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.
More news in Harness
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Ray doesn’t pull any punches about Sugar Ray but punters weigh in nonetheless
Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
