After modeling a system for fractional ownership based on the popular SBOA New Owners Mentoring Program, the two latest versions of LandMark Racing Stable are poised for a very big night on Friday.
Managed by owner Howard Pearce and trainer Mark Steacy, the LandMark Racing Stable ownership groups have enjoyed success in the past with horses such as 2010 OSS Grassroots Final winner Tamarind - now a winner of over $460,000 lifetime.
The concept behind LandMark is simple: bring new owners into harness racing for a modest price. Owners can buy shares into a group, and that group goes out and purchases a yearling under the guidance of Steacy and Pearce. The owner buys into the horse essentially for two years and doesn't have to make stake payments or pay vet or training bills.
One trotter that Steacy and LandMark picked up last year is Harper Blue Chip. Like Tamarind, Harper Blue Chip started out in the Grassroots program but the Majestic Son colt was given a shot against Grand Circuit competition last week in the Champlain. Sylvain Filion guided Harper Blue Chip to a convincing 1:56 win on Friday, August 29 for Landmark 6 Racing Stable, David McDonald of Cornwall, Ont., and David Reid of Glenburnie, Ont.
LandMark 6 is made up of 12 owners, and that group will be watching intently as Harper Blue Chip lines up on Friday night as the morning line favourite in the second of two William Wellwood eliminations at Mohawk. Filion will once again be in the sulky behind Harper Blue Chip from Post 3 at odds of 3-1 with sights set on a major chunk of the $385,000 final next Saturday, Sept. 14.
LandMark V, formed in 2011 with a group of more than 20 owners, also has a big night on Friday but with all eyes on Grand River Raceway. After scoring a Grassroots double last Tuesday at Georgian Downs, Steacy and driver Gord Brown will aim for back-to-back Grassroots wins with morning line choices Swishnflick (Race 2, PP1) and Juliet (Race 4, PP9).
With these recent successes in mind, Pearce and Steacy will be out at the 2013 yearling sales - starting on Sunday, Sept. 15 at the Canadian Yearling Sale - looking for the next standardbred star and new partners for LandMark 7.