Highest Honors - Purchased One Share Today
Quote from Bgtolex25 on July 25, 2025, 11:05 AMQuote from Purple Aura on July 25, 2025, 10:00 AMDo you guys prefer pacers to trotters? Or it doesn't matter whoever catches your eye that's the one you like. I'm much more of a trotting guy.Â
It doesnât matter to me. Â I think the new (not necessarily an old timer like you, Ed) preference for trotters stems from the adage that all pacers go fast. Â
Well, the trotters are doing that now as well. Â So many of the current trotting sires and sires of dams were wickedly fast and clean gaited. Â Stake winning trotting 2 year olds are ripping off sub 1:55 miles in early July.
Quote from Purple Aura on July 25, 2025, 10:00 AMDo you guys prefer pacers to trotters? Or it doesn't matter whoever catches your eye that's the one you like. I'm much more of a trotting guy.Â
It doesnât matter to me. Â I think the new (not necessarily an old timer like you, Ed) preference for trotters stems from the adage that all pacers go fast. Â
Well, the trotters are doing that now as well. Â So many of the current trotting sires and sires of dams were wickedly fast and clean gaited. Â Stake winning trotting 2 year olds are ripping off sub 1:55 miles in early July.
Quote from Lonnie on July 25, 2025, 11:14 AMQuote from Purple Aura on July 25, 2025, 10:00 AMDo you guys prefer pacers to trotters? Or it doesn't matter whoever catches your eye that's the one you like. I'm much more of a trotting guy.Â
It doesn't matter to me either. But, I am starting to think that pacers (competition) are going way too fast. Much faster than what our horses seem to be capable of.
Quote from Purple Aura on July 25, 2025, 10:00 AMDo you guys prefer pacers to trotters? Or it doesn't matter whoever catches your eye that's the one you like. I'm much more of a trotting guy.Â
It doesn't matter to me either. But, I am starting to think that pacers (competition) are going way too fast. Much faster than what our horses seem to be capable of.
Quote from Purple Aura on July 25, 2025, 11:40 AM
    Fair points. I believe it takes more training talent to develop a trotter than a pacer. I also believe training pacers is more about chemistry than it is the talent of the trainer. It's weird that in harness racing it seems world records are smashed yearly and in thoroughbreds that doesn't happen near as much if at all anymore. Is there more chemistry in harness than thoroughbreds theses days? With more and more top trainers entering Ohio these days maybe more chemistry is needed. If The Stable takes this route that's when I cash in my chips. Interesting dilemma because I like winning races too. Â
    Fair points. I believe it takes more training talent to develop a trotter than a pacer. I also believe training pacers is more about chemistry than it is the talent of the trainer. It's weird that in harness racing it seems world records are smashed yearly and in thoroughbreds that doesn't happen near as much if at all anymore. Is there more chemistry in harness than thoroughbreds theses days? With more and more top trainers entering Ohio these days maybe more chemistry is needed. If The Stable takes this route that's when I cash in my chips. Interesting dilemma because I like winning races too. Â
Quote from pcmark15 on July 25, 2025, 3:06 PMI've spent most of my years following harness racing as a railbird and during those early years I didn't care for trotters they just seemed to unpredictable, even the seasoned ones. Back then at least at Raceway Park (Toledo) you may only see a couple of trot races a week which didn't help, but that kind of changed a bit with the emergence of Charles Sylvester (Mack Lobell) who raced there before moving east.
As for right now I don't really have a preference when it come to choosing horses, this is just a hobby for me, I'm just as likely to walk through the barn and say I like this horse and buy a share as I am to consider their pedigree or confirmation, I've had successes and failures both ways. That being said if I was in it solely for the money I'm sure I'd use a different approach.
I've spent most of my years following harness racing as a railbird and during those early years I didn't care for trotters they just seemed to unpredictable, even the seasoned ones. Back then at least at Raceway Park (Toledo) you may only see a couple of trot races a week which didn't help, but that kind of changed a bit with the emergence of Charles Sylvester (Mack Lobell) who raced there before moving east.
As for right now I don't really have a preference when it come to choosing horses, this is just a hobby for me, I'm just as likely to walk through the barn and say I like this horse and buy a share as I am to consider their pedigree or confirmation, I've had successes and failures both ways. That being said if I was in it solely for the money I'm sure I'd use a different approach.
Quote from Bgtolex25 on July 25, 2025, 4:44 PMQuote from Purple Aura on July 25, 2025, 11:40 AM
    Fair points. I believe it takes more training talent to develop a trotter than a pacer. I also believe training pacers is more about chemistry than it is the talent of the trainer. It's weird that in harness racing it seems world records are smashed yearly and in thoroughbreds that doesn't happen near as much if at all anymore. Is there more chemistry in harness than thoroughbreds theses days? With more and more top trainers entering Ohio these days maybe more chemistry is needed. If The Stable takes this route that's when I cash in my chips. Interesting dilemma because I like winning races too. Â
Quote from Purple Aura on July 25, 2025, 11:40 AM
    Fair points. I believe it takes more training talent to develop a trotter than a pacer. I also believe training pacers is more about chemistry than it is the talent of the trainer. It's weird that in harness racing it seems world records are smashed yearly and in thoroughbreds that doesn't happen near as much if at all anymore. Is there more chemistry in harness than thoroughbreds theses days? With more and more top trainers entering Ohio these days maybe more chemistry is needed. If The Stable takes this route that's when I cash in my chips. Interesting dilemma because I like winning races too. Â
Quote from Bgtolex25 on July 25, 2025, 5:09 PMI would like to see some good studies, but I donât see it happening. Â Se we are left to speculate. Â Looking forward to having those debates at a track very soon.
I would like to see some good studies, but I donât see it happening. Â Se we are left to speculate. Â Looking forward to having those debates at a track very soon.
Quote from MaywoodAl on July 26, 2025, 12:26 AMQuote from Purple Aura on July 25, 2025, 11:40 AM
    Fair points. I believe it takes more training talent to develop a trotter than a pacer. I also believe training pacers is more about chemistry than it is the talent of the trainer. It's weird that in harness racing it seems world records are smashed yearly and in thoroughbreds that doesn't happen near as much if at all anymore. Is there more chemistry in harness than thoroughbreds theses days? With more and more top trainers entering Ohio these days maybe more chemistry is needed. If The Stable takes this route that's when I cash in my chips. Interesting dilemma because I like winning races too. Â
I am slow. When I first read this I took chemistry as bond between horse and trainer and crew, and wondered why you would leave the TheStable if there was such a bond, then it hit me,
Quote from Purple Aura on July 25, 2025, 11:40 AM
    Fair points. I believe it takes more training talent to develop a trotter than a pacer. I also believe training pacers is more about chemistry than it is the talent of the trainer. It's weird that in harness racing it seems world records are smashed yearly and in thoroughbreds that doesn't happen near as much if at all anymore. Is there more chemistry in harness than thoroughbreds theses days? With more and more top trainers entering Ohio these days maybe more chemistry is needed. If The Stable takes this route that's when I cash in my chips. Interesting dilemma because I like winning races too. Â
I am slow. When I first read this I took chemistry as bond between horse and trainer and crew, and wondered why you would leave the TheStable if there was such a bond, then it hit me,
Quote from Bgtolex25 on July 26, 2025, 6:37 AMQuote from MaywoodAl on July 26, 2025, 12:26 AMQuote from Purple Aura on July 25, 2025, 11:40 AM
    Fair points. I believe it takes more training talentÂ
I am slow. When I first read this I took chemistry as bond between horse and trainer and crew, and wondered why you would leave the TheStable if there was such a bond, then it hit me,
Agree that the patience and knowledge to develop trotters is critical, but I think the breed is evolving to the point where those human traits are less critical. Â Wait until the offspring of Captain Cory start reproducing, and they might start sprouting wings. Not as cynical on the âchemicalâ angle as my friend Ed and that is no shot at him but a nod to my romanticism of the horses. Â
As for the pacers, they are relatively new to the evolution of the performance horse so their steeper arc in speed can be explained by selective breeding.
And when the industry moved away from multiple heat racing to almost exclusively single dash events, the premium on speed over endurance became paramount. Â Breeding, training techniques, track design and equipment changes have been drastic since I was introduced to the game as a wide eyed lad in the mid 70s.
Comparatively, very little changes have occurred with thoroughbreds.  Why would they get faster unless you can explain it in the chemical angle?  They donât have access to the same chemicals as Standardbreds and are morally better people?  I do know there are cheaters in everything involving money, but these are my thoughts ⊠for now.
Quote from MaywoodAl on July 26, 2025, 12:26 AMQuote from Purple Aura on July 25, 2025, 11:40 AM
    Fair points. I believe it takes more training talentÂ
I am slow. When I first read this I took chemistry as bond between horse and trainer and crew, and wondered why you would leave the TheStable if there was such a bond, then it hit me,
Agree that the patience and knowledge to develop trotters is critical, but I think the breed is evolving to the point where those human traits are less critical. Â Wait until the offspring of Captain Cory start reproducing, and they might start sprouting wings. Not as cynical on the âchemicalâ angle as my friend Ed and that is no shot at him but a nod to my romanticism of the horses. Â
As for the pacers, they are relatively new to the evolution of the performance horse so their steeper arc in speed can be explained by selective breeding.
And when the industry moved away from multiple heat racing to almost exclusively single dash events, the premium on speed over endurance became paramount. Â Breeding, training techniques, track design and equipment changes have been drastic since I was introduced to the game as a wide eyed lad in the mid 70s.
Comparatively, very little changes have occurred with thoroughbreds.  Why would they get faster unless you can explain it in the chemical angle?  They donât have access to the same chemicals as Standardbreds and are morally better people?  I do know there are cheaters in everything involving money, but these are my thoughts ⊠for now.
Quote from Bgtolex25 on July 26, 2025, 6:45 AMQuote from Lonnie on July 24, 2025, 7:22 PMI hope this "partnership" of ours is more fruitful than Fireandshine. đđđ„ đ
Not discouraged by Highest Honors performance at all. Â He is no world beater but can be effective if the development and luck are on our side. Â For all the deserving knocks that we give Merriman for his road driving, I was glad to see how he handled him for the second straight week. Â 10 days to the Urbana Fair BSS. Happy for the extra couple of days of recovery time and hopeful for a better draw. Â HH has the athleticism to take advantage of the tighter turns.
Quote from Lonnie on July 24, 2025, 7:22 PMI hope this "partnership" of ours is more fruitful than Fireandshine. đđđ„ đ
Not discouraged by Highest Honors performance at all. Â He is no world beater but can be effective if the development and luck are on our side. Â For all the deserving knocks that we give Merriman for his road driving, I was glad to see how he handled him for the second straight week. Â 10 days to the Urbana Fair BSS. Happy for the extra couple of days of recovery time and hopeful for a better draw. Â HH has the athleticism to take advantage of the tighter turns.
Quote from Purple Aura on July 26, 2025, 8:09 AMSeeing Urbana makes me smile. If anyone goes look in the program and tell me if Purple Aura still has the track record there. And is her 2yo track record still faster than the 3yotf track filly record. That was a fun night. Urbana is a pretty cool fair.Â
 Highest Honors raced well. Post was tough and Aaron handled him correctly.Â
 Norm we will always be good. Well except for that day in November.Â
Seeing Urbana makes me smile. If anyone goes look in the program and tell me if Purple Aura still has the track record there. And is her 2yo track record still faster than the 3yotf track filly record. That was a fun night. Urbana is a pretty cool fair.Â
 Highest Honors raced well. Post was tough and Aaron handled him correctly.Â
 Norm we will always be good. Well except for that day in November.Â