The cheers from the harness racing fraternity in Southwestern Ontario will be loud and long this Saturday when Madefromlucky heads postward in the $750,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

The talented three-year-old thoroughbred colt trained by noted conditioner, Todd Pletcher for Erin, Ontario horseman, Mac Nichol, and Everett Dobson, one of the owners of the Oklahoma Thunder of the NBA, will be trying for his third consecutive victory in the 1-1/16 mile test, which is a stepping stone on the road to the famed Kentucky Derby on May 2.

So, why all of the cheers from the harness community for this handsome bay thoroughbred speedster?

Well, Madefromlucky, is a member, and the only thoroughbred member of ‘the Stable That God Loves,’ and, one per cent of his purse earnings in 2015 will go to Chaplain Ken Carter’s homeless Standardbred Chaplaincy of Canada that is dedicated to providing for the emotional, physical, spiritual and human needs of the horse racing work force in southwestern Ontario.

To date a total of 26 horses are committed to this innovative program, which is designed to raise much needed operating funds for the tireless work of the Chaplaincy, and also to put a good face on horse racing. The program hit mainstream media last week (March 5) with an excellent two-page spread in the Toronto Sun, penned by Steve Buffery.

Mac Nichol is the first owner from the “thoroughbred” community to support the Stable That God Loves, which so far includes many prominent standardbred owners, including John Fielding, John Craig, Harry Rutherford, Mark Hyatt, Dustin Jones, Norm Clements, Dr. Roly Armitage, Doug Millard and Tom Rankin, to name a few.

"I figured I’ll mix it up a bit on this thoroughbred and maybe it will open some more doors for support (for the chaplaincy),” said Mac.

Mac Nichol is the owner of Ideal Training Centre, a 50-acre showplace with accommodation for 123 horses and excellent five-eighths mile training track in Erin. He has won plenty of major races in harness racing, either as a majority owner or partner, including the Little Brown Jug and the North America Cup in 2007 with Tell All, the 2011 Breeders Crown three-year-old filly pace with Monkey On My Wheel and the Confederation Cup with American Ideal, among others.

He has an interest in about 25 horses and his trainers include Casie Coleman, Colin Johnson, Jeff Gillis and Tony Alagna.

Madefromlucky was a $150,000 purchase as a two-year-old in training last year. His sire, Lookin At Lucky, won the 2010 edition of the Rebel.

Madefromlucky will face six formidable opponents in this 55th running of the Rebel. He will break from post 2 with jockey John Velasquez aboard.

Post time for the Rebel Stakes is 6:06 p.m. Central time.

(Standardbred Racetrack Chaplaincy of Canada)