Hall of Fame

 



overtrick

Year of Induction: 
2013
Year of Birth: 
1960
Inducted as a: 
Racehorse
Immortal: 
Yes
Elected as Immortal: 
2012
Election Into Living Hall of Fame: 
2012
Year of Death: 
1982
Gait: 
Pacer
Record: 
p,2,1:59.4; 3,1:57.1h
Earnings: 
$407,483
Sire: 
Solicitor
Dam: 
Overbid
Sire of Dam: 
Hal Dale
Biography: 

Versatile pacer Overtrick was bred and owned by Immortals Helen R. and Leonard J. Buck of Far Hills, New Jersey. Foaled in 1960, he was trained and driven by Immortal John Patterson, Sr. Overtrick raced from 1962-1964 and had a lifetime record of 50-34-10-0 including fifteen two-minute miles.

In 1962 no two-year-old Standardbred had a faster time for a racing mile on a mile track than Overtrick's 1:59.4 (tied with Immortal Meadow Skipper), and he was sole owner of the fastest two-year-old Standardbred mile on a half-mile track (2:01.3h). Winning efforts that year included the Little Pat Stake, McMahon Memorial and Ohio Standardbred Futurity. Two-Year-Old Pacer of the Year Overtrick finished the season with a 16-10-3-0 record and $40,129 in earnings.

In 1963, Overtrick became the fastest Standardbred to ever race on a half-mile track. His 1:57.1 mark in the first heat of the Little Brown Jug would set seven world records, including the combined two-heat record of 3:54.4. Other wins in 1963 included the Liberty Bell, Battle of Saratoga, Hanover-Hempt, Geers and Messenger Stakes. Overtrick finished his sophomore campaign with a 23-16-4-0 record and earnings of $208,833, the most ever for a three-year-old pacer in a single season. His eleven two-minute miles were the most of any Standardbred that year. Overtrick was elected Three-Year-Old Pacer of the Year, placing second in the voting for Horse of the Year to Immortal Speedy Scot.

In 1964 Overtrick garnered the season records for a four-year-old Standardbred horse on both a mile track (1:57.2) and half-mile track (1:59.1h). Victories that year included the Realization, International Pace (defeating Immortal Cardigan Bay at 1 miles) and the 1-mile Empire Pace. (Overtrick defeated Cardigan Bay in two of their three meetings that year.) Despite being plagued by various injuries, he finished the season with an 11-8-3-0 record and $158,521 in the bank, narrowly missing Aged Pacer of the Year honors. Overtrick retired as the ninth-leading moneywinning Standardbred of all time.

With each season, Overtrick's winning and in-the-money percentages increased. As a two-year-old his winning percentage was 63% and his in-the-money percentage was 81%. As a three-year-old, 70% and 87%, and as a four-year-old, in spite of the injuries which led to his premature retirement, his winning percentage was 73% and in-the-money was 100%. Overtrick's lifetime winning percentage of 68% compares very favorably with several of his Immortal contemporaries, such as Meadow Skipper (44%), Cardigan Bay (54% in U.S.) and Bye Bye Byrd (52%). Overtrick defeated Meadow Skipper in over 70% of their many races together.

Overtrick retired to stud at Lana Lobell Farm in Pennsylvania. He sired winners of over $22M with one in 1:55 - Shadyside Trixie p,6,1:54.3 ($255,223) - and 81 in 2:00, but his legacy is through his daughters. He was a top broodmare sire with over 600 2:00 credits. His daughters have produced winners of over $68 million, including millionaires Falcon Seelster p,3,1:51h ($1,121,045) and trotter Sandy Bowl 4,T1:54.1 ($1,299,199). Overtrick is the sire of Gidget Lobell, dam of Immortal No Nukes p,3,T1:52.1 ($572,430). The Most Happy Fella line of stallions has been very successful with Overtrick mares, which produced such winners as LV Whiskers, No Nukes, Gold Coast Rocky and Peachbottom. In 1975 Overtrick was exported to Australia, where he died in late 1982.