$278,000 Cashman Memorial won by a whisker

It’s Academic (Uncle Peter), driven by David Miller, overcame a most difficult harness racing journey to win the $278,000 John Cashman Memorial—Fan Duel Open Trot on Hambletonian day at The Meadowlands.

The six-year-old, unable to use his usual tactics of joining the fray from the get-go, had to pass all of his worthy rivals with a half mile to go and did just that to stick a “whisker” in front right on the wire to earn his fourth win in a row, this one in 1:51.2.

Miller was in the sulky for trainer Ron Burke and owner Bradley Grant as It’s Academic scored his 28th lifetime success to vault his lifetime earnings to $1,781,656—$422,344 this season on the strength of a 6-1-2 scorecard in nine starts this semester.

Venerate (Love You), driven by Brian Sears, was in the photo with the winner with Southwind Tyrion (Muscle Hill), handled by Ake Svanstedt, third after pinching through along the pylons to join the fray and just a half length away at the wire.

Rattle My Cage (Love You) was next with Jujubee getting the nickel in the classy field of nine.

When the wings folded, eight of the nine horses initially had thoughts of leaving and, maybe, looking for a spot up close but it was Ambassador Hanover, teamed with Scoot Zeron, who took charge early from post two before yielding to Rattle My Cage, driven by Tim Tetrick, leaving from post four, as he hit the opening marker in :26.4 and continued on with a open lead through subsequent panels of :55 and 1:23.2 with little change in positions until they turned for home.

That’s when Southwind Tyrion snuck through with Venerate four deep and It’s Academic widest of all hitting the wire together.

When the judges examined the photo, it was It’s Academic by a nose.

IT’S ACADEMIC REPLAY

In a post-race interview trackside, driver David Miller said he was concerned about the tempo of the race but had planned to follow Venerate…which he did.

“On the last turn,” he lamented, “he felt so good. He’s an incredible horse!”

As second choice in the betting, It’s Academic paid $7.60 to his many faithful.

by John Berry, for Harnesslink