Ireland’s Patrick Kane is in the USA for one drive

Ireland harness racing driving champion Patrick Kane, Jr. flew from Ireland to the USA on Thursday (Feb. 2) to compete in one race and it’s Kane’s first time ever driving in the USA.

Who would he travel 3,176 miles across the great pond to race? Well, none other than Harry Knows, the Irish son of Armstrong Jet from the Quaro mare, Aurore. Harry Knows makes his first start in the USA Saturday night at The Meadowlands.

“I came over from Ireland just because we done so much with him (Harry Knows) from start to finish, but now I am looking forward to driving at the Meadowland,” Kane said.

Harry Knows Ir is a household name in the Irish harness racing trotting ranks. Owned and bred by Kane of Summerhill Meath, IR, the six-year-old gelding has been a sensation in Ireland, winning 23 of his 33 career starts. Just last season he won 9 of 15 starts for Kane.

In his last start on November 20^th before coming over to the USA, Harry Knows won at Portmarnoch Raceway outside of Dublin by more than 13 lengths, going 1.5 miles in 3:07.

Harry Knows Ir was sent from Ireland to the stable of Shane and Lauren Tritton and apparently the horse enjoyed the trip because two weeks ago, in order to qualify to race at the Meadowlands Racetrack, Harry Knows had to compete in a qualifying race to show he is able to race with the best in the nation.

With trainer Shane Tritton in the sulky, Harry Knows Ir breezed in his qualifying race, winning by two and one-half lengths in 1:53.4.

How did Patrick Kane come across the Tritton Stable to take Harry Knows?

“We went with Shane Tritton to train Harry Knows,” Kane explained. “Because we did our research on who did not have a large number of horses and are top trainers. They are doing a great job.”

That qualifying mile was good enough to make Harry Knows Ir one of the favorites in his North American debut Saturday in the 4^th race trot at the Meadowlands.

“I was very impressed with his qualifying race,” Kane said. “We always through he would do well in the USA but that qualifier was really super to see him go so fast.”

As for owner/breeder Patrick Kane, Jr., it’s a double treat as he not only gets to drive Harry Knows Ir in his USA debut and at the prestigious Meadowlands Raceway, but it is also Kane’s first time ever driving in North America.

“On this trip we are here until Sunday,” Kane explained. “Only three nights. Just came over to driver Harry Knows. I was hoping to watch the races tonight at the Meadowlands, but we just got word they have canceled racing due to extreme cold weather. We just do some dinner with Shane and Lauren Tritton night with no Meadowlands.”

He starts from post one in the $18,000 race, which is one of the richest races Harry Knows Ir has every competed for. The horse will also be competing on Lasix (anti-bleeding medication) for the first time as it is not allowed for use in horses in Ireland.

It will not be a walk in the park for Harry Knows Ir as he faces some tough competition against Eurobond (post 6), who is making his first start of the year off a nine-win season in 2022. A return winner in the field is Call Me Dani (post 5) who moves up in class off a 1:53.2 triumph.

For Kane, just the experience of driving at the Meadowlands is worth the trip to the USA.

“I look forward tomorrow night for the whole experience at The Meadowlands,” Kane said. “It’s the best track, best horses, and best drivers in the world.

Kane had quite a fan base in both Ireland and the UK and they will be staying up past midnight to watch Harry Knows race.

“A lot of people in Ireland and England will stay up late and watch it,” Kane said. “I hope I can give them something to cheer about.

“I don’t know about this cold weather,” Kane added. “It does not get this cold in Ireland much less anywhere else.”

And what does Patrick Kane enjoy most about being in the USA?

“The food is gorgeous!” Kane said. “People here like to take care of themselves.”

Harry Knows Ir is not the only horses making its debut in North America Saturday night from across the pond.

Just turn to the 7^th race where Louisana GB (Sweet Lou– The Player Hanover – Rock N Roll Heaven) from the United Kingdom goes under the lights in the 7^th race $27,500 Fillies & Mares Winners Over Pace.

A four-year-old mare that is now being trained by Chris Ryder for owner and breeder Steve Gilvear of Stirlingshire, UK, Louisana GB starts from post five and will have Dexter Dunn in the sulky. She was the 2022 British Harness Racing Club’s Horse of the Year in 2022.

Louisana GB comes to the USA with 13 wins in just 15 career starts. She has won $75,684 in the UK and sports a number of stakes victories. She is currently on a five-race win streak and was timed in 1:54 in her last qualifier at the Meadowlands.

“To my surprise she is the favorite in winners over,” Ryder said. “And I would not have made her favorite. She’s going already but it will take a little time for her to get into the swing of things. Three qualifiers but no wins and now it’s time to race.”

Let’s also not forget that Saturday night Australian pacing champion, Lochinvar Art A (Modern Art) makes his USA debut in the 10^th race from post four for driver Lauren Tritton.

A million-dollar career winner, Lochinvar Art A has 28 career wins in 56 starts down under. He is entering the race off an impressive 1:52.1 qualifying win with a last quarter mile in :26.3. He is being trained in the USA by Shane Tritton.

For Saturday’s race entries, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink