Lights Go Out Hangs ‘Em Up

After having banked $431,000 in purse earnings during her career, Lights Go Out, who was a mere $10,000 yearling purchase, has performed on the grand stage for the last time. Trot Insider has learned that the eight-year-old mare has relocated and is transitioning to a new career.

Glenn Bechtel, the only remaining partner from the initial yearling transaction, has informed Trot Insider that the 33-time winner has been retired from the racetrack and has relocated to Meaford, Ont.

Northfields Farm has bought into Lights Go Out, who has taken to her new surroundings and has already been bred to Bettors Delight.

Bechtel is the first to admit that time, patience, and an accommodating track configuration was the key for Lights Go Out to realize her potential.

“She was a big, gangly thing,” Bechtel admitted about Lights Go Out’s stature during her early years. He added that the bay “looked like a giraffe” during her formative seasons and that it took her until her four-year-old campaign to fully mature.

Lights Go Out, pictured firing under the wire at Mohawk (Photo courtesy New Image Media)

Citing Lights Go Out’s issues navigating tight turns, Bechtel would ultimately aim his charge towards larger tracks. After a solid 1:54 mile over Vernon Downs, Lights Go Out was then shipped north to the Woodbine Entertainment circuit, where she excelled as a raceway horse with definite upside.

“That was when she moved into Rod Boyd’s barn and really took off,” said Bechtel. “Rod and his brother Jeff, who is a blacksmith, both deserve a ton of credit when it comes to Lights Go Out’s success.”

The mare raced in the conditioned levels over both Woodbine and Mohawk Racetrack, and elevated to both the Preferred and Open ranks when she sharpened into peak form. Lights Go Out could really fly on the end of her miles, as is witnessed by a pair of sub-:26 final quarters that she soared to back in 2014. Those performances were followed by a sharp 1:50.3 win that she posted over the speedy Voelz Hanover, who went on to win the Milton Stakes two months later.

Lights Go Out, by Western Ideal, has retired after 183 career starts. She found the winner’s circle on 33 occasions and also posted 15 seconds and 27 third-place finishes. Her 1:50.3 mile over Mohawk was her life’s best, to go along with her $431,065 in purses.