http://www.horseplayersracingclub.com/
Breed: Thoroughbred
Locations: Washington, Oregon, California, Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, Louisiana
Average Review (18)
We offer horse racing, breeding and pinhooking partnerships created by, and designed for, the everyday handicapper like you. We focus on bringing you quality pedigrees and conformation at value-based, affordable prices. We pride ourselves on partner communication, educating new investors in the business and building lasting relationships with our partners, HRC team and trainers.
We invite you to visit our website for information and entertainment. Free daily racing selections for tracks in our service areas!
In Operation Since:
2007
Managing partner:
Scott Gruender
Like we say, Horseplayers Racing Club was created by, and designed for, the everyday handicapper. Scott and Debbie Gruender formed HRC to share their passion for horse racing with partners in an affordable and exciting way through limited partnerships.
As an avid race fan and handicapper, Scott attended his first race as a toddler in England and has been hooked ever since. He grew up with an unrelenting passion for racing and all the excitement it has to offer. As a young, blue-collar handicapper, he dreamed of someday having more than just a passive interest in the Sport of Kings. He bought his first horse through a partnership over 20 years ago and his love for racing has grown expeditiously since then. Over the years, he’s formed and managed many racing and breeding partnerships and as his knowledge and experience grew, so did his success.
His unique blend of talents – racing experience, relationship building, business sense and writing skills led him to write a book about jockeys. In 2006, “Jockey: the Rider’s Life in American Thoroughbred Racing” was published by McFarland and Company. Through a compilation of over 150 interviews with jockeys, agents, trainers and racing officials, the book tells the story of what it’s like to be a jockey. As a member of the National Turf Writers Association, Scott has national exposure to racing insiders.
Scott is a veteran handicapper and NTRA/Daily Racing Form National Handicapping Championship qualifier in 2008 and has been a guest on several TV and radio shows in the past few years. A respected horseman with business experience and professional communication background, he is uniquely qualified to lead this public partnership venture.
Additional key players:
Debra Gruender
Office Manager / Owner
Debbie, our Office Manager and Event Coordinator, has been a racing fan for more than a dozen years and brings her passion for racing and flare for fun and excitement to all HRC events. She handles all the race day seating and passes, monthly assessment processes and works closely with marketing, horsemen's liaison and race office officials at the tracks HRC races at.
Shannon Hastings
Trainer, Texas
Shannon has been training horses for 15 yeas and is a hard worker on the Texas thoroughbred circuit. He draws upon his athletic experience as a former football and track star in getting his horses ready for peak race day performances. A former understudy of the legendary Jack Van Berg, Shannon specializes in finding ways to move horses up in class and ability. His best horses include the likes of Imperial Material, Deception Island, Chokum Dan and our current stakes horse Turnleftatthelight.
Bart Hone
Trainer, Arizona
Bart Hone Racing is backed with 25+ years of industry experience racing throughout the country. Bart has been the leading trainer at Turf Paradise while setting a record with 88 wins in a single race meet and consistently ranking in the top 10 trainers. Bart and his team don't want to be the largest training team in the country, they just want to be the BEST! Bart and his team provide the very best care, top-notch training, conditioning, board, breaking and more to each individual horse. Through their fabulous personalized and professional service, Bart and his team have established business relationships with their customers that will last a lifetime!
Ed Moger, Jr
Trainer, California
Ed took out his first trainer’s license in 1976 and has successfully campaigned horses at Bay Meadows, Golden Gate and southern California the last several years.
He has an excellent reputation with horsemen as being a reliable, knowledgeable, responsible and trustworthy trainer. He takes a strong interest in each horse, believing it is important to get to know their individual characteristics, movements and personalities. Ed’s top horses have been stakes horses Phaenna, Zoning In and Gentle Charmer.
Jennifer Bartholomew
Trainer, Kentucky
Jennifer is a young up-and-coming trainer on the Kentucky circuit. She grew up around horses and attended Michigan State University for pre-veterinary studies before the tug of racetrack life pulled her away. A former exercise rider, she's a hands-on trainer and still takes a seat up on her trainees. Her team provides top quality care from breaking through training. She stables full time at Victory Haven Training Center in Lexington and ships to all the local tracks. She has a knack for moving her horses up in value.
Michael LeCesse
Trainer, Pennsylvania
Michael is a veteran trainer with over 20 years experience. Winning consistently at a 20% clip, he's well versed in advanced training techniques. The LeCesse family operatives a farm near Finger Lakes, allowing his team to train year round. Mike bred, owned and trained Tin Cup Chalice, the first winner of the Big Apple Triple sweep.
Ben Root
Trainer, Washington and Oregon
Ben began his training career working as a groom for his father at Longacres while still in high school. After graduating from Oregon State University in Business Management and Athletic Administration, he worked in Sports Event Management, and as Promotion and Events Director at the Home Builders Association running famed events such as the Street of Dreams.
However, his love and passion for the Sport of Kings quickly lured him back to racing at Portland Meadows, one hour from his parents’ Oakhurst Thoroughbreds 140-acre farm. Ben has since branched out to become a regular at Emerald Downs, consistently finishing in the top 15.
“We treat each athlete in our stable as an individual and are constantly looking for ways to improve performance. We also really pride ourselves on excellent communication and complete honesty when dealing with our owners. Our goal is simple: have fun and introduce new faces to the Sport of Kings and Queens!”
Dr. Jack Root, DVM, & Margaret “Cookie” Root
Veterinary consultant
Jack, Ben Root's father, is a former trainer and full-time vet with decades of experience in horse racing. The Root's own and operation Oakhurst Thoroughbreds, Oregon's top thoroughbred facility. A student of pedigrees and conformation, Jack's counsel is valued and appreciated. His wife, Margaret "Cookie", is a former trainer who helps us out with Oakhurst farm visits.
Ronald Brooks
Trainer, Oklahoma
Ron is a veteran trainer with decades of experience working with quarter horses and thoroughbreds. Now primarily a private trainer, Ron is assisted by Chad Russell, former professional bull rider and team roper and owner of Country Rose Stables in Oklahoma.
Ron's had many good horses over the years including Oklahoma bold, Kiraday and most recently Almagnus. With a small stable, our horses in Ron and Chad's care receive top quality, hands on care that shows in the horse's good temperament and behavior.
Brian Williamson
Trainer, Illinois
Brian is a talented, veteran trainer with many stakes winners to his credit. He's always among the leading trainers at Hawthorne and Arlington. Brian trains for the legenary Fairberry Farm of Harry and Nancy Vanier.
Shane Seaton
Trainer, Oklahoma
Shane is a young trainer working in partnership with his father-in-law Ricky Gustafson. Ricky is a veteran trainer of over 30 years and has a great reputation on the Oklahoma circuit.
Shane's grandfather has been in the racing business all his life and Shane caught the bug early and has done breaking, roping and racing over the years. Since marrying Ricky's daughter, he's been the talented trainer's partner at the track. Shane's favorite horse has been April's Shaynee, who he purchased as a two-year-old and named after his wife. Shane looks for horses with a big heart and attitude - one that will give their all every time they go out.
Vince Delgado
Racetrack Liaison, Texas
Vince has been a racing fan for ten years and lives 30-minutes from Lone Star Park with his wife and two daughters. Professionally, he’s a successful manager with strong interpersonal, communication and relationship building skills. He’s been a racing fan for over a dozen years and is a part-owner in two horses. He’ll be working closely with our Texas trainer and assuring our partners enjoy the best race horse ownership experience possible.
Mike Vito
Racetrack Liaison, Illinois
Michael is originally from Chicago and resides downtown with his wife, Margaret. He is a graduate of St. Francis University in Joliet, where he played football and baseball. He is the General Manager of the Seneca Hotel in Chicago and has been in the hotel business for 20 years.
His home tracks are Arlington Park and Hawthorne. He has been involved in the horse racing industry as racing fan and handicapper for over 15 years. He’s owned horses the past three years and currently has over 25 horses in various partnerships from coast to coast. He looks forward to bringing the HRC experience to the Chicagoland area.
Steve Klopfstein
Web Designer
Steve is a veteran web designer with over a dozen years experience. With a Visual Communications degree from the Art Institute of Seattle, he enjoys marrying technical knowledge with artistic talents to solve client challenges and build creative web designs. Steve has visited the race track several times and also enjoys walking club experiences with his girlfriend and sharing his passion for video game design and entertainment with his son.
Carly Kaiser
Freelance Videographer/Photographer
We’re thrilled to have award-winning photographer and videographer Carly Kaiser on the team. Carly contributed many of the photos on the website and captures the HRC spirit in action throughout the year.
Del Carroll
Trainer, New York
Information pending
What kinds of horses do you target, for what kinds of races? What are the main goals of your partnerships?
We tend to buy young, well-bred fillies at auction or private sale for racing. For broodmares, we look for young, well-bred mares in foal to promising sires. In all cases, we look for value-based opportunities where the probability of long term financial gain is favorable.
How is the managing partner compensated?
We charge a modest monthly management fee to cover our expenses and a small commission on earnings, so that we make money if our partners are making money.
Who authorizes the various expenditures and how are the partners notified and billed?
We value partners input in key decision making points and communicate with our partners frequently. We collect monthly assessments when we are unable to pay bills from our earnings.
We send monthly summaries to partners, as well as a monthly newsletter to all HRC partners. Every quarter we send a financial summary for each group to our partners.
When income is recognized from purse money or sales, does this income flow directly to investors or is it maintained in an account to cover future expenses? At what point does the partnership settle up (monthly, quarterly or annually)? Is each partner provided a statement reflecting cash receipts and disbursements? How often?
We value partners input in key decision making points and communicate with our partners frequently. We collect monthly assessments when we are unable to pay bills from our earnings.
We send monthly summaries to partners, as well as a monthly newsletter to all HRC partners. Every quarter we send a financial summary for each group to our partners.
When we accumulate enough money in the account to cover three or more months anticipated expenses, we send a distribution from the account to partners.
Are racing and sales decisions made solely at the discretion of the managing partner?
While the managing partner and trainer work collaboratively to make such decisions, again, we seek and value our partners input.
We recognize how intently many of our partners follow their horses and local racing scene, so their input can be helpful and informative.
How do you keep your partners updated about their horses (Email, phone, website, online message board, etc.) and how often are they updated?
We send e-mails to the partners every time there is information that could be helpful or interesting, examples would be workouts, potential races, nomination or condition updates, entries, results, post-race debriefings, updates on pedigree, etc.
What sort of services and perks do you offer your partners? Stable Visits? Farm Visits? Help handling the licensing? Anything special you want to mention?
We host barn visits, race day events, season opening/closing parties, farm visits and auction participation.
We carry a line of HRC wear, which is available and we have raffle giveaways at most of our events.
We can assist partners with their licensing needs.
REVIEWS
If you would like to leave a review, please click here. George Barclay, 7/1/09
I have only been involved with the Horseplayers Racing Club for a short time and only with one horse but have been watching their operation for a much longer time. One of the positives I see with the HRC is the wide range of partnerships offered, breeding, yearlings, 2 year olds, and older horses. HRC races in many venues and offers partnerships in almost all aspects of racing and breeding. No matter your interest, they have something for you. Scott seems particularly astute in selecting and buying young horses.
Ben Root -- Trainer, 5/12/09
I have had the good fortune of being involved with HorsePlayer's Racing Club since the beginning, and what a pleasure it has been. We have had our fair share of both trials and tribulations, but it was so nice to meet someone that shares my philosophy of putting this great game within reach for the average person. I have been involved with their Stakes horses, newly acquired claims, and old warriors, and they are always encouraging nothing but honesty and fair assessments from their trainers for their partners. Scott and Debbie have always allowed and encouraged me to do right by the animals and put their safety and well being first. HRC owners come from all backgrounds, and are always encouraged to ask questions, give input, visit the barn and be a solid participant, not just a silent onlooker. I am excited to be a part of it, and look forward to many more years of friendship, fun, and winners!
Jeffrey Campbell, 4/10/09
I recently began looking for a partnership group that I could become involved with after a 12-year absence from racing, and I wanted to be involved with a California race horse. I stumbled upon HRC's website in March 2009, and after consulting with Debbie and Scott we picked out a horse that offered everything I was looking for. In my case I wanted a very young horse, from a strong pedigree, one that the trainer felt had promising potential, and that would be racing near my home town. There were no sales tactics and the lines of communication are nothing short of fantastic. Both Debbie and Scott actually encouraged me to ask as many questions as possible before deciding. We picked out my horse and I am looking forward to seeing this young colt on the track.
As I did not want put my money into any one particular horse (I want to expand my stable over a few different horses), and after reading one of the many email's Scott send out weekly, another offering quickly came from HRC that I found myself very interested in. One month later and I now have ownership in two separate horses and currently looking at a third offering.
I am with the United States Navy and set to deploy overseas this summer, and Scott is currently setting up a barn visit for me at Golden Gate Fields so that I can spend some time with one of my horses and take a few photos before my departure. Hopefully I will receive an email from Debbie and Scott informing me that my horse made it to the winner's circle while I am away.
For anyone who has skepticism about taking the plunge into ownership, rest assured that you will be thoroughly pleased and treated with the utmost of respect with HRC!
Andrea Silverio, 3/24/09
The best gift that my sisters and I have ever given my dad is a share in a partnership with Horseplayers Racing Club! Watching the races has been a favorite past time for my family beginning with my grandfather's passion for watching the horses for over 27 years- so to know that he is a partner of a horse is amazing! What really amazes me is the communication about the HRC that Scott and Debbie (managers) send out frequently. I really appreciate how the newsletters and emails really inform us and engage us in the partnership. I love how HRC includes me and my sisters in the communications so that we can stay up to date with current and future events. Thank you so much HRC for this opportunity to continue our family tradition of horseracing!
Jennifer Bartholomew 3/20/09
I have had the pleasure of working with Horseplayer's Racing Club for the last few months, and I couldn't be happier with them! I purchased a couple of horses for them at the January sale and now have one of their horses in my stable. Scott and Debbie are easy to communicate and work with because they are flexible,understand the business and they want the best for their equine atheletes. I would have no problem reccomending Horseplayer's Racing Club to either a first time owner, or a seasoned owner of several horses.
Tony & Benita Edwards, 3/19/09
The professionalism of a quality operation and the warmth of family is what you get with HRC. We have been partners with HRC from the beginning and it has been such a positive, thrilling, and rewarding experience it is hard to put it in words. Scott and Debbie are second to none when it comes to running a first class horse racing partnership. From excellent and regular communication, being available to answer questions via email or phone, planning race days, or just talking handicapping it is apparent that they care not only for the HRC partners but also for the horses. If you love horse racing and want to experience it from an owner’s perspective, on the backstretch, in the paddock, and in the winner’s circle then HRC is the choice for you.
W. Shannon Hastings, 3/19/09
My experience as a trainer for horseplayers has been fantastic since the beginning!! Scott has always been upfront and honest with partners as well as myself. I enjoy coversing with him as he is very knowledgable not ownly as an owner but as just a horseman. I can honestly recommend small percentage partners to him and know they are getting fairly informed and treated like a 100% owner not just a 1 or 2 % person.
MV, 3/19/09
I started out with one offering and now own four. Class act group. Managed by a knowledgeble horseman who has your best interest in mind. This is simply the way to go to share in the experience of ownership. Communication is top knotch. Of greatest importance is thier offerings are well thought out with the best interest of thier partners in mind. Enjoy the ride. Invest with confidence.
Pete Mare, 3/19/2009
My experience with horseplayersracingclub.com has been nothing short of spectacular! Scott Gruender,who is the president & managing partner, has great communication with each of the partners. I have been with them for almost a year now & the experience has been great. I would recommend them for anyone who is interested in getting into the industry for minimal costs!
Jeff and Jessica Peters, 1/5/09
Having been involved in horse racing at such a young age, I really wanted to share my love for the sport with the person I love the most. With him not being familiar at all, us joining HRC has really helped flourish the amount of enthusiasm and interest of horse racing in our relationship. Going to the track, getting updates on our horses, and new offerings are always available via email or just a simple call to Scott and Debbie Gruender. They have done a great job putting together a partnership where you feel included in every event that takes place. They are a very knowledgeable couple in the horse racing industry and I would highly regard them to anyone looking to get a piece of action in the Sport of Kings.
Clifton, 1/5/09
HRC is my first partnership experience. I just completed my first year with HRC and could not be more pleased. Scott and Debbie do a tremendous job managing the partnership and providing a consistently positive experience. Communication is definitely a strong suit of the partnership and I consistently take advantage of Scott's willingness to converse on the horses, racing, handicapping and the game in general. Additionally, the accommodations made to the partners are exceptional. We just had a two year old break his maiden and my wife and I have been on cloud nine for the last week.
Rick and Mary Ann Portland OR, 1/3/09
We joined HRC in March '08 becoming partners on 2 and now 5 horses all racing in OR,WA and CA. We picked some that race near home. It is apparent that owners enjoy sharing their knowledge and making sure the partners are kept updated on their horses,and questions are welcomed and answered promptly.Barn visits, workouts and sharing fun with people who all enjoy horses and racing and learning more about it has been better than advertised.It is hard to describe the joy one has when a horse that you have a part in wins and brings you with him to the winner's circle along with new friends to share a grin, handshake or a pat on the back. The feeling is priceless and it never fades away.You'll have a picture to show and earn some money too, but the horse can give you a gift even bigger. Besides carrying the jockey around he can take you on a ride too, a very exciting one, and with the quality trainers and offerings at HRC you're bound for winning fun with this well run club.
Brian and Candice Doolittle, 1/3/09
We have been around Horse Racing for many years but have never been in a Partnership before until we heard of HRC. It has been such a great experience being in a fun group. Scott Gruender is great and is so on top at sending us updates and information everyday. His wife Debbie is also great for when the track is open here in Washington in making sure our experience there is great! Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Robby Herndon, 1/3/09
I've been a partner with HRC for about a year now and have really enjoyed the experience. Scott and Debbie Gruender do a superb job of keeping us updated and are always open to suggestions. The partnerships are very affordable and offer a great value to those who want to own part of a thoroughbred without having to sink their life savings into one. I am a part of three different HRC partnerships and have been lucky enough to have three winner's circle photos so far. What I'm most impressed with is the communication we receive. I get updates after every workout, entry, race and also the future plans for each horse. Scott is an expert handicapper and his knowledge of horse racing has served us very well in the management of the partnerships. I had the pleasure of meeting Scott and Debbie a couple months ago at Retama Park and was thoroughly impressed with their honesty and easy-going nature. I would recommend them to anyone who wants to be a part of this great sport.
Kent Karwoski - Chicago ILL, 1/2/09
I have been a partner in 3 different clubs the last few years.I am happy to have found Scott Gruenders HRC. The trouble with the first clubs I inversted in was communicateing with the General Manager - there was none - The second club I invested in - the trouble with that club - There was no communication with the General Manager and as of today 1/2/2009 I am still awaiting my portion of winnings and claim money from the horse i owned .. its been over 6 months and no check no calls no emails .. poof .. well by some great quirk of faith I met Scott though a friend and promised myself one more last time with clubs. Well Scott and his team have been a joy to be partners with..He is always there via email or the phone , statements come from Debra ON TIME and CORRECT the FIRST of every month. IT HAS BEEN A DREAM COME TRUE ! and a bonus has been 2 horses and 3 wins for me .. having winners is rare and having a winner is very good fortune and so far we have had 3 with two horses im partners in at HRC . I trust Scott and Debra -I have no trouble sending them checks when needed and I would strongly encourage anyone interested in joining us in the sport of kings to look no further than Horseplayers Racing Club !
Michael Vito, 1/2/09
Horseplayers Racing Club has been a fantastic experience. The managaing partner Scott Gruender, is honest, upfront and communicates timely and efficiently on a regular basis. HRC has been able to expand throughout the U.S. and they provide a value based ownership experience in many aspects of racing. Racing in Chicago has been great for the partners and we've been fortunate enough to have several winners circle photos from 2008 and look forward to 2009. I highly recommend HRC if you are looking to get into the game.
Tom L in CA, 1/2/09
I am hoping that many people like me will see this and know that you can have a piece of horse racing for a small amount of money and have a great time. I am a blue collar worker, married with kids and live in California. I live within minutes from Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, Del Mar and Los Alamitos. Most of these tracks are considered some of the best in the world. I am older and started getting interested in horse racing. I read a book that I recommend to anyone new to horse racing "Betting on horses for dummies." I started going to the races with not much knowledge, picked up the DRF and as I read I saw that people were offering partnerships. I read about partnerships and emailed several of them. Some of the partnerships never responded, some emailed back send the money to an address. However, I came across Scott and Debbie at HRC and the emails would not stop. Not only did he tell me how the club made money, the pedigrees of the horses, he helped me with basic horse racing questions. The club sends out emails almost weekly on the various horses and partnerships. I can't but if I was able to go to the races where the partnerships are, Scott and Debbie arrange owners viewing and seats. When one of my horses win, don't tell anyone, but they have been winning alot, we are given a winners photo. I have invested in several of the partnerships and yes there are monthly fees, but they are reasonable and Scott and Debbie will work with you. I feel that they do this not only to earn a living, but also for the love of horse racing and the sport in general. I really recommend this partnership club. I have explored others while a member of this club, thinking I could branch out, but the customer service, lets say has been in the toilet. Again, let me say I don't have a lot of extra money and this partnership is perfect for me. If you have any questions, do what I did email Scott or Debbie and ask before you spend a dime, I have never met either of them, but feel very confident and happy to be a part of this partnership. Have a great new year and as they say somewhere, may all your racing tickets be winners.
Robert and Julie (in Texas), 1/2/09
My wife and I were brand new to the idea of Thoroughbred Partnerships in January of 2008. We live in Texas and were looking for a partnership that races horses in our area. There aren't many partnerships to choose from that race horses in the local circuits. Fortunately, HRC does. We started off cautiously at first and took baby steps to see how things would go. Our experience has been nothing short of fantastic. Scott Gruender and his wife Debbie manage/operate HorsePlayersRacingClub. They are extremely helpful and informative. If excellent communication, affordability, low pressure, and honesty are what you are after...this is without a doubt the right partnership for you. HRC specializes in affordable buy-ins. If you're looking to sink $100,000 into a yearling, this is NOT the partnership for you. HRC is a family friendly partnership...you can be as "active" a member as you like. You will definitely receive regular updates on your horses, an e-mail monthly newsletter for ALL the HRC horses, news of new additions to the HRC stable, all that. My wife and I now own interests in several HRC horses, including racing and breeding partnerships. Do what I did... "test the water before you jump into the deep end of the pool." Go to horseplayersracingclub.com for info. Ask questions before you invest. Scott and Debbie will be happy to help. See if you're not treated like someone special. You don't need to be "filthy rich" to be a part of the "Sport of Kings". HRC makes it affordable and fun.
