Stormont Park proved he is still going strong with a win at The Meadows Friday, March 17. The veteran Indiana trotter scored the win in a close finish in 1:58.2 in the $7,000 conditioned trot over a very sloppy racing surface.
Stormont Park and Hunter Myers fend off challengers on both sides for the win Friday, March 17 at The Meadows.
Starting from post seven, Stormont Park and Hunter Myers left the gate with some speed but could only get away in mid pack. When there was no hole to slide over into, they were forced to head toward the leaders. Their quest for the top was delayed with Worthy of Honor and Dave Palone getting the first call in :28.3. Stormont Park crossed over to the lead passing by the grandstand the first time and led the field to the half in :58.2. His lead continued to the three-quarters in 1:27.3 but the field was prepping for a big final quarter. Horses fanned out three wide at the three-quarters with intentions of pouncing on Stormont Park in the stretch.
Stormont Park held his ground in the final quarter as Worthy of Honor moved up on the inside to challenge along with Cash Hit and Justin Walters on the far outside. It was a four-horse battle to the wire as Major Impact and Aaron Merriman also joined in during the final strides. Stormont Park came up with the win by a neck over Worthy of Honor and Cash Hit.
Stormont Park was the favorite, paying $4.80 for the win. The 11-year-old gelding is trained and owned by Melanie O’Donnell. Melanie Wrenn bred the son of Earl of Stormont.
Stormont Park began his career in the Wrenn Stable at Harrah’s Hoosier Park and was an Indiana Sires Stakes contender. He was sold after his three-year-old season and moved to the East Coast. To date, the gelding has 27 wins in 255 starts with earnings of more than $318,000. His career best time of 1:54.2 was taken at Pocono Downs as a four-year-old.
Stormont Park’s sire, Earl of Stormont, had success in Canada and finished up his career in Indiana before becoming a sire in the Hoosier State. He has produced several winners with 13 of his foals with six figures in earnings. His richest foal was Earls Glider, who earned over $600,000 during his career and his quickest to date is Lil’ Day Drinkin with a mark of 1:53.2. Other standouts by Earl of Stormont include Ladys Big Stormont, Queens Lonely Earl and Earls Miss Muffit, who in addition to being a top trotter of her time, she is now a successful broodmare and is the dam of Summit City Swan, winner of more than $200,000 with a mark of 1:54.2.
Stormont Park is the first foal out of the Conway Hall mare Mentelle Park, who never raced. As a broodmare, she has had six foals with four winners. Mr Powers joins Stormont Park as a six figure winner with more than $174,000 on his card and a mark of 1:56.2.