to win.

The 5-year-old gelded son of Pro Bono Best posted his fourth victory of the year in his eighth start and increased his lifetime earnings to $353,645 for Herbert Burns III of Wallkill, NY and Stephen Demeter of Tarrytown, NY.

Tigerama, Secrets Nephew set for Spring Pacing Championship show down
Sunday, March 30, 2008 - by Greg Blanchard (WEG Media)

Tigerama and Secrets Nephew both continued their winning ways in Saturday night's second leg of the Spring Pacing Championship, setting up an exciting showdown for next week's final.

Courtesy of New Image Media

Tigerama and Mark MacDonald

Both pacers used similar front-end tactics and then garnered total respect once on the lead.

In the opening split, Tigerama and driver Mark MacDonald jetted out from post seven and put up an opening quarter in a sizzling :25.3. From there, the 8-year-old veteran was able to steal a :29.3 second-quarter breather and then cruised to a 1-1/4 length victory in 1:50.3.

Booze Cruzin was a following second with Rustler Steve finishing third.

The victory was the fourth straight for the Bill Elliott.

Secrets Nephew turned in an almost carbon copy performance in his split, blasting to the lead from post six through a :25.4 front panel and then cruising to a three-length tally in1:50.3.

Western Shore, who had just shipped in from South Florida, rallied to pick up the place spot with Camifications closing at the inside to finishthird.

It was the second straight and fourth win in 11 tries this season for the 6-year-old son of Camluck-Table For Seven.

The C$91,000 Spring Pacing Championship Final will go next Saturday night at Woodbine with both Tigerama and Secrets Nephew aiming for the series sweep.

Levy at Yonkers

Mike Lizzi photo

Took Hanover defeated Maltese Artist in the first division of the George Morton Levy Series.

The final of the Sagamore moved the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series to the backburner for a week. The premier Free-For-All event began with a trio of $50,000 divisions.

Took Hanover (Merton, $4.90) won the first division as the slight favorite, holding off the pocket-sitter--and defending series champion --Maltese Artist by a length-and-a-half in 1:52.1. Palone Ranger (Cat Manzi) was third. "Took," a 5-year-old son of The Panderosa, is trained by Noel Daley for co-owners Adam Victor & Son and John Fielding.

Special Report (Larry Stalbaum, $4.10) gutted out a three-way photo in the second (1:54) division, holding off both Gold Dust Beach (Manzi) and Rare Jewel (Bouchard) by the narrowest of nostrils. The 6-year-old Keystone Raider gelding is owned by Hugo Iodice and trained by Kim Asher.

Mike Lizzi photo

Mr Feelgood held off Panaramic Art to win the final Levy division in 1:53.3.

Mr. Feelgood (Andy Miller, $3.60), North America's richest harness horse of 2008, was a 1:53.3 winner in the final Levy division. The 5-year-old son of Grinfromeartoear two-moved around Mypanmar (John Campbell) then held off a very game Panaramic Art (Grismore) by a half-length. It was "Feelgood's" third consecutive win and fourth in his last five tries. Cheyenne Hollywood (Pat Lachance) was third. Mr. Feelgood is trained by Jimmy Takter for co-owners Lindy Farms, Brittany Farms & John Fodera.

Panaramic Art, making his first purse try in five weeks, saw his 20-race winning streak (14 in '07, 6 in '08) come to an end, but was more than credible in his first Free-For-All foray.

Levy spice Saturday card at Yonkers
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY -The George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series, a premier Free-For-All event, begins Saturday with a trio of $50,000 divisions (races five, seven and nine). A field of 24 of the 38 eligibles are set for the first of five preliminary rounds.

Defending champ Maltese Artist landed behind the eight-ball in the opening event for Grismore and Burke. The 7-year-old Artiscape gelding, fast approaching double-millionaire status, needs better friends in various race offices. He was stuck with a 10-hole across the river last week, when he left for a seat and never found room.

Took Hanover (Merton, post one) toyed with an Open Handicap crowd here from the same starting venue two weeks ago, while Palone Ranger (Catello Manzi, post two) returns to the scene of his '06 Messenger upset.

The second Levy grouping is led by Special Report (Larry Stalbaum, post seven), who was second to Maltese Artist in the '07 Levy and second-best in his last four '08 tries. The 6-year-old Keystone Raider gelding, owned by Hugo Iodice and trained by Kim Asher, has hit the board in eight of his nine seasonal efforts (three wins, those four seconds and one third).

Saturday night's final Levy divide finds the local debut of North America's richest harness horse, Mr Feelgood (Andy Miller, post three). The 5-year-old son of Grinfromeartoear has won his last couple and four-of-five, including the $267,700 final of Pompano's Isles of Capri four weeks ago (life-best 1:49.4). He enters with '08 cash of $247,750 after edging Special Report from the pocket (just like in the Isle) last week at the Meadowlands. Jimmy Takter trains for Lindy Farms, Brittany Farms and John Fodera.

Panaramic Art (Greg Grismore, post five), he of the gaudy 20 consecutive victories (six-for-six this season), returns to Westchester for his first crack at the upper echelon. The 4-year-old Hot Pans gelding, last seen parimutuelly winning the final of the Exit 16W across the river late last month, abused overmatched foes here in three successive starts last October/November.

The Levy, named after the founder of Roosevelt Raceway, returned in '07 after an 11-year hiatus.

KEEPING PACE With Keith Gisser
March 24, 2008

A ROAR FROM THE NORTH- Tigerama, a career winner of $1.2 million, is headed to Northfield for the $100,000 Battle of Lake Erie on Saturday, April 19. He is owed by his breeder, Robert Hamather, and is trained by William Elliott. Marc MacDonald, the millionaire’s pilot, plans to be at Northfield to drive the son of Village Jiffy. Village Jiffy was third in the 1994 Battle. Now eight, Tigerama is riding a three-race win streak at Woodbine, near Toronto. Saturday, he won a $50,000 leg of the Spring Championship, going gate-to-wire in 1:50.4. He started the streak with an eye-popping 1:49.4 win over the Canadian 7/8-mile oval, where he was parked to the half in 54.4! You can get all the Battle details at www.northfieldpark.com/Battle%20of%20Lake%20Erie/Home.htm.

MORE OF A BATTLE- Booze Cruzin was third in his Spring Pacing Championship heat at Woodbine Saturday, as he made just his second start of the season… Defending champ Maltese Artist could not overcome post ten at the Meadowlands in a $42,000 race that saw possible Battle contender Bono Bests finish fourth… Mypanmar, owned by Bob Glazer’s Pepper Pike-based Peter Pan Stables, and trained by Virgil Morgan, Jr., who won a training title here in 1999, posted his second straight impressive qualifier as he preps for the Battle off a six-week freshening, but he was not as impressive as Panaramic Art. After a month break, the winner of 20 straight races picked up a qualifying win at The Meadowlands, as well… Word comes from the Sunshine State (that’s Florida) that No Nonsense Yankee, another Battle hopeful, was scratched sick from his scheduled Pompano Park start on Saturday, March 22.

Favourites Deliver In SPC Opener (Courtesy of Standarbred Canada)

March 22, 2008

Secrets Nephew and Tigerama both prevailed as favourites in their respective $50,000 opening round division of the Spring Pacing Championship for four-year-olds and older at Woodbine Racetrack on Saturday.

Secrets Nephew delivered on his 3-5 promise for trainer/driver Lyle MacArthur in the first division. Starting from Post 4, Secrets Nephew was away in third as Booze Cruzin (Jody Jamieson) cruised out to the lead in :27.1. Down the backside, Secrets Nephew brushed to the front and took charge prior to the :56.3 half.

From there, the six-year-old son of Camluck breezed through three quarters in 1:24.3 and held off a first-over challenge from Camifications (Rick Zeron) by a length and a quarter in 1:52. Booze Cruzin completed the top three.

MacArthur co-owns Secrets Nephew ($3.40) with partner Frank Grandinetti. In 10 starts this year, he is 3-5-2 with earnings of $132,900. Lifetime, the pacer has won 26 races and has banked $817,617.

Tigerama, sent off at 1-5, was in a world of his own in the second split. Driver Mark MacDonald sent the eight-year-old son of Village Jiffy to the point of command in :25.4 and the race was all over before it even started.

The Bill Elliott trainee paced through panels of :55.1 and 1:23 en route to a three-length victory in 1:50.4. Ramegade Bruiser (Chris Christoforou) was parked the entire mile but still finished second while Zooka (Mario Baillargeon) was third.

Robert Hamather bred and owns Tigerama ($2.60), who has won three straight and four-of-nine in 2008 with $113,650 in the bank. A 55-time winner in his career, Tigerama pushed his earnings total to $1,403,278.

KEEPING PACE With Keith Gisser
March 17, 2008

A PANARAMIC BATTLE? Iowa-bred phenom Panaramic Art has been invited to the April 19 Battle of Lake Erie and his owners are seriously considering a trip to the Route Eight Oval. The son of Hot Pans has posted an incredible 20 consecutive wins and has been first or second in 37 of 38 lifetime starts. As it may with several Battle possibles, an Ohio trip hinges on his performance in the Levy series at Yonkers. Panaramic Art is owned by the Squawk Box Stable and Keep The Dream Going, Incorporated, and is trained by Albert Meyer. Chicago-based Booze Cruzin made his seasonal debut Saturday with an easy 1:54.2 Maywood Park Open Handicap win, and is being pointed to the Battle by trainer Joe Seekman. He is owned by Michigan-based Broekhuis Stables. The Battle of Lake Erie website profiles a number of possible contenders. Log on to www.northfieldpark.com and click on the Battle of Lake Erie graphic to check it out

Mr Feelgood rides pocket to Isle of Capri win
Sunday, March 02, 2008 - by Michael Costanzo, public relations coordinator, Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL - Mr Feelgood used the biggest stage in Florida harness racing to establish himself as the top older pacer in North America on Saturday (March 1), prevailing in the $267,000 Isle of Capri Pacing Series final at Pompano Park in a track record-equaling time of 1:49.4

Driven from post 4 by Andy Miller, Mr Feelgood was away from the gate alertly, settling comfortably in the pocket as Special Report and Wally Hennessey went directly to the front, cutting the opening quarter mile in a modest 27 seconds.

“The race set up perfectly for us,” Miller said from the winner’s circle following his victorious drive. “We got out of the gate well, and so did Special Report, and we just followed him around the racetrack.”

Special Report took the field through middle fractions of :55.1 and 1:22.2, facing a first-over challenge from Western Ace and Howard Parker, while still being tracked intently from second by Mr Feelgood.

Special Report exited the final turn with a 1 ¼-length advantage over Western Ace, who drifted out in mid-stretch while weakening, which provided Mr Feelgood with the opening needed to angle off the pylons and make a late charge at the leader, wearing that rival down in the final yards to post a half-length victory.

“Special Report brought us right to the top of the lane, and my horse was just loaded with pace when we turned for home,” Miller said. “Once we were clear, he finished the race extremely strong. The trip worked out just great.”

Mr Feelgood returned $12.00, $4.00, and $5.60 for the victory. Special Report paid $4.00 and $2.20 for second, while Western Ace brought in $3.60 for third. Fake Denario N, Maltese Artist, Green River Gorge, No Nonsense Yankee, Predator DVM, and Disco Dragon completed the order of finish.

Lap Time Photo

Mr Feelgood is joined by his connections in the winner's circle.

Owned by Brittany Farms, Lindy Farms of Connecticut, and John Fodera, and trained by Jimmy Takter, Mr Feelgood has captured the two most lucrative pacing events offered this season, adding a victory in the $126,500 Presidential Series final at the Meadowlands to his Isle of Capri triumph.

“He’s had a great return to the races,” Myron Bell, a representative of Brittany Farms, said. “We’ll most likely head to Yonkers from here for the George Morton Levy Series, and then pick our future spots from there.”

The 5-year-old son of Grinfromeartoear, out of the Jate Lobell mare Best of Memories, captured the first-leg of the Isle of Capri Pacing Series in 1:51 on Feb. 16, but finished a disappointing seventh in last week’s second leg, stopping uncharacteristically after the half-mile marker.

“He suffered from heart fibrillation in last week’s race,” Bernie Norman of the Jimmy Takter Stable said after the race. “But he was fine the day after, and all week long he was doing really well.

“He warmed up great this evening,” Norman added. “And I knew the moment I saw the draw that we got the perfect spot, as most of the top contenders were on the outside.

“He’s quick behind the gate and can leave and get the right trip. Like he showed in the first leg, he can pace very fast when he gets a good trip.”

Mr Feelgood’s winning time of 1:49.4 equaled the Pompano Park track for an older horse, matching the mark set by Parson’s Den in 1999 and He Wants it All in 2006. The clocking was also one-fifth of a second off the all-age track record of 1:49.3, set by Load the Dice in last year’s Isle of Capri final.