Elkton, MD — In this edition of Horse Highlight, Post Time with Mike and Mike teams up with New Vocations to feature a handsome Yankee Cruiser gelding, Hare Craft, who was donated by Mark Jakubik in June 2018.

Hare Craft is now up for adoption. S F Johnson photo.

With 203 starts behind the starting car, Hare Craft is a well-known pacer who made his way from the East Coast, over to the Midwest, and up into Canada. With a bankroll of $553,379, Hare Craft knew his way to the winner’s circle making 42 trips there. At the age of three, Hare Craft established his lifetime mark at Mohawk, pacing the mile in 1:49.3.

We got a chance to talk to the previous owner of Hare Craft, Mark Jakubik, who claimed him in 2015, while he was racing at Pocono for $25,000. Jakubik had many memories while he had Hare Craft.

“Hare Craft was consistent in the Open Pace at Northfield Park in 2016; one race that I remember specifically is when he won by seven open lengths in the Open Pace, pacing the mile in 1:50.3,” Jakubik stated.

In 2016, Hare Craft was invited and competed in the Myron Charna Presidents Race, a race full of the best Ohio-sired pacers. He was a game second to Dancin Yankee.

In March of 2017, Hare Craft broke his coffin bone.

“I provided him with as much time as he needed for his recovery to heal. He returned back to the races in October but just wasn’t at the same level of racing or interest to race, so I decided to retire him in June of 2018,” explained Jakubik.

Jakubik talked about the many characteristics the gelding has.

“He is a very smart horse with a big heart. He always did his best and gave us his best efforts on the race track,” shared Jakubik. “The little devil, that is what I nicknamed him, loved carrots and apples. He would nudge you while walking past him for a treat. Hare Craft deserves a great family and home.”

“Hare Craft is a pretty well-known racehorse and a favorite to many. This pacer had a career and was bred by a family friend of ours, Schare Adams of Georgetown, Ky.,” shared Winnie Nemeth, New Vocations Standardbred Program director. “So it is great to help transition a horse to a new career. He has been the ultimate professional, learning quickly to what it means to have a saddle and rider on his back. With more time and training, we think he will be able to canter as well. Hare Craft will certainly excel as a riding horse just as he has done as a racehorse.”

Hare Craft is now up for adoption, for more information visit the New Vocations website. Be sure to visit www.newvocations.org and check out all of the amazing athletes they have for adoption. Remember, make your next horse an ex-racehorse!