Tyberwood - 2CP
Bay gelding, 2, Western Hanover -- Tyber Flight, by Tyler B
Owners
Leon Machiz & Barry Rubenstein
The 1999 season was a real dogfight between the freshman colt pacers as to who among was the leader of the pack. With 24 entered in the Breeders Crown at Mohawk, the eliminations themselves were hard-fought affairs. Tyberwood, a son of Western Hanover who was gelded early in the year, was also for that reason a bit of a late starter.
Tyberwood was not, stressed trainer Gary Machiz, a mean or dangerous stallion. Instead he was merely full of himself and inclined to get into trouble when he indulged his studly feelings. When Tyberwood did hit the racetrack, he authored a record of 10-5-4-1, never off the board in his young career, including wins in the Battle of Freehold and Goshen Cup. Tyberwood was second in his elimination behind The Firepan, who broke his maiden in his third lifetime start—the $600,000 Metro Stake at Woodbine. The Firepan's time of 1:51.2 was a new world record over a seven-eighths-mile track.
The son of Artsplace won his next two starts, the Nassagaweya and Bluegrass-Meadow Lands Farm before getting impeded in his next start to finish fourth. He was back in the winner’s circle in his Breeders Crown elimination, going first-over to win in 1:55.1. Owned by Bob Glazer, whose Peter Pan stable was in the midst of an incredible year -- one that would end with more than $5.4 million in earnings (to which The Firepan contributed more than half a million), The Firepan, with John Campbell aboard was the solid favorite at racetime.
Astreos, whose name is Greek for "man of the stars' was trained and co-owned by Chris Christoforou Sr. and driven by his son Chris Jr., the same pairing that produced 1994 Crown winner Earl. He won his Crown elim in smart fashion, needing only a mile in 1:56.4 to advance to the final.
The third elimination was won by Kirk Diggler, a son of 1990 Crown champion and Horse of the Year Beach Towel. Ontario stars Intrepid Seelster and Twin B Champ were also looking to vault into the national spotlight with a Crown victory.
Carl Jamieson and Kendal Sprocket caught everyone by surprise when they burst from the 10 post to the lead. Life's Not Fair and Luc Ouellette sprinted out in pursuit, then settled against the pylons. Intrepid Seelster was also hustled away, and when Campbell sent The Firepan out after for the lead at the half, he gained it but was forced to pace a 26.4 quarter to get it. Still the race looked about over as The Firepan sailed around the last turn with a comfortable margin.
Trainer | Driver
Gary Machiz | Richie Silverman
Richie Silverman, driving Tyberwood, wasn't so ready to concede the race. Silverman had worked out a good trip with the flow of horses leaving him forwardly placed. He requested action from Tyberwood as they straightened out for home and the request was answered as Tyberwood rocketed past a tiring The Firepan and made a mad dash for the wire. Silverman must have felt the breath of Astreos on his neck as he urged his colt forward…and indeed it was the merest of noses that named Tyberwood the winner and Astreos the runner-up. I Scoot Hanover had also closed well for third while The Firepan salvaged a fourthplace finish.
Richie Silverman last visited the Crown winner circle in 1986, when the free-legged Masquerade upset Amity Chef in their Crown event. He was then and remains, at 21, the youngest driver ever to win a Crown event, and his 13-year hiatus is the longest in Crown history. For trainer Gary Machiz and his parents Leon and Lorraine, along with co-owner Barry Rubenstein, it was their first Crown victory, though they have been involved in the sport for more than 30 years and won many other prestigious events.
Tyberwood went on to win the Governor's Cup and his sparkling slate of 13-7-4-2 and $871,876 on the year was all the voters needed to accord him Dan Patch and Nova award honors.
Purse $823,347
Mohawk Racetrack, Campbellville, ON - October 29, 1999
Extras
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