by John Pawlak, marketing director, USTA

Columbus, OH — Free-legged pacers remain rare, but a couple of speedsters have rekindled interest in hobble-less horses, thus giving them some notice this year.

Ian Moore, William Shearer, and RG McGroup’s Astronomical (Astreos–Hey Girl, by Matt’s Scooter), who has won 27 of 79 starts and $586,803, and who is now a 5-year-old, became the fastest ever to race without straps when he posted a 1:50 effort at Georgian Downs on June 26 — a record which lasted less that a month.

This past Saturday, at Kawartha Downs, Ben Wallace and Jim Miller’s Zooka (Astreos–Twin B Keyko, by Run The Table), also a 5-year-old, won in 1:49.3. Zooka has banked $722,577 in his career, which began in a conventional pacing fashion, but without hobbles since July 2, 2005.

Astronomical’s trainer, Ian Moore, removed the pacer’s Indiana Pants only this year, during which time he has won six of 12 starts and $51,078.