Reflecting on the First Turn experience
by James Platz
When Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino lowered the curtain on the 2025 season last weekend, it also brought to a close fractional ownership group First Turn Stable’s campaign. Earlier in the meet’s final week there was hope that our horse, Aeterna`s Choice, would compete in the penultimate card of the 160-day meet, but it was not to be. More on that later.
To recap, the 6-year-old pacer consistently earned checks for the stable until experiencing atrial fibrillation in a mid-September start. After receiving a clean bill of health, Aeterna’s Choice returned to action on Oct. 8, finishing fifth for Patrizio and Rebecca Ancora. The gelding closed out the month of October with three consecutive third-place performances, recording miles of 1:53.2, 1:54 and 1:54.2.
The son of Beachtrea—Aeterna Deo kicked off November as the third choice in a claiming handicap at the Anderson, IN oval. Steered by regular driver Jordan Ross, the pacer circled the track in 1:54.3, two seconds slower than gate-to-wire winner Mossdale Mac N, finishing sixth. The next start produced another out of the money result. Back in the same class on Nov. 13, Aeterna’s Choice lined up in post 6 in a 10-horse field. He got away seventh and didn’t improve his position, finishing in the same spot with a 1:55.4 clocking. In an email to First Turn members the Ancoras talked about the gelding’s recent performances.
“We really didn’t think he had his usual pop his last few starts so we went ahead and did bloodwork after his last race,” said the email. “We found his blood figures were a little out of whack again and that he had likely tied up in each of his last two starts which explains the even performances. We’ve been treating this ever since we found out and think we will have him back to 100 per cent on Thursday night.”
The treatments worked. First Turn Stable would see a return to form on Nov. 20 when Aeterna’s Choice hit the board. Tabbed third choice in a field of eight, Ross settled in second with the gelding behind longshot Southside Kid through a :55.4 opening half. Aeterna’s Choice would take the lead racing to three quarters and held the point in the stretch, but was overtaken late in the lane by two foes and relegated to third. He was timed in 1:54.1.
Heading into the final week of racing, it was a possibility Aeterna’s Choice would get one last start for the stable. He was entered to race Friday, Nov. 28 in an event for non-winners of $20,000 in 2025. A group of 11 dropped in the box, with Aeterna’s Choice having the unfortunate luck of being the lone also eligible. With no scratches from the race, First Turn Stable’s 2025 campaign came to a close.
While our season is complete, Aeterna’s Choice continues on with the Ancoras, who purchased the pacer at meet’s end. He raced seventh at Hollywood Gaming Dayton Raceway on Friday (Dec. 5) for his new, but familiar, owners.
Reflecting on my last two seasons participating as a member of the First Turn Stable, I didn’t anticipate the many scenarios that played out. During the 2024 campaign, victory came early in the season followed by the struggle to claim a horse and race into the fall. This year, by comparison, we started with Robertsgladerunner, a veteran pacer that had to be retired due to injury. Aeterna’s Choice served as a formidable replacement, and despite the struggles late, First Turn members had a horse to cheer all the way through the month of November.
Between the two pacers, First Turn-owned horses made 23 starts this season, with a 1-4-6 record and total earnings of $15,097. While I have not received an end of season breakdown of expenses — that will arrive sometime in the coming weeks — I know this was a tough year.
As I have mentioned before, First Turn Stable is a one-time buy-in and the fractional owners are not responsible for monthly bills, so we are experiencing the benefits of racing without really feeling the financial burden that comes with it. When Robertsgladerunner was retired, we did not have to come up with additional funds to acquire Aeterna’s Choice. That circumstance alone put the stable in a deep hole. And I expect the financials will show that despite the success of Aeterna’s Choice, the stable will be hard pressed to turn a profit of much substance. But that’s the racing business.
Two wins in two seasons. That’s an oversimplification of the experience, but in a results-driven society, that’s the reality. If I were a first-time owner, would that be enough to keep me in the game? I suppose that would depend on my perspective and my ambitions. If I’m focused on the bottom line, there is a strong argument to cut my losses armed with plenty of racing anecdotes to tell in years to come.
But what if, over the course of the last two years, the business has slowly worked its way into my blood? The optimism that this week will be the week. Our horse will get there. Hope springs eternal. And consider the relationships established with trainers and drivers, both those I’ve employed and those my horses compete against. The camaraderie amongst owners.
This, in my opinion, is why programs like First Turn Stable are important to our industry. Because once someone has a vested interest — no matter how big or small — and begins to become more engaged, and starts to feel that sense of community, it’s hard to walk away.
Has this experience spurred me to take the next step and become involved outside First Turn Stable? No, but as someone that has covered racing for years, I’ve had opportunities. I believe at some point I will take that step, but today is not that day. Until then, I’ll be satisfied reporting on the sport I love and highlighting the great horses and even greater people affiliated with them.
