by Kimberly French, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Kimberly French

Louisville, KY — Shortly after she arrived in his barn about six months ago, Ron Burke realized On The Glass could pace her way to an especially productive 2010 campaign.

The 4-year-old daughter of Art Major-Abbey Won, who is owned by Joseph DiScala Jr. and Cynthia Lynn Massari, has a career record of 31 starts with nine victories, four second place finishes and six thirds. Since taking up residence in Burke’s shedrow, the mare has faced the starter on eight occasions with a slate of 5-1-1, lowered her lifetime mark to 1:51 and added nearly $81,000 to her total bankroll of $221,353 while competing at the Meadowlands and Yonkers Raceway.

She has also triumphed in her last three pari-mutuel contests and will contest the first leg of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series, which is worth $40,000, at Yonkers Raceway on Friday, March 26.

Tom Berg photo

Former New York Sire Stakes regular On The Glass has won five times as a 4-year-old, with earnings of $80,500.

“I got her after they quit with her (in September) of last year,” said Burke, a resident of Canonsburg, Pa. “They gave her about a month or so off and I got her when she was on the way back. Eddie (former trainer Edward Hart) does a great job with horses and I think he preps them to get better with age. He takes care of them and doesn’t push them, so she was trained to be much better as her 4-year-old year took off.”

On The Glass’s conditioner also thinks, besides maturity, there is another reason the mare has discovered her best stride.

“I think going on a big track helped her,” he explained. “She really liked the mile track and I think she’s better on it as she was able to stretch out and find her speed.”

Although she is an average size mare, On The Glass possesses a nice conformation and pleasant demeanor.

“She’s not exceptionally big or small; she’s just a well-put together mare,” Burke, who leads North American trainers in victories (109) and earnings ($1,546,404) said. “She’s a very nice, plain mare, who is well-broke, simple to be around and enjoys training as well as her work.”

After her participation in the Matchmaker series, On The Glass will be targeted to the major races for her age and gender.

“She’s pretty much in for the bigger races the rest of the year,” Burke said. “As long as she keeps improving, I’d like to see her get a shot on the mile track against some of the better horses. I do think the mile track picks her up and she really seems to like it.”

$40,000 Blue Chip Matchmaker Series-1st Preliminary-2nd Division
PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer
1-Lightning Treasure-Cat Manzi-Pierre Couture
2-On The Glass-Jason Bartlett-Ron Burke
3-Quicksilvercandy A-Larry Stalbaum-Kimberly Asher
4-McGibson-Cat Manzi-Kevin McDermott
5-She’s A Fan-Jason Bartlett-Mark Ford
6-Call Me Yours-Stephane Bouchard-Mark Ford
7-Hannah Isabel-Patrick Lachance-Jean Drolet