In the world of harness racing, where speed and precision reign supreme, the rare and extraordinary feats of trainers and drivers alike often go unnoticed, buried beneath the surface of more mainstream sports. But on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Woodbine Mohawk Park, trainer David Menary and driver Jason Ryan etched their names into the annals of Canadian racing history with an achievement that defies easy explanation. It was not just a day of racing; it was a testament to the sheer brilliance and dedication that can elevate this sport to new heights.
Menary's triple was not just any triple; it was a triple that shattered records and defied expectations. Three horses, all breaking the 1:49 barrier, all in the same day. This was a feat that had never been accomplished by a single trainer at a Canadian racetrack before. The horses, Christopher Dance N, Waffle Blue Chip, and Borderline Mobby, were not just any horses; they were speedsters, each pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible.
But what makes this achievement even more remarkable is the context in which it occurred. In North American harness racing, the sub-1:49 training triple had only transpired three times before Menary's trifecta. The first of these occurred almost 12 years prior, on June 21, 2014, at Mohegan Sun Pocono, where trainer Ron Burke sent out three horses in under 1:49. It was a feat that seemed to set the bar for what was possible, but Menary and Ryan were determined to surpass it.
The Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky, is often considered a logical location for such speed, and sure enough, on October 11, 2020, horses from the Nancy Takter stable delivered a speed show on the red clay. But Menary's triple was not just about speed; it was about the sheer determination and skill of the trainer and driver. It was a day that highlighted the human element in racing, the passion and the perseverance that drives these athletes to push the limits.
Last year, Christi Noble sent out four sub-1:49 winners on a single card at Scioto Downs, but Menary's triple was a different kind of achievement. It was not just about the number of wins; it was about the quality of the wins, the rarity of the feat, and the impact it had on the sport. It was a day that reminded us of the beauty and the unpredictability of harness racing, where anything is possible if you have the right combination of talent, determination, and luck.
Jason Ryan's win at three different racetracks in a single day was equally as remarkable. The feat is a little more common in the United States, with drivers like David Miller and Tim Tetrick achieving similar feats, but Ryan's accomplishment was a testament to the global nature of the sport and the shared experiences of its participants.
In the end, Menary's triple and Ryan's win at three different racetracks in a single day were not just sporting achievements; they were moments that highlighted the human spirit and the boundless potential of the human will. They were moments that reminded us of the beauty and the unpredictability of harness racing, and they were moments that will be remembered for years to come.
