Burke surpasses $400 million in earnings in harness racing
Adios champion Al Papi roared from off the pace to capture the $365,000 Grade 2 Tattersalls Pace on closing day Saturday at The Red Mile, Lexington, Ky., lifting Hall of Fame trainer Ron Burke past the $400 million mark in career earnings.
Al Papi, driven by Hall of Famer Yannick Gingras, won in 1:50.2.
Sweet Lovin Lou finished second and Burke Stablemate Melillo was third.
For Burke, the $400 million mark in earnings is significant.
“It takes a lot of people, a team, owners and staff,” Burke said. “On an individual note, I’m the only one in harness racing who has done it, so I take pride in that.”
As for Al Papi, Burke still thinks the 3-year-old Pacer of the Year remains in question with other contenders being Brandon Boulevard, Beau Jangles, and hard-charging Redland Rocket Man.
Al Papi is owned by the Fredericktown-based Burke Racing Stable, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby, Larry Karry and Weaver Bruscemi. He is the son of Papi Rob Hanover. In addition to The Adios victory, Al Papi won an elimination heat of the Little Brown Jug.
“I don’t think anybody has separated themselves still yet,” Burke said. It’s all going to come down to the Breeders Crown (later this month).”
Getting to $500 million in career earnings will be a difficult task, Burke said.
He’s made history by surpassing $20 million in earnings in a single year (2013) and achieving 15,000 career training wins (2024).
“I used to think ($500 million in earnings) was a slam dunk,” said Burke, who will turn 57-years-old soon. “It would take another four or five years at this level. There’s no reason we can’t, unless we all get tired of doing what we’re doing at this level. I can’t see myself quitting before I’m 65. I would say I guess it’s still reachable. You must have luck.
“I just don’t know if I really want to do this many ventures for that long, but as of right now, I still keep buying them, so I still have to keep going.”
Mark Weaver, one of Burke’s owning partners, said Burke’s milestones “are pretty cool.”
“The game has been going on for a long time and to be the first to do certain things is special,” Weaver said. “Every record he breaks or milestone he reaches is uncharted territory. To be a part of the process and the team, I’m happy for everyone. There will be a time where we’ll, I think, sit back and appreciate this stuff more. Maybe we should right now but we’re just in the middle of it – trying to keep running the program and keep trying to win.”