Twists and turns continue for First Turn Stable
by James Platz
Nearly two months have passed since my last fractional ownership update. In the previous installment, Aeterna`s Choice had just delivered the first win of the season for Harrah’s Hoosier Park’s First Turn Stable. Things were looking up and a return visit to the winner’s circle seemed plausible. But the stable soon encountered another setback.
Following the Sept. 3 victory, our 6-year-old pacer was back in action a week later. Sent off as the second choice in a field of seven, Aeterna`s Choice and Jordan Ross started from the outside post and trailed the field throughout the mile. The duo would finish last while clocking a 1:53.1 mile. Although the result may have been a bit disappointing, the time was an improvement on the 1:53.4 win the previous week.
Heading into the Sept. 17 start, there was reason for optimism. Aeterna`s Choice was sent off as the favorite in a claiming handicap that attracted seven entrants. Drawing post 5, the gelding uncharacteristically failed to complete the circuit. After settling fourth along the pylons through a :27.1 first panel, Aeterna`s Choice gapped noticeably off the leaders on the backside, eventually forcing the horses behind him to move around when it was evident he was not moving forward. By the time the field reached the second station, he was well out of it and fading. Ross directed him to the paddock out of the final turn.
Later in the evening First Turn members received an email that provided an update following the DNF. As it turned out, Aeterna`s Choice experienced atrial fibrillation during the race causing him to struggle to keep pace with the field. However, by the time the gelding reached the paddock, his heartbeat had returned to normal and the veterinarian on duty did not need to administer a dose of Banamine.
“We are just relieved that he is OK,” First Turn Stable conditioners Patrizio and Rebecca Ancora communicated in the update. “He is already in good spirits and acting like himself again. We are going to keep a close eye on him this week, and are prepared to give him a week off, if need be, to ensure he is feeling better and back to 100 per cent!”
The Ancoras gave the pacer time off and made sure he was fully recovered before qualifying him on Oct. 1. Aeterna`s Choice finished third in the qualifier and returned to action one week later.
Before his return to racing, I had the opportunity to visit Aeterna`s Choice at the Ancora stable during an off day at Hoosier Park. I had just returned from a week in Lexington covering the sale and Grand Circuit racing, and I stopped on my way to Ohio for the Buckeye Classic sale. We talked about the pacer’s progress and the Ancoras were encouraged by the qualifying effort. I enjoyed getting to see my racing interest up close, as well as learn more about other horses in the barn.
Despite his time off, bettors tabbed Aeterna`s Choice the favorite in his first start back on Oct. 8. Again, racing in the claiming handicap, he got away fourth for Ross and successfully circled the Anderson oval, pacing home in :27.2 to finish fifth, timed in 1:54. It was a welcomed sight to see our horse bounce back and show no ill effects from the incident of a few weeks previous. In the email update to First Turn members, the Ancoras were pleased with gelding’s return to action, and hoped for more solid efforts in the future.
“We were very happy with how Aeterna raced on Wednesday,” the couple said. “We wanted to get a good start under his belt and Jordan raced him conservatively, but we think had he not had the traffic trouble in the lane we are within a length of the winner at the end of it. This was a great first start back and great to have things going back in the right direction!”
Aeterna`s Choice has backed that effort up with three more formidable performances since. Each time out the gelding has registered third-place efforts logging miles of 1:53.2, 1:54 and 1:54.2 just last night (Oct. 30).
On the business side of things, Aeterna`s Choice continues the trend of consistently adding to his bankroll. In 12 starts for First Turn, he failed to get a check only three times. His purse earnings total $10,757 for the group, and the 6-year-old has earned $73,839 in his career. Most importantly, we have a horse that will be racing in the month of November. It is a nice contrast to last season. The journey continues…
