Buck I St Pat is ready for her road trip, although this one involves crossing the ocean. The six-year-old trotting mare on Wednesday left for Sweden, where her target is the prestigious Elitlopp on May 31 at Solvalla Raceway
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“She’s super,” trainer Ron Burke said. “I trained her Saturday. She’ll train one more time over there, and that’s it. I’m going over next Tuesday. I’ll be there to jog her the day before she trains and I’ll be there to train her. As long as everything goes fine with the ship, she’ll have no problem. I can’t see her having any problem; she’s pretty professional.”
Buck I St Pat has won three races in a row since beginning the season with a third-place finish in the opening round of the Classic Series at Dover Downs. Since then, she has won a Preferred Mares event at the Meadowlands in 1:54.1, the second leg of the Classic Series in 1:52.4, and the opening round of the Miss Versatility Series in 1:52.4.
She has won 34 of 60 races and $1.06 million in her career. She was the 2008 Dan Patch Award and Nova Award winner as best older female trotter, winning 10 of 14 races and $411,724 despite seeing her campaign cut short because of a tendon injury.
Tim Tetrick, who has won 11 of 13 career drives behind Buck I St Pat, will be in the sulky for the Elitlopp for owners Howard Taylor, Edwin Gold, Abraham Basen, and Ron Fuller.
Buck I St Pat will be facing male counterparts in the Elitlopp, although female trotters have had successes against the boys. Moni Maker and Peace Corps, for example, both won the Elitlopp.
“I guess it’s because (trotting) is based on more tactical and useable speed whereas the pace has become a true test of pure speed,” Burke said.
Buck I St Pat is the fastest female trotter in history on a five-eighths track, having won the 2008 Maxie Lee Memorial in 1:52.2 at Harrah's Chester. The Elitlopp is contested around a five-eighths oval.
Lifetime, Buck I St Pat has won 15 of 23 starts on a five-eighths track, and over her most recent 14 starts on a five-eighths she has never been worse than third.
“The closer we get, the happier I get,” Burke said. “I’m anxious to get over there. I think she’s going to be competitive. I think she has a legitimate chance.”
Enough Talk, a six-year-old gelding who was third in last year’s Elitlopp, also departed for Sweden on Wednesday despite being bothered by a pus pocket on his front right foot.
“I’m told by my vet it will definitely pop in the next four days, and then he’ll be fine,” trainer Peter Kleinhans said. “Today (Wednesday) it was really in full force, but that’s usually right before it pops. Usually when it pops, they’re perfect. Either it will be good, or we won’t race. I’m thinking it will probably be OK.”
Enough Talk, who is the only trotter in history to race a mile in less than 1:50, winning in 1:49.3 last year at Colonial Downs, has one victory in seven starts this year. He was seventh-placed-sixth in his most recent start, the Arthur J. Cutler Memorial, on May 16 at the Meadowlands. He was third in the Su Mac Lad, beaten by only a nose, and was third in the second round of the Classic Series. He has earned $1.1 million in his career.
“I feel basically good,” Kleinhans said. “I wish he wasn’t coming out of a bad race, but I think he will be OK.”
Kleinhans will be joined by family and friends on this trip to Sweden. His experiences last year contributed to his decision to return for this season’s Elitlopp.
“I loved it over there,” Kleinhans said. “It should just be an enjoyable trip. As far as a business decision, it’s about 50-50. But just for the experience, I want to go.”
Enough Talk will return to the U.S. following the Elitlopp. Kleinhans hopes to be ready for the Classic Series final at Mohawk Racetrack on June 13 and then the Titan Cup eliminations on June 26 at the Meadowlands.
(Harness Racing Communications)