Bythemissal is being readied for a title defense in the $125,000 USD Potomac Pace this Sunday (Nov. 17) at Rosecroft Raceway, where the now five-year-old gelding became the first favourite to win in the eight-year history of the one-mile event in 2023.

The Ron Burke trainee, who produced the fastest mile ever recorded at Rosecroft by a four-year-old pacer when he covered the mile in 1:48 last year, enters this year’s edition coming off a subpar performance. The son of Downbytheseaside finished fifth in the Oct. 26 Breeders Crown Open Pace at the Meadowlands as the 2-5 favourite.

“He had kind of a tough enough trip that it could have affected him, but also I don’t think he was as sharp as he’d been,” said Burke, who was inducted into the U.S. Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2021. “Everything now seems good. I expect him to race very well.”

Bythemissal, who captured his Breeders Crown elimination race impressively the week prior to his disappointing finish in the final, has earned more than $2.4 million during a 40-race career than includes 27 victories.

“He tries so hard. He’s one of the most willing horses I’ve had. He’s very fast, too. I don’t know if I’ve had a horse that can go for a piece as fast as him. It makes him tough,” Burke said. “Anytime you have a horse that has high, high speed and is very willing, makes him hard to beat.”

Bythemissal has only raced seven times this season.

“He got a minor injury in the middle of the year that kind of screwed his whole year up,” Burke said. “Then, I took my time bringing him back and got him right. I was thrilled with everything until his last start. He wasn’t terrible but I know he’s a better horse than that. I expect him to come back to himself this week.”

Yannick Gingras will drive Bythemissal, who drew Post 6 in an eight-horse field.

“I think he could have drawn a little bit inside, but I think he’s all right there,” Burke said. “I feel good about him.”

First-race post for Sunday’s 14-race program is set at 3 p.m. The Potomac Pace is carded as Race 11. Here's the complete field:

2024 POTOMAC PACE 
1. Charlie May - Dan Noble - Tim Twaddle - 6-1     
2. Its My Show - Scott Zeron - Linda Toscano- 15-1     
3. Abuckabett Hanover - Dexter Dunn - Andrew Harris - 3-1     
4. Voukefalas - Jordan Stratton - Michael Russo - 20-1     
5. El Rey - Todd McCarthy - Andrew Harris - 25-1     
6. Bythemissal - Yannick Gingras - Ron Burke - 8-5     
7. Little Rocket Man - David Miller - Ken Rucker - 4-1     
8. Ruthless Hanover - Geo. Napolitano Jr.  - Thomas Cancelliere - 5-1     
AE1. South Beach Star - Braxten Boyd - Mark Silva

(Rosecroft)