One thing’s no secret. Midnight Secret has proven himself an athlete of exceptional durability. Racing 111 times, from the ages of 2 through 12, he earned $212,749 the hard way, at Belmont and Aqueduct at first, then moving to Finger Lakes to slug it out with the tough-knocking claimers. He made an admirable success of it, finishing in the money in 65 of his 111 starts! His record equally attests to his game attitude. Typical stewards’ comments are, “rallied,” “closed well,” and “good energy.” He knew what was expected of him and delivered consistently, a real pro. Debuting under trainer David Donk (who’d trained Dream Chase Farm resident Awad), Midnight Secret continued to earn his chops with Gregory Martin, then as a 4 year old entered the barn of Oscar S. Barrera, Jr., who trained him for the rest of his career. Barrera transferred him to Finger Lakes, which was to remain his home track. There, he had a rivalry with fellow Old Friends at Cabin Creek resident Karakorum Patriot—from several square-offs, they scored about even. But few can beat Midnight Secret’s hardihood. As Barrera put it: “You never read stories about horses like this, but they’ve got something special in their heart,” adding, “for a 12-year-old, he was like a 2-year-old. I walked him every day and he’d be prancing.” Old Friends thanks Oscar Barrera, Dr. Margaret Ohlinger, Suzie McCain of High Cliff Farm where Midnight Secret was bred, and Joy Dunn, for their generous help transitioning the gutsy gelding to his new life at Old Friends at Cabin Creek, New York: the Bobby Frankel Division.
Winnings:
111- 14 - 31 - 20, $212,749
Resided at Old Friends Cabin Creek, NY
Interesting Facts:
Retired at age 12. As of December 2009, resides at Old Friends at Cabin Creek in New York.
Joined Old Friends:
2009