Advise?

[OffThePace207]

I was thinking about claiming a standardbred. I was looking at the earnings for lower level claimers and it seems impossible to pay the training bills. Could anyone maybe give me a ballpark of what a horse needs to earn annualy to be profitlable. Any insight on owning a standardbred would be appreciated. You will probably laugh, but I was looking to claim at Scarborough Downs. Thank You in advance for your help.

[wilderness]

Training, boarding and vet fees in Maine will be much less as compared to NJ and Toronto, of course the purses are smaller as well.

The USTA has a page for new owners with questions
http://www.ustrotting.com/misc/ownership/Owners%20Main%20Web%20Page.cfm

The Maine Harness Horseman's Association has a website as well
http://www.maineharnessracing.com/

I have some email contacts in Maine.
If your interested? PM me with your email address and questions and I'll forward to those folks.

[melman]

Go to ustrotting.com plenty of info on getting to be an owner. Rates vary depending upon what area of the country you will be racing at. Take note that almost all owners lose money either with t-breds or harness. However the idea of being the owner of an Afleet Alex type keeps many in the game. Owners bought AA for $75,000 at sale. Low level claimers are almost to hard to make any money owning unless u are racing at Meadowlands or Woodbine. That said sure wish I had claimed Vodkaontherocks at the beginning of the meet. :D

[wilderness]

One good thing for owners in smaller vendues of harness racing is the possibility of either training or driving your own horse and/or both.

In the world of the running horses or on the larger harness racing circuits (where drivers are required A licenses) such possibilities for an ethusiast are just not possible.

In addition there are a series of races for Amatueurs across the US known as The Billings. Purse winnings go to charity.
http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=682&z=17

[OffThePace207]

Thanks guys for your responses. So would $2,000 be a good ballpark for training fees in Maine??

[wilderness]

"So would $2,000 be a good ballpark for training fees in Maine??"

$70 a day is more than twice the fee of the going rate in Maine.

You'd best be advised to speak with somebody racing in Maine as I previously advised.

http://www.mi-harness.net/brf/ME.htm
http://www.mi-harness.net/hrs/stables.html

The Maine Harness Horseman's Association has a website as well
http://www.maineharnessracing.com/