Sabonis rallies to win $300,000 Carl Milstein Memorial

Despite being a loose second-over in the backstretch, Sabonis (Tellitlikeitis) and harness racing driver Joey Putnam closed the gap in the stretch to win the $300,000 Carl Milstein Memorial Invitational Pace Saturday (Aug. 10) at MGM Northfield Park. It was Sabonis’s eighth straight victory.

The 11^th race feature got underway with a real dog fight to the opening quarter mile as 16-1 Timeisonmyside (Anthony MacDonald) had the lead from the rail. But leaving hard at the start from post eight was Pariss Dragon (Dan Noble) and those two played hardball to a :25.4 opening quarter as Noble had to back off Pariss Dragon into the two-hole.

They raced single file to the half mile in :54.1 and then in the backstretch the even money favorite, Wish You Well (David Miller) came first-over with Sabonis was gapping second-over to the three-quarters in 1:21.4. Sabonis started to gain ground and tipped three-wide on the final turn.

Coming down the stretch, Sabonis was able to collar Timeisonmyside and go on to win by one and one-half lengths in 1:50.3. Timeisonmyside held for second place with Wish You Well third.

SABONIS REPLAY

Not only was it the eighth straight win for Sabonis, but it was his 11^th win of the year for trainer Aaron Stutzman and owner Pat Miller of Slaughters, KY, with Sabonis paying $6.00 to win. The colt was bred by Karl Dean Miller.

“The horse was awesome,” said winning driver Joey Putnam. “He trains on a half mile at Hoosier Park and does really well. At the quarter (:25.4) I said OK. Then going to the half (:54.1) I said we are a little far back. Then in the backstretch I got him into gear and then on the final turn I thought we might get there.”

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink