Taylor Fritz, the 'soon-to-be-21'-year-old grand-daughter of Hall of Fame horseman William 'Bud' Fritz, made her lifetime debut as a trainer earlier this week at The Raceway at Western Fair District in London, Ont.
Major Wager had been pegged as a 6-1 shot from Post 2 in the final race on Western Fair’s Monday, February 22 program. The Alfie Carroll-driven gelding left the gate as the 2-1 second post-time choice.
Carroll pointed the son of Art Major to the lead early and made every call a winning one. The duo closed out the mile in 1:58 and won by three quarters of a length. The performance brought Fritz to the winner's circle for a win in her first start as a trainer.
"There are no words that can describe how proud I am of MJ (Major Wager)," said Fritz. "He's 10 years old and he gave it his all on the track that night... he is absolutely amazing!"
Major Wager won for the 29th time in his career. He has now won almost $180,000 in lifetime purses. He's been a member of 'Team Fritz’ – on and off – since the fall of 2011.
"Our family has had to claim him back three times," Fritz stated. "I'd like to say that he'll never carry a price tag again, but it's the nature of the business we're in and we have to put them in where they belong."
Fritz grew up around the horses and still remembers her first 'trip' in the cart as a child with pacer G Thanks and her father, Brad.
"He was a good one," Taylor recalled. "He was likely the horse that sparked my interest in racing when he picked up the 'Aged Pacer of the Year Award' in Windsor for 2002!"
Fritz has said that Major Wager is her ‘main man’ – as far as horses go.
"I'm very happy with him," she said. "He had three months off to freshen up and he's starting to come back to himself now. We've got the rail with him Monday in London and we're liking our chances."
"I have to pass along a huge thank-you to my parents (Brad and Anita) for giving me this opportunity and for providing me with the tools I've used to accomplish my dream of becoming a trainer," continued Fritz.
"My boyfriend, Jared, and his Dad (Laurie Bako) have been there for me, too – getting me moved and now set up here in London. And, lastly, to Alfie (Alfie Carroll) – thank you for the great drive on MJ!"
(The Raceway at Western Fair District)
