There is no doubt to the connections of Lesterstrikesagain that the son of Striking Sahbra had a large and loyal fan base. As Glenn Lalonde told Trot Insider Tuesday afternoon, well wishers have been coming
out of the woodwork since the gelding had to be put down recently.
"We claimed him for $15,000 in 2004," said Lalonde, who trained the gelding in all his starts since claiming him. "We sent him back out a week later and he won his first start for us. We retired him after his last win, which came in April (April 2009 at Woodbine Racetrack).
"He was just a great little horse. The whole situation with having to put him down has really been hard on my wife, Jenny. She had purchased some riding equipment and was looking forward to spending a lot more time with him off the track in his retirement."
Glenn told Trot Insider that Lesterstrikesagain had suffered from an arthritic problem with a coffin bone which had just gotten worse over the past months. "For about the last three weeks he was on a lot of pain killers and was in a lot of pain," Glenn said.
"He was our pet and we truly love him," Glenn continued. "It's always tough to let go, but he was so good to us and we had to do what was right for the horse."
Stabled at Joe Stutzman's First Line Training Centre, Lesterstrikesagain was able to be turned out with his stablemate, Four Starzz Meliss, on a regular basis, something Glenn said the gelding enjoyed quite a bit.
"The other day he could hardly get back to the paddock. It was a tough decision, but it was one that had to be made. We had the good people at the Milton Equine Hospital look at him and they just said that he was in too much pain."
Lesterstrikesagain was euthanized December 30, 2009.
"We've got a lot of calls since we put him down. I've raced all over in Ontario, and even when I was down in the [United States] people would ask about him. He sure had a following, that's for sure."
Owned by Jenny Lalonde along with John Nother of Brampton, Ont., Lesterstrikesagain will be remembered as a true warrior.
From 250 career starts, Lesterstrikesagain recorded 41 wins, 45 second-place finishes and 34 third-place efforts. Retiring at the age of 10, the hard-knocking gelding closed the book on his racing career with $542,912 in purses. His mark of 1:54.4 was taken over Mohawk Racetrack at the age of six and his 1:55.1 mile over Flamboro Downs in 2006 gives him a share of the half-mile oval's track record for older trotting geldings.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Lesterstrikesagain.
Sorry to hear the news. I
Sorry to hear the news. I remember watching him as a young horse race in Ohio county fair races. He was clearly the finest offspring of his dam, Fliver; a heyday mare. Saw several of his half sisters and brothers race for Lester and Dan Krebehenne. Always like to see the ohio breds succeed as they age. Could hardly believe he had anything left in his tank after the torrid fractions he regularly cut. Thanks for the memories, Lester !
Hello, you don't know me but
Hello, you don't know me but i took care of Lester and helped name him he was a great little horse with alot of heart. We have his mom and he was our first baby, that we raised from her. He was named after my grandpa Lester. Grandpa always said that he wanted to see the first one out of Fliver race and he past away before the little horse was born so it was only right that we named him after grandpa.
We loved watching him race if you have anything that you would like to know about him my e-mail is [email protected]. He is one of the ones that holds a place in my heart. I am glad that he found a place that he was as loved as much as he was in our barn. My heart goes out to you in your time of loss. If you would like any pictures of him from before you got him I have them too. From the time he was born to the time we sold him.
this is Truely Sad news my
this is Truely Sad news my condolencses to Jenny and Glenn he will Never be forgotten he Was a Strong racehorse and a Warrior At that its a heart Breaking loss but atleast he is no longer Suffering!!!
So sorry to hear about your
So sorry to hear about your loss, I know what a pet he was to you as well as a great racehorse, and I know he will be sorely missed. My condolences to you all.
JENNY AND GLENN Im so sorry
JENNY AND GLENN Im so sorry to hear about lester he was a wonderful trotter a true warrior. i loved him very much he was my friend, our condolences to you JENNY GLENN .RENZO & CHIARA
Jen & Glen, We're so sorry
Jen & Glen,
We're so sorry to hear about the loss of Lesterstrikesagain. We know how much this horse ment to you. He was nothing but sweet and gentle when he was here for a while. Our condolences to both of you,
Anita & Luc
Sorry to hear about
Sorry to hear about Lester
Its hard to lose a good friend
Good luck this year and all the best
John Oneill
Take care Glen and Jen
All our condolences. So
All our condolences. So sorry for to hear this. It makes me sad.
Rocco and Jeannine
Glenn & Jenny, Sorry to hear
Glenn & Jenny,
Sorry to hear about Lester. I really enjoyed watching him race. It's a brutal decision to have to make. It's unfortunate he wasn't able to enjoy his retirement a lot longer with you guys. I am sure you did what was the best thing for the horse. Take care.
Condolences from a fan of
Condolences from a fan of Lester. He was a joy to watch racing. As a pet the loss is even greater. He has left many great memories.
My condolences to you and
My condolences to you and Jenny. He was a great horse and you did right by doing what was best for him. Not enough horses are so lucky to experience the retired life. I'm glad he had the chance to enjoy himself and share a paddock with Meliss. He certainly deserved it. Sincerly, Bonnie and Bob Farrelly
So sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss. Lesterstikesagain was named after my father-in-law, Lester Krebehenne who died before the horse was born. My husband, Dan, bred, raised, broke and raced Lesterstrikesagain until he was 4. Our daughter, Mary was his groom. He was a fun horse to race and the extended family was always with us at the races. Thanks for making a great race horse out of him. We enjoyed watching him race through his career. His mom has outlived him, she is still raising colts. He was a beautiful foal and a great looking horse.
I became a fan of this
I became a fan of this magnificent trotter the first time I saw him. That same night at Hanover we were beside you in the paddock. We chatted a bit, Jenny. I was so excited to see Lester up close and I was equally impressed by your obvious love for him. Extending sincere condolences to you and his many fans.
Please accept my condolences
Please accept my condolences on the passing of this wonderful horse.
Hey buddy my condolences to
Hey buddy my condolences to you and Jen. I know how much of a pet he was to her. Sorry to here that
Sorry about your loss. He
Sorry about your loss. He was a true warrior racehorse. He showed up and tried hard every single race. What more can you ask? My condolences.
sorry to hear about your
sorry to hear about your loss.
he was a great horse
Marie Stoyles-Moura
Loved this gutsy
Loved this gutsy front-runner, but I always wondered where his name came from? Was it from my Lester The Longshot cartoons, or just coincidence? If someone knows for sure, let me know, as it would be an honour.
In reply to Loved this gutsy by longshot
He was named after Lester
He was named after Lester Krebehenne, his breeder. The family also had a filly by Ilooklikemymom, and her name was IlooklikeMildred, who was Lester's wife.
Oh Jenny. I'm so sorry to
Oh Jenny.
I'm so sorry to hear about Lester. He was such a nice horse.
I'll never forget that time we went to Hanover together and at the gate he managed to take his cropper off.
My condolences go out to your family.