Already boasting the title of the richest pacer in harness racing history with more than $4.6 million in earnings for owners Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi and JJK Stables, Foiled Again will look to repeat as the champion of the American National Aged Pace when he battles eight rivals in Saturday's $182,000 edition.
Fresh off a track record 1:49.1 score in the $200,000 Indiana Pacing Derby on November 3, the eight-year-old son of Dragon Again has shown no signs of slowing down with age as he's racked up 31 of his 65 lifetime victories and more than $3.5 million of his bankroll over the past three seasons as well as being named Older Pacer of the Year in 2011 on both sides of the border.
It's almost gotten to the point now where we are surprised when he doesn't win," said trainer Ron Burke. "He's just a freak. There's no other way to put it when you talk about the things he's done on the track."
With earnings of over $1.2 million in 2011, Foiled Again is the oldest horse in harness racing history to have a $1 million-plus season. He was also the first horse in history older than the age of four to be named Pacer of the Year in the U.S. (2011) as well as the first older pacer named to that lofty status since Real Desire pulled off the feat during his four-year-old year in 2002.
Purchased for $20,000 as a yearling back in 2005, Foiled Again at one time was considered a half-mile specialist because of repeated victories at Yonkers, Northfield and Harrington. Over the past few seasons he has certainly shed that image by winning such races as the American National at Balmoral Park, the Indiana Pacing Derby at Indiana Downs and the Graduate at the Meadowlands, all one-mile ovals. He also captured this year's Canadian Pacing Derby at Mohawk Racetrack.
Regular pilot Yannick Gingras and Foiled Again's contingent of owners have always been impressed by the gelding's toughness and ability to win, but also by the way he seems to take care of himself during a race and in the down time leading up to a big event.
"You can have all the ability in the world, but if you can't stay on the track what good is it?" said co-owner Kevin Koury of JJK Stables. "He's the horse of a lifetime and not just because he's a great horse, but because of the people involved with him. He's given us all some unbelievable memories and that just makes it even sweeter."
There are still records to be broken.
Three trotters have earned more than Foiled Again: Varenne ($5.63 million in U.S. dollars), Moni Maker ($5.58 million) and Jag De Bellouet ($4.97 million).
"I think $5 million is a realistic number," Burke said. "Being honest, that's a lot, but that's what we are shooting for now, I guess. I would say becoming the richest Standardbred is our goal now. That's all that's left in front of
him."
Koury agreed.
"We're talking numbers that are like Monopoly money at this point," he said, laughing. "We might as well make it the goal. We'll shoot for the highest and see what happens."
(With files from Balmoral Park)