Breeders Crown Countdown~August 22, 2010
| Freshman Pacers Get Busy: Only 43 days to Elims By Frank & Ray Cotolo Freshmen took top billing as the Meadowlands ended its main meet for the season with two of the biggest events for colt and filly pacers –both winners Breeders Crown eligible (BCE). The Woodrow Wilson Pace Final, which for years has tried to forecast next year’s top glamour-boy pacer, was taken by Fashion Delight. The colt is a New York-bred that was the public’ second choice at a hard 3-1. "Delight" won with the help of a sloppy mile where eligibles Grams Legacy (favorite) and On The Radar broke. It was a ripple that disturbed a number of colts in the stretch. Still, at 13-1, Line Officer (BCE) took second and Rollwithitharry (9-1), Jimmy Takter’s BCE, took third. Eligibles out of the money included Roll ‘Em Up, Arocking Hanover and Shark Ingested, the latter finishing fourth with a slight excuse of interference. Delight-trainer Jim Campbell said, "We’ll see how he comes out of the race. We’ll probably give him a couple of weeks off and our main focus will be to get him ready for the Breeders Crown." The filly pacers’ Sweetheart Final was a field filled with eligibles but upset by 60-1 Honky Tonk Woman. In deep stretch Ace Of Pace, looking for her fifth-straight victory, again the overwhelming choice, emptied her speed and "Tonk" took over after a ground-saving second-over trip. Closing with Tonk was Ms Malicious (27-1). "Ace" held for third. Driver David Miller, who also drove Delight to victory in the "Wilson," said, "She had a very outside chance [of winning] … the race worked out with [Shyaway] making the break. I landed behind [Ace] and I was hoping for the best at that point." Miller said the complexion of the race changed when Ace didn’t take the lead. "I was very surprised when [Ace] pulled and didn’t zip right to the lead. I had good cover right through the stretch and the filly did the rest." The second choice in the race, Shyaway (3-1), broke at the starting gate and recovered to come within 2 lengths of the top three late but was passed. Rocklamation, a strong closer, was inside and buried as the speed folded and still gained ground. Also pacing were Mothermayi Hanover, Cndiana Jones, Show And Tell, Ladystar and Myluvmywife. |
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