After getting time to grow into his role, Primo Uomo is hitting all the right notes. Raced just twice at age 2, Primo Uomo returned last season to win 16 times — the third-best total among all 3-year-old pacers in North America — and bank $114,867 for owners Dale Lawton and Chris Lawton. His earnings ranked second to only Grand Circuit-winner Racine Bell, who makes her 2024 debut Friday at The Meadowlands, in the Lawtons’ stable.
Tag: Ken Weingartner
Girouard looking forward to Big M return
When Michael Girouard climbs into the sulky for Friday’s (Feb. 9) first race at The Meadowlands, it will be the Massachusetts native’s first drive at the Big M in 19 years. His next will come much quicker, just several hours later.
Hanners’ star continues to climb
In 2022, Austin Hanners was recognized as an up-and-coming star in Ohio. In 2023, the young driver continued his ascent. The 24-year-old Hanners set career highs with 218 wins and $3.23 million in purses last year, more than doubling his previous best totals in those categories, which were established in 2022.
‘Chip’ remains mighty at Monticello
Gary Messenger describes Chip Chip Conway as “one tough little horse,” and it is easy to understand why. After being sidelined five months because of emergency intestinal surgery in 2022, the then 6-year-old male trotter returned to action in mid-October of that year at Monticello Raceway and won the Open. But that was just a warmup for 2023. Last year, Chip Chip Conway posted 14 victories to finish tied for the most wins among all older trotters in North America.
Hot Mess Express to make final start Friday
Hot Mess Express has been a big part of owner Sam Bowie’s life for more than three years. On Friday, he will watch his 6-year-old female pacer compete for the final time before she embarks on the next chapter of her career as a broodmare.
Winter time is winning time for Brookview Bullet
Henry Graber Jr. got goosebumps watching stable star M-M’s Dream race in 2023 and hopes to enjoy that feeling again when the trotter returns to action later this year. In the meantime, having a horse like Brookview Bullet in the barn is a great way to fend off any winter blahs. In fact, the pacer provides ample reason to enjoy the season.
Adam Twelve on patrol at Yonkers
Adam Twelve, named after a television police drama and co-owned by driver Yannick Gingras, has been capturing plenty of wins since arriving at MGM Yonkers Raceway in November. The 4-year-old male pacer, who raced previously in Indiana, has posted six victories in eight starts at the Hilltop, with his two setbacks being second-place finishes.
Good times continue for improving trotter Sidd Finch
Unlike his fictional counterpart, the horse Sidd Finch has never studied meditation in the mountains of Tibet. Still, in the past year the trotter has been able to attain a calmer disposition, leading to improved results in his own athletic endeavor.
Jersey move working well for Herschberger
Mark Herschberger began working with horses at an early age, but it’s only been in the past several years that the Illinois native — and nephew of trainer Erv Miller and driver Andy Miller — started pursuing his own everyday career in harness racing.
So Rock N’ Roll looks to step up in Big M debut
So Rock N’ Roll has been a stakes-winner in Maine and Massachusetts during his career, and now the 4-year-old pacer will kick off his 2024 campaign with a visit to The Meadowlands. Bred by Les Leighton and owned by Leighton Property, So Rock N’ Roll has hit the board in 32 of 37 career races, winning 11 and earning $255,531.