by Tammy Knox, director of race marketing affairs, Hoosier Park

Anderson, IN — Total Truth took Hoosier Park Racing & Casino by storm in 2006, winning both his elimination and the final to establish a new stakes record of 1:50.1 in the Hoosier Cup.

Linscott Photography

Total Truth set the stakes record of 1:50.1 in the 2006 Hoosier Cup.

The son of Jenna’s Beach Boy was coming into the Hoosier State fresh off a victory in the $1 million North America Cup and silenced all doubters that he was up for the task. In eight days, Total Truth had brought home a paycheck of $912,500 for owners Pat and Marianne Callahan’s Only Money Stable.

“I remember our trip out to Indiana,” said Callahan. “We got lost on our way out there and a 13 hour drive turned into about a 17 or 18 hour trip. He (Total Truth) was on that trailer for a long time, so I didn’t know what to expect from him. But he won his first heat real handy and came back so strong in the final. It was a great thrill.”

Purchased for $18,000 as a yearling, Total Truth went on to complete his racing career with more than $2 million in earnings and 18 wins in 63 career starts. His career best time of 1:48.3 was taken at age four at the Meadowlands. He earned several awards, including 3-year-old Pacing Colt of the Year and Pacer of the Year in 2006.

“The biggest thing about our decision to take Total Truth to Indiana (to stand at stud) was based on the fact that it’s brand new and wide open for opportunities,” said Callahan. “He had some notice in the Hoosier Cup and set the stakes record that day, so we felt Indiana would be a good fit for him.”

In addition to his duties in Indiana, Total Truth is among the stallions available “down under” at the Stallion Station in Victoria, Australia. The standout athlete will be used for breeding in the southern hemisphere from September through December each year before returning to the states in time for the spring breeding season in Indiana.

“We sent him down there last year in September, and we were a month or two late getting him there for the breeding season,” said Callahan. “Everyone knows he will be coming this year and he’ll go back down in September.”

Total Truth has taken up residence at nearby Crimson Lane Farm, which is run by Ernie and Darla Gaskin. The training and breeding facility has been busy fulfilling requests for both him and their other stallion, Art’s Chip, this spring and are pleased with the response.

“He (Total Truth) has had a great response so far,” said Gaskin. “He’s right at 130 mares for his first year in Indiana. Those kinds of horses really speak for themselves. He is smart, classy, and fun to work with and a good addition to our operation.”

To help celebrate Total Truth’s past and future in the state of Indiana, the Callahans are sponsoring a blanket for The Total Truth Pace, slated as the 10th on the Hoosier Cup program. The blanket representing the black and red stable colors of George Teague will be presented to the winner of the race, which is one of four Indiana Sires Stakes for 3-year-old pacing colts.

“Total Truth is a big guy,” said Callahan. “He’s wide and strong, and a good prospect to be a great sire. We’ve sent five mares out to him and George (Teague) has sent eight or 10 mares to him. George really believes in this horse and has lots of faith that he will be a good sire.”