Even before three-year-old trotter Break The Bank K arrived in Trond Smedshammer’s barn, the trainer was a fan

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“I watched him race last year and I was stunned by his speed,” Smedshammer said. “I said last year to a few people jokingly that if I could pick one horse out of that group [of two-year-old trotters], he would be the one I wanted to pick because of his breeding and his size and his speed. I was thrilled, absolutely thrilled, to get this horse. He’s got the potential to best the best if he minds his manners.”

Break The Bank K, who is eligible to the $1.5 million Hambletonian in August at the Meadowlands, arrived in Smedshammer’s stable on January 1. Bred and owned by Bob Key, the colt was trained previously by Rich Gillock. Last year, the son of Revenue-American Misty won six of 14 races and earned $242,372. He won a $114,667 division of the Champlain Stakes and was second to Il Villaggio in the $200,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes championship.

Smedshammer tried unsuccessfully to buy into Break The Bank K prior to getting the horse to train.

“That didn’t work out, but around Thanksgiving [Key] called me back and asked if I was interested in training the horse,” Smedshammer said. “We talked about that back and forth. I talked to Rich Gillock and we agreed it was the right move for the horse, with him being a New Jersey-bred.”

Last week, Break The Bank K started his 2010 campaign with a win in a division of the New Jersey Sire Stakes series. He won by a length over Dexter Cup champ Flex The Muscle in 1:56.3. He returns to action on Friday in the second leg of the sire stakes, this time with Brian Sears taking the lines from Smedshammer.

“He’s no kid’s horse,” Smedshammer said. “He’s all horse and he’s got his own mind. I’ve been schooling him myself and raced him in his first start. I’ll give Brian a chance to see if he gets along with him.”

In his first start this year, Break The Bank K settled into third place before making a first-over move near the three-quarter mile mark and trotting home in 27 seconds.

“He’s a horse that loves to track down horses,” Smedshammer said. “When you pull him, you don’t have to ask him; he wants to pass horses and he wants to pass them in a hurry. It would take a hell of a horse to hold him off.”

The only negative thus far is Break The Bank K’s tendency to lose his focus after getting to the front.

“It’s not a big concern, but he can pull himself up a little bit when he gets to the front,” Smedshammer said. “But I think the horse is maturing and learning what it’s all about. Hopefully, that won’t be an issue. He’s a good feeling horse and has done what I’ve wanted all along. As far as talent, he’s got enough talent to be the best.”

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This story courtesy of Harness Racing Communications, a division of the U.S. Trotting Association. For more information, visit www.ustrotting.com.