Ness keeping Kerness K in winable spots

Kerness K tied the mark for most North American wins in 2026 last Saturday, notching his sixth straight victory with a furious rally at Delaware Park. Claimed back by Jamie Ness in March, the 4-year-old gelding has come alive while tearing through starter-allowance conditions in the Mid-Atlantic.

“We were lucky to get him back, and I think he’s just a good horse that’s taking advantage,” Ness said. “I’m spotting him in conditions where he’s going to be the 1-5 favorite. Hopefully, we can keep him in $7,500 starter allowance conditions and keep that streak going.”

With his late-flying victory in an $8,000 starter/optional-claiming race on Saturday, Kerness K tied the Indiana-bred mare Hurricane Lassie with six victories in 2026. He has won his races in consecutive starts, which also gives him one of the longest active winning streaks.

After trainer Brittany Russell claimed the Maryland-bred in December 2024, Ness tried to get him back in a $30,000 claiming race at Aqueduct a year later but failed due to a botched claim slip submission. He pounced when he saw him entered for a $7,500 tag at Laurel Park in March, a race he won by six lengths to kickstart his streak.

Ness also trains Paco the Taco Man, who is tied for the second most victories in 2026 with five. Like Kerness K, he began his career with Ness and had to be reacquired through a claim.

“Sometimes, getting your old guys back works out pretty good,” Ness said. “It’s a thing about claiming horses back. You know them. I know [Paco the Taco Man]. I know [Kerness K]. So we always try to take back the horses that we like.”

In another torrid stretch, Paco the Taco Man has won four straight at Laurel and Parx Racing.

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