by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications

Goshen, NY — When Creditora came trotting down the middle of the track to win the $12,700 Excelsior Division for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings in 2:01 at Goshen Historic Track on Sunday, it gave owner Wanda Polisseni redemption.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Trond Smedshammer & Wanda Polisseni celebrate after Creditora won an Excelsior Division for 3-year-old trotting colts & geldings in 2:01 Sunday at Goshen, NY.

Creditora, a son of Credit Winner who was trained and driven by Trond Smedshammer, was making his first start back since a life threatening illness last fall. He’d won three of six races and $78,407, primarily in New York sired events.

He beat Ruth-Like (Ray Schnittker) in the final strides, and third place went to Rapscallion (James DeLucia).

“We couldn’t race him in the (New York Sire Stake Final) last fall because he came out of his last race a little sore,” said Polisseni. “And then it got progressively worse. He had an infection in his foot. They were treating him with antibiotics but nothing really worked. Finally the vet called me and said, ‘I think we need to put him down.’ I said, ‘Now wait a minute, I’m always the perfectionist, you know. What tests have you taken to prove he really does have a bone infection?’”

“He said he was judging on his experience and everything. He was probably right in thinking that. But I said, ‘Can you do one more test?’ He said, ‘Yes, I’ll do one more.’ Four hours later we found out there was a bone infection. I said by all means, we’re going to give it one other shot. It was touch and go, but every day it got better and it kept up until now he’s racing.

“We didn’t even know that he would come back to racing, but I had to do the best for my horse, even if he was just going to romp in the field. I wanted him to have a happy, healthy life.

“Trond keeps saying to him, “You’ve got to reward your mommy. You’re here because of her.”

Crazy Eyes (Jeff Gregory) popped out in deep stretch to go by the leader Daytona Blue Chip (Ray Schnittker) to win the first division of the Excelsior Series for 3-year-old trotting fillies on Sunday afternoon at Goshen Historic Track.

The early pace was controlled by Schnittker and Daytona Blue Chip through fractions of :29, :59.3, 1:30.3, but it was a stalking Crazy Eyes that was able to sneak out in the stretch.

“We just got a nice little two-hole trip there and it worked out good,” said winning driver Jeff Gregory. “I was able to get her out at the head of the stretch and she went right by.

Crazy Eyes is owned by Todd Lapage of Moira, New York and trained by Andy Gardner. She is a daughter of Crazed.