Harness Racing: Betterthancheddar to be retired

According to a post on her Facebook page, trainer Casie Coleman has announced the retirement of star older pacer Betterthancheddar after a reported incident following the $500,000 Ben Franklin Final at Pocono Downs on Saturday night.

“Racing game is tough; go from happy as hell with Vegas' (Vacation) second place to the Captain (Captaintreacherous), to very, very sad night with Cheddar locked in solid, loaded with pace and takes a bad step or something after the wire,” wrote Coleman. “Cheddar is in great hands at New Bolton. Vet checked him and with time he will be just fine, which really is good news. I was pretty scared Saturday night that it may have been worse; so racing has lost the chance to watch a great horse like Cheddar on the race track, but he will go to stud and you will get to witness his offspring race! He will rehab with me for 3 months and then he may go to New Zealand as soon as this season; around October! I know they love Bettors Delight over there; now they will have his son also!”

The 5-year-old Betterthancheddar, who finished eighth in the Ben Franklin on Saturday, earned $1,634,314 during his 33-race career. He posted 19 wins, including the 2012 Ben Franklin, 2011 Breeders Crown Colt Pace and Cane Pace.

Betterthancheddar is owned by Stave Calhoun and West Wins Stables of Ontario.