Sun comes up in Miami after American Dealer makes night time vigil worthwhile

Staying up until 4.20am so they could watch American Dealer race at Auckland was definitely worth it for his American owners Gordon Banks and Marc Hanover.

And after the three-year-old’s determined win on Thursday night, the Miami cousins are looking forward to also watching the Lincoln Farms youngster take on some big features Down Under with the New York tracks all but out of money and on the verge of closing through COVID-19.

Banks says he was so excited at the way American Dealer won his third race from only six starts that he found it impossible to get to sleep after the race.

“I had to take a little nap this morning,” said Banks, who along with his racing partner bought the horse from Lincoln Farms less than a month ago.

Watching the race, Banks thought American Dealer was a winner when he held the early lead then handed up to stablemate Tommy Lincoln.

But when Tommy Lincoln started sending out distress signals before the home turn, things started looking decidedly tricky.

“I thought it was great driving (by Zachary Butcher) to get out when he did then swerve back in again.

“For young horse to do that after having a horse stop in his face was very impressive.

“I really like the horse. He reminds me of a horse we had in New Zealand 20 years ago, Tupelo Rose, who won 15 races by less than a neck.

“It seems to be his way too. He knows where the wire is and wants to win.”

Pocket battleship American Dealer staves off Christianshavtime and Magilligan Point. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.Banks admits he wasn’t even looking for another horse when American Dealer was brought to his attention.

After buying seven yearlings in Australia this year and with 10 or 11 two and three-year-olds coming up with Kevin Pezzuto, the pair had plenty to keep them going.

“We did buy one yearling in New Zealand, a Betting Line colt, but we’d virtually disengaged there.

“It’s difficult to spend a lot of money in New Zealand on yearlings. The chances of succeeding in the big races against Mark Purdon aren’t high. He’s extremely competent and has a lot of money behind him.

“Half the fields are Purdon’s plus Tony Herlihy and Barry Purdon and that’s a hard army to beat.

“New Zealand is a small country and, if you haven’t got the second or third best horse, you can’t make any money.”

American Dealer, however, immediately caught his eye.

“I must have looked at 20 horses in New Zealand in the last two or three months and he’s the only one I liked at the price.

“The one start that really impressed me was when he ran fourth in the Young Guns Final. He caught a lot of air, sitting parked, and didn’t lose any ground. For a two-year-old to do that first time parked was impressive.

American Dealer’s not big but he’s well put together. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.“He’s not big but he’s well put together. He looks a touch below medium size but some of the best horses have been smaller.”

Banks likes the patient way trainer Ray Green has handled American Dealer and how his drivers haven’t abused him.

And the way the colt hit the line at his previous start, coming from four deep on the markers and running very fast sectionals, augured well for the future.

“He really only motored the last 100 metres. I think he’s definitely got 26 (quarter) speed in him.”

Banks likes Green as a trainer and with his experience, the large stable numbers and a great set-up at Lincoln Farms, believes American Dealer is in the right place.

The United States is definitely not the right place for horse racing at the moment, says Banks.

“The New York tracks are all closing in three weeks. They’ve all run out of money.

“The casinos in New York are all closed because of COVID-19 and that’s where these tracks get their funding.

“Purses have already been cut back. Yonkers’ purses have been decimated. They had only $10 million in funds when they reopened and needed a couple of million from the horsemens’ association to stay open.

“Big races like the Messenger Pace and Yonkers Trot have already been cancelled.

“We just don’t know what’s going to happen with racing in the States.”

Once an annual visitor to New Zealand, Banks says he’s dead keen to return to see American Dealer race.

“It will depend on what the virus is doing but hopefully by New Year Americans will be able to travel to New Zealand.”