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2 F e b r u a r y Big Jim On Big Jim

3 Ponder New to Ontario The Panderosa Empty Feeling Abercrombie p, 2, 1:58.1h; 3, 1:53f; 1:48.1 1:49h ($1,686,134) 2011 Fee: $4,000 A dominant performer on the track, Ponder s major victories include the Canadian Pacing Derby, the US Pacing Championship, the Molson Canadian Pace, the Graduate Series and the Winbak Pace. Ponder retired with standings of in 56 lifetime starts and earnings of over $1.6 million. His victories include 8 sub 1:50 performances, including his 1:49 World Record in winning the Winbak Pace at Delaware s half mile oval. Throughout his career, Ponder paced 22 sub 1:50 miles. Ponder s rst crop of racing age were Pennsylvania sired 2-year-olds in His leading performers include stakes winners: In Deep Thought p, 2, 1:53.1f 10 ($164,705) Day To Ponder p, 2, 1:53.1f 10 ($124,894) Real Trell p, 2, 1:56.2f 10 ($40,938) Highly Thought Of p, 2, 1:55.2f 10 ($28,6606 ) Wi llie Boots p, 2, 1:55.1f 10 ($24,900) Lizas Pride p, 2, 1:54.3f 10 ($24,642) St ress Test p, 2, 1:55.3f 10 ($24,629) Ramp age Jackson p, 2, 1: ($22,358) A regally bred son of The Panderosa, Ponder s dam is the multiple stakes wi nner Em pty Feeling p, 3, 1:53.4; 1:53.1 ($354,657), the half sis ter to Meadowland s Pace winner Laughs p, 3, 1:52.1 ($1,383,172). Ponder s half sister, Si mp le Gesture, is the dam of the great Shark Gest ure p, 1: 48.1s ($2,818,02 1) Roman Line RR#3 Lucan, ON N0M 2J0 T: F: seelster@quadro.net

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5 CONTENTS February 2011 A Conversation With Jim Carr Jim Carr, the owner of Big Jim, offers his candid thoughts on his horse and his prospects for his sophomore season in this wide ranging interview. The Blue Streak Named for his co-breeder s car, and blessed with his father s talent (and quirks), Blue Porsche sped around the racetracks last year on his way to a very profitable season from minimal starts. The Picture Of Perfection Despite her name See You At Peelers was a model of decorum and perfection on the racetrack, winning every one of her starts last year during her rookie campaign. All In The Family Jeff Gregory grew up surrounded by horses and horse people and he s parlayed that background into a career as one of racing s top drivers. Regular Features The European View Meet the Danish businessman who has owned not one but two Hambletonian starters and last year s Kentucky Futurity winner. The View Downunder A Canadian by birth but now a New Zealander, veterinarian Dr. Corinne Hills has fashioned a lifestyle in the land downunder and immersed herself in the world of horses. EDITORIAL NOTE CHAMPION'S CLOSET ~ Prodigal Seelster BARTER HOUSE

6 The NeW GOLdeN CROSS COMeS TO ONTARIO. B Gs FOLLY p,3,1:49.1-1:52h- 10 ($562,815) Rocknroll Hanover Art Amour Artsplace The ONLY son of Rocknroll Hanover in Canada. Winner of $500,000 New Jersey Classic (stakes record) in 1:49.1 over All Speed Hanover. Captured elimination of $600,000 Confederation Cup in 1:52h (second in final). Third in Oliver Wendell Holmes (1:48.1) behind Rockin Image and Rock N Roll Heaven. Won $76,500 Junior Trendsetter. Won Jersey Cup at the Meadowlands in 1:50.3. Race-timed 1:56.1 in first lifetime start at two. Won on all size tracks. When B Gs Folly was on his game he could go with anyone. The night he won the New Jersey Classic at the Meadowlands he went went a big trip (1:49.1) with the Breeders Crown winner All Speed Hanover sitting on his back. He s a very impressive horse with size and gait..driver Brian Sears THe GOLdeN CROSS check it out. Nearly all of the elite performers by Rocknroll Hanover hail from Artsplace mares including Rock N Roll Heaven p,3,1:47.3 ($2,774,478), Put On A Show p,3,1:49.4 ($1,947,726), Ticket To Rock p,3,1:51 ($687,796), Rock N Soul p,3,1:52h ($470,887), etc. Pat & Anna Meyers 5629 Wellington Road 29 Rockwood, ON N0B 2K0 Phone: (519) SERVICE FEE - $3,000 Multiple mare discount. To watch B Gs Folly capture last year s New Jersey Classic, click here.

7 Join the Gold Rush... Linscott Photo Msnaughtybynature, 3, 1:56 ($642,044) - Victorious in 22 of 26 career starts competing primarily in Indiana Sires Stakes. Indiana s Lucrative Program Sets the Standard! The Indiana Standardbred Breed Development Program is soaring to record heights, offering unprecedented slots-enriched purses. During the 2010 season, the program distributed a record $17 MILLION in purses and breeders awards. Wouldn t you like to get a piece of the action in 2011? Indiana Sires Stakes offered in excess of $9.6 MILLION in purses in 2010 $40,000 Legs (6 legs for 2 YR Olds; 8 legs for 3 YR Olds) $200,000 Finals for 2 & 3 YR Olds (two finals each) $30,000 Consolations for 2 & 3 YR Olds But that wasn t all the program also offered: Lucrative Fair Program with racing from June October Indiana Sired Late Closers Owner s Bonus Program Breeder s Awards Increased Purses for Indiana Sired Overnight Races Mini Series

8 Linscott Photos Coady Photo Invest in Indiana! Bluebird Elian, 1:57.3 ($232,000) - Freshman trotter from the first crop of Southwind Elian swept both $200,000 ISS finals. Show Me the Money! With $40,000 preliminary legs and a set of $200,000 finals for each division of two and three year olds, the Indiana Sires Stakes program offers a chance at big money with low nomination and entry fees. Here are just a few examples of the top Indiana Sires Stakes performers and the money they have earned for their connections during the 2010 season. Dark Alley Sally p,3,1:53.4 $200,000 Indiana Sires Stakes Final Winner Hoosier Park Racing & Casino A winner of $310,000+ in 2010 with career earnings of more than $365,000. Earl s Glider 3,1:56.1 Swept both lucrative Indiana Sires Stakes Finals and earned Hoosier Home Run Award. Winner in 11 of 18 seasonal starts with $415,000 in earnings in 2010 and $469,553 in his career. Royal Woods p,3,1:52.3 $200,000 Indiana Sires Stakes Final Winner Hoosier Park Racing & Casino Eight-time winner in 2010 with more than $290,000 in seasonal earnings. Don t miss your opportunity to cash in on Indiana s slots-rich program! If you have any questions regarding the Indiana Standardbred Breed Development Program or would like to receive additional information, please contact the offices of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission at (317) or visit our website at

9 EDITOR S NOTE February 2011 H E A T H E R M A C K A Y R O B E R T S It s awards season again and in Canada one of the most anticipated awards was the coveted Horse of the Year as for the first time in awhile there wasn t a clear cut winner. Three horses, Big Jim, San Pail and Dreamfair Eternal, were considered the front-runners and when the winner was announced it was the mare who took home the trophy. In this month s A Conversation With feature, Big Jim s owner Jim Carr notes that he felt his colt deserved the honour based on the criteria for the awards which ask the voters to select the horse or person they felt made the greatest contribution to Canadian racing over the past year. Carr points to the fact that he issued an invitation to every youngster at the track to come and have their photo taken with the horse if he won. I don t think we have enough young blood at the racetrack. I see the kids along the railing and I thought if the kids got their picture taken with the horse, the next time he races they ll want to go back. I want them to come back to the races and be cheering for him, he explained last year. Carr has an excellent point. Most voters I believe consider contribution off the track when it comes to selecting a winner in the human award divisions, say if a driver or trainer is accommodating to the media, makes charity appearances, etc. but I don t think many consider it in the equine divisions, and as Carr states, they should. Carr s candid interview this month is refreshing and he shows a fierce loyalty to his driver, trainer and horse that is heart warming. I rarely laugh out loud when reading a story but I did when I read what he had to say about his horse s sex life. In other news, I was saddened to read of the passing recently of Maritime owner Tom MacPherson. In 1994 he heard a radio report regarding a fundraiser for then 12 year-old Jeffrey Bowman of PEI who was suffering from a degenerative genetic disorder. That same day MacPherson had a filly competing in an Atlantic Sires Stakes and he instructed his trainer, Earl Smith, to donate whatever she won to Jeffrey. The filly came through at long odds and contributed more than $8,000 to the cause. MacPherson also hosted the youngster at the track a few weeks later, and had a special set of colours created for him. The story was carried in national media across North America and generated a lot of positive press for harness racing. When we learned of MacPherson s incredible gesture it created a discussion about how his generosity could be recognized by the industry. It is what eventually led to the creation of the Cam Fella Award which at the time, was established to honour someone like MacPherson who made sacrifices and selflessly volunteered his time and efforts to make a difference in the Standardbred world and beyond. We need more people in this business like Carr and MacPherson, who in their own unique ways attempted to create good will and expose more people to the sport of harness racing. In addition to Carr s story this month, we also have features on the talented driver Jeff Gregory, the Danish owner of Wishing Stone, New Zealand veterinarian and Canadian native Corinne Hills, the top rookie trotter Blue Porsche and the undefeated freshman filly See You At Peelers. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did, Harold Howe Publisher/Director Advertising Sales hhowe@theharnessedge.com Heather MacKay Roberts Managing Editor hmr@theharnessedge.com Kathryn Patchett Art Director kpatchett@theharnessedge.com Greg Reinhart Website Reporter news@theharnessedge.com Jennifer Vo New Media news@theharnessedge.com Marian Howe Office & Circulation Manager circulation@theharnessedge.com Contributing Writers Todd Beelby, Jay Bergman, Paul Delean, Neale Donnelley, Bill Heller, Jonathan Huntington, Klaus Koch, Nicole Kraft, Dave MacLean, Gary McKay, Anna Meyers, Robert Okpu, Kimberly Rinker, Kathy Rumleski, Beverley Smith, Christy West, M. Kelly Young Photographers Kevin Bissonette, Thomas Blomqvist, Sylvain Gagnon, Chris Gallow, Jim Gillies, Ryan Haynes, Therese Hebert, Laptime Photo, Lisa Photography, Dale MacMillan, Bonny MaKarewicz, New Image Media, Christa Sanders, Nicole Sellers, Nigel Soult, Time Capsule Photography, Peter J. Thompson, Monica Thors, Kevin Tunney, Paul vanpeenen This month s cover: Photo by Winnie Gustafson Ontario operating as: The Harness Edge 45 Dalkeith Drive., Unit 5, Brantford, Ontario, Canada N3P 1M Fax: Note: The Harness Edge has not tested, nor does it endorse the products/services advertised within.

10 Art Major p,2,1:54.3f; 3,1:50.1; 4,1:48.4 ($2,727,224 US) Artsplace Perfect Profile Nihilator North America s 2010 leading money winning pacing sire of 2YOs. Leading money winning pacing sire in New York in With only four crops of racing age, his progeny have earned over 30 million! SIRE OF 80 - $100,000+ winners including ART OFFICIAL p,3,1:47 ($2,082,885 US) SANTANNA BLUE CHIP p,2,1:51.3 ($1,622,636 US) HYPNOTIC BLUE CHIP p,1:47.2 ($1,360,297 US) ARTIMITTATESLIFE p,3,1:51.3s ($948,135 US) MAJOR IN ART p,2,1:50.4 ($849,154 US) 2011 Stud Fee: $15,000 Book your mare online today at Hoagerburgh Rd. Wallkill, NY fax

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12 A CONVERSATION WITH... JIM CARR IS A DYING BREED; HE S ASELF-MADE MAN WHO LIVES LIFE ON HIS OWN TERMS. AT 67 THE PERSONABLE HORSE OWNER IS HAVING THE TIME OF HIS LIFE THANKS TO HIS NAMESAKE, BIG JIM, THE BEST TWO-YEAR-OLD PACING COLT IN THE WORLD LAST RACING SEASON. JIM CARR FROM HIS HOME IN FREELTON, ONTARIO, CARR MAINTAINS A BUSY LIFE WITH HIS DOCUMENT PROCESSING BUSINESS, HIS FAMILY AND ONCE AGAIN, HIS HORSES. UP UNTIL A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO HE HAD LOST INTEREST IN HORSE OWNERSHIP BUT HIS FRIENDSHIP WITH FORMER TRAINER STEW FIRLOTTE REKINDLED IT. AS FAR AS HIS HORSE HOLDINGS ARE CONCERNED, CARR IS VIRTUALLY A LONE WOLF. IF HE PARTNERS WITH SOMEONE IT S MORE OUT OF KINDNESS THAN A DESIRE TO SHARE RISK. HE HAS NO QUALMS ABOUT SHOULDERING THE BURDEN ON HIS OWN. IN MANY WAYS HE IS CUT FROM THE SAME CLOTH AS THE LIKES OF THE LATE JOHN GRANT AND MAC CUDDY TO NAME TWO FORMER LEADING CANADIAN OWNERS. IN THIS CONVERSATION WITH THE HARNESS EDGE S HAROLD HOWE, CARR EXPLAINS WHY HE OPERATES THE WAY HE DOES AND THE UNWAVERING CONFIDENCE HE HAS IN THE PROSPECTS FOR AN ENORMOUS THREE-YEAR-OLD SEASON FOR BIG JIM. (WINNIE GUSTAFSON PHOTOS) The Harness Edge February 2011

13 A CONVERSATION WITH... Photo by Winnie Gustafson The O Brien Awards are now history. How did you feel about Big Jim not getting overall Horse of the Year (won by Dreamfair Eternal)? I figured Big Jim should have received it. Aside from setting the world record and being the highest money winning colt, I tried to promote racing with him. If you look at the voting criteria, which calls for the greatest contribution to Canadian racing in a given year, I think he did everything possible from getting kids out to get their photo taken with him, to encouraging more people to come to the races. I know my wife and I brought four or five more couples every time he raced and showed them around. But that s life. We re doing this interview in January and you ve just returned from the Southern Oaks Training Center in Florida to see your horses. How was Big Jim when you saw him? He looks great and could not feel any better. The last time I saw him he jogged and then was put out in the paddock and he just tore around in there. For what it is worth he is feeling the Big Jim, shown here being jogged by his trainer James Friday Dean, first started attracting attention last year when he won the Dream Maker Final at Mohawk in his third lifetime start in 1:51.1, a North American record at the time. He concluded his rookie season winning the Governor's Cup in a world record 1:49.1. That race may be watched by clicking here. part which makes me hate the fact that we had to shut him down when we did. What reflections do you have about the 2010 racing season? I suppose the only negative was the disappointment of the Metro Pace. (Big Jim made a shocking break in the $1 million Metro final at Mohawk just past the first quarter, after winning his elimination the week before in 1:50.2. That race may be watched by clicking here.) Phil (driver Phil Hudon) was being kind to him by dropping him in a hole. We think he may have just stepped into a soft spot on the track and broke. To say Phil should have gunned right to the lead from the start is easy to say afterwards; when I saw him trying to get the hole I was perfectly happy. In saying that I was disappointed with the Metro, it was not about the money. I was disappointed for the horse because he was the best. Jody Jamieson, who won it with Mystician, even said afterwards that if Big Jim had not gone off stride, they do not win. (Big Jim wound up sixth in the race. It was the only time last season that he did not earn a cheque as he finished in the top three in every one of his other starts and earned $834,000 along the way.) What I am proud of is that the horse was not stretched. In my time with Carman Hie and Stew Firlotte I learned that if you take care of your horse then he ll take care of you. When I think back to my time with Carman racing Saturn Lobell, we got far more racing out of him than a lot of people would have. Back in those days he would be racing in the open at Flamboro Downs and while he would not win every start, he made money and the races were just like quick training miles for him. February 2011 The Harness Edge

14 Get a JUMP START right here with these exciting stallions! Broadway Hall 2,1:56.4 ($583,762) Conway Hall B Cor Tamgo A Go Go Lauxmont Undefeated Breeders Crown champion Broadway Hall has produced progeny with earnings over $13 million with 27 $100,000+ earners, 13 $250,000+ earners and with $49,829 average earnings per starter Fee: $12,000 real artist p,2,1:52, 3,Q1:51 ($424,947) Artsplace Rodine Hanover Big Towner Real Artist has winners of more than $51.6 million with 153 that have earned $100,000 or more. The average earnings per starter is a remarkable $85,489 with 299 in 1: Fee: $7,500 Village Jolt p,2,1:51.1, 3,1:50.4f ($1,793,280) Cam s Card Shark Village Jingle Life Sign This Two-Year-Old Colt Pacer of the Year in both the U.S. and Canada continues to produce foals with early speed. 37 foals out of 39 raced in 2010, with two in 1:55 and 10 in 2: Fee: $4,500 Capitalize on the rich Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Program and make your bookings today. 625 Street Rd., New Hope, PA T (215) F (215)

15 A CONVERSATION WITH... It was the same with Stew. Never was there any thought given to how much you could win by. After the Metro, Big Jim just got better and better. I don t believe we got anywhere close to his bottom. In that Breeders Crown win he was a fifth of a second off the record and I m sure had Phil got after him he could have done it. How do you assess the competition Big Jim will face this coming season? I quite like Erv Miller s colt Shadyshark Hanover. Erv is at Southern Oaks as well and when I was down there I went over to see the horse in his stall. He chased us several time and could not beat us with a perfect trip but he is a quality horse. Actually, I think it will between he and Big Jim this summer. George Teague s colt Feel Like A Fool made a lot of money but he wasn t racing against the horses we were. Having said that George Teague is one hell of a horseman. I just cannot believe that he and his sister stand there in the back of the sales buying horses as they are walked around the ring. He s had way too much success for it to be just luck. No matter what horse he has racing you have to give it respect. As we speak today do you have a tentative plan in mind for this year s season with Big Jim? I want him to be race ready on May 21 for the New Jersey Classic at the Meadowlands. Then it would be back home for the Somebeachsomewhere (formerly the Burlington Stake) and of course the North America Cup. I d like to think we ll make the Meadowlands Pace but the Little Brown Jug is a question mark. He will be paid into it but I m just not a fan of racing heats. They don t scare me but I don t think it s the best for the horse. That s also why we will not be at Flamboro Downs (for the Confederation Cup, which also has two heats in one day) which does bother me because I feel a responsibility to race in Canada s top races. I raced my first horse at Flamboro Downs, in 1976 I think. Old Zero was a horse I got from Carman Hie and raced James 'Friday' Dean is the man Carr chose to train Big Jim because of the relationship he had with Carr's long time trainer Stew Firlotte. It proved to be an ideal match with Big Jim thriving in the stable which is now based at Southern Oaks Training Center in Florida where Dean is shown checking out the surface before taking Big Jim out. with Francis MacNeil. I paid $5,000 and Carman told me that the horse would never make me any money but he d never lose me any either. He was right. The horse was claimed for $3,000 at one point and my wife was so upset that I went back and bought him. He was retired and never raced again. But coming back to the Confederation Cup, even though I do not like the racing surface, I would race Big Jim there if they held the eliminations a week earlier. Heat racing is a thing of the past and the management is just wrong clinging to something that has no place with our horses today. Even if they came and offered to pay the supplemental fee I would not start him because it would not be the best thing for the horse. Photo by Winnie Gustafson February 2011 The Harness Edge

16 Santanna New to Seelster Farms Blue Chip Art Mmissus Hanover Matt s Scooter Major M p, 2, 1:51.3 ($1,633,643) 2011 Fee: $4,000 The Richest 2-Year-Old Ever By Art Major! At 2, Santanna Blue Chip compiled a record of in 11 starts and $927,095 in earnings. His victories included the $731,700 Governor s Cup and the $650,000 Breeders Crown, as well as a third place nish in the $1,000,000 Metro Pace. Santanna Blue Chip ended the season as the highest earning 2-year-old pacer. At 3, Santanna Blue Chip was victorious in the Simcoe Stakes and an elimination of the Art Rooney Pace. He was also stakes-placed in the Bu rlington Stakes, elimination and the nal of the North American Cup, the Confederation Cup, the Messenger, the Art Rooney Pace Final and the Little Brown Jug. By season s end, he had compiled a recordrd of in 16 starts and earnings of $706,548. Af ter two brilliant seasons on the track, Santanna Blue Chip was retirede with earnings of $1,633,643 and a record of in 27 lifetime st arts. Santanna Blue Chip s rst foals were born in 2010 and will highlight the 2011 yearling sales. Photography: Dave Landry Roman Line RR#3 Lucan, ON N0M 2J0 T: F: seelster@quadro.net

17 A CONVERSATION WITH... You left the racing game for a period of years. Why? I walked away when Stew Firlotte got sick in around He broke my very first yearling and every other horse I had other than Saturn Lobell to that point. He was and is a man that I trust and he and I have a great relationship. Truthfully, I left the game because I didn t feel comfortable trusting any other trainer so my horses were sold and I just didn t care about racing anymore. I came back to it in 2009 also because of Stew. I just could not live with the idea of him sitting around with nothing to do in his living room. (Firlotte, a member of Canada s Horse Racing Hall of Fame, suffered a stroke several years ago.) So I got him on the phone and said we ve got to get a horse together. We went to the Forest City Yearling Sale and were looking for something that he could afford. I found this Royal Mattjesty filly that was out of a family that Stew was really familiar with. I bought her for $8,000 but he wanted to go to Harrisburg and see what was there. We went there and he bought this colt for $48,000 but I didn t like it. I think what happened was that some of the horse guys there egged him on. I didn t want any part of it and my filly won $54,000 in the Ontario Sires Stakes and was a nice Grassroots horse while his made $8,000 or $9,000. But you did end up doing some shopping in Harrisburg. When I went to the Harrisburg sale I had no intention of getting back in on a horse but one thing led to another and I got interested in getting an Ontario-sired colt but you just couldn t get near them. I couldn t or wouldn t pay that money so I started looking elsewhere and found Big Jim who was then named Bold Ideal Hanover. No one knows for sure why people were turned off the horse. The mare had five foals and none of them had been of any real account and Big Jim was big and I guess that bothered some of them. I like Big Towner dams and his was a pretty good mare and at $35,000 he was right for me. I ve never had anyone come up to me and tell me they were the February 2011 The Harness Edge

18 Put A tiger in Your MAre TIGERAMA p,2,1:59.2h, 3,1:54.4f, 1:49.1s-1:50.4h ($1,670,946) Village Jiffy Fearless Flight Artsplace FEarlEss DurablE TalEnTED EFFiciEnT - admired One of the most durable horses in Ontario comes to stud. A 67-time winner, TIGERAMA paced 22 miles in 1:50 or better and 20 last quarters in 27 or faster. He showed his talent on any size track winning in 1:50.4h (track record) at Western Fair Raceway, 1:52.4h at Flamboro Downs, set the track record at Windsor Raceway in 1:50.1f. He won his elimination of the Canadian Pacing Derby, Masters Final, Border City Final and the Spring Championship final as well as a number of Ontario Sires Stakes events. Photo by New Image Media FEE - $2,500 $500 prompt payment discount plus $250 discount for 2:00/$100,000 winning mares or those who have produced such performers. 687 Northern Central Rd., Hagar, ON P0M 1X0 Inquiries to Murray McConnell or Fax

19 A CONVERSATION WITH... underbidder or chased him for a ways but someone did. Forgetting for a moment that you own him, what qualities do you think made him the best two-year-old in the world last season? There are many but his manners are just wonderful. Phil has shown he can be driven any way you want in a race. He s a very good keeper. Friday (the colt s trainer James Dean who worked for many years with Firlotte) said the night of the Breeders Crown that he thought the horse had fallen asleep in the crossties. I stood back and thought about that and he was right. The horse takes excellent care of himself, most of the great ones do. Big Jim is so good going too. He doesn t wear a boot and that says a lot about his conformation. Finally, he gives 100 per cent when it is race time and he s shown several times that when you hit the gas pedal it s: boom, he s gone. He has explosive step. In spite of all that and what he accomplished, you found you were second guessed all year. I had several trainers tell me I should not have raced him in some races because something was bothering him. He has this habit of not getting down to the rail like maybe he should in the first turn. It s just a quirk of his but I told Friday that he s obviously not the trainer of the horse, 90 other people are. But that s the way horse people are. It s always been and probably always will be a case of them being unable to agree on anything, which is why racing has never ever had a plan to improve it. The night of the Breeders Crown elimination when we finished third there were all kinds of comments. When we took a bye in the Governor s Cup we had tons of people say that was wrong. That is frustrating. There have also been numerous questions about your decision to employ Phil Hudon as driver. I get it all the time and I think he s done a wonderful job. The thing I like is that he always bring us back a horse. He s never after him for all he s worth and knows I do not want the horse gutted. There was one American owner who came up to me and point blank asked why I was using Phil. He did comment how much he liked the horse but could not understand taking Phil. After the Breeders Crown win I showed him the trophy and told him that s why. Jerry Silva, who has been involved in so many top horses in recent years, was among those with you accepting Big Jim s O Brien Award. What was that about? I met Jerry for the first time at the Harrisburg sale and it was me who made the contact. I was sitting at the table next to him and just loved the leather jacket he had. Actually, I first thought it might have belonged to his wife. So I commented on it and that s how we met and become friendly. They told me the next time they went to Italy they would get me one. I told them make sure it is triple X. Anyway, I invited him to the O Briens. I like the guy. That s all. You re the last of a dying breed in that you are the sole owner of Big Jim. You don t have any partners but there have been many purchase offers along the way. Very early on there was an offer of $400,000 but that did not interest me because I didn t want to sell. I don t want to have to cater to anyone and there are no hanger ons. Fashion Farms made an overture, which wasn t the most money but it was an appealing deal because it showed the man (Jules Siegel) had a heart. Before the Metro Pace Charlie Juravinski called me. He tried to buy in for $200,000 and I said no. He called back mid-afternoon to offer $250,000 because he wanted to come along for the ride. I ve known Charlie for a long time but I wasn t interested. There are some things cooking with more people showing interest. There s rumour after rumour about the horse. In my opinion he s worth between three and five million dollars depending on what he does this year before the awards are handed out. Deep down I don t want a deal but if someone with lots of money comes along and wants to buy a percentage of the horse and I have control over his racing career it would be hard not to accept. Having said that I have a lot of trouble getting by Hanover Shoe Farms because I like the way they do things. One of those is the fact they do not allow their stallions to shuttle to the southern hemisphere. I don t know any man or horse capable of having sex 365 days a year. I love this horse and would always want to see what is in his best interests be in the forefront. On the other hand I d like to have my horse where I can go see him and ideally Ontario is the place. I m not clear on the incentives though for having him standing here as opposed to somewhere else so have to get into that. Regardless, I believe something will happen with him because it will be something I just can t refuse. You bought Big Jim s Camluck half-brother at Harrisburg last fall for $100,000. What s the early opinion on him? We ve changed his name (from Bold Blue Hanover) to Big Michael after my son and a good friend. So far he s doing it right at Southern Oaks, just ask the people there who see him every day. In November at that Harrisburg sale you weren t shy in spending around $400,000 in total. I don t think I got carried away. The horse showed a $700,000 profit and I was not going to pay any more in tax than I had to. So I paid all the bills until the end of December and went over it with my accountant and headed for Harrisburg. I also went in on two with some partners and gave one to Chad Milner to train. You ve been in the racing game for 35 years but not a great deal is known about your background. I was born in Burlington, all I have is a grade eight education. I flunked grade nine three times and at age 16 was given two choices. I had someone who was prepared to back me to become a touring golf professional or go to work for his company Aldershot Equipment. I was playing out of Dundas Valley at the time and had some game so I went February 2011 The Harness Edge

20 2011 EARLY CLOSING PROGRAM NOMINATIONS CLOSE MARCH 15, 2011 Declarations close at the time and date posted on the weekly condition sheet Event #47 Pace 2 Yr. Old Fillies COUNTESS ADIOS Friday, August 5...$ 50,000 A ($155,000 Est.) NOMINATION FEE: $750 DECLARATION FEE: $1,000 Event #48 Pace 3 Yr. Old Fillies TARPORT HAP Saturday, July 16...$ 75,000 A ($176,000 Est.) NOMINATION FEE: $1,000 DECLARATION FEE: $1,000 Event #49 Pace 3 Yr. Old Colts & Geldings OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES Saturday, August 6...$100,000 A ($231,000 Est.) NOMINATION FEE: $1,500 DECLARATION FEE: $2,000 CONDITIONS EARLY CLOSING PROGRAM EVENTS Nominations close March 15, All events will be conducted under the rules and regulations of the New Jersey Racing Commission, United States Trotting Association and The Meadowlands. 3. Post positions for all events will be drawn by lot. 4. Purse distribution 50%-25%-12%-8%-5%. 5. Declarations close at the time and date posted on the weekly condition sheet. 6. Nomination fee must accompany all nominations. (U.S. FUNDS ONLY). All nomination fees will be added to the final events. PAYMENT FOR NOMINATION FEES MUST BE IN U.S. FUNDS ONLY. IF PAYMENT IS DRAWN ON A CANADIAN BANKING INSTITUTION, THAT INSTITUTION MUST OPERATE A BRANCH LOCATED IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK. 7. Starting fees must accompany entries at time of declaration. 8. The Meadowlands requires six separate betting interests to start in any event or it may be cancelled. 9. The Meadowlands reserves the right to reject any entry and return entry fee, declare off any event if conditions warrant, call off any event not filling satisfactorily and place entries in their eligible class if entered incorrectly. 10. Should any unforeseeable conditions prevent the racing of any or all events, monies paid will be refunded. 11. If for any unforeseeable reason races are cancelled The Meadowlands reserves the right to carry races to future race dates of their discretion. 12. All horses shipping to The Meadowlands must have a current negative Coggins. The Racing Secretary shall require proof of such test. 13. All horses shipping into New Jersey must have current health certificates. 14. Stall space for stakes nominees may be revoked at any time. 15. Horses must meet qualifying standards at The Meadowlands. 16. The Meadowlands may deduct up to 1% of all fees for the administration of these events. 17. All owners and/or trainers nominating or having horses nominated for stakes races at the Meadowlands shall be required to stable said horses at the Meadowlands facilities prior to the race in which they are entered at a time specified by the Meadowlands. The Meadowlands shall have sole discretion in assigning stalls to particular owners and trainers and shall also have sole discretion in waiving the above stated requirements. 18. Declaration fees are non-refundable. 19. Those nominating horses to these events are responsible for eligibility. No refunds will be made for ineligible horses. 20. A nomination to these events is an agreement to all above terms. For information, contact Peter J. Koch, Director and Race Secretary of Standardbred Racing Fax THE-BIGM meadowlandsracetrack.com COLOR EVENT NAME OF HORSE SEX/AGE SIRE DAM OWNER & ADDRESS Make check payable to: THE MEADOWLANDS Mail to: Peter J. Koch Director and Race Secretary of Standardbred Racing Meadowlands Racetrack 50 State Route 120 East Rutherford, NJ Amount $ Entered by Owner or Authorized Agent Address Telephone No. Trainer Telephone No.

21 A CONVERSATION WITH... south for two weeks to play in Bermuda. After that tournament I knew it wasn t going to happen. It was like sending a $3,000 claimer against the $100,000 class. I was nowhere good enough even though I was decent. So I came back and went to work for $63 a week. Robert Henderson was the man who backed me and he took me under his wing in the construction rental business. I came to play a bigger role in the company and he became entwined in the Harbourgate scandal in Hamilton years ago. I helped him through it and as a result in 1975 he sold me the farm I have now for $1. All along he d told me to pay myself enough salary to work off the value of the farm. At the end of it all he asked me where his dollar was. That farm today is worth between two and a half and three million. He was a great man. I stayed with him from 1963 to 1978 until his son took over the business and then it was time One Stop Full Service Facility for me to leave. What did you do then? I was working in the financial end of that business and was pretty good at making collections. On the side I started chasing down money for people in the car business so I decided to go into business for myself. My license plate was PAY UP. That was going along pretty well and got up to six or seven people working with me and that carried on until I had a court guy approach me about getting into business with two partners serving court documents like divorce papers and the like. After three months it was down to one other guy and myself and then eventually me until the early 90s when my son Michael came on board. Today we have 10 people at Hamilton/Toronto Area Process Serving Inc. and it s a thriving little business but we do deal with some nuts. Coming back to the horses why did you hook up with Friday Dean? He spent a lot of years working for Stew that s why. Clark Equine (formerly Glassford Equi-Care) is your full service boarding facility for turnouts, injuries, yearlings or broodmares ready to foal. Whatever your equine needs, we can accommodate. Our business prides itself on providing the best service possible for many of horse racing s most accomplished horse owners and trainers. Our staff always puts your horse first and we have the testimonials to prove it. Call John or Susan Clark for more details on getting the best service and value that can be offered. John & Susan Clark 655 Abbey Road Caledonia, ON N3W 1R7 Cell: (416) Phone: (905) clarkequine@mountaincable.net What goals do you have this year? I ll surprise you with this but I have a great desire to start five two-year-olds in the final of the Dream Maker Series at Mohawk this summer. I know it s never been done before and I think with the quality of the horses I bought it can be done. It would be a first. I m looking for Big Jim to have a comparable year to last year. Truthfully, I m not worried about any other starter, they have to worry about Big Jim. As I ve said we don t know where the bottom to this guy is and I believe that when it s all said and done he will break all of Somebeachsomewhere s records, he s that calibre of animal. I can t wait for May to come. There will be some races he will miss but the goal is to have him fit and healthy to give every start his best shot just like Brent MacGrath did with Somebeachsomewhere. There will be no racing his guts out just for the sake of racing. We ll do what s best for Big Jim and the rest will take care of itself. February 2011 The Harness Edge

22 FEBRUARY 2011 STAKES PAYMENTS NOMINATION FORMS AVAILABLE AT Grand Circuit Events #1) Kentucky Futurity #119 #2) Tattersalls Pace 2011 Foals of 2008 to Race in 2011 Foals of 2008 to Race in 2011 PAYMENT DUE FOR EVENTS #1 & 2: OPEN FILLY February 15 $1,000 $500 March 15 $1,500 $750 #3) Bluegrass Series #36 Foals of 2008 to Race in 2011 PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR EVENT #3: February 15 $550 March 15 $750 April 15 $850 *Supplemental Payment due February 15 $5,000 *Ineligible three year olds may be made eligible to the three year old events in 2011 by making the three-year-old supplemental nomination fee on February 15 of $5,000 plus the March 15 and April 15 payments THREE YEAR OLD FILLY EARLY CLOSERS (OPEN) #4) NADIA LOBELL #5) THE MONI MAKER 3YO FILLY PACE 3YO FILLY TROT $175,000E Sunday August 28 $175,000E Friday August19 PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR EVENTS #4 & 5: February 15 $500 March 15 $750 April 15 $1,000 May 15 $1,500 Declaration Fee $2,500 CHECKS (US FUNDS) MADE PAYABLE TO THE RED 1200 RED MILE RD LEXINGTON, KY (859)