EAST
RUTHERFORD, N.J. _ John Campbell delivered a emphatic message when he accepted
the Stan Bergstein-Proximity Award, a tribute to his extraordinary career as
the all-time leading driver in harness racing.
“Lifetime
achievement? I’ve got news for you, I’m not done, on or off the track,”
Campbell, 58, told the crowd at the U.S. Harness Writers’ Association banquet
over the winter in Florida.
Campbell
has an opportunity to back up that statement on Saturday night with Odds On
Equuleus, a leading contender in the $635,750 Meadowlands Pace.
The
Pace is the centerpiece attraction on the biggest night in the sport. The
spectacular 14-race program at The Meadowlands Racetrack starts at 7:15; gates
open at 5 p.m. Admission is free with complimentary t-shirts for everyone,
while supplies last.
Campbell
and The Pace have been synonymous through the years.
Campbell
is the sport’s all-time leader with over $280 million in career earnings, more
than half coming at The Meadowlands. The youngest member of the Hall of Fame
when elected at 35, Campbell has won 16 Meadowlands driving titles.
Along
the way, he has won The Pace a record seven times. His 30 drives are also a
Pace record.
Campbell
returns to The Pace after a two-year absence, eager to make good on his
Proximity-Stan Bergstein pledge.
“It
would justify my statement in Florida, wouldn’t it?” Campbell said of another
Pace victory.
“Anytime you get to race in The Meadowlands Pace, it’s special.
It’s different every time, when you win it. You’re dealing with different
connections. It’s a big deal to a horse’s resume, to put a Meadowlands Pace on
it. It’s one of our premier events. There’s a lot prestige, besides the money
that goes with The Meadowlands Pace. There are always different people
involved. The reward is different for different people, for various reasons.
That keeps everything fresh. It’s something you always want to be part of.”
Another
Meadowlands Pace win won’t come easy, not when tackling the sensational
Captaintreacherous, the 6-5 favorite with the glittering 13-1-1 record in 15
starts.
Campbell
is encouraged by the turnaround effort by his colt in last week’s Pace
elimination. While Captaintreacherous, Twilight Bonfire and Wake Up Peter were
awarded byes, Odds On Equuleus had to fight for a berth in the final.
In
his best effort of the season, Odds On Equuleus overcame post 10 and a tough
trip to finish a neck behind Sunshine Beach.
Odds
On Equuleus, a top colt last year, looked primed for another banner season in
his early qualifiers. He couldn’t get untracked his first three races at Mohawk
Raceway, including a ninth-place finish in the North America Cup.
Trainer
Robin Schadt gave Odds On Equuleus three weeks off following the North America
Cup, and the colt came back strong in The Pace elimination.
“I’m
obviously very happy with his race the other night,” Campbell said. “He really
bounced back from what happened in Toronto, which was one thing after another
that didn’t go right. He couldn’t have raced any better. I’m optimistic going
in that he will race very well on Saturday.
“I
think that race will help him. He should be a little tighter and a little
stronger. That’s what we’re hoping for. There’s no reason to think he won’t. He
struggled with his gait, and everything up in Canada. He was back to himself in
the elimination, the way he was last year and in his qualifiers this year.”
Odds
On Equuleus starts from the rail as the 4-1 third choice.
While
the rail would not have been Campbell’s first preference, it is far superior to
landing an outside post.
“Once
we didn’t win our elimination, you are at the mercy of the draw,” Campbell
said. “It maybe isn’t ideal, but I don’t have a problem with it. It’s way
better than 8, 9 or 10.”
Sunshine
Beach, the Pace elimination winner, starts along side in post 2 as the 3-1
second choice.
Beach
Memories, Johny Rock, Resistance Futile, Rockin Amadeus and Sir Cary’s Z Tam
complete the Pace field.
The
Pace night card also features the $471,800 William Haughton Memorial Final
featuring world-record holder Warrawee Needy.
I
Luv The Nightlife is the heavy favorite in the $184,250 Mistletoe Shalee for
3-year-old filly pacers while many of the top contenders for the $1.2 million
Hambletonian and the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks here on Aug. 3 get their final
tune-ups in the $294,000 Stanley Dancer Memorial and the $265,500 Delvin Miller
Memorial for fillies.
A
quartet of $150,000 New Jersey Sires Stakes for 2-year-olds rounds out the
stakes lineup.
For
fans who can’t make it to The Meadowlands, television coverage is available on
MSG Plus, SportsSouth, Sun Sports and TVG. Check local listings for the channel
lineup. Live streaming is also available at www.meadowlandsracetrack.com.
Meadowlands
Pace Night is a cornerstone of the Championship Meet, the showcase for the top
trotters and pacers through Aug. 3.
