Trot Insider has learned that open class pacing mare The Joy Luck Club has been retired following her start on Thursday (Jan. 30) at Flamboro Downs.
News of the retirement comes from the mare's trainer, breeder and co-owner Mark Horner, who confirmed the decision before Thursday's start.
"It’s a tough decision but one that is bittersweet," said Horner. "As much as we love racing her she has given us a lot of joy, being a homebred herself, but we're happy to set her sights on a new career as a mother in hopes that she will produce great offspring."
Mike Horner hustled The Joy Luck Club to the lead in Thursday’s swan song and the mare carved out fractions of :28, :56 and 1:24.3 before using a :29.1 closing quarter to win by 3-1/4 lengths over Outlaw Imahotvixen in 1:53.4. Arya Stark tagged along to finish third in the $10,500 Preferred 2 event for filly and mare pacers.
An O'Brien Award finalist in 2017, The Joy Luck Club (Camluck - Oh The Joy) retires after 89 lifetime starts, posting a summary of 28-10-10 with $502,002 in earnings and a mark of 1:50.3 taken at Mohawk as a three-year-old. Her biggest win came in the 2017 OSS Super Final, a four-length score over an off-track in 1:51.4.
According to Horner, The Joy Luck Club has a date with another O'Brien Award finalist in Captain Crunch, whose first book is already full and closed. She'll be shipped to New Jersey's Concord Stud for breeding.
"Captain Crunch is as stunning an individual as she is. It's exciting to see her get a very well-deserved retirement."
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Flamboro Downs.