Big Red Machine equals track record but is disqualified

Big Red Machine was denied an extraordinary feat during last week’s harness racing at Vesey Street.

The six-year-old stud, co-owned by Colin Mello and Robert Lopes, equalled his own track record (1:02/3) in the Free for All but was disqualified for straying off the race course with American driver Devon Slabach holding the reins.

Mello, who broke Katrina Sims’ two-year old record (1:03) on Big Red Machine late last month, said: “It was unfortunate. He was coming out of the gate and cut on the inside of the pylons on the first corner. I guess the horse was anticipating the corner more than what he thought he was, and going at that speed you just can’t yuck them one time.

“I watched the race and saw it all happen — I knew he was going to get disqualified. It was nothing much you could do about it — you have to let stuff go and carry on. We are down here to have fun, and that’s what it’s all about really.”

Indiana driver Slabach, though, would not be denied his moment in the limelight as he went on to post the night's fastest time (1:03/1) competing in the Free for All at the helm of Eddie Roque’s GV Crystal Ball.

It was the fastest time Roque’s horse has ever run at the Devonshire racetrack.

Double heat winners David Burrows, Andrew Cabral and Aaron Madeiros also stood out among the crowd. Burrows won two heats at the helm of Skyway Rocket in the 1:15 and slower time bar, while Cabral (Approved Credit) and Madeiros (Precious Lady) captured two wins in the 1:07/2-1:08/2 time bars respectively.

Continuing his steady form was 63-year-old driver Johnny Paynter who chalked up three wins competing on three different horses, while falling just one fifth of a second shy of the mares track record (1:04) was Nick DeCosta’s Abbey’s Dream.

DeCosta’s Brona’s Mike moved up to the Free for All after posting a career-best time of 1:04/1.