North America’s winningest horse is among three 14-year-olds racing their last race this Saturday at Northfield Park.
As the calendar will soon be turning to 2014 Armbros Revenge A, Anvil Raider N and How Forever Feels will be forced into retirement per the rules of the United States Trotting Association.
Armbros Revenge A (Armbro Operative-Family Revenge-JJs Pennant) drew the rail in the sixth race on Saturday’s 14-race program. He will be making the 279th start of his career. He enters Saturday’s race with 50 wins to his credit and a career bankroll of $247,876. One of his richest and fastest North American wins was for a purse of $8,100 when he topped a $10,000 claiming event at The Meadows in 1:53.2 at age 11.
Armbros Revenge A is owned by Gerald Lee Jr. of Coal Center, Pennsylvania. His trainer, Rachel Kaneoka, has plans to “Get him a good home as a riding horse. He is already broke to ride and loved doing it.” She stated that she will be very selective in Armbros Revenge A’s future home and until an acceptable place is found. “He will hang out on a farm.”
Anvil Raider N (In The Pocket-Motu Sweet Lady-Great Mann) makes his career finale from post eight in the evening’s 10th race and looks for his 23rd win this year. His 2013 win tally ranks him as the winningest horse in North America this year.
He has 94 career victories in 360 starts and has amassed a bankroll of $347,622. His richest and 1:51 lifetime mark was in 2007 at Mohawk Racetrack for a purse of $16,000.
Will Johnson of Monroe, Michigan owns and trains Anvil Raider N and looks to turn him out at his farm after Saturday’s race for a life of leisure.
How Forever Feels (Stand Forever-Highland Tranquil-Nobleland Sam) drew the second tier in race 12 for the 353rd and final start of his career. He has won 50 times and has earned $368,972. His richest win came in 2003, winning a $20,000 race at Plainridge Racecourse. His 1:52.2 lifetime mark was paced at age 11 at Vernon Downs.
How Forever Feels is trained by Misty Carey for New York owners Speed To Burn Racing and Michael Kessler. “How Forever Feels is my boy, my kids and I love him,” said Carey. “He will retire to my farm. He has been broke to ride and we will continue to work on that, but so far he doesn’t seem to like it much. He may just end up being a lawn ornament.”
(With files from Northfield Park)