World record set in $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie

This Is The Plan etched himself into harness racing history books as the fastest horse to ever win on a half-mile track when he won the $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie in 1:47.3 Saturday at MGM Northfield Park.

Yannick Gingras drove This Is The Plan for harness racing’s all-time leading trainer, Ron Burke, who conditions the pacer for co-owners and Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC,J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby, and Lawrence Karr.

This Is The Plan started from post three. He yielded early to #4 Stars Align A (Joe Bongiorno), before making his move approaching the quarter, taking the lead in :26.2.

“I didn’t want to take any prisoners,” explained Gingras. “He (This Is The Plan) has been super sharp.”

This Is the Plan never experienced an anxious moment the rest of the mile, leading his competition through fractions of :53.3, 1:20.3 and 1:47.3, besting his closest rival by 5-1/4 lengths.

“The faster you go, he just doesn’t get tired,” said Gingras.

The 1:47.3 clocking represents the fastest race ever on a half-mile track and lowered the Northfield Park track record by over a full second.

THIS IS THE PLAN REPLAY

This Is The Plan increased his career bankroll to $2,206,200 by taking home the lion’s share of the healthy $200,000 purse.

Completing the 2021 Battle field were Western Joe, Catch The Fire, Stars Align A, Hesa Kingslayer N, Little Rocket Man, Gold Digger King, Century Farroh and Southwind Amazon.

“Records are meant to be broken and we just broke one,” admitted Gingras. “I gave the people a little show tonight.”

For full race results, click here.

by Ayers Ratliff, for MGM Northfield Park