Freshmen Star In American Nationals
Two-year-old trotters headlined Balmoral Park's Sunday card of harness racing as they faced off in a pair of American National Stakes.
After making breaks in two of her three prior starts, Catch All put the pieces together to earn her first career win in the $46,750 filly division, advancing first up from third en route to the third quarter mark and trotting home in :29.3 to defeat co-favourites I Luv Blackhawkred and Bold Dresser in 1:56.4. Trace Tetrick drove the Muscles Yankee-Clever Catch miss for trainer Bob Stewart and his co-owners Lynda Stewart and Diamond Creek Racing. Bold Dresser took charge from post six and had led the field through fractions of :28.3, :58.4 and 1:27.1 before Catch All took over and then I Luv Blackhawkred pulled the pocket and went by that filly for second-place.
Driver Lewayne Miller also worked out a three-hole trip aboard the wide-leaving Barryscourt in the $60,400 colt and gelding division and the Kentucky Sires Stakes champion waited for the stretch-drive to make his move then came on to nip the popular pacesetter Waitlifter K (:28.3, :57.3, 1:26.2) at the wire in 1:56.1 with a 29 second final frame. Jd Cheese finished third. The Northern Kid-Katie Hall gelding is now three-for-four to start his career for trainer Bobby Brower and his partners Benjamin Graber, Mystical Marker Farms LLC and Victory Hill Farm Inc.