Harness: Lazarus enters the stallion market with intriguing possibilities ahead

'Tis the season not only to be jolly, but also for stallion announcements to be made. Perhaps the most interesting one so far came when it was confirmed that Lazarus would be departing the racetrack after one season here in North America to stand at Deo Volente Farms in New Jersey.

Looking back at his six-start campaign in North America this summer and fall, it is hard to come away disappointed. It is important to take into account that he was off from February to July, had to switch continents, entered a new barn, and had to adapt to the North American style of racing. Despite all that, he came right out of the box and won. If North America had a graded stakes system like other jurisdictions, the Dan Patch victory at Hoosier Park certainly would’ve been a Grade 1, and he beat Horse of the Year favorite McWicked in the process.

“I would say probably his best performance was his first start. He was really good, and he showed up ready,” said Yannick Gingras, who drove Lazarus in all his appearances in the United States and Canada. “He left the gate good. I always believe that a horse that can go 26 on the end of it can go 26 on the front of it too, and he showed it the first time he stepped on the track here.”

He was then second to McWicked in the Canadian Pacing Derby, second in what was basically a prep race two weeks later at Woodbine Mohawk Park, and won what would be another Grade 1 at Hoosier Park again (and again beating McWicked) in the Hoosier Park Pacing Derby. Lazarus was a great second in the Allerage at The Red Mile, going parked-the-mile and still finishing second to McWicked in a 1:46 3/5 effort. Unfortunately, he came up sick for the Dan Rooney and was still apparently feeling the effects of that in the Breeders Crown where he made front but backed up in the final half of the mile.

So, in all, he finished with a record of 2-3-0 from the six starts, won two "Grade 1s" over McWicked, and was second to McWicked in two of the three second-place finishes. It is hard to think that adds up to anything other than a positive outcome, especially after the likes of previously imported horses such as Auckland Reactor didn't live up to what was expected of them.

Switching gears to his stallion prospects, first off he has a couple things going for him right out of the box. His pedigree line is something that breeders and owners would be very familiar with, being a son of Bettor's Delight and out of a Christian Cullen mare named Bethany. Obviously, Bettor's Delight has been productive here and in Canada for many, many years, and Christian Cullen has had several offspring imported over here from Down Under throughout his decorated stallion career. He also stood a season of his own in Pennsylvania in 2010, producing the likes of Pennsylvania Sire Stakes champions Handsoffmycupcake and Good Day Mate.

Lazarus has a similar pedigree to multi-time North American stakes winner Bit Of A Legend (also by Bettor’s Delight) as Bit Of A Legend is out of a Soky’s Atom mare (Soky’s Legend) and Lazarus’s second dam Spirit Of Beth is by Soky’s Atom.

Secondly, Lazarus definitely showed speed throughout his career, one of the key factors when choosing which stallions to breed a mares to. As a 2-year-old, he established a New Zealand record mile of 1:52 4/5 (last quarter of 25 1/5) in winning the Harness Jewels 2YO Emerald at Ashburton, and continued that right through to his North American campaign with five of six starts clocked in 1:49 2/5 or quicker, and both his wins going in sub-1:49 clockings.

“Obviously he’s a very good horse. He’s done it Down Under and he’s done it here, so obviously he’s versatile,” remarked Gingras. “He was able to ship here and adapt to everything different. The racing is different and the training is different, so being able to do it, I think it speaks volumes about him that he was able to adapt so well.”

Some other positives about Lazarus entering the stallion market are that he's going to be in New Jersey, which desperately needed a top pacing stallion to call its own, and his unique syndication deal.

The details of the syndication, which goes for $50,000 a share, are:

1) Two breedings the first four years; one each subsequent year.

2) Share in the net revenue of Southern Hemisphere breeding, equal to 15 percent of the net revenue, up to $200,000 per year. (Estimated at $3,300 per share per year)

3) The potential New Jersey purse subsidy bill includes $600,000 in breeder rewards, estimated to be a $2,000 stallion rebate per live foal. ($4,000 per share, per year for the first four years). Also, it is estimated that the New Jersey Sire Stakes program will increase by 75 percent in year one of the new program with the subsidy.

4) Tax deduction available for tax year 2018.

5) Finance options in three- or four-year terms are available.

Those incentives certainly catch the eye, and could provide a blueprint for future stallions, both coming from other markets and here in North America, if Lazarus can do well.

We also can’t underestimate the importance of the investment made by Thoroughbred nursery Taylor Made Farms, who purchased and then raced Lazarus here with trainer Jimmy Takter. The success of Lazarus is a major positive for ownership crossover between the two breeds. An additional benefit could be future international stars exploring the North American racing and stallion markets.

Given the recent news out of New Jersey that purse levels are going to be rising via a $1 million deal between the SBOANJ and The Meadowlands, and the potential for another big chunk of money from a state subsidy with about $8 million earmarked for Standardbred racing, there could be some bright rays of sun shining on the Garden State after some dark days in recent times.

For all the reasons above, there may be no better moment to take a swing with Lazarus.