Harness: Classy 14-year-olds closing out their careers
The curtain is just days away from coming down on the racing class of 2006 as 82 hardy Standardbreds who competed in 2018 as 14-year-olds will face mandatory retirement when the clock hits midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Led by the incomparable Foiled Again, the list of soon to be retirees is loaded with “iron horses” who have competed well north of 300 times during their careers. It also contains a number of horses who have won hundreds of thousands of dollars and recorded double figure wins in their final year of action.
In many cases for the last 13 years, these warriors of the raceways have entertained us as well as taken us through the highs and lows of pari-mutuel racing. They’ve given their all on the track and now I hope you’ll take a brief moment of your time with me to look back at a few of them as they wrap up their careers.
Foiled Again
Career: 329 – 108 – 70 – 46 $7,629,018
2018: 26 – 10 – 5 – 3 $70,540
Schedule: 12/22 at Mohawk; 12/31 at The Meadows
Walt Disney and others have said, “It’s not the days in life we remember, rather the moments.” Few horses in the history of the sport have left us with more moments than the great Foiled Again. He wasn’t the fastest or most athletically gifted horse in history, but few could match his sheer determination on the racetrack. When he had his nose in front in deep stretch, it usually stayed in that forward position right through to the wire.
The moments I remember most are his Breeders Crown win at The Downs at Pocono and in the TVG Final at The Meadowlands in 2013. At 9 years old, in a sport dominated by the younger generation at the top end, Foiled Again stood tallest. But, for others perhaps it was his wins in the Quillen Memorial at Harrington, or in the Kane at Batavia, or in the Canadian Pacing Derby at Mohawk, or in the American National at Balmoral, or in the Levy Memorial at Yonkers, or in the Beckwith at Plainridge, or in the Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield, or in the Molson at Western Fair. That’s the legacy of Foiled Again. He went everywhere. He won everywhere. He provided special moments across North America for nearly a generation of fans.
“When we bought him the second George Bush was President; that’s how long it has been,” said co-owner Mark Weaver. “It’s been 10 and half years. For anyone to think back that long in their life and think where they were. It’s been a pretty fun 10 years.”
The plan is to have one last race for Foiled Again at The Meadows on December 31 where everyone is invited to say goodbye to the richest Standardbred in North American history.
“There will be some emotion. He’s been fun to watch, but it is time. We are going to party and celebrate Foiled, that’s for sure,” said Weaver. “We’ve got a whole crew coming in. I just rented a charter bus from New Jersey. We have a group coming from there; a lot of caretakers.”
One person who will definitely be on hand for his final race is Yannick Gingras. The drivers’ ascent to the top of the standings in North America coincide nicely with the career of Foiled Again. Their teamwork on a large portion of the pacer’s 108 wins worked out well for both horse and driver.
“I wouldn’t let anyone else drive him in that last race,” said Gingras when asked if he will attend.
Come January Foiled Again is expected to head to Florida to relax on the Burke Family farm with patriarch Mickey Sr. for the winter and likely hang out at the group’s home base near The Meadows for the rest of the year. The best part is we may still get to see the ‘ole boy from time to time.
“Don’t count it out that he won’t still make some appearances. He won’t race again, but a few people have already asked for him to make appearances in 2019 and his schedule is wide open, so he’ll be there,” said Weaver.
Spunky Vic
Career: 354 – 44 – 69 – 60 $708,133
2018: 30 – 2 – 4 – 6 $24,848
Schedule: No starts planned
Like Foiled Again, Spunky Vic began racing as a 2-year-old in October 2006. He had a strong six-year run from age 3 to 8 where he earned in excess of $56,000 each year, topping out at $140,305 in 2009. Since then he has grinded away in the Mid-Atlantic region conditioned ranks until more recently becoming a regular in the $10,000 claiming class.
What makes the story of Spunky Vic unique is the length of time he has spent under one owner. Since December 1, 2007, the son of Valley Victor out of B Cor Spunky has been owned by now 89-year-old Arty Foster.
“It makes you feel bad about having to retire him because he is sound as a dollar,” said Foster, who was full of stories about Spunky Vic.
“I’ll tell you one thing about this old horse, he don’t need anyone to drive him. I told my grandson (Russel Foster) not to use the whip on him. He’ll give you all he can give you. What else do you need?” said Arty Foster.
Foster couldn’t remember the exact sale where he bought Spunky Vic, bought he did recall being there with a group of others when the moment to act arose. “They were running around looking for horses. I said, there’s a good horse, what am I supposed to do? So I just went on and bought him. You don’t need anyone to tell you what to do,” said Foster.
After 354 starts, Spunky Vic is likely done for his career. He finished fourth in his final start at Rosecroft on December 16 and will likely find a home on one of Foster’s farms.
“I’ve had it on my mind for over a month and I don’t know what to do,” said Foster. “I wouldn’t want to let the Amish have him, because they are not that good with horses. I want him to have a good home.”
Stormin Rustler
Stormin Rustler won races at
The Meadowlands from 2010 to 2017.
Career: 394 – 54 – 57 – 60 $495,656
2018: 41 – 11 – 8 – 8 $28,733
Schedule: Two more starts at Freehold
Fans of racing in New Jersey will be very familiar with the name Stormin Rustler. A son of Rustler Hanover out of the Dragon’s Lair mare Witch’s Lair, the Michael Posner owned and trained gelding has been cutting out a living at Freehold and The Meadowlands for a decade.
Posner received the horse in March of 2015 because he could provide the special treatment the veteran campaigner needed.
“The guy who gave him to me had owned him most of his life,” said Posner. “The horse really wasn’t earning enough money to support himself, but he loved the horse and wanted to be able to retire him. So he told me that if I would give him a good home when he was done racing that I could have the horse and he’d give me a little bit of money towards his retirement fund. But he’s been really good to me, so I’m not going to ask for anything.”
While never exceeding $83,000 in earnings for any single season, Stormin Rustler has won nearly a half-million on the track. One of the feathers in his cap include winning a race at The Meadowlands in eight consecutive years from 2010 to 2017.
“The old owner would’ve liked me to try to do it this year, because it is a nice accomplishment. He probably could’ve won a race there this year at The Meadowlands, but I think it is kind of hard racing for him, so I chose not to hurt the horse at all and keep him where he is comfortable racing,” said Posner. “He’s such a nice horse. He is hard on himself, but when he goes out there he tries. He has a big heart.”
While Stormin Rustler will hang up his hobbles for the “easy life” at Posner’s farm, the trainer admits and the horse’s 11 wins in 2018 show, the old guy is far from worn out.
“He is so fit. If you ever saw him running around the field or doing whatever he is doing, you’d think he is an 8-year-old. He’s just in such great shape. It really is a shame that he has to retire,” said Posner.
Other notables
Montreal Phil – With 19 wins in 27 starts this year, he is one of the winningest horses in North America despite his age. He has earned over $730,000 in his career.
Quicksilvercandy A – She is second on the 2018 earnings list in terms of 14-year-olds with just shy of $60,000 in the bank. She was able to win 14 races this year and scored a remarkable 22 times in 2017.
Kid Courageous A – This year will mark the third consecutive double-digit winning season for this son of Bettor’s Delight. To date in 2018 he has earned just under $40,000.
Espirit De Kayjay A – With the exception of one start when he was claimed away, trainer Nick Surick has gotten the most out of this guy since October of 2016. He’s gone back to back years in 2017 and 2018 with at least 10 wins and has won four of his last six races.
Mayflowermoonshine – Has career earnings over $650,000 and will have made his . . . wait for it . . . 425th career start at Monticello by the time you read this.
On behalf of all the fans of harness racing, I’d like to thank each of the above and all of the 14-year-olds who raced in 2018 for providing us with the sport we love. Happy retirement! We’ll miss you!