Owner setting 2012 plans for Havre de Grace

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Stanton, DE (Sports Network) - Four-year-old filly Havre de Grace will recuperate from this year's Breeders' Cup Classic and then begin training for another racing season in 2012. The top vote getter in the final NTRA Poll is back home from Churchill Downs for her owner Rick Porter and trainer Larry Jones.

"I feel Havre de Grace did her very best under the circumstances of the race track and being pinned in by the eleven horse," Porter commented on rockportharbor.com. "She didn't fire when Ramon got her out at about the 3/8ths pole like she usually does but Ramon told me yesterday (Tuesday) on the phone that he felt she just didn't handle the track like she usually does. Many people thought the track was very strange on both Friday and Saturday. Ramon did say she started picking it up down the lane and finished well."

Havre de Grace had one those rare campaigns in 2011 that few racehorses ever have. She won multiple stakes versus all competition and traveled where the top rivals were based. Her fourth-place showing in the 1 1/4-mile Classic didn't tarnish her luster.

"I am very proud of the year she had and extremely proud of the way Larry handled her," Porter remarked. "He just was terrific and shows how good a horseman he is and what a great trainer he is."

Porter and Jones look ahead to next year for Havre de Grace. With a chance to being named 2011 Horse of the Year and Older Filly and Mare, the horse can once again make history in 2012.

"We have a big year planned for 2012 and just hope she stays sound and keeps her great disposition," said Porter. "Thank you Havre de Grace for all the great times in 2011 and hold your head high after Saturday's Breeder's Cup."