With a pedigree of gold, Odds On Platinum proved to be a valuable commodity amongst the sophomore pacing filly ranks in 2024. A stakes winner on every size of racetrack, the Dr. Ian Moore trainee had her versatility and heart on full display as she shined bright in a season that landed her as a 2024 O’Brien Award finalist.
“She had a great season,” Moore told Trot Insider. “She really matured into a special three-year-old; we’re very proud of her.”
Owned by Let It Ride Stables and Odds On Racing, Odds On Platinum blossomed at three, racking up signature stakes wins and earning millionaire status. In a season highlighted by stakes victories on three different sized racetracks — including the Courageous Lady at Northfield Park, Lynch Memorial at Pocono Downs and USS Indianapolis Memorial at Hoosier Park — it was Odds On Platinum’s victory in the $300,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Super Final at Woodbine Mohawk Park that stood out to the connections.
“If you look at her lines, she had some really bad luck drawing to the outside in her Ontario Sires Stakes legs the first half of the year,” explained Moore. “She would have to leave so hard from the outside, and that’s really not her preferred trip, she’s much better chasing. In the Gold Final, she drew well and was able to race from a hole and beat a really nice filly in Its A Love Thing, who had a tremendous year.”
Odds On Platinum utilized the pocket trip to upend her fellow O’Brien Award finalist, scoring in 1:49.4 by a head in a thrilling stretch dual. The win highlighted a year during which Odds On Platinum won seven of 19 appearances, banking $751,389 and taking a mark of 1:49 at Pocono with her first-over grind to victory in the Lynch over two-time Dan Patch Award winner, My Girl EJ.
“She never got tired this year,” said Moore. “She was as good at Hoosier in her last start as she was in her first start. She never stops trying, never threw in a bad race and just stayed the same year-round. It didn't matter what I did with her this year, if I trained her, if I didn’t train her, she just wanted to go race.”
That theme has been constant for Odds On Platinum throughout her career, as the regally-bred daughter of Bettors Delight out of world champion American Jewel has hit the board in 23 of 30 lifetime starts and never missed a cheque while banking $1,121,596. However, while showing ability at two, it was maturity that Moore credits to breaking out at three.
“At two, she was very good, but finished second a lot.” Moore continued, “She was having a hard time finishing the job, so I started opening her up a little bit. She was one you had to watch though, because she could be going fine and then jump 90 degrees sideways out of nowhere and things like that, but she figured it all herself in time.”
Moore hopes that maturing process will only continue for Odds On Platinum as she prepares to make the jump from three to four in a stacked older pacing mare division. With stakes and award-winning mares such as Twin B Joe Fresh, Sylvia Hanover and My Girl EJ waiting in the wings, Moore remains confident that his star pacing mare will fit right in with the stout group.
“She paced in 1:48.4 this year in the Fan Hanover, and I think she might have a little bit more still.” Moore continued, “It’s obviously very difficult making that transition from three to four, I’ve had horses like State Treasurer really struggle at four, before going on to be really good at five and six, but we’ll pick our spots with her and I’m looking forward to the year ahead.”
Odds On Platinum readies for her four-year-old campaign in Florida where she has begun jogging back in preparation for a stakes-laden schedule. Odds On Platinum is joined in Florida by another pair of Moore standouts prepping for four-year-old campaigns in 2023 O'Brien Award finalist Storm Shadow and 2024 Ohio Three-Year-Old of the Year, Clever Cody.
With focus now turning to the year ahead, Moore remains proud of all Odds On Platinum has already accomplished in her young career as the connections await the results of the 2024 O’Brien Awards.
“It’s quite an achievement for an Ontario-bred three-year-old to make over a million dollars in two years of racing,” reflected Moore. “We’re just very proud of her and happy to be nominated.”
The winners will be announced at the O’Brien Awards Gala on Feb. 8 at Meadowvale / Mississauga in Mississauga, Ont. To reserve your tickets for the O'Brien Awards, please fill out the O'Brien Awards ticket reservation form and send it to Jade Regina at [email protected].
(Standardbred Canada)