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Sunday, December 9, 2012

Nfld - Bolt The Duer Wins The 2012 Cleveland Classic

Bolt The Duer, owned by All Star Racing Inc. and trained by Peter Foley, won the $130,000 Cleveland Classic for 3 year-old pacing colts in 1:51 at Northfield Park Saturday night.   


Bolt The Duer Winning the Cleveland Classic (Photo courtesy of J.J. Zzamaiko Photography)
Bolt The Duer briefly led through the first 1/8 of the mile before releasing Pet Rock (Douglas McNair) to the front through an opening fraction of 27.2.  Pet Rock yielded to Thinking Out Loud (David Miller) through a half in 54.4.  Thinking out Loud led through three-quarters at 1:22.1 before tiring in the stretch.  Driver Mark MacDonald tipped Bolt The Duer around the last turn and got up to win by ¾ of a length over Pet Rock. 

Also completing this year’s Classic the field were Rockin Finish, Mortal Zin and A Rocknroll Dance. 

“He’s got great tactical speed,” said MacDonald, “He’s a great horse and he dug in down the stretch and got the job done.  He just never stops coming.”

The win came just three days after the passing of one of Bolt The Duer’s owners. John M. Como Sr. died Wednesday at the age of 88. “Mr. Como was a gentleman to be around,” commented MacDonald. “He loved this horse and he loved racing.”

It was the 15 career victory for Bolt The Duer and increased his bankroll to $1,116,668.    This son of Ponder, out of the Artsplace mare, Wonderbolt has a lifetime mark of 1:47.4.   

“I am just delighted to end the season like this,” said Foley. “Although this was the last race for this year, he will be back in 2013.  He is a beautiful horse and I am sure he will get even better.  We look forward to racing him next year.”  

Bolt The Duer paid $10.00, $4.60 and $2.20. Pet Rock, paid $5.60 and $2.20 to place and Thinking Out Loud paid $2.10 to show.