Standardbred Retirement Ceremony

Transcription

1 Scarborough Downs and the SPHO Present The 3rd Annual Standardbred Retirement Ceremony Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009 Scarborough Downs A special ceremony for special friends

2 Am I Next A (PB6034, Gelding, Pacer) What s Next Maradona Muckalee Strike Owner: Heidi Rohr Lifetime Mark: 1:50.4 at 8 years old Lifetime Earnings: $418,410 Career starts: (Domestic) 255 Win: 53 Foreign Pace:20=73! Place: 54 Show: 28 Born in Australia AM I NEXT A, nicknamed, Next has been with Heidi for about 2 years and is an amazing animal. He is a very large Standardbred, but he is a gentle giant. He has had a very successful racing career, banking over $418,000 total, just under $400,000 here in the US (he came over from Australia). Out of his 255 domestic starts, he has hit the board in 135 of them, which is over half! He has broken several track records over his career; most recently he broke the track record at Saratoga Raceway for the fastest mile for a 14 year old in 1:54.4, which also tied the world record for the fastest time for a 14 year old on a half mile track. He has been the most consistent race horse I have ever owned. He just loved his 'job' as a racehorse. He is sure to love his new 'job' too, as a riding horse. Heidi says she has sat on his back, bareback, quite a bit, and he does very well. He's basically 'bomb proof' so he will be easy to break and a pleasure to ride. Next is very lucky to have found a wonderful home up in Ellsworth with the Norton family. Diane (Norton) currently has another one of the Rohr s retired Standardbreds, Hurricane Signs. Signer was so wonderful for Diane, that she called about a year ago looking for another Standardbred. I told her about 'Next' and how amazing he is, but that she'd have to wait a year to get him (because he was still racing), so she is VERY excited to be finally getting him because she has waited the whole year for him! Diane will be joining us for the ceremony also. Next does have a couple more starts to race this year. He will be racing in the 'Au Revoir' pace on December 31st at Monticello Raceway, which is a race for all 14 year olds. Then he will be making the trip up to Ellsworth to start his new life.

3 Another Lindy (P78233, Horse, Trotter) Valley Victory-Super Wonder- Super Bowl Owner: Richard Bartlett Lifetime Mark: 1:56.0 at age 11 Lifetime Earnings: $312,149 Lifetime Starts: 135 Win: 42 Trot Foreign total: 20=62 Place: 23 Show: 10 Born 5/24/95 in Connecticut ANOTHER LINDY, or Lindy, as he is known around the barn, is quite a little character. He loves to make noise and whinny and bangs on his gate in his stall when he is excited. He especially likes to go outside and play around like a young colt! He is still currently racing and actually won here at Scarborough Downs on December 11 th, escorting Leigh Fitch to his 7500 career win! He has raced internationally and was very successful at it, earning over $100,000 in Europe. Not only is Lindy still racing, he currently holds the record for the fastest 14 year old stallion trotter in the United States! He has never been ridden but has been sat on before. He is lucky to be going on to live at a farm in Dresden, Maine where he will live out his life as a happy pet.

4 Graeme John N (PB5218, Gelding, Trotter) Gee Whiz-Langlee Maree-Game Pride Owner: Tim Ferrante Lifetime Mark: 1:57.3 at the age of 3 Lifetime Earnings: $148,838 Career Starts: 246 Win: 43 Foreign Trot 5=48 Place: 54 Show: 42 Born 12/30/95 in New Zealand GRAEME JOHN N, or Johnny, as he is known around the barn, is a favorite of owner Tim Ferrante. He is a great horse with a lot of heart, said Tim, and is known for his comedic antics and his courageousness on the track. As a race horse he has been thorough and consistent and was a formidable horse in the 3 claimer division in his day. One of his best races occurred in 2008 in The Hank Fenno Memorial Trotting Series Final where Tim had 2 horses in that day they came in 1st and 2nd with Graeme John N being the second place finisher! He has such a big heart, and finished strong that year despite an almost career ending injury the previous fall. Tim thinks so highly of Johnny that when he was claimed from him in a race later in his career he sought him out and claimed him back. Around the barn Johnny is known to undress other horses that are left on the cross ties in front of him. If he can reach them he will remove their blankets and has ruined several sets of lines left on an unsuspecting animal. He will then look at you as if to say, who me? At this point Graeme John N has no set plans for his retirement other than to enjoy the time off that he deserves with Tim at his farm in Saco. Also, Tim said that every time Johnny gets his picture taken in the Winner s Circle, he looks at the camera! See for yourself!

5 Cadfael (P39805, Gelding, Pacer) Life Sign-Never My Love-Governor Skipper Owner: William Mac Donald Lifetime Mark: 1:54.4 at age 3 Lifetime Earnings: $201,884 Career Starts: 404 Win: 31 Place: 49 Show: 75 Born 3/20/95 in Kentucky CADFAEL is a 14 year old gelding who earned over $200,000 over a career that did not include any high pursed stake races. A winner of 31 lifetime starts, he had at least 15 starts every year of his career, averaging 31 starts a year. He is known around the barn as CAD. He s quite mellow and is known to be very friendly in the barn will do almost anything for a carrot, which is his favorite treat. He won 3 starts in the Maine Amateur Driving Series last year. He was known to be ridden bare back from the stables at Bangor raceway to the local Irving station for an owner on a grocery trip! He has been retired into the care of Leanna Rafuse and Andrew Dwyer in Oakland where they plan on riding him.

6 Carolina Star (P28410, Gelding, Pacer) Albatross-G E s Susan-General Star Owner: Edward Ballou Lifetime Mark: 1:52.4 at 4 years old Lifetime Earnings: $74,735 Career Starts: 222 Win: 19 Place: 27 Show: 30 Born 4/14/95 in Maryland CAROLINA STAR, or Callie, has been in the family for ten years, and is a very kind little horse. This horse was a barn favorite of Eddie Ballou and now has a special place in the heart of his granddaughter, Casey. This little horse has a big heart and raced successfully for the Ballou family for years. Callie did not come with a big price tag but has proved over and over that you do not have to be a big money horse to make a living for your family at the track. Around the barn he is a silly guy and he loves to dump his hay into his water bucket and make a big mess with it. You can almost see him laughing in the corner when his human friends get to clean up after him! He loves all kinds of treats and is not very particular about what he gets just that he gets one! He has never been ridden before and is looking for a good, loving home after the retirement ceremony.

7 Armbro Republican (PT6975, Horse, Pacer) Presidential Ball-Falcon Secret-Falcon Seelster Owners: Charles Eaton & Laura Searway Lifetime Mark 1:51.4 at age 4 Lifetime Earnings: $ 418,000 Career Starts: 306 Win: 63 Place: 49 Show: 47 Born 2/21/95 in Ontario Canada ARMBRO REPUBLICAN, or Nelson as he is known around the barn (after Laura's father), is another one of our retirees who is both a force to be reckoned with out on the track but also a big goofy guy around the barn. His owners, Butch and Laura, need a lot of time in the morning to get his halter on him because he will try to bite it or grab it out of your hands. Not to worry though he is not being mean or aggressive, but rather just trying to play a game with you. If he gets the halter from you, he will give it back and start the game all over again! He is just a classy horse all around, and every race he won went was a sub 2 minute mile. He made in excess of $10,000 every year with total lifetime earnings of $418,002 none of which was from a stakes race. That's one courageous, tough horse! He loved his job and everyone who drove him enjoyed him very much. His favorite treat around the barn is carrots, and a lot of them! He also loves fresh sawdust He can t roll fast enough in a fresh bed! His owner s favorite race was a win in 1:53.4 at Rockingham at age 12. He won 3 weeks in a row! He is going to live the good life after the Retirement Ceremony today. He will be standing at stud for the Maine Breeders Stakes at Butch and Laura s farm in South Portland.

8 High Speed Modem (P99973, Gelding, Trotter) BJ s Mac-Sweetheart Lobel-Lindy s Crown Owners: Charles Eaton and Laura Searway Lifetime Mark: 1:59.3 Lifetime Earnings: $74,075 Career Starts: 255 Win: 37 Place: 32 Show: 28 Born: 3/27/95 in Michigan HIGH SPEED MODEM is known around the barn as Mo. His owners, Butch and Laura, raced him lightly, and then he won the hearts of Brandi and Lexy, their twin girls. At that point they decided that he would become their horse. Laura and Butch were hoping that they could race him this season but Mo said he would prefer to continue making the girls happy. The girls and Mo have had a very good year together. They have taken him to a couple of horse shows where he did a great job and they also tried working with him with cows and team penning. He loved chasing the cows and the girls had a great time. He is the right size so the girls can tack him up all on their own and take him out for a ride. He's a wonderful animal and a gift to their family. He is well on his way to a second career as a teacher and a friend!

9 Laura s Taz (P50364, Gelding, Pacer) Laura s Skipper-Key to Cheer-Mostly Cheer Owner: Sarah Nehila Lifetime Mark: 1:56.0 at age 6 Lifetime Earnings: $133,333 Career Starts: 345 Win: 76 Place: 42 Show: 39 Born 5/29/95 in New York Standardbred race horses are known for their gentle ways and easygoing personality. But there s always the exception. Enter LAURA S TAZ. No one can imagine saying anything bad about a horse it seems almost blasphemous but when it comes to Laura s Taz, his less than winning demeanor can t be ignored, but almost always provides a little chuckle to those who deal with him on a daily basis. But before we talk about personality, let s talk accomplishments: Laura s Taz has 76 career wins to his credit, more than any of today s retirees. Laura s Taz raced numerous sub 2 minute miles during the 2009 season, including 1:59.1 this past summer at Scarborough Downs. But a recent and unfortunate coffin joint injury sidelined him. But fast as he was, The Big T, as he s known, has a bit of an attitude problem, to be polite. He doesn t like people. He doesn t like to train and he ll let you know it, Nehila explains. And many of the drivers didn t want to drive him because of his cantankerous personality. The ironic thing is, he s an attractive horse and people are drawn to him and go right up to him and want to pet him. I have to caution them don t do it, he ll bite, she says. But cantankerous doesn t mean unlovable: I bought him for $250 three years ago. No one wanted him. But he made over $20,000. I understand him. He s a racehorse that looks out for himself, said Nehila. I love that horse. He ll live at the farm forever.

10 Numberonefan (P53996, Gelding, Trotter) Sorcerer Hanover-Rosedale Starita-Noble Jade Owners: Vincent Grippa Lifetime Mark: 1:56.2 Lifetime Earnings: $308,835 Career Starts: 372 Win: 67 Place: 71 Show: 73 Born: 5/18/95 in Illinois NUMBERONEFAN is known as Fan around the barn. He is a guy who knows what he wants and sometimes that can make life a little interesting when working around him. He loves to do things his own way, including on the racetrack. He s much better when he thinks that he is the one who is making all the decisions, sometimes to the dismay of trainer Stacy Lord and driver Leigh Fitch. He has never been ridden and the owner is planning to keep him as a pet after retirement.

11 Surf City N (PB5861, Gelding, Trotter) Sondon-Globe Pride-Game Pride Owner: Ramona Smith Lifetime Mark: 2:02.1 at age 7 Lifetime earnings: $50,692 Career Starts: Domestic 121, Foreign trot 13=134 Win: 7 Show: 12 Place: 18 Born: 12/28/95 in New Zealand SURF CITY N, or Surf as he is known around the barn, is a guy who likes to be loved by the women in his life. He has been very successful racing with Ramona s daughter Donna driving. He s a very friendly horse and loves carrots. He has raced this year as a fourteen year old and won as a 13 year old last year (with Donna driving). He was born in New Zealand and did race there prior to coming to, and starting his career in, the United States in He has never been ridden but was sat on, and is looking for a home after the retirement ceremony.

12 Time Line (PA4568, Horse, Pacer) Jate Lobell-Before Hours-Cam Fella Owners: Emily Fournier and Bobby Marston Lifetime Mark: 1:50.2 Lifetime earnings: $245,393 Career Starts: 151 Win: 28 Place: 18 Show: 23 Born 2/23/95 in Kentucky TIME LINE, or Liner, is a man who wants everyone to know it. He loves to talk to all the ladies and tell them, Look at me! He has been used primarily for breeding for several years and has sired some Maine favorites, including Seadog Time, Kernel Bud, and others. Liner loves to eat carrots and apples and hates to be left out of any snacks given to the other horses. Whenever he s eating, he loves to buck. He manages to keep his head in his bucket and still kick up his heels with excitement. One of his more memorable moments, and one that really personifies who he is and what he is all about, is the time he got loose and made it a mile and a quarter up the road to find a little mare who he definitely wanted as a girlfriend! Now that s dedication! He has had a very successful race career and will continue to sire successful Maine babies in the future!

13 Venus of Milo (P81070, Mare, Pacer) Wilcos Data-Napolean s Queen-Fulla Napolean Owner: University of Maine System Lifetime Mark: 2:01.0 Lifetime Earnings: $19,278 Career Starts: 64 Win: 8 Place: 15 Show: 12 Born 4/14/95 in Maine VENUS OF MILO, occasionally called the "Meanest of Milo" by the other horses because she's bossy, is called Venus "de" Milo by Cassie Elia (her trainer) if she's being naughty. She hates wearing pink, and will drag you to the nearest patch of green grass. She LOVES to stand in the sun after she's been bathed, and eat grass. Donated to the UMaine Horse Program by Tom Kole, former Executive Director of the Maine Harness Racing Promotions Board, Venus raced for UMaine during 1999 and 2000, with Valerie Grondin and Heath Campbell, and began UMaine's involvement with the harness racing Industry. In 2000 Venus left racing to be retrained as a pleasure horse and performed on the UMaine drill team. She was purchased in 2005 as a Therapeutic riding horse. Clare Thomas, of Dover Foxcroft, owned her as a Therapeutic Riding horse from She is now owned by Dr. Robert Causey, coordinator of UMaine's equine program, who shows her at Introductory Level dressage, under the instruction of Cassie Elia, the owner of Wild Ivy farm in Bangor. Venus (ridden by Robert) is also on the Wild Ivy Drill team. Venus will continue to eat any treats or green grass that comes her way. Between meals her training will continue, and she will work off the pounds in her new career as a dressage horse. Here is a limerick Dr. Causey recently wrote about her: I once owned a mare named Venus Whom I clothed in colors most heinous In pink that glows From her tail to her toes, In the dark you could have seen us.