Well said preps for Simcoe with 1:51.4 qualifier win

Meadowlands Pace and North America Cup winner Well Said, making his first appearance since also capturing the Battle of the Brandywine Aug. 18 at Harrah's Chester, won a qualifier at Mohawk Racetrack Friday morning in 1:51.4.

 

Ron Pierce made the trip to Mohawk to direct the 3-year-old son of Western Hanover in the qualifer for trainer Steve Elliott. Pierce was sitting second with Well Said at the first quarter in :28.4 before sending his charge to the top, reaching the half in :57.1. After reaching three quarers in 1:24.3, Well Said closed out his victory with a final quarter of :27.1 to defeat runner-up Dial Or Nodial by 1 3/4 lengths. It was the first start for the Jim Campbell-trained Dial Or Nodial since finishing fifth behind Well Said in the NA Cup due to a bone bruise.  

 

As for Well Said, he is expected to make his first pari-mutuel start since the Chester race on Saturday, Sept. 12, in the Simcoe Stakes at Mohawk. Elliott recently told harnessracing.com that he and owners Jeff Snyder and Susan Grange of Lothlorien will then decide on the future race schedule for Well Said, including a start in the double-heat Little Brown Jug at the Delaware, Ohio County Fairgrounds on Sept. 24.