It is said that you never get a second chance to make a first impression and in the world of standing Standardbred stallions that often rings true. A subpar first-crop debut can set a once highly-promising young stud back multiple years as he looks to make his mark in the uber-competitive industry. With explosive speed and a 1:49 4/5 lifetime mark, Greenshoe was considered to be something special as a stallion when brought in by Hanover Shoe Farms and tagged with a $25,000 per foal stud fee. On-track ability aside, as a son of $2.5 million earner Father Patrick from a Cantab Hall line that has produced over a dozen millionaires, the breeding also supported the lofty expectations. The masses flocked to the sales to get their hands on a Greenshoe yearling at the 2022 sales and subsequently the average horse sold for $104,458 (85 yearlings) between Lexington and Harrisburg. Anticipation was in the air for 2023 as to what they may accomplish and the results were just average, checking in ninth in total earnings and 20th in average per foal. It was a letdown for sure and boldly reflected at the major sales the following year when Greenshoe's average fell to $41,889. People were clearly fazed by the performance of his first crop and quick to toss him aside, but who doesn't love a good comeback story? Sometimes life isn't about the flavor of the month as much as it is realizing an opportunity to get in when the market is low and ride the wave back upstream. That was the good fortune to those who refused to believe the initial returns of Greenshoe's inability to produce quality horses. The proof is in the numbers as Greenshoe's second crop sits solidly second in total earnings in 2024 (up from 9th) and jumped from 20th to 5th in average earnings as well. Even his thought-to-be subpar first crop picked up their games this year by checking in 7th in total and 12th in average earnings. "I think trainers have learned how to handle his yearlings, be a little more patient with them, maybe," said Patti Murphy, Farm Manager at Hanover Shoe Farms. "They seem to fit in well with the Kentucky program as well as the PA Sire Stakes." The proof was also on the track at the recently concluded Breeders Crown at the Meadowlands when Greenshoe had a trio of starters in the finals and saw Go Dog Go finish a valiant first-over third in the 2-year-old colt and gelding trot, just 1 1/4 lengths behind divisional leader Maryland in a track and stakes record 1:51 4/5 over the Meadowlands surface. ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter Interestingly, Maryland ($1.1 million earned in 2024), a lock for 2-year-old Colt Trotter of the Year, is out of the mare Crucial, a daughter of Father Patrick, the sire of Greenshoe. While horses like Meshuggah, Greenspan and Go Dog Go lead the way in earnings from the Greenshoe line, he's clearly displayed the ability to pass on his raw speed through sons like Vic Zelenskyy, who owns a 1:50 1/5 record already. What these horses lack is a signature victory and Murphy for one feels there is still time for Greenshoe to make his mark on the Grand Circuit. "He has some good colts and I think he has the potential to do even better with his progeny," said Murphy, who gave a general timeline perspective on how long it is reasonable to wait for a top colt from a stallion. "We always hope that within the first four years something pops up." At this point Greenshoe has become a value play and it will be interesting to see how things play out at the Standardbred Horse Sale in Harrisburg since for the first time the majority of his foals will sell at that location. The Lexington Selected Sale averaged 48 yearlings per year by Greenshoe in 2022 and 2023 but only offered 20 this year. Harrisburg will go from an average of just under 40 in previous years to 63 at this year's auction which begins on November 4. "[The Greenshoes] are not going to pick up to where they were the first year but we are hoping they do better given their performance this year," said Standardbred Horse Sale manager Dale Welk. Hanover Shoe Farms sells nearly half of the total Greenshoe's at Harrisburg with 31 in their large consignment. Murphy was kind enough to point out a few of the standouts from her perspective: HIP #115 Emmett Hanover is from the extremely productive Emmylou Who and a full brother to Emoji Hanover (3,1:52 3/5s $175,170). He's very athletic and quick. HIP #116 Elysa Hanover is a half-sister to Breeders Crown finalist Elista Hanover (3,1:51 3/5 $479,832). HIP #130 Heiress Hanover is a daughter of Hannelore Hanover who is a gorgeous filly. She is a bit more refined than her full brother Loxahatchee (3, 1:54 4/5f), light on her feet and athletic. HIP #134 Hot Shot Hanover is a three-quarter sister to Hambletonian Oaks winner Heaven Hanover (3,1:50 3/5 $555,637). This filly impressed me with her solid build and muscular rear end. The Greenshoes don't typically have solid rear ends, they tend to drop off at the hips, but she's extremely solid behind. HIP #199 Skarloey Hanover is a full brother to Send It In Hanover (2,1:55 2/5 $113,352) and half-brother to Sadie Hanover (3,1:51 3/5 $233,454). He's 15.2 hands and covers some ground already. HIP #255 Sherlyn Hanover is a sister to Snowstorm Hanover (3,1:53 2/5; Int, 1:52 2/5), who earned $870,386 domestically and internationally, and Sambuca Hanover (3,1:52 4/5f $516,891). She's a very nice individual. While Hanover Shoe Farms is selling about half the total, there are certainly other interesting Greenshoe yearlings throughout the three yearling sessions at Harrisburg. To name a few, Diamond Creek Farm has a Greenshoe brother to Celebrity Bambino (3,1:50 4/5 $866,665) selling as HIP 96 on opening day named Giuseppe C, Cool Winds Farm is offering up a Kentucky and Pennsylvania eligible first-foal colt as HIP 219 Walnutmuscleshoes that sports names like Spellbound Hanover ($962K) and Marion Marauder ($3.3 million) on his page, and Walnridge Farm has a half-sister to recent Breeders Crown runner-up Miss Belmar selling as HIP 388. Despite his 2024 production resurgence, the market value continued to sag on Greenshoe at the 2024 Lexington Selected Sale and his average price decreased to $44,450. If that trend continues it could create a potential buying opportunity for the more patient owner or trainer. "They got deals on these horses last year and they more than made their money back on quite a few of them, so hopefully they'll be in demand," concluded Murphy.