The fastest female pacer in harness racing history started her four-year-old season the way she ended her three-year-old season: finishing first at The Meadowlands.
With regular driver David Miller at the controls for her first qualifier, world record holder Shebestingin settled into second behind Panera Hanover (Andy Miller) and sat the pocket through the :28.3 opening quarter before making a backside brush to the front. From there, Shebestingin raced comfortably on the lead through a :57.1 half and 1:25.3 third panel before sprinting home in :27 to trip the timer in 1:52.2.
Shebestingin (Bettors Delight - Armbro Tussle) made history last year with her 1:47 scorcher over The Red Mile, making her the fastest female pacer in a race. She is owned by Val D' Or Farms of Millstone, N.J., Ted Gewertz, New York, N.Y. and the L And L Devisser LLC of Holland, Mich.
“We’ll see how it plays out, but I think they’ll both compete very good as four-year-olds against the aged mares,” trainer Joe Holloway said earlier this month about Shebestingin and stablemate Somwherovrarainbow. “Right now, 'Sting' couldn’t train back any better. I think 'Rainbow' could have a really good year; I’m excited about her. But I’m very excited about 'Sting.'”
Holloway plans to start Shebestingin in several overnight races before heading to the $50,000 Miami Valley Distaff on May 4 at Ohio’s new Miami Valley Raceway. Her first major stakes appearance should come in the Roses Are Red in June at Mohawk Racetrack.
“Even though I don’t have the Matchmaker for her, you really can’t just sit around until June; you’ve got to be tight,” Holloway said.
Also qualifying for Holloway on Saturday morning was three-year-old colt pacer Always B Miki, a North America Cup-eligible son of former Holloway standout-turned-stallion Always A Virgin. Always B Miki was a 1:53.1 winner in rein to Yannick Gingras.
For the full set of charted lines from The Meadowlands, click the following link: Saturday Qualifiers - Meadowlands Racetrack.