by Kimberly French, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Kimberly French

Louisville, KY — Shortly after he began learning his lessons, Odds On Equuleus revealed his ability and the timing of his disclosure could not have been more fortuitous.

“He showed us some high speed when we were down in Florida,” explained Robin Schadt, the colt’s conditioner. “It surfaced in early March, shortly before payments were due so that was nice.”

Owned by Odds On Racing, the son of Art Major-Latte Lady possesses a record of 4-3-0-1 and a bankroll of $69,012 to commence his fledgling career.

Odds On Equuleus is the fourth foal out of his dam, who is a full sister to Driven To Win ($985,093). He is a half-brother to Bordeaux Nourrir ($150,179).

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Odds On Equuleus was a 1:52.3 winner in his Nassagaweya division.

The colt won his first two qualifying races on June 2 and June 16 at the Meadowlands, then traveled to Monticello for his first pari-mutuel engagement in a New York Sire Stakes race on the Fourth of July, where he finished third.

He returned to the Meadowlands and qualified again on July 14, hitting the wire third behind Captaintreacherous and Rocknmyjeans before breaking his maiden in an $11,000 non-winners event on July 20 which is when he established his lifetime mark of 1:52.

Odds On Equuleus’ next trip to the post was a victory in a $12,000 freshman race on August 2 at The Big M and then it was on to Mohawk where on August 18 the colt triumphed in a $109,206 division of the Nassagaweya by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:52.3 with a first over trip and final quarter in :26.1.

Remaining north of the border, the colt’s next performance will be in a C$40,000 Metro Pace elimination on Saturday (August 25). Odds On Equuleus will leave from post four in race 10 and is the 4-5 morning line favorite.

“There are some nice horses in that elimination and you never know what is going to happen when the gate unfolds,” Schadt said. “He’s healthy and sound so I’m hoping he will be in the top three to make the final, which is going to be a really tough race. This could be one of the biggest purses some of these horses will ever see in their lifetime and it will be very tough.”

This colt appears to own all the characteristics of a nice horse and Schadt feels one of his biggest assets is his ability to come off a helmet.

“He’s an easy keeper and takes good care of himself,” Schadt said. “He likes to sleep a lot and is very low maintenance. He’s also very smart and does everything you ask him to do. He has a great attitude which is very important at this early stage because they are learning so much. He likes to kick up his heels in the field and is a very happy horse.

“I think he gets along with Mohawk,” she continued. “The race (the Nassagaweya) set up for him. He likes to chase down horses in the stretch and that’s what he was able to do. John (Campbell) said he didn’t move him until the last quarter. So he had an easy race and didn’t have to work very hard. He’s good off the pace like that. He’s always trying to catch the horse in front of him. It’s quite nice.”

After his work in the Metro is complete, Odds On Equuleus will return to his home base in the Midwest for a brief vacation before appearing at The Red Mile.

“After the Canadian race he’ll get a little break and then we head to Lexington for the Grand Circuit,” Schadt said. “Then he will go back home to Chicago for the American-National. He’s not eligible for the Breeders Crown this year but he is at three. We are looking at the long term for him, so if can have a light schedule at two that means he’ll come back stronger as a 3-year-old.”