Ballydehob-born Robert Cleary (42) reaches another milestone tonight. Robert’s career in harness racing has seen him train nearly 500 winners (prize money of $ 6million) in America since emigrating in 2011. He started off with older ‘raceway horses’ (handicappers in Irish terms) but his success and work ethic has garnered better owners with deeper pockets.

Tonight (Thurs, Sept 24th) he has a colt in each of two heats of the $650,000 Little Brown Jug. The race is no longer the biggest thing for three-year-olds but it definitely has the strongest history (est. 1939) and captures the imagination of the sports followers. Over 30,000 people attend the meeting.

A bit like the Epsom Derby, this unique test is not run on the most obvious course. The oval at Delaware Ohio is an 880 yard track whereas a 1760 yard track is where the top pacers can really open up. The unique Delaware County Fair sees all the big names from New York and New Jersey, human and equine, racing against the backdrop of a ‘down home’ atmosphere.

Robert’s two colts are Treacherous Lou (drawn 5 in elimination 1) and Hunting Glory (in the favoured ‘1 hole’ in heat 2). The pacers will be driven by Andrew Mc Carthy and Ridge Warren respectively. Both are owned by Royal Wire Products Inc. an important owner for Robbie.

Neither colt is in the first three in the betting according to the US odds makers but Robbie has made a career out of confounding the tipsters.

The meeting is broadcast on Ohio Harness Horsemans Association website, TRN (The Racing Network) and probably the United States Trotting Association website. It’s just the thing if you like a 19-race card.

The two ‘Irish runners’ are in Race 15 and Race 16 and with a bit of luck will make it through to Race 19 the actual final.

The Cleary runners will be out around 9.45 hrs Dublin time. The Americans will have home advantage so by tuning in and screaming at your PC or phone you are doing your bit.