“I felt fortunate to have one really great horse in my lifetime, now this is an incredible bonus.”
When Arnie Shackman started owning horses in Calgary 36 years ago, he instilled a love for harness racing in his son, Brad. Moving to Toronto in 1991, the enthusiasm he felt at the age of sixteen was reignited. During his three years in the province’s capital, he became acquainted with John Drennan before becoming involved in a few claimers and conditioned horses.
In 1998, his many years of dedication were rewarded with Latest Chapter. Recognized as the three-year-old trotting colt of the year at 1999’s O’Brien Awards, he went on to amass nearly $700,000 in lifetime earnings for the John Drennan/Brad Shackman partnership. The WEG circuit regular retired after his four-year-old season to the life of a show horse, but Shackman’s participation in the industry did not end there.
Up and coming New Jersey Sire Stakes star Guess Whos Back will be looking to capture the Peter Haughton Memorial after receiving a bye to the final. Setting a mark of 1:56.1 in his last start, the Nik Drennan trainee is looking to continue his streak of early success.
Previously owning horses with both Nik Drennan and Joe Davino, a call was placed to Shackman after viewing Hip #119 in Harrisburg last year. After analyzing what could be found on paper, Davino and Shackman invested $90,000 in the Muscles Yankee colt, the first foal out of Shes Gone Again.
“Both Joe and Nik have a great eye for horses. If they are looking for a partner, they know I want to invest. If they call me, I’ll look at the bloodlines and if I like the dam, I’ll go in. I leave conformation critique to them.”
Showing talent early on, Guess Whos Back has made good on their investment with only three starts under his belt so far. With back to back wins going into the Haughton, he has amassed over $70,000 and will be looking to take the lion's share of the purse in the final.
“So far, knock on wood, he looks to be the real deal. He’s been able to prove himself and I’m happy we’ve had some early success. Nik told me he was always really good, right from the beginning. So far he’s shown the heart and willingness to win.”
There will be one elimination for the $280,000 (est.) Peter Haughton Memorial on Friday night at The Meadowlands. Three horses -- Canepa Hanover, Guess Whos Back, and Honor And Serve -- received byes to the final based on earnings, so the top seven finishers in the elimination will join them.
Confident in the colt’s training and driving combination, Shackman will be making the trip south from Calgary to see Guess Whos Back in the final.
“When racing stopped in Calgary, I decided that if I can’t watch the horse race in person, I’m going to invest where the horses are good like in Ontario and in the States. This race is special, it’s the second largest purse I’ve ever raced for and it’s even on Hambo Day!”
Not willing to make any predictions at this point, he is looking forward to seeing the impressive group of colts go behind the gate.
“It’s going to be a very competitive race, for sure. There are some decent horses in the elimination, particularly out of Takter’s barn. I’m just hoping we trot well, that [driver Brian] Sears gives him a good trip and we luck out in the draw. Having a decent a decent post will help, but I’m just going to hope for the best.”
If all goes well in the Haughton, Guess Whos Back's next major stake engagement will be taking place north of the border as he will be pointed to a debut on Canadian soil later this year in the William Wellwood Memorial at Mohawk Racetrack in September.
Shackman owns shares in three yearlings, as well as two-year-olds Sicily and Fordaluvachocolate. Also stabled in Drennan’s barn, he is looking forward to seeing the future unfold with his young trotters.
“We’ve been waiting fourteen years for another great one, so it’s exciting to be at the top level again. You can’t take anything for granted in this game, but right now, we’re enjoying the ride.”
(A Trot Insider Exclusive by Hannah Beckett)