Classical Jazz 2005: Home

On The Hambletonian Trail~July 31, 2010

Pilgrim’s Taj Tough for Trond

By Frank and Ray Cotolo

Pilgrim’s Taj, new to the Trond Smedshammer’s barn since having major gait problems at the Meadowlands, was smooth and fast winning the first Hambletonian elim at the Meadowlands on July 31.   The mile went in 1:53.3, a lifetime mark for "Taj."   
  Pilgrims Taj 


Flex The Muscle began the string of trotters early, trying to keep the fractions soft. Hard Livin left with him and sat easily in second. The 2-5 choice, Muscle Massive, sat in third and tried to take over but did not complete the task until too late. Taj was closing three wide and "Hard" was swooping in the inside lane.

There were three of them across the stretch at the wire and the 8-1 Taj got first with "Massive" holding for second and Hard getting third.

Trond said that he "changed everything" about Taj since getting the colt 10 days before the elim. "We only had a half week but he is an intelligent horse and he got his confidence back."

"Tonight his attitude came back," said Taj-driver Mike Lachance, who drove the colt to his frosh victory in the Breeders Crown.

 

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