by Matt Sparacino, publicity director, Harrington Raceway

Harrington, DE — Steve Calhoun and West Wins Stable’s Betterthancheddar ($3.00, George Brennan) equaled the world record for 4-year-old horses on a half-mile racetrack on Monday (Sept. 17) at Harrington Raceway with a 1:49.2 triumph in the $216,500 sixth annual Bobby Quillen Memorial.

The Bettor’s Delight stallion also shattered the all-time track record at Harrington, which was held by two-time defending Quillen champion Foiled Again (1:50.1). It was the first ever sub-1:50 mile paced at Harrington. The world record is shared by Stand Forever, who set the mark at Delaware, Ohio in 1996.

Fotowon photo

Betterthancheddar equaled the world record for 4-year-old horses on a half-mile racetrack with his 1:49.2 score in the Quillen.

Trained by Casie Coleman, Betterthancheddar left hard from the rail and seated pocket trip recipient Foiled Again early with fractions of :27.1 and :55.1. Meanwhile, Foiled Again (Yannick Gingras) maneuvered to the outside and forced the pace to the three-quarters in 1:22.1.

But Betterthancheddar was not to be denied on this night and paced a final quarter of :27.1 to record the three-quarter length victory. Foiled Again was a game second, while Feel Like a Fool finished third.

Betterthancheddar notched his ninth win in 11 starts in 2012 and surpassed $1.5 million in career earnings.

“He’s such a great horse,” said Brennan. “We drew great and that always helps. He’s a terrific horse to drive.”

“Everything worked out,” said Coleman, who was making her first ever trip to Harrington. “I didn’t think he’d have any trouble handling the track because he trains on a half-mile. We are really happy with the way he raced. He’s just a special horse.”

The race is named in honor of longtime Delaware legislator Bobby Quillen, who passed away in 2004. Quillen was a popular member of the community who always had horsemen’s best interests at heart.

Drivers Allan Davis and Ross Wolfenden each won three races on the Monday card.