Gord Brown earns his commission each time he climbs into the sulky behind the trotter Ken Kan Win, who will be vying for his third straight victory this Saturday night (July 23) at Kawartha Downs.
“He’s certainly not a kid’s horse, he wants to go 100 all the time,” explained Brown, the leading driver at the Fraserville, Ont. oval. “You have to be very quiet with him, especially on the turns. It used to be the first turn he’d have trouble with, now it’s the second one for some reason.”
Trainer Ronda Markle called upon Gord to qualify the horse last month. It was only the second time he had driven the now six-year-old having guided him in a qualifier last October. Similar to the first time he drove the horse, Ken Kan Win made a break in stride.
“After that race I suggested some changes including adding a screen to his bridle. That simply cuts down his vision so he’s not shying away from things and helps him focus,” noted Brown, who has trained his fair share of horses over the years.
Brown’s experience and knowledge has certainly benefited Ken Kan Win, who has won his last two races with Brown at the lines by more than 16 lengths in total.
“He has some talent, he’s slick and can go very fast,” complimented Brown. “Some horses get calmer the more they race and others are like him, they just (want) to go all the time.”
Markle is the breeder of Ken Kan Win, who is owned by Shaun Moscrop of Cobourg, Ont. Markle also trained Ken Kan Win’s mother, Win By Chin, who raced quite a bit at Kawartha and earned $64,000 in her career before being retired to the broodmare ranks.
Unraced at both two and three, Ken Kan Win’s first start came as a four-year-old. Last year, at five, was his best, with six wins In 14 starts for $42,200 earned. He’s struggled with breaking stride this year, but under Brown’s patient tutelage he seems to have found his rhythm.
Ken Kan Win will start from Post 6 in the ninth race at Kawartha on Saturday night.
First-race post time is 7 p.m.
To view the harness racing entries for Saturday at Kawartha, click the following link: Saturday Entries – Kawartha Downs.
(Kawartha Downs)