Death-defying pacer on track for big win
Lather Up has overcome complications at birth, serious allergic reaction
Lather Up has beaten the odds more than once in his young life. Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Campbellville, Ont., the brave, bay three-year-old pacer could complete his improbable journey with a win in the $1-million Pepsi North America Cup.
The colt that cheated death not once but twice is the 2-to-1 favourite for the prestigious mile-long event, the 12th race on a stakes-filled card of standardbred racing.
“It’s like he shouldn’t be here at all,” said 79-year-old Gary Iles of Harrington, Del., who owns and bred the colt with his wife Barbara.
Lather Up’s dramatic story begins well before birth on April 4, 2015. A communication error in delivery of semen for the Iles’ mare Pocket Comb led to her producing a colt by the Delaware stallion I’m Gorgeous instead of the intended suitor, stud Delmarvelous. I’m Gorgeous, although a stakes winner, was not popular with many breeders and — after siring just 50 starters — returned to racing in 2017. Now 11, I’m Gorgeous is still in action in Ohio.
On the day he was foaled, Lather Up was upside down in a breech position and only quick work by local horsepeople Brenda Teague, Kevin Switzer and his veterinarian wife, Dr. Denise McNitt, got the foal out safely.
“They only had so much time to get him out of our mare,” Iles said. “They had to walk her around so that she wouldn’t have contractions, so they could try and get the baby turned around.”
Lather Up was a quick study last summer as a two-year-old and paced to track record victories in three legs of stakes races for Ohio-sired horses. In Au- gust, however, the colt got sick and then had a near-fatal reaction to antibiotics.
The colt was rushed to the New Bolton Clinic in Pennsylvania.
“The vet told me that day that if he made it to the morning he would have a chance to survive,” Iles said.
Not only did Lather Up survive, he bounced back and won a race in November before a winter vacation. This year, the colt has won all five of his races including one of the three eliminations for the North America Cup last weekend.
Trainer Clyde Francis says the colt, who acts up sometimes at home in Delaware, has been poised and calm in Ontario.
“You are always confident in races like this, but you also have to hope for some luck and just land in a good spot early in the race.”
Lather Up, to be driven by Montrell Teague, drew post position four just outside of 5 to 2 second favourite Stay Hungry, who is in post two for Milton’s Brad Grant and Irwin Samelman of Las Vegas. Stay Hungry, also an elimination winner, will be driven by local horseman Doug McNair.
The third elimination winner was American-owned and trained Wes Delight. Nineteen of the previous 34 Cup winners won eliminations.
The Iles, who have been in racing since1959 and name most of their horses with a barber theme (Gary’s former career), have experienced many ups and downs in racing and breeding.
Last fall, they had to euthanize Pocket Comb at the old age of 23 after producing many good runners for the couple.
The first race Saturday night has a post time of 6:30 p.m. with the North America Cup scheduled to go at 10:40 p.m.