“Trotters… pacers, it doesn’t make any difference, we can
drive them all,” said three- time Passover Pace winner Mike Kimelman. “Actually
this will be a nice change of pace this year.”
Kimelman, the president of Blue Chip Farms has drawn Toe
Socks, the early favorite in the race. They’ll leave from the three-hole
with his nemesis Alan Schwartz, another three-time Passover Pace winner,
leaving from post two with Four Starz Ransom, rated 4-1 on the morning
line and the only seasonal winner in the field.
Kimelman is quick to quip that his victories have been
with longshots, citing a $123 payoff when he won a Passover Pace a few
years ago. “Schwartz can only win with favorites,” he added with a chuckle.
After hearing Kimelman’s comments Schwartz countered with
“Hey, it’s not my fault my horse gets action in the Passover Paces it’s because
when they see me down to drive they bet on me.”
After careful perusal of the official program Kimelman had
to admit; “I agree with Schwartz and I think it will take a parting of
the dead sea for Allan to get beat with that horse. That said, we will have to wait
for Thursday to find out.”
However, Bob Krivelin, who won last year’s race has the rail
and second choice in La Grange, and Krivelin might even have a slight advantage
since he almost always drives trotters.
“I’m not saying this could be a grudge match but Schwartz
and Kimelman better be at the top of their game because I have a decent horse
and a good position to boot,” he chirped.
Standing back and listening to the trash, Derick Giwner, the
editor of Harness Eye and The Racing Form, may have his best chance of winning
a Passover race when he handles Our Special Girl from post five.
“On paper it appears that I have a chance. Although my ride
has yet to win in 10 starts this year, she is in equal company, as the rest of
the field combined only has one 2012 score to their credit, with that win going
to the aforementioned Four Starz Ransom,” Giwner said.
The trio of Mark Liebowitz, Dave Yarock, and Alan Charles
aren’t getting much respect in the Passover trot although Liebowitz-—he
won the Passover Pace in 2005— may have a decent chance with 9-2 rated Kim’s
Beauty if they can overcome the six-hole. Digital Photo,will have to show
more than his recent form to be a factor for Charles who won the 2010 Passover
Pace. And Yarock, on the far outside with 10-1 rated B Muffler, may have a long
afternoon from out there.
But Kimelman said it right when he stated we’ll have
to wait until Thursday to find out the winner.
The Passover Trot, which will be the third leg of the Mighty
M’s Heritage Drivers Series, will be the eighth race on the 11- race card
on Thursday with approximate post time at 3:00pm.
