by Tom Kelley

Crete, IL — Diamond Creek Farm’s Western Trademark etched his name into the Balmoral Park record books on Saturday, August 14 as the 5-year-old son of Western Hanover equaled the track standard for an aged pacing horse with a clocking of 1:49.1.

Balmoral Park photo

Western Trademark was well in hand to driver Marcus Miller as he equaled the track standard of 1:49.1 for an aged pacing horse on Back to the Track Night at Balmoral Park.

In rein to driver Marcus Miller the good looking bay took advantage of some quick splits as Morgan Shark and Omaha Survivor battled through fractions of 26.4, 54.1 & 1:22.0.

Tipping off his cover after a second over journey the Ervin Miller trainee then exploded in the lane, reeling off a wicked 26.3 final quarter, to win the conditioned event by 4-1/2 lengths. Morgan Shark held on for second while Omaha Survivor was third.

The 1:49.1 clocking puts Western Trademark in some elite company as he joins Big Tom (2000), Sagebrush (2004) & He Wants It All (2005) as the fastest aged pacers in Balmoral Park history.

The USTA’s Back to the Track promotion was also a big hit at the Crete oval as nearly 3,000 fans, the biggest turnout of the season thus far, enjoyed food and drink specials, a driver autograph session, hayrides, a handicapping contest and a variety of giveaways.