One-Eyed Gelding Snares Open

Elizabeth Brittingham’s As Bad As Thunder may have only one eye, but he knows how to find his way to the winner’s circle

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The six-year-old Badlands Hanover gelding, who is without his right eye, received a two-hole trip behind favourite Powerful Mist and surged by that rival willingly in the stretch for a 1:52.3 triumph in the $18,000 featured Open Monday at Harrington Raceway. Bret Brittingham guided him to the victory over Powerful Mist, who was a clear second, and Catchmecullen A.

“He left wicked fast tonight,” said trainer Don Brittingham of As Bad As Thunder, who set his lifetime mark on March 19 at Dover Downs (1:51.2), which he later equaled. “The trip couldn’t have worked out much better tonight.”

As Bad As Thunder has won six races this year, including four of his last five starts.

“We claimed him at Dover for $15,000,” added Don Brittingham. “I didn’t know he had one eye until that night. It ended up being a great claim.”

(Harrington Raceway)

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