Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

An In Depth Look At Primetime Bobcat
New World Record Holder of 1:47.2
Compiled by Bob "Hollywood" Heyden

May 17, 2006

There's a new gunslinger in town, he's a gelding, he's 9 years old and he's lowered the world standard by one fifth of a second. Primetime Bobcat--a son of the richest sire in horse racing history-Abercrombie ($153 million)-is now king of the road with a 1:47.2 scorcher at Woodbine Saturday, May 18-Race 10.

Here's a closer look at this historic moment:
The old record held 9 years, 10 months and 3 weeks. June 22, 1996-1:47.3 By Jennas Beach Boy taken over a 'good' track at the Meadowlands in the 1996 Driscoll-renamed the Haughton in 1999.

It is the first time since August 16, 1984, that the world record for a race was taken somewhere else OTHER THAN the Meadowlands. Colt Fortysix did it on that day 22 years ago at Springfield, in 1:50.3.

Since then: Nihilator tied it on Meadowlands Pace night 1985, then lowered it a full second to 1:49.3 on August 3, 1985. That was the first ever sub 1:50 RACE mile.

Artsplace, 7 YEARS later, June 20, 1992, took a tick off the record with a 1:49.2 effort on a somewhat windy Meadowlands night in the Driscoll (Haughton) elimination. Cat Manzi drove him for the one and ONLY time in his Hall Of Fame career.

Staying Together, the following year 1993 (June 19) and for the same trainer Bob McIntosh, took it almost a full second better to 1:48.2. He was the last gelding before 'Bobcat' to hold the mark.

Jennas Beach Boy, in an epic duel with Riyadh, scored by a length in the Haughton final on June 22, 10 years ago. Riyadh thus became the only horse to race time in 1:47.4 and NOT win. William Fahy drove for Joe Holloway and L & L DeVisser.

Now, Primetime Bobcat, with Jody Jamieson, the #10 money-winning driver in North America, hold the mark at 1:47.2.

Sire Abercrombie died on November 14, 2000 at the age of 25. Coincidentally, that was the same year that Castleton Farms shut its doors, the same farm where the son of Silent Majority ruled. How about the richest horse of 2006-Hop Sing-and the fastest horse ever Primetime Bobcat-were both CLAIMERS!!!!

Hop Sing was about 150g ahead of the pack in mid-May at 357g-he was claimed for $125,000 on December 31, 2005. 'Bobcat' was taken for $100,000 on February 18 from Casie Coleman.

Bob Hamather-prior to Anthony Montini (and co-owners Michelle & Rogers) was the last Canadian owner to hold the world standard. He owned Staying Together, the 1993 HOY. Casie Coleman and Ed Hart now both share some history. Each HAD a sub 1:48 race winner and RACED a sub 1:48 race winner. Casie trains American Ideal, the current sophomore world record holder at 1:47.4, and WAS the previous conditioner for 'Bobcat'. Ed Hart trained Space Shuttle in 2000 to a 1:47.4 U. S. Pacing Championship victory over Western Ideal. he also HAD Four Starzzz Shark for his 2-3-4-5 year old seasons before losing him in 2004, the same year he posted a 1:47.4 seasons best.

Jennas Beach Boy was from the first crop of Beach Towel-the 1990 HOY Primetime Bobcat was from the final crop of Abercrombie, the 1978 HOY Jennas Beach Boy set the world record six years after his sire was named Horse Of The Year. Primetime Bobcat set the world record six years after his sire passed away-11/14/00 (AS a side note-six YEARS after Most Happy Fella died-Town Pro won the Breeders Crown in 1989) Jack Moiseyev was the ONLY driver to appear in BOTH races. He drove Riyadh in 1996 to that second place finish, a fight to the finish between two great horses. He was 5th in the 'Bobcat' mile with Our Lucky Killean The average time for the night at Woodbine May 13-2006 was 1:50.2. There was only one other sub 1:50 effort on the card. 1:49.1 by Shattered Halo.

Abercrombie was foaled in 1975, the dam of 'Bobcat'-Emerald Girl, 1980. 'Bobcat' was a one-time $23,000 yearling who sold as Armbro Topaz. The runnerup, Buckeye One, sold for $9,000 as a yearling and the third place finisher, Rair Earth, $7,500. You know Primetime Bobcat was a claimer, but so was Rair Earth-who finished 3rd in this record mile. He was taken in June of 2001 ($62,500) and still races for Brian Nixon (Centerport NY) along with Aubrey Friedman (Burlington, Ontario) He may be the single greatest claiming story of all time. He has made over $1 million SINCE the claim for his owners-and get this-he took HIS mark of 1:48.1 this year at AGE NINE also!! Carlspur went 1:48 flat at the Meadowlands last Hambo day. That was the previous fastest ever mile by a nine year old. The FOUR fastest miles ever recorded by a nine year old horse all came in the past nine months. 'Bobcat' was already the seasons leader at 1:48.1, and Rair Earth right behind him at 1:48.2.