Meadowlands: What The Hill defeats older rivals in TVG Open Trot final

What The Hill was given the opportunity to take on older foes by trainer Ron Burke and his ownership group, and he rewarded their faith by winning the $350,000 TVG Open Trot final on Saturday night at the Meadowlands in 1:51 4/5.

With David Miller at the controls, What The Hill left out from post five and cleared fellow Burke barn resident and favorite Crazy Wow (Yannick Gingras) for the top spot at the 27 second opening quarter. Crazy Wow went back to the front, though, and he would go on to reach the half in 55 3/5.

Lookslikeachpndale (Daniel Dube) came with a big rush out of the fourth position on the final bend, and he would get to within a quarter of a length of Crazy Wow at the 1:24 2/5 three-quarters, but in the stretch What The Hill had ample room up the inside to go on the attack, and he would overhaul the top two on his way to a three-quarter length victory. Burke's third horse in the race, Dayson (Matt Kakaley), trotted from sixth and last at three-quarters to finish second, and Pinkman (Brian Sears), who got locked in behind horses in the lane, wound up third.

"That was my plan, to leave, and I figured Yannick would cover him back up," said Miller. " In the last turn he was very strong, but I was like anytime, I need some room now. I'm very proud of him. For him to step up and do this, I think it's a big credit for him. He's ended the year up super.

"I think he is getting better. That’s saying something beating these older horses."

This year's Canadian Trotting Classic and Breeders Crown winner, What The Hill is trained by Ron Burke and owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC., Our Horse Cents Stables, J And T Silva Stables LLC., and Deo Volente Farms LLC. A colt by Muscle Hill, What The Hill won for the 12th time in his racing career, and he has banked $1,265,614. The 5-1 fourth choice, What The Hill returned $12.80 to win.

"That's not my call; I'll leave it to Gene (Kurzrok) and Ronnie Burke, who has done a fantastic job with the horse," said co-owner Mike Gulotta (Deo Volente Farms) when asked if What The Hill would continue to race at age four. "We're just so proud of our affiliation with both of those guys and with the rest of the owners."