Fort Washington, MD — For Chris Ryder, the next few weeks are going to be bittersweet. Bettor’s Wish, a moderately priced pacing colt Ryder picked up as a yearling for $20,000, will end his racing career.

After 23 wins and $2.4 million in earnings, Bettor’s Wish will head off to stud at Diamond Creek Farm in Pennsylvania in 2021. Sunday’s (Nov. 15) Potomac Pace Invitational at Rosecroft will be one of the 4-year-old’s last starts.

Bettor’s Wish has posted 23 wins and $2.4 million in earnings in his career. USTA/Mark Hall photo.

“Oh, it’s going to be tough,” said trainer and co-owner Ryder. “He’s part of the family. He’s a beautiful horse to have around the barn. He’s never any trouble, always does everything right. He’s been a real gift.

“What do you say? He shows up every week. He’s a horse of a lifetime.”

“He’s like an old mate,” said driver Dexter Dunn.

Along with victories this year in the Sam McKee Memorial, Dayton Pacing Derby and the Allerage Open Pace, where he set a Red Mile track record, Bettor’s Wish finished second Oct. 31 in the $500,000 Breeders Crown Open.

Recipient of the 2019 Dan Patch Award for best 3-year-old male pacer, Bettor’s Wish has rewarded Ryder and his connections with some special memories.

Last year Bettor’s Wish won the Art Rooney Pace, the Matron Stakes, and a division of the Tattersalls Pace. His second-place finishes came in the North America Cup, Meadowlands Pace, Messenger Stakes and TVG Series Open Pace.

Not bad for a $20,000 yearling.

“I guess he slipped through the cracks,” Ryder said.

“He’s such a gutsy horse,” said Dunn before the Breeders Crown in October. “His attitude is amazing and makes my job easy because he’s so versatile. It’s not an easy move (from ages 3 to 4), but you know he’s going to go out there and give you 100 percent.

“I’ll miss him, that’s for sure.”

Considered the top older pacer this year, Bettor’s Wish enters the Potomac Pace after finishing behind Century Farroh in the Breeders Crown as the betting favorite. Bettor’s Wish, who drew post nine in the Breeders Crown, will leave from post six Sunday evening while Century Farroh leaves from post five. Backstretch Shadow (third in the Breeders Crown) and This Is The Plan (fourth in the Breeders Crown), both trained by Ron Burke, will also leave inside Bettor’s Wish.

Despite the loss in the Breeders Crown, Ryder is optimistic heading into the Potomac Pace.

“He’s doing fine and came out of the Breeders Crown fine,” Ryder said. “The post killed us (in the Breeders Crown). The horse who beat us is a good horse and had a good trip. We’re looking forward to the race at Rosecroft. Hopefully, we’ll get a good trip.”

For complete entries for the Sunday card, click here.