Sometime a “bit” after nine o’clock on last Saturday night in East Rutherford, New Jersey, it started raining somewhat heavily over harness racing’s lightning-fast Meadowlands racetrack.
The three-year-old Meadowlands Pace eligibles were in action with Mirage Hanover’s (Bettor’s Delight) win in 1:49.1 going official around 9:23,
Trained by Jake Leamon for owner Marvin Rounick, Mirage Hanover was driven by Tim Tetrick.
The 1:49.1 mile wasn’t so surprising but a :24.3 final quarter sure was.
Kinda felt sorry for Captain Luke, sawing through the panels with his 24.4 kick home not quite good enough, being nailed by a half a length a few strides from the wire.
And I REALLY felt sorry for Boston Rocks, who paced his final quarter in :25.1—a 1:40.4 rate for a mile—and had passed not a single horse and only in a photo to see if he was next rio last…or last in his field.
A :24.3 final quarter is equal to a mile rate of 1:38.2! And that’s not a misprint!
Thoroughbred horses hardly gallop home that fast in the final quarter of a one mile race.
About 23 minutes later, the rainy conditions forced the judges to “downgrade” the track condition to “good” and that enabled T C I (Cantab Hall) to waltz around the Big M oval in an effortless 1:53.2—last quarter :27.1, something we’re all used to seeing he and Karl do both last season and this, as well, as we get into the heart of the Stakes season.
T C I was driven by David Miller for trainer Ron Burke and the Burke Racing Stable, Hatfield Stables, Knox Services and Weaver Bruscemi.
Speaking of Karl (Tactical Landing), this grand colt won for fun in 1:51 off a quarter-move to the half in :56.1 and not breaking a sweat through a final half in :54.4 and final panel in :26.3.
Karl was handled by Yannick Gingras for trainer Nancy Takter, who co-owns with Christine Tarter, Black Horse Racing, Crawford Farms Racing and Bender Sweden, Inc.
It’s scary to think how fast they’ll go on a Hambletonian Day…or Futurity Day at The Red Mile.
Of course, there were some other noteworthy performances prior to the skies opening up—one of the several being Jiggy Jog S (Walner).
Can’t believe she’s five now and her 1:52.1 win was in typical “jiggy jog” fashion…but her :25.1 final quarter of :25.1 was close to unbelievable!
Trained by Ake Svanstedt, Jiggy Jog S was driven by Dexter Dunn for Ake Svanstedt, Inc., Steve Stewart, John Lengacher and Hickory Hollow Stables.
Southwind Tyrion (Muscle Hill) had an easy time winning the Crawford Farms Fan Duel Trot whiles leading at every pole to score in 1:49.2—:26.4—for trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt. Knutsson Trotting, Inc., Brittany Farms and Riverview.
By the way, that’s the fastest trotting mile of the year, thus far.
Twin B Joe Fresh (Roll With Joe) won in 1:49.1 off of her half in :57—her last half in :52.1…and Sylvia Hanover has nothing to be ashamed of going first up grinding with her :25.2 finale just amazing but not quite good enough this night…
Chris Ryder trains the winner with Dexter Dunn handling the lines with ownership shared by the trainer, driver, Peter Trebotica and Barry Spak.
They are two amazing four-year-old mares, that’s for sure…
Remembering the days where horses needed a “:29” breather somewhere during their miles to prevent even the thought of a 1:50 mile…
Today, great horses don’t need a “breather.” They can go the whole distance without hardly taking a breath!
But now, we come to the crux of this Mane Attraction—the title—‘Could a Rainstorm Have Prevented a World Record?”
The Fan Duel Open Pace honored the memory of the outstanding Dave Brewer, still greatly missed among those who were blessed to know him…and even those that weren’t lucky enough to be touched by his knowledge and kindness.
The winner was Abuckabett Hanover (Betting Line)…and, while there was no question about the winner, there was one question remaining that will never be answered…
With the Meadowlands track downgraded again to sloppy and the judges “allowing” two seconds, a final field of 11 of the greatest pacers in training went behind the starting gate at about 10:44 and, when the wings sprung open and the bell rang, it was Allywag Hanover hot off those wings with Abuckabett Hanover with Ruthless Hanover using the rail to perfection and away in good order. followed by Rocknroll Runa A and Ken Hanover, beginning from the second tier.
Ruthless Hanover made a sharp quarter move to the top at the :26.3 opener and led the field through subsequent panels of :53.4 and 1:21 with Ken Hanover trying to look him in the eye during that third quarter with Allywag Hanover still firm on the inside and Abuckabett Hanover in striking distance second-over turning for home.
In the lane, Abuckabett was on his way home in :26.1 to draw clear in the late stages over a late charging Charlie May with Ken Hanover third, Allywag Hanover fourth and Ruthless Hanover holding on for the nickel.
Trainer Andrew Harris had Dexter Dunn handling the lines back of the winner…and Harris also co-owns with William Pollock and Bruce Areman.
The mile in 1:47.3 was the fastest of the night…on a sloppy racing oval…with a two second allowance.
Two seconds beats the current mark of 1:45.4 by a tick…and the question will never be answered whether, under perfect conditions, the current mark would have been pierced.
But one thing is now certain…
Just as I wrote 40 years ago that we’d never have a 1:50 mile in our sport, it’s now a certainly that the current record will be broken.
I’d “Bettabuck” on it!
It’s just a matter of TIME!
May The Horse Be With You
by John Berry, for Harnesslink
