Astar Thoroughbreds is all about family and fun at the racetrack. The only thing better than having a few bucks down on a winner is to be there with your family and friends as the owner or breeder of that winner. We have also partnered with some great people over the years and today our primary racing partners are Tom and Felicia Lindquist, Astar Lindquist Stables I, LLC.
After spending years developing predictive models in the corporate world, we entered the racing business. Without pre-conceived notions or antiquated theory, we applied proven business solutions and technology to all things racing. We utilize analysis methods and tools to develop probabilities for future foal earnings, breeding crosses, racing performance and profit margins.
After spending years developing predictive models in the corporate world, we entered the racing business. Without pre-conceived notions or antiquated theory, we applied proven business solutions and technology to all things racing. We utilize analysis methods and tools to develop probabilities for future foal earnings, breeding crosses, racing performance and profit margins.
Great Moments & HighlightsWe are often reminded how "Lucky" we are. These comments usually come from people who have been in horse racing or breeding for many years and run stables many times larger than ours.
With four different Two Year Old Stakes owned or bred Champions in less than a decade, many other Stakes wins, and a historical achievement of being the only owners ever to have the Two Year Old State Champions in both Minnesota and Iowa, in the same year we purchased them out of a two year olds in training sale, maybe we are lucky however, "Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect." ..............Ralph Waldo Emerson 2016 Minnesota Oaks Champion, Blazing Angel 2013 MTA Stallion Auction Lassie Stakes, BJs Angel 2012 Northern Lights Futurity Champion, Sugar Business 2012 MTA Minnesota Broodmare of the Year, Sugar Hills Miss 2011 T. Times MN Freshman Sire of the Year, Stormy Business 2010 Minnesota Distaff Champion, Sasha's Fierce 2008 Northern Lights Futurity Champion, Ice Rocket 2008 MTA Minnesota 2 Year Old Colt of the Year, Ice Rocket 2005 Iowa Cradle Champion, Timetobook 2005 ITOBA Iowa 2 Year Old Colt of the Year, Timetobook 2005 Iowa Sales Futurity Champion, The KB Kid 2005 Timeless Price Stakes Champion, The KB Kid 2005 Northern Lights Futurity Champion, The KB Kid 2005 MTA Minnesota 2 Year Old Colt of the Year, The KB Kid |
Astar Thoroughbred PositionsIn 2012 I wrote an article titled "Eight Innovations". It was published in the now defunct Thoroughbred Times. These controversial positions represented a strong view for what must be done to change thoroughbred racing from a survival mentality to a legitimate growing sport once again.
The Eight Innovations have seen some movement but now many years later the racing industry remains delusional and in denial regarding the obvious need for "aggressive" change. In truth, the sporting attraction of racing cannot stand on it's own and only exists due to subsidies (alternate gaming). Instead of re-engineering the product to be more acceptable to consumers in the competitive entertainment industry, racing fights change. It is a pity, as declines continue. Looking back, the 2012 Big Eight Innovations were: 1. Speeding Up The Sport to a reasonably competitive action to non-action ratio. 2. Expanding Gambling Options (Handicaped lines/lengths, fantasy equine/jockey teams across the nation, etc.) that are now so popular and growing in other sports. 3. Implementing uniform American medication and safety protocols, (Out of competition testing, whip rules, replacing dirt with Tapeta, pre-race veterinary exams, eliminating race day medication, transitioning to longer distance racing, etc.), and a National Commission to create consumer trust in the sport. 4. Using technology (Backside high definition video and audio monitoring) to "prevent", not inspect for, cheating....which will "assure" integrity. 5. Re-engineering "ancient" state breeding incentive programs (Clear percentage incentives, incentives which drive mare owners toward quality stallions, transitioning incentives to reward higher quality racing results, etc.) to focus on the Quality/Quantity of the racing product within each region. 6. Re-branding the sport based on integrity, trust, speed and consumer convenience as consumer driven changes are made. 7. Coordinating racing schedules and developing new consumer desired competitions, where racetracks cooperate for the good of the sport rather than compete for a supply of horses. 8. Modernizing Technology for the "New Generation" of technologically enabled consumers. The New Generation is not a bunch of Old Men sitting at tables needing 30 minutes between races to handicap, with newspaper like Daily Racing Forms and pencils! They look like this and use their phones for everything.....yes everything! |