Ken Weingartner

Freehold, NJ — The record-setting career of Mister Big is scheduled to come to a close on Saturday night in the $200,000 American-National Stakes for older pacers at Balmoral Park in Chicago. The 6-year-old’s resume includes two Dan Patch Awards, single-season records for earnings in 2007 and 2008; a world-record-equaling performance at Harrah’s Chester this year; and becoming only the second pacer in history to surpass $4 million in lifetime purses.

“He’s going to be missed,” trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. said. “You don’t replace a horse like him. I’m just grateful I had the opportunity to train him and to be associated with him. It’s been a privilege.”

Over the past 45 years, the only older pacers to win consecutive Dan Patch divisional honors have been Mister Big (2007-08), Red Bow Tie (1998-99) and Rambling Willie (1975-76-77). Since June 2007, essentially the midpoint of his 4-year-old campaign, Mister Big raced 45 times, with 21 wins and 40 finishes among the top three.

USTA/Ed Keys photo

Mister Big was a 1:49.2 winner in the Allerage Farm last month at The Red Mile.

His victories included back-to-back William R. Haughton Memorial titles in 2007 and 2008 (the only pacer to ever accomplish the feat) as well as three Allerages, two U.S. Pacing Championships, a Breeders Crown, Canadian Pacing Derby, Ben Franklin Pace, Bobby Quillen Memorial, and Dan Patch Invitational.

This season, Mister Big has won five of 16 starts and earned $775,136. His top triumph, so far, came in late July when he won the Ben Franklin in 1:48 at Harrah’s Chester, equaling the fastest time ever on a five-eighths-mile track.

He earned $1.53 million in 2008 and $1.31 million in 2007; both set single year records for purses. Lifetime, Mister Big has won 34 of 84 races and earned $4 million, trailing only Gallo Blue Chip (with $4.2 million) on the career list among pacers.

“Everyone was wondering if he was going to come back and be a dominant force this year. I think the mile at Chester was a dominant performance,” Morgan said. “He got a little sick after that and got off his game a little bit, but he set the bar so high.”

Following his career on the racetrack, Mister Big will head to Tara Hills Stud Farm in Ontario to begin his new life as a sire.

“He has all the attributes to be a great sire,” Morgan said. “He’s got the look. He’s got the conformation. He’s got the intelligence. I don’t even want to say a good sire; I think he’ll make a great sire. He’s so tactical. He’s won first over in (1):47 and he’s won on the front end in (1):48. He’s so versatile. Horses like that are so hard to come by. I think he’s going to carry those traits to his offspring.”

In addition to Mister Big, the American-National features Shark Gesture, Won The West and Art Official.

Shark Gesture has won seven of 27 races this year and earned $931,015. His victories include the Canadian Pacing Derby, William Haughton Memorial and Graduate. Won The West’s wins this season include the Breeders Crown and Quillen while Art Official won the Indiana Pacing Derby and was second to Mister Big in the Ben Franklin.

Following is the field in post position order for Saturday’s $200,000 American-National for older pacers, with listed drivers and trainers: 1. Mister Big, Brian Sears, Virgil Morgan Jr.; 2. Shark Gesture, George Brennan, Gordon Remmen; 3. Beau Rivage N, Todd Warren, Harry Von Knoblauch; 4. Won The West, Dave Palone, Ron Burke; 5. Thisbigdogwilfight, Dave Magee, James Eaton; 6. Art Official, Peter Wrenn, Joe Seekman; 7. Robin I Scoot, Trace Tetrick, Dan Perdue; 8. Eagle Luck, Tim Tetrick, Gregg McNair; 9. Booze Cruzin, Dale Hiteman, Joe Seekman; 10. Mucho Sleazy, Michael Oosting, Paul Stafford.

Owners: 1. Joe Muscara; 2. Norman Smiley, Gerald Smiley, TLP Stable; 3. Harry Von Knoblauch; 4. Strollin Stable, William Robinson, James Koehler; 5. Redbud Stable, Michael McNeely; 6. Sawgrass Farms; 7. Shady Lane Meadows; 8. Frank Dettore Horse Racing; 9. Broekhuis Stables; 10. Engel Stable.

American-Nationals At A Glance: The remainder of the American-National stakes feature a number of big names. If I Can Dream, who has won the Breeders Crown, Messenger Stakes, Confederation Cup, and Art Rooney Pace, headlines the $265,000 Am-Nat for 3-year-old male pacers; Breeders Crown champion Yellow Diamond leads the $185,000 Am-Nat for 3-year-old filly pacers; Su Mac Lad Series and Allerage winner Lanson is the top money-winner among the eight horses in the $150,000 Am-Nat for older trotters; Woodrow Wilson runner-up Payne’s Landing is in the $180,000 Am-Nat for 2-year-old male pacers; and Kentuckiana Stallion Management Stakes winner Flip Flop Summer leads the $154,000 Am-Nat for 2-year-old filly pacers.