Imagine Somebeachsomewhere returning for a four-year-old campaign. How about Muscle Hill? If the Woodbine Entertainment Group has their way, all of harness racing’s biggest stars of the future will be returning for at least a 4YO season. Here’s what WEG is doing: Similar to the new restrictions announced by Jeff Gural of The Meadowlands recently, they are revising their stakes conditions to make ineligible all progeny of any stallion that did not race until at least the end of their 4YO season. What does this mean? Basically, if you’re an owner and you retire your 3YO colt to stud at the end of his sophomore campaign, ALL of his future foals are ineligible for the biggest stakes races Woodbine and Mohawk offer two and three year olds, including the richest race for freshman pacers in North America, the $1.5 million Metro Pace and the $1 million North America Cup for 3YO pacers. The new rules will apply to foals born in 2014 (and therefore affecting WEG's major two-year-old events in 2016).
Clearly, this is a bold move. "We were asked to consider adopting this initiative and after careful consideration have determined it's definitely worth undertaking on a trial basis," explained Jamie Martin, WEG's Executive Vice President of Racing. "For all Jeff Gural has done towards saving The Meadowlands, he deserves the entire industry's support. We believe that barring certain circumstances with a horse's health, the best interests of racing are served when top horses race beyond their three-year-old seasons."
Undoubtedly, there will be owners who will complain that WEG is taking away their freedom to earn a living how they see fit. Already on numerous online sites we see industry people arguing that if the tracks want to force owners to race their horses into their 4YO years, then they should create some races or series for the 4YO horses with much bigger purses, including at least one $1 million race. There is some merit to that argument, I think. One of the other complaints that is popping up seems to be that the new rules force a newly-turned 4YO to race against his “elders” which is the toughest jump in racing. I’m not buying it. The true greats will be able to compete and excel easily. Take a look at Artsplace. He not only returned for his 4YO season and threw down an undefeated (16 for 16) campaign, he also turned out to be a prolific stud. I can’t imagine that horses like Somebeaschsomewhere, Muscle Hill or Rock ‘N Roll Heaven would have been up against it racing against their “elders” as four-year olds.
Racing needs recognizable stars. Any move designed to keep the stars on the track is a positive step, in my opinion. If you underestimate the power of a star horse continuing to race and building a following, just listen to the San Pail “Posse” cheer on their seven-year-old hero in the Breeder’s Crown Aged Trot and the interviews that follow.
News And Notes: With just over a month to go in the 2011 season Dan Noble and George Brennan are in the midst of a battle royale for most wins in North America. Noble, Northfield Park’s leading reinsman leads Brennan (Yonkers Raceway leading driver) 711-704. Tim Tetrick sits third with 680 wins. Young Canadian sensation Scott Zeron currently sits 5th in the continent with 511 wins (which tops the Canadian standings). The trainer race isn’t even close with Ron Burke cashing in with 739 of his whopping number of 3551 starters which is more than double the number of starters than 2nd-place Lou Pena (506 wins)……Tim Tetrick will make his first appearance at London, Ontario’s Western Fair Raceway tonight to pilot Breeders Crown aged pacing mare champion Androvette in the $300,000 Forest City Pace. Tetrick and Androvette are the 9/5 morning line choices but drew the disadvantage 6 post position and will need to fly early to avoid a treacherous parked-out journey…..Burke holds a powerful hand for the $221,000 Matron at Dover Downs this Sunday as his Hugadragon and Westwardho Hanover form an entry that is listed as 2/5 favorites on the morning line…..2011 Kentucky Futurity winner Manofmanymissions will stand at stud at Kentuckiana Farms in Ontario starting in 2012. Yankee Glides fastest 2YO winner (and 2nd fastest 3YO) retires after amassing more than $1.2 million in earnings and will stand with a $7,000 stud fee. Recently retired Ontario-sired millionaire Daylon Magician will also be standing in Ontario beginning next year and these should be two important additions to the province’s breeding scene.