With regular driver David Miller at the controls for her first qualifier, world record holder Shebestingin settled into second behind Panera Hanover (Andy Miller) and sat the pocket through the :28.3 opening quarter before making a backside brush to the front. From there, Shebestingin raced comfortably on the lead through a :57.1 half and 1:25.3 third panel before sprinting home in :27 to trip the timer in 1:52.2.
Shebestingin (Bettors Delight - Armbro Tussle) made history last year with her 1:47 scorcher over The Red Mile, making her the fastest female pacer in a race. She is owned by Val D' Or Farms of Millstone, N.J., Ted Gewertz, New York, N.Y. and the L And L Devisser LLC of Holland, Mich.
“We’ll see how it plays out, but I think they’ll both compete very good as four-year-olds against the aged mares,” trainer Joe Holloway said earlier this month about Shebestingin and stablemate Somwherovrarainbow. “Right now, 'Sting' couldn’t train back any better. I think 'Rainbow' could have a really good year; I’m excited about her. But I’m very excited about 'Sting.'”
Holloway plans to start Shebestingin in several overnight races before heading to the $50,000 Miami Valley Distaff on May 4 at Ohio’s new Miami Valley Raceway. Her first major stakes appearance should come in the Roses Are Red in June at Mohawk Racetrack.
“Even though I don’t have the Matchmaker for her, you really can’t just sit around until June; you’ve got to be tight,” Holloway said.
Also qualifying for Holloway on Saturday morning was three-year-old colt pacer Always B Miki, a North America Cup-eligible son of former Holloway standout-turned-stallion Always A Virgin. Always B Miki was a 1:53.1 winner in rein to Yannick Gingras.