One of the top stables in North America just added more dangerous depth, as millionaires Southwind Lynx and Badlands Nitro have returned to the barn of
George Teague.
This morning at Dover Downs under less than ideal conditions, both horses - who had retired for stallion careers in 2009 - reemerged victorious. Southwind Lynx, the 2007 Art Rooney and Meadowlands Pace winner cut all the fractions for a 1:56.1 13-plus length romp. In the next qualifier, 2008 Rooney and Max Hempt champ Badlands Nitro was a 1:56.4 winner by more than 18 lengths. George's son Montrell was at the controls of both pacers.
"The track was off about two seconds and it's a bit chilly here," Teague told Trot Insider from Delaware. "The weather hasn't been great so I hadn't trained them up as much as I wanted to but they each finished strong.
"I wanted to go around 1:57 or 1:58 with them so I was very pleased with both of their miles. They'll each get three or four qualifiers into them before racing."
The return to track from the stud barn comes as each horse showed problems with fertility.
"They had pretty much the same issues, getting only about 10 mares in foal apiece, " stated Teague. "We figured we could make more money on the track. They both retired sound - they always were sound horses - so I have them back."
The older pacing ranks have witnessed two retired stars come back from stud duty and show the time off had no ill effect - Mr Feelgood in 2008 and Shark Gesture in 2009. With a full slate of stakes events on their dance cards, Teague is hoping that the time away from the track helps his pupils out as well.
"Both my horses have filled out quite a bit," noted Teague. "In the case of Badlands Nitro, that four-year-old year can be a tough one and it might not have been a bad thing for him to miss his four-year-old season."
One horse that will be back at four with these two millionaires is another millionaire, 2009 Hoosier Cup winner Mr Wiggles.
"Mr Wiggles had a long season at three, racing from March to the start of December," said Teague. "He is coming back the first of February along with [O'Brien nominee] Fancy Filly."
Hmm, some nice older pacers
Hmm, some nice older pacers about this year. Here's three from one barn alone!
Awesome :)
In reply to Hmm, some nice older pacers by PeterS
Who knows? maybe with all
Who knows? maybe with all the older classy pacers coming back AND making money, it will spark further interest in keeping some of the stars at 2 and 3 on the track a little longer.
I may be just naval gazing but at the very least it's going to make for some exciting racing this year.
In reply to Hmm, some nice older pacers by PeterS
Hi Peter, These two
Hi Peter,
These two millionaires coming back may offset the 3 or 4 older pacers that are retiring to the breeding shed in 2010!
In reply to Hi Peter, These two by badlands racing
John, good luck with
John, good luck with Badlands Nitro this year.
-JP