Trailing by eight lengths at the half, Tidewater Teddy launched a second-over move that carried him to the lead and a sweep of the Watson Provost Memorial series for freshman colt and gelding pacers Tuesday at The Meadows
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Tidewater Teddy captured both preliminary legs with mid-pack moves, and in the light rain of the $25,250 final, it was déjà vu all over again. Under the urging of Dick Stillings, Tidewater Teddy used the cover provided by Show Topper, then vaulted past to defeat that rival by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:54.3. Lap Hanover, the 4-5 favourite, recovered from an early break to finish third.
A private acquisition earlier this year by Umholtz Racing Stable and Kennedy Sports Corp., Tidewater Teddy had won just once in seven starts before his Provost sweep.
“I think I got him at just the right time. He’s been improving a little bit each week,” said Clair Umholtz, who trains the gelded son of The Panderosa-Miss Tootsie Roll. “He raced well at Delaware, and the break at Northfield the following week wasn’t his fault.”
Umholtz said Tidewater Teddy won’t race again this year.
“We’ll turn him out,” he said. “He’s grown some since we’ve had him, and I think he’ll fill out a little bit more. He has to go a lot faster to be a sires stake horse, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed.”
Bonners Creek collected a front-end victory in 1:55.1 in the $12,000 Provost consolation for Aaron Merriman and owner/trainer Lanny Merriman. Charmed Beauty was a nose back in second, with Metro Man a rallying third. Merriman and Stillings each drove three winners on the 16-race card.
(The Meadows)