Just when you thought On to Norway could not get any more impressive, he reeled off a once in a lifetime win Saturday, July 4 at The Meadowlands. The Indiana trotter added World Champion to his status as the fastest trotter ever with his mile in the $230,000 Graduate Final in 1:48.3.
On to Norway and Yannick Gingras had a tough spot to begin from in the nine hole, but that didn’t deter them from leaving the gate with speed. As they headed into the first turn, they were four wide before the field fanned out. At first, it looked like they might be parked the mile, but On to Norway found a spot in fourth right at the quarter in :26.3. Walspea and Tim Tetrick set the tempo and as the horses from the back began to move to the outside, On to Norway was forced out again before the half in :53.4. He bided his time, which allowed Mr Mouton and Ake Svanstedt to move to the outside, giving On to Norway a horse to follow in the second half.
At the head of the lane, it appeared On to Norway was not going to have anything left for the stretch drive. He dipped back down to the inside and seemed to find some life. Meshuggah and Andrew McCarthy went off stride from the second spot and On to Norway had to maneuver through horses. Once he was clear, he rallied home in :26.3 to win by a neck over race favorite Super Chapter and Dexter Dunn. Walspea finished third.
On to Norway paid $9.40 for the win. The four-year-old son of Muscle Massive is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Frank Baldachino, Black and White Stable, and Mike Rosenthal. Bennett Farms Inc. of Michigan bred and raised the gelding, who topped $850,000 for his career. He is now five for six in 2026 as the sports newest world champion.
On to Norway, who began on the Michigan fair circuit at two, is now 32 for 39 lifetime. He won 23 of 24 last year and continued his winning ways this year, winning 27 straight, including the first round of the Graduate Series before finishing second in his previous start before the Graduate Final. Ron Burke trains the talented trotter.
Ironically, the previous mark for the quickest trotting mile was established by Homicide Hunter, another Indiana trotter who stopped the timer in 1:48.4. The Mr Cantab gelding was six at the time and set the mark at The Red Mile in 2018 for driver Brian Sears and trainer Chris Oakes.
