Get to know the harness racing equine stars of Woodbine Mohawk Park, as we go beyond the chart lines and stat sheets to deliver three fascinating facts about a horse who will look to make their mark in 2022.
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āThis week, Elitloppet-bound Perfetto steps into the spotlight, with driver/trainer Dagfin Henriksen sharing a trio of interesting facts about the world-class trotter.
āPerfetto
āAge: 7
āSire: Majestic Son
āDam: Perfect Prelude
āRecord: 90 starts 25-14-13
āEarnings: $713,416
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āTrainer: Dagfin Henriksen
āOwner: Gerald Haggerty
āBreeder:Ā Seawind Amg Stables 2005 IncĀ (Mount Hebron, N.B.)
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āNeed to know: First-ever win was his second start, an Ontario Sires Stakes Gold event at Woodbine Mohawk Park, on August 18, 2017.
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The King:Ā āHeās very attached to [caretaker] Laura [Trask], thatās for sure. Heās very routine-based. He just loves to have everything done in his own routine. He also knows he can get away with a lot of stuff. Heās king of the barn. He knows it.ā ā ā ā
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āCool customer:Ā āHeās very easy to be around. The kids can go in the stall with him if they come to the barn. My kids and him get along no problem. They like him and he likes them. Heās not a mean horse at all. Heās just very easy-going. He also loves his carrots. He likes when you come over and have them with you. But when heās in the paddock ahead of the race, he gets his game face on. In the morning, when we are getting him ready, he knows whatās coming up. He changes his attitude, not in a bad way, but he wants to get out there and race. He loves to race. Thatās probably why he is the horse that he is. He loves his job.ā
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āTalking the talk:Ā āI talk to him when I drive him. I like to think he responds to what Iām saying. I donāt really say much going to the gate. Itās more when itās time to go if we are sitting in a hole or even if weāre sitting at the front. Iāll just tell him, āOkay, itās time to go.ā And when he wins, he knows heās won, for sure. If he doesnāt win, you can tell heās a little bit upset. You can just tell when heās won because you can see it in his attitude. When heās in the winnerās circle, heās proud. He also has a big fan club back home in Norway. They love following him.ā ā ā
by Chris Lomon, for Woodbine Communications