by Matt Sparacino, publicity director, Harrington Raceway
HARRINGTON, Del. – The largest crowd of the season was on hand Monday to witness Perretti Racing Stable and John Rizzo’s Royal Mattjesty shatter the track record by winning the $135,000 War on the Shore Invitational in 1:51.1 Monday at Harrington Raceway.
The 5-year-old Matt’s Scooter stallion was driven by Stephane Bouchard, who also piloted him to a 1:51win in the $125,000 Battle of Lake Erie on June 12. Trained by Richard Banca, the win pushed “Mattjesty” to nearly $1.1 million in career earnings.
Bouchard placed Royal Mattjesty on the front end to a hot quarter mile in 26.4 when rail positioned Token Favorite (Jeff Gregory) yielded to the favorite who then proceeded to reach the half-mile in 55 seconds. Mattjesty cruised to an uncontested three-quarters in an eye-opening 1:22.3, the fastest three-quarter time ever at Harrington. Bouchard and Mattjesty then uncorked a 28.3 second last quarter for the track record setting performance. Glenmark Lucky (Brad Hanners) closed for second with Whosurboy (Yannick Gingras) third.
“He’s a great horse,” said Bouchard. “He has perfect manners and is a perfect horse to drive. Last week we got lucky to get room late, but this week we took no prisoners. He’s one of the best horses I’ve ever driven.”
It was his fourth win of 2004, with his lifetime best of 1:48.4 at the Meadowlands on May 1.
“He’s the best yearling we ever raised at Perretti Farms,” said Anthony Perretti. “After last week we thought he’d do well here on the half-mile and we are definitely pleased.”
Royal Mattjesty is scheduled to make three more starts, the next at the William Haughton Memorial at the Meadowlands, before retiring to stud duty at Perretti Farms.
The old track record of 1:52.1 was held by CancunHanover, set on June 23, 2003.
On the undercard, Salerno-Trezza Partners’ Carlspur won the $18,500 Open Handicap in 1:53.1 with driver Brad Hanners aboard. He set all the fractions and held off Primary Colours N (Steve Warrington) and Jugular (Jim King Jr.), who rounded out the trifecta.
Elmer Fannin’s Make a Success (George Dennis) won his third $16,500 Delaware Special of the meet in 1:54.1