Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Odds On Racing's

Legend Horse of the Month
for July 2010

Arnie Almahurst

Bay Horse
Speedy Scot-Ambitious Blaze
-Blaze Hanover
Foaled 1970 in Kentucky
Bred by Almahurst Farm
Trained & driven by Gene Riegle
Owned by Martha Riegle

Arnie Almahurst COLOR

                                                 Arnie Almahurst

Arnie Almahurst was a near clone of his sire Speedy Scot and was purchased by trainer Gene Reigle at the 1971 Tattersalls Sale for $5,200.

"He was a nice-headed, nice-mouthed colt and never did anything wrong," said Riegle.

The colt won his first two baby races at Scioto Downs in 2:11.2 and 2:08 and then won the Matron Stakes in Michigan in 2:10.3 over a muddy track. A few weeks later he won an overnight event against older horses in 2:03.4 despite being parked the mile. He then won in a 13-horse fielid in the Scarlet & Gray stakes at Scioto Downs, before winning a Grand Circuit event at Vernon in 2:03.1.

Arnie Almahurst proved that he was a star over half-mile ovals, winning in 2:03.2 and 2:03.4 at Delaware that fall--setting a world record in the process. After winning in 2:01.2 at The Red Mile, he wrapped up his 2-year-old campaign with a victory in the Hanover Stakes at Vernon, giving him 12 wins in 20 starts that season.

At three Arnie Almahurst, had an erratic season, often running when getting to the starting gate to soon. Otherwise, he won every race in which he stayed flat. Unfortunately, the Hambletonian wasn't won of those races. When Castleton bought 51% of the colt, Joe O'Brien replaced Riegle in the driver's seat. "Arnie" did, however, trot four 2:00 miles that year, more than any other trotter that season.

Arnie Almahurst was shipped to Castleton's Florida stallion operation in Trenton, with his first foals hitting the ground in 1975. That first season he was bred to mares such as Langley Hanover, Lawde Me, Tag Me, Bomb Sight and Wayghost, to name a few. From that first crop, he produced the standout Florida Pro, out of the Dartmouth mare Promissory.

That was all it took, and Arnie Almahurst's stud careeer took off, especially after Florida Pro captured a 1978 Hambletonian heat in 1:55, besting Speedy Somolli in the process. Later, he produced Arndon, who became the fastest trotter of the time with a 1:54 clocking. He also produced Diamond Exchange, Power Seat and Arnie's Frilly, among others.

Sadly, Arnie Armahurst passed away in 1982 from a blocked bowel, preventing the Standardbred industry from garnering more from this promising young stallion.

Arnie Almahurst's Career Statistics
Year Starts/Wins/2nds/3rds Earnings Record
1973     25      14      2      1       $136,318      3, T1:57.2M 10/05/1973
1972     20      12      0      0       $0                2, 2:01.2M
Total    25      14      2      1        $215,464      3, T 1:57.2M