by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Manager

Columbus, OH — Won The West, the two-time Dan Patch Award winner as the sport’s top older pacing male, made his 2011 debut on Thursday (April 21) in a qualifying race at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.

With trainer Ron Burke in the sulky, the 7-year-old gelding went right to the front from post eight and set fractions of :27.3, :56.3, and 1:25.3 before pacing a final quarter in :28.2 on the way to a 1:54 score.

Won The West, who is owned by Country Club Acres Inc., Strollin Stable, and William Robinson, amassed more than $1.3 million in earnings last year and from 19 starts had seven victories, eight seconds and three thirds. Won The West won his second consecutive Breeders Crown on October 9.

His triumphs last year also included the $125,000 Indiana Pacing Derby, the $748,800 Canadian Pacing Derby, a $185,000 U.S. Pacing Championship division, and the $293,280 Molson Pace Final. He also finished second in the $200,000 Dan Patch and the $156,000 American-National.

Won The West did not race as a freshman due to a fracture, but has paced 89 pari-mutuel miles with 33 wins, 22 seconds and 12 thirds. The gelding possesses a lifetime mark of 1:47 and has bankrolled nearly $3.5 million.