Who would harness racing's sharpest minds select in the 2020 Trot Magazine Fantasy Stable? Trot Insider will feature 'expert picks' in advance of the deadline for this year's contest.
Trainer Paul Kelley returns to the expert panel and has offered his picks for the 2020 Fantasy Stable. Based on last year's selections, his insight was valuable. Out of the more than 1,350 entrants, Kelley's stable finished in the top 35.
Highlighting Kelley's Group K is million-dollar yearling Damien, a son of the great Muscle Hill from the maternal line of Dorsay, Dream Together and star European trotter Propulsion. While most eyes will be on $1.1 million dollar yearling Maverick, Kelley backed his choice with solid reasoning.
"I see Maverick every day. He looks good, but I picked Damien over him because I like Muscle Hill over Father Patrick. Loved both as yearlings but I'll take Muscle Hill over Father Patrick. Plus I did see a video of Damien training recently and he looked very nice."
Damien (Muscle Hill - Danae) $1 million yearling purchase the Melander stable
Currently trained by Marcus Melander, Damien is owned by Brixton Medical Inc. and is highly staked for his freshman season as he is eligible for the Champlain Stakes, International Stallion Stakes, Simcoe Stakes and the William Wellwood Memorial.
Group A:
Papi Rob Hanover
Group B:
Bettors Wish
Group C:
American Mercury
Group D:
Stonebridge Soul
Group E:
Marseille
Group F:
Rome Pays Off
Group G:
Rich And Miserable
Group H:
Captain Victorious
Group I: Two-Year-Old Colt Pacers:
Gretzky (sold as Full Of It Hanover)
Shakespeare (sold as Get Going Hanover)
Group J: Two-Year-Old Filly Pacers:
Farady Hanover
Three Way Split (sold as Takeway Hanover)
Group K: Two-Year-Old Colt Trotters:
Damien
Really Fast
Group L: Two-Year-Old Filly Trotters:
Quickest Hanoover
Up And Ready
Group M: Trainers 1:
Marcus Melander
Group N: Trainers 2:
Luc Blais
Group O: Drivers 1:
Tim Tetrick
Group P: Drivers 2:
Brian Sears
Group Q: Drivers 3:
Bob McClure
Group R: Drivers 4:
James MacDonald
Entries for the 2020 Fantasy Stable Contest can be made up until 5:00 pm (EST) on Friday, May 17. Stables cannot be altered once submitted. Click here to enter!
The contest is based on total earnings of selected horses and five percent of the earnings of selected trainers and drivers between May 17 and December 31, 2020..
For the purposes of the fantasy bankroll, the winners (horses only) of the 2020 Breeders Crown Finals will each receive a $200,000 contest bankroll bonus. Also, in the two-year-old categories, contestants are once again asked to select TWO horses.
At the end of the year, the winner of the contest will receive entry into and travel to the 2021 World Harness Handicapping Championship, a prize valued at (approx) $1,300.
PLEASE NOTE: TROT/SC reserve the right to change the entry, start and/or end dates of this contest, depending on how the 2020 harness racing season may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay tuned to the Standardbred Canada website for more details.