‘Awesome’ War Machine is fastest again
War Machine set the pace for the second straight race day during weekend harness racing at Vesey Street.
Competing in the Free for All division, Mello Stables six-year-old gelding posted the fastest time of 1:02/2 en route to victory in the sixth heat with 16-year-old driver Kayla Caldwell at the helm.
“He felt ready as we came to the gate, so I went along for the ride,” Caldwell said.
“I backed him off a bit more than the last week in the first lap, but then let him stretch out in the second half of the race.”
Colin Mello, Caldwell’s father, stable owner and Driving Horse and Pony Club president, added: “We’re really happy with Sunday’s performance. Kayla is in her groove with him and really having fun out there. He’s an awesome pony.”
Caldwell, who also plays as a goalkeeper for the Bermuda Under-20 girls’ team, refused to take all of the credit.
“I really appreciate the whole barn team, my dad and Kiwon Waldron, as they jog him through the week when I am busy with football training and school,” she said. “Our pit crew, Nicole Hassell and Stephanie Kempe, for all their help. My godpa, race coach and uncle, Nick DeCosta, and my whole family for the support.
“I am really grateful to my uncle, Gerald Mello [pony owner[, and my granny, Sharon Mello, for the opportunity to race such a great pony.”
War Machine was making his second appearance at the track after a lengthy absence through injury.
The Indiana-bred racing pony previously held the overall track record of 1:01/2, which he set in December of 2018.
However, his record was short-lived as Robert and Tyler Lopes’s mare, Google Me, achieved a 1:01/1 competing in the season-ending Champion of Champions two months later.
The time of 1:01/2 that War Machine achieved two years ago remains his lifetime best and the gelding’s track record.
Meanwhile, overall track and mare’s record holder, Google Me, and Gold N Glory, posted last weekend’s second and third fastest times of 1:02/4 and 1:03 flat. Both horses achieved the feat after finishing first and second competing in the Free for All division in the day’s final heat.
Harness racing continues on Saturday, starting from 6pm.