(New Image Media photo)
Trotters young and old were in the spotlight Monday night (May 5) at Mohawk Racetrack and fittingly trotting master Per Henriksen recorded a milestone victory.
Bee In Charge, the three-year-old half-brother to $3.8 million winner Bee A Magician, gave Henriksen a very special victory. Not only was it the youngster’s first lifetime win, but it was also the 1,000th North American training victory for Henriksen, who was also in the sulky for the milestone.
In the second-race, $14,000 Maiden Trot, Henriksen put Bee In Charge on top by the 1:01.4 half, was two lengths the best by the 1:31 three-quarters and had more than three lengths on their foes by the wire reached in 1:58.
It was just the fourth lifetime start for the Manofmanymissions son, who sold as a yearling for $130,000. Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman started out with the colt, who had difficulty making breaks as a rookie and was sent to Henriksen at the end of his two-year-old season.
A native of Norway who came to the U.S. in 1980 and Canada, specifically Norwood, ON, 20 years later, Henriksen qualified Bee In Charge in early April and then guided him to a third place finish two weeks later. The trotter is owned by Mel Hartman of Ottawa and David McDuffee of Florida, two of the partners on his famous big sister.
Bee In Charge is the latest talented trotter to emerge from Henriksen’s care. Other standouts include Hambletonian winner Nuclear Kosmos, Hambletonian Oaks winner Oolong, Breeders Crown winner Southwind Serena and $800,000 winner Clerk Magistrate among many others.
Also on Monday’s card, Henriksen’s Asa Farm got a victory with Exemplar in the $34,000 Preferred Trot.
Exemplar now has two wins in 11 starts this season. The six-year-old gelded son of Andover Hall has earned $47,440 this season for owners Andrea Lea Racingstables Inc. and Asa Farm. Monday’s victory was the 12th career triumph for Exemplar, who has spent time in both the Henriksen and Moreau stables this season. The veteran trotter has career earnings of over $237,000.
— Mark McKelvie / WEG Standardbred Communications
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