The connections of Freaky Feet Pete have announced that the hard-knocking son of Rockin Image has sustained an injury that has ended his 2016 campaign.
The four-year-old horse last raced on September 30 at Dayton Raceway in the Dayton Pacing Derby, which was ultimately won by Wiggle It Jiggleit. Freaky Feet Pete finished third in the mile and was beaten by less than two lengths in the 1:49.1 mile.
The connections made the announcement via Freaky Feet Pete’s Facebook page. The announcement, which appears below, does not cite any specifics regarding the injury, but it does convey that the formidable pacer will not see the track again this season.
’This is a very hard announcement to make, but unfortunately due to injury Pete's season has come to an end. It’s hard, for sure, but we are thankful we caught it and didn’t do any further damage. Hopefully, if everything goes well, we will try to come back bigger, stronger and tougher next year, and we would like to thank you all for the support this year.’
Freaky Feet Pete’s 2016 slate reads six wins, three second-place finishes and two third-place efforts from 15 starts. He banked $433,356 in purses during the year and paced to a world record 1:47.1 (for a four-year-old horse over a five-eighths-mile track) in his elimination for the Ben Franklin Pace at Pocono Downs.
Freaky Feet Pete is owned by Mary Jo Rheinheimer (of La Grange, Indiana) and Marty Rheinheimer (Howe, Indiana). He was bred by his trainer, Larry Rheinheimer, 72, who passed away unexpectedly on September 24 after having collapsed in the paddock area at Hoosier Park.
As it currently stands, Freaky Feet Pete has made 42 career starts and has won 30 of them. He has also paced to five second-place efforts and two third-place finishes. He has banked $1,631,809 in purses.
Love that horse. Best of
Love that horse. Best of luck getting him better. Glad you caught it in time, that's the most important thing.
I hope Freaky Feet Pete can
I hope Freaky Feet Pete can come back and be as good as new.