Red Mile: World record for Atlanta, Ecurie D impresses in Allerage Trots

Atlanta joined Manchego as the co-fastest trotting mare in harness racing history by winning the $81,000 Allerage Farms Open Mare Trot on Sunday afternoon at The Red Mile in 1:49. Ecurie D, who was making his U.S. debut after one qualifier at the Meadowlands, took the companion $136,000 event for male trotters in 1:50 4/5.

Felicityshagwell S (Ake Svanstedt) led through fractions of 27 3/5, 54 3/5, and 1:22 1/5 in the mare trot, but When Dovescry (David Miller) attacked first-up from third on the last turn, with Atlanta (Yannick Gingras) grabbing that cover. In the stretch When Dovescry gained a narrow advantage, but Atlanta was full of trot while widest. She blew by When Dovescry and then drew off to win by 3 3/4 lengths. When Dovescry ended up second and Hypnotic AM (Brian Sears) was the third-place finisher.

The 1:49 clocking did make Atlanta the world record holder for a 5YO+ mare, as she eclipsed the 1:49 2/5 standard set by Hannelore Hanover.

"She's just amazing. When she's right, she can go with any trotter in the world in my opinion," said Gingras. "I was really pleased with her today. She had a little down a last couple of starts. She was sick, and we couldn't really get her over the sickness, but she seems like she's out of it. I don't know if she surprised me because she's just amazing, and she's been doing it for years now."

Ron Burke trains Atlanta, a 6-year-old Chapter Seven mare, for owners Crawford Farms Racing, Bradley Grant, and Howard Taylor. She has 30 wins from 60 career starts, has now earned $2,978,602, and paid $4.40 to win.

While the Breeders Crown is still to come for Atlanta, today's victory had her connections thinking about next year's Elitloppet.

"Yannick just asked if we were going to Sweden. I said 'hey, I'm in.' He's booking his ticket, so I guess it's something that we talk about with the partners and see how they feel about it. And obviously Ronnie, too. He's the main decision," stated Michelle Crawford. "If she stays healthy and she's good [the Breeders Crown Open Trot] is where we're going."

Ecurie D (Ake Svanstedt), a star trotter in Europe and a finalist in this year's Elitloppet, led through fractions of 28 1/5, 56, and 1:23 4/5 on his way to a 2 1/4 length decision in the Allerage Farms Open Trot. Forbidden Trade (Bob McClure) rallied from fourth-over to come in second, and It's Academic (Gingras) was third after following Ecurie D's stablemate Back Of The Neck (Scott Zeron) from second-over.

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"He raced very well in Europe, so this was not a surprise," remarked Svanstedt.

Ecurie D, a 5-year-old Infinitif stallion, is trained by Svanstedt, and he also co-owns him with Marko Kreivi Stables Inc. and Suleyman Yuksel Stables Inc. Ecurie D is a 16-time winner from 22 attempts, pushed his bankroll to $458,369. He returned $3.40 to win.

"He has been racing very good in Sweden and all of Europe since he was 3, and the owner wanted to try something new. They knew he's good on big mile tracks like this, so that was the main goal to put him here," added Sarah Svanstedt."We weren't really sure he was going to get in because he has no money this year, and it was based on 2021 earnings. When I saw it was just eight horses in the box, it was a happy moment, and the owner was very happy too. It was just perfect, the horse performed, and he's gorgeous. We're going to see and have a lot of fun with him in the future.

"It looked easy, and it's his first start. Many people thought maybe he was hunting for the world record today, but we're going to take it step by step with him. The next mission might be the Breeders Crown. He has to supplement, and we'll see how he gets out of this race to start with. I look forward to the next year with him. That's the key for him. I'm happy and I hope everybody enjoyed seeing him."