Mister Big in big upset

Dave Panlone and Mister Big will lead the charge to next Saturday's Breeders Crown final for the 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings following their impressive elimination tallies Saturday evening at Woodbine Racetrack. Dave Panlone survived a tough, first-over trip to take the first $25,000 elimination in a time of 1:50.3 for driver Brian Sears, who is a perfect two-for-two with the Jim Arledge trainee. Mister Big pulled off a startling upset at odds of 42-1 in an accident-marred second elimination for driver Jody Jamieson.

Sears, who also guided Dave Panlone to an upset win in a division of the Tattersalls in Lexington, held on to win tonight's assignment by a neck over runner-up Western Ace. Sandro Hanover (3rd), Carrs Character (4th) and Western Guy (5th) took home the final three checks in addition to earning berths to next week's final.

"I thought he'd go a long way from first-over, he seems to like that type of trip," said Sears. "This is definitely a different type of track to drive at. You just have to judge the competition. This colt seems really sharp right now. I have a lot of respect for him."

James Stambaugh, who bred colt by The Panderosa, owns the speedy sophomore with Milton Leeman. The Ohio partners watched the colt improve his record to 5-3-2 in 16 starts with the win. He boasts a career bankroll of $495,779.

Trained by Tim Pinske, Mr. Big was seventh at the head of the lane when he uncorked a ferocious final quarter kick in :25.4 to gain the quarter-length decision in a time of 1:49.2 over Shark Gesture, who was third placed second. Total Truth crossed the line as the runner-up, but was placed third for causing interference to Shark Gesture as the field neared the wire.

Shark Gesture (Brian Sears) and Scootin Delight (John Campbell) were involved in a terrible accident after the finish. For complete details on that incident, see story above.

Jeremes Jet, who was on the lead for most of the mile, faded to finish fourth while Artistic Fella salvaged a fifth-place finish after doing the first-over roadwork.

"I came out of the gate evenly and got good early position," said driver Jody Jamieson. "I got out with him at the head of the lane and he dug in right to the wire - he was awesome. I talked to Tim (trainer Pinske) and he thought if we caught cover, he'd be good. Things didn't work out that way, but it all worked out in the end."

Mister Big, who is owned by Pinske Stables, Tom Crouch and Kentuckiana Racing Stable, is 3-for-15 this season with earnings of $138,812. Kentuckiana Farms of Kentucky bred the career winner of $264,252.

Elimination winners earned the privilege of picking their post positions for the final. The post position draw will take place at the Breeders Crown press conference on Tuesday afternoon at WEGZ Stadium Bar in Vaughan, ON.

Here is an alphabetical listing of the ten finalists: Artistic Fella, Carrs Character, Dave Panlone, Jeremes Jet, Mister Big, Sandro Hanover, Shark Gesture, Total Truth, Western Ace and Western Guy. (WEG)

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