Her shoes pulled in the winner's circle, millionaire Jans Luck officially retired from racing Wednesday at The Meadows while a newcomer to the track, Do Me Honor, honoured the great lady by winning the Jans Luck Retirement Pace.
The eight-year-old Jans Luck, who will join the Hanover Shoe Farms broodmare band, was fast and tough, banking $1,029,738 in a career that spanned 149 races and 48 victories. She earned most of that money at The Meadows for trainer Ron Burke, driver Dave Palone and owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, JJK Stables and M1 Stable, who acquired the daughter of Camluck-Jans Scooter after her sophomore campaign.
She demonstrated her talent and consistency most persuasively in the years 2007-2009, winning $267,624 in 2007, $265,100 in 2008 and $248,185 in 2009. At four, she took her mark of 1:50.4 at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
Among her career highlights was her years-long duel with Spring Break — the two squared off in more than 50 races at The Meadows. Spring Break competed in the Jans Luck Retirement Pace but couldn’t honour her archrival with a farewell victory, finishing 6th.
In the $22,500 event, Do Me Honor made her first start for owner/trainer Bill Bercury an impressive one, following cover to rally from well back for Aaron Merriman and nail NY Yankees in 1:53.2. Stacked Deck was third. With the victory, the 4-year-old daughter of Cheyenne Rei-Do Me Right soared over $200,000 in lifetime earnings.
Tony Hall and Merriman each drove three winners on the 13-race card.
(The Meadows)