Cole Muffler Euthanized (6-May)

Cottonwood Farm is extremely saddened to report that Cole Muffler was humanely euthanized Wednesday afternoon, May 5, and laid to rest just outside the stallion barn that had been his home since 1993.

The 21-year-old stallion suffered a debilitating incident in his paddock this past Saturday, and although he had overcome a variety of lameness issues over the past several years, this latest event proved to be unmanageable.

Cole Muffler as an outstanding race horse, winning multiple stakes at two and three, and was so impressive that he was the top rated sophomore in the experimental ratings. However, he proved to be even more remarkable as a stallion.Cole Muffler began his breeding career as a 4-year-old under the care of Cottonwood Farm manager Brent Johnson who supervised his next 16 years in the breeding shed.

The motto at Cottonwood Farm has been “Raising the standard of breeding excellence…again” and Cole Muffler helped us achieve that goal. Cole Muffler is the sire of a Breeders Crown champion, three millionaires, multiple world champions, many Illinois Horse of the Year honorees, and a host of stakes winners.

Among his credits of over $51 million are 132 $100,000 winners and 306 1:55 performers -- including 13 in 1:50. A consistent producer of juvenile speed, Cole Muffler was always among the top ranked stallions in 1:55 2-year-old speed. The most honored stallion in Illinois breeding history, he is a member of the IHHA Hall of Fame and has been the ISOBA Pacing Stallion of the Year a record nine times.

"Cole Muffler has been a tremendous stallion, and his influence on the Illinois breeding program will continue to be felt in the years to come," said Cottonwood Farms owner Terry Hunt. "More than that though, Cole Muffler has been a blessing to Cottonwood Farm and helped us to become one of the leading breeding farms -- not only in Illinois, but in the entire country.

"It has been our honor to have been the home for Cole Muffler throughout his entire breeding career. While he is gone, he will not be forgotten by those of us whose lives were touched by his greatness. (Cottonwood Farm PR)

Running Aces horses welcomed at Barnum Fairgrounds (6-May)

A meeting between Running Aces Harness Park officials and board members at the Barnum, Minnesota Fairgrounds has resulted in the immediate opening of a 90-horse stabling facility complete with a reconditioned half-mile track. RV and camper hook-ups are available on site. Stall rent during the Running Aces season will be just $3 per stall per day.

Barnum is a quaint town just over an hour north of Running Aces alongside Interstate 35. Dubbed the “Gateway to the North Woods,” it is located in a scenic area of the state and noted for its numerous fishing lakes and rural hospitality.

Director of Racing Gregg Keidel, “Track Superintendent John Betts and Presiding Judge Bob Corey toured the Barnum Fairgrounds on Tuesday and agree that it is quite suitable for horses that want to race at Running Aces this season, but couldn’t be accommodated in the track’s recent stall allocation.

“The four barns seem nearly new, sturdy and in a tranquil setting good for horses,” added Keidel. “I hope some of the trainers that want to race here will check it out.”

“The track is in far better shape than it was last time I saw it a year ago,” reports Betts. “I made a few suggestions on ways to improve the grade and surface consistency and they seemed eager to make the improvements. I’m going back this weekend to lend them a hand.”

“I grew up racing at dozens of county fairs,” said Corey. “I’m impressed with the Barnum facility and the desire the fair board has to do this project right.”

Minnesota Harness Racing Inc., the statewide organization representing harness horsemen in the Gopher State, is contemplating a one or two day fair meet at the Barnum track following the Running Aces season.

“We would enthusiastically welcome the harness horsemen back to Barnum,” said Fair Board President Steve Loucks. “We will do everything we can to give them a good track surface they can safely race over and the best possible stabling area we can provide.”

Stalls are available immediately and the reconditioned track will be ready for harness horses early next week. Parties interested in stalls should contact Steve Loucks as soon as possible at 218.940.1126. (Running Aces PR)

Stalls Assigned at Running Aces (5-May)

The barn area will be completely full when Running Aces Harness Park opens for the 2010 season on June 1. An unprecedented 720 stall requests were received from 67 trainers across North America, but only 26 conditioners could be accommodated in the track’s 251 stalls.

“We are delighted that so many horsemen would like to try the Running Aces experience, but disappointed that we couldn’t provide stabling for more of our outstanding group of new applicants,” said Director of Racing Gregg Keidel. “We promised to give preference to our past participants who contributed heavily to our racing program, so there just wasn’t much room for new faces. In an effort to increase the quantity and quality of our horse population, the maximum number of stalls allotted to one trainer was reduced from 16 to 14 and unfortunately no one could be granted as many stalls as they requested. We expect every single stall to be filled with a competitive qualified racehorse this season.”

Trainers that were allocated stalls are: Justin Anfinson-13, Chris Banks-6, Craig Banks-12, Mitch Banks-10, Curtis Carey-6, Evan Coblentz-12, Jesse Delong-14, Brian Detgen-9, Adam Hauser-6, Sherri Holliday-4, Brandon Jensen-12, Kim Johnson-11, Mark King-4, Robert Lems-14, Gerald Longo-13, Rick Magee-14, Tim Maier-14, Rick Mapes-14, Gene Miller-11, Ted Nowatzki-2, Cliff Owens-10, J.D. Perrin-6, Dan Poprawski-12, Nick Roland-11, Merlin VanOtterloo-5 and Natalie Zubrenzski-6.

The backstretch will open on Monday, May 10, for those stables that were granted stalls. Qualifying races are scheduled three straight Saturdays on May 15, 22 and 29 in preparation for the opening on June 1. Upon arrival at the stable gate, all horses will need a negative coggins test within one year, a health certificate issued within 10 days and proof of an EHV-1 vaccination within four months.

Entry forms for several late-closing events will be available May 10 and nominations due by June 1. The series will be for non-winners of 1 pari-mutuel race or $2,500 lifetime and non-winners of 2 pari-mutuel races or $7,500 lifetime, divided by sex and gait if enough enter. A $5,000 claiming pacing series will also be offered.

Condition sheets for the first week of racing at Running Aces are currently available on the USTA website under the “horsemen” tab (Running Aces PR).

Wisconsin Harness Horse Association