by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Editor

Columbus, OH — 2006 Pacer of the Year Total Truth won his qualifying race in 1:53.4 on Thursday morning (April 26) at The Meadowlands.

With Ron Pierce in the bike for owners Only Money Inc. and Teague Inc., the 4-year-old Jenna’s Beach Boy stallion went right to the front and cut the opening quarter in :29. The George Teague trainee yielded the lead to Sopando through middle fractions of :57 and 1:25.3, but was back on top by a quarter length at the head of the stretch. Total Truth paced his final quarter in :28 to defeat Escapable Beaux by 1-3/4 lengths.

Another Teague pupil, 4-year-old pacing gelding Western Ace, romped to a 10-1/4 length win in his qualifier for Pierce, timed in 1:52.4. Western Ace is owned by Kovach Stables and Teague Inc.

Brittany Farms’ Passionate Glide finished second in her qualifier, and was timed in 1:56.2. The 4-year-old Yankee Glide mare, also driven by Pierce, finished four length behind Wildfire Julie, the 1:55.3 winner. Wildfire Julie is a 5-year-old trotting mare that was driven by David Miller and is owned by his wife, Misty. Finishing fourth was Queen Serene, who was 7-1/4 lengths behind the winner.

2006 Metro Pace winner Yankee Skyscaper sat in the pocket the entire mile in his qualifier for driver George Brennan and finished second, 1-1/2 lengths behind Whats Up Now, in a race timed in 1:52.2. Chris Ryder trains the 3-year-old colt for Yankee Skyscaper Partners. The winner, a sophomore Western Hanover colt, is yet another George Teague Stable product, owned by Teague Inc. and Rodney Mitchell, Jr.