Rosecroft: Western Fame attains millionaire status with Potomac Pace victory

Western Fame, making his first start for trainer Rene Allard and new owners after a private purchase from Brittany Farms, ended the 2018 harness racing stakes season by capturing the third edition of the $100,000 Potomac Pace for free-for-allers at Rosecroft Raceway in 1:49 2/5. The winner's share of the purse made Western Fame harness racing's newest millionaire.

Driven by Corey Callahan, Western Fame left well and settled into the pocket behind 7-5 favorite Filibuster Hanover (Matt Kakaley), who would lead through opening-half fractions of 26 2/5 and 55 1/5. Endeavor (Trace Tetrick) pulled first-up from fourth on the way to the half, towing 2-1 second choice Dealt A Winner (David Miller) into contention from second-over.

Filibuster Hanover managed to rebuff Endeavor's bid to the 1:21 4/5 three-quarters and around the far turn, sending Dealt A Winner three-wide at the midway point of the final bend. Filibuster Hanover would turn into the lane first, but Callahan angled Western Fame out two-wide for the stretch drive, and he would out-finish the pace-setter to win by three-parts of a length. Filibuster Hanover did hold second, with Duplicated N (Tim Tetrick) coming up the cones after a three-hole journey for third. Dealt A Winner was fourth and Rock N' Roll Jet (Kim Vincent) got fifth.

"It worked out exactly the way I thought it was going to," said Callahan. "I knew Matty's horse was going to leave really fast, and mine was the other gate speed in the race."

For Maryland native Callahan, the win was extra special.

"It feels good. I feel like David Miller at Delaware, Ohio," he offered with a laugh.

Go Fast Stable, Stephen Klunowski, B And I Stables LLC., and Gilbert Short now own Western Fame, a 5-year-old Western Ideal stallion who raced for breeder Brittany Farms and trainer Jimmy Takter previously. This was Western Fame's 16th career victory, and he has now earned $1,041,020. The 5-2 third choice, he paid $7.20 to win.

"He's been a nice horse. We're just happy to have him, and the trip worked out perfect," stated Allard. "This horse, the deal happened pretty quick. We couldn't be happier to win."

According to Allard, Western Fame will now enjoy a bit of time off before readying for his first stakes engagement of 2019.

"We're going to turn him out for about 30 to 45 days, give him a little bit of time, and then we're going to get ready for the Levy at Yonkers," he said.