The gelded pacer is campaigned by his owner, trainer and breeder Joe Paver.

by Jay Wolf

If you look at the “Top Performers” section of the United States Trotting Association website you may be surprised to see that the winningest two-year-old in North America is the undefeated Carmensdaleyapple.

“I didn’t know that. That’s pretty cool,” said Joe Paver, the gelding’s breeder, owner and trainer.

Carmensdaleyapple has been a perfect 10-for-10 on the Ohio fair circuit, earning $21,459. He has taken his lifetime mark of 1:59 three different times, most recently at the Hartford Independent Fair in Croton. He has won his 10 races by a combined 93 lengths.

Carmensdaleyapple is the son of Mr Apples, out of the Magical Mike mare, Mydaleybread.

“(Mydaleybread’s) previous owner was going to Amish her, so I decided to buy her,” said Paver. “We raced her until 14 (years of age) and bred her.”

She earned $92,733 with 18 wins in 179 career starts.

Carmensdaleyapple’s sire, Mr Apples (p, 6, 1:49; $663,193) was a hard-knocking campaigner, who showed early promise by finishing second in the $410,000 Woodrow Wilson Final and won an elimination of the Metro Pace.

Despite his on-track success, Mr Apples has seen limited support as a stallion, with just 27 registered foals in his first three crops. His top colt to date has been the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Stake champion, Apple Bottom Jeans ($427,244).

Mr Apples currently stands at Hawk’s Cry Farm for $1,500.

“I am friends with Matt (Rowe of Hawk’s Cry Farm) and he talked me into breeding to Mr Apples. He’s a (son of) Bettor’s Delight and crosses well,” said Paver.

Paver, who trains his stable of six at the Union County Fairgrounds in Marysville, OH, knew Carmensdaleyapple was going to successful from the start.

“I have had him in the barn since last August,” said Paver. “He had speed from the get go. We took it easy with him at the start.”

Paver, who has made just 14 driving starts the last three years (with a 9-3-0 record and .762 UDRS), drove Carmensdaleyapple in his first start, a 23-length romp at the Paulding County Fair.

Paver made a driver’s change for his next start, tapping an up-and-coming Pierce Henry, 20, as his new reinsman.

“I wanted to find someone young, who would do a better job,” said Paver. “I have to give a lot of credit to him for the way he’s driven. He’s got good hands. I give him very few instructions. He keeps him out of trouble and takes care of him, and that’s all you can ask for.”

Carmensdaleyapple. was named for Paver’s wife, Carmen, and they are constantly surrounded by family.

“I have to thank my father (Pearl Paver) and uncle (Chuck Jackson) as they have been with me at every fair,” said Paver.

Carmensdaleyapple will stay on the county fair circuit until early October and contest the $25,000 (est.) Ohio Fairs Championship at Northfield Park. He currently has a sizable points lead over his stablemate, I’m George Special.

Paver shares the ownership of I’m George Special with his father and brother (Dennis).

“He’s having some issues with breaks lately, but I think we have that problem figured out,” said Paver.

So what will happen when Carmensdaleyapple tastes defeat for the first time? Paver is realistic.

“It’s bound to happen,” said Paver. “If he gets beat, he gets beat.”

Leading Two-Year-Olds by Wins (as of Aug. 11, 2017)

Name (Age, Sex, Gait)
Starts | Record | Earnings | Mark

Carmensdaleyapple (2GP)
10 | 10-0-0 | $21,459 | 1:59.0h

Venier Hanover (2GP)
11 | 7-1-2 | $46,834 | 1:53.3f

Hockey Hanover (2GT)
7 | 7-0-0 | $40,198 | 1:56.3f

Skyway Quinton (2CP)
9 | 7-1-1 | $20,110 | 1:55.3

Fox Valley Zola (2FP)
9 | 7-1-0 | $8,384 | 2:01.4h