Randy Taft Stable

10/04/2024

September was a very successful month for the stable. Abby was the biggest star winning 3 in a row in the Opens @ Monticello. Smooch had no wins but had a great second at The Meadows at 99/1. Arnie's Angel got going at Monticello with a much overdue trip to the winners circle with Fern Paquet aboard. Long Weekend contributed with a game win on the front at Monti for Bruce Aldrich. Lady Julia was very consistent getting nice checks in most of her starts. Keystone Blade was his steady self and made money. Quick Snap had a second and a third in the big Final at Tioga. He was ultra game for Greg Merton after a tough first over grind. Beltane only had one start from the 8 hole which amounted to a training trip. Believer struggled with sickness and only had one no chance start at Monti. Hillasviva got qualified and a couple starts. He made a break with Palone at the Meadoows when he chased him a little too much in the last turn.
Now with Tioga closed we have been split between The Meadows and Monticello. We will be deciding as time goes on which horses need to be replaced with better ones and where to race them to maximize their earning potential. The Meadowlands opens back up soon, and we may try it there with a couple. We are still planning on adding a couple at the Harrisburg sale next month. Stay tuned. Thanks!

09/22/2024

The Tioga meet ended last night and I was proud of how the team raced throughout the season. We won our share, and the horses all fought hard.
I am most pleased when people who ship in compliment us on what a pleasure it is to race here as opposed to most places. It's not perfect, but it is run like a track and entertainment venue should be run.
When friends and relatives want to visit, they always have a wonderful experience at the hotel, casino, and dining establishments.
I want to thank Shades for all he does both behind the scenes and in front of the microphone throughout the year. From the security staff, race office, and upper management; Tioga shines as an example of what many other tracks should aspire to.
Now it's time to start hitting the highway and see where each horse can fit in and do well. Thanks for following!

09/11/2024

Elvis final prep

09/11/2024

Hillasviva (Elvis) is ready to qualify after a brief vacation post purchase.

09/03/2024

Taft Stable review for August 2024
August was a good month for most of the horses and an excellent one for a couple. Believer was very steady with a first over win as well as a couple other good checks. Long Weekend started off poorly but did manage a second with me driving in an amateur event. He is still a work in progress but, has lots of ability and desire. Lady Julia is gradually turning into the filly we hoped she would be when we bought her. She got a check in every start and showed versatility. Even finished second at Monticello which is good since Tioga closes soon. Smooch was great in a couple starts at Tioga earning her second lifetime win. We tried her at Monticello last week, but she struggled in the turns. We will have to keep her on bigger tracks for the time being. Arnie’s Angel got a few checks and seems to be rounding into pretty good form. She is approved to be bred to Huntsville in the spring; so, her racing days are numbered. Keystone Blade tried hard all month, primarily dragging me around in the amateurs. He got checks and then a nice second the other night with Mike Merton aboard. He is in to go at Monticello this week as is Lady Julia again. We claimed a horse named Quick Snap for the claiming series at Tioga. He had a fifth in his only start for us in August. Hillasviva is a young trotter we bought in July who I gave some time off to grow out his feet. He’s training well and should qualify in a couple weeks. Abby Rose was a star this month! Since adding hopples she has an extra gear and a huge confidence boost. She won a Monticello open as well as a winners over at Tioga in a lifetime best 1:51 flat. She will go back to Monticello or Batavia to try the opens. We close on the 21st of September at Tioga so we have to figure out where they all fit best. I am planning on a lot of overnight road trips to whatever track offers us the best chance of success. Also planning on picking up some more young ones this fall either privately or at Harrisburg in November. Thanks for reading!

08/24/2024

New guy enjoying himself

08/15/2024

Looking for paddock help at Batavia Saturday night. 11th race lasix. Text Randy (607)333-5426

07/30/2024

Application for the scholarship coming up in September

07/28/2024

July recap:
July was, as predicted, a much more successful month than June had been. Smooch started to figure out how to relax during a race and had a win and two seconds. Abby got herself backed down in class and was able to win a heat. Then, I added hopples back to her equipment and she was a raging third the other night. Arnie's Angel won a couple weeks ago but now finds herself in with some very tough company. She's trying hard; however, she's lost a step or two as she gets a little long in the tooth. Keystone Blade is very consistent. He got checks all month, but racing luck just hasn't gone his way. He's another one who understandably has lost a few steps since he's 11 now. TKO Blue Chip has had a lot of the same luck as Blade until his last start when Mike Merton left with him and got a good trip. He answered by setting a new life mark of 1:53. Naturally he came up foot sore and had to have this week off;) My little buddy Believer is always knocking on the door. He has become even more handy lately. Ridge is able to leave the gate or race off cover and he goes all he can every start. Lady Julia is a 3-year-old filly I bought from the Meadows. So far, she has been no good for us, but I think she is coming around based on her training the other day. Another new one is a 4-year-old Muscle Hill trotter named Hillasviva. He needs to grow some new feet, but he has a big way of going. May be a little while before he debuts for us. Perhaps our most exciting new addition to the stable is the veteran Long Weekend A. We are still just getting familiar with each other, and he isn't very smart, but he wants to be a good horse. Mike Merton rolled him to an easy win last week in 1:52 4/5. He's up in class today but we are hoping Ridge can get a good trip and a nice check with him. As we get closer to the end of the meet in September some of the horses will be racing at Batavia or Chester. We also will see how they fit at The Meadows and wherever they seem to fit the best. Thanks for tuning in and for your well wishes!

07/28/2024

Believer doing his best impression of a hippo:)

07/19/2024

Very well done video dealing with a common problem we deal with.

07/15/2024

07/10/2024

Believer absolutely loves the aftermath of a good rainstorm!

07/08/2024

July 7, 2024 was a very special and memorable day as two very deserving friends of mine were immortalized by being enshrined in the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in Goshen, Ny. The last time I was at the ceremony was when Cat Man was put in; and seeing him welcome his cousin Ed Lohmeyer Jr. was wonderful! John & Jim Campbell both gave funny and heartfelt speeches and everyone in attendance could easily see how much love and respect that family has for each other. So glad I made the trip and was happy to see many old friends!

07/03/2024

Say hello to my new buddy Long Weekend A. Welcome aboard to him and my old friend Paul Switzer!

06/30/2024

June was an OK month, but wasn't like May had been. That's how racing is; especially when you race condition horses. Smooch struggled with greenness and one cancellation due to the track washing out. I need to make some changes on her, but we still love her and her potential. TKO has had really rotten racing luck. He tries, but, seems to wind up having to navigate too much traffic. Things will get better in that regard; hopefully soon:) Angel was in over her head all month and also had one cancellation. She fits a level now that she should appreciate. Abby was cancelled once and had a couple starts that didn't go her way. She still usually picks up money, however, she's been hanging late. In her older age she likes it better when she can roll on the front or up close. We have to pick our battles with her; especially since she races freelegged, the driver can't just leave a thousand with her like with a hoppled pacer. Keystone Blade and Believer as a pair carried the stable this month. Blade is knocking on the door every week and will break through soon. It's so cool to have such a classy horse who leaves it all on the track every week! He actually reached the $300,000 milestone this month and has earned every penny the hard way. He has a home for life with Mali and I. The same goes for Believer. He has limited speed, but, shows up every week and does his best. He actually drops to a lower level to begin July, so we are optimistic for the near future. Lastly; Arnie and Mali teamed up to buy a new horse. Her name is Lady Julia and fits the FM non winners classes at Tioga. She also is only 3 and has some minor stakes in Ohio if she is good enough. (pic in comments) That's the goal; always be ready to purchase younger stock while having the steady ones to build around....like a football team;) Thanks for reading

10/04/2023

Any trailer’s going from Tioga area to Saratoga any time soon?

10/03/2023

Weekend entries:
Saturday is a busy day between Pocono & Vernon. Then back to Pocono Monday. Looks like we have to get the Meadows back into the mix to get Arnies Angel raced.

Pocono Saturday:

TKO drew the rail in the third race in their bottom condition. Ridge will hopefully get a smoother trip with him and he can show some improvement. This month is a big one for him and some others since we are only a month from Harrisburg.

Believer drew post 3 in the sixth which is up a notch from last week. He seems good right now so he and Ridge can handle the class hike.

Saturday @ Vernon:

Blade drew the rail in the ninth which is their top trot on the card. Roman Lopez will try and trip him out in a tough field.

Jara is the four in the tenth for Jimmy Whittemore. It’s not a bad spot to start her off after a brief break.

Monday Pocono:

Abby finally got back in and it is near the bottom condition for mares. She drew post six in the fifth race with Ridge as her pilot.

That’s it for entries until Wednesday when Angel should get in at The Meadows. Thanks!