Racine Belle equals world record

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Racine Belle brought a powerhouse performance for a second straight start Saturday night, and in the process, equaled a world and track harness racing record first established 14 years ago in taking the $50,000 Kissin In The Sand Final for Open pacing fillies and mares at The Meadowlands.

Eight days ago, the 4-year-old daughter of So Surreal-Ty’s Artist paced a back half in :54 on the way to a lifetime-best 1:49.1 score, but this time around she was even better, according to the tele-timer as well as her driver.

“This week she was better,” said Jason Bartlett. “Last week, she was a little vulnerable down by the wire. She’s always been better out of a hole, but tonight, she was vicious.”

A David Dewhurst trainee, Racine Belle fired away from post four in the eight-horse field and hit the first quarter while parked in :27. A rated second split of :28.1 would follow, leaving plenty in the tank for later on.

With even-money favorite Lyons Sentinel inching closer on the outside, Racine Belle sprinted her third quarter in :26.3 as Bartlett wanted to open up on that foe, as well as the pocket-sitting Rocknificent.

“I knew Lyons Sentinel would be right there with me,” said Bartlett. “So I had my horse race a little harder through the last turn. I got a little bit of a gap off the turn. It makes a difference when you open up a little space.”

Racine Belle then paced home in :26.2 to complete a :53 final half to hold sway by a length over Rocknificent. Lyons Sentinel was third.

“As soon as she hears footsteps, she digs right in,” said Bartlett.

RACINE BELL REPLAY

Owned by Chris S. Lawton and Dale G. Lawton, Racine Belle returned $9.80 as the second choice in the wagering. She’s now won 18 of 37 career outings, good for earnings of $417,526.

Her final time of 1:48.1 equaled the world and track record for 4-year-old pacing mares, set by My Little Dragon on July 13, 2007.

“I had no idea about the record,” said Bartlett. “She’s like driving a race car. It was the best night of her life.”

POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE: Also on the stakes-laden program were three divisions of the final leg of the Graduate Series for 4-year-olds, and standing out as the most impressive performer was Ruthless Hanover, who made it three wins in four Graduate tries, scoring in a lifetime-best 1:47.2 in the lone leg four division for pacers.

In a bulky 12-horse field, Andy McCarthy had Ruthless Hanover where he likes it, on the front end. The gelded son of Somebeachsomewhere-Rockaroundthetrack brushed to command before the half and tripped the beam at that station in :53.4, the same time he set when he won in 1:48 on May 15.

The Tom Cancelliere student then hit three-quarters in 1:20.4 as Allywag Hanover, the only horse to defeat ‘Ruthless’ this year (on June 5), came calling on the outside. But Ruthless Hanover shrugged off that challenger and held on determinedly for a head win over a fast-closing, pocket-sitting Cattlewash. Two-to-one favorite Captain Barbossa, whose 1:47.1 win last week remains the fastest in the sport this year, was right there at the wire to get third, with Allywag Hanover settling for fourth.

RUTHLESS HANOVER REPLAY

Ruthless Hanover returned $10.80 to win as the third choice in the wagering, and now has nine wins from just 16 career starts and a bank account of $166,875.

“I was just trying to figure out how to play it,” said McCarthy. “There wasn’t much speed, so I pushed off the gate. I think the horse might have been a touch sharper tonight [than in his win two back]. I think I went too slow in his last race [in the Allywag Hanover defeat]. I wanted to go a little bit bigger numbers tonight and play catch me if you can. The one good thing about this horse, he’s watching those horses on the outside and he does enough to make sure he stays in front. He knows what his job is.”

Taking the two leg three Graduate splits for trotters were It’s Academic (in 1:51.3), who made it three wins in three Graduate starts for trainer Ron Burke and driver Yannick Gingras, and the speedy Beads, who scored in 1:51 for Per Engblom and Dave Miller.

The Graduate Series Finals, one on the pace and one on the trot, will each have $250,000 (est.) dashes on July 10, which is Meadowlands Pace Eliminations Night. The top 10 point-earners who declare for the final will go behind the gate. To see the standings, go to http://playmeadowlands.com/generic.aspx?id=21732.

A LITTLE MORE: Meadowlands Pace winterbook favorite Perfect Sting sent a strong message to the 3-year-old colt pacing division by taking a conditioned event (where he faced seven older foes) in a lifetime-best 1:48.1 for trainer Joe Holloway and driver Miller. The son of Always B Miki had to battle back against a resilient Shake That House, who actually had a head up at both the three-quarter and stretch calls, to record a game head win as the 1-2 favorite. … Miller led the driver’s colony with four trips to the winner’s circle while Ron Burke schooled four to victory lane. … All-source handle totaled $3,012,752. … Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m.

For full race results, click here.

by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands