by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Freehold, NJ — As 5-year-old trotter Lucky Jim headed to the track Thursday for his first public appearance of 2010, nothing had changed from last season. Nothing, that is, except the expectations.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Lucky Jim equaled the all age world record for a trotter on a mile track with a 1:50.1 score in the 2009 Nat Ray at Meadowlands Racetrack.

Lucky Jim, who rose from relative unknown status to become harness racing’s best older trotter of last season, won his qualifier this morning at Meadowlands Racetrack in a comfortable 1:54.4, trotting the final quarter-mile in :26.4. As usual, driver Andy Miller was at the lines for trainer, and wife, Julie Miller.

“The first hurdle has been cleared, that’s for sure,” Julie Miller said. “Andy said he was well in hand. He was really happy. He drove good and was perfect in the race and finished well. He cooled out fine and everything was good. We were tickled to death with it.”

Starting from post eight, Lucky Jim followed Classy Lil Buck to an opening quarter of :29.3. He reached the front by the half-mile point, in :59.4, and hit three-quarters in 1:28.

“I was hoping for something around (1):55, so that was perfect,” Miller said. “The only difference from last year is that last year I didn’t expect anything and this year I was expecting a good effort today. He delivered.”

Winless in 2008, Lucky Jim burst onto the national scene last season as a 4-year-old by winning his first 15 races on his way to 17 triumphs in 18 outings and $1.06 million in purses. His victories included a share of the all age world record on a mile oval (1:50.1) in the Nat Ray and the Breeders Crown.

Lucky Jim, owned by brothers David and John Prushnok and Bill Gregg, won the 2009 Dan Patch Award as the sport’s best older male trotter. This year, he will look to join Mr Muscleman (2004 and 2005) as the division’s only repeat winner since 1975.

“It’s exhilarating,” Miller said. “He did everything with ease. What really helps is that he takes care of himself and has a lot of common sense.”

If all goes well, Lucky Jim will qualify again next week. The goal is to have the horse ready for the Su Mac Lad Series, which begins April 2 at the Meadowlands.

“As long as Jim agrees with it,” Miller said.