Harness: Dan Patch news and thoughts

Sunday officially closed the book on 2021 as Test Of Faith was named Horse of the Year. Just like the 2021 Trotter of the Year Jujubee, Test Of Faith will return to the races sometime later this year and likely go up against many horses neither faced as 2 or 3-year-olds. Trainer Brett Pelling, when approached prior to learning of the overall Horse of the Year honor, already knew 2022 will be unlike the two before for his reigning champion.

"It's going to be a different level of competition for her," Pelling said while canvassing the numerous 4-year-old mares that were consistently close to Test Of Faith in 2021 and may turn out to be even tougher a year later. Then, of course, there will be numerous 5-year-olds and above that are already more battle-tested that should give the division the kind of balance we haven't seen in some time, given the somewhat recent dominance of new mother Shartin N.

From an ownership standpoint Ken Jackson, a co-owner of Test Of Faith, was exuberant at the post-event party.

"It's unbelievable to have this type of horse race so well for two straight years. I hope she continues this year," Jackson said. "The best thing is that her success led to so many owners that only bought Thoroughbreds before to try the Standardbreds for the first time."

Jackson was referring to 16 new owners that will share interest in Standardbreds this year for the first time. That's an impressive number, but considering the amount of money 2 and 3-year-olds will race for just in Kentucky this year, it couldn't have been a very hard sell for Jackson.

Once the party was over, Jackson was on his way back to the Bluegrass where he suggested somewhere in the neighborhood of 220 mares would be foaling in the coming months. With a large number of those broodmares not owned by Kentuckiana Farms, it's clear the owners will not only share in the good care and upbringing of the foals, but in a few years enjoy the bonanza of racing for impressive money in Kentucky.

Still, Jackson was concerned not just about Kentucky, but the overall picture of the Grand Circuit.

"We've got to do something major to help the Grand Circuit," Jackson said, while at the same time realizing that regional programs like the one that will grow exponentially in Kentucky and are already very deep in states like Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania, create a huge roadblock for many owners. The initial Grand Circuit concept took root during a time when traveling from town to town on a weekly basis was the norm. In today's regional climate weekly stakes races held within state boundaries are incredibly cost-effective, making expensive travel a luxury only few would wish to dabble in. Jackson said that a proposed dual-eligibility event with horses sired in New Jersey and foaled in Kentucky to race at the Meadowlands was proposed last year but struck down by New Jersey horsemen.

"We had gotten approval in Kentucky to host races at the Meadowlands," Jackson said of the plan, "but the horsemen in New Jersey didn't want to lose a day on the racing calendar."

While it would be nice to see the additional money available in Kentucky serve a greater purpose for the entire industry, it's hard to think it could play a significant role in boosting Grand Circuit participation. For now, creating more ownership, while at the same time reviving the breeding industry in Kentucky, are two plusses I think we can certainly count on.

Getting back to Trotter of the Year Jujubee, his owner-breeder John Erdner was delightful to listen to as he spoke candidly about the best horse he's ever owned. Erdner had the enthusiasm of someone half his age on stage, as he first accepted the 3-year-old Trotter of the Year Dan Patch Award, and later returned for overall Trotter of the Year title. Erdner spoke of confusion along the way that originally sent Jujubee to Ohio as a would-be Buckeye-bred. An error in tattooing was finally corrected, and Jujubee moved to Pennsylvania, where his reputation would grow over two years of racing.

"He was lightly-raced at 3," Erdner said, perhaps tongue-in-cheek, but at the same time perhaps with an understanding that Jujubee raced within himself on so many occasions that there is every reason to believe he'll shine as a 4-year-old, racing against the best on the East Coast.

With 14 wins in 18 starts as a 3-year-old, Jujubee was incredibly consistent and rewarded Erdner's faith, capturing both the Kentucky Futurity and Breeders Crown races after substantial supplemental payments were made. Two sub-1:50 performances in 2021 are just a hint of what may be ahead for the sport should the 4-year-old son of Creatine improve just a little bit with age and experience.

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Owner Barry Guariglia's Black Horse Racing picked up its third Dan Patch Award as a sweet sendoff to the thought-to-be retired Manchego from just a year earlier. A change in plans delayed Manchego's broodmare career, but Guariglia insisted this time it's for real.

"We're going to breed her to Walner," Guariglia said. The decision on what to do with the prospective foal could be of interest. "I think if it's a filly, most likely we would keep it."

The decision to go to Walner after the first-crop sire enjoyed a huge season in 2021 was a no-brainer for the owner. "I own a share," said Guariglia.

Guariglia also praised Hall of Fame trainer Jimmy Takter, who handled Manchego during the early part of her career, as well as his daughter Nancy, who did a fantastic job afterwards. "The thing I appreciate most about them is they tell you what you've got, good or bad," Guariglia said.

For any owner, no matter what a trainer says about a horse, it's hard to ever fully believe it until they race. For Guariglia, he got to enjoy five incredible years of racing, along with over $3.1 million Manchego banked.

It doesn't get much better than that.