Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

KF St Patrick Hopes for Good Luck

June 19, 2007

KF St Patrick is back home, which trainer Mike Medors hopes proves to be good medicine for the 3-year-old pacer. The horse’s first trip outside his home state of Ohio resulted in disappointment as KF St Patrick finished sixth in his North America Cup elimination race on June 9, and then was scratched sick from the Cup consolation on June 16.

The $1.4 million North America Cup was won by Tell All at Mohawk Racetrack in Ontario.

“It was really disappointing,” said Medors, who trains and co-owns KF St Patrick with Hank Kauffman. “That was our big race, and we didn’t get any of it. He just didn’t race at all like he had in every other race. He likes to chase down horses. I know those were different types of horses than we’re used to seeing, but he seemed real blah. He came up short.”

Medors said KF St Patrick showed signs of being sick following his elimination race, but seemed to improve by Wednesday, June 13. On Thursday, however, the horse had a 103-degree fever.
“We couldn’t race him like that,” Medors said. “We turned him out a little bit and he’s acting real fit now. He was playing like nothing was wrong with him; he’s acting real good that way. He jogged fine this morning (Monday). We’re planning on going to the Cleveland Classic. I’ll train him Tuesday and we’ll see how it goes.”

The $175,000 Heineken Cleveland Classic is Saturday at Northfield Park; entries are due by 9 a.m. Wednesday. Among those considering the race are world champion Home Bed Advantage, Max Hempt runner-up Takeshigemichi, Mister Delaware, Up Front Barry, Gordie How, Won The West, Big Al’s Delight, Hot Rod Mindale and Whistling Hanover.

KF St Patrick was bred by Medors and Kauffman (KF is for Kauffman Farms) and got his name because he was born on St. Patrick’s Day. He was Ohio’s 2-year-old pacer of the year in 2006, winning nine of 10 races and earning $107,249. This year, he was 3-for-3 before going to Canada.

“I thought he was an all right colt, but he doesn’t care to train or jog; he’s not the kind that goes out there and makes you take notice,” Medors said. “He was doing everything right, but you had to make him do it. He didn’t show he would be this kind of horse at all. He’s a little special.”

In addition to the Cleveland Classic, KF St Patrick is eligible to the Ohio Sire Stakes, Jug Preview, American-National and Windy City Pace.