Two of the top contenders for the 2021 TVG Finals put in solid qualifying miles on Saturday (Nov. 13) in preparation for harness racing's final major stakes event of the season.
Older pacer Cattlewash tightened for what could be his final career appearance ahead of stallion duty in 2022. With driver David Miller at the controls, the four-year-old paced home in :26.2 to fend off star older pacing mare Rocknificent (Scott Zeron) by a length in 1:52.4 on a track listed with a two-second variant.
Cattlewash (Somebeachsomewhere - Road Bet) is fresh off a narrow loss in the 2021 Breeders Crown Open Pace for trainer Ron Burke and owner-breeder Bill Donovan. He sports a career summary of 13-11-8 with $1,319,037 in purses, and he'll look to add to those totals in this coming Saturday (Nov. 20) in the TVG Open Pace.
Atlanta has been a runner-up in her past two TVG appearances, and her connections are hopeful that the third time will be the charm this weekend. The triple millionaire trotting mare closed in :26.4 for driver Yannick Gingras in her qualifying effort to knock off fellow Hambletonian champ Ramona Hill (Andy McCarthy) by nearly three lengths in 1:53.1.
Another Burke Brigade pupil, Atlanta sports totals of 31-15-5 from 62 starts with $3,269,538 bankrolled for Crawford Farms Racing, Brad Grant and Howard Taylor. A win in either the TVG Open Trot or Open Mare Trot would help solidify divisional honours for the daughter of Chapter Seven - Hemi Blue Chip.
The draw for the TVG Finals takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 16.