by Gabe Wand, for the WHHA

Platteville, WI — There are a lot of rags to riches stories throughout harness racing, and this one ranks right up there with one of the best.

Tattler’s Jet, owned by David Carter of Eau Claire, Wis., was just a 2-year-old when he began his racing career at Cannon Falls, Minn. Although finishing last, Carter knew the colt had potential so after the educational race, he brought him back as a 3-year-old. Competing mostly in Wisconsin at the fairs, Tattler’s Jet hit the board only two out of 20 starts. Most of us would have thrown in the towel by the end of the season, but not Dave Carter.

Over the next couple of seasons, Carter continued to race Tattler’s Jet in the Midwest, each year gaining more experience and bankrolling a little more cash. It wasn’t until 2007 when Tattler’s Jet showed the world what he was made of. Racing at Colonial Downs, Tattler’s Jet took a mark of 1:50.2 — a feat very uncommon for a horse with deep Wisconsin roots. Perhaps even more amazing was the following year he took a winning mark of 1:51.3 and 1:50.3 the year after that.

Now this isn’t uncommon to Dave Carter (note Crafty Sailor’s success as a teenager). But all of Wisconsin was shocked when 12-year-old Tattler’s Jet stopped the timer in 1:49.2 in 2010 to become the fastest horse bred and raced in Wisconsin. With earnings of more than $265,000, Tattler’s Jet has shown all of Wisconsin what a bright future a small town Wisconsin horse has in his aging years.

Tattler’s Jet and owner Dave Carter will be honored at the Wisconsin Harness Horse Association’s annual banquet on Saturday, Jan. 22, at the Howard Johnson in Madison, Wis, with the James Laird Memorial Award For Excellence. Tickets are going fast for this honorable and fun filled event. If you are interested in attending the banquet and fund raising auction, please contact WHHA President Gabe Wand at gabewand@yahoo.com or call 608.574.5468.