Manchego To Race In 2021

Trot Insider has learned that three-time Breeders Crown winner Manchego is being aimed for a return to the races in 2021.

The daughter of Muscle Hill and Secret Magic won six of her 13 starts last season, including her third Breeders Crown title and a jaw-dropping 1:49.3 performance in the Spirit of Massachusetts Trot. While she was initially slated to retire after the Nov. 21 TVG Open at The Meadowlands, the Nancy Takter trainee will return to training for a six-year-old campaign after banking $606,171 last season.

"After Gimpanzee and others retired, Nancy talked me into bringing her back as she stopped in great shape," owner Barry Guariglia of Black Horse Racing told Trot Insider. "We'll see how it goes!"

Manchego was no doubt at the top of her class at season's end, winning the TVG in 1:51.3 over arch rival Atlanta after becoming just one of five trotters in harness racing history to win three Breeders Crowns.

"She wouldn’t let us pull all four shoes in the winner circle when we retired her," said Takter. "I guess she was trying to tell us something!"

With a number of her most formidable rivals on the track moving on to breeding careers, Manchego — whom Guariglia describes as a "once-in-a-lifetime horse" — will have a prime opportunity ahead of her this year to build on her 33 career wins to date and over $2.8 million in purses.

"She’s a shining star in the sport and has a huge fan base," Takter continued. "The sport needs her, and I hope the tracks promote when these aged trotters come to town this year. She’s healthy and sound, and loves to race. No reason not to bring her back, especially when we saw a more versatile off-the-pace style from her at the end of last year."