Aussie millionaire wins USA debut

Australian champion and harness racing millionaire pacer Lochinvar Art A (Modern Art) was very impressive in winning his USA debut Saturday (Feb. 4) night at the Meadowlands Racetrack in New Jersey.

The 10^th race co-feature pace for $27,500 saw Lochinvar Art A and driver Lauren Tritton first off the gate to the early lead, then Crunch Time A and driver George Brennan came on the outside to take command by the first quarter in :27.1.

They raced single file passed the half mile in :55.3 and then in the backstretch, Tritton moved first-over with Lochinvar Art A and took over the lead at the three-quarters in 1:24.

Then it was a race for home down the stretch with Lochinvar Art A in the lead and race favorite Burnham Boy N (Dexter Dunn) closing fast. But Lochinvar Art A was the toughest of all, winning by a neck in 1:50.1 on a chilly, windy night. Burnham Boy N was second with Nicholas Beach (Joe Bongiorno) third.

“I wanted to be a little aggressive at the start,” said Tritton, who made it to the Big M winner’s circle for the first time in her driving career. “Obviously, Crunch Time, he came across (and got the lead). I moved a little earlier than I would have liked.”

LOCHINVAR ART A REPLAY

“I could feel him getting a little leg weary (in the stretch),” said Tritton of her horse, who is being pointed toward the MGM Borgata Series at Yonkers, which kicks off on March 20. “He was tired but had enough class to win. This is just unbelievable.”

An eight-year-old stallion, Lochinvar Art A is trained by Shane Tritton and is owned by Team Tritton, Inc. of Pinebush, NY. He paid $12.00 to win.

NINE IS FINE: The Meadowlands’ streak of betting over $3 million on every Friday and Saturday night is alive and well, as $3,354,157 was pushed through the windows on the 14-race card.

There have been nine programs during 2023 contested on Friday and Saturday, and each one has seen betting bust the $3-million barrier.

A LITTLE MORE: Jordan Stratton continued to impress during the Big M winter meeting, winning four races on the card. Since Friday’s races were canceled due to extreme cold, the 35-year-old Yonkers regular is the odds-on favorite to take down a second straight Driver of the Week honor. … Driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Ron Burke had another big night, as usual, teaming up to win three times on the program. … Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink