Monticello, NY — When we think of retirement and aging, our mind conjures up images of old, grey and feeble, but this is certainly not the case for the following productive quartet of Standardbreds.
On Thursday (Dec. 26), Monticello Raceway celebrated the career accomplishments of four older warriors, Provocativeprince N ($740,507–1:52.3h), Machtu N ($534,637–1:50.4h) Milady Denver A ($358,021–1:52) and Doctor Butch, ($1,671,973-1:48.1). The foursome have combined lifetime earnings of $3,305,138 and 2154 wins. The two New Zealand imports, Provocativeprince N and Machtu N continue to race competitively, as they have 27 combined wins in 2024.
Provocativeprince N shows no signs of slowing down and has been campaigned by Anthony Regina. He is the second winningest horse of the year at Monticello Raceway with an astounding 15 wins with earnings of $69,108, winning in 1:54.2. He took his lifetime record of 1:52.3h as a 7-year-old. The son of Grinfromeartoear has started 300 times with 50 lifetime wins. He was a familiar face at Yonkers Raceway where he raced for the majority of his career. Still on top of his game and with plenty in the tank, the plans are to race him in the amateur events.
Another warrior that shows absolutely no sign of slowing down is Machtu N, fresh off his thrilling Maine farewell tour win at Cumberland Raceway with McGwire Sowers at the helm for trainer and owner Tammy Sowers. The son of Mach Three is having one of his best years in his long career with 12 trips to the winner’s circle. He has been productive his entire racing career, earning his record of 1:50.4h as a 6-year-old. In his final year of racing, he continues to be productive, reaching the winner’s circle 12 times, earning $40,838.
Milady Denver A is trained by Michael Annunziata. The daughter of Our Sir Vancelot has been behind the starting gate 328 times in her career, amassing $358,021 in earnings and taking her mark of 1:52 as a 10-year-old. She was lightly raced early in her career, but as an 8-year-old she became a regular earner in overnight competition. She was accompanied in the winner’s circle presentation by Dan Smith.
Doctor Butch (Art Major–Classical Yankee) sports an impressive resume with lifetime earnings of $1.6 million and a record of 1:48.1. At 2 he won his elimination of the Lawrence B. Sheppard Pace and finished second in the $119,000 final. He dominated the New York Sire Stakes at 2, winning five legs and the $225,000 final. He won the $275,000 Art Rooney Pace as a 3-year-old. Six times in his career he won over $100,000. His best year was in 2015 when he took his lifetime best of 1:48.1 and earnings of $218,165. After a successful start standing stud in Virginia for a few years, he has been relocated to New Jersey starting in 2025. He was trained in his early years by Hall of Fame Trainer Linda Toscano and was owned by Ken Jacobs.