Grove City, OH — Lucky Lime put us on the edge of our seats for the last time as he narrowly captured his final lifetime start on Thursday (Jan. 26) at Miami Valley Raceway.

Lucky Lime was a narrow winner in his final career start. Conrad photo.

Driven by Trevor Smith, the 14-year-old gelded son of Rocknroll Hanover left conservatively from post four. After getting away seventh in the :28.1 opening quarter, Lucky Lime wasted no time in following cover. Past the half in :57.3, 7-1 Lucky Lime stayed patient as long as he could before pulling three-wide on the backside.

The seasoned professional rocketed to the three-quarter pole in 1:27.3 but 9-2 Skipping Stone came rushing to challenge as well. Both geldings sat neck and neck down the stretch, digging in every stride. With a photo finish, it was Lucky Lime who crossed the finish line first for the final time in 1:57. He returned $17.20 to win. Skipping Stone (Dan Noble) was second with Some High Dreamer (Tyler Smith) in third.

Lucky Lime spent the most lucrative part of his career with the late Ohio Hall of Fame trainer, Dan Ater. Ater’s son, Kyle, took over conditioning after Dan’s passing in 2021. The gelding is owned by Kirk Nichols of Ohio.

With 344 lifetime starts completed, Lucky Lime closes the curtain with 63 victories, 47 second place finishes, and 42 third place finishes. The gelding amassed $738,311 in lifetime earnings and established his record of 1:50.4 at the age of 4 in 2013. His richest year came in 2017 when he banked $151,090. In 2018, he was known as the “People’s Horse” at Eldorado Scioto Downs and finished in a dead heat in a match race against Foiled Again.

Through the years, Lucky Lime continued to be the People’s Horse and has more than earned his retirement. The gelding will now spend his time out to pasture with longtime caretaker Eileen Washington.

When asked about Lucky Lime’s life after racing, Washington commented, “Now he’ll take care of me.”