by Charlene Sharpe, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Charlene Sharpe

Harrington, DE — In spite of what his name might suggest, Delaware pacer Eviction Notice N is in no danger of getting kicked out of his current home.

Since being claimed by 21-year-old Russell Foster in April, the horse has won three races and brought his earnings for the year to $42,137, the most he has ever made in a single season.

“He’s paid for himself,” said Foster, who is making an effort to keep the pacer out of claiming competition as long as he can.

The young Foster claimed the New Zealand-bred 8-year-old after watching him race for a variety of trainers this winter and spring at Dover Downs.

Russell Foster gets Eviction Notice N ready for a recent race at Harrington.

“He was getting claimed a right good bit but I liked the looks of him,” he said.

In just his third start for Foster, who trains and drives the horse himself, Eviction Notice N set his mark for the year with a 1:52.4 win at Harrington Raceway. Over the summer, the gelding continued to prove his reliability, picking up checks just about every start and consistently pacing sub-1:55 miles.

Since returning to Harrington for the half-mile oval’s fall meet, the pacer has picked up $3,350 in just three starts, highlighted by a win from the rail on Aug. 22 in 1:53.4. He currently boasts stats of 5-3-3 from 27 starts this year.

“He really seems to like this track,” said Foster, who pointed out that the horse has also had the rail each of the three times he’s won with him.

“He loves the front when I can get it.”

Aside from his preference to cut the mile, Foster said there was nothing unusual about the son of Holmes Hanover-Detach who wears just basic equipment.

“He’s pretty laid back,” he said.

Charlene Sharpe photos

Russell Foster has posted 10 wins in just 93 driving starts in 2010.

In addition to Eviction Notice N, the young Foster also trains $15,000 claimer Trouble Hanover, a son of Western Hanover who just finished second in his last start at Harrington. Trouble Hanover also happens to be a three-quarter brother to Big Jim, who is favored in Saturday’s C$1 million Metro Pace at Mohawk.

While he only trains two horses of his own, Foster stays busy working with his grandfather, Arty Foster, who currently trains a stable of 15, including Spunky Vic 6,1:55f ($371,906) and Devil’s Ivy p,5,1:51.3f ($317,710). Russell’s father, Arty Foster, Jr., and 22-year-old brother, Arty Foster III, are also heavily involved in the harness racing industry.

For Russell Foster, there was no hesitation in his decision to work with the horses after he finished high school.

“I’ve never done anything else,” he said. “I used to love to go to Rosecroft when I was a kid.”

He didn’t decide to get in the race bike right away, however, and only began driving last year. In 93 starts this year, Foster has accumulated 10 wins, 10 seconds and 13 thirds, giving him an average of .214. Although drives not behind one of his own horses usually come from his father or grandfather, Foster says he enjoys driving and is looking forward to continuing to gain experience in the sulky.

“The thrill of winning never gets old,” he said.