"THE PILGRIMAGE"..
"TROT TACTICS"..05/09/2009..
They went..They saw, and They had a hell of a good time.Such is the report on the Glamorganvale father and son team of John And Peter McMullen's journey to the Meadowlands Harness Racing complex in New Jersey USA.All up,the pilgrimage took 21 days to complete,and,according to a family source if it wasn't trot,it was pace,and vice versa.It was a rite of passage for young Pete,who celebrated his 18th birthday while away.
He witnessed the running of The Hambletonian Classic for 3 year-old trotters and was mightily impressed,and,most important,had three race drives at the famous track,resulting in a 3rd and two 5ths.Pete saw American trotting from the best perspective,in the sulky behind reasonably competitive horses.
Speed was the key,with the lad's placegetter going in 1-53.0 and another trip in a qualifying event ran 2nd and stopped the clock in 1-52.0.Commonplace at the Meadowlands where 2 year-olds ran 1-51.0,but a great asset to a young driver who has just posted 91 winners in his first full season here.You watch him move when the pace slows now.Meeting and competing against the driving superstars of American harness and attending race meetings with such high-profilers as Ron Pierce was the icing on the cake.Peter McMullen is the the third generation of his family to compete in America.Impressed as he might be with things U.S.,he is in no hurry to go back.He seems to think he is on a good thing here with his share of the drives from his father's large and busy team.Maybe another day..