Corleone Kosmo was demoted to second on a disqualification after finishing first as the even-money favorite in the $726,000 Breeders Crown aged trot at Mohawk Raceway, but he left no doubt he was much the best after being sent off the 1-5 favorite in Saturday night’s $190,000 American-National aged trot at Balmoral Park.
With Hall of Fame driver John Campbell at the reins, the 5-year-old gelding surged out front in the stretch and went on to win by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:53 1/5.
The aged trot was one of six American-National races worth a total of $1,159,000 in the richest and most prestigious program of the year in Chicago harness racing.
In the $205,000 aged pace, the winner was Maltese Artist, supplemented to the race for $24,000. North America’s top-ranked older horse, Mister Big, was third as the even-money favorite.
Illinois-breds Mucho Sleazy and Kelly’s Keepsake were in the limelight in the races for 2-year-olds. Mucho Sleazy won the $145,000 race for colts and geldings by a head in 1:51 3/5, and Kelly’s Keepsake won the $143,000 race for fillies by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:53.
