Vasari scores one of his four wins for Al Barnes in Queensland
Old battle axe Vasari scores again at Saratoga, extending good trot for ex Lincoln Farms team
By Barry Lichter • 16 December 2019
Former Lincoln Farms pacer Vasari has won his second race in the United States, showing plenty of grit to get off the canvas at Saratoga in New York.
Vasari, who won 16 races from 86 starts in New Zealand and Australia for trainers Ray Green, Sonya Smith and Al Barnes before his sale in August, lined up a short-priced favourite in a US$11,700 mile on Saturday night.
And while burned for early speed by Warrawee Nonsuch, driver Jim Devaux quickly took up the running.
Attacked hard a long way from home by Blaise Mm Hanover, Vasari looked vulnerable at the top of the stretch but fought back gamely to score in a close photo finish.
The win took his American record to two wins and three placings from 10 starts for US$27,000 in stakes for owner Kevin Quinn and trainer Paul Zabielski.
And while he clocked only 1:55.8, Barnes says that was considered good time in the cold conditions on a sloppy track.
The Art Major six-year-old took a lifetime mark of 1:52 for Barnes at Albion Park in May.
Vasari joins other Lincoln Farms’ graduates to win recently in Trojan Banner and Lincoln’s Girl.
Trojan Banner, who scored on his US debut, ran again at Dover Downs and while only fifth in 1:52.2, trainer Jim King was pleased with the run which reportedly saw him run a half in 53 after starting from seven on the gate.
More news in Harness
Sugar Ray Lincoln and Kevin Kline in fighting form for Friday night at Auckland
Punters quick to join Fergie in consummating his affair with Lincoln Lover at Auckland
Friday night’s main event: In the blue corner, Tyson, in the red corner, Sugar Ray
After 40 years in the sulky, Fergie’s just loving his renaissance in the lincoln green silks
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.58pm
“Drawn out wide makes it tough over 1700 metres but he’s been making his own luck. He’s not brilliant out but if he pushes on to be handy he’s got to be a big chance again. He needs to be up there on the pace or he doesn’t try too hard.”
Race 6: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.57pm
“You can’t fault what Sugar Ray’s been doing lately, and he’s been getting out with them, so he has to be a serious chance from the inside.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.57pm
“Kev and Sugar Ray are pretty much on a par. Kev never goes a bad race, he’s just such a professional.”
Race 7: Johnny Lincoln
8.23pm
“He’s been racing too keenly but he won’t pull this time. We’ve got a different bit on him so Maurice will have him under control.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.23pm
“He’ll need to get stronger and you couldn’t see him beating Fugitive from the outside of the arm.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.48pm
“It will be interesting to see what she can do from a good draw - she’s got some speed and if she holds up early she’ll get a good trip. But she, too, needs to get stronger.”
