The top three-year-old pacers in North America in terms of wins – and the winningest horse in North America this year, bar none – are all members of the same stable!
And if you noted the origin of this story, you could probably make a pretty good guess that the stable belongs to Roger Hammer, 'King of the Pennsylvania County Fairs,' conqueror of the 2005 Hambletonian with $3 million+ winner Vivid Photo, and indefatigable at 63-years-young.
Bell On Wheels, a filly, is the top winner on the continent so far this year with 18. She is 18-18 at the fairs (despite some weeks having two fairs) after 19 stops on the circuit, with her only rival the weather – rain washed out her race at Butler. Her female compatriot, Real Espresso, has 17 victories this season.
The sophomore colt Lahaye also has 17 triumphs in 2009, and is 15-15 on the fair circuit. He has two all-age track records (1:55.1 at Gratz and 1:58.4 at Meadville), tied another at Indiana, set divisional records at Port Royal and York, and tied the divisional record at Clearfield.
All this 'Hammer Time' in fair victory lanes has raised his UDR to .431, tying him with Canadian Marcel Barrieau atop the 300-499 drives category. Roger has six national UDR titles in his career – and his dad, Clay, had five.
Other Pennsylvania horses ranking high are two-year-old pacing colts Luscious Al (trained by Hammer), tied for first with 12 wins, and DVC Givemeattitude (trained by Dave Brickell) one behind with 11, and three-year-old trotting colt Columbia County (trainer John McMullen Jr.) tied for first billing on his list with 13 triumphs.
(Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission)