Natasha House went shopping for a racehorse last week at The Raceway at Western Fair District, and she ended up with Sandburg Hanover after multiple claims were entered on the horse at the $5,000 claiming level.
“He was an early Birthday present for myself,” said House, who will celebrate her Birthday this coming Sunday, May 24th. “And now he’s given me an even better early Birthday gift – my first training win!
“He’s meant to be a good one. He’s the nicest stud to be around – just like a puppy dog,” she added. “Lorne [House] has always liked him too and when the opportunity was there to claim him, I didn’t hesitate.”
Sandburg Hanover now has a nine-race win streak dating back to August 30th of last year. Conditioned then by Kevin McMaster, the wins started at Sarnia and continued at Hanover and Kawartha before his season ended on October 11th.
Miroslaw Czupa purchased the horse from McMaster during the off-season and then had the horse return for his season debut on May 6th at The Raceway. An eye-popping 1:55.3 win at the $5,000 claiming level would spark multiple claims when Sandburg Hanover was entered back for the same price the following week. Five claims were entered on the great looking stallion son of American Ideal on May 11th at The Raceway.
“We had talked to the former owner/trainer [Miroslaw Czupa] about purchasing the horse and he was very excited to see him go to us,” said House. “We’re going to make sure he has a great home going forward.”
Natasha’s first career training win comes seven years after she first obtained a training licence.
“I had a licence in the Spring of 2008 and decided to get back to training again this year,” she explains. “I’ve been around racing my whole life, so this first training win is pretty exciting for me!”
Natasha and husband Lorne look after a stable of nine horses - eight trotters and pacer Sandburg Hanover.
“I do enjoy the trotters,” added House. “But we’re hoping to keep this pacer around for a long time. He won’t be in a claimer next time out – that I can tell you.”
If not in a claimer then where does this red hot horse, with the long running win streak, go?
“He’ll likely be entered at the Preferred level now,” she added. “Maybe there’ll be a race we can enter him in for Molson Pace night (May 29th). That would be exciting! For now we’ll just see how he comes out of this race and give him a few days off in the paddock. He has his issues and he’s the kind of horse we’ll have to manage well, but we’re good with that, he’s worth it!”
(The Raceway at Western Fair District)
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.