Western Fame Shines in $100,000 Potomac Pace
Foiled Again Wins for the 107th Time
FORT WASHINGTON, MD – Western Fame, sitting the perfect pocket trip with Maryland native Corey Callahan in the sulky, went by 7-5 favorite Filibuster Hanover down the stretch to win the $100,000 Potomac Pace Sunday evening at Rosecroft Raceway.
Western Fame, a recent acquisition by trainer Rene Allard, who trained last year’s Potomac Pace winner Keystone Velocity, covered the mile in 1:49 2/5. The victory, the 16th of Western Fame’s career, pushed his career earnings over the $1 million mark.
Filibuster Hanover, a winner of more than $600,000 this year, was second with driver Matt Kakaley and Duplicated N was third.
“He’s been a nice horse and we’re just happy to have him,” Allard said. “The trip worked out perfect. We’re thrilled to have him. This horse, the deal happened pretty quick and everyone that was part of it…we got it done, boys, so shout out to everyone. I couldn’t be happier.”
Coming off a fourth-place finish behind McWicked in the TVG Open Nov 24, Western Fame went to the front leaving the gate but was quickly headed from the inside by Filibuster Hanover, who took control around the first turn past an opening quarter in :21 4/5 a length in front of Western Fame.
“I know Matty’s horse can leave really fast and mine was the other gate speed in the race,” Callahan said “I figured I’d either get there and let Matty come back or it was only the two of us so I got stuck behind him.”
Callahan paced behind Filibuster Hanover, who went the half in :55 1/5 and three quarters in 1:21 4/5 while Endeavor raced first over. Entering the stretch, despite a game effort by Filibuster Hanover, it was Western Fame who would claim the third running of the Potomac Pace.
Western Fame returned $7.20
Foiled Again…for the 107th Time
Foiled Again, the richest horse in harness racing history, chalked up win No. 107 earlier in the evening when he won the appropriately titled $15,000 Foiled Again Invitational.
The 14-year-old gelding, breaking from the outermost No. 9 post, paced past the pacesetter and longshot Arts Blaze down the stretch to win in 1:53 4/5 as he closes in on the end of his racing career. The son of Dragon Again has started 328 times in his career and has amassed more than $7.6 million.
“He is special, that’s for sure,” said driver Matt Kakaley. “He’s a once-in-a-lifetime horse and I’m glad I got to drive him a little in his career.”
Asked if he had any doubts he would run down Arts Blaze, Kakaley said, “I knew he was going to reel him in. When he was that close on the last turn I wasn’t worried”
Foiled Again returned $2.60.
NOTE:
Slick Tony, the 4-5 favorite, came four-wide into the stretch with driver Montrell Teague to win the $25,000 Maryland Invitational for horses owned, sired or bred in Maryland. A homebred 3-year-old owned and trainer by George Leager, Slick Tony won his ninth race of the year and pushed his career earnings over $370,000. Sams Triple Crown was second and pacesetter All The Cookies was third.