Bedeviled by horses
By Jamie Coffy, Administrator of the USTA's Standardbred Equestrian Program
Daren Devil and Badasiwannabe were foaled in Illinois, two years apart. Both are bay pacing geldings, and despite their monikers, both are sweet-tempered. And today, both live under the care of Trent and Lara Mullins of Groveport, Ohio. But the two took separate paths to reach their pleasure horse owners.
Owner-trainer-driver Paul Liles of Batavia, Iowa, gave the Daren Devil his first lessons in harness. As a 2-year-old, Daren earned about $1800 for Liles but took him to the winner’s circle just once. In March 1994, the pacer was sold to trainer Jeffrey Tilden and partner William Ibarra. For 14 months, the Satanic son raced for them, earning more than $16,000 at Illinois tracks. In mid 1995, Ibarra changed partners, and the bay began paced in conditioned events for Ibarra and co-owners Richard and Jamie Smurdon.
For another two years, the pacer earned his keep, bringing home another $23,000, three more wins and taking a lifetime mark of 1:56.2 at Balmoral Park in late 1995. However, racing took its toll, and the pacer developed arthritis in both front ankles. After 116 starts, Daren Devil retired in August 1997 with $41,717 and seven wins to his credit.
In 1998, the Mullins were looking for a horse when they heard of "Daren" through the adoption group Humane Organization of Retired Standardbred Equines (HORSE) of Ohio.
The Mullins, with 21 years experience with horses, knew the bay had fallen on hard times before he came of HORSE of Ohio. He was thin, his coat rough, and his fetlocks sore. Despite this, they were impressed by the bay’s desire to please people.
Following a regimen of good feed, grooming, magnetic boots for his arthritis and Joint Renew II, the pacer’s soundness and health returned. His under saddle skills have progreessed to include a smooth canter.
"He is a very quick learner," Lara Mullins said. "He picks things up easily."
Since the fall of 1999, Lara’s husband Trent has benn Daren’s main rider. The two enjoy the trails together.
Meanwhile, Lara decided to search for a Standardbred jumping prospect. After several months, a trip to the Ohio Blooded Horse Sale in November 1999 and a check for $1200 resulted in a new member of the Mullins’ family: Badasiwannabe.
The 17 hand pacer, previously owned by John Leahy of Westchester, Illinois, was like a growing teenager—all lanky limbs. Perhaps because of this, the Cole Muffler son made breaks in his only start at 3, despite the tutelage of conditioner Joe Anderson, trainer of 2-year-old Colt Pacer of the Year, The Big Dog.
When looking at the bay, though, what Lara saw was not a racehorse failure but a potential jumping mount. Given time to mature, she feels he can be trained for jumping and dressage.
Within a week, Lara had a saddle on his back. "Breaking Cole to saddle took less than hour," Lara said. "He’s sweet, and he’s bomb proof."
Today, both horses enjoy their new careers as mounts for the Mullins.