Ken Weingartner

Hightstown, NJ — Anthony Lombardi has owned horses for 38 years and cannot ever recall racing one after the age of 3.

That is about to change Friday at The Meadowlands.

Four-year-old trotter Big Christian, highly regarded by Lombardi and trainer Erv Miller but unable to get to the races because of injuries, is set to make his career debut in Friday’s fourth race at The Big M. He will start from post one in a field of 10 with driver Marcus Miller and is the 5-2 second choice on the morning line in the $14,500 conditioned trot.

Big Christian was purchased under the name Chicago Audible for $67,000 at the 2020 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. Erv Miller Stable photo.

Separate suspensory injuries, one in May of Big Christian’s 2-year-old season and the other in June of his 3-year-old season, prevented the horse from getting the opportunity to fulfill his potential. The son of Swan For All-Spirit Of Casey was purchased under the name Chicago Audible for $67,000 at the 2020 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. His family includes 2000 Hambletonian Oaks winner Marita’s Victory and multiple Dan Patch Award-winner Passionate Glide.

“When he was a 2-year-old, Erv thought he could be the best trotting colt in the country,” Lombardi said. “When we brought him back as a 3-year-old, we thought he was it. I was spending the money I was going to win from winning the Hambletonian. It was very disappointing (when he got hurt again).

“We put all this into him, I’m not getting rid of him. I’m in it for the stakes races, and I’ve been fortunate over the years to have some nice horses, but I let them go at 3 because racing horses as 4-year-olds is tough. So, this is probably the first 4-year-old horse I’ve ever raced in my life. If he stays sound, I’m real high on him. I named him after my son, and he won’t let me get rid of him anyway. But he’s a nice horse.”

Lombardi, who resides in the Chicago metropolitan area, intends to lightly stake Big Christian this season.

“If he stays sound, I think he’s a competitor,” Lombardi said. “But you’re always wondering what’s going to go wrong this year. You’re holding your breath. I just hope that between now and when I take a gasp of air that he puts up some big numbers. Erv likes him, or we wouldn’t be keeping him and racing him.”

Lombardi hopes a healthy Big Christian can be part of what could shape up to be a memorable year. Lombardi is among the owners of Bourbon Courage, a 3-year-old colt trotter who is a half-brother to 2021 Hambletonian winner Captain Corey and earned $154,790 last season despite tailing off in the fall.

He also returns T’s Pride, a 3-year-old filly trotter who finished second in the Indiana Sire Stakes championship last season, and lightly raced but promising 3-year-old filly pacer Firstofanera. And although it is still early, Lombardi is keeping an eye on 2-year-old filly trotter Cupcakes N Candles.

“She’s doing it the way you’re supposed to,” Lombardi said. “I have some nice 2-year-olds, probably the nicest I’ve had in 38 years. If we don’t have any issues with Bourbon Courage, I think that he will be up there. He’s a (1):50 trotter if he stays sound. I’d say he’s my best 3-year-old coming back.

“I’m excited about this year. I haven’t been this excited in the last 10 to 12 years. This could be a nice year if everybody stays sound. That’s always the kicker.”

Racing begins at 6:20 p.m. (EST) at The Meadowlands. Free TrackMaster programs for The Big M can be found here.