by Matt Sparacino, publicity director, Harrington Raceway
HARRINGTON, Del. – The draw for the Messenger, harness racing’s second leg of the pacing Triple Crown, was held Thursday at Harrington Raceway, with seven horses entering in one “dash for the cash” for $340,950.
The Perfect World Enterprises owned, Brett Pelling trained entry of Timesareachanging (post two, Ron Pierce), and Western Terror (post five, Brian Sears) both drew well as they continue their quest for the Triple Crown, after winning the Cane Pace in a remarkable dead heat Monday at Freehold Raceway. Timesareachanging, sired by Cams Card Shark, ranks second among all current 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers in seasonal earnings with $694,983 banked in 2004.
Trainer Linda Toscano also has two entries, Maltese Artist and Art Director but will race as different betting interests due to separate ownership. Norman Smiley, Jeffrey Langfelder, Tlp Stable, and Gerald Smiley’s Metropolitan (John Campbell) drew the rail. The Panderosa colt has made $533,272 this year, with the bulk of that coming in his third place effort in the $1,000,000 Meadowlands Pace despite post position 10.
David Scharf and A&G Stables’ Dual Personality drew post four, fresh off two wins in overnight races in Canada. Jacob Ramsburg and Dan Altmeyer’s Jacob’s Western will complete the field from post seven. He finished second in his most recent start to entrymate’s Santastics Pan’s 1:49.3 triumph in a division of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes.
The morning line for the Messenger will be released Thursday evening.
The Lady Maud, a sister race to the Messenger for 3-year-old pacing fillies, was canceled due to a lack of entries.
The race is scheduled 12th on Harrington’s 15 race program. Post time for the first race is 5:30 p.m.
PP – HORSE (DRIVER) – TRAINER
1 – Metropolitan (John Campbell) Trainer – Chris Ryder
2 – Timesareachanging (Ron Pierce) Trainer – Brett Pelling
3 – Maltese Artist (David Miller) Trainer – Linda Toscano
4 – Dual Personality (George Brennan) Trainer – Mark Capone
5 – Western Terror (Brian Sears) Trainer – Brett Pelling
6 – Art Director (George Brennan) Trainer – Linda Toscano
7 – Jacobs Western (Mike Wilder) Trainer – Dan Altmeyer
Maltese Artist and Art Director will race uncoupled.
- Mutuel handle record set at Harrington (Friday, September 10, 2004)
The bettors were in a spending mood at Harrington Raceway on Thursday.