Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Vivid Photo Vies in $150,000 American National
Hambo winner looks to keep record intact

August 23, 2005

Hambletonian champion Vivid Photo and beaten favorite Classic Photo will square off in Saturday’s $150,000 American-National at Balmoral Park in Chicago. It will be the first meeting between the two trotters since Vivid Photo’s 2¾-length triumph over Classic Photo in the $1.5 million Hambletonian on August 6 at the Meadowlands.

"I don’t know that a rematch really matters to me," said Erv Miller, the trainer of Classic Photo. "The day that he beat us is over, you just turn the page and move on. Hopefully, we’ll show we can beat him sometime so Classic Photo gets some credibility as a sire. But for myself, that day is over and you go on."

Classic Photo, driven by Miller’s brother, Andy, returned to action August 16 with a 1¾-length win over Self Possesion in the $50,000 Review at Springfield. Self Possesion also is in the American-National field, as well as Lindy’s Red Bull, Keaton Zet, Worship, Muscle Bound, and Garth Vader. For the year, Classic Photo has won seven of 11 races, including the Stanley Dancer Trot and Goodtimes, and earned $811,801.

Vivid Photo also won his only start since the Hambletonian. Trained and driven by co-owner Roger Hammer, Vivid Photo won by a neck in 1:57.3 over Lonestar Kosmos in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action at the Meadows on August 18. For the season, Vivid Photo has won 11 of 13 races and earned $863,572.

Worship and Keaton Zet raced Saturday in the $297,816 Yonkers Trot at Freehold Raceway. Worship, who won a Yonkers Trot elimination race a week earlier, went off stride in the race’s early going and finished last. Keaton Zet was fourth in the race, which was won by Strong Yankee.