Favorite in Meadowlands Pace has 24-year-old driver

By TOM CANAVAN, AP Sports Writer
July 15, 2004

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Since joining the world's best harness drivers at the Meadowlands Racetrack seven months ago, Yannick Gingras has proven he can make living.

Gingras will get a chance to show everyone he can win the big races on Saturday night when he guides favored Timesareachanging in the $1 million Meadowlands Pace.

``I'm real excited, that's for sure,'' said Gingras, a third-generation horseman from Sorel, Quebec. ``It's a new feeling for me. It's the first time I've been in that race. I'm going to try to get the best out of it.''

If the 24-year-old Gingras wins, he will become the youngest driver to win both a million-dollar race and the Meadowlands' most prestigious pace.

Hall of Famer John Campbell was 27 when he won the Meadowlands Pace with Hilarion in 1982. Richie Silverman was 25 when he won the $1 million 1990 Woodrow Wilson with Die Laughing.

Setting records doesn't seem to interest Gingras, whose previous biggest win was in the $200,000 Miss New Jersey earlier this year.

``It would be nice, something special the first time someone does it, but I don't care,'' he said. ``If I would be 29 now, I would still like to win.''

Timesareachanging was made the 5-2 morning-line favorite after drawing the No. 7 post position on Tuesday.

However, Gingras has reservations about the favorite's role. He felt his gelding raced in the easiest of the three eliminations and benefited from a perfect trip, shooting past his opposition in the stretch to finish in 1:48.4.

The time was a second faster than the other two elimination winners, Geartogear and Circle L Kid.

``Time doesn't mean anything,'' insisted Gingras, currently ninth in the Meadowlands' driver standings.

Trainer Brett Pelling said there is a lot of early speed in the final and that should help Timesareachanging, who has won three of his last four starts.

That should give Gingras time to sit back and get into position.

Pelling isn't worried about Gingras handling the pressure.

``All horses have little idiosyncrasies. You tell him about it and the way a horse needs to be handled and he will get it done,'' Pelling said of Gingras. ``Obviously, he listens. That's the key to the whole thing.''

The two other elimination winners drew the inside post positions.

Circle L Kid, who will be driven by David Miller, drew the No. 1 post and was made an 8-1 choice. Geartogear and driver Ron Pierce got the No. 2 post. They are the 7-2 second choice in the pace for 3-year-olds.