Baillargeon’s Alarm Detector went off
Two weeks ago, Benoit Baillargeon should have been at Hoosier Park in Indiana for the $600,000 Breeders Crown two-year-old colt trot.
Instead of preparing Alarm Detector for the year’s richest event for the younger set, he was at his Guelph home watching the race on television.
On paper, it should have been his to lose, especially after winning the $400,000 William Wellwood in September, but it was not meant to be. “He came up with a bone bruise at that Wellwood win and we could not find what was wrong,” says Baillargeon, who has had another strong season.
“We did X-rays and ultrasound but nothing showed. Then the week before the Breeders Crown eliminations I trained him a mile in 1:58 at Mohawk Racetrack and he was strong — super strong. But the next day was not right — not real lame but something was not right.”
The mark of a top horseman is always doing what is right for the horse with the belief it pays off in the long run. That was Baillargeon’s thinking with Alarm Detector.
“I think he is a monster and the best trotter I’ve ever been around. I told the partners we should not go because we did not know what was wrong. They were all on board and it was not until we did an MRI that it was discovered that it was a bruise in the middle of the bone. He gets four to five weeks’ rest and all should be good, so while we missed the Breeders Crown, he’s going to be OK.”
That mishap aside, it’s been a great year for the horse who is sure to be named Canadian Two-Year-Old Colt Trotter of the Year. He won six of seven starts for $276,000 for owners Claude Hamel, Santo Vena and Tom and Elizabeth Rankin of St. Catharines. The group ponied up $110,000 a year ago to purchase him as a yearling. It’s a royal pedigree and deserved the price.
“I just love this horse and I’m really looking forward to the Hambletonian in August. He should be there. I like everything about him.”
Alarm Detector also added a lifetime best of 1:52.4 this year, showing he’s got that quick foot speed all the top horses have. Along with size, he appears to be the complete package.
Baillargeon has never won the Hambletonian, which is the ultimate exclamation mark on a horse trainer’s resume. No question this will be on his Christmas wish list.