by Kimberly French, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Kimberly French

Williamsport, PA — Once his nose brushes the gate, Break The Bank K is all business, but when he is in the paddock, he definitely enjoys alerting other horses to his presence.

“He’s very relaxed and likes to sleep, but when he is around other horses he lets them know he’s there,” said 52-year-old Rich Gillock, the colt’s conditioner and resident of Belle Vernon, Pa. “He likes to holler and carry on a bit.”

The 2-year-old son of Revenue S-American Misty has trotted four race miles with three triumphs and one second place finish. Break The Bank K, who was bred and is owned by Robert Key of Leechburg, Pa., has earned nearly $100,000 and possesses a lifetime mark of 1:56. After finishing a half length behind Il Villaggio in the $200,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Final at the Meadowlands on July 23, the trotter is being pointed towards the Peter Haughton Memorial final on August 8. He will take part in a trio of $20,000 elimination races tonight (July 31).

Shortly after he was foaled, the 76-year-old Key, who won the 1993 Hambletonian with the colt’s maternal grandsire, American Winner, and has bred nearly 1,000 horses, realized Break The Bank K had the potential to be an extraordinary horse.

Lisa photo

Break The Bank K will be seeking a spot in the Peter Haughton Memorial final in Friday’s eliminations.

“My farm manager, Samantha, she grades them (the foals) within a month or two of when they are born,” explained Key. “She put him down as a possible five, which is the highest they can be, and I was surprised she would rate him that highly that early on, but she felt good about his personality, his gait, and his size right from the beginning.”

The bay colt with a white star received his early education from Walter Carroll, who trains horses at Sam Beegle’s Ginger Tree Farm in Lancaster, but his connections decided it would be best for Gillock to complete his preparation at his home barn at The Meadows.

“Bob gave Walter three colts to train and he was having some problems with all three of them, so we brought him here to finish him off,” Gillock said. “Right from the beginning he was definitely an athlete, but he was a typical little stud colt where he needed some work put into him, more trips and things like that, before he really settled down. He had the gait, but he just didn’t always pay attention to his business.”

After breaking stride in his first qualifier on June 20, the colt won his second effort at The Meadows on June 27, then captured a $30,020 division of the E.H. Harriman Cup at the Meadowlands on July 2 at 48-1 in his career debut. His time of 1:57.4 was the quickest of all three divisions.

The Harriman Cup was the first time Ron Pierce, who was also American Winner’s regular pilot, hopped behind the colt and he was impressed with his ability.

“He spoke pretty highly of him to me,” Gillock, who is coming off his first million dollar season, said. “He really thought he was kind of a special horse, so hopefully he proves that. At least he’s on the right road anyhow, but he has shown his ability early and there are a lot of other good colts that haven’t come out yet. We just hope he continues to do well and actually improves.”

After the Haughton, Key and Gillock are not exactly sure which direction they will take with the colt, but he will certainly race as often as he can.

“As long as he is sound and racing well, I have no compunction racing him 10 to 12 times, which some owners and trainers don’t like doing with 2-year-olds,” Key said. “We are going to take it one step at a time after the Haughton, but the Valley Victory goes for a considerable sum, I think $300,000, and then the Breeders Crown at the end of the year.

“He really enjoys racing and likes to get to the front, which as you know is important,” he continued. “Ronnie has a lot of confidence in him and was pleasantly surprised. He’s a special horse; there is no question about it and we just hope he continues to progress.”

Here are the fields for Friday night’s Peter Haughton Memorial eliminations.

Peter Haughton Memorial-First Elimination
PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer
1-Temple Of Doom-David Miller-Jonas Czernyson
2-Xclusiv-Michel Lachance-Don Swick
3-Woody Marvel-George Brennan-Robert Horowitz
4-Chimon-Daniel Dube-Jimmy Takter
5-Telephoto K-Tim Tetrick-Rich Gillock
6-Homerun Hitter-Ray Schnittker-Ray Schnittker
7-Raja Mirchi-John Campbell-Lutfi Kolgjini
8-Lucky Chucky-John Campbell-Chuck Sylvester

Peter Haughton Memorial-Second Elimination
PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer
1-Smooth Power-David Miller-Steve Elliott
2-Plan B In Hd-David Miller-Ross Croghan
3-Wishing Stone-Tim Tetrick-Dewayne Minor
4-Asabi Hanover-Andy Miller-Jimmy Takter
5-Marquesas-D.R. Ackerman-Doug Ackerman
6-Holiday Road-Brian Sears-Greg Peck
7-Rap’s Legacy-David Miller-Jonas Czernyson
8-Pilgrims Chuckie-John Campbell-Scott Andrews
9-Texas Ridge-Michel Lachance-Rich Gillock

Peter Haughton Memorial-Third Elimination
PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer
1-Hard Livin-Daniel Dube-Jimmy Takter
2-Noak L B-John Campbell-Lutfi Kolgjini
3-Break The Bank K-Ron Pierce-Rich Gillock
4-Frankie Can-Yannick Gingras-John Coughlin
5-Senor Glide-John Campbell-Jimmy Takter
6-Pilgrims Taj-Michel Lachance-Monte Gelrod
7-Ripken-Brian Sears-Ron Burke
8-Guard Dog-John Campbell-Ross Croghan
9-Cuzzin Rob-Tim Tetrick-Steve Elliott