Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Haughton Eliminations Results

July 27, 2005

Blue Mac Lad and Keystone Savage captured their respective $20,000 elimination race on Wednesday night and will be among the 10 finalists in the $460,000 Peter Haughton Memorial on Thursday, August 4 at the Meadowlands. The elimination winners earned their choice of post position in the final of the Peter Haughton, the Meadowlands' premier event for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings. Trond Smedshammer, trainer-driver of Blue Mac Lad, selected post three for the final and Dane Snyder, trainer of Keystone Savage, opted for post four.

Blue Mac Lad coasted to a two and three-quarter-length victory over Ira K with Love Of My Heart third by four and a half lengths. Blue Mac Lad, driven to his second victory in four starts by trainer Trond Smedshammer, trotted the mile in 1:58.2. The son of Muscles Yankee - Vernon Blue Chip, a half-brother to $250,000-earner Self Obsessed, was a $160,000 Harrisburg Yearling Sale purchase for Einari Kalle Vidgren of Iisalmi, Finland.

"You never know with two year olds," said Smedshammer. "This is the first time he was on the front end that long. He's a good horse with a lot of class. You have to be careful with two-year-olds.

Also advancing from to the final from the fifth race were Lotsa Muscle and Quantum King Leo.

In the first division Keystone Savage was a three-length winner over Maximus Lindy in 1:59.2. Peacelovenjoy was third by three and a quarter lengths.

"The trip worked out perfect," said Brian Sears, the winning driver with Keystone Savage. "It was a nice easy mile. I'm real happy with him so far. He's clean gaited and seems to know what he's doing."

The son of Yankee Glide - Keystone Suzie Q was a $12,000 yearling purchase at Harrisburg for the Pennsylvania partnership of Thomas King III of Valencia, D. Michael Hartley of Renfrew, Leon Stepanian of Butler and Brian Shoplik of Monroeville. The Dane Snyder trainee now has three wins and two thirds in seven starts. Also qualifying for the Peter Haughton Final were Trampleunderfoot and Mr Bluestone.