Trainer Herman Wheeler is back home in Louisiana after both of his youngsters prevailed in the recent Cardinal stakes. (Terry Young Photo) 

By Mike Paradise for the IHHA

 A pair of two-year-olds turned trainer Herman Wheeler’s just “okay” racing season into a very fruitful one for the 54-year-old Louisiana native.

 Wheeler sent out his freshman gelding Shady All Star (Todd Warren) in the recent $47,950 Cardinal Trot and his juvenile stable mate You Never Can Tell (Casey Leonard), and both came up with impressive victories with the latter coming through at 8-1 odds.

 Since 2007, Wheeler has been making the long 800-mile trek from his farm in Monroe, Louisiana, located in the northern part of the state, up north to Chicago circuit racetracks and 2023 was one of the most effectual.

 This year Wheeler’s horses eclipsed $200,000 in purse earnings in 95 starts, second only to the $240,000-plus banked in 2017 and that came with almost twice as many horses of Herman’s going to the starting gate.

 In the Cardinal You Never Can Tell was reunited with Casey Leonard who drove the youngster in his first four starts, winning once on the front end, and finishing second three times. While the Somestarsomewhere gelding has never missed a check for Wheeler in his 10 career starts, he had just that July 14th victory at Springfield going into the Cardinal.

 Casey hustled You Can Never Tell ($19.00) away from the six-slot in an eight-horse field getting the top before the 28.2 quarter mile pole and putting the two heavy favorites Guitar Man and Fox Valley Durham some 18 and 20 lengths behind respectively. They were still 6 and 8 lengths back with a quarter mile to go and You Can Never Tell still had something left in the tank with a 1:55 clocking on the sloppy track, two and one-half lengths the best.

 “My horse can be really good on the front,” said Herman. “Me and Casey went back and forth about the race tactics, but Casey knows the horse and he decided to leave with him. You Never Can Tell has a burst of speed when asked and Casey got him away in a hurry.”

 “Todd (Warren) also did a very good job driving Maple Lane Alstar to his win. He had the horse in a great position with the two-hole. The horse was sharp and ready for the race. Earlier he had some health issues, but we got those straighten out and he was all set for the Cardinal.”

 While the three programs a week cards at the Hawthorne meet will continue through the end of the year, Wheeler is already back home in Louisiana.

 “I left last Sunday,” said Herman from his Monroe, Louisiana home. “It’s a long 13-hour drive and I’m happy it’s over. I’ll be turning my horses out soon for the winter and I’ll be back in Illinois next year.”