Millionaire pacer Slick Tony will join harness racing's stallion ranks next year.
Winbak Farm of Maryland is dedicated to the strengthening of the Maryland program and the farm has announced the addition of millionaire Slick Tony in 2024.
“Slick Tony is a beautiful horse with a slick gait and extremely intelligent,” said driver Russell Foster. “He was always easy to drive and showed speed early.”
Slick Tony (p, 2, 1:51.4f; 3, 1:50.2f; 1:49.3f; $1,049,516) was a 66-time winner during his career. From ages two through seven, Slick Tony earned more than $100,000 each season.
At two, he won two Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund eliminations (1:54.1 and 1:52) and the $100,000 final (1:51.4 – last quarter :26.4) at Dover Downs. He won a Delaware Standardbred Fund elimination (1:54.3) and $100,000 final (1:55) at Harrington Raceway (finishing a close second in the other elimination). He also won two Maryland Standardbred Race Fund divisions at Ocean Downs (1:57.4 and 1:56.4).
“At two, Slick Tony was never worse than second in his 11 starts,” said Jack Burke, General Manager. “He had nine wins and showed his toughness and willingness to win from the first time he was behind a starting gate.”
At three, Slick Tony won two Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund eliminations (1:53.1 and 1:53.4) and the $100,000 final (1:52.4) at Harrington Raceway, and a Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund elimination (1:52.3) and $100,000 final (1:50.4) at Dover Downs. He was second in the other elimination.
Also at three, Slick Tony won the Maryland Invitational in 1:52.2 at Rosecroft Raceway from post seven against a tough field of aged competition. He also won the Maryland Standardbred Race Fund division at Ocean Downs, Open at Rosecroft Raceway (1:50.2) and Open at Harrington (1:51.4 – equalling Harrington’s divisional track record). He was also second in an Open at Harrington.
“At three, Slick Tony received an invite to the $400,000 Milstein Memorial at Northfield Park after he dominated in Delaware,” said Foster. “He showed he could go against and beat tough horses, like Lather Up and Dorsoduro Hanover, and finished fourth from the seven-hole.”
At four, Slick Tony had 16 wins. He won the Blue Hen Open at Dover Downs twice (1:50.3 and 1:51), Delaware Special division at Harrington, Open at Harrington five times (in 1:51.4 twice, 1:52, 1:52.4 and 1:53.2) and Open at Rosecroft twice (1:50.3 and 1:51.1).
“He was tough as nails and willing to race any way you wanted to do it,” said Foster. “He had a big set of lungs and seemed like he could go forever.”
He was second in the Blue Hen Open at Dover Downs twice, Great Northeast Series division at Harrah's Philadelphia, Open at Harrington and Open at Ocean Downs. He set his lifetime best record in 1:49.3 at Harrah’s Philadelphia, last quarter of :26.3.
“Slick Tony was always a pleasure to drive, he was one of those horses that had his own personality (ears pinned back, not in a mean way, but almost like leave me alone and let me do my job),” said driver Montrell Teague. “He may not have always been the fastest out of the gate but if he was up close enough, he had the desire to win more than most around that last turn.”
As an aged performer, Slick Tony won multiple Opens at Dover Downs, Harrington, Rosecroft and Ocean Downs. Slick Tony was Harrington’s Horse of the Meet in 2019 and 2021.
“When selecting a stallion to breed to, race performance is obviously important but a strong pedigree is also crucial,” said Burke. “Slick Tony comes from a strong family of rich performers and should be a great cross for many mares.”
Slick Tony’s dam, Queen Kathy (p, 2, 1:58.4; 3, 1:58.1; 1:54.4h; $161,243), was Delaware’s Pacing Broodmare of the Year in 2017 and 2018. She is a half-sister to four earners of $100,000, including the dam of Schoolkids (p, 2, 1:51s; 3, 1:50.1f; 1:49.3f; $1,056,638).
Slick Tony’s second dam is O’Brien Award winner Games (p, 3, 1:56.3f; 1:55.2f; $305,109). His third dam is the dam of Misfit (p, 1:49.4; $1,190,067).
“You don’t become a millionaire without that hard-to-find quality of class,” said Teague. “I think he will make a great addition to the Maryland program and wish him the best of luck.”
Slick Tony will stand his introductory season at Winbak Farm of Maryland for $3,000 USD.
“Slick Tony should be a great cross for mares sired by American Ideal, Art Major, Artiscape, Bettors Delight, Dream Away, Rocknroll Hanover and Somebeachsomewhere,” said Burke. “If breeders have questions, our staff is available to assist with hypothetical matings.”
For more information on Slick Tony, please call Winbak Farm of Maryland at 410-885-3059 or visit the Winbak Farm website.
“I hope he will pass his intelligence and toughness to his offspring,” said Foster. “I look forward to driving his babies.”
(With files from Winbak Farm)