Track record set in $100,000 Battle of Bunker Hill Trot

The Grand Circuit roared into Plainridge Park Monday afternoon (May 15) for the $100,000 Battle of Bunker Hill Trot for harness racing three-year-olds and when the dust settled, it was 5-1 Khaosan Road (International Moni) who won the battle and set a track record.

The 7^th race feature saw 3/5 race favorite Herodotus and driver David Miller lead and take the early lead only to have driver Scott Zeron come on the outside with Khaosan Road and take command after a quick :27 second opening quarter.

Miller then came back to the front with Herodotus before the half mile marker in :55. Then they were challenged in the backstretch by a first-over Bright Expectation (Aaron Merriman) with Buddy Earl (Bruce Ranger) second-over as they sped by the three-quarters in  1:23.4.

Buddy Earl made a break and Bright Expectation on the final turn and left room for Zeron to mount a charge from the pocket with Khaosan Road and they blew by Herodotus, going on to win by one and one-quarter lengths in 1:53.3. Massachucetts Champion last year, Inter Mischief (Kevin Switzer, Jr.) was second with Spitfire Oversees (Anthony MacDonald) third. The first three finishers were all sired by International Moni.

The previous track record for three-year-old gelding trotters was 1:54 and it was both set and tied in 2021 by New Legacy and Blue Knight.

KHAOSAN ROAD REPLAY

Undefeated now in two starts, it was just a week ago that Khaosan Road wired the field in the $137,775 Dexter Cup Trot. The time of 1:53.3 was not only a track record for three-year-old geldings, but also a personal best time for Khaosan Road. The gelding is trained by Ake Svanstedt for owners Knutsson Trotting, Inc. of Del Ray Beach, FL and Jeff Gural’s Little E LLC of New York. Khaosan Road paid $12.40 to win.

He is not eligible to the Hambletonian Trot in August.

In the 3^rd race $25,000 Winners-Over trot it was all Warrior One (Father Patrick) and driver David Miller dominating the sub-feature.

After battling early with Big Al M (Matty Athearn), Warrior One and Miller took command of the field after a :27.2 first quarter. They then held the field at bay with breakers Breckenridge and Icanflylikeanangel out of the mix, cutting the mile to the half in :57.1 and the three-quarters in 1:26.1.

At the three-quarters, Golden Kronos and Gray moved first-over from third place and started gaining ground on Warrior One. As they came down the stretch it looked like Golden Kronos would catch Warrior One, but that was not to happen.

Warrior One held up in the lane and held off Golden Kronos by a long neck in 1:55.2. The pocket-sitting Big Al M was third.

WARRIOR ONE REPLAY

It was the fourth win this year for the seven-year-old gelding. He is trained by Ron Burke for owner Yannick Gingras. Warrior One paid $3.00 to win as the wagering favorite.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink