Balmoral Park (11/8/12)
Contact: Tom Kelley
(708) 672-1414
HURRIKANE KINGCOLE LOOKS TO BLOW THROUGH RIVALS IN SOPHOMORE COLT PACE
In what could be the most wide open of the eight American National Stakes carded for Saturday a very evenly matched field of 10 sophomore pacing colts will line up behind the gate to battle in the night’s richest event, the $260,000 American National 3yo colt pace.
From the inside post Hurrikane Kingcole figures to be one of the top contenders in this event for trainer John Mc Dermott. The brilliantly fast 3-year-old pacer has at times looked like a world beater. Then there were the times when he would simply beat himself.
McDermott planned out a 3-year-old season for his $10,000 bargain basement purchase with a mindset to race the colt from off the pace. With as much speed as the Cam’s Card Shark-sired colt possessed, McDermott was well aware that Hurrikane Kingcole was virtually impossible to slow down or rate once he got fired up.
The strategy led to some impressive wins like his 1:48.1 clocking in the Max Hempt elimination at Pocono but also some disappointing defeats like the one he suffered in the final of that event after a tough trip. After missing the Meadowlands Pace Final after another come-from-behind effort Hurrikane Kingcole captured the consolation, sailing by horses to win in a career best of 1:47.3.
One of the most amazing performances of the colt's up and down career came on Hambo Day when driver Yannick Gingras decided to “float” the horse to front in the $275,000 New Jersey Classic Final. After a 26.3 opening quarter Hurrikane Kingcole turned into a virtual runaway, pacing through three-quarters of a mile in 1:18.2, the fastest time ever posted in the sport’s history. Unfortunately a pocket sitting Panther Hanover wore down the pace setter in the closing yards to win in 1:47.2.
After some time off due to some troubles with his blood counts, Hurrikane Kingcole has come back strong winning at Pocono in 1:49 and finishing fourth in the Monument Circle at Indiana Downs in his most recent start.
When asked if the colt’s performances have started to take a toll on his conditioner, he was quite clear about his affinity for the winner of nearly $500,000.
“People ask me if it’s frustrating to have a horse like this,” said McDermott, “What’s frustrating is to have a horse that can’t break 2:40 no matter how hard you try to make him go. This colt is a pleasure to be around and I can’t tell you how many people came up to me in Lexington to talk about him. Carter Duer told me the only horse he’d ever seen that had a gait to match Hurrikane Kingcole’s was Jenna’s Beach Boy. That meant a lot to me.
“I really believe this horse is going to be different and better at four and five,” said McDermott. “Right now you can’t slow him down after you start him up, but I think over time he’ll learn to go fast and be able to relax.”
American National 3yo Colt Pace winners
| Year |
Horse |
(Driver) |
Time |
| 1985 |
Marauder |
(Dick Richardson, Jr.) |
1:55.4
|
| |
Falcon Seelster |
(Tom Harmer) |
1:55.4
|
| 1986 |
Incredible Finale |
(Tom Harmer) |
1:54.4
|
| 1987 |
Jate Lobell |
(Mark O’Mara) |
1:53
|
| 1988 |
Matt’s Scooter |
(Michel Lachance) |
1:55.2
|
| 1989 |
Sandman Hanover |
(Bill O’Donnell) |
1:54
|
| 1990 |
Beach Towel |
(Ray Remmen) |
1:52.4
|
| 1991 |
Artsplace |
(John Campbell) |
1:53.2
|
| 1992 |
Crouch |
(Michel Lachance) |
1:54.4
|
| |
Wear My Ring |
(Bill Gale) |
1:53.4
|
| 1993 |
Village Jiffy |
(Bill O’Donnell) |
1:53.4
|
| 1994 |
Make A Deal |
(Bill Fahy) |
1:53.4
|
| 1995 |
Hensell Hanover |
(Mike Saftic) |
1:52.3
|
| |
Private Ritual |
(Tony Morgan) |
1:53.4
|
| |
Special Mel |
(Brent Holland) |
1:54.2
|
| 1996 |
Jet Lagg |
(Bill O’Donnell) |
1:53
|
| 1997 |
Gothic Dream |
(John Campbell) |
1:51.2
|
| 1998 |
Artiscape |
(Dave Magee) |
1:50
|
| 1999 |
Blissfull Hall |
(Dale Hiteman) |
1:49.2
|
| 2000 |
Lifes Not Fair |
(Sam Widger) |
1:50.4
|
| 2001 |
Cardmaster Hanover |
(Sam Widger) |
1:50.2
|
| 2002 |
Mystic Art |
(Dave Magee) |
1:49.3
|
| 2003 |
Yankee Cruiser |
(Dean Magee) |
1:50
|
| 2004 |
Quik Pulse Mindale |
(Tony Morgan) |
1:51.4
|
| 2005 |
Gold Dust Beach |
(Jason Dillanger) |
1:51.2
|
| 2006 |
Life Guard On Duty |
(Sam Widger) |
R 1:48.4
|
| 2007 |
Won The West |
(Greg Grismore) |
1:51.1
|
| 2008 |
Shadow Play |
(David Miller) |
1:49.3
|
| 2009 |
Straight Shooting |
(George Brennan) |
1:50.1
|
| 2010 |
One More Laugh |
(Tim Tetrick) |
1:49.4
|
| 2011 |
Betterthancheddar |
(George Brennan) |
1:50.3 |
R=Designates Stakes Record Time
*Raced at Sportsman’s Park, 1959 through 1997; and at Balmoral Park 1998 to present.
For more information visit www.balmoralpark.com or call (708) 672-1414.
About Balmoral Park: Located in Crete, IL just 12 miles south of 80/94; Balmoral Park has been one of the nation's premier horse racing facilities since 1926. Balmoral Park features live racing every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Admission and parking is always free.
