Lochinvar Art will make his American debut this weekend

Former Australian harness racing superstar pacer Lochinvar Art (Modern Art) will make his American debut for now US-based husband and wife team Shane and Lauren Tritton this weekend.

“Arty” has drawn barrier 4 in his first appearance in a handy open class field at The Meadowlands in New Jersey on Sunday (Feb 5) at 2pm (AEST).

“It’s so exciting that the start of his campaign has arrived. He’s been brought along slowly by the Tritton team and no doubt whatever he does first-up, he will improve greatly further down the track,” elated owner Kevin Gordon, of Newcastle, said.

“I spoke with Shane this morning and he’s looking forward to having the horse at the races. He did say that it’s a very good field including ex Kiwi Burnham Boy who won in 1.49, along with Carbine, to be driven by (another former Australian) Andy McCarthy, and Nicholas Beach.

“This is obviously the next step up from his recent trial and if the breaks go his way and he happened to run first, second or third, I’ll be over the moon. But I guess the most important thing is that he pulls up well afterwards.”

Lochinvar Art hasn’t raced since finishing sixth when a $2 favorite in the TAB Gammalite FFA at TABcorp Park Melton. He was later found to have had a minor bleed.

Gordon said his pacer would be driven by Lauren who does most of the work at home with the eight-year-old.

“They’ve told me that ‘Arty’ is feeling a million dollars. He’s been bucking and kicking out. He actually jumped a piece of paper in trackwork the other day, so Shane has added a shadow roll to his gear.  But he’s not rock yard yet,” he said.

“The plan is to have a trial at Yonkers after this run and then race there. They are still aiming for the rich Borgata Series, which is a similar feature to our InterDominion and has a final worth somewhere between $700,000 and $800,000.”

Gordon added that Lochinvar Art would no doubt still be facing some acclimatisation to the race conditions – temperatures at The Meadowlands during this week are predicted to reach as low as minus 23F (around minus 30 degrees Celsius). But rising to 20F on Saturday night – a relatively mild minus 6C!

For complete race entries, click here.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink