Bettors Wish grabbed the lead early and refused to let it go, winning the $150,000 Odds On Racing Allerage Open Pace — sponsored by Dana Parham and Best Bet Stables — in track record time on Sunday (Oct. 11) at The Red Mile.
On the move by a :27.3 opening quarter, Bettors Wish took the lead from This Is The Plan moving up the backstretch while early leader Century Farroh was shuffled to third. Century Farroh then pulled and blitzed the pacesetter to a :54.4 half, but could not clear the lead. Bettors Wish kept Century Farroh parked to three-quarters in 1:22 and accelerated into the stretch with just This Is The Plan in contention. Nearing the eighth pole, This Is The Plan took a shot at Bettors Wish, but the four-year-old Bettors Delight stallion rebuffed the challenge to hit the finish first in 1:48 — a track record for four-year-old pacing stallions. Backstreet Shadow closed for third with Brassy Hanover finishing fourth.
“The thing I liked about him most is when we show him in the paddock,” said co-owner Art Zubrod of Fair Island Farms. “Usually, the first time you show them in the paddock is the best they ever are, but the great ones get better ... He got better every time. He was as good today as he’s ever been; I really think this was the best he’s ever been today.”
Owned by Chris Ryder, Bella Racing, Fair Island Farm and Bettors Wish Partners, Bettors Wish ($5.20) won his fourth race from nine starts this season and his 22nd from 40 overall, and has earned $2,288,033. Chris Ryder trains the Brittany Farms-bred stallion while Dexter Dunn had the reins.
Kissin In The Sand also scored in track record time, winning the $72,000 Harness Racing Update Allerage Fillies and Mares Open Pace in 1:48.
Taking command past a :27.2 opening quarter, Kissin In The Sand held the helm to a :54.4 half and grew her advantage circling the final turn. Pocket sitter Caviart Ally gave chase in second to three-quarters in 1:21.3 as Kissin In the Sand widened her lead into the stretch and to the finish. Treacherous Reign rallied down the centre of the track for second while Caviart Ally held third and Warrawee Ubeaut settled for fourth.
“She’s probably my favourite, like ever, out of all the horses I’ve ever been associated with,” trainer Nancy Takter said after the race. “When the summer came along, she kind of tailed off a little bit [because of allergies], but now with the colder weather she’s kind of more geared up and ready to go again.”
Bred by Christina Takter, John Fielding and R A W Equine, Kissin In The Sand ($2.60) won her fifth race from nine starts this season and her 24th from 55 overall, earning $1,536,594 for owners Marvin Katz and Hatfield Stables. Dexter Dunn drove the five-year-old Somebeachsomewhere mare.
Even money second choice Atlanta downed 4-5 favourite Gimpanzee with a 1:50 performance in the Allerage Farms Open Trot — sponsored by Jeff and Paula Gural and Allerage Farms.
Atlanta pushed for positioning heading into the first turn with Gimpanzee to her outside. Gimpanzee slid to the front heading to a :27.1 opening quarter and rolled up the backside to a :54.3 half. But the favourite grew leg weary into the final turn, as Atlanta popped pocket to three-quarters in 1:23 and quickly put away her rival into the stretch. Gimpanzee continued to falter while Crystal Fashion rallied towards the leader late but settled for second. Majestic Player A closed for third with Lindy The Great finishing fourth.
“I thought on paper it was a two-horse race,” said driver Yannick Gingras after the race on his decision to leave with Atlanta. “Me and Ronnie [Burke] were actually on the same page – we talked just before going onto the track. I just didn’t want Gimpanzee on a loose lead and have to come like from five or six lengths behind him. I respect the horse; I just wanted to stay close to him. I think if you can trip her out she’s incredible, but today I think she gutted it out and all credit’s to her.”
A five-year-old mare by Chapter Seven, Atlanta ($4.00) won her fifth race from 10 starts this season and her 25th from 49 overall, earning $2,524,453 for owners Crawford Farms Racing, Brad Grant and Howard Taylor. Order By Stable bred the Ron Burke trainee.
(The Red Mile)