Before He Cheats, Mucho Sleazy in Balmoral qualifiers

Before He Cheats, the winningest horse in North America last year with 21 wins in 28 starts, lined up behind the starting gate for the first time this season in a qualifier at Balmoral Park on Wednesday and scored again, trotting to a 1:58 victory with Brandon Simpson aboard.

Before He Cheats, along with Swanee, won 21 races in 2007 to earn the distinction of being the winningest Standardbred in North America. Dirk Simpson trains the now 4-year-old gelded son of Valley Victor for owner Sam Bowie. Before He Cheats earned $320,189 last season for Bowie and took a mark of 1:53.3, and is scheduled to compete in the Su Mac Lad Series at the Meadowlands, which gets underway on April 18.

Mucho Sleazy, winner of last year’s American National 2-Year-Old Colt Pace, also raced in a qualifier Wednesday at Balmoral. The 3-year-old gelding by Sportsmaster covered his last quarter in :27.3 but was edged by a head by Sand Forever in 1:56.1. In addition to winning the American National, Mucho Sleazy also took a 1:51.1 mark last season and earned $180,546 for Engel Stable LLC. He is trained by Ken Rucker.

Fan favorite Mini Me competed in the Mucho Sleazy race but broke stride and finished sixth, beaten 11 lengths.

« Back