by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager
Hightstown, NJ — Like many horse owners, Richard Gutnick heads into this season with hope for his 2-year-olds, but in Gutnick’s case it is quite literal. Among his horses generating optimism is homebred trotter Hatikvah, which is Hebrew for “the hope” and is the title of the poem-turned-song that became Israel’s national anthem.
“I always liked the sound of it,” Gutnick said of the name. “It is the Israeli national anthem, but it also means ‘the hope.’ And what better name for a horse but ‘the hope’ because we’re all dreaming. In 2012, I felt like I lived a dream. I’m hoping to relive that dream in the future with the horses.”
In 2012, Gutnick’s trotter Chapter Seven was named Horse of the Year, his Market Share won the Hambletonian and captured divisional honors, and Gutnick himself was named harness racing’s Owner of the Year.
Gutnick entered this spring with three 2-year-olds in his stable. Hatikvah is a son of Chapter Seven out of Southwind Confetti. The colt is a full brother to Tribute To Seven, a filly who was slowed last year by surgery to remove a bone chip but who competes in the Empire Breeders Classic on Memorial Day at Vernon Downs.
Hatikvah and Tribute To Seven are trained by Linda Toscano.
“Tribute To Seven has got a big engine, and I think Hatikvah has an even bigger engine,” Gutnick said. “I have high expectations for him. We’ve got a long way to go but he does everything right and everything easily. You can’t ask for more at this stage. But I’m trying not to get too high because when you get too high it’s a longer fall.”
Gutnick’s remaining 2-year-olds are Magnificent Seven and Radical Roy.
Magnificent Seven, bred by Gutnick and Bill Augustine, is a son of Chapter Seven out of stakes-winner Southwind Cocoa. Gutnick shares ownership of the Ed Hart-trained colt with Joseph Lozito Jr., Tom Pontone’s TLP Stable, and Ted Gewertz. Ontario-bred Radical Roy is a son of Royalty For Life out of Radical Janey, who is a full sister to Canada’s 2006 Horse of the Year Majestic Son. Gutnick shares ownership with trainer John Bax and Don Allensen.
“I love watching the (2-year-olds),” Gutnick said. “When the other ones are coming back, you already have expectations. With the babies, you’re not really sure what to expect. Even though Hatikvah has looked phenomenal, you really don’t know until they get behind the gate and go head to head with other horses. Then you’ll see which ones have the determination and attitude to go on.
“But to me, I love this time of year. It’s the fruition of a long wait. I love racing. The breeding is OK, but the wait is murder.”
In addition to his 2-year-olds, Gutnick’s stable includes three homebred 3-year-old trotters: Tribute To Seven, Crime Fighter, and Seven Knights.
Market Share, now age 9, has been retired. His last race was Nov. 11 at the Meadowlands and he completed his career with 32 wins in 100 starts and $3.79 million in purses. He was a two-time Dan Patch Award winner, for best 3-year-old male trotter in 2012 and best older male trotter in 2013.
The gelding, trained by Toscano and driven primarily by Tim Tetrick throughout his career, counted the Hambletonian, Breeders Crown Open Trot, Maple Leaf Trot, and Canadian Trotting Classic among his wins. Gutnick said an attempt to get Market Share a home at the Kentucky Horse Park was unsuccessful, but the horse is turned out at Tetrick’s farm, where Tim’s wife Ashley has been getting Market Share accustomed to being ridden.
“Whatever makes the horse happy,” Gutnick said. “I got in the business for my love of the animal. You have to do what is right. He doesn’t owe us anything; we owe him a lot.”