Confederate, Tactical Approach, Twin B Joe Fresh and Bond will all tackle older horses on Saturday at The Meadowlands.

by Debbie Little

The FanDuel Championships on Saturday (Nov. 25) at The Meadowlands typically feature older horses. However, this year, a quartet of 3-year-olds are stealing the spotlight.

In 2013, when Jeff Gural created the TVG Championships — now known as the FanDuel Championships — he hoped the Open Pace, Open Trot, Open Mares Pace and Open Mares Trot would attract top 3-year-olds to compete against older company, just as thoroughbreds do in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Even though 3-year-olds have competed in these free-for-all races before, it hasn’t been on this year’s scale.

For the first time, there is a top sophomore competing in all four FanDuel races: Confederate ($350,000 Open Pace, race 11), Tactical Approach ($350,000 Open Trot, race 10), Twin B Joe Fresh ($175,000 Open Mares Pace, race 4) and Bond ($175,000 Open Mares Trot, race 6).

In addition to the opportunity of taking on older competition, the FanDuel will mark the final race in the decorated careers of both Confederate and Tactical Approach.

Adam Bowden’s Diamond Creek Racing owns Confederate, the top-ranked horse in North America. Back in September, Bowden spoke with HRU about his colt’s retirement at the end of 2023. It was Bowden’s hope at that time that Confederate would stay healthy and be invited to go up against older horses in the FanDuel for his final race.

“I’m very content that Saturday will be his last race. However, I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Bowden said. “I realize he is a special animal and the best horse we’ve ever bred, owned or been associated with. He oozes confidence, charisma, and the respect of the sport. It’s very humbling to be part of his greatness.”

Bowden knows Confederate will be facing stiff competition in the FanDuel, but he doesn’t think his colt will be embarrassed.

“I think he fits very well against what has turned out to be a very strong and talented older pacing division,” Bowden said. “Bythemissal, Tattoo Artist and Allywag Hanover are excellent horses and deserve the accolades laid upon them the last couple of years.”

As the page turns on this chapter of Confederate’s career, Bowden said he is excited for what’s still to be written.

“I have enjoyed watching him all year,” Bowden said. “I’ve hardly missed a start. He is a horse who has brought together so many people from farm staff to family to spectators and racing enthusiasts. He will be missed on the track, I have no doubt, but we are excited about his next career and he will get every opportunity to continue his brilliance.”

Even though Confederate is the fastest 3-year-old pacer in history, he’ll have his work cut out for him as he’ll be starting from post 9 in the FanDuel Open Pace facing nine top-level older competitors.

Tactical Approach, owned by Robert LeBlanc, John Fielding and Joe Sbrocco & JAF Racing, is the top-ranked trotter in North America.

LeBlanc confirmed that the FanDuel Open Trot will be Tactical Approach’s last race.

“He is retiring to stud at Diamond Creek,” LeBlanc said. “He has done everything we have asked him to, winning the big three, Hambo, Kentucky Futurity, and the Breeders Crown with tough posts, 10, 7, and 10. It’s been a great ride with this horse. He has the race record, confirmation, and pedigree to be a great stallion.”

Although trainer Nancy Takter would have loved to have seen Tactical Approach race as a 4-year-old, she’s looking forward to seeing him take on older competition Saturday.

“I think he deserves a shot,” Takter said. “I was for racing this horse next year. I think he could develop into an international star. He has gotten better and better all year and I don’t think he’s even reached close to his full potential yet.”

Although Tactical Approach has had more than his share of bad luck when it came to post-position draws in big races this year, for the FanDuel, he drew the rail in the seven-horse field, which includes Alrajah One IT, It’s Academic and Southwind Tyrion.

“He qualified great last Saturday,” said Scott Zeron, driver of Tactical Approach. “He feels as good as he’s ever been and the draw was kind to us.”

The two female divisions of the FanDuel each drew five-horse fields.

In the Open Mares Pace, Twin B Joe Fresh drew post 2 for co-owner/trainer Chris Ryder, co-owner/driver Dexter Dunn, and co-owners Peter Trebotica and Barry Spak.

“Been waiting all summer for this race, why not?” Ryder said. “Top 3-year-olds are up to it, in my opinion. There are not many big races for mares, especially, and I believe that if you’re in good shape, it’s a no-brainer.”

In the Open Mares Trot, Bond, owned by Ake Svanstedt Inc, Little E LLC and L Berg Inc, is coming in off a win in the Breeders Crown.

“We thought it would be fun and exciting to race her one more time this year when she got the invitation to this great race,” Sarah Svanstedt said. “And everything looks good with her after the Breeders Crown. Let’s see if she can give the ladies a match.”

The FanDuel Championships are part of stakes-laden card that includes the Freshman Fall Final Four: the $423,000 Valley Victory (race 5) for 2-year-old male trotters, $376,000 Three Diamonds (race 7) for 2-year-old filly pacers, $428,000 Goldsmith Maid (race 8) for 2-year-old filly trotters and $454,000 Governor’s Cup (race 9) for 2-year-old male pacers.

Since the year of inception, a total of 16 3-year-olds have taken their shot in the free-for-all Championships and only twice did they come out on top. In 2017, What The Hill won the Open Trot and the following year, 3-year-olds finished 1-2 in the Open Trot as Tactical Landing won with Six Pack completing the exacta.