Hightstown, NJ – Winning is not easy, but multimillionaire M-M’s Dream and streaking On To Norway have made a habit of finding their way to the winner’s circle. And the two trotters will look to continue that trend Friday when they compete in the Indiana Sire Stakes Super Finals at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.
M-M’s Dream, who already has three Indiana Sire Stakes titles to her credit during her career, is the 3-2 morning-line favorite in the $50,000 Super Final for older female trotters. The 6-year-old mare, who has 36 lifetime victories and $2.17 million in earnings, will be retired at the end of the season.
Later during the card, On To Norway will bring a 16-race win streak to the $250,000 Super Final for 3-year-old male trotters, where he is the 9-5 morning-line choice.
“In the horse business, if you’re fortunate to win a few races a year with a particular horse, that’s special in itself,” said Frank Baldachino, who is among the owners of both trotters. “But when you get these horses like M-M’s Dream and On To Norway, you just take it week by week. It just fascinates you how great they really are.
“You know how it is in the horse business, whenever you expect to win something, you don’t usually do it. It doesn’t really happen. But On To Norway is kind of bucking the trend; M-M’s Dream bucks the trend. They’re pretty special animals.”
M-M’s Dream won Indiana Sire Stakes crowns at ages 2, 3 and 5. She also has starred on the Grand Circuit, where her victories include the 2023 Hambletonian Maturity, three consecutive editions of the Dr. John R. Steele Memorial (2023-25) and this season’s Dayton Oaks and Miss Versatility Series final. Her triumph in this year’s Steele Memorial came in a career-best 1:49.4, equaling the stakes record.
A daughter of Swan For All-Trading Places, M-M’s Dream has hit the board in 55 of 66 lifetime races. She has been trained throughout her career by Henry Graber Jr. and Ron Burke. Yannick Gingras will be in the sulky for Friday’s Super Final.
“It’s hard to find horses that really try and dig in right through the wire like she does,” said Baldachino, who shares ownership of M-M’s Dream with Hillside Stables. “If you’ve watched some of her races on the big stage, when she’s beaten the best of the best, at the top of the stretch she just keeps coming and coming. She’s one that has a nose for the wire, and until she gets to the wire, she never quits.”
Following her Super Final, the plan is to send M-M’s Dream to the Breeders Crown and FanDuel Mares Trot Championship before finishing her career with a race and retirement ceremony on Nov. 22 at Hoosier Park.
“It’s kind of bittersweet, as they would say,” Baldachino said. “She’s given us so much joy and excitement since her 2-year-old season. It’s sad to see it end, but in the same way of life, it will be fun to see her start her broodmare career and hopefully throw some little M-M’s Dreams in the future.”
On To Norway, a son of Muscle Massive-One Class Act, finished second in his first race this season but has not tasted defeat since, and his 16 victories are tied for the most of any horse in North America. Twice this season he has won in 1:51.2, equaling the Hoosier Park track record for a sophomore trotting gelding that was first established by Amigo Volo in 2020. Regular driver John DeLong will be in the sulky for trainer Burke on Friday.
“It’s been some ride,” said Baldachino, who shares ownership of On To Norway with Burke Racing Stable, Black And White Stable, and Michael Rosenthal. “He just wins no matter what; on the front, first-over, from the back. Sixteen in a row, it’s incredible. You’re waiting for the other shoe to drop each week, but you’re really hoping that it doesn’t. You don’t ever want to see him lose.
“I’m hoping the other shoes never drops, but I’m also a realist. When it comes to harness racing, anything can happen. But I really like him coming into the final on Friday. I’m really looking forward to it. He’s done everything so easily. The horn’s not blowing, the whistles aren’t on, he’s kind of been well within himself every start. John DeLong has done a great job driving him, really making him learn the game as a 3-year-old. Kudos to John and Adam Rucker and Ronnie Burke. They’ve done a great job managing him.”
Baldachino also gave credit to the caretakers of all the horses.
“We as owners, I get to see them on race day and watch them from the grandstand, but those are the people that make it really happen behind the scenes,” he said. “They’re the real stars.”
On To Norway is not eligible to the Breeders Crown. It’s possible his connections could supplement him to the event, but it is more likely he will remain at Hoosier and compete in the fall stakes there, including the Grade 2 Carl Erskine Memorial.
“We’ll evaluate it after he races Friday and over the weekend, but I think the most sensible path would be to let him stay home and try to win a few more on his home track and go against the big boys in the Carl Erskine,” Baldachino said. “I’m sure he’ll be staked to the Hambo Maturity and Graduate as a 4-year-old and some free-for-all trots.
“He’s the real deal. I wouldn’t be afraid to put him up against any 3-year-old in the country as of right now and I think he’s going to be an incredible horse as he gets older. He takes care of himself, he’s such a professional. It’s been some ride with him so far and hopefully it will continue through the end of the year.”
Racing begins at 5:30 p.m. at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. For more about the Indiana Sire Stakes Super Finals, click here. For free race Hoosier Park race programs, visit the track’s website.