When a problematic trotter entered the Per Henriksen barn earlier this year, it was nothing new for O’Brien Award winning conditioner.
Nowucit Nowudont, a son of Kadabra, earned $18,500 as a rookie with a 1:57.1 speed badge, but coming into this season the gelding wasn’t performing as expected and as a result he was off to Henriksen’s barn.
“He had a decent two-year-old season and I believed the owner (Patricia Stable) had certain expectations for him this season, but he was making breaks. Often times when horses have issues like that, they’re sent to me and he was no different.”
It didn’t take long for Henriksen to find the recipe for success.
While in the conditioner’s care, Nowucit Nowudont crafted a 6-0-1 record from nine starts this season and $33,848 in earnings.
Nowucit Nowudont could be in store for the biggest payday of his career when he goes postward in the $60,000 Autumn Stakes final on Monday night at Woodbine.
This past Monday, Scott Zeron guided the eight-time winner to victory in 1:55.3.
“Scott raced him absolutely terrific in his elimination,” Henriksen said. “He’s not the easiest horse to sit behind, but Scott was calm with him and drove him accordingly.”
With the end of the year quickly approaching, Henriksen believes Nowucit Nowudont’s best days are still ahead of him.
“He’s certainly going to make a much better four-year-old,” the Norwood resident said. “He’s got the speed, he can take some air and he’s got talent. He’s also fairly lightly raced and that all sets up well for next year.
“We are going to continue to race him throughout the winter months,” Henriksen continued. “I believe within time, he’s going to be able to race against some very good horses.”
This division of the Autumn Stakes is for Ontario-sired three-year-old colt and gelding trotters, who are non-winners of $50,000 lifetime or non-winners of $30,000 in 2012 as of midnight, October 31.
To view entries for Monday night's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Entries - Woodbine Racetrack.
(WEG)