GRANTVILLE, Pa.--Tim Kreiser began 2020 the same that that he has ended the last six consecutive years, as Leading Trainer.

And he started his lead in 2020 in a dramatic way, by winning three races in one night on Jan. 2.

Winning three in one night has happened a few times," said Kreiser. "Let's go wire to wire as trainer."

Kreiser won both the first and second races on Jan. 3, first saddling Robert A. Derr's My Only Sunshine to win a $14,400, 6 furlong race for $10,000 claimers by a nose, and then saddling Derr's Just do the Math to win a $10,800, 6 furlong race for $5,000 claimers by 2 1/2 lengths.

His third win came in the sixth race, again for Derr, and this time with Venus Ramey in an $18,100, 6 furlong race for $16,000 claimers by 2 lengths.

"That was really strange," said Kreiser. 'I claimed Venus Ramey for $5,000, and mine was the only claim in for her. Then I moved her up to a $16,000 claiming price, and she was claimed."

Trainer Brandon Kulp claimed Venus Ramey for Cynthia Powers.

 

"MY BARN'S not full now," said Kreiser. I have 46 horses when it's full. But one owner sold his 14 horses in early December. About a quarter of those I have are Pa-breds."

"For a claim, I look for a horse that I think can move up," said Kreiser. "I look for a horse that can win a race while moving up. I have claimed horses back."

Kreiser had earnings of $2,097,092 with125 winners from 467 starters in 2019, with 92 second placed horses and 76 third placed horses for a winning average of 27 percent and a win/place/show average of 63 percent.

Second leading trainer was Kimberly Grace, with earnings of $1,192,906 from 80 winners from 469 starters, 83 seconds and 71 thirds for a winning average of 17 percent and win/place/show average of 50 percent.

Third leading trainer was Bernie Houghton, with earnings of $1,101, 327 and 47 winners from 237 starters, with 40 second placed and 44 third placed for a winning average of 20 percent and a win/place/show average of 55 percent.