Veteran trainer/driver Roger Mayotte will harness his star pupil, Escape The Wind, one final time to celebrate the 11-year-old gelding's retirement at Mohawk Racetrack, Saturday evening
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The Woodbine Entertainment Group will host the retirement ceremony for the Mayotte trainee during Mohawk’s opening weekend.
The veteran pacer will retire with a record of 62-25-27 in 224 starts and $2,129,244 in lifetime earnings.
Escape The Wind will be on hand at Mohawk’s front entrance to pose for pictures with fans from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The double millionaire will lead the fifth race post parade. There will also be a retirement presentation in the winner's circle prior to the race.
Throughout the card of racing, a video tribute will be played to highlight the bay’s stellar career.
Escape The Wind is owned by Mayotte, Ross Warriner, Lou Liebenau and Stavros Kourgiantakis of the Venture 2000 Stable.
First-race post time on Saturday, May 21 is 7:10 p.m.
What a fitting tribute to a
What a fitting tribute to a great horse and a great trainer. There's a reason Escape the Wind retired at 11. Roger could have raced him for another year or 2 but he knows that Escape and him were lucky to find each other, they have both benefited from their relationship. Roger will make sure that Escape will go to a good home and thanks to Bonnie Holland, has easily adapted to riding under saddle as most standardbreds do. A truly happy ending to a fantastic racing career. Congratulations to the entire Mayotte family and the connections of Escape the Wind.