Harness: Master class driving performance by Gingras in Graduate Trot

When we speak about trotters, quite often trainers reveal how talented they are physically but not always mentally. It's a subtle jab at horses that can run fast and freely, but when asked to relax or stay composed can't handle the consequences mentally and rebel. The reality of our sport is that the fastest horses don't always win races, or, for that matter, it's not always the driver that can make the most speed that gets the job done.

Last Saturday, while the Meadowlands Pace elimination was being held, the highlight of the night for me was the Graduate Series final for 4-year-old trotters. It was an incredible mixture of horse talent, and in less than 1:49 (1:48 3/5 to be exact), revealed the finest characteristics in the sport's elite horses, as well as some incredibly quick-thinking drivers.

To recap, On To Norway and Yannick Gingras prevailed in a race that for 95 percent of its action looked to be an impossibility. The race was a departure of 99 percent of all races contested at the Meadowlands in the fact that a 63-1 shot, namely Walspea, one of two mares in the race, was cutting the pace and not simply looking to yield to the favorite. Driver Tim Tetrick used the incredible quickness the Walner-sired mare possesses to sprint to the lead quickly with Walspea and not simply grab up and wait for the favorites to arrive. Tetrick's decision added to the mystique of the race as it forced the hands of both Yannick Gingras with On To Norway and Dexter Dunn behind the favorite Super Chapter.

While Walspea established command through a solid 26 3/5 opening quarter, Gingras and On To Norway were conducting their own race in the middle of the pack. Super Chapter, with Dunn, had put himself behind the second choice On To Norway deftly on the first turn, but was not advancing as Gingras patiently handled his horse through a 53 4/5 first-half and awaited something he knew was going to happen next.

Ake Svanstedt had third choice Mr Mouton in third for the opening-half and certainly wasn't going to stay there with the 63-1 shot in front, followed in second by 21-1 Meshuggah. Gingras had to always know this, but still to his credit also must have had extreme confidence in On To Norway's capacity to take air and keep trotting.

Mr Mouton did not prove to be much help to either Gingras or Dexter Dunn behind Super Chapter. While the half appeared to be something likely to strain the leader, Walspea and Tetrick continued the torrid pace, obviously trying to distance themselves from as many horses as possible before the stretch drive and then hold on as best as possible in the final quarter.

Tetrick's mastery was in force as Walspea hit three-quarters on a clear lead in 1:21 1/5 and had gained separation from the group, with Mr Mouton spinning his wheels on the outside, Meshuggah struggling to keep pace, and eventually Warrior making a miscue near the half that to Gingras' winning moves.

When Warrior broke, Gingras moved On To Norway closer to the pylons, and this put Dunn and Super Chapter now following a stalled Mr Mouton as the crucial final quarter approached. While On To Norway saved great distance, Super Chapter had to go three-wide through the final turn.

Surprisingly, Walspea continued to respond to Tetrick's urging and seemed on the verge of pulling off an incredible upset for much of the stretch drive. Super Chapter was gaining ground slowly but surely and seemed to have the leader in his sights with enough time to seal the victory. Gingras had a refreshed On To Norway, a horse that clearly knows where the finish line is following an historic winning streak in Indiana, looking for room to rally. While Gingras had made all the right moves up until this point, he still needed a little hand from lady luck, and she answered the call as Meshuggah broke stride in the pocket and in doing so opened a clear lane for On To Norway to explore.

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On To Norway surged through and showed the heart of a champion to earn the victory and world record in the process, as well as the lion's share of the $230,000 purse. It was a master class by Gingras, giving On To Norway every chance to win despite a bad draw (post nine) and a predominantly overland journey.

Dunn recognized early with Super Chapter that it would require a trip for him to win and put himself behind the horse he needed to beat. The outcome for Dunn changed when Gingras went inside and the cover that replaced him stalled his momentum. Tetrick, for his part, drove brilliantly as well, as he took advantage of the situation and did not grab leather and look for the proverbial two-hole trip with his longshot. Walspea was brilliant racing with the boys and finished the mile in a world record 1:48 3/5; one she won't get credit for but essentially did all the work.

The cerebral part of driving is often overlooked but was clearly on display, not just in the Graduate final for trotters but in the Dave Brower Memorial. While Dexter Dunn got the favored Ervin Hanover home with a sharp drive that got him the front before the half and eventually a bit of cover in the pocket, to me James MacDonald showed the instinct and intelligence in winding up second here with Oakwood Ardan IR. MacDonald, driving the 35-1 veteran from post three, refused to get pinned along the pylons going into the first turn. His move put Oakwood Ardan IR in the outer flow with favored Ervin Hanover and Ken Hanover, first- and second-over in front of him, respectively.

Oakwood Ardan IR would eventually lose that cover, but he would be close enough to the action when the three-quarters was reached in 1:19 4/5, with Ken Hanover in front and Ervin Hanover ready to roar out of the pocket. MacDonald kept his charge motivated right to the wire and despite the arduous journey bravely held off Jason Bartlett and Coaches Corner for the runner-up spot.

While we can all appreciate great horses, it's important to recognize not just the physical attributes of our leading drivers. The top pilots need to navigate between horses before they get on the track and then map out strategy, quite often changing plans multiple times within a race. Their true brilliance is often revealed under the most pressure in the biggest races.