Although he was unraced at two and enjoyed only modest success on the Ohio fairs circuit at three, Stride Of Pride has blossomed as an older horse. In fact, he’ll be seeking his third straight victory in Saturday’s $18,000 Preferred Handicap Pace at the Meadows.
The five-year-old Manhardt-Apple B gelding will start from Post 6 in Race 3 with Ronnie Wrenn Jr., who has been his pilot in both his recent victories.
Saturday’s card will also feature a pair of total-pool guarantees — $7,500 for the Pick 4 (Races 4-7), $5,000 for the Pick 5 (Races 9-13) — as well as a $3,949.20 jackpot for the Super High 5 (Race 13). In addition, Foiled Again, the richest Standardbred ever with more than $7.5 million in lifetime earnings, will try again for career victory No. 100 (Race 11, Post 9). First post will be at 1:05 p.m.
Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, LLC and RTC Stables purchased Stride Of Pride privately last September, a few months after observing him at Northfield Park.
“We watched him get to the half in :53 and still hang on to win,” said trainer Ron Burke. “You don’t see that very often. We approached the owners, but they said they had no interest in selling. A couple months later they got back to us, named their price and we were more than glad to buy him.
“He got sore, so we gave him a little break. He’s been super since then. I don’t know if he’s racing any better now, but I think he’s had more opportunities in better spots.”
Stride Of Pride, pictured taking his mark of 1:49.3 in the June 9 Preferred Handicap Pace at the Meadows
Stride Of Pride won 11 races last year and took his mark of 1:49.3 two weeks go. Perhaps the most pleasant surprise about his development, according to Burke, is his growing versatility.
“That’s the part I really like about him,” Burke says. “I thought he might have been a ‘full-speed’ horse, but didn’t know if we could race him off the pace. Now that we can, it makes him a little more dangerous.”
He indicated Stride Of Pride will continue to race at the Meadows in the immediate future, but may shift to Yonkers later in the year.
Saturday’s program will offer a number of ‘fan-centric’ activities. The ‘Rockin’ on the Rail’ series of Saturday live concerts will continue with a performance by Tony Janflone Jr. The music will begin on the apron at the conclusion of the races.
The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association will host ‘Harness Racing Bingo’ and offer paddock tours and starting gate rides. Fore more information or to participate, stop by the MSOA information table in the Racebook.
(Meadows)