Reports indicate the fastest sophomore trotter in harness racing history will return to the racetrack to compete as a four-year-old in 2019.
Six Pack, who was both the first three-year-old trotting colt to win a race in 1:50 and sub-1:50, will head back into training under the care of Ake Svanstedt. According to an article in Sweden's Travronden, there was interest in having the horse retire and stand at stud in 2019.
"We received a nice bid from Hanover Shoe Farms," said Svanstedt. "Jeff Gural, who is a part owner of many horses in the stable and is our biggest owner, would love to continue to compete. The gang from Kalmar also wants to continue with him, they are happy about the decision."
Svanstedt co-owns Six Pack (Muscle Mass - Pleasing Lady) along with Gural's Little E LLC, Stall Kalmar FF of Sweden and Lars Berg of Denmark. The astute $30,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale purchase sports a two-season summary of 15-4-1 from 23 starts and more than $1.35 million in earnings.
Six Pack captured two legs of trotting's Triple Crown -- the Yonkers Trot and the Kentucky Futurity. In the Futurity's second and final heat, Six Pack established a new world record of 1:49.1, the third fastest winning time ever for a trotter behind Homicide Hunter (1:48.4) and former Svanstedt pupil Sebastian K (1:49f).
Earlier in the year, Six Pack set a new track record at The Meadowlands by virtue of his 1:50 win in a division of the Stanley Dancer Memorial. Clearly blessed with speed, Svanstedt stated that Six Pack also has the size required to compete in the older trotting ranks.
"Given that he is so big he should be even better next year. That is what I hope."
Svanstedt also indicated that Six Pack will breed some mares in the state of New Jersey at Walnridge Farm, not far from the trainer's base of operations in Wrightstown, N.J.