by John Pawlak

Lightning Stable’s Takeshigemichi took a step back towards the top of the sophomore pacing colt division with a sharp, 1:52.2 victory in the second of two $87,600 divisions of the $175,200 Heineken Light Cleveland Classic at Northfield Park on Saturday evening.

Won The West captured the opening division.

The near-capacity crowd at Northfield made Takeshigemichi (The Panderosa–Bet Me Hanover, by Matt’s Scooter) the even money favorite, and he didn’t disappoint. Whistling Hanover (Aaron Merriman) got the first call out of the gate, but Dube left no doubt he wanted the lead — and had it before the leaders had negotiated the first bend.

The Anthony Manninio-trained colt sped through moderate fractions of :27.4, :56.3 and 1:24.2. Home Bed Advantage, driven by Ryan Stahl, subbing for an absent Brett Miller, moved to the outside, from third, as they turned to the top of the lane, but the issue was no longer in doubt.

Big Al’s Delight (Greg Grismore) found late foot and finished second, and Home Bed Advantage, a double world champion last year at age two, evened out and finished third.

“We got early fractions, and when I saw that I knew we were good,” Dube said afterward. “I never touched him (with the whip), and never had to pull the earplugs.

“I think he’s one of the best colts, and back to what he was (before a seventh in the Rooney Final last time out, after having choked-down).”

Takeshigemichi has now won two of five sophomore starts and has banked $147,872 this year.

In the first division, displaying a bit more early speed than driver Greg Grismore had expected, Strollin Stable William Robinson and James Koehler’s Won The West burst from the two hole in the late stages and sped to an open-length victory in the $87,600 first division.

The son of Western Hanover and the Dragon’s Lair mare Gabrielle joined the fray early.

“I had absolutely no intention of leaving,” Grismore said in the winner’s circle. “But when Aaron’s horse (Downtown Showdown, driven by Aaron Merriman) made a break (behind the gate) I took a shot.”

Daniel Dube, driving Up Front Barry, sped to the early lead, and Grismore was presented with — and took — the garden spot. Fractions of :26.3 , :55 and 1:23.4 were posted by Dube’s charge, but it became apparent that the leader had enough of showing the way when about to enter the final turn.

“I knew Dan’s horse had nothing left and I was loaded with pace.”

It was a sprint to the wire, reached in 1:53, and Won The West had won for the ninth time in 14 sophomore starts, after having been unraced at age two. The colt is trained by Mickey Burke, and Grismore said he still has potential.

“This is a high-speed colt, but he gets a bit lazy on the lead. The sky’s the limit,” Grismore said.

Hot Rod Mindale (Todd Jones) who had moved to second-over behind Gordie How (Kurt Sugg) came on to finish second in the mile, just ahead of Quandry Hanover (Sam Schillaci). Downtown Showdown, who had collected himself from a break just as the gate left, came on to finish fourth.

Editor’s Note:b Video replays of both divisions may be found on the USTA Cyber Circuit page, which can be seen by following this link.