A partnership that brought luck for both parties

In a heartwarming tale of perseverance and partnership, owner Paul O’Neil and trainer Jessica Roegner have turned what some might consider a "shot in the dark" into a grand success story with the 2024 Jugette winner, Soft Shot. Their journey began in 2015 at Saratoga, where they first connected over the purchase of horse grain, leading to a fruitful collaboration that would see them achieve milestones in harness racing.

Soft Shot, affectionately known as “Shooter,” burst onto the scene after being acquired for $30,000 from OnGait in late 2023. With a promising record of 2-0-2 in five starts as a two-year-old, she caught O’Neil's attention through her impressive replays and lineage, being sired by Heston Blue Chip and out of the Bettors Delight mare Aims Whisper.

Looking to embark on her sophomore year, she trained flawlessly through the winter and qualified impressively, showcasing not just speed but a temperament that made her a joy to handle. After a remarkable eight-race win streak, Soft Shot faced tough competition, even setting a personal best of 1:51 in the distaff Open at The Meadows before heading to the prestigious Jugette.

Participation in a Grand Circuit event was a novel experience for Roegner and O’Neil, who had primarily competed in overnight races until this point. Despite the pressures of shipping, detention, and a new racing venue, Soft Shot adapted well—demonstrating her resilience and calm demeanour, an asset that aided her in the elimination round where she achieved a stunning world-record time of 1:49.3.

The final of the Jugette proved to be an exhilarating culmination of their hard work and dedication. With driver Dave Miller at the helm, Soft Shot delivered a masterful performance, leading the race and finishing in a remarkable 1:51, ultimately winning by a comfortable margin.

The victory not only solidified their place in harness racing but also fulfilled a lifelong dream for Roegner, who had envisioned being part of a Grand Circuit event since her teenage years. The success resonated deeply within the harness racing community, where O’Neil is regarded as a local hero for his unwavering support and contributions to fellow horsemen, particularly during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.

As discussions about Soft Shot's future racing schedule continue, both O’Neil and Roegner savour the triumph of the Jugette and reflect on how far their partnership has come—proving that with hard work, dedication, and a little bit of luck, dreams can indeed come true in the world of harness racing.