Trainer Ron Burke told harnessracing.com on Monday morning (August 7) that the decision to disqualify What The Hill from first in the $1 million Hambletonian final at the Meadowlands Racetrack this past weekend will be appealed to the New Jersey Racing Commission.
Burke also added that What The Hill underwent throat surgery early on Monday morning (August 7) and the colt is now "50-50" to race in the Zweig Memorial on August 18 at Vernon Downs.
After having finished fourth in his Hambletonian elimination, What The Hill and driver David Miller were first across the wire in the final. Miller had tipped from second in deep stretch to go past the leading Perfect Spirit and driver Ake Svanstedt, but, as he did, contact was allegedly made between Guardian Angel AS' leg and Miller's sulky, which led to Guardian Angel AS making a break.
The track judges flashed the ‘inquiry’ sign, and after about five minutes it was announced they had disqualified What The Hill for causing interference and placed him ninth behind Guardian Angel AS. That resulted in Perfect Spirit being elevated from second to first. Devious Man was moved from third to second and Enterprise was moved from fourth to third.
"The more we watched it, the more we felt that David (Miller) was 100 per cent in the right," said Burke. "So we are going to go forward with this."
Jerry Silva, who co-owns What The Hill – as J&T Silva Stables in partnership with Burke Racing Stable, Our Horse Cents Stable and Deo Volente Farms – told harnessracing.com that the formal appeal will ask that a review of Perfect Spirit allegedly drifting right in the stretch take place.
"There are many different ideas of what caused what happened and why (What The Hill) was pulled down," said Silva. "The first item that is bothersome is the rule that you can't change lanes, and that caused us to have to go out three lanes."
As for What The Hill, Burke said he is hoping the trotter recovers quickly and can race in the Zweig.
"He was partially entrapped and we went in and lasered it clean," said Burke. "Right now I'd say it's 50-50 for the Zweig."
(Harnessracing.com)