Trot Insider has learned that former world champion and O'Brien Award finalist Primetime Bobcat has passed away at the age of 27.
A son of Abercrombie - Emerald Girl, Primetime Bobcat amassed a lifetime summary of 48-31-25 from his 201 lifetime starts with more than $740,000 in earnings over his 10 years of competition, mostly at tracks in Michigan before the age of nine.
The 2006 season, at the age of nine, became the stuff of legend.
After starting the year in upper-conditioned ranks at Georgian Downs for trainer Casie Coleman, Primetime Bobcat was eventually claimed by conditioner Anthony Montini, Basil Michele, William and Joseph Rogers. The pacer prevailed over open class foes in the final of the Spring Pacing Championship in April, then became a top level mainstay for the rest of the season.
His status as a top-class contender was further established with a Canadian record-tying mile of 1:48.1 on May 6 at Woodbine Racetrack. It was cemented one week later on May 13, 2006, when he converted a pocket trip into a 1:47.2 world record performance -- at the time the fastest race mile in the history of harness racing, eclipsing the mark of the great Jennas Beach Boy set nearly a full 10 years prior at The Meadowlands.
"I think remarkable is the most fitting word considering his age," Montini said in an interview with Horseman & Fair World after the record. "I remember being awestruck when Jennas Beach Boy set the record. There have been some big miles since then and it was only a matter of time before it was lowered, and I'm just glad it was Bobcat. When I saw three-quarters in 1:20.4 and then to get the record, the hairs just stood up all over my body. It was truly a touching moment."
In that nine-year-old campaign, Primetime Bobcat posted a 14-6-2 summary from 31 starts and banked nearly a half-million in earnings. He was named WEG's Older Pacer of the Year and an O'Brien Award finalist for his efforts.
After battling back from a number of injuries after the storybook season, Primetime Bobcat was retired in 2008 at the age of 11. At the time of his passing, he was enjoying retirement in Nova Scotia at the farm of owner Dale March.
"We had him for about five years. He had a great life with us....It's hard to know he's not there now."
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Primetime Bobcat.
(Standardbred Canada)