When the connections of The Gypsy Queen IR claimed the daughter of Foreclosure N on Feb. 17, they knew the mare was talented, but they weren't sure how talented. They found out on Saturday, March 2 at MGM Northfield Park as she dug in down the stretch to win the $24,324 Filly & Mare Handicap Pace.
The Gypsy Queen IR (Keith Kash Jr.) was quickly put into play early, defending the pylon position into the first turn and forcing heavy favourite Fairiesdelight A (Aaron Merriman) into the pocket into the backstretch. Kash put up a solid :27.2 first quarter, then a leisurely :56.4 in the second quarter, with the field in straight alignment with one lap to go.
Up the backstretch, Creme Delight (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) was sent to the outside, with Think Of Galaxies (Billy Davis Jr.) right on her back, riding second-over cover. At three-quarters in 1:25, The Gypsy Queen IR still had a 1-1/4-length edge over her closest pursuer.
Around the final turn, Creme Delight made her way into second, with only a length to make up, with Think Of Galaxies making a bid three-deep. Fairiesdelight A was moved into the passing lane by Merriman to take a crack at the leader, but The Gypsy Queen IR was all heart, holding off her rival by a neck in 1:54.
Owned by Dannie Ray Hostetler and trained by Kash Jr., the six-year-old mare earned her 23rd career victory and now boasts earnings of $157,933.
Betmetowin inherits the win in GLADA Trot at Northfield
Betmetowin, the 5-2 second choice in the betting, inherited the win in harness racing’s Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association’s (GLADA) Trot event.
Though second to the 3-5 toteboard favourite Wild And Crazy Guy at the wire, the six-year-old gelding benefitted when the latter was disqualified from the top spot after an incident early on bothering Black Hawk Down and a driver's objection by Eric Miller.
Driver Edward Miller, who also trains and co-owns Betmetowin, gave his charge a heads-up drive from the seven post, finding a spot close up in fourth early before wending his way into contention and kicking home fastest of all to get within 1-3/4 lengths of Wild And Crazy Guy in a 1:56.4 mile, benefitting from the judges' decision to take the winner down.
Dontyousayit (Christina Johnson) was moved up to second while Fireworks Flash (Logan Ebersole) was moved up a notch to third while LMC Mass Gem (Braiden Rhoades) and Walters Keepsake (Joseph Cramp) also were moved up a notch, as well.
Meanwhile, Wild And Crazy Guy, denied the win, also denied amateur driver Larry Ferrari his fifth straight win in GLADA competition dating back to Dec. 30 of last year.
After the race, Miller lamented, “My horse did race very well and got a fortunate ‘break’ with a judges decision in which I wasn’t really involved. There might have been a little something going on early up front but it didn’t bother me at all so I guess I was the lucky one benefitting tonight. It’s all part of racing and I’m glad that everyone came out safe. That’s the ultimate thing.”
Miller co-owns Betmetowin with his fiancé Ashley Dunn, with the horse earning his first win of the year in five tries to push his career bankroll to $166,774 on the strength of 17 lifetime wins.
The 26-year-old Miller, known primarily for his training prowess, also earned his first driving win of the year and 52nd lifetime win in only 199 career starts with a UDRS over .400 in each of the last three seasons.
In savouring the win, Miller joked, “I own Betmetowin with Ashley, and depending on how things go on the track, we plan to get married in October…just not quite sure which year yet!”
GLADA members donate all of their driving earnings for charitable distribution to organizations benefitting racehorse aftercare and new careers as show horses or horses used in therapeutic endeavours, among others.
Live racing resumes on Sunday, March 3 with a first post of 6 p.m.
(With files from Northfield Park / GLADA)