On Monday night (December 31) the shoes were pulled on Foiled Again to signify the official retirement of harness racing's all-time richest horse.
Foiled Again has banked more than $7.6 million in his career, one that started with a win in his pari-mutuel debut on October 12, 2006 at Freehold Raceway. More than 12 years and 330 starts later, the 14-year-old son of Dragon Again - In A Safe Place will head to the gate for one more battle at The Meadows Racetrack just outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
In those 330 starts, the sport's all-time earnings leader has captured virtually every stakes event offered in North America -- at least once. As a tribute to the iron-tough warhorse, Trot Insider has asked those that know Foiled Again best -- trainer and co-owner Ron Burke and regular pilot Yannick Gingras to reminisce over their five favourite Foiled Again races.
"Bettor Sweet was one of the top horses at the time and that was probably Foiled's first big race on a big track. He was always considered a small-track specialist but he came to The Meadowlands that day and he came first up on Bettor Sweet, who was one of the dominant horses then, and he was able to get the job done. It was a really important race in my eyes."
#4 - 2013 Ben Franklin Final, The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono
"It was in the summer; I'd say that was the only year that he was good in the summer, other years he would tail off a bit but in the 2013 Ben Franklin I thought he raced great that day."
#3 - 2013 TVG Free For All Pace, Meadowlands Racetrack
"It was a great race and he raced tremendous, and it was the end of his best season, I think. That season, he was the dominant horse and got the job done in many of the big races. It was the end of a great season and he did it beating Captaintreacherous, with all the hype around 'Captain' being in the race and it was a great field of horses that day...but having 'Captain' in there made the race that much more important."
#2 - 2012 Canadian Pacing Derby, Mohawk Racetrack
"It was a time when Foiled wasn't maybe at the top of his game...summers weren't always that keen to him, he would turn it around and be dominant in the fall but summer was a little bit different. That day, he was like 10 or 14-1, a longshot in the race and it wasn't his typical type of race either...he was not on the front, he was not first up...I think I was seventh or eighth at the quarter pole, went up the inside, squeezed through traffic in the last turn and early in the stretch and he fought some really good horses -- Bettor Sweet and Betterthancheddar-- down by the wire. And it was the day he went over Gallo Blue Chip's record, and the first chance he had at it and he did it in style."
#1 - 2013 Breeders Crown, The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono
"To me by far it's my favourite race; it's not only my favourite race by Foiled Again, it's probably my favourite race ever. Everybody sees Foiled Again as a resilient horse...tough, game and whatever adjective you want to use but that race is the epitome of that. He just refused to lose, he was going 100 miles an hour the whole entire race, and to be able to keep fighting Pet Rock down the stretch -- who had a very good trip behind him -- that's a race I'll never forget."
#1a - Win #100 - Harrah's Philadelphia
"Another race I'll never forget is #100. At that time, I wasn't racing him regularly and he was racing all over the place...he was at 99 and I never really expressed it to anyone but it really meant a lot to me to get #100. I wanted to get that win with him in the same way I wanted to drive him in his last race. I can't go everywhere and I understand they took him everywhere, and it's great for the sport but to be able to get #100 accomplished wth him, it really meant something to me. It's right up there with the Breeders Crown, honestly. A different meaning but very important."
The Meadows has labelled Monday's farewell to Foiled Again as “Foiled Again’s Last Call,” the race will bring down the curtain on the career of the gallant gelding who’s amassed more than $7.6 million earnings but faces mandatory retirement Jan. 1 when he turns 15.
For this historic New Year’s Eve event, The Meadows and the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA) have planned a memorable program. During a special winners’ circle retirement ceremony, Foiled Again’s shoes will be pulled for the final time. Fans will enjoy a video featuring Foiled Again’s career highlights, and the horse’s key connections -- caretaker Tessie Irey; trainer Ron Burke; driver Yannick Gingras; owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and JJK Stables -- will share their favourite Foiled Again memories.
In addition, fans will receive Foiled Again-themed shot glasses, Terrible Towels, posters, coffee mugs and hats (while supplies last), and the MSOA will raffle off two Foiled Again Breyers. Fans will be given party hats and noisemakers and invited to celebrate the new year in the casino.
On Monday night (December 31) the shoes were pulled on Foiled Again to signify the official retirement of harness racing's all-time richest horse.