American Dealer steamrolls US rivals in 1:49.2 and even the commentator said Wow!
By Barry Lichter • 7 March 2022
American Dealer had even the commentator reaching for superlatives when he posted a sizzling 1:49.2 North American debut win at The Meadowlands last night.
“That gets a WOW,” the caller said after he described American Dealer “steam-rolling” past his rivals to down his ex countrymate On The Cards and score by half a length on a chilly 4 deg Celsius evening.
Driver Scott Zeron left from gate four and had the former Lincoln Farms’ star fourth in the running, the first half cut out in a white hot 54 seconds, before easing out just before the three-quarter marker and powering home to win with something in hand.
The Dealer’s time was the second fastest on the night behind former Kiwi Let It Ride, a half brother to Lincoln Farms’ Louie The Punter and Double Or Nothing, who took time honours for driver Dexter Dunn and trainer Nifty Norman with a 1:48.6 clocking in the following race.
The Dealer’s performance was arguably the second most impressive North American debut by a Kiwi pacer behind former champion Lazarus who claimed the Dan Patch at Hoosier Park in August, 2018 in 1:48.4.
Co-owner Gordon Banks, who now races the little prize fighter with his cousin Marc Hanover and New Yorker Ken Jacobs, was ecstatic about the first-up win.
Scott Zeron brings American Dealer back to the winner’s circle at the Meadowlands.“What a great start to his North American career,” Banks said.
“I was nervous because of the high expectations we had for The Dealer after his two great trials but he won unurged and safe late.
“It was hard earned and a step-up in company - he raced against three or four good free-for-all horses who will be in the Borgata series, including Captain Barbossa, who won the 2020 Little Brown Jug.”
Banks said you only had to watch Zeron and trainer Linda Toscano in the winner’s circle to see how much they loved the little horse.
“Linda repeatedly refers to him as ‘a real cool dude’, and an impossible horse not to like. Scott exclaimed that he was a breath of fresh air.
“He has made a positive impact on everyone he has come into contact with. Let’s hope his career here builds favourably on this great start.”
The next scheduled race for the son of Woodlands Stud’s American Ideal is in two weeks in the first leg of the Borgata series at Yonkers, which has drawn 40 free-for-allers with an estimated final purse of $US600,000.
Bondi Shake scores for Austin Siegelman.Bondi Shake scores
Earlier, at Freehold in New Jersey, another former Lincoln Farms’ pacer Bondi Shake won at only his second start in the United States, leading all the way in 1:56.6 for trainer-driver Austin Siegelman.
The son of Somebeachsomewhere won six races for Al Barnes in Queensland before his sale last August.
More news in Harness
Emotional night at the Park as Sammy Lincoln steps up for John and his sister Maree
Rivergirl Bella finally delivers - and Phil kicks himself for not being there or having a punt
This is it, Sammy, the draw’s a bit of a pain but you can eat these non-winners for breakfast
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.14pm
“She tries hard and is getting stronger. She just needs a trip to be right there.”
Race 3: Copy N Paste
6.16pm
“Maurice said he got a bit tired on debut but I didn’t expect a lot. Four months ago you’d have wondered if he’d ever qualify. He’ll improve on that - he’s improving all the time - but from seven he’ll have to go back and come into it late.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.14pm
Update: Scratched
“She’s up in grade but is a chance again if she can get a good run up the front of the field. It was a good effort last time to break 2:43.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.49pm
“She’s trained on OK and, while no champion, has to be a chance down in grade against the amateur horses.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.57pm
“I can’t see her beating Sammy Lincoln but with a good draw at last you’ll see a better performance. She’s capable of finishing in the first three.”
Race 4: Spirit Of God
6.57pm
“She bolted in at the workouts, leading out from a wide gate and getting home in 27.9. She’s a great driving little mare and has good manners. I could see her winning one very soon.”
Race 4: Sammy Lincoln
6.57pm
“I know we’ve said it before but he has been unlucky a few times and, all things being fair and square, it’s hard to see him beaten. The draw is awkward but everything points to him winning. There are no derby horses in there and he went a great race in the Northern Derby last start.”
Race 4: Marylynes Boy
6.57pm
“He’s a tidy little horse. I can’t see him winning from the (second row) draw but he’s like Spirit Of God, he’s not far away from winning one.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.25pm
“He’s been a late developer. You can see it in his growth, his withers have finally popped up, and he’ll get better as time goes on. He’s no champion but he should be a handy horse through winter. He’s capable of stepping away fairly well.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.25pm
“It’s a toss-up between the two of them. Sugar Ray is a bit stronger perhaps but Leo is very good from a stand. You can forget that last run in the Messenger - he was only in there to help get the race off the ground.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.25pm
“He finally showed us what he’s got last week. Inside second row draws can be awkward - you’re at the mercy of the others - but he could end up with a good trail behind the leader.”
