by Mike Paradise, publicity director, Maywood Park

Melrose Park, IL — It was supposed to be a prep for three Windy City Pace eligible horses but instead Glass Pack and driver Mike Oosting turned Friday night’s (October 5) fourth race into a world record performance with a blistering 1:50.2 winning mile, the fastest ever for any 3-year-old pacing gelding on a half-mile track. The time also equaled the fastest ever raced in the 61-year history of Maywood Park.

Glass Pack (Mike Oosting) sped to a 1:50.2 world record mile on Friday at Maywood.

Glass Pack shot out from the one slot and took a five-horse field through fractions of :26, :54, 1:22.1 and 1:50.2 to post a 1-1/4 length decision over Home Bed Advantage. It was another 1-1/4 lengths to the show horse All Is Saidanddone, both Windy City Pace bound horses, along with the fifth place finisher Kinetic Yankee.

Glass Pack isn’t eligible for the $250,000 (est.) Windy City Pace, however his record performance just might entice his owners, R. Peter Heffering (Port Perry, Ontario) and Jerry Silva (Bellmore, N.Y.) to pay the $30,000 supplemental fee for the Friday, October 12 showcase event of the Maywood Park meeting.

“I knew we were going at a :26 and change pace out of there. Actually I had him headed out of there just to keep him steady and keep him calm. He was fine and Brent (Holland, All Is Saidanddone) was crossing over real good and I thought he was going to clear easy but once my horse caught him on the other side of his blind, he just grabbed a hold and then all of a sudden I’m sitting back,” said Oosting.

“I thought I settled him in pretty well at the half but he was real good gaited tonight, so I figured I might as well keep going with him and see if they could catch us.”

Sent off as the 2-1 second choice, the son of Cole Muffler paid $6.20.

Littlebitoflife (Ryan Anderson) became the fastest 2-year-old on a half-mile track when he won the $60,100 Cardinal Final in 1:52.1.

Five races later another world record on a half-mile track fell when Litttlebitoflife cut a quick pace and won the $60,100 Cardinal Pace Final with Ryan Anderson in 1:52.1, the fastest for any freshman pacer on a half-mile oval.

Trained by Shawn Nessa for Littlebitoflife Stable of Du Quoin, Ill., the winner went to a :26.4 first panel, a :55.2 half-mile time and by the 1:24 three-quarter pole he put away the first-over Froggy Turner and in the last turn repelled a three-wide move by Mucho Sleazy, coming home in :28.1.

Mucho Sleazy ended up 1-1/4 lengths behind the $16.80 winner. It was another 1-1/2 lengths back to the show horse, Too Much Pepper.

The old 2-year-old half-mile track world record of 1:52.4 belonged to My Boy David and Home Bed Advantage, both recorded at Maywood Park.

Littlebitoflife’s victory was the fourth in 13 outings for the Cole Muffler offspring, propelling his earnings from $27,925 to $57,975.

Maywood Park photos

Thisbigdogwilfight (number one, Dave Magee) edged Hot N Sporty and won the $40,000 Egyptian State in 1:51.4.

The $40,000 Egyptian Stake, the second leg of the Maywood Pacing Series, went the same as the first when Thisbigdogwilfight posted a neck victory in 1:51.4 with driver Dave Magee. The Jim Eaton trainee also won the Cook County back in June and has already wrapped up the series’ $20,000 bonus for owners Redbud Stable (Frankfort, Ill.) and Michael McNeely (Normal, Ill.).

The third series leg, the Associates, will be raced on November 16.

Thisbigdogwilfight worked hard to get the lead from the four slot, clearing near the :27 first quarter. The winner paced a :28.2 second panel, followed by a :28 third and came the final quarter in :28.2 to hold off the pocket horse Hot N Sporty.

“I was worried with Hot N Sporty sitting on my back,” said Magee. “He’s a good horse who has been sharp lately but once again my horse dug in and got the job done. He always fights hard not to get passed.”

Thisbigdogwilfight now has 12 wins in 21 season’s starts, with earnings of $238,528 (including the $20,000 series bonus).