Earlier this year trainer Noel Daley had a plan for his top sophomore colts. On the pacing side, Captain Albano had his schedule spaced out not just to maximize profits but hopefully keep the Captaintreacherous-sired colt primed for a solid fall campaign. On the trotting end, Daley suggested early he was more concerned with getting four good efforts in place before the Hambletonian for Sig Sauer, a horse he thought highly of despite limited starts in a crop that included a pair of juvenile millionaires. With his Little Brown Jug victory just a few weeks ago, Captain Albano annexed the third leg of the pacing Triple Crown in fine style. Then last Sunday (October 6) Sig Sauer overcame an outside draw and an improbable trip to first pass favored Highland Kismet into the stretch and then easily hold off second-choice and Hambletonian champion Karl, along with others, while winning the Kentucky Futurity. The son of Muscle Hill oddly has been hampered by some physical issues off the racetrack and then when in Triple Crown events has somehow drawn post eight on three occasions. "We've had issues with bone soreness," said Daley when asked about the quirky nature of Sig Sauer's schedule, and in some cases performances. "I could tell warming him up that he was good to go on Sunday." Daley's feel for Sig Sauer's condition is a big part of the colt's success, and that driver Andy McCarthy had the confidence to drive his horse to the fullest given the competition, post position and prestige of the event, is extraordinary. McCarthy's steer in the Kentucky Futurity was epic in that he gave his horse every chance to win the race despite a frenetic pace being put down right before his eyes. "I was a little concerned about Sig Sauer following the recall," said Daley. "But when Andy passed by the draw gate, he gave me a little smile and I knew the colt was good to go." Daley's belief in Sig Sauer has been high since the start of his 2-year-old campaign that was unblemished prior to last year's Grand Circuit meet at the Red Mile. "In hindsight I probably shouldn't have raced him," said Daley of Sig Sauer's lone defeat after he miscued in a Bluegrass division. Sig Sauer's win on Sunday puts him even with Karl when going head-to-head this year, with Sig Sauer winning a division of the Dancer in then season’s best 1:50 at the Meadolwands in June and the Kentucky Futurity in a career and 2024's fastest mile, a 1:49 3/5 effort. Karl bettered Sig Sauer in both the Hambletonian elimination and final, but Daley felt luck played a key role in that outcome. "Andy had to use him hard making two moves to get the front in the Hambo," Daley said. "Then in the stretch I think if we can get out earlier, he could have gotten some momentum." McCarthy and Sig Sauer were locked in the pocket behind a stubborn yet tiring T C I turning into the homestretch of the Hambletonian, with Karl pinning them to the pylons. McCarthy would first look inside in mid-stretch but found no opening, and then angle across the track for room late where Sig Sauer finally had chance to accelerate. The effort would result in a fourth-place finish. "Karl and Highland Kismet are both very good horses," said Daley. "But I've believed all along that my horse could go with them." While Daley had reason to stay humble as Sig Sauer was rested following a victory in the Beal at Pocono in mid-August, he was happy with the support he was getting. "The owners were great with this horse," Daley said. "We skipped Canada and they were very patient giving me time to get him healthy." That patience has now paid off in a major way for the owners, not just in Sig Sauer's purse earnings but more than likely a potentially lucrative stallion career. "He's a beautiful-looking horse that they gave $200,000 for," said Daley of Sig Sauer. "Plus, his maternal family is red- hot right now." ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter Daley was speaking about the hefty price paid for a pair of very close relatives to Sig Sauer at the just completed Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. Andrew Harris and company paid $425,000 for the Gimpanzee-sired brother to Sig Sauer, while a group of owners got together and paid $550,000 for a Tactical Landing-sired filly and first foal from Love Muffin, a sister to the dam of Sig Sauer. For Daley, the Kentucky Futurity was the stars aligning finally for a colt that had missed the chance to compete against Karl and T C I as a juvenile and then for much of 2024 has been overshadowed on racing's highest stage while spending most of his hours away from the racetrack. Daley was quick to credit a change in equipment that he believes made Sig Sauer even better in the Futurity. "It was the first time we took the shoes off," said Daley, who made it a ritual with many of his horses during the two-week Red Mile Grand Circuit meeting. "I definitely think first-time shoes off gives the horses a boost. R Melina (Kentucky Filly Futurity winner) also took them off for the first time, and Nifty (Norman) took them off Bella's Musclehill (a surprising third in the Futurity)." The next challenge for Sig Sauer will be the Breeders Crown at the Meadowlands, and Daley is hoping that his horse will feel as good then as he did in the aftermath of the Kentucky Futurity. "He was full of himself and recovered quickly," said Daley, who witnessed Sig Sauer enjoying the moment during a post-pace celebration back at the barn. "For the Breeders Crown I'm probably going to have to put shoes back on him for the eliminations and hopefully get to take them off again for the final," said Daley, mapping out plans that help to repeat the Kentucky Futurity performance. In what appeared to be a two-horse race for divisional honors, Sig Sauer's Kentucky Futurity victory adds more significance to the Breeders Crown, and one must wonder whether rivals Highland Kismet or Karl will be capable of bounce-back efforts in short order. Highland Kismet, much as he did in the Hambletonian, found himself active at high speed for a long portion of the mile. The 52 4/5 half clocking was extraordinary, as was the 1:21 three quarters. Karl was given another perfect drive by Yannick Gingras but had no finishing punch in the stretch for the first time in his career. It was also the first time he'd lost consecutive races. To be fair to the rest of the division, Canadian Trotting Classic winner Amazing Catch put in another big effort, closing for second after getting shuffled on the final turn. Daley is enthusiastic about Captain Albano's form heading into the Breeders Crown. "He's feeling great right now," said Daley of the current division leader who is looking for his second Dan Patch Award that could be sealed with a Crown victory. The 3-year-old finished second, timed in 1:51 3/5, during a Thursday (10/10) qualifier at the Meadowlands in preparation for the Breeders Crown. Daley expects the son of Captaintreacherous to be a major stallion draw Down Under when his racing days are complete. "He could breed 250 mares there. They are looking for a son of Captaintreacherous to breed to," he said. While Daley is more than happy with how his 3-year-olds have raced this year, he's hoping that a 2-year-old trotting filly that has been a little late to the game could emerge in the next few weeks. Miss Belmar made just her third career start in an International Stallion Stakes event on Saturday (October 5) and was a fast-closing third. "She was my best filly training down, but we've had some hiccups with her," said Daley about the daughter of Muscle Hill. "Andy (McCarthy) had to stop her twice when she stuck her toes in." To Daley's amazement, Miss Belmar lost significant ground into the first turn and on the last turn in her stakes engagement, and then absolutely flew through the stretch, missing just a half-length in a 1:52 1/5 mile. Impressing Daley even more about Miss Belmar was that the filly was in the toughest division. Onajetplane, a son of Walner, has been another bright spot for Daley. The freshman colt followed up a solid effort in the Mohawk Million with a 1:52 2/5 lifetime-best performance in an International Stallion Stake division on October 4. He'll be heading for the Breeders Crown and a return to the Meadowlands, where he captured the $250,000 New Jersey Classic on September 6. Through solid planning and some good fortune trainer Noel Daley's stable seems primed to close out 2024 in style.