While sophomore pacer Wiggle It Jiggleit kept his unblemished record intact on Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack, one of the other undefeated three-year-olds suffered a loss for the first time.
JK Shesalady was 13-for-13 going into Saturday's Fan Hanover elimination, with 12 wins in 12 starts at two en route to Horse of the Year honours in both Canada and the U.S. While she appeared to be poised to grind out a first-over score -- as has been her style -- she was unable to wear down the pacesetter and was picked off by the horse on her helmet, Sassa Hanover.
"She scoped with quite a bit of mucous so I'll get her on some antibiotics and pray a lot," trainer Nancy Johansson told Trot Insider on Sunday. "She got slightly sick last year before the race in Hoosier Park and bounced back very quickly so hopefully she will do the same this time. She is easy on herself and knows how to take care of herself."
If JK Shesalady can bounce back like she did from that touch of illness last year, watch out. Her race after the start at Hoosier Park was a 1:50.2 performance at The Red Mile. The main difference here is time: that recovery was over 13 days, and this stretch is only a week. Johansson is fully aware that time is of the essence.
"I was able to get the first antibiotics into her (Saturday) night quickly which should improve recovery time."
JK Shesalady wasn't lacking appetite on Saturday or Sunday morning, and drank plenty of water according to her trainer: both positive signs. In fact, Johansson wasn't all that disappointed in her filly's effort.
"On top of being short and a tough first over trip she actually raced pretty well," the trainer continued. "She was still timed in 1:50.2, which would've won the other division. Just unfortunate that sickness isn't always detectable until after the stress of racing, but happy it was this week instead of next week so we have time to get her to bounce back."
With Saturday's elimination behind her, Johansson is looking ahead to the Fan Hanover Final this coming Saturday. At the mercy of the post position gods, JK Shesalady drew extremely well and landed in post position five.
"Obviously the big advantage of winning the the elim is getting to pick your post. I was worried about the open draw for her but luckily it worked out perfectly."
As the first stakes test of what's likely to be a long season, U.S. harness racing's Rising Star Award winner readily admits that the health of the horse is paramount and won't do anything to jeopardize her well being. That poise and perspective is tempered against the drive to win, and thus Johansson remains ultra-confident in her filly's ability.
"I have said all spring that the main goal this year is to win finals and not necessarily rack up lots of wins." stated Johansson. "I still think that she is the horse to beat in the final and I am very confident in her. But I will by no means do anything to jeopardize the remainder of the season. She doesn't owe any of us anything and her well being is my number one priority."
Johansson laughed about how quickly some were ready to jump off the Shesalady bandwagon after Saturday's race, likening her situation to those calling for the retirement of Foiled Again earlier this year.
"Sometimes we lose perspective on horses when they get a little too good and we forget that they're animals that have good and bad days and not machines."
If the sickness gets cleared up, and with another week of training, Johansson feels her filly will be better for next week and for weeks to come.
"It's a tough schedule ahead and she'll start to peak when the others start to level off."
The field for the $479,000 Fan Hanover Stakes:
1. Better Said
2. Moonlit Hanover
3. Sassa Hanover
4. Doctor Terror
5. JK Shesalady
6. Solar Sister
7. Wrangler Magic
8. Storm Point
9. Single Me
10. Bettor Be Steppin
AE: The Show Returns