Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Progress Pace Field Set
November 7, 2004

Timesareachanging is the top-ranked three-year-old male pacer in the most recent Standardbred poll, and third-rated overall, but Western Terror and Quik Pulse Mindale are lurking close behind. The results of races over the next month more than likely will determine which of the three is named the year's top performer in the division. And someone might take a big step forward Sunday when the three meet in the $350,000 Progress Pace at Dover Downs.

Western Terror and Timesareachanging both won Progress Pace elimination races November 7 at Dover. Western Terror made up more than four lengths on leader Quik Pulse Mindale to win in 1:50.3, just a fifth of a second off the track record set by Riverboat King in the 2000 Progress, in his elim.

Quik Pulse Mindale, who was supplemented to the race for $25,000, finished second while Holborn Hanover was third and Metropolitan was fourth. Timesareachanging won his elimination race in 1:53.

Timesareachanging has won 10 of 18 starts and $1.05 million, tops among all male pacers in 2004. He won the Adios, the Little Brown Jug and finished in a dead-heat for win with Western Terror in the Cane Pace. He equaled the world record for a three-year-old gelding with a 1:48.4 clocking at the Big M & set the world record (1:49.3) for sophomores on a 5/8's track when he won the Adios.

Western Terror has won seven of 20 starts this season and earned $892,005. He won the Breeders Crown and divisions of the Tattersalls and Bluegrass. Quik Pulse Mindale has won 12 of 16 races and banked $595,131. He won the Provincial Cup, American-National and Motor City. Quik Pulse Mindale equaled the fastest mile for a three-year-old with a 1:48 victory at Balmoral in September.

"I was sort of thinking about it and I think [Timesareachanging and Western Terror] deserve to be the two finalists," said Brett Pelling, who trains Timesareachanging and Western Terror for owner Perfect World Enterprises.

Tony Morgan, who drives Quik Pulse Mindale for trainer Mike Arnold and owner Lloyd Arnold, said his colt came out of his elimination race in good shape and appears to be ready to finish the season strong.

"I'd say he's a bit fresher than most of them," Morgan said. "He's been holding his own. I would say Western Terror and Quik Pulse are the sharpest right now."

In addition to supplementing to the Progress Pace, the connections of Quik Pulse Mindale paid $62,500 to supplement him to the Breeders Crown (earning $138,750 with his second-place finish) and are willing to pay a supplement to get him into the Matron. A shot at a division title, Morgan admitted, is in the back of his mind.

"Sure, it would be nice if we did it; that's always a nice feather in the cap," Morgan said. "But no matter what, he's a nice horse and he's been a lot of fun for us."
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