2023 Breeders Crown winner Max Contract has new owners since that prestigious victory, and those new connections have officially transitioned the pacing star into a potential producer. A daughter of Huntsville - Big McDeal, Max Contract made 27 starts in three years of competition, amassing a summary of 15-1-5 with $658,405 in earnings. She took her mark of 1:48.3 in winning the 2022 Mistletoe Shalee at The Meadowlands in stakes record time, and paced back to that mark as a four-year-old in an Open win at The Red Mile last September. ..... read the complete story

March 30 2024 In the March 29 issue of the Harness Racing Update's Hollywood's Hits column, Bob Heyden writes: "Mission Brief, born on Leap Year Day in 2012, is the greatest trotting filly these eyes have seen. Try and find another female trotter at 2 and 3 who was the fastest of the age group, regardless of sex."  Hunterton Farm owned , M ission Brief 3,1:50.2f ($1,599,587) The fastest 2-year-old trotter in history, world champion Mission Brief has a lifetime race record of 27-19-3-0. She established her still-standing 1:50.3 world record in a 16-length International Stallion Stakes victory at The Red Mile. She was voted 2014 Dan Patch Two-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year and 2015 Dan Patch and O’Brien Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year.

Steve and Cindy Stewart’s Hunterton Farm bred Trotting Sire of the Year Tactical Landing and his son, presumptive Trotter of the Year, Tactical Approach. by Debbie Little / courtesy of Harness Racing Update Last year was a mother of a good one for Steve Stewart, as his broodmares, Southwind Serena and Sarcy , each have a 2023 Dan Patch honoree. Stewart and his wife, Cindy, own Hunterton Farm that bred inaugural Trotting Sire of the Year Tactical Landing and his son, presumptive Trotter of the Year, Tactical Approach . From the time when both Tactical Landing and Tactical Approach were weanlings, Steve said he felt they were special. Both colts displayed incredible talent at 3 at The Meadowlands with Tactical Landing beating older foes in the TVG Championship Open Trot — the last start of his career — while Tactical Approach shone brightest on the world’s biggest stage, winning the Hambletonian from post 10. The Stewarts are part of both the Tactical Landing Syndicate and the Tactical Approach Syndicate, but were it not for a pivotal and life-changing dinner in Lexington with Myron Bell, this would not have been the case. In 2016, Tactical Landing sold for $800,000, the biggest price tag ever at the Lexington Selected Sale at that time. Steve and his partners, Black Creek Farm and Andrea Lea Racingstables, Inc., co-owned Tactical Landing’s dam. At the aforementioned dinner, directly following the sale of Tactical Landing, Steve remembers Bell asking him what he thought of Tactical Landing. “I said, ‘He’s a hell of a colt,’” Steve said. “I said, ‘He’s got everything going for him. He’s big, he’s handsome, he’s smart, he’s courageous. He walks like a stallion, he acts like a stallion, but he’s not mean. He just has a lot of confidence.’” According to Steve, Bell then asked if he was planning on keeping part of the colt. “I said, ‘Oh, no, no, no, that’s bad luck, I’m out,’” Steve said. “He said, ‘You know, the last person that told me that was Mike Parisi.’” Parisi owned White Birch Farm and was the breeder of Captaintreacherous. According to Steve, Bell said that Parisi was not planning to keep a piece of Captaintreacherous, with the same bad luck comment, but Bell convinced Parisi to change his mind, just as he did for Steve. “I gave a breeding [to Tactical Landing] to Myron a couple of years ago to say thank you, because if it wasn’t for him, we probably would not have owned 10 per cent,” Steve said. In Hunterton’s 40-plus years in the business, Steve said that many have given him and Cindy advice along the way, especially mentors Joe Taylor — who literally wrote the book on breeding and raising racehorses — and Hall of Famer Bill Shehan. “Both of them are dead now, but I think they’re looking down and smiling,” Steve said. In regard to the 2023 Dan Patch Awards, with both Tactical Landing and Tactical Approach being recognized, Steve said it’s humbling when you think about it. “It’s an honor and it gives you a lot of confidence that we’re doing it right and we’ve always felt like we were doing it right,” Steve said. “A lot of times over the years, people would say, you should do this or you should do that and we just stuck to our guns and did it the way we thought was the right way to do it. And we had a lot of foundation through [Taylor and Shehan]. “Probably the main thing you could say is, it’s a validation of hard work and 40 years of doing what we do, which is breed to raise great horses. You don’t want to say a culmination because we’re far from done. We stayed in our lane and it’s a validation of what we’ve tried to do and, hopefully, it’s far from finished.” People have also questioned the fact that Hunterton does not have any stallions on their farm, only broodmares. Steve said that not having a stallion leaves him open to many possibilities, a veritable smorgasbord if you will, to choose from for his mares. He also acknowledges that from beginning to end, breeding is a long process, but for him, the result is worth the wait. “I think a lot of people want instant gratification, but breeding is not instant gratification, it’s the opposite,” Steve said. “But I think it’s very rewarding when you realize you’re the one that created it. “We don’t make the shirt; we make the yarn, so somebody has to take that yarn and sew it and that’s what trainers do and they get a lot of credit for what they do, obviously, but sometimes people forget where the yarn came from.” 

Jiggy Jog S 3,1:50 ($2,166,279), the 2023 Dan Patch Older Mare Trotter award winner, has been sold to a group comprised largely of breeders, but will continue racing in 2024. Jorgen Sparredal Inc. sold Jiggy Jog S to an ownership group that includes Hunterton Farm, Black Creek Farm, Andrea Lea Stable, Silver Linden Farm, Hickory Hollow Stables, John Lengacher, Martin Schmucker, Lester Graber and Svanstedt Stables. Although purchased for her broodmare potential, plans call for Jiggy Jog S — now 5 years old — to race in 2024 and perhaps even in 2025. Ake Svanstedt has trained Jiggy Jog S, a daughter of Walner— Hot Mess Hanover (by Cantab Hall), during her entire 35-start racing career. Her victories include two Breeders Crown finals (at ages 3 and 4), the Kentucky Filly Futurity Stakes, and FanDuel Mare Trot. In addition, as a 3-year-old she competed in the Hambletonian against the colts and finished fourth after racing parked virtually the entire race and at age 4 she finished second in the prestigious International Trot. “Jiggy Jog S is a tremendously talented trotter,” said Svanstedt. “She has everything in a racehorse you can wish for; speed, power, a natural gait, and a heart of gold. “We are very excited to bring her back in 2024, and she will be staked in both the open and mare trot races. That will give us options on the way to manage her as the season progresses. She is in her winter training program now [at the Svanstedt Stable in New Jersey] and loves to do her work every day.” Once her racing career is completed, Jiggy Jog S will join the illustrious roster of broodmares at Steve and Cindy Stewart’s Hunterton Farm in Paris, KY.  “This is a new thing for us to buy a mare who is going to continue racing,” said Steve Stewart. “But it’s very exciting when you have a mare with this kind of talent, to see what else she can do on the track.”

Paris. KY — Graceful Touch , a stakes-winning filly who made a mark in trotting bloodlines, has died at the age of 24 at Hunterton Farm in Paris, Ky. Graceful Touch was of royal trotting parentage, a daughter of world champion Pine Chip and Act Of Grace, a filly who took on the colts in the Hambletonian for Hall of Famer Stanley Dancer. The maternal family includes several stakes-winning fillies and Graceful Touch’s third dam, Peridot, produced the great Green Speed, the 1977 Horse of the Year. Trained by Chuck Sylvester and frequently driven by John Campbell, Graceful Touch took a record of 1:56.1 at age two and earned $161,893. Her 2-year-old season was her best as she won four of eight starts and won an elimination for the Breeders Crown. During her racing career, Graceful Touch was owned by Perretti Farms, which naturally added her to its broodmare band when she was retired from the track. She produced 13 foals, among them her first-born, Muscle Mass 2,1:53.4 ($229,000), and her third, Hambletonian champion Muscle Massive 3,1:51 ($1,239,138). In addition to their racing accomplishments, both also became successful sires. She also produced six daughters which include the Merrie Annabelle winner Thatsnotmyname 2,1:55 ($340,730). Today several major breeders, including Hunterton, have her daughters and/or granddaughters in their broodmare bands to carry on her maternal lineage. Hunterton Farm’s Steve Stewart, Black Creek Farm and Maumee River Stables purchased Graceful Touch in 2014. She was buried at Hunterton Farm.

Jan. 12 2024 The Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame announces the results of recent balloting to determine the 2024 inductees into harness racing’s Living Horse Hall of Fame. Museum members voted for the four horses they felt best exemplified greatness. Racehorses Gimpanzee, Mission Brief , Tall Dark Stranger and Wiggle It Jiggleit were elected and will be inducted on Hall of Fame Day (Sunday, July 7). Hunterton Farm owned , M ission Brief 3,1:50.2f ($1,599,587) The fastest 2-year-old trotter in history, world champion Mission Brief has a lifetime race record of 27-19-3-0. She established her still-standing 1:50.3 world record in a 16-length International Stallion Stakes victory at The Red Mile. She was voted 2014 Dan Patch Two-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year and 2015 Dan Patch and O’Brien Three-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year.

Dec. 30 2023 Bred by Hunterton Farm , Tactical Approach was the season’s richest trotter, with $1.50 million in purses. The colt hit the board in 17 of 19 races, winning 10, with his triumphs including the Hambletonian, Breeders Crown and Kentucky Futurity. The 12 division champions will be honored during the Dan Patch Awards banquet, presented by Caesars Entertainment, at Rosen Centre in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 25. Pacer of the Year, Trotter of the Year and Horse of the Year will be announced at the banquet. THREE-YEAR-OLD MALE TROTTER TACTICAL APPROACH, colt Tactical Landing – Sarcy – Donato Hanover Breeders: Steve Stewart, Oakwood Farms. Owners: Robert LeBlanc, John Fielding, Joe Sbrocco & JAF Racing. Trainer: Nancy Takter. Driver: Scott Zeron. Races: 19-10-3-4. Purses: $1.50 million. Mark: 1:50.1 at Red Mile. Top wins: $1 million Hambletonian; $672,000 Breeders Crown; $450,000 Kentucky Futurity; $205,000 Carl Erskine.

Anderson, IN — Scott Zeron captured two of the three legs of the Trotting Triple Crown with Tactical Approach by finding room inside deep in the stretch. On Saturday (Oct. 28) night, Zeron guided the son of Tactical Landing to a live third-over cover trip and then responded in the homestretch to win the $672,000 Breeders Crown for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters at Harrah’s Hoosier Park in a 1:51.2 mile. Tactical Approach, trained by Nancy Takter, started from the second tier in post 10, making Zeron’s handling key to the outcome. With local favorite Helpfirstedition (John De Long) making a few moves to gain control, Zeron managed to follow the cover of Ari Ferrari J (Dexter Dunn) and Celebrity Bambino (Yannick Gingras) before the half and that pair kept him in contention with an honest pace set by Helpfirstedition. In the homestretch Tactical Approach, bred by Steve Stewart and Oakwood Farms, kicked into high gear, with Zeron asking him and the colt responding as he has all season long. Only Up Your Deo and driver Ake Svanstedt threatened in the deep stretch after finding room in the passing lane. Up Your Deo settled for second, beaten by 1-1/4 lengths, with French Wine coming on late for third ahead of Air Power and Dire Straits. Now a winner in half of his 22 career starts, Tactical Approach, out of the mare Sarcy, increased his career bankroll to $1.35 million for owner Robert Leblanc, John Fielding, Joe Sbrocco & JAF Racing. “On the opening turn, I was right where I wanted to be,” said Zeron of his driving strategy. “I was following two very nice horses.” Owner Leblanc returned to the Breeders Crown winner’s circle and was ecstatic. “What a horse, Scott put him in the perfect spot. He’s been in the top of his game since April,” Leblanc said. The win gave Takter her second Breeders Crown of the weekend and 10th of her career. It was Zeron’s seventh trophy. Tactical Approach, who earlier this year won the Hambletonian and Kentucky Futurity, paid $6 to win as the 2-1 favorite. 

Anderson, IN — All year long Sylvia Hanover and Twin B Joe Fresh have reigned atop the divisional standings, but both were upset as odds-on choices when Zanatta and Strong Poison struck gold in the pair of $25,000 eliminations for the Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Filly Pace on Friday night (Oct. 20) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. The long Hoosier stretch aided a persistent Zanatta (Joe Bongiorno) in the first elimination as she plugged off a pocket trip to a last-inch victory against 1-9 favorite Twin B Joe Fresh in a 1:52 mile to take the first elimination. Twin B Joe Fresh (Dexter Dunn) marched forward from post five for the lead with Zanatta, leaving from the pylon post, securing the pocket. After a :28.1 first quarter, no one bid to challenge Twin B Joe Fresh up the backstretch. She strolled uncontested by a :57.3 half and gradually gathered speed to the far turn while Zanatta followed with keen interest on her helmet. Twin B Joe Fresh clicked by three-quarters in 1:25.4 and spun for home well held until the pressure kept mounting from pocket-pulling Zanatta in mid-stretch. Twin B Joe Fresh extended for the finish but Zanatta came with a final lunge that landed a nose blow at the beam. Always B Naughty (Andrew McCarthy) grabbed third from McSeaside (David Miller) and Front Page Story (Tim Tetrick)rounded the top five. “I have absolute faith in this filly,” winning trainer Jenn Bongiorno said. “She is amazing. I was just really proud of how she could hunt her [Twin B Joe Fresh] down tonight. She has been my favorite the whole time training down as a baby. Last year she won the Three Diamonds and it was amazing. This is a huge feat for her. Winning a Breeders Crown elim with my brother means the world to me. I hope we are back here [in the winner’s circle] next week. That would top everything but right now I’m a really happy girl.” Jenn’s brother, Joe Bongiorno, piloted Zanatta to her sixth victory from 27 starts, which pushed her bankroll to $600,085 for owner One Legend Stable Inc. AM Bloodstock Inc. bred the daughter of Stay Hungry who returned $24.80 to win in the upset.

Anderson, IN — All year long Sylvia Hanover and Twin B Joe Fresh have reigned atop the divisional standings, but both were upset as odds-on choices when Zanatta and Strong Poison struck gold in the pair of $25,000 eliminations for the Breeders Crown 3-Year-Old Filly Pace on Friday night (Oct. 20) at Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. Strong Poison (Yannick Gingras) then went on a speed mission down the highway to victory lane over 1-5 favorite Sylvia Hanover with a 1:51.2 win in the second elimination. Leaving from post six, Gingras planted Strong Poison on the helm by a :27 first quarter while Sylvia Hanover (Bob McClure) settled into fourth. With no challengers oncoming, Strong Poison snagged a breather to a :57.3 half and pushed on the pedal as Sylvia Hanover mounted a first-over charge to the far turn. Strong Poison slipped to a wider lead coming to three-quarters in 1:25.3 and fired down the stretch with a :25.4 final quarter to seal a 2-3/4 length victory over Sylvia Hanover. Charleston (Tetrick) closed up the inside for third with Beach Cowgirl (Sears) finishing fourth and Sweet Amira (Louis Phillippe Roy) completing the finalists. “She’s been knocking on the door all season and the Lasix tonight may have made a difference,” Yannick Gingras said. “She was getting a little weak in the last 16th every week in Lexington but she was strong to the wire tonight. They were walking up there so I figured why not give [going to the front] a shot.”  Winning her eighth race from 25 starts, Strong Poison has now banked $751,975 for owners Burke Racing Stable, J&T Silva Stables, Knox Services and Beasty LLC. The Ron Burke-trained daughter of Always B Miki was bred by Steve Stewart and Charles and Julie Nash. She paid $10.20 to win.

Lexington, KY — In a déjà vu effort, Tactical Approach got locked at the pylons but had the red seas of clay open to the inside to give him room to dart and grab the lead in the closing strides of the $450,000 Kentucky Futurity on Sunday (Oct. 8) at The Red Mile. Driver Scott Zeron, unlike in his Hambletonian win earlier this year, sent Tactical Approach forward to a :27.2 first quarter, but soon got mired in a shuffle for the lead. Kilmister came first for the front from post 10 and cleared to the backstretch before yielding to stablemate Oh Well, who had stablemate Air Power on cover moving to a :55.1 half. Tactical Approach then found himself shuffled to sixth and locked inside to the far turn. Air Power took a bad step first over and jumped stride, leaving Oh Well on the lead and French Wine uncovered. French Wine took his shot at Oh Well through three-quarters in 1:23.4 and forged to a two-length lead coming into the stretch. Oh Well and Kilmister angled off the pylons to take their shots, which paved the way for Tactical Approach to zip through the inside. French Wine trotted to the finish on fumes and drifted just enough to create the final opening for Scott Zeron to sneak through and snag the prize by a NECK. Celebrity Bambino rallied off a shuffle from last to finish third and Kilmister took fourth. “I was a little late to the car, which actually got him out on the right foot a lot quicker than I thought I would, putting me in an absolute horrible position,” Scott Zeron said. “There was nothing really I could do. It hasn’t been great on the front today, so those were the cards we were dealt. I was certainly out of position in the middle of the last turn and the horse overcame it. He made it quite thrilling.” “I was faithful until the end,” winning trainer Nancy Takter said with a laugh of Tactical Approach’s eventful trip. “The Hambletonian was really when he did start learning to race, and Scott would agree that he’s just getting better and better every start now. We were playing with the idea of going to Canada [for the Canadian Trotting Classic], but we vetoed that idea because we just wanted to keep him here and get him ready for the Kentucky Futurity. Now onto the Breeders Crown.” Tactical Approach won his 10th race from 20 starts and has now entered millionaire’s row with $1,013,989 in the bank for owners Robert LeBlanc, John Field, Joe Sbrocco and JAF Racing. The colt by Tactical Landing won the last two legs of this year’s Trotting Triple Crown, having scored a similar pylon-skimming upset in the $1-million Hambletonian on Aug. 5. Off the 3/5 favorite on Sunday, he paid $3.44 to win.