So how did Irish champion Harry Knows get his name?

On Sunday (March 26), the top harness racing champion trotter from Ireland named Harry Knows (IR for Ireland) (Amstrong Jet), goes for his fourth straight win in the USA at Pocono Downs.

The six-year-old gelding was the 2021 and 2022 Trotter of the Year in Ireland before coming to the USA to compete in 2023. He came to the USA sporting 23 win in 33 starts in Ireland.

While conceived and foaled and raced in Ireland, Harry Knows IR is actually 100% French-bred. Trainer-driver Patrick Kane bred the colt and raced him his entire career before shipping him to the USA.

Now Harry Knows IR is being trained by Australian Shane Tritton in the USA and is being driven by Lauren Tritton, Shane’s wife and the duo has been quite successful.

Patrick Kane actually came over to the USA from Ireland to drive Harry Knows IR in his first start at the Meadowlands, but was caught behind a horse pulling up and Harry made a break. Kane had to head back to Ireland, leaving the driving to Lauren Tritton and the trotter has yet to be beaten since.

His three triumphs in a row were two starts at the Meadowlands where he took his current lifetime mark of 1:52.4. The Tritton’s then switched tracks and last week Harry Knows IR scored with ease in 1:55 at Pocono Downs.

In his three wins so far, Harry Knows IR has won by a total of 12 lengths and he should do it again this Sunday.

But where did Harry Knows IR get his name from?

“Harry Knows is named after my grandfather on my mother’s side,” Kane explained. “His name is Harry Kirwan and I wanted to name the foal after him. At the time there was a galloper called Youknowwhatimeanharry. So, I robbed his name kinda. That’s where Harry Knows came from.”

On Sunday, Harry Knows IR has drawn the rail in the 7^th race $12,500 trot. It’s actually a drop in class from his last start for the top trotter, but since he still fits the condition, why not take the easy route for now. Later on this season he will be facing the top trotters in North America.

There is only one other return winner in the field and that is Argento from post eight. Argento won his last start by a neck in 1:57.1. Other contenders include One After Nine (post 6) and Sweet Heart AS (post 7). It is doubtful that anyone in the race will be able to keep up with Harry Knows IR.

“I leave all the decisions about Harry Knows to Shane,” Kane said. “It makes sense and I agree with how he is racing him now.”

Eventually Harry Knows IR will have to move up in class and face the best trotters in the country, but until that time comes, Patrick Kane and the Tritton’s are content to give Harry the easiest races they can enter him in.

And it’s paying off big time considering he was racing in Ireland for much less purse money then he is going for in the USA.

For complete Sunday race entries, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink