World record by 2-year-old Sheer Desire

September 27, 2008

Making just his third career start, Sheer Desire set a world record for 2-year-old geldings and equaled the all-time mark for freshman with a 1:49.3 effort in the first of six divisions of the $510,100 Bluegrass Saturday afternoon at The Red Mile. Dave Palone was in the sulky behind the Mickey Burke trainee in the win in the $85,350 split.

Content in mid-pack while the Brian Sears-driven Hay Goodlooking set torrid first-half fractions of :25.4 and :52 while opening up a 10-length lead, Palone got his charge underway around the final turn and was in the mix of the flow as the field converged on the favored leader at the 1:22.2 three quarters.

With a rush Sheer Desire surged to the top to go on to the record-setting victory, leading a parade of longshots across the wire. Sheer Desire was sent off at odds of 19-1, with runner-up Ahead Ofthe Curve (Jody Jamieson) second at 22-1, Lightning Elvis (Mike Lachance) third at 48-1, and Track My Desire (Andrew McCarthy) fourth at 40-1.

The time broke the previous world record for first-year geldings of 1:50.2 set by Home Bed Advantage, and equaled Somebeachsomewhere's divisional world mark of 1:49.3 set last year in winning the Metro final at Mohawk.

A son of Real Desire out of the $500,000-winning Quebec star mare Carolache, Sheer Desire had two winning qualifiers at The Meadows in August and then won his pari-mutuel debut in a $7,500 maiden event at the Pittsburgh track on Sept. 11 in 1:56.1. He then finished second in a $30,349 Standardbred division at the Delaware, Ohio fairgrounds Sept. 18.

"We we ready with him early but he had a little softness in his tendons so we thought we'd be cautious with him," Burke said afterward of Sheer Desire's late start to his freshman season.

Schoolkids, fresh off a victory in the $89,500 Kindergarten final at Tioga Downs, won the second $84,350 Bluegrass division with a 1:51.4 effort for driver Tim Tetrick. Schoolkids edged past the leading Anniewesterncard (Yannick Gingras) in deep stretch, with that one also yielding runner-up honors to McLaren (Luc Ouellette).

Tracy Brainard trains the winning son of McArdle for owner Bulletproof Enterprises. The win was his fourth in eight starts, sending his earnings past the $100,000 mark.

Ron Pierce left with Carnivore, yielded to the Mike Lachance-driven Dr. C's Z Tam at the :27.2 quarter, and then retook the top down the backstretch and drew clear to a 1:51.3 victory in the third $85,350 Bluegrass division. The winner of the $300,000 Kentucky Sire Stakes Aug. 31 at The Red Mile, Carnivorre is a son of Real Desire out of the The Panderosa mare Party Animal.

Finishing second behind Carnivore was the Tim Tetrick-driven Sand Benelli, with Gypsy Artisan and Palone third.

Trained by Jack Darling and owned by the Jack Darling Stables, Carnivore won for the fifth time in eight stats, increasing his earnings to more than $244,000.

Best Dream Seeker proved game in the fourth $85,350 Bluegrass division as he was able to reach the wire first between horses for Luc Ouellette in a career-best 1:51.4. My Old Friend John, the even-money favorite for Trace Tetrick, had the lead from the half on but was unable to fend off his rival and had to settle for second. Fireintheshark was third for Tim Tetrick.

Trained by Duane Marfisi, Best Dream Seeker is a gelded son of Cambest out of the Western Hanover mare Dream Seeker. The win was his third in seven starts, increasing his earnings to more than $112,000 for owners Aaron Waxman and Alan Alber.

Dial Or Nodial overcame the nine hole and a bobble in midstretch to win the fifth $85,350 division in 1:51.2 for driver Brian Sears. Ideal Danny finished a game second for Andy Miller, with Born To Rockn Roll third for Palone.

The winner of the $175,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes final in July at the Meadowlands, Dial Or Nodial is a sn of Western Ideal out of the Abercrombie mare Smart Dialing. The homebred of Arlene and Jules Siegel, trained by Jim Campbell, has now won six of seven starts with earnings of more than $220,000.

A shoeing repair needed by Western Dakota delayed the start of the sixth and final $84,350 Bluegrass division but the wait was worth it as David Miller directed the son of Western Hanover to a 1:52.1 victory.

Miller left fast with Western Dakota, but yielded the top shortly past the opening :28.1 quarter to Straight Shooting, who was sent from third early by John Campbell. Straight Shooting reached the half in :56 and three-quarters in 1:25.2 and appeared to be on his way to the win, but when he drifted off the pylons a bit Miller urged Western Dakota through. Urban Guy was third for Ron Pierce.

Don Swick trains the winning Westen Dakota for owner Royal Wire Products f North Royalton, Ohio. The win was the gelding's second straight and fourth in eight starts, increasing his earnings to more than $58,000.

« Back