It occurred with little fanfare, but a hard-knocking pacing mare was retired earlier this month after recording her 45th career win and pushing her career purse earnings over the $800,000 mark.
After having started from the rail in an April 15 race at Pocono, Billmar Scooter charged to the front early and held on for a neck victory. The effort allowed the 10-year-old to end her racing career on a victorious tip, as the bay was subsequently retired.
In an article by The Times Herald, co-owner Gene Oldford was quoted as saying, “I had made up my mind, as soon as she topped $800,000 in career earnings, I wanted to breed her.”
Billmar Scooter is co-owned by her driver, Tyler Buter. Amber Buter has trained the mare since early in 2011.
Oldford explained in the article that Billmar Scooter was bred in New York State earlier this week. “I got a text (on Tuesday) that they had bred her (on Monday), and everything was good.”
Speaking to the blue-collar nature of Billmar Scooter, Oldford said that his charge reached the $800,000 plateau by putting her hardhat on and going out to work with regularity.
“She made all her money the hard way,” he said. “She’s been a real joy.”
(With files from The Times Herald)