It is not uncommon to see a female trotter receive a Dan Patch Award at both ages two and three. What is uncommon is to see one of those ladies win another award at age four.
Since the first Dan Patch Award for two-year-old filly trotters was handed out in 1978, only Peace Corps and CR Kay Suzie have accomplished the feat. Since the O'Brien Awards were incorporated in 1989, only Peaceful Way has swept her division from ages two through four.
When Ariana G launches her 2018 campaign in Saturday’s first round of the Graduate Series for four-year-old trotters, she will be the fourth female trotter in as many years to attempt to join that select group of Dan Patch Award winners. Ariana G, one of two mares to enter the Graduate Series opener, is the 2-1 morning-line favourite in the first of two $50,000 divisions.
A total of 13 filly trotters have won Dan Patch Awards at both ages 2 and 3, including Broadway Donna, Mission Brief, and Shake It Cerry in the three years prior to Ariana G.
Ariana G won 12 of 15 races last year and earned $1.17 million for owners Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld, who also bred the horse. Trained by Jimmy Takter and driven by Yannick Gingras, her victories included the Hambletonian Oaks, Breeders Crown, and Elegantimage Stakes.
For her career, Ariana G has won 21 of 26 races and earned $1.98 million.
Katz told Hoof Beats magazine the decision to bring Ariana G back rather than to start her on a broodmare career was based on conversations with Takter. Those talks began during the middle of last year’s racing season.
“We have the greatest of respect for Jimmy Takter’s opinion,” Katz said. “He felt she deserved the right to come back and that she was certainly capable of coming back and racing with any and all, and could develop into a great aged mare as well.”
Added Gingras, “There’s only so many horses like her. She’s very special and you hate to see a horse like her go to the breeding shed too early. There’s no doubt every time I stepped on the racetrack with her, I knew I had the best horse in the race. Maybe it didn’t work out the way we wanted every time, but she’s very special and she gives 100 percent each time.”
Ariana G, winning her April 28 qualifier at The Meadowlands
Ariana G faced male rivals on three occasions last year. She won an elimination of the Earl Beal Jr. Memorial and finished third in the final. She also finished second in the Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial. Her foes Saturday are New Jersey Viking, Bills Man, Lindy The Great, Yes Mickey, Fraser Ridge, Dunbar Hall, and Sortie.
In the second division of the Graduate, Achille Duharas is the 5-2 morning-line favourite. The remainder of the field is Moonshiner Hanover, Lord Cromwell, Swell Chap, International Moni, Don Dream, and the mare Barn Bella.
Racing begins at 7:15 p.m. (EDT). The Meadowlands card also includes second-round action in three other series -- the Rainbow Blue, Escort, and Hot Lead. For those arriving at the track early, harness racing’s all-time richest horse, 14-year-old pacer Foiled Again, will be in a qualifier at approximately 5:15 p.m. as he gets ready to resume his season before retiring at the end of the year.
(with files from USTA)