The way Jeff Stoddard sees it, pretty much everybody should be able to own at least a small percentage of a thoroughbred racehorse.
An avid thoroughbred enthusiast, Stoddard is convinced that anyone who gets even a small taste of the sport will become hooked on the excitement. According to Stoddard, the adrenaline one gets while watching their horse compete, even if the ownership only amounts to 2.5 percent, goes unmatched.
The Auburn resident has designed a revolutionary concept involving perhaps the biggest syndicates in thoroughbred racing. Attempting to educate and share his passion with new owners, Stoddard has created L.T.D. Stable, which is an acronym for “Living The Dream.” For as little as $40 a month, clients can purchase an interest in a real live thoroughbred that competes at Emerald Downs.
“Even if they only own a piece of the horse, they feel like they own it all,” Stoddard said.
Wayne Nagai, L.T.D’s photographer and website manager said the concept has been very successful.
“We call it a club because that is what is, a learning club,” Nagai said. “Our members are forming friendships, learning about horse racing, and they don’t have to worry about things that new owners typically have to worry about. They’re hooked.”
Sunday, Stoddard has a 100 percent stakes in Barbara’s Love, a 5-year-old California-bred that is among eight fillies and mares entered in the $50,000 King County Handicap for fillies and mares.
“I can’t guarantee that she is going to win, but I can guarantee that the winner will know she made it a horse race,” Stoddard said.
Barbara’s Love enters the one-mile King County after an impressive third-place finish in Memorial Day’s $50,000 Washington State Legislators Handicap at 6 ½ furlongs. The Benchmark mare made up nearly three lengths in the stretch and was beaten less than a length in only her second start at Emerald Downs. Leading up to Sunday, Barbara’s Love has put in some solid works including a bullet work going five furlongs in 58 1/5 seconds (1/15). Trainer John Holmes said she has been doing extremely well this month.
“If she took one step forward going into her last race—she took two steps forward going into this one,” Holmes said.
To win, the California-bred will have to catch speedster Clair Annette while holding off late-closer Gadget Queen, both multiple stakes winners and likely favorites.
“They are the horses to beat based on back class alone, but our horse has some back class, too,” Holmes said.
Visit www.ltdstable.com for more information.
The field for the 15th running of the King County Handicap: Barbara’s Love, Gallyn Mitchell, 118 pounds; Crocodile Tuff, Deborah Hoonan-Trujillo, 113; Yonnie Creek, Pedro Terrero, 112; Gadget Queen, Frazier, 121; Private Fortune, Inoel Beato, 109; Perfect Finish, Jennifer Whitaker, 117; Eyes On the Prize, Francisco Duran, 116; Clair Annette, Kevin Krigger, 120.
