Trevor Ritchie has ended his winter holiday of 2011-2012 and appears ready to return to active race bike duty after resurfacing at the Saturday morning qualifying races on April 7 at The Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park
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Ritchie was enlisted for bike duty in the session by Pompano-based trainer Jim McDonald. After piloting The Aviator to a runner-up finish in a 2:02 mile behind the Gregg McNair pupil Stonebridge Catch, Ritchie guided three-year-old gelding trotter Brandon Cs to a 2:01 win.
It was the first race bike action for Ritchie since last November 24 at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. The 55-year-old reinsman, who has amassed 3,652 career wins for over $68.7 million in purses, resides near Acton, Ont. and spends his winter months in Florida. Although his nickname reflects his special skill with trotters from victories in prestigious events such at The Hambletonian and Maple Leaf Trot, Ritchie also counts wins in pacing's premier events such as the '86 North America Cup (Quite A Sensation) and '87 Meadowlands Pace (Frugal Gourment) among his career accomplishments.
Another winner for Guelph, Ont. resident McNair during the morning session was North America Cup eligible Secretsoftheknight, who followed up a 1:55 qualifying win last week with a nine length score in 1:56.1. Last year's Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots champion was piloted by Wally Hennessey. The Mach Three-Docs Reward colt has been assessed at odds of 65-1 in Trot Magazine's Spring Book.
(With files from Pompano Park)