Soho Firestone A doesn’t draw a lot of attention to himself around the barn or in training, but when the seven-year-old pacer gets behind the gate to race, he’s ready to make noise.
A son of American Ideal-Soho Margaux, Soho Firestone A arrived in the U.S. from Australia early last year and made his first Stateside start that spring at MGM Yonkers Raceway. Since then, he has hit the board in 20 of 24 races — all around Yonkers’ half-mile oval — for trainer Doug Dilloian Jr. and owners David Linker, Brian Loman and Robert Venable.
Over his past 15 starts, Soho Firestone A has finished worse than second only once, while picking up six of his nine total U.S. victories. Two of those wins came in the MGM Borgata Pacing Series, which continues with its fourth round on Monday, April 20 at Yonkers. Soho Firestone A, who finished second to Coaches Corner in a division of last week’s third leg, finds himself in third of Monday’s three $50,000 USD splits.
“We bought him to be a mid- to higher-level condition horse that could go up and down the ladder,” Dilloian said. “He wasn’t supposed to be this calibre of horse, but some of them just seem to fit the program and overachieve while others might turn into a bit of a disappointment sometimes.
“He’s so good on a half, and he’s such a sound horse, it’s one of those rare occasions where Yonkers doesn’t really take a toll on him. He takes care of himself quite a bit. He’s a pretty good horse, for sure.”
The first indication Soho Firestone A might be more than expected came the first time the gelding qualified in April 2025, with Jason Bartlett in the sulky.
“He was a nice horse from day one, but when you train him, he’s not overly impressive,” Dilloian said. “He just does his work. He’s kind of lazy.
“When Jason qualified him the first time, he said (Soho Firestone A) was one of the better ones we’ve ever had. Still, the verdict was out. But from that day forward I don’t think he’s thrown in too many bad starts.”
Soho Firestone A, who has earned $424,969 in the U.S. and $541,458 lifetime, has won races in a variety of ways at Yonkers. He’s won multiple times going gate-to-wire, multiple times from the pocket, and multiple times from as far back as sixth place at three-quarters. He’s also won from first-over.
“I think the biggest thing is his versatility,” Dilloian said. “You can’t really put him in a bad spot against horses that he’s as good as. Obviously, in this series against horses like Captain Albano and Coaches Corner and those, you’ve got to leave the gate and get up close. You just can’t give up half a length to great horses like those.”
Dilloian also has been impressed with Soho Firestone A’s manners.
“You don’t even know he’s in the barn. You’ll never hear a peep out of him,” the trainer said. “And he’s such a quiet horse on the racetrack. But when it’s time to turn him to go to the gate, he’s just all business.”
Soho Firestone A will start Monday from post three in a field of seven, with Scott Zeron in the sulky. He is the 5-1 third choice on the morning line. Redwood Hanover, with Bartlett driving for trainer Per Engblom, is the 7-5 favourite after posting two wins and a second so far in the series. Two-time Dan Patch Award-winner Captain Albano, with Todd McCarthy driving for Noel Daley, is the 5-2 second choice.
In all four of his appearances this year — a qualifier and three Borgata starts — Soho Firestone A has been timed in 1:51.3 or faster. He is the only horse in the Borgata’s fourth round to go sub-1:52 in each of the first three legs.
“It’s pretty impressive,” Dilloian said. “Does he have the class of a (Captain) Albano or a Coaches Corner – those are world champions. If all things are equal, they probably have a little bit of a notch above us, but who knows. Does he take the next step this year? It’s possible. I’m not doubting him, I just try to be realistic.
“We’re ready to roll. We just need a little bit of luck, and we’ll see how it shakes out.”
Coaches Corner is the 9-5 morning-line favourite in the first Borgata division. Huntinthelastdolar is the even-money choice in the second.
Racing begins at 6:45 p.m. (EDT). For a free Yonkers Raceway past performance program courtesy the Standardbred Owners Association of New York, click here.
(USTA)