Harrington: No beating Bit Of A Legend N in Bobby Quillen Memorial

Half-mile track specialist Bit Of A Legend N picked up his third six-figure stakes win on a bullring this season when he captured the $150,000 Bobby Quillen Memorial on Monday evening at Harrington Raceway in 1:52 1/5.

Already with the Molson at Western Fair and the Gerrity at Saratoga Harness to his credit this year, Bit Of A Legend N (Jordan Stratton) started from post two in the field of eight, and the even-money public choice would make his way into the lead early on. Mel Mara (Corey Callahan) moved up on Bit Of A Legend's outside after he hit the front, and Mel Mara took control right at the 27 1/5 opening quarter. Stratton had no intentions of sitting in the pocket, though, and he brought Mel Mara to the outside on the turn to regain the top position.

Bit Of A Legend N put the half on the board in just 56 3/5, and with Somewhere In L A (Tony Morgan) only offering a mild first-over bid, Stratton was able to keep the pace reasonable to three-quarters, which Bit Of A Legend N clicked off in 1:25.

On the final bend Bit Of A Legend N scooted away from his rivals, and he was under no urging through the lane as he went on to win by a length and a half. It was a good battle for second between Mach It So (David Miller) and All Bets Off (Matt Kakaley), with the former getting the nod over the latter. Somewhere In L A hung around to collect fourth, and Wakizashi Hanover (Victor Kirby) finished fifth.

"I don't know if I've been the pilot, but I've definitely been the passenger," said Stratton about driving Bit Of A Legend N. "I'm just glad for the opportunity. It's been an excellent ride, and I hope it keeps going. Ever since he's come over he gives 110% every race, and if he can draw inside and be in the right spot in the big dances he always shows up."

Peter Tritton trains Bit Of A Legend N, an 8-year-old Bettor's Delight stallion, for owner Harry Von Knoblauch Stable. This was Bit Of A Legend N's 40th career victory, and he has now earned $1,868,856 lifetime. He paid $4.00 to win.

"It's a big thrill to win this race because I've had horses in it before, but have never had one good enough to be a contender," remarked Tritton, who was based at Harrington before moving his stable to New York a couple years ago. "I'm fortunate enough to have a good horse now that it was great to come back."