Driver Lauren Tritton became the first female driver in harness racing history to not only start in the $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield Park, but also the first to win it steering Lochinvar Art to a 1:50 score around the ‘Home of the Flying Turns’.
Hooked appropriately to a pink bike and sporting a pink saddle pad, breast collar and bridle trimmings, the eight-year-old Victorian star got the perfect steer by the 29-year-old Tritton, who guided her mount to second for most of the mile before shaking loose at the top of the stretch.
“This one is for the girls and for all the haters who tell you can’t do it,” Tritton said. “This horse is sensational. I was in two minds behind the gate. I came out hard but the quarter comes up quickly and I didn’t want to sit parked but then John (Delong, driving Little Rocket Man) came out in front of me, and we were able to follow.
“My horse got a little tired in that last corner, but then kicked into another gear in the stretch.”
Lochinvar Art is trained by Tritton’s husband Shane for Team Tritton Inc., of Pinebush, New York.
It was the bay stallion’s sixth win this season in 12 starts, upping his seasonal earnings to $262,925 and his career earnings to $1,285,493. The clocking of 1:50 was also a personal best, taking a tick off his previous record, which he scored on Feb. 4 at The Meadowlands.
“We’ve dreamt that everything would go to plan, and Lauren couldn’t have driven him more perfect,” said Shane Tritton. “The horse is great, he really wants to win, and we hope we’ve done him proud for Australia. We’ve been hoping for a moment like this since we’ve been in this country, and I wouldn’t be here now if it weren’t for Lauren.”
