Another brilliant qualifier by Dealer who is set to debut at the Big M on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 2 March 2022
Excitement is high in the American Dealer camp in the countdown to his American debut at the Meadowlands on Saturday night.
Lincoln Farms’ former three-year-old star lines up for New Jersey trainer Linda Toscano in the ninth race and from four on the gate, co-owner Gordon Banks says he’s definitely a winning chance.
“It’s a tough field with quite a few free-for-all types but he was super impressive again in his second qualifier last week. (Race night driver) Scott Zeron couldn’t be there last week so Linda asked Corey Callahan to sit in and attack late and he closed full of pace in a 1:50.4 mile (three seconds faster than the previous week).”
From post three (he’s in green and yellow in the video which has no commentary) American Dealer sat fourth in the running and was not eased out until well into the home stretch, taking many lengths off the all-the-way winner Tattoo Artist, driven by champion Kiwi Dexter Dunn.
He finished only a couple of lengths behind the winner and expat Nandolo, clocking 54 for his last half and 26.8 for his last quarter, easily the fastest in the heat.
“Everyone was impressed because he was never asked,” said Banks who races the son of American Ideal with his cousin Marc Hanover.
American Dealer … proved a tough campaigner for Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.American Dealer’s time of 1:50.8 was the same as two race winners on the night, Saturday’s race rival Shvaiko and Trump Nation, and only one horse, American History ran faster, in 1:49.8.
“If the weather is good on Saturday night they might go under 1:50,” Banks said.
“It’s the second best class at the Big M with a purse of $US23,000 for horses who haven’t won more than US$20,500 in their last four starts.”
Among the Dealer’s rivals will be the ex Kiwis On The Cards (17 wins, 1:49.2), formerly trained by Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan, and Italian Delight, who won eight races for Tony Herlihy, another two in Australia, and now has a tally of 19, and a fastest time of 1:50.4.
Banks said American Dealer’s primary target remains the Borgata series which begins at Yonkers on March 21.
“There are 40 horses entered so the estimated purse for the final will be US$600,000.
“Tattoo Artist will be very hard to beat at Yonkers because he loves the front end but with the right trip I think Dealer can threaten.”
Tattoo Artist, by He’s Watching, was named Canada’s three-year-old colt of the year in 2021 and is the fastest horse ever at Yonkers with a 1:49.6 clocking last October. He has run 1:47.2 at the Meadowlands.
Zeron, 32, who will drive American Dealer on Saturday night, was the youngest driver to reach 2000 wins at 23 years of age and now with earnings of more than US$81 million is one of the top drivers at the Big M and Yonkers.
American Dealer faces some strong opposition on Saturday night.
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Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
