American Trademark and Keith Kash Jr. turned in a gate to wire effort to score the win in the higher conditioned pace Wednesday, Dec. 28 at Northfield Park. The Indiana sired gelding stopped the timer in 1:53.3 for the win.
American Trademark and Keith Kash Jr. stop for a photo after their win Wed. Dec. 28 at Northfield Park. It was the ninth win of the season for the Indiana sired six-year-old.
American Trademark left the gate alertly in search of the top spot in the nine-horse field. It took him until midway through the first turn to clear Dontholdanythinbak and Eric Tharps Jr., setting the first fraction in :27.4. Outfitted with his orange and blue harness, American Trademark continued to lead the way with a strong hold on Kash to the half in :57.1 as Camouflage Money and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. began the outer flow in first over fashion.
Heading past the three-quarters in 1:24.4, American Trademark was still in control of the lead and had active ears as he could hear his opponents within striking distance. Midway through the final turn, Itsmycheck GB and Aaron Merriman, who were traveling second over, dipped to the inside and were preparing to use the passing lane for their strategy.
American Trademark was strong in the stretch, fending off Itsmycheck GB as he flashed his black and white tail in an attempt to get to the wire first. However, American Trademark held his ground, winning by one half length with a final quarter in :28.4. Camouflage Money finished third.
American Trademark was the favorite of the field, paying $4.60 for the win. The six-year-old son of Rockin Image is owned by L’Emmur Stable of Ohio and is trained by Kash. Adam Eicher bred the gelding, who completes his 2022 campaign with nine wins and more than $90,000 on the year. Overall, he has 17 career wins and in excess of $179,000 on his card. His career best time of 1:51.2 was taken earlier this year at Northfield.
American Trademark began his racing career in Indiana before relocating to Ohio as a four-year-old. After only four starts at two, he missed his entire three-year-old season on the track. He is following in the hoofprints of his famous sister, American Girl, who completed her racing career in 2019 with more than $1 million in earnings and a mark of 1:50.3. The family has a two-year-old coming up for 2023 by Odds on Equuleus named Wings of Faith. The filly was one of four foals that sold at public auction this past fall at the Hoosier Classic Yearling Sale. She brought $20,000. The highest priced foal by Odds on Equuleus was Lyin’ Eyes, who brought $21,000 through the ring.