Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Special Report became harness racing’s newest millionaire, winning the $390,000 George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series Final in the mist on Saturday night, May 3, in 1:51.4.

One year prior in the final, Special Report had cut the mile from the eight hole, only to be overtaken -- out of the pocket -- by Maltese Artist, who prevailed in 1:51. This 2008 Levy division night belonged to the 6-year-old Keystone Raider gelding, with Larry Stalbaum driving for owner Hugo Iodice and trainer Kim Asher.

It was the 47th win in 91 career starts for Special Report, who began his career on the Michigan fair circuit. The $195,000 winner's share raised his lifetime bankroll to $1,011,887.

"I made up my mind going in that Took Hanover was the only horse I was going to follow," Stalbaum said. "I knew he'd carry me. My horse just tries every start, and to get to the million dollars, well that's all him. He loves to compete and loves to win."

The Free For All event, named in honor of the founder of Roosevelt Raceway, offered five weeks of preliminary rounds prior to the final. The purse was the richest in harness racing to this point in the season.

Special Report's Career Statistics through June 1, 2008
Year  Starts/Wins/2nds/3rds   Earnings   Record      Venue & Date of Record
2008     16      6      7      1           $525,680      6, 1:50.1M       M 01/19/2008
2007   19      10    5      1           $339,525      5, 1:48.4M       M 05/19/2007
2006    23      8      5      6           $72,715        4, 1:53.3F       HP 08/12/2006
2005    20      15   3      0           $110,635      3, 1:53.4F        HP 09/24/2005
2004    14      8      4      1           $34,332        2, 2:00.1H       Knrs 09/06/2004
Total   92     47   24    9          $1,082,887  5, 1:48.4M