Blue Chip Farms, Taylor Made Stallions and Fred W. Hertrich's All American Harnessbreds are proud to announce they have joined the ownership group of undefeated two-year-old pacer Travel Playlist.
The new owners join original and majority owner Ronald Michelon, represented by bloodstock agent Ernie Martinez who handled the transaction. Trainer Erv Miller will continue to manage the colt’s racing career. Following his retirement from the racetrack at the end of 2016, the new team will retain the right to manage the stallion career of Travel Playlist.
The new owners were attracted to the son of Art Major for his strong pedigree, excellent conformation, obvious precociousness (1:49.2) and thus an unlimited commercial stallion opportunity. Fred W. Hertrich's All American Harnessbreds and Blue Chip Farms are well known Standardbred breeders that are also very involved in the Thoroughbred business. Taylor Made originally got its start in Standardbred racing and is now one of the leading commercial thoroughbred operations. Not only do they stand multiple stallions including the forthcoming California Chrome, but Taylor Made is also the leading consignor at the Keeneland Sale. All three entities share a genuine optimism about both this stallion prospect as well as the Standardbred business in general.
Blue Chip Principal Tom Grossman commented, “This transaction represents a significant step towards my long term goal to highlight, solidify, and capitalize on the palpable attraction of and interest in the Standardbred racing and breeding business from a wider variety of participants including the Taylor Made team that literally wrote the book on breeding and raising racehorses.”
Hertrich added, "I am excited to be involved with long time friends and business partners Taylor Made and Blue Chip Farms in a horse with the ability of Travel Playlist. I believe there has never been a better time to race Standardbreds and an optimistic about the future of the business, particularly in New York.”
Travel Playlist (Art Major - Village Madonna) is unbeaten in four lifetime starts, his most recent win in an eye-popping track record 1:49.2 mile at Vernon Downs.
(with files from Blue Chip)