Won The West | Standardbred Pacer
With earnings close to $4 million, this Standardbred paced his way into the hearts of horse racing fans with his grit, good looks, longevity and wicked kick.
Won the West, bred in New Jersey, was purchased for $35,000, a price that seems like a bargain in retrospect. The talented gelding began his career as a three-year-old in 2007.
Under the guidance of Hall of Fame trainer Ron Burke, he hit the track pacing, winning multiple stakes races that year, including the prestigious American-National Stakes, where he defeated older, more experienced horses.
Won the West was known for his “wicked kick,” showing explosive speed to win very competitive races
Race after race and year after year, Won the West improved. In 2009 and 2010, his wins included the Dan Patch Invitational, Molson Pace, Quillen Memorial, and back to back victories in the Breeders’ Crown Open Pace, one of the most important races for Pacers in North America.
In his 2009 Breeders’ Crown win, he paced a stakes-record 1:47, one of the fastest miles ever recorded.
He was named the U.S. Champion Older Pacer aged four and up for both 2009 and 2010.
His 1:47 mile was the fastest Breeders’ Crown paced mile of all time. The record still stands today
As a seven-year-old, Won The West paced Canada’s fastest mile ever, winning the Mohawk Gold Cup in 1:47.2. He retired at age eight, the third-richest pacer of all time, with $3.9 million in earnings.
Won The West retired with 36 wins, 24 seconds, and 15 thirds from 109 lifetime starts.
“I think he will be remembered for
how good he was for such a long time . . .
and for what a beautiful animal he is.”
Trainer Ron Burke
Notes
- Won The West is a two-time divisional and Breeders Crown champion.
- Won the West is one of only seven horses to receive the Dan Patch Award for Best Older Male Pacer in consecutive years.
- Won The West retired as the third richest Standardbred Pacer in North America.
Notable Wins
2007, 2008, 2009: American National Stakes
2008: Breeders Crown Open Pace
2009: Dan Patch Invitational, Quillen Memorial
2010: Breeders Crown Open Pace, Canadian Pacing Derby, Molson Pace
2011: Mohawk Gold Cup Invitational
Won The West Facts
PEDIGREE / Western Hanover – Gabrielle
FOALED: 2004 | RETIRED: 2012
HALL OF CHAMPIONS / 2012
NICKNAME / Dubs
ATTRIBUTES / Bay Standardbred Pacer
MAJOR AWARDS / Champion Older Pacer 2009 & 2010
Dan Patch Award 2009 & 2010
EARNINGS / $3,939,836
RECORD / 109 starts, 36-24-15
HEIGHT / 16 hands
TRAINER / Brian Brown, Ron Burke
DRIVER / Greg Grismore, David Miller
OWNER / Country Club Acres, Strollin’ Stable, William Robinson