Eight of harness racing’s top older pacing horses will wage war in the TVG Pace at The Meadowlands a mere seven days removed from a thoroughly entertaining Breeders Crown brawl.
Thinking Out Loud, fresh off his head victory in that $400,000 affair, will line up from Post 5 for Hall of Fame horsemen, John Campbell and Bob McIntosh. The five-year-old son of Ponder-Los Angeles will try to add to a bankroll that sits at more than $1.8 million.
Breeders Crown runner-up Sweet Lou will make the final start of his career before retiring to stallion duty in Pennsylvania at Diamond Creek Farm. The Ron Burke-trained son of Yankee Cruiser-Sweet Future will be paired up with driver Ron Pierce. Together, they’ll depart from Post 3.
The 32-time winner, who checks in with earnings in excess of $3.2 million, is the only horse in harness racing history with win times of 1:49 or faster at ages two, three, four and five. He reeled off ten straight wins this summer, all in 1:49 or faster -- with six straight faster than 1:48.
Foiled Again will be back to defend his title in the TVG Pace for trainer Burke and driver Yannick Gingras. The 10-year-old son of Dragon Again-In A Safe Place took last year’s edition by a neck in 1:49.2. The 82-time winner hasn’t won a race since his 1:50.2 score in the Bobby Quillen Memorial at Harrington Raceway in mid-September. The iron horse has banked $6,793,525 to date.
Here’s the field for Saturday’s rich event:
$500,000 TVG Pace
1. Bettors Edge – Matt Kakaley
2. Modern Legend – Brett Miller
3. Sweet Lou – Ron Pierce
4. Clear Vision – Tim Tetrick
5. Thinking Out Loud – John Campbell
6. State Treasurer – David Miller
7. Foiled Again – Yannick Gingras
8. Warrawee Needy – Mark MacDonald