Racing From the Grandstand- Episode 1: Sun, Pace and More

In this week's Episode, Editor Ray Cotolo introduces the webcast and himself. He reviews Sun Stakes Saturday at Pocono Downs, along with the Titan Cup. That is followed up by a preview of the Meadowlands Pace eliminations and the $56,000 Green With Envy final.

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                        Racing From the Grandstand- Episode 1: Sun, Pace and More

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.

‘Crown’ Contenders Conflict in Canada

Saturday night, Sept. 10, featured Grand Circuit action at Mohawk Racetrack, attracting a few Breeders Crown contenders. The Cane Pace was the sport’s co-feature on the night at Pocono Downs.

Canada featured the $80,000 Canadian Trotting Classic eliminations, $233,287 Simcoe three-year-old pace, $239,801 Champlain two-year-old filly pace and the $299,012 Champlain two-year-old pace.

In the first “Classic” elim, Daylon Magician, owned and trained by Dave Lemon, defeated Hambletonian-winner Broad Bahn (Broadway Hall) in a 1:53.3 performance. Broad Bahn finished a tight second and Sim Brown pulled a big shocker finishing third at 70-1 for Randall Waples. Whatever It Takes (Credit Winner) got late racing room and finished fourth, beating Blue Porsche (Glidemaster) by ¼ length. VC Chocoholic (Chocolatier) left the gate fast for Brian Sears and controlled the pace, until he was caught at the eighth pole. He ended up sixth at 45-1. Luckycharm Hanover (Andover Hall) watched the fireworks and did nothing; he ended up seventh.

                           Daylon Magician winning the first elim

In the second Classic elim, Manofmanymissions (Yankee Glide) with David Miller up, dominated the field. He made a backstretch brush to the lead from sixth. He controlled the race from there on and defeated Dejarmbro. Whiskey Tax (Revenue S) was third and Imperial Count was fourth. Zweig-winner Charlie De Vie (Yankee Glide) broke at the three-eighths pole, along with Pastor Stephen (Cantab Hall). Chapter Seven (Windsong’s Legacy) did not trot much of a race but managed to qualify for the final as he finished fifth. Highland Thunder (Conway Hall) was in the same situation as Luckycharm Hanover.

                         Manofmanymissions winning the second elimination

Here is the field for next week’s final

PP-Horse’s Name

1    Whiskey Tax

2    Daylon Magician

3    Manofmanymissions

4    Broad Bahn

5    Dejarmbro

6    Sim Brown

7    Whatever It Takes

8    Blue Porsche

9    Chapter Seven

10  Imperial Count

AE VC Chocoholic

In the first Simcoe, Mario Baillargeon steered Richard Berthiaume’s  Odysseus Blue Chip (Cam’s Card Shark) to a neck win, beating American Arena (American Ideal), who went off at 23-1 for Ron Pierce. Westwardho Hanover (Dragon Again) pulled back to last as the gate opened and came back strong in the stretch to finish third. Line Officer (Rocknroll Hanover) delivered a poor race. Weigh The Odds (Bettor’s Delight) was the early favorite and ended up getting cover and faltering to finish sixth.

In the second Simcoe, Up The Credit (Western Terror) rebounded after suffering four losses after his victory in the Meadowlands Pace consolation back in July for owners Carl Jamieson (who also trains), Thomas Kyron, Brian R Paquet and Joanne M Morrison. Bullet Speed came from Jupiter to finish second and homeboy Mystician (Camluck) finished third. Both Prana (Dragon Again) and Rockabille (Rocknroll Hanover) made breaks at the start and finished sixth and seventh, respectively. Sonic Dancer (Mach Three) sat in fourth and maintained his position till he crossed the red and white of the wire. Roll On (Rocknroll Hanover) went for the lead and faded badly to finish fifth by 11 lengths.

In the filly Champlain, Paul Macdonell dazed the public as he directed Big Mcdeal (Mcardle) to the winner’s circle as a 25-1 shot. Shelliscape, with Pirouette Hanover (Western Ideal) at her side, chased down “Mcdeal,” only to finish behind her. Shelliscape was second and “Pirouette” was ¼ length off of Shelliscape, finishing third. Yummy Sushi (Rocknroll Hanover) broke around the turn. Angel Scent (Western Ideal) went a first-over trip and faded to fourth. Jet Speed (Jereme’s Jet) sat last, got cover and gained plenty of ground to finish sixth. Rockaround Sue (Rocknroll Hanover) lagged around the Mohawk oval, finishing fifth. Jack Darling Stables owns “Big.”

In the first colt Champlain, the Metro Pace runner-up Machapelo (Mach Three), owned by Enviro Stables, was victorious at 5-2 for Jody Jamieson. In Commando was second and Rockin Finish (Rocknroll Hanover) a 74-1 third. Great Waters (The Panderosa) passed tiring rivals to finish fifth. Adkins Hanover (Western Ideal) sat mid pack was shuffled back in the field and came outside but ended up finishing eighth. State Treasurer (Real Desire) came first over at the half and gave way, finishing fourth as the 7-5 favorite. Rockndream (Rocknroll Hanover) took the lead, but got passed by rivals and made a very bad break in the stretch, finishing 10th. Allstar Legend (Four Starzzz Shark) went for the lead but could not hold on to it and finished sixth. Hope Blue Chip (Art Major) sat in last and got up for seventh in the back of the field.

In the second Champlain, Speed Again (Dragon Again) raised his win percentage to 63 percent for owners Jeffrey Gillis, Ken Henwood, Mac Nichol and Gerald Stay. I Found My Beach finished second and Gable Blue Chip (American Ideal) was third. Keith Oliver took Special Blend (The Panderosa) first over at the half and faded to fifth. Bettors Edge (Bettor’s Delight) sat in sixth and finished sixth. Sing For Me George (Bettor’s Delight) was shuffled to seventh at the eighth pole and managed to find his way through horses and finished fourth. Hurrikane Kingcole (Cam’s Card Shark) went for the lead but could not maintain it and finished 10th.

Stateside, at Pocono, in the $342,875 Cane Pace, Betterthancheddar (Bettor’s Delight) took advantage of the speed in the race and got up to win, with Townslight Hanover (Bettor’s Delight) finishing second and Powerful Mist (Powerful Toy) closed late to finish third. Shadyshark Hanover (Cam’s Card Shark) worked hard to get the lead and went monstrous fractions. He ended up finishing fourth for Jim Morril,l Jr. Rollwithitharry (Rocknroll Hanover) came from last and closed to finish fifth. Roll With Joe (Cam’s Card Shark) got a horrible trip, being three wide at the first turn and finished sixth for Tim Tetrick. High Noon (Western Ideal) was 2 lengths off the bunch at three-quarters, but faded badly to finish eighth. Eighteen (Cam’s Card Shark) went a parked mile and finished ninth.

Betterthancheddar is owned by Steve Calhoun and West Wins Stable. He is trained by Casie Coleman and Yannick Gingras drove him to a 1:49.2 stakes record.