What’s going on here? Another new track record at Monticello Raceway?
“That’s correct,” said the raceway’s announcer Howard Oil. “This one is the 10th new track record this season, and that’s the most we ever had in a single year.”
On Tuesday, September 30, with the leaves turning shades of red and yellow and beginning to fall to the ground, O Sundland paced to a new track record for four-year-old horses when Larry Stalbaum guided him to a romping, six-length victory in a time of 1:53, which established a new track standard for horses of his age and gait.
O Sundland’s victory was one and one-fifth seconds faster than the old mark of 1:54.1, which was set just two weeks ago (on September 16) by Twin B Famous and driver Mike Merton.
Tuesday’s track-record mile was the first start at Monticello for the son of Ponder, after having shipped in from the Midwest where he was racing at the Red Mile and Balmoral Park.
“My buddy, Bobby Williams Jr., just sent him to me,” Stalbaum said of O Sundland via telephone from the paddock. Williams has had a lot of bad luck recently, as he lost his son and his good friend, Ken Sundland, for who the horse was named for.
“He told me he thinks O Sundland is a good horse, and after the way he raced today, ya’ know, I believe he’s right.”
After starting from Post 6, Stalbaum gunned O Sundland toward the front, but the duo didn’t gain command until just before the quarter, which was timed in :27.4. From there, Stalbaum let his pacer breeze, and they passed the halfway point in :57, two lengths in front of the field.
Up the backside O Sundland kicked in a 28-second quarter and they were three lengths in front at that panel. O Sundland kept pouring it on and paced a 28-second final quarter en route to an eased-up, six-length, 1:53 victory.
“We went down the road and he was well in-hand at the finish,” Stalbaum said, using racetrack vernacular in conveying his thoughts.
Odds-on favourite Mixed Media was second for Bruce Aldrich Jr., while Kennanskingwilliam and driver Jimmy Taggart Jr. finished third.
“Since I got him he’s been at the farm running in the paddocks and I didn’t even train him. But he’s a speed horse and he doesn’t need much training, anyway. Still, I was really surprised how easily he did it today,” Stalbaum added. “I was swinging on him in the lane and I know he’ll go a lot more before it’s all over.”
Owned by Bobby Williams Jr. and trained by Kimberly Asher, O Sundland had four previous victories in 10 starts. He paid $5.30 for the win in his ‘Mighty M’ debut.
In a year with multiple track records, O Sundland’s 1:53 victory was one of the fastest miles at the Mighty M thus far this year.
(Monticello)