Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

                                Artsplace

                                        Artsplaceheadshot

Bay Horse
By Abercrombie--Miss Elvira--Albatross
Foaled on March 2, 1988 at Versailles, Kentucky
Bred by G. Segal and B. Monieson
Owned by the Artsplace Syndicate
Trained by Robert McIntosh
Driven by John Campbell

As a racehorse, Artsplace was truly remarkable. His Breeder's Crown win at two in 1:51.1 at Pompano is still the fastest 2- year-old mile on any size track. In all, Artsplace won $1,180,271 that year, included victories in the Metro Pace and Governor's Cup as part of his 15 11-3-0 summary - and was named 2-year-old pacing colt of 1990.

In 1991, Artsplace had the misfortune to meet up with one of the sport's greatest sophomore crops ever, featuring the likes of Precious Bunny and Die Laughing. Still, the great son of Abercrombie paced to a summary of 18 10-4-1 and earned $972,487 in a year which saw him win the Dancer Memorial, American National and the Gaines Memorial, and finish second in the Meadowlands Pace, Adios Final and the Cleveland Classic.

                                       Artsplace in rein to John Campbell

As a 4-year-old, Artsplace returned with a vengeance. Under the tutelage of master conditioner Bob McIntosh, Artsplace lead McIntosh's "Dream Team" (also Odds Against and Camluck) on a romp through the aged ranks. In the end, Artsplace won all 16 of his encounters, lowered his mark to 1:49.2, won in 1:52 or faster eight times (including four times on 5/8 mile tracks), and added another $932,325 to his bankroll. These exploits led Artsplace to Aged Pacer, Pacer of the Year and Horse of the Year for 1992.

Artsplace entered the breeding shed with a lifetime summary of 49 37-7-1 ($3,085,083), retired as the second-richest pacer of all time, and was the author of at least one world record in each of his three years of competition. It will be a while yet before we see his p, 2, 1:51.1f record equalled.

Artsplace Lifetime Racing Statistics
Year     Starts    1st    2nd 3rd    Earnings     Record         Track & Date of Record
1992         16       16      0      0      $932,325      4, 1:49.2M      M M 06/20/1992
1991          18       10      4      1      $972,487      3, 1:50.4F      MEA F 08/10/1991
1990         15        11      3      0      $1,180,271   2, 1:51.1F      PPK F 11/30/1990
Total         49       37      7      1      $3,085,083   4, 1:49.2M

The Breeding Years
Artsplace has been a phenomenal producer of top horses – both male and female - since his first crop raced in 1996. One would expect that a sire of the stature of Artsplace would attract the very best in broodmares, and this was of course true. In fact, the response was so great that literally hundreds of mares were turned down by the Artsplace Syndicate. The first crop of Artsplace was absolutely astounding. From a total of 141 foals, Artsplace produced 55 in 2:10 (9th leading %-age sire) ... 53 in 2:05 (7th %-age sire) and 43 in 2:00 (2nd behind Jate Lobell as %-age sire). Even more remarkable, though, is the fact that Artsplace produced 16 freshmen in 1:55 (11.3%), and that six of these were fillies !!

There have been some great first-crop sires over the years, but only Jate Lobell (8 in 1:55 - 11.7% - 1991) has come close to producing this kind of early speed. Other notable first-croppers have been No Nukes (5 in 1:55 - 4.6% - 1986) ... Precious Bunny (4 in 1:55 - 4.5% - 1995) and Die Laughing (5 in 1:55 - 3.8% - 1995).

While speed may be a good indicator of siring ability, other considerations come into play when searching for a measure for greatness. Among these ... durability, soundness, heart and desire, classic race winners, the ability to produce top individuals from a variety of broodmare sires etc. etc. Artsplace has exhibited these traits - and more.

There are a number of observations that stand out among the first crop of Artsplace. First of all, his fillies were absolutely dominant among his performers. Michelleís Jackpot was a walk-over for 2-year-old Filly Pacer of the Year in 1996, and Stienamís Place also earned more than $500,000. Fully 10 of his top-15 money earners were fillies. And, the 15 performers were out of 13 different broodmare sires - one of the hallmarks of a great sire.

By the end of 1996, the first crop of Artsplace had propelled him to seventh among the sires of juvenile performers - this from only 89 starters. This year, we will be tallying the earnings of those performers, and the Artsplace 2-year-olds of 1997. And, what a tally that will be!!

In 1997, Artsplace offspring have been nothing short of awesome. This was never more aptly illustrated than during the last month of racing at the Meadowlands. First, Dream Away won the Meadowlands Pace in 1:50.2, boosting his lifetime earnings to close to $650,000.

Then, there was "Million Dollar Baby" week in early August. In the $604,800 Sweetheart Final, Natchitoches (Artsplace / Cajun Towner / Big Towner) was second to stablemate Clover Hanover in 1:52.2, and has since boosted her earnings to close to $300,000 on the young year. Three Artsplace fillies had qualified for the Sweetheart Final.

Two days later, Real Artist (Artsplace / Rodine Hanover / Big Towner) won the $765,750 Woodrow Wilson Final in 1:52, and sported $400,000 in earnings after four starts.

To add the icing to an already very impressive cake, the 1997 $346,750 Mistletoe Shalee Final featured six Artsplace fillies (from six different broodmare sires), and was won in 1:51.2 by Stienam's Place, bumping her earnings to $750,000 lifetime.

Artsplace gave us top performers in every possible category over his first two years at stud. He has been a top percentage sire, has sired performers from a wide array of broodmare stallions and has produced multiple successful performers in each class.

Already the sire of 13 millionaires, Artsplace himself continues to add to that list each year. Artsplace will be siring many more top horses in years to come, but already a number of his sons have already made major inroads into the next generation of pacing:

Artiscape p,3,1:49.3 ($1,469,461), out of Delinquent Account (by On The Road Again) With only two crops of racing age as of the end of 2003, Artiscape was the 17th leading pacing sire in terms of earnings, and was fourth in the money-earning category for two and three-year-olds. He has already sired 16 $100,000+ winners, led by Yankee Cruiser p,3,1:49.3 ($1,457,346); Artesian p,4,1:49.2 ($784,527) and Escape The Wind p,3,1:50.2 ($705,624).

Like Artsplace, Artiscape has been a positive force for both sexes, producing such top fillies as Rainbow Blue p,3,1:50.1 ($368,619), a winner of all ten of her 2004 starts and currently riding a 14-race streak. Artbitration p,3,1:52.4 ($331,436) is another very good three-year-old filly this year. In fact, seven of the 16 $100,000 winners by Artiscape are fillies.

Real Artist p,3,Q1:51 ($424,947), out of Rodine Hanover (by Big Towner) Like Artiscape, Real Artist hailed from the second crop of Artsplace. In fact, Real Artist led a trio that included Artiscape and Dream Away (another son of Artsplace) as the top first-crop pacing sires in 2002. The sire of 14 $100,000+ winners so far, Real Artist is the sire of the 2003 divisional champion Kikikatie p,2,1:51.3 ($861.345) as well the top colt Whatanartist p,3,1:49 ($825,608) and Jugette winner Numeric Hanover p,3,1:51 ($451,696). Real Artist has also distinguished himself as a sire of both colts and fillies, as half of his top performers have been of the female persuasion.

Dream Away p,3,1:50 ($1,342,071), out of Some Kinda Dream (by Forrest Skipper) Dream Away has also been an ‘equal opportunity sire’, producing five fillies among his 10 $100,000+ earners from his first two crops. His leading performers thus far have been Breeders Crown filly elimination winner Dream Of Mimi p,2,1:53.4 ($456,931); Dream Wave p,3,1:53 ($398,552) and My Fantasy p,4,1:51 ($324,635). Dream Away’s two-year-old fillies won two divisions of the NJSS at the Meadowlands in July.

Grinfromeartoear p,3,1:50.2 ($1,746,009), out of Smile Upon (by Storm Damage) Grinfromeartoear was the third leading first-crop pacing stallion in 2003, behind The Panderosa and Blissfull Hall. His two-year-olds included three $100,000 winners, led by Putasmileon p,2,1:53.4 ($300,791) and Grin Tin Tin p,2,1:51.4 ($197,025). Geartogear p,3,1:49.4 shifted his sire into prominence by winning an elimination for the Meadowlands Pace in sub-1:50 fashion. Grinfromeartoear’s second crop of two-year-olds have made an early impact, with two sub-1:54 performers already.

Arts Conquest p,3,1:50 ($880,576), out of Shy Devil (by No Nukes) This Illinois-based son of Artsplace caused a rumble in the sport in 2003, when his first crop included three sub-1:53 two-year-olds. These were led by the filly Aries Conquest p,2,1:52.4 ($241,633), in addition to Chevie Winner p,2,1:52.4 ($166,630) and Live Out Loud p,2,1:52.4 ($115,105). Arts Conquest has four 2:00 youngsters from just 23 foals, including seasons leader Officer Joe p,2,1:53.1.

Astreos p,3,1:49.3 ($1,062,594), out of Lucky Tune (by No Nukes)   A leading first-crop sire in Ontario, Astreos has already produced seven sub-2:00 performers, including the stakes-winning colt Lincoln Parke p,2,1:55. Sons and daughters of Astreos have been liberally spread throughout the early Ontario Sires Stakes program, and many more are sure to join the sub-2:00 list before the season ends. Though it is early to draw conclusions, the offspring of Astreos certainly appear to have what it takes.

Arturo p,3,1:51.2f ($1,298,491), out of Pirate Laura (by Pirate Skipper) From the first crop of Artsplace, Arturo sent his initial offering to the races in 2001, and completed that season as the second-leading first-crop pacing sire (behind Northern Luck). Arturo has sired 18 $100,000 winners, and his sons and daughters have performed credibly in Pennsylvania.

Other Notable Sons of Artsplace Other producing sons of Artsplace at stud include Park Place p,3,1:51 ($787,705); The Firepan p,3,1:50.4 ($617,097); Perfect Art p,3,1:51 ($576,983); Artist Stena p,3,1:51 ($540,258) and J K Outlaw p,3,1:51 ($233,715). Of course, the sport will need to wait a while for the crops of Art Major and Modern Art.