Otsego to lean heavily on veteran racers

Fourteen racers aged 4yo and older will compete for Otsego Farms in 2017.  

When questioned on this, owner Jim Webber stated, "Oh, it's a record for this stable, no doubt about that.  I can't be positive without checking the records, but I'm pretty sure I've never had more than 7 or 8 at this age racing at the same time."

The stable patriarch is 8yo Shatterstar, who seems to be getting better and better with age.  He fashioned a record of  9-5-2-2 last season and already has broken the Otsego Farms record with 52 career starts.

The triumvirate of 6yo's, Refractor, Methy Bus, and Crossbones are all still producing at high levels.  Refractor will retire after the 2017 season, but in all likelihood the others will continue on as 7yo's in 2018.

The rest of the veteran racing crew consists of:

• 5yo Alphabet, who was recently acquired from Foxies Lodge.
• 5yo Mocha Milkshake, an extremely late maturing type.
• 4yo Acquarella, a steal of an auction pickup.
• 4yo Astrapios, stayer who should make some waves this season.
• 4yo Boudica, has tools to produce positive results.
• 4yo Charlemagne, needs to find winners circle soon.
• 4yo Crackerjack, has real talent at Classic distances.
• 4yo Jack the Ripper, only out-of-money once in 12 career starts.
• 4yo Liam, $500 purchase who may be deadly at pet distance.
• 4yo Xtra Gold, sprinter who will always be in contention.

You never know what you're gonna get with an 8yo, so Shatterstar is a bit of a question mark.  Boudica and Charlemagne are both iffy talent-wise.  Other than those three, I have confidence that all of the others will produce excellent results.