The 1997 Breeders Crown Aged Mare Pace winner, Extreme Velocity passed away on Friday, Nov. 16 at Ruddick Stables in Scipio, IN where she was living out her retirement from racing and breeding.
Extreme Velocity, known affectionately as “EV”, was bred and raised by Kenneth "Dave" Stohler and Merrill Stohler of Markleville, IN. Shortly after the mare began her racing career, the brothers adopted the stable name StohlerBrosHarnHorses, Inc.
A daughter of Camtastic from their Nardins Grand Slam mare Hasty Grand Slam, Extreme Velocity gave the Stohlers many experiences they will never forget. The Stohler Brothers, along with their wives Sheralyn and Sharon, traveled to nearly every racing venue of their prized mare.
Being closely involved throughout her career, trainer Trent Stohler (son of Dave and Sheralyn) said his family realized she was a once in a lifetime horse for the Hoosier family. She was also key in establishing his career to help get him to the level he is today, as the people he would meet changed his life and career.
Unraced at two, the potential the Stohlers had seen in the filly began to blossom when she started her racing career at age three. She was only beaten once during her three-year-old campaign and, as an aged mare, Extreme Velocity continued her winning ways. Her racing career entered a new level in the aged events as she began competing against the best mares in the country.
In 1997, at age four, she won the Breeders Crown for aged mare pacers at the Meadowlands in a time of 1:50.3 against the top aged female pacers. She was honoured in a winner's circle ceremony at Hoosier Park the week following her Breeders Crown victory.
The following year, she proved she was still a top mare when she won both the Milton Stake and the Roses Are Red in Canada in the fall. After winning, Hall of Fame Driver John Campbell said "when Extreme Velocity is on her game, she is a great filly."
Over the course of her career, Extreme Velocity made 79 starts, with statistics of 40-10-14 and earnings of $856,070. She was named Indiana Pacer of the Year on three occasions.
Extreme Velocity also proved to be a successful broodmare for the Stohler Family, with her offspring earning $1,256,180 to date. Among her foals are Continual Velocity p,3,1:54; 4,1:50.2f ($558,980), Real Velocity p,4,1:51.1 ($378,323), and the ill-fated Ultimate Velocity p,3,1:53; 4,1:51.1 ($254,373).
Her final foal, EVs Finale, is a 2016 colt by Well Said. Like his mother, he was turned out at age two to mature. The ability he showed on the track has his connections looking forward to next year.
When retired from racing, Trent Stohler shared a few comments on the bittersweet move to EV becoming a broodmare.
"Having a superstar in your stable is a lot like riding an emotional roller coaster," Stohler said. "Joy and excitement are not the only feelings you experience. You get a pretty good dose of concern, anger, fear and the occasional ulcer. I feel very much honored that she let me be associated with her."
Extreme Velocity was laid to rest at the head of the stretch along the training track at Ruddick Stables. In the next field, her grandson, by JK Endofanera from Viva Velocity, is being raised.
(With files from Hoosier Hoofprints)