The field for the 2021 TVG Open Trot is loaded with talent, but two of the division's heavyweights were not listed in the entries when the draw was published on Tuesday.
After two impressive North American starts, Ecurie D has definitely made a statement and quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. The five-year-old son of Infinitif - To Soon is owned by trainer Ake Svanstedt along with Marko Kreivi Stables Inc. and Suleyman Yuksel Stables Inc. of Delray Beach, Fl., and his trainer has indicated that the horse is not injured but has been shut down for the season.
"We want to confirm that Ecurie D has made his last start for 2021," said the stable in a social media post. "After a long racing season from early April in Europe we decided to give him a well deserved rest. We are looking forward bringing him back for his 2022 session!"
Lifetime, Ecurie D sports a summary of 17-2-0 from 23 international starts with $783,369 earnings and a mark of 1:50.4 taken at The Red Mile.
Like Ecurie D, Lindy The Great has been shut down for the year although his rest came much earlier. Trainer Julie Miller indicated that the 2021 Maple Leaf Trot winner was put away after a ninth-place finish in the Caesars Trot at Hoosier Park in September.
"After the last start he was just telling us he wanted to have a vacation," said Miller. "He will be back next year!"
Now seven, Lindy The Great (Crazed - Highscore Kemp) has never been greater than he was in 2021. In 12 starts, Lindy The Great posted a 4-3-3 summary and was never worse than three lengths off the leader in all but one of his defeats. Lifetime, Lindy The Great boasts more than $1.5 million in earnings with a mark of 1:51.1 taken at Woodbine Mohawk Park in 2019. He's owned by Andy Miller Stable Inc. of Millstone Township, N.J., John Schmucker of Grabill, In., John Mehlenbacher of Oakville, Ont. and VIP Internet Stable LLC of Piscataway, N.J.