Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Fool's Goal Sidelined Indefinitely

June 20, 2005

Fool's Goal, the Trotting Horse of the Year in 2002, is going to be sidelined for the balance of 2005 and perhaps his career.

"He qualified last Friday and came out of it a little suspicious," said trainer-driver Jim Doherty. "We had him x-rayed on Monday, and it showed a hairline fracture of his left front pastern. I won't race him this year, and he may be done. I'll know better in a couple of weeks. I am going to have a few others look at it and tell me if retiring him for good is the best thing for him. He's 10 now and has had a lot of racing. The wear and tear caught up with him. I won't say he won't race next year. I'll just hold off on that part for now. But he is definitely done for this season."

Fool's Goal has 35 wins, nine seconds and 10 thirds from 112 career starts, earning $3+ million for owners Bruce McElven of Pemberton, New Jersey and Ronald Allen of Southampton, New Jersey. Of his $3 million in earnings, Fool's Goal banked $1.9 million
at the Meadowlands, making him the top money-winning horse in the history of the track.

The 10-year-old gelded son of Armbro Goal has such stakes credits as victories in the Breeders Crown in 2002 and 2003, the Arthur J. Cutler in 2002 and the Titan Cup three times - 2001, 2002 and 2004. This year, he had made five starts, winning the opening leg of the Classic Series on April 18 at Dover Downs and an open trot on May 6 at the Meadowlands. He won his qualifier on June 10 in 1:56.4. Should he retired, Doherty believes Fool's Goal will live out his days at owner Bruce McElven's farm in Pemberton, New Jersey