San Pail Wins Nat Ray

San Pail took the $300,000 Nat Ray Invitational in 1:50.4, equaling the track and world record for older gelding trotters. Arch Madness was second, Lucky Jim was third and Il Villaggio was fourth.

Winning Mister went for the lead, with In Focus in second and Arch Madness in third. “Mister” went the quarter in :27. Mister had the lead approaching the half, “Focus” was in second and Arch Madness came first over. Lucky Jim picked up that cover through a half in :55.1 (:28.1).

Around the far turn Arch Madness cleared the lead. Lucky Jim applied pressure in second and San Pail came three wide in third. “Madness” was under pressure in the stretch from San Pail and “Jim” tried to get through. At the line, San Pail won, Arch Madness was second and Lucky Jim was third.

San Pail paid $6 to win. He is owned by Glenn Van Camp and Rodney Hughes, trained by Rodney Hughes and was driven by Randall Waples.

“He looked really good coming out of the Maple Leaf Trot,” said Rodney Hughes. “This horse can race many different ways.”

“He brings a tear to my eye, it’s an honor to sit behind him,” said Waples. “I have nothing but respect for the other horse [Arch Madness], he is a phenomenal animal.”