Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Another apparent "Iron Horse" has emerged--this time from the Hoosier State otherwise known as Indiana. Donald Eash's Foxy Maneuver has proved to be as tough as nails and shows no signs of slowing down as he enters his sixth year of competition.

In fact, as of this writing, Foxy Maneuver had recently won in 1:50 at The Meadowlands on January 7, amassing $21,500 during the first month of 2006

Foxy Maneuver's humble beginnings started back in 2001, when trainer-driver Donald Eash took the then two-year-old colt to Hoosier Park, racing him in Sire Stakes events at that Indiana raceway. This, after Eash had taken a successful career with racing ponies and made the transition to racehorse trainer just a few years ago. Foxy Maneuver won just over $22,000 that first season, winning one of nine starts with Eash at the lines.

"We had purchased a couple of racing ponies for our kids," Eash, 51,  said. "That led to the horses we have now. The blacksmith who used to shoe our ponies had a harness horse racing in Chicago, and he got me interested. He was making money, and I was just spending it with my hobby. His idea just made more sense. So we got some Standardbreds and started going to Chicago to race."

"I learned to train and drive through natural instinct," Eash said. "I studied the book The Care and Training of the Trotter and Pacer. Racing the ponies was basically the same thing on a smaller scale. It's basic horsemanship. I have a pretty good handle on how to train one now. I used to watch the harness races as a kid. That piqued my interest a bit, and I always liked horses. I was always around them, riding them."

At three, Foxy Maneuver's start began to shine, as he scored a record of 1:52.1 at Hoosier Park, en route to a season that saw him earn $168,721, winning 10 of 22 starts for his trainer-driver. The gritty pacer competed in both Indiana Sire Stake events and in the tough opens at the Hoosier Raceway.

At age four Foxy Maneuver lowered his mark to 1:49.4, winning a Balmoral Park $22,500 Free For All on July 5, 2003. That year he won 14 of 28 starts.

"Foxy Maneuver is the best horse I've ever had," Eash said. "There isn't anything that stands out with him. He's just been very consistent every race. Winning the 'invites' out in Indiana were his best accomplishments."

In 2004 Foxy Maneuver continued to gain strenght and lowered his record once again by a tick, pacing in 1:49.3 at Indianapolis on August 8. He was racing against the toughest pacers in the Midwest, including horses like Taser Gun, Sagebrush and Quik Pulse Mindale, to name a few.

"I'm not easily intimidated," Eash said. "The way I look at is I've had a lot more success than guys that have been it all their lives. The key to success is you've got to know the business end of it as well as training the horses."

In 2005 Foxy Maneuver continued to storm to victory for Eash--this time winning eight starts and just over $165,000 while battling week in and week out against the nation's top open pacers. In late December Eash tested the waters at The Meadowlands and Foxy Maneuver was his first starter at the East Rutherford facility. The pacer responded by finishing third in his first start and then winning in 1:52.2 on December 3 in a conditioned event at The Big M.

"We were overjoyed to win a race at The Meadowlands," Eash said. "I concentrate mostly on the Indiana circuit, as that's where we've done our best. We were getting into it around the time Indiana started getting pari-mutuel wagering. Hoosier Park opened in 1994 and Indiana Downs has had two full seasons. That had a lot to do with our involvement."

Eash has a 120-acre farm, with 100 horses, including broodmares, foals and racehorses. He has eight employees besides himself and his wife.

"Ninety-five percent of what we train I own," Eash noted. "We'd like to keep it growing, get better quality horses and race Grand Circuit horses eventually. Foxy Maneuver has been the best horse we've had so far, and we just hope he keeps on winning races for us."

Foxy Maneuver's Career Statistics (through February 1, 2006)
Year     Starts  Wins 2nds 3rds     MoneyWon     Record     Date & Track Taken
2006          4         1      0      0           $21,500        7,1:50.0M      M 01/07/2006
2005       31        8      6      4           $165,684       6,1:50.2S      HOP 06/11/2005
2004        28         5      7      4           $133,540       5,1:49.3M      INDY 08/08/2004
2003      28      14      5      0           $ 194,050      4,1:49.4M       BMLP 07/05/2003
2002      22       10      6      2           $168,721       3,1:52.1S       HOP 05/03/2002
2001         9          1      4      2           $22,366        2,1:55.2S     HOP 07/19/2001
Total     122       39    28     12        $705,861      5,1:49.3M