“Charging hard” Bythemissal takes $130,000 McKee Memorial

Bythemissal (Downbytheseaside) put away Tattoo Artist down the stretch to capture the $130,000 second division of the Sam McKee Memorial on Saturday (Aug. 5) at The Meadowlands.

Yannick Gingras floated the gelding out from post 10 and sent him on a beeline for the three-hole, which was left vacant by the front-stepping Tattoo Artist (Dexter Dunn). The latter took point at the quarter in :26.3 and got a pressure-free second panel to the half in :55.4.

Bythemissal threw down the gauntlet as he shifted out entering the final turn, and he and Tattoo Artist went toe-to-toe as they swung for home. The battle raged into the stretch with Tattoo Artist fighting on, and Bythemissal, in the words of announcer Ken Warkentin borrowed from the race’s namesake Sam McKee, “charging hard.” Bythemissale forced the white flag as they entered the closing stages and, with his main rival dispatched, cruised home to score in 1:47.1.

Tattoo Artist was a clear second-best with Taurasi closing for third.

BYTHEMISSAL REPLAY

Bythemissal is now four-for-five this season and has won 18 of his 22 career starts. The Ron Burke-trained four-year-old has racked up $1,295,368 in earnings. Burke Racing Stable of Fredericktown, Eric Good of Davidsonville, Rich Lombardo Racing of Solon, and Weaver Bruscemi of Canonsburg own the gelding.

“Yeah it sure does,” said Gingras when asked if it was special to win the race. “What a great man he was. So it was an honor to even be in the race, but it’s great to win it.”

Allywag Hanover (Captaintreacherous) hauled down Ruthless Hanover from the pocket and soared to victory in the $128,750 first division.

Todd McCarthy sent the gelding into the five-horse fleet charging into the first turn and vying for the front. Allywag Hanover put his nose in front at the quarter in :26.3, crossed into the top spot, and then let odds-on favourite Ruthless Hanover (Tim Tetrick) take over coming down the backstretch. The latter hit the half in :53.1 and led to three-quarters in 1:20.1 with Allywag Hanover getting racy from the pocket.

McCarthy gave Allywag Hanover open road as they turned into the stretch, and the gelding quickly dispatched Ruthless Hanover. Backstreet Shadow (Jordan Stratton) nipped at the heels of the new leader down the lane, but Allywag Hanover pulled away from him too as he came home a 1:47.2 winner.

Lou’s Pearlman (Dave Miller) surged late to take second. Backstreet Shadow held third.

ALLYWAG HANOVER REPLAY

Allywag Hanover, one of harness racing’s best older pacers for several years, has now won 25 of his 60 career starts and earned $1,774,223. He won the McKee Memorial in 2021. The six-year-old races for trainer Brett Pelling and owner Allywag Stable of Wellsville. It was his first win – and top-three finish – of the season.

“Yeah winning the Sam McKee is always special,” said co-owner Adam Bowden. “We did it two years ago with Allwayg and then took last year off to let the Bulldog people come in and win that. But we’re back here again and we’re thrilled. Brett’s done a great job and obviously Todd drives him perfectly almost every time.”

It is the seventh edition of the Sam McKee Memorial, named after late announcer Sam McKee, who passed away in 2017. It was previously known as the U.S. Pacing Championship.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink