Kazio DK wins 2026 John Brennan Trotting Series Final

The SOA of NY would like to extend congratulations to the connections of the winner of this year’s $100,000 John Brennan Trotting Series Final, Kazio DK. He jogged in 2 of his 3 legs, and might have been 3 for 3 if not for a final turn miscue the first week. He was pushed to his limits tonight by a gutsy Always A Story, but found more when called upon in the stretch and was able to prevail. And much like last year’s winner, Antognoni S, he’s trained by Ron Burke, while driven (and co-owned!) by Yannick Gingras!

The John Brennan Trotting Series is named in honor of the longtime Standardbred Owners Association of New York horsemen’s representative who passed away from complications of COVID-19 in March 2020 – the affable Brennan certainly appreciated a high quality trotter, and would have surely appreciated this year’s talented competitors!

Yonkers, NY – Kazio DK scored a hard-fought 1:55.2 win in the $100,000 John Brennan Trotting Series final on Wednesday (April 22) at MGM Yonkers Raceway.

Driven by Yannick Gingras, Kazio DK worked two-wide to get the lead away from Always A Story (driven by Tyler Buter) past the :28.3 quarter and then backed down the half to :58.1. Always A Story would then vacate the pylons exiting the third turn and got side-by-side with Kazio DK at the 1:27 three-quarters.

The battle between Always A Story and Kazio DK continued around the last turn, and it appeared that Always A Story had a narrow advantage on the outside as they turned into the stretch. However, Kazio DK came back on the inside in the stretch and was able to defeat the game Always A Story by a nose. Top Gun Hanover (Jason Bartlett) was third after he was unable to keep up with Always A Story’s cover from second-over.

Gingras co-owns the Ron Burke-trained Kazio DK, a 5-year-old gelding by Muscle Massive, with partners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Fac Racing LLC. Kazio DK has a summary of 9-11-4 from 37 appearances, has banked $172,099 and returned $2.78 to win as the 1-5 choice. He was atop a $6.76 exacta and a $25.50 trifecta.

Commodus A, a 5-year-old gelded son of Father Patrick, rallied from second-over in the lane and got up to capture the $50,000 consolation race by half a length in 1:56. Bartlett drove Commodus A, a Group 1 winner in Australia, for trainer Per Engblom and owner Peaceful Acre Farm.

(Article courtesy of Yonkers Raceway Media)