Peninsula is packed with quality and variety for Harrisburg

by Debbie Little

While not quite matching Baskin-Robbins in total number, Carter Duer’s Peninsula Farm is bringing plenty of flavors to the Standardbred Horse Sales Company (SHSC) auction in Harrisburg, PA.

The Hall of Famer’s Georgetown, KY farm always brings diversity and this year is no exception with 38 yearlings from 21 different sires.

“This is a very nice bunch of horses,” Duer said, adding with a laugh, “There are some really good ones in here, I just don’t know which ones they are.”

It’s no surprise that the majority of Peninsula’s offering is trotters with 29, split almost in half between colts and fillies at 14 and 15, respectively. But Duer also brings nine “very nice” pacers.

More than a quarter of Peninsula’s consignment will go through the ring at Pennsylvania State Farm Show Complex on Day 1 (Nov. 2).

Kicking things off for Peninsula is Hip #9 Caviart Agent C a colt by Captaintreacherous. This son out of the great racemare and O’Brien winner Caviart Ally is one of five as agent for Caviart Farms and the first of three showing on Day 1 along with Hip #27 Caviart Andrew and Hip #38 Caviart Destiny.

Caviart Ally has two winners from three previous foals and although she hasn’t produced that great one yet, Duer remains optimistic.

“Maybe this will be the one,” he said.

Of the three Caviart yearlings selling on Day 1, Duer said, “They’re all pretty nice horses. If I had to pick one, I’d pick Caviart Destiny. But all three are nice horses. All three have good pedigrees, and you know they’re pretty nice.”

Caviart Destiny is a colt by Confederate out of Captaintreacherous mare Caviart Davia and this is her first foal. Caviart Andrew is also a son of Confederate and is out of the Somebeachsomewhere mare Caviart Audrey whose one previous foal is a winner in 1:50.

Two thirds of Peninsula’s consignment is dual eligible and the Caviart yearlings are no exception, but in addition to Pennsylvania and Kentucky they are also eligible to the Virginia Breeders Fund.

Duer pointed out about the VABF, “There are not many in it and they go for good money.”

Duer highlighted a few standouts in his consignments.

“On opening day I’ve got a Sweet Lou colt that I like,” Duer said. That’s Hip #141 [Midwind Solo]. I think he’s kind of special. He’s a pretty nice colt.”

Midwind Solo is out of Always B Miki mare Scorn who has one winner from one previous foal. The second dam on this colt is the amazing world champion and two-time Dan Patch Award winner See You At Peelers.

“I’ve got two Cattlewashes, and they’re pretty popular up in Canada,” Duer said. “They win just about everything. They’re nice horses too. I had a couple in the first sale [Lexington], and they sold okay.”

Hip #674 Cattleman’s Gun is out of If I Can Dream mare Designated Drinker and Hip #716 Ribeye is out of Rocknroll Hanover mare Highlandopheliaroc. Both are Ontario and Kentucky eligible.

Although Duer loves all his Captain Coreys, when asked for a horse to watch, he pointed out Hip #560 Captain Kyler who is selling on Day 2.

“He’s a Lou’s Pearlman,” Duer said. “There may be some others in there, but he’s kind of an eye catcher.”

Captain Kyler is out of Captaintreacherous mare The Captains Angel with plenty of winners throughout her pedigree.

Duer also stressed that people should come and take a look at him.

“They might not look at him looking at the catalog, but he’s a horse that people ought to look at,” he said.

“I’ve got high hopes for him.”

In addition to the 37 yearlings he’s showing as agent, Duer does have one of his own, Hip #431 Sweeney Jeans. The filly by International Moni out of Swan For All mare Mrs Melania shows on Day 2, and this is her first foal. Her second dam Quick Credit has produced 10 winners from 11 living foals including Dan Patch and O’Brien champion Wheeling and Dealin.

“She’s very nice, very correct, and shows well,” Duer said.

According to Duer, he was okay with how things went in Lexington and hopes to do as well if not better at Harrisburg.

“There were two or three I thought were grossly undersold, and there were probably two or three that were oversold so I guess it worked out all right,” he said with a laugh. “You know, it’s a very good group of horses [I’m bringing to Harrisburg], and like I said, I’ve got a little bit of everything in there, I’ve got all flavors. To tell you the truth, I ain’t got much in here that I would say had no shot at all of doing anything. If you’ve got anything that’s anything, they’re going to find it.

“I think as a whole that they probably will do okay. There are no big horses in there, but they’re very good individuals for the most part, and they don’t look too bad. So, I think it’ll be okay.”