Likeabatoutahell takes Hambo Day opener

Brian Sears and Likeabatoutahell took control early and held off a late charge by favored Misterizi to win the $75,000 Paris – Vincennes Invitational Trot to kick off the Hambletonian Day card. The duo stopped the clock in a lifetime best 1:51.3 for breeder and owner Michael Andrew. Don’t Know Chip was third.

 

Lining up third, Sears sent the SJ’s Caviar-Miss Molly Tamale gelding to the top when the gate folded, followed by rail horse Rembrandt Spur and 9-5 favorite Misterizi. Lubbock and Ron Pierce raced first over through fractions of :27.1 and :54.2, challenging for the lead before falling back to third. Advancing to second at three-quarters (1:23.3), Lubbock was joined by Don’t Know Chip, moving three-wide for Tyler Buter.

 

In the stretch, Likeabatoutahell maintained his advantage while Misterizi and Tim Tetrick found room outside, moving from the rail and closing late to finish second. Trained by Trond Smedshammer, the seven year old earned his seventh win of the season, raising his seasonal earnings to $176,660. Likeabatoutahell lowered his lifetime best by two-fifths of a second. The homebred has won $689,898 in career earnings for Andrew. The gelding returned $8.60, $3.40 and $2.60 in the victory.