Breeders Crown: Beckhams Z Tam best in 3-Year-Old Colt Pace final

Beckhams Z Tam out-dueled 3-5 favorite Downbytheseaside down the stretch to win Saturday night’s $527,500 Breeders Crown for 3-year-old male pacers by one-quarter length in 1:51 1/5, and in the process, touched off an emotional celebration at Hoosier Park. Miso Fast was third.

Beckhams Z Tam, the third Indiana-bred of the night to capture a Breeders Crown, has spent nearly his entire career racing at Hoosier Park. He was driven by Ricky Macomber Jr. and is trained by his wife, Jamie, who is a former assistant to trainer Ron Burke. The colt is owned by Bill Matz’s Z Tam Stables. It was the first Breeders Crown win for all.

Jamie Macomber greeted her husband with a hug and kiss as he returned to the winner’s circle with Beckhams Z Tam. A large crowd gathered in and around the winner’s circle and shouted words of congratulations to the connections.

“I never dreamed anything like this,” a teary-eyed Jamie Macomber said as she made her way to the trophy presentation. “This is his home track. Turning for home, I knew he was the winner. I don’t know what to say. My husband did it. It’s amazing.”

All but three of Beckhams Z Tam’s career races have come at Hoosier Park.

Miso Fast was the early leader, taking the field to the opening quarter in 26 2/5. Downbytheseaside claimed the lead prior to the half, reached in 56 seconds, and remained on top when he hit three-quarters in 1:24 4/5.

Beckhams Z Tam was fourth at three-quarters, following the first-over cover of Mac’s Jackpot, before surging three-wide and making his way to the front. Downbytheseaside remained within striking distance, but was unable to get closer than the final margin.

“That horse that was first-up, I was a little worried that he wouldn’t be able to carry me around the last turn, and I was more concerned about that half being in 56 flat,” said Ricky Macomber. “It was a little slow, but he overcame it.”

Macomber pumped his fist as he crossed the finish line.

“I was thrilled,” he said. “Just a big weight lifted off my shoulders.”

Jamie Macomber is in her first year of running her own stable after spending the past 10 years handling Burke’s Indiana-stabled horses. She received support, as well as horses such as Beckhams Z Tam, from Wilbur Eash, who was looking to slow down with an eye toward retirement. Macomber took over the training of Beckhams Z Tam in March.

“I couldn’t have had a better team to prep me for this,” said Jamie Macomber. “Ron Burke is an amazing man and my parents are awesome.”

Beckhams Z Tam has won 11 of 19 races this year and earned $500,295. For his career, the son of Always A Virgin out of the mare Sara’s Lucky Charm, has won 11 of 25 races and $547,994.

Sent off at odds of 9-2, Beckhams Z Tam paid $11.20 to win.

--press release (Breeders Crown)--