by Tom Kelley, publicity director, Balmoral Park

Crete, IL — The definition of a war horse couldn’t be more appropriate than for Fort Silky, who continues to impress harness fans week after week — despite being a healthy and hardy 9-year-old. What’s the secret for his success?

Perhaps the key lies with his home life. The Leonard family — trainer Terry and driver Casey — have a long history of campaigning older horses. Fans will recall the tough Well To Do Guru, among others.

David Baum photo

Fort Silky has banked $781,376 in his career.

A winner of $781,376 in his career, Fort Silky, a gelded son of Ft Apache Hanover, has raced consistently since age three. He has been part of the Leonard team since late November 2012, and will be trying for career triumph 57 in Saturday’s $92,000 Maurello Memorial for older pacers at Balmoral Park.

Since joining team Leonard he’s amassed slightly more than $500,000 for owners-breeders John Prentice and Neva Jane Ikeler.

“My father and uncle (Gary “Wiggles” Leonard) bought and paid for our farm by working with old sore claimers week after week — keeping them sound and racing,” Casey, 38, explained. “They passed that program down to myself and my brother Ross and we continue with those today. It doesn’t hurt that my dad shoes all of our horses himself, either. I think these kinds of horses respond well to our program, which includes a lot of fresh air, swimming and patience.

“Fort Silky has more guts than any other horse I’ve driven in the past,” Casey continued. “He’s the type that does the heavy lifting — he goes out week after week and grinds out the miles so other horses can sit in the pocket and benefit from his hard work.

“When I first got him, (Hall of Famer) Dave Magee came up to me and said, ‘Fort Silky is one tough horse.’ That’s saying a lot — those words — coming from someone like Dave Magee, who has seen and driven all kinds of horses over the years.”

This season Fort Silky has earned $56,709 from six wins, seven seconds and two thirds in 20 starts. Unfortunately, his last few races have been sub-par.

“I really wish this Super Night was either a month earlier or a month later from now,” Casey admitted wistfully. “This horse just isn’t himself. He’s had a breathing issue and we just can’t seem to get it under control right now. He’s been on antibiotics and they’re not helping him. I believe that it’s part chronic allergies and part virus. If he steps up and wins Saturday, I can honestly say I’ll be surprised.”

Fort Silky was third in this same event in 2014, and second in the 2013 edition.

“The other side of the coin is that Fort Silky is another year older and another year less sound than he has been in the past,” Casey assessed. “In addition, this year’s race is made up of the toughest field of horses that I’ve seen in the last ten years. In the past, there were always one or two standouts that were going to be tough to beat, but this year, the whole field is outstanding. In fact, this field is made up of horses that could be an invitational field at any track in North America. That’s how impressive it is.”

Lifetime, Fort Silky has been behind the starting gate 226 times, with 56 wins, 51 seconds and 33 thirds. He recorded his career mark of 1:49.3 at Balmoral Park on Feb. 23, 2013 at age seven.

“He’s gritty and he’s tough,” Casey said. “And he always gives 200 percent on the track. You can’t ask for anything more from a horse so I would not count him out.”