from Harness Tracks of America

Tucson, AZ — Lou Guida, one of the most important and dynamic owners in the American harness racing industry before he moved his stable operation to Italy, returned to U.S. ownership at the Standardbred Horse Sale at Harrisburg, Pa., on Monday.

Guida bought 100 percent of hip number 65, Lancelot Nourrir, a Donato Hanover colt from the million dollar winner and 1:53 trotter Windylane Hanover, selling in the Peninsula Farms agent consignment for $125,000; 50 percent of hip number 128, Yankee Bluegenes, a Muscles Yankee colt from the Sir Taurus half-million dollar winner Vernon Blue Chip, sold by Perretti Farms, for $205,000; and 25 percent of hip number 149, Watermark Hanover, a Donato Hanover colt from the Supergill mare Water Star, selling in the Hanover Shoe Farm consignment, for $140,000.

Trainer Greg Peck, who will condition the horses, bought them as agent. Tom and Louis Pontone, part owners of 2009 Horse of the Year Muscle Hill, and Arthur Pronti and Patricia Bolte, owners of the Four Friends Stable, will partner with Guida and Peck in ownership of the horses.

Asked about the selections, Peck told HTA Executive Newsletter, “No one spends more time studying Standardbred pedigrees than Lou Guida. He works on them four or five hours a day, and knows them far better than most.

“As for me, I’m a big believer in videos, and much of my bidding reflects what I see in them. Not everyone shares that view, but the game is statistically improbable at best, and studying the videos increases racing probability and takes some of the speculation out of the game.”