by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Freehold, NJ — Frank Antonacci is delivering a gift idea for the holidays, and he’s using a horse rather than reindeer. He hopes it ends up being a present to the industry, as well.

In an effort to promote the sport and attract new owners, the 27-year-old trainer and the Lindy Farms Racing Stable are selling shares of their trotter Bourbon Slush, who was purchased as a yearling for $11,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale in November. One hundred shares will be sold for $500 apiece. Shares will be limited to three per individual. There will be no additional costs — such as for training or veterinary bills — for the new owners.

“I believe there needs to be a grass-roots effort for this industry to survive and thrive,” said Antonacci, whose grandfather Sonny Antonacci started the Connecticut-based Lindy Farms in the mid-1960s. “The trainers, the drivers, we need to do all we can do to promote the sport and bring in new owners and bring new interest. I feel that responsibility and I’m going to try to do this.

“I want to get people that aren’t in the business. I didn’t do this so that guys in the business think it’s a really good deal and want to get involved in it. The idea is to bring it down to a level where it’s plausible to a bigger population. I’m going to reach out to people in all walks of life that might have an interest in owning a racehorse or being involved in something like this. It gives them a level of entry where it’s not a major risk.”

Antonacci plans to use the Lindy Farm’s website, Facebook and Twitter to reach a wide audience. He also will use social media tools to keep owners of Bourbon Slush informed about the colt and hopes to host “open house” type gatherings for owners at the family’s farm.

“I think that’s the most exciting part about this,” Antonacci said. “I see it as a great opportunity to promote the industry. I think if we keep the communication up to date, and people know what’s going on with the horse, hopefully that experience alone is worth something to them. We know there is a risk the horse won’t race. But if people feel they’re getting some value that way, then hopefully they’ll try it again.”

Bourbon Slush is a son of Sand Vic-Jeans N Rings and his staking will include the New York Sire Stakes as well as the Hambletonian. Lindy Farms has been involved in the ownership of five Hambletonian winners and Antonacci rose to prominence in 2008 when he trained Crazed to a second-place finish in the race and later won the Colonial and Matron stakes.

Antonacci, who graduated from Boston College with a business degree, plans on racing Bourbon Slush through the summer and fall as a 2-year-old, and then will decide whether to sell the horse at auction or keep him for his 3-year-old season. The horse will be sold, at the latest, at the completion of his 3-year-old campaign.

“If there is a shortfall, there will be no assessment; Lindy Farms will take care of the shortfalls,” Antonacci said. “Any purse earnings are held in an account. At the end of service, when the horse is sold, all the sale proceeds and purse earnings are distributed.”

Antonacci is hopeful the horse will be successful. His family includes world champion Dicks Bell.

“He’s a nice athletic looking horse,” Antonacci said. “He looks like an athlete. We’re selling the dream.”

For more information about Bourbon Slush, visit the Lindy Farms website.