Harness: Hambletonian winner Atlanta for sale

Four-year-old trotting mare Atlanta, winner of the 2018 Hambletonian, has been placed for sale with a $500,000 starting bid on the website OnGait.com.

According to multiple sources, Atlanta was placed in the online auction to dissolve a partnership with trainer Rick Zeron, who is currently appealing a six-month suspension from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Zeron reportedly owns 5% of the mare along with Crawford Farms, Holland Racing Stable, Howard Taylor and Bradley Grant.

Sources are also saying that different factions of the current ownership group could be involved in the bidding depending on the price when the auction ends at 1 p.m. on February 15.

Eric Cherry from OnGait is listed as the point man for those looking for information on the sale and while he was hoping the situation with the partners could be resolved privately, he’s excited about the listing.

“A horse like this can really show what OnGait can do,” said Cherry, who said his phone was ringing off the hook in just the first hour since Atlanta was posted at 8:15 p.m. on February 12.

Should a bid come in for Atlanta, she will become the highest-priced horse sold on the online equine marketplace. Lady Shadow sold for $310,000 in 2017 via OnGait.

While a bid has yet to be submitted, Cherry said he expected there would likely be some action well in advance of the Friday deadline. He also added that despite the pending suspension from Canada, Atlanta is clear to race at The Meadowlands and other Jeff Gural properties if she lands with an approved trainer.

Atlanta has won 12 of 24 career starts with earnings totaling $1,140,689. In addition to the Hambletonian, she won the Kentucky Filly Futurity and Empire Breeders Classic in her 3-year-old season.