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Dr. Drew Sets Spring Record of 1:49.4 In Winning Red Mile Stake;
Sutton Takes Driving Title; Binkley Leading Trainer

    Dr. Drew paced an all-time Red Mile spring record 1:49.4 to win the $80,000 Spring 
Championship Final by 1 1/2 lengths over heavy favorite
Allamerican Captor.  Largeandincharge finished third.  Ready Cash set the old Red
Mile spring standard of 1:50.2 in the 2001 Spring Championship.

    The 3-year-old son of Jenna’s Beach Boy, driven by Dale Hiteman, followed
Allamerican Captor through midstretch and paced his final quarter in 27.3.
Dr. Drew paid $13.20, 4.40, and 3.80.

    “I sat behind Allamerican Captor for as long as I could before making a
move at the top of the stretch,” said Hiteman.  “I knew the pace was pretty
quick and I could hear the others coming from behind. The fractions were so
tough and I wondered whether Brett Miller’s colt could handle the pace.”

    Allamerican Captor led the field of nine to the half (53.1) and was still
on top at the three-quarters (1:22). “My colt (Dr Drew) was pacing strong at
the top of the stretch,” said Hiteman.

    Dr. Drew is a homebred owned by Lee and Linda Devisser, James Jones and
Jerry Machiela, all of Holland, Michigan, and he is trained by Joe Seekman. The
victory pushed the colt’s earnings to $137,202. Dr Drew’s next start is the
American-National in July. He is also eligible to the Little Brown Jug.

    “At two Dr. Drew won a couple of stakes early but he got sick last fall
at Lexington and that was a real disappointment,” said the driver. “The track
was exceptional tonight with a good cushion. Everything was perfect, the
weather and no wind. This was the real Red Mile.”

Joshua Sutton had a four-win flourish on the closing card, and edged away from a tie with two-time Spring driving champion Jim Meittinis in the homestretch. The native Kentuckian finished atop the standings with 30 wins from 175 starts. Meittinis held second with 27 wins in 174 drives, while three drivers – Jeff Nisonger, Chris Loney and Tony Hall - had 20 wins apiece.

 Clint Binkley sent out 15 winners from 73 starters to claim leading trainer honors, with a 20.5 win percentage. Robert Laffoon was second with 13 wins in 94 starts, and Sam Coven sent out 11 winners in 71 starts.

 

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