Grimfromeartoear - 3CP
Bay colt, 3, Artsplace -- Smile Upon, by Storm Damage
Owners
Perfect World Enterprises
The 1999 limelight was a shared one in this class, often the strongest and most glamorous of the 12 traditional divisions in harness racing.
The season began with the awe-inspiring efforts of The Panderosa, who captured the two $1 million events for this group in decisive fashion. But after the Meadowlands Pace, The Panderosa's charted lines became dotted with XXXXs and mystifying performances, as his physical and mental soundness was called into question.
The Panderosa won his Cane elimination but jumped offstride in the final. He galloped into the first turn in his Little Brown Jug elimination. A win at Lexington signified redemption, but was followed by a fourth place finish at the Red Mile and then a lackluster fifth place finish in his Breeders Crown elimination. He made that start from the barn of Joe Stutzman, where he had been placed by owner Bob Glazer in hopes of a fresh approach determining the exact problem from which the star-struck colt suffered.
In the interim, Blissfull Hall, an unheralded son of Cambest, took center stage by becoming just the ninth horse ever to win the Triple Crown of Pacing, comprised of the Cane, Little Brown Jug and Messenger. Those three races came with a tidy $250,000 bonus as well. Blissfull Hall was also the fastest and richest pacing colt of the season with a record of 1:49.2 and earnings of $1,144,259 going into the Crown Final. After a two-length track record 1:51.2 victory in his elimination, owner Daniel Plouffe and trainer Ben Wallace were set for a hometown celebration in the final.
Trainer | Driver
Brett Pelling | Chris Christoforou Jr.
Also present were defending Crown champ Island Fantasy and the up-and-coming Looking For Art. The second elimination was won by Grinfromeartoear, a top freshman of 1998, who captured both the Wilson and Metro Finals though he failed to qualify for the Breeders Crown final. He switched barns over the winter, ironically going to Brett Pelling, who also raced The Panderosa. Pelling mapped out an easier campaign for Grinfromeartoear as a sophomore and the colt responded with a boxer's comeback -- bouncing off the mat to win eight races and more than half a million, bringing home a check in 18 of 20 starts. He was a strong winner in his elimination, going gate-to-wire in 1:52.
Behind Grinfromeartoear sat Chris Christoforou Jr., who as a decidedly non-callow youth already had a Crown title under his belt in 1994. Christoforou would sub for Grinfromeartoear's regular driver, John Campbell, whose commitment to The Panderosa was good through the season's end.
But all eyes were on Blissfull Hall. A win in this event could make him a solid contender for Horse of the Year. Most agreed he already had the division sewn up as a Triple Crown winner. Only seven times in 16 years has the favorite won this Crown event. Surely Blissfull Hall would be one of those victorious favorites.
Ron Pierce sent Blissfull Hall conservatively from the gate, while Christoforou shot out for position on his home track. Grinfromeartoear held the lead briefly before yielding it to Blissfull Hall, who easily rebuffed The Panderosa's half-hearted bid for the lead. Blissfull Hall cut the fractions to a 1:23.1 third-quarter but suddenly seemed to be out of gas.
The "Grinner" however had plenty in the tank. And under Christoforou's urging he foiled Blissfull Hall's retirement party and clocked a 1:50.3 track record performance. Island Fantasy bolted up behind him for second while Blissful Hall saved face with a third place finish. The Panderosa, the divisions early darling, was a disappointing tenth.
Owner Dave Brooks, unable to make it to Canada to watch the races, celebrated in front of his television. Brett Pelling notched his fifth trophy in the series, and Christoforou got his second win. Blissfull still went home with year end divisional honors and a Canadia Horse of the Year title, but Grinfromeartoear got a special nod as one of the toughest horses in recent memory.
Purse $588,000
Mohawk Racetrack, Campbellville, ON - October 29, 1999
Extras
| Speed Records |
