by Monica Thors

Princeton, NJ — The Standardbred horse documentary “Harness Dreams,” which tells the story of Real Desire’s success, will be rebroadcast on satellite television this month.

The popular show has received accolades from harness racing fans and followers, including many who purchased copies of the show since its debut on RFD-TV in 2005. Viewers who subscribe to either DirecTV (channel 379) or The DISH Network (channels 9398 and 9409) can see the show as part of the “Horse Babies” series in March. The show times are Thursday, March 29 at 5:30 and 11:30 p.m., and Friday, March 30 at 9:30 a.m.

“Harness Dreams” was co-produced by Vigilante Films of Bozeman, Montana, Monica Thors of Princeton, New Jersey, and Amy Krause of Skillman, New Jersey. It was selected as a finalist in the prestigious Festival EPONA, an equine film festival held in Cabourg, France. The 24-minute documentary was co-sponsored by Peter Gerry on behalf of the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, and prominent Standardbred owner and breeder George Segal.

“Horse Babies,” a multi-part series produced by Stephen and Blake Ellis of Vigilante Films, also presents shows about Arabians, Miniature Horses and other breeds, as well as horse facilities around the country.

The story behind “Harness Dreams” is the saga embarked on by the then relatively unknown young husband and wife team — Blair and Karin Burgess — when they purchased a very modest priced yearling — Real Desire — in the fall of 1999.

Real Desire was bred by Fair Island Farm Inc., raised at Brittany Farms, and sold as a yearling at the Harrisburg Sale with Preferred Equine Marketing as agent. The film follows the thrills and challenges of the modest and humble trainer-caretaker duo who together developed their bargain-priced ($16,000) acquisition into a high money earning stakes class racehorse, and ultimately a world champion.

In a span of three years, Real Desire won 25 of his 40 lifetime starts, amassed nearly $3.2 million in purse earnings, took a record as a 4-year-old of 1:48.2 in the US Pacing Championship at The Meadowlands on August 3, 2002, and was voted 2002 Horse Of The Year.

The piece portrays how hard work, love of the horse and unfaltering dedication to the caring for and training of a young horse can lead to the fulfillment of the ultimate dream — the acquisition, building and owning of a family farm. The Burgess Farm in Milton, Ontario today is “the farm that Real Desire bought and built.”

Videographed, directed and co-produced by the distinguished equine photographer, Monica Thors, the production of “Harness Dreams” enlisted the assistance from many folks in the harness racing sport including John Campbell, Marty Adler, Gen Sullivan, and Sam McKee.

Making a brief appearance in the documentary is the legendary George Segal, squire of Brittany Farms, where Real Desire was consigned and sold.

For the 2007 breeding season, Real Desire has moved from Kentucky to Pennsylvania, and currently stands at stud with Walnridge Farms.

Further information about “Harness Dreams”, the Festival EPONA and the “Horse Babies” Series is available at www.mtphoto.com/harnessdreams.htm, www.cheval-francais.com and www.vigilantefilms.com.

To obtain a DVD copy of “Harness Dreams” contact Monica Thors at (609) 933-1689 or by email at monicathors@comcast.net.