Fresh off his world-record score in the Breeders Crown, On To Norway returned home to Harrah's Hoosier Park, where he vaulted off cover to a decisive victory in the $30,986 Open Trot on Saturday, Nov. 7.

Leaving from the outside post seven, driver John De Long settled On To Norway in fifth off the wings while Ponda Jet (Kyle Wilfong) pushed to the lead around Finite (Trace Tetrick) to the opening quarter in :27.2. Ponda Jet rated the tempo on the backstretch, reaching the halfway point in :56.3 when On To Norway began to tip off the cones. On To Norway flushed the cover of International Law (LeWayne Miller) on the final turn, riding the live tow second-over while Ponda Jet raced to three-quarters in 1:25.1. 

On To Norway ripped off cover and charged to a narrow advantage over Ponda Jet as the field trotted midway through the lane. On the strength of a :27.3 final quarter, On To Norway drew clear and won by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:53.2. Ponda Jet held for second, with Drink Up Drink Up (Brandon Bates) rallying from last to get up for the show spot.

Trained by Ron Burke, On To Norway has won 13 of 16 starts during his four-year-old campaign, which includes wins in the Hambletonian Maturity, Graduate Series final and Caesars Trotting Classic. He has also won his last 32 starts in Indiana. Bred by Bennett Farms Inc. of Michigan, the Muscle Massive-One Class Act gelding is 40-for-49 in his career with earnings of $2,238,611. He is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Frank Baldachino, Black & White Stable and Michael Rosenthal. On To Norway paid $2.20 to win.

Live racing resumes at Harrah's Hoosier Park on Thursday, Nov. 12 with a 14-race program set to get underway at 5:30 p.m. The Thursday card features $10,000 guaranteed pools in the Late Pick 4 (Races 11-14) and Late Hoosier High 5 (Race 14), offered in partnership with the USTA's Strategic Wagering program.

(Hoosier Park)