Beckhams Z Tam stops Downbytheseaside in Breeders Crown

by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Anderson, IN — Beckhams Z Tam out-dueled favorite Downbytheseaside down the stretch to win Saturday’s (Oct. 28) $527,500 Breeders Crown for 3-year-old male pacers by a quarter-length in 1:51.1 and touch off an emotional celebration at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. Miso Fast was third.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Beckhams Z Tam won the Breeders Crown for 3-year-old male pacers.

Beckhams Z Tam, the third Indiana-bred of the night to capture a Breeders Crown, has spent nearly his entire career racing at Hoosier Park. He was driven by Ricky Macomber Jr. and is trained by his wife, Jamie Macomber, who is a former assistant for Ron Burke in her first year with her own stable.

The colt is owned by Bill Matz’s Z Tam Stables. It was the first Breeders Crown win for all.

Jamie Macomber greeted her husband with a hug and kiss as he returned to the winner’s circle with Beckhams Z Tam. A large crowd gathered in and around the winner’s circle and shouted words of congratulations to the connections.

“I never dreamed anything like this,” a teary-eyed Jamie Macomber said as she made her way to the trophy presentation. “This is his home track. Turning for home I knew he was the winner. I don’t know what to say. My husband did it. It’s amazing.”

All but three of Beckhams Z Tam’s career races have come at Hoosier Park.

Miso Fast was the early leader in Saturday’s final, taking the field to the opening quarter in :26.2. Downbytheseaside claimed the lead prior to the half, reached in :56, and remained on top when he hit three-quarters in 1:24.4.

Beckhams Z Tam was fourth at the three-quarters, following the first-over cover of Mac’s Jackpot, before surging three wide and making his way to the front. Downbytheseaside remained within striking distance, but was unable to get closer than the final margin.

“That horse that was first up, I was a little worried that he wouldn’t be able to carry me to around the last turn, and I was more concerned about that half being in :56 flat,” Ricky Macomber said. “It was a little slow, but he overcame it.”

Macomber pumped his fist as he crossed the finish line.

“I was thrilled,” he said. “Just a big weight lifted off my shoulders.”

Jamie Macomber is in her first year of running her own stable after spending the past 10 years handling trainer Ron Burke’s Indiana-stabled horses. She received support, as well as horses such as Beckhams Z Tam, from Wilbur Eash, who was looking to slow down with an eye toward retirement. Macomber took over the training of Beckhams Z Tam in March.

“I couldn’t have had a better team to prep me for this,” Jamie Macomber said. “Ron Burke is an amazing man and my parents are awesome.”

Beckhams Z Tam has won 11 of 19 races this year and earned $500,295. For his career, the son of Always A Virgin out of the mare Sara’s Lucky Charm, has won 11 of 25 races and $547,994. Beckhams Z Tam was bred by Lavon Miller.

Sent off at odds of 9-2, Beckhams Z Tam paid $11.20 to win.

Hoosier Park, in conjunction with Roberts Communications, will offer live steaming and replays of the Breeders Crown races at www.hoosierpark.com/racing/2017breederscrown/.