Late last month, esteemed racehorse Studio City competed in his final race at Ocean Downs, placing on the field. The stallion has raced in 311 races over an illustrious career.

By Remy Andersen, Staff Writer

(Sept. 14, 2023) It’s the end of an era for a well-seasoned standardbred trotter.

Studio City finished up his final race at Ocean Downs Casino in Ocean Pines late last month, his position known in racing terms as “up the field.” Although not winning, it was a glorious, celebrated occasion by everyone having close ties to the veteran racehorse.

The chestnut brown trotter is owned by Lisa Dennison and Greg Dypsky. Studio City comes from a third-generation racing family, being bred and raised at Winbak Farm in Chesapeake City, Maryland. He was born to mare Yagot Prestige and was sired by Conway Hall.

Studio City has raced in 311 races over the course of his campaign, travelling all over the country in doing so, and earning a lifetime total of $386,040 in prize money.

Now 14 years old, Studio City is still kicking away, with no signs of slowing down.

Each year, only a few racing horses reach the age of 14 and are still healthy and able to compete. It is perhaps even more rare for a 14-year-old to win at an age where retirement would seem to be the best option.

Even so, Jan Rooney, owner of Paws and Claws in West Ocean City and friend of Dennison and Dypsky, said Studio City did what seldom occurs in the horse racing industry, a term known as “retiring sound,” especially after a racing career that has spanned the last 14 years.