Rich American Nationals held at Balmoral Park

Won The West provided a surprise in Saturday’s American National action at Balmoral Park in upsetting Mister Big, while Shadow Play, Enough Talk, Btwnyurheartnmine and Notjustaprettyface all posted expected victories. The biggest upset came from Double Trouble, who lit the board at odds of 23-1.

Although heavy favorite Mister Big and driver Tony Morgan led through fractions of :27, :54.2 and 1:22.2 in the $200,000 American National for older horse pacers, he tired down the stretch as he was denied his 10^th straight victory. Greg Grismore followed cover with Won The West and rallied wide with a final quarter of :26.1 to score in 1:49.2.

Maltese Art and Yannick Gingras finished second with Action Figure and Brad Kramer third.

Mickey Burke trains the winning 4-year-old son of Western Hanover for owners Strollin Stable, Bill Robinson and James Koehler.

Little Brown Jug winner Shadow Play captured the $300,000 American National for 3-year-old colt pacers with a 1:49.3 effort for driver David Miller. Miller left with the son of The Panderosa and reached the lead after the :26.3 opening quarter, going on to reach the half in :55.1 and three quarters in 1:23.2.

Dave Palone had Blueridge Western first-over but Shadow Play held game and fought off that one to win by a head.

Dr. Ian Moore trains and co-owns Shadow Play, who went past the $1-million mark in career earnings with the victory, with Ron and Gail McLellan’s RG McGroup and former professional hockey star Serge Savard.

Enough Talk took the lead past the opening quarter and the 5-year-old son of Enjoy Lavec led the rest of the distance to win the $190,000 American National for older horse trotters in 1:52. Ron Pierce was in the bike for trainer Peter Kleinhans, who shares ownership with Jerry Silva.

Enough Talk took the lead from the David Miller-driven Digital Image and that one held for second, just a half length behind the winner. Lanson and Mark O’Mara closed late to secure third-place honors.

Betwnyurheartnmine romped to a five-length decision in 1:51.1 in the $165,000 American National for 3-year-old filly pacers. Tim Tetrick was in the sulky behind the daughter of Real Desire as she rallied off cover to draw clear of her competition down the stretch. Kellys Keepsake finished second for Ron Pierxce with Don’t Deny Me and Mike Oosting third.

Ross Croghan trains the winner for Robert Cooper Stables and Let It Ride Stables, who recently purchased the filly.

Doubletrouble sprung his 23-1 surprise in the $170,000 American National for 2-yaer-old colt pacers. Dave Magee was in the sulky as the gelded son of Richess Hanover charged late to get the upset victory in 1:51.

Schoolkids, who had the lead for Tetrick at the three-quarter pole, finished a neck back in second, with the Miller-driven Standupnkissme rallying late for third.

Scott Foster trains the winner for owners Desyllas Racing, Carol Rieken and William Beck.

Tetrick tipped Notjustaprettyface off cover at the top of the stretch and the freshman rallied to win the $116,000 American National for 2-year-old filly pacers in 1:53. Thou Shalt Not and Pierce took place honors ahead of the Oosting-driven Fox Valley Topaz, who had set the fractions through three quarters.

Merv Chupp trains and co-owns the daughter of Jate Lobell with Kelly Chupp. 

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