The trip was about as horrible as it could be for American History in Monday’s $150,000 Bobby Quillen Memorial at Harrington Raceway, but the Tony Alagna trainee overcame it and posted a mild upset in a sparkling clocking of 1:49.3.
In rein to Joe Bongiorno, American History found himself sixth and parked out past the opening quarter in :26.4. It was race favourite None Bettor A who sliced out that first quarter, and he proceeded to lead the field to the mid-way point in :55 while feeling parked out pressure from Backstreet Shadow.
Those two continued to wage war to the three-quarter pole in 1:22.4, with American History making a three-wide charge at the leaders. Backstreet Shadow backed away after his tough trip, but American History was still stepping forward despite being parked every step of the mile.
None Bettor A dug in late, but it wasn’t enough to fend off the ferocious American History who drew clear late and posted the victory in 1:49.3. None Bettor A held on for the runner-up award, with third prize going to Sectionline Bigry. Courtly Choice, who started from Post 7, was parked every step of the mile and wound up fourth in the eight-horse affair.
The victory was the third of the season from 14 attempts for American History, who is a 14-time winner to date. The four-year-old son of American Ideal-Perfect Touch pushed his lifetime earnings to $761,515 with the victory. He is owned by Brittany Farms LLC, Marvin Katz and American History Racing.
Four $20,000 divisions for two-year-old Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund pacers also helped comprise the 15-race card, including the early non-wagering event won by Henry Faragalli, Arthur Feeney, Bay Pond Racing Stable and Bonnuccelli Racing's Bag Of Jewels (Victor Kirby) in 1:57.4.
The Roddys Bags Again filly notched her second career win over Sprinkles On Top and Im Two Soxy. The winner was trained by Les Givens.
Givens and Kirby was back in the winner's circle in the first division for male pacers as American Nitro was an easy winner over Apple Valley Art and Aidan in 1:56.2.
Owned by Faragalli, Nanticoke Racing Stable, Feeney and Daniel Doane, it was the second win in three career starts for the Badlands Nitro gelding.
The third DSBF division on the card was the second for male pacers as Leonard Hubbard's Leonards Legacy ($2.80, Jon Roberts) was a dominant winner in 1:56.4 for trainer Nick Callahan.
The Tobago Cays colt was a front end winner over White Lands and Bebop On The Block.
The final DSBF division was for fillies as Brenda Teague’s Shes Got The Lynx ($2.80, Montrell Teague) was a 1:59.1 winner over Dragon My Fannie and Spin Sumthin.
The Southwind Lynx filly improved to 2-for-2 in her career after breaking her maiden in an overnight event on September 10 for her owner/trainer.
In the $18,500 Open, Bryan Truitt's Highland Beach Boy ($35.80, Victor Kirby) was a 1:52.3 winner over Qs Cruise and Ideal Kiss.
The Bryan Truitt-trainee notched his eighth win of the year.
Racing fans were also treated to the presence of three-time Quillen Memorial winner, Foiled Again, who was available for meet-and-greet trackside. Foiled Again, the richest standardbred of all-time, is now enjoying retirement but has a generous temperament that has lent itself to a number of continued racetrack interactions with fans thanks to his generous connections which include trainer Ron Burke.
Local television host Heather Vitale was instrumental in scheduling Foiled Again's visit.
(With files from Harrington Raceway)