Magical Mike Contenders McArdle & Cheyenne Rei Impressive; Yankee Cruiser & Armbro Animate Among Jug Hopefuls To Win

By Tom White
7/21/03

Cheyenne Rei and McArdle, early favorites for the $100,000 Magical Mike Pace during Delaware, Ohio's Grand Circuit, posted impressive victories this past weekend. Cheyenne Rei won the $120,000 New Hampshire Sweepstakes Final in 1:51.4 at Rockingham Park and McArdle won his fourth consecutive race in 1:49.4 at The Meadowlands.

The Magical Mike, to be raced on Jug Day, September 18, is named for Thomas Walsh's 1994 Little Brown Jug winner and Blue Chip Farms stallion. The race is designed for pacers ages four and up. The Magical Mike was first raced in 1995 as an invitational pace.

Cheyenne Rei is owned by the Cheyenne Gang of Port Washington, NY, trained by Robert Segelman and was driven by David Miller. Cheyenne Rei rallied from sixth in the last quarter mile to defeat Art Attack and Carlspur. "I took over coming for home," said Miller. "I fought off the other two horses. He's a very game, tough horse but he hasn't had the best of luck against the best horses."

The trainer added, "It was a thrill to win this race against horses like Gallo Blue Chip and Peruvian Hanover. He'll go later in the US Pacing Championships."

McArdle, who won the $650,000 William Haughton Memorial on July 5 over Art Major and Mini Me, captured Saturday's $40,000 Meadowlands Open Pace in 1:49.4 by two lengths over Mini Me, pacing his final quarter in :25.2 seconds. The victory improved McArdle's career bankroll to $2.1-million.

"I basically gave him the week after the Haughton for himself," said trainer Chris Ryder. "He's ready and he'll go into the US Pacing Championship next week."