On Sunday, Dec. 15, Saratoga Casino Hotel hosted 14-year-olds on its closing day as part of the annual retirement ceremony, with six veterans making the journey to the winner’s circle for the final time. 

Calvin B was the first to embark on the journey down the stretch, joined by owner/trainer Gretchen Athearn and Heidi Rohr Nickerson with her daughter Emery. 

The Bettors Delight - Croquette Hanover bay gelding was a regular in Plainridge and Maine throughout his career, with starts throughout New York, including many at Saratoga. He made 338 starts in his career and posted a record of 61-42-38 with $547,736 banked. His career highlight came at age five when he set his personal best of 1:49.2 at The Meadowlands. His final victory came just this past August at Plainridge Park, where he crossed the wire in 1:52.4, capping off an illustrious racing career.

“He means so much to so many,” said Gretchen Athearn. “He’s always been so special to my sister. I know when she was going through her treatment, he was inspirational to her during it. He got my younger son hitched on the business also.”

Athearn and Nickerson will share in the ownership of Calvin B in his retirement.

“He is going to a camp in the summer and then [will become] Emery’s riding horse after,” said Athearn.

Next to, quite literally, jump into the winner’s circle was Dull Roar, a son of Mach Three - Village Jest owned and trained by Jesse Mcassey.

The gelding had a remarkable career, making 365 starts and visiting the winner’s circle 49 times, with 47 second-place finishes and 55 thirds. Throughout his career, he earned $616,344 in purse money. His standout performance came at the age of eight when he set his lifetime mark of 1:50.3 at Pocono Downs. His final race took place just the week prior, on Dec. 7, bringing a close to an extraordinary journey on the track.

“He was a monster of a horse on the track but a big love bug in the barn,” said Mcassey. “He loves kids and is very gentle.”

Dull Roar will spend his career at a 50-acre farm with riding horses. In the spring of next year, he will start his next career as a riding horse himself.

Im Not Vanilla, the calmest of the bunch, took his time walking down to the winner’s circle with trainer Jackie Cantine and owner Jeffrey Cantine by his side. 

The Chocolatier - Muscle Up gelding made his final start in Nov. 2022 and has since enjoyed a peaceful retirement at the Cantines' home. Throughout his career, he made 290 starts, recording 25 wins, 33 second-place finishes, and 47 thirds, with earnings totalling $237,980. His lifetime mark of 1:56 was set at the age of six at The Meadowlands.

"'Rocky', also known as Im Not Vanilla, lives with us,” said Jackie Cantine. “We promised him that we’d always be as good to him as he was to us. This year, we even got him his very own pet, Chip, AKA Trump De Vie. They absolutely love each other’s company.”

The next two retirees were also both graduates of the Jackie Cantine stable and owned by Jeff Cantine. Both have been retired to the Cooperstown, New York area.

Nomo Doctor O, a gelding pacer by LCB - Liette The Jet, made his last start in 2014 at the age of four. He had 52 starts and one win, totalling $17,821 in lifetime earnings. He is now owned by Kassandra Claudy.

Secret Ingredient, a gelding trotter by Angus Hall - Keystone Secret, is owned in partnership by Jeff Cantine and Sandra Shein. As a racehorse, he had a record of 5-19-16 and $141,924 earned in 111 starts. He made his final start in December 2016 and is now owned by Lisa Lent.

“'Secret' and 'Nomo' both live in the Cooperstown area and go trail riding and overnight camping trail riding,” said Cantine. “They are well-loved by the whole family. Lisa has Secret, and Kassandra, her daughter, has Nomo. They got Nomo first but fell in love with Secret while we were still racing him.”

Finally, Twisted Pretzel made a grand appearance in the winner’s circle as the final retiree of the day, standing on two legs for his candid moment. He was joined by trainer Scott Mongeon, caretaker George Mason, as well as owners Steven and Laura Stewart.

The Crazed - Pretzel Hanover gelding earned $448,702 and posted a record of 36-28-39 in 191 starts. He took his mark of 1:55 at the age of seven at Saratoga. He ended his career in July 2019 and has remained in the care of the Stewarts at their home.

“We told 'Pretzel' we would take care of him the rest of his life, and he gave us the chance to continue in the sport,” said Laura Stewart. “Pretzel always gave his all and pushed himself. He will live in our yard and continue to get spoiled.”

(Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association)