Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Western Graduate Wins $144,000 Jugette

                           Western Graduate & Yannick Gingras

September 19, 2007

Isabella Blue Chip tried to take a page out of Southwind Tempo’s first elimination division book, but instead could only prompt a victory by Western Graduate and driver Yannick Gingras in the second of two eliminations for the $300,000 Jugette on Wednesday at Delaware, Ohio.

The tepid favorite, who was last year’s freshman filly pacer of the year, sped to the top and set fractions of :26.4, :55.2, and 1:23.1, but the winner was underway on the outside after the midway mark, and moved past Isabella Blue Chip and won in 1:51.2, matching the world, track, and stakes record.

Gingras was flushed from the rail when Brian Sears and Omen Hanover made a move before the half-mile pole. The eventual winner moved three-wide as the field turned for home and moved quickly past the pacesetter in the final strides and won by 1-3/4 lengths.

“I pulled her when I did because I could see that Dave’s horse (David Miller, driving Isabella Blue Chip) was getting a little tired. I was more concerned about George’s horse (George Brennan, driving Elusive Prey), who was sitting pretty in the two hole.

“This mare (Western Graduate) is always a strong horse, who always gives me a strong race, but today she was sharper than ever. (Trainer Mickey Burke) did a great job of getting her ready.”

Elusive Prey (George Brennan) who raced in the two hole early, finished second, Me And My Baby (Dave Palone) finished third, and Isabella Blue Chip held-on and finished fourth. The top four advanced to the second heat final, but Isabella Blue Chip will not start as she was scratched.

“That three-wide move she made was strong,” Mickey Burke said. “At that point I didn’t have much doubt about her winning the race. Yannick couldn’t have done a better job driving her. I was glad to see he moved her when he did. I sure didn’t want her getting locked-in.

“Last year this mare held the world record for about two seconds, and then it was broken by Isabella Blue Chip, and now this year we beat her, and revenge is very sweet, but George Teague (Isabella Blue Chip’s trainer) is one of my best friends, and I am always happy for him, too.

“(My) mare is very tough, and I believe her broodmare potential just increased significantly."

The winner is owned by Sylvia Burke, Tom Cherichello, George Leon, and Lawrence Karr, and was bred in Ontario by Patrick Ryan.

$144,000 Jugette Delaware, Ohio Fairgrounds
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
PP Horse                     Driver
2 Western Graduate      Yannick Gingras
5 Me And My Baby        Dave Palone
1 Southwind Tempo      Tim Tetrick
3 Elusive Prey              Geo Brennan
6 Before Dawn             Tony Hall
7 Mystical Dreamer      Greg Grismore
4 Liberty Skiberty          David Miller
:25.4      :54.2      1:22.4      1:51.3