Owner Brad Grant wasn't trackside to watch his newly minted world champion Bulldog Hanover break the 1:46 barrier at The Meadowlands last weekend, but that didn't stop the Milton, Ont. resident from revelling in the historic harness racing moment.

"To be able to say you were there the night the world record was set is something. But the next best thing is I got to rewind it and watch it ... probably a good half-dozen times," Grant was quoted as saying by The Canadian Press. "I sit back and enjoy the trip. He's just an impressive animal to watch."

Unable to make the trip to the Meadowlands due to work commitments, Grant watched Bulldog Hanover's 1:45.4 world record performance in the William R. Haughton Memorial on television.

While he visits the barn to treat the ground-breaking pacer with carrots and bananas, Grant and co-owner/trainer Jack Darling haven't been in attendance for Bulldog Hanover's perfect U.S. stints, including his latest four consecutive wins in 1:47 or faster. Perhaps there is a little superstition at play.

"Jack and I joke about it, neither of us was there [Saturday], neither of us has been there for his four wins at Hoosier [last year] and four wins at the Meadowlands," said Grant. "Whether we're both more superstitious than we thought, I don't know."

A road trip could be in store for Grant though when Bulldog Hanover makes his next scheduled start at Hoosier Park in the Dan Patch Stakes on August 12.

"He's a terrific horse, it's a lot of fun to be around him. I'm very, very lucky to be partners with Jack and, again, it's him and his team. Jack picked the horse, he broke the horse, he trains the horse. He's the credit behind it."

To read The Canadian Press article in its entirety, including Grant's comments on the competition, racing at home and his partnership with Darling, click here.

(With files from The Canadian Press)