Red Mile: McCarthy steers American History, Grand Teton to Tattersalls tallies

In perhaps the best stretch drive of the Grand Circuit meeting, American History annexed the first $225,000 division of the Tattersalls for 3-year-old pacing males on Sunday afternoon at The Red Mile. The son of American Ideal was up in a five-way photo finish for driver Andy McCarthy in a 1:48 3/5 mile.

Thinkbig Dreambig needed two moves to secure the front in a 27 1/5 opening quarter and then rated the half kindly in 54 4/5 for driver Yannick Gingras. Favored Courtly Choice was flushed out before the half without cover and towed Stay Hungry and American History into contention from the race's outer cover flow.

Gingras hit the accelerator, blitzing his third quarter in 26 3/5 and extending his lead but once into the homestretch it was up for grabs with horses rallying wide with a clear chance. American History was widest early and used his momentum to overtake the pace-makers in the deep stretch. Stay Hungry just nosed out Done Well, who found clearance in midstretch and rallied well for Tim Tetrick. Thinkbig Dreambig had to settle for fourth, with Courtly Choice not far back in fifth.

"He was really relaxed today. I knew I had plenty of horse, but I didn't know if they would come back to me," said McCarthy.

Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz, and American History Stable own American History, a 7-1 offering.

"He deserved to get a big win like this one. He doesn't get the respect he deserves and hopefully he will going forward," said Tony Alagna, the winning conditioner.

McCarthy came back in the second Tattersalls division to sweep while wearing the colors of Diamond Creek Farm with Grand Teton. The $225,000 division saw a wild spring early, with recent Ron Burke acquisition This Is The Plan and Gingras making two moves after a 26-second opening quarter to seek control. Gingras and This Is The Plan were on a mission from there and sizzled through fractions of 53 2/5 and 1:20 1/5 with much of the field at a distance.

The stretch wasn't kind to the pace-setter, but it did help the closers as the uncovered Dorsoduro Hanover initially bore down on the leader and took control, but that was short-lived as Grand Teton, a son of A Rocknroll Dance, blistered through the final panel and wore down the field, stopping the teletimer in a career-best 1:48 1/5 mile. Dorsoduro Hanover was second, with Odds On Lauderdale, an 87-1 proposition, finishing third. Favored This Is The Plan faded to fourth.

Jimmy Takter trains Grand Teton, a $9.60 winner who scored for the third time in 16 starts as a sophomore.

"He's a bumpy ride," said McCarthy of the race winner. "He's got a lotta go. He deserved that today."