by Evan Pattak for The Meadows

Washington, PA — Since 1975, the Currier & Ives at The Meadows has been an important early-season test for aspiring 3-year-old trotters. Six of those young trotters realized their dreams big time, winning both the Currier & Ives and the Hambletonian: Steve Lobell (1976), Green Speed (1977), Burgomeister (1980), Giant Victory (1991), American Winner (1993), Vivid Photo (2005).

On Tuesday, June 5, 18 colts and geldings begin pursuit of that historic double when The Meadows stages the 2012 Currier & Ives with a purse of $131,894 spread over two divisions. (The track will host the Currier & Ives for fillies Monday, June 25.)

Bob Key, who campaigned American Winner, has another strong entrant this year in Frost Bites K, who was beaten only a head in the Dexter final and has banked $153,390 in his career. The Broadway Hall colt is out of the American Winner mare American Frost, so he’ll be trying to emulate his granddad’s success.

“He could have gone to Canada, but we decided to stay home and race him here,” said trainer Rich Gillock. “Hopefully, it will pay off for us. He’s a nice, big colt with a good attitude. He’s honest, and that usually gets you a little money.”

Frost Bites K has won three of seven starts this year but has been in “chase” mode more often that Gillock would like.

“When he was dominant in the non-winners classes, he could go to the lead. In these other races, it’s a different ballgame. They’ll put you in a hole. There are some Sweet Lous on the trot, too.”

The chief competition could be Mr Ridgetaker, a Tom Ridge-Miss Risktaker colt who most recently was third in a Pennsylvania Sires Stake. But that doesn’t tell the whole story; the only horses ahead of him were Uncle Peter, the 2011 Breeders Crown winner, and Stormin Normand, Pennsylvania’s champion at 2.

Mr Ridgetaker has won four of 12 races and $122,766 in his career and took his race mark of 1:55.4 in a tough NW5 event at The Meadows. He’ll go from post 3 in the second division, with trainer and co-owner Rick Beinhauer driving. Dave Palone will guide Frost Bites K from post 5.

The first division matches three sophomores stepping up from recent wins in the PA Stallion Series. Upfront Billy, Redder Than Red and Fogelberg each triumphed in front-end fashion, so the first quarter promises to be pivotal.

The splits go as Races 6 and 8, with first post at 12:55 PM. The complete Currier & Ives fields, in post position order:

First Division — Race 6

1. Rock N Jessie–Dave Palone
2. Lindy’s Best Yet–Mike Wilder
3. Upfront Billy–Brian Zendt
4. Mikesbrotherfrank–Dewayne Minor
5. Redder Than Red–Roger Hammer
6. Carolina Carl–Aaron Merriman
7. Beluga Ridge–Eric Ledford
8. Fogelberg–Tony Hall
9. Boytown–Richard Stillings

Second Division — Race 8

1. Can Do–Ray Paver
2. Sharpshooter G–Brian Zendt
3. Mr Ridgetaker–Rick Beinhauer
4. Rose Run Nash–Greg Grismore
5. Frost Bites K–Dave Palone
6. Gawain Nourrir–Brett Miller
7. Enduro Hanover–Wilbur Yoder
8. Master Of Harmony–Mike Wilder
9. Avenue Of Dreams–Roger Hammer