Meadowlands: On To Norway trots North America's fastest-ever mile in Graduate final

On To Norway seized vindication from defeat in the $230,000 Stan Bergstein Graduate Series final for 4-year-old trotters on Saturday night at the Meaadowlands with a 1:48 3/5 mile, the fastest-ever trotted in North America, to make his first return to the winner's circle since the end of his 27-race win streak.

Driver Yannick Gingras sent the Ron Burke pupil forward out of post nine and found a seat in fourth as Walspea sped to the lead in a 26 3/5 first quarter. Gingras idled up the backstretch as Walspea maintained sharp speed to a 53 4/5 half until Mr Mouton edged off the pylons from third to take a shot in the last turn. Walspea remained on the muscle through the last turn as Mr Mouton stalled, prompting Gingras to duck to the pylons as the field straggled to three-quarters in 1:21 1/5.

Despite the quick fractions, Walspea stayed game in the stretch as pocket-popping Meshuggah rolled off-stride with favorite Super Chapter closing over the top from third-over, but On To Norway emerged from his inside seam to split rivals late and strike the winning blow by a neck. Super Chapter settled for second with Walspea finishing third and Mr Mouton taking fourth.

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"Tonight he was sharp," Yannick Gingras said after the race. "I didn't think he was quite as good last time, but the first time I drove him he was pretty aggressive in the post parade. Last time he raced him he was pretty nice and I was like 'Maybe he's not quite himself.' Tonight he was definitely full of himself in the post parade and he delivered. I thought I had it like 50 yards to the wire. I felt pretty confident there."

Winning his 32nd race from 39 starts, On To Norway has now earned $840,131. His 1:48 3/5 mile bests the track record for 4-year-old trotting geldings that he established on June 12 this year when winning a Graduate Series prelim in 1:49 3/5. The mark also lowers the all-age North American trotting record by Homicide Hunter of 1:48 4/5 set in 2018 and earlier on Saturday night's Meadowlands program by Bourbonista S and beats the previous stakes record of 1:49 1/5 set in 2019 when Atlanta won the Graduate Trot.

Ron Burke trains the 4-year-old gelding by Muscle Massive-One Class Act for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Frank Baldachino, Black And White Stable and Michael Rosenthal. He paid $9.40 to win.