Billy Lincoln strides out for Tim Tetrick at Gaitway Farm in New Jersey today.
Billy Lincoln paces fast 1:53 in New Jersey qualifier, living right up to our Al’s predictions
By Barry Lichter • 3 June 2020
Former Lincoln Farms three-year-old Billy Lincoln made a splash when qualifying at Gaitway Farm in New Jersey today.
Sold last November after notching three wins and three seconds in seven starts for Queensland trainer Al Barnes, Billy Lincoln paced a swift 1:53 flat mile in running second to another former Kiwi, Mako Banner who clocked 1:52.6.
Driven by champion reinsman Tim Tetrick, Billy Lincoln closed his last half in 28.2 to run the fourth equal fastest mile of the day when 14 heats were run.
Mako Banner (Mach Three - Regal Banner) while now a nine-year-old veteran, won three of his six races here for Graeme Anderson, and 15 races in Australia before being sold to the States where he has won another three times.
Billy Lincoln, on the other hand is an untapped talent, having raced only 11 times, and pleased his new trainer Tahnee Camilleri with his forward showing.
That’s no surprise to Barnes who, while pleased to have secured a healthy five figure sum for Lincoln Farms, was sorry to see the horse go.
“In another three months I reckon he’ll be a different horse,” he said at the time.
“I know it’s a big call but he might have made a derby horse in six months. He’s just got better and better and better. And there’s still so much improvement left in him.”
Billy Lincoln, by leading sire Bettor’s Delight, is out of Ginnie Moon, whose dam Armbro Innocence won 15 races.
More news in Harness
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Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods
Bang! Lincoln Wave’s tyre blows out, startling rival drivers but Alabar win would shock more
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm
“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm
“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm
“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm
“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm
“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Wave
5.09pm
“With the trip he got in the Harness Million I thought he’d have run on a lot better. But he was still a bit short on fitness and sometimes we can expect too much of these horses, he was racing the best, after all. It’s a big drop in grade here and he’s a pretty fair horse.”
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.09pm
“He’s an honest sort who’s in a good space but he won’t get a wonderful trip from the outside of the gate this time so I’m not holding my breath.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
6.04pm
“He’s training down well but you never know what he’s going to do. You think you’ve got him sorted and he does something silly. But we know if the real Sammy turned up, he’d be very hard to beat as he’s got a lot of speed.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
7.05pm
“He’s another where you don’t know which one will turn up but we’ve gelded him since his last run, so we’ll see if that helps. He trained well the other day.”
