By Ken Weingartner
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ- AUGUST 5, 2017 - Huntsville got to the lead
in the first turn and never looked back, winning Saturday’s $334,325 Cane Pace
for three-year-old pacers by a neck over R J P in 2:03 at the extended distance
of 1-1/8 miles for the seventh race at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
Downbytheseaside was third.
Starting from post No. 1 in a field of 12, Huntsville and driver
Tim Tetrick outdueled longshot Lawrencetown Beach for the lead as the field
entered the first turn and reached the quarter in 25.4. Lawrencetown Beach
remained parked out on the backstretch, with Downbytheseaside on the pylons in
third, as Huntsville hit the half in 54.
R J P made a three-wide move around Lawrencetown Beach and moved
into second as the group neared three-quarters, which was reached in 1:21.4.
Huntsville and R J P battled through the stretch, timed in 1:49 for a mile,
with Huntsville prevailing for his seventh win in 10 starts this year.
“He showed some toughness today,” winning trainer Ray Schnittker
said. “After the first quarter I was a little concerned and (R J P) eyeballed
him, but he’s just a very good horse.
“I don’t think they were going to beat us today.”
Schnittker co-owns Huntsville with Ted Gewertz, Steve Arnold, and
Crawford Farms Racing. The colt is a son of Somebeachsomewhere out of the mare
Wild West Show.
Huntsville has won 14 of 21 career races and never finished worse
than second. He has earned $1.58 million.
“I hope he goes the rest of the year like that,” Schnittker said.
“I’d be very happy.”
The Cane Pace is the first jewel in the Pacing Triple Crown. The
remaining two legs are the Little Brown Jug and Messenger. Schnittker said
Huntsville would not go to the Little Brown Jug.
Huntsville paid $3.40, $2.60, $2.10. RJP returned $5.40,
$2.60. Downbytheseaside paid $2.10.
