American Risk, a popular horse in Nova Scotia, will make his first start in New Brunswick in Saturday's (June 4) top overnight event at Exhibition Park Raceway in Saint John.
In four starts this season, the six-year-old son of American Ideal is undefeated and has two victories over the half-mile Truro Raceway in 1:56.2.
American Risk sports a lifetime mark of 1:53.2, taken at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Ontario. Purchased for $13,000 as a yearling, the pacer found his way to the Maritimes after being claimed in Ontario for $10,000 by a new ownership group known as the Risky Bizz Group out of Truro, N.S.
Co-owner Andrea Rennison, whose husband, George, trains the pacer, said the couple knew it had something special in American Risk from Day 1.
"We were looking to get a horse that we could sell shares in to get more people involved in the industry ... new people," Rennison said.
"One of the great things about ownership groups such as American Risk's, it brings new people around the barn and brings with it a spirit of camaraderie among the owners, win or lose. Risk has owners that have never owned their own horse before and also brought back some who had been out of the game for as many as 10 years. They have simply just fallen in love with him."
On the track, the ownership group has started the 2022 campaign with American Risk with four straight wins.
Driver Todd Trites has driven American Risk on many occasions.
"Risk is just a real solid horse. He has great gate speed, which often results in front-end efforts, but he can also come from off the pace when called upon to do so," Trites said.
The veteran driver said he isn't yet sure of American Risk's future for this summer.
"I feel he is more of a top-class horse than an invitational," said Trites. "Could he keep up with the big boys? Perhaps, but he is in a stable that manages their horses well and it's probably in his best interests to race within himself."
Trites, a former dash winning champion in Atlantic Canada, said he would like to see more ownership groups, such as American Risk's, in the Maritimes.
"And, if they are fortunate enough to get a horse like American Risk with a stable like the Rennisons', it's great for the industry," he said.
American Risk drew Post 6 in the $2,600 overnight top-class at EPR.
"It should be a fun race this Saturday with a nice field of horses. I drew outside one of my favorite horses (Woodmere Ideal Art) who has great owners and I hated to have to choose between the two, but he is in the capable hands of Kyle Mason, a great young driver coming into his own," Trites said.
"It is shaping up to be a great battle. I am looking forward to getting back driving in New Brunswick again this season."
Saturday's race card at EPR, presented by Horse Racing New Brunswick, begins at 1 p.m.
To view Saturday's harness racing entries, click on the following link: Saturday Entries - Exhibition Park Raceway
(With files from HRNB)