In what arguably panned out to truly be the "race of the summer," Beckhams Z Tam ($21.10) stalked an extended duel, vaulted three-wide to the final turn, and held his ground to capture the 2018 renewal of the Prix d'Été on Sunday (Aug. 18) at Hippodrome 3R.
Ricky Macomber Jr. kept the four-year-old son of Always A Virgin in close attendance to the pace from post 2, stalking from mid-division while Filibuster Hanover (Louis-Philippe Roy) and Blood Line (Trevor Henry) duelled through a :26.3 first quarter. The battle intensified on the far turn, when Blood Line stuck a head in front, but Filibuster Hanover refused to yield at the pegs as they reached the half in :54.1 while Macomber angled Beckhams Z Tam second-over.
The 2017 Breeders Crown champion made his winning move with five-sixteenths to go, vaulting three-wide and gaining immediate separation from the pacesetting pair on approach to three-quarters in 1:23.2. After making easy work of the pacesetting duo, Beckhams Z Tam maintained enough clearance to keep the late-rallying American Wiggle (Guy Gagnon), who circled boldly from last on the home turn, 1-1/2 lengths at bay. Filibuster Hanover was narrowly collared by the runner-up.
Prix d'Été winner Beckhams Z Tam, flanked by trainer Jamie Macomber and driver Ricky Macomber Jr.
Jamie Macomber trains Beckhams Z Tam for the Z Tam Stables LLC.
A pair of $10,000 Coupe des Eleveurs events headlined the undercard, with Play Jet Ray ($2.10, Gagnon, 1:54.3) and Lit De Rose ($5.00, Trevor Henry, 1:57) both living up to favoured billing in their respective divisions.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results – Hippodrome 3R.