Trot Insider has learned that three-year-old pacer Rural Art, the recent winner of the Autumn Series at Woodbine Racetrack, has been sold and will be starting for new connections in this Friday's Valedictory Series.
The deal was put together by trainer Joe Hundertpfund of Delaware, who helped purchase the horse from trainer John MacMillan and co-owner 2099551 Ontario Inc.
"I'm constantly monitoring all the races up there and I contacted John once I heard he might be interesting in selling him," Hundertpfund told Trot Insider. "I watched him in the final of the Autumn Series. That's when I put the deal together and grabbed a couple of my owners from down here, and they bought him."
The win in the Autumn Series Final on November 28 capped a serious run of success for Rural Art with MacMillan. In 12 starts, Rural Art reeled off eight wins among 11 top-two finishes. Hundertpfund was attracted to the horse by his consistency and ability to finish his miles strongly.
"He's very steady and I love horses that finish strong. That seems to be his biggest asset, the way he finishes the mile."
Hundertpfund will be at Woodbine in person, weather permitting, to watch his new purchase race in Friday's Valedictory opener along with some of the new owners: Ray & Eva La Bonte of Palmer, Mass. and Gideon Stables of Little Ferry, N.J.
"I kind of thought there would be similar horses in the Valedictory Series and maybe we could get a good chunk of that [purchase price] back."
Rural Art (Major In Art - W C Betina) has drawn post 3 in the second $15,000 division, listed as the 5-2 morning line choice. Mario Baillargeon has retained the drive with the horse reporting to the stable of Joe Pereira.
"I left him up there with Joe Pereira; I know he does well, he's a good trainer."
If Rural Art races well for his new connections, Hundertpfund will point the pacer to another series at Woodbine -- the Ontario Boys, set for February 7, 14 and 21, as well as the Clyde Hirt Series three weeks later at The Meadowlands.
Hundertpfund may look to get Rural Art some races in at his home track of Dover Downs in the upper level four-year-old races between series stints. That process of acquiring WEG circuit horses to compete in Delaware is nothing new for his stable.
"I have about 30 horses in my barn and I think if I counted them, probably 15 or more were purchases I made [in Canada]," said the trainer. "It seems to work well, hopefully this one will go the same direction."
To view the full list of entries for Friday's card at Woodbine, click the following link: Friday Entries - Woodbine Racetrack.