Garnet Barnsdale’s wish list for the new year

The new year is upon us and as we close out the year, I look ahead with my harness racing wish list for 2024.

Here is my wish list.

For racing fans, how about some epic battles in some of the divisions starting with the sophomore trotters where there were an unprecedented two millionaires at the end of the 2023 season.

In what is expected to be a very tight Dan Patch Award vote for two-year-old colt and gelding trotter, we have Karl (Tactical Landing) who earned $1,041,977 on the strength of a 10-9-1-0 record. Karl’s only loss came at the hands of the other millionaire, TCI (Cantab Hall) who used a pocket trip to edge Karl by a nose in the International Stallion Stakes in Lexington on October 6th.

Karl got his revenge in the Breeders Crown at Hoosier Park where he dominated his rival, winning by three lengths. TCI earned $1,238,870 winning 10 of 12 starts and finishing second twice, and he provided a highlight reel performance in the Mohawk Million, coming back to win after breaking stride at the start and losing about 20 lengths.

Of course, nothing is guaranteed for top two-year-olds coming back for their sophomore seasons, but here’s wishing that these two outstanding colts engage in some epic battles and knock heads as the two favorites in the Hambletonian.

Speaking of epic battles, how about Sylvia Hanover and Twin B Joe Fresh? The potential is there for some great races when these two super sophomores from 2023 knock heads as four-year-olds in 2024. They faced off three times in 2023 with Sylvia Hanover coming out on top twice and miscuing on the final turn in the Lynch when engaged in a war with her rival.

To this point, Sylvia Hanover has proven to be the better of the two mares, but Twin B Joe Fresh finished 2023 with a flourish, beating aged mares in the FanDuel Stakes while pacing her final quarter in :25.0. The potential is there for these two superstar mares to produce some exciting battles on the racetrack in 2024.

For bettors, my wish is for fewer jackpot wagers that do nothing to grow the game in my opinion, and more low takeout bets that give punters a chance for long-term profits. Maybe someone can come up with a creative new low takeout bet that would attract some action and produce a good pool.

I am old enough to remember when there were tracks – like Windsor Raceway – that had the Twin Trifecta wager, which would create a huge buzz when no one hit it and the entire pool carried over to the next day. Why couldn’t a track re-create that wager with a 50-cent minimum and low takeout with 100% of the pool carrying over to the next card if no one hits it?

Maybe that would be a bet that punters would be interested in. Maybe not. No one knows, because as far as I know, no one asks! Perhaps that would be a good start. At some point, the focus needs to be on customer retention as more and more bettors flock to sports wagering.

For our drivers, I wish for lots of winners, but more importantly, safe trips. There were a few very scary wrecks in 2023, some which could have turned out worse than they did. No one ever wants to see that.

For owners, simply the thrill of victory. There is nothing like owning the piece of a winner, and this is the time of year where dreams are aplenty as owners watch their babies – who become two-year-olds on New Year’s Day – train down.

I am excited to see three Ohio-breds – which I own pieces of through TheStable – race this coming spring. Pelican Al (Downbytheseaside) is a half-brother to Ohio superstar Charlie May. Aunt Lilly (Uncle Peter) is a half-sister to last year’s Pennsylvania Sires Stakes champion Sierra Girl, and Leggy (What The Hill) is related to seven winners from eight siblings that made it to the races. Hopefully I get to see several winner’s circle visits from this trio.

That brings me to my wish for trainers. Here’s hoping they can find that diamond in the rough or simply have their highly touted yearlings produce. This is also the time of year for them to dream of conditioning the next champion.

Lastly, for you, loyal reader, I wish for a year of health, wealth, and happiness, and more than your share of winners when you punt.

Happy New Year!

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink