The next wave of harness racing superstars have started to make appearances at racetracks across North America with the first successfully qualifying two-year-olds of 2017.
North America's first two-year-old to win a qualifier came in Canada. Dr. Trevin Shive of Nova Scotia was guaranteed to boast claim to that horse on May 14 by having two two-year-olds ready to go in a two-horse qualifier at Truro Raceway. P H Hippie and driver Todd Trites bested stablemate P H Rocket (Shive) in a 2:07 mile. One week later, P H Hippie was victorious again with a 2:04.1 performance that was 15 lengths better than P H Rocket.
An $11,000 yearling purchase of Dr. Jim Shive, P H Hippie (Sportswriter - Miracle Luck) sold at Harrisburg as Sports Debt for breeder Jeff Ruch of Ontario.
Four days after P H Hippie's first qualifier, M T Gunslinger etched his name in the books as North America's first sub-2:00 qualifying winner of the year. With trainer Charles Arthur driving, M T Gunslinger knocked off a group of three-year-olds at Hawthorne Racecourse on May 18 to qualify in a swift 1:57.2.
A son of Straight Shooting - Ive Got The Life, M T Gunslinger is owned by Eugene Miller Jr. of Brandon, Miss.
Keep tabs on harness racing's two-year-olds -- and their sires -- throughout the year with SC's two-year-old winners page.