Lou’s Pearlman best in Progress Pace elim

Given a perfect drive by Hall of Famer Yannick Gingras, Lou’s Pearlman was able to post a long neck triumph in winning the $35,000 Progress Pace elimination race at Dover Downs Wednesday, November 17. The first eight official finishers in the ten-horse field of three-year-old colts and geldings return next Wednesday, Nov. 24 for the $310,000 final.

The 12th race feature got underway with Hellabalou (Tim Tetrick) the first on the lead with Chase H Hanover (Art Stafford, Jr.) taking the two-hole spot. That lead made it past the opening quarter mile in :26.3 and the action continued to be furious the rest of the one-mile dash.

Gringras already has Lou’s Pearlman, the race favorite, on the move and they cleared to the lead only to be passed by Abuckabett Hanover (Andy McCarthy) by the half mile in :53.4. Now on the outside trying for the lead was Charlie May, who started in the second tier in post ten for driver Tony Morgan.

Tried as they did, Charlie May could only collar Abuckabett Hanover by the three-quarters in 1:20.4 with Virgo (Corey Callahan) sweeping three-wide on the final turn and Lou’s Pearlman sitting in third place along the rail.

As they came off the final turn, Gingras was able to take Lou’s Pearlman along the rail and squeeze by Abuckabett Hanover in the stretch and then hold off a late charge by Southwind Gendry (David Miller), who came flying down the stretch from seventh place to be second by a long neck as Lou’s Pearlman won in 1:49.2. Abuckabett Hanover was third.

LOU’S PEARLMAN REPLAY

Also making it to the final next week was (in finish order), Charlie May, Rockyroad Hanover, Chase H Hanover, Virgo and Hellabalou. Not making it to the final were I’ll Drink To That and Whichwaytothebeach.

For Lou’s Pearlman, a colt by Sweet Lou, it was his eighth win of the season for trainer Ron Burke, whose Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Brucemi and Elizabeth Novak bred and co-own Lou’s Pearlman with Howard Taylor. He paid $5.00 to win.

For full race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink