He has owned a victor in almost major stakes contest on the continent, but Shnitzledosomethin owns Howard Taylor’s heart despite not being a world champion or having captured a Breeders Crown. That could all change with a preparatory race prior to that event in the $225,000 Dan Patch Stakes at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday (Aug. 14).

“I just had to have him after seeing him as a yearling,” said Taylor, who co-owns the five-year-old horse with Edwin Gold, Abraham Basen and Richard Lombardo. “He was from 'Fred’s (Fred And Ginger) first crop and he was just a specimen. Out of all the horses I have owned and all the races I have been fortunate to win. I have been so lucky; this horse is my favourite.”

Shnitzledosomethin is out of the Sand Shooter mare Summer N Sand and was bred by Aaron Stutzman of Goshen, Ind. Trained by Dylan Davis, he will have Scott Zeron in the bike when he starts from Post 1 on Friday evening. He is 20-1 on the morning line.

“My partners thought he was not of the calibre to race in the Breeders Crown (at Hoosier Park in 2018),” Taylor said. “But they told me to go with it. And he finished second by a nose in the elimination and final.”

Shnitzledosomethin has compiled a record of 59-18-13-2 during his career. The horse has banked $764,344 and enters the Dan Patch Stakes after he paced a lifetime career mark (1:49.3) at Harrah’s Philadelphia on August 2. He has never failed to break the $100,000 barrier in purse money earned each year during his career and shipped to the 'City of Brotherly Love' after an a usual performance in the $123,100 William Haughton Memorial on July 18 at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

“I’m not making excuses for him,” Davis said. “All the trainers and horses were in the same situation with detention and protocols. But he just wasn’t himself. He’s doing great right now and I brought him out to Hoosier early so we are here now. He has not turned a hair all week.”

Shnitzledosomethin (pictured) has drawn Post 1 for the $225,000 Dan Patch Stakes at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.

The big, bay horse is definitely a specimen when it comes to his physical presence, and Shnitzledosomethin’s conformation, oddly enough, is directly related to how he received his unusual name.

“He was such a beautiful horse,” Taylor said. “Even as a yearling. His breeder said he just had to name him that because he was so big and gangly. He would watch him running and all he could think to himself was, ‘Go do something.’ And he has.”

Besides preparing for the Breeders Crown, which will be contested over Hoosier on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31, Shnitzledosomethin may be paying attention to his younger sibling Somethingbeautiful (Always A Virgin, $44,250). The two-year-old filly has dazzled in each of her two trips the post over Hoosier. She is also trained by Davis and Taylor is already looking forward to the Breeders Crown.

“'Shniztle’s sister is special,” Taylor said. “And that also shows how special he is. They will both be in the Breeders Crown and I think Shnitzle has an advantage because he has shown he well he races at Hoosier Park.”

The 2020 installment of the Dan Patch Stakes will highlight the 15-race program that is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be supported by an all-star undercard of racing action. The race will be part of a special weekend tagged as 'Dan Patch Festival Weekend.' Hoosier Park will showcase some of the most notable names in harness racing alongside special wagers, free prizes, VIP giveaways, and food trucks. For more information on the upcoming entertainment and live racing schedule at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, please visit www.harrahshoosierpark.com.

(Harrah's Hoosier Park)