Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Stonebridge Regal Invades for American National

July 28, 2005

Illinois champion Team Hutch and Stonebridge Regal vie in Balmoral Park’s $250,000 American National three-year-old colt pace final Saturday night. This 58th consecutive edition of the prominent added money event began back in 1948 at old Sportsman’s Park, producing such past pacing stars as Good Time, Bret Hanover, Nero, Falcon Seelster, Jate Lobell, Matt’s Scooter, Beach Town and Artsplace.

The stakes record of 1:49.2 was set at Balmoral Park in 1999 by Blissful Hall, one year after the American Nationals shifted to the Chicago circuit’s south suburban facility.

Team Hutch is unbeaten over his last nine consecutive starts at Balmoral Park for his Warrenville, IL owners Joy and Bonnie Neal Hutchinson, a streak that includes victories in this season’s Hanover and Cardinal championships and an American National triumph in his final start as a two-year-old under the handling of trainer Homer Hochstetler.

Unraced at two, Stonebridge Regal has already amassed $577,466 in his first season, winning 10 of 15 starts for trainer and co-owner Bob McIntosh. He defeated Meadowlands Pace winner Rocknroll Hanover a week earlier in their elimination (1:49.3). Last month the youngster finished one length behind his rival in the $1.21 million North America Cup at Woodbine.