The 2025 Horse of the Year in both Canada and the U.S., pacing phenom Beau Jangles returned to the racetrack on Friday, April 10 and did so impressively.

With co-owner Jonathan Roberts at the controls, Beau Jangles bested a pair of Dr. Ian Moore-trained stablemates, pacesetting Prince Hal Hanover (driven by Scott Zeron) and Odds On Bullfrog (driven by Bob McClure) in a reported time of 1:51.3 while qualifying at Southern Oaks Training Centre in Sorrento, Florida.

Moore told Trot Insider that he was looking to qualify Beau Jangles in the 1:51 range but the track was "a bit heavy" this morning. Plans are to qualify Beau Jangles again next Friday (April 17) before returning to Canada in advance of the sophomore pacing colt's highly-anticipated 2026 campaign.

A son of Cattlewash - Mrs Major Hill, Beau Jangles delivered an unforgettable freshman season for owners Graham Grace Stables LLC, Kiwi Stables LLC and Bolton Stables to capture both Somebeachsomewhere and Dan Patch Horse of the Year honours. He emerged victorious from all 12 of his races while earning $1,688,750, making him the season's richest earner on Canadian soil.

Bob McClure was the regular pilot for Beau Jangles during his freshman season, and will once again drive the colt at three. He encouraged Roberts to drive Beau Jangles in Friday's qualifier, and Roberts was thrilled with the experience.

"He was super, the track was deep. They got a lot of rain down here yesterday and it was heavy," Roberts told Trot Insider. "But, you know, he just floats over the ground anyway so it didn't make too much difference to him, or Prince Hal.

"I went in and changed my suit and came back out, and he wasn't even blowing," continued Roberts. "Two minutes after he had a drink, he was trying to bite and play with [groom] Riley [Noble]. He was still pretty fresh afterwards."

More details on Friday's qualifier will be posted when available.

(Standardbred Canada; video courtesy Sheelagh Mitchell)