The Canadian-campaigned Marion Marauder became the ninth horse to win Trotting's Triple Crown as he defeated Southwind Frank in a Kentucky Futurity photo finish during the final history-making day of the Grand Circuit meet at The Red Mile on Sunday, Oct. 9.
In a stretch drive reminiscent of the Hambletonian, Marion Marauder lunged at Southwind Frank towards the center of the track to narrowly win the 124th running of the $431,000 Kentucky Futurity in 1:52.3, becoming the ninth horse to complete the Trotting Triple Crown.
Marion Marauder was wide for the entirety of the mile, managing to get cover from Bar Hopping (Tim Tetrick) while Blenheim (John Campbell) trotted to the lead in :28.1. Love Matters (Brian Sears) was flushed first over heading to the :56.2 half, carrying Southwind Frank (Yannick Gingras) and Bar Hopping on his back.
Love Matters engaged with Blenheim around the far turn. Southwind Frank began to edge three-wide from second over, while Bar Hopping fanned wider of him and Marion Marauder wider of Bar Hopping. Blenheim held a narrow lead as a wall of horses stampeded towards him through a 1:25.1 third quarter.
Southwind Frank swung to the lead in the stretch. Bar Hopping was moving down the center of the track, with Marion Marauder alongside. Marion Marauder accelerated by Bar Hopping and was trying to out-sprint Southwind Frank towards the inside. The two had their noses extended heading to the line, with Marion Marauder inching to victory.
Marion Marauder, by Muscle Hill out of the Donerail mare Spellbound Hanover, earned his 11th win from 26 career starts and boosted his bankroll to $1,897,338 for owners Marion Wellwood of Stratford, Ont. and Devin Keeling of Cambridge, Ont. He is trained by Paula Wellwood and Mike Keeling, and was driven by Scott Zeron, 27, who became the youngest driver to the win a Triple Crown.
“I had to have no game plan going into that race,” Zeron said. “I had no clue what was going to happen; earlier there was a 12-horse field and the 11 and 12 got away 11th and 12th. I wasn’t too optimistic, but the way it unfolded and Bar Hopping really pushed to get away up close, I just glued my horse to his helmet. We were able to get [Southwind] Frank out and it was a perfect train.
“I just had my eyes on Yannick’s and Timmy’s horses. I didn’t want to make a move too quick because I knew we’d be sprinting really hard down the lane. I was confident down the lane when I moved him over; probably watching the race, you might not have been as confident, but he dropped his head about two feet and just dug right through the wire. I was very confident he got up, but nobody else was, so thank God he got up. He was amazing.”
“All I can say is that I wish my grandma was with me, the co-owner,” Devin Keeling said. “I’m just thinking about her right now.”
Marion Marauder wasn’t eligible to race in the Kentucky Futurity. However, after finishing second in the $687,000 Canadian Trotting Classic, his connections supplemented him for $47,261.
“I was a little leery [of supplementing him],” Paula Wellwood said. “But he showed after the Canadian Trotting Classic that he wanted to race, so we brought him.”
“It was the only way to go after he showed us how sharp he was with a week off,” Mike Keeling, who also trains Marion Marauder, said. “It has just been a tremendous year with a tremendous group of horses. I think we gave the fans a lot of thrills.”
Marion Marauder is the first winner of the Trotting Triple Crown since Glidemaster in 2006. He won the Hambletonian by a nose, the Yonkers Trot by a head, and the Kentucky Futurity by a nose.
“They don’t write down on the cheque how much you beat them by,” Mike Keeling said.
Marion Marauder paid $9.20 to win.
$312,000 Kentucky Filly Futurity
After winning her elimination, Broadway Donna returned to the track hours later to claim victory in the $312,000 Kentucky Filly Futurity.
Earlier on the card, Broadway Donna trotted in 1:51.1 to win the first of two eliminations for the Filly Futurity, paying $7.00 to win.
Sitting fourth through a :27 quarter set by Southwind Hope (Andy Miller), Broadway Donna moved first over from fourth to brush to control before the :55 half-mile mark. She began kicking away from Southwind Hope chasing in second and Spicedbourbongirl (Jeff Gregory) in third to three-quarters in 1:23.1. Broadway Donna remained in front by open lengths through the stretch, coasting home while Earn Your Wings (Scott Zeron) came down the center of the track for second and Flowers N Songs (Doug McNair) for third. Spicedbourbongirl finished fourth and Dream Child (Tim Tetrick) was fifth.
“She wasn’t at the top of her game last week,” Jim Campbell said. “Part of it was probably my fault; I should’ve pulled her hind shoes last week, but she warmed up so good that I thought she was okay with them on. Dave [Miller] thought the track kind of stuck to her and wore her out more than anything, so I’ll take the blame for last week.
“I was just watching David and he was just letting her trot along. I was just hoping that she would bounce back and be like her old self, and if she was, the fractions wouldn’t bother me. David didn’t even look like he was asking her; she looked real strong all the way down the lane. I was paying more attention to David than I was the fractions."
Dancing In Thehall, an Ake Svanstedt trainee by Cantab Hall out of the Donerail mare Doin The Town, pulled off a 47-1 upset in the second elimination, winning in 1:53.
Womans Will (Andy Miller) led the field through a :28 first quarter before losing the lead to Side Bet Hanover (Corey Callahan). Celebrity Eventsy (John Campbell) pulled first over from fifth with Wildflower (Svandtedt) on her back at the half, timed in :55.4. Dancing In Thehall was trotting at the rail in sixth around the far turn while Side Bet Hanover progressed to three-quarters in front of Celebrity Eventsy stalled first over in 1:24.4.
Side Bet Hanover drifted off the rail through the stretch, leaving room for Dancing In Thehall and driver Yannick Gingras to sweep up the rail while Wildflower, Gin And Lindy (Tim Tetrick), and Double Exposure (Scott Zeron) tried to advance towards the center of the track. Side Bet Hanover tried to fight off Dancing In Thehall to her inside heading to the line, but Dancing In Thehall edged by. Double Exposure finished third, Gin And Lindy fourth, and Gracie Hanover fifth.
“[We] just tried to stay close to the rail and hope that something opened up,” Yannick Gingras said. “She felt really strong around the last turn, so I figured at that point I made the final, but all the way through the stretch she kept picking them off one by one.”
Dancing In Thehall paid $96.80 to win. She is owned by Vanersol Inc.
In the second heat, Broadway Donna grabbed command before the half and strolled to a 1:51.2 victory.
Sent off the 3-5 favourite, Broadway Donna edged off the cones passing the quarter in :27.3 to take the top from Spicedbourbongirl (Jeff Gregory). She trotted to the half in :55.3 as Side Bet Hanover (Corey Callahan) initiated a first-over bid into the turn, being tracked by Flowers N Songs (Doug McNair). Side Bet Hanover matched strides with Spicedbourbongirl heading to the 1:23.4 third quarter mark about two lengths off of Broadway Donna. Broadway Donna kicked away in the stretch under wraps while Spicedbourbongirl chased for second and Flowers N Songs kicked off cover for third.
Broadway Donna, by Donato Hanover out of the Broadway Hall mare Broadway Schooner, won her 14th race in 20 starts, pushing her earnings to $933,494 for owner Fashion Farms LLC. Trained by Jim Campbell and driven by David Miller, she returned $3.20 to win.
“It was pretty much an identical trip [to the first heat],” David Miller said. “She was just the same in the second heat as she was in the first.”
“[We] couldn’t be more proud of her today,” Jim Campbell said. “She showed what she can really do, and for her to go two heats like she did today was just impressive. She’s an amazing filly.
“She started off on a good note; she was really good in her first start. And then in her second start she was sick. She bled a little bit in the Hambletonian Oaks and we put her on Lasix, but it didn’t seem to kick in until today. She went out and did what we were hoping to see today.
“Mr. Segal will make the final decision on [racing her at four]. I’m sure he’s leaning towards it, but as long as everything finishes up good this year, I’m sure he’d be in favour of that. They probably have a spot for her all reserved for whenever that time comes, but hopefully it’s not for a couple years.”
$138,000 Allerage Farms Open Pace
Always B Miki electrified the crowd at The Red Mile with the fastest mile in harness racing history in the $138,000 Allerage Farms Open Pace.
David Miller settled Always B Miki into fourth as Shamballa (Scott Zeron) outsprinted Split The House (Brian Sears) to the front through a :26.1 opening quarter. Miller right-lined the 1-9 shot from third and confidently brushed to the lead in advance of a spicy :52.2 half-mile mark.
Always B Miki showed no signs of relinquishing his lead through a 1:19.4 third panel and opened up in the stretch. With a :26.1 final quarter, Always B Miki tripped the timer in a mind-blowing 1:46. The time of the mile shattered the one-mile race standard of 1:46.4 shared by Somebeachsomewhere, Warrawee Needy and Hes Watching while also shaving one-fifth off the 23-year-old record of Cambest set in a 1993 time trial.
A five-year-old horse by Always A Virgin out of the Artsplace mare Artstopper, Always B Miki won his 27th race in 50 starts, earning nearly $2.4 million for owners Bluewood Stable, Roll The Dice Stable and Christina Takter. He is trained by Jimmy Takter and paid $2.10 to win.
“It’s a moment I’m never going to forget,” Jimmy Takter said. “You don’t get horses like this for long, and it’s definitely emotional to be around him. I can’t wait to see him as a stallion. His personality and everything about him will be well-received through the sport. He’s not the easiest horse because he had a lot of injuries, but what this horse overcame every single day nobody else did.
“He has the Breeders Crown and TVG Final; those are the only two races left for him.”
“I really thought the three-quarters was maybe a little too slow,” David Miller said. “But like I’ve said: he’s an incredible horse and does incredible things. I couldn’t be happier with him.”
$208,000 Tattersalls Pace - second division
As expected, Racing Hill captured the second elimination of the Tattersalls Pace on Sunday at The Red Mile.
Brett Miller confidently and patiently guided Racing Hill to the front from post seven, allowing second choice Lyons Snyder (Yannick Gingras) to find the front before clearing to the lead just past the :27.1 opening panel. Racing Hill then chopped out fractions of :55 and 1:23.2 before sprinting home in :26.2 to hold off first-over challenger Big Top Hanover (Corey Callahan) by a diminishing length. Lyons Snyder couldn't close ground on the pacesetter and settled for third.
"This is a tremendous colt and to be honest with you, I have to start racing him a different way," said driver Brett Miller after the win. "I've been racing him very aggressive all year and the colt's getting tired of doing all the work. I was planning on not leaving with him today but he kind of [dragged] me out of there. I didn't want to fight him and we ended up on the front. I really wasn't wanting to cut it with him today and I just have to start taking better care of him."
Tom Hill owns and Tony Alagna trains Racing Hill (Roll With Joe - Chasing Ideals), now sporting a 6-5-2 summary from his 13 seasonal starts and nearly $1.4 million in sophomore earnings.
$208,000 Tattersalls Pace - first division
Stolen Glimpse gave driver Brian Sears his second winner of the card as the 19-1 shot stuck his nose in front of a four-across finish in the first Tattersalls Pace division for three-year-old pacing colts.
Western Fame (Mark MacDonald) cleared to the lead after the :26.4 opening quarter and fronted the field through fractions of :54.1 and 1:22.2. Dr J Hanover (Scott Zeron) applied pressure to the pacesetter from the half-mile point heading into the stretch but couldn't get past Western Fame. Lindy Beach (Tim Tetrick) tipped off his second over cover from behind Dr J Hanover, with a third-over Stolen Glimpse fanning four-wide. A cavalry charge stormed down the stretch in a tightly-bunched group but Stolen Glimpse managed to trip the timer in a lifetime best 1:49.2 score over a persistent Western Fame with Dr J Hanover completing the top three.
"We played a little game there and pulled his back shoes and the horse just really seemed to respond to it," said assitant trainer Mickey Burke after the race. "Plus, Brian drove him perfectly."
Trained by Ron Burke, Stolen Glimpse (Art Major - Jted Love) nearly doubled his lifetime bankroll for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Stable 45, J And T Silva Stables LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
$108,000 Tattersalls for three-year-old filly pacers - 2nd division
The trip was sweet, and the end result was even sweeter for Darlinonthebeach who disposed of the seven foes she sparred with in the second division of the Tattersalls.
David Miller scooped up a second-over trip for the Nancy Johansson trainee, and the filly used it to her advantage en route to posting a North American season’s record-setting performance of 1:48.1. The performance shaved one-fifth of a second off Pure Country’s record-setting mile from earlier in the afternoon.
There was plenty of battling on the lead as Blue Moon Stride and Penpal exchanged punches to the quarter pole in :26.2 before the latter cleared to the top. Blue Moon Stride came right back around Penpal to reclaim the lead, and she zipped across the backstretch and put the field at the half in :54. She came under pressure from Rock Me Baby around the final turn, and the hit the three-quarter pole together in 1:22.1. David Miller launched off cover with Darlinonthebeach as the field stepped into the lane, and the daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-Darlins Delight easily drew clear to post the win over Kiss Me Onthebeach and Penpal.
Bred and owned by White Birch Farm of Allentown, NJ, Darlinonthebeach won for the 10th time this season and for the 12th time in her career. The lion’s share of the loot upped her cash stash to $902,869.
$101,000 Allerage Farms Open Trot
JL Cruze found himself in the role of the tempo-setter in the Allerage Farms Open Trot, but Flanagan Memory found himself in the role of the winner when the dust settled.
Brian Sears rallied from out of the clouds to win the rich tilt with the Ontario Sires Stakes graduate, who matched his lifetime mark when he halted the teletimer in 1:51.2 for trainer/co-owner Rene Dion.
JL Cruze left hard from Post 8 and went on to hang up panels of :27.2, :55.4 and 1:24.1, but he couldn’t seal the deal. Sears, who was third-over with Flanagan Memory, flipped the switch coming off the final turn and the six-year-old son of Kadabra-Classy Stacy roared home to post the win in convincing fashion over Crazy Wow and JL Cruze.
Liette Flanagan of Repentigny, QC shares ownership on the homebred who improved this year’s record to 5-1-3 from 12 starts with the win. The 18-time winner, who is Canada’s representative to the upcoming International Trot at Yonkers Raceway, lifted his lifetime earnings to $1,222,779 with the victory.
$105,500 Tattersalls for three-year-old filly pacers - 1st division
Pure Country became North America’s fastest three-year-old pacing filly of the season thanks to her gusty, first-over score in the Tattersalls for the tandem of driver Brett Miller and trainer Jimmy Takter.
Miller got away third with Pure Country while Call Me Queen Be rushed to the top and supplied the field with first-half fractions of :27.1 and :55. It was an all-out sprint in the third quarter when Pure Country popped off the pylons and went after Call Me Queen Be. They motored to the three-quarter pole in 1:21.4 thanks to a :26.4 third quarter. Pure Country sustained her first-over drive and hauled down Call Me Queen Be in the closing strides. Pure Country went on to stop the teletimer in 1:48.2 while defeating Call Me Queen Be and Lakeisha Hall.
The daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-Western Montana, who races for Diamond Creek Racing of Wellsville, PA, now boasts an impressive record of 8-4-3 from 18 starts this season. The 18-time winner has racked up earnings totalling $1,816,727.
$112,500 Allerage Farms Fillies & Mares Open Pace
The betting public was all over Lady Shadow in the first major stake on the matinee card, but she came up with a rare clunker. Her misfortune was the good fortune of Prairie Sweetheart, a supplemented three-year-old filly who remains undefeated after a dozen starts.
Matt Kakaley got in the back half of the field while Lady Shadow shot to the top and sliced out fractions of :26.4, :54.4 and 1:22.2. Frost Damage Blues put heavy pressure on the pacesetter at the half, and that battle took its toll on both of those distaffers. Kakaley, who latched onto second over cover with Prairie Sweetheart, tipped off cover in the lane and forged to the front en route to posting a career-best and North American season’s record-equalling clocking of 1:49.1. Bedroomconfessions was next best, with Venus Delight grabbing the show dough.
Ross Croghan trains the Florida-bred sophomore filly, who pulled off the 6-1 upset, for Let It Ride Stables Inc of Boca Raton, FL. The daughter of Royel Millennium-Taylors Lady, who went 7-for-7 as a rookie, is now 5-for-5 this season. The stakes score helped her boost her bankroll to $155,024.
(With files from The Red Mile)
Trevor, you have me looking
Trevor, you have me looking at the Red Mile race again.
Shamballa goes to the top, Miki quarter poles and takes the lead.
At the end Shamballa had an easy 2 hole trip but could not keep up at the end. All Bets off came from 4th to make it closer to Shamballa. There is the chart taken directly from the USTA...Hopefully the copy and paste translates directly into this blog.
What race are we talking about just to be clear:)?
PS...Mikey although passionate about WIJI can get on here with alternative agendas...
Not always 4 shoes on his horse.
3 Always B Miki 3 3/2 1/1 1/1 1/1 1/1Q 1:46.0 26.1 *0.05 David Miller Jimmy Takter
5 Shamballa 5 1/1 2/1 2/1 2/1 2/1Q 1:46.1 26.1 7.50 Scott Zeron Rick Zeron
2 All Bets Off 2 4/3 4/4H 4/3H 3/2 3/2 1:46.2 26.0 13.80 Matt Kakaley Ron Burke
1 Split The House 1 2/1 3/2H 3/2H 4/3 4/3T 1:46.4 26.3 19.10 Brian Sears Chris Oakes
4 Dealt A Winner 4 5/4 5/6H 5/4H 5/6 5/6T 1:47.2 26.4 33.10 Andy Miller Mark Silva
I asked Tim in Mohawk before
I asked Tim in Mohawk before the last race , what horse is best ? He replied " wiggleit jiggleit " . I asked him what horse he would pick to drive , he said " wiggleit jiggleit " . He told me he was just to tough to beat and to tough to race against weak in week out .
If Miki bred every single
If Miki bred every single mare on the planet !! His offspring would never match wiggleit jiggleit :))
Yannick, JC, Timmy, we
Yannick, JC, Timmy, we haven't heard your comments on this...
Yes Mike Scott....MIKI is
Yes Mike Scott....MIKI is heading to the breeding shed..... make fun of MIKI if you like, but he will earn more in 2 months than WIJI will for his entire rest of his career.
Best of luck to WIJI this weekend. I hope he has a long career racing as he is good for racing and fans. Maybe next year he will deserve HOY or Older HOY but not this one. There is one better but that is not slighting WIJI as he is only a 4 year old and doing awesome.
John Thomas.... What the heck
John Thomas.... What the heck race are you watching... It appears different then the race the majority watched as it is exactly true and correct. LOL
I too laughed at Mike Scotts comments about perfect trip and was like MIKI cut it past quarter and Sham had perfect trip. Part that really confused me...earlier in year in Franklin Pace...Mike Scott actually commented oh if WIJI gets the two hole trip like MIKI ...he wins etc (he finished third but somehow was going to win) Said can't wait until different positions etc. MIKI goes whole mile on outside and beats him in the slop in world record mile....somehow MIKI got better trip according to him??? Yes they recall WIJI beating MIKI in summer but yet never mention his injury at time (which was documented prior to races). A kaleidoscope vision of the world some of them have.
I love both horses but have always said MIKI faster. The stas back that up. Also had no problem stating WIJI in his last race when he beat MIKI went his best race all year. He actually had a perfect trip and he took advantage of it and no excuses that is what a driver should try do. He beat MIKI that start fair and square.
MIKI has beaten him though the other times he wasn't hurt fair and square.
I also recall stating...WIJI best asset is his tremendous gate speed...therefore he will get away quicker and to the top and post is not as big a factor and that will do him well for his career especially on the smaller tracks. Fact remains, because of that, he generally gets the better trip, as MIKI has to come first over in almost every race. No excuses just the fact he has to race that way as he can't beat WIJI off the gate. It is not hard to say. WIJI has more gate speed. Also not hard to say...MIKI has more speed overall but they never see it or the faster times he goes.
Tim Dean....Unfortunately we
Tim Dean....Unfortunately we wont have the luxury of seeing the superstars race like they have the last couple years with this year being by far the best because the WEG (Woodbine Entertainment group) and Hambletonian Society dropped the "Gural Rule" to not allow horses be eligible to the larger events unless bred by 5 year+ old stallions.
This will greatly hurt and affect our industry. The quality of racing will go down as our young stars will never race past three unless geldings. Take Betting Line for Example as we will not get to see how he matures and races as a four year old as he is headed directly to the breeding shed at the end of this year. Worst part is it not only causes us not to see them race as 4 year olds but often as 5 or 6 year olds too. A lot of the time the 4 year olds started racing but instead of winning all their starts etc they were getting beat so they came back as 5 year olds to try be dominant before hitting the breeding shed.
It will definitely impact our racing and fans and I can't see their logic as it does nothing to improve our sport.
It's case closed john
It's case closed john ...
Wiggleit has the fans and the cash in the bank. He has more cash this year than any other aged pacer in the history of moneymakers. He has already set that record as well :))
Mikey..."If Shamballa got the
Mikey..."If Shamballa got the tip Miki did?
In what universe did Shamballa get a tougher trip than Miki.
Shamballa went to the front then took a 2 hole to Miki.
It doesn't get any easier than that.
Miki got away 3rd then brushed to the top and cut the mile.
Miki did the work.
Zeron knew where Miki would be thats why he went to the top so Miki could take the front and Shamballa would take an easy 2 hole trip.
In the end Sham wow could not close on him. In fact All Bets off was closing in on Shamballa.
Try to deal with logic and facts..and not your imagination.
All the best to WIJI this weekend...
It's good for horse racing.
If he wins from post 8 off the pace he would officially have a new tool in the bag.
Hats off...
"IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE BREEDERS CROWN"
In reply to Mikey..."If Shamballa got the by John Doc41
well said Mr Thomas...doesn't
well said Mr Thomas...doesn't get much plainer than that.
Kevin, yes 146.0 is what he
Kevin, yes 146.0 is what he did.
The clock doesn't lie.
PS...IF you look at all the previous records of 146.4 I believe you will find that they too were done at The Red Mile. (save for Holborne Hanover at The Big M)
As previously pointed out. When the winner of a race does a low time the rest usually follow because they are being dragged along.
You will find when a horse that normally clocks in at 150.0 and is forced to chase a superior horse headed to a 148.0 he too will be in the 148.4 or 149.0 range
Miki did dominate them to the max.
They were at the closest 1-1/4 / 2 / 3 and 6 lengths behind. The further he went the larger the distance became..
Horses run various speeds according to whats in front of them.
When they cut the mile themselves and do 146 flat...thats something special.
Knocking WIJI...I just get PO'd at the over zealous types who will not give MIKI his due.
To be honest...MIKI and WIJI are equal. It depends where they race.
Neither is avoiding the other. What they are doing is just putting their horses on the tracks that help them. Miki on big tracks..WIJI on smaller tracks.
MIKI has a bit of a time getting around smaller tracks. He is way too big (16.2) and sometimes it's hard for him to get his speed up on the turns.
WIJI corners extremely well and if I were his connections I would take advantage of that too. It's like a paid workout for him a Yonkers.Although post 8 will be his biggest obstacle if they all decide to park him. His last race may well serve him well to rate him off the pace.
The FFA's are a bit thin this year.
MIKI, WIJI, Shamballa ...Pete is injured..
Split this group into 2 places and the results are predictable.
Once again.....
Hopefully everyone gets good posts...Saturday October 29
"IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE BREEDERS CROWN"
Pete, Ted and Greg, we
Pete, Ted and Greg, we haven't heard your thoughts in this matter ???
Where's Johnny ?? You
Where's Johnny ??
You suggested a " Match race " . But as always you wanted one favourable to Miki . I suggested they should have a match race . But with the " Jug Rules " . Now you don't even want to go to the race ???? Are you a DODGER FAN ?
Correction: WIJI is running
Correction: WIJI is running at Yonkers on Saturday night. Sorry for the error.
Race 10 $250,000 Invitational
Believe it or not all these
Believe it or not all these comments are great for our sport... we throw jabs for our favourite, then we hear it back... it actually means we have 4 legged superstars in our midst.... that groups are following... hopefully we have a solid group to follow.. thank you to these horses, their owners, trainers and where it all starts the breeders.
John: I have nothing against
John: I have nothing against MIKI, he is a great horse, but world records are suppose to be special and rare like 1:46:4 was for years with few horses pacing in such fast time. When four horses in the same race break the world record other factors are in play.
You like to knock WIJI, who, by the way, is in at Yonkers Friday night. Oh no, another race on a 1/2 mile track! I have to wonder why MIKI's connections passed over that race with a $250,000 purse and chose to run in a race with a $138,000 purse. It won't be easy for WIJI since he will start from post position 8.
My posts show no lack of maturity. My comments were my objective analysis of the race time. Had MIKI destroyed the field and won by multiple lengths in 1:46, I would have definitely given MIKI credit, but that isn't what he did.
Try not to take it so seriously.
Trevor... I love Foiled
Trevor... I love Foiled Again. He is my second favourite race horse... but like I said earlier this year, I LOVE WIGGLEIT, everything about him, his presence, striking out in the winners circle, rearing up, father and son team .. best friend as trainer. The way he chomps at the bit. His colour :) Enjoy the races
In reply to Trevor... I love Foiled by horsingaround60
Some cannot give credit where
Some cannot give credit where credit is due. Miki goes out and obliterates the old mark and all you here is excuses by some.
Shamballa this and that, track was fast...etc...
4 others broke the track or tied it.
Would it kill you to be mature and just tip your hat. Just like many Miki fans here who have tipped their hats to WIJI when WIJI wins...
The truth is and will be for a long time.
Miki set another world record.
I am certainly not holding my breathe on this as I find some are not mature to do so and if they do it's back handed.
Glad to hear from you Joe.
Glad to hear from you Joe. The fact is they are tied 3 wins each and Miki had a very badly beaten fourth. Wiggleit Jiggle It has never been worse than third .
A few comments responding to
A few comments responding to various posters.
Horses don't necessarily run more races in a season because they are a gelding. They do race longer (years) because they have no breeding value.
Going into the Dayton Pacing Derby WIJI's last ten races were 5 and 5 big track/small track unless your consider 7/8th small.
WIJI/Miki 3 wins each, but WIJI has the edge beating MIKI in a race neither won. It still counts.
I never said 1:46 mile was easy, but it's clear the surface played a role when four horses in the same race all break the record. The race was fast from the start, and MIKI didn't get the lead until midway through the 2nd qtr. So this wasn't a pack animal phenomena, and if WIJI had been in the race, it would have been five horses breaking the old record, which, of course, makes a mockery of the record.
WIJI avoiding top horses? Name them, please.
John , you had this " case
John , you had this " case closed months ago " . If Shamballa got the trip Miki did the other day, he'd hold the world record !!! Let's see if he showdown in Mohawk for the million bucks. If they have it, give me your cell number and I will let you listen to the race call .. you can save the hundred $100 and the red face ! :))
In reply to John , you had this " case by horsingaround60
Great Scott.... Miki was
Great Scott.... Miki was leaving them behind. Now you are just making stuff up....
This week in and week out nonsense... your spew fertilizes crops.
I understand the moderator or owner of this blog has to curtail the insulting comments.
Shmaballa would not have passed Miki if he had a jet engine strapped onto him.
Would he have done better?
An easier trip always suggests better results but to outright win...
Keep your $100... I don't need it.
I have made enough dollars beating WIJI.
LMAO!!!
Tired of your nonsense...
This is supposed to be a blog for those who like to comment... not insult...
Peace out... (Insert microphone drop here).
I can't believe some of the
I can't believe some of the comments i'm hearing on here so I just have to throw my two cents in. I believe that to say that WIJI or Miki is head over heels over the other is pure nonsense and if you honestly believe that then I don't know what races you've been watching. While I do believe that Miki is the better horse I would say it's not by a whole lot. They have raced often enough and taken turns beating each other and yes more often then not Miki beats WIJI by more then WIJI beat him.
But let's look at the facts. To say that WIJI banks his pad by racing on smaller tracks is nonsense. $3.6 million is a lot of money and you don't get that beating nobody's.
Miki has raced on small tracks too and so did many of the greats. Did WIJI pad his bank roll on a small track when he won the jug"
The other thing I would say and I mean no disrespect by this is let's face facts. Miki had David Miller a sure hall of fame driver and WIJI had Montrell Teague who is ok but let's face it not in Miller's league. A lot of times a simple driver decision can be all the difference in a race so in this regard the edge goes to Miki, though it's hard to fault how Montrell has driven WIJI. But anyone who watches racing knows a hall of fame driver can often squeeze out a few ticks faster from a horse.
The other thing is it's a fact that the RED MILE s a lightening quick track. If memory serves me correctly that track is where the Beach went his fastest or one of his fastest miles. It's a very fast track and while I give Miki a ton of credit for the mile I don't know if he gets that at Mohawk or the Meadowlands.
My whole point in all of this? They are two great horses almost inseparable. On any given day one beats the other even if Miki might be a tad better.
For my money I will usually bet the one offering the better odds once I have factored in post.
Just my two cents.
Trevor, Miki is done ..
Trevor, Miki is done .. retired to stud ... He gets too tired from racing against wiggleit jiggleit .
Mike Mike Mike... ...where do
Mike Mike Mike...
...where do I begin?
The only million dollar race is in your head. Seems you have this all plotted out and nobody is listening. Grab the BULL by the horns...
LMAO... 'Bull' is the correct phrase for sure.
Lets take a poll.
How many of you would spend $100 to get into a horse race?
Not sure if you will get one 'yes' vote.
According to you WIJI smoked Miki.
Since when does a horse getting up by a head in a stretch duel constitute a another horse "smoking" the other?
You make it sound like Secretariat's Belmont.
HAHA... Mike Scott you are so
HAHA... Mike Scott you are so funny too.
So WIJI smoked MIKI last start? Yes that seems reasonable from a fan that thinks he is one of the best ever. He beat him by a nose in photo. Maybe Marion Maurader smoked them in all 3 Triple crown races too (he raced awesome btw and yes last start was WIJI best race too).
The only time WIJI "smoked" MIKI was when MIKi finished forth by a couple lengths, after not being out of the barn in 3 weeks because of injury. Until deep stretch though the race was still in the air. When WIJI held on for third in his defeat to MIKI by a few lengths at the top of the stretch it looked like third would be the best he would do but point is he was clearly beaten.
As for the toughness and week in week out racing that WIJI does and you guys brag about, please just for a minute consider this. GUARANTEED, if WIJI had any kind of stallion career he wouldn't be racing the same way. They are racing him for ever drop of money and not worrying about racing overnight horses or anything. Wherever will give him a payday. They know it won't last forever. Grand old Daddy champion, and toughest horse ever, Foiled Again, raced 25-30 times against the best from March through Late November year after year for the same reason as no stallion career.
If MIKI does this for at least 3 more years (and I pray for racing he does) I think he could be considered one of the best and toughest horses ever then, along the same lines as the way Foiled Again is.
Trevor: Some thoughts in
Trevor: Some thoughts in response to your post on Oct. 10.
The Red Mile is known for having a hyper fast surface. The world record will stand, but it's bogus. When four horses break the world record on the same day in the same race, you know there are factors other than the horses responsible for it.
WIJI isn't top 3 or 4. He's number 1. Avoided top horses? Well, he has ran against Miki seven times and finished ahead of him in four. The idea WIJI picks his spots is comical. He is the number one horse is harness racing and he is raced like he is a nw5000L5. In short, he is a workhorse, rarely hurt or sick.
The most recent program I have with MIKI and WIJI is the night of the Dayton Pacing Derby. Prior to that race, MIKI 48 starts/26W/12P/3S ($2,189,868) WIJI 48 starts/36W/9P/2S ($3,613,832)
I think the above lifetime stats make it clear who the best horse is, and you don't win $3.6 million unless you are racing against the top horses.
What top horses has MIKI raced against that WIJI has avoided?
Trevor, I'm just stunned by your post.
In reply to Trevor: Some thoughts in by KM Corcoran
Kevin, the number 1 reason
Kevin, the number 1 reason WIJI has raced so many times and will until the wheels fall off is because he is a gelding. He races more often on smaller tracks and there are usually more races carded for those types.
All you have to do is look at the number of times other small track specialists run.
A Bit of a Legend /All Bets Off / Rockin Ron / Mach it so / all... 23 times
and yes WIGI at 22.
These are the types WIJI has been padding his bankroll against.
BTW...if turning a 1:46 flat at the Red Mile is as easy as you claim don't you think they would all be doing it. The rest of the horses in that small group drafted and tagged but could not keep up.
Ask Lady Shadow who could only muster 1:50.4
So to sum it up quite so nicely...
MIKI 3
WIJI 3
It All comes down to The Breeders Crown...
Schooled
BTW Mike... what you are
BTW Mike...
what you are suggesting a 2 horse race and people pay $100 at the turnstiles?
Will never happen.
If anything the constant touting of this is annoying.
Mike Mike Mike ..... Smoked
Mike Mike Mike .....
Smoked him? inches...? really.
Sure WIJI has more top 3 starts but they have been severely padded avoiding the top horses while racing at half mile tracks.
PS... I agree.... Fan base. WIJI has a big fan base. Fan base does not make a horse go faster.
Long legs, superior stride and a big heart does.
1:46... go ahead WIJI... match that.
He never will.
Where was WIJI this weekend?
You claim they don't avoid anyone... really?
John, John, John... You're so
John, John, John...
You're so funny ! Lol. When Miki was up 3 wins to 2 he was the best. Wiggleit Jiggle It smoked him and made it 3-3. But WIJI has never been worse than third. He has better top-3 stats and he also has a greater following!!! His fan base is ten times that of Miki. The Teague team has done it week in week out. All over North America. My only hope is that Mohawk racetrack grab the bull by the horns and call these two (2) teams and get this million dollar match race started .
Kevin.... you wonder what
Kevin.... you wonder what WIJI would have done? Well he probably would have cut fractions past the half for MIKI and MIKI would have paced in low 45's like the experts said all along. Instead MIKI had the quarter break but then did it on his own like he is used to.
WIJI may have been top 3 or 4 but it is not like he hasn't been beat by Shambala and plenty of horses this year so who knows. Truth is he has never gone anywhere near this speed (or low 47's) and he avoided the top horses many weeks. Just like this week, he could have been there. Most horses trying that feel they can go a fast trip go to the Red Mile. WIJI will take the easy race with overnight horses somewhere and finish first or second and you guys can feel good about how great he is. Like many of us know, and this race included, MIKI races the top horses EVERYTIME and wins. WIJI picks and chooses.
Don't worry WIJI poll lead is safe as setting world records and winning against top horses is nothing new for MIKI but he won't catch WIJI in the poll as he doesn't have as many fans.
As for horses going under the old record, that is normal in racing as they got dragged along. Happens all the time but generally the horse in front doesn't win unless they are a super strong horse. IE MIKI
As said 3 pacers beat the
As said 3 pacers beat the world record.. lightning fast track.. similar to Pocono. The ultimate grinder WIJI probably wouldn't have beat Miki today based on the trip the winner had. Shamballa would have if he could have followed WIJI second over..All 3 top finishers, deserve recognition today.. like always it's the trip that determines the winner.. congrats to all.
To Owen Sound native Mike Keeling, and the Marauder connection... thanks for keeping it Canadian and Ontarian.
Very proud to be breeder and owner in Ontario!
Kevin... other horses will
Kevin... other horses will have fast final times also when they are forced to keep up.
When perusing the racing programs you will see a horse with a great final time far above his normal clocking yet he can't reproduce that himself in his other starts.
Miki did this all on his own.
Hope that helps
I'll be the bad guy here.
I'll be the bad guy here. The time is a bit suspect when four horses equal or beat the old record in the same race. Track surface had to be ridiculously fast. I wonder what Wiggle It Jiggleit would have paced in that race.
In reply to I'll be the bad guy here. by KM Corcoran
They all paced in 46! Cool
They all paced in 46! Cool mile! You don't pick your Opponents, your Opponents pick you if get what I'm saying, which is Great for Racing! Some of you guys on here are Delusional! Overnights, really?! Like we're re not watching the same races as you Guys! Some you deserve H.O.Y!, and I don't mean Horses!lol. Congratulations to Miki!, hell of a mile out of Shamballa, and to the rest of the field!! Congrats to Marion Marauder, Huntsville, Down by the seaside, Walner, Pure Country, Henry the dragon, and even to 4k claimers for a awesome week in racing!! Lets Love Harness racing, Love Horses first, and let's continue to move forward!!
This mile proves what I have
This mile proves what I have been saying all along, when Miki is sound and on the top of his game he is simply the best in the aged pacing division.
This mile makes him aged pacer of the year. Well done Miki.
Amazing mile but not
Amazing mile but not surprising for MIKI.
I have been waiting for this all year. Like I just said in previous poll, any race that has the speed he will win. Maybe..just maybe....the voters in the poll this week may give him a few more points only to lose them again when WIJI beats some overnight horses next week.
MIKI has equaled the world record 3 other times this year (which in itself is a world record as no other horse has ever done it even twice) and he has paced many trips just shy of the world record. And now he does this !!!
His ONLY losses came to WIJI or Mel Mara in a world record performance. Not to mention he raced hurt for a couple starts.
WIJI has lost to many, many different horses including MIKI.
The poll is a joke if MIKI is not aged pacing horse of the year.
The fastest track in the
The fastest track in the world ... I would still like to see the shoot out at Mohawk. Match race, you gotta win two (2) races on the same day. One million dollars, winner takes all !!! $100 per person entrance fee ... by the way Wiggle It Jiggleit still has the upper hand !
Wow wow wow. I was expecting
Wow wow wow. I was expecting the older pacers this year to break 1:46:4 once or twice already this year but I'll take this one and be happy. Always B Miki's other gear showed up today. This was as equally as impressive as Sebastian K's win in 1:49.
Congratulations to all the connections of Marion Marauder and well done Scotty on your triple crown. I don't even want to pick a horse for horse of the year because its been an amazing year of racing and I'd like to leave it at that.
CONGRATULATIONS to all the
CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners today, but, Always B Miki, JUST WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love Miki.... Just like I
I love Miki....
Just like I said last week.
If he loses one week he gets another WORLD record on his mantle.
1:46 flat. Are you kidding me?
I understand WIJI needs to be managed just as Miki needs to be managed.
They are flesh and blood.
WIJI is great on half-mile tracks while Miki excels on the bigger tracks with his superior size and gate.
Oh Mickey, you're so fine you're so fine you blow my mind,
hey Mickey, hey Mickey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!