Meadowlands: Allywag Hanover, Bythemissal reign in Sam McKee Memorial

Allywag Hanover and Bythemissal, who had both been seeking a return to past success, delivered the goods in the Sam McKee Memorial flights for older pacing males on Saturday afternoon at the Meadowlands.

The first division went for a purse of $128,750 and Allywag Hanover (Todd McCarthy) blasted out from post seven but had to work to get around Southwind Gendry (Yannick Gingras) for the lead beyond the 26 3/5 opening quarter. Allywag Hanover then yielded the top to Ruthless Hanover (Tim Tetrick), the 3-5 favorite, on the way to the 53 1/5 half.

Ruthless Hanover continued on the engine through three-quarters in 1:20 2/5, but McCarthy got Allywag Hanover to the outside past that marker as Backstreet Shadow (Jordan Stratton) also moved into contention after leaving the cones from fifth. Once he was fed clear racetrack, Allywag Hanover dashed back into command, dispatched Backstreet Shadow's try, and went on to a two length victory in 1:47 2/5. Lou's Pearlman (David Miller) rallied from last to second in the final quarter and Backstreet Shadow held third.

"We left out of there hard, but there were a bunch that can leave there. I had to go a little more than I wanted to to get around, but full credit to the horse. He dug so deep down by the wire and to win in 47 to leave like he did, that was a tremendous mile," said McCarthy. "(Following Ruthless Hanover) kind of shook out pretty good like that. I was a little worried. I was keeping an eye on Timmy on the turn, and his horse seemed to be laboring a little bit, so I just wanted to make sure I had plenty of time to get out at the top of the stretch. He certainly fought on when I did.

"He's always been a horse that takes a few starts to sort of get back to his best. Unfortunately we had that bit of a hiccup in Canada, and Brett's done a great job managing since then and got him back. Today he was super-sound and very happy. That felt like the old Allywag to have him back like that."

Brett Pelling trains Allywag Hanover, a 6-year-old Captaintreacherous gelding, for owner Allywag Stable. This was the world champion's 25th career victory, he has now earned $1,774,223 and he paid $8.40 to win as a 3-1 offering. Allywag Hanover hadn't finished inside the top three in five outings this year coming into today, but appeared back on form.

"He looked like the Allywag of old, which is great. He loves going along at a high tempo," Pelling stated. "You just get compromised by trips and draws. He's been good right through. Respect's a big thing, maybe he'll get a little bit more respect now."

This was Allywag Hanover's second victory in a division of the Sam McKee Memorial, as he also won during his Dan Patch Award-wining season two years ago.

"Winning the Sam McKee is always special. We did it two years ago with Allywag Hanover and we're back here again," remarked Adam Bowden of Diamond Creek Farm. "Brett's done a great job and obviously Todd drives him perfectly almost every time. When things click they click and like we've said before, the highs are high and the lows and low, and we're in that high right now."

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Tattoo Artist (Dexter Dunn) got to the lead nearing the 26 3/5 quarter in the other $130,000 flight and then reached the half in 53 4/5 before Bythemissal (Gingras), who found a seat in third from post nine, went on the attack. Bythemissal and Tattoo Artist hooked up in a battle to the 1:20 3/5 three-quarters and into the lane, but Bythemissal wore his foe down through the drive and went on to a 2 1/2 length win in 1:47 1/5. Taurasi (McCarthy) advanced from sixth to third in the final quarter.

"I didn't really want to be on the front with him. Tattoo Artist, we all know his racing style, he's going to keep the fractions honest," Gingras said. "I was happy to be able to track the pace, but my horse was tremendous today. We were pacing pretty strong, but when I got to him, I thought my horse would give me a good run in the stretch.

"One hundred percent I think he's back now. Early, when he went to Flamboro and stuff I thought he was really good...today he showed up and he showed up big."

Bythemissal, who won the Little Brown Jug, Milstein Memorial and Adios as part of an excellent 3-year-old campaign in 2022, is trained by Ron Burke for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Eric Good, Rich Lombardo Racing LLC. and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. The son of Downbytheseaside has a record of 18-2-1 from 22 starts, has pocketed $1,295,368 and returned $7.20 to win as the second choice.