by John Pawlak, the U.S. Trotting Association

Columbus, OH — Trainer Jeff Dauplaise and co-owner Mendy Taffel’s Fountainbleau Volo enjoyed a perfect month of March, which was comprised of a sweep of the Horse & Groom Series at Meadowlands Racetrack, and for his efforts was named the March Horse of the Month by the U.S. Trotting Association.

Lisa photo

Fountainbleau Volo has been named March Horse of the Month.

On March 16 Fountainbleau Volo capped a three-wins-in-three-starts month with a 1:52.2, five length victory in the $82,000 Horse & Groom Final, which followed 1:56 and 1:53.1 victories in the series’ first two legs.

The 4-year-old son of SJ’s Caviar-Blue Water Fly was purchased privately by his owners late last year, and he has certainly provided them with some thrills — and has permitted them to dream some dreams. He has won four of his six starts and $68,500 this year, and shown enough promise to prompt his owners to pay him into several front-line stakes, including the Credit Winner and Maple Leaf Trot. Given success there, against the sport’s best older trotters, he may then earn his way into the Breeders Crown.

“He’s just a good horse,” Dauplaise told Harness Racing Communications’ Ken Weingartner before the Horse & Groom Final. “We keep him turned out a lot; keep him fresh. It’s been working out for us.”

“He’s got that type of speed (to go with the top ones in his division),” Dauplaise told Weingartner about Fountainbleau Volo’s ability to compete at the sport’s highest level. “I just don’t know if he has the class or the strength. I can’t race him tough all the time; I’m going to pick my spots. But he’s got extreme speed and so far he’s been in hand.”

There’s no indication that trotting stars such as San Pail are quaking in their crossties at the prospect of having to face Fountainbleau Volo, but Dauplaise and Taffel’s confidence in their star has been rewarded to this point — and perhaps will be beyond.