Finally a 'real' Freak :D

[Stormy Peak]

I sometimes kept wondering why I kept dabbling in harness racing (trotters). Several times I've had freaks and a good number of stakes types that could barely win anything more than a non-winner of 3.

When this ~guy~ came up a freak in the gallop comments, I didn't get too excited, given how many previously well commented trotters I had didn't pan out. But still, hope is hope, so I gave him a name of a tough fictional character and crossed my fingers.

I got a little more excited when his works were in the top 5 of yearling male trotters...and I made a big decision to make his first race a stakes race, in spite of seeing at least 2 other horses I thought had a much better chance. The time leading up the that race, I kept thinking 'Maybe I should just put him in a maiden." I'm so glad I decided to see what my freak could do... his first race, a GIII, he won it.

He won his 2nd GIII on Wednesday and seems to be living up to his name, a tough one to beat, and I hope he's not just a precocious runner, who ends up fizzling out as a 3 year old

I'm now glad I kept on trying with the trotters, it might have finally panned out into something great.

Stormy : )

[Dan Kauffman]

The best part of Dirty Harry is that his companion cat is named Magnum. Fantastic.

[Lori Hamill]

Congrats, Stormy, he looks to be a really nice one!

[Tom Lin]

Congrats Stormy. I can't feel too bad finishing behind one of my all time favorite characters.

[Darcy McBride]

I hope he continues doing well for you Stormy! Congrats on a live one!!

[Stormy Peak]

And then, he finishes 4th
I just hope it was a bad bounce. His race comment said he was off stride.

He's listed as being 'very sound' - but maybe I did just push him too hard with 3 tough races every other week???
His vet check the day before the race said he was at his peak. But I know there is the accumulative tiredness that can come into play...so I'm not sure if I should let him sit it out for a long time before the wk 16 SC race, or go ahead and run him on wk 14, then wk 16. Decisions, decisions.

Congrats to the winner of that last GIII race, Trot Kenneth, owned by Marc Plouffe.
https://www.simhorseracing.com/race.php?RaceID=1029479

Stormy

[Nena Olson]

It was also his first race on a fast track... what is his weather preference?

[Stormy Peak]

It was also his first race on a fast track... what is his weather preference?

Good point. He 'likes mud' But usually my 'likes mud' horses don't do too bad on dry tracks. I was only slightly concerned about it, but maybe it was a combo of things that caused this, running up against some quality horses, on a fast track, maybe slightly tired, and it all added up to a bounce. I hope so... it would make me pretty sad if those first 2 races are as good has it gets for him. I don't expect him to win every time, but was hoping for it.

Stormy