Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Self Professed Wins Su Mac Lad Final

Saturday, April 8, 2006

Mike Lachance steered Self Professed to a 1:53 clocking in the $126,500 Su Mac Lad Final Sunday afternoon at The Meadowlands. The gallant trotter used a come-from-behind move to score by three and three-quarters lengths over Muscles Marinara and Brian Sears for winning owner Martin Scharf.

Making only his second start since he was purchased by Scharf of Lawrence, New York, Self Professed's victory was a lifetime record for the four-year-old son of Self Possessed.

"He was nice and relaxed behind the gate," said Hall of Fame driver Mike Lachance, winning the Su Mac Lad for the first time. "I thought he was even better the second time after a recall. He was very strong at the end of the mile last week, but light-gaited at the end. Mark trainer Ford corrected that this week, and he was better this week. He was trotting a storm at the end and very solid."

Self Professed rallied from the back, working his way around breaking horses to take the lead in mid-stretch and draw away to his first win of the year, eighth in 26 career starts.

"I was back about eighth or ninth, following John Campbell with Mr Dream OM," Lachance said of the trip. "In the middle of the last turn I had a ton of horse. I knew he'd trot good in the stretch. He was strong, safe throughout the mile."

"He was very good today," said trainer Ford. "The recall wasn't the best but as Mike [Lachance] said, it didn't bother him and it was a good day. It has been dull in activity and this was a shot in the arm for us. We got him three weeks ago. We bought him after he qualified. He was in such good shape, all we had to do was put him in and go. I was in Columbus, Ohio, and had to drive 540 miles to make it here on time, and I am happy I did. We purchased him for around $200,000. Horses like this don't go up for sale very often. Yes, it is a lot of money, but you have the chance to race him for a lot. I hope he continues to do well."

Self Professed, a stakes contender at three, has finished in the money in 14 of 26 starts for career earnings of $499,011.

$126,500 Su Mac Lad Final The Meadowlands Sunday, April 9, 2006
PP/H# Horse                  Driver
8-8 Self Professed            M Lachance
2-1 Muscles Marinara       Br Sears
1A-9 Mr Dream On           J Campbell
1-2 Great George Two      J Roberts
9-10 Smooth Muscles       Dav Miller
6-6 Westland Sun N          Cat Manzi
7-7 Hez Striking               Ron Pierce
5-5 Yankee MJ                 Yannick Gingras
4-4 HZ Easy                   Jeff Gregory
3-3 Young Pointer N        G Brennan
27.1 56.1 1:24.3 1:53.