Betterthancheddar Romps in Final ‘National’ at Balmoral

CRETE, IL— Betterthancheddar dominated the sophomore pacers in the $225,000 American National at Balmoral Park on Saturday, November 12. Hugadragon finished second, Mystic Desire was third and Something For Doc finished fourth.

Hugadragon, Betterthancheddar and Big Bad John all left the gate with speed heading into the first turn. Mystic Desire came from the outside and settled in fourth. Hugadragon cleared the lead around the turn, with Betterthancheddar in second and Big Bad John was in third. Hugadragon took them by the quarter in :27.1.

Betterthancheddar came first over and cleared the lead at the three-eighths. Hugadragon was in second and Big Bad John came first over in third. Mystic Desire followed that cover in fourth. Betterthancheddar took them by the half in :54 (:26.4).

Betterthancheddar had the lead into the far turn. Big Bad John came right up to his wheel and Hugadragon was in third. Mystic Desire was second over in fourth and Something For Doc was regaining ground in fifth. Betterthancheddar lead the way at three-quarters in 1:21.3 (:27.3).

Betterthancheddar had the lead in the stretch. Hugadragon came up the inside and stayed right behind Betterthancheddar. Big Bad John was starting to fade and Mystic Desire was starting to close. Something For Doc came up the inside in fifth. Betterthancheddar had the lead coming to the wire and he won for fun. Hugadragon gave all he had, finishing second, Mystic Desire was third and Something For Doc was fourth.

Betterthancheddar is a three-year-old colt by Bettor’s Delight out of the mare Lady Ashlee Ann by Camastic. He has earned $586,283 lifetime. He is owned by Steve Calhoun and the West Wins Stable, trained by Casie Coleman and George Brennan was in the sulky to a 1:50.3 victory.

“I wasn’t sure how I was going to race him coming into the race. Then I thought I’ll try him on the front end. I wasn’t going to be first over, I was either going to be on top or in the two hole. I scored him down in the wind and it didn’t bother him. Casie did a great job getting him ready for the “National”,” driver George Brennan said.

Foiled Again Dominates Aged Pacers in ‘National’

CRETE, IL— Foiled Again easily won the $175,000 aged pace American National at Balmoral Park on Saturday, November 12. Bettor Sweet finished second, Atochia was third and St Elmo Hero finished fourth.

Foiled Again and St Elmo Hero blasted out of the gate. St Elmo Hero cleared the lead around the turn. Aracache Hanover was in second and Foiled Again was in third. Aracache Hanover came first over and challenged St Elmo Hero for the lead at the quarter in :28.4.

Aracache Hanover cleared the lead heading down the backstretch. St Elmo Hero was in second and Foiled Again was in third. Foiled Again came first over at the three-eighths and cleared the lead at the half in :55.1 (:26.2).

Foiled Again had the lead into the far turn. Bettor Sweet came first over and challenged Foiled Again. Aracache Hanover was shuffled into third and St Elmo Hero was in fourth. Meirs Hanover tracked Bettor Sweet’s cover along with One More Laugh. Foiled Again lead the field by three-quarters in 1:24 (:28.4).

Foiled Again had the lead into the stretch. St Elmo Hero came up the inside and Atochia was dashing through all the pockets that were open. Bettor Sweet was trying to hold on and One More Laugh came off cover. Foiled Again had the lead and he won it by about 2 lengths. Bettor Sweet finished second, Atochia was third and St Elmo Hero finished fourth.

Foiled Again is a seven-year-old gelding by Dragon Again out of the mare In A Safe Place by Artsplace. He has earned $3,334,555 lifetime. He is owned by Burke Racing Stables LLC, Weaver Bruscemi and Jjk Stables. He is trained by Ron Burke and Yannick Gingras was in the sulky to win his third American National on the card in 1:51.4.  

“I just wanted to make sure I kept Bettor Sweet behind me,” driver Yannick Gingras said. “He never had an easy trip, he never needed one. I hope he wins divisional honors. He’s just a great horse, he’s the toughest horse I have ever driven and saw. The tougher the better, that’s the way he likes it. I don’t know how he is this fresh week in and week out. He’s just an amazing animal,” driver Yannick Gingras added.

Looking Hanover Upsets in Aged Trot ‘National’

CRETE, IL— Looking Hanover came back to upset in the $143,000 aged trot American National at Balmoral Park on Saturday, November 12. Lucky Jim finished second, Hot Shot Blue Chip was third and Flex The Muscle finished fourth.

Looking Hanover, Flex The Muscle and Lucky Jim all left the gate with speed. Looking Hanover cleared the lead into the first turn. Flex The Muscle was in second and Lucky Jim was in third. Lucky Jim came first over at the quarter in :30.2.

Lucky Jim cleared the lead at the three-eighths. Looking Hanover was in second, Flex The Muscle was in third and Abc Mercedes came first over in fourth. Lucky Jim lead them by the half in :58.1 (:27.4).

Lucky Jim had the lead into the far turn. Abc Mercedes was right next to him in second and Looking Hanover was buried at the rail in third. Hot Shot Blue Chip was second over in fourth. Lucky Jim lead them by three-quarters in 1:26.2 (:28.1).

Lucky Jim lead the way into the stretch. Hot Shot Blue Chip came off cover and Flex The Muscle came up the inside. Abc Mercedes was fading and Looking Hanover circled onto the outside. Hot Shot Blue Chip was closing and Flex The Muscle was pulling back. Looking Hanover came right by Lucky Jim to win by a nose. Hot Shot Blue Chip finished third and Flex The Muscle was fourth.

Looking Hanover is a six-year-old gelding by Muscles Yankee out of the mare Lady Bar by Malabar Man. He has earned $700,836 lifetime. He is owned by Dawn Marie Gannon and Yannick Gingras, trained by Edwin Gannon Jr. and Yannick Gingras was in the sulky to win in 1:56.  

Swinging Beauty “Swings” from Mid-Pack to Win Photo Finish

CRETE, IL— Swinging Beauty rebounds after a failed effort in the Breeders Crown to win the $135,000 three-year-old filly pace American National at Balmoral Park on Saturday, November 12. Ole Miss finished second, Mystical Mj was third and Honky Tonk Woman finished fourth.

Ole Miss, Honky Tonk Woman and Fresh Idea all left for the lead into the first turn. Ole Miss cleared the lead heading to the quarter, Honky Tonk Woman was in second, Fresh Idea was in third and Jamaica Hanover was in fourth. Ole Miss took them by the quarter in :28.

Ronettica took the lead approaching the half mile. Honky Tonk Woman was shuffled into second and Ole Miss was in third. Ole Miss came first over and supplied cover to Swinging Beauty at the half in :55.1 (:27.1).

Into the far turn, Ronettica had the lead. Ole Miss was in second on the outside and Honky Tonk Woman was buried at the rail in third. Swinging Beauty was second over in fourth at three-quarters in 1:24 (:28.4).

Ronettica was under pressure in the stretch. Honky Tonk Woman came up the inside and Swinging Beauty came off cover three wide. Mystical Mj was closing from the back of the field. Swinging Beauty came after the new leader, Ole Miss. At the line, Swinging Beauty won by a nose. Ole Miss finished second, Mystical Mj was third and Honky Tonk Woman finished fourth.

Swinging Beauty is a three-year-old filly by Art Major out of the mare Stunning Beauty by Camluck. She has earned $380,829 in her lifetime. She is owned by William Switala  and James Martin, trained by Gregg McNair and Peter Wrenn was in the sulky to a 1:54.1 victory.

“She raced a nice trip tonight, I think the wind bothered her a little bit but she came out of it fine,” trainer Gregg McNair said.

Crime Of Passion Closes in Second ‘National’

CRETE, IL— Crime Of Passion closed from mid-pack to win the $121,000 two-year-old colt pace American National at Balmoral Park on Saturday, November 12. Star Recruit finished second, Caviart Key was third and Peck Blue Chip finished fourth.

Peck Blue Chip, Goose On The Rocks and Fridaynightflight all left for the front heading to the first turn. Peck Blue Chip cleared, with Fridaynightflight in second and Goose On The Rocks was in third. Peck Blue Chip took them by the quarter in :28.3.

Star Recruit came first over approaching the half mile. Fridaynightflight came out and forced Star Recruit three wide. Peck Blue Chip and Fridaynightflight were dueling at the half in :56.3 (:28). Caviart Key tracked Star Recruit’s cover and settled in third.

Peck Blue Chip still had the lead around the far turn. Fridaynightflight was on the outside in second and Caviart Key was in third. Crime Of Passion was third over and came off cover three wide at three-quarters in 1:25.1 (:28.3).

Peck Blue Chip had the lead in the stretch. Crime Of Passion circled out four wide and Caviart Key came up the inside. Star Recruit was two wide and coming on. Crime Of Passion took the lead at the wire and he won. Finishing second was Star Recruit, Caviart Key was third and Peck Blue Chip finished fourth.

Crime Of Passion is a two-year-old gelding by Armbro Mackintosh out of the mare Broadway Passion by Broadway Express. He has earned $116,317 in his lifetime. He is owned by Erv Miller, Omer Miller and Leland Mathias. He is trained by Erv Miller and Marcus Miller was in the bike to win in 1:54.3.

“I was hoping I could catch some live cover and get up close. When he’s good, he will run down the horse in front of him. He’s very fast and has a good attitude,” driver Marcus Miller said.

Princess Cruiser Strides Home to Win First ‘National’

CRETE, IL— Princess Cruiser was untouched and went on to win the $86,800 American National two-year-old filly pace at Balmoral Park on Saturday, November 12. Starlana finished second, Podges Lady was third and Kendyl finished fourth.

Starlana, Kendyl and Princess Cruiser all left the gate with speed. Starlana took the front heading to the quarter, with Kendyl in second, Princess Cruiser was in third and No Respect was in fourth. Starlana took them by the quarter in :28.3.

Princess Cruiser came first over and took the lead approaching the half mile. Starlana was shuffled back into second and Kendyl was in third. Sleazy Does It came first over from mid-pack and flushed out No Respect. No Respect dashed up to Princess Cruiser’s wheel at the half in :56.4 (:28.1).

No Respect immediately went off stride and interfered with Sleazy Does It, causing her to go on a break. Princess Cruiser had the lead coming to three-quarters. Podges Lady was first over in second and Starlana was in third. Princess Cruiser took them to three-quarters in 1:26.

Princess Cruiser lead the way into the stretch. Starlana was trying to come on, along with Kendyl and Podges Lady. Princess Cruiser was untouched and went on to win. Starlana finished second, Podges Lady was third and Kendyl finished fourth.

Princess Cruiser is a two-year-old filly by Yankee Cruiser out of the mare Princess Justice by The Panderosa. She has earned $24,395 lifetime. She is owned by Millers Stable Inc., trained by Jim Mullinix and Yannick Gingras was in the bike.  

“She won it easy, when I moved her she responded. When I called on her in the stretch, she responded,” driver Yannick Gingras said.