by John Pawlak, the U.S. Trotting Association

Columbus, OH — Everyone associated with the sophomore filly pacer Major Look enjoyed the month of July, a month that was filled with three important stakes victories and a conquest of the leading performer in her division. And a month now capped with July Horse of the Month honors as presented by the U.S. Trotting Association.

USTA/Ken Weingartner photo

Major Look defeated American Jewel by three-quarters of a length in the Mistletoe Shalee.

Well, perhaps trainer Bob Riddle enjoyed July a bit less than did owners Joseph Balkunas, Mark Giordano and Anthony Pancella and drivers Andy Miller and Jeff Gregory.

Riddle was injured in a training accident when his star ran over him as he led her from her stall on the way to a training trip and Riddle’s leg and foot were fractured and his kneecap was shattered in the incident. Extensive rehab is underway.

Major Look, then put in the care of trainer Kevin McDermott, sent Riddle get well wishes with a major upset of American Jewel in a time of 1:49.3 in the $190,850 Mistletoe Shalee Final at the Meadowlands.

She followed that with wins in a $33,746 Tompkins-Geers split and a $71,585 division of the Adioo Volo — both in stakes record times of 1:49.3.

“She’s the real deal,” winning trainer McDermott said following the Adioo Volo. “She just doesn’t stop. She’s a monster. When they come at her, she just keeps going. It’s a dream come true when a horse like this shows up in your barn.”

Just get out of her way when she’s going onto the racetrack. Bob Riddle will attest to that.