Chad Morrison got his very first-pari-mutuel win on Sunday, Oct. 22, piloting Merito Hanover to a 1:57.1 win in the $12,000 United States Harness Driver’s Club Pace at Cumberland Run.
Morrison was cool, calm and collected as he came from well off-the-pace with the five-year-old Bettors Delight gelding and used a :29 closing kick to score by two lengths over Ayr Pioneer GB, driven by Dein Spriggs, with Gottalovemyshadow third for Carson Conrad. The early leader, Howtotrainurdragon, driven by Tony Dinges, was fourth while Indiana Cam, teamed up with Scott McQuinn, picked up the nickel.
Morrison, 36, has been around horses much of his life but decided to take a stronger position about two years ago in the training sector of the sport.
In lamenting about the win, Morrison related, “They were leaving all over the place on both sides of me and I just couldn't get involved in that so I got away away fifth and the early fractions were pretty hot [:28 and :56.4] with a lot of action up front. I kinda let things play out and found some space to get out and this horse was really rolling once we straightened away. The credit goes to the horse, actually.”
When asked if he was after guys like Palone and Miller and Tetrick, Morrison chuckled, “I sure am…but I’d have to live to be 3,000 years old…at least!
“My next one will be as exciting as this one as I love the amateur club but really want to concentrate on the training aspect of the sport and use guys like Palone, Tetrick and MIller, if I ever get the chance!
“I really enjoy working with the horses every day and love seeing that they are healthy and athletic. Caring for them is most important for me."
Merito Hanover earned his second win of the year in 22 starts and sent his 2023 bankroll to $17,640 and lifetime earnings to $91,646. The winner, trained by Dinges for Dawnelle Mock, paid $14.78 as fourth choice in the betting.
The United States Harness Driver’s Club (USHDC) made Sunday "extra special" with yet another donation to Goshen, New York's Harness Racing Museum.
Amateur drivers Jafari Frazier, Tony Dinges and Dein Spriggs joined Ted Nicholson, Vice-President of Racing for The Mint Gaming Properties, for the presentation in Corbin, Kentucky as the USHDC now has well surpassed the $300,000 plateau in its donations encompassing beneficiaries involved in aftercare for retired horses, new careers for Standardbreds as therapeutic horse and show horses, to name a few.
Jafari Frazier, Tony Dinges and Dein Spriggs with Ted Nicholson in the winner’s circle for the USHDC presentation to the Harness Racing Museum.
“This grand museum in Goshen, New York, the cradle of harness racing, is an absolutely incredible museum tracing our sport back to its beginning back over two centuries," said Spriggs, president of the USHDC. "It’s imperative that they have the financial resources to properly showcase our grand sport and our club is honoured to participate in keeping it alive and well.”
(With files from USHDC)