He's already equalled two world records this year - one on a half-mile track and one on a five-eighths mile track. While many in harness racing were eager to see how he'd pace over Lexington's one-mile track, reports indicate that pacing speedster Betterthancheddar will not be making the trek to race at the Red Mile for Grand Circuit week.
Trainer Casie Coleman told harnessracing.com that Betterthancheddar has developed a foot abscess and will not race in the Oct. 7 Allerage Farm at The Red Mile.
"He got an abscess in his left front foot and it's doing much, much, better, and I believe he'll be ready for the Breeders Crown (in late October at Woodbine),” said Coleman. "We just have to get that foot under control and get him right for the Breeders Crown. I really wanted to come to Lexington with him but no way could I push him enough to get him ready.”
The son of Bettors Delight - Lady Ashlee Ann has won nine of 11 starts this year and finished second twice. In those losses, Betterthancheddar finished second by a nose and a neck. Owned by Steve Calhoun of Chatham and the West Wins Stable of Cambridge, Ont., Betterthancheddar set a world record on June 30 at Mohegan Sun Pocono with a 1:48 mile in the $500,000 Ben Franklin Final. His next world record-equalliing effort came at Harrington Raceway two weeks ago in the final of the Bobby Quillen Memorial.
"I was really looking forward to racing in Lexington because we were looking to try and do some sort of a speed mark on him on that track,” stated Coleman. "It was one of the biggest races I was looking forward to with him, but things happen and we have to deal with what we're dealt.”