“What They’re Saying” – Elimination weekend

Tim Tetrick (Driver) on Huntsville heading into NA Cup eliminations. 

“He’s going up there in good shape. With these really good ones, and with a long season, most of the time they don’t need trained so much or any equipment changed. They’re just good.”

Tetrick on Huntsville’s loss to NA Cup contender Fear The Dragon.

“When David (Miller, driving Fear The Dragon) went to go by me, I let him because I knew my horse wasn’t right that day. Ray (Schnittker) agreed with me, but we got beat by one of the best colts in the country. I fear the Dragon!”

Read Tetrick’s full comments in Harness Racing Weekend Preview.

Jim Campbell (Trainer) on Macs Jackpot heading into NA Cup eliminations.

“The way he’s been racing, we felt like he deserved the chance in this race.”

“He’s your typical Somebeach—he’s a strong colt. He’s big gaited and he’s filled out some. For his last start I put a pull-down bridle on him and he’ll keep that for the NA Cup.”

Campbell on Armbro Flight elimination starter Broadway Donna racing against boys in previous starts.

“When you make that kind of money at two and three, it’s tough to find a place to race at four. The first leg of the Graduate was the only place we could get her first start. I’ll take 4 year olds over the aged division every time.”

Read Campbell’s full comments in Harness Racing Weekend Preview.

Jamie Macomber (Trainer) on deciding to race Beckhams Z Tam in the NA Cup eliminations.

“Ricky (Macomber) said when he came off the track after his last start (a 1:51 victory) that he thought we should enter him. I asked Mr. Matz (owner) what he was leaning toward and he said he was always game to take a shot. We have nothing to lose.”

Macomber on Beckhams Z Tam stepping up to Grand Circuit and his personality.

“He’s a really nice colt. Unfortunately he hasn’t faced the competition that the others we’re racing against have faced. So far he’s done everything we’ve asked of him.”

“Off the track, I love his personality. He’s always happy. In the barn he acts like a good horse; he rests a lot, he eats well and he loves to play. He’s a ham. He’s always got his head out the gate when he’s awake. On the track, he’s fun and playful when we first go out, but when it’s time to go to work he gets down to business. There’s really nothing to dislike about him.”

Read Macomber’s full comments in Ken Weingartner’s (Harness Racing Communications) article.

Paul MacDonell (Trainer/Driver) on NA Cup elimination starter Lawrencetown Beach missing his two-year-old season.

“He had some chips that were bothering him as a two-year-old. Originally, the vets thought that he would be fine with them still in, but they just plagued him through the season. It got to a point where he couldn’t go with them so we laid him off and they were removed.”

MacDonell on Lawrencetown Beach lacking experience.

“He might be a bit fresher than most of the others, but he’s not as experienced,”

“The two-year-olds that raced definitely have a touch of experience over him, but there are advantages both ways I suppose. It kind of evens itself out—would you want a horse entering fresh or a horse with experience? It’s six of one, half a dozen of the other; really depends on the horse.”

MacDonell on Lawrencetown Beach’s development.

“When the owners made a payment on the North America Cup, I thought that was an extreme long shot. But here we are—he has just improved week after week; every time he raced he seemed to be better. Confidence seems to be coming to him, too. He’s right on schedule. He grew to be a muscular colt and he has all the tools he needs.”

Read MacDonell’s full comments in our WEG Exclusive on NorthAmericaCup.com

Frank Antonacci (Trainer) on Goodtimes elimination starter and the regally-bred International Moni.

“(International Moni) is by far Moni Maker’s best offspring; I think that’s exciting to see. I think he poses one of the most interesting breeding and racing prospects we’ve seen in a long time. The horse is really 20 years in the making. He’s all class. He never had a bad race last year and gives you everything he’s got every time he’s out there. He’s a gentleman. He’s a professional. He’s just an absolute pleasure.”

Antonacci on Goodtimes elimination starter Shake It Off Lindy.

“He reminds me a tremendous amount of his dad (Crazed). He’s got incredible quick speed. For a sixteenth of a mile he could skip off faster than most pacers. That’s an exciting burst of speed he’s got. He’s got a lot of upside.”

Antonacci on the Goodtimes being first stakes engagement for his trotters.

“It’s hard to game plan for these kinds of races this early in the year. You just have your horses ready to go and let the races come to them and don’t force it. I think our horses, based on last year’s performances and how they’ve qualified and trained going into the race, are good for this time of year.”

Read Antonacci’s full comments in Ken Weingartner’s (Harness Racing Communications) article.

To download Friday’s program (featuring eliminations for Armbro Flight and Goodtimes), click here.

To download Saturday’s program (featuring eliminations for Pepsi North America Cup, Roses Are Red and Fan Hanover), click here​.