by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Manager

Lexington, KY — Jack Darling Stables’ Big McDeal equaled the world record of 1:50.2 for a freshman pacing fiilly on a mile track with a victory over previously unbeaten American Jewel in the $84,200 first division of the $254,600 International Stallion Stakes on Friday night (Oct. 7) at The Red Mile.

Big McDeal (#5) nailed American Jewel at the wire in 1:50.2, equaling the world record for a 2-year-old filly.

Jody Jamieson was in the bike for owner/trainer Jack Darling as the daughter of McArdle-Ideal Gal won for just the second time in nine lifetime starts, while increasing her earnings to $277,281.

Bound To Rock (Mike Lachance) shot right to the front from post seven and took the field to the opening quarter in :28.1. But heading to the :55.1 half-mile marker American Jewel (Tim Tetrick) fired out to the lead and Jamieson put Big McDeal right on her back in second.

This duo remained in the same order at the 1:22.4 three-quarter pole and then put on a classic duel to the finish with Big McDeal getting the final call by a nose. Darena Hanover (Yannick Gingras) was third.

“This mare has been awesome all year,” said Jamieson. “I made a mistake a couple of starts back by booking off her in the (Champlain) and Paul MacDonell gave her a great drive to win that race. Jack approached me and asked me to drive her down here and I was incredibly happy to get the chance to drive her again.

“She’s been racing against her (American Jewel) all year. The only way we were going to beat her was if we got to track her for a ways and it worked out. He (Tetrick) put me in front of her early in the race, but his filly looked so awesome going into the last turn that I figured we were still racing for second.

“I kept her on his back a little longer than maybe some people thought I shoud have, but it worked out. I got there and the mare measured it. It was a huge effort.”

Big McDeal’s time equaled the world record of 1:50.2 set last month by American Jewel in winning the She’s A Great Lady final at Mohawk. Big McDeal was fourth in that race.

The $85,200 second division saw Economy Terror nail Shelliscape in the final strides to post a lifetime best 1:50.4 score. Owned by Chuck Pompey, Howard Taylor and Edwin Gold, the winner is trained by Chris Oakes and was driven to victory by Brian Sears. The Western Terror-Mattatonic miss was a winner for the sixth time in nine lifetime starts. She has now banked $436,250.

Nigel Soult photos

Brian Sears piloted Economy Terror to a lifetime best 1:50.4 clocking.

Marty Party and Dave Palone took the field to the opening quarter in :28 in this division, before yielding to Shelliscape and John Campbell who posted middle fractions of :55.3 and 1:24.3.

Economy Terror was fourth for the first half, moved up to third at the three-quarters, then came charging down the lane to grab the winner’s share of the purse. Shelliscape held on for second, while Marty Party finished fourth but was placed third when Podges Lady was set back to eighth for interference.

“She warmed up real good tonight, a lot more relaxed,” said Oakes of Economy Terror. “Last week she was a little bit hot (when finishing second in a Bluegrass division). I figured she’d race really good tonight.”

The $85,200 third division saw pacers coming from everywhere down the lane and it was Rockaround Sue and driver Brian Sears who emerged on top in a personal best clocking of 1:53. The win was the third in 10 lifetime starts for the daughter of Rocknroll Hanover-Promysquous Lady who is trained by Tony Alagna, who co-owns along with Uncirculated Stable and Alan Alber. The winner lifted her career bankroll to $101,694.

Frontierpan (Dave Palone) set fractions of :28.1, :56.3 and 1:25 in this eight-horse race but she was unable to hold off a wall of pacers in the stretch. At the wire it was Runaround Sue who tripped the timer first, with Miss Mojo (Jody Jamieson) second and I’m Fondue Of You (Tim Tetrick) third. Frontierpan faded to sixth.

“I knew the way she raced last week if she got a shot at them in the stretch she’d have as much go on the end as anybody in there,” said Alagna. “She’s been knocking on the door. She shows getting (beaten a neck) in a photo in (1):51(.2) in the consolation of the She’s A Great Lady, so she’s a little bit of a fly under the radar filly that gives a big effort evey time.”