Hambletonian: Win by Wolfgang would be sweet for Ohio, Sugar Valley Farm
When co-owner Joe McLead secured a deal back in 2013 to bring My MVP to his Sugar Valley Farms to stand as a stallion, he never envisioned that his first crop would produce a Hambletonian prospect no less one of the favorites.
“With any stallion you hope for that but you only really think about it in the back of your mind,” said McLead on Wolfgang competing in the Hambletonian.
The appearance of Wolfgang, a colt by My MVP from Summer Savory bred by Fair Island Farm (Art Zubrod and Leah Cheverie) of Kentucky, in Saturday’s Hambletonian is another building block in Ohio’s ascent to notoriety on the Grand Circuit scene in the sport.
Ohio harness racing began a renaissance back in 2012 when the first Racino opened its doors. The enhanced purse accounts then led to higher purses for not only overnights but state-bred Sire Stakes, which in turn has helped to beef up the foal crops. With higher purses also came better stallions and mares.
“The program here in Ohio has made it more appealing for people to breed here,” said McLead. “The breeding is there and yes it is increasing. Even here at my place, my uncle (William Walters) and I have really upgraded our broodmare band because not only do we feel we can compete at the top level in Ohio, but we think we can compete in other Grand Circuit races as well.”
Sporting a perfect record in three starts in 2018 and career earnings over $500,000, the Jimmy Takter-trained Wolfgang has indeed proven that Ohio-breds can not only step on the track with the best in the sport but be the best.
Owned by Brixton Medical, Goran Falk, Hatfield Stables and Fair Island Farm, Wolfgang will start from post 5 in the first of two $100,000 eliminations for the Hambletonian. Should he finish in the top five, he’ll join nine others in the $1,000,000 final, race 13 on a 16-race program. First race post time is noon while the Hambletonian final has a 5:14 p.m. off time.
Wolfgang is not the only Ohio star to emerge in 2018. Lather Up, winner of the North America Cup this year, is by I’m Gorgeous who stood at Sugar Valley Farm before returning to the track to continue his racing career. Owned and bred by Gary & Barbara Iles and under the care of trainer Clyde Francis, Lather Up has enhanced the value of the Ohio breed by winning 11 of 15 career races and over a half-million dollars.
“Parity is a great word for Harness Racing right now, especially since the VLTs have spread across the board,” said McLead. “It’s unfortunate that The Meadowlands in New Jersey hasn’t been able to get something done there because that is still the mecca of our sport. If you have the opportunity to race at The Meadowlands, everybody gets excited. But, what I’m getting at is through VLTs between Ontario, New York, Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania, look at what has been produced. Parity is coming into play. We aren’t totally equal yet but we are coming to those terms.”
McLead was referring to not only the success of Wolfgang and Lather Up but also Indiana-breds. Ten years ago it was rare to find an Indiana or Ohio bred horse even in a top stakes race. Now these horses are at the top of the spectrum, with 2017 Horse of the Year and Indiana bred Hannelore Hanover leading the way.
Wolfgang carries the weight of a state on his shoulders in Saturday’s Hambletonian. With a victory, he would become the first foal from an Ohio stallion to capture the most prestigious race in North America. That’s right, FIRST! While there have been Hambletonian winners bred by people from Ohio, they were not bred by an Ohio stallion.
While the Buckeye state will have a major rooting interest, few people will be more excited to see a Wolfgang victory in the 93rd Hambletonian than McLead.
“I’m always excited to go to the Hambletonian and be a part of the festivities, but to have a horse sired in Ohio, especially our farm, it’s incredible. This is just our seventh year and to have a horse in the Hambletonian, I don’t even know how to react,” said McLead, who added that he was quoted saying if Wolfgang won the Hambletonian he would do cartwheels in the winner’s circle.
“I hope I get to do that,” said McLead about the acrobatics. “We are just a family farm. It’s not like we have deep pockets, but we really work hard for what we have and to try to get to the next level.”
If they haven’t reached that next level yet, clearly Sugar Valley Farm has taken a huge step courtesy of My MVP and could be even closer by 6 p.m. on Saturday.