As the horse racing world ushered in 2024, they also had some surprises lined up. Considering the unpredictability of the sport, it’s just a matter of seconds before the tables turn for better or for worse. The year 2023 has been unexpectedly successful for several equines and the village responsible for their achievements. But what 2024 holds is way beyond anybody’s imagination. To understand better, let’s look at the recent Penn National Race Course event.

Boasting a magnificent Hollywood Casino, the Penn National Race Course welcomes enthusiasts to savor the year-long event starting in January. With outdoor stadium seating, the Thoroughbred horse-racing track showcases none but icons to marvel at. In the same vein, one of the primary events of Penn was a once-in-a-lifetime dead heat.

Dead heat, a horse racing parlance, procured by the same owner

There’s a popular saying that parents can’t have a favorite. But most parents disregard the taboo, thus preferring one child over the other subtly. But Bush Racing Stable can’t relate, as Crazy Legs Hirsch is on par with My Redemption. Both the equines owned by BRS had taken part in a recent horse racing event at Penn National Race Course. But little did the judges know that the Tim Kreiser-trained duo touched the mark at the same time. After scrutinizing the landslide victory aka photo finish, it was declared as the same owner’s dead heat (finishing on even terms), a rare occurrence in history.

“Let’s hope for a dead heat” is a casual saying before a racing event kicks off. However, it never came to fruition until it did on January 11. The ecstatic Bush Racing Stable owner, David Bushey, said, “I think it will be a once-in-a-lifetime thing”. And the trainer chimed in to add, “It might be a first at Penn National,” speaking this in his 41st year at Penn National. But dead heat is not a recurrent phenomenon involving the same trainer and owner.

How infrequent are dead heats?

For the first time in two years, the second week of 2024 witnessed a cherishable instance. The last time was recorded in 2021 at Ferndale. Two equines named Noble Girl and Luno, both owned by Gabriel Alan Williams and Bruno Maelfeyt trained, had shared the golden podium with $3,200 each.

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Since the turn of the century, the Penn National Race Course dead heat touched the double-digit mark. Initially, none of the two horses, Crazy Legs Hirsch and My Redemption, looked strong enough to run for victory. But in no time, Crazy Legs Hirsch was rallying outside and My Redemption was diving inside. Bryan Bushey, co-managing the stable with his son David, said, “I mean to have that happen. I don’t know if I’ll ever experience that in another night of racing”. Let’s see what more surprises await in 2024.

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