The Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS) continues its "30 Years, 30 Stories" anniversary celebration campaign with its next profile on Keystone Edge.
Keystone Edge, a gregarious 18-year-old gelding by Bettors Delight, was welcomed back by OSAS after being adopted out of the program a few years ago.
While Bert and Susan Mollica, who train the majority of OSAS horses at their farm in Tottenham, Ont., didn’t cross paths with Keystone Edge during his first stint with OSAS, the devoted husband and wife team is grateful to be co-authoring the next chapter of his life.
“He is a very, very good boy,” praised Susan. “The owner that had him loved him. It was really hard for the gentleman to bring him back. He wants to visit 'Edge' if 'Edge' is still here and his own health improves enough to permit it, so it was quite emotional. But it’s very clear that 'Edge' was trained and loved.”
Fun Fact #1: Keystone Edge’s barn name is 'Edge.'
Fun Fact #2: Keystone Edge made 56 starts across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Ontario, earning just shy of $60,000 lifetime.
Fun Fact #3: His dam, Keystone Exton, is a half-sister to iron horse Keystone Endeavor, who made 390 starts while racing from ages two through 14. Keystone Endeavor was driven by several top drivers over his career, including Hall of Famer and current OSAS board member Bill O’Donnell.
Susan Mollica discussed Keystone Edge in a Q&A with OSAS below.
Some folks in the program are already quite familiar with Keystone Edge. What have you learned about his character?
“Edge settled in really well. He’s like the papa bear. He’s with 'Soldier Boy' [Officersoldierboy], and he just loves him. The bond they share is like father and son. Soldier Boy’s only four years old, and he’s a kind soul, too, but Edge has been there, done that, he’s just a happy boy.”
How are you and Bert approaching Keystone Edge’s second stay in the program?
“It makes it easier for us because Edge already knows everything. It’s been more about introducing him to our home, introducing him to his new buddy – but Bert can literally go tack him and ride him at any time. There’s no learning process for Edge because he already knows it all. This is a retreat while he waits to go to his forever home.”
Based on everything you know about Keystone Edge, what kind of home do you think will suit him best?
“It will be with someone who wants to go out, tack up their horse and go for a nice ride by themselves or with a group. He will be the leader, but he’ll also be a follower. He will do what anybody wants him to do. He’s just waiting for someone who wants to enjoy life him.”
Keystone Edge is proof that Standardbreds always have a home with OSAS. How important is providing that continued care, even after horses have moved through the program?
“This is why we work with OSAS. Whether they age out of the program or get hurt, OSAS doesn’t shut the door on a horse, the door is always wide open. They will continue to support and love the horse.
“Even if Bert and I aren’t doing it anymore, OSAS will still carry on and the horse will never be left astray. It’s so hard to put in words how amazing the program is. We’ve had horses come back in the past that were younger and we had no issue re-adopting them out. Even with Edge being older, he will find his perfect home.
“One thing that OSAS stands behind is that every horse they have in their program and in their care is always welcome back. Even when situations change, they continue to be responsible for those horses and will help find them their forever home again.”
(OSAS)