It was a muddy night, but the conditions were perfect for Sauble Jackson, who made history Saturday at Hanover Raceway. The 11-year-old Northern Luck gelding had been stuck on 49 career wins for over a month, mainly due to an injury at the farm, but the classy veteran conquered the sloppy track en route to a decisive 2:00.2 victory.
Fifty wins is an impressive benchmark for any horse and speaks to the durability and endurance they must show to reach the elusive number. Sauble Jackson has won at just about every level during his long and profitable career.
As a two-year-old, Sauble Jackson immediately showed his class winning three Ontario Sires Stakes races and over $100,000. His lifetime mark came as a three-year-old in a blazing hot 1:52.2 at Hiawatha Horse Park in Sarnia, Ont. Saturday night, his mile time was a long way from that impressive mark, but nevertheless he looked dominant.
He has been the class of the claiming ranks for years at Hanover Raceway. This year he’s won five of his eight starts overall, and five of six at the Hanover oval.
After the race, Terry Fritz was happy he was the driver on record for win number 50.
“He’s a really nice horse and easy to drive. Once he gets behind the gate, he just knows what to do,” explained the veteran driver. “I drove him a bunch last year and won with him a few times here. He’s just a classy horse.”
His trainer agrees. Larry Hall of Tara, Ont. bred Sauble Jackson and has had him ever since, except for a two month period when he was shipped south as a two-year-old.
“I had his mother and his grandmother," said Hall. "His mother was a really good mare, Sauble Evelyn.”
Sauble Jackson has been consistent for Hall throughout his career, bankrolling over $340,000 in purses.
“It’s been nice having him," said Hall. "He’s just such a good horse. He raced in the OSS Golds when he was young, and here tonight he’s in a claiming race, but he knows how to win.”
He’s proven that 50 times in his long, successful career.
Racing continues next Saturday night at Hanover, and will include the crowning of the 2012 Hanover Ambassador’s of the Fair, as the 148th Hanover Bentinck and Brant Agricultural Fair kicks off on Friday. The Fair starts up with exhibits inside the grandstand, the midway will roll into town, and Hanover Raceway will play host to a tribute to Elvis, as Peter Irwin takes the stage with the Jailhouse Rock Band. Tickets are just $20 in advance and ticket details and a schedule of events are available at hanoverraceway.com. The Fair continues all weekend long.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway.
(With files from Hanover Raceway)