Trainer Ray Schnittker has his star trotting filly, Check Me Out, in-to-go this weekend following her heartbreaking loss in last Saturday’s Hambletonian Oaks, and just as noteworthy is the fact that Schnittker says the multi-talented trotting miss will be back for another tour of duty next season.
“Oh she’s going to race next year, no doubt,” Schnittker recently told Harness Racing Communications.
That’s the long term plan, while the short term game plan will see the sophomore daughter of Donato Hanover-Illusion Bi, who according to Schnittker came out of the Hambletonian Oaks debacle in good shape, will take her show on the road to The Meadows this weekend.
“She’s racing at The Meadows Friday (post four in a $140,557) Pennsylvania Sire Stakes,” Schnittker added. “She’s got the Zweig (August 26 at Vernon Downs), the finals of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes (September 1 at Pocono Downs), then Kentucky (Red Mile races September 30 for Bluegrass Stakes, October 7 for Kentucky Filly Futurity), Breeders Crown (eliminations October 20, finals October 27 at Woodbine), American-National (November 10 at Balmoral) and the Matron (eliminations November 11 at Dover Downs, final is November 18).”
Schnittker, who co-owns the career winner of close to $1.5 million with Charles Iannazzo, said Check Me Out could be in for a European adventure – similar to the great Moni Maker - next season. And like Moni Maker did to end her career, Check Me Out could flaunt her versatility by taking a shot at Moni Maker’s trotting under saddle record of 1:54.1.
“That’s what I’m hoping,” added Schnittker. “We could do that, too. She’s actually really good under saddle. That was really exciting (the under saddle race) at The Meadowlands (on August 4).”
(With files from Harness Racing Communications)