Am-Nat hat trick for Won The West

Six American Nationals were held at Balmoral Park on Saturday night, and in the $200,000 race for older paces where both Mister Big and Art Official were making the final starts of their storied careers, it was Strollin Stables, William Robinson and James Koehler’s Won The West, the defending champion in this event, who stole the show again as he crushed a field whose career earnings totaled almost $14 million by six lengths in a blistering 1:48.2.

 

Strategies changed right from the word go as speedball Shark Gesture (George Brennan) made a break as the wings of the gate folded leaving Mister Big (Brian Sears) all alone on the lead through an opening quarter in :26.3. Heading to the half Mister Big was still in control of the proceedings which forced driver Dave Palone to get Won The West out and rolling. The 5-year-old son of Western Hanover was moving first over into third as the field reached the halfway point in :54.3.

 

“My horse loves to grind and when Shark Gesture made that early break I didn’t want Brian to get loose by himself on the lead,” said Palone. “I figured I’d just try to get myself up alongside of Mister Big by the time we hit the top of the stretch and that’s exactly the way it worked out.”

 

With the familiar foes battling neck and neck by the three-quarter mile mark in 1:22.1 the field set sail for home. It did not take long to see who would emerge victorious on this night though as Won The West quickly blew by a tiring Mister Big. Opening up his margin with each powerful stride the Ronnie Burke trainee etched his name into the record books, joining the great Bret Hanover, as only the second horse in the rich history of the American Nationals to win three consecutive titles. Art Official (Peter Wrenn) turned in a solid effort to finish second while longshot Robin I Scoot (Trace Tetrick) rallied to be third. 

 

After the victory, which pushed the 5 year old's career bankroll up to $2,164,935, Palone was quite impressed by his charge's effort.

 

“Once we hit the top of the stretch I kicked out the plugs on him and he just took off,” said Palone. “He hit a gear that I didn’t even know he had tonight.”