by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Ken Weingartner

Freehold, NJ — When trainer Ron Burke looks back on the career of standout pacer Won The West, he remembers a lot of fast miles and big wins.

But what stands out most of all is the look.

“He is the most beautiful Standardbred I ever saw,” Burke said. “He absolutely is the picture of the breed.

“I think he will be remembered for how good he was for such a long time, but I think for the people that have seen him, what is left in their memory is what a beautiful animal he is.”

USTA/Ed Keys photo

Won The West retired as the third richest pacer in North American harness racing history.

Won The West, the third richest pacer in North American harness racing history, will be retired during a ceremony on Friday night at Meadowlands Racetrack. Owned by Country Club Acres, Strollin Stable and William Robinson, the 8-year-old gelding won 36 of 109 career races and $3.93 million.

He was the Dan Patch Award winner as best older male pacer in 2009 and 2010. Won The West joined Mister Big, Red Bow Tie, Rambling Willie, Henry T Adios, Adios Butler and Adios Harry as the only older male pacers to be honored in consecutive years.

Won The West was sidelined last September because of tendon issues and was winless in six races this year.

“His ankle swelled up and he has a small lesion,” Burke said. “I just didn’t want him to ever hurt himself on the track, so we just called it a career.”

Won The West’s wins included the 2009 and 2010 Breeders Crown Open Pace, the 2010 Canadian Pacing Derby, 2009 Quillen Memorial, 2010 Molson Pace and three consecutive American-National stakes (2007-09).

Lisa photo

Won The West won the 2009 Breeders Crown in a stakes-record 1:47.

Last year, Won The West won the Mohawk Gold Cup Invitational in 1:47.2, equaling the fastest mile in Canadian harness racing history. He won the 2009 Breeders Crown at the Meadowlands in a stakes-record 1:47 over a track labeled “good,” a time just one-fifth of a second off the fastest race mile ever by a pacer.

“He charged home in :25.3 with mud fenders on the bike,” Burke said. “That’s just ridiculous, the idea that you could go (1):47 when you needed fenders and come home in 25 and a piece. He went so many great miles, obviously he made almost $4 million, but that one to me is when he stamped himself as one of the top free-for-allers.”

Won The West will lead the post parade for the William R. Haughton Memorial, race 10, before being honored with a retirement blanket. David Miller, who drove Won The West to 13 wins, including the 2010 Breeders Crown, Canadian Pacing Derby and Molson Pace, is expected to sit behind the horse for the ceremony.

As for his future, Won The West could find a home at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions, or enjoy time with longtime caretaker Sarah Murphy.

“The owners gave him to Sarah and she is going to show him in some halter (classes),” Burke said. “She’s going to take him until they can get him in the Horse Park and if not he’ll spend the rest of his life hanging out with her.”