Live Out Loud all out in Spring Championship elim
May 1, 2004,by Mike Paradise, publicity director, Maywood Park
Melrose Park, IL — The 6-5 betting favorite Live Out Loud got the job done for his many backers but he needed an all out effort — coupled with some racing luck — to gain a 1:561 victory in Friday night’s Spring Championship elimination at Maywood Park.
Maywood Park Photo
Live Out Loud (number 3) got his neck in front of Big Underdog and gained a narrow decision in Friday’s Spring Championship elimination at Maywood Park.
Live Out Loud (Dale Hiteman) came on in the stretch to overtake the 22-1 longshot Big Underdog (Pat Berry), who almost lived up to his name in the state-bred three-year-old elimination when he fell only a neck behind the winner on a “good” racing surface pelted by rain showers throughout the evening. Fox Valley Assault, beaten four lengths, took third in Friday’s elimination, while fourth through sixth place went to ML’s Boy, He May Be Angel and Idot.
The first six finishers in the seventh race event gained next Friday’s (May 7) Spring Championship Final. Already gaining a berth in the ICF colt showdown were Art’s Ticket and Sparky’s Fire, who drew byes based on the highest season’s earnings among the ten horses entered.
The early battle saw Fox Valley Assault (Ron Marsh) use the one post to his advantage, taking the lead in the first turn. However Dale Hiteman wanted the front with Live Out Loud and he urged the favorite to the top before the :273 first quarter.
Hiteman then grabbed a hold of his horse and when he did, driver Pat Berry sent Big Underdog after the early pacesetter, sweeping past before the :573 half.
Coming out of the third turn The Meadowlands invader Tubby (Tim Tetrick) made a bold three-wide move, clearing the leaders, and it appeared he was home free. However, right before the 1:254 three-quarters Tubby went off stride, putting Big Underdog back in the lead and Live Out Loud again in the two hole.
A :294 last quarter on the sticky racing surface propelled Live Out Loud to a winning sophomore debut for trainer Dave McCaffrey, who shares ownership of the Cole Muffler gelding with M&M Harness Racing Stable LLC of Suffern, New York.
“This was a big debut for my horse,” McCaffrey said. “I was concerned about this race from the minute I got up this morning, because what I wanted from the horse was a good, safe, unhindered mile, and I wanted the horse to finish the mile with something left.”
“My horse paced well despite the off track and he still had some pace left in the tank,” added driver Dale Hiteman in the winner’s circle.
“I see this as a good omen for the rest of the year,” McCaffrey continued. “Of course it didn’t hurt things when Tetrick’s horse (Tubby) went off stride in that last turn either. But as a trainer, I couldn’t have asked anymore from my horse, especially on a night with this type of weather.”
Live Out Loud had an excellent first season campaign, winning 6 of 12 races, including a $70,000 division of Maywood Park’s Abe Lincoln Stake on October 31, while earning $86,350.