Photo by Dean Gillette
On to Norway kept the winning streak going in his first start of 2026 Saturday, May 2 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. It has now been over a year since he lost a race and his streak is up to 24 straight wins in the state of Indiana.
Guided by John DeLong, On to Norway was being tested against older open trotters for the first time in his career, and he was ready to go when the gate folded. He had his ears pinned and DeLong had his hands full when they left the gate, showing early speed right alongside the likes of Track Record Holder Ponda Jet and Peter Wrenn, who went on to take over the top spot. DeLong was finally able to get On to Norway in a hole in fourth as trotters passed by the quarter in :26.2. There was no change at the half in :57.0 with a slow second quarter. On to Norway could wait no longer. He was out and rolling toward the leaders in the final turn.
Once again, On to Norway had his ears pinned and he was all business heading down the lane. He got past Ponda Jet but then had to contend with Operator and Marcus Miller, who had sat in the two-hole the entire way. In the end, On to Norway was a length winner in 1:53.2, trotting home in :25.4. Operator was second, just a neck ahead of Ponda Jet giving Trainer Jay Hochstetler and second and third place finish in the evening’s featured Open Trot.
On to Norway paid $3.20 as the favorite of the field. The now four-year-old son of Muscle Massive is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Frank Baldachino, Michael Rosenthal, and Black and White Stable. Bennett Farms of Michigan bred the gelding, who is now 28 for 34 lifetime with more than $671,000 in career earnings for trainer Ron Burke. His quickest time of 1:51.2 was taken last year during his standout sophomore year that earned him Trotter of the Year honors in Indiana.
Also a winner on the night was another standout trotter and former year-end honoree Dover in Motion, driven by DeLong. The seven-year-old Dover Dan gelding got away fourth, following the lead provided by Toy’s for You and Luke Plano at the quarter in :28.0. Flirtnwiththepilot and Peter Wrenn took over after the quarter and led the field through the half in :57.4 before Dover in Motion was out and on the move.
In the lane, Dover in Motion had to fight hard for the lead, a fight that lasted all the way to the wire. In the end, Dover in Motion was a winner by a neck over Flirtnwiththepilot. Toy’s For You finished third.
Dover in Motion was the favorite of the field, paying $2.60 for the win. It was his second win of 2026 in his sixth start. Overall, he has 23 wins and more than $700,000 in earnings for trainer Ricky Macomber Jr. and owners M & M Racing and Macomber Racing. Lyle Slabach bred and raised the gelding, who has a career best time of 1:50.4 taken at five at Oak Grove.
