by Ayers Ratliff, for Raceway Park

Toledo, OH — Anvil Raider N paced home for his 88th career victory on Sunday (July 21) in Raceway Park’s ninth race.

The win was the fifth straight for the 14-year old, who has 262 career starts in North America, winning 68 times, and finishing second and third 33 and 31 times, respectively.

Anvil Raider N (In The Pocket-Motu Sweet Lady) has domestic earnings of $265,371 and has a lifetime mark of 1:51 set at Mohawk at age eight. His 1:51 lifetime best also represents his richest win, in a $15,040 conditioned race.

Anvil Raider N started from post one and made every pole a winning one, posting fractions of :28.1, :58.2, 1:26.1 and 1:55.3. He finished 1-3/4 lengths in front of his closest competitor, Getcha Sum Fame (Jason Merriman). The veteran pacer was the overwhelming favorite and returned $2.20 to win.

Will Johnson owns and trains Anvil Raider N. Johnson called upon the pacer’s customary pilot, Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., to drive.

Sunday’s victory is the 16th win this season for Anvil Raider N, tying him for the third winningest horse in North America so far this year. Tracys Song (21) and Haroun Hanover (18) are the only horses in North America that have more wins this year than Anvil Raider N.

“It is amazing how good he still is for his age,” commented Wrenn. “Most horses aren’t still racing at 14, and the ones who make it to 14 are just not as solid as him.”

Despite 10 wins in 2012 and 16 so far this year, Anvil Raider N is still camera shy. He seldom gets his picture taken in the winner’s circle.

“I haven’t taken him to get his picture for about two years,” Wrenn explained. “He is the worst kicker I have ever seen.”

Raceway patrons often see Anvil Raider N kicking furiously with both back legs while his sulky is unhooked outside of the paddock.

“I have learned to be really quick when taking the bike off after the race,” stated Wrenn. “You would think by age 14 he would be over kicking like he does, but that’s just how he is.”

Wrenn said that as bad as he is off of the track, Anvil Raider N is not always a terror.

“He is wonderful to drive. I love driving him. He has a ton of gate speed and steers with two fingers.”

Being 14-years-old, this is the last year that Anvil Raider N is able to compete. He faces mandatory retirement on Dec. 31 of this year.

“I have been told that the plan is to keep him at Will’s (the owner/trainer) farm and just let him be a horse,” said Wrenn. “He has been a really good horse and he deserves to have a good life.”

Anvil Raider N was one of six winners for Wrenn on Raceway Park’s 10-race program. Wrenn’s other winners included Blah Blah Blah ($4.00) in race three, Know Thyself ($2.10) in race five, Best Card ($2.60) in race six, Oakbrook Raider ($4.60) in race eight and Jimmy’s Scooter ($5.60) in race 10.

Wrenn, 26, began driving in 2008 and has since garnered 955 career victories and earned $3,345,105 in purse earnings. Wrenn is second in the 2013 Raceway Park driver standings. He has driven 33 winners this year at Raceway, but has piloted 344 total victories this year.

Wrenn’s 2013 win tally ranks him as the third winningest driver in North America so far this year. Only Corey Callahan (399) and Dave Palone (371) have more wins this year than Ronnie Wrenn, Jr.

Wrenn began Sunday evening ranked fourth, two wins behind Tim Tetrick (340), but finished the night four in front of him.

Wrenn currently keeps a torrid seven day a week driving schedule. He competes at Raceway Park on Sundays, Northfield Park on Mondays and Tuesdays, and Scioto Downs on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.