Primo Uomo has truly come into his own after being given ample time to develop into his role. The talented pacer, who only raced twice as a two-year-old, made an impressive comeback last season, securing victory in 16 races.
This remarkable achievement positioned him as the third-best three-year-old pacer in North America, with earnings totalling $114,867 for his owners, Dale Lawton and Chris Lawton. Primo Uomo's success was second only to Racine Bell, a stakes winner in the Grand Circuit, who is set to make her eagerly awaited 2024 debut at The Meadowlands on Friday.
The Lawtons take great pride in their stable, with Primo Uomo dominating at Saratoga last year, winning in 12 out of his 19 starts and placing in an additional three races. Recognising his exceptional talent, the Saratoga Harness Horseperson's Association honoured Primo Uomo with the coveted title of Three-Year-Old Pacer of the Year. Dale Lawton, speaking highly of the David Dewhurst-trained gelding, described him as an incredibly reliable and outstanding horse who consistently delivers remarkable performances. The Lawtons acquired Primo Uomo as a yearling in June 2021, and after qualifying twice under Dale Lawton's guidance in the summer of 2022, he was given a break in July.
Primo Uomo returned to the track in late fall, under the skilful training of Dewhurst, and made two starts in November, securing a win and a second-place finish. Dale Lawton expressed unwavering confidence in Primo Uomo's potential from the outset, drawing attention to his exceptional ability and unyielding determination to excel. Primo Uomo's refusal to take a backseat and his constant drive to move forward impressed everyone. Although his stakes races concluded earlier than anticipated, the Lawtons decided to give him a break in mid-July, allowing him time to recuperate.
Primo Uomo was then entrusted to Dave to evaluate his progress, and Dewhurst confirmed the Lawtons' belief in the colt's extraordinary capabilities. From there, Primo Uomo's journey took off, and he truly blossomed. The Lawtons understood the importance of providing the horse with ample time to grow and mature, and this strategy proved to be highly successful as Primo Uomo made significant strides during his time off. Last year, Primo Uomo began his campaign at Saratoga with a stellar performance, securing five consecutive wins in conditioned races.
He continued his winning streak by triumphing in the prestigious Dr Richard Frank Memorial Pacing Series on the same track. Primo Uomo then fearlessly took on older rivals in the Opens at Vernon Downs and Saratoga. Dale Lawton commended Dave for his exceptional handling of Primo Uomo, always pushing the horse to surpass his limits and showcasing his true potential. The current season has started on a positive note for Primo Uomo, with a victory in three starts in the Open at Batavia Downs. He is set to compete at the same level on Thursday, starting from post seven, with Brett Beckwith as his driver. Primo Uomo has earned a reputation as a specialist on half-mile tracks, displaying exceptional performance in races on smaller circuits.
While he is also capable of performing on larger tracks, the Lawtons primarily race him in New York, where half-mile tracks are prevalent. Dale Lawton is eager to witness Primo Uomo's progress throughout the season and believes he has the potential to achieve remarkable success. Turning to Racine Bell, a seven-year-old mare with an impressive track record, she will make her highly anticipated seasonal debut on Friday at The Meadowlands in the featured pace for fillies and mares, with a purse of $37,162.
This race serves as a stepping stone for Racine Bell as she prepares for the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series at MGM Yonkers Raceway, scheduled to commence next month. Initially, the Lawtons contemplated retiring Racine Bell and transitioning her to a breeding career.
However, after finishing 2023 with four wins in her last five starts, they had a change of heart. Racine Bell, the daughter of So Surreal-Tys Artist, boasts an exceptional career record, with 37 wins out of 95 races and earnings exceeding $1.16 million. Her most notable victory came in the 2022 Perfect Sting at the Big M, where she triumphed over Test Of Faith.
In the same year, she narrowly missed victory in the Matchmaker final. Last season, Racine Bell consistently delivered strong performances, placing in 19 out of 25 starts and securing nine victories. She earned $211,353 and has never earned less than $140,000 throughout her five years of competition.
Dale Lawton acknowledged Racine Bell's exceptional year, noting that although she experienced a temporary decline in performance, she made a remarkable comeback, finishing the year with great strength. Racine Bell's unwavering determination and intense aversion to losing have motivated the Lawtons to give her another year of racing, eagerly anticipating what she will accomplish in the upcoming season.