Balmoral Park hosted the American National Stakes on Saturday night with highlights including trotting track record performances by stablemates Father Patrick and Shake It Cerry as well as Creatine.
Well Hello There and driver Matt Kakaley led from pillar to post in the $61,150 American National Stake for freshman pacing fillies Saturday night in Balmoral’s third race.
Facing just three rivals -- after two scratches in the field of six -- Well Hello There posted a 1:53.2 clocking for trainer Ronnie Burke, who conditions the daughter of Well Said-Helen Of Leda-Pro Bono Best for Burke Racing Stable, Blue Chip Bloodstock, Our Horse Cents Stable and Weaver Bruscemi.
“I wanted to go the front and get some easily fractions and then just sprint home,” said Kakaley. “I was pretty comfortable and didn’t realize that other horse had made a break, but when we turned for home, I asked her to pace on, and she responded well and paced strong all the way to the wire.”
Kakaley had Well Hello There out quickly from the gate to nail the lead going into the first turn and she comfortably posted splits of :28.4, :57.4 and 1:26, with Angel Demon (Todd Warren), Dunside Splash (Travis Seekman) and Mr Lelands Filly (Casey Leonard) following her in single-file fashion. When Leonard asked Mr Lelands Filly to move in the final turn, the daughter of Sportsmaster made an uncharacteristic break, costing her precious lengths. She recovered quickly however, and as Well Hello There drew off by nearly six lengths, Mr Lelands Filly was able to collar Duneside Splash for show honours. Angel Demon held steady in second.
Well Hello There now has three wins in 11 seasonal starts and $186,642 in career earnings. She recoded a mark of 1:53 at Philadelphia earlier in the season. A $50,000 yearling purchase at the 2013 Standandbred Horse Sale at Harrisburg, Well Hello there is a half-sister to Natural Leda p,3,1:50.1f ($122,678) and to Ring Leda p,4, 1:51f ($78,495) -- both by Bettors Delight.
Father Patrick added another feather to his illustrious cap by simply cruising to a five length victory in 1:52.2 in the $203,000 American National for three-year-old trotters.
The son of Cantab Hall-Gala Dream-Enjoy Lavec led at every post for driver Yannick Gingras, comfortably trotting through fractions of :28.2, :57.2 and 1:24.4. That final time equaled the Balmoral track record for sophomore trotting colts.
“I was open to any idea when the wings folded and no one was going out of there, so I left easily and it was a walk in the park for him. The last time he got away with a half like that was when he qualified,” said Gingras. “I asked him to trot down the lane as I didn’t want to get too cute and have anyone catch us, but was just on cruise control.”
Trained by Jimmy Takter for the Father Patrick Stable of East Windsor, New Jersey, Father Patrick upped his seasonal earnings to $1,427,801 and his career earnings to $2,180,196.
E L Titan finished in second for driver Ron Pierce and trainer Riina Rekila, while Rompaway Galaxy got up for third with John Campbell in the sulky for trainer Krista Harmon.
The victory was career win 21 for Father Patrick and seasonal win 11.
Father Patrick was the unanimous choice by the US Harness Writers as the Dan Patch Award winning Two-Year-Old Trotting Colt of 2013 when he won 10 of 11 starts, including the Peter Haughton Memorial, William Wellwood Memorial and the Breeders Crown, setting a world record mark of 1:52.1f at Pocono Downs. He was also the leading money winner in his division with $752,395 in seasonal earnings in 2013.
This year, Father Patrick’s wins include a 1:50.4 triumph in a division of the Bluegrass Stakes at The Red Mile on Sept. 28, and wins in the $682,000 Canadian Trotting Classic; the $260,000 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Championship Final and the $340,000 Zweig Memorial, the $500,000 Earl Beal Jr at Pocono Downs in a world record time of 1:50.2f and the $317,000 Stanley Dancer Memorial in 1:51.3, among others.
Father Patrick was bred by Brittany Farms and was a $105,000 yearling purchase at the 2012 Lexington Selected Sale. He is a full brother to million-dollar-earner and 2010 Dan Patch Award winner Pastor Stephen, 3, 1:52.4s, ($1,058,188), and also has a two-year-old full brother in Whom Shall I Fear (a $475,000 yearling purchase at the 2013 Lexington Selected Sale), who finished second by a head on Oct. 3 at Lexington to longshot Aldabaran Eagle in 1:55.1 with Gingras in the sulky. Takter also conditions this colt.
Shake It Cerry trotted to a new stakes and track record clocking of 1:52.2 in the $150,000 American National Three-Year-Old Filly Trot. The previous record was 1:54, set in 2010 by Springtime Volo and in 2000 by Armbro Temple.
Reined by Ron Pierce for trainer Jimmy Takter and the Solveig’s Racing Partners of East Windsor, New Jersey, the daughter of Donato Hanover notched her 20th career victory and pushed her career earnings to $1,657,730.
“She’s incredibly fast off the gate,” said the filly’s caretaker Helen Engblom. “I know that Lifetime Pursuit is a really good racehorse so I was a little concerned with her being right on her back. She is a special filly. She’s a real sweetheart to be around and easy to take care of.”
Shake It Cerry left hard from post nine, with stablemate and 2013 Hambletonian Oaks winner Lifetime Pursuit (Yannick Gingras) right beside her until the former cleared at the :28.1 first quarter. Those two remained tightly bunched through the :57.3 half and the 1:25.3 three-quarters, with Broadway Socks (Dan Rawlings) and Cee Bee Yes (Scott Zeron) following.
Turning for home, Shake It Cerry began to open up on her rivals, being challenged only briefly by Lifetime Pursuit, but to no avail as the former brushed in :26.4 to keep her six-race win streak intact. Lifetime Pursuit picked notched runner-up honours, with the hard-trying Cee Bee Yes grabbing the show money.
Shake It Cerry should be a cince for divisional honours, especially off her victory in the the 49th edition of the $224,000 Kentucky Filly Futurity just one week ago. This season Shake It Cerry has also won the $409,000 Elegantimage at Mohawk in 1:52.1; the $213,500 Miller Memorial at The Meadowlands in 1:53; the $150,000 Zweig at Vernon in 1:53.1; the $93,850 Currie & Ives Final in 1:55.3 at The Meadows; her $35,000 Hambletonian Oaks prep at The Meadowlands in 1:54.4; and the $99,997 PASS Final in 1:53.1 at The Meadows, among others.
Shake It Cerry is the fourth foal out of her dam and is full sister to Solvato 3, 1:53.2f ($300,837) and the two-year-old Uncle Lasse 2, 1:54.1 ($204,869). She also has a half-brother in Dontyouforgetit 3, 1:52.1f ($598,049).
Only seven freshman pacers went postward in the $86,000 American National Pace for two-year-old colts and geldings.
Roland N Rock kept his unblemished record intact, upping his win total to 14 with his 1:52.2 triumph for driver John DeLong and trainer Duane Roland.
“I was pretty confident,” said DeLong. “I thought he had a real shot in here and he showed it. Actually, we really wanted to give this horse a trip tonight, but when Brett moved in front, this colt grabbed on pretty well, so I said let’s go. He did it all very easy, he’s just awesome. I saw Earndawg coming in the lane, but it was Roland N Rock’s night.”
The son of Rocknroll Hanover followed Buckle Up (Brett Miller) out of the gate to the :28 first quarter, before pulling and taking the lead. From there, he continued through splits of :56.3 and 1:23.4, before drawing off by five, with a late challenge by the hard-pacing Earndawg (Todd Warren). Sir Mammo (Tim Tetrick) got up for third.
Twelve of Roland N Rock’s victories have come on the Iowa county fair circuit, with his other win coming in a $21,450 Review Stake at Springfield on Aug. 13, when he was clocked in 1:51.2, winning by 13-1/4 lengths.
“He was on idle at Springfield,” DeLong offered. “He was super impressive there and could have gone faster.”
Roland N Rock’s career earnings now stand at $83,445. He is the fourth foal out of his unraced Cambest dam Hanks Chip and is a half-brother to Sir Globalop Z Tam (by American Ideal) p,4,1:51.2 ($153,138).
Creatine captured the $166,300 American National Aged Trot in a new track record time of 1:51.3 with Dan Noble at the lines. The previous time of 1:51.4 was set by Sand Vic in 2006.
“Late in the stretch I went up in the inside and was able to get through,” said Noble. “I was in the two-hole for nearly all of the mile and was in trouble late, I was lucky to get through.”
Archangel (Yannick Gingras) took the lead quickly from post one, with Creatine taking advantage of post two and following closely on his heels to the :27 first quarter. Uncle Peter (David Miller) and Market Share (Tim Tetrick) were in close pursuit with positions unchanged though the :55.1 half. Market Share was the first to pull, making his way slowly up to challenge the leaders to the 1:23 three-quarter marker. In the lane, Creatine finally shook loose behind Archangel and charged through the inside. Wishing Stone (Matt Kakaley) came flying late on the outside to get up for second, while Archangel held on for third.
When the numbers were posted, however, Creatine’s began flashing and it was nearly a 10 minute wait before judged determined that the son of Andover Hall-Berry Nice Muscles-Muscles Yankee had only touched, but not gone inside the pylons.
“I saw the number flashing there and was worried, but still thought the horse raced great,” said trainer Bob Stewart. “It was a similar trip as the one we got behind Spider Blue Chip last year when we finished second. It worked out better this year.”
The four-year-old stallion is owned by Diamond Creek Racing of Wellsville, Pennsylvania and now has $323,693 in seasonal earnings from three wins, three seconds and one third in 13 starts. Lifetime, he’s amassed 14 wins, nine seconds and three thirds in 37 trips postward, with $1,190,852.
Creatine is the second foal out of his dam and has half-siblings in Mister Anson (by Conway Hall) 2, 2:00.4h ($158,011) and Strawbery Wine (by Kadabra) 4, 1:56f ($101,887).
Precocious Beauty put forth a masterful effort to capture the $173,500 American National Three-Year-Old Filly Pace, besting rival Act Now (Tim Tetrick) in the final yards to score her fourth victory of the season in 1:50.3.
Hall of Famer John Campbell steered the daughter of Art Major-Precious Beauty-Jate Lobell for trainer Gregg McNair and owner James Avritt Sr. of Lebanon, Kentucky.
“She got away in a good spot and I was able to follow a good horse,” said Campbell. “She stepped out of there and made the front kind of handy and was able to follow well. At one point I couldn’t keep up to Tetrick’s filly, but then she came back to me and we were able to get the job done.”
Precocious Beauty left the gate quickly and led through the turn before being overtaking by the springing Act Now, who brushed up to a :27 first quarter before sprinting another :27.4 second panel to a :54.4 half. She held strongly to the lead to the 1:21.3 three-quarter pole, on top by three, with Precocious Beauty sitting in the two-hole. When the latter finally shook free, she began to eat up ground, overtaking Act Now in the final strides to score the victory. Fancy Desire (Corey Callahan) notched third-place monies in the field of 10.
Precocious Beauty upped her seasonal earnings to $286,287 and her career earnings to $749,199 from 11 lifetime victories. The fourth foal out of her dam, she is a full sister to Incredible Beauty p,3,1:54f ($145,320) and is a three-quarter sister to Sportswriter (by Artsplace) 3, 1:48.3s ($1,649,411).
JK Endofanera paced confidently to victory in the $227,000 American National Stake for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings, stopping the timer in 1:49.1 against nine rivals.
The son of Art Major-Presidential Lady-Presidential Ball had Ron Pierce in the sulky for trainer Ronnie Burke and owners 3 Brothers Stable of New York, New York.
JK Endofanera took the lead at the start and never looked back, pacing through pedestrian panels of :27, :55 before stepping it up to 1:22 at the three-quarters and drawing off in the stretch. The victory gave Pierce a driving double on the night and Burke his fourth victory on the evening’s program.
“It was no problem at all to make the top, we got around there easy,” said Pierce. “We got a good breather the second quarter and he paced on in the third quarter and in the lane, I asked him to go a bit and never touched him with the whip, I just struck the wheel discs a few times. It was the first time I drove him and I was very impressed with him. I would think he’s a candidate for divisional honors.”
Somewhere in LA (Brett Miller) rallied for second, five lengths behind the winner, while Lets Drink On It (Travis Seekman) nailed show honours.
JK Endofanera now has $973,765 in seasonal earnings from nine wins, two seconds and one third in 14 starts. His career earnings now total $1,345,615 from 13 wins, five seconds and one third.
The seventh foal out of his dam, JK Endofanera is a full brother to the sensational two-year-old filly Jk Shesalady p,2,1:50.1s ($444,850) and to JK Fine Art p,4,1:50.2f ($374,102). He is a half-brother to JK Matchmaker (by Western Hanover) p,3,Q1:54.2 ($116,621); JK Rocketman (by Rocknroll Hanover) p,3,1:58.3f) ($20,155) and to JK Lady Like (by Artiscape) p,4,1:56.4 ($18,667).
Thinking Out Loud scored a seasonal best 1:49.1 en route to capturing the $179,000 American National Aged Pace for driver John Campbell and trainer Robert McIntosh.
“I never did see the fence but we got to be second over, following State Treasurer,” said Campbell. “Foiled Again is a very hard horse to get by and I was pretty happy to be up close in the race. I knew I had a chance at the end and my horse was giving me his best and I knew we’d have to go right to the wire if we were going to beat Foiled Again. He really didn’t race that great in Lexington, but he was back to himself tonight.”
Foiled Again (Yannick Gingras), Bettors Edge (Matt Kakaley) and Ultimately Beachboy (Ron Pierce) all scrambled to get the lead going to the :27.2 first quarter, with Foiled Again garnering the rail spot on top. State Treasurer (Tim Tetrick) came up to challenge Foiled Again around the final bend, but to no avail, with Thinking Out Loud and Campbell lurking just behind to the 1:21.2 three-quarters. The field fanned out as Foiled Again dug in gamely, but Thinking Out Loud paced hard in the stretch to nail down the win by a whisker over harness racing’s richest equine athlete. Clear Vision (Brett Miller) got up for third.
Thinking Out Loud is owned by the Robert McIntosh Stables of Windsor, Ont., CSX Stables of Liberty Center, Ohio and Al McIntosh Holdings of Leamington, Ont. The son of Ponder-Los Angeles-Camluck has $290,199 in seasonal earnings and $1,691,050 in career earnings. Lifetime, he has 15 wins, seven seconds and 10 thirds in 50 career trips postward.
Thinking Out Loud is the fourth foal out of his dam and is a half-brother to West Of LA (by Western Hanover) p,2,1:53.2 ($257,150) and to You See LA (by The Panderosa) p,3, 1:52s ($249,339).
(With files from Balmoral Park)