Sep 20, 2023 By John Sacco for The Observer-Reporter newsroom@observer-Reporter.Com 3 min read

The time spent off the track with a near deadly illness earlier this year has helped get Bythemissal back on track.

As he heads down the stretch of this harness racing season, the 4-year-old gelding pacer is speeding back up.

A few weeks ago, at Woodbine Racetrack, Bythemissal blasted off right after the halfway point and simply stormed past the leaders and paced away with an overwhelming victory and convincing performance.

Bythemissal is strong and healthy.

Despite starting from post 9, Bythemissal is the 8-5 favorite in Friday’s Harrah’s Hoosier Park Pacing Derby.

Bythemissal is ranked third in the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown Standardbred Pool this week. The 4-year-old is in contention to win Horse of the Year and a top candidate to win the Breeders Crown for aged pacers.

It’s a miraculous turnaround from a few months ago.

“I never thought he wouldn’t come back,” said trainer Ron Burke said. “He’s a great horse. He gives you his best.

“It was touch and go earlier this year. I feared for his life. We knew we had to get him well and take our time with him.”

Earlier this month, Bythemissal won the $250,000 Aria Invitational Pace in a track record of 2:21.1 in the 1¼-mile pace.

Bythemissal, second to Tattoo Artist Sept. 2 in the Canadian Pacing Derby, dominated the field at Yonkers Sept. 9.

The 4-year-old gelding has won seven times in nine starts this season and has captured 21 of 26 career starts (.808 winning percentage) lifetime and has been in the top three 25 of his 26 lifetime starts.

Bythemissal is owned by the Burke Racing Stable (Fredericktown) Eric Good, Rich Lombardo and Weaver Bruscemi.

He hasbeen driven by Yannick Gingras this season.

Another 4-year-old, Meadows-stabled pacer, Fourever Boy, has been chasing Bythemissal for the better part of two years now. He is owned, in part, and trained by Tim Twaddle.

He is not jealous that Fourever Boy hasn’t been able to beat Bythemissal.

“I expected him to be back on the track after the illness,” Twaddle said. “We all knew at the beginning of the year that Bythemissal is a great horse, a world champion. I knew, and hoped, he would come back.

“(Ron) wouldn’t bring him back until he was ready to come back and be the great champion he is. Bythemissal is a great horse with the best trainer in the world. It’s a tremendous combination.”

Even though Fourever Boy keeps chasing Bythemissal, Twaddle is not frustrated.

“I know the joy Fourever Boy has brought us, “Twaddle explained. “We had a chance in the (Little Brown) Jug last year. But Bythemissal is so special. When he’s at his best, he’s not losing. I love watching him race.

“He’s a really special horse. That my horse is in the same era that (Bythemissal) is. . . that’s just the way it is. You must appreciate a great horse like him. If we don’t win, I like seeing him win.”

In the Canadian Derby elimination, Bythemissal won by eight lengths in 1:47.3.

“He was extremely strong at 1:47,” Twaddle said. “He was raging under the wire. He raced fantastic.”

Bythemissal’s next challenge Friday will include a field of familiar foes.

From the rail out, the field includes Ponda Warrior, Rocks Shining Star, Lou’s Pearlman, Allywag Hanover, Hellabalou, Little Rocket Man, Ilikembettor A and Taurasi.

Burke trains Lou’s Pearlman and Hellabalou.

Burke said he plans to race Bythemissal at The Red Mile in Kentucky before competing in the Breeders Crown next month (Oct. 27 and 28) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.