Coda

by Peter Lawrence

Today's coda ...

The free-for-all trotting picture on this side of the pond just became a bit more interesting.

Following by several hours the big win by Timoko in Sweden's Elitloppet at Solvalla, Market Share won the Maxie Lee Invite trot in 1:50-2/5 at Harrah's Philly yesterday afternoon, the fastest mile ever trotted on a five-eighths mile track.

To put that in perspective, Sebastian K. is two-for-two in the U.S., his wins in 1:50.3 and 1:50.2 over the Meadowlands miler (granted, at night) ... and Timoko won over Solvalla's five-eighths surface in 1:51.4 today.

Of course, the Sebastian K. v. Market Share showdown in last Saturday's Cutler FFA at M'lands never truly came off, as Market Share made an uncharacteristic break early in the race and was never in contention.

Market Share's trainer, Linda Toscano, thought long and hard before graciously declining an offer to race in the Elitloppet. I believe Linda made that decision before the Cutler final.

One wonders how the Elite Trot would've been different, had Market Share gone over and competed in it.

Gonna be some excellent FFA trots around here this season!