Harness: Schnittker and his horses are eager to go when given the green light

Trainer/driver Ray Schnittker said, "It's like Groundhogs Day everyday here," of the situation he and many horsemen currently find themselves facing through the COVID-19 pandemic. "I’m ready if we can ever get back to racing again."

Indeed, Schnittker is more than ready and eager, as he spends time bringing his stable up to speed for the coming season. "I've trained four of my 3-year-olds in 1:55 at Goshen," Schnittker said. "I feel we're going to have a good year whenever it starts."

Schnittker has plenty of reason for optimism as he embarks on the 2020 season. His sophomores appear to have benefitted greatly from wise management last year and are now ready to make large strides in the 3-year-old ranks. One horse in particular gained Schnittker's attention in recent training and that is Splash Brother, a son of So Surreal that caused driver Mark MacDonald much pain and lost time when he dumped him and got loose at Saratoga Raceway last year.

"I think he's grown up a lot," said Schnittker of Splash Brother. "He was a big 2-year-old, like 17 hands, and he just never quite recovered from that incident." Splash Brother did make it to the New York Sire Stakes final last year at Batavia and finished a distant fourth.

A pair of 3-year-olds displayed high-class potential last year for Schnittker but were smartly kept on the Pennsylvania Stallion Series circuit and only debuted on the Grand Circuit last fall. Both Lake Charles and Captain Groovy got plenty of experience along the way, with the former, a son of Well Said, capturing the Stallion Series final. Lake Charles was only beaten four lengths by Papi Rob Hanover in the sparsely attended Governor’s Cup in November at The Meadowlands.

"Right now I have the 3-year-olds in a holding pattern," said Schnittker. "I am training them every other week."

With 15 juveniles in the stable, the first crop of Always B Miki has been given high marks by the trainer. "I've got three that I really like," said Schnittker.

What separates the world champion’s offerings from others? "They are very good gaited and they don't get tired."

So Surreal has turned into an impressive New York sire, with his offspring showing hints of Grand Circuit talent along the way. The Somebeachsomewhere-sired brother to the $2.5 million winner Well Said, retired after his 2-year-old season to stud, becoming the first son of his late-sire to enter the stallion ranks. Hickfromfrenchlick has won 15 of his 22 career starts, with earnings in excess of $638K for Schnittker, and the son of So Surreal could be ready to take the next step during his 4-year-old campaign this year. "He’s coming back strongly," said Schnittker. "I definitely think he'll be able to go with the Free For Allers."

In the group of three juveniles by So Surreal in Schnittker's stable, the trainer likes the full brother to Hickfromfrenchlick with the moniker Bud Truck.

On the trotting front, much will be expected from a colt named Shamrocks. He’s the first Muscle Hill colt from the $2.3 million winner Buck I St Pat.

While Schnittker has backed first-crop sires Always B Miki and also has a pair by Betting Line, this year it seems he is more looking forward to the fall and the first crop from his own Huntsville. "They’re all gorgeous," said Schnittker of the foals he’s seen. "That's half the battle."

The 2017 Meadowlands Pace winning Huntsville had an exceptional first book of mares bred to him, with yearlings slated to sell this fall. Among the mares with foals from Huntsville’s first crop is Horse of the Year Rainbow Blue, Wichita Hanover (dam of A Rocknroll Dance), Sweet Paprika (dam of Captain Crunch) and Yagonnakissmeornot, a $1.4 million-winning daughter of The Panderosa that also happens to be a half-sister to Always B Miki.

While Schnittker can wait for Huntsville’s first crop, he is more eager to get his stable in motion. Horsemen are currently working on trying to facilitate qualifying races at Goshen with the hopes to have horses ready when tracks are allowed to re-open. "If the state gives permission, I'm sure we can do it at Goshen safely," said Schnittker.