The Most Precious Addition
by Lisa Harkema
The New England-star was sold to Europe and impressed the French so much he was purchased by their national stud. Despite all the high hopes, though, Net Worth turned out to be highly average as a stallion. There was nothing average about his performances on the track, however, as illustrated by him humiliating the French elite at Vincennes when he was 11.
Bred at Walnut Hall Farm, Net Worth was bought by William Bartlett from Milbury outside of Worchester, MA. The horse was ready early and won in 2:16 (1.24,5) as a two-year-old over a half-mile track. At three Net Worth didn’t go up against the best such as Walter Dear or Volomite, but did very well in conditioned races, both against three-year-old and aged opposition, winning five times and lowering his record to 2:10 1/4 (1.21,0). After wintering at home in Worchester after the 1929 season, Net Worth was further improved. The colt did not race at the big and fast racetracks in 1930 and thus missed out on a really fast record. He was nonetheless a star on New England tracks.
After a good start to the 1930 season, including a third place against tough competition at Springfield, MA. Back home in Worchester, Net Worth won the 2:15 trot after placing 3-1-1 in the three heats. Going up to Keene, NH, the four-year-old colt was entered in the mixed event, pitting him against Lone Boy p2:07 1/4 (1.19,1) and other fast pacers. Despite this, Net Worth and Bartlett won all three heats. Going down to Cambridge, Net Worth again won all three heats, this time against trotters, winning in 2:10, 2:10, 2:10 3/4 (1.20,8, 1.20.8 and 1.21,3). Steamrolling the opposition, Net Worth again swept the opposition in three straight heats at Rutland, VT, winning in 2:10, 2:10 and 2:13 (1.20,8, 1.20,8 and 1.22,7) over a heavy and slow track. At Brockton, MA, he placed 1-2-1, winning the last heat in 2:07 (1.18,9), which turned out to be his personal best.