Higher And Higher’s second major race in her brief career is Sunday’s $500,000 Three Diamonds for two-year-old filly pacers at Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack as she looks to continue her display of skill as a fresh
addition to the harness racing scene.
“We’ve worked with her. I’ve had to do a little vet work to her as far as making sure she stays sound,” said trainer Paul Reid. “Going at those high speeds, most of the young horses do get aches and pains.”
But even with the usual conditioning pains, Higher And Higher remains an excellent horse to train.
“I noticed her attitude is getting better as far as knowing what to do and getting more ‘racy’ as the schedule picks up,” Reid said.
The daughter of Western Terror and Pro Bowl Best (the full sister to $500,000 winner Pro Bono Best) is aiming to put another tally mark in the victory category with her three starts already producing two wins and one second-place finish. The second-place finish was her first major race at Mohawk in the She’s A Great Lady final on September 5.
“Maybe one more step, we might have got it all – but that’s horse racing,” said Reid referring to the $745,476 final at Mohawk, when Higher And Higher finished a quarter-length behind Put On A Show.
Higher And Higher’s Three Diamond elimination performance at Harrah’s Chester last Sunday was an indicator of her potential. During the elimination, she was able to preserve her lead from the quarter-mile marker on and finished with a time of 1:54.1.
“She had never been in the front like that, so I didn’t know how she was going to handle it; that was my only concern, being that she has only had a couple starts,” Reid said. “A green horse, sometimes you don’t know how they’re going to react.”
Regardless of how Higher And Higher, owned by Bulletproof Enterprises, might have felt about the new sensation of leading the race, she finished without yielding to the trailing competition.
“I was partially surprised – you hope for that [winning],” Reid said. “I knew she was a classy filly and had the speed, but you need some racing luck, too.”
The two other elimination winners were Casino Nights and Fancy Filly, who has won seven of eight starts. Her only setback was a third-place finish in the She’s A Great Lady. Fellow finalist Western Moonlight won the $440,300 Sweetheart last month.
Here is a look at the Three Diamonds field in post position order with listed drivers and trainers:
1. Native Doll, Tim Tetrick, Mark Capone
2. Casino Nights, Tim Tetrick, Noel Daley
3. Higher And Higher, Dave Palone, Paul Reid
4. Fancy Filly, Brian Sears, George Teague Jr.
5. Full Picture, Richard Silverman, Jerry Silverman
6. Sammys Magic Girl, Brett Miller, William Popfinger
7. A And Gs Princess, Andy Miller, Mark Capone
8. Western Moonlight, David Miller, Jim Campbell
(Harness Racing Communications)