Carlo,

rethink your comment; we currently have horses all over the province going for purses that are extremely disproportional to their value and not enough money being wagered on them to pay the hydro bill. That said - this current condition will not last for ever.
On to the matter at hand; I think everyone can appreciate the complexity of a catch driver/ trainer/ owner relationship and the decision making process leading up to a 2 min. (approx.) racing event. The idea of indicating your intent with a horse (trainer), could get pretty fishy too if you indicate in the form that you are heading to the back of the bus and then wire the field at box car odds. It just seems like a whole new can of the same worms if you will.

I like the way the profile of the young catch driver is evolving. They love to win . , and often dont even ask or care about the trainer's intentions, they may have watched your horse race before, study the book a bit and then grab the lines. I like this attitude - kind of like, "if you are into saving your horses for next week when they are tighter or are looking to teach him how to race - put someone else down to drive b/c I've got a dash title to win here and don't have time for stuff like that". I'm sure punters like this attitude as well.

Mr Antonacci, I applaud greatly your initiative and wish you and your soon-to-be partners every success with it. And please, don't waste your time explaining yourself to the inevitable nay-sayers that will and have cropped up to knock you. This is a good thing you are doing for our sport and if it attracts even one future owner you can consider it worthwhile... just wish I had $500! :)

This could be great exposure to our sport regardless of what happens to the horse. To the doubters here is what you do; find $500 that you dont need, buy or give a share in this partnership. Consider the money gone and hope for the best all the while having a bit of fun, hearing and telling stories about your venture. When or if the horse breaks his leg off, judging by the current price of meat, you will probably get a check in the mail with only one digit to the left of the decimal. Turn the page and continue on with your life or - refrain from going to Tim Hortons for about three months and you'll have recouped your investment.

I think it's unfortunate that people are so skeptical.

I'm a thoroughbred player and owner, and I signed up because the setup was very clear and transparent. I also have heard very good things about the Antonaccis, so I have no reason to be skeptical.

At the end of the day the $500 investment is lower than anywhere I know of to get involved with owning a horse. Knowing that there won't be future bills also makes it a great gift. I think it's a fantastic idea, and one that should bring new blood to the standardbred game.

Great idea!

It is one of the few good ideas to spring up in many a year. The devil however is in the details. I.E. suppose the horse breaks down etc or becomes unraceable what happens. Do the original participants still have a credit balance. I am sure Mr Young was not insinuating anything untoward was or will be done but I would strongly suggest Mr. Antonacci prepare all the participants for every likely possibility both positive and negative!

This is something great! People with a rich tradition and heritage in our great sport working with potential new owners.
The thought of new owners having the opportunity to meet the bright, young and talented horseman Frank Antonacci and
possibly visit the class operation of Lindy Farms is awesome. The youth of our business is the strength of our future!!
Bravo on this great initiative.

I applaud your initiative. Too bad the usual cynics, usually the ones who have never lifted a volunteer finger in this sport, got the first kick at your can. I would love to be part of the experience but I guess I don't qualify being an old fart who has enjoyed ownership in the past. In fact my first horse was a syndicate horse with me as one of ten partners. The experience was great. It also helped that she was the best three year old in the Maritimes. Being part of a horse is a great way to start. I wish you success and based on the pedigree I think you have a winner.

Its a shame that you would read my comment so incorrectly.I never made any reference to any attempt at ripping people off.I only stated that people who have no real knowledge of this business and who may also may have limited resourses will get the perception of being ripped off if there is no return.I cant tell you how many former owners I know who were involved in partnerships that eventually thought they got ripped off by someone.The trainer,the driver, their partners etc.It is infact one of the primary reasons we have less owners today. The real ownership experience includes some idea of whats going on.1% of a horse with no bills,limted communication with trainers, drivers etc is not an experience that would entice for further participation.It becomes no different then buying a penny stock.May I suggest that you plan a specific date when all the owners can participate in a seminar.They can also watch the horse train,see the workings of the barn.Most importantly, also develop comradery, which is the real ownership experience.I applaud your attempt at attracting new owners and hope it succeeds.

so sad! the perception that people have on the horse racing industry is the following "not an honest industry". that being said, 100 shares x by five hundred dollars equals fifty thousand dollars.($ 50,000) the horse was bought for eleven thousand, balance remaining thirty-nine thousand.

training costs per day about, maybe sixty dollars? or more? multiply by 30 days in a month, equals one thousand eight hundred. ($1,800.00) per month multiply by 12 months equals twenty one thousand and six hundred.($21,600.00) plus, the cost of feeding and vet bills per day about, maybe.....eighty dollars per day or more?

so, eighty dollars multiply by 30 days equals two thousand four hundred dollars multiply by 12 months equals twenty eight thousand and eight hundred dollars.($28,800.00).

operation cost per year about, let's see, 21,600 plus 28,800 equals $50,400.00 dollars per year.(please keep in mind that these are only rough figures, not exact figures.)

the questions that future owners would like to know, if possible, are the operating costs, mr. frank antonacci. a detailed account of, day by day expenses, would be appreciated. more details must be known. which race track will you be planning to race this champion? thank you!

People are skeptical when it comes to horse racing partnerships.And you are trying to create one where ownership gets a tiny fraction of net earnings with probably little to no interaction of the owners with the trainer. I wouldn't call that an ownership experience. If the horse loses money,we will have 100 more people who think they got ripped off. They are selling 100 shares.How many shares are held by the original ownership? On the surface it sounds like each owns 1% per share. The original owners have also created a cant lose program where all their costs are reimbursed. Do they have any participation if the horse wins?