ON TO NORWAY BRINGS WIN STREAK TO MEADOWLANDS FOR THE GRADUATE SERIES

HIGHTSTOWN, NJ -- June 12, 2026 -- On To Norway is on to the Big M, where the 4-year-old trotter will look to add another “W” to a win streak he launched in April 2025.

On To Norway, an Indiana-bred son of Muscle Massive-One Class Act, has won 26 consecutive races since finishing second in his seasonal debut last year. On Friday (June 12), the Ron Burke-trained gelding will face eight foes in a $50,000 second-round division of the Graduate Series, for 4-year-old trotters, at the Meadowlands.

Except for one win at the Indiana State Fair, all of On To Norway’s victories during his streak have come at Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Those triumphs included the Grade 2 Carl Erskine Trot, Grade 3 Phil Langley Memorial and the Indiana Sire Stakes Super Final. After finishing last year with 23 straight wins, he has started this season 3-for-3.

For his career, On To Norway has won 30 of 36 races, finished second four times, and earned $693,381.

“For me, it’s exciting because I’m going to get to see him out on the East Coast now,” said Frank Baldachino, a New Jersey resident and co-owner of On To Norway. “It’s been a great run in Indiana and hopefully he can continue it for the next few weeks at the Meadowlands. He’s coming into the race (Friday) feeling good. It will be his first time over the racetrack, but I think he’ll really like going over the Meadowlands surface. So, I’m expecting a good performance from him.”

On To Norway will leave from post 8 in his nine-horse Graduate division, the second of the two splits, and is the 2-1 morning-line favorite. Yannick Gingras will be in the sulky, taking over for John DeLong, who drove On To Norway in his past 25 races.

Meshuggah, who won the Grade 1 Breeders Crown for 3-year-old male trotters last season, is the race’s 9-2 second choice in his seasonal debut. Dexter Dunn will drive Meshuggah for trainer Marcus Melander, leaving from post 6. The field also includes mare Delaney Hanover, who won last year’s Kentucky Filly Futurity (G1) for driver Scott Zeron and trainer Lucas Wallin, and also is making her seasonal debut. She is 5-1 on the morning line and will start from post 3.

“There’s a bunch of quality horses in that race, so he’s going to have to earn it,” Baldachino said about On To Norway. “No one is going to concede anything to him. But that’s how he’s liked it anyway; he’s earned every win that he’s got. Hopefully, Yannick can work out a trip and (On To Norway) is picking them up and putting them down coming to the wire and we can continue our streak.”

And just how important is the streak to Baldachino?

“It’s not that important, to be honest with you,” he said. “The health of the horse, the happiness of the horse, and the experience for the horse is most important. Last year was super exciting, but this is a new year, and he’s going to have to step up and race some really nice Grand Circuit horses that are top-notch. He’s not going to be able to win every race. As long as he’s healthy and sound, he’ll show up and represent really well. He’s going to have to elevate his game, but we all have confidence that he can.

“He’s so versatile, he can race any which way. He can race on the lead, he can race first-over, he can race off a helmet. That’s what makes him so special. And his will to win is beyond incredible; he’ll just chase down anything.”

Following Friday’s start, On To Norway will remain in New Jersey as the Meadowlands hosts the third round of the Graduate Series on June 20, the Graduate final (G2) on July 4, and the Hambletonian Maturity (G1) on July 11.

“We’ll get a lot better feel for what he can be in the next month,” said Baldachino, who shares ownership of On To Norway with Burke Racing Stable, Black And White Stable, and Michael Rosenthal. “We’re all excited to see him here.”

In the first of the two Graduate divisions for the trotters, returning Dan Patch Award-winner Super Chapter is the 5-2 morning-line favorite in his seasonal debut for driver Dunn and trainer Melander. He will leave from post 6 in a field of eight. Monserrate is the 7-2 second choice after winning the Graduate’s first round in 1:52 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. He will start from post 5 with Jason Bartlett driving for trainer Andrew Harris.

There also will be two $50,000 divisions of the Graduate’s second round for 4-year-old pacers on Friday plus $225,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Platinum finals for 3-year-old male and female trotters.

The NJSS Platinum final for the sophomore boys features a field of eight Hambletonian-eligible trotters, with Apex the 9-5 morning-line favorite followed by Diabolic Hill at 3-1 and American Power at 9-2. The final for the fillies features eight Hambletonian Oaks eligibles in a field of 10, with Naked And Famous and Jailbird Jog topping the morning line at 3-1 and 4-1, respectively.

Racing begins at 6:35 p.m. (EDT) at the Meadowlands. For free TrackMaster past performances, click here.