World record set in $300,000 Milstein Memorial

Seven Colors (Stay Hungry) wasted no time making an impression for his new connections, setting a world record for three-year-old pacing colts on a half-mile track, winning the $300,000 Milstein Memorial in 1:48.1 in harness racing action from Northfield Park Saturday night (August 12th).

With Dexter Dunn at the controls, Seven Colors left as hard as he could from the rail, but he found himself sitting third when leader Redwood Hanover (James Macdonald) reached the opening quarter in a wicked :25.3. Buzzsaw Russ, who was the first leader of the race, rode the pocket.

As they approached the half, Dunn had no choice but to pull Seven Colors and take his shot racing first up, with Tip Top Cat (Yannick Gingras) riding his cover. A third quarter duel in :27.2 brought Seven Colors even with Redwood Hanover as they hit the three quarters together in 1:21.1.

But Seven Colors was going the better of the two, and he put his rival away on the last turn and forged his way to world record glory without facing a real late threat. He was 2 1/2 lengths clear with Dunn sitting statuesque through a :27.1 final 1/4 for the 1:48.1 mile. Tip Top Cat closed for second ahead of Buzzsaw Russ. Redwood Hanover tired late to finish fourth.

Winning trainer Andrew Harris praised Seven Colors former trainer Brian Brown in the winner’s circle. “You know, Brian did such a good job with this horse and he had him prepped so well,” he said. “If you look at the way he has raced the last three starts, I was actually pretty confident going to the 3/4 pole. I watched him go first up against some really good horses last week, so I was like, ya know, if the horses on the front end get taxed too much, we can take advantage of that. I just basically took over a ready made horse.”

Seven Colors, bred in Kentucky by Alan Byler, was winning for the fifth time in 12 starts in 2023, but he is one for one for new owners Harris, and William Pollock and Bruce Areman of New Jersey. The $150,000 winners share of the purse boosted his earnings to just under $350,000.

In other action, It’s Academic (Uncle Peter) led every step in setting a new track record of 1:51.4 for aged trotting horses in the $100,000 Tom Aldrich President’s Trot.

Driver Dave Miller made it clear from the outset that he was going to take full advantage of his rail draw and he never let a rival get close as he cut fractions of 27.1, 56.4 and 1:24.3 with the Ron Burke trainee.

The top aged trotter on the continent was the easiest 2 1/4 winner as the 1 to 9 favorite. Refined rode the winner’s pocket throughout to finish second and Caviar Gold was third, beaten 5 1/4 lengths.

Miller indicated that It’s Academic couldn’t be going any better right now. “He’s been on top of his game the last couple of months,” he said. “He’s a really nice horse to get along with; he does whatever I ask him to do.”

It was the 29th victory in 76 career starts for the 6-year-old stallion owned by Brad Grant. He has now earned $1,826,096.

World-champion Bythemissal (Downbytheseaside, Yannick Gingras) dominated despite post eight as the 1-9 favorite the $100,000 Myron Charna President’s Pace, narrowly missing the track record.

Odds On Shaggy (Smith), Fearful Intent (Merriman), and Risenshine Seaside (Wrenn Jr.) were fastest off the car to Bythemissal’s inside, so Gingras dropped into a good early spot in fourth.  Odds On Shaggy took over heading into the backstretch, but he soon faced a challenge from Risenshine Seaside, who was able to clear but paid a :25.4 price to get there.

Gingras made his move passing the stands, sending the gelding first-up. Leader Risenshine Seaside could muster no resistance, and Bythemissal rolled to the front passing the half in :53.3.

From there, it quickly became apparent that Bythemissal was in a race against the clock as he opened up by 2 1/2 lengths passing the 3/4 pole in 1:21.0. He cruised in four lengths to the good, missing the track record by one tick, stopping the teletimer in 1:48.2.

“He’s got plenty of speed; we weren’t trying to go after any records tonight,” Gingras said.

The win was the second straight by Bythemissal for Burke Racing Stable, Eric Good, Rich Lombardo Racing, and Weaver Bruscemi. He raised his career earnings to $1,342,768. The Burke sweep of the two undercard races were two of his five wins on the card.

For complete race results, click here.

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink