Mister Big, Tug River Princess win Allerage paces

The Allerage events for older pacers got underway at The Red Mile Saturday afternoon when Tug River Princess scored in 1:51, and a few races later Mister Big rode a two-hole trip to a 1:49.2 score in the Allerage for male pacers.

 

The $149,000 Allerage Horse & Gelding Open Pace got underway with plenty of horsepower as 10 were lined up behind the starting gate. Brian Sears left strongly with Mister Big from post two, but George Brennan took the lead with Shark Gesture, shifting his horse into high gear by hitting the wheel disc while barreling into the first turn.

 

Meanwhile, Shadow Play, who started from post eight, was parked at the back of the field, and Breeders Crown champion Won The West, who started from post 10, was last in the field.

 

Shark Gesture carved out fractions of :26.2, :53.3 and 1:21.2 and was opening up on the field in the last turn. But in the middle of the homestretch the 6-year-old Shark Gesture appeared leg weary, and Mister Big, Southwestern Dream, and Won The West all got by him before he hit the wire.

 

Mister Big picked up his fourth win of the year in 14 starts for owner Joe Muscara and trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. A 6-year-old son of Grinfromeartoear, Mister Big will be retired to stud duty later this year at Tara Hills in Canada.

 

Tug River Princess “tripped out,” to quote announcer Sam McKee. She was able to ride in the pocket, behind the pacesetting Hana Hanover, until almost the three-quarter mark. Driven by John Campbell, Tug River Princess kicked into high gear and then held off the late rally of her stablemate, Southwind Tempo, who made her rally from second-over.