Carry The Mar muscles in

Dale Hiteman guided Carry The Mar to a perfect journey and the result was a 1 ½-length victory in the $25,800 Muscles Marinara Trot Final at Hawthorne in the Sunday night featured event in 1:56.4.

Starting from post two, Carry The Mar settled in third early on as the moderate action on the front-end resulted in a pedestrian :30.1 first quarter. Hiteman proceeded to attack just past the quarter, and the favored Victor’s Pursuit quickly hopped on to the tail of Hiteman’s frontal assault. Once clear on the lead, Hiteman let Dave Magee and Victor’s Pursuit continue onto the front and the 3-5 favorite held that position through the half in :58.1 and a three-quarter split of 1:28.1.

Victor’s Pursuit turned for home with a two-length lead and the winner of all three of her starts in 2006 figured to be tough to catch considering all of her victories this season have come from a first-over efforts that appeared to leave something in the tank.

However, that early move to the top left her vulnerable in the lane and once Hiteman found clearance with Carry The Mar, the Homer Hochstetler-trained 6-year-old gelding responded in sparkling fashion to register the score over Trendy Girl. Southern Victoria K came on for third, while Victor’s Pursuit settled for fifth.

It was Carry The Mar’s second victory of the season after visiting the winner’s circle nine times in 2005. The winner’s share of the $25,800 purse pushed his seasonal earnings to just over $30,000 for owner Jeanne Marquis of Dane, Wisconsin.


After a three-week layoff there, was some concern that Lou Annie might need the start in the $15,500 co-featured Filly and Mare Open Pace. However, there was little doubt that the 21-day fiesta was just the ticket as Dave Magee guided the 7-year-old daughter of Doc’s Hop to a comfortable four-length victory in 1:52.2.

When Lou Annie is in the race, the strategy for the remainder of the field is simple: Try and catch her. Once again the pride of the James Rowney Stable exploded out of the gate and maintained a minimum of a 2 ½-length lead at the quarter calls of :27.3, :56.1 and 1:52.2. At the head of the lane the lead was three lengths and the :27.1 final quarter was plenty enough for her to cruise to the easy victory over Sightings, while Parklane Powerful salvaged third.

The race was a perfect tune-up for Lou Annie who is expected to start back Friday in leg one of the Loyal Opposition Stake for older Illinois Bred pacing distaffers. The $50,000 est. Final will be part of the “Night Of Champions” at Hawthorne on Saturday, June 3rd.

(Hawthorne release)

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