Central Park West - 2FP
Central Park West did just about everything right in her freshman year and could be easily forgiven tor the one thing she did wrong. Trained by Bruce Nickells, the leading money-winning trainer of the Breeders Crown series in 1987 and owned by North Woodlands Stable and Bill Perretti, the Big Towner daughter began her parimutuel career with three easy wins before making an unfortunate break in the eliminations for the richest freshman filly event, the Sweetheart Pace. Central Park West finished a distant tenth over the sloppy Meadowlands track, but would not be defeated again that year.
Wins in divisions of the Countess Adios, the Lady Baltimore and heats of the Hoosier, Review Stakes, the K. D. Owen and the Almahurst followed. Central Park West seemed a cinch to wear a Breeders Crown. But owners reserve the highest hope tor their two-year-old charges, and 12 fillies were entered in the competition, desperately hoping Central Park West was not as invincible as she seemed.
With the split into eliminations raced the week before, Central Park West took her elim in 1 :561 easily over Sweetheart Pace winner Concertina, Dory Lobell and Light Beam. In the other version a fleet gray daughter of Albatross named Keystone Wallis showed she might threaten Central Park West by streaking through a 1 :55.3 mile, followed by Windy Answer and Soulhtown.
That time was not just a personal best for Keystone Wallis but a new world record for that age group on a five-eighths mile track. It would last a week, or until Central Park West stepped on the track again.
From the rail, Central Park West had a clear shot at the lead. Her pilot, Canadian-born John Campbell has had more practice carrying home Breeders Crown crystal trophies than other driver. He elected to wait for the field to start up the backstretch past the quarter pole before making his move for the front. After wresting the lead from Keystone Wallis, Central Park West continued her march into the record books, easily turning back the challenge of Concertina. Fractions of 56 to the half and 1 :25.3 to the three-quarters did not tire her, as she tossed a 28 second last quarter into the face of her peers.
It was all that was needed as the final margin measured some seven lengths and a new world record for two-year-old pacing fillies was written at Pompano for the third straight time in three weeks. The time of 1 :53.3 was just the topping Central Parl< West needed to avenge her one loss of the year in the Sweetheart elims; the divisional crown was hers for the taking. Windy Answer and Southtown picked up the place and show monies, but would have to wait for next year for another chance at Central Park West. Campbell's total for drivers trophies now reached eleven, two more than his next competitor, Bill O'Donnell. TrainerBruceNickells continued his success with fillies, which began with guiding the career of the richest pacing filly of all time and a Breeders Crown champion, Follow My Star.
