Harrington: American History triumphant in Bobby Quillen Memorial

American History made a three-wide power move off cover in the backstretch and out-kicked the competition to win the $150,000 Bobby Quillen Memorial for open pacers on Monday evening at Harrington Raceway in 1:49 3/5.

Driven by Joe Bongiorno, American History took back off the gate and wound up sixth while None Bettor (Jason Bartlett) went to the top, clearing Sectionline Bigry (Tyler Smith) going to the 26 4/5 opening quarter. On the second turn Backstreet Shadow (Tim Tetrick), who had found a hole in fourth from post eight, went first-over, giving cover to Prairie Panther (Tyler Buter), with American History, who had remained two-wide, sitting third-over.

None Bettor continued on the engine to the half in 55 seconds and the three-quarters in 1:22 4/5, but going to that latter station Bongiorno put American History into a three-wide position, and he blew by Prairie Panther and Backstreet Shadow to assume the first-over slot. American History and None Bettor battled around the far turn, but American History got the better of his inside challenger in the lane, reporting home with the victory by a length. Sectionline Bigry was third, followed by Courtly Choice (James MacDonald) and Prairie Panther.

"Having None Bettor underneath me and knowing him so well, he leaves the gate so quick. If I would have left into him, it would have been a mess, so I decided to take off for tonight. The horse raced unbelievable for being third-over, having to move halfway up the backstretch, and swooping them the way he did," Bongiorno said. "I actually think he likes from behind a little bit more, but I like to see him on the front off of reasonable fractions, too.

"This is a phenomenal horse. I think he's actually just finding his top form right now. I think you're going to see this horse do big things in the next year or so."

Tony Alagna trains American History, a 4-year-old son of American Ideal, for co-owner/breeder Brittany Farms and co-owners Marvin Katz and American History Racing. American History won for the 14th time in his career, and he has now earned $755,276. Sent off at 4-1, he paid $10.20 to win.