by Kim French, USTA Internet News Editor

Columbus, OH — Although the surface was less than spectacular due to inclement weather, Homicide Hunter, who established a new world record three weeks ago at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, garnered another accolade for his already sterling resume with a 1:52.1 triumph in the $100,000 Chip Noble Memorial at Eldorado Scioto Downs on Saturday (Sept. 10). The final clocking is a new track record for 4-year-old trotting geldings.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Homicide Hunter won the $100,000 Chip Noble Memorial for trotters in 1:52.1, a track record for 4-year-old geldings.

The altered son of Mr Cantab and Evening Prayer was placed on the lead by his pilot, Eric Goodell, shortly after the field of seven was rounding the first turn at the Columbus oval. Once the Indiana champion placed race leader Muscle Up The Goal (Aaron Merriman) in his rearview mirror, the 4-5 favorite effortlessly clicked off fractions of :27.1, 55.3, 1:23.2 and hit the wire 4-1/4 lengths to the good of Muscle Up The Goal and third place finisher Wind Of The North (Chris Page), who closed very well in the stretch to finish behind the top two.

Conditioned by Chris Oakes and owned by Crawford Farms, Homicide Hunter glided over a track that had been soaked by powerful early precipitation which had begun to taper off prior to the horses placing their noses on the gate.

Goodell steered the horse with the greatest of confidence, and Homicide Hunter responded in kind. He never appeared under any serious pressure or any urging to produce his second record-breaking victory from his last three trips to the post.

With his latest triumph, Homicide Hunter is now 41-23-4-6 lifetime and boosted his bank account to $715,263.

Prior to his being sold privately last winter, Homicide Hunter resided in the barn of Curt Grummel, who had his doubts the gelding would ever develop into a high quality racehorse when he was a youngster because he had a tendency to not finish strongly to the wire.

Homicide Hunter received top billing at Hoosier Park with hometown hero Freaky Feet Pete in Anderson, as he captured 16 consecutive races in 2015 before finishing second to Crazy Wow in the $270,000 Carl Erskine Memorial.

Since joining Oakes’ barn, the gelding has compiled a record of 13-4-1-2, but appears to be rounding into prime form as summer transitions into fall.

For those that supported him at the windows, Homicide Hunter paid $3.60, with Muscle Up The Goal offering $6.00 to place and Wind Of The North providing $5.20 to his backers. The exacta was $13.60 and the trifecta was $68.80.