Michael M Sweeney – Saratoga Harness Horsemen’s Association

Saratoga Springs, NY – – Records are meant to be broken or so the saying goes, but in the case of a certain trotting mare named River of Glory, records are meant to be achieved, maintained and set on display for the entire world to see. And at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway, she has her hoof prints stamped on quite a few.

Now a nine-year-old campaigner by King Conch, River Of Glory has been a dominant force at the Spa City oval for years. She’s a hard-hitting mare, fully capable of holding her own in Open company, and as such, has had to race against the best male trotters of her generation. Unlike pacers, who are generally classified by sex, female trotters have to be extra special to rise to the elite level at most harness venues.

River Of Glory has been special indeed. She holds the track record as the fastest female trotter to ever race at Saratoga in three different age brackets. She was the fastest 7-year-old (1:58.2) in 2004 and the fastest 8-year-old (1:58.4) in 2005. Now as a nine year old she has twice eclipsed Westridge Ruth’s standard, which had stood for 13 years, by winning in 2:00.3 and 1:59.4 in her last two local starts.

“She’s the toughest mare I’ve ever driven”, said regular pilot, Rick Pugleise. “No one can ever say anything bad about River. She tries so hard every week. To accomplish what she has – racing against the boys – is remarkable.”

Pugleise’s eyes sparkle when he talks about his favorite girl. You can tangibly feel the connection that exists between this man and mare; a connection that has certainly contributed to their success.

River Of Glory is owned by Richard Hallahan and trained by Cynthia Milano.

She has drawn the 3 hole for Friday’s Open trot at Saratoga. Stepping up off consecutive wins, she has been installed as the second choice on the morning line at 7-2 odds.

Chief to compete will be Over The Wire with driver Claude Huckabone III.

Rated as the 5-2 top choice, this one also breezes into town off the strength of consecutive victories. A three-time winner already in 2006, Over The Wire should prove to be tough from the rail.

Onomatopoeia – winner of last week’s Saratoga Open – draws post number two to defend his title for trainer/driver Brian Allen. This 9-year-old stallion was just 1/5th of a second off the Saratoga track record for his age group last week – a standard set by Black Casino in 1998.

Mysterious Caller, from post four, should be tighter after last week’s effort. Beginning the season as an Open class winner, this Brian Walker conditioned entry did not draw in for week two and missed his next start due to the power outage cancellation. Still, despite last week’s first over journey, he missed the top prize by only 3 lengths.

Ben Him (Dan Cappello, Jr) moves up to the Open this week off a nice victory in the Open II last week, while Gumcorner Vic (Brian Horlacher) returns to Saratoga where he has been 1st and 2nd in his only two local starts.

Truscott Steel (Ron Cushing) will look to make amends for his costly early break last week, as the 6-5 betting favorite, and Buffy T (John Stark Jr) had plenty of late trot last week in his first seasonal start.

Saratoga Gaming and Raceway proudly features live harness action every Wednesday through Saturday evening, with first post scheduled quite promptly at 7:15 pm.