by Brett Sturman

As last year’s racing season concluded, with it came announcements that many of the best 3-year-old and older horses would be retired from racing and sent off to breeding duties. What became newsworthy was the sheer number — exceedingly higher than usual — of horses that would be leaving the racetrack; with it came the impact of what those departures would have on the older racing divisions.

It certainly was not planned, but as it turns out, both Hambletonian winner Karl and Dan Patch 3-year-old Pacing Colt of the Year, Captain Albano, will be returning to the races.

With both horses reportedly facing initial challenges that would impact their ability to breed widescale commercially, the bonus for race fans is being able to see the top horses race back at age 4. It is a throwback to how things used to be and is sure to enhance racing in the upcoming year.

Beginning with Karl, who has been an enigmatic type throughout his career, his addition to the older trotting group was desperately needed, and his impact as he races back could be profound. Nancy Takter who, in addition to training Karl also owns a share of him, said Karl is back in her barn and will start back training in February. She also noted that the star horse “looks amazing and has filled out beautifully.”

Karl’s return is welcomed as a fan for a couple of different reasons. First and foremost, the older trotting division will be one in desperate need of stars. Last year’s older male trotter of the year, Winner’s Bet, has been retired, as have impactful older trotters It’s Academic and Southwind Tyrion who dueled at the top of the ranks in 2023 when It’s Academic won older trotting horse of the year. In addition, last year’s best 3-year-olds that include Dan Patch winner Sig Sauer, along with T C I, have also been sent off to stud. The division has been depleted so much that the exit of most top horses must have been a substantial factor in last November’s hard-to-believe $1.85 million sale price of Amazing Catch, sold at a time when it was assumed Karl was out of racing.

The other aspect in Karl’s return is one of redemption and a chance to further bolster his legacy. Following a near flawless campaign at age 2, and even into his 3-year-old season, Karl’s brilliance gave him the look of a rare generational talent. He delivered on the promise he showed in winning the Hambletonian, but as the sophomore season grinded on, Karl showed his mortality.

His retirement first announced after his Breeders Crown elimination where he was fortuitous to have made the final, he’ll be looking at a 4-year-old campaign with a fresh, new outlook, and what a story it could be. If Karl comes back as I believe most would hope, it could set the stage for one of the more memorable 4-year-old campaigns. A Dan Patch winner at 2, he could return to the top in the upcoming year. It makes me ponder the question, has there ever been a harness horse that won divisional honors at 2 and 4, but not at 3? None come to mind, so that would be quite the achievement and a real testament to his career, that wouldn’t have been able to play out otherwise if not for his return.

Of course, if you wanted to look at it pessimistically you could say that Karl will be so dominant on return that it will actually make the division lopsided from a competitive standpoint. I don’t think that will be the case, however. Waiting in the wings will be Periculum, and I’m giddy at the thought of a new rivalry between he and Karl. Periculum who will be a 6-year-old this year, successfully returned to North America last year after he had raced overseas in Europe as a 4-year-old and highlighted last year by winning the Maple Leaf Trot in 1:50.4 and was also second to Jiggy Jog S in the $1 million Yonkers International Trot. Also returning will be a host of familiar foes from Karl’s 3-year-old crop last year that includes Highland Kismet, Amazing Catch, Tony Adams S, Security Protected, and others. There’s real excitement in this division now, which is unquestionably good for racing.

Many of the same points for Karl and the older trotting group hold true for Captain Albano and the older pacing division. Facing similar circumstances as Karl, being able to have last year’s Little Brown Jug winner and division champion now return at 4 will provide a needed boost to the 4-year-old and up pacers. HRU has confirmed that Captain Albano has returned back to trainer Noel Daley, where the horse has already been training back for a few weeks.

Last year’s older pacing group was certainly both solid and competitive, but one could argue that it lacked a dependable star week in and week out. After proving his versatility last year in winning on all sized tracks, including a 1:48.1 mark taken in his Breeders Crown elimination towards the end of the season, it’ll be a true test of his ability to see how he adapts to some of the older, more seasoned pacers.

Who knows what the breeding future will look like for Captain Albano and Karl – perhaps racing successfully as they return to the races could lead to a road that involves both breeding and racing? But for an industry whose remaining fans are dying to have the best horses not be retired prematurely, the rightful return of these two champions will be something to look forward to in the upcoming year.