Betting Line ($2.40), driven by David Miller, won the $300,000 Carl Milstein Memorial at Northfield Park in 1:51 on Saturday (August 13). He started from post two and sat third through a :25.4 opening quarter. Miller pulled first over in the second turn and pressed the leader, Mr Wiggle Pants, through fractions of :54.4 and 1:22.3.
Betting line bobbled around the final turn, but sprinted away after regaining composure, and bested his competition by four lengths.
“I was just riding along with him up the backstretch and he started bearing in on me around the turn,” explained Miller. “He got pinched and threw in a step or two. He proved again tonight that he has a high turn of speed and he can carry it a long way.”
Saturday’s win is Betting Line’s eighth consecutive victory. His lone loss this year was a runner-up performance in his 2016 Mowawk Racetrack debut.
Betting Line (Bettor’s Delight-Heather’s Western-Western Hanover) increased his career bankroll to $1,133,505 for owners West Wins Stable, Christine Calhoun and Mac Nichol.
Casie Coleman trains Betting line and was relieved her horse overcame many obstacles to win.
“Tonight was the first time he was ever shipped a long way, it was his first time on a half and it was his first time leaving Canada,” said Coleman. “I feel really good about how things turned out. I have to get his turns corrected before he goes to Delaware for the Jug, but he has all kinds of speed. He is just awesome.”
Completing the 2016 Milstein field were the filly Pure Country, Magnum J, Mr Wiggle Pants, Sintra, Duel Of Truth and Don’tcallmefrancis. Boston Red Rocks was scratched from the race.
Leading up to the Milstein, the inaugural $50,000 Myron Charna President’s Pace was won by Dancin Yankee in 1:51.3.
Dancin Yankee was driven by Brett Miller for trainer Josh Green and owners Richard Lombardo and L&J Racing.
The Charna will be an annual event for four year old and up Ohio sired pacers.
