The winter in the Northeast this year hasn't been as cooperative for trainers as it has in the past. For Linda Toscano, who proudly claims to be a 40-year veteran of her profession, the cold and snow of the last few weeks was unexpected but couldn't bring her down. "The weather in the fall was really good and I guess I was optimistic that it would continue," Toscano said. "Missing some days isn't really that much of a problem and I like to think for the babies it gives them time to grow." Philosophically thinking, Toscano has a firm grip on the reality of not just bringing back 3-year-olds but in developing young horses. Unlike those in warmer climates, Toscano has mastered her craft in New Jersey and done an outstanding job leading her into the sport's Hall of Fame. Yet while those in Florida may have a better handle, or at least more training miles to evaluate horses for the just-passed February 15 staking deadline, Toscano faces that puzzle with less certainty. "You have to have a crystal ball around this time of year," said Toscano. "The way we have to stake horses is just stupid." For the most part Toscano bends to the will of her clients. "I have some owners that think it's a crime to under-stake," said Toscano. "Then I have others who feel the exact opposite." With 27 2-year-olds in training for the coming year, Toscano has the historical perspective to study where her horses are at the moment while at the same time recognize how easily things change from February to April. "Last year at this time I had five trotting fillies that I couldn't separate," said Toscano, referring to a solid class of freshman preparing for the races. "By the time April came around Lady Chaos emerged from that group." Lady Chaos, a daughter of Cantab Hall, would go on to win the Kentucky Sire Stakes final and then later capture the Breeders Crown at Hoosier Park. The $125K Lexington Selected yearling from the 2019 sale went on to earn in excess of $565K in just her first year on the track. While Pennsylvania-bred, Lady Chaos has the opportunity to race as well in the Kentucky program and that is a benefit to many trainers who recognize they need a place to develop horses while not putting additional stress against much tougher company. It's a dilemma that Toscano now faces come staking time. "I have a 3-year-old trotting filly that is showing promise but there aren't many staking options for her," said Toscano, confiding the details of a conversation she had recently with one owner. "She's a New Jersey-bred and outside of the Sire Stakes races that come early in the year there's no secondary stakes for her." While New Jersey is in a rebound phase as far as its Sire Stakes program, most other States and Provinces offer tiered events that allow horses of varied abilities to compete and earn at the same time. While it is way too early to evaluate 2-year-olds, the anticipation is extremely high for the first crop of the Toscano-trained stallion Walner. The bloodlines for Walner go back another generation as he is by Chapter Seven. Both were developed by Toscano, but the trainer noted how much different the two were bringing to the races. "Chapter Seven didn't have it together from the start," Toscano said. "Even when we got him ready to qualify, he would make mistakes for no reason at the start and have to spot the field 15 lengths. I didn't want to put the trotting hopples on him, but I had no choice." As for Walner, things were different for a few reasons. "For years other trainers would tell me that you'll know from the start whether you have a great one or not. I never believed that was true," said Toscano. "Then Walner came along and for the first time I knew what it meant." Unfortunately for Toscano, when Walner was in training as a baby she had to take a different approach. "I was recovering from an injury at the time and I didn't sit behind him but was able to watch him go." With the experience of a pair of generational stars Toscano is hopeful that Walner will be able to follow in the footsteps of Chapter Seven as a sire. "Chapter Seven has been an incredible sire. He's had all different types that have one thing in common," said Toscano, noting the speed and stamina. Chapter Seven's legacy can be carried out in the next generation through Walner as well as the popular Gimpanzee, whose book is already filled for the 2021 season. "I'm happy with the five I have," said Toscano of her group. "If I can say one thing about them it's that Walner has cleaned up some of these mares." The trainer was essentially saying that she's had foals from the same dams that produced horses with more flaws and that Walner's presence on the stallion line has improved them collectively. Toscano suggested that trainers of other sons and daughters of Walner have commented to her at this early stage indicating there may be some very good ones come June. With a stable size ranging between 45 and 48 at the moment, Toscano is highly optimistic for the coming season and most notably looks forward for the sophomore season of Lady Chaos. "I'm very excited about her return," said Toscano. On the pacing side, 2021 will be somewhat of a rarity for the Toscano stable in that she's returning a 4-year-old pacing mare. "I'm really looking forward to racing Rocknificent," said Toscano. "I haven't had an aged pacing mare to race since Molly Can Do It." That's going back some 19 years to the 2002 Breeders Crown Open Mares champion, but it's easy to see what there is to like about Rocknificent. "There was a point last year that I thought she was going to win one of the big ones," said Toscano. "We had battles with sickness with her." A daughter of Captaintreacherous from the $2.2 million winner Rocklamation, Rocknificent could be expected to have a solid 4-year-old season. Her dam captured the Blue Chip Matchmaker at 4 but don't expect Rocknificent to repeat that feat. "We'll hopefully have her back by May," said Toscano. "I'm glad that Shartin N and Kissin In The Sand have retired. But Chris' (Ryder) filly (Party Girl Hill) will be tough." Toscano finished the pandemic-shortened 2020 racing season eighth in North America in earnings ($3,295,585) and with a strong 21% win rate from 356 starters. It was the 13th consecutive year that her stable eclipsed the $2 million mark in earnings. Knowing Toscano, the streak will roll on in 2021.