Lanson rolls in Am-Nat Aged Trot

There were no surprises in the $150,000 American National Aged Trot Saturday night at Balmoral Park as the heavily favored Lanson turned a perfect pocket-sitting journey into a 1 ½-length triumph in 1:53.4 for driver Mike Lachance.

 

Zipped away from post position five Lachance elected to let a hard leaving  Michaelrowyourboat (Jimmy Smith) take control of the race as the field moved to the opening quarter in :27.

 

“It’s been a long year for him so when that other horse gave me a chance to be covered up for as long as he did I was more than happy to let him go,” said Lachance.

 

Continuing to sit right on the back of the pacesetter through a half in :55.4, Lachance finally pulled from the pocket as the field reached the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:25.4.

 

“It’s a long stretch here but my horse felt strong after the trip he had so I figured I had better get him out and moving,” Lachance explained.

 

Trotting strongly on the outside Lanson moved past the early leader and then gamely fought off late challenges from Wind Surfer (Dave Palone) and ABC Mercedes (Mark O’Mara) to post his eighth win in 19 starts this year. Wind Surfer was a fast closing second while ABC Mercedes was a hard luck third after getting trapped between horses in the late stages.  The victory pushed the Don Swick trainee’s career bankroll up to $574,231 for the Royal Wire Products of North Royalton, Ohio. (Balmoral Park)