Scarborough, Maine –
They say ‘you can’t teach an old dog new
tricks’ but apparently the age old axiom
does not readily apply to horses – at least
you couldn’t convince standardbred owner
Gaylord Boutilier of that theory –
especially as it applies to his 10-year-old
gelding Presidential Sugar.
“I bought him last July just to have a horse
to fool around with” said Boutilier “He was
just a cheap horse. Something I could jog
myself. We weren’t looking to make him into
a world champion.”
In fact the veteran son of Presidential Ball
had fallen on decidedly tough times – he
hadn’t won a race since competing at
Lexington as a $2500 claimer way back in
July of 2006.
“I’ve always admired Swedish training
methods – resistance training they call it”
said Boutilier “You know, 35% of
Hambletonian winners are trained in these
resistance carts. So I built my own.”
This type of training requires a jog cart
equipped with the mechanical ability to
provide drag or resistance as the horse
works to pull it -- sort of like applying
the brakes to make the horse work harder.
These European designed carts can be quite
expensive when purchased from the
manufacturer, but ever the resourceful
Yankee, Boutilier built his from scratch for
only about $400.
“I rigged up two pistons that apply steady
pressure to the wheels” Boutilier continued
“I generally use about 30 lbs of pressure in
intervals while we’re jogging. By
comparison, 60 lbs would completely lock up
both wheels.”
Despite the bargain price of the workmanship
and the best intentions of his new owner,
the million dollar question remained, “How
would Presidential Sugar respond to the new
routine?”
“He simply loves it” Boutilier reports “He
knows when I’m ready to switch it on. His
ears prick up and he digs right in. He
really tries harder against the resistance
-- in fact we travel at about the same rate
of speed (13-MPH) whether the pistons are
engaged or turned off.”
The hard work and new conditioning methods
began to show immediate results this spring
at Scarborough Downs as Presidential Sugar
started boasting markedly improved form.
“We’ve now finished first, second and third
since the new season began and today’s win
was just wonderful” said the proud owner.
“He was locked in with a ton of pace. I
wasn’t sure he (driver Shawn Gray) would
ever get clear. Once he found a seam in the
lane though he was on top before you even
knew it. That was always his downfall last
season – getting weak late in the mile. Last
year he would have faded, he’s better at the
tail end now.”
Even with today’s celebration there are
certainly no delusions of grandeur in store
for Presidential Sugar. “He is what he is”
Boutilier concluded “He’s a ten-year-old
racehorse with his share of issues. But for
today at least he’s a winner once again.
We’ll enjoy that accomplishment then go on
from there.”
Downs Doings
In other news, the David Miller stable
posted two wins on the Thursday afternoon
Scarborough Downs card, sending both Armbro
Darling and X’Pletive to their first
seasonal winner’s circle sessions in rein to
driver Rob Dinning.
“They all seem to be getting sharp right
now” said a beaming David Miller “You know,
it’s really been
a
tough winter and many of the northern tracks
weren’t in good shape. We’re just getting
caught up with the Scarborough guys who had
a good track to train on all winter – our
horses are ready now.”
Drew Campbell continued to hold the hot hand
behind the starting gate on Thursday,
reining three horses to victory on the nine
race card.
With 41 seasonal wins, Campbell now holds a
23 race margin over his closest competitor
on the Scarborough leaders’ board.
Scarborough Downs proudly features live
harness racing every Thursday through
Saturday at 4:15 pm (EDT). The popular
Sunday matinee performances go to post at
1:30 pm.
Photo caption one – Gaylord
Boutilier celebrates with Presidential Sugar
in the Scarborough Downs winner’s circle on
Thursday. The win was the pacer’s first in
nearly two years.
Photo caption two – Rob
Dinning expertly guides Armbro Darling to
victory on Thursday – the first of two
winning journeys behind David Miller
trainees.
Photos by – Derek Davis
