Minnesota-breds fare well in state-bred competition

While some in the harness racing industry might overlook Minnesota as one of the premiere Standardbred states in America, the North Star State is doing its best to encourage the breeding and racing of harness horses.

In 2022, the state distributed $3.1 million in breeder’s awards to those who supported the breeding of 2- and 3-year-olds to Minnesota-based stallions, through its breeder’s fund, which allots 25 percent as breeders’ awards and 75 percent to supplement in races that are restricted to Minnesota-breds. The state’s lone Standardbred facility, Running Aces, races from May 14 through September 14, while racing is held at the county fairs at Cannon Falls, St. Peter, and Wheaton.

This season, there are a total of 38 stallions registered for the 2023 breeding season, with a few old timers and newer additions that appear to fit well with the state’s program.

Art’s Chip (Artsplace), now a youthful 23, has stood in Minnesota since 2018. Out of the Goalie Jeff mare Athena Blue Chip p, 4, 1:50.3 ($457,118), Art’s Chip has sired the winners of nearly $11 million since he began stallion service in 2007 and himself earned $726,999 with a record of 1:49.3 taken at age four. Some of his most prolific performers include Mykindachip p, 8, 1:49.1s ($1,073,783); American Girl p, 9, 1:50.3f ($1,000,145); and Our Lucky Chip p, 4, 1:48.4s ($652,394). Art’s Chip stands at Bluff Country Equine.

Tom Ridge (Muscles Yankee), is perhaps best remembered for winning the 2004 edition of the $530,000 World Trotting Derby at Duquoin in a career best 1:50.2 for driver Ron Pierce. He had been the favorite in that year’s $1 million Hambletonian at The Meadowlands but lost to Windsong’s Legacy in late stretch. This winner of $886,144, now 22, has seen his share of success throughout his years in the breeding shed, and has stood in Minnesota since 2015, after standing in Pennsylvania beginning in 2005.

Tom Ridge has produced 124 two-minute trotters and 23 sub-1:55 winners, including Fort Valley As 7, 1:54.2h ($681,411); Political Desire 8, 1:52.4f ($615,977); Bambino Hall 5, 1:53.2 ($544,352); Mr Ridgetaker 4, 1:53.1f ($381,272); and Tom Cango 3, 1:53.2 ($515,930), among others. He stands at the Toby Hershberger Farm.

Lear Jetta (Lindy Lane) is another older horse (age 17) who has mild success on the East Coast before venturing to the North Star State.  First standing in Pennsylvania in 2010, and the in Maryland from 2016, Lear Jetta came to Minnesota in 2019. A winner of $469,410 with a mark of 3, 1:54.1f, Lear Jetta’s most impressive credential is his pedigree, as his dam is the Speed Bowl mare Missy Hadagal 3, 2: 04.4h ($12,517).

This prolific producer of 13 also delivered the foals Lassie’s Goal (Armbro Goal) 3, 1:54.2 ($596,739) and Hadagoal (Armbro Goal) 5, 1:55.4s ($97,058). Lear Jetta was her 13^th foal, and to date he’s produced the winners of $3,369,974, including Jett Star 5, 1:54s ($326,107); Phantom Rusty 6, 1:55.1f ($317,912), and Nathaniel 5, 1:53.4f ($222,726), among others. He stands at Troyer’s Standardbreds.

Gulf Shores (Downbytheseaside), a standout on the Ohio Sires Stakes (OSS) circuit as a 2-year-old, and a second-place finisher to Monte Miki in the $600,000 Breeders Crown Freshman Championship in 2021, stands his first season at stud in 2023 in Minnesota. The winner of $653,270 lifetime has a mark of p, 3, 1:50.3f, taken in an OSS leg at Scioto Downs last year on July 23 for driver Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., and trainer Brian Brown. Just four, Gulf Shores stands at Bluff Country Equine.

by Kimberly Rinker, for Harnesslink