by Matt Sparacino, publicity director, Harrington Raceway
HARRINGTON, Del. – The richest field in the track’s 58 year history will go postward in Harrington Raceway’s inaugural $135,000 War on the Shore Invitational Monday.
With a combined lifetime bankroll of nearly $4.5 million, the field of eight starters features some of the top free-for-all pacers in the country. Headed by harness racing’s newest millionaire and Battle of Lake Erie (Northfield Park) winner, Perretti Racing and John Rizzo’s Royal Mattjesty (pp 2, 5/2 Stephane Bouchard), the race includes three horses coming off wins in their last start.
The 5-year-old Matt’s Scooter stallion shook loose late to reel in Cambest Prince in Northfield Park’s signature event on June 12. “Mattjesty” has earned more than $212,000 in 2004 and is the leading money earner in the field.
Sam Jacobs and Charlie Burris’ Cambest Prince is back for a rematch and is one of two local horses in the field, the other being Mitch and Pearl Fisher’s Future Treasure (pp 7, 10-1, Art Stafford Jr). “Treasure” enters the race in top form winning six of his last eight starts, all at Harrington.
Jose Alejandre and Mark Silva’s Landmark Hall (pp 8, 6-1, David Miller) won five consecutive races at the Meadowlands before getting beat by three-quarters of a length in his last start on June 5 in 1:49.3.
Fred and Anita Fialkow and Ronald Pilatsky’s Glenmark Lucky (pp 3, Brad Hanners 5-1) has won two straight Invitational events at Rockingham Park in 1:50.3 and 1:51.3.
David Rahal and Alvin Jacobson’s All American Captor (pp 5, Brian Sears, 5-1) was a beaten favorite in the Battle of Lake Erie after a sizzling pace and will to rebound for trainer Virgil Morgan Jr.
Gordon and Karin Bryan’s Token Favorite (pp 1, Jeff Gregory 5-1) had a two-race win streak snapped last week in his Harrington debut last week, but was surging three-wide and only lost by a half-length to “War” participant Future Treasure. The Mark Harder-trainee has five wins this year.
Ed Mullinax’s Whosurboy (pp 4, Yannick Gingras, 10-1) has been racing against top aged pacers the past three years and has banked nearly $150,000 in 2004.
Slated for the sixth race, the estimated post time for the War on the Shore is approximately 6:50 p.m. Local radio stations WCEI 96.7 and WAFL 97.7 will be on hand conducting live remote broadcasts.