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George Carlin had a fun routine about airplanes. You are really not "on" the plane, you are IN the plane. Also, when there is a "near miss" between two planes it was really a "NEAR HIT."Well, I have always owned mid-to-upper level "raceway" trotters (only one or two pacers along the way.) I always am scouring On-Gait, Preferred Equine Online etc. (since I am now on the West Coast and not able to do my own direct scouting.) My targets are typically solid, 3 or 4 year olds who are just below top level in state sire stakes, and (from my observation through RTN etc.) seem like they could develop into the trotters who could race in the mid/mid-upper levels of major (Meadowlands, Yonkers, Hoosier, Woodbine) track aged condition trots. Many trainers have helped me along the way, and when I was back in the tri-state area, I would often sit behind them myself (if the owner was comfortable with that.)During July there was a horse, Grand Revival, whom I spent a huge amount of time researching, as he was listed to On-Gait. I watched every one of his races on RTN. I was able to reach out to a few "locals" for feedback and was certainly a "live" bidder. I went to about $55,000. He was strong, good-gaited and seemed sound. The feedback I received was positive. I was not as "excited" for the possibility of BIG $$ from the Ohio Sire Stakes, although he was sitting at #5 at the time. He ultimately went for over $70,000 to Jeff Faught and several other owners (including one from Brooklyn, NY... so my being on the West Coast was no further away!!). Steve Carter now trains him and today he HANDILY won the $300,000 Scarlet 3 yo Trot at Scioto.Congratulations to all of the connections, as they have done a great job with the horse, and he now sits in my "could have, would have, should have" set of horses....perhaps near the top!!
If it is on the East Coast or up in Canada, I have someone who will go and check out the horse (although they may not be allowed to sit behind him/her.) I will also call the phone number provided to speak with the trainer (in most cases and/or owner in other cases.) I always go back and check out EVERY race since they stepped on the racetrack (RTN) and watch closely (equipment, how handled, trainer changes etc.) I have only purchased three since I moved West and the last one was 4 years ago, so now it is just one at a time as I clearly don't get as much enjoyment not being able to watch in person. For the three that were purchased they all turned out to be "as advertised" physically!!
I'm in the market for the same criteria but for a 3yr. pacing filly. With the stakes winding down there will be a number of horses that hit the market in the next couple of months online and of course at Harrisburg and the Blooded horse sale. Many will be from the top barns. And yes they are trying to get every cent out of the sale price by selling before the final. Ky does not allow lasix for stake races.
Do you want to breed? I have noticed a significant premium (over standard racehorse value) for fillies, if they are decently bred, as they discount some future breeding value. The issue is less important with trotters, where the filly trotters seem almost at a "par" to their male counterparts on the racetrack, but by buying a filly pacer, you are giving up some relative performance on the track in exchange for that residual value?
Part of his ultimate price will be the "helium" of an expected piece of the purse in the Commonwealth $100k. He raced decently today, but between Dexter/Alagna, looking at all of his races to date, he really can't be "used" and "urged" very much. They have protected him and he has never raced on any other track but Oak Grove and/or Red Mile and with some spacing between many of his starts. He won his first two races, out of the box, last year at the Red Mile, but he went through a few races after where he was either bobbly in the stretch or broke. He also, curiously (for a large track) seems to go a bit wider in the turns than he should need to. I will pass BUT genuinely appreciate the suggestion. Yes, he has quite a few elements of the profile I am looking for and hasn't been cut, does not wear "pants" and is not on Lasix (all of which are areas of possible improvement and two of which make it a bit easier for both a trainer and owner.) There were formerly more of those types available coming out after their 3 yo. seasons from the large "factories" after their primary stakes earnings season was completed. Again THANK YOU.
Thx. Definitely too much optimism baked into that price. Check our Tuesday's 5th race at Pocono. #8 horse (Evil Guy) was in for $33,750. He was a Burke stable purchase a few months ago out of Canada (probably selected for fitting certain conditions that he has now won his way out of.) He looked great on the track, and jogged to an easy win from the outside post-position (only 8 in the race) . This was his 3rd straight win in the class and I am sure Burke will throw him right back out there. (no Lasix, no hopples). He left hard out of the 8 (Allard driving) made the top at the quarter, clocked in 27.1 Took them to the half in 56 (unurged), popped the plugs at the 3/4 in 1:24.2 and was home with minimal encouragement in 1:53.2 Looked sound, simply-rigged (with burred headpole left side). Also went around the turns in a way which would lead one to believe that he might do well on a 1/2 miler. 4 year-old gelding with 20 starts. If you have RTN take a look, Sept. 12 5th race, Pocono Downs.
