by Kimberly French, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Kimberly French

Louisville, KY — When Tyler Smith conferred with Steve Brannon prior to guiding Freddyscooter over the Hollywood Dayton oval the day after Christmas, he confided in the horse’s owner/trainer/breeder he had brought something with him that might provide an extra large dose of good luck.

“Tyler said he had Brad’s (Hanners) sulky with him and he wanted to hook Freddy up to it for the race,” said Brannon. “Trace (Tetrick) has done really well with the horse and Tyler is doing terrific with him now that he has been driving him, but Brad was the one that made this horse. He was always one of his favorites and if it wasn’t for him, I don’t know if Freddy ever would have accomplished what he has. He taught him how to be a racehorse. You can never say if the sulky did provide some good fortune, but it certainly fit the situation. What made it perfect is he won and it was like everything came full circle.”

A son of the ill-fated world champion I Scoot Hanover and the tremendous Artsplace broodmare Precious Sarah, Freddyscooter is a newly turned 11-year-old gelding co-owned by Brannan and Frederick Shiery. He is a dual Indiana Sire Stakes champion, the highest earning offspring for his sire and dam, became one of only seven horses to pace in under 1:50 at Hoosier Park in 2009 and has amassed $894,895 during his career. His resume stands at 180-49-33-33 and he established his lifetime mark of 1:49.2 at age nine.

Conrad photo

Freddyscooter has amassed $894,895 during his career.

Since leaving the friendly confines of Hoosier Park, a place he knows and loves well, Freddyscooter has collected two triumphs in two trips at Hollywood Dayton, the last in the Open Handicap ranks.

“When he won his last race I didn’t even realize it was his 49th win,” Brannan said. “I don’t really keep track of that with him. He was supposed to race in between those two races, but I scratched him after one of his hoofs had a bit of a scratch. If he is not more than 100 percent he does not race.

“I was also telling Tyler, who really fits this horse well and deserves a lot of credit, I’ll have to give him a break here soon. I normally do all my racing at Hoosier and that is where he will go back, but he was doing well so we thought we could give him a shot out here. Tyler couldn’t believe I would give him some time off when he is doing so well, but he’s 11 now. I’ve never pushed him his entire career and I don’t plan on starting now.”

Although Precious Sarah only collected just over $1,000 during her racing days, she has been worth her weight in gold to Brannan. She has also produced Rebelman (Electric Yankee, $459,975), Three Sparkles (Threefold, $167,810) and Funny Deacon (Full Of Fun, $431,616). Only one of her 13 registered foals of racing age failed to hit the winner’s circle and that horse, Mr Bond (Real Desire, $1,932) just turned three. He has only made three trips to the gate.

Brannan also has a 2016 2-year-old daughter out of that mare by Rockin Image that he is high on.

“This is her last foal and even training her down early on I can tell she has talent,” he said. “Her name is Rockin Sarah. She (Precious Sarah) slipped under cover to Hypnotic Blue Chip and she has done more than anyone could ever have imagined for us. I decided just a couple weeks ago it was time to retire her and turn her out in the fields. To say she has earned it is an understatement. All her foals could go. Every single one of them. How often can you say that?”

Brannan and his wife Nanci have raised Precious Sarah’s offspring themselves, while campaigning what will be eight of them in their own name.

“Fred (Shiery) has bought half of nearly all of her foals and the ones he owned by himself I’ve trained,” Brannan said. “Freddy is definitely the best and he is so much more than a racehorse to us. He actually is one of the most spoiled horses you will ever meet and is a complete pet. My wife loves him as much as I do and she works with him all the time. She also deserves a lot of credit for everything she does with him to keep him in such good shape.”

Although Freddyscooter definitely enjoys competing, there are certainly other aspects of life that please him.

“He knows where the wire is and he likes getting there first,” Brannan said. “But let me tell you, he is one hard son of a gun to hold when it comes to getting him in the winner’s circle. That is where he behaves the worst. It’s a good thing they don’t have to hand out trophies when he is there because he will not stand for that long. It’s the only time he misbehaves at all.

“In fact, it’s surprising he acts that way because I’ve never seen a horse that likes attention this much. He just soaks it up like a sponge, from anyone that will give it to him. We always were part of the barn tours at Hoosier Park and he just loves the people coming by to see him. We still have Rebel (Rebelman) his brother too and he likes people as well, but this one wants all the attention all the time. We give him anything he wants. Rebel too.”

Obviously the gelding is approaching the end of his time on the track and has already accomplished a multitude of feats that have made the Brannans exceptionally proud of him, but there is one more thing his connections hope to witness prior to his retirement.

“He is easy on himself and like I said, I have never pushed him,” Brannan said. “I never will. I know he has lost a step and can’t go with the very best horses like he used to. I’ll never beat him up trying to keep him in those classes, but as long as he is healthy and still happy out there we will continue to race him.

“I really would like to have a million dollars on his card before he retires. He deserves to be a millionaire with all he has done. It is a goal, but if he can’t make it, that’s it. He has a forever home here with us and already provided more than we could ever dream of.”