Colt trotters extend win streaks in ISS splits

October 04, 2007

Deweycheatumnhowe trotted to his sixth straight victory in as many starts in the fourth and final $90,500 division of the $362,000 International Stallion Stake for 2-year-old males Thursday afternoon at The Red Mile. The son of Muscles Yankee crossed the wire in 1:54.2 with trainer-driver Ray Schnittker.

Schnittker moved Deweycheatumnhowe to the lead approaching the half and from there the outcome was never in doubt. Velocity Hall rallied late for John Campbell to finish second while Waterstone, under the direction of David Miller, went three wide in the final turn before angling to the inside in mid stretch to finish third.

Owned by Schnittker, Ted Gewertz, Charles Iannazzo and the Deweycheatumnhowe Stable, Deweycheatumnhowe's effort was a career best. His career earnings now surpass $240,000.

A very game Muscle Mass won the third $90,500 ISS division for Dave Palone also in 1:54.2. Muscle Mass was parked for the first three-eighths of the mile before finally clearing to the lead but then he had Intimidator to contend with who was moving first-over for Andy Miller.

Down the stretch Muscle Mass kept Intimidator at bay but nearing the wire another formidable challenge came up the inside by Holiday Credit and Ron Pierce. Palone kept Muscle Mass to his task and he was able to reach the wire first to keep his record perfect in seven starts. Holiday Credit finished second second with Intimidator holding on for third.

A son of Muscles Yankee, Muscle Mass is owned by Perretti Racing Stable and Black Horse Racing. He now has career earnings approaching $200,000.

Palone moved Yankee Matthew to the lead shortly past the half and the son of Muscles Yankee led the rest of the route to win the first $90,500 division. It was the fourth straight trip to the winner's circle for Yankee Matthew as well as a career best.

Yankee Matthew took the lead just after the half-mile station was reached in :57.2 and he still had control at the 1:23.3 three-quarters. Under urging from Palone Yankee Matthew headed toward the wire, but a late charge from Over Ruled and driver Mike Lachance cut the margin to about three-quarters of a length at the finish line in 1:56 flat. Make It Happen also closed sharply for Ray Schnittker to take third-place honors.

Yankee Matthew is trained by Mark Harder, who also shares ownership with Scott Kurzrok and Stable 45. The winner's share of the purse increased his earnings to more than $103,000.

The recently-purchased Surtees Hanover won the second $90,500 ISS split for driver David Miller in 1:55. Miller moved the son of Andover Hall to the lead down the backstretch after getting away third early and led the rest of the distance to best Stand Guard (Mike Lachance) and Lancer Springs (John Campbell).

Now a winner in eight of 10 career starts and more than $362,000 in earnings, Surtees Hanover is now racing for Swedish owner Tommy Jacobsson's Stall Zenith HB, the same connection behind the older trotter Giant Diablo. Roger Walmann, who will now train the colt after he had been in the stable of Jonax Czernyson, was at The Red Mile for the victory. The sale was in the works the past two weeks as Jacobsson negotiated with former owner Bob Rosenheim.

"We're not sure what we are exactly going to do, including staying for the Breeders Crown," said Walmann. "But my goal is to come back to the United States next year for the Hambletonian."

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