Under very different conditions on Hambletonian Day 2024, two of harness racing's current stars flirted with world record speed. Will those records be broken this year?
On the pace, the fastest mile time ever is 1:45.4, set by Bulldog Hanover in 2022. On the trot, that record has lasted a bit longer with Homicide Hunter's 1:48.4 mile coming in 2018. By virtue of his 1:46.2 mile in the Cane Pace, Legendary Hanover came within three-fifths of a second on the pacing side. A few races later, trotter Jiggy Jog S stormed home for a 1:49.2 victory in the Cashman Memorial to also come within three-fifths of a second off the world mark over one mile.
Is there more speed to come this year from those two, or others?
Ten years ago, trainers and drivers discussed speed and world records in a SC video feature. At that time, we asked what will the world record for a trotter and a pacer would be in five years. This year, we revisited that topic by chatting with some of the trainers and drivers participating on the Charles Juravinski Memorial Cup card at Flamboro Downs at the end of May. Included in that discussion is the pilot for the fastest pacing mile ever — Dexter Dunn, also the driver of the aforementioned Jiggy Jog — and the driver of this year's fastest pacer to date, James MacDonald.
What do you think the world record will be at the end of 2024 on the trot and on the pace? And what do you think the world record will be in five years on the trot and on the pace? Check out the video feature below.
(Standardbred Canada)