Delaware, OH — Tru Lou won the $48,100 Standardbred Stakes for 2-year-old male pacers and Worthy Of Honor won the $47,100 Standardbred Stakes for 2-year-old male trotters on Thursday afternoon (Sept. 19) at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.

Tru Lou brushed to the lead on the backstretch and won by 5-1/2 lengths over Complete Kaos in 1:55.2. USTA/Mark Hall photo.

In the Standardbred pace, Tru Lou was third behind 1-2 favorite Complete Kaos and Caviart Revere during the first half of the race before getting the signal from driver Matt Kakaley to move to the front. Tru Lou, the 2-1 second choice, brushed to the lead on the backstretch and won by 5-1/2 lengths over Complete Kaos in 1:55.2. Caviart Revere finished third.

The win gave Ron Burke pupil Tru Lou back-to-back triumphs, both with Kakaley in the sulky, after going winless in five starts to open his career.

“Ronnie has been tinkering with his equipment for the last month or so; looks like he’s got him figured out,” co-owner Mark Weaver said. “He’s always been fast but was hard to steer. Matt also seems to fit him well.”

Tru Lou, by Sweet Lou out of Real Touch, has earned $32,950 for owners Burke Racing Stable, Knox Services, Slaughter Racing Stable, and Weaver Bruscemi. The gelding was bred by Knox Services, Slaughter Racing, and Ray Paver.

Andy Miller drove Worthy Of Honor to a one length win over Moveoutofmyway K in 1:56.4. USTA/Mark Hall photo.

In the Standardbred trot, Andy Miller drove Worthy Of Honor to the lead at the start and set all the fractions on their way to a one length win over Moveoutofmyway K in 1:56.4. Altus Hanover finished third. Emma Town Bud, the even-money favorite, went off stride after launching a bid to overtake Worthy Of Honor on the backstretch.

Sent off at odds of 2-1, Worthy Of Honor gave Andy Miller and trainer Julie Miller their second consecutive triumph in the Standardbred for 2-year-old male trotters. Team Miller won last year with Prospect Hill.

“He’s a nice big colt and we wanted to give him time to mature into himself,” Julie Miller said. “We thought he would fit here and that was a great confidence-building trip. Andy kind of had everything his own way, he held off that other horse, and had a good race in him.

“He’s been nice. He was immature and I tried to wait on him to develop. It paid off today. We’re taking him on to Lexington; I don’t know if he’s ready for them or not, but we’re going to give him a chance and see. I just really want to try to develop him into maybe a nice 3-year-old. He can get some experience at 2 and hopefully make a great 3-year-old.”

Worthy Of Honor, by Cantab Hall out of Honorable Daughter, has won two of nine races and earned $58,849 for owners Andy Miller Stable, Jean Goehlen, and Louis “Andy” Willinger. He was bred by Carter Duer.