Meadowlands: With Bulldog Hanover away the rest hope to play in McKee

--article by Claudine Smith--

With Bulldog Hanover absent, North America's best older pacers will fight for the spotlight in the $278,000 Sam McKee Memorial for free-for-allers on Saturday (August 6) at the Meadowlands.

In the past weeks, many horses have suffered defeats to the red-hot Bulldog Hanover. In the Haughton on July 16, Rockyroad Hanover finished second, two lengths behind Bulldog Hanover while Nicholas Beach finished sixth. The world-record holder's absence has some trainers optimistic about their chances in the McKee.

"One-thousand percent, yes," said Nicholas Beach's trainer Jenn Bongiorno when asked if she feels relieved that "Bulldog" isn't in the race. "You see a horse dominate like that, it all seems effortless. I'm extremely impressed by him and I appreciate Bulldog. He is a great horse."

Nicholas Beach became the fastest horse of the year on May 21 when he paced a mile in 1:47 at The Big M. However, he has faced some challenges in recent months. Due to an ulcer on his palate, he had to take three weeks off before the Roll With Joe on July 2.

"The truth is, Nicholas Beach, I've come to believe that he should be managed sort of like a Thoroughbred would be managed [meaning fewer starts]," said Bongiorno, about Nicholas Beach a 19-time winner in 39 career starts.

Last year in the McKee, Nicholas Beach just missed the victory in a second-place finish behind Catch The Fire. He has had a good 2022 so far, and Bongiorno is confident in the gelding.

"This is going to be our race," said the trainer, who wasn't at all concerned about her horse having missed three weeks of action. "Last year, we were second in this race, by a neck. I'm hoping we can beat someone by a neck this year."

Others are not fazed by Bulldog Hanover's absence. "Yeah, it helps, but we are not here to ever dodge competition, that's for sure. If he was in there, we'd be in there as well," said trainer Tony Alagna, who trains both 3-1 morning-line favorite Rockyroad Hanover and 7-2 second-choice Abuckabett Hanover.

Only three horses in the history of the sport have gone faster than Rockyroad Hanover, who finished second in 1:46 1/5 in Bulldog Hanover's record-setting 1:45 4/5 performance. However, Alagna feels that his horse hasn't been given the respect he deserves because of Bulldog Hanover's success.

"He's been overshadowed by that horse," said Alagna. "That horse has done great things, of course, but there's no disagreeing with what my horse has done as well."

Rockyroad Hanover has gone in under 1:47 for three consecutive weeks.

"He's a big, strong horse and seems to be handling it very well," said Alagna about the son of Captaintreacherous who has won eight of his 33 races and earned $855,602. "I think he's a versatile horse and does not necessarily have to come from off-the-pace to win."

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Workin Ona Mystery's trainer Ron Burke is strictly focusing on his horse.

"I don't get too caught up in the hoopla. I don't worry about other people's horses. I worry about how my horses are coming into a race," said Burke, who is happy with Workin Ona Mystery, a winner of 18 races in 58 starts. "[Workin Ona Mystery] is right on the edge of being a very, very good horse."

In the lead up to the McKee, one question remains unanswered. Will Bulldog's record be challenged?

"It's almost impossible, 1:45 4/5. It's incredible. I don't think they'll go less than 1:45 4/5, no. But to expect horses to go faster than that? It's hard to say yes. But who knows? It's a horse race," said Bongiorno.

Post time for the McKee is 3:48 p.m. on the Hambletonian Day card that begins at noon.