When the 2023 season started, Tennessee Tom was not in the Burke Racing Stable. After one of the stable’s top prospects was injured, the search was on for a replacement.
Ron Burke turned to Mark Weaver, who purchased a pair of young trotters, including Tennessee Tom, who went on to be named Ohio’s top Two-Year-Old Colt Trotter.
“The horse was ready to go when we got him. He turned out to be a killer,” said Burke.
Two weeks after buying Tennessee Tom, the son of Long Tom finished second in The Next Generation and then won three of the next four races.
Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Knox Services and Hatfield Stable, Tennessee Tom hit the board in eight of nine starts, winning five including the Ohio Sires Stakes Scarlet Championship and the Ohio Fair Stakes, earning $456,350. He was bred by Albert Miller.
Tennessee Tom will be honoured at the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association Annual Awards Banquet on Jan. 13, 2024 at the Mariott Columbus OSU in Columbus, Ohio. Tickets to the banquet are $30 each and can be purchased by calling the association's office at 614-221-3650.
The 2023 Ohio Horse of the Year will be announced at the annual awards banquet.
(Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)