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August Salazar wins 2026 debut

Photo by Dean Gillette


It was a big day of 2026 trotting debuts for the Ron Burke Stable Wednesday, April 8 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Earlier in the day, 2025 Trotter of the Year On to Norway won his qualifier in 1:56.3 and later that night, Burke horses won two of three divisions of the Chad E. Carlton Trotting Series, which is in its second leg.

 

August Salazar and John DeLong began from post one in the third of three divisions of the Carlton series. When the gate folded, they used just enough speed to maintain their positioning along the inside as Dial Nine One One and Marcus Miller took control of the lead before the first turn. Maga Hill, also trained by Burke, settled in second for Kyle Wilfong with race favorite August Salazar sitting in third. The field went by the quarter in :29.0 before DeLong pulled on the right line and moved August Salazar out and up to the leader, taking over just after the half in :58.3. Once he crossed over, he was on the lead by open lengths around the final turn.

 

In the stretch, August Salazar was going to be tough to beat. The sophomore trotter rallied home in :28.2 for the win under wraps in 1:56.3. Maga Hill finished two and one-quarter lengths back in second over Pilots Legacy and Jordan Ross for third.

 

August Salazar paid $3.20 for the win. The three-year-old son of Big Stick Lindy is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Michael Rosenthal, and Frank Baldachino. The breeder on the trotter is Risto Vidgren of Helsinki, Finland.

 

August Salazar began his career on the Kentucky fair circuit for Rodney DeBeck, winning his first three starts. He was acquired by Burke in August last year and moved into Indiana Sires Stakes action where he picked up several on the board finishes. He went on to win the Sires Stakes Consolation and then won a round of Kentucky Sires Stakes at Cumberland Run. He was making his first start of 2026 in the Carlton Series. The career best time for August Salazar remains from last season at 1:55.0. Overall, he is seven for 18 now in his career that includes more than $125,000 in earnings.

 

The Burke barn also connected with Mooter Tooter in 1:55.3 in another division of the Carlton Trotting Series.

 

Kousin Karl and Trace Tetrick were equally impressive in the only division of The Cardinal Series. Starting from post one and getting away second, Kousin Karl followed West Stokes and John DeLong closely through fractions of :28.4, :58.1, and 1:27.2. When he got room, Kousin Karl hit another gear and rallied away from the field, winning by five lengths in 1:56.4. West Stokes finished second over Star Express and Marcus Miller.

 

Kousin Karl paid $2.60 for the win. He is owned by Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, Frank Baldachino, and Knox Services. Burke trains the gelding, who was bred and raised by Lyle Slabach.

 

A three-year-old son of Dover Dan, Kousin Karl is now three for four after not racing as a two-year-old. He now has $17,500 accumulated with his win Wednesday recording a new lifetime mark of 1:56.4. He is a recent purchase by the Burke Brigade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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