‘Arty’ ready for toughest test in USA

Just how good is Australian millionaire harness racing champion Lochinvar Art (Modern Art)?

That question may be partially answered over the next five weeks as the rich MGM Borgata series kicks off tomorrow Melbourne time 10.40 am (Mar. 21) in New York.

When the star pacer was sent to race in North America by Newcastle businessman Kevin Gordon six months ago, he and trainer Shane Tritton were hoping he would be ready to target the Borgata.

Three wins at his first three North American starts would indicate “Arty” is ready, but Tritton, based at Pine Bush, will put that assessment to the test at Yonkers when Tritton’s wife Lauren will handle him in the first heat of the prestigious series.

Shane Tritton is thrilled with Lochinvar Art’s preparation but won’t be drawn into comparisons with other topline horses he’s trained.

“We never compare our own, but he’s pretty special and headed in the right direction. Arty is a superstar in his own right and he will show that,” Tritton said.

“We are just privileged to be part of it. It’s our job to make sure they get their chance to show what they are capable of,” he said.

“He’s had the best possible preparation because we didn’t need to rush him along. Lauren has been thrilled with all his wins—particularly his latest one where he went 1.51 for the mile which was the quickest at Yonkers this year.”

The Trittons operated a successful stable at Menangle, Sydney, but chanced their arm on the opportunities available in North America, arriving in New York three years ago, almost to the day.

Tritton said the Borgata was similar to the Australasian Inter Dominion with rounds of qualifying heats, worth $50,000, with the top eight qualifiers going into a final expected to be around $US500,000 ($AU750,0000).

“You don’t have to compete in all of the heats, but obviously the qualifiers for the final are those with the top points,” he said.

The series has drawn the top 32 open-class pacers competing in the US at the moment. While Lochinvar Art looks to have drawn one of the weaker heats with his main opposition appearing to be Jack’s Legend, a finalist from last year’s series. The pole marker Soaring Now is trained by another former Australian Noel Daley, who had a short stint back in Sydney a couple of years ago and will be handled by top reinsman Andy McCarthy.

The Tritton stable will also be represented in the Borgata with Nandolo and Anothermasterpiece. After getting into the final last year with two preliminary wins, Nandolo didn’t show his best in the decider, having to contend with a tricky wide barrier draw.

Owner Kevin Gordon and his wife Leonie have had huge success in both the harness and greyhound codes, with most of their horses and dogs carrying the Lochinvar name. Gordon said they would certainly be making the trip to the US, should Lochinvar Art get through to the final.

“He will go in the first two or three and see how we are travelling. There’s a chance he may miss one along the way if we are able to,” he said.

He said he was pleased to be enjoying the success with Team Tritton.

“I’ve known Lauren since she was a teenager. She was born and bred at Valentine, which is right near us in Warners Bay (in the Newcastle region),” Gordon said.

“She landed her first metro winner on a horse I owned in Our Crown Law. He was a really nice horse and put together five wins in a row at the Sydney Tuesday meetings.

“Lauren was one or two drives short of gaining a metro licence and I’m not too sure how my trainer at the time Darren Binskin and I got special permission for her to drive—but we did, and she did the rest!”

The Borgata series runs over five consecutive weeks with the final to be run on April 24 (US). The series champion is offered a win-and-you’re-in opportunity to both the $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield Park on June 10 and the $200,000 MGM Aria Pace at Yonkers on International Trot Day, September 23.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink