by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — Sporting victories in four of his last six starts, Steve Calhoun and West Wins Stables’ Betterthancheddar, this year’s 3-year-old colt pace Breeders Crown champion, will be looking to parlay a big late season run into divisional honors when he takes on nine other sophomore pacers in Saturday’s $225,000 American-National at Balmoral Park.

Coming off a thrilling triumph in which he snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the Breeders Crown, the Casie Coleman trained son of Bettor’s Delight has been accorded the 3-1 morning line favoritism after drawing the advantageous inside starting spot.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Breeders Crown champion Betterthancheddar will look to add the American-National to his resume.

In the Breeders Crown, Betterthancheddar appeared to be hopelessly locked in at the pylons after being up close throughout the early action. With nowhere to go, driver Mark MacDonald had very few options other than to sit on the pylons and hope for something to happen. After making a breathtaking move outside and then darting back inside, MacDonald managed to kick out the earplugs with about 100 yards left in the mile. That proved to be the winning move as the colt seemed to find another gear, nailing Roll With Joe in the final stride. The final time was a blistering 1:49.2.

Betterthancheddar also boasts a victory in the first leg of the Pacing Triple Crown, capturing the Cane Pace at Pocono by a neck in 1:49.2. That win really helped draw attention to the colt who was unraced as a 2-year-old.

“I’ve been really high on this horse from day one,” said Coleman, who is a four-time winner of Canada’s Trainer of the Year award. “I know some people were skeptical and he hasn’t proven it to everybody yet, but it really feels like he’s starting to get that recognition right now. He’s definitely peaking at the right time.”

Boasting a record of 8-2-2 in 16 starts with earnings of $586,283, the colt will be handled by George Brennan, who guided him to victory in a career best of 1:49.1 in his Breeders Crown elimination.

In order to keep his winning streak alive, Betterthancheddar will once again need to knock off Little Brown Jug winner Big Bad John, who wound up tiring badly after a very tough trip in the Breeders Crown.

The pride of trainer Ron Potter and owner Winchester Baye Acres Inc. thrilled the hometown crowd in Delaware, Ohio, by taking the second leg of the Pacing Triple Crown in straight heats with Columbus, Ohio, native David Miller at the controls.

A winner in 17 of his 24 career starts with earnings of $979,559, the bay son of Western Hanover has impressed both his conditioner and owner with his winning attitude.

“He wants to win so bad every time he goes out there that it’s just amazing,” said Potter. “He’s got the biggest heart in the world and he doesn’t need a lot of work and likes to be fresh so we are just going to stay with what we’ve been doing with him.”

“He’s got more energy than any other horse I’ve ever had or been around,” said owner Ed Telle. “When you take him to the paddock there is no doubt about it, you are going because he’s ready to get there. You are not going to lead him. He is going to take you to the paddock.”

Can big heart carry Swinging Beauty to American-National score?

Despite coming into Saturday’s $135,000 American-National Stake for 3-year-old pacing fillies with just four lifetime victories, William Switala and James Martin’s Swinging Beauty has been accorded the 3-1 morning line favoritism in what looks like a wide open event.

The daughter of Art Major has been a model of consistency in her second season of racing, posting a record of three wins, five seconds and seven thirds in 19 starts, while adding a field high $307,986 to her career bankroll.

The filly, who is admittedly slight in stature, certainly does not lack heart which could be one of her biggest assets according to veteran Canadian conditioner Gregg McNair.

“She’s always acted like a big horse right from day one,” McNair said. “She can take a good hold of you on the track while you’re warming her up. She’s also pretty aggressive when it comes to leaving the gate and she can really get out of there if you need her to.”

While she can exhibit speed when the situation calls for it, her biggest efforts have come from off the pace as evidenced by her big late rushing score over a muddy track in a division of the Jugette and her second place finish behind the highly regarded Krispy Apple in Lexington.

“She really seems to like chasing horses,” said McNair. “She can follow horses all day and she loves to pass them. Unfortunately, we’ve had to chase some real tough fillies this year but she’s never lost her determination. She can sprint as fast as any of them and I know that one of these nights she’s going to put it all together and come up with a huge mile. Maybe Saturday will be her night.”

Honky Tonk Woman has a similar story with just two lifetime wins but the Ross Croghan trained daughter of Western Ideal has racked up a whopping $508,203 for the partnership of Let It Ride and Mentally Stables, Robert Cooper and Jerry Silva.

The $18,000 yearling purchase has picked the right times to come up with her biggest efforts, taking the $402,000 Sweetheart last year and the Fan Hanover consolation this season in a career best of 1:50.2.