Oct 23, 2024 3 min read

By John Sacco

For the Observer-Reporter

newsroom@observer-reporter.com

The odds that Bythemissal would return to the racetrack this season were long indeed.

He had raced only a few times before being shut down by Hall of Fame trainer Ron Burke.

The pacing gelding was suffering from a hind leg injury and his 5-year-old season was in severe jeopardy.

But Burke remained patient. He sought help and comfort for Bythemissal and gave him time to heal, feel better, recover and flourish again.

Now, Bythemissal is on the verge of winning back-to-back Breeders Crown championships in the Open Pace.

Burke, who has a bevy of Breeders Crown finalists competing Friday and Saturday at The Meadowlands in New Jersey, marvels at Bythemissal’s will and comeback abilities.

“Bythemissal just keeps overcoming everything thrown at him,” Burke said. “He is ready to go.”

Driver, Yannick Gingras, a fellow Hall of Famer, echoes Burke’s thoughts.

“He’s as sharp now as ever,” Gingras said. “All systems go. Him being in this position says a lot about the horse and a lot about Ron. He didn’t rush Bythemissal. Ron did right by the horse.”

Bythemissal has won his last two races. In his career, the horse has won 27 of 39 races and finished in the money in 34 of 39 races and has lifetime earnings in excess of $2.28 million.

Burke has six other horses in Saturday night’s finals: My Girl EJ (3-year-old filly pace), TCI (3-year-old male trot), M Ms Dream (Open Mare Trot) and Beach Cowgirl and Kobe’s Gigi (Open Mare Pace).

“TCI is as sharp as ever and Lasix really helped,” Burke said. “My Girl EJ is as best she has been all year.”

TCI’s path is different.

Hambletonian winner Karl was pulled out of the 3-year-old Colt Trot final Monday, as written by harness racing trainer Nancy Takter on Facebook.

Takter wrote that the stallion, who was placed up to fifth in the elimination, scoped sick. She wrote, “after consulting with veterinarians, the decision was made in the best interests of the stallion’s health.

“This was a very sad decision to make but I know it was the right decision to make. Karl has had an incredible career and has brought us all immense joy and excitement.”

Burke’s group of 2-year-old finalists includes Looksgoodinloulou, Rose and Rodeodrivedeo (2-year-old Filly Pace); Swingtown, Sippinonsearoc, Louprint and Railroad Station (2-year-old Colt Pace); Hidalgo and Tactical Dynasty (2-year-old Colt Trot).

“Louprint’s had a great week and Looksgoodinloulou is the best 2-year-old filly I’ve trained,” Burke said.

The final local horse competing in the final is 3-year-old pacer Timeisonmyside, trained by The Meadows’ Tim Twaddle.

The horse, driven by Anthony Macdonald, has been in the mix throughout the year in the 3-year-old pacing division but hasn’t reached the winner’s circle in one of the “big” races.

Twaddle holds hope that this may be Timesisonmyside’s race.

“Wouldn’t that be something,” Twaddle said. “There are a lot of good horses in there. Captain Albano has been the best all year and Captain Luke has come back to life.

“Timeisonmyside is sharp. He’s coming in the right way. He has a chance.”