After a busy 2023 in which Per Engblom finished second in North America in wins and fifth in purses, the trainer is set to get right back in action this weekend with 11 horses racing at The Meadowlands.
Engblom, a former Jimmy Takter assistant, had his fifth year with his own stable end with 363 victories and $6.09 million in earnings. Those figures doubled his previous highs in both categories, set in 2022.
In addition, Engblom captured the training title at MGM Yonkers Raceway, where he had 231 wins and $3.83 million in purses. He was third in victories at Harrah’s Philadelphia, where he was the 2022 leading trainer, and tied for third at The Meadowlands.
“It started out well and one thing led to another,” said Engblom. “We got more horses in, and better horses came in. It just kind of kept rolling from that point.”
Engblom amassed most of his wins and purses in overnights. His horses raced for $50,000 or more only 82 times in 1,760 starts.
“We raced a lot, but those were the kinds of horses we had,” said Engblom. “We had some stakes horses, too, that didn’t race as much, but with the amount of raceway horses we had, we had to race them a lot. That’s how we set it up and that’s how they did good.
“We didn’t have a standout horse. We didn’t have one that really stepped up and showed to be our star. We just had a very solid bunch of horses. We had a lot of horses that made between $75,000 and $150,000, both stakes horses and raceway horses. Maybe that’s what stood out [about the season], that we had so many of them. That’s good because then I know the program is working. We just have to keep looking for that special horse.”
Making 1,760 starts — the third most by any trainer in North America — was challenging, but Engblom credited those around him for helping make it possible.
“We have a great team; I’m fortunate that way,” said Engblom, whose team includes his wife, Helene, and brother, Petter. “I like to be hands-on at the barn every day, but my brother can step in and take over when I have to travel. I’ve got great help that knows what to do and will take care of it.”
Engblom will begin this year with about 100 horses, including more than two dozen two-year-olds.
“We did get more babies this year,” said Engblom. “I try not to go crazy at the yearling sales. I try to buy horses that I like and spend the money I think they’re worth. I might have liked to get a few more, but it was hard at Lexington because, like everybody else, we wanted to get the dual eligibles and you had to pay a premium. But that is a good sign for our business.”
Among Engblom’s starters this weekend, two will compete in Saturday’s $36,184 feature for pacing mares at The Meadowlands. Tonys Mom, a five-year-old, is 6-1 on the morning line with Jason Bartlett in the sulky. She finished second at the Big M on Dec. 23, when she came home with a :26.1 last quarter. No Win No Feed A is 8-1 with Corey Callahan driving. The nine-year-old will be making her third start for Engblom.
Queen Of Success is the 2-1 favourite with Johnathan Ahle driving for trainer Tony Alagna.
“It’s an even field,” said Engblom. “There are some really nice horses. I like my two mares. They’re in good shape.”
Engblom will watch how the two mares perform in their next several starts and determine whether either, or both, will go to the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series in a couple months at Yonkers. Tonys Mom hit the board in 13 of 19 races last year at Yonkers, winning eight.
“They’re both in that [Matchmaker] category if they race well enough,” said Engblom. “Tonys Mom has got the tactical speed and gets around there perfectly. She is so good gaited. She’s solid.
“I think they both have ability. Tonys Mom has grown nicely for us. No Win No Feed is training well. I’m aiming for that with both of them, but we’ll see. Time will tell.”
Live harness racing begins at 6:20 p.m. (EST) at The Meadowlands.
(USTA)