Rideau Carleton Raceway's Norm Borg has compiled a few notes of interest heading into the 45th edition of the Frank Ryan Memorial Trot scheduled for this Sunday, September 6 at the Ottawa oval
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In the 44 previous Frank Ryans, both trot and pace, only one horse has won the title three times - Goodtimes in 1996 1998 and 1999. Abbey Road C has the second most with two championships in 2003 and 2004. (Dream Maker won the Frank Ryan twice when it was a pacing event in 1978 and 1979).
One driver has won the title three times - Dave Wall, all on Goodtimes.
One horse has won the Frank Ryan and the Maple Leaf Trot in the same year - Goodtimes in 1999.
One driver has won the Frank Ryan Trot and the Maple Leaf trot in the same year - Dave Wall on Goodtimes.
One driver has won the Frank Ryan title twice - Keith Jones with Abbey Road C in 2003 and 2004.
2003 - The only year the Frank Ryan Trot was contested in two divisions producing two champions - Abbey Road C and Oaklea Julian.
Two - The number of drivers that have a shot at winning a second Frank Ryan - Mario Baillargeon aboard Ziegler Hanover. He won with Oaklea Julian in 2003, and Mike Saftic with Armbro Chronicle. He won with Corn Cob Conch in 2001.
One driver in the field has a shot of being the only driver to win both the Des Smith and the Frank Ryan in the same year – Randy Waples won aboard Silent Swing.
First Timers. If Scott Zeron wins aboard Merited Victory, it will mark the first time a father-son tandem has won the Frank Ryan. Rick Zeron won with Stiletto in 2006.
If Simon Allard wins with Rose Run Hooligan, it will mark the first time a pair of brothers teamed up as driver/trainer to win the Frank Ryan. Rene Allard is Simon's brother.
Who’s Your Daddy?
Balanced Image is the direct sire of the horse that has won the most Frank Ryan championships - Goodtimes. He’s the grand sire on the dam's side of the of the horse that has won the second most Frank Ryan Titles - Abbey Road C.
Self Possessed has sired two Frank Ryan winners - Cash Hall and this year’s returning champ, Armbro Chronicle.
Prior to the track record of 1:53 set by Majestic Son in 2007, the fastest Frank was put up by Goodtimes in 1993 - 1:53.3 a difference of just three lengths. Going back to the first Frank Ryan Trot in 1996, the time set by, you guessed it, Goodtimes, was 1:57.2 a difference of 22 lengths.
To view Sunday's harness racing entries, click here