Who have harness racing's sharpest minds selected in the 2024 TROT Magazine Fantasy Stable? Trot Insider will feature 'expert picks' in advance of the deadline for this year's contest.
Joining Nick Gallucci, Greg Blanchard and Jay Hochstetler on the panel of experts for 2024 is Ken Middleton, the popular longtime voice of Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Middleton landed on 2024 Blue Chip Matchmaker champ Lit De Rose in a contentious Group G.
"She's the kind of mare anyone would love to have in their barn," noted the racecaller and trainer. "On top of being talented she's durable, versatile and can compete on a track of any size. So she gives her connections lots of options when it comes to mapping out her seasonal dance card."
Getting better with age, Lit De Rose made 34 starts at the age of eight in 2023, posting a summary of 11-5-6 with $354,985 in earnings. In just 11 starts in 2024, Lit De Rose sports a summary of 6-2-2 thus far with more than $360,000 in earnings. She'll look to add to those totals in the 2024 Betsy Ross Invitational on Sunday, May 26 at Harrah's Philadelphia.
Middleton's 2024 TROT Magazine Fantasy Stable selections are as follows:
Karl
Sylvia Hanover
Celebrity Bambino
Its A Love Thing
Clever Cody
Storm Shadow
Lit De Rose
Logan Park
Twin B Fresh Bet
Wavemaker
Lily White Hanover
Millie May Hanover
Maryland
Grande Via
Royal Mission
Destiny Deo
Ake Svanstedt
Anthony Beaton
Tim Tetrick
Aaron Merriman
James MacDonald
Jody Jamieson
Contestants have until 5 p.m. (EST) on May 24 to make your selections. You cannot change your stable once submitted.
The contest is based on total earnings of selected horses and five percent of the earnings of selected trainers and drivers between May 24, 2024 and Dec. 31, 2024. Follow along all year long!
For the purposes of the fantasy bankroll, the winners (horses only) of the 2024 Breeders Crown Finals will each receive a $200,000 contest bankroll bonus. Once again, in the two-year-old categories, you must select TWO horses in each.
At the end of the year, the first three finishers (based on total stable earnings) will be awarded betting vouchers in the amount of $800 (first place), $400 (second place) and $200 (third place).
Full contest rules are available here. Enter your picks below!